The Goddess Clan was, sure enough, the same as ever—floating arrogantly in midair, looking down on everyone.
Ludociel glanced at the fallen Monspeet and Derieri, a pleased expression on his face.
"Well done—defeating two of the Ten Commandments. This is another great victory for the Stigma of Light!"
Charles suddenly felt a wave of nausea. Being able to claim other people's victory as your own—few can pull off that kind of shamelessness in front of a crowd.
As he spoke, Ludociel looked around and asked, "Why do I see only two? Where are the other Ten Commandments?"
Ban said, displeased, "Obviously we beat them down. You think we were waiting for you? We're just short two, is all!"
Hearing the first half, Ludociel was thinking he should restrain himself from laughing too loudly, but the second half sobered him up.
"What do you mean, short two?"
Two of the Ten Commandments missing couldn't mean they'd abandoned the others and run. Compared to the good news that only two were left, Ludociel was more worried about what those two were doing.
But Ban clearly had no intention of answering further, which stoked his temper. He turned his gaze to Monspeet and Derieri.
His wings beat as he descended and reached out to grab the unconscious Monspeet.
But halfway there, his wrist was caught by another hand.
Ludociel's face darkened, and the Goddess Clan behind him barked, "Human, how dare you be rude to Lord Ludociel!"
Ignoring the lapdog's yapping, Charles said coldly, "What do you think you're doing?"
Ludociel lifted his head with a seemingly gentle smile. "Getting the information we want, of course."
"So torture, in other words," Charles said, his tone icy. "I don't think you'll get your wish."
Ludociel's smile turned strange. "How would you know without trying? With the right methods, there's always something to gain. For instance, if I torture one in front of the other, I don't believe they'll keep quiet."
At that, every member of the Seven Deadly Sins changed expression, glaring at him with open hostility.
But the other Goddess Clan and Holy Knights who'd arrived were different.
"That's right—retribution is exactly what the Demon Clan deserves!"
"Filthy Demons—no torture is too much for them!"
"To even give them a chance to atone—Lord Ludociel is truly merciful!"
…
The Goddess Clan was one thing, but for those Holy Knights to say such venomous things made Charles feel sick.
Among the Holy Knights, Gilthunder, Howzer, and others wore grim looks. They found it hard to accept Ludociel's methods and felt heartsick at their colleagues' attitudes.
As expected, not many Holy Knights in Liones who can't tell right from wrong are worth much.
Ludociel was getting carried away, continuing, "Even if they don't talk, it doesn't matter. We can execute these two and flush out the remaining Demon remnants.
"Even if none of that works, a public execution will still rally the morale of the Stigma of Light."
Diane and King instantly recalled what they saw during the trial—Ludociel using a massive Ark to slaughter countless Demon civilians.
Though Ludociel was now possessing someone else, it was as if they could see that grim face again.
Ludociel's expression suddenly changed, because sharp pain shot from his seized wrist.
Hearing what he said, Charles, enraged, tightened his grip.
Crack!
With a crisp snap, Ludociel's wrist bent; Charles had simply crushed it shorter.
Ludociel was, after all, the foremost of the Four Archangels; he didn't disgrace himself by screaming. After retreating a step, he silently healed his wrist with light.
Then, face cold, Ludociel looked at Charles. "What do you mean by this? Are you going to betray the Stigma of Light to save filthy Demons?"
Charles met his gaze without flinching. "First, I never joined that so-called Stigma of Light, so there's no 'betrayal' to speak of.
Second, I've never judged who to save by race or status, only by whether they deserve saving.
Lastly, no matter what, it's not your place to decide the fate of these two. You think I'll let some clueless Goddess Clan clown derail our battle a second time?"
Ludociel's patience was gone. His face was all gloom, with a hint of ferocity—nothing like the sanctity of the Goddess Clan.
"So you're dead set on making yourselves enemies of the Stigma of Light!"
Charles curled his lip in contempt. "Enemies? You're flattering yourself. Where did you get the nerve to think you could be my enemy?"
As he spoke, Charles fully unleashed his magic. Clawing flames danced and formed a massive fire dragon behind him.
The dragon's roar shook the air itself; both the Goddess Clan in the sky and the Holy Knights on the ground trembled.
"What is that?"
"Terrifying!"
"Is he really human?"
…
Not just the Holy Knights—even the Goddess Clan felt fear. They weren't fools; however much they looked down on frail humans, true power was right there before them.
They looked to Ludociel. What happened next depended on him.
If he lowered his stance even a little, this was a battle that could be avoided, and they wouldn't have to face such a terrifying enemy.
Would Ludociel bow? Impossible. He was a noble Archangel of the Goddess Clan. How could he bow to a human?
But Charles's display was indeed shocking, so he looked toward the Seven Deadly Sins.
"Meliodas, is this your stance as well? Three thousand years ago, you betrayed the Demon Clan. Now you would betray the Stigma of Light?"
Meliodas wiped his nose and said, "I'm the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins and the owner of the Boar Hat. As the owner, of course I'll stand with my staff."
"Seriously—take my eyes off you for a second and you're already getting into something interesting. Let me get in on it!"
That was Ban, hefting his three-section staff.
"Charles is right. The one in the wrong is you, you baddie!"
That was Diane, fuming.
"Since Diane put it that way, looks like we have no choice but to fight."
That was King, sounding helpless.
"Rationally speaking, the coming battle is meaningless. But as a member of the Seven Deadly Sins, I choose to fight."
That was Gowther, expressionless.
"Battle the legendary Goddess Clan? So long as my magnificent power is present, victory is not out of reach… no—victory will belong to whichever side I am on, even if the foe is the Goddess Clan."
That was Escanor, hefting his one-handed battle-axe.
"What a troublesome bunch."
Though it sounded like a complaint, Merlin still raised her Sacred Treasure.
Ludociel's face darkened further. An unknown like Charles was headache enough; with the Seven Deadly Sins collectively turning, he had to weigh the consequences of starting a fight now.
Just as the scene grew taut as a drawn bow, someone—who still had the leisure to pay attention elsewhere—shouted, "Hey, look at the sky!"
Everyone looked up on instinct, and saw darkness sweeping in… night had fallen!
It wasn't some portent born of the world sensing an imminent war. Nor was it like Meliodas, shrouding the sky with overwhelming darkness.
Someone had literally called the night. The proof was the bright full moon hanging in the sky—and the now gaunt Escanor.
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