The Infernal Palace consisted of seven floors, each one occupied by one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
As a woman of Judah and daughter of one of the three Matriarchs of Paragons, Nadia was quite familiar with each floor and what they contained.
For that reason, it was quite easy for her to figure out her current location, which ultimately turned out to be the floor occupied by Baseth, the Devil of Gluttony.
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t be worried, merely curious as to why the Devil brought her into the Infernal Palace, especially since they hadn’t had previous dealings.
Unfortunately, the circumstance was anything but normal, considering it hadn’t been too long ago that Sayda, a Daemon of Gluttony, passed away.
Upon hearing those words, she instinctively formed a fist as her breath quickened.
Just as she took a step back, while contemplating how best to handle the situation, she heard the voice again.
Don’t be afraid. I don’t bite.
Nadia’s heart dropped, the last portion of Baseth’s words ringing in her ear like a death knell.
"... Lady Baseth, to what do I owe the pleasure of this summons?"
There was a quiver in her voice as she spoke while she trembled like a person stuck in a cold room with nothing on their back.
A chuckle echoed about her after which a ridiculously large mouth manifested in front of her.
Nadia took another step back, already imagining the mouth closing over her head, ridding her of life.
I told you. Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.
"... You won’t?" Nadia asked, a skeptical look on her visage.
Of course, why should I?
"I’m partly responsible for her death." Nadia fidgeted. "Don’t you want revenge or something?"
Laughter, one so boisterous Nadia fell on her buttocks, her eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the large mouth before her.
Not just the one that manifested seemingly out of nowhere but all mouths present in the hallway indulged in laughter, leaving Nadia no choice but to cover her ears while thinking aloud in a bid to drown out the cacophony.
Soon enough, the laughter ended, at which point Nadia found herself sighing in relief as she dropped her hands.
You are quite the jokester, aren’t you?
A smile remained at the corners of the disembodied mouth as it added.
Sayda was an annoying bitch and I am quite happy to be rid of her. Forget anger, I’m happy you took care of her.
"You are?" A disbelieving look appeared on Nadia’s face.
Of course!... She was always so troublesome and even dared to insult me. If not for my delicate position, I’d have long since murdered that bitch myself.
"... I see," Nadia muttered, realizing that Vessina hadn’t lied when she claimed that Baseth and Sayda had a terrible relationship with one another.
Now then, stop thinking too much about that and get on your feet.
Hesitant at first, Nadia decided to do as Baseth instructed as she slowly got back to her feet, of course not without falling back to the ground a few times.
Finally, she was back on her feet, at which point she tried to smile, though the end result turned out quite crooked.
Now then, to the main reason I brought you here.
Nadia paid close attention at this juncture, aware that it was her way out of this.
She couldn’t leave the Infernal Palace on her own, so her only chance lay with Baseth letting her go.
Arturo Lopez. Does that name mean anything to you?
Nadia furrowed her brows before slowly shaking her head. "No, I’m not familiar with it."
Ah, I see. How about Arthur Sanders?
The silence that followed was deafening as Nadia stared blankly at Baseth.
Aware that she’d struck a chord, the Devil continued.
You must think you have avenged his death by killing Sayda. But I am here to tell you that it is far from finished.
"... What are you talking about?"
Before Sayda could find your group, she had some help from another Devil, one that you had come in contact with.
Nadia frowned. "I don’t understand."
Amase. She was the reason Sayda found your group and why Arthur Sanders is dead now.
"... The Devil of Greed?" Nadia asked, to which Baseth replied.
Nadia’s confused expression darkened even further as she scratched the side of her head, trying to make sense of what Baseth had just said.
If you don’t believe me, you can ask her, child. Ask Amase what she did the day Arthur Sanders died.
Don’t forget to ask Amase.
"I said send me back!" Nadia lashed out, quickly forgetting where she was.
Following that, Nadia was devoured by a mouth that spat her out in her residence in a small building on the eastern continent of Henos.
Meanwhile, back in the Infernal Palace, a wicked grin sat comfortably on the disembodied mouth only for it to cease as a voice was heard.
What was the need for that?
The disembodied mouth pursed its lips before shifting its attention to where the voice had come from.
There, a purple-skinned succubus with bat wings and a domineering aura stood, her arms crossed and her expression stern.
Vessina dear, what are you doing here?
Ignoring the question, Vessina asked, her tone even more incensed than the last.
Why did you do that?... Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?
I don’t understand. What are you talking about?
Silence persisted between the two devils for a while before the disembodied mouth gave way to a featureless humanoid body with a mouth on its torso.
Its skin was covered in stomach juices and appeared a painful red, a rather disgusting sight to behold.
Vessina was naturally unmoved by the sight as she waited for a response and soon enough, it came.
She drank from the Waters of Diablos, Sister. What else needs to happen before you accept that she is trouble?
Vessina said to which Baseth replied.
Is she though?... Mortalkind may be ignorant, but we are not. We know the truth and it vexes me that we aren’t doing anything about it.
And this is your way of doing something?
I’m aware of that. Mother would skin me alive, but that doesn’t mean other means can’t be employed.
Amase won’t spare her.
I’m tired of doing things your way. You are supposed to be a proud being but all I see now is a coward. Someone who would rather survive the inevitable than do something about it.
Vessina stayed silent, her eyes flickering with emotion as she stared at Baseth.
It’s best if you do things your way, while I do the same. Don’t think I will hesitate to break our agreement should you push me.
Slowly nodding, Vessina turned to leave only to pause as she intoned.
I do hope for your sake that you have made the right decision.
With that, she was gone and Baseth remained, accompanied by the lingering silence.