"I am Astaroth. From today onwards, I will be in charge of 'Sloth'. Please ensure there are no misunderstandings in the future."
"Misunderstandings or whatever, we won't be seeing each other anymore."
Belphegor, who would be confined to Nastrond, and Astaroth, who had taken the seat of one of the Seven Sins. It was physically impossible for them to meet.
After hearing Belphegor's words, Astaroth adjusted his glasses once.
"Well, that's true. Belphegor. The position of 'Sloth' never suited you in the first place."
A clear provocation. However, Belphegor merely sighed as if bored.
"Yeah, yeah. 'The posture of ruling'. I've heard it ad nauseam*." [T/N: heard it to the point it is annoying]
"The one in charge of sloth, drowning in sloth, what a contradiction! The one who governs a sin must be free from that sin."
Astaroth spoke loudly as if giving a passionate lecture. Belphegor's gaze shifted slightly at those words.
At that remark, Satan simply tilted his head once and shrugged.
"...Hmm. I haven't said a word about Lord Satan."
As Belphegor mentioned the title again, Astaroth's eyes narrowed.
"I'm still new to the position of one of the Seven Sins. I'm just showing due respect."
Belphegor laughed. He threw his head back, letting his gray hair flow, and laughed out loud.
Belphegor, whose laughter somehow made people feel sluggish, opened his narrow eyes behind that laughter and said,
"You're done for. You. You don't fit."
"...! Just because I'm not 'slothful' doesn't mean I can't be in charge of Sloth...!"
"It's not a matter of the type of sin."
This time, Belphegor lowered his head deeply.
He had fallen from the position of one of the Seven Sins, his status, authority, and power diminished, yet an aura that made all seven, including Astaroth, tense flowed from his body.
"That 'height' doesn't suit you. You're precarious, Astaroth. One who stands above should stand firmly on both feet, not twist their entire body and perform acrobatics on an unstable balance."
"...You're saying I'm unstable?"
"For a while, the people around you will clap their hands, saying you're amazing. Acrobatics are more impressive the longer you do them. But no one will follow someone who struggles just to hold on to a precarious pole."
"...Hmph. Now that you're a fallen demon, your words have no persuasive power."
Belphegor readily admitted it.
As Astaroth said, he no longer had the qualifications. His words held no authority or power, and therefore, the one who was right now was not Belphegor but Astaroth.
Yes, that's why this was just an old man's concern.
Advice from Belphegor, who had held the position of one of the Seven Sins before Astaroth, who had held the position 'longer than anyone else' here.
"As you said, there's no need to be slothful just because you're in charge of Sloth, but..."
Belphegor's half-closed eyes scanned Astaroth. Astaroth, standing stiffly upright. After confirming that posture, which seemed impervious to lethargy or laziness,
"...Learn how to 'sit' in that position."
As Astaroth raised his voice in displeasure, it was Lucifer who stopped him.
"Hey, Belphegor. That's enough. You're the one who said to finish it quickly, yet you talk the most."
"I apologize. An unexpected successor appeared."
"We've conveyed everything we needed to, and this is just a personal question of mine, but..."
Lucifer's eyes turned to Belphegor.
"Why did you lose to a human?"
Belphegor closed his mouth for a moment.
The seven demons here basically had no interest in humans. No, they had a lot of interest in the human species itself, but not in individuals.
The scene of Belphegor and Frondier fighting could be easily confirmed with a little investigation.
Above all, their subordinates would have prepared the materials for them. Ignoring even that, they were asking Belphegor.
'Seriously, who are the truly slothful ones here.'
Belphegor sighed inwardly.
"Hmph, there's nothing to be wary of. It's just that Belphegor was weak enough to be unfit for the Seven Sins."
Astaroth clicked his tongue and spoke.
At that, Lucifer's gaze turned to Astaroth.
"Be careful with your words. You don't know Belphegor."
"...But, it's the truth, isn't it?"
Astaroth's words, which were about to protest, stopped.
His eyes and lips trembled, and his face turned pale as he looked around, trembling.
At the end of his gaze, Satan was smiling.
"It's better to listen to Lucifer's words quietly. Rookie."
The 'anger' that Satan emitted was like a thin thread.
Astaroth was instantly overwhelmed by the teeth that flashed faintly within that smile.
He barely managed to utter those words and lowered his head. He struggled to hide his cold sweat.
"...Hmph, it wasn't your place to step in, Satan."
"But I agree. It's not just Lucifer who's curious about how Belphegor lost to a mere human."
At those words, Belphegor looked at Satan. He tilted his head and cast a suspicious glance at him.
"You met Frondier too, didn't you? Before asking how I lost, wouldn't you have some idea yourself?"
Satan, who had met Frondier before Belphegor.
Belphegor didn't know the details of the circumstances, but considering the context, it was almost certain that Satan had met Frondier.
Regardless of what kind of encounter they had, Satan would have witnessed a glimpse of the power Frondier possessed.
It wasn't something Satan would miss.
Satan shamelessly tilted his head.
"I don't tend to remember every single human."
Belphegor's gaze sharpened. As if trying to read Satan's intentions, the gaze of 'Sloth' scanned Satan's eyes.
"──That look, it's unpleasant."
This time, it was clear and distinct anger emanating from Satan.
A definite and fierce torrent, incomparable to what he had briefly shown Astaroth, surged, and in an instant, the atmosphere in the room was filled with murderous intent.
While everyone focused their gazes on Satan with caution, Belphegor's heart, the one receiving the anger, remained calm and tranquil.
That's what sloth is.
You're up to something.
The connection with Nastrond. The successor of the Seven Sins who addresses him with the honorific 'Lord'. The humans of the Empire who will soon look beyond the sea. And the way he's hiding Frondier, who is currently the one to be most wary of.
'You intend to use them.'
Nastrond, and the gods.
And above all, Frondier de Roach, you plan to play with them on your chessboard.
Belphegor averted his gaze. He lowered his head to hide his expression, forcing down a rising smile.
He couldn't hold it back, and a small laugh escaped.
Ah, Nastrond. It truly is hell.
To think I won't be able to see the faces of the Seven Sins who will meet Frondier in the future. To think I have to leave it to my imagination how their faces will be painted with astonishment.
'Yes, Satan. I wish you the best of luck.'
I really want to see that sight.