The Second Coming of Gluttony Chapter 310:
Chapter 310 . Preparations (3)
“As a frontline city, Haramark will have difficulty joining the battle . Plus, Taciana Cinzia is someone I don’t feel comfortable dealing with…”
Philip Muller trailed off as he glanced at Seol Jihu .
“You probably cannot guarantee anything either . But I would like you to ask them anyway . The Star of Sloth is a Magician like me . If she helps, she will become a huge part of our battle power . ”
Seol Jihu nodded in agreement . If Philip Muller would go out of his way to talk to two other Executors, talking to Cinzia was the least he could do .
“Alright, I’ll give it a try . ”
“Good . ”
Philip Muller let out a short sigh before taking out a crystal orb and putting it on the table .
“Contact me when you get Haramark’s reply . We can share each other’s progress then . ”
Seol Jihu took the communication crystal as if it was a precious treasure .
“I’m sorry for visiting you out of the blue . I enjoyed talking with you . It was a very hopeful time . ”
Seol Jihu felt a strange sense of déjà vu .
Hopeful time . He felt like he heard the same phrase before .
Was it King Prihi?
“I should get going . ”
Philip Muller got up .
“It looks like things are going to get busy . ”
*
The meeting ended .
Philip Muller said he didn’t need to be sent off, but Seol Jihu replied he would at least see him out to the door .
“You don’t have to be so polite . To be honest, I debated talking to you casually several times during our conversation . ”
“I’m more comfortable doing this . ”
The Star of Avarice spoke discontentedly before hurriedly leaving the building . Seol Jihu, who was talking with Odelette Delphine, suddenly shouted .
“Mister Philip Muller!”
Philip Muller stopped, his head turning around and showing his clear eyes .
“What’s up?”
“Thank you . ”
Seol Jihu expressed his thanks . To be honest, that was all he could think of .
He felt reassured for some reason . It was like someone appeared out of nowhere to hold him up when he was wandering around in the darkness with a body that could collapse at any moment . And he was saying, ‘Don’t fall . You got this . You can lean on me if you’re tired . ’
“About what?”
“Just, everything . Take good care of me . ”
Philip Muller blinked rapidly, taken aback by Seol Jihu’s gratitude . He stared for a moment before grinning .
“Well… Don’t be chummy with only Luxuria . ”
He turned back to the front .
“And get a little closer to Avaritia too . ”
He left, leaving behind those ambiguous words .
Seol Jihu drew a heavy breath as he stared at the backs of Philip Muller and Odelette Delphine as they walked away .
Finally . He finally felt like he was making some progress .
*
Seol Jihu prepared to leave for Haramark that very day .
What Philip Muller said wasn’t wrong . No one knew what would happen to the Middle World while they were in the Spirit Realm .
They needed to prepare as much as they could before leaving so that the Middle World would hold out until the World Tree’s revival, even if that only meant a futile struggle .
“Jihu~”
While Seol Jihu was busy packing his bags, Seo Yuhui walked into the office .
“Ah, Noona, you’re here . ”
“Mhm . I heard from Miss Kim Hannah . You’re going to Haramark?”
“Yes . ”
Seol Jihu didn’t forget to share how things were progressing . To be more precise, Seol Jihu told Kim Hannah, and Kim Hannah relayed the message to the members .
Given the scale of the operation, he had to tell them early on so they could accept it more easily later .
In truth, most of them had known Seol Jihu’s goal since the moment the Halep siblings and Hoshino Urara came .
Perhaps because of it, clouds of war were beginning to swirl around Valhalla . Some of the sharper members had already gone into intense training or equipment inspection .
“Oh right, have you fully recovered?”
“Mmmn, I’m still holding onto Moirai’s Souvenir . ”
“Ah… You haven’t used it yet?”
Seo Yuhui gave a bitter smile .
“To tell you the truth, there’s something I want to do… but given the circumstances, it looks like I should recover my strength . ”
‘Something she wants to do?’
Seol Jihu tilted his head .
What did she want to do with Moirai’s Souvenir?
“Anyway, look at your face! Jeez . The Neutral Zone’s over, yet it’s become so thin again . ”
Seo Yuhui reached out and carefully grasped Seol Jihu’s emaciated face . The soft, warm touch almost made Seol Jihu fall asleep, but he barely held himself together .
Seo Yuhui was truly a devilish woman . If he loosened his focus and went into her arms, he would forever be unable to escape .
“What a pity . ”
“No, I’m fine . ”
“Fine? I don’t think so . Say, is there anything this noona can help you with?”
Hearing this, Seol Jihu flinched . He would have said he was fine if it was at any other time . But maybe because he met with Philip Muller, a certain thought crossed his mind .
That they had to gather all of humanity’s battle power .
And this naturally made him recall one particular person .
“Um… . ”
“Mhm, anything is okay, so tell me . ”
Seeing Seol Jihu hesitate, Seo Yuhui consoled him by gently caressing his cheek .
Seol Jihu asked with difficulty .
“Can you bring someone here?”
“Hm?”
“During the valley war, there was someone who saved me before I was killed by Undying Diligence . I heard later on that she was one of the strongest fighters in Paradise . ”
Seo Yuhui’s hand froze .
“Are you talking about Miss Baek Haeju?”
“Yes, that’s the name . The Sacred Empress, right?”
Paradise’s first Level 8 Earthling, the Sacred Empress .
In truth, Seol Jihu did not know much about her . All he knew was that she used a spear just like him and that she played an active role in the valley war .
Although his memories became hazy whenever Future Vision activated…
[I don’t know why you’re here… . ]
But he clearly remembered the words she said when she saved him from the brink of death .
“Don’t you know her, Noona?”
Seo Yuhui’s face was faintly stiff .
“I do, but…”
Her voice fell to a crawl as she showed signs of being reluctant .
‘Is this related to the argument she had with her back then?’
“…Do you really need her?”
Seol Jihu had a reason for asking .
[If you’re talking about the spring, don’t even mention it . Are you running your mouth off because you don’t know the military strength needed to ward off a single Commander?]
[I know that the method of using the spring is limited . But if we unite with the remaining forces of the Spirit Realm, we might just be able to…]
That was what the future Eun Yuri said . That the method of using the spring was limited .
Although he would have to go there to be sure, it sounded like there was a limit to how many people could enter through the spring .
This meant he needed to form a powerful team with a small number of people .
“Yes . ”
And so, Seol Jihu made this shameless request .
“I’m sure she will be of great help to my plan . I’m positive . ”
Seo Yuhui bit her lower lip . Thinking about it, it was entirely possible for them to face an Army Commander . She knew how busily Seol Jihu was working in preparation of this plan .
More importantly, there was simply no way she could refuse an earnest request from her cutie pie .
“…Okay . ”
In the end, she agreed .
Seol Jihu’s complexion brightened instantly .
“I’ll talk to her . But I don’t know how she will respond, or whether she will even come… I used the chance I had last time . ”
“Chance?”
‘Did the Sacred Empress make a pact with the Daughter of Luxuria to help out just once?’
As Seol Jihu was thinking this…
“But, mm…”
After debating whether to say this or not…
“If I say it’s your request, she just might accept it . ”
Seo Yuhui said with a meaningful smile .
*
Seo Yuhui left Paradise after accepting Seol Jihu’s special command .
Seol Jihu also left Eva that day and arrived at his destination five days later .
He had come home after a long time .
Walking through the streets of Haramark that he was so familiar with, he felt a refreshing feeling spread out inside him .
Eat, Drink, and Enjoy was just as clamorous as always, and the house Seo Yuhui stayed in was still the same .
Seol Jihu stopped in front of the building that used to be Carpe Diem’s office . Looking at the worn-down place, he was reminded of the past .
He wanted to enter but forced himself to turn away . Even if he went in, there wouldn’t be anyone inside .
Jang Maldong was training the three newbies in Huge Stone Rocky Mountain, and it wouldn’t be until late tonight that he would come back .
On the other hand, he didn’t have time to be engrossed in his sentiments . He had to go on this expedition as soon as possible and hasten the World Tree’s revival .
Every minute was of utmost importance .
‘I don’t have the faintest clue how Miss Cinzia will respond . ’
He had already called Teresa on his way and let her know . Although she didn’t hesitate to accept his request, just as he expected, she couldn’t give a definitive answer when it came to mobilizing Sicilia .
This wasn’t a matter of another city, but a matter of another organization . So even if the Haramark Royal Family issued a conscription call, there was a chance Cinzia would not comply .
Seol Jihu thought the same way .
‘I doubt she will mobilize so easily . ’
He needed a way . A method to make the Star of Sloth move .
Soon, he began to see the fluttering flag of Sicilia’s building in the distance .
Feeling parched, Seol Jihu swallowed hard .
*
“What a surprise, what a surprise . ”
Taciana Cinzia, boss of Sicilia and the head of the southern war hawks, was the same as always — a thick crimson coat draping over her shoulders like a cloak, the red hair flowing down like the mane of a lion, and a voice tinged with boredom .
“It feels like it was just yesterday that you came to Haramark . Now you’ve gone beyond the position of Carpe Diem’s leader and risen to be the representative of a city . Purely based on position, we are on equal levels . ”
“I just got lucky . ”
“I see you’re still needlessly modest . Well, you were a peculiar one since the Neutral Zone . ”
As Cinzia put a cigar in her mouth and bit down, Agnes, who was standing straight next to her, lit it in a smooth motion .
“I wonder how you’ll be the next time we meet . What do you think, Agnes?”
“I do not have an opinion . ”
Agnes retorted bluntly while retracting her hand .
A languid smile hung on Cinzia’s face .
“My, it’s been a while since you’ve met this child of yours . Aren’t you being a bit cold?”
“I did not mean I had nothing to say . It is just that he is doing fine by himself . ”
“But can’t you say something as his mother? Like encouraging him to aim for the position of an Executor . ”
“Mother? I’m a maiden who is yet to marry . ”
Cinzia cackled at Agnes’ flat denial .
“Try to understand . She might be acting cool, but I’m sure she’s sulking on the inside . ”
“Huh? Miss Agnes is sulking?”
“Mm, who can blame her? You left Haramark without saying a word to her . Agnes was quite heartbroken at the time . ”
“Just to be clear—!”
Agnes raised her voice in a flash .
“I was not ‘heartbroken’ in the slightest . I did not care much . ”
“Hmm, I thought I saw someone snooping around the empty building that night . ”
A short ‘keuk’ rang out . Agnes clenched her teeth as her face began to turn red .
Cinzia burst out into laughter, clapping her hands .
“Sorry, sorry . It’s just that the two of you make for a good picture . I almost want to force you two to marry, just so I can watch your married life . ”
“Please spare me the nonsense . ”
“Alright, alright . ”
Cinzia waved her hand .
“That’s enough joking around for me too . Now, let’s go back to the reason the renowned Valhalla Representative has visited Sicilia . ”
Ssp . The sound of air being sucked in rang out, and a white smoke flowed out from between Cinzia’s red lips .
As Seol Jihu was preparing to give the speech he prepared—
“Well, I can take a guess . ”
Cinzia seized the initiative .
“The Federation’s visit and the recent visit of the Star of Avarice . Just these two is enough information . Though, I still don’t understand why the Eva Royal Family released Hoshino Urara . ”
Seol Jihu didn’t show it, but he was surprised on the inside . His recent activities seemed to have spread to Haramark .
Considering how Philip Muller knew of these matters too, Paradise’s titans seemed to be paying careful attention to him .
“Don’t misunderstand . It’s not like Sicilia stalked you . You see, the Star of Avarice has been poking around a lot recently . ”
Cinzia clicked her tongue .
“It’s obvious why a couch potato like him would be moving around so busily . ”
Cinzia looked up as she tapped the ashes of her cigar into a wine glass . At the same time, Seol Jihu felt his nervousness rear its head .
In that split second, the atmosphere around Cinzia changed completely . Previously, she had languid eyes that liked to joke around . Now, her eyes were flashing like a predator in front of its prey .
Seol Jihu could feel an indescribable pressure that would make even Hoshino Urara shut up .
“…Come to think of it, I was the manager when you entered the Neutral Zone . ”
“Yes . ”
“Do you remember what I said back then in front of everyone?”
“‘It was a real chore to look after you lot . Let's not meet ever again?’”
“No, not that . ”
Cinzia locked her fingers together and leaned back against the couch . With her chin slightly tilted, she said arrogantly .
“I don’t know how to speak in a roundabout way, nor do I know how to hide true intent behind false words . ”
“Ah . ”
“Since Representative Seol has taken the time to visit despite his busy schedule, I will answer right away . So that neither of us wastes any time . ”
Cinzia then spoke without dragging on any longer .
Seol Jihu had a suspicion—
“We refuse . ”
Which quickly came true .
“Sicilia has no intention of joining hands with Valhalla and the Magician’s Guild to participate in the plan to rescue the Federation . Thus, we have no plans to interfere in this matter in any way . ”
Taking out the cigar in her mouth and flicking it into the wine glass, Cinzia finished clearly .
“This is my answer . ”