Meanwhile, on the other side of the world.
The Demon Kingdom, Maledicta.
The sky here was a permanent shade of bruised purple, and the air smelled like sulfur and bad decisions. In the center of this gloom stood the imposing Castle Nazaria, home of the Demon Lord.
Inside the Grand Hall, a very serious corporate meeting was taking place.
Demon Lord Yuva sat at the head of a long obsidian table. He looked around at his board of directors—also known as the Seven Deadly Sins, the Generals who ruled the seven cities of Maledicta.
They were a colorful bunch. If this were an anime opening, this would be the part where the camera pans dramatically over each one.
First was the Sin of Wrath, Velona Wrath.
She was a Black Dragon in human form, ancient and terrifying. She wore a tight, all-black military uniform that looked suspiciously authoritarian, complete with a peaked cap. A golden badge on the cap read "WRATH" in Demon script. Her most tactical assets, however, were her massive E-cup breasts, which seemed to be straining against the fabric of her uniform in a constant battle for freedom. She sat with a calm, cruel aura, her golden eyes scanning the room for anyone to execute.
Next was the Sin of Pride, Duma Pride.
She was a Were-tiger with hair like the midday sun and eyes like blood rubies. Clad in shining golden light armor, she held a long battle spear even while sitting down. The word "PRIDE" was emblazoned on her chest plate. She radiated an ego so large it probably needed its own chair. As the physically strongest general, she looked ready to arm-wrestle a mountain.
Then, the Sin of Greed, Donyoku Greed.
A Nine-Tailed Fox demon originally from the eastern Yozakura Kingdom. She was the picture of exotic elegance, wearing a white kimono with red flower prints that slipped just enough to be dangerous. She had snowy white hair, fox ears, and a hairclip that read "GREED." She puffed on a long smoking pipe, her orange eyes narrowing. She wasn't a brawler; she was a strategic assassin who would steal your wallet and your life before you noticed either was gone.
Across from her sat the Sin of Lust, Lujuria Lust.
He was a tall, impossibly thin man—think Slenderman, but if Slenderman hit the gym and started modeling for Vogue. He had long purple hair, silver eyes, and wore a fitted purple military uniform that hugged his slender frame. He twirled a black cane stamped with "LUST" and tapped a skeletal whip at his hip. He had a playful, predatory gaze that lingered on men, women, and inanimate objects alike.
Next was the Sin of Envy, Rusé Envy.
A half-human, half-skeleton Lich Mage. He looked like he hadn't slept in three centuries. With messy black curly hair, one human eye, and one hollow socket, he wore a tattered robe with "ENVY" stitched onto it. He hunched over his staff, looking sneaky and untrustworthy, which, to be fair, was exactly his job description.
Beside him sat the Sin of Gluttony, Hambre Gluttony.
Currently, he looked like a giant, angry pear. He had ginger hair, grey eyes, and rows of serrated shark teeth. A tattoo on his cheek read "GLUTTONY." He was a Sharkman who could breathe underwater. Right now, he was fat and soft, but everyone knew that when he entered "Hunger Mode," he transformed into a ripped, six-pack muscle monster who would eat anything—tables, chairs, enemies. He fought barehanded with iron shark skin.
And finally, at the end of the table, sat the Sin of Sloth, Kevius Sloth.
He was an enigma. A full suit of black knight armor sat in the chair, wreathed in dark blue flames. No skin was visible. No face. Just a silent, burning void. A massive black greatsword leaned against his chair. He never spoke. Rumors said he was a Dark Elf, a Skeleton, or perhaps just a sentient suit of armor. All anyone knew was that his swordsmanship was the finest in the kingdom, and he governed the smallest city because managing a big one was too much effort.
Demon Lord Yuva cleared his throat.
"So, for the monthly report," Yuva began, "let's start with Wrath. How is the... thing I asked you to do in the Dwarf Kingdom, Technodia?"
Velona Wrath adjusted her cap, her expression unchanging.
"The Dwarf King was quite persistent about 'ethics' and 'sovereignty.' However, he finally agreed after I threatened to devour his favorite grandchild in front of him. He said he will build the device if we provide the blueprint."
"Good," Yuva nodded.
"He should have agreed from the start. Diplomacy is so tedious. So, Pride? Did you get the info for the blueprint in the Desert Kingdom, Rahasa?"
Duma Pride scoffed, flipping her golden hair. "Of course I got it. Who do you think I am? It seems the Ancient Blueprint is separated into four parts. I found Part One in the Royal Palace of Rahasa."
She leaned forward. "The other parts are scattered. Part Two is in the Underwater City, Atlantis. Part Three is located on the 100th Floor of the Maze Puzzle Dungeon. I am still investigating the whereabouts of the final part."
"Great work," Yuva said.
"Keep finding the last one. Gluttony, you finished the work I assigned in Pirate City Singa, right?"
"Burp," Gluttony replied, picking his teeth with a shark claw. "Yeah. Ate the resistance leader. Tasted like rum."
"Good. Go to Atlantis City and find the second part of the blueprint."
Gluttony groaned, his pear-shaped body jiggling. "Ugh, I just got back! Atlantis is so wet. My gills get itchy. Fine, fine, I will go."
Yuva turned his gaze to the silent figure at the end of the table.
"And Sloth..."
The blue flames on Sloth's armor flickered.
"You go to the Maze Puzzle Dungeon," Yuva commanded. "I know you can solve those riddles easily with your knowledge."
Sloth sat there for a moment. Then, slowly, the helmet dipped.
Nod.
The other Sins exchanged impressed glances.
He accepted it so easily, Pride thought. The Maze Dungeon requires genius-level intellect. Does Sloth possess a mind sharper than all of us hidden under that helmet?
He's so mysterious, Lust thought, biting his lip.
In reality, nobody knew what Sloth was thinking. For all they knew, he was asleep inside the armor.
"How is the potion I asked you to make?" Yuva turned to Envy. "The Blood Moon is getting near."
Envy rubbed his bony hands together, his skeletal jaw clacking. "All done, Sire! With premium quality! I used the tears of a unicorn and the liver of a saint. It is ready to drink."
"Good job, Envy."
Envy grinned, a creepy, uneven smile of pure validation.
Demon Lord Yuva stood up, his cape billowing.
"Now, listen well. I am going to enter Evolve Mode."
The Sins straightened up. Evolve Mode was a vulnerable state where the Demon Lord would slumber to gain immense power.
"While I am under," Yuva ordered, "I want Wrath and Lust to guard my body and the castle. Do not let any Hero, spy, or bug enter this sanctuary."
"Understood," Wrath said, saluting.
"With pleasure~" Lust purred, caressing his whip.
"Greed," Yuva continued, "take care of the paperwork and manage the kingdom's economy. It will take about six months. I want no trouble during that period. I count on you all. Do your duties, and I want to see the Blueprint complete when I wake up."
The Seven Deadly Sins stood in unison (except Sloth, who stood up a few seconds later).
"As your wish, Sire!"
As the meeting dispersed, none of them knew that a certain ten-year-old boy with 85 Luck was currently heading toward the exact same dungeon as the terrifying, silent General Sloth.
To be continued.