In the forsaken domain of the former demon king, once a sprawling empire teeming with malevolence and dark power, the remnants of a fallen reign lingered. After the demon king was vanquished by the humans, the once-mighty kingdom became a desolate wasteland, yet it still exuded an eerie, otherworldly charm.

The demon realm was a land shrouded in perpetual twilight, with a blood-red sky casting an ominous glow over the landscape. Jagged mountains and twisted trees dotted the horizon, their silhouettes creating grotesque shapes against the crimson backdrop. Rivers of molten lava meandered through the land, casting an eerie light and filling the air with the acrid scent of sulfur. Shadows seemed to move on their own, and the very ground seemed to pulse with the remnants of dark magic.

At the heart of this forsaken land stood a castle, its dark, ancient stones looming ominously. The structure was a testament to the power that once resided within its walls. The castle's spires reached towards the blood-red sky like skeletal fingers, and the massive iron gates, now rusted and creaking, hinted at the formidable defenses that once guarded this fortress.

Inside the castle, in a vast hall with high, vaulted ceilings and walls adorned with faded tapestries depicting scenes of chaos and conquest, was a round table. This table, although large, was not overly grand but commanded a presence. The eight chairs around it were of simple yet dark design, with one chair standing out significantly. This chair, larger and more ornate than the others, was the demon king’s throne, adorned with intricate carvings of demonic figures and encrusted with dark gemstones that seemed to absorb the ambient light.

Around this table sat the present members of the seven Deadly Sins. Each had taken their place, waiting for the meeting to commence.

Lilith, the Sin of Lust, lounged in her chair with a look of irritated impatience. Her green hair cascaded in waves around her shoulders, and her striking yellow eyes glowed with a predatory light. She wore a revealing outfit that accentuated her voluptuous figure—a tight-fitting black bodice with sheer, flowing fabric that did little to cover her long legs.

The Orc, Wrath, sat beside her. His massive frame was intimidating, with brown skin covered in scars from countless battles. An enormous axe was strapped to his back, and he wore nothing but a pair of tattered brown shorts. Despite his fearsome appearance, his expression was one of indifference, as if he couldn't be bothered by the proceedings.

The Human, Greed, was next. He had black hair and eyes that glittered with avarice. Dressed in rich merchant’s clothes, he looked like he was in his mid-twenties. His smile was smug and self-satisfied, betraying his constant scheming and plotting.

Beside him sat the Demon, Pride. He was incredibly muscular, a towering figure that seemed almost too large for his chair. His skin had a reddish hue, and his eyes burned with arrogance. He wore simple leather armor that highlighted his chiseled physique. Despite his impressive build, his expression was one of detached superiority, as though nothing around him was worth his attention.

Finally, the Dark Elf, Sloth, was slumped over the table, barely awake. Black elves were a rare and mysterious race, with skin as dark as midnight and hair that shimmered like silver. This elf, with his head resting on the table, epitomized laziness. His clothes were simple and loose, designed for comfort rather than style. His eyes, when open, had a glazed, unfocused look, showing his perpetual disinterest in everything around him.

Lilith's angry gaze swept the room. "When I get my hands on that bitch of a maid, I'll—"

Greed cut her off, smiling. "Isn't it time you moved past that, Lilith? Shouldn't you be more ashamed of your defeat?"

Lilith glared at him, irritated. "Uhh—"

Wrath merely shrugged, unfazed. "Some people are weak in their own ways." Interrupting her

Shut your damn mouth, you big damn orc," she snapped at Wrath, "You wouldn't understand."

Lilith then turned her face at Greed. "And you! Don't you even think about talking, or I'll cut your stupid head from your body."

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Greed raised his hands in mock surrender, still smiling. "I wouldn't want that. I quite like my head where it is."

Sloth groaned, lifting his head slightly. "Can we leave already? You're all disturbing my nap."

Wrath interjected, "We're waiting for Envy and Gluttony."

Lilith's impatience grew. "Where is that damn masked man?"

As if on cue, a figure emerged from the shadows—the Sin of Envy, the masked man. His mask bore a permanent, eerie smile, and he wore a butler's outfit, holding a bag filled with unknown contents. Beside him was the Sin of Gluttony, a young boy with green hair and yellow eyes, his mouth revealing razor-sharp teeth. He wore a brown jacket and blue trousers and looked perpetually hungry.

The masked man interrupted Lilith. "If you missed me, you should have said so."

The other Sins watched as the masked man and the young boy approached and took their seats.

"What?" Lilith snapped, about to continue, but the masked man brought out an item from the bag—the Aurum Fortuna.

"I've obtained the Aurum Fortuna. It was hard to get," he said.

Wrath asked, "And what do we need it for?"

The masked man slid the bag over to Greed, who looked inside, smiling. "Aurum Fortuna is a rare ruin stone, celebrated for attracting wealth and good fortune, favored by merchants and nobility alike."

Lilith frowned. "Why would we need it?"

Greed answered, "It subtly corrupts the user's morality, leading to insatiable greed and unethical behavior, ultimately cursing their wealth with misfortune. Since our demon king is gone and we're waiting for a new one, we need the Aurum Fortuna to prepare."

Lilith interjected, "For what?"

Greed looked at her with a condescending smile. "Are you that dumb to comprehend what we need it for?"

Lilith was about to retort, but Wrath intervened. "We need it to divide the human race more and let them fight amongst themselves."

Lilith calmed down at this explanation. Sloth, still uninterested, asked, "Why is it so rare?"

Greed replied, "The Satoru family are among the very few humans who aren't driven by the power of the Aurum Fortuna. Even their king doesn't have it. That's why it's so rare."

The masked man nodded. "Precisely."

Sloth asked lazily, "Are we meant to distribute it to the humans?"

Greed shook his head. "No, we just need to give it to selected nobles."

Lilith asked, "What am I supposed to do? What's my role in this?"

Greed frowned. "Nothing. Your incompetence is already a headache. You'd just screw this up."

Lilith, enraged, stood up to strike Greed. "Screw you!"

Pride's voice boomed, "Enough!" His aura suffocated everyone except Sloth and Gluttony. "This meeting is over. No one is to interfere with Greed's plan to divide the humans."

Lilith was scared into silence. Greed smiled nervously. Wrath laughed at Pride's aura. Gluttony licked his lips, and Sloth rested his head back on the table, already bored.

The room fell silent as the weight of their mission settled over them. The gathering of the Seven Deadly Sins had begun, and with it, the dark days to come.

The Eastern Province - Church of the Divine

In the heart of the eastern province, nestled among towering ancient trees, stood the Church of the Divine. The structure was a magnificent display of gothic architecture, with tall, pointed arches and stained glass windows that depicted various deities and celestial beings. The church was constructed from white marble that gleamed under the sunlight, casting a serene and ethereal glow across the surrounding area. Vines with delicate, luminescent flowers climbed its walls, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to the holy edifice.

Inside, the church was a sanctuary of peace and harmony. The air was filled with a harmonious hum, like the soft whisper of angelic voices. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate murals of gods and goddesses, their divine presence almost palpable. Rows of wooden pews lined the aisle, leading up to a grand altar where a statue of the goddess Lumina stood. The statue was exquisitely carved, depicting the goddess with an aura of compassion and wisdom, her hands extended as if offering a blessing to all who entered.

Kneeling before the statue was a lady of breathtaking elegance. She had long, flowing blonde hair that cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. Her eyes were covered with a white blindfold, yet her expression was one of serene devotion. Her skin was light and flawless, and she wore a flowing white gown that seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the church, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. She was known as the Saintess, a woman whose presence and grace were akin to that of a goddess.

As she prayed, a woman in her late forties approached quietly. This woman had brown hair streaked with silver, tied back in a neat bun. Her face, though marked with the lines of time, exuded a warmth and kindness that spoke of a life dedicated to service. She wore a simple white robe, the traditional garb of the church's attendants.

"Saintess," the woman spoke softly, not wanting to disturb the sacred ambiance, "why did you not accompany the priest to the Satoru mansion the other day for the new young born child?"

The Saintess turned her head slightly, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "There is no need for such," she replied, her voice soft and melodic. "The newborn child's path will cross mine in due time."

The older woman looked puzzled, not fully grasping the Saintess's words. But before she could ask further, the Saintess resumed her prayer, leaving the woman in silent contemplation of the cryptic message.

As the scene shifted, the peaceful harmony of the church was replaced by the eerie quiet of a dense forest. A lone carriage rolled along a narrow, winding path, the hooves of the horses muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves. The forest was bathed in the dim light of the moon, casting long, ghostly shadows that danced with the movement of the carriage.

Inside the carriage, a man sat, his face hidden in the shadows. Only a subtle, enigmatic smile could be seen, hinting at a mind filled with secret plans and hidden agendas. The interior of the carriage was opulent, with plush seats and rich, dark wood paneling. The man’s presence exuded an air of mystery and foreboding, as if he were a harbinger of events yet to unfold.

The carriage continued its journey through the forest, the sounds of the night enveloping it in a shroud of mystery. The man remained silent, his thoughts his own, as the carriage made its way towards an unknown destination.

And so, in the quiet of the night, with shadows of the past and whispers of the future, the story continued to unfold.