"I was the one who betrayed Jealousy."
This brazen declaration elicited visible reactions from both Lust and Gluttony, who were present.
Lust was stunned that Enigma would openly admit to betraying a fellow member so shamelessly.
Meanwhile, Gluttony inwardly marvelled at how the Hell Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a wicked organisation, where even betraying comrades could be stated so... matter-of-factly.
The architect of this declaration paid no attention to their reactions. Or rather, her focus had never left Sebastian seated at the head of the table.
Among the Sin Council members, there were many that Enigma couldn't quite fathom.
The previous Gluttony, the current Lust and Sloth, and now Pride before her.
And of them all, Pride was the human Enigma considered most dangerous.
No, he shouldn't be called human - demon would be more accurate.
Enigma was absolutely certain that Pride himself was a demon from True Hell.
And most likely a demon noble at that.
This was precisely why Enigma had always known whether she could pass muster within the Hell Sect this time depended entirely on Pride's attitude.
Her self-revelation just now had been a dangerous test of the waters.
Faced with such probing, Sebastian merely smiled faintly and asked softly:
"The mission's failure has displeased certain council members, who've expressed their dissatisfaction to me."
"Heh, some even demanded your immediate execution."
At these words, Lady Gluttony frowned, recognising Sebastian's underlying intent to let Enigma off the hook.
After all, if execution were truly intended, there'd be no need to mention the council members' displeasure here.
Sure enough, Sebastian's tone shifted as he continued with a smile:
"However, I personally believe Lady Greed shouldn't bear full responsibility for Jealousy's death."
Enigma raised an eyebrow slightly at this, seemingly surprised by Sebastian's attempt to deflect blame from her.
Sebastian went on smiling:
"Originally, Lady Greed's mission was to obtain the Star Gate for the Grand Dukes, while Jealousy's task was to capture the Flame Demon hiding in Akihabara Abyss's depths for a certain council member."
"Therefore, Lady Greed had neither obligation to assist Jealousy nor reason to keep secrets from her."
"So long as no Sin Council intelligence was leaked and the Sin Code wasn't violated, any action is permissible."
Here, Sebastian cast a meaningful glance at Enigma:
"Of course, the prerequisite is being able to bear the consequences of such actions."
Enigma's eyelid twitched at this before she fell silent.
She understood Sebastian's implication perfectly.
As a colleague sabotaging Jealousy's mission, she'd inevitably incur the wrath of the demon viscount who'd assigned Jealousy that task.
Hadn't Sebastian just said it?
A council member demanded her execution.
No need to guess who that would be.
But times had changed.
Half a month ago, Enigma wouldn't have dared offend a demon viscount of Apostle calibre.
Now though? She'd carefully weigh the stance of the two Demigods and three Top Tier Heroes backing her.
Ah, counting the soon-to-recover Kotori Itsuka, that made three Demigods - all bearing derivatives of the Almighty God Class at that.
In the present world, where beings above the Demigod level faced suppression upon entry, Enigma doubted that Viscount would risk descending just to kill her.
And even if he did, three Demigods plus three Top Tier Hero Class combatants could easily send him packing - possibly leaving his life behind too.
With such formidable backing, Enigma naturally feared no retaliation.
Though caution remained necessary - she worried about underhanded schemes within the Hell Sect.
With these thoughts, Enigma glanced at Sebastian and paid for her earlier probing:
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Pride."
Sebastian's smile remained unchanged: "My understanding holds no significance. What truly matters is the Grand Dukes' comprehension."
"Your Excellency Greed, the Grand Dukes are deeply concerned about your mission's progress."
"I was just about to report on this matter."
Enigma frowned and asked in a sceptical tone:
"Are the Grand Dukes aware that there are three Demigods within the SDS?"
"Three Demigods?" Lust exclaimed in surprise: "Are you certain it's three Demigods?"
Nearby, Gluttony couldn't help but look at Enigma.
She'd heard some rumours about the Akihabara incident, but never imagined the SDS had deployed three Demigods for it.
These weren't common vegetables, but Demigods.
Beings who've grasped the essence of mystic arts, mastered a conceptual domain, and taken their first steps on the path to godhood.
For mystic side organisations, possessing just one such being would elevate them to world-class status - let alone three.
Wasn't the SDS supposed to have only one Demigod? And hadn't they been concealing even that?
Turns out they were hiding three all along?
Good heavens, with that number, even the Five Great Powers might struggle to match the strength of this civilian organisation.
Though with such formidable power at their disposal, their secrecy becomes understandable.
After all, this number of Demigods inevitably raises suspicions that the SDS has mastered mass-producing them.
And if such a method truly existed, the SDS's adversaries would no longer be covert organisations, but the higher echelons of the Five Great Powers themselves.
The principle of nurturing a tiger only to be devoured by it - those leaders couldn't possibly be ignorant of that.
But speaking of which, how did Greed manage to uncover the SDS's Demigod count?
Gluttony shot a suspicious glance, curious about Greed's intelligence-gathering methods.
At that moment, Lust hesitantly ventured:
"So... this is why you betrayed Lady Jealousy?"
"The SDS's Demigods captured you?"
Betraying comrades without cause would naturally invite scorn, but Lust admitted she couldn't match Enigma's unapologetic demeanour even if she'd done the same.
If cornered by Demigods and forced to betray someone to survive, while still somewhat despicable, it would at least be comprehensible.
Yet in response to Lust's query, Enigma tittered:
"Let me correct that."
"We weren't captured. Rather, Jealousy somehow provoked the SDS's Demigods into personally hunting her down."
Then Enigma added nonchalantly:
"As for me? Merely an unfortunate soul caught in the crossfire."
Hearing this, Lust's expression turned peculiar.
Jealousy being personally pursued by the SDS's Demigods?
What could she possibly have done to anger a Demigod enough for direct intervention?
Unable to contain her curiosity, Lust asked:
"What exactly did Lady Jealousy do?"
In response, Enigma produced her prepared explanation and shrugged:
"She arranged for the assassination of the lover of one of the Demigods."
Instant silence fell upon both the listening Gluttony and questioning Lust.
Jealousy... thoroughly deserved her fate!
This was their immediate thought, followed by an unusually unanimous secondary consideration:
Such teammates are better off dead sooner rather than later!