Chapter 8: Poltatoes

"You're the one who said I was smart, you know?"

"That doesn't explain anything!"

Micah only shrugged and swept through Rego's pockets with experienced fingers, acquiring a total of thirty-five coins from both Bunt and Rego. He threw five of them in front of Rego.

Micah didn't feel a need to explain how he had realized that the food was made from pol. There were no fields anywhere close where the potato could grow. There also didn't seem to be any viable means of transportation within the town. It didn't mean that the food didn't come from someplace else. But considering how the roads were used to sleep on, Micah didn't think it was likely.

Moreover, Rego had already told Micah about how pol could do practically anything. Why couldn't it be transformed into food? There was also the fact that it was only possible to mess up a potato dish that badly if one didn't use potatoes as an ingredient.

"Right, before I forget. What can you tell me about that mansion up on the hill?"

"The Idiot's Doghouse? Why do you wanna know about that?"

"Just answer the question."

Micah's steely voice didn't allow Rego to question it anymore, and he put his head back on the ground to avoid Micah's gaze.

"According to rumors, one of the Seven Deadly Sins lives there."

"You mean Pri-"

"Shh! Don't say their name!"

Micah didn't like being shushed. No one did, and Rego was no exception, so he hurried to explain himself before Micah curb-stomped him.

"W-wait! Saying their name gives them power! And if they have power, we won't be able to do as we wish in Vanitapolis anymore!"

Micah stopped his leg mid-air and looked at Rego, who was panicking as he covered his head with his arms.

"Explain."

Upon seeing that Micah didn't have any intentions of assaulting him just yet, Rego put his arms back down and started talking.

"Demons like the Seven Deadly Sins hold some kind of Authority. It doesn't work the same way as innate abilities, and I don't know the details. But their power comes from their identities. And each time their names are spoken out loud, their identities are affirmed, which gives them power."

Rego took a deep breath before continuing.

"Currently, since no one speaks their name or even uses nicknames instead, they are too weak to leave their domain. That means Vanitapolis, however small and boring it might be, is free for us humans to do what we please."

Rego said the last words with a hint of desperation, which Micah promptly ignored as he just hummed in response and sank into thought.

Micah hadn't wanted to reveal anything about the Hell Restoration Project. And by the looks of how Rego reacted, it had been a good idea. Other humans probably wouldn't like it if Micah went about restoring the power to the demons and servants of Hell.

Rego's words had also given him some insight into the current situation in Hell. Humans were taking over the place because they didn't want to repent for the sins they committed in their lives on Earth. Micah couldn't help but think that it was a very human thing to do.

Eventually, Micah clapped his hands together to get Rego's attention.

"Right. Save your buddy. Or don't. It's up to you. But meet me in the town's outskirts tomorrow."

With those words, Micah turned around and started walking away. However, he looked back right before he left the alley.

"Oh, and bring more of your friends if you have. Introduce them to me."

Rego could tell that Micah's words were an open provocation to try and group up on him. But he wasn't sure if it was a good idea. Rego didn't say anything as Micah left. When the sounds of Micah's footsteps died down, Rego just sighed.

On the other hand, Micah was walking with some bounce in his footsteps. After catching a glimpse of his appearance, Micah had realized that the strange body he had gotten after dying was the body he had as a youth. It was just that it was completely restored, and any injuries or damage to it, such as the rough skin he had built up on his knuckles, were gone.

And getting to move that body in a friendly tussle had confirmed Micah's assumption. It had also made him feel young again since he could move as he wanted. His back or knees didn't ache even a bit. It was a shame he had lost his tattoos, but it was worth it if he had returned to his prime, so Micah didn't mind it. Hopefully, there was a tattoo parlor somewhere in Hell.

Micah stretched his body a little as he walked. When he had first been informed about his job as the Hell Restoration Project's Project Manager, Micah hadn't been looking forward to it very much.

But the more he learned, the more fun it seemed. But it might just be his youthful blood speaking. Nevertheless, he had something to do. And compared to others who were stuck in Hell for the rest of time, it seemed like he would be able to have some fun.

And after his chat with Rego, Micah was already beginning to figure out how to proceed with his First Task.

Since Pride's power was related to his identity and what seemed like renown, Micah only had to make sure that everyone knew of and feared them. Micah might have been used to keeping things on the down-low back on Earth. But he didn't think doing the opposite could be that difficult.

However, before he started doing anything, Micah had to have a chat with the target of his First Task.

So, under the surprised gazes of some, Micah left the alley and started walking toward Pride's Mansion. The people nearby were surprised both to see Micah come out of the alley intact after the trap laid by Rego, as well as how he chose to walk directly to the Idiot's Doghouse afterward.

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