The Authority of Gluttony was divided into three parts. Two resided within two existing individuals, while the third was lodged within a soul.
However, with the two brothers who could act independently having been eaten, the remaining younger sister, who existed only as a soul, was naturally swallowed as well.
After consuming the Authority of Gluttony, Caelus felt that something was still missing. Finally, he opened his system inventory, took out the Eater of Emotions Mask that had sprouted many branches, and bit into it, devouring it as if it were a biscuit.
After completely consuming the mask, Caelus felt a sense of satisfaction rise within him, as refreshing as drinking an ice-cold carbonated beverage on a hot day after heavy manual labor.
Caelus's nose twitched slightly. He could smell various complex scents in the air, whether from the plants, the earth beneath his feet, animals farther away, or even the smell of rotting corpses, all detectable through his nose.
Caelus bent down, grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground, and stuffed it into his mouth. As he tasted the bitterness and the earthy flavor, a smile appeared on his face.
Having devoured the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony and consumed the mask capable of tasting emotions, Caelus had regained his sense of smell and taste.
Caelus returned to the Royal Capital. He did not rush off to binge-eat, but instead returned to the Astrea household, finding Reinhard, who was currently guarding his mother.
"I have retrieved your mother's memories. It will not be long before she awakens. Are you prepared to face a mother who has been asleep for so long?"
Upon hearing this surprising news, Reinhard's face did not betray much joy. Instead, he wore a complex expression, as if wanting to smile but unable to do so.
Caelus said no more and returned the lost memories to the woman lying on the bed.
A moment later, the woman's eyelids fluttered slightly. She opened her eyes, looking somewhat dazed, and gazed at the ceiling. It was familiar, yet for some reason, it felt slightly alien.
She turned her head and saw Reinhard with his red hair and strange expression. After a brief moment of shock, she offered a gentle smile and said, "You've grown so big already, haven't you? I should call you by your full name now, Reinhard."
"Mother... you can recognize me?"
"How could I not recognize my own child? It seems I have slept for a very, very long time. I failed to take good care of my child. I truly am a negligent mother."
Reinhard shed tears.
Caelus stood to the side, savoring the brilliant burst of emotions emanating from the hearts of the mother and son. After consuming the mask that could taste emotions, he himself had gained the ability to savor the flavors of emotion.
The complex, colorful emotions allowed Caelus to taste various flavors, but this was not the main course.
Heinkel awoke from his drunken slumber, yawned, and lazily climbed out of bed, intending to have a servant prepare some food. However, he saw that the room he had always refused to face, the room that buried his past, had been opened.
Heinkel frowned and walked over. He heard someone sobbing in suppressed tones, and he heard the voice that had haunted his dreams.
He looked into the room in disbelief and saw his wife, who had been asleep, now awake and holding the son he had refused to get close to all these years, comforting him in a low voice.
"Luanna..."
He softly whispered his wife's name, and she lifted her head to look at Heinkel.
Gently, Luanna gazed at her husband, whose appearance had completely changed. From a once-perfect and handsome Royal Guard to a scruffy, alcoholic middle-aged man, her eyes were filled with a sense of pity and love. In a slightly sorrowful tone, she said, "You have worked hard all these years."
Heinkel collapsed to his knees and wept aloud, the emotions mingled in his tears becoming even more abundant and complex.
This was the main course Caelus wanted to eat.
It was salty, very salty. A bitter saltiness like rock salt, truly a reflection of the emotions in this man's heart.
Caelus quietly departed. He had obtained the emotions he desired. He would leave the remaining time to this family.
In the dining room, Caelus ate various desserts and snacks prepared by the servants. The flavors of that food made Caelus truly feel the existence of life. It was wonderful to be able to taste food.
However, he did not engage in Gluttony. An endless desire for Gluttony was abnormal, so he set a threshold for satisfaction, the so-called feeling of fullness.
Once he reached that feeling of fullness, he would no longer continue eating, even though this body of his could eat indefinitely.
He had always understood that nothing should be taken to extremes. Even with an insatiable appetite, one must know moderation. This was the Equilibrium of self.
At dusk, Reinhard came to Caelus's room. Looking at this friend he had known for only a single day, he bowed solemnly and said, "In the name of Reinhard van Astrea, I swear that as long as it does not harm the Kingdom or my own knightly code, this body and this sword may be used by you."
Caelus looked at Reinhard, who was swearing his oath with extreme solemnity. He closed the book in his hands, stood up, and helped the man up from his bow, saying, "Protect your family well. Open your heart and talk to your parents, share a dinner together, and receive care and love from your mother to heal the wounds of your childhood. Do not become a slave to what is 'correct.' Become a true knight with your own judgment."
"My friend, Reinhard, you should try to break free from the shadows of the past."
After Caelus finished speaking, he pushed the Sword Saint out of his room. What Reinhard needed to do now was help his mother adapt to the current changes, not come here to swear oaths.
After Reinhard left, Caelus continued to sit in his seat. A brilliant golden card appeared in his hand. The back of the card depicted a swordsman chess piece holding a longsword, and the front featured a purple-haired man in white armor.
"Lancelot, aren't these the same words you wanted to say to Galahad? Yet you felt you did not understand Galahad and believed you were not a fit father, which is why you never truly had a talk with him."
"...Regret truly fills the lives of those of you who revere the spirit of chivalry."
The card in Caelus's hand dissipated, and he then lay down on the bed to sleep.
The next morning, Caelus was invited to join the Astrea family for breakfast.
At this breakfast, he saw that Reinhard's father had shaved his stubble. He was meticulously groomed, dressed in decent and comfortable clothes, and his entire spirit was completely different.
If before he did not look at all like Reinhard's father or the knight everyone once praised.
Now, he showed glimpses of his past self.
As expected, love is the most perfect catalyst. It can bring life back to barren land and allow a decadent, fallen person to reclaim their former glory.
(To be continued.)