"I'd like to talk... in private."
Eris acts "shyly" while requesting a private conversation with Sanguinius.
After an "apparent" reflection, he accepted her offer and the two went to a less frequented area, aka an alley.
"There, we're alone," he says, looking around.
An act that Eris copied for a moment, before refocusing her attention on him.
She didn't waste time removing the friendly expression from her face, before adopting a serious one.
She doesn't seem to be looking at Sanguinius, but at something inside him, and it seems to disgust her... or frighten her?
'Why is she looking at me like that?'
Sanguinius is confused.
He had estimated that the gods in the Konosuba universe were immature or negligent in nature, but... this woman doesn't give him that impression.
"Could Aqua be an irregularity?"
The idea began to form in him, but he didn't change his plan for this conversation.
"Indeed. But I'll have to be a bit 'impolite' with you."
Sanguinius frowned at these words.
Fortunately for everyone, Eris stopped beating around the bush and clearly expressed her intentions.
"Who are you? And what is this thing mixed with your essence... it's twisted... and bloody?"
After this, Eris looked away from Sanguinius's eyes.
As if she was fleeing from something inside him.
'Damn it, Khorne!!'
Sanguinius wasn't an idiot.
He quickly connected Eris's words to Khorne.
It's important to understand that goddesses and gods in the Konosuba universe can see through all things.
Thus, illusions and deceptions don't work... unless the targeted goddess is too stupid to understand the scam herself.
It's therefore not surprising that Eris "saw" the Warp energy mixed with Sanguinius's being.
'The agreement with Khorne didn't stipulate this... I was just supposed to get a "mutated" version of the Red Thirst.'
The "mutated" version of the Red Thirst is supposed to be a passive combat skill, controllable through self-discipline.
Sanguinius uses it by stabilizing it with Holy Power, as he hasn't progressed much in his mental training yet.
However, there seems to be something else behind this ability offered by Khorne... like a "gift."
'Listening to Eris's words... the Warp mutation must have affected my essence itself, and not just given me a simple skill.'
In other words, Sanguinius has become something other than a simple fallen angel.
His essence or being has been mixed with Chaos using the "gift" as a catalyst.
Even if he completely controls the skill, as mentioned in the agreement with Khorne.
Sanguinius is no longer really a pure fallen angel.
He is a combination between a creature of the Warp or a creature touched by it (like a psyker) and a fallen angel.
The worst part is that there's no real error in the agreement... The contract was respected.
Khorne seems to have plans for him... but he hasn't yet been able to fully exploit his "gift" before Sanguinius got his hands on his plan.
'I underestimated the vision and intelligence of a creature existing since the very birth of the concept of "war."'
Khorne has been... patient. An abnormal trait for an entity known for its perpetual anger.
But after all, the concept of time for him and for Sanguinius is totally different.
What are ten or a hundred years to a god of the Immaterium?
"Judging by your face, it seems you weren't aware."
Eris seemed to lower her guard, after observing Sanguinius's changing expressions.
"Indeed," Sanguinius honestly admitted.
He had been duped...
'I was too negligent... I suffered from the "protagonist" syndrome because everything was going too well.'
Random soldier from Cadia was right, this conclusion wounded Sanguinius's pride.
Unfortunately for the main concerned, he will never know that the "heretic" admitted this fault.
"I know my words may seem strange or heartless, given your delicate situation... but I'm relieved," she said, before adopting a relaxed posture.
"How so??"
Sanguinius's question slightly disconcerted Eris.
She looked embarrassed, before adopting a thoughtful posture and a slight frown.
As if she was deliberating something.
Finally, the atmosphere around her radically changed, becoming more "sacred."
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Chris in this appearance, but my true identity is the goddess Eris."
"I see... that explains your presence before me."
Eris nodded, before continuing her remarks while maintaining a solemn atmosphere.
"I saw a fallen angel in town, so I wanted to force you to reveal your identity... but then, I saw this 'thing.'"
She avoids explicitly mentioning chaos... does she know its nature?
Sanguinius didn't want to push Eris about chaos, but he confirmed the existence of fallen ones in the Konosuba universe.
Valuable information, as he remembers that Aqua is currently replaced by an angel in her functions.
"You became a fallen one because of 'that,' right?"
Eris's eyes seemed to contain immense sadness about Sanguinius's case.
Of course, he didn't want to contradict her.
He also didn't mention anything to avoid a situation where Eris could see through the lie as well.
'She might see me as scum if I mention the truth behind my banishment from heaven.'
This is the secret that Sanguinius intends to take with him to the grave.
"You must have really suffered a lot away from paradise... why are you here?"
Sanguinius took advantage of the change of subject to advance his plan, slightly adjusted because of Khorne.
"I wanted to defeat the demon lord and obtain the wish promised to the hero."
He didn't beat around the bush, and declared his intention to become a hero candidate like Kazuma.
Eris sketched a sweet smile.
It contained a feeling of "As expected" or "he's really kind."
"I better understand why your 'Holy Power' hasn't lost its brightness despite your situation."
"Unfortunately, it's not easy to help you much... you're not really a chosen hero candidate," she said in a slightly troubled tone.
Sanguinius just showed a dejected face.
This expression seemed to touch something in Eris, who let out a sigh of resignation.
"But!!! I can allow myself to bend the rules a bit for your case... after all, you're an angel who's a victim of an evil god."
Sanguinius didn't hesitate to thank her.
Normally, it's Aqua who ignores the rules in the Konosuba universe.
Yet, that doesn't prevent Eris from playing a similar game.
She literally allowed Kazuma to be resurrected, even though the resurrection magic of the archpriest class only works once on a person.
Kazuma wasn't really eligible, as he had already been resurrected from Japan to be transmigrated.
"Thank you, I will kill the demon lord and save this world."
A promise he really intends to keep.
"Excellent, then explore this list to find a capability or object that can help you, or just tell me a power that comes to mind."
Sanguinius wanted to express himself directly, but Eris immediately stopped him to continue her remarks.
"I'm already bending the rules a lot for you, so I would ask you to limit your power, or there will be random limitations."
This news unconsciously made him frown, but it only slightly modifies his plans.
'Initially, I wanted something really versatile and powerful, but...'
Sanguinius needs to find an idea capable of countering a cosmic entity.
He spent a long time thinking, before stating his power to Eris.
"I want a power named 'Trust.'"
He began to explain to Eris the ability of intelligent creatures from the To Be Hero X universe.
"I see, a power that depends on an energy similar to 'faith,' but totally different... okay."
Eris touched Sanguinius's grip.
The number 4 was displayed on it.
[Alert!!]
[Baal's false light has obtained a Gift from the goddess of fortune Eris]
[Name: Trust (unknown rank)]
[Category: Passive skill]
[Description: the more intelligent creatures trust you and place their trust in you, the more powerful you will become.
This ability can be shared or withdrawn, by you.]
[Effect: Reality manipulation]
[Warning!!!: you are enormously affected by their vision of you, but you can overcome this by renouncing their "Trust,"
which will erase the power received until the acceptance of a new "Trust."]