Akatsuki stood motionless, still dumbfounded by the exchange unfolding before him. Dazai let out a quiet sigh and turned his attention to him. Without waiting for a reply, he moved to the nearby velvet sofa and sat down, legs crossed, eyes cool. Beatrix's gaze never left him—intense, curious, and unmistakably fixated. A subtle tension lingered in the room, thickening the air.
Dazai exhaled again, more out of fatigue than frustration.
"Alright, you drunk brawler, let me walk you through this before your brain freezes over," he began, resting an elbow on the armrest and propping his chin against a loose fist. "Remember when Maria said she caught a demon's scent on you? That wasn't just Eve's doing. That part didn't sit right with me—how a sin tied to deception could be identified so easily... It didn't add up."
His crimson eyes sharpened, locking with Akatsuki's.
"Which left only one conclusion—you weren't just touched by a sin. You were born from one. And not just any... Lust. The only sin audacious enough to challenge Pride directly. Am I right, Beatrix?"
Across the room, Beatrix let out a soft, elegant chuckle. Her hands moved gracefully as she poured herself tea, the porcelain clinking softly. Her eyes, gleaming like stained glass, flickered with both irritation and intrigue.
"My, such brains behind that pretty face," she said, voice smooth as velvet. "Yes, yes—you're correct. I am one of the Seven. But what I don't understand is—why seek me out, dear? Surely you didn't come here for pleasure... after all, you slipped so rudely from my grasp earlier."
Dazai didn't smile. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee and letting his cheek rest against his knuckles. The atmosphere shifted—heavier, colder. His voice dropped just slightly.
"For once, I'll spare us the pleasantries. I want information. About the Ten Grand Speculums. And the war that burned the world before this age."
The teacup in Beatrix's hand paused midair. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, then narrowed as a low, melodic laugh slipped past her lips. She set the cup down gently.
Akatsuki stood by, watching the exchange like a man caught in a storm he didn't understand.
Beatrix tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement. "Such boldness… It's been centuries since anyone's looked me in the eye and demanded anything. Fine. I'll give you what you seek. But I want something in return. And no, it doesn't involve taking your clothes off—this time."
She leaned back languidly, a smile teasing the edge of her lips. "There's an auction happening soon. One item in particular—I want it. A piece of my original necklace. Akatsuki managed to retrieve part of it for me, but the ruby centerpiece... is still missing. Retrieve it, and I'll tell you everything."
Dazai laughed under his breath and raised the cup to his lips. After a sip, he glanced up at her with a sharp smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
"People these days really do have the nerve to barter with me," he muttered. "Fine. But indulge me on one more thing—lust can't reproduce. None of the sins can. So how the hell was Akatsuki born?"
Beatrix chuckled, tilting her head like a cat playing with its prey.
"Ah, but that's where divine loopholes come in. I had a little arrangement with Athena. And… I married a man with no shame about summoning beings like me into his bed."
Dazai stared at her for a moment, then turned to Akatsuki, exhaling a soft sigh.
"I pity you so deeply right now."
Akatsuki blinked, still catching up. "...What the hell kind of family reunion is this?"