After the Sadotela bandits departed, the Woman in Butler Attire and the long-nosed monster materialized hazily, as though they had been there from the very beginning.
"They did not notice in the slightest. Truly comical."
As the Woman in Butler Attire voiced her disdain, watching the direction in which Sado and the others had gone, the long-nosed monster chimed in.
"Do not be so hard on them. To insects like humans, your teleportation is an entirely unknown phenomenon. Especially with my curse boundary deployed as well. Even if they were not mere small fry, it would be utterly impossible for a dull species like humans to ever notice."
It was a statement that served as no defense whatsoever.
"So, what is Master plotting by using that amnesiac little monkey?"
"Hmph! How could a piece of trash like me ever fathom the thoughts of the all-powerful Supreme Great One?!"
At the butler-clad woman's inquiry, the long-nosed monster's face twisted in displeasure for the first time as he raised his voice.
"Yes, yes, of course, of course. Then, Girimehkala, what instructions did Master give you this time?"
Shrugging her shoulders in utter exasperation, the Female Butler questioned the long-nosed monster, Girimehkala.
"I received the divine word: 'It is about time to bestow the first trial upon that disrespectful brat.'"
"Are those people the first trial? For a trial, it seems somewhat lacking in challenge, does it not?"
"Ha! From our perspective, that would certainly be true. However, that human insect named Sugar is somewhat unusual. As he is now, that disrespectful brat could never hope to defeat him. He will merely die."
"And should that happen, that settlement will fall, and those pitiful, wretched humans will officially become playthings for your kind?"
"That is likely how it will unfold."
Faced with Girimehkala's nonchalant nod, the Woman in Butler Attire let out a heavy sigh.
"Well, it makes no difference to me either way. Still, I do have some interest in watching gnats struggle comically. I suppose I shall see this farce through to the very end."
With that reply, her form faded away.
Curling the corners of his mouth into a smirk, Girimehkala bellowed into the empty air.
"Show yourselves!"
"Present!"
"Sir!"
Clad in black attire, the Flame Demon and a brown-haired youth appeared, each with a hand placed over his chest in salute.
"Listen well. Do not let a single insect enter the planned Territory, nor let one escape! However, even if you capture them, do not kill them immediately. The one choreographing this performance is our great and absolute god. Any insolent fool who dares disrupt it must have the lesson deeply and thoroughly engraved into their very soul."
As Girimehkala's face contorted in sinister malice, the two men swallowed hard.
"Sir!" "Sir!"
Bowing their heads, they vanished into thin air.
Girimehkala nodded several times in deep satisfaction, then spread his arms wide and turned his gaze up toward the heavens.
"Now, our Supreme Great One! This humble insect shall ensure the tale you have spun is performed without fail!"
He proclaimed with fervent passion.