Deep within the jungle, Astaroth—a woman dressed like a gentleman in a black suit—faced the long-nosed monster, Girimehkala.
"Just what in the world was that all about?"
Astaroth asked with folded arms and a grim expression.
"What do you mean, 'what'?" Girimehkala replied with utter nonchalance.
"Stop playing dumb. That nonsense title of his—no, never mind that for now. What he just activated was an Authority. Why on earth does that fellow possess an Authority?"
"Holders of an Authority are exceedingly rare in this world. It is certainly not something a mere human could ever possess. And our great master possesses the rare power to bestow an Authority upon special kin among his subordinates. In short, does that not explain everything?"
"A lowly creature—a mere human—became Master's kin. Is that what you are trying to say?"
"Just about what you imagined! Gilbert has splendidly been elevated to a True Kin, a rarity even among our ranks!"
Girimehkala declared, raising his voice in sheer jubilation as he threw his arms wide.
"Though for a True Kin, he is remarkably weak."
"He has likely not yet been formally recognized by our Great One. At present, he is nothing more than an ant crawling on the ground, weaker and more diminutive than anything in the bestiary. Howeveeer, the divine power of our God is absolute! Once formal registration is granted—"
"Enough already. Bending the very laws of the world to his whim, forcibly sublimating a mere human—a worm—to the same Territory as us. It is completely beyond reason."
Astaroth raised a hand to cut Girimehkala off, shaking her head in profound exasperation.
"It is too early to say even that. Whether he can truly reach our heights ultimately depends on whether he successfully clears the Great One's upcoming trials."
"Well, that is true enough. Through this incident, Master failed to realize the fallacy of his perception. Or rather, it has slightly worsened. It is easy to imagine how his madness will only escalate from here on out. At worst, he might even talk about throwing the main force of the Evil Army at him."
At Astaroth's remark, Girimehkala twisted his face into a fiendish grin.
"Exaaactlyyy! That is almost certainly the Great One's intention behind making Gilbert his kin this time!"
He roared at the top of his lungs, his thunderous voice rattling the very atmosphere.
"No, I truly believe Master isn't thinking about anything at all."
"What did you say? I will not forgive you if you mock my God!"
Three eyes glared down at Astaroth as he snarled his question.
"It is a disparity in perception between us and Master. Just as we are oblivious to the strength of the trash in this world, Master is simply too strong to comprehend the strength of anything else. In other words, to Master, even that Evil Army we cannot help but obsess over is hardly any different from that cat-type monster from earlier, or an orc, or a goblin."
"E-even that Evil Army is beneath his notice...?"
Girimehkala asked, trembling from head to toe.
"He would likely look upon the Six Great Generals, the Evil Army's supreme fighting force, and think nothing more than that they make convenient playthings for the trials."
Wobbling, Girimehkala dropped to his knees and pressed his hands together in devout worship.
"Oh... Oooohhh!! Please forgive meee!! This maggot still had so much to learn!! To the great and Supreme Great One, everything is a triviality! Every single existence is nothing but worthless scum!"
With fat tears streaming from all three eyes, he bellowed so loudly that his voice echoed across the entire region.
"Like master, like servant. Just how far is this going to escalate?"
Astaroth muttered under her breath, despite having instigated the outburst herself. Then, as if suddenly remembering, she added, "What about that beastfolk over there whom Lady Rose intends to recruit?"
She turned around to address Nemea, the lion-headed monster clad in golden armor who stood silently behind them.
"Proceeding smoothly. His Excellency eliminated the troublesome trash through this trial. I shall proceed with the plan as intended."
"I see. Even so, to think that notorious Evil Army is nothing more than a piece in a game. Originally, it was never supposed to be such a thing..."
Astaroth murmured, a complicated mixture of conflicting emotions playing across her face.
"I agree. Standing in attendance beside that Great One makes you realize how petty and wretched the world you once inhabited truly was."
Nemea nodded heavily, his voice laden with solemn realization.
"Well then, it is about time we prepare the next stage. Spectating is over."
"..."
"..."
Girimehkala and Nemea rose to their feet and nodded in silence. In an instant, the two beings vanished without a trace, dispersing like smoke.
"Master, please do whatever pleases you."
As if speaking to herself, Astaroth murmured quietly before melting away into the depths of the forest.