—Central Northground, Aldebaran Army Detention Facility, Goblin Laboratory
Multiple human silhouettes stirred within the dimly lit building.
"Hm? Did something just go by?"
Yawning through heavy eyes, a demon guard stepped outside, but—
"Gah?!"
A black shadow swept past him. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he slumped to the ground.
"Hey, don't slack off! I'm the one who gets chewed out by the higher-ups!"
Grumbling with a scowl, another guard started out the door, only for a black-clad figure to materialize behind him. A single punch sank deep into his gut, leaving him writhing in agony on the floor.
As the giant long-nosed monster and a woman in a black suit materialized soundlessly, the black-clad assailant snapped their heels together in a salute before vanishing into the night.
"To think they would be this pathetic. Even if we scraped together all the trash in this place, they couldn't take down a single villager from our Ket Gwy. Much less Oboro and his Akegarasu. This is the Supreme Great One's crucial trial. Will these creatures even serve as pawns?"
Crossing his arms, the long-nosed monster Girimehkala exuded profound disappointment as he turned to the black-suited woman beside him, Asta, for her thoughts.
"I am of the same mind, yet this caliber likely represents the pinnacle of strength in this world. The residents of Ket Gwy have also become intimately entangled with the Master. In other words, they have broken away from the laws of this world."
"That may be, but even if they evolve, their ceiling is pitifully low. It will hardly serve as a proper trial, will it?"
"Indeed, it will not."
"We cannot allow ourselves to disappoint the Supreme Great One under any circumstances. We must devise a plan..."
"Before that, if the Master were to see the wretched state of this facility for himself, he might simply order the extermination of these demon insects on the spot. Or rather, the Master would likely annihilate them with his own hands."
"I am well aware. That is precisely why we must act. Above all, we cannot allow the candidates for the divine people to dwindle any further."
"Quite right. We have already deduced the Evil Army's intentions. They likely intend to perform a Divine Soul-Calling Descent or some such ritual. Which means the one orchestrating this must be—"
Asta trailed off, the corners of her mouth curling upward to an unnatural degree as her face twisted malevolently. She looked every bit the demon.
"Ah, that piece of scum."
Girimehkala grinned back, practically oozing frantic glee.
"The divine protection they possess is the Sacrifice of Gluttony. If so, their aim is to elevate these demons all the way to a True Demon King. That would fulfill the conditions to enact the Divine Soul-Calling Descent. You see? There is only one thing left for us to do."
"You mean we use our power to spur the evolution of their toys and forcefully drag out their potential, yes?"
"Precisely. In any case, without an enemy, there is no entertainment to be had. Let us forcefully extend an invitation to the executives of the Evil Army. With my power, it will be child's play."
"Splendid! Splendid indeed! That is how it should be! Somni and Tetor are shaping up exceptionally well, too!
Those foolish bastards in the Evil Army dared to meddle in a world ruled by the Supreme Great One... We shall drag them through utter humiliation before wiping them out!"
"It seems your former master is among the Six Great Generals of that Evil Army. Are you truly fine with this?"
"It poses no issue whatsoever! To me, the Great One is the one and only true God! A mere piece of worthless trash is entirely beneath my concern!"
With bloodshot eyes, he spread his arms wide and looked up to the heavens, letting out a roar that shook the very air.
"You really have changed entirely too much. So, does the Master truly intend to go through with that?"
Asta shrugged, shaking her head, and turned to Girimehkala with a solemn expression.
"Yes. The Great One has decided to step onto the game board himself!"
"Well, simply watching from the sidelines is terribly dull, and knowing the Master's nature, this was only a matter of time, I suppose..."
As Asta murmured her heartfelt agreement, Girimehkala suddenly glanced toward the sky.
"It seems the suppression is complete. Let us also move into action in accordance with divine will."
His figure melted into the darkness.
"Now then... to think the most terrifying monster reigning over the board will be mingling among the players. It truly is insidious in the extreme."
Muttering her candid impression, Asta strode forward into the depths of the massive research facility.