After my post-meal exercise with Asta concluded, I stepped inside the tent pitched in a secluded corner of the wetlands, where Girimehkala, Ifrit, and Titan promptly dropped to their knees.
"A real battle like that is simply too cruel! I truly came close to dying!"
Entering the tent a moment later with teary eyes and a pouting lip, Lord Chicken Majin spat out his grievance.
"Hm? I certainly had no intention of having a serious battle, though."
That was merely an act, after all. I had held back considerably. Or rather, there was no way in the world I would ever get serious against someone like Asta. As usual, he was exaggerating. That was precisely why he got saddled with a title like Chicken Majin.
"...Are you saying that with a straight face?"
His cheek twitching, Asta questioned what should have been an obvious fact.
"Yeah. I made sure to hold back to roughly the level of a boss enemy for this trial."
If I went too far, they would shrink back in fear, and the enemy this time was Aldebaran, one of the Four Great Demon Kings. Opponents of that caliber would be cropping up all over the place from here on out anyway, so I figured it would serve as good experience for them. Familiarity is everything.
Asta stumbled and crouched down, clutching his head.
"His perception has undeniably worsened because that foolish prince put on an unnecessary display!"
He groaned as he always did. Hmm, Asta was acting even more revolting than usual. Leaving him alone was best. That was clearly the only option.
"Great One, the preparations for the Second Trial are complete."
In response to Girimehkala's report, I took a seat in a chair. Asta shook his head from side to side, stood up, and snapped his fingers. Instantly, a view of the marsh where the monster army was deployed manifested before our eyes.
"Master, permit me to ask one thing."
Asta asked with a solemn expression.
"Why so formal all of a sudden?"
"How do you intend to involve yourself with that foolish prince and his companions going forward?"
"Mm, it is already over. There is nothing left for me to do."
This was, after all, a trial that hinged upon that foolish prince's soul. No matter how much of a scumbag or degenerate the enemy was, I had no intention whatsoever of forcing a victory through my own power. However, as they were, they were simply far too weak. That was why I merely lent them the bare minimum assistance necessary. I showed them a few possible directions, and I left that foolish prince with a piece of advice. The rest was up to him.
"Do you truly believe they can clear all the trials without you, Master?"
"I don't expect them to. In the first place, what I am asking of Gil through this trial isn't sheer strength."
The might of the Four Great Demon Kings was a well-known fact in this world. While I had no intention of losing myself, I certainly didn't think Gil and the others could defeat one of them. Clearing the Final Trial depended on whether he could ultimately reach that point through his own strength.
"And if that little monkey fails to realize it?"
"Then naturally, he will die. But that was the agreement from the start."
This was never meant to be training. It was merely the final spider's thread extended from me to Gilbert, who had committed a grave sin. The terms were simple: clear the trial and survive; fail, and die. A high-stakes game where life hung in the balance. With the kingdom serving as witness, there were no exceptions.
"..."
Asta stared at me intently with a troubled expression for a moment before asking,
"By any chance, Master, are you aware of the atrocities committed by that maggot named Aldebaran?"
He asked an obvious question.
"Yeah, I heard it from the monsters we took under our protection. I also know that you all have been moving behind the scenes."
Girimehkala's entire body gave a violent jolt. I had merely cast out a line, but it seemed I had hit the mark after all.
"That is unexpected..."
"Hm? What is?"
"I thought that once you learned of their deeds, you would fly into a rage and destroy them, Master."
"That's a misunderstanding on your part, Asta. I am not some hopeless, self-righteous hypocrite posing as a Hero, a saint, or a champion of justice. As long as Aldebaran takes no hostile action against me at this point in time, we remain outsiders in this matter. As of yet, we have no justification to actively intervene."
A powerhouse resolving everything through brute force, just like the heroes and champions in stories—that was certainly one way to handle things. However, doing so would leave the parties involved weak and helpless forever. No genuine growth could be expected. In truth, as a result of struggling with their lives on the line, Gil and the sheep cat folk had gained a degree of mental flexibility and execution capability that was incomparable to before.
"Are you saying that showing them the direction and guiding them is our role?"
"It's nothing so grandiose. I have simply concluded on a personal level that we should not intervene at this stage."
"Then, should the foolish prince fail in this matter, what do you intend to do about Aldebaran?"
"The fact remains that Aldebaran displeases me. If this game ends in Gil's defeat, I will take responsibility and eliminate him."
Even if he was one of the Four Great Demon Kings, I had no intention of losing. I would ensure his total destruction.
"What an utterly selfish and self-centered tale."
To Asta, who voiced his impression in exasperation,
"Precisely. By nature, I am selfish. And I will remain so forevermore."
I declared forcefully, the corners of my mouth curling upward.
Letting out a deep sigh, Asta placed his right hand over his chest and bowed gracefully.
"Do as you please, Master."
"I intend to."
—And so, the monster-hosted Second Trial, carrying life and pride in the balance, commenced.