Behind Kai Heinemann, who stood in silence before Gilbert's lifeless body, the monocled demon Asta suddenly materialized.
When Asta snapped his fingers, the supposed corpses of Charme and Ramiel vanished like smoke.
"The contingency ordered by Master has been activated. The evacuation of all monsters from that city is complete. As planned, we shall release all of them with their memories erased. However, is this truly acceptable?"
"What is?"
At his master's uncharacteristically curt, emotionless reply, Asta bit his lower lip with vexation before asking the question burning most in his mind.
"Master was originally planning to make those monsters candidates for Lady Rose's territory."
"Ha! Having lost the game, I have no right to propose such a thing. In the end, the one they believed in was Gil, not me. The New City of Ket Nya ends here as well. There is no room for negotiation."
"Indeed..."
"I really shouldn't do things so out of character. To think the death of a single foolish prince would shake even me this much... It's quite the miscalculation."
Seeing Kai Heinemann turn around for the first time, Asta's eyes went wide. Letting out a deep, heavy sigh, he spoke in a somewhat lonely tone.
"I am certain that Master is far more stubborn and dishonest with himself than he thinks."
"Stubborn, and dishonest with myself, huh... Perhaps it really is unlike me. And? You didn't come here just to make small talk, did you?"
Kai Heinemann gave a slight shrug, wiped all emotion from his face, and prompted Asta to continue.
Asta gave a small nod.
"It concerns that cat girl named Charme."
"Char? What about her?"
"Using my ability to craft dolls modeled after that cat girl, two Supreme Commanders successfully manifested in this realm. That is beyond all doubt abnormal."
At Asta's remark, Kai narrowed his eyes and stared intently for a moment before uttering a line riddled with contradiction:
"I knew it... So even small fry like that were actually strong?"
"They are small fry. However, that is only true to the sole existence in this world that is Master. To any other being, including myself, they are unmistakable absolute rulers."
Kai exhaled heavily, closed his eyes, and looked up toward the heavens for a moment before turning back to Asta.
"For you to tell me that now, that means there is a problem, right?"
With a solemn expression, Asta drew back his chin in a firm nod, delivering his words with deliberate weight.
"With the manifestation of two Supreme Commanders, word of this farce has gotten out."
"To whom?"
"To the supreme commanders of both the Heavenly Army and the Evil Army. Having clearly recognized Master's threat, those bastards will act without regard for appearances from now on. In other words—"
"You're saying she'll be targeted so they can perform their so-called manifestations, right...?"
"..."
To Asta's silent nod, Kai let out a long breath and issued a forceful command:
"Consider it the least I can offer as a tribute to Gil! We shall protect her. I will not permit a single scratch on her! However, make sure no one learns of this! No one, including the girl herself!"
"Understood. Then, what do you intend to do with the insolent fools who snuck into this land, and the remnants of the Evil Army who fled to other demon race territories?"
"Isn't the answer obvious?"
As Kai wore a fiendish grin, Asta placed his right palm over his chest, bowed his head slightly, and spoke respectfully:
"As Master pleases."
"I will. Right now, I'm feeling intensely inclined to do just that."
With the fierce, predatory gleam of a beast across his face, Kai strode out of the room.