Inside a solitary little cottage, we waited just before the goal of the game—the Acid Lake.
Sprawling right across from it was a natural lake composed entirely of sulfuric acid. Because toxic fumes constantly rose from its surface, ordinary monsters never dared approach the area.
Of course, I had my delightful companions from the Subjugation Compendium. Thanks to Girimehkala's abilities, a powerful barrier enveloped the cottage, giving it a structure that wouldn't budge even if the lake itself were blown away.
Once this game was cleared and the territory's inhabitants were safely secured, I planned to put this Sulfuric Acid Lake to productive use for industry and other endeavors.
At any rate, this untouched land that no one ever set foot in was supposed to serve as the finish line, but...
"Hmm. So he's requested an audience, has he...?"
I found myself facing an unexpected turn of events: Gil had asked to meet with me.
Judging from the fact that he was aware of my presence, there was no doubt his memories had already returned.
The original intent of the game had been for Gil to arrive here only after subjugating that sea bream-headed monster, though.
"In a sense, it is only natural. It was utterly impossible for that little monkey to reach this place."
"You say that, Asta, but that fish monster is genuinely just small fry, you know? Shouldn't Gil be more than capable of taking down something of that caliber?"
To my remark...
"Come on, Master. They might be small fry to you, but by normal standards, those bastards are seriously strong."
Zack completely shot down my reasoning with a deeply exasperated sigh.
"Ain't that the truth! From Lord Kai's perspective, everything in existence is just insignificant small fry! That is our supreme King! An absolute, inviolable existence!"
As Oboro shouted his baseless raving with fanatical fervor...
"Ah... Treating even the vilest evil god as mere small fry. Such enchanting, supreme logic is something we mere insects could never hope to emulate."
With an enraptured expression, Lucas clasped his hands together and muttered such an outrageous remark under his breath.
"Surely none of you are falling behind monsters of that level yet, are you?"
A creature like that was merely a monster slightly stronger than the dim-witted goblins that occasionally raided houses to attack livestock. If they were still struggling against small fry like that, I would have to thoroughly retrain them later.
"N-No way! As if!"
Zack flailed his right hand in front of his face in a total panic.
"Heaven forbid! I shall gladly demonstrate how swiftly I can slaughter something of that level for you!"
"I ain't sayin' I'd struggle either, ya know!"
Lucas and Oboro also thumped their chests with their right fists, brimming with confidence.
"To think lowly humans would treat a notorious Evil Army Officer as a mere small-fry monster. The world truly has gone to ruin."
Asta shook his head broadly from side to side, casting a meaningful glance my way.
I know, I know. Let's get back on topic.
"At any rate, it is your shared consensus that Gil cannot reach this location, correct?"
All three of them nodded in agreement.
To begin with, Gil was a human, whatever else he might be. Believing it best to respect the opinions of fellow humans like Zack and the others, I had summoned the three of them here. It was only right to lend an ear to their assessment. After all, when it came to gauging the strength of others—especially humans—I was currently remarkably out of touch.
"In that case, perhaps we should adjust the plan slightly."
Though Gil had failed to reach this location on his own, he had requested an audience with me. That meant his past memories had surely returned. If he was acting to save the monsters of Northground despite that, he had cleared the minimum criteria.
As for Gil's strength, I had no intention of forcing an impossible task upon him. I wasn't that unreasonable.
If that was the case—
"Princess Rose, Somni, and Tetor are already waiting on standby in the adjacent room."
The skeleton man standing next to Lucas, Deimos, took a step forward and placed a hand over his chest to report the convenient arrangement. As always, Deimos was remarkably thoughtful.
"Is that so? Then let us have them pass judgment."
When I glanced at Asta, he gave a firm nod and headed into the neighboring room.