“By the way, what do you intend to do with me now? Depending on the terms, I’m open to considering a position as your mistress.”
“I refuse. There is no need for that.”
“I thought you’d say that. I expected as much from you, Dwight.”
Gwen wore a faint smile, but her expression suddenly vanished.
Her gaze locked onto mine, unblinking.
I stared back, yet her true intent remained opaque.
Leaning against the barrier, Gwen began to speak in a detached, matter-of-fact tone.
“Well, jokes aside. My defeat is already known to the other beasts. They are sensitive to information like that. I’m certain they’ll employ all sorts of schemes to target you, Dwight.”
“Let them. If they reveal themselves, it saves me the trouble of hunting them down.”
I had intended to eliminate the Beasts of the Outside World from the start.
Having them remain in hiding would be far more troublesome.
By analyzing Gwen, I had gained a fledgling ability to perceive these beasts.
Next time, I wouldn't be caught in such a pathetic state; I would suppress them with absolute force.
Gwen looked at me with mock admiration.
“What confidence... Mistress aside, I wouldn't mind joining the Demon King’s Army as an ally. Don't you think such a cute and powerful heroine would be a charming addition?”
“I’ll take the thought into account.”
I rejected her without a moment's hesitation.
Such a preposterous proposal was beneath consideration.
Sensing my utter rejection, Gwen smiled as if struck by a sudden realization.
“Ah, you don't trust me, do you?”
“Of course not. It’s only natural to be suspicious of a sudden defection.”
“How blunt. You’re going to break my glass heart.”
Gwen feigned a sob with exaggerated theatricality.
Naturally, she wasn't hurt in the slightest.
Her thick skin and frivolous personality required no further confirmation.
(An ally, so suddenly? What is she after?)
My suspicion deepened as I glared at her.
Gwen was far too dangerous.
She was the kind of person who would inflict Mental Contamination on me without a second thought.
Moreover, she was one of the Beasts of the Outside World.
Given her position as a member of the very faction I was at war with, she was fundamentally untrustworthy.
“To put it simply, it’s a trade. I’m not fond of the idea of being imprisoned here forever. In exchange for my help, I want my freedom. You don’t have to decide right now. The offer stands whenever you're ready.”
Gwen spoke airily, touting her own utility in a bright, casual tone.
“......”
I glanced at her profile.
Her true feelings were unreadable.
What was she actually thinking?
She surely harbored a grudge against me, but for now, she hid it perfectly.
Regardless, I had no intention of releasing her.
Just then, I sensed a presence from the ceiling.
The Institute Director descended, her eyes gleaming with manic intensity.
“Demon King-sama! Is it true?! Did you actually capture one of the Beasts of the Outside World!?”
“Ugh.”
A voice of pure physical revulsion escaped Gwen.
She grimaced and huddled against the far edge of the barrier, trying to make herself as small as possible.
Even her presence seemed to dim.
She was clearly trying to avoid notice, but it was a futile effort.
The Institute Director rushed to the barrier immediately.
She pressed her face against the translucent wall, staring at Gwen with unblinking eyes.
“Oh! Ohhh! Her appearance is perfectly human, yet her composition is fundamentally alien! I see, she possesses a power akin to Miasma rather than Magic Power! This is fascinating...!”
The Institute Director let out a breathy exclamation of delight.
She shivered with pure, unadulterated joy.
I had heard she encountered Gwen before I arrived, but the Director was completely unscathed.
I performed an Analysis just in case, but found no traces of Mental Contamination.
I had worried she might be vulnerable due to her nature as a spirit, but it seemed my concern was misplaced.
Considering the damage I had sustained, I was the one who had come off worse.
That realization left me with a rather sour taste in my mouth.
Meanwhile, Gwen hugged herself under the Director’s intense scrutiny, looking genuinely creeped out.
Finally reaching her limit, she voiced her grievance.
“Excuse me, could you stop gawking? I’m going to have to start charging for this.”
“That’s perfectly fine! I’ll pay whatever you ask! I have a mountain of unused salary saved up, you know! I’ll pour every cent of it into new research!”
The Institute Director, still plastered against the barrier, answered with terrifying fervor.
Her response was entirely wrong-headed, but I didn't have the energy to correct her.
Driven by her obsessive curiosity, more copies of the Director began to manifest from the floor, the walls, and the ceiling.
It was her unique ability: Simultaneous Existence.
In the blink of an eye, the space around the barrier was crowded with dozens of her.
The sight of so many Directors, all muttering and observing at once, was a grotesque spectacle.
Gwen, at the center of the storm, stood on her toes to find me over the sea of Directors and pointed a finger at them.
“Wow. She’s professionally insane. Dwight, you really should consider a candidate's personality before putting them in charge of anything.”
On that point, Gwen was absolutely right.
The Institute Director was a hazard.
Yet, I had entrusted the Research Institute to her knowing exactly what she was.
I have never once regretted that decision.
“Director, I’m returning to the castle. I’m leaving her under your watch.”
“Yes! Leave it to me! I won’t take my eyes off her for a single second...!”
The Institute Director replied with frantic zeal.
Her eyes betrayed an indescribable madness.
However, that was none of my concern.
Since she provided nothing but benefit to the Demon King’s Domain, I had no reason to stop her.
“This wonderful treatment... it’s enough to bring me to tears, really.”
I ignored Gwen's sarcasm.
If nothing else, discovering her weakness was a significant harvest.
Leaving the frantic chatter behind, I teleported back to the castle.