Diera and her companions hurried away shortly after.
With their departure, I had finally spoken with every one of my executives. Since there was no sign of anyone else arriving to interrupt, I headed back toward the magic circle at last.
The Research Institute Director was waiting for me near the site. It appeared she had already completed the final inspection. She was alone now; she must have reabsorbed the duplicates she had created to assist with the work. Even among the ranks of the immortals, the Director was an exceptional existence. She could increase or decrease her numbers at will, to the point where nothing she did surprised me anymore.
Standing beside the Director was Gwen. For some reason, she had changed her clothes. She was now wearing a black-and-white outfit reminiscent of a servant’s uniform.
Gwen put on a pointedly artificial smile and gave me a textbook-perfect bow.
"Welcome back, Master!"
"...What is the meaning of this?"
A headache began to throb behind my eyes, born from my sheer bewilderment at her antics. Gwen, seeing my reaction, looked visibly disappointed. Pouting, she snapped her fingers. Her entire outfit shifted like a roiling shadow, and a moment later, she was back in her usual black robes.
"My, my. No appreciation for the maid aesthetic? My apologies, then."
I didn’t quite understand what she was trying to achieve, but it likely didn't have any deep meaning. Most of Gwen’s behavior was like that. Taking her seriously was a mistake; the correct response was to simply let it slide.
Ignoring Gwen’s dissatisfaction, the Director gave her report.
"All that remains is to set the remains and the soul in place."
"May I handle that part?" I asked.
"Of course! I left that task specifically for you, Maou-sama!"
The Director pointed toward a crystal and a glass container resting nearby. Each held the remains and the soul, respectively. I used magic to levitate myself, then brought the crystal and container into the air alongside me. I glided over the surface of the magic circle, heading toward the center.
There.
I focused on the heart of the array. Near the Keepsake Sword, two specific circles had been drawn into the design. They were critical components of the magic formula. I was to place the remains and the soul within those bounds.
I carefully shattered the crystal and the glass container, then used magic to vanish the remnants. Once the remains and the soul were released, I set them into their designated positions. I meticulously checked for any distortions or misalignments before returning to the Director and Gwen.
The Director, who had been watching the process with rapt attention, spoke up happily.
"The magic formula is now complete. It can be activated at any time."
"Thank you. You’ve been a great help."
"No, no, I should be the one thanking you! To be involved in a feat that will go down in history—I’ll be able to brag about my part in this for the next few centuries!"
Breathing heavily with excitement, the Director clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling. She said it so casually, but she clearly possessed the resolve to live for hundreds of years to come. While that was a reality one had to accept upon becoming an immortal, the Director had embraced it with remarkable ease. There wasn't a hint of tragedy or gloom in her voice. I felt I had much to learn from her positive outlook.
"I’ll be waiting back at the Research Institute. I have several proposals I’d like to consult with you about, Maou-sama!"
"I see. I’ll look forward to hearing them."
I gave a polite response to the high-spirited Director. She didn't seem to doubt my survival in the slightest. Though our relationship was primarily professional, it seemed she trusted me quite deeply.
Next, I turned my gaze to Gwen.
"I owe you my thanks for everything you've done."
"Don't worry about it. If you trace it back to the beginning, this was all our own fault anyway. It's just the law of the jungle," Gwen said with a cool, self-deprecating smile. She seemed to be reflecting on her past failures.
I decided to ask her the question that had been lingering in my mind.
"Are you planning to return to outer space?"
"Please, don't joke like that. I have no intention of going back now. Living in this world seems much more enjoyable. I told you before, didn't I? I want to join the Demon King's Army. Don't tell me you forgot?"
"You were serious about that?"
"Of course I was! I'm dead serious about applying for a position."
Gwen made the declaration with sudden force, stepping toward me. For once, there was no trace of her usual playful tone.
After a few beats of silence, I took a step back and gave my answer.
"...I'll give it some positive consideration."
"Uwah, look at you, using vague words to string me along. Popular men really are something else, aren't they?"
Gwen let out a theatrical sigh, as if expressing her utter exasperation. She shrugged her shoulders, but her playful mood returned almost instantly as she addressed me one last time.
"I finally found a planet that feels like a good place to live. Make sure you protect it so it doesn’t get destroyed, all right?"