After deciding to visit Gluttony first, I finished getting ready. Alice vanished from sight, and Pandora stepped away for a brief moment before returning to my side.
"Thank you for waiting, Kaito-sama. I have had the teleportation interference barrier around the mansion temporarily disabled. The entrance will open shortly."
"Entrance?"
Just as I asked, a vertical slit of light tore through the air, expanding into the shape of a radiant, glowing gateway.
"It seems she put some effort into the design to welcome you. I have already instructed her to wait at her base rather than coming here, so shall we proceed?"
"Y-Yes."
Alice had mentioned that Gluttony was a master of space-time magic. Passing through this glowing gate would likely take me directly to her domain.
I followed Pandora through the light and stepped into a scene of incredible, mystical beauty. A gleaming golden bridge stretched into the distance, flanked by vibrant, tower-like buildings that created a stunning, colorful vista.
"Where... where are we?"
"This is a subspace of Gluttony's creation. Normally, it is a rather desolate place, but she likely renovated it specifically to welcome you, Kaito-sama."
So, Gluttony had rearranged the very fabric of this space the moment she heard I was coming. It was a staggering thought, but at the very least, it proved that my visit was more than welcome.
As we walked through the glittering scenery, we reached an open clearing where a single figure stood waiting.
She was a black-haired girl wearing a white gothic lolita dress decorated with numerous black roses. She was tiny, scarcely reaching 130 centimeters, with amber eyes. What stood out most, however, was the large stuffed rabbit she held tightly to her chest.
Between her adorable appearance and the strange aura she projected, I wondered if this girl was Gluttony-san.
"Welcome. I am honored that you would travel so far to see me. Kaito Miyama-sama, it is a privilege to meet you."
"Ah, yes. It's a pleasure to—"
"Kaito-sama, wait."
"Eh?"
The girl had given me a polite bow and greeted me in a soft, quiet voice. I started to return the gesture, but Pandora cut me off. I looked at her, confused, but she was staring intently at the girl with a sharp, serious expression.
"Gluttony, I know you mean no harm. However, Kaito-sama is the precious individual Shaltier-sama has acknowledged as her master. He stands above us all. For a first meeting... should you not be the one to speak for yourself?"
"Huh?"
"I have no excuse. You are absolutely right."
"W-What!?"
The voice that answered Pandora was entirely different from the girl’s voice—because it came from the stuffed rabbit held in her arms. At that same moment, a surge of magic power emanated from the toy.
So that was how it worked. The real Gluttony-san wasn't the black-haired girl at all.
"Put me down, Natasha."
"Yes, Gluttony-sama."
The girl, Natasha, confirmed my suspicion by setting the stuffed rabbit down on the ground. The rabbit—the real Gluttony-san—hopped toward me, knelt on one knee, and bowed its head.
"Forgive my rudeness, Kaito Miyama-sama. As you have deduced, I am the true Gluttony. Out of habit, I inadvertently attempted to deceive you. I offer my deepest apologies."
"Ah, no, please raise your head. I was just a bit startled, but I don't mind at all."
"I am grateful for your kindness."
This was... intense. A massive wave of reverence and affection rolled off Gluttony-san like a tsunami, nearly knocking me back.
Yeah, I could tell instantly. There was no doubt about it—Gluttony-san was definitely one of the executives Alice warned me about whose loyalty was completely bugged.
"Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Gluttony, one of the Ten Demons. This is Natasha, the one who usually acts as my decoy."
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Gluttony has a cautious personality," Pandora explained. "She usually mimics a stuffed toy, and only a few even within the Ten Demons know her true identity."
That made sense. When we first arrived, my Sympathy Magic only picked up Natasha's presence. Gluttony-san must have been suppressing her magic power as perfectly as Zwei-san does. That level of control spoke volumes about her actual strength.
"Right. To reintroduce myself as well, I'm Kaito Miyama. Gluttony-san, thank you so much for your help during the recent battle against the God Realm."
"Your words are more than I deserve."
Perhaps because Pandora had warned her, Gluttony-san accepted my thanks as reverently as a knight receiving a royal decoration. She bowed deeply once more before standing.
"Since you have graced us with your presence, Kaito Miyama-sama, I have prepared a modest reception to welcome you."
"Wait, Gluttony, surely you don't mean..."
"I have gathered the most exquisite delicacies from across the three realms. Please, enjoy them."
As Gluttony-san spoke, Natasha appeared pushing a massive service cart.
Exquisite delicacies? The thing sitting on top of that cart looked like nothing but a grotesque monster. I suddenly found myself wondering if that thing was actually edible for a human being...
Serious-senpai: "As expected of his flag-collecting power..."