206 White and Black

Demon Lord's Perspective

Gyulie, who had been frowning but ultimately accepted my actions, let out a breath of relief.

The greatest obstacle to my actions had been convincing Gyulie—so this success was a significant advancement.

That Gyulie, at least in form, agreed to become a subordinate was also a major factor.

Now I could make Gyulie work like a carriage horse, with consent.

Internally, Gyulie’s feelings were undoubtedly complex—but now that she understood necessity, she would cooperate, albeit unwillingly.

In a sense, I had succeeded in turning even the most troublesome enemy into an ally.

I had prepared myself for the possibility of fighting Gyulie.

In that case, my defeat was inevitable.

I had considered that acceptable—but I still preferred to live and fulfill my duty.

I had only ever taken passive actions until now.

Have the Queen Taretact in various regions bear subordinates, cull them at random.

Elsewhere, position subordinates around the elven village to exert pressure, prevent strange thoughts from forming.

Though that effort ultimately proved futile.

The barrier surrounding the elven village cannot be breached by me.

Potimas understood this. He did not even consider me worth a single tooth.

I felt this acutely in the current matter.

While my former kin gave their all for the world, I hid, citing obedience to Lady Sarriel as justification.

This power, accumulated over long years.

The time has come to settle the debt for having avoided reality, for having fled all this time.

If I am defeated by Gurye, so be it. If this power returns to the world, that too is acceptable. That was my thought.

I did not expect the other worst enemy to contribute to this evasion.

Glance briefly at the former worst enemy.

A pale girl with a consistently expressionless face.

An unnaturally beautiful countenance.

Her unsettling eyes are displeasing—she has kept them closed since the middle, amplifying the artificial aura.

Hmm.

A beautiful girl.

From my perspective as her former self-assignee, I had no awareness in my previous life that I was such a beautiful girl. But now, seeing myself from another’s viewpoint, she is undeniably beautiful.

There is a faint resemblance to my current self, so she is not an exact replica of my past incarnation—but still, she stands out as exceptionally beautiful.

Why did I not realize this before?

Even to myself, it is strange.

And although she originated as half the same entity, frankly, I cannot read her thoughts.

No expression shifts. No words spoken.

Is she thinking? Or is she not thinking at all?

Even that is unclear.

Would’ve thought she’d consider every detail, but sometimes she doesn’t think at all.

The waves are too erratic—prediction impossible.

She follows desire by default, so feeding her should hold for now.

Still, her unpredictability is what got Gyrie to follow us, so the outcome’s acceptable, I suppose?

“Then I’ll begin operations. Let’s return to the demon territory first.”

“Ah, sorry, but I’ll step aside for a moment.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Checking again—whether any survivor facilities remain, scanning every corner of the stars.”

“Ah.”

True. That would be better.

I never expected such a facility to survive.

I assumed such places were wiped out during system activation.

Still, I doubt another one remains, but better to confirm through thorough search.

Then, I’ll rely on Gurye for that.

Hmm. It’d be better to completely destroy this place when we leave.

Yeah.

If some human were to discover it by accident, things could get messy.

Whether it was good or bad that Spider-chan found it… hard to say.

Mm.

Maybe it’s time to stop calling her Spider-chan.

She’s a comrade now, after all.

Then, shall we go? Should I call you Young Leaf, or Princess Color?

Either one is fine.

Huh?

She spoke!

Eh, oh, right?

Ah, well, of course she can speak.

She’s not incapable of speech.

Yeah, yeah.

But why does she dislike being called by name?

There’s no particularly bad memory tied to her real name, is there?

Then, what should I call you?

"Shiroi?" How about that?

D, who had remained silent until now, interjects.

"Considering you're my candidate subordinate, I attempted to assign you a name befitting a deity. How does that sound?"

The spider considered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Expression unchanged. Impossible to discern inner thoughts. But apparently satisfied with the name.

"Then, may I call you Shiro?"

A nod.

Shiro-ori sounds awkward in pronunciation.

"Ah, then how about calling you Kurō?"

"Why would that be?"

Gyurie responded with a look of mild disbelief, as if mocking the suggestion.

"Tscht. Gyurie, you're a legendary dragon god, aren't you? Your true name isn't preserved in records. You could be recognized anywhere. It's safer to falsify your name."

A plausible excuse fabricated on the spot.

Gyurie paused, then slowly nodded in agreement.

"Very well. That's acceptable."

Ah, no, I just gave up and settled for it already.

That’s the problem—being weak to pressure like this.

Always ends up in unfavorable roles. Consequently, failure is the only outcome.

Seems that way, I suppose.