"Outside the world...? What does that mean?"
I was more than a little bewildered.
Though the Great Spirit spoke of it as a matter of course, these were words I had never heard before.
The mention of a supernatural existence was also intriguing, but above all, the conversation had jumped so far ahead I felt my confusion growing.
The Great Spirit, on the other hand, pressed on with the discussion in a businesslike manner.
"Do you know what lies beyond the sky?"
"I've heard it is a void devoid of mana."
I answered with knowledge I had learned in my life before.
Long ago, there was a magician who attempted to ascend endlessly into the sky.
However, halfway up, he died in a fall due to insufficient mana.
This was because beyond a certain altitude, the concentration of mana in the air thinned.
While it did not affect the sustenance of life, it impaired the efficacy of magic, making spells unstable to cast.
Therefore, no one had ever reached what lay beyond the sky.
Some scholars argued it was the realm where gods resided.
Coupled with the fact that humans could not reach it, this theory had gained a certain amount of support.
Of course, I did not believe such common wisdom, but I also lacked the material to refute it.
The Great Spirit seemed to know this answer.
"Half correct. Certainly, mana does not exist there, but it is not a void. Beyond the sky lies the Outside of the World."
"So what is making me unwell, then, is a resident of this Outside?"
"Yes. And they are plotting to dominate this world as well. Among us, we call these residents the 'Outside World's Beasts.'"
"Beasts from the outer world..."
I murmur.
That they're using the name employed by the defense mechanisms means the situation is truly moving into motion.
It's a problem on a scale larger than I imagined.
"Multiple individuals of these beasts from the outer world exist. Some seem to be working together, but fundamentally they act alone. They are currently hiding with great cunning, but eventually the truth will come to light."
"Your own agents have uncovered nothing. If such beings existed, they would have been discovered immediately."
"The opponent is a monster from beyond this domain. The laws of this world do not necessarily apply. I would think you understand that."
I have nothing to retort to the Great Spirit's rebuttal.
Her point was exactly correct.
I myself couldn't even perceive these so-called beasts from the outer world, let alone that I was suffering from a mysterious malaise.
It was utterly pathetic.
I had no right to make any claims, setting that aside.
"I reviewed Yura's memory. You made eye contact with the foreign intelligence agent."
"So that was the problem after all."
"Yes. They had become familiars of the beast. By meeting their gaze, you were likely contaminated as well. Right now it's manifesting only as physical discomfort, but eventually it will lead to an irreversible state."
I had half-suspected this, the Great Spirit's warning.
I thought I had repelled the mental contamination, but it seemed I had actually been affected.
It had activated with a time delay.
My failure to perceive it was due to my own inadequacy.
The opponent had used an ability that was not magic.
Yet dealing with it was my duty as the Demon King.
Admonishing myself for my own lapse, I question the Great Spirit.
"How can this be resolved?"
"Subjugating the beast that attempted contact with you should heal it completely."
"I can't subjugate it if I don't know where it is."
The Great Spirit shakes her head.
She reaches out and touches my cheek.
"That is not my task to seek. I believe you are capable of accomplishing it on your own."
The Great Spirit moves away from me.
Gazing out the window, she speaks in a voice devoid of readable emotion.
"Beasts from the other world have appeared in various places. My jurisdiction is this continent, but I intend to have your assistance in exterminating them."
"Very well. Leave it to me."
I answer immediately.
The other party is a transcendent being.
For something to have the power to cast spells on me now—it truly possesses non-human might.
Such beings are baring their fangs at the world.
They absolutely cannot be left unchecked.
If they run rampant, my ideal—world peace—will recede further.
Fortunately, their policy aligns with our defense mechanism.
That means we can cooperate with them.
It was incredibly reassuring.
"As soon as your condition improves, we will initiate contact. Please hurry."
The Great Spirit said this as her presence grew fainter.
I thought she had vanished entirely, but she then spoke to me.
"There is something I forgot to convey."
"What is it?"
"The element that torments you appears to be rooted in your spirit."
"The spirit, then..."
I chewed on the Great Spirit's words.
Then I offered her my thanks.
"That is invaluable information. It is a great help."
"I hope it will be a clue toward resolution."
With that reply, the Great Spirit's presence finally disappeared.