The silver-haired woman standing before me was a figure absent from my memories.
She was a clearly discordant presence in this space.
I readied my staff, preparing to cast magic.
Throughout my protracted journey, I had already confirmed that magic functioned without issue.
The sensation was identical to the real world.
Though the woman maintained a subtle distance, she was well within the range of my spells.
I could douse her in a spell in the blink of an eye.
Perhaps she sensed my inner thoughts, for the silver-haired woman hugged her own shoulders and deliberately shivered.
"Oh my, don't make such a scary face. I might cry."
"Answer the question. Who are you?"
I asked, my voice devoid of emotion.
The woman ceased her fearful act and performed a graceful bow.
"I have no particular name... but for convenience, you may call me Gwen. I am the being your kind refers to as a 'beast of the outer world.' Currently, I have intruded here in spiritual form."
The silver-haired woman—Gwen—announced herself with airy detachment.
I had harbored some suspicion, but she was indeed a beast of the outer world.
She had infiltrated my consciousness through the eyes of her informants.
Furthermore, she had been corroding my body ever since.
Gwen looked at me, her lips curved in a distasteful smile.
"Dwight Harvelt. I have observed your actions and words from here. You came to kill me, didn't you?"
"Not just you. I will eradicate all of the beasts of the outer world without exception. That is my duty."
The beasts from the outside world are appearing across the land.
This is a situation where our defensive mechanisms must activate.
In other words, it can be seen as a threat directly tied to this world's crisis.
Therefore, the beasts are entities that shatter peace.
From my standpoint, they are opponents that must invariably be eradicated.
Suddenly, Gwen began to skip lightly.
With movements so graceful one would never guess she was above a desert, she danced with evident delight.
"So you're to become the Undying Demon Lord and shoulder the role of the sole, absolute evil, is that it? I do respect that."
"..."
"I see you're making that 'how do you know?' face. It's only natural, of course—I've seen your memories. I've thoroughly reviewed the entire life of Harvelt here! I'm confident I can answer any question you might have."
Gwen placed a hand over her heart as she spoke.
Both her gestures and expression were designed to provoke discomfort.
She was likely doing it on purpose.
Her goal was probably to rattle my nerves, to unsettle my composure.
"My, my—being executed after saving the world, now that was a misfortune. You don't often see such a textbook tragedy, do you? When I was looking through your memories, I nearly shed tears myself, oh my."
"Why did you target me? What is your objective?"
I ignored the taunts and posed my questions.
Gwen shrugged with a look of disappointment.
"Am I not getting under your skin? Or rather—would I just tell you so easily? I'm not that straightforward, you know."
Watching Gwen laugh heartily, clearly amused, I understood that our conversation was futile.
No matter what I say, she just deflects it.
She has no intention of engaging with me seriously.
I channel magic power into my staff and generate a magic sword in my free hand.
Seeing this, Gwen's smile naturally deepens.
"Oh my, so you really do intend to fight. How barbaric. As expected of the Demon King. But please, be warned—I'm surprisingly strong, you know?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm simply doing what needs to be done."
"Hehe."
Gwen lets out a soft laugh.
The corners of her mouth pull upward, stretching as if about to tear.
She tilts her head back toward the sky and lets out a deep sigh.
"What firm resolve. How admirable. Truly—I'd love to devour you whole."
In that instant, Gwen's voice distorts.
Her outline blurs, losing all three-dimensionality like a shadow.
The edges of her form thin out, then transform into numerous tentacles.
Her humanoid shape is now composed of countless writhing limbs.
They pulse grotesquely, writhing in unsettling rhythm.
Not a shred of humanity remains.
It was as if a concept of chaos had been bordered with malice.
However, the tentacles vanished almost immediately.
Returning to her original form in an instant, Gwen placed a hand to her mouth and gave a wry smile.
"Oh my, pardon me. My true nature slipped out a little. Having a maiden's secret seen like this is quite embarrassing."
"..."
I don't react, continuing to stare intently at Gwen.
Currently, she appeared no different from a human.
Yet her essence was that of a monster beyond reason. She was hiding features truly fitting for the description of a beast from another world.
"Well then, let's end the small talk and get to the main topic. It seems the battle's progression can't be avoided."
Clapping her hands together, Gwen spoke as she twirled in place. She began organizing her thoughts, punctuating her words with gestures.
"If you defeat me, I'll tell you all sorts of things. A real grand service, you could say. However, should Mr. Harvelt lose, I will claim your body. Is that acceptable?"
"Ah, no problem."
I nod as I activate the spell. Chains extending from my fingertips wound around Gwen's neck. They then faded, merging into her body.
She is stroking her neck, but the chains are already gone.
I explain to Gwen, serving as a warning.
"It's oath magic. I activated it using our exchange just now as a catalyst. If you break it, your soul will be cursed."
"Wow, you really did it. So vigilant and thorough... now there's no turning back, is there."
Gwen grumbled with a look of annoyance. Someone like her, by nature, consistently never keeps promises.
She can never be trusted, and she will use any despicable means without hesitation.
That is why I decided to strike first and force her to keep her promise.
From the sensation of the spell, Gwen was bound by an oath.
If she tried to flee on her own, she would be cursed immediately.
If it were just a beast’s ability, I might be able to dispel it, but judging from Gwen’s words and actions, that seemed unlikely.
There was a little unease, but it was confirmed that magic also works on beasts from the outer world.
This was a surprisingly significant discovery.
It could be said that we had more than enough chance of winning.
We faced each other in the desert night.
A dry wind blew through the space between us.
Enveloped in silence, the first to speak was Gwen.
"――Well then, shall we kill each other to our heart’s content?"
Gwen’s presence shifted.
The killing intent that seeped out was clearly aimed at me.
Delighted, she flicked her fingers as if dancing.