After parting with the Great Spirit, I headed down to the basement of the laboratory.
Specifically, a sealed chamber with no entrance or exit.
The place where a few directors worked was Gwen's prison.
Within the central barrier, Gwen lay with a languid expression on her face.
When she spotted me, she gave a slow, languid wave.
"Hey there... nice work."
"Are you okay?"
Hearing my words, Gwen raised one eyebrow.
She wore a faintly ironic smile.
She let out a small sigh, then snorted softly.
"Coming from you, of all people? If you're truly concerned, then change the one watching me."
"That's not possible."
"Right, of course. I knew that, yes."
Gwen slowly sat up.
Leaning against the barrier, she spoke.
"It's probably too late to ask, but what happened to John Doe and Balk?"
"Their sense of self collapsed and they ceased to exist. They no longer are."
John and Balk, revived within my spiritual world, were securely bound.
I left them alone for a while, but now they had self-destructed, leaving no trace behind.
It was likely because Gwen's power no longer reached them, making it impossible to maintain their existence.
Remaining in another's mindscape for an extended period was a dangerous act.
They self-destructed, dissolved, and were absorbed into me.
Perhaps as a result, I have inherited fragments of John's memories and Balk's sorcery.
I cannot yet use either of them skillfully, but both are undeniably useful.
I intend to put them to use going forward.
Gwen, having heard me out, crossed her arms.
She tilted her head with a carefree air.
"So that's how it turned out, huh. I thought you were a perfect fit, but I suppose some things are just beyond us. Harvelt, don't you think you're a bit too invincible?"
"I'm not invincible. Let my guard down for a moment and I'll die just as easily."
Complacency was the greatest enemy of all.
I have vanquished countless foes who grew complacent, convinced of their own victory.
Every hero I had defeated until now possessed the power to take my life.
Had even the slightest thing been different, I would have been the one to fall.
I had no intention of arrogating invincibility to myself.
"By the way, what brings you here today? Could it be that you missed me?"
"I have eradicated every beast that dwelled on this continent. You are the only one left."
I said, ignoring her joke.
Gwen's smile deepened.
She licked her lips with visible amusement.
"Oh my, how impressive. I suppose that's what you'd expect of the Demon Lord."
Despite her companions being slaughtered, Gwen was in high spirits.
Her reaction was almost as if she had been eagerly awaiting this report.
She had likely predicted this turn of events the moment she herself was confined.
(Or perhaps she simply had no interest in beasts she considered beneath her.)
Judging by the sensation of our fight, Gwen ranked among the upper echelons of beasts.
The ones capable of taking human form were all formidable, yet none possessed truly overwhelming strength.
At least, none strong enough to surpass her.
Gwen's expression suddenly went blank as she turned a question on me.
"Are you planning to kill me as well?"
"No. What I want from you is information. I want to know the purpose of the beasts in the outside world."
"Very well. I'll make an exception and tell you."
Gwen agreed without hesitation.
Far from hesitating, she seemed eager to talk.
Finding this suspicious, I studied her face.
There was nothing overtly off about her, and I couldn't read her inner thoughts.
"...You're awfully forthcoming."
"Conversely, let me ask you this: do you think anyone could be stubborn in a situation like this? It should be plain to see that acting defiantly would end in something catastrophic."
Gwen shifted her gaze from me to the warden.
The multiple wardens were going about their work with pleasant smiles.
They had been traversing the walls and ceiling for some time now, their numbers constantly fluctuating.
However, at least one person was always staring intently at Gwen.
Without blinking, they watched over her with smiles lingering on their faces.
Gwen, offering a wry smile, hugged her own shoulders.
It was understandable that she was becoming psychologically drained.
This was no environment for one's mind to rest.
Still, it was a relief that this had made her more willing to talk.
Perhaps the Director also had a talent for interrogation.
If it could be linked to research, such tasks could likely be assigned to her.
She would surely be able to extract information swiftly.
This was something to address as a future issue.
It was a matter that should be decided after consultation with the executives.
"What is the purpose of the beasts from the other world?"
When I posed the question anew, Gwen pointed at me.
With a defiant expression, she gave her answer.
"To put it succinctly, our goal is the Demon King of this world—that is, to make you our prey."