At this moment, Vylian, who had just stepped out of the room, did not attract anyone’s attention.
Her attire was neat, and there was nothing improper about her appearance.
A ribbon was missing, and she didn’t know where it had fallen, but since it was originally conjured by magic, creating a new one was effortless.
As for that teasing remark from earlier, it was just a spur-of-the-moment thought.
Thinking of Anlis’s restrained and suppressed demeanor when she was under the curse, perhaps that was her true, long-repressed nature.
That girl’s taste is definitely black silk stockings and lolis.
She’s completely exposed.
She usually seems so proper, honest, and shy.
Hmm~ So, if I play along with Anlis’s taste and, acting like an innocent, inexperienced girl, shyly say something like “I’m very happy about your confession,” it would probably make her feel smug.
Besides, aren’t heroes creatures with excessive protective instincts?
Doing this might deal a ton of critical damage?
Well, it’s not like trying it will cost me anything. Anyone can say sweet words.
She didn’t dwell on the matter too much.
Right now, dealing with serious business was obviously more important.
Shielding herself with the Power of Corruption, Vylian arrived at the nearby forest.
She waited for a short while, and soon, a figure approached from the distance.
It was a young woman, about 170 cm tall. Despite her height, her facial features had a distinctly loli-like quality.
She wore a long maid’s dress, her demeanor dignified, giving the impression of a maid from a great family.
“Wubika Kachi, I greet you, my most respected Monarch.” The young woman knelt on one knee, her tone devout. “I offer you my most sincere loyalty forever.”
“I’m surprised you could decipher my meaning from that light.”
Vylian calmly observed the young woman before her.
This person was none other than the Corrupted Disaster who had previously troubled Anlis and enjoyed dressing in a butler-like style.
[Corrosion] was an objectively existing rule of this world. Most Corrupted Creatures were creations naturally born from this rule.
Vylian was no exception.
She had just been lucky, transmigrating and intercepting the [Corrupt Monarch] who had been slain by the previous Hero and was reviving in the Abyss.
Because of this, she was mostly unfamiliar with these so-called colleagues and subordinates.
She had just emerged and immediately went to stake out the Hero, having no time to cultivate trusted aides.
“If I had failed to decipher it, I would likely have perished in that light. It was a test of my ability by you. If I couldn’t see through even that, how could I fulfill my lifelong dream of serving the Demon King?”
“You do have some awareness.”
Vylian liked intelligent and highly effective subordinates; they saved her a lot of trouble.
“I ruined your plan. You’re not angry, are you?”
“Angry? How could I be? Wasn’t that my own incompetence? It must be because my plan was full of holes and likely to run counter to the intended goal, which is why it was detected by your greatness.”
As she spoke, her posture became even more humble, her face filled with piety and reverence. “Being corrected by Your Majesty is an honor for me. It seems I still need to study and strive harder to keep up with your pace.”
“Having committed such a grave mistake, I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”
This flattery was quite pleasing to the ear.
No wonder those in high positions favored such subordinates.
“Punishment is unnecessary.”
“Thank you for your leniency, Your Majesty. But please allow me to atone for my mistake. You approached the Hero surely with a grand scheme in mind, right? Is there anything I can help with? I will spare no effort, even if it costs my life.”
Kachi seemed to have seen through everything, her expression indescribably fervent.
Unlike her own radical approach, the Demon King had clearly chosen a more sophisticated path of gentle persuasion.
This Holy Order attire she wore was obviously a disguise prepared for infiltrating the Hero’s side.
First, let the inexperienced Hero sink into a gentle trap, developing dependence and affection for this “Saintess.” Then, finally, drag the Hero into an emotionally difficult dilemma.
Thus, she could corrupt the Hero without shedding blood, and even lay plans along the Hero’s path of action.
The darkness under the lamp.
The Hero would definitely be unable to detect it.
No matter how vigilant the Hero was, how could they suspect a companion who shared life and death, day and night?
And her own previous arrangements could also serve as a means for the Demon King to gain trust.
The Demon King was truly brilliant.
“I don’t really need you to do anything for me right now. Here’s what you can do: go warn the nearby Corrupted Creatures to never trouble the Hero. Tell them to stay far away if they see the Hero and absolutely avoid any involvement with them.”
Kachi’s eyes lit up.
She didn’t ask why.
The Demon King’s commands surely had their profound meaning. As a subordinate, one only needed to execute them perfectly and swiftly.
Moreover, with a little thought, it became clear.
A person’s growth depended on tempering and battle.
By forbidding Corrupted Creatures from harassing the Hero, His Majesty clearly didn’t want to give her that experience.
If she truly wanted to kill the Hero, with His Majesty’s power, there was no Corrupted Creature in the world stronger than her.
“I understand! I will carry it out immediately!”
Kachi stood up, ready to leave, her face full of excitement.
“Wait, I have another question for you.” Vylian’s expression remained placid. “What do you think of the Hero’s strength?”
Kachi pondered briefly, recalling the previous battle. “Her strength is weak, but… she has some small cleverness.”
“Is that so.”
That aligned with her own assessment.
Just as Kachi was about to leave again, Vylian stopped her once more. “Oh, I have one more question. Are you male or female?”
She had read the original work and knew this character’s image in the manga. But now that the other appeared in the form of a young woman, she couldn’t help but be curious.
“I am genderless, Your Majesty. My true form is simply a morning glory flower.”
So Wubika Kachi’s true form was a flower?
The original work didn’t explain much, as it was just a first-stage elite monster.
Well, it wasn’t something that needed too much attention. It was normal for Corrupted Creatures to be able to transform and disguise themselves.
For example, Vylian’s own true form wasn’t her current appearance either.
As evening approached, after chatting for a long time at the Village Chief’s house, Archbishop Meili stood up and looked at the sky.
“It’s been so long. I suppose the Saintess and the Hero must have finished by now.”
Normally, it shouldn’t take that long.
It wasn’t some passionate encounter; it was just an emergency measure to lift a curse.
But she had been single until now and didn’t understand these things.
“But what if they haven’t?”
Archbishop Glen then spoke up. He didn’t have much experience either, but he felt being cautious was always right.
“It shouldn’t take that long, should it?”
Lisina said hesitantly, recalling her own experience. The first time, an entire afternoon…
Was that actually too short?
After discussing for a while, they finally decided to go back and check.
It was getting late, and delaying further was truly inappropriate.
Arriving at the door, they unanimously nominated the most suitable person, Lisina, to go first and scout the situation.
Entrusted with this important task, Lisina gently pushed the door open and entered. Inside the bathroom, only Anlis was present, burying her head in a basin of water and scrubbing vigorously.
It looked quite strange.
“Anlis? What are you…”
“Mom?”
Anlis lifted her dripping wet face, her eyes still somewhat unfocused.
“I’m washing my hair. I just feel like… something unclean got into my head.”