— — — — — —
Shiroyasha froze for a moment, then her expression changed drastically.
The gods had only suspected that Algol had come close to the door leading to the Two-Digit Domain.
But now Algol had admitted it herself—she'd already found the door.
Information like that… would make Thousand Eyes richer than ever and drive the gods completely mad.
The Little Garden's central system had been growing for years, and only now had an opportunity appeared—one that could support the eighteenth Two-Digit. Just as everyone was preparing to scramble for it, Algol had already caught the tail end of that opportunity?
What did that even mean?
The race had only just begun, and the runner-up had already appeared?
"Good grief, you…" Shiroyasha stumbled over her words.
Among the three great problem children of Little Garden, Algol had always been the weakest—stuck in the three-digit tier.
And now… was that about to change?
Would the three problem children become three Two-Digit existences?
Shiroyasha's expression truly shifted at that thought.
She, Queen Halloween, and Algol were all Star Spirits. All appeared in female form, had similar temperaments, and their core interests aligned. They were the most natural allies imaginable.
"You came to me… for my support? No, wait. How did you find a path so quickly? Could it be…"
A name suddenly flashed through Shiroyasha's mind.
That man who kept stirring up massive incidents—events that threw the upper layers of Little Garden into chaos—yet whose identity remained unknown to this day.
Thinking of him, Shiroyasha blurted out, "Did Ryo help you find the path?"
The moment she said it, she shook her head and dismissed the thought.
"No, that's impossible. He's just a four-digit. How could he possibly have that kind of ability? Ha… guess I got carried away thinking about something so ridiculous."
She laughed awkwardly.
But gradually, the laughter died in her throat.
Because Algol beside her wasn't laughing.
On that pure and strikingly beautiful face was only a faint look of surprise.
The look of someone whose secret had just been guessed.
"…It really was him?" Shiroyasha said uncertainly.
"That's impossible. That guy's just an ordinary four-digit." Algol denied it immediately.
"So it really was him."
Shiroyasha's gaze on Algol grew deep and knowing. "If it wasn't him, you'd be sneering and saying something like 'that ugly bastard?' instead of sitting here denying it to me."
Algol's cheek twitched slightly, but she didn't argue anymore.
She sighed and muttered under her breath. "The fact that your brain actually managed to land on the truth… now that's a miracle."
Shiroyasha wasn't stupid. But it was also true that among the three problem children, she was the worst when it came to using her head.
After all, she'd been the first to lose among them. Despite being the strongest, the ShiroYoruMaou had suffered defeat three times in a row before ending up as the Shiroyasha she was now.
Compared to that, someone like Algol—who had challenged the Buddha and failed, then gone on to recklessly provoke all gods—could only be said to have grown disillusioned and started doing whatever she pleased.
Meanwhile, the sharpest mind among them, Queen Halloween, was still running rampant across Little Garden.
So from Algol's perspective, Shiroyasha figuring this out was practically unnatural.
"..."
Being mocked to her face like that, Shiroyasha's mouth twitched hard.
"If you want me to report you, just say the word."
Truthfully, she was a little uneasy.
If Ryo hadn't been constantly causing chaos across other worlds—throwing Little Garden into turmoil and even sparking incidents like the Trinity Athena fiasco—Shiroyasha would never have thought to link Algol's situation to him.
But Ryo had a track record.
The Trinity Athena had been something like an incomplete prototype of a Two-Digit Spirit Rank. It wasn't truly viable, but in a sense, it had shown a possible path.
And the reason it wasn't viable?
Simple—Algol was a Star Spirit. She possessed the supreme immortality certified by Little Garden's central system. Athena would never get the chance to devour her.
Wait…
Athena couldn't devour Algol.
But what about the other way around?
Shiroyasha's eyes widened in shock.
"Your path… it wouldn't happen to be the one tied to Athena, would it?!"
Athena couldn't swallow Algol—but Algol could swallow Athena. The goddess of wisdom wasn't a Star Spirit.
"…Well, well. Looks like your brain finally caught up with the rest of the gods."
Algol's eyes flickered as she looked at Shiroyasha with teasing amusement. "If that ugly woman Athena isn't stupid, she'll spread that possibility around."
'If she truly intends to reconcile with me, she'll cooperate with me on this matter…'
Algol narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze turning deep.
Let the gods focus on the idea that she might devour Athena. That would buy her time to ascend as the Demon Primogenitor.
If Athena wasn't an idiot, she would play along because that was her only chance to make peace.
Otherwise, Athena would have to risk everything—gather intelligence, try to guess Algol's real path, determine what conditions she needed to complete it, and throw everything she had into stopping her.
But that was impossible. The unique nature of Ryo meant most potential failures could simply be bypassed, letting her walk all the way to the final step.
That was why Algol had placed all her chips on Ryo.
"You…"
Shiroyasha looked at Algol for a long moment, then gave up pressing further.
Because asking any more questions would touch on things that shouldn't be said aloud.
Things that shouldn't even be mentioned.
If she didn't want Algol trying to kill her, it was better to leave it there.
"…I hope you succeed."
Shiroyasha let out a slow breath.
Algol succeeding wouldn't bring her much harm. In fact, there were quite a few advantages.
So there was no reason for her to stop it.
"Thanks."
Algol nodded slightly.
After finishing the beer in front of her, she took out a gold coin and placed it on the table.
"That's enough chatting. Drinks are on me."
She stood up, turned, and walked toward the door.
...
A long while later, Shiroyasha sighed.
"Two-Digits…"
---
Pleasure City
Algol hadn't walked the streets in a long time.
As she strolled along, watching the countless passersby, she spoke to someone over a long-distance call.
"You sold my information? How much did it go for?"
"A Limit Authority?!"
"From those broke bastards? Hah! Must've cost them a fortune. Well done."
Then suddenly she stopped at a crosswalk and looked up at the opposite side.
Across the street stood five monks.
They wore deep crimson kasayas. Each had twelve incense scars burned into their shaved heads.
They stood silently, chanting sutras under their breath, their sharp gazes fixed on Algol.
Seeing them, Algol's lips curled upward.
A manic grin spread across her face, like a clown on the edge of madness.
She raised her hand and waved.
"Hey—baldys!"
.
.
.