Unlike the blue-skinned, elongated-pupiled retainers with blackened nails and protruding veins, the Queen bore a relatively human-like appearance.

While pale, her skin lacked the bluish tint, and the ends of her jet-black hair shimmered with a faint iridescence. Her nails were intact, and a formidable mana swirled within her azure eyes.

“This is Her Majesty Queen Arzhena. Show your respect.”

For reasons unknown, Rosha bowed her head amid the retainers’ gazes, a mixture of fear, hostility, and complex emotions.

Unsure of what might unfold, she kept [The Guiding Lantern] activated, just in case.

‘They said combat would break out immediately upon entering the audience chamber… but this is completely different from what I’d heard.’

Lysithea and Joel seemed intrigued by the sentient demon retainers furtively glancing their way, but they would likely encounter such beings more frequently as the trials progressed.

Instead, Rosha was curious about something regarding them.

“How unexpected. Etiquette was a condition imposed due to the prevalence of uncivilized brutes, yet there are those who managed to pass it.”

“…”

“Once again, the final days draw near. Come closer.”

From the Queen’s sharp yet dignified voice, the words ‘once again’ particularly caught Rosha’s ear.

‘As expected… she seems to retain some memories from the normal mode.’

Suddenly, she recalled the ‘Guidelines for the Returnee’ she had seen when the first trial began, its final line clearly stating in tiny text: ‘The chance to discover hidden truths has significantly increased..’

‘Hidden truths… I need to uncover them.’

Fortunately, this Ice Queen appeared capable of conversing to some extent.

“Raise your head.”

Having approached the base of the dais, Rosha obediently lifted her gaze at the Queen’s command, intending to appease her while probing for the truth.

Resting her chin on the back of her hand as she looked down upon them, the beautiful Queen’s expression was inscrutable.

Her gaze passed over Lysithea, Joel, and Froy before fixating squarely on Rosha.

…Huh?

“Hmm.”

Scrutinizing Rosha’s golden eyes, a flicker of interest shone in the Queen’s own.

Abruptly rising from her seat, she began striding down the dais steps.

“Your Majesty!”

“It’s dangerous!”

The retainers protested, but the Queen paid no heed as she stopped before Rosha, looking down at her.

Perhaps due to the Queen’s overwhelming mana.

Rosha felt her body stiffen like a frog before a snake.

‘The Queen… is an immensely powerful magician.’

Her mana seemed interconnected with every part of this palace.

The 7th stage? No, possibly even the 8th.

In any case, Rosha’s current stage was far beneath the Queen’s level.

It was then that the Queen raised Rosha’s chin with her finger. Through her peripheral vision, she glimpsed Froy flinching, but paid it no mind.

After scrutinizing Rosha’s eyes intently, the Queen murmured:

“You have His power residing in those eyes.”

“…What do you mean by that…?”

“■■■■, that is.”

The Queen’s voice became inaudible.

For an instant, all surrounding sounds were muted, leaving only a harsh buzzing in Rosha’s ears.

Seeing Rosha blink in confusion, the Queen chuckled as she continued:

“Can’t hear it yet? Well, if you don’t understand, there’s no need to be curious. He probably thinks names aren’t that important.”

The ‘Guide God’s message is muted.

Though the previously silent Guide God seemed to have spoken, Rosha couldn’t perceive any content, as the penalty hadn’t expired yet.

It was at that moment.

Swish-

A minuscule ripple passed through the space around them.

Froy had gathered his power, prepared to summon his mansion at any moment in case something happened to Rosha.

Sensing this, the Queen addressed him without turning:

“Don’t attempt to exert your power within my domain. You’re merely an observer here.”

“…Then promise you won’t harm her.”

With remarkable audacity, Froy’s voice rang out clear, openly defying the Queen’s words.

A fleeting glance revealed no particular expression on the man’s face. As usual, it was difficult to discern anything from him.

However, having gradually grown accustomed to reading his expressions recently, Rosha could see it.

He was conflicted over whether to extract her from this situation immediately!

‘No, please don’t!’

Shaking her head slightly, Rosha met his gaze with pleading eyes.

Sentient demon retainers, a whimsical magician Queen who disregarded her subordinates’ counsel – they had entered the boss room under remarkably peaceful circumstances with the potential for dialogue.

There was no telling when such an ideal situation would present itself again.

‘I need to uncover as much as possible now.’

Alternating her gaze between them, the Queen seemed to indulgently accept Froy’s request.

“Hmm, very well. I won’t harm her. On my name, at least until my sanity departs.”

“What? What does that mean…”

In response to Rosha’s question, the Queen readily continued:

“My powers ran amok, turning all my Kingdom’s citizens into demons. Only this palace remains, sustained by my ice magic. Freezing is my specialty, you see.”

The Queen’s power, which had frozen the entire palace, had even slowed the cellular metamorphosis of those within.

Thus, they endured their monstrous transformations.

“…Ah.”

Finally, the palace’s appearance made sense.

The ice-like exterior walls. The thick frost coating every surface, along with the extreme chill. And the fact that the humanoid demons could still converse.

‘The Queen… is waiting.’

For the final days of the Kingdom she rules.

Regarding her dejected retainers, the Queen softly muttered:

“I can sense time is running short. My retainers will be gone soon, and after that, it will be my turn, I can see it clearly.”

“Your Majesty!”

“What, it’s simply the truth we all know.”

“…It’s all because of those traitors. Those blasted traitors!”

“Silence, all of you.”

Traitors?

Rosha turned towards the direction from whence that word had come, but the Queen forcibly held her chin, forcing her to face forward instead.

By then, the Queen’s azure gaze was scrutinizing every inch of Rosha’s body.

“By the way, your mana flow is quite beautiful. This is no ordinary skill. A seasoned magician must have assisted you… Was it the work of that phoenix on your shoulder?”

The Queen seemed to have instantly deduced Koko’s true nature.

Koko’s beady black eyes met the Queen’s gaze.

For some reason, the parrot opened his beak and responded:

“We’re currently on Hardmode, you know.”

A brief silence ensued.

While Froy was already aware, Joel and Lysithea simply appeared surprised that a bird had uttered such complex words.

The Queen alone seemed to properly comprehend the meaning of ‘Hardmode’ in this context.

Twitch. The Queen’s lips curved ever so slightly.

And then-

“Ahaha, ahahahaha!!”

This was the first time the Queen, whose inner thoughts had remained inscrutable, openly expressed emotion like this.

Accompanied by the intense laughter, the mana leaking from her caused the audience chamber to tremble faintly. Fortunately, unlike the inept Geoffrey, she swiftly regained control of her mana, preventing any significant damage.

“Ah, so that’s why I’ve been able to speak so freely.”

Unable to conceal the mirth from her expression, the Queen murmured.

Did she already know that Hardmode involved challenging the ‘blue window’? If so, did she wish for the blue window’s erasure?

After a while, having vented her laughter, the Queen noticed the twitching veins on her hand and abruptly stopped giggling.

“Hmm, it seems my time is up.”

Upon hearing those words, Rosha silently exchanged glances with her companions, a wordless signal for them to prepare, as combat might soon ensue.

And finally.

“Urrgh…”

“Grrrrr…”

One by one, the retainers began losing their sanity, emitting monstrous wails. Some even started physically convulsing, transitioning from their humanoid forms.

Gazing fondly at them, the Queen suddenly seemed to recall something and added:

“Ah, I almost forgot to mention. I have a pet I’ve been raising. Her name is Vivian, a truly beautiful child.”

Why was she abruptly bringing up her pet?

However, there was no chance to inquire further.

“I hope you’ll take good care of her. Though with you, I have little concern…”

The Queen’s words abruptly trailed off.

By then, Froy had swiftly pulled Rosha back, increasing the distance as the Queen’s skin gradually turned a bluish hue.

Simultaneously, the previously dormant blue window reappeared before them.

Ding!

A Sudden Quest has emerged!

Influenced by Hardmode, the ‘Master of the Trial’ has recognized you. For the city’s safety, hasten to defeat them!