Chaos...

However, the Maid Homunculus pulled the bug back when it was barely five centimeters from my face.

"… Juuust kidding. That was a joke. Against an intelligent humanoid Divine Artifact, your rank is top-tier. A bug of this caliber wouldn't work on you. It'd just dig around in your brain for nothing."

Th-that was close… I thought my adventure was going to end right here…!

"… Nya, don't people die if something digs around in their brain, nya?"

"That's not what my master desires, so…"

Saying that, the Maid Homunculus tucked the caterpillar into the breast pocket of her maid outfit.

"Hey, Rena. Just checking, but aren't I your master?"

"Yes, Master is Master."

"What kind of answer is that? Are you saying that 'Master' is 'Master,' making it distinct from 'my master'?"

"I'll leave that to your imagination, Master… is what I'd like to say, but my master wishes to meet with our guest."

So Kaoru isn't her master after all.

"Then if you'll excuse me, Master."

"Gurgh."

The Maid Homunculus delivered a knife-hand strike to Kaoru's throat. Wait, from the front? Isn't it usually from behind, at the nape? I dunno though.

"… Hmph!"

CRACK! Snapping free of her restraints, Kaoru bolted upright on the bed… Her hair had turned crimson.

"… My throat hurts, Rena?"

"Yes, my master. I knocked him out by striking his throat."

"I see… Ahem, ahem. Alright, I can still talk."

With a snap of Kaoru's fingers, my restraints came undone.

"Whoa? … What's going on, Kaoru… No, you're not Kaoru, are you?"

"That's right."

I sat on the bed and looked at the person smiling gently.

"Nice to meet you, apostle of the devil. I am Chaos's… Demon Lord."

"Ah… The real Chaos Go… mmph!?"

"Hold on. You can't say that name. Even with Kosshori-kun deployed, she'll sense it."

A hand covered my mouth. So soft… fwaah…! It's just my mouth being covered, but it feels weirdly tingly and nice…!? She smells so good!

"Understand? I am the Demon Lord of Chaos. Got it?"

I nodded frantically, and she slowly withdrew her hand.

"… Um, so. Demon Lord of Chaos-san?"

"OK, that works."

The Demon Lord of Chaos exhaled slowly.

Then she produced what appeared to be socks.

"We don't have much time, so I'll keep this brief. —The devil behind you. I want you to seal her. I've prepared a Divine Artifact in the socks Rena is wearing that will keep her from interfering with this world for about a hundred years."

"… Um? So… sock-type Divine Artifacts?"

"With these, she'll definitely fall for it, right?"

Oh, she'll fall for it alright. You could say these are super effective against that Goddess.

So she knows about all that, huh… This is the real deal.

"Don't worry, I'll handle the energy supply while she's removed, so the world won't be destroyed. I'd like you to keep collecting the Divine Artifacts, though."

So she knows about all that, huh… This is the real deal. (Second time)

"… But, um, why? I heard you two were lovers…"

"… … … … … …"

The Demon Lord of Chaos pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Um?"

"… That girl, I guess you'd call her a yandere…? Don't you think I'd want at least a little freedom too?"

"Ah, yes."

What the heck, so it's just a lovers' quarrel. How dumb!… Ah, no, it's not dumb at all. Please spare my life!!

"Oh. I don't need your cooperation or anything like that. I'm just going to use you on my own… I will need to tweak your memories, though, so you keep our meeting a secret."

"Brain-squishing!? Brain-squishing is a bit much! Having that done to me is a bit much!"

"Relax. I'm a professional. And I won't be cracking your head open or anything; just a quick magical tweak."

Oh, well if that's all it is, then sure. Doctor, I leave myself in your care～.

"Now then, Rena. Accompany this child as the 'mastermind.'"

"Understood, my master."

"Bye bye, vessel of the Space-Time Goddess. I'll tidy up your memories for you."

With those words, the Demon Lord of Chaos closed her eyes, and her hair faded back to Kaoru's blonde.