Renner stopped to look at herself in the mirror. She could not have a single ounce of imperfection on her person right now; her meeting with someone that even that demon said was stronger than him was not a conversation she could botch. Everything needed to be perfect—her dress, her shoes, her hair, her smile...

  Renner moved her cheeks around with her hands to try and find the perfect smile she could wear for this occasion. She could not wear a subdued smile like when she was meeting with Demiurge, nor could she wear a carefree, almost charming smile like she did during court meetings. Her expression was going to be the first thing her visitor would see, and it needed to be perfect!

  Renner left the mirror when she found a suitable smile—one that showed caution and cast away all arrogance. Powerful people preferred servitude. Renner knew this well; one look at Climb and it was obvious.

  She looked outside her window. The moon told her that it was about to strike midnight, which meant that the shadows that followed her would be invisible to those who either weren’t able to perceive them or were unaware of their existence. Renner was thankfully of the tter, and she could see them, hiding in crevices no creature should be able to, thanks to their shadow manipution abilities.

  Demiurge was stronger than these things—by a lot. And that demon said her test visitor was able to beat him without issue? That was one fearful thought he had pced inside Renner’s heart, but she did not fear for her safety. She couldn’t care less if they tortured her right now, as long as she was able to see Climb again.

  Her heart turned cold at the thought of them taking Climb from her, but then the malice that turned it frigid stopped when she realized that she could not fight these things in a reasonable manner. They were that powerful.

  They had promised her everything she could ever want, however, and Renner would do everything in her power to fulfill the tasks she had been given by those creatures.

  She had been informed that one of the many benefits she could gain by joining their side was about to come her way—and that there was more to come. That was, as long as she followed their desires and took the opportunity to have a voice within the royal court using the resources they were about to provide her.

  But was that even a question? Renner would fight her family’s words and commands with raw fury and her own rhetoric while ignoring the judging gazes of everyone as she spoke her mind. She needed to do this; otherwise, she would not get what she wanted. Everything would come after she had been fulfilled!

  Renner smiled—one she would not dare show to anyone else.

  "Oh, Climb~" Her breathing began to hasten. "You and I will be together forever soon~"

  What were a few months of scheming compared to immortality? Both for herself and her dear Climb~ He would soon be under her like a puppy, following her every whim and giving her extreme pleasure. Oh, Renner could just imagine it!

  But first… to gather herself and wait for her guest. Demiurge had promised her that Re-Estize would have a stable supply of iron from now on, and Renner believed that to be the case. Evil they may be, but the creatures she had made a pact with were not liars.

  When they said they were powerful, then they were. When they said they had an army, then they did. And when they said they had resources, then they had resources.

  There was simply no room to question their capabilities.

  A portal opened in her room, and Renner composed her mind until she was the perfect image of the princess her people believed her to be. There was a high likelihood that her visitor knew of her true nature, but that did not mean she could neglect her role or disrespect them by not acting her best.

  The thing that emerged from the portal was a being Renner never expected. She had thought of greeting demons, false angels, abominations, or monstrosities far beyond the human mind, but a creature made of metal had never crossed her thoughts. It didn’t even have a chance of crossing her mind, because how would that make sense? Metal did not think—or so she had severely mistaken.

  "Floor Guardian, I am humbled by your arrival." Renner quickly found her tongue and greeted in her most polite voice.

  Two dots, glowing like distant stars, focused on her. Renner could not read what was going on behind such a soulless gaze, nor could she figure out the being’s thoughts from its expression.

  There was nothing to read, simply put. If the thoughts of this thing could be guessed, then she did not have the tools to do so. But that was assuming it was possible. Chances were, reading this being was like figuring out how to speak to a brick wall—it was simply impossible.

  "I have never seen one such as you before," Renner complimented. "I feel honored to be under such a unique presence, my Lord."

  "Hm? Is that so?"

  The sound of something wailing within its metal frame echoed out as it moved. Was this thing powered by the souls of the damned?

  "Sorry about that," the being apologized. "I didn’t mean to startle you with sudden noise."

  Renner knew a lie when she heard one, and these things she had encountered lied all the time.

  "It is fine," she smiled. Now to see if this thing was willing to strike a conversation with her before making their deal. Getting a read on how it behaved was a good idea. "I would like to say that I want to get back at you and startle you myself, but I don’t think that is possible."

  "It is not."

  The portal closed, leaving only the metal man.

  "Oh? Can you not feel pain?" Renner asked with a giggle. Py along—it would. It would py along. The archfiend she had conversed with was bored just like her, so he entertained her little attempts. This thing had a high chance of doing the same if Demiurge considered "him" a friend.

  "No, I cannot."

  The reply was a confirmation, not of an advantage, but of Renner’s fear. And it knew what effect its words had on her, too. The monotone voice the creature spoke with may not have held much emotion, but Renner knew it had just taunted her.

  Renner saw no future in which she would hold power over this thing. Its face showed no tell, its voice barely shifted, and it could not feel pain—and by extension, other fleshly sensations that bound beings such as herself.

  How dreadful. It somehow made her feel excited.

  Renner accepted the challenge with open arms and faced the machine with a genuine smile.

  "Oh?" It said, tone still refusing to change. "Did something happen?"

  "No, nothing at all, my Lord."

  Renner sat on her bed, and from here, she realized just how cramped her room was for it. The creature’s back was bent, and its neck was tilted downward, and yet it did not compin. It did not feel discomfort, huh? Interesting.

  "I have so many things to tell you, especially about a certain group that has been pguing my kingdom. But first, I have failed to introduce myself—my apologies. I am Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself, commonly referred to as the Golden Princess and your pawn to move on the board that is Re-Estize in whichever way you wish."

  "How humble," the being said. "And I do not mind your ck of introduction, as I had no real need to know your name—" You are so useless to me that you are easily forgotten, Renner transted internally.

  "—and the efficiency with which we converse is far more preferable than filling it with fake pleasantries that will go nowhere."

  "I understand. I will make sure never to waste your time."

  Renner felt gd that she didn’t have to py the same game she did with Demiurge. The archfiend liked his wordpy; it seemed this one did not.

  "Good. Now, let us talk about Eight Fingers and, afterward, the resources I will give you."

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