In the blank corridor, two figures gradually approached each other.
Linden looked around for any sign of the Demon King, but unfortunately, Link was the only one before him.
Link, meanwhile, studied the Mushroom Man before him with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
As they observed each other, Linden spoke first. "Since you appeared here, does that mean you've already sided with the Demon King?"
After all, the technique of using a soul passage to connect to the Seat of Navigation belonged solely to the Demon King. Without his help, Link should not have been capable of coming here on his own.
Still, Link siding with the Demon King had been within Linden's expectations, so he was not surprised.
Link did not rush to answer. Instead, he nodded in greeting first. "Hello, Fungal Lord. This is our first formal meeting, isn't it? I heard quite a lot about you from the Demon King."
That piqued Linden's curiosity. "What did that Slime say?"
"He said you were a tyrant who acted alone, a deceiver hiding in the shadows—" Linden figured he would have to add another mark against the Demon King, but Link continued, "—and a seeker of an ideal nation! He thought that, under different circumstances, perhaps he could have become friends with you."
"Friends?" Linden's mushroom cap furrowed as he imagined what it would be like to be friends with the Demon King.
Not only would he have to endure an innately evil Slime constantly lurking beside his pure and fragile self, but worse still, that Slime was a pretentious poser who acted profound in front of him every day—
A chill ran down Linden's spine for no reason. He instinctively took half a step back and changed the subject. "You were waiting for me here. It