"Oh..... I think we should have her try this one on! I think she'd look adorable in it."
"No no, I think we should have her try this one on."
"What about this one?"
Berith was a slave.
The word slave however, had never particularly registered any negative feelings within Berith.
On the contrary, it could even be said that Berith was proud of her role as a head slave of the antiheroes and the Determined.
"So many options..... well, it looks like we'll just have her try them all!"
However right now, Berith truly and fully understood what it meant to be a slave.
"Berith! Try this one first."
Within a dressing room were four figures.
The one who held forth a knee length skirt and goth t-shirt with a leather jacket was a teal succubus, and the one on the receiving end of such articles was a female humanoid spider.
"Of course, your excellency."
"Oh! And wear this with it. It should go pretty well."
Placing a black baseball cap onto the clothing which the spider now held, the succubus gave her a cheerful smile as Berith walked behind the dressing curtain.
This woman was Samantha, the Empress of Captivation.
One of the four demon lords of the realm, directly underneath the Queen of Evil herself.
This woman held the abilities of the mind, able to easily charm and brainwash those around her with her soothing voice.
This, combined with her healing powers and protective barriers made this woman into the equivalent of an angel who was destined to support and protect those around her.
"Human. Go grab some more clothes. I want everything you can find in this damn city and I want you back here in 30 minutes. Or perhaps I should try and see how much a human can stretch?"
"I understand, your excellency!!"
Or, she was supposed to be.
With a snarl, the woman took a seat in the dressing room, crossing one leg over the other.
"Hey butterfly bitch. Let's go with the service. Food and drink. Now."
Tapping her claw with impatience, the succubus gave the servant a glare which was anything but angelic.
"I am at your service, your excellency!"
After Claire had taken over the world, Berith had been assigned a human woman as an attendant, along with the butterfly humanoid who already attended to her as the Queen of the Insects.
However, despite the disparity in status, those who had been assigned to Berith seemed to agree with Samantha on one particular thing.
They enjoyed dressing Berith up like a doll.
'This..... is merely a battle. A battle which I must fight for her excellency. I am a warrior..... and I must endure these painful trials.'
"Berith. Are you done yet? Come out so I can see you."
Slowly stepping out, Berith appeared before Samantha, who smiled with delight on seeing her.
"I was right. You're so freaking cute. Especially that slight bloodlust in your eyes. It adds to the tomboyish feel of the outfit."
"Is.... that so? I'm not sure what to say, your excellency, but thank you? This outfit does feel a bit easier to fight in than most of the other things which I have been placed in."
"Alright. Claire, you're good to go. She's dressed and ready."
[Got it.]
It was at that moment that Berith was teleported to another part of the world.
Right now, rather than her dressing room, she was in front of a demonic throne.
And on said demonic throne, a woman whose presence exceeded all else sat with her chin resting on her demonic hand.
"Berith. I have a mission for you. Are you up for it?"
"Doesn't matter whether she's up for it. She's a slave."
"No, I should at least ask. Though knowing Berith, of course she'll be up for it."
Looking to the spiderling, a woman who gave off the appearance of an angel stared down at her as two voices spoke from her mouth.
"Your eminence, there is no mission from you which I would reject. Please tell me what I am to do.", Berith said with a fanged smile.
"See now, there have been some disturbances within the Dictatorship recently. I killed everyone and revived only the people who had not caused great suffering to others previously, but it seems that there are some humans who never learn. Your goal is to find them and show them that there is nothing which is beyond my sight in this world."
As Claire said this, a wicked smile etched itself across the face of the spiderling.
"With pleasure, your eminence."
And with the wave of her angelic hand, the spiderling disappeared from the sight of the woman.
"Are you sure about sending Berith on this mission? You know how she is.", the demented voice stated.
"Of course I do. That's why I sent her."
Thinning her eyes, the angelic woman bore a demonic smile.
"I've given the people of this world so much mercy..... and this is how they repay me? Hahaha..... well, I suppose no matter how much power you hold, there are always those who will delude themselves into thinking that such a thing is not possible. I said this once before, didn't I, Clarice?"
Grabbing a glass of blood red wine, the woman took a sip as a set of fangs poked out from her lips.
"This world will never be perfect. The only thing I can do is optimize it."
----
"Hey..... isn't that...."
"I think it is."
"Hm? Who is that person?"
"You don't know!? That's Lady Berith!! She's one of the top slaves of their excellencies and her eminence, and she's the crowned Queen of the Insects!!"
"Is that so!? Then why is such a bigshot here in this city?"
"I don't know."
As Berith walked through the streets of a smaller city in the Ruthobold Kingdom, she caught the eye of many onlookers.
It was not her outfit nor her monstrous appearance that attracted attention, as monsters were a typical scene within the cities of the world right now.
Furthermore, the world had been renewed completely as a result of the influence of the Determined on culture.
Modern outfits and foods were now commonplace everywhere, and even the architecture of the landscape was relatively modern compared to the old Kingdom feel.
The reason which Berith attracted the eye of the people was because her face was well known throughout the world.
All those who were highly ranked within the Dictatorship were now commonly known among the people.
"Do you think it would be alright to speak with her? I wonder if she would be able to get me an audience with her eminence...."
"You idiot!! You can't just walk up to someone of that esteem like it's nothing! Bow down and show your respect!"
As Berith walked through the city, she found that many people begun bowing to her.
'Huh? Why are they all bowing to me? Is it because they're scared of me? Well, I suppose I can understand that. These puny humans are so weak, after all.', Berith thought.
The streets seemed to clear before Berith, opening a path for her as if she was a literal Queen.
'If I attract this much attention then the mission given to me by her eminence might be compromised. This is an extremely important matter, after all.'
Berith begun considering the situation, however before she could find a solution a child ran out and stood before her.
"You're the spider I saw on those posters! You're Lady Berith!!"
The child rushed out into the streets, pointing to Berith with an intrigued smile.
As the child did this, Berith thinned her eyes, staring down the child.
'Shit. Looks like my identity has been compromised. I'll have to eliminate the child and everyone around-'
[No, Berith.]
'Your eminence? Is something the matter?'
[Berith, you are not there to 'eliminate the child.' You are there for another purpose. That child is one of my subjects. Now let me ask you this.]
The angelic voice of Claire spoke into the mind of Berith, reminding her of her purpose.
[Would you dare to lay a hand on one of my loyal subjects?]
With corrupt tone, Berith came to the realization that the people of this world were now all the subjects of her eminence.
'Forgive me your eminence. I understand your intentions.'
Walking up to the child before her, Berith smiled wickedly, flashing her fangs and thinning all four of her eyes in evil manner.
"Hello, miniature meat sack. Do you want something from me?"
"Can I get your autograph!?", the child asked with excitement.
"I understand."
'If doing this will get this child to leave me alone, then I will get it over with and proceed with the mission.'
From her wrist, Berith produced a sheet of cloth, wrapping her thread about at immense speed like a professional sewer.
Then, taking her human finger, she placed this finger to her fang, drawing a line of poisonous drool.
Using her finger to draw along the cloth, the fabric melted away as soon as it came into contact with the poison as she wrote her name.
Then, taking another finger, Berith drew another line of drool, this one a clear color.
'Apply the antivenom so the fabric isn't dangerous....'
Drawing a line of the drool over the fabric once more, Berith nodded as she finished her creation.
"Here you go, appetizer. I have to go now. Bye."
Handing the cloth to the child who beamed with joy at receiving the gift, Berith shot out a web and swung through the city.
'I have to make up for lost time.'
However, as Berith swung, the happy face of the child stuck itself into the back of her mind.
And ever so slightly, the demented monster smiled.
----
Sitting around a round table in a dark room lit by torches, a group of men dressed in hooded cloaks had gathered.
"It has been.... extremely difficult to try and research the abilities which that demon holds. However I have come to a certain hypothesis.... and given the fact that none of our meetings thus far have been invaded by her minions, I think it is safe to conclude that my hypothesis was correct."
Sitting at the head of the table wearing blue robes which were embroidered with a golden lace was a man who appeared to be the leader of this group.
He spoke in a sly and sinister tone, folding his hands as he spoke to those around him.
"I believe that that monster holds control over the airways. It is because she holds such control that she was able to turn the skies dark, yet it is because of this which we are safe here, underground."
The man begun to chuckle to himself, laughing victoriously.
"Heh heh..... it would seem that she gains her information from the skies as well, scanning the very world for strange movements and events. However this would imply that our actions here in this place will go completely unnoticed."
"As expected of a former member of the R & D Division in the Alliance."
"Indeed. If it were not for you, humanity would likely be doomed to live under the rule of that Dictator for eternity."
"You have given us hope, master Freid."
The men around him praised the robed figure, openly stating opinions which normally would have gotten them killed if they were overheard by the being of evil who seemed to have her hand wrapped around the necks of the people of this world.
"Indeed. It is because of the failure of the Indeterminant that we have been left in a hopeless scenario. With the Queen of Evil having taken control and nobody powerful enough to stop her, she has done exactly as she has pleased, toying with us without limitation."
The man lowered his tone, speaking with irritation.
"The migration of monsters into our cities..... the shift in the culture of the world..... and the brainwashing which she has committed on many people..... it is disturbing beyond belief. I do not know how she did it, but she has managed to impact the minds of many, who are convinced that this new world of monsters is acceptable."
"Indeed. It is quite disturbing."
"Those who believe that living among monsters is acceptable are surely brainwashed. It is our duty as those who have not been effected to save them and this world."
The men looked around to one another, nodding in agreement.
"However, the actual method of doing so..... up until now it has appeared to be hopeless. She is far too powerful for mere men like us to handle."
The men seemed to freeze with bitterness, painfully aware of their own weakness.
"However fret not, my friends. I have found and obtained this, and preparations have been made for the ritual already. The only thing left is to perform it..... and victory over the Determined will go to humanity. Heh... heh..... hahaha!!!"
The man devolved into sinister laughter, catching the attention of those around him as he took a red gemstone from his pocket.
It was about a foot in length, and it was sleek in form. The crystal seemed to shine with an eerie glow, lighting up the face of the man.
"We have obtained this from what was once the castle of the Ruthobold Kingdom. This is the gem of summoning which was used to bring the Indeterminant into this world. According to the legends, the Indeterminant would appear at the appropriate time. However through my research..... I have found out that a forced summoning is possible with a proper ritual."
With a sinister smile, the man stood up, placing the glowing gem in the center of the table to reveal that markings and sigils had been drawn on the table beforehand.
The gem floated in the air above the table, lighting up further as it circled around.
"It is time to bring another savior into this world."
Standing up, the men around the table grabbed their hands together, raising them to the sky as the markings on the table begun to light up.
"It is time for a new Indeterminant to be born."
Crash!
At that moment however, a door flew across the room, slicing the body of a robed man cleanly in two as his upper half fell to the ground in a pool of flowing blood.
"I don't think so."
The crackling voice of a monster filled the ears of the men, sending chills down their spines as they looked over to the door.
"Shit! We were too late!!", one man shouted.
"No, not yet! Begin the encantment!!"
The men shifted themselves to replace the position of the one who had died, quickly grabbing one another in unison as they all shouted.
"That which both exists and that which does not exist, come into our midst! For if the future remains as it has been Determined to be, then chaos will rein victorious above all-"
"I said I don't think so. What part of that don't you understand?"
It was in that second that the spiderling seemed to teleport to the center of the table, standing on top of it.
Grabbing the gem in her hands, the man watched as she crushed it with her raw strength.
"The..... gem of summoning....."
"It's been..... destroyed....."
"That.... cannot be..... it is supposed to be unbreakable."
At that moment, the men felt tension around their necks.
Looking up, the spiderling before them had spun a web flowing in all directions around her.
"Let me give you a little lesson, humans."
Grasping her fist, the wires around the necks of the men tightened, crushing each and every one of their windpipes as they sprayed blood from their mouths, painting the spiderling red.
"There is nothing in this world which is unbreakable."
----
"Hey..... did Lady Berith fall into a wine press or something?"
"Why are her clothes stained red?"
"Is she..... is she hurt!?"
"Did someone try to fight her!?!?"
Berith walked through the streets of the city once more, this time attracting glares for a different reason .
'Ah.'
It was then that she looked down, and it occurred to her.
Her clothes which Samantha had picked out explicitly for her had been ruined in the fight.
'I.... suppose I should do something about this..... shouldn't I?'
Walking down the street, Berith came across a small clothing shop. Turning into it, Berith entered with an uncertain expression.
"Um.... excuse me..... can I get a new outfit that looks just like this one? Ah, but no blood.", she asked the woman who stood at the counter.
"Ah!! Lady Berith! Of course! For you we can do anything. Please, have a seat so I can take your measurements and we will prepare it immediately."
Berith was a tailor herself at the early times of the Dictatorship, however she was someone who always focused on the practical use of clothing for purposes of battle.
Creating something for the sake of 'fashion' was beyond her imagination.
"Er..... ok. Please do then."
The woman quickly got out a measuring tape, making her way around Berith before finishing up with a nod.
"I will have it out in about an hour."
"Do I have to pay for this?"
"Hm? What are you talking about, Lady Berith? Are you not aware of the reforms which her eminence established on the people? We are to work efficiently and with full intent to produce quality products for any and all customers during normal work hours of the day. If she finds out that we produced anything less than our best possible product, then we will likely be killed. Although, we do not have to take on any unreasonable or impossible requests, and if we feel that such a request is unreasonable, we are to appeal for a trial to be held to determine whether or not such a thing is acceptable. And for that reason, a system in which money is not required has become possible."
"Ah. I see. Then, continue on."
"Of course."
Berith then was left to wait for a while before the woman came out with a fresh new outfit, perfectly resembling the one she wore though without blood stained on it.
"Is this.... acceptable, Lady Berith?", the woman asked.
"Looks the same. Should be good. Thanks."
"No.... thank you."
----
A teal succubus sat in a seat with video footage playing in front of her, and a demonic smile drew itself across her face.
"Trevor.... take a look at this."
"Hm? Oh..... that is interesting."
The two watched as the spiderling entered the clothing shop of her own accord.
"It would appear that she is indeed learning. Excellent. Now she at least understands the most basic things regarding keeping up her appearances. Continue monitoring her progress. And it would seem that those potential threats have been eliminated as well?"
"Yes."
With a grin, the elven figure who sat next to the succubus nodded, folding his hands in his lap.
"Excellent. It would seem that this project to eliminate all lazy members of society has been a grand success. With proper motivation, even those who would normally cling to doing the bare minimum will take extreme measures, whether those measures are to become hard working members of society or whether it leads them to..... darker options."
"But by forcing them to do their jobs, they don't have to worry about finding one in the first place. Nobody will end up like I did.", a spiritual figure commented with a ghoulish smile.
"Everyone has to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Nobody has to work harder than anyone else since everyone picks up the slack for themselves. The rest of the day they are free to do as they wish, so it's not like their lives are horrible. They just have to do their own work, and nobody else's. If this isn't a paradise for the hard working, then I don't know what is.", a crimson demon stated with a chuckle.
Looking over to this demon with her dead green eyes, the spiritual figure laughed to herself.
"Keh heh..... ah, but for those who would normally leech off those who do everything for them..... I suppose this is nothing less than hell on earth."