"Of course not. But whether you like it or not, Maximilian did bring up quite a few points about you being a so-called alien. I don't know who the red-skinned demoness is, but I'd go so far as to say that you're more of an alien than either her or Bastet, at least that is the case in my eyes. You're shrouded in mystery, Kaiden Grey, and I hoped we could come to a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"Such as?"

"Name your price."

"…" Kaiden did not hurt for money, not one bit. He did not care for politics. Frankly, there was not much the President could offer him. And with the dungeon's creation, he did not even need protection that much anymore.

But out of all those, protection was still the most important. Just because he had a dungeon did not mean he was invincible, especially when it came to time to leave. What if someone camped the exit?

"What is it that you desire to know?" he asked after thinking it through.

"That list is long and growing by the second. But you know what, why don't I just ask you the easiest ones for now, seeing how tense you are? I can already tell you would not respond to some of the more invasive ones. We will get to those on another day once we build some rapport. What do you say?"

"You can ask, but you might not like my answers," Kaiden shrugged. "If I answer at all, that is."

The President nodded, accepting his words. He didn't waste time. "Are you an enemy of the United States?"

"No."

"Do you intend to ever become one?"

"No."

"Do you have ambitions to lead a country, a movement, a new government?"

"No comment." Kaiden had no such plans right now, but he refused to chain his future with promises. Who knew what he'd want ten or twenty years from now?

A slight nod came, though the man clearly hoped for a straight 'no' as an answer.

"Would you side with another nation over the U.S. if they offered you more?"

"Depends on the problem and how much more."

The President actually paused, looking at him as if he hadn't expected that kind of honesty. Kaiden only raised an eyebrow, not understanding why that answer was surprising. He was a mercenary, not even a guild member, let alone a government-affiliated man. If a dungeon broke in an American city, he would go and help with no questions asked. But if it was not a life or death matter, but more a political debate, and he was asked to take sides?

Let's hear the bids, baby.

"Would you abandon this country in a time of crisis?"

"No."

"Would you leave it to live elsewhere?"

"If I do, it would not be out of betrayal but because we got bored. I do not want to renounce my citizenship."

The President's expression hardened a touch. Did he mean that if they cleared out all the dungeons and nothing more spawned, he would leave for a country with more opportunities?

"If the U.S. government orders you to stand down, would you obey?"

"Depends on the situation."

"Would you ever act against U.S. military or Awakened forces, even in self-defense?"

"Yes."

The Chairman shifted in his seat. The President exhaled slowly, then asked:

"Do you currently control forces, resources, or locations that are not under any government's authority?"

"Yes."

That one stopped both men on the other side of the glass. Even the Chairman straightened slightly in his seat.

Kaiden didn't leave them wondering. "The gorgeous red-skinned woman you saw earlier was Calypso. She's my beautiful demon girl. When I subjugated her, she gave me her dungeon. So yes, I have one now. I own it. I rule it. And since I'm being so polite and cooperative right now, I'd like payment in the form of a proper security escort. Every time my girls or I want to step outside, I ask that the Awakened Association clear the outside area and escort us so no ambushes happen. At least, for the time being."

The President stared. The Chairman blinked once, slowly.

Kaiden shrugged. "There'll be video evidence confirming it as soon as we're let out of jail. I'm only holding it back because I'd hate to smother the fire of public outrage with a new trending headline."

A heavy breath escaped the President. He pressed two fingers to his temple. "We'll… revisit that. Later. For now, we continue."

Kaiden nodded, looking almost bored.

"Do you plan to use your influence, your followers, your platform, to pressure the government or sway public opinion?"

Kaiden's nonchalant expression turned a bit confused, not understanding the nature of the question. After all…

"I already am, no?"

"He's got a point there," the chairman chuckled dryly.

For some reason, the President found it less amusing. "… Do you take orders from any foreign nation, corporation, or hidden faction?"

"No."

"Do you intend to raise or command your own independent military force?"

"No comment."

While he was indeed a mercenary, Valhalla's Sinners were registered at the Awakened Association, making them legal and recognized. But with a dungeon and monsters at his disposal? There were too many ways the future could unfold. He would not make promises.

"Do you recognize the sovereign claim of this nation over your dungeon and its resources, considering they're on American soil?"

"No."

"Will you use dungeon resources for political leverage?"

"I intend to partake in no political ploys. I wish to become strong and famous, that is all." This answer of his made the President's shoulders ease ever so slightly.

"Do you plan to sell dungeon access or resources to foreign nations?"

"No."

"Will you allow government inspection of your dungeon?"

"No."

"If one of your companions commits a crime, will you hand them over to the authorities?"

"No."

"Would you betray the American people?"

"No."

"Would you allow them to be betrayed by their own government?"

"No."

The President watched him quietly for a moment, then asked the final question.

"Do you see yourself as someone above the law, Kaiden Grey?"

Kaiden met his gaze, unwavering.

"No one is above the laws (of the universe), Mr. President."

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