NOVGO.NET Chapter 558 - 549
Chapter 558 - 549
The Hero's Summer Vacation of Hell Third
Author's Note: I'm sorry, I was a bit late!
By freefalling using "Rabbit Hole", Kouki and others arrived until the sixth layer through a major shortcut.
The time when they were freefalling through the giant hole was still alright, but the moment they came out through the ceilings of each layer that were located at the height in the measurement of kilometers and heading once more toward the giant hole at the ground was quite heart pounding. After all at the time they got out of the giant hole at the ceiling, the giant hole at the ground looked only like a dot to them.
It felt like going through a crack in rock while flying with jet.
Perhaps you thought that they could just decelerate in that case but, it seemed the word deceleration didn't exist in Kara's head. Far from that, she was even giving explanation of each layer as a guide while freefalling.
Decelerating each time we're before the layer's giant hole……it feels like losing! I don't wanna feel like that against Kara!Kouki and co thought half stubbornly.
「The trip until the sixth layer is comfortable thanks to the rabbit consort ssuu.」
「Y-yeah」
As expected it seemed Moana was ordinarily terrified, so she was being carried in one of Kouki's arms. Aularodde seemed to be alright, perhaps just as to be expected from a former goddess, but she was envious with Moana, so she was being carried in the opposite arm.
Kouki landed on a mountain of rubble right under the giant hole exactly in a state of holding flowers in both hands.
He decelerated using wind element magic so wind whirled. The sparks drifting at the surrounding fluttered like flower petals.
It was truly a picturesque landing, one befitting a hero.
In contrast, Kara's landing was a bit disturbing.
Because she came to a stop still while still upside down just inches before hitting the ground. Her hair and outfit also weren't disturbed at all. She was still in a beautiful posture as though the gravity was reversed.
Also, the whole time Kara was upside down while freefalling. And then, when Kouki and co started decelerating as expected when there was only 100 meters left until the ground, she kept falling in straight line toward the ground while the three were watching in shock.
They wondered if she would keep going like that until her head got buried into the ground just like in a gag manga, but astonishingly she performed a complete halt of her fall like she was picking a fight with the law of inertia right to its face.
And when it came to her eeriness as she kept talking to them even in that inversed posture state like it was natural……
It was like a scene in a movie where someone who was possessed by demon was clinging on the ceiling and looking their way while upside down.
She was truly demonic in that kind of aspect.
「There's not much difference in scenery no matter the layer isn't it.」
Same scenery――Aularodde's impression spilled out while she watched hell's fire and lightning, and lava river along with storm of bloody wind. There was no particular surprise in her face. Surely for apparition scenery of this level was everyday occurence.
By the way, the bunny consort referred to Shia. Yue was the first consort, Tio was dragon consort, Kaori was divine consort, Shizuku was sword consort……it seemed kara assigned her own unique title to Hajime's intimate partners like that.
Kouki and co asked her to stop using those titles because it confused them when they first heard it, but 「To ask the like of me to call the name of such noble personages like that……I deserve to die ten thousand deaths if I do that ssu!」 apparently it was something like that.
Kara-san stayed upside down while rotating likea person being tied on a wheel. This time she really landed on her feet. She finished the landing with an elegant curtsy.
「The regular routes that connected the layers are in great distance from each other in each layer ssu, and there's also teleportation prevention in effect ssu. Noble and demons who specialize in teleportation authority don't have any problem with that ssu but……in any case, there's a bit of distance from here until the seventh layer ssu.」
「Aa, this place was also a shelter huh. I guess it's only natural that it's not constructed so you can descend in a straight line……」
「Ssuuu~. For being an incompetent who doesn't possess teleportation power despite being charged with the duty as a guide……it can't be helped even if everyone look down on me in scorn ssu……」
「We aren't looking down on you, nor are we scorning you.」
Moana and Aularodde got down from Kouki's arms a bit disappointedly. They then looked up.
「In that case can't you all just open a straight hole down on your own? I think an archdemon won't have too much trouble doing that.」
「And this place also doesn't serve the role as a shelter anymore anyway.」
If this giant hole wasn't here, there was no doubt that Kara who was the caretaker of a mansion in the seventh floor would have a harder time to pick up Kouki and co in the first place.
Even if opening such path wasn't something that could be finished in a day, the demons had so much time it was mind numbing, so there should be at least one or two of them who could create such direct path.
Why didn't they do that then? The two tilted their heads in wonder.
「Making travel easier means that even the lower life forms will able to come easily ssu. Demons have strong possessiveness of their turf ssu.」
If barrier was set up to prevent that, it would be demons of the same rank who complained next.
By whose permission you're blocking the permission here huh.
Or perhaps they would go,Why the hell I gotta ask permission to the one putting the barrier each time I wanna pass huh.
Of course, if they just broke the barrier as they pleased, the barrier owner would go,What the hell are you doing huh, and fight would break out.
Then, next it obviously would become war for right of passage, or in order to avoid that, the demons would go 「This passage is my exclusive path~!」 and there would be large holes everywhere.
And so, the seven kings forbid it.Making a direct path outside the regular on your own is forbidden!They said.
「Well, certainly it'll spoil the fun if there's a straight path until the last boss's stronghold! It's about the beauty of style!」
「Oo! You really understand it ssu! That's also important ssu!」
Aularodde whose gamer aptitude was high showed comprehension.Is it that kind of thing……?Kouki and Moana though with doubtful expressions.
「No wait, then why wasn't that hole plugged then?」
「Demons also show respect to strong opponent ssu. Also, demons also love entertainment ssu.」
Apparently the giant hole was left alone because of their respect to Shia who splendidly defeated them and escaped. In addition, it apparently was also becoming a kind of famous sightseeing spot for the demons.
If by chance low rank demon didn't know their place and marched into the low layer thoughtlessly, they would get a beating as soon as someone caught sight of them, and in reality, a direct path like this, was convenient……it seemed those factors also played a part.
「Now then, shi――hero-dono.」
「I'll not question you about what were you going to say with that "shi" there.」
「Cough. Hero-dono, what do you wish to use as means of transportation ssu? If it's this child then he won't have any problem having everyone ride on him ssu.」
The parrot on Kara's shoulder flew up and immediately returned to its original size when they first saw it. It was just the right size for Kara alone to get on it.
It looked like it would be able to grow even bigger if it wanted.
Its plumage looked really fluffy, and riding on a giant parrot was also roused his interest a little but, Kouki shook his head.
「No, Nagumo has prepared a transport method that took the eight layer and below into account……」
「As expected from master ssu.」
「Y-yeah……that's well……it's also transportation method for cramped place where BD can't enter, so it should be usable anywhere else too. That's why, I'm thinking of giving it a test drive before entering the eight layer but……」
「? Is there a problem ssu?」
Kouki was being really unclear. Moana and Aularodde were also smiling wryly.
「No……there's no..….problem. Yep. It's just, I'll just say this beforehand but, the design isn't my idea okay?」
「???」
Kara became increasingly confused. In front of her, Kouki poured his magic power into his treasure warehouse even while he turned red in embarrassment until his ears for some reason.
Like that, the small transportation method that should have been prepared as simpler method than BD but never got used even once and kept at the depth of the ship's hold this whole time until now was summoned.
*Zuzuzu* A distinctive small ship with elegant curve appeared through empty air while causing ripples to spread out. It had the appearance like a gondola at Venesia.
However.
「Fumu」
「……」
Kara stared at that gondola without haste and said.
「You have, a very peculiar taste ssu.」
「I told you it wasn't meee!!」
The gondola had the illustration of a beautiful girl that perhaps came from some kind of magical girl anime.
The girl's picture was holding a magic stick in one hand and had a perfect smile & wink. There was also splendid magical effects of stars and hearts sprinkled around the girl. Flowers blooming in profusion……
The gondola's whole frame also had pink and white coloring. The tip of the gondola also had a pentagram motif that lighted in seven colors. Of course, the oar for steering the ship was modeled like a magical stick. It even had wings growing on the handle. Cute.
Yes, this gondola, was like a car painted with anime characters! A cringy car, or in this case a cringy gondola.
「This is because Myuu-chan kept begging that it has to be like this-」
「Ahaha……as expected, there was no way we could refuse when she had such smug face like that.」
「I-I like it you know! I think it's really cute!」
Also, the idea came from Myuu, but the one who actually painted the ship was, oh my, it was that super popular shoujo mangaka the great Sumire-sensei!!
She displayed the result with a smug face that had not the slightest doubt that her work would be rejected.
Also, the pressure of the demon god too,Don't tell me you bastard ain't gonna refuse this yeaaah?was really overpowering during the display of the joint work of his beloved daughter and mother.
Of course, Kouki accepted it with a smile. Though the smile was twitching real hard.
What went inside his heart that time could be easily guessed from the fact that he had never brought out the ship even once until now.
「? I don't understand the reason why you're acting so embarrassed ssu but……if there's no problem are we going to depart now ssu?」
「Eh, ah, yes……」
It seemed when she was saying peculiar taste, she wasn't being sarcastic or trying to spare his feeling or anything. She literally meant what she said. That he had a peculiar taste.
For demons, they didn't really have any particular distinction for Japan's subculture or any other culture. Perhaps to them, both were just wonderful cultures that were produced by humans.
Although, if she made such face that looked mystified from the bottom of her heart like that to him……
It somewhat felt like he was being told that he was a human who was even more narrowminded than demon. Kouki's expression became really conflicted.
It was amidst such complicated atmosphere that he got on the stern of the gondola that was floating several centimeters above ground while making ripples in the air. Moana and Aularodde also smiled wryly while sitting side by side on the chairs that were set on the center of the ship.
Kouki glanced at Kara who was riding on the parrot thing before he pulled himself together and held the oar.
The oar's length was about two meters. The handle was white. The tip was star shaped that shined with rainbow color. There was a crescent moon decoration shining pink surrounding it.
「No matter how I see it the oar isn't really needed.」
It wasn't like the ship was moving by paddling water, so certainly the oar wasn't needed but, no matter how he looked at it, it was just a long cane. Furthermore it was super duper fancy.
It was really embarrassing to hold it……but, he would be flooded with even more embarrassment after this so he turned his heart into nothingness.
Kouki pressed his forehead on the handle of the magic stick shaped oar. Like a magical girl praying to a magic stick before the transformation sequence.
And then, he said it. The activation words for the voice recognition!
「――"Here we go. Wake up, Undine"!!」
Immediately stars sparkled and scattered from the magic stick shaped oar! The cringy gondola shined! There was really no meaning to it! It was just Myuu's fixation!
Also, it was Hajime papa who set it so that the ship wouldn't activate unless the rider did the gesture of pressing their forehead to the handle and saying the activation words in a volume above a certain limit! There was some meaning to it! It was just harassment for the hero!
Please, don't look! Don't look at me doing this-, Moana! Aula!
「What a very very peculiar taste ssu.」
「The next time you say that, I'll fire Undine's 30 mm Gatling magic cannon at you.」
A part of the prow slid aside *gashon* and a weapon with a brutal shape peeked out as though to say 「You called?」.
Even though I'm just giving a honest praise, incomprehensible……Kara-san shut her mouth and looked forward even while feeling confusion.
Gatling-san dropped its muzzle as though dropping its shoulders 「So I'm not called……」 and *gashon* returned back inside.
「Err, if I remember it right I do this……」
Kouki pulled himself together and focused on controlling the ship.
This oar, it was actually a device produced in the machine world. As long as it was being held the ship could move following the holder's thought. So to say it was using BMI(Brain-Machine Interface) technology.
Even while feeling irritation at Hajime who explained it with a smug face in his workshop, Kouki recalled his practice at that time while giving order with his mind……it worked without any problem. First he activated the barrier that surrounded the gondola in spherical shape. After that the ship started gliding forward.
「Yeah, looks like it works. Kara, show us the way please.」
「Yes ssu.」
The parrot thing flapped its wings and rose to the sky.
Like that Kouki and co finally headed toward the seventh layer. They departed to travel the sky (underground) of hell that was of the same level of travelling across Japan.
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On the way, the parrot thing and the gondola that originally should be more suited for a leisurely travel flew with supersonic speed. Even with such sight that provoked nothing but a sense of discomfort, Kouki's group safely arrived at the entrance of the seventh layer.
He temporarily stored away the cringy gondola and got down on the ground.
「Even so, we really didn't run into any demon on the way here. Even though I was slightly on guard……」
They were on the foot of a bizarre "mountain" that looked like it had the smooth texture of marble. No, perhaps it ought to be called as a large slab of rock. It was a chalk white giant rock that looked like the Ayers Rock if it was slightly more mountain shaped.
There was a grand solemn and gigantic gate made from a part of the rock drilled and shaped into the shape of gate. Aularodde looked back in front of it.
「Most of the nobles have migrated to master's "miniature garden" ssu. That place is really popular you know ssu? Moving to the miniature garden. There was even a war over the right of moving there ssu.」
「Everyone here really does nothing but fighting huh.」
「Unlike the early period, right now there is turf war inside the miniature garden with the bunches from other world after all ssu. It becomes even worse because fighting power is needed ssu.」
「Everyone here reeeeeeeeeeeeeally does nothing but fighting huh.」
Their bodies, no, their instincts were seeking conflict. For such demons, quarreling with people from other worlds who even had divinities must be really fun.
「W-well. If that's the case it makes sense. In other words, there's almost nobody here isn't it?」
「Ssu. The fifth layer is also the same. And so if we're going to run into someone then it'll be with the half-baked bunches at the fourth layer and above ssu but……」
「They're currently enjoying Kara-san's illusion.」
「Fuhih, it's like that ssu.」
They had such conversation while passing through the giant chalk white gate.
Their field of vision switched instantly. It was teleportation. Naturally it also had function as stairs but, it was apparently possible to move using the gate toward the seventh layer as teleportation starting point.
Kouki and co opened their eyes wide seeing the sight that their field of visions were switched into.
「This is……a space made from crystal?」
「How beautiful……」
Kouki and Moana reflexively spoke up. Even Aularodde looked entranced even though she didn't say anything.
It couldn't be helped. After all a scenery that was a complete change of everything before this was filling the seventh layer.
If it had to be described with few words, then perhaps it should be called "a world of crystal".
The walls, ceiling, ground, everything was covered with colorful beautiful crystals in this space.
The height was three kilometers. Everything until the horizon was covered with crystal as far as their eyes could see. Furthermore, all those crystals were giving off faint light. It made them looked like a starry sky.
There were crystal pillars that stretched from the ceiling till the ground like giant trees, and there were also crystals that towered upside down from the ceiling like an inversed mountain range.
There was also a sight of crystal pillar shining in seven colors and stretched in an arc from the wall until it pierced the ground. It was like a materialized rainbow.
The ground was also terrific. A flower garden made from crystals surrounded the area around the stairs. Similarly beautiful transparent trees were standing at the sides to form a path.
It was as though to say that the colorful crystals forming various shapes were the replacement of nature in this hell where plants couldn't possibly exist.
There was also no hell's fire or lightning or storm of bloody wind. It was a fantasy underground world filled with tranquility.
That was the seventh layer.
It was the place where the demon kings who governed the seven deadly sins made their residences, and where the new ruler of hell――Nagumo Hajime's mansion was located.
「Don't tell me, just for Nagumo……?」
Kouki reflexively looked at Kara.
The upper floors were hell that were truly hellish. After seeing the abrupt change here, it couldn't be helped even if it made him questioning whether the situation here was something artificial.
「No ssu. This place has been a crystal cavern from the start ssu. The sculpted objects are because of the seven kings and their servants putting in some works though ssu. There, can you see it ssu?」
Kara pointed to the right.
「A crystal mountain? No, a castle!」
「Yes ssu. The seven kings each built a castle at the summit when they drew a heptagon in this seventh floor. I heard they did things like molding contest or the like in order to make their territory more distinctive from the others ssu.」
「What a peaceful conflict! That's really different from the upper floors……」
Kouki recalled the demon rangers who showed great satisfaction when they formed their ranger pose,You guys are close friends huh……he made an expression of not knowing what to say.
「For them to keep the center empty……in other words, is it something like a round table? They are unable to decide who's the number one?」
「Who knows? I don't really understand how the seven kings think, whether it's now or at the past ssu. Well, right now there's a mansion even at that center though ssu! It's the master's crystal palace!」
Kara-san sounded really proud. Her face was overwhelmingly smug. But, even that only lasted a moment before she turned a doubting gaze toward Kouki and co.
「As expected, everyone still won't stop by at the mansion ssu? I have worked hard with things like design, or decoration, or mechanisms that master might take a liking to, so I wish everyone could report my efforts in that ssu……」
「Ahaha……I think it'll be better if you have the person himself take a look at it later.」
「But, master won't come ssu. The mansion itself too is something I made on my own ssu. I thought that a report from hero-dono might draw master's attention though ssu…..」
How to say it, she was a bit commendable. It felt even more so the way she now became somewhat dejected.
Rather than a demon who was trying to make Hajime fall, she looked more like a normal girl trying to draw the attention of someone she was interested with.
Kouki and co unconsciously looked at each other. Wry smiles naturally formed on their faces.
「As expected, perhaps we can spare a bit of time to take a look before returning back to the sky dragon world……I guess?」
「This is a rare chance after all isn't it?」
「Yes. It'll be a waste if we don't go sightseeing to even one place.」
Kara's eyes opened wide in surprise. Next she smiled brightly. It was a natural and lovely pure smile that was hard to believe coming from a demon as expected.
「My gratitude ssu! I have faith that the hero party won't go back on their words ssu!」
Kara's voice was innocently lively. She walked forward with exultant footsteps to lead the way.
Kouki and co chuckled and looked at her back warmly.
While feeling such atmosphere, Kara kept her back turned toward the three while lightly caressing her face. It was like she was taking off a mask.
What appeared after her hand passed through was……
(Fuhih, just as planned-)
A smile like a certain man who wanted to become a god using a note of death. Apparently the pure and lovely smile was just a fantasy. In the end, demon was demon.
「Now then, hero-dono. Let's go before we get found out by the servants or underlings of the seven kings ssu. The entrances of the seventh layer and eight layer are an exception in that they're placed at not that far ssu, so we'll go there on foot ssu. Don't leak any magic power ssu!」
「Eh? Well, the scenery is beautiful so we don't really mind but……」
「As expected the other demons must want to get achievement on their own aren't they.」
「Ahaha, she said that the other demons are be on the watch ready and waiting for us, so it might not be so bad though. But still, best to avoid them.」
That stood to reason. Even at the fourth layer there were demons who had teleport magic, or rather while there Kouki and others had also gotten attacked by demons who approached using teleport. For Kara to not make use of them for travelling meant, it was because of that kind of reason.
They smiled wryly, even so taking a stroll amidst such superb view that was like a forest of crystal also wasn't bad. And so Kouki and co followed behind Kara feeling half like they were sightseeing.
In fact, the entrance to the eight layer wasn't that far away. They actually walked for nearly two hours to there, but they walked around the fantastical underground world with Kara's guidance, and enjoying the view while having nice chat with each other, so the time passed in the blink of eye.
Kara stopped walking around the middle of a place crystal pillars that were like light black shading glass stood close together in large numbers like mountain of swords.
「Hero-dono. I'll warn you once more ssu. Magic power gets dispersed from the eighth layer and below ssu. And staying for long in the ninth layer(Cocytus) would be particularly suicidal ssu.」
Even the seven kings wouldn't last a day there. They could endure for half a day or less at best. Even Hajime had to use all the improvised countermeasures that he could prepare at that time, even so he judged that his limit was only several days in that region.
In fact, he even decided that it would become troublesome instead without any proper preparation if he wanted to investigate, so he only confirmed the location of the entrance to the "forbidden area" before withdrawing.
Bad visibility where it was like the sight was constantly in whiteout. Weakening effect.
It would be the end for anyone who carelessly wandered and got lost there.
「Will you be really alright ssu?」
「I can only trust Nagumo about that.」
Kouki said that, even so there wasn't even a smidgen of doubt in his face. Seeing that expression from the sides made Moana and Aularodde let out a chuckle.
「……That was a foolish question ssu. Someone who can't realize that a foolish question is foolish is called a fool. In other words, me ssu……」
Kara naturally felt down again while swaying on her feet toward behind her, where there was a particularly large black crystal pillar――perhaps its diameter reached ten meters――and her head hit it.
Is she doing self-punishment again……Just as they thought that, the crystal rippled and Kara entered inside it completely.
It seemed the inside of this black crystal was the path leading to the eighth layer.
Kouki and co were bewildered, even so they hesitatnly tried touching the black crystal too. As expected the surface rippled and their hands entered inside without any resistance.
When they got inside, there was a large hole wide open at the center.
「Aa, so a crystal pillar was set here later on to hide the hole huh.」
「That's right ssu. The eighth layer is also a holy ground after a fashion ssu. Originally the crystal won't even react without the seven kings' permission but, when master came to observe here previously, an authorization authority was also granted to me so I can use it ssu.」
「I see……」
Kouki peered into the giant hole. The path to the eighth layer seemed to be a trackless path. Crystal pillars were jutting out randomly at the walls of the distorted pit. It seemed those were used as stair replacement to go down.
「Do not use magic to go down under any circumstances ssu. The range of the magic power dispersion effect is quite vague, or should I say fluctuative……sometimes it can even reach as far as above ssu, so even if it might not be a problem for demon, the fall damage for human won't be insignificant you know ssu?」
「Well, as expected I'm not that fragile but……thanks for the warning. Let's go down there steadily.」
They exchanged those words, then they all jumped down the giant hole following behind Kara.
Midway, there was an accident. Aularodde slipped and fell down. And then her crouch hit the crystal foothold below hard and she came a stop from straddling the pillar.
She kept straddling the pillar while trembling all over and unable to move. It couldn't be helped so Kouki carried her on his back……even with such thing happening they arrived at the eighth layer.
This place was also a quiet space. However, unlike the seventh layer it felt too eerie. There was strangeness and dreadfulness there that didn't allow people to approach.
There was no source of light at all.
It wasn't a metaphor or anything. They couldn't see even an inch ahead. As expected from the lowest point of a pit, there was only the faint light of the crystal footholds above them that reached this point.
Most likely it was the wall of the eighth layer. Only the way forward had no wall. Ahead of there was true darkness. It even felt like there was a black wall there.
「……I certainly can't use magic. It looks like the dispersal effect is even stronger than Raisen Grand Canyon.」
「Also, it's just as we were told before, the blessing power is also dispersed as expected.」
「It's also the same with me. Although separated from the Divine Tree, my power is closer to the power of origin rather than spirit power but……it's dispersed here.」
「The darkness won't be affected even if you can use them ssu. This darkness reject all light ssu. Not only magic, even fire that you create physically, it will still burn, but that's all ssu.」
At the end you wouldn't even be able to see your own body once you entered inside this darkness. Flame wouldn't illuminate the surrounding at all, therefore the flame's existence also wouldn't be visible, however, only the heat would be transmitted.
An ordinary person wouldn't even take five minute before they lost focus of where was back and front. Their mind would surely start to go mad from the overwhelming darkness and silence.
Hajime had tested every unique energy from other worlds, and also light generated from chemical reaction――chemical light here, but it all had the same result.
And, this effect naturally also affected demon. Demons who had discarded things like five senses of physical body a very long time agon were different from human, and yet they had acquired far better perception abilities where even the darkness of night didn't prove a hindrance to them, but this darkness was different.
It closed their sight just like human and drove them to madness.
「Nagumo mentioned that it might be concept magic.」
「He said things like this "hell's ninth layer" itself, or perhaps even the planet itself was turned into artifact……he said something really outrageous. The scale of the story was too big that I gave up following along from the middle.」
「I'm convinced instead after seeing this darkness. Because it doesn't make sense if this is caused by mere authority――power at the class of age of god magic. In the first place, if you wish to keep the phenomenon like demon's soul or bloody wind to continue for perpetuity in this world then, yes, I think his hypothesis is valid.」
In the past, Yue achieved something similar in the star spirit world. She deprived the people of the star spirit world from spiritual power.
But, just as Lutria said the world had self-purification function. One day the spiritual power would naturally return into the people.
Then, what should be done if one wanted to keep an affect continuing even after the caster's death?
By turning it into artifact.
And, if it was the seven kings and archdemons who could use authority at the level of age of god magic, no matter how transcendental the magic of the transcendents was, they should be able to meddle with it one day.
Based on the fact that they were unable to do it even after reaching this point of time naturally led to one possibility.
The immortality of demons, and also the super regeneration that was brought about by the bloody wind.
And then, the strange phenomenon of this eighth layer, and its solidness that didn't allow anyone to modify it.
It made sense if it was a power that surpassed age of god magic――which was to say, concept magic.
「Nagumo used his compass to search but, apparently he couldn't detect the artifact that is the core of the concept magic. Perhaps it was undetected because it's magic of the same rank……but, the range of this effect is really vast and although vague it wasn't like there wasn't any reaction at all so, well, I guess that's the case.」
If the "hell's ninth layer" itself, or depending on the situation the planet itself was used as material of the artifact that was granted with the "concept magic to change the world's system", and furthermore, if it was connected to their own immortality, then far from destroying it, even interfering with it would be difficult. Whether physically, and also mentally.
After all depending on the situation it might become a suicidal act for them.
「It feels like there'll be many difficulties in store even if we manage to revive the Hell Tree huh.」
If, this hypothesis was right.
In the end, would the way hell work changed just by reviving the Hell Tree? Would this world return back like before?
What would become of the demons because of that?
There were many reasons why hell's priority got put off. The weight and quantity of its matters that had to be taken into consideration were in a different league compared to other worlds. It was also understandable for this world to be called as the world that had to be given most effort. Just as Kouki said, there were many difficulties in store of this world.
「Well, that's exactly why we're gathering information thoroughly though.」
「That's true. Let's do our best, Kouki.」
「For now we should find the former site of Hell Tree, and securing a base. We're going to do what we can, one by one! Kouki-sama」
Moana and Aularodde put their hands on Kouki's shoulders with strong smiles. In respond, Kouki also feeling encouraged and smiled and nodded. The three stared at each other……. And then,
「Like that, Kara's existence is forgotten ssu……it's okay though. After all, it's just Kara.」
Their faces immediately regained sharpness.
Because Kara said 「You're the only one paying attention to me……」 and turned her eyes that had lost their light toward the parrot thing on her shoulder.
And then, parrot thing-chan averted its eyes from its owner who was acting like that, perhaps because it was scared.
Eh? Why? Why won't you meet my eyes? Hey, why? Look over here?As though to say that Kara-san pinched the parrot thing-chan's cheek with her fingers to make it look her way.
Parrot thing-chan, desperately resisted!Uguguguh,It was enduring! It was staring at Kouki and co with eyes that looked like they were saying 「Help……」!
You have changed, master! I don't like this kind of master!
They didn't notice until now but, such feeling was keenly conveyed from it!
「Moana, Aula! Here you go! The artifacts that Nagumo made for the eighth layer!」
Kouki deliberately raised his voice and made his treasure warehouse shined. Kara's curiosity turned their way! Parrot thing-chan skillfully used its wing to make "good job" gesture! Your welcome!
「This is……sunglasses?」
「Why, sunglasses……? I like wearing sunglasses and mask because they calm me down though……」
Moana and Aularodde stared at the darkness while in confusion.
「Apparently it's mainly 3D sonar made in the machine world. He said something like improving something that was originally for equipping spaceship. Using sound or radio wave……I don't really get the detail but, anyway this artifact echoed various things to project the 3D image of the surrounding.」
Was using normal glasses no good? Why did Hajime choose sunglasses for looking at darkness?
Moana and Aularodde wanted to make tsukkomi.
――The abyss lord, it's always there in a corner of your heart you know?
It felt like they could hear a voice saying that or perhaps not……as expected, was it really there in a corner of the demon god's heart? No, it must be there. He was the demon god of romance after all. The two were cut from the same cloth after all.
「Kara can see normally right?」
「Yes ssu. Actually the darkness of this eighth layer is only at the first half, the half after that is a graveyard that has faint light ssu but, there's the graveyard's guard dog there ssu.」
「The graveyard's guard dog?」
「Ssu. It's a magical creature created by the transcendent ssu. It's the only existence granted with the power to interfere with this darkness ssu. It's docile as long as you don't ransack the graves ssu, and it rarely share the strength to see through to those it recognize as its fellow grave keeper like the seven kings, or the weirdo who often come to visit the graves ssu.」
「Hee~, is that so.」
「Hero-dono's group will be able to see through too if it recognize you ssu. By the way, master is recognized by it ssu. Or rather, somehow they got along real well with each other ssu. That child, it swore absolute loyalty to the transcendent who was its creator, and wouldn't become affectionate with even the seven kings though……」
「Tsk. Is that so.」
「……Your relation with master is really bad isn't it ssu.」
「Stop that. You're praising me too much.」
「Your relation with master is reeeally bad isn't it ssu!」
For a demon it was a really tasty emotion so she unconsciously wanted to make a demonic smile but……Well now? Despite that, my demonic heart isn't feeling thrilled for some reason. Why's that I wonder?Kara tilted her head.
Moana and Aularodde were making exasperated smile, but also amused, but also like they didn't know what to say.
Kouki seemed to notice their smiles and cleared his throat. He summoned the cringy gondola. The cringy gondola was floating without any trouble even in this magic power dispersing region.
「That guy said that it's mostly using the power of science but……yeah, looks like this place isn't going as far as negating the gravity control tech from the machine world.」
「It looks like it's "light" and "energy emission" that this place is thoroughly rejecting.」
「Wait, Kara. Why are you walking? Get on here quick.」
「EH, is it alright ssu!? I completely thought that everyone would say, Kara, run like your life's depending on it……」
「Who're you calling a fiend-」
「Who're you calling a fiend!?」
「Who are you calling a fiend!?」
「It was like that when Kara was with master ssu……」
「That guy's a fiend-」
「That man is a fiend-」
「That person is a fiend-」
Come on, it's fine! Get on the front! If you want do you also need a blanket?Moana and Aularodde together led Kara to the best seat.
They could still at least do body strengthening even under the magic power dispersal phenomenon. And demons possessed extraordinary physical capability from the start. Even just by running normally they could move as fast as car but……
The impression that would give!!
「Everyone, is so kind ssu……」
「As expected that was horrible. I'll complain a bit at Nagumo so he reflect――」
「Master too, if only I didn't try to try hugging him in the confusion of the moment, or trying to touch master's master, then perhaps he too――」
「As expected that was horrible. Your behavior that is. Are you remorseful?」
「I succumbed to the temptation ssu……as only natural for demon.」
「Troublesome」
Assaulted sexually by a female demon in the darkness……
So that was why. Even a hero would want to say 「Don't get close. Run」 after experiencing that. Moana and Aularodde also looked up to the sky muttering 「Sorry for misunderstanding-」 in apology.
「So! The direction! Is it fine just to go straight?」
「Yes ssu. Head straight toward the center ssu. If there's no problem with sight and you can also fly, then we'll be able to arrive in around one or two hours with this small ship ssu.」
Good grief,Kouki shrugged and gripped the oar. And then, he chanted the activation words while his voice trembled as expected from the embarrassment that he was unable to wipe away.
After that.
Thanks to the spectacle that was projected like an anime's background footage, Kouki and co advanced without really any problem.
No, as for problem……well, it wasn't that there was none.
For example, when they arrived at the "graveyard" where darkness was cleansed by the faint particles of light radiated by white flower garden.
It was the aforementioned "graveyard's guard dog" who welcomed Kouki and co, but Aularodde's eyes widened and she froze the moment she saw it. Right after that,
――A grey wolf protecting grave……on its back……great sword……uu, my head……-
She started writhing in pain. Like she was receiving mental agony that was hard to endure, or perhaps it was a state where flashback of trauma played in her mind.
Of course, both Kouki and Moana couldn't help from yelling 「「What's going on!?」」 in agitation.
For a moment, they became on guard and suspecting whether the guard dog was doing something to Aularodde, but there Kara said 「She has the same reaction like master ssu」 and smiled wryly. Then she explained the situation.
Hearing that, the dam of Aularodde's tear gland broke. She bawled her eyes out with lamentation pouring out from every inch of her self.
Why?
Those who knew it knew. It was because a certain masterpiece of super difficult game. In that tale of soul of dark, there was also a large grey wolf who continued to protect the grave of its master and friend!
It harbored no hostility. It also had no malice. It was simply protecting the grave of its master who it dearly loved from its heart. On its own, all this time, for eternity.
But, even so it was impossible to progress forward unless it was defeated, so!
Throughout the world, just how many animal lover players, no, even if they weren't animal lover, just how many male and also female players became traumatized and spewed out resentful complaints to the game developer after crying buckets seeing it continuing to protect the grave to the end, even while limping.
This grave keeper guard dog looked exactly the same with that noble wolf in the game. Even its circumstance was exactly the same!
Yes, he was a magical creature created by a transcendent. It wasn't like he was chained to the eighth layer, or even commanded by its master to do this.
Even so it cared deeply for its master and kept protecting their grave inside this darkness this whole time. Carrying its master's demon sword on its back. It was called a guard dog despite being a wolf was also because of that loyalty.
After hearing such story, even the gamer demon god would create a waterfall of tears from his eyes.
And then, he said 「This time! This time I won't kill you for sure!! I won't let anyone kill you no matter whattttt-」. The giant wolf in question was bewildered, but he didn't notice and hugged it tightly. He also fluffed it using the chance, he was looking after it like a grandpa pampering his grandson.
While he was at it, he also said 「I'm sorry. You're similar with a wolf that I knew……」 and told it the content of the game like it was something that he experienced in reality.
The graveyard's guard dog――according to Kara it was apparently called Thrud――plainly misunderstood. It couldn't talk but it seemed to be able to understand word, so it too thought 「So there's another existence similar to me……」 and seemed become extremely moved……
Well, somehow they got along well with that.
And, Aularodde who was addicted with that kind of game naturally had also finished playing it too (It was recommended to her by Hajime but, in the end, was it recommended to her because he predicted this situation……only the demon god knew). Now she was in completely the same state like Hajime.
Kouki thought.I'm not good with that kind of highly difficult game but……t-this makes me curious! If it can make them react like this! Perhaps I'll give it a try a little when going home……
Getting back on topic.(Putting that aside)
I'll stay behind! I'll keep Thrud company!Aularodde threw a tantrum, so Kouki and co grabbed her scruff of the neck and dragged her to step inside the ninth layer.
「Uu, as I thought I wanted to keep Thrud company a little bit more……」
「I understand your feeling but……say, Aula. Aren't you being a little too obsessed?」
「You don't understand Moana! You do nothing but exercises like idiot! Play game a little!」
「Who're you calling an idiot, rude.」
「Can't you two act a bit more tense here?」
「Agree ssu. It would be instant termination without master's protection here ssu you know?」
Even while they were having such relaxed conversation, they were progressing through prison of suppression(Cocytus) where everything was frozen still.
In the ninth layer, rather than calling it a dispersion of magic power, it apparently would be more accurate to say that magic power would be rendered inert at the same time it got emitted, and then it would immediately return to nature so it wouldn't do any of it intended task.
And, apparently the energy inside the body also wasn't an exception to that.
The basic of the countermeasure for that was the invigoration quality of sky dragon world and the power of divine spirit of another world. Yes, it was the power of the divine spirit of ice and snow Barahu and the divine spirit of fire wheel Soare. Using that along with the full mobilization of the machine world's technology and age of god magic, the phenomenon of this place was resisted.
By wearing talisman shaped artifacts enchanted with those like a bunch of keys, and furthermore under the condition that it was only as long as they didn't run out of magic power, they were finally able to act in this space without any constraint. This place was truly absurd for requiring that level of preparation. Most likely, concept magic was also in the work here.
It was also understandable why they also activated the cringy gondola's anti-environment barrier to cover themselves with double barriers when they were in such place.
Even so, the furious snowstorm that threw their sense of direction off kilter physically and also magically brought down their mood. After all it was like the white mist of Haltina Sea of Trees.
If Hajime hadn't designated the exit beforehand and recorded it in the "Tree Compass"――an artifact that displayed equal effect to the compass limited to only the location of "World Tree's branches"――for them……
Even if they now could stay here for a long period of time, they would surely wish to return to the graveyard and got healed by the fluff.
「Speaking of that, Kara yourself can go back to where Thrud is you know? Either way, from here on is an unknown place even for you right?」
「In other words, you're saying I'm useless and should go away……sniff-」
「That's not it!」
「Please allow me to come along even knowing that I'm a just an annoyance ssu. I wish to be allowed to poke my nose into the base building so that master can come visit here anytime ssu! Even if it's shitty hero-dono who'll use it most of the time, that's exactly why! This Kara swear she will prepare a space that is to master's liking ssu!」
「As I thought how about you go home? I'll build the base to suit my preference.」
The shitty hero-san's unamused gaze pierced her, but the shitty maid-san who wished to be praised by her master didn't even seem to notice.
「Well, other than that it's just curiosity ssu. To the end I'm a maid after all ssu.」
「Aren't you mistaking the use of that wording? That's unrelated with being a maid.」
It was self-evident that demons were brimming with curiosity. She must not wanted to let go of the chance to step into the "forbidden area" that she had never seen before. Or rather, perhaps that one was her real motive.
The group also exchanged such idle talk before they finally arrived at the end of Cocytus.
There a giant tree of ice that resembled a great tree was standing. Apparently the inside of it became a gate for teleportation.
The cringy gondola advanced, causing ripples in the air and passed through the tree's trunk.
Right after that, their field of vision was dyed red.
「This place……」
The teleportation worked normally. A mutter escaped Kouki when they got near the center of a boulder that was as wide and shaped as a baseball stadium.
Moana's expression was slightly twitching.
「This is, if we don't have the gondola and talisman's protection……we might die just from the heat wave.」
「I heard that it was a lake of magma but……to think, it's at the top and bottom, I could never imagine it……」
Everything within their field of vision was magma until beyond the horizon.
They had heard that this was the case but, to think that even the ceiling was fully filled with magma. They didn't hear about it.
「Could it be, this place originally wasn't a lake of magma, but inside magma?」
Kouki looked up at the ceiling while getting cold sweat. Magma's splash rose like prominence, however, it went against gravity and returned to the magma lake at the ceiling.
And yet right as he thought that was what happened, it suddenly dripped down.
A lot of magma fell from the ceiling, but then it connected to the magma lake on the ground and turned into a pillar of magma.
Conversely there was magma that whirled up from the ground like a blazing whirlwind and connected to the ceiling.
But right after that it easily dispersed, and in exchange magma burst like an explosion at different place.
Each time that happened there was shockwave as could be seen from the magma's movement. Terrific heat waves must be constantly raging violently.
It was plain to see that the temperature wasn't something that living organism could endure in the first place. After all the scenery was constantly warped like there was space magic being used.
In a sense, perhaps it ought to be called "the farthest corner of the world" of the hell world.
Kouki and co teleported on a foothold that existed in isolation of such place. It was made from black crystal with diameter around ten meters.
「Master also had the same impression when he confirmed this place with the compass ssu. He mentioned "It's like this space was made from cutting apart a straight line inside a lake of magma".」
「If that's true then it's really absurd. You guys call it a lake but, just from a glance this is already a sea.」
Inside a sea, the sea was cut apart to top and bottom. And then, that state was fixed in place……indeed. This was certainly a transcendental feat that was befitting the Transcendents.
「I wonder, how wide this place is?」
「Who knows ssu. In the first place there's almost no demon who can pass through the ninth layer ssu. In addition, even the seven kings don't know the exact location of the Hell Tree's former site……and even supposing that they can reach it, apparently demons cannot meddle with the Hell Tree itself ssu.」
「Thinking about that, as expected the compass's ability is extraordinary isn't it……」
Aularodde turned her gaze toward Kouki. Kouki nodded and activated the "Tree Compass".
「Yosh, it's functioning properly even here.」
The magic power dispersion phenomenon was gone but, it looked like "In exchange now there's another obstruction!" also didn't happen.
With the "Tree Compass" in one hand, and the other hand handling the oar, Kouki moved the floating cringy gondola forward.
The gondola should be able to work without problem even inside the magma like a submarine but, this place should be a space created by an ultimate level of wills of the Transcendents that stated "it must never be touched anymore".
They should have the mentality of not only knocking on the strong stone bridge before crossing it, but reinforcing it while crossing the bridge. (TN: Knocking on the strong stone bridge before crossing it, a Japanese saying for being extremely cautious.)
Kouki told himself that once more, then he stopped the gondola for once at the edge of the black crystal foothold. He took a deep breath.
He looked toward Moana and Aularodde, and then at Kara.
「It will be alright, let's go?」
「That's right, let's go quickly, Kouki-sama. We should finish the job and return to Thrud's side as fast as possible! He's surely feeling lonely right now……」
「No, he surely not ssu. Rather, he might felt a bit irritated for getting snot on his fur ssu……」
「Eh? What did you say?」
They had such casual exchange with each other. Kouki let out a chuckle.
Kouki firmed his decision to start rowing, toward the lake of magma that seemed to be endless――
It was at that moment.
*DOBAAAA-* The magma in front of them shot up like a fountain.
「「「「Eh?」」」」
No, it didn't shot up. It towered up.
The height was about five meters. *Drip* Magma trickled down. But, the pillar was still going strong.
It wasn't that they ran into a magma explosion, or eruption due to bad luck.
Why, didn't they notice?
Although they were inside many layers of barrier, none of those barriers hindered them from sensing the outside. Kouki and co were also constantly on guard with their respective ability.
And yet, for them to not detect it until it appeared in front of them like this……
「……Kara……I'm asking……just in case……」
「Yes ssu……」
「There's also demon even in this kind of place……?」
「None ssu……or rather……」
Magma flowed down. It then showed itself from behind that scorching hot veil.
Even though this place shouldn't have any living organism, which was also backed by Hajime's statement.
――＃＃＃＃＃＃＃
Hard to describe cry directly reverberated inside their brains. Even though it sounded extremely unpleasant, for some reason it also sounded like a smooth singing.
From a glance it looked like a long and large sea cucumber. However, the part that seemed to be its head was stripped off like banana's skin, and countless tentacles gushed out from inside there.
Special characteristic that could swim in magma. Abnormality that escaped the detection of the compass.
But, even more than those.
「D-don't, lump us together with something like this!」
Kara was so shaken up her way of speaking returned to how she was before.
That was just how foreign the existence before them was. They couldn't explain just what was about it that was so strange but, their instinct was simply insisting so to them loudly. That this thing was different. That this was an existence that shouldn't be here.
Yes, it was the same foreignness that would also be felt by Kousuke and others not long in the future after this.
Facing such happening that was far beyond unexpected, even Kouki and others became dumbfounded and reacted slowly.
*Vunh* It felt like the air trembled. No, perhaps, what trembled was their survival instinct.
Without being aware that their hair was standing on end,
「――Tsu!!」
Kouki deployed the strongest barrier that he could use immediately. Even though there was the gondola and talisman's barriers, the hero's instinct and experience moved his body on its own.
Based on the result, that was the correct move.
「「Kyaaaaaah」」
「Ooh!?」
*PAAANN* There was the sound of something bursting. At the same time Moana and others screamed and clung on the gondola's edge. The gondola was blown away.
The bursting sound came from the barrier popping off. At the same time, Kouki's barrier was also pulverized.
「Space crushing-, what's more the power is just abnormal-」
The gondola's prow was lifted up. It was about to get overturned so Kouki desperately controlled it.
If Kouki didn't put up his barrier immediately, who knew how the talisman's barrier would end up.
The gondola's barrier and the talisman's barrier weren't for defending against attack. To the end they were barriers for protecting people from bad environment. Of course, they had durability that wouldn't even twitch from the average attack so perhaps they might hold. But, if they actually failed……
Their flesh bodies would become exposed to this worst environemtn.
「You didn't mention anything like this at all, Nagumoo~!!」
The gondola's barrier was redeployed immediately as though responding to that complain. The barrier to defend against attack without any consideration for the magic power consumption was also put up at the same time.
Right after that, that cry that was like a chanting reverberated once more. The monster's form vanished from sight. That was because of the tsunami of magma that was produced from the impact of spatial vibration.
But, there was no problem this time. The gondola's spatial isolation barrier was sturdily defending against both the magma and the spatial crushing's impact.
Kouki and others all let out sigh of relieve together.
「Kouki!! What now!」
「As expected this is just too unexpected! Should we retreat for the time being!?」
「Yeah, agreed! I also thought so just now!」
Kouki steered the gondola to return to the foothold of black crystal, however, he hesitated. Because the monster had circled the foothold right at that moment and got in the way.
Was it blocking the path of escape? It would become troublesome to return but, here he should use the Fairy Key to return to the surface and prioritized reporting this to Nagumo――
Kouki made that judgment and took out the Fairy Key. But, he couldn't use it.
――fight……soul………………steal-………thirst—
It felt like he heard something. At the same time and also abruptly, fighting spirit welled up. He wanted to defeat the monster before them no matter what. And then, he wanted to devour its soul――
「Tsu, mind interference too!?」
「That would be dangerous if we don't have the talisman wouldn't it!?」
「This is……could it be the low rank demons rampaged because……」
「Yes, this might be why ssu!」
Kara's eyes were tinged with an enchanting light. Perhaps her pride as a heavenly demon whose forte was mental interference was provoked. Apparently she retaliated with mental interference in return.
She was showing it something. The monster shrieked and started to rage.
「Hero-dono. This is a rare chance. Won't you beat it ssu? An existence that even master is unaware of……if we bring this as souvenir than there surely will be a ton of praises waiting ssu!」
「You're so faithful to your desire!」
Because she was a demon.
Although, the space crushing and mental interference were both currently being blocked. Perhaps it still had a card up its sleeves but, seeing that they could retreat using Fairy Key, doing that after they obtained information to some degree also wasn't a bad idea.
The fact that Hajime couldn't find it, and the powerful and instinctual sense of revulsion when looking at it.
He got shaken up by those and made the judgment 「Anyway let's retreat!」, but if he calmed down then what Kara said also had some merit to it.
Such hesitation in the end took away his chance to retreat.
*DOBAAAA-* A lot of magma pillars boiled up.
「「「「Eh?」」」」
Voices spilled out together once more. Apparently the monster's comrades had come, perhaps being drawn in by the scream of the monster that was suffering from nightmare.
Furthermore, it was with a number that ought to be described as "swarm".
From all directions. From the front and behind and left and also right, and not only that, even from the ceiling's magma lake.
Although there was difference in size, they were all the same type of worm monster with tentacles. Just from a brief glance there were a hundred and dozens of them.
That cry that was also similar to chanting was cried out altogether. At the same time *Vunh* the space in all directions warped――
「Crap――」
Teleport――will I make it in time――buy time by using barrier too――
"Divine Protection" to Kouki――boost up the effect――
Divine sword――raise Kouki-sama's strength――
Three people tried to respond each in different way even without any words, however, just moment before they started, that flew out.
From the ceiling's magma with a terrific force.
「Wha-」
What is it this time!?There wasn't even any time to say that.
『Her――ctor……gagaga-――found――pro, ess――start』
It was a floating triangular pyramid tinged with faint light. As soon as it ignored inertia and stopped still beside the gondola, unclear mechanical voice came out. At the same time, a vortex of light was generated with that floating object at the center.
Right after that, space crushing from every direction burst.
However, after the rampaging space distortions and magma settled down, the vortex of light, the gondola's wreckage, and also the trace that Kouki and others were there didn't remain at the slightest.
After that, only shrieks that were filled with rage of the monsters who had allowed their prey to escape were resounding in that place.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
「Tsu, Moana! Aula!」
「I-I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about.」
「I'm also fine. More importantly just now……no, where in the world is this……」
The pure white light that dyed their field of vision. As soon as it cleared up Kouki checked the safety of his comrades. He saw the two were still seated on the gondola's chairs like before and patted his chest in relief.
「I'm also safe and sound ssu. Ah, nobody asked isn't it ssu……yes, I'm sorry ssu……」
「Ah, sorry! I'm glad Kara is also safe-」
「Su」
「E, err~, that's right! Just what in the world……」
He looked around. They were inside a room. It was a white space about as big as a gymnasium. Even though it was clearly metallic the walls and ceiling had wooden texture.
On the floor was a magic circle that seemed to be a pair with the ceiling. They were drawn systematically as well as densely until all the corners of the room.
「Tortus's magic circle……? No, it only looks similar? This is more complicated……」
「K-Kouki! This……」
Moana pulled at his sleeve and his gaze turned. Beside the gondola, that floating pyramid was lying on the floor. It wasn't tinged with light anymore. It was totally silent, not a single peep from it.
Exactly like, a broken machine.
「Did it……save us?」
「Kouki-sama. This place……something is strange here. At the very least, it's not a world that I had visited before.」
「What did you say?」
Perhaps it was the intuition of a former goddess. In other words, it showed that they had just experienced an other world summoning.
At the back of his mind, he recalled the world that Aularodde hadn't gone to yet. At the same time, he considered the origin of the floating triangular pyramid.
Was it Nagumo who saved them? Is this also that guy's artifact? Is this place the machine world, or the star spirit world? Anyway, I should contact Nagumo first――
「Hero-dono, there's fighting not that far from here ssu.」
「Eh? Who?」
「Ssu. They have magic power so I can detect them ssu. I'm entering their mind and sharing their sight ssu but……what they're fighting has a similar atmosphere like that earthworm thing I think?」
Kara said that and turned her eyes that were shining red to him.
「Should I share the sight with you ssu?」
「……Yeah, please.」
Apparently Kara could share what she was seeing as illusion. It was a bit scary but Kouki nodded. He wanted as much information as possible right now.
Like that he could see, in the sight of that somebody who was fighting was……
「Lee-saaaaan!!?」
The figure of the human faced fish that he couldn't possibly ever forget riding the distinctive submarine!! He was firing missile with a furious expression!
「Is he your acquaintance ssu? But there's still one more animal ssu.」
This time it seemed to be Lee-san's sight. What Kouki could see was the figure of a rabbit who he also couldn't possibly ever forget as expected, dodging tentacles like there was no tomorrow by kicking on the air.
「WHY! WHY IS INABA=SAN HERE!!」
「Kouki!? Are you okay!?」
「Why is your speech suddenly become like a robot!? Kouki-sama! Please get a hold of yourself!」
Kouki was so shaken up that his speech's style became like a certain world that slayer ninja.
It was understandable. After all his acquaintances were in a fierce battle against unknown enemy in the unknown place that they teleported to. It was an astonishing situation.
But there another blow came.
「My, how surprising. Even though I completely thought that you all were wiped out……」
A presence, and then a voice of an unknown woman suddenly appeared.
Kouki gasped and turned his gaze toward the voice. Before anyone realized a white haired woman who seemed to be in her sixty was standing in a short distance away from them.
She was wearing pantsuit that could often be seen even at earth. But instead of jacket she was wearing a white robe. Coupled with her sharp and intellectual eyes, she had the atmosphere that was really like a scientist.
Her face had a lot of deep wrinkles that gave a glimpse of her hardships until now, even so she felt beautiful.
Seeing that face made Kouki felt déjà vu.
And then, words unconsciously slipped out.
「……God's, apostle?」
Yes, if those women were human and they aged reasonably, then perhaps they would grow to look like this.
The woman in white robe's looks were similar to them that it made him naturally thought like that.
She looked like Neunte and Erst and others.
AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
With this, the loo~ng prologue of the last arc is over. Thank you for following until this far. It'll be finally the main part of the final arc from next chapter. It's just, I want to readjust the plot before that, and I have a plan for a little trip, so please allow me to have a break next week. (Depending on the situation I might need two weeks?)
I'm sorry but, best regards!
※Meme introduction
– The model of the graveyard's guard dog
From Sif of the game [Dark Soul].
– WHY! INABA=SAN!
From [Ninja Slayer].
– Huge tentacle sea cucumber
The model is [Chthonian] from Cthulhu Mythos.