Chapter 193

The conflict in the Netherworld plunged further into chaos. It marked the beginning of a story surrounding a colossal wish. The war didn’t stop because each side had things they could not yield over. Someone hurt, someone was hurt, someone killed, someone was killed—so went the tragic chain of war. The key was in a heart of sympathy. Yet it felt as though the day the people would remember would never come. The Netherworld: the Polar Union. A motley crew showed up out of nowhere in the palace plaza, as though they had teleported there with magic—and there was no magic in this world. The guards on duty were frightened by the sudden appearance. There were about twenty of them. No uniformity in race, age, or gender. But they shared one will: the strong desire to take back their lost comrades. “So this is the Netherworld. The sky is still blue, I see.” A bell rang. At the head of the group stood a girl in Eastern clothing: Karla Amatsu. “Let’s get this started. First, we need to get a handle on the situation,” she said calmly. “Yeah. I wonder where Madam Author might be…” Beside her stood an anxious girl in ninja clothing: Koharu Minenaga. “I’m sure Terakomari’s okay.” Karla smiled to encourage her. “She’s strong. You said so yourself, remember?” “I’m just worried I won’t get to read the sequel to her novel.” “Is that really what you’re worried about…?” “Just kidding,” Koharu said with a straight face. Her trembling hand betrayed her anxiety. It was only natural; although Karla had said Komari would be okay on reflex, there was no guarantee. “Let’s move, Ms. Karla.” “Yeah, let— Eep?!” Crimson Lord Sakuna Memoir, the super-pretty former terrorist obsessed with Komari, stood next to Karla. Karla flinched the moment she saw the darkness in her eyes. Those were the eyes of a killer. “She must be in trouble. I have to help her.” “Y-yes! So let’s set our plan! Let’s find a place to sit down…” “I was going to have a tea party with her that day. We were going to chat all night. Why did this happen? Why is God so mean to her? He’ll pay. They’ll all pay. I have to find her.” “Koharu, help meee!! Sakuna’s gone mad!!” “She’s never been not mad.” “Ah-ha-ha… You’re in my way? I’ll get rid of anything in my way. I’ll freeze you and pluck out your memories.” “Calm down, Ms. Sakuna! Who are you even talking to—? Hmm?” Just then, Karla felt someone’s presence and looked ahead. Soldiers in armor showed up in droves. Clearly not with friendly intentions. Tension and hostility filled the frigid palace. “…Um, who are they?” “Remember we’re basically breaking and entering. Wouldn’t be weird for the guards to attack us,” Koharu said. It’s over. Karla turned back to the soldiers in a flurry. “E-excuse me! We’re not suspicious characters! Please let us talk it ou—” “Don’t waste your breath. I’ll get rid of them,” Sakuna said. “Please don’t, Sakuna! I don’t think there’s a Dark Core here, is there?! It would be awful if someone ended up getting hurt. “Let me go! I have to get to Ms. Komari…!” “I know, I know, but please just put away your staff! You’re going to start a war! You too, Koharu, put that kunai away!” Karla put Sakuna in a nelson before she could rush at the guards. Things weren’t looking good. They might die before finding Komari. And so began their search. The Netherworld had changed completely. It was far from the utopia I was going for. The sky was red, and tragic battles were being waged all over. Sad energy filled the air. Simply taking a breath made my throat itch. The root of it was obvious. Star Citadel. Nothing would improve until I put a stop to them. And to accomplish that, I’d do anything. I turned around and returned to the building, a storehouse in a nameless village razed by the army of an odd country named the Toumor Republic. In the middle of the room was a shabby bed. A girl, crying, clung to it. “How’s Terakomari doing, Lingzi Ailan?” The girl, Lingzi Ailan, turned around quickly. Green hair and a frilly dress like a peacock. “I—I…” Lingzi stuttered as she spoke. She seemed to be scared, even though there was no vampire as magnanimous as I was. “I-it’s the first time I’ve…used the Late Monarch’s Guidance for something other…than the Dark Core. But I…think she’ll…be okay… Still, it’s only…first aid… I have to keep my hand on hers, or the Late Monarch’s Guidance will break off.” “All you have to do is keep her alive for now. Just hang in there until Cornelius gets here, okay? And hey, she’s looking better now.” Core Implosion was a power of the heart. Lingzi’s wish to save Terakomari had affected the world. I took a blood candy out of my pocket and stared at Komari’s resting face. The greatest hero of the generation who would change the world. Now that I was getting a good look at her, she really did seem too small. A baby in the eyes of someone who’d lived for six hundred years… And yet the willpower and kindness inside her were so big and strong, they paralleled mine. “I made sure to rescue you, Terakomari. Don’t die on me, okay?” A smile escaped me. I looked down at the little vampire princess and spoke to her gently. “You want to change the world, right? You can’t let Star Citadel get away with this, right? Then get back up and be of use! Spica La Gemini welcomes you with open arms, Terakomari Gandesblood!”