Chapter 196

“Haaaaaaaaaah……… I thought I was dead.” Karla Amatsu looked at the ceiling and loosened up like a slug. Koharu was wolfing down a strawberry parfait in front of her. “Much appreciated,” the ninja-girl said in an emotionless voice. “Without you, we would be Sapphire dinner by now.” “And it would be your fault! Why did you attack them out of nowhere?! I did not raise you to be such a rude girl!” “Sorry, I was worried you were in danger…” “Aw.” “Also, Sakuna Memoir was thirsty for blood, and I thought a battle couldn’t be avoided. She’s one scary lady.” “…” A café in the Netherworld. Karla glanced toward a corner of the establishment. Silver girl Sakuna Memoir stabbed a monaka wafer cake repeatedly with a cake knife while mumbling curses. “They’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay they’ll pay…” She’s sick. That girl had given them a terrible time. The survey team crossed the Gate and was transported to a country called the Polar Empire. The Shade Kilty Blanc had told them the countries of the Netherworld were similar to the countries of the Foreworld. The Polar Empire had to be a reflection of the Polar Union. But that wasn’t the issue. The Sapphires of the Polar Empire had sounded their alarms at the mysterious intruders who appeared out of nowhere, and the combatants of the survey team (mainly Sakuna Memoir) had come in ready to kill everyone and everything. A battle began. Sakuna twirled her staff without mercy and charged first, while the Sapphires responded in disarray. I really thought we were dead. Karla had managed to get them off the hook with her powers of persuasion. One wrong step, and they would have been annihilated in the first minutes here. “…I do have my worries about Ms. Sakuna, although I understand how she feels.” “Look at that scary look on her face. Can’t she smile a little?” “Nothing about this situation is worth smiling over.” “What if we try tickling her?” “She’ll kill you.” “I’m joking,” Koharu mumbled before eating a mouthful of parfait. Meanwhile, Sakuna kept oozing black aura, reciting, “Ms. Komari Ms. Komari Ms. Komari.” It was clear her mind was on the brink. That didn’t just go for Sakuna Memoir, however. Everyone on the survey team was in a similar situation. Nelia, Lingzi, Leona, and Prohellya—all the girls who had disappeared were irreplaceable to their respective countries. “Let’s not mind her. Who knows what she’ll do if we try anything? Plus, I’m honestly scared of her, so let’s just stay awa—” “Ms. Karla.” “Eep?!” Sakuna looked directly at her. Her eyes lacked warmth. She looked ready to kill a couple hundred people. “Y-yes? What is the matter?” “Aren’t we taking too much time?” “Huh?” “How long are we staying here? It’s already been thirty-three minutes and fifty-eight seconds. Oh, thirty-four minutes now. We’re wasting our time… Ms. Komari could be sad and lonely out there… Ahhh…” Oh no. She’s furious. Strawberry in her mouth, Koharu stood up posthaste and hid behind Karla. “Lady Karla, I’m scared.” “You’re supposed to be my bodyguard! You have a duty to defend me no matter what!” “I’m using my right to abandon my duties temporarily.” “You have no such right!” “What are you mumbling about?” Sakuna asked. “Bwuh?! J-just saying that I should take this parfait as reference for the Fuuzen, ha-ha.” “Ms. Komari is looking for help somewhere out there. She’s waiting for me. Why must God get in my way…? I must kill Him…” Waves of frigid air were emanating from Sakuna. There was no mana or Dark Core in the Netherworld. She shouldn’t be wasting her magic like that. But I can’t warn her about it. I’m too afraid to. Oh, it’s over. I’m going to be turned into an ice statue… As Karla began giving up on life… “E-eee-excu— Excuse me!!” …a cracking voice echoed in the café. Karla, Koharu, Sakuna, and the rest of the survey team turned to the source of it. It was a little—no, a not so young girl. She wore black, shadowy clothes. In contrast, her skin was paler than the Polar Union’s snow. But due to her anxiety, her face was as red as an apple. At least, what they could see of it from under her hood. What is she, though? Doesn’t look like a Peace Spirit or a Warblade, much less a beast-folk… In any case, Karla smiled gently. “What’s the matter? Where’s your mommy?” “…?!?!?!” The black-clad girl seethed. Not even a princess being paraded around after her kingdom was taken over would make such an expression of pure humiliation. She clenched one hand into a fist and shuddered, taking deep breaths. “I-I’m Kilty Blanc…!” Huh? What did she just say? Karla felt a question mark pop up above her head. The girl threw back her hood. Black hair, white skin, red cheeks, teary eyes. Ten out of ten people would describe her as being a total sweetie. She took a deep breath before saying, “I-I’m here as I promised…! T-to tell you about the…Netherworld…” “““………””” The reason why the survey team was hanging out in the café was to meet up with their guide in the Netherworld, the Shade Kilty Blanc. But…how should I put it…? …She’s not at all like I imagined?? “Shades can…control their shadows to send them to other worlds… But I’m just a messenger and don’t show my face often, so I’m not used to being seen… S-so I’m sorry if I don’t look like what you imagined…” She wouldn’t meet their eyes. She kept her head down, her back hunched, and her fingers interlocked even as she sat. “I feel like someone different when I’m a shadow. I get bold… But I’m not used to talking in person… I wish I could talk big like when I’m a shadow, but I think a squirt like me acting all daring would look silly, objectively speaking… U-um, is there something in my hair?” “No, no. You’re such a good girl.” Koharu sat next to Kilty and patted her head. She’s not what I imagined, but hey, everyone has their insecurities. Better not poke too much fun at her.