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  Chapter 2: Going To The Surface

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  “, we should be heading to the outside world, right?”

  “Indeed we should.”

  In a secluded shrine, a petite girl, a tall sister figure, and a young dy were deep in discussiarding matters beyond the Abyss.

  “After catg a glimpse of the sun, many races have expressed a desire to leave the Abyss and explore the outside world. However, it has been so long that I only wonder what the world has bee,” remarked Misako, her gaze wandering over the dots submitted by those below.

  “Aris, do you have any idea what the outside world is like now?”

  Given Aris’ disfort with overly formal atmospheres, Misako and the others opted to address her by name directly.

  “Well, I ’t even firm how long it has really been since we st checked. I’m quite in the dark myself.”

  “I see…”

  Leaving the Abyss required vigihe pace of ge in the world was rapid. There was a genuine that after all this time, their own powers might fade to mere mediocrity. Worse yet, the Abyss still served as a prison for those who had beeed in the ‘War of the Demons And Dragons’; the moment they surfaced, they might find themselves under immediate attack.

  “What if we went in groups?” suggested Farkonia after some ption.

  “You mean dispatg scouts first rather thaing everyone emerge at once?”

  “Precisely.”

  This was undoubtedly the safest approach; it would spread the risk and ehat a smaller party would be less spicuous.

  “Then we shall settle on that. But who shall go first?”

  “I shall.”

  Without a hint of hesitation, Aris respoo Misako's inquiry.

  “...Are you certain? If anything goes awry, it could end quite badly.”

  “...I o firm it myself.”

  “…”

  The unwaveriermination in Aris's eyes left both Misako and Farkonia with no choice but to acquiesce.

  ‘Despite the ges, has Aris held steadfast in this regard...?’

  Ever since Aris awakened after her battle with Farkonia, they had sought to verse with her—albeit with iions that spanned beyond mere updates, seeking to gauge her current dition. She had once succumbed to despair upon realizing that revenge was impossible, and none could predict whether the same fate awaited her again. With her power having grown signifitly, they doubted their ability to intervene swiftly should history repeat itself; thus, they aimed to prepare in advance.

  While the likelihood of Aris falling inte again had dimihe singur motivation of ‘revenge’ remained a stant specter.

  “... you promise us this?”

  “Pardon?”

  “No matter what you discover, don’t rush. Take your time, think things through.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just promise me.”

  “...Fine.”

  Faced with Farkonia’s and Misako’s ear expressions, Aris relutly agreed.

  “Good. Now, let us prepare.”

  “?”

  “Ah? You’re not pnning to leave us behind, are you? That would wound my heart... boo hoo...”

  For reasons unbeknownst to her, Misako had an annoyingly mischievous streak about her... or perhaps she had always been this way.

  “Alright, alright, we’ll apany you. Having more people is certainly better than going alone, and we assist one another in critical moments.”

  “Agreed.”

  Misako and Farkonia had always been among the stro within the Abyss. Despite their earlier defeat at Aris’s hands, their abilities remained undeniably formidable.

  “Puff puff!”

  Moreover, Pupu had anticipated that she would apany them, so the excuse of ‘holding them back’ was hardly applicable.

  ...

  “Are you ready?”

  “Of course, I am.”

  Misako had delegated her affairs to the capable hands of Shirone and others. This had been anticipated, promptio cultivate individuals with adequate capabilities to stand in for her.

  Meanwhile, Farkonia had appointed several dragons to hold sway within their kin, further enhang their influence. As for administrative duties, Farkonia had distanced herself from such matters, staying in her subspace for years; from the perspective of managing the dragon , those dragons were more akin ton lords than she was.

  “The us proceed...”

  Aris raised her left hand, grasping at the air ahead. In that moment, ripples materialized as if she held the very fabric of their surroundings in her palm.

  Simultaneously, her other hand stretched forth, gripping the ‘fabric’ beside her left and pulling it apart.

  With a swift tug, the ‘fabric’ tore, unveiling the sery beyond the shrine's walls, revealing an expanse of pins.

  The Abyss eculiar realm with its own anomalous yout. Simply asding took siderable time, requiring oo traverse spatial barriers—only those of signifit strength could hope to succeed.

  Hehe most straightforward solution was to directly link to the spatial realm outside. What Aris had just done was tear open the very fabric of space with her bare hands.

  While utilizing spatial magic would have been quicker and more effective, they o firm their coordinates before entering the outside world.

  “Let’s go.”

  Aris, with her satchel taining Pupu, stepped through the breached space alongside Misako and Farkonia.

  “...Hmm?”

  “What is it?”

  Suddenly, an unusual sensation washed over Aris.

  “...It’s nothing; let’s iigate nearby first.”

  Misako and Farkonia made no further ents, following her lead.

  “...Show yourself.”

  “Ah!”

  A figure gradually emerged before Aris, shifting colors like a chameleon.

  “How did you find me...?”

  “Even if you ceal your form, your aura betrays you. They’ve undoubtedly noticed too.”

  “Ugh…”

  Before Aris stood a small green-haired girl, or Veridith, who hung her head iion.

  “Upon refle, it’s clear. That esteemed individual and I are both green dragons; this little trick would hardly deceive her…”

  “...So why did you follow?”

  “What more o be said!? I wao witness ynifice at the earliest opportunity!”

  “…”

  Aris couldn’t shake the feeling that the brightness in Veridith’s eyes had intensified siheir st meeting.

  “I beg you; I truly wish for that!”

  With a sudden burst of determination, Veridith dropped to her knees in supplication to Aris.

  “...You…”

  “Puff puff!”

  Out of the satchel, Pupu peeked out, half of her body emerging.

  “Ah! Pupu!”

  “Puff!”

  Watg the iioween Pupu and the kneeling Veridith, Aris realized that their bond had grown siderably duriime in Farkonia’s subspace.

  “...Fihen. You may assist in g for Pupu when I am otherwise occupied.”

  “Ah? Yippee!”

  Leaping up from her prostrated position, Veridith lu Pupu with untaiement. However, as Pupu remained led within Aris’s satchel, it appeared more as if she were dangling from Aris herself.

  ‘Well, with our strength, proteg her should pose no challenge.’