Chapter 96

In a slightly old-fashioned, single-story house located in a corner of the residential area of the Starting City, a house that a certain adventurer had built several decades ago, the long-unused house was now echoing with the sounds of life after a long time.

"Despite everything, I feel at ease when I come here."

Kohaku, who had purchased this house as her first property as an adventurer and had cherished it ever since, sipped her tea and muttered these words. This was a house she had built herself after managing to buy the land during a time when the Starting City was much quieter. Because of this, she had a strong attachment to it, and even now, despite her busy schedule, she maintained it. This time, she had a reason to stay in the Starting City due to a request, so she was able to visit this place after a long time.

For a while after the appearance of the foreign travelers, Kohaku had not taken on any jobs as an adventurer. This was to establish contact with the *Shounen*, and ultimately, she was able to find Skuna, the beloved child of the Oni God. Not only that, but during a return visit to her hometown, she also met the grown-up foreign travelers. They, too, would be indispensable pieces in the great wave that Kohaku was about to challenge.

She had already found the key. No matter what lay beyond the door, she would not stop.

"Still, it will take some time, I suppose."

According to the story of the key, Skuna, the minimum level designated by the Oni God was around 50. She was probably already at that level. However, to raise the *Shounen* to the next rank, a level of 90 was required. Even if her level would rise somewhat in the battle to defend against this invasion, reaching 90 would undoubtedly take time. In any case, it seemed that it would take a while before Kohaku's goal was achieved.

"Are you worried about something?"

"Wh-What!?"

She shuddered. A familiar voice reached her ears. She had indeed let her guard down. However, could it be possible that she hadn't noticed the presence across the table?

"......That's not good for your heart, Melty."

"Hehe, I'm sorry for scaring you. When I see someone as strong as you, I just can't help but play pranks."

Melty Bloodheart. Kohaku was surprised to see the hero she had only just met a few days ago. Melty seemed very pleased that her little prank had succeeded. Perhaps it was a mistake to be surprised. Kohaku was in the presence of an extraordinary being, and she could only marvel at it.

"Today, I brought this one along."

"Wh-What!?"

When Melty ran her finger through the air, a crack appeared, and a woman fell through the gap. The sound of a bone cracking echoed as she fell headfirst. Seeing the woman, who screamed in distress as a woman, Kohaku sent a sympathetic look.

"Hey, Melty! If you're going to bring someone out, do it properly! Why do you always drop them headfirst, you idiot!?"

"Rin isn't as stupid as you."

"Ah! You're making fun of me again! I don't drop people headfirst! Besides, you always do it... Oh, who is this? An Oni? She's very beautiful. What's your name? I'm Rin, by the way."

"...I'm Kohaku. Nice to meet you, Rin."

The attitude of someone who could yell at Melty, the *Purified Blood*, without any hesitation. Even though she was brushed off casually, the fact that she could take such an attitude was already abnormal, and Melty's expression, which seemed to accept it with pleasure, was also telling. The intensity of her words and her fickle nature. There was no doubt. This woman was the *Purified Blood*, the last of the bloodline that received the favor of the *Heavenly Eye*.

"Well, well, we're not strangers anymore. Kohaku, don't just stand there, sit down."

"Melty, don't act so bossy towards the homeowner. By the way, where's my chair?"

Indeed, there were only two chairs prepared. Kohaku had never invited anyone here, so it was a fact that there was no place for Rin to sit, with one being used by Melty and the other by Kohaku herself. However, wasn't it equally presumptuous for both of them to act this way towards the homeowner...? Kohaku was puzzled.

"Rin can sit on the floor."

"What? Are you kidding me?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Are you kidding me!? Hey, Kohaku, there's no chair for me!?"

"Ah... No, don't worry. I'll take it out from my inventory."

It felt like watching a comedy act. While thinking this, Kohaku took out a chair from her inventory and placed it next to Rin. Melty's loud tongue-click and Rin's beaming expression were in stark contrast.

Melty was clearly teasing Rin. There was a legend that she had destroyed a country that tried to harm the *Purified Blood*. Kohaku had thought that the *Heavenly Eye's* beloved princess was so cherished. However, seeing her now, she realized that the impression was quite different from what she had heard.

☆

"So, what's the reason for your visit today?"

"The creator god is delaying the collapse of the gate. It seems it will hold until the 10th day."

"...Even with the number of people challenging it, it's still not enough, you say?"

"Hmm, I'm not quite sure. My eyes aren't all-seeing, and the future can easily be rewritten. Still, I think it will come down to Kohaku alone in the end."

The story Melty told was more unclear than Kohaku had imagined. The collapse of the gate was never set on a specific date, and a one-day margin had always been allowed. The fact that Melty could clearly state a three-day extension was due to her power, but the reason was still unclear. From Melty's tone, it didn't seem that this gate was particularly difficult or that there was a shortage of people.

However, even if it was said that Kohaku alone could handle it in the end, the difference between a life-or-death battle and a comfortable one was significant. If possible, she didn't want to use the *Final Spell* now. For Kohaku, the *Final Spell* was a true trump card, and its power was too great to use in the city. If she fought to protect the Starting City and it was destroyed, everything would be upside down.

"What's concerning is... Siren has even sent out the Royal Guard."

Saying this, Melty sipped her tea, which she had taken from somewhere, with a worried expression. Kohaku's state of mind had already reached the realm of resignation.

"...No, Melty, are you acquainted with *that* Siren?"

"Hmm? Ah, because they keep attacking frequently, a bit."

It was unclear whether she had come to deliver information, to flirt, or to complain, but Kohaku felt that she was being overly flattered by Melty.

Kohaku did understand the world to some extent and was more knowledgeable about the Seven Star Kings than the average person. However, she had never fought the Seven Star Kings, and it was a myth-level story. Even Kohaku wasn't close enough to the core of the world to talk about such things with a knowing air. After all, the last time the Seven Star Kings descended upon this world was 700 years ago. The hero in front of her was part of the legend that, along with the monsters of the world, defeated the fourth star, *Serafroa, the Angel of the Beginning*.

"Hey, hey! Is Siren the songstress Siren from the fairy tales?"

"That's right."

"*The Immortal Songstress and the Star Hero*! She's the heroine of the second volume of the *Star Hero* series! I love that story."

In contrast to Kohaku's troubled state, Rin was bouncing around like a child. When she casually stroked the table, a blood puddle appeared with a *plop*. Rin happily stuck her hand into it and pulled out a book.

"Ta-da! One of my treasure collections, a first edition, a premium item!"

The hardcover book that Rin held, hugging it happily, exuded an overwhelmingly vast mystique. If not for the barrier Melty had set up, the pressure of its existence would have sent shockwaves through the Starting City. It was a magical power that even made Kohaku shudder. In other words, this book was the *original*.

"You must be joking...?"

"This one is real. And it's the complete set."

The *Star Hero* series was the story of a single hero who defeated all the Seven Star Kings, a story that existed even before the time of the Oni God. The vast 20-volume series had been passed down through the ages with powerful preservation magic. The originals, now called forbidden books, were the only ones that existed, and all the ones circulating in the world were copies or adaptations. Kohaku had read all the copies, but this was her first time seeing the original. Moreover, if she believed Rin, it was a first edition. That meant it was the oldest original. Thinking about this, Kohaku suddenly remembered something.

*Purified Blood* was a nickname given to her in later generations. Before that, she was called...

"*The Immortal Princess*..."

"What's that?"

Seeing Rin tilt her head in a puzzled expression, Kohaku couldn't help but look at Melty.

"Only the person herself doesn't know."

"That seems to be the case."

Kohaku could only laugh. *The Immortal Princess* was a character in the 19th volume of the *Star Hero* series. She was a supporting character, and her scenes were among the most comedic in the series. Like Melty, she was a being from the world of myth.

"Ugh, if you two keep understanding each other, I won't let you read this."

Rin, hugging the book in a pout, was actually a relief to Kohaku.

"No, I'm sorry, but if I read that, I'll die. To be honest, I have the weakest magic resistance in this world."

"Kohaku's magic resistance would probably cause an explosion the moment she opens it. I can bring you back to life, so why don't you explode a little?"

"Don't come to kill me with a 'let's go for a little walk' attitude."

Kohaku, who was seriously annoyed by Melty's teasing from under the table, made a face. Melty laughed happily at this, and Rin turned pale and started to tremble.

"B-Blow up... Blowing up is painful... I don't want to make Kohaku suffer, so I'll put this away."

"Rin has blown up many times in the past."

"Earth Dragon, I will not forgive you!"

Seeing Rin, who was now fuming, Kohaku understood why Melty teased her. The relationship between these two seemed very envious.

*The Immortal Princess* was cursed with the *Unchanging* curse as a consequence of her mother's sin. It was said to be the worst curse given by the gods, an absolute curse. She was a being who lived for thousands of years, unchanged. She could not become stronger, nor could she become weaker, just living in an unchanging time.

Despite this curse, which would have broken her mind long ago, Rin had maintained a healthy mind. She was the being with the strongest heart in the world. *The Immortal Princess* Rin, whose soul's radiance was called the *Sun* by the *Star Hero* before his final battle, was such a being.

The paradoxical and mysterious scene of the last vampire, who could be called the embodiment of the night, standing beside such a sun was very radiant to Kohaku, who had fought alone for so long.

"What's wrong? You look lonely, Kohaku."

Perhaps because she had been quiet, Rin spoke to her. Receiving these words, which were probably said without much thought, Kohaku hesitated a little before speaking.

"No... I guess I was lonely."

It was said that the Oni God once had a close friend, a soulmate. Kohaku, who had never been blessed with such a presence since birth and had become accustomed to solitude after being exiled from the village, still didn't know how to interact with people. She was friendly, but also a people-pleaser. In the end, her seemingly friendly attitude was a manifestation of her wariness, not wanting to let people into her heart.

"Hehe, in that case, from now on, we'll be your friends!"

"Don't just include me without asking."

"What! Melty is already your friend, right? You're so presumptuous to barge into someone's house like this."

"...You, you sometimes hit the mark."

"Ouch, ouch! If Melty hits me with her stupid strength, I'll get dumber!"

"You were already dumb, so it doesn't matter."

Before she knew it, Melty had kidnapped Rin and was restraining her in the shadows, hitting her on the forehead repeatedly.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! No, watching you two makes my worries seem silly!"

"You look much better. With that expression, you'll surely reach your destination... the place where *that person* is."

"Melty, hearing that from someone like you gives me confidence. Yes, I've had so many good things happen recently that I've become anxious, but I was rushing myself. I'm embarrassed to have said such things to Skuna."

She laughed loudly and heartily. It had been so long since she had done something as simple as that. Perhaps she had been wearing herself out, striving to become stronger and stronger, to reach her ideal. With the weight lifted from her heart, Kohaku looked much more relaxed.

"Ah... By the way, about Skuna..."

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