Amphoreus, Nether Realm.
After walking along this path for a short while, the group soon found Castorice.
At this moment, a strange and powerful force emanated from Castorice. This must be the power of [Death], right?
Since she had already mastered the power of [Death], did that mean she had succeeded?
Seeing Castorice in this state, a look of joy immediately appeared on Mem's face.
Although Stelle was no longer in any life-threatening danger, seeing Little Cas successfully become a Demigod of [Death] still made Mem feel incredibly happy.
But... what's with her posture right now?
Mem looked at Castorice, who was standing not far away, with some confusion.
She was facing away from everyone, and even hearing their footsteps, she showed no intention of turning around.
Her hands were not hanging straight down at her sides, but were folded in front of her as usual, looking very polite.
However, her act of facing away from everyone was somewhat strange.
Mem!
C-Could it be that Little Cas isn't the Little Cas we know anymore?
Perhaps because she had read too many novels, Mem's mind suddenly began to wander with inexplicable wild thoughts.
Fortunately, the thoughts in her heart were not noticed by the others present.
Otherwise, she would surely have been mocked relentlessly.
"Miss, let us get reacquainted." Sensing the movement behind her, Castorice released her hands from their folded position in front of her, letting them hang freely at her sides.
At the same time, her body, which had been facing away from everyone, turned forty-five degrees, presenting her side to them.
"In the mortal realm, my name is Castorice. Now, I am a Demigod of [Death]... S-Sister Lumina!"
As Castorice spoke, she turned until she was facing everyone completely.
The moment she fully faced them, her voice stopped abruptly.
It was as if she had seen something terrifying.
As it turned out, she had indeed seen something terrifying.
However, this terror was not the traditional kind.
It was the terror of social death before someone important...
"S-S-S-S-Sister Lumina, w-why are you here?!"
Looking at Sister Lumina, who was smiling at her, Castorice's pale, delicate face flushed deep crimson in just a few seconds as she recalled what she had been doing. It was as if a time bomb was about to explode.
"Why can't I be here?" Lumina asked with a gentle smile, looking at the now adorably flustered Castorice.
Mem, perched on Lumina's shoulder, silently breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Castorice's reaction.
Thank goodness, Little Cas is still the same Little Cas. Becoming a Demigod of [Death] hasn't changed her at all.
But...
What's with that expression? It looks like she's about to bleed from the face in the next second!
As one question ended, another immediately took its place.
Seeing Castorice's bizarre reaction, Mem felt a mix of confusion and worry.
She worried that inheriting the Coreflame of [Death] and becoming a Demigod of [Death] might have caused some kind of side effect...
"Um... Mem, is this just how that wicked woman behaves?"
"As expected of a wicked woman. Is it just because we've been apart for a while? She couldn't even hold back her emotions for a single second after seeing me."
But after a short while, following Castorice's gaze to Lumina beside her, Mem immediately wore an expression that seemed to see through everything.
It must be this wicked woman named Lumina who did it!
No one else could have done such a thing!
She must have done something to Little Cas!
Wicked woman, wicked woman, truly a wicked woman! This wonderful atmosphere has been completely ruined by this wicked woman!
In her heart, Mem suddenly complained bitterly about Lumina with great resentment.
Of course, Mem would never dare to say such things out loud.
The wicked woman is so powerful that if she said it, Mem would surely get a good scolding... This kind of problem is best kept hidden in one's heart, known only to oneself.
The wicked woman's majesty is so terrifying! Mem didn't dare to challenge it.
Lumina: "?"
If Lumina knew about Mem's "self-amusement" in her heart at this moment, a big question mark would surely appear over her head.
What do you mean, "I did something to Castorice"?
I clearly haven't done anything, have I?
In a situation where I haven't done anything, how on earth did you manage to force this "accusation" onto my head?
Lumina expressed extreme incomprehension toward Mem's line of reasoning.
But fortunately, Lumina didn't need to be confused, because she now completely didn't know about this magical line of reasoning in Mem's heart.
For a moment, Lumina avoided a lot of trouble.
"W-Wel... Big Sister Lumina, w-welcome, y-your arrival..."
Castorice's voice trembled and stuttered, and her little head couldn't help but bow slightly.
If it weren't for the fact that it wasn't allowed, Castorice even wanted to dig a hole on the spot and then bury her head in it.
It's t-too embarrassing!!!
Castorice screamed in her heart, expressing extreme regret, regret, regret for her action just now!
Castorice thought the only person who came to the Nether Realm was Stelle, so she planned to appear before Stelle as the Demigod of [Death], letting her body, which was entangled by "illness," feel relaxed.
As a result, as a result, Castorice completely didn't expect that Big Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and Mem had all come here!
This not only caused the opening lines Castorice had prepared to vanish instantly, but also completely scattered all the emotions she had developed from becoming the Demigod of [Death].
Ah...
Things have come to this, I might as well just commit suicide.
Living on doesn't seem to offer much hope anymore...
In her heart, Castorice silently shed a single tear.
Um... Of course, she was just saying that. She definitely wouldn't actually commit suicide.
Rather, she was using the "act of suicide" to express her current state of mind.
If it were just Stelle, Mem, or even if Big Sister Herta were added, Castorice wouldn't have said anything, or perhaps she would have just been slightly at a loss for words for a moment.
It would never be like this.
But... but, unfortunately, Sister Lumina was right here.
"Little Sister Castorice, Little Sister Castorice? Little Sister Castorice!"
Just as Castorice was feeling lost, Lumina softly called her name a few times.
"Little Sister Castorice!"
Seeing that she didn't react, Lumina took a step forward and came to stand in front of Castorice.
Looking at Castorice, who had her head bowed, her ears reddened, her face flushed, and her entire being radiating an aura of cuteness and temptation, Lumina swallowed hard.
A "delicacy" that seemed to have been served on a dining table, waiting to be enjoyed. Who could possibly resist such a sight?
Lumina definitely couldn't resist.
So, since she couldn't resist, there was no need to try.
Lumina approached Castorice, breathing in the fragrance wafting from her, and with a large, sweeping motion, naturally wrapped her arm around the girl's waist.
With a slight tug, she pulled Castorice's body flush against her own.
Feeling their bodies pressed together, a flash of joy, pleasure, and comfort crossed Lumina's brow.
Indeed, there is nothing better in this world than a beautiful girl.
With a soft hum, Lumina gently called Castorice's name again.
"Mmm... mmm."
Under Lumina's sudden embrace, the various emotions swirling in Castorice's heart gradually subsided.
Resting her cheek against Lumina's collarbone, she breathed in the scent enveloping her and let out a soft, affirmative hum.
So comfortable, so warm... Sister Lumina.
All the emotions in Castorice's heart were finally replaced by a wave of infatuation.
Loving Sister Lumina was a poison.
A poison... with no cure.
Even knowing this, Castorice would still swallow this poison without hesitation.
Because... Sister Lumina was simply too captivating, too intoxicating...
-
"So, you just wanted to put Stelle at ease, simply wanted to show your 'strong' side to soothe the emotions of Stelle's impending death?"
After a while, once Castorice had completely recovered her composure, Lumina reluctantly released her arm, restoring Castorice's "freedom."
She then asked about Castorice's mysterious blush from earlier.
Upon learning about Castorice's simple intention, everyone was left amused yet speechless.
All they could say was... As expected of the gentle Princess Homebody, huh?
"Ev, everyone..."
Feeling everyone's gaze, Castorice lowered her head and tilted her small head to the side, the emotions of embarrassment and shyness once again resurfacing on her face.
"Alright, alright, let's just put this matter behind us, and we'll accept Little Sister Castorice's Heartfelt Intention on Stelle's behalf." Seeing Castorice's expression, Lumina suddenly felt an itch in her hand.
She really wanted to feel Castorice's body temperature again, but after thinking it over, she decided against it.
"Mhm, mhm." Hearing this, Castorice immediately nodded her head like a little chick pecking at rice, strongly agreeing with Sister Lumina's words.
The others had no objections either.
"Little Cas, are you okay now?" After ending that topic, Mem spoke up to transition to the next one.
Mem's expression carried a hint of worry as she asked Castorice.
"I'm fine. D-don't mind my behavior just now." Although the topic had passed, hearing those words still made Castorice involuntarily associate it with that incident.
After all, this kind of thing... is r-really too embarrassing!
If time could turn back, Castorice would definitely not have done that!
If she had known Sister Lumina would also come to the Nether Realm, Castorice wouldn't have acted like that, but would have quietly waited for Miss Stelle's arrival...
Castorice silently lamented in her heart.
Hmm... wait.
The very next second after finishing her lament, Castorice seemed to realize something.
She abruptly looked up at everyone except Stelle.
"Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and... Mem, how did you all end up in the Nether Realm?"
"Could it be that you all..."
Castorice's heart sank violently, and her voice was filled with worry as she questioned the others.
The Nether Realm was a place that only the dead could enter. How could the living possibly set foot in it?
That meant that Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and Mem, who had all entered the Nether Realm, had already...
Thump~
"Oof..."
Having understood Castorice's words and the thought in her mind, Lumina extended her knuckles and irritably flicked Castorice's forehead.
"Silly Little Sister Castorice, how could we have possibly died to get in here?"
Lumina was utterly speechless as she corrected Castorice's mistaken line of reasoning.
If Lumina had really died to get in, she'd have to ask if this Nether Realm dared to accept her.
Lumina silently complained in her heart.
Although such a thing was impossible.
As an Emanator of [Abundance], Lumina felt she was as difficult to kill as an [Aeon].
An attack that couldn't kill an [Aeon] would absolutely be unable to kill Lumina.
And an attack that could kill an Aeon...
Hmm, it might not necessarily be able to kill Lumina either.
Lumina wasn't entirely sure about that, as she didn't know what level she was at now.
Either way, she was certain that an attack that couldn't kill an [Aeon] would definitely not kill her.
As for whether an attack that could kill an [Aeon] could kill her, that remained a question mark.
But whether she could be killed or not didn't matter. After all, it was just a trivial matter.
It wouldn't have any impact on her interactions with beautiful girls.
Since it was like that, why bother thinking about it?
Unless this matter would affect her interactions with beautiful girls, otherwise, it was just a trivial thing.
Without thinking further, Lumina returned to reality, looked at Little Castorice in front of her, smiled slightly, and said:
"Little Sister Castorice, as the master of the Nether Realm, can't you tell if we came in alive or dead?"
"Oh, oh." Hearing this, Castorice also remembered her current noble status as a Demigod of [Death].
So she hurriedly used the Nether Realm to perceive the auras of Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and Mem.
"Eh?"
"H-How is this possible..."
After perceiving for a moment, Castorice's little expression instantly froze.
Her small mouth hung slightly open in an "o" shape, and combined with her dazed look, she looked just like a clear-eyed freshman in college, appearing exceptionally cute.
"Now you know what kind of status we used to enter the Nether Realm, right?"
Castorice's appearance was practically leaping back and forth on Lumina's heart, making her itch with the urge to pull Castorice into her arms right then and there and give her a good, thorough rua.
Fortunately, her powerful willpower resisted such an action.
Hmm... It seems like performing this action wouldn't even carry any "risk," right?
At most, a certain someone surnamed Herta and named Little Tower would huff a bit.
No harm done.
Since that's the case, why should I hold back?
Lumina blinked her small eyes, and after understanding this reason, she prepared to take practical action.
"Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and Mem are all fine."
"It's just..."
But a momentary hesitation made Lumina lose her chance.
Castorice's voice sounded first, declaring that Lumina's plan had completely collapsed.
"Miss Stelle... why did she also enter the Nether Realm as a living being?"
Castorice's gaze fell on Stelle, her beautiful purple eyes filled with confusion.
Sister Lumina, Big Sister Herta, and Mem were all fine.
But Miss Stelle, isn't she...
Hmm.
As expected of Sister Lumina, truly amazing!
Castorice merely thought for a moment and reached a conclusion.
And in her heart, she praised her own Sister Lumina once.
Sister Lumina is second to none in the world!
Sister Lumina is incomparably clever!
Sister Lumina is a beauty that makes fish sink and geese fall from the sky!