Erina and the others did not stay long in the world of "Isekai Shokudou," and soon returned to their respective worlds.
Since there was a gathering tomorrow, Darkness and Eris did not head directly to the Saekano world either.
After the livestream in the chat group ended, Eriri did not rush back to the Saekano world. Instead, she took Eu out for a long-awaited outing in the world of "Is This a Zombie?"
As always, Kyoko tagged along like a shadow.
As for Seraphim, she requested leave from Eriri, intending to report the matter concerning the vampire ninja leader to her superior.
Although such things could easily be conveyed via mobile phone, given the seriousness of the matter, she felt it was better to explain everything in person.
Since her superior also resided in this city, she didn't need to spend extra time returning to the vampire ninja village, so she wouldn't miss tomorrow's gathering.
After leaving home, Seraphim headed straight to a small alley in the shopping district, stopping in front of a cosplay café.
Without hesitation, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The moment she entered, several beautiful girls in maid outfits came to greet her.
Upon seeing that it was Seraphim, their smiles grew even brighter.
"Seraphim, welcome back."
"Mm, I need to talk to Sarasvati. You all can continue working."
Not lingering with the maids, Seraphim gave a brief greeting before skillfully making her way deeper into the café.
This café was run by vampire ninjas, and most of the maids in cosplay uniforms were vampire ninjas themselves.
Originally, when Seraphim came to this city, she was also expected to work here. After all, without working, she would have no financial support to live in this city.
However, to avoid missing the chance to find Eu, she had temporarily set aside work.
Walking through the passageway, Seraphim soon saw Sarasvati, also dressed in a maid outfit.
Sarasvati had long black hair and a graceful figure no less striking than Seraphim's, with an exceptionally beautiful appearance.
As commander of the conservative faction of vampire ninjas, she was also Seraphim's direct superior.
At the same time, she had another identity in this world—she was the well-known online idol, Kirara Hoshikawa.
"Seraphim, how is the mission progressing?"
Upon seeing her, Sarasvati immediately asked about the mission's progress. After all, this matter had already dragged on for quite some time.
"I've already met Lord Hellscythe."
At these words, Sarasvati's crimson eyes instantly gleamed with a dazzling red light.
"Did she agree to follow you back to the village?"
"She did not agree." Seraphim shook her head.
Hearing this, Sarasvati frowned. But before she could say more, Seraphim's voice sounded again.
"However, I have obtained other information regarding the leader. I came here now precisely to report it to you."
"Oh? Then let's hear it."
Sarasvati's frown relaxed slightly, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
Seraphim then repeated to Sarasvati everything that Eriri had told her before—about the leader still being alive and the events that had transpired a century ago.
She also revealed Eriri's existence to Sarasvati.
"Now, I have already become Lady Eriri's servant. Therefore, I can no longer carry out missions for the village."
Finishing these words, Seraphim fell silent and quietly awaited Sarasvati's reaction.
When she heard the first half of the report, Sarasvati was surprised but did not lose her composure.
But upon hearing Seraphim's final declaration, her entire being erupted into fury.
"Seraphim! For the sake of a mere human, you actually intend to betray the village?"
To Sarasvati, refusing to execute missions for the village was equivalent to betrayal.
Yet Seraphim shook her head firmly, her resolve unshaken by Sarasvati's rebuke.
"I have not betrayed the village. If the village faces peril, I will undoubtedly spare no effort to aid it. But from now on, I will only obey Lady Eriri's commands."
When Seraphim first expressed her wish to become Eriri's servant, her original intention was to serve Eriri while also continuing to carry out missions for the village.
However, after Eriri told her that she could only obey her commands alone, it became impossible for her to go back on that decision—even if she wanted to.
Of course, she had never thought of going back anyway, though she did feel some guilt toward the village.
"Hmph, do you really think the Elders will believe you haven't betrayed the village just because of your words?"
Sarasvati looked sternly at Seraphim, completely dismissive of her explanation.
"If you take back your decision and continue serving the village, I can pretend I never heard what you just said."
Though Sarasvati acted strict and stubborn, her nature was actually very gentle. She didn't want Seraphim to suffer punishment from the village over this matter.
"Thank you for your kindness, but my decision is final. If the Elders want to punish me, let them come find me."
At this point, Seraphim's tone shifted.
"However, I still hope the village won't cause me trouble, because Lady Eriri is absolutely not someone the village can afford to provoke."
"I'd like to see for myself just how strong this so-called human really is!"
"Seraphim, later you will accompany me to meet this human called Eriri."
"Sarasvati, if you wish to meet Lady Eriri, I can introduce you. But I advise you not to cause her trouble."
"That's not for you to decide. Besides seeing Eriri, there is another matter of greater importance."
As she spoke, Sarasvati's gaze toward Seraphim revealed a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Since the leader is still alive, and in such a dangerous situation, then regardless of his reasons, we must find him and bring him back to the village."
"Sarasvati, I think Lady Eriri is right. If we act recklessly and disrupt the leader's plans, it may lead to unpredictable consequences."
"That decision is mine to make!"
"Very well."
With nothing more to say, Seraphim agreed to Sarasvati's request to meet Eriri. All she could do was ensure that Sarasvati wouldn't end up being killed by Eriri.
Of course, it wasn't possible to go right away. Eriri was currently out shopping with Eu and Kyoko. At the very least, they would have to wait several more hours.
After explaining this, Seraphim was promptly dragged into the dressing room by Sarasvati.
"Since you're free for now, you can honestly work for me here for half a day."
With that, Sarasvati shoved a maid outfit into Seraphim's arms and left the room.
When Seraphim emerged from the dressing room, she had already become a charming and lovely maid.
...
At an amusement park, Eriri, Eu, and Kyoko were joyfully enjoying the rides inside—bumper cars, carousels, slides, roller coasters, and more.
They were completely experiencing everything with the mindset of ordinary people, having an absolute blast.
Just as Eriri was about to take Eu and Kyoko to the next attraction, she unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd approaching from the opposite direction.
"Well, if it isn't Taeko. We meet again."
The person Eriri had seen was none other than Hiramatsu Taeko, whom she had met the first time she came to this world.
After parting with Hiramatsu Taeko back then, Eriri had never thought of contacting her again, and so she hadn't even left her any contact information.
Now, encountering her once more could only be described as fate.
After all, Eriri had only come to this world a handful of times, and each visit lasted just a single day.
To be able to meet again in such a short window of time, and in the same city no less, was truly rare.
Back then, Eriri had thought that if she ever happened to meet Hiramatsu Taeko again, she wouldn't mind building a connection with this gentle girl.
Hearing Eriri's words, Eu and Kyoko both turned curious gazes toward Hiramatsu Taeko.
This was their first time realizing that Eriri actually knew someone else in this world.
However, for now, neither of them spoke, choosing instead to watch and see how things unfolded.
Naturally, Hiramatsu Taeko immediately noticed Eriri's presence. After all, someone so dazzling appearing in a public place could hardly go unnoticed.
"Eriri…"
Staring at Eriri just a few meters away, Taeko's eyes were filled with disbelief.
Her feet moved on their own, and before long, she was standing right in front of Eriri.
"Eriri, is it really you?"
Behind Taeko, the brown-haired girl who had been standing beside her was now staring at Eriri with shining eyes.
This girl was Taeko's close friend, Kanami Mihara.
The name "Eriri" was not unfamiliar to Kanami at all. Half a year ago, one morning, she had heard it from her best friend.
Because Taeko had described Eriri as someone almost magical, Kanami had hoped that the next time Taeko met Eriri, she would introduce her as well.
Unfortunately, in the six months since, Taeko had never seen Eriri again.
In the first month, in order to encounter Eriri again, Taeko had even spent her afternoons after school wandering around the city, and during holidays as well. Only after Kanami persuaded her did she finally give up on actively searching. Yet, Eriri's name never left their conversations.
Back then, when Taeko said Eriri was extremely beautiful, even describing her with three "verys," Kanami had been skeptical.
But now, seeing Eriri in person, she realized Taeko's descriptions hadn't been exaggerated in the slightest—if anything, they had been far too modest.
Such beauty couldn't be summed up with just three "verys." Even thirty wouldn't be excessive.
Kanami didn't follow Taeko over immediately, instead deciding to give her friend some time alone with Eriri. She would introduce herself later.
Looking at Taeko standing before her, Eriri raised her right hand and placed it on her head, her face lighting up with a bright smile.
"Of course it's me. Come to think of it, it's been half a year since we last met, hasn't it?"
Hearing Eriri's words and feeling the warmth of her palm, Taeko's face broke into an excited smile.
"Mhm! Eriri, I finally get to see you again!"
Taeko nodded rapidly as she looked at Eriri, her usual timid demeanor completely gone.
Her slender hands clutched at Eriri's clothes, as if afraid she might vanish before her eyes.
"Alright, alright, don't get so worked up. I'm not about to disappear."
Eriri gently patted Taeko's head, then pinched her fair cheeks.
"Taeko, have you been using that ability to communicate with cats properly?"
"Yes! Thanks to it, I've become friends with many cats. Thank you, Eriri."
Eriri's affectionate gesture left Taeko a little embarrassed, but she didn't resist Eriri's pinching.
"No need to thank me. As long as it helps you, that's enough. By the way, is that your friend standing behind you?"
Retracting her right hand, Eriri looked toward Kanami Mihara, who stood several meters away.
Feeling Eriri's gaze, Kanami straightened up instinctively.
Because of the distance between them, and the noisy surroundings, she couldn't hear what Eriri and Taeko were talking about.
At that moment, Taeko finally remembered the best friend she had left standing behind her. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she lowered her head slightly.
"That's my classmate and best friend. I've told her about you before, and she wants to meet you. Would that be alright?"
As she spoke, Taeko raised her head, looking at Eriri with anticipation.
Eriri simply smiled and nodded. "Of course."
Hearing this, Taeko's face lit up with joy. She released her grip on Eriri's sleeve, turned around, and waved at Kanami.
"Kanami, come over!"
"Ah, coming!"
Startled at first by Taeko's call, Kanami quickly snapped back to her senses. Without hesitation, she rushed over to Eriri, her steps quick and eager.
—
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