Just like in the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End world, although Eriri had established a World Gate in the Strike the Blood world, she hadn't yet taken the time to explore it properly.
This time, however, she planned to enjoy herself there while witnessing the upcoming "Itogami Island Incident." To prepare, she reached out to Natsuki Minamiya in the chat group.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Natsuki-chan, have you gone to Itogami Island yet? @Natsuki Minamiya (Level 5, Stage 3)]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): Itogami Island? That sounds familiar. thinking.jpg]
[Asuna Yuuki (Level 7, Stage 2): Oh, I know that one—it's the place where the Fourth Primogenitor awakens, right, Eriri?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): That's right.]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): Ah, I remember now! The Fourth Primogenitor is about to be revived, isn't it?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Mm, it should happen in the next few days.]
[Natsuki Minamiya (Level 5, Stage 3): Not yet. I'm still on Itogami Island right now, but I'm planning to head to Gozo Island soon.]
[Natsuki Minamiya (Level 5, Stage 3): Eriri, are you planning to get involved in the 'Gozo Island Incident'?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Exactly. It sounds like fun, and I'll take the chance to spend some time in your world too.]
[Natsuki Minamiya (Level 5, Stage 3): No problem. I'll wait for you to arrive, then we'll head there together.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Mm-hmm.]
[Kiss-shot (Level 7, Stage 2): A Primogenitor, huh? Sounds intriguing. Eriri, let me come along—I'd like to see what kind of vampires exist in that world.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Sure. Anyone else who wants to come along, feel free to join us.]
[Arifureta (Level 7, Stage 4 / Group Leader): Naturally, I can't miss this—I'm a vampire too~]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 7, Stage 2): I'd love to go too, but I've got school!]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 7, Stage 2): +1]
The next day, after arranging things with Natsuki Minamiya, Eriri traveled to the Strike the Blood world through the World Gate, bringing Arifureta and Shinobu Oshino along with her.
Since Natsuki lived alone and her home was fairly spacious, Eriri decided to establish the World Gate directly inside her house instead of purchasing a new property.
Because Eriri had already notified Natsuki in advance through the chat group, when she opened the gate, she was greeted by the sight of Natsuki waiting just outside.
"Natsuki-chan, it's been ten days! Did you miss me~?"
As soon as Eriri stepped through, she slipped her hands under Natsuki's arms and effortlessly lifted the petite girl into the air as if she were a small child.
Natsuki, being an attack mage who often worked outside dealing with magical threats, didn't visit the Saekano world as frequently as other group members. The last time she'd gone there for dinner had been half a month ago.
Although they chatted daily in the group, this was their first real-life meeting in over ten days.
"Hey! Don't keep treating me like a kid—put me down already!"
Dangling in midair, Natsuki lightly slapped Eriri's arm and glared at her in mild irritation.
But Eriri ignored her protest. Instead, she drew her arms back, hugging the small body tightly against her chest.
"Don't say that~ It's been so long since we've seen each other—just let me hold you for a bit, okay?"
Like a doll, Natsuki was held snugly in Eriri's arms while the blonde lightly stroked her soft black hair.
Feeling the warmth of Eriri's embrace, Natsuki's cheeks flushed red. She struggled briefly, but when she realized she couldn't break free, she gave up with a faint sigh and relaxed in her arms.
Watching this, Arifureta rolled her eyes but didn't comment. She'd already grown used to this kind of scene.
If she got jealous every single time Eriri hugged someone, she wouldn't have any peace of mind left at all.
As for Shinobu, she didn't mind how many people Eriri cared for—so long as she held an important place in Eriri's heart, that was enough for her.
Even so, Arifureta couldn't help teasing Natsuki.
"Natsuki-chan, don't get too cozy with Eriri now. Shinobu and I are still here, you know."
"Fufu, don't mind me. Enjoy Eriri's embrace as much as you wish!"
Hearing the teasing remarks from Arifureta and Shinobu, Natsuki suddenly remembered that there were others present. Embarrassed, she quickly lifted her head from Eriri's chest and greeted them with a faint blush.
"Arifureta, Shinobu, welcome to my world."
Natsuki had already been part of the chat group for over half a year and had visited the Saekano world many times. As a result, she and the others were already quite familiar with one another, and there was no trace of awkwardness between them.
"Alright, Eriri, you've hugged me enough. How about putting me down now?"
Although she didn't particularly dislike being held, her pride as an adult mage prevented her from clinging to Eriri like a child.
"What's the rush? It hasn't even been that long. You should at least let me hug you for another few dozen minutes~"
Eriri completely ignored Natsuki's plea and carried her into the living room, sitting down on the couch with Natsuki still in her arms.
Natsuki didn't know what to say anymore. In the end, she just let Eriri do as she pleased.
If anyone outside were to witness this, they'd be absolutely shocked.
After all, the infamous "Witch of the Void"—known for her overwhelming power and pride—was now sitting obediently in the lap of a teenage girl. The sight alone would be enough to make anyone question reality.
Over the past six months, Natsuki had brought complete order to Itogami Island, the designated Demon District. No rogue demon dared to act out under her watch. Anyone foolish enough to commit a crime would immediately be confronted by the gothic-lolita-clad witch herself and thrown into a magical prison without hesitation.
Even before joining the chat group, Natsuki had already been quite well-known in the Strike the Blood world. But now, her reputation had grown to the point where even powerful demons feared her.
Her sheer strength was unmatched—even true ancestors had suffered losses at her hands.
After sitting comfortably on the couch, Eriri gently turned Natsuki around so that she was sitting on her lap, her small body resting lightly against her.
Eriri crossed her arms around Natsuki's soft, flat stomach and asked softly:
"Natsuki-chan, when are you planning to head to Gozo Island?"
"I can go anytime. It just depends on your schedule," Natsuki replied lazily, leaning back against Eriri's chest. "Right now, both the Japanese government and the Warlord's Dominion are investigating the ruins. I'd say it won't be long before they uncover the twelfth relic coffin—the one containing Avrora."
"Hmm, in that case, we don't need to rush. As long as we arrive before they find Avrora, everything's fine."
"True. Though, to you, it probably doesn't matter even if they find it early, right?"
"Haha, of course not."
In the face of absolute power, nothing could go wrong.
Even if something unexpected were to happen—say the Japanese government or the Warlord's Dominion discovered Avrora's coffin early—Eriri could simply rewind time and return to the moment she desired.
"The vampires in this world are quite interesting," Arifureta said curiously from Eriri's right. "Each one can summon familiars, almost like summoners."
Natsuki nodded in agreement.
"That's right. A vampire's strength largely depends on the power of their familiars. But even among the three Primogenitors, none of their beasts are particularly exceptional."
"Natsuki-chan, have you fought against any of the Primogenitors yourself?" Shinobu asked from Eriri's left, her tone filled with curiosity.
"Mm, I sparred with the Third Primogenitor not long ago. Before joining the chat group, I wouldn't have stood a chance—but now, she's no match for me."
Natsuki crossed her arms and declared proudly, her tone completely at odds with her usual cool and aloof demeanor.
Seeing that, Eriri couldn't help but reach out and pinch Natsuki's smooth cheek with a smile.
"Of course. The Primogenitors in this world are only around Level 3 peak at best. With your current power, Natsuki-chan, you could easily crush everyone here."
"Well, that's plenty strong enough. I've already come a long way compared to before."
Arifureta nodded thoughtfully, her expression showing a touch of nostalgia. When she had first joined the chat group, she'd only been Level 2, Stage 9.
But for Shinobu, that kind of power was nothing impressive.
After all, from what she'd seen in her memory projections, her future self centuries later would reach Level 5—the planetary surface tier.
Though, truthfully speaking, her current strength already far surpassed her original full potential by countless times.
"I'm curious," Shinobu said with a faint smile. "Without using their familiars, how strong are the Primogenitors in this world?"
"Well, we'll find out soon enough," Natsuki replied, tapping Eriri's hand that was still teasing her cheek. "We'll be heading to meet the Fourth Primogenitor in a few days anyway. You'll have plenty of time to 'study' them then."
Arifureta chuckled softly and gave a mock sigh. "Poor Fourth Primogenitor. Not even revived yet, and already being treated as a research subject."
"You can't blame me for that," Natsuki said innocently, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not the one who wants to study them."
Then she tilted her head back slightly to look up at Eriri from below.
"Eriri, have you decided who will become the Fourth Primogenitor?"
She didn't ask whether Eriri would still let Kojou Akatsuki take that role—because knowing Eriri, the moment she entered this world, his fate as the Fourth Primogenitor was already sealed away.
As expected, Eriri didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Who else could it be? With Avrora here, there's no need to consider anyone else."
Natsuki nodded in understanding, not particularly surprised. For her, it didn't matter who became the Fourth Primogenitor anymore.
Back when she first joined the chat group, she had briefly considered claiming that power herself—perhaps to trade it to the group for points. But now, sitting on over a billion points, that reward was meaningless to her.
"So, what's your plan for now? Want me to take you all on a little tour of Itogami Island?"
"Sure, I was hoping for that anyway," Eriri replied with a smile.
"In that case, no time like the present. Let's go."
...
Natsuki's home was a spacious luxury apartment, over 300 square meters, occupying the top floor of the building.
Although she had only recently graduated from university, her wealth was considerable—enough to buy such an expensive penthouse without a second thought.
Since supernatural powers were openly acknowledged in this world—especially on Itogami Island, where humans and demons coexisted freely—there was no need for secrecy.
Thus, instead of taking the elevator to the ground floor or teleporting outside, Eriri and the others simply opened one of the wide windows. The four of them then stepped out and flew through the air, making no effort to hide themselves.
Itogami Island was an artificial island built in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, floating atop the ley lines about 330 kilometers south of Tokyo. It was composed of four smaller islands connected together, constructed from a combination of resin, metal, and organic materials infused with magic.
The island wasn't large—only about 180 square kilometers in total area—and was home to around 560,000 residents. Of those, roughly four percent were officially registered demons.
The group didn't stay airborne the entire time. After all, they were here to sightsee, not to hover over the city like observers.
After leaving the apartment complex's airspace, they descended to the ground.
The pedestrians nearby, seeing four girls descending from the sky, showed little surprise—it wasn't an uncommon sight here. However, once they got a clear look at Eriri's face, their expressions shifted from calm to utter astonishment in an instant.
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