After going through all the other nations, our journey was still not over.
There’s still one more destination we have left.
We are heading there now.
The Underworld Country.
*****
“Uwa~! It has gotten lively~!!” (Karen)
True.
This is the first thing Karen-san said after going down to where the Underworld Country is.
I followed after her and was surprised by the prosperity of the area.
The Underworld Country that had fallen a long time ago and should not have any people living in it has now become a boisterous place with many people.
“This is the Underworld Country investigation team that the five Grand Churches sent cooperatively huh.” (Haine)
In the four years after the Demon Lord battle, the existence of the Underworld Country had been made clear, and the five churches decided on making a combined front in investigating it.
As of now, we can see several ethereal lights set up here and there in the Underworld Country, the sand that was piled in this old ruined city has been carefully swept with brushes, and the carvings that have come out to light from this are being sketched or photographed by the people around.
Everyone is currently investigating the uncovered Underworld Country and trying to recover that lost history.
No, not only the existence of the Underworld Country was uncovered, the existence of the Dark God Entropy they worshipped has also come to light.
The other heroes also came to this Underworld Country, brought back the dark power, and thanks to that, they managed to defeat Lucifer.
This is so well-known that there’s no one in the world that doesn’t know about it. The Dark God Entropy has gathered a lot of attention as the sixth God that brought the power to save the world.
“I wouldn’t have minded my existence staying a secret though…” (Haine)
I was talking to myself there, but Karen-san who was by my side heard me clearly.
“No way! Haine-san…no, Entropy-sama is the God that thought all the time about us since the moment the world was born! It should be fine for humans to be grateful for that!!” (Karen)
“Is that so…!” (Haine)
This is a conversation we can have only because Karen-san knows of my identity.
I was sealed for 1,600 years since the world was born, so I don’t have much experience of people worshipping me, and once it actually does happen, it is embarrassing.
“It is okay! As the study of the Underworld Country progresses, we will learn about how the Dark God was worshipped here. And then, in time, everyone will worship Entropy just like the other Gods! When that happens, I am sure it will be wonderful!!” (Karen)
“I’m feeling itchy just hearing it…” (Haine)
At the very least, in the current state, the Underworld Country is simply being investigated as a historical location, so a lot of people of the Light nation who are the most specialized in that area were sent to study the place.
To tell the truth, Karen-san and I…
“We will be working here as part of the investigation team from today on, right?” (Haine)
“That’s right.” (Karen)
So that’s how it is.
Karen-san was a hero, so she could have had a better post than this if she wanted. But she didn’t wish for that, and instead, was given the job to join in the investigation of the Underworld Country.
“I want to be of use to society in this place.” (Karen)
“…”
“If the study of the Underworld Country progresses, the era that was gone from the history of humanity will come to light, and we will learn about where we came from, and what we have done. With just the simple fact of knowing or not knowing, perception can change.” (Karen)
“Karen-san, you have already saved the world, and yet, you are still trying to be of use to humans?” (Haine)
“Of course! I am one of the Gods now after all!!” (Karen)
Karen-san says with pride.
She has fused with the divine power of Ates and turned into a Human God.
At that time, I thought that this eternity as a God would become a curse to her, but Karen-san is not the kind of weakling who would falter over such small things.
No matter if she is a human or God, she doesn’t hesitate to act for the sake of others.
That’s the kind of person; the kind of God; the kind of soul she is.
“…Now then, let’s leave the sentimentalism till there.” (Haine)
“Right. Let’s greet the collective leader of the investigation team that we will be under the care of from today on.” (Karen)
An investigation team comprised of members of all five Grand Churches were dispatched to this Underworld Country, so there’s a leader to command and put in order this team that would definitely create friction with such a diverse group of people.
And that person is…
*****
“Haine-sama! Karen-sama! It has been a while!!”
“Doraha-chan!” (Karen)
At the headquarters of the investigation team, we arrived at the tent of the leader, and the one who welcomed us was the shadow user, Doraha.
It is the girl that had been living with us in Apollon City just recently.
After four years, she has grown into a strong and beautiful figure, but for us, Doraha will always be Doraha.
“Sorry, Doraha-chan. Having you come here before us. It must have been lonely being in a place where there’s only people you don’t know, right?” (Karen)
“Karen-sama had her important hero retirement ceremony after all. It can’t be helped that you had to stay in Apollon City. Also, you managed to meet with your friends you haven’t met after a long time, right?” (Doraha)
“Yeah! They are all doing really well!” (Karen)
“If it is to make time for the sake of that, it is a matter of fact that I would go first to the location.” (Doraha)
At first, she was intensely unsociable and made it hard for us to even send her to errands, but now, Doraha has grown greatly.
Now that I think about it, we first met Doraha at this Underworld Country.
Doraha crossed time and has returned once again to her birthplace to bring it back to life.
“Let’s not just stand here talking. Please enter the tent. The investigation team leader is waiting for the arrival of you two.” (Doraha)
“Ah, right.” (Haine)
Doraha guided us and we entered the tent.
The one waiting for us there sitting was the beauty that we had seen when we left Apollon City.
“You two have finally arrived.”
“Yorishiro-sama! Light hero —I mean, Underworld Country investigation team member, Karen, has arrived!!” (Karen)
“Me too.” (Haine)
Yorishiro.
She is the highest position in this investigation team.
Doraha is her assistant.
“So Yorishiro-sama really did arrive faster than us huh.” (Karen)
“You guys went around the nations while I just had to head straight here after all….. Karen-san…” (Yorishiro)
“Yes?” (Karen)
“Can you stop with the -sama? I am not the Light Founder anymore after all.” (Yorishiro)
Right, since she is now the investigation team leader, she can’t concurrently be the Light Founder as well.
Almost at the same time as Karen-san retired, Yorishiro had passed the Light Founder position to her successor and quitted.
Compared to the grand ceremony made for Karen-san to pass on her position, hers was done without much of an audience.
More so when she is one of the Founders that managed to fight through in the most problematic times of humanity.
“The ones who fought upfront were the heroes. It is obvious that Karen-san would be the most acclaimed since she was one of those heroes.” (Yorishiro)
“But it was wrapped up by simply passing down the position, right? With the hero just recently being changed as well, would that be okay?” (Haine)
“No problem. The next Light Founder is that Grades-san after all.” (Yorishiro)
Light General, Grades.
Even though he was simply a vice-captain when I met him, he has climbed up quite a whole lot.
He is probably the one who has been promoted the most within my acquaintances.
“He is the most suited for the Light Founder position of this era.” (Yorishiro)