We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The light of the stars dispels the darkness.
“Priscilla-chan, please come back!”
Lady Isabel calls out towards the depths of the darkness, but there is no response. Instead, multiple giant legs of Teruru-chan descend simultaneously.
The legs, like pillars of the Great Shrine, fall from the darkness above without a sound, but the Ladies of Shooting Star narrowly dodge them.
“Let’s unleash Hōjutsu ‘Star Firefly’ upwards to catch Thousand-Handed Spider’s attack as soon as possible!”
Lady Liz takes command, and everyone except Lord Creiss and Lady Tasha, who cannot use Hōjutsu, unleashes the Hōjutsu “Star Firefly” all at once. Countless pale starlight glows rise towards the sky, dispelling the darkness. However, when the starlight reaches a certain height, it is abruptly swallowed by the darkness and disappears.
“It’s Teruru-chan’s interference, isn’t it?”
“The light from the cracks on the ground has also disappeared, so there’s no mistake.”
From the crack on the ground side where we descended, we could see the bright sky until our break. But now, even with my Dragon Eye, I can see nothing but darkness.
“This is the power of a legendary magic beast, isn’t it?”
“We ventured into its nest ourselves, so we will bear the responsibility.”
“However, our mistake and Priscilla-chan’s safety are separate issues, aren’t they?”
Lady Annie, Lady Liz, and Lady Isabel nod to each other. Then, while dodging Teruru-chan’s countless legs that descend like a surprise attack from the darkness above, they advance forward with unwavering steps. The other Ladies of Shooting Star do the same. Despite the dangerous situation where they could be crushed by Teruru-chan’s legs if they were careless, none of them have given up.
“If the Thousand-Handed Spider is in here, let’s go there.”
“And apologize for our rudeness and get Priscilla-chan back!”
Lady Viletta and Lady Vietta advance in unison. The others also sense the attacks from above with splendid cooperation, helping each other to evade. Lady Madrine and I also face the darkness and the attacks from above with all our might, so as not to fall behind the Ladies of Shooting Star.
“Lady Celica, a leg is coming from above and to the right, please dodge to the right! Lady Michelle, please continue to evade forward at full speed!”
At my instruction, the Ladies of Shooting Star take evasive action.
“Ruiseine, please continue to guard the area above. Your eyes can detect danger faster than ours.”
Lady Madrine extends her hand to allow me to focus my attention on the darkness above. However, our opponent is that Thousand-Handed Spider. This kind of attack is unlikely to be the end of it.
“Lady Madrine, in front!”
By the time I shouted that, it was already too late. From the darkness ahead, the sound of something cutting through the air echoed. Simultaneously, a bundle of threads, shining beautifully even in the darkness, attacked with blinding speed. Lady Madrine was instantly enveloped by the bundle of threads. The threads extending from the darkness bound Lady Madrine in a cocoon-like state and then carried her away into the depths of the darkness. The Ladies of Shooting Star were speechless.
“Everyone, you must not stop moving!”
I shouted. Although we had witnessed a despairing sight, if we stopped here, more victims would surely follow. The Ladies of Shooting Star quickly shifted their focus and began to move towards the darkness again.
“Lady Ruiseine, please watch out for spider webs!”
“We will evade the leg attacks on our own!”
“Liz, watch all directions!”
No one chose the option of giving up. Their unwavering strong will to overcome any difficulty was palpable.
“We will surely rescue Priscilla-chan and Lady Madrine!”
The Ladies of Shooting Star bravely confronted Teruru-chan, the Thousand-Handed Spider. In my eyes, in the deep darkness covering the underground, the Ladies of Shooting Star shone beautifully like stars in the night sky.
How much time had passed in the darkness of the underground? The all-consuming darkness had, at some point, stolen our sense of direction. Nevertheless, my Dragon Eye was able to grasp the direction. Guided by it, the Ladies of Shooting Star advanced into the depths of the darkness where Teruru-chan lurked.
From above, tens, even hundreds, of Thousand-Handed Spider legs rained down incessantly, and spider webs flew from all directions. If we let our guard down even for a moment, we would be captured instantly, just like Lady Madrine. However, was it to be expected? While struggling, the Ladies of Shooting Star managed to withstand Teruru-chan’s fierce attacks with splendid cooperation. And finally, even in the dim underground, the beautifully shining Ladies of Shooting Star reached their destination.
“My weary soul is so tired.”
A cute voice reached us from beyond the gentle light cast by Hōjutsu “Star Firefly.” However, unlike before, there were no attacks from above or around us. Instead, the darkness that had blocked even our Dragon Eyes and Hōjutsu lights began to clear. And then, above us and the exhausted Ladies of Shooting Star, a terrifyingly giant spider’s face emerged. The Ladies of Shooting Star gasped, but they had not forgotten their original purpose.
“Thousand-Handed Spider Teruru-sama, please forgive our rude visit.”
“And please, would you return Priscilla-chan and Lady Madrine to us?”
The option of fighting the Thousand-Handed Spider was never on the table for us from the beginning. After all, it’s a legendary magic beast. Even the most skilled Ladies of Shooting Star couldn’t win without any preparation. Therefore, no one retaliated against Teruru-chan’s relentless attacks throughout our journey. We simply dodged the attacks and made it this far. In fact, perhaps it was because we focused solely on evading that we were able to reach the depths of the darkness where Teruru-chan lurked without a single casualty. I am once again amazed by the abilities of the Ladies of Shooting Star. The courage to push forward towards their goal without fear, even against a legendary magic beast. The fortitude that supports that courage, and the unified execution power. Above all, the wonderful cooperation that compensates for each individual’s weaknesses and shortcomings is something that even we of the Ys Family envy. Surely, the strong will to “achieve the goal together,” built on the bonds forged through harsh experiences until now, is what brings out the Ladies of Shooting Star’s abilities to the fullest. The Ladies of Shooting Star, all together, bowed their heads to Teruru-chan. They sought to resolve this commotion through apology and reconciliation, not through confrontation. Teruru-chan gazed down at them from a high position. It was then.
“Um, Priscilla is here?”
From a gap in the soft fur covering Teruru-chan’s spider face, Priscilla-chan’s face peeked out.
“Muki! I am still trapped in a cocoon! But, I am here!”
And from Priscilla-chan’s side, only Lady Madrine’s face appeared.
“You know, Priscilla was playing by untangling Madrine Older Sister’s threads.”
“Priscilla-chan, was our relationship until now just a game? No wonder, unfortunately, the threads are more intricately tangled…”
I can’t help but burst out laughing at Priscilla-chan’s pure innocence, which even Lady Madrine cannot rival. And then, Lady Madrine gets angry seeing me laugh. The Ladies of Shooting Star stared at us in bewilderment at our lack of tension. However, our explanation was not necessary.
“Ah, so that’s how it is?”
“We were being played with by the Thousand-Handed Spider, weren’t we?”
Lady Viletta and Lady Vietta look at each other.
“We had a vague feeling from the beginning.”
“Priscilla-chan was too innocent.”
“Besides, we also felt something was strange about Ruiseine-sama’s calm demeanor when Lady Madrine was taken away.”
Lady Annie, Lady Liz, and Lady Celica laugh together. Oh my, oh my, it seems we were seen through from the early stages? Yes. This was Teruru-chan’s game. Teruru-chan was probably having fun playing a game of “Onigokko” (tag) with Priscilla-chan, chasing after the Ladies of Shooting Star. However, as she is a legendary magic beast beyond our comprehension, the scale of the game is different, and those involved must respond with their full strength and spirit, going beyond a mere game.
“But, we are relieved. It’s good that Priscilla-chan and Lady Madrine are safe.”
“It was difficult, but looking back, it was a wonderful time for us too.”
Lady Celica and Lady Michelle also smile. However, I must still apologize for my lack of sincerity towards the kindness and goodwill of the Ladies of Shooting Star.
“We are truly sorry. Lady Madrine and I knew from the beginning. It is my sin that I kept silent even so.”
I deeply apologize to the Ladies of Shooting Star. Lady Madrine also calmed her temper and apologized from above. The Ladies of Shooting Star, with compassionate hearts, accepted our apologies.
“No, there is no need to apologize. We have gained invaluable experience. Rather, we are grateful? I’m sure that person has never had an experience like playing with the Thousand-Handed Spider? Fufufu.”
As Lord Creiss says this, the Ladies of Shooting Star all nod to each other and joyfully exclaim.
“Everyone had fun!”
“You know, Priscilla had fun too? Let’s all play together again?”
The cause of today’s commotion was Priscilla-chan. With my and Lady Madrine’s intentions riding on it, it may have been a difficult day for the Ladies of Shooting Star. However, all’s well that ends well. And it seems Priscilla-chan still desires more playtime in the future?
“Well then, Teruru-chan, why don’t you come out from here sometimes and play with everyone?”
“It’s a walk through the forbidden territory.”
Let’s show the other Ladies of Shooting Star, who are still at the mansion, Teruru-chan’s figure. Priscilla-chan hops with joy on Teruru-chan’s head.
“Um, well then, shall we go play at Older Brother’s place?”
“Oh my, oh my, that’s quite something. If the Thousand-Handed Spider traverses the Demon Race’s Country, it will cause a great commotion that will go down in history! Giant Demon Lord will get angry at Elnea-kun.”
And if Elnea-kun, Priscilla-chan, and Teruru-chan were to combine their forces, it might cause a commotion that would destroy a country.
“Muki! If we did something like that, we’d be the first scolded by Mist!”
Lady Madrine, still trapped in her cocoon, turned completely pale with worry.
