This shadow world, painted by Van Gogh using seven billion monsters as material, was an exact replica of the real world, copied at a one-to-one scale. Even though everything was lifeless, even though the night sky was merely painted and dawn would never come, it still looked convincingly real.
The cost was that searching for a single person in a shadow world the size of a planet was no different from trying to fish a needle from the ocean. Meteora couldn't manage it, nor could Altair. If they had that kind of search capability, would they have needed the government's help before?
They could only rely on Van Gogh. This shadow world was her painting, her Reality Marble, so she instantly found Shimazaki Yuna's location.
Thus, they arrived at the South Pacific.
"Is that...an island?"
Hoshikawa Hikayu nervously asked, "Is the real Yuna...over on that island?"
"I've never heard of an island emitting such a bone-chilling presence."
Mirokuji Yūya clicked his tongue slightly. "That's definitely no island. It's alive. Something similar to the monsters we've already wiped out countless times."
"That…isn't an island."
Standing ahead of everyone, Van Gogh gazed at the massive sphere in the South Pacific, eyes as blue as the sky. "That…is Yuna's physical body. After her Saint Graph underwent mutation, it became a 'flower bud'...once it fully blooms, the Outer God's true form will descend and hatch from within…Ahh, Van Gogh knows this clearly: the Outer God's schemes, its trickery—everything has reached the final step."
The sphere had a diameter of three kilometers. Its outer layer was a spiritual shell, while intense signals indicated a Spirit Core deep within.
"Master is inside there…"
Altair stared at the colossal white sphere, a stubborn intensity in her eyes, as though ready to charge forward recklessly at any moment.
"If we approach carelessly, that thing will likely attack us, won't it?"
Blitz Talker's deep voice resonated softly. His chiseled, unreadable face revealed nothing. "Honestly, dealing with something that massive isn't exactly my forte. My [Gravity Bombs] probably wouldn't even scratch it—it'd be like a bug bite."
"But we still have to go."
Selesia spoke resolutely. Her voice and eyes carried an iron-hard determination. "Yuna avoided us and retreated all the way here, far from any city. She might still have a shred of sanity left and is fighting the evil god. We have to help her!"
Selesia's words made perfect sense. Most people present felt the same way.
What else could it mean? Surely it wasn't just because Van Gogh called that thing a "flower bud" that it needed water nearby to bloom?
But Van Gogh had different thoughts from everyone else. She knew things no one else did, and understood the Outer God better than anyone in this world.
47°9′S, 126°43′W, near Pohnpei Island… Could it be because this Earth has no R'lyeh, so Yuna must become R'lyeh herself? Does the Outer God want to recreate the Gate of R'lyeh, making its descent easier?
Or perhaps...it's not just the "flower," but "water" as well?
But that seemed unlikely… Imagining such ruthless Outer Gods cooperating or sharing felt utterly absurd.
And despairing.
If only it was just a coincidence…
Van Gogh's anxieties remained known only to her. She didn't intend to inform the others—it would only increase their worries. They couldn't help anyway. Against Outer Gods, human intellect and strength always ended up as nothing. Only another Outer God could oppose an Outer God. If they weren't hostile to each other, things would've already been hopelessly irreparable.
This wasn't like the Imaginary Sea War. There was no shortcut. They had no choice but to break through head-on, pushing straight into the core where Shimazaki Yuna was.
Thus, the first obstacle they had to face was an enormous horde of monsters, enough to trigger anyone's trypophobia.
"Flower-Grudges" remained the primary force, the main bulk. However, apart from the familiar "Flower-Grudges," other monsters appeared too. Unlike Van Gogh—who deliberately released only the weakest "Flower-Grudges" as training fodder—the Outer God didn't know mercy or restraint.
Nightgaunts, Shantaks, Byakhee, ghouls, oni, Gug giants…
"I don't have time to waste on you all! Out of my way!"
Altair charged ahead first. After holding back for so long, she'd finally found an outlet to vent her frustration.
Gone was her usual composed, mocking sneer—now only raw impatience remained visible.
Spinning sabers flashed with cold glints, spraying filthy blood with every motion. No monster could approach her; all fell before her blade storm.
Van Gogh stared blankly at Altair's furious display, until Mirokuji Yūya approached carrying his wooden sword.
Mirokuji didn't immediately rush out alongside Altair and start a slaughter, surprising Van Gogh slightly. Although he had brains—certainly smarter than the protagonist Hakua Shō—most times he behaved like a battle maniac who hardly listened to others.
"You shouldn't be fighting, right?"
Mirokuji glanced at Van Gogh, casually stating, "We'll need you later to turn them back to normal. Shouldn't you save your strength for that?"
Mirokuji was sharp. He saw clearly that Van Gogh was key to their operation. Even if they all died here, it would still count as victory if Van Gogh made it through to the end.
"Mmm, Van Gogh understands your point."
Van Gogh nodded lightly, then smiled creepily. "However, allow Van Gogh to clarify one thing... Actually, Van Gogh has been using her power constantly, even before we arrived…"
"Hm?"
Mirokuji froze, caught off-guard by her response.
"Ehehe... What dwells and manifests here is the terror and madness of the outer cosmos... absolute unseeable, unheard, indescribable, unspeakable... the shadow of stars arrived from the throne of eternal slumber... foolishness and insane malicious divinity... If Van Gogh didn't secretly cover it with rainbows and doodles... Just one glance would erase your sanity completely… hehe..."
"So, Van Gogh must carefully paint at all times...like a spider weaving its web... Right now, everything you see, hear, sense—is Van Gogh's own experience, after filtering out the malicious information... a painting that overlays your original perception… to block that 'unseeable malice' outside the painting...ehehe…"
Van Gogh's words left everyone stunned yet again.
How many times had it been now...? Van Gogh always quietly did something terrifyingly massive like this without anyone noticing.
"So, you're saying the monsters you see are entirely different from what we're seeing?"
"Correct... Even the recordings you made are watchable by ordinary people precisely because the malignant information and strange energy have been greatly reduced."
This realization was bitterly painful. Despite fighting so desperately against monsters, they remained the protected, a burden.
"If it's just Van Gogh alone, wouldn't you reach Yuna more easily?"
After her confidence took a blow, Selesia couldn't help asking Van Gogh. "These monsters might even be easier for Van Gogh alone…most importantly, wouldn't you reach Yuna faster?"
Hearing that, Van Gogh shook her head.
"Van Gogh alone isn't enough... Someone must keep them occupied. Van Gogh cannot afford delays."
The monster tide couldn't halt them. As they advanced, they encountered clearly different obstacles.
It was a human… someone they knew well.
"Alice-chan?!"
Mamika Kirameki exclaimed in shock, calling out her name.
Alicetaria February, who disappeared alongside Shimazaki Yuna, had reappeared before them.
Standing at the sole entrance like a towering wall, Alicetaria radiated hostility toward Van Gogh's group.
"Mamika... You've chosen their side? Yes, of course… someone as kind as you always chooses what's right and true to your heart."
Alicetaria glanced at Mamika, lowering her eyes slightly before scanning the others coldly. "Please turn back. I will not allow you to pass."
"Why, Alice-chan?!" Mamika sobbed. Alicetaria's words and behavior were incomprehensible, unacceptable. "This world...our worlds, they're about to be destroyed! Isn't saving your country, your world, the reason you've come this far?"
"Precisely. I will defeat the Unterwelt army and save my country from war and chaos."
Alicetaria's golden eyes were firm, emotionless. "For that, I need strength. Great enough strength to grant any wish. This power given by God—I will never relinquish it. Mamika, once you receive God's blessing, you'll understand. God will grant all your wishes if you join me in following God's footsteps."
"How can this be..."
Mamika couldn't fathom Alicetaria's words.
"This...is the Outer God's corruption," Van Gogh spoke solemnly. "Mad divinity fills her now, masking her true heart. She can't hear you anymore…"
"So," Mirokuji smirked savagely, "we've gotta beat this knight girl outta the way, huh?"
"But who among us can hold her back?" Meteora worriedly asked.
Van Gogh confidently raised her brush, pointing at Mamika.
"Magical girl and knight's friendship, a clash of ideals! Inspiration is flowing—now, [De Sterrennacht]!!!"
In an instant, Mamika ascended, reborn radiant with divine power. A snow-white gown with starry skirt, wings of light, golden eyes filled with divinity.
"Leave this to Mamika! Let's go!" Van Gogh shouted, rushing ahead.
Alicetaria moved to intercept, but Mamika was faster. Raising a bow formed from petals, a single pink arrow pierced Alicetaria's shield, sending her flying a thousand meters.
"What is this power?!" Alicetaria gasped.
"It's the power of love and friendship!"
???
Who even understands? They charged forward shouting something about love and friendship.
Well...best not question magical-girl logic.
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T/N: bleugh even after all this time i cant decide what to highlight...