"Regarding what just happened, I'll give a public explanation later. Right now, I have more important matters to take care of. Everything else can wait until afterward."
As soon as Ariel said this, the crowd around her grew noisy again.
This time, however, it wasn't directed questions toward Ariel but rather hushed whispers among themselves.
Ignoring the students' reactions, Ariel turned her gaze to Eriri.
"Eriri, is there anything we need to do for the establishment of the World Gate?"
"No. You just need to watch."
Eriri shook her head, then walked forward. Seeing this, Ariel quickly followed.
Along the way, the crowd blocking their path scattered quickly, creating a passage several meters wide.
After some time, Eriri and Ariel passed through the flow of people and arrived at the central area of the academy. There, they stopped in a broad open space.
"We'll place the World Gate here."
With that, Eriri raised her right hand and snapped her fingers. Before Ariel and the surrounding students' stunned eyes, a massive platform rose from the ground.
On the platform, a mysterious and profound light appeared.
As the light flowed, a gigantic archway ten meters wide and twenty meters high formed from nothing, standing tall on the platform.
The inside of the archway was a pure, dazzling white, concealing the scene beyond and giving off an aura of mystery.
"Alright, the World Gate is ready. The rest is up to you. I'll be heading back now."
Eriri rubbed Ariel's small head, and without waiting for her response, she left Villiers directly.
At that moment, Ariel could only stand there in a daze, staring at the massive arch before her.
She had thought establishing the World Gate would be a troublesome task, but Eriri had created it in mere seconds with just a snap of her fingers.
Looking at the students around her, all watching the gate with curious eyes, Ariel knew it was time to explain the immigration matter.
...
When Eriri returned to Earth, the first thing she saw was Chris sprawled out lazily on the sofa like a salted fish, and Lilia timidly playing with the lion plush in her hands.
Kyoko was sitting on the sofa, fully absorbed in chatting in the chat group.
To wait for Eriri's return, both Seraphim and Sarasvati had stayed at home with Eu instead of going out, obediently watching television together with her.
Although their master was Eriri, Eu's presence held the same significance as a deity to the vampire ninjas. Thus, they treated her with great reverence.
But the moment Eriri appeared, their attention instantly shifted to her.
"Lady Eriri, welcome back."
Though only about ten minutes had passed, Seraphim and Sarasvati still greeted her respectfully.
Everyone else in the living room also turned their attention toward Eriri.
Kyoko greeted her casually, far less reverently than the vampire ninjas.
Upon seeing Eriri, Lilia's little face instinctively lit up with a smile—but the thought of being captured quickly made her hide it again.
As for Chris, after a single glance at Eriri, she looked away and continued her lifeless salted fish act, as though nothing in the world could interest her anymore.
"Mhm, I'm back."
Eriri smiled, nodding, then walked over to Eu and gently stroked her small head.
Eu responded with a sweet smile.
"Is the immigration matter done?"
"Of course. It wasn't anything troublesome. Who knows—by the next time we visit the Martial Arts Tournament World, it may already have become a truly lively place."
"Mhm~"
After interacting warmly with Eu, Eriri moved to Chris' side and sat down in the empty spot next to her head.
Eriri reached out and gently pinched Chris' soft, smooth cheek a few times.
"It's only been ten minutes, and you've already turned into this?"
Chris rolled her eyes at that.
"Isn't it because of you? You took away my greatest joy. Just thinking about how dull the rest of my life will be makes me depressed."
"Don't worry. Didn't I tell you already? I'll let you experience a higher form of happiness~"
"Hmph, I don't believe there's anything happier than drinking."
Though she had thought seriously about Eriri's words earlier, after ten minutes of reflection she truly couldn't think of any happiness greater than drinking. She was certain Eriri's claim was nonsense.
"You don't believe me because you've never experienced it. One day, when the chance comes and you try it yourself, you'll understand."
"Is that so? Fine, I'll just hope you don't disappoint me."
Though still doubtful, since Eriri said so, she figured she might as well look forward to it.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the living room. A moment later, Naegleria walked in wearing a sleeveless crop top and ultra-short denim shorts.
"Uwah~ Eriri, Eucliwood, you're back."
Freshly awake, Naegleria yawned and greeted them, but quickly noticed two extra people inside the house.
"Eh? Isn't that Chris and Queen Lilia? Why are you two here? And Chris, your curse is gone?"
As a former powerhouse on the battlefield, Naegleria naturally knew what Villiers' queen looked like. If this had been in the past, she might have been wary facing Lilia. But with Eriri present, she doubted Lilia could stir up any trouble.
"Naegleria?"
Seeing her enter the living room, Chris immediately sat up straight on the sofa.
"So you live here too?"
Chris asked with mild surprise, then quickly nodded as though realizing something.
"That's right, you mentioned Eriri before. It makes sense you'd be living together with her."
"I do live here, but Eriri doesn't~"
At Naegleria's words, Chris looked puzzled and turned toward Eriri.
"Eriri, isn't this our home?"
"Of course not. But where I live isn't far—it's just next door~" Eriri answered with a smile.
"So if you want to stay here, that's fine too. It's close either way, so the choice is yours."
Before Chris could respond, Naegleria cut in eagerly.
"Perfect! Chris, you should stay here. Then we can drink together all the time~"
Chris' face instantly darkened. Any thought of living here was immediately discarded.
"I'm not living with a busty woman like you!"
Seeing Chris suddenly sulk, Naegleria scratched her head in confusion.
"Eh? Did I say something wrong? Why are you mad all of a sudden?"
Chris rolled her eyes in frustration and turned away, refusing to acknowledge her.
When Chris ignored her, Naegleria turned a questioning look toward Eriri, clearly seeking an explanation.
Eriri didn't hide anything and simply told Naegleria everything that had happened earlier that afternoon.
After hearing the full story, Naegleria finally understood why Chris was upset.
"Ah, so you can't drink anymore. What a shame. I guess I'll have to drink alone from now on."
Naegleria spoke in a tone of regret, but the amused smile in her eyes made no effort to hide itself.
Her attitude made Chris' cheeks burn with anger.
"Hmph! It's not a big deal. So what if I can't drink? Eriri said she'd let me taste an even greater happiness. I don't care about alcohol anymore!"
Seeing Chris fuming, Naegleria immediately raised her hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright, don't be mad. I was only joking~"
"But it's a good thing your curse has been lifted. I was actually wondering if I should ask Eriri to help you, but it looks like she met you first."
Hearing Naegleria's words of concern, Chris' anger quickly dissipated.
...
While Eriri and the others chatted, Ariel in Villiers had already explained the immigration plan to the students.
She also told them about the Magic Perpetual Motion Machine.
Upon learning that Villiers no longer needed to worry about resources, both teachers and students cheered with excitement.
Of course, Ariel didn't hide the origin of the Magic Perpetual Motion Machine, which only heightened the students' gratitude and respect toward Eriri, whom many had briefly seen earlier.
And upon hearing that the immigration destination was a world created by Eriri, almost every student immediately wanted to immigrate. Some even rushed toward the World Gate without hesitation.
Naturally, the biggest reason for this enthusiasm was the permanent connection between the two worlds, allowing free travel back and forth.
Otherwise, the number of those willing to immigrate would have been far smaller, with most carefully weighing the decision.
Ariel didn't stop the students from trying to pass through the gate—in fact, she herself was among them. She too wanted to see what the other side looked like.
And so, the Martial Arts Tournament World experienced an explosive surge in population.
The arrival of countless little girls in cute outfits made the once-quiet world grow lively and bustling.
But Eriri paid no attention to this. By now, she had already returned to the Saekano world.
Naturally, Kyoko and the others had followed as well—after all, it was nearly dinnertime.
None of them ever missed a chance to mooch a meal.
After dinner, Kyoko, Naegleria, and the others went back to the Is This a Zombie? world. Chris and Lilia, however, stayed behind.
At first, Lilia still felt a little reluctant. But after tasting Aoi Kujou's cooking, even that faint reluctance disappeared completely.
With the Magic Perpetual Motion Machine and the immigration plan in place, she no longer had to worry about Villiers. Now, she could live freely in this new world.
As for Chris, after tasting Aoi Kujou's cooking, she thought this was what Eriri had meant by "a happiness greater than alcohol," and she fully agreed.
The food was so delicious it was almost unfair. If she could eat such meals every day, she wouldn't care about drinking ever again.
But it wasn't until a few nights later that she finally experienced from Eriri what true happiness really was.
...
Time quickly passed, and by mid-August, Tokyo's weather had grown hotter and hotter.
Around ten in the morning, on Ginza's busiest street, a pink luxury car drove smoothly as though the world itself made way for it.
Other vehicles, as if facing some terrifying monster, instinctively cleared the road, letting the car pass unhindered even on the congested street.
Pedestrians on both sides of the road couldn't help but gaze in awe at the car.
What drew their attention wasn't just the elegant, expensive bodywork, but also the winged goddess emblem raised proudly on its hood.
More importantly, most of them recognized the car's owner.
This pink car had first appeared in January of this year, sparking heated discussions online and even trending on social media.
According to rumors—leaked from within the Sawamura Group itself—it was a Rolls-Royce custom-designed exclusively for the Spencer Sawamura family's young lady. Its construction alone had cost several hundred million dollars.
At this moment, Eriri was seated inside the pink Rolls-Royce, with Aoi Kujou driving. Their destination: Tokyo International Airport.
The night before, Eriri had received a call from England.
Her cousin, Ilina Spencer—who had officially graduated from high school just over half a month ago—was coming to Tokyo to visit her.
Her flight was scheduled to land at exactly eleven o'clock that morning.
—
—
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven