Via felt a slight hesitation.
“I… me?”
She seemed to understand now why Sashaya had gone all out to help her become stronger.
So this was what she had been waiting for.
“I tried it myself before—passing through that crevice to explore what lies beyond—but I failed even after using every method I could think of,” Sashaya paused.
“But you’re different, Via.
In the last research session, your tolerance for abyssal aura was extremely high.
The abyssal aura doesn’t easily corrode you.
There’s a real chance you can make it through the crevice.
Even my familiars wouldn’t manage it.”
“Even if I do meet those conditions, the unknown risks still exist from an objective standpoint, right?
Besides, last time I passed out after enduring 80% purity abyssal aura.
If there’s 100% purity inside that crevice, what am I supposed to do?”
“I will find a way to guarantee your safety.
I’ll place magic on you.
If any danger appears, it will teleport you away immediately.”
“What if 100% purity abyssal aura interferes with your magic?
Do you have a contingency plan for that?”
Even though she was a Legendary-tier powerhouse, Sashaya was stumped by Via’s question.
She truly had no way to guarantee it.
After all, she was not an omnipotent god.
“Lady Sashaya, I told you before, didn’t I?
If it’s research that threatens my life, I have the right to refuse outright,” Via reminded her.
“…Via, I hope you won’t refuse.”
Sashaya really did not want to let this opportunity slip away.
Her curiosity burned far too strongly.
Now that a chance to solve the mystery had appeared, how could she possibly let it go?
“Lady Sashaya, is this a threat?”
“I have no intention of threatening you.
If you refuse to cooperate, there’s no point anyway,” Sashaya said earnestly.
“You plan to become strong again and reclaim the position of Demon King, correct?”
“Yes, that is the plan.”
“Then will you rebuild the royal court?”
“Of course.”
“What difference is there between a Demon King without a royal court and a lone commander with no troops?”
“If you can uncover the secret behind that crevice, I can join your royal court,” Sashaya offered an extremely tempting condition.
“You’re not joking?”
Via was genuinely surprised.
The Abyssal Demoness wanted to join the royal court?
“Although I won’t stay inside the Demon King’s Castle every day circling around you like those little maids, if you ever encounter problems you cannot solve, I can provide assistance,” Sashaya emphasized.
“You will be the only demonkin who can contact me at any time.”
Via’s heart stirred powerfully.
The Abyssal Demoness had actually made such a promise.
Even though Sashaya clearly meant she would serve as more of an external member, it was still an incredible offer.
Having a Legendary-tier combatant in the royal court would provide enormous help in reunifying the Desolate Fallen Continent once more.
“Can I trust your promise?”
“I am the Abyssal Demoness.
I never give promises lightly, but once I make one, I always keep it.
That is my principle,” Sashaya replied directly.
“Lady Sashaya never goes back on her word!
Lady Sashaya always does what she says!
Lady Sashaya’s promises are worth a thousand gold!”
the dolls raised their hands and shouted in unison.
“Very well, Lady Sashaya.
I accept your condition.
You may join the royal court.”
After careful thought, Via agreed to Sashaya’s proposal.
“Deal.”
Sashaya extended her small hand from her wide sleeve and shook Via’s hand.
“Via, can you hear me?”
“Yes, I can hear you.”
Via heard Sashaya’s voice coming from the communication device in her hand.
“Good.
The magic scroll you’re holding is something I spent a fortune creating specifically for exploring that crevice—a Legendary-tier teleportation scroll.
It requires no incantation or mana and activates instantly, sending you straight back to my manor.
It will also automatically deploy a protective barrier that nullifies all attacks below Legendary tier,” Sashaya explained her prized creation.
“It’s that powerful?”
Via could already feel the immense value of the Legendary-tier teleportation scroll.
If she could sell something like this outside, it would definitely fetch an astronomical price.
It was essentially a one-time get-out-of-death-free card.
“I went all out to ensure your safety, so I hope you won’t disappoint me, Via.”
Sashaya sounded a little pained, but for the sake of her research she was more than willing to pay the price.
“Keep moving forward.
The abyssal aura concentration in your current area shouldn’t be too high yet, so you won’t need the scroll for now.”
“Understood.”
Via advanced step by step toward the crevice.
She couldn’t see what lay behind the glowing light, but she could feel rich abyssal aura spilling outward.
“I’m about to pass through the crevice, Lady Sashaya.”
“Be careful.”
“Mm.”
Via gathered herself for a moment, then stepped forward and entered the mysterious crevice.
Her consciousness blurred.
It felt as though her soul had detached from her body and flown far away.
“Via.”
“Huh?”
Via heard someone calling her name just now.
She quickly lowered her head and looked at the communication device in her other hand.
“Lady Sashaya, did you just call me?”
“No, I saw you crossing the crevice and didn’t want to disturb you,” Sashaya replied.
“How did it go?
Did you succeed?”
“Yes, I made it through.”
“What’s the situation inside?!”
Sashaya’s voice grew noticeably excited.
“I can’t see much yet.
Behind the crevice there seems to be a path that keeps stretching deeper.
I don’t know what’s at the end, but the abyssal aura has grown a little thicker.”
Via reported back to Sashaya.
She felt rather strange inside.
Again?
Could it be that she had hallucinated the voice while her mind was hazy earlier?
In a forbidden land like this, besides Sashaya, who else could possibly be here?
Any other demonkin who dared approach this place would have already turned into an abyssal beast long ago.
Just as she was about to push the distracting thoughts aside and focus entirely on exploration, she heard another crystal-clear voice.
There was no mistake.
Someone was speaking to her.
“Via, you’ve finally come.”