I immediately give Mashiro a signal by nodding at her. She nods back and summons Sogdrul. Our humanoid chauffeur appears out of thin air and snaps his finger.

   At once, we got teleported to a place with lots of grass and huge boulders. While Assaf is looking around with a surprised expression, Yui puts up a barrier around the island. After that, we surround her.

   ‘Oh my, did I just got separated by my subordinates?’ Assaf asks no one in particular.

   Man, she even has a different voice than the one from the original anime. Is she really the Maria Assaf we’re looking for?

   ‘We don’t really fancy our chance of beating you if they’re around.’ I tell her.

   ‘I guess our number is a tad too much for you kids to handle. Hmm? Is that a barrier that erases presence? And you destroyed the helicopters that I spent a fortune to buy too. You must be really cautious of me.’

   I shrug. ‘We didn’t want to take any chances.’

   ‘A shame that all your planning will go to waste.’ she says.

   Suddenly, a huge pillar of water appears from the ground right behind her and coils around her from a distance like a snake. The water is extremely murky and putrid, and there are tons of skeletons swimming inside it. All of those skeletons are chattering their teeth repeatedly and making a sound similar to castanets.

   Seriously? They have the same name and use the same skill, but they look different? What on earth is going on?

   ‘All of you will die here anyway.’ she ends her sentence.

   Well, I guess I should worry about one thing at a time.

   Ichika lunges forward and tries to slash Assaf, but she got intercepted by the coil of water and got swat away.

   Assaf smiles thinly. ‘You shouldn’t be so reckless, young lady.’

   Mashiro takes a deep breath and blows towards Assaf. The pillar turns into a wall and protects Assaf like a barrier. A lot of skeletons got blown to bits, but there’s plenty more to replace them.

   Sakuya and Yui were standing behind Assaf, so they use this chance to attack. Sakuya rushes forward while Yui launches talismans at her. Unfortunately, the water pillar turns into a whirlpool in an instant and swallows up the talismans. Sakuya stops advancing while looking very frustrated.

   ‘Let’s finish this, shall we?’ Assaf asks while she’s still inside the whirlpool.

   The skeletons stop their chattering and open up their mouths, gushing out jets of water.

   Before those jets of water could travel far, I slam the butt of my spear on the ground and summon a whirlpool of my own to surround Assaf’s whirlpool and have the two whirlpools collide with each other.

   The collision made a loud hissing sound, and the skeletons wail in agony. The wail make my ears hurt. A lot. I seriously wish I have a soundproof earplug or something.

   I don’t know how I did it, but somehow I can feel it when the whirlpools are colliding. And I can feel that mine’s winning. I guess a whirlpool made of saltwater is much stronger than a whirlpool full of animated skeletons.

   ‘Impressive. But not good enough.’

   Assaf’s whirlpool suddenly expands and engulfs mine, all the while spinning like a top.

   I waste no time in creating a semi-sphere barrier made of seawater. The girls are much more alert and better at quit-thinking than I am, so I’m sure they did the same.

   Precisely one second later, Assaf’s whirlpool hits my barrier and breaks it apart. There’s skeletons swimming in murky water in front of me and a piece of boulder right behind me, so I’m literally between rock and a hard place right now.

   I grit my teeth and will seawater to surround the tip of Gáe Bulg like a drill. Then, I take up a stance and charge forward, my spear aimed straight at a skeleton.

   The skeletons got pierced and disintegrate easily enough, so do a few of its fellows that were near him. With them gone, a path is opened up, and I manage to go inside the whirlpool.

   Assaf, who was still inside the whirlpool, looks very surprised to see me.

   I leap forward to close our distance. Before she could do anything, I jab her stomach hard with the butt of my spear. She leans forward in pain while gasping for air. I then let go of my spear and go behind her to do a rear naked choke on her neck.

   Assaf was already weak from the jab to her stomach, so she didn’t offer much resistance when I try to choke her. After a few seconds, her head leans forward once more, but this time due to being choked unconscious.

   Her whirlpool disappears into thin air the moment she blacks out, even the skeletons. I let out a sigh of relief. We’ve won.

   The girls in my harem suffered some injuries when Assaf’s whirlpool has expanded, but they assure me that they’re nothing serious.

   I let Sakuya cuffs Assaf’s hands with a pair of silver handcuffs and gags her with a piece of handkerchief, then I carry her on my shoulder.

   ‘All right, let’s go.’ I say to the girls.

   They nod in agreement, and Madoka leads the way to the ship. The crew let us on board without a hitch, and one of them leads us to a small room where I can put down Assaf and imprison her.

   ‘All of you can go to the deck. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on her.’ I tell them.

   ‘Then, we’ll stay too.’ Yui says.

   I shake my head. ‘It’s fine. Let me do it. Please.’

   Since I insisted, the girls didn’t argue or even ask my motive. They just tell me to be careful around her and got out. After they left, I sit down cross-legged opposite to Assaf, who still hasn’t regained consciousness.

   In the original anime, the reason Assaf manage to activate the mass necromancy spell is that Yuuji couldn’t stop preaching her about the morality of her actions. I doubt she heard a single word he was saying, since she was busy muttering the spell. This is why I knocked her out. No matter how fast she could chant, it’s pointless if she’s unconscious.

   However, the mystery still remains. Maria Assaf was a redhead with pale skin and blue eyes in the original anime. As for the Assaf right now, she has black hair, brown skin and black eyes. Something is definitely wrong here.

   It also doesn’t make much sense that she would sacrifice her own life to start a mass necromancy. I’ve watched enough animes and mangas to know that preachers like her are always eager to push their agendas by sacrificing the lives of others, but never their own. She could have easily used the lives of her followers, but didn’t.

   The only way for us to find out is to question her. And for that, we need to go back to the Academy first.

   Originally, I did planned to have the ship go straight back to Japan. However, I was told that it would take 10 days, so the plan had to be altered a bit.

   First, the ship would go to a port at USA, and then we will go to the airport and request the use of a private jet to go back to Japan. The risk of discovery is much higher, but I guess the risk should be taken since 10 days is way too long.

   It happened around ten minutes after the ship has started to move. All of a sudden, a purple magic circle starts to appear right below Assaf, the same one that formed below her after she was done chanting in the original anime.

   I immediately get up and check on Assaf. Her eyes are still closed, and there isn’t any sign that she has moved for some time. Nevertheless, the magic circle is still formed.

   Just as I was about to go call the girls, the magic circle is complete. It radiates out an eerie purple light, and I somehow lost consciousness and faint.

   When I open my eyes, I find myself staring at a ceiling made of earth. There’s ground under me, and they are black and rough and uneven. I also notice that even though there’s no sun or any source of light, the place is not dark at all.

   ‘Finally awaken, have you?’ a voice says beside me.

   I turn to look at the person who spoke. She’s sitting right next to me, and has pale skin, paler hair and a pair of blue eyes. She’s also wearing a black robe that has long sleeves. The same one that Assaf had been wearing.

   No way.

   ‘Are you…Maria Assaf?’ I ask her tentatively.

   She smiles at me. ‘That’s right. This is the real me.’

   ‘Huh? Real? What do you mean by that?’

   ‘Before I answer you, let’s get on the boat, shall we? They’ve waited patiently for you to wake up, so we shouldn’t keep them any longer.’

   ‘What boat?’

   She points behind me. I look towards the direction.

   I’ve just noticed, but we’re currently standing at a riverside. The river is wide and has murky water. Parked on the shore is a small boat. At the end of the boat stands a skeleton that’s wearing a black-hooded robe and holding a wooden paddle.

   ‘Come on, Lord Hades is waiting.’ the skeleton urges.

   Lord Hades. Does this mean I’m in Hades, the Greek’s version of Hell right now? Am I…dead?

   For now, I decide to listen to Assaf and board the boat. Assaf does the same. Once we settled down, the skeleton, who’s definitely Charon, pushes the boat away from the shore and starts rowing. 

   ‘Now then. Let’s start, shall we? As you may have guessed, both of us are dead, and we’re in Hades.’ Assaf begins.

   ‘Um, I don’t really know how very single Hell of very single mythology work, but since I’m a Shinto worshipper, shouldn’t I go to the Japanese Hell?’

   ‘Ordinarily, you’re right. The thing is, while I was unconscious, the curse placed on me has been activated, and you got caught up in it. And so, here we are.’

   That made zero sense, but I didn’t interrupt her. On a side note, I keep hearing all sorts of tormented wails and screaming. They’re probably from the souls that are getting punished at the Fields of Punishment. I do my best to ignore them.

   ‘First thing first, my origin. I had been alive for thousands of years, and this is what I really looked like. What you and the girls fought on the surface was nothing but an empty shell.’

   ‘So, did you somehow projected your soul to a new body whenever your old one starts to rot?’ I take a guess.

   ‘That’s right. Mind, it was quite tough when I first started. I had to use a body with stitched-up body parts, and I had to change into a new body at least once a day. However, recent technology has become so advanced that I could get a perfectly functioning body with ease! That said, I still need to switch body every once in a while, or I would be discovered.’

   So that’s why our Information Squad couldn’t get a hold of her. She could just blend in with her cultists and those who are searching for her wouldn’t be able to find anything.

   ‘Even so, I got found anyway. You people from the Academy are amazing.’

   ‘Our people from the Information Squad are the best.’ I say proudly. ‘Anyway, you mentioned a curse.’

   ‘Ah yes. The curse. The group of people who gave me the perfect bodies did agree to make as much empty shells as I want, but doing so will expose them as an immoral, scumbag group. Therefore, I struck a deal with them. In return for the bodies, I will pay them money, and placed a curse on myself that activates automatically when I got captured or knocked out.’

   At this point, I could tell what kind of curse is it, but I have to act dumb anyway.

   ‘A curse that will land you straight to hell?’

   ‘No, you silly. A curse that activates a mass necromancy spell in exchange for my life. I would imagine that everyone above is very busy now.’

   ‘...Why would you go so far?’

   ‘Well, I’ve always wanted to break the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of the dead. I needed to place a death curse on myself anyway, might as well help my cause while I’m doing it.’

   ‘And we got sent to Greek’s Hell after we died because…?’

   She shows me a ring that she put on her left index finger. There’s a rectangular piece of jewellery on it. On close look, there’s some sort of murky liquid inside the gem.

   ‘I stole this from them centuries ago. It allows me to control and use Styx’s water. I expect Hades is very eager to give me a judgment.’

   ‘Oh, you have no idea how right you are.’ Charon mutters from behind us.

   I guess this is how my story ends. Dying for getting caught up in a curse meant for someone else. (Sigh). Maybe I should have properly confess to the girls.

   Suddenly, I realize something is amiss. According to legend, Charon will always take fees from the newly deceased if they want to cross the boundaries between the two worlds. Those who failed to pay have to wander along the shores for centuries.

   I turn around to ask Charon the important question.

   ‘Um, Charon-san, sir? Is it true that you take a passage fee from those who just died if they want to cross the rivers?’

   ‘Of course it’s true. Do you think I work for free?’

   ‘But, you didn’t ask us for any fee, yet you gave us a ride anyway!’

   He gives me a meaningful look. At least, I think he did. It’s hard to tell what a skeleton is thinking since they have no face.

   Assaf chuckles. ‘My, aren’t you observant? I was going to scare you for a bit, and yet you figured it out for yourself.’

   ‘So, will we get sent back to the world of the living after we met Hades-sama?’ I ask hopefully.

   ‘There’s a high chance of that for you. Me, I’m not so sure.’

   ‘Is it because of the curse?’

   ‘Yup, since that’s how it works.’

   ‘Are you…fine with that?’

   She raises her eyebrow. ‘What’s this? Are you pitying me? An advise from an old-timer: never take pity on your enemy, or it might bring you to your downfall.’

   ‘That’s not what I mean-’

   ‘We’re here.’ Charon announces.

   Charon parks the boat at the shore. In front of us is a huge palace made of marbles. At least, I want to believe that it’s made of marbles.

   Right next to the huge front doors of the palace are two skeletons armed with assault rifles. A few feet away from a door sits a dog that’s twenty-feet tall and has three heads. Cerberus, the loyal hound of Hades.

   ‘Go on, Hades-sama is waiting.’ Charon tells us.

   We leave the boat and head straight for the palace. When we got close, all three of Cerberus’ heads growl at us. I try to keep calm and follow Assaf to the doors.

   The doors open up without a sound. Neither Cerberus nor the skeletons stop us, so we go inside.

   After we go inside, we passed through several doors also guarded by skeletons, and eventually reach the throne room. There are two thrones on top of a staircase, one made of human bones right at the middle, and one made of flowers and branches on the left of the first throne.

   Hades, the God that governs all the undead souls in the Underworld is sitting on the throne made of bone. One look at him, and even an idiot could tell that he’s someone far more superior than a regular human being.

   The two of us walk towards the base of the stairs. Assaf goes down on her knees and prostrate herself before the Lord of the Realm. I follow suit.

   ‘Kagenashi Akira, you have my permission to stand.’ Hades tells me.

   He has a deep, rasping voice that induces fear, and his presence could silence any number of crying children. No wonder he’s the boss around here.

   I’m surprised by the difference in treatment, but I bowed my thanks and stand up.

   ‘Before we get started, let me tell you that you are not supposed to be here. Therefore, you will return the world of the living after this trial is over.’ Hades assures me.

   I let out a huge sigh of relief. ‘Thank you, Hades-sama.’

   He nods and looks at Assaf with a much sterner and scarier look.

   ‘Look at me, Maria Assaf.’ he commands.

   Assaf did as he commanded without showing a single hint of fear.

   ‘I would like to have my ring back now.’

   Assaf obliges and takes out the ring from her finger. A skeleton comes over and takes away the ring. It then goes up the stair and gives the ring to Hades. He takes it and slides it into his middle finger.

   ‘Now that that’s out of the way, we shall discuss your fate. Maria Assaf, you have cheated death for far too long, you have incited fear and chaos with your acts, and most importantly, you have stolen from me. Keep in mind that death is the least of your problem.’

   ‘As my Lord commands.’

   I know I should have kept my mouth shut, but there’s something that’s just bugging me.

   ‘My Lord, if I may?’

   ‘What is it, boy?’

   ‘Did Assaf-san’s curse work?’

   ‘If you are talking about the curse that activates a spell that allows one to summon hordes and hordes of undead in exchange of the caster’s life, then yes. As a result, both of the worlds are in a mess. And she’s the cause of it all!’ Hades glares hatefully at Assaf.

   ‘What I’m trying to ask is, why is it that Assaf-san is the only one who’s dead? The spell circle absorbed both of our life force, right? If the spell would have worked anyway even if only one person have paid the price, it actually means that the price to activate it was shared among the both of us.’

Blackout

For those who got confused by how the spell works, allow me to give you a flowchart. If you still failed to understand or find it illogical altogether, please forgive me

1. The spell only needs the lifeforce of a single person (in this case, Assaf)
2. When Akira was inside the spell circle, his lifeforce was also absorbed by it
3. Now, there are two person that contributed their life force for the spell to work (from 100% to 50/50)
4. Since neither of their lifeforce got completely absorbed by the spell circle, neither of them will die

   Hades looks at me for a few seconds, then rubs his temple with his fingers. ‘Kagenashi Akira, you do realize that you are going back to the realm of the living whether you choose to defend her or not.’

   ‘Yes Lord. However, it is wrong that you would attempt to keep a living person in the Underworld just so you could punish her.’

   The atmosphere around the throne room become very suffocating all of a sudden.

   ‘Are you questioning my judgement, mortal?’ Hades asks me in a quiet voice.

   ‘Yes. I am.’

   I’m actually having a staredown with a God. I must be out of my mind.

   A few blood-chilling seconds have passed. Just as I was thinking that I’m totally screwed, Hades lets out a hearty laugh.

   ‘A mere mortal, standing up to a God! Now this is refreshing!’

   Well, I guess I’m not screwed after all.

   ‘You are right, of course. Both the living and the dead have their own world that they belong to, and none has the right to violate the boundary.’ Hades says the last part while glaring at Assaf.

   ‘So, does that mean we can go back now?’ I ask him.

   ‘Indeed you can, although it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth for letting the witch goes scot-free.’ he looks at the empty throne. ‘What do you think, Perse-’

   He freezes for quite a while when he realizes that he was about to talk to thin air.

   ‘...Both of you, forget that, or I will make you drink the water of Lethe with your nose.’

   ‘We didn’t see anything. Right, Assaf-san?’

   ‘Not a thing.’ she agrees.

   ‘Um, where is Lady Persephone?’ I couldn’t help but ask.

   ‘We…had an argument a while ago. She got so mad she build a treehouse next to Asphodel Meadow and took residence in it.’ he answers.

   He looks so sad and dejected I feel sorry for him.

   ‘Hades-sama, perhaps I could convince her to come back here.’ I offer.

   Hades brightens up at once. ‘You will do that?’

   ‘Yes sir. Although I don’t fancy my chances of being able to convince her…’

   ‘No, the act of talking to her is good enough! She won’t even let me near the treehouse, after all.’

   ‘I will go there right now, then. Is it okay if Assaf-san comes with me?’

   Hades thinks over the request.

   ‘...Permission granted.’

   Since we don’t know the way, Hades ordered the same skeleton just now to guide us to the Meadow.