More than five hundred years ago, a phenomenon born from the might of a certain witch emerged. The day of its birth was also the day the "Demon War" came to an end, the day the world was granted a new lease on life. It became the starting point of the current era, known as the Era of Awakening—Year 1, January 1st, a day that came to be referred to as "The Day of Awakening."

  Today's date is around November, and a group of women cloaked in bck are carrying various burdens as they approach the massive cra the earth, the visible maion of this abyss.

  “…Ah! So this is the Abyss of Chaos! This is the power of the Witch!”

  “I feel the residual magic of the Witch soaking into me! I’m never washing again!”

  Ah even a modest uanding of the situation would reize them for what they are.

  They are followers of the Witch, members of the cult known as the Witch’s .

  Although men do exist ich's , now referring to themselves as Witch's Faith, the ones who rise to positions of power, being the core figures within the anization, are all women.

  Various theories have emerged to expin this phenomenon: some say "sihe Witch is called a 'Witch,' she must be a woman," or "the Witch’s preferences are female, so only women earn her favor." Regardless of the reason, ohing is certain: the founding members of the Witch's Faith were all women.

  By the way, the Priestesses—a sect closely allied with the Witch's Faith—follow the same pattern.

  "Get up. Although our Witch's Faith has a rexed doe, this is going too far."

  One of the Witch’s followers looks down at another woman lying spread-eagled on the ground, who has even gone so far as to strip naked, reveling in the nd's magic. Her curvaceous body is fully exposed to the elements.

  "No! I’m just lying here—what’s wrong with that?"

  The rawled on the ground, pletely unashamed, protests like a child throwing a tantrum, adamantly refusing to rise.

  "…If the others find you like this, I won’t help you."

  "Bring it on! e at me!"

  "…"

  Although the behavior of these Witch's followers might seem irreverent to the point of bsphemy in the eyes of other religions, their worship of the Witch is pure. There is no ulterior motive in their devotion.

  However, the open and free-spirited nature of the Witch's Faith often leads to misuandings about what 'worship' and 'adoration' truly mean, which is why such situations arise.

  For instance, one of the followers is currently using her face to gently rub against a life-sized doll of the Witch, painstakingly crafted from decades-old cert footage.

  "You all…"

  The woman who had beeuring the others just moments ago falls silent.

  But deep within, she secretly yearns for something like this.

  "If only I could meet one of the Witch's messengers, that would bring me closer to her…"

  Suddenly, a faint fsh of light appears in the distahe unmistakable sign of teleportation magic. Judging by the magical fluctuations, this spell possesses the ability to cross the chaotic rift of space itself. In other words...

  "My wish is ing true!?"

  "…Wish?"

  "Uh…"

  The woman who had beeuring earlier looks embarrassed.

  "…Fet that. Prepare yourselves quickly!"

  No matter how x their s, if their behavior were to be seen by outsiders, the reputation of the Witch's Faith would plummet. Although there are some ignorant fools who bel them as a heretical cult, most people still hold them in favorable regard.

  As the followers quickly tidied up their appearances auro a more presentable form, the light from the teleportation spell faded.

  Appearing through the magical light were figures with distinctly semi-humaures.

  "Teleportation successful. Initiating tact…"

  One of the newers, a woman with white hair and fox ears, notices the group of bck-cd figures nearby.

  "Wele, messengers of the Witch!"

  "…Huh?"

  …

  "I’ve received word. It seems that Shirone and the others have reached the surface."

  Misako, seated on a sofa, speaks to Farkonia, Aris, and the others.

  "However… there seems to be a problem."

  From the sed half of the message, Misako learns that the group entered a stra of people, who, rather than dispying hostility, regard them as messengers of some supreme being.

  "The’s hurry and join them."

  Farkonia rises, drawing on her magical power to outline a special magic circle.

  As Misako speaks, she also transmits the coordinates and magical information received from Shiroo Farkonia. This way, both parties use spatial eagic simultaneously, creating a portal.

  This is the same method used previously when Diana was brought back from the Dragon Empire by Farkonia and Elyssa.

  "Wait, let me set up a spatial anchor first."

  Using the simple spatial teleporter that Lucciliane had given her—and one she had previously used with Gregory—Misako establishes a coordinate in the "Alliance of All Living Things" room, ensuring they always return to the Imperial Capital. Then, she and the others step through the portal.

  "Priestess, you’ve arrived."

  Oher side of the portal, a group of demons and dragons are bowing in respect.

  o them are the women in bck cloaks, their eyes filled with curiosity and reverence.

  "You all know why I’ve called you here, don’t you?"

  "We uand. You io establish a base outside the Abyss, correct?"

  One of Misako’s primary reasons for f an alliance is to allow the demons—and the creatures in the Abyss—to return to this world. This would also establish a stronghold for the demons here.

  "Yes, we’ve already secured the assistance of the Elven race, the Demon race, the Human Empire, and even a Vampire Duke. For now, the priority is to cultivate the nd."

  During their brief stay in the Imperial Capital, Elyssa had returned and informed Misako that she had smoothed things over within the Vampire fa. They too would lend their support, seeing it as a way to repay Farkonia for her help in resg Diana.

  As for the problem of cultivating he Abyss, the surrounding area is affected by chaotic time and space, as well as overwhelming magical energy. This makes it impossible for normal pnts and weaker animals to survive here. Over time, no nation had wao cim the nd.

  This, however, worked in their favor, for the seal on the Abyss has been broken. The magic holding it in pce is gradually dissipating, and time is stabilizing. With some effort, this barren, lifeless nd soon be restored to vibrant life.

  "We’ll leave the work to you for now. As for the order of business…"

  Misako turns to the group of women in bck who have been silently everything.

  "You, who are you?"