Chapter 531: First Anniversary Extra Chapter ~~ The God of Creation Wants to Pamper ~~ (2/2)

[Kuhh…… Shiro-san is being meaner to me lately, teasing me like that.]

[Does such actions make you dislike me?]

[……No, well, it's making me feel embarrassed but…… Compared to the previous Shiro-san…… I love the current Shiro-san, who is showing more emotions.]

[Is that so?]

When Shallow Vernal heard Kaito's reply, she patted Kaito's head which was on her thighs with satisfaction, giving him a beautiful smile.

Even if they don't say anything more, it feels as if their hearts were connected with each other…… Savoring the comfort brought by each other's presence……

[……Master? He left about half an hour ago?]

[I- I see……. Do you know where he went?]

[No, my apologies.]

[No, it's my fault for coming on such short notice. That was rude of me.]

At Kaito's home, Chief Retainer Anima, told her that Kaito wasn't there. Feeling a bit disappointed, Chronois decided to head to the next location.

(Mhmm, Miyama went out…… Well then, where could he be? The most likely choices were either Lilia's mansion, Death King's castle, or Underworld King's castle……)

Kaito's range of activities is reasonably wide, and since he uses Teleportation Magic, there are many choices as to where he could be, but for Chronois, who can control time, it does not take that much time to travel. For the time being though, thinking that she should try checking out the places one after another, Chronois disappeared from the area.

However, her search for Kaito, which she thought would be easy to find, turned out to be extremely difficult. There was no sign of Kaito in Lilia's mansion, Isis' castle, or Kuromueina's castle.

In addition, she went around everywhere she could think of, but she couldn't find Kaito.

(……I can't find him. I should check Phantasmal King's shop next…… No, wait, in the first place, where's Phantasmal King's store? I'm pretty sure it's in the Symphonia Kingdom but……)

The most likely place for Kaito to visit was Alice's miscellaneous goods store, but Chronois had never been there, so she didn't know the exact location.

That's the reason why she had removed her store from the list of places to check out, but she had already visited all other places he may have been and she had no idea where else to go.

(……Should I ask God of Life and God of Fate? It will take some time to convince them to cooperate but…… No, wait. As expected, God of Life and God of Fate will spare no effort to help me if it's Shallow Vernal-sama's request.)

Since she couldn't find Kaito, Chronois decided to rely on Life and Fate but……

[……I- I couldn't find him.]

[What!?]

However, even with Life's ability, she couldn't find Kaito.

[Hmmm, God of Life's power doesn't work in places where there are no living beings to serve as your eyes…… Does that mean Kaito is in such a place?]

[U- Uumu…… This is troubling. We can't keep Shallow Vernal-sama any longer……]

Nearly two hours had already passed since they started searching for Kaito, and one could see the great amount of impatience on Chronois' face.

[……I mean, this is just a thought but……]

[What is it, God of Life?]

[……Miyama-sama…… Isn't it possible that he's in the Sanctuary?]

[……What?]

[I mean, the Sanctuary is a place where my power and God of Fate's power would obviously not reach……]

Hearing the words Life muttered, Chronois brought her hand on her chin and thought for a moment. Rather than thinking that Kaito is in a place where no other living beings exist, it would certainly make more sense that he is in the Sanctuary, the place that is beyond the reach of Life's ability.

Just as the saying where it's the darkest under the lamp post, she thought that it was the most likely scenario at the moment, so she nodded once and decided to head for the Sanctuary.

[……That's certainly a good possibility. I'm going to head to the Sanctuary to check. Thanks for the help.]

[No problem. If you still couldn't find him, I'll search using my ability again.]

[If Kai-chan is over there, tell him to stop by my temple on his way home~~]

With Life and Fate's words calling out behind her back, Chronois hurriedly headed for the Sanctuary.

When she arrived at the Sanctuary, she didn't find Kaito, and only found Shallow Vernal in the place.

(He isn't here either? ……I failed.)

Gnashing her teeth at the fact that she hadn't fulfilled Shallow Vernal's request, she approached her to give her an update on her progress, knowing that she would be scolded.

However, Chronois heard words that she didn't expect.

[……Chronois.]

[Hahh…… Eh? Did Shallow Vernal-sama just call me by my name……]

[You've done well. I'm very proud of you.]

[……Huh?]

The words Shallow Vernal had spoken were the highest praise Chronois had ever received. Kaito had obviously been in this place a moment ago, but Chronois, not knowing that what Shallow Vernal had hoped for happened, tilted her head.

If Shallow Vernal had read Chronois' mind, the misunderstanding would have been easily cleared up but…… Fortunately or unfortunately, Shallow Vernal is currently in an extremely great mood, her mind so preoccupied with Kaito that she completely ignored Chronois' confusion.

It was not until some time later that the dumbfounded Chronois completely understood the situation.

[……Like that, I followed Kuro's advice and got pampered by Shiro-san. I was so embarrassed though.]

[Ahaha, Shiro got really glad, isn't she? She's been saying that lately after all.]

[……U- Unnn. Oh well……]

[Ah, speaking of which, Chronois-chan was looking for you, Kaito-kun.]

[Chronois-san? Did she need something? She should have just sent me a hummingbird……]

[She can't, hummingbirds can't reach the Sanctuary. Perhaps, she may have some urgent matter?]

[……Fumu, I'll check up on Chronois-san then.]

[Unnn! Take care~~]

? ? ? : [Whoa there, what a blunder. I didn't specify my contact information on our last shopping trip. I guess we don't have any choice but to let Serious-senpai seriously take responsibility, eh?]

Serious-senpai : [Why!? That's your fault! Pay for your own stuff!]

? ? ? : [……For just a mere gag character, you're quite annoying, aren’t you?]

Serious-senpai : [Why the heck are you mentioning that now!? Even though I'm not mentioning what happened in the last chapter anymore, pretending that it never happened!!!]