Having figured out the location of the Incident mastermind, Reimu Hakurei prepared to rush there directly. Kars was intending to drop out midway, but he was dragged along by her and rushed straight towards the hole in the sky.
After entering, the scene before them changed. The space around them was pitch black, and in front of them was an incredibly long staircase.
"This is too long…" Marisa muttered. Looking at the seemingly endless staircase, a particularly chilly air swept over them, making Marisa's body instinctively feel uncomfortable.
Kars also felt this particularly strongly. This place gave him a dead, desolate feeling, as if it wasn't a place for living beings to stay.
"Where is this? It feels ominous."
"The Netherworld (Meikai). If we go up from here, we'll reach Hakugyokurou. The mistress there is the mastermind of this Incident." Reimu Hakurei's explanation stunned Kars. Had they gone straight to the Netherworld? No wonder the feeling here was so bad.
"Then let's hurry up."
"Then why are you suddenly hugging me?" Kars turned his head to look at Marisa, who was hugging him from behind, even though she said they should hurry up.
"Don't be so stingy. Let me borrow your heat for a bit. After all, the Netherworld is a place where I, a living person, feel uncomfortable. I feel like staying close to you helps keep my body from being affected." Then, regardless of Kars's opinion, she continued flying with him. After flying up the staircase for a long time, the three of them finally reached the end of the staircase. But at the same time, they saw Youmu Konpaku waiting there. After seeing Reimu Hakurei, who was leading the group, she tightened her grip on her Rōkanken sword on her waist.
"Isn't that the attendant of that very gluttonous person from the banquet? So, is she the mastermind of this Incident?" Seeing Youmu Konpaku, Kars also recalled the extremely gluttonous Yuyuko from the previous banquet. Her super-appetite had left a deep impression on him, but he hadn't expected her to be the one behind this Incident.
"This is the Netherworld, the dwelling place of the spirits of the dead. Those who are alive, please stop here. I will absolutely not allow you to pass this point." Faced with Youmu Konpaku's obstruction, Marisa's expression became somewhat excited.
"How can we leave like that! We have already investigated your motives! Hurry up and return spring to us! Or, if you plan to resist, that's fine too. You should know that I also enjoy using violence to solve problems." Faced with Marisa's confident appearance, Youmu Konpaku couldn't help but laugh. If Reimu Hakurei had said that, she might not have reacted this way, as she knew Reimu was very strong, but for the unfamiliar Marisa, she found her words quite amusing.
"You're just a human. If the Hakurei Shrine Maiden said that, it would be one thing, but who do you think you are?" Facing Youmu Konpaku's reply, this statement and attitude suddenly gave Kars a strange sense of familiarity. Remilia, his little aunt, who was soundly beaten by Reimu Hakurei last time, had a similar demeanor, almost as if they were cast from the same mold.
"Since you already know that, then don't stand here blocking us." Reimu Hakurei saw that Youmu Konpaku knew she couldn't stop her and advised her to just give up resistance and not do anything to stop her and waste time.
"No, even if I can't win, I must stand here and stop you. This is what I, as Lady Yuyuko's gardener, must do." Youmu Konpaku did not give up. She first glanced at Reimu Hakurei, and then turned to Marisa and Kars. She gripped the Rōkanken even tighter. The current situation was extremely disadvantageous for her. If it were just Marisa, she felt she was somewhat confident in stopping her, but she had no idea about Kars's capabilities. However, she was truly puzzled as to why Kars would come here to help them.
"I was forced to come along. I was just passing by, but they wanted to freeload off my heat, so they dragged me here." Kars, seeing Youmu Konpaku's slightly puzzled look, explained his reason for being there.
"However, I am in favor of resolving the Incident. I really dislike winter, especially the fact that it prevents me from sunbathing, which makes me even more annoyed."
"Is that so? In that case, there's nothing more to say." The half-ghost beside Youmu Konpaku began to change. To Kars's amazement, it transformed into a form identical to hers. Except for the color, it looked just like a twin.
"I will do my utmost to stop you here!"
"It was about time you started!" Marisa, who had grown impatient waiting, instantly pulled out her Hakke Furnace, and a sharp flash of light suddenly cut through the air, causing Marisa to hurriedly dodge it.
"Hey, why are you hugging me and dodging together at this moment? Are you trying to get us killed! I can dodge on my own, you know!" Kars was also startled by Marisa's narrow dodge.
"My body just moved on its own! Don't worry about unnecessary issues like that! Besides, now I'm getting serious! Reimu! Leave this one to me! You go ahead and find the mastermind of the Incident!" Marisa casually responded to Kars's questioning, then pulled out various bottles and jars from her pocket and threw them out. They exploded in the air, forming star danmaku that shot towards Youmu Konpaku. However, all these attacks were blocked by the Rōkanken in her hand and had no effect whatsoever.
"Alright, then good luck." Reimu Hakurei didn't doubt anything. She knew Marisa's strength and that she was fully capable of handling Youmu Konpaku.
"How dare you try to pass and hinder Lady Yuyuko!" Youmu Konpaku watched Reimu Hakurei, who was about to rush past, and prepared to stop her when a strong, blinding light suddenly burst forth, instantly engulfing her vision in a field of white. Closely following was Marisa, who was charging toward her, releasing colorful beams from her back.