Chapter 25

“Farewell! See you again soon!”

The roots waved a final goodbye, trembling slightly.

Seraphina’s and Beatrice’s backs gradually grew distant, yet for some strange reason, a peculiar pang of sadness tugged at my heart.

“Hehe… it was fun anyway.”

To think that my first meeting with the game’s heroes was ending like this…

If only I could have stayed with them longer, but since my companions were waiting, I had no choice but to see them off.I guess Master must have been terrifying, so they stayed back in the village.

“Hmm… but heispretty scary.”

After hearing various stories, I realized humans were much weaker than I’d expected.Beatrice was the second strongest hero and fifth strongest human on the continent.Yet even when she teamed up with Saint Seraphina, she still got taken down by me.

“Ho ho.”

Maybe I’m just too strong.And I’m only three years old!The possibilities are endless.Not to mention, I’ve got the incredible Master and Lord Mikel backing me up!

Feeling rather proud, the flower petals swayed gently.

A young butterfly fluttered around me, displaying her excitement.

And then—

Flash!

Cecilia’s cocoon suddenly emitted a much brighter light than usual.The clear, ruby-like cocoon began to leak out a red glow.

“You certainly don’t give anyone a dull moment…”

My chest—or what felt like my chest—thumped violently, although I don’t actually have a heart.Could our Hotpack finally be waking up?

“Miss Butterfly!”

A delicate butterfly with trembling wings flew over.Other Verlez started gathering one by one.Frost Mose seemed to be quivering with anticipation, rustling his wings, while Crystal Beetle gleamed his shell and looked on eagerly.

All were wide-eyed, watching the youngest member’s evolution as if they were a family waiting for their baby’s first steps.

It was such a heartwarming scene.

Crack—

The cocoon began to slowly split open.The light seeping through the crack reminded me of dawn—warm and lovely, like a rising sun.

“Ooooh… I can’t wait to see you!”

The petals shivered with nervous excitement as we were about to see Cecilia’s true form.The Verlez seemed to hold their collective breath in anticipation.

Burst—

Finally, the cocoon split open completely.And inside…

☆☆【Cecilia】Blaze Lumière LV10

“Aaaaaah! You’re too beautiful!”

A butterfly, like living flames, fluttered upward.Her ruby-colored wings were adorned with rippling flame patterns, and the edges shimmered with a transparent light, as if holding sunlight.It was as though the sky during a magnificent sunset had been captured.

Cecilia slowly unfolded her wings.With every flap, tiny sparks seemed to fly, making the icy cavern feel like a warm spring day.

“Our Cecilia has grown into such a beauty…”

The young butterfly happily circled Cecilia, seemingly congratulating her.Blizzard Hornet paid respects with a sharp sting-like gesture, and Hyperborean Ant presented a tiny crystal of ice as a gift.Every Verlez celebrated in their own unique way.

Cecilia gracefully flapped her wings in return, looking happy to finally meet everyone.

“You’ve grown so well…”

“Our cute baby has grown into such a beauty!”

It was almost enough to bring tears to my eyes.Even though I can’t cry, I felt something close to it.Now I understand why everyone becomes a spoiled parent when it comes to their daughters…

“Listen up, kids! From now on, any prey you catch goes to Cecilia. Is that clear?”

The Verlez all nodded in unison.

The young butterfly looked a little downcast but still fluttered her wings in celebration.

This is where our little one truly begins to grow!

Flutter flutter…

Cecilia landed on the flower petals, as if yearning for honey.Finally, you want to eat honey too?When you were just a caterpillar, it was so troublesome how you would only eat poisonous leaves.

Crunch crunch…

“Eh?”

Cecilia, unable to kick her old habit, started munching on the flower petals again.

『「Deadly Poison LV8」 skill has leveled up.』

“Hey you idiot!”

I quickly sprinkled recovery pollen on Cecilia while small flames erupted around her thrashing body.

“Too hot!!!”

What in the world is this about?Since becoming a butterfly, she’s already living up to her reputation as a fiery daughter!

The Verlez looked stunned by this unexpected celebration.The young butterfly covered her wings, trying to suppress a laugh, while the others seemed to find it amusing.

Ouch!Put out that fire!

“Miss Butterfly! Use Blizzard on that moth!”

…

『「Pollen Dispersion LV10」 skill has leveled up.』

『「Pollen Blossom LV1」「Pollen Dispersion LV10」 skill has evolved.』

『「Pollen Blossom」– Blooms a shower of beautiful pollen. The range and accuracy of pollen dispersion have increased.』

『「Pollen-Healing LV10」 skill has leveled up.』

『「Pollen-Healing (Advanced) LV1」「Pollen-Healing LV10」 skill has evolved.』

『「Pollen-Healing (Advanced)」– The pollen contains powerful healing properties.』

“Ugh… what kind of suffering is this?”

Taking care of Cecilia is much harder than I expected.Did Master go through the same when raising me?

☆☆【Cecilia】Blaze Lumière LV78

However, it was worth it.Her skills leveled up consistently, two of them even evolved, and Cecilia’s level is already 78.

Can my flower petals bethatnutritious?If I didn’t have extra energy reserves, I might’ve been completely devoured.

Crunch crunch…

Cecilia continues to eat my petals without tiring.

“Hmph… if it makes you happy…”

『「Deadly Poison LV10」 skill has leveled up.』

『「Extinction Toxin」「Deadly Poison LV10」 skill has evolved.』

『「Extinction Toxin」– Possesses a fatal toxin that rapidly weakens life force.』

“Huh?”

“Wait! Stop eating!”

Her deadly poison skill evolved into something terrifying.I hurriedly lifted my roots to stop her.

“We don’t know what will happen if you eat more!”

Flail flail!

Cecilia swatted my roots away and rushed toward the petals again.

“Settle down! You’ll get yourself into trouble!”

But Cecilia’s eyes shone with an almost poisoned look, like when I see blood…

Crunch crunch…

“Hmph… you’re definitely my daughter.”

That’s when it happened.

Cecilia suddenly started shaking violently.Her wings fluttered weakly, and she swayed as if about to collapse.

“Aaaaaah! What should I do!”

Was the poison too strong?Cecilia’s wingtips appeared wilted.The young butterfly flew over to support Cecilia, but the intense heat kept her at bay.

“Recovery pollen! Quickly!”

Sprinkling bright green pollen slightly calmed her trembling, but her wings remained limp.

…

Days passed.Every day, Cecilia would try to eat my flower petals, and each time, the same pain repeated.

“No… stop…”

Seeing Cecilia stagger under the poison was heart-wrenching.But Cecilia wouldn’t give up.Despite wings that seemed to burn, each day she endured a little longer.

…

☆☆【Cecilia】Blaze Lumière LV92

On the seventeenth attempt, something was different.

Cecilia’s body began to tremble, but it felt unlike previous times.The red light grew stronger until…

BOOM!

“Ah! It’s too hot!”

A burst of heat radiated out as Cecilia’s wings began to emit an even more intense crimson glow, as if burning away the poison itself.

“Hmm? This is different…”

Her trembling wings gradually steadied.With each flap, embers flew, and those embers seemed to purify the poison.Watching Cecilia grow, my pain melted away naturally.

“Could it be… finally?”

I offered one of my petals proudly.

“Is it truly safe now?”

Flutter flutter…

Cecilia happily circled me.There was definitely something different now.I could feel the fiery resilience that overcame the poison.

It was so heartwarming her behavior felt almost like she was being playful.

“Our youngest has… finally succeeded!”

The young butterfly was the first to fly and circle Cecilia jubilantly.The heat no longer seemed to bother her.

Frost Mantis graciously waved its forelimbs, performing an elegant aerial dance, followed by Frost Hoppers hopping rhythmically in a celebratory performance, making it look like a mini ballroom scene.

“Look at our Cecilia! Aren’t we so proud?”

Icecl Arachne spun a glistening frost bouquet made of sparkling ice threads in celebration, while Snow Centipedes curled up to form a congratulatory arch.Even the veteran Verlez displayed their joy in their own ways.

“Our cute princess of the Verlez!”

“Wonder what Master will say when he returns?”

To have such a beautiful and strongest youngest sister now…

“He’ll surely be extremely happy!”

Cecilia’s wings shone even more brilliantly.

Huh?

Just then, something showed up on the detection radar.This presence…

“Master!!!”

My excitement was overwhelming.He’s finally back!

I had to tell him the news right away: we’ve met saints and heroes, and Cecilia has become so beautiful!

But…

“What’s this…”

Another presence approaching alongside Master.It’s just as powerful as Master’s…

Strange, yet mysteriously magical energy could be felt.

From afar, two figures came into view.One was undoubtedly our beloved Master.And the other…

Her midnight-black hair, like a slice of the night sky, with faint hints of purple shimmering through.The wind blew strands that sparkled like stars stitched across the cosmos.

“Wow…”

Her deep-black dress, glowing softly with every step, had a skirt that shimmered like countless stars sewn into the fabric, swaying elegantly.Her skin, white as jade, outshone even moonlight.

Her cold gaze and slightly upturned lips carried an aura of authority, yet it was undeniably beautiful.Her haughty eyebrows framed crimson eyes, like red roses blooming under the moonlight.

“But still… Master is definitely more beautiful…!”

A peculiar flutter stirred in my chest.I had a premonition that something extraordinary was about to happen.