“Oh my, this place is still the same.”
An exclamation escaped me as I descended to the deepest level.
It looked exactly the same as the last time I visited a thousand years ago.
The pillars of ice were still as elegant as ever, and the icicles hanging from the ceiling shone beautifully like a chandelier.
The frost flowing down the walls created beautiful patterns resembling delicate lace.
“Hmph… still, my dungeon is prettier.”
Of course, this place had its own kind of beauty.
A cold yet graceful aesthetic, truly befitting Prostia.
Is it too restrained, perhaps?
If it were up to me, I’d decorate it with pearls here and there, and maybe hang some glowing jellyfish…
At least I’m grateful that Prostia didn’t make it pitch dark?
The last time I was here, it was so dark that the light from my dress wasn’t visible at all!
“Hmm, does Riko not stay here?”
I suddenly wondered.
Her magnificent crimson petals would have been a nice accent in this chilly space.
“Nis.”
My thoughts were interrupted by Prostia’s suddenly cold voice.
“Yes~?”
I replied in my usual playful manner, but Prostia’s expression looked serious.
“Don’t you dare mess with Riko.”
I froze in shock.
What on earth…?
“Goodness, what are you talking about? I was just…”
BOOM!!!
Before I could finish my sentence, Prostia’s fist smashed into the ice wall. The entire space shook violently, and some icicles fell and shattered.
“Kyaaah!”
I screamed involuntarily.
My hands, clutching the hem of my dress, were trembling.
Prostia’s gaze had changed.
It wasn’t the cold look I’d seen for thousands of years.
It was filled with genuine hostility, like she was staring at an enemy…
“Me? I only thought Riko was beautiful and cute, and wanted to make her look even more beautiful!”
My voice trembled.
I really felt wronged.
I only…
“It’s true!”
Prostia’s skeptical gaze hurt my heart.
After knowing each other for so long, to be doubted this way…
“How long have we known each other, and you treat me like this…!”
My voice rose higher than usual.
We’ve teased each other many times over the years.
We’ve joked around, and sometimes been petty, but…
I’ve never been doubted this much.
‘Anyway, I only…’
I recalled seeing Riko for the first time earlier.
The beautiful petals, the graceful posture.
It was like the day I first gained my human form – so exhilarating.
Prostia stared at me for a moment, then sighed.
“…Alright.”
Her expression was still disapproving, but at least the hostility was gone.
I felt hurt.
Is this the value of our thousands of years of friendship?
“Let’s head back up.”
Prostia started walking, and I followed reluctantly, pouting.
The sound of my dress trailing across the icy floor echoed in the quiet space.
When we reached the upper level, it seemed like Riko and the insects were watching us carefully.
That’s when Prostia said…
“Were you worried? It’s nothing serious. I was just having a small chat with an old friend.”
…Eh?
I thought I must be hearing things.
Who is this?
Is this really Prostia I know?
What’s with this gentle tone of voice?
‘No… she was glaring at me with hostility just a moment ago…’
This made me feel even more hurt.
Is this discrimination?
That cold ice princess being this nice!
And she was so hostile towards me just a moment ago…
“Wait!”
Suddenly, I made up my mind.
I must resolve this injustice!
“I’ll decorate this place for you!”
Prostia gave me a suspicious look again.
There it is! That look again!
Why do I appear so suspicious?
That’s when Riko showed a trembling expression, like a child eagerly waiting for a present.
So cute…!
“Can you decorate me?”
Riko quickly inscribed letters with her roots.
《Yes! I’d love that!》
Her handwriting was endearing too.
Indeed, this child would glow even more when decorated.
Prostia reluctantly nodded after seeing Riko’s reaction.
Ha! More favoritism!
She was so harsh with me earlier, yet she immediately accepts Riko’s opinion.
I eagerly began casting spells.
My pride from the Deep Sea Dungeon – colorful glowing corals.
Decorative pearl-encrusted shells that danced through the air.
I even added some glowing jellyfish here and there…
“…”
Prostia shot me a cold glance.
“Chaotic. It doesn’t suit this place at all.”
《Um… I think it looks pretty…》
Riko carefully inscribed letters.
Ugh…
My pride was hurt.
Everyone in Deathmeier said these decorations were beautiful!
“Hmph!”
I grumbled and removed all the decorations.
Then I thought for a moment.
What would suit this cold space while making Riko stand out…
“Ah… This!”
This time, I began creating small flowers resembling Riko.
Crimson petals and jet-black stems…
I added a soft sheen to each petal.
They spread across the entire floor like stars scattered in the sky.
Riko trembled her petals in happiness.
《Wow! It’s so beautiful!》
The insects flew joyfully among the pretty flowers.
Even Prostia’s expression softened.
‘Right…!’
Just as I was about to sigh in relief…
“Do these flowers… have anything strange about them?”
Another doubt?
“Goodness! These are just decorative flowers that resemble Riko! They have no special abilities, I assure you!”
Unfair…
So unfair…
Why does she doubt me so much!
Prostia gave me another suspicious look.
I could only sigh.
‘After calling me a friend… how could you…’
But seeing Riko’s happy face brings some comfort.
Though Prostia’s suspicion is hurtful…
If this beautiful child likes it, that’s all that matters.
Still, I’m hurt!
I came here because you called me!
Just then.
A shadow zipped by like lightning.
“Kyaaah!”
I instinctively clutched my dress tightly.
My heart was pounding.
It was the Ice Spider – the Icicle Arana.
Its body sparkled like transparent ice, which under normal circumstances might be considered beautiful…
‘But still, it’s a spider!’
The spider, having reached Riko, waved its forelegs around trying to communicate something.
Its eight legs moved in the air like an elegant court dance, though it only gave me the creeps.
‘Ugh… please stop waving your legs like that…’
Riko seemed to earnestly observe the spider’s movements without realizing my feelings.
Then a butterfly that resembled a queen butterfly gracefully flapped its wings as it approached Riko’s petals.
Its transparent wings gleamed softly, like the embroidery on my dress.
It began sipping the sweet nectar flowing from Riko’s petals.
The scene of flowers and butterflies conversing looked like a beautiful painting.
I unconsciously lost myself in the sight.
‘Oh my, she can interact like this…’
Now I understood what Prostia had said.
Riko really is special.
[A large group of humans seems to have entered the upper levels.]
Suddenly, Riko’s roots began inscribing words on the floor.
Her cute handwriting remained the same.
‘I see, so that spider was a scout.’
I couldn’t help but marvel.
What an organized structure!
Using even those creepy spiders as scouts – what ingenuity!
“Hmph. They have no fear.”
Prostia said coldly.
Her voice made the icy air feel even colder.
“Truly. They’re so fragile…”
I felt the same way.
Humans who pursue beauty – but their lives are too short and fragile.
‘Ah! This is my chance!’
I suddenly had a good idea.
This could clear Prostia’s doubts.
“Shall I dispose of them for you? A single gesture and I can turn them all to powder…”
‘This way, Prostia will understand my true intentions, right?’
Besides, it’s a great opportunity to give Riko the humans’ mana.
A win-win situation, isn’t it?
[Ack! No!]
Riko quickly moved her roots.
She looked like an embarrassed girl.
[I’d like to meet the humans…]
The sound of her roots scratching the floor seemed more urgent than usual.
How cute…
“Fine, since we’re here, do as you please.”
Prostia’s gentle voice made me feel hurt again.
She looked so scary at me earlier…
Still favoritism, isn’t it!
Just then, the queen butterfly and other butterflies began flapping their wings.
The red butterfly named Cecilia introduced earlier remained still while watching.
As if responding to signals from the butterflies,
countless insects quickly dashed out of the common space.
I couldn’t help but marvel at their orderly movements.
“Hmm? Where are they going?”
[To monitor the humans!]
‘Impressive…’
She’s like a perfect commander of the army!
She can control the soldiers so systematically!
“How many days do you think it will take for the humans to get here?”
I asked Riko.
It would surely take them some time to reach this place.
[About one day to the upper layer, another day to the middle layer… probably about four days…]
Riko’s roots scratched the floor.
She looked like a scholar doing calculations.
“Then can I stay here and wait?”
Prostia gave me a suspicious look.
‘Really… when will this suspicion complex go away?’
But Riko happily swayed her petals.
[Yes! I’d be delighted if you stayed with us!]
The first day began like this.
Riko communicated endlessly with the insects.
She moved about systematically like a game of chess.
“Oh my, look at that.”
I lightly pulled Prostia’s sleeve.
It was amazing to see how the insects moved like shadows, delivering information.
[We’ve learned the number of humans. About forty knights?]
“Wow… truly amazing.”
I couldn’t help but admire Riko’s information network.
Though I’m sorry to say, regarding the battle of subordinates in my mind,
it seems Riko has won.
My subordinates can’t do that…
The second day.
The insects’ movements became more refined.
[They are heading towards the middle layer. But I’ve instructed them not to show themselves.]
Riko confidently inscribed words with her roots.
Butterflies that have fed on nectar repeatedly disappeared and reappeared in the darkness.
“Like a dance, isn’t it?”
Prostia also looked satisfied.
‘Pfft! She was so cold to me earlier…’
The third day.
We received the news that the knights had entered the lower level.
[It’s nearly time…]
Riko’s petals trembled slightly.
Is she nervous?
Or perhaps expecting?
“Riko, how about decorating this place a bit now?”
[Yes? Oh, yes! I’d love that!]
I enthusiastically began decorating.
This time, I’ll create a work that even Prostia will adore…
“Nis, it’s excessive.”
‘Ugh…’
Still her cold evaluation made my shoulders droop.
The last day.
Finally, we received the news that the knights had arrived at the entrance to the deepest level.
[Using my floral fragrance as a guide. This way…]
“Oh my, truly impressive!”
Then a good idea suddenly came to me.
“Madam Prostia.”
I sneakily approached and whispered, like a sweet snake making a tempting offer. Though I am a true snake, after all.
“What if we retire to watch secretly? If we’re here, the humans will only be distracted by us.”
Prostia gave me another suspicious look.
‘Augh, really…’
I’m getting tired now.
But I held back my hurt feelings patiently.
However, Prostia nodded shortly after.
It seems she’s curious too.
“Riko, have a good conversation with the humans.”
Her usually cold voice sounded like a mother worried about her child this time.
She’s has really changed, hasn’t she, Prostia.
[Yes!]
Riko’s petals happily swayed, like an excited child before a field trip.
We hid in the passage leading to the deepest level.
From here we can clearly see Riko while staying out of sight from the humans.
‘Alright, what will you do, Riko?’
I involuntarily felt excited, as if waiting for a new performance at a theater.
Glancing at Prostia’s expression, it seems she feels the same way.
The humans will arrive soon…
What kind of act will Riko show us?
