Chapter 34

“Here! Try it!”

As I was making honey, a giant hornet slowly approached my petals.

“Oh… wait a minute…?”

When I looked closely, this thing was much bigger than I thought…

Its head was as big as my flower!

Just as I was panicking, a tongue shot out from the hornet’s proboscis.

The tongue was enormous as well.

It was dozens of times larger than those of other insects!

“No! Something this big is impossible!”

Nom!

“Hyup!”

The majestic tongue found my weak spot.

And the giant began to wildly lick my stigma along with the honey!

Nomnom!

“Ahun! Unh…”

“Look, Riko is really enjoying it a lot.”

“Yeah, indeed. Her entire body is quivering; she looks extremely happy.”

“Hmm. Thanks to her, I’ve learned something.”

“No way!”

There is no way I could be enjoying this!It’s just my body reacting without my knowledge!

Before I could explain the truth to Master and Nis, the hornet’s assault continued.

“Wait! You know that I’m struggling because of the will in the honey!”

Nomnomnom!

“Ugh!”

…

Nomnomnom!!!Nomnomnom!!!

“Ugh…”

…Finally… is it over…?

《No… I don’t like it when it’s so rough…! I prefer gentle touches!》

“Hohoho, so you do? Then it’s my turn again?”

“I will assist as well.”

“Eh…”

No, not again…?I can’t possibly take any more of this!

Rubrub!Strokestroke!

“Uwaang!”

…“Hmm… Hmm…”

Is it really over now…?

Master and Nis look at me with… not exactly dazed, but content expressions.And the giant hornet is lying on the ground, contentedly patting its belly with its six legs after a good meal.

What is this? Is it a person?

More importantly, how did that little hornet get so strong?

《Mmster!》

“Hmm? Did you enjoy it so much that you’re showing affection?”“Eh!”

It’s just a mistake!All because my mind was so scattered!It’s all because of the giant hornet!

《That’s part of it! But this giant hornet was definitely small and really weak just a few months ago!》

“Hmm?”“Ohho?”

Master and Nis simultaneously lit up with interested eyes.

《Can it suddenly become so strong?》

“Hmm… shall we open it up and see?”

Huh?Open up?Nis is lifting her swaying dress hem and approaching the hornet.

《Wait! Nis, absolutely no dissection!》

“Why not? Such a rare specimen deserves to be researched…”

《No way! This one will become our strongest combatant among the Verlez!》

The sound of roots scratching the ground is more urgent than usual.Nis sighed with evident regret.We can’t k*ll such a rare talent that fell into our hands!

Master is also observing the hornet with interested eyes.The hornet seems to sense that gaze.

“Hmm… let’s take a closer look.”

Master steps closer to the hornet.If it were any other insect, it would be trembling before the absolute ruler, but this one is surprisingly calm.Instead, it even seems to fold its wings slightly as if in a greeting.

“A female.”

“Thank goodness…”

I breathed a sigh of relief.If it were a male and licked me so roughly like earlier…

It’s terrifying!

Master’s eyes become even sharper.

“Oh? This is interesting. I can sense the magic of the Snowstorm Ridge guardians.”

“Huh?”

“This one must have eaten them.”

My petals trembled with excitement.

“What’s the Snowstorm Ridge?”

“The giant icy gorge surrounding the Shia Kalt Mountain Range.”

Nis explained elegantly.

“Like a fence around our home.”

At this, my petals widened in surprise.The massive icy gorge is also within Master’s domain?Amazing…!

“Wow! Land tycoon! I love you!”

The giant hornet is still lying on the ground, happily flapping its wings.How splendid that such a powerful being will become one of our Verlez!

《A name! I want to give this one a name!》

The sound of the roots scratching the ground is filled with excitement.

“What do you think would be a good name?”

Nis laughed as if amused.

“Hmm, Glecia.”

At Master’s single word, everyone turned their heads.The hornet’s compound eyes also gleamed brightly.

“Wah! I absolutely love it!”

Glecia happily flapped her wings.That was when…

Flutterflutter!

A young butterfly began urgently circling around my petals.The fluttering was more energetic than usual.

“Eh? Do you want a name too?”

*

At last, we’ve arrived.

A sense of relief washed over us as we entered the village gate, marking the end of our long journey.

The village was more bustling than expected.

Children running through the alleys, merchants loudly haggling—The atmosphere was full of peace.

“Could it be because the hero and holy maiden visited?”

Adrian scratched his chin as he spoke.The potion pouch in his hand jingled.

“That could be it. They say the atmosphere changed significantly in each village they visited.”

Hawin nodded affirmatively.

That rumor…That’s why we’re here.To become stronger.

A sigh escaped me unawares.The fatigue from crossing the Snowstorm Ridge came rushing back.Especially the battle with the Frost Wolves was incredibly tough.Our current skills just aren’t enough.

“We need to rest first. Let’s find an inn.”

The Moonlit Refuge.They said it was the largest inn in the village.Warm air greeted us as we opened the door, slowly melting our frozen bodies.

“Welcome~”

A robust innkeeper greeted us warmly.The rich scent of food came from the dining area.None of us had had a proper meal in quite a while.

“Would you like something to eat?”

“Yes, please.”

As we settled into our seats, my gaze naturally fell onto a corner.An old man with scruffy beard sat alone drinking.He looked unremarkable, but his sharp eyes told a different story.Dressed in robes, he seemed to be a mage.

“That person…” Hawin whispered quietly.“A-grade adventurer party ‘Indomitable Will’ mage, Alldin.”

My heart began to race.Every rumor I’d heard on the way here flashed through my mind.That flower, that met the holy maiden and the hero.And the Indomitable Will party that appeared alongside it.Was it a coincidence? Or… fate?

“Let’s go.”

With a gulp, I approached Alldin’s table.

“Excuse us. Could we perhaps inquire about… that flower you’ve heard of?”

Alldin set down his wineglass and scrutinized us with a sharp gaze.Tension hung heavy in the air.

“Hooh… has the rumor spread so far already?”

“Yes, quite far.”

Answering his question, sweat gathered in my palms.Surely he wouldn’t turn us away?

After staring at us for a while, Alldin sighed.

“Our party met another party there firsthand. But I can’t disclose the details.”

The sinking feeling in my chest—just then—

“S-Rank Magical Awakening Elixir, any interest?”

Adrian quickly interjected.In his hand was a potion glowing with a blue light.Our last-resort trump card.

Alldin’s eyes sparkled.We couldn’t step back now.If we missed this opportunity, coming here would be pointless.

“…Can your group keep secrets?”

All three of us nodded.Alldin glanced around then lowered his voice.

“I can’t tell you much. But let me tell you this.”

We leaned in closer, each word precious.

“I’ve spent 60 years walking the path of magic. I’ve never believed in gods. But…”

Alldin’s voice trembled.60 years… nearly three times my life.For such a great archmage to be this rattled.

“After eating the flower’s honey, I gained some divine power. At first, I barely noticed, but over time, it became clear. It’s inexplicable.”

My eyes widened in shock.Magic and divine power are opposites.A mage gaining divine power?It’s inconceivable.

“The most surprising was the change in Marianne, the original cleric, and the holy maiden and the hero. Their divine powers skyrocketed.”

Alldin continued as he finished his glass.

“It seems especially effective for believers of the god of light.”

I glanced at my comrades.The alchemist Adrian, bowmaster Hawin.None of us were clerics.

‘This way… even meeting the flower might not give us much benefit.’

But it’s too late already.We nearly died crossing the Snowstorm Ridge three times.There’s no way we can turn back.

“Still…”I clenched my fists.Even a small effect is fine.If it can make us stronger, even a little…

“We’ve come this far. I’d like to meet it once.”

Adrian and Hawin also nodded.We already knew.We aren’t strong enough as we are.We must become stronger.

“Well…”Alldin raised his empty glass and said,

“May fortune be with you. And…”

He looked at us meaningfully.

“Come back alive.”

A chill ran down my spine.The existence that even an A-grade adventurer party fears.Can we really handle it?

But my resolve is firm.We’ve come this far prepared to d*e.

“Thank you.”

…

Early morning.The endless expanse of eternal snow at the end of the Shia Kalt Mountain Range looked down upon us.As we took our first steps—

“Over there!”

Hawin suddenly shouted.Turning my head, I saw a knight stumbling down, his entire outfit drenched in bl**d.

“Help… please help…”

The knight mumbled before collapsing.Adrian quickly rushed to assess his condition.

“Serious injuries.”

Adrian carefully examined the knight.His body was covered in wounds, and frostbite was evident throughout.

“We need a high-level vitality recovery potion.”

Adrian pulled out a bottle with a reddish glow.It was one of the potions made overnight.Even after emptying the first bottle, the knight’s condition remained precarious, so we used a second bottle.

“Kreuh…”

Color returned to the knight’s face as he slowly opened his eyes.

“Thank… you.”

“No, but what exactly happened…”

“Help… please!”

The knight abruptly sat up, disregarding his pain.

“At the entrance to Dami Palace… my comrades…”

I exchanged a glance with Hawin.We had originally planned to search the entire mountain range.The flower’s location from the rumors wasn’t clear.But… our destination is now clear, by this coincidence…

“I understand. We will help.”

I nodded.

During our hurried movement, the knight introduced himself.

“I am Klaus, from the Kingdom of Genesis’ 2nd Knights Division.”

Then he began recounting his experiences in the dungeon.Each word weighed heavily on my steps.

“The flower… it wasn’t a simple flower. It was the king of insects.” Klaus’s voice quivered.“Forty elite knights… disappeared in an instant…”

After a brief pause to catch his breath, he continued.

“Hundreds of insects moved with perfect organization. And the toxin released from the flower… flesh rotting away…”

Adrian looked at me.I could sense the unease in his gaze.This was very different from what we heard last night.We heard it was a sacred flower that significantly enhances divine power.But this… it was more like a calamity.

Hawin’s grip on his bow tightened.I could see the same thoughts crossing his mind.

“Only Sir Edgar and I survived. But now Sir Edgar is at the dungeon entrance, fighting a giant hornet…”

A chill ran through my chest.The being we sought.Was it a blessing or a terror?

But there was no turning back now.If it’s this dangerous… could it bring us even greater power?

The thought crossed my mind instantly, and I noticed the shift in Adrian and Hawin’s gazes.They seemed to be thinking the same thing.

“Potions, twelve left. Sufficient.”

Adrian checked his pouch as he spoke.There was no hesitation left in his voice.

Finally, we arrived at the dungeon entrance.But there was an unsettling silence hanging over the place.Signs of battle were everywhere.Frozen boulders, deep sword marks, and scattered bloodstains dotted the area.

“Sir Edgar…!”

Klaus called out as he looked around, but there was no response.Only the cold wind blew.

I could sense the tension in Adrian and Hawin’s expressions grow.Even so, the journey had already begun, and the intensity of the danger hinted at even greater potential.

The dungeon entrance loomed like a deep abyss.