Chapter 43

Buzzing!

『 ☆☆☆☆ 【Glecia】 Gellidio Cryostings LV166 』

With a sound like a drone, Glecia slowly sliced through the air and flew forward to Rote.

As if saying “Next is my turn!” She stood facing Rote in a proud posture.

“Wow… the size difference is really something…”

Seeing them side by side was like watching Goliath and David.

One of Glecia’s stingers was as large as Rote’s torso.

But this was definitely going to be interesting.

A battle for the strongest among the Verlez!

The Verlez began to gather closer.

The spiders sat in a line above, twitching their legs, while the flying Verlez flew in circles in the air.

It was like the audience seats of a futuristic Colosseum!

Most had taken sides with Glecia, but some Verlez were also rooting for Rote.

Rote didn’t seem quite as terrifying anymore.

Crunch Crunch!

Cecilia was enthusiastically nibbling on my petals as if eating popcorn at a movie theater.

She looked adorable, fluttering her wings while alternately looking at Glecia and Rote.

Flap Flap!

Miel also flew over and sat on my petal.

Tapping the petal lightly with her thin legs, she seemed to be asking for honey.

“Alright, alright.”

As a drop of honey formed on my core, Miel quickly flew over and sipped it.

Meanwhile, Cecilia and Miel appeared to be talking to each other with their antennae.

Were they predicting who would win?

“My goodness~ This is exciting!”

Lady Nis said with a playful smile.

Master watched with interest.

At that moment, Glecia’s wings began to move violently.

The buzzing grew louder until a snowstorm began swirling around.

Her white wings shimmered silver, cutting through the air as ice crystals danced like snow.

Simultaneously, her massive stinger lunged forward as she charged at Rote.

“This is…all or nothing… No…! Gigantic Impact!”

BOOM!!!

A loud sound erupted as the snowstorm billowed thickly.

The area trembled with vibrations.

The surrounding Verlez perked up their antennae in surprise.

“Of course, our Glecia! She seems lazy but delivers a proper blow!”

But I was worried about Rote.

Checked with the domain radar…

Huh?

Both were unharmed.

Rote still floated leisurely in the air, and Glecia flapped her wings, preparing for the next attack.

As the snowstorm cleared, Rote’s body shone even brighter.

A pale bluish-black light gleamed like a precious black pearl.

It seemed to become even more beautiful with each attack received.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Glecia continued to attack fiercely with her stinger.

However, Rote absorbed all the shocks like a mythical adamantium armor, deflecting them all.

Once, twice, thrice…

The more the attacks continued, the more radiant Rote’s surface became.

“How durable is this thing…?”

“Truly impressive indeed.”

Master commented in amazement.

“Isn’t it? Isn’t it? It’s my masterpiece~”

Lady Nis smiled proudly, puffing out her chest.

Crunch Crunch!

Cecilia nibbled on the petals more enthusiastically, concentrating on the match.

Her fiery wings spread wide like a cheerleader.

Miel too was completely absorbed in watching, sipping the honey.

Then Rote finally began to move.

Spinning her body, she charged toward Glecia…

“Hmm…? Isn’t that a bit slow?”

Like slow motion, Rote approached easily, allowing Glecia to dodge.

It was a futile body-check.

The Verlez audience twitched their antennae in disappointment.

This pattern continued.

When Glecia attacked with her sharp stinger, Rote merely absorbed it.

When Rote attacked, Glecia easily evaded.

The Verlez reactions began to change.

Verlez that initially kept their distance warily started to approach cautiously.

With attacks not working and weak offenses…

All she did was roll or rather fly around.

Then suddenly, Glecia opened her mouth wide.

Was she yawning…?

The buzzing wing sounds subsided…

And she immediately flew to a corner of the dungeon, curling up with a deep snore.

“Huh…?”

The Verlez audience lowered their antennae in disbelief.

What kind of conclusion was this?

It was rather anticlimactic.

Rote’s defense was truly amazing, but her offense was lacking…

“Only good defense.”

Master gave a simple evaluation.

“Tsk~ Shall I enhance her further?”

Lady Nis approached Rote with a playful smile.

Horrified!

The robot-like Rote suddenly flew over and hid tightly behind me.

Her eight detached legs trembled.

The surrounding Verlez looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

“Don’t misunderstand… I really like it this way! It’s fine!”

I quickly scratched out a message with my roots, adding hearts around the letters.

Rote’s legs seemed to tremble less.

“Hehe. Our Riko is just too kind.”

Master smiled warmly.

“Is that so? Then please take good care of her~ Oh, and…”

Lady Nis suddenly pulled something out of her robes.

Various colored potions filled with suspicious liquids – red, black, purple…

“Is this it?”

Master briefly glanced at the potions and nodded.

“Huh…?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

Lady Nis cheerfully answered and suddenly poured all the potions on me!

“You’ve acquired the [Automatic Attire Equipping (Basic – Black Dress Set)-Polymorph] trait.”

“You’ve acquired the [Polymorph Effect – Black&Red Smoke] trait.”

“You’ve acquired the [Perfect Flawlessness] trait.”

“You’ve acquired the [Aristocratic Dignity] trait.”

“You’ve acquired the [Young Aristocrat Etiquette] trait.”

“Eek…!”

Suddenly, strange traits appeared.

Is it even possible to gain traits like this from potions?

And more importantly… ‘Automatic Attire Equipping’?

Does that mean when I polymorph, I’ll automatically wear a black dress…?

And what’s this ‘Black&Red Smoke’?

Will dark red smoke billow when I transform…?

“Will come in handy when you polymorph~”

Lady Nis smiled sweetly.

“That’s useful.”

Master also seemed satisfied.

“Ah…! Does that mean if I don’t have this, I’d be naked when I polymorph!?”

…Upon thought, this was actually very important.

At least that’s a relief…

‘Perfect Flawlessness’ seems generally good.

‘Aristocratic Dignity’…? ‘Young Aristocrat Etiquette’…?

Hmm… Something feels strangely unsettling…

No, Lady Nis gave this!

These traits will surely create a perfect form!

“Uhmm… So does that mean I’ll…”

Walking elegantly, greeting with “Oh my, Master.”

Naturally lifting the little finger while drinking tea…

“Hehe, the weather is so pleasant today.” Fanning oneself…

“Eep! No way!”

Suddenly, the image of myself in my mind completely transformed into Lady Nis.

The petals trembled from embarrassment.

But…

Thinking about it, to be by Queen-like Master’s side, I need to have noble manners, right?

I’d seem too ordinary and unworthy beside Master…

Yes! If I control it well, I won’t become like Lady Nis!

“Does that make sense…?”

“Guh… Aristocrat…”

“Oh! That’s a secret gift~”

“Huh?”

“What? Did you give her something strange too?”

Master immediately questioned Lady Nis upon hearing her suspicious line.

“What? Of course not! Only good things! Right, Riko?”

‘Though it seems like it was given with good intentions…’

Hm…

Surely nothing bad will happen.

“Yes! That’s right! It’s completely good!”

“Hehehe~ See. Then, shall we go back now?”

Lady Nis smiled brightly, satisfied.

“Ah, they’re leaving.”

“Thank you! Goodbye!”

I excitedly scratched out a message with my roots and even drew a pretty flower to express my gratitude.

“That’s right. Take care.”

Master said calmly.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked Lady Nis.

“What about borrowing Riko?”

“Huh? Borrowing me?”

“Ah~ That’ll be after transformation~”

Lady Nis answered with a teasing smile.

“Uh… Er…”

For some reason, I had a very uneasy premonition.

Just a moment…

I’m not going to be modified like Rote, am I…?

While I was flustered, Lady Nis waved at Master, as if beckoning to hurry.

“No, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing?”

“I need you to take me there!”

Master sighed deeply.

“…I’ll be back.”

While saying this, he gently stroked my petals again.

A chill ran through me as his cool hand grazed the petals.

“Yes! Have a safe trip!”

I scratched out a farewell message and waved my petals gently.

Even after Master and Lady Nis disappeared, my uneasiness didn’t fade easily.

Lady Nis said she’d borrow me…

What could that mean…?

They’re not really going to do some strange experiment on me, are they…?

The petals slightly curled from worry.