Back to the Labyrinth

I let the sweet nectar flow between the petals.

It felt so natural now, as if I could control the flow effortlessly.

“Gather ’round, Belez!”

They must have been too far to catch the scent.

How far had they gone?

Just then, an Isis Fly fluttered in, its wings glimmering.

That round-eyed creature had been staring at me!

Heh, you’ve got some extraordinary news to share.

“I’m now the labyrinth’s administrator! And I’m in a relationship with the ruler, the Master!”

The butterfly’s eyes widened in surprise.

Oh, they were naturally big.

Its pupils grew even larger.

I glanced at the Master, who seemed deep in thought, eyes closed.

Heh, I’ll continue bragging to the butterfly!

“How about some dating tips?”

Nod, nod, nod!

The butterfly’s cheeks turned bright red as it nodded vigorously.

Cute creature.

“First…”

…

As I continued to share my secrets with the butterfly, the Belez began to gather.

“That’s all for now… This is just between you and me, okay?”

Nod, nod!

Good.

They seemed satisfied.

A pink butterfly dreaming of love…

Now I’ll call you a young lady butterfly.

Anyway, back to the main story…

“Tell the Belez that I’m now the labyrinth’s administrator, and they’re under my command.”

My will spread to hundreds of Belez.

They nodded their antennae as if they had been waiting, showing no signs of refusal.

It was as if they couldn’t refuse now that they’d tasted my nectar.

The Master smiled warmly, watching me and the Belez.

But…

“Master, is it okay for the administrator to be out here?”

“You need to photosynthesize, don’t you?”

“But I did just fine without it.”

“But placing you here makes you so vibrant.”

“Huh?”

The Master’s matter-of-fact tone sparked my curiosity.

“Shall we try again?”

The Master gently wrapped my stem with their silvery fingertips.

As they tried to pull me out-

“No! Stop!”

My roots moved on their own, gripping the ground tightly.

It was like a child throwing a tantrum, refusing to leave.

“Heh… You’re still like this.”

The Master chuckled, and a blue flash flickered.

As always, I couldn’t resist the Master’s power.

Thanks to my increased strength, it didn’t hurt much this time.

But…

“Ugh… This feels so strange…”

Floating in the air like this!

Especially my roots!

It was like walking naked, exposed to the cold mountain wind rushing through my roots.

When only my root tips were exposed, it wasn’t so bad!

“Ugh… This is so embarrassing…”

I could feel the Belez staring at me.

Don’t look at my roots!

The Master seemed oblivious to my plight, walking elegantly toward the labyrinth entrance.

Enduring the immense humiliation, we approached the labyrinth.

The massive entrance greeted us, its ceiling far higher than expected, with sharp ice crystals hanging menacingly.

The corridor was much wider than I had imagined.

“This… This is the real labyrinth.”

The upper layer was surprisingly bright and cozy.

Soft light filtered through the icy structures above, and frost flower patterns adorned the walls.

The few monsters here were only around level 20, posing no threat.

“Hmm… The upper layer is like this.”

The middle layer felt different.

Narrow passages wound like a maze, with sharp icicles jutting out.

Monsters here were level 30 to 40, but to me, it was familiar territory.

The lower layer deepened further.

The corridors widened, and the ceiling disappeared from view.

Ice walls were etched with artistic patterns, but upon closer look, they seemed to hide anguished faces.

Monsters here exceeded level 80.

“Arthur’s party would be fine, but Brian’s party wouldn’t last five minutes here.”

The deepest layer was a different world.

Deep blue ice stretched like the abyss, with faint blue light barely illuminating the darkness.

It felt as though something lurked in the shadows, and monsters above level 130 roamed freely.

But upon sensing the Master’s presence, they vanished without a trace.

“It’s been a month, and the monsters have multiplied.”

“Huh? You call this a lot?”

I’ve barely seen ten across all layers.

Were there even any before?

Perhaps the Master had been eliminating them to feed me?

“The CEO’s love for his secretary…”

The ember in my chest blazed fiercely!

And finally, the deepest layer, the Master’s lair, revealed itself.

“Wow…”

The breathtaking sight made me forget the cold.

The entire labyrinth was made of ice, but this place was different.

Transparent pillars supported the ceiling, and the ice crystals above shimmered like the aurora.

The floor was smooth like a mirror, and intricate ice patterns adorned the walls.

Corners were piled with glittering treasures and artifacts of immense value.

This was no ordinary cave-it was a dragon’s palace.

“This… This is the Master’s home.”

Awe gave way to the overwhelming cold.

The lair was beautiful but freezing.

“Ugh… It’s so cold… Too cold…”

Cecilia, wrapped in my petals, shivered as well.

Even hot packs would freeze in this extreme cold!

The Master placed me in a corner of the deepest layer, surrounded by beautiful ice decorations.

“This is where you stayed for three years.”

“Ugh… It’s too cold!”

I tremblingly carved the words with my roots.

“Three years?”

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Like puzzle pieces falling into place.

This extreme cold.

The three years I spent unconscious.

And the monster blood the Master kept bringing me.

“Ah… That’s it!”

Like being cryogenically frozen, or rather, a cryogenically frozen plant.

Like a plant frozen in a freezer, unable to function properly despite the monster blood.

That’s why the Master moved me to a sunny spot and why I regained vitality!

“Um… Sorry, past blueberry…”

“I can’t take this… It’s too cold…”

“Is that so?”

The Master nodded and moved toward the passage leading to the deepest layer.

“How about here?”

“Oh… This is fine!”

The cold was manageable, like a gentle breeze from an air conditioner.

With a biological hot pack, it was no problem at all.

Soon, the Belez followed and settled in.

“Now, your duties as administrator…”

“Yes! I’ll work hard as the administrator!”

I stood my roots straight, determined.

But there wasn’t much to do.

I just had to guard this place and serve the Master.

“It’s the best job ever! Nothing but sweet romance ahead!”

…

Three weeks passed.

Every day, the Master visited me, their silver dress fluttering, and stroked my petals.

They made excuses to savor my nectar, and the Belez would discreetly leave.

Especially the young butterfly, who seemed to wink as it left.

Some days, the Master brought nearly dead monsters.

The Belez would finish them off, earning experience, and I’d gain experience from the blood.

We’re the subordinates, yet we’re always on the receiving end!

Is this okay?

The Master is working so hard while we reap the benefits!

“Master…! It feels like you’re doing all the work!”

“It’s for you, Rico. What can’t I do for you?”

Heh, I’m the luckiest person alive.

“I want to help too!”

“Heh… You’re giving me such delicious nectar.”

Smack

“Heh… It feels so good…”

I was now accustomed to the affectionate smacking.

…

But one day,

“Ah, right,” the Master said, as if remembering something.

“We need to catch a monster that knows polymorph.”

“Maybe they can teach you the polymorph technique.”

“Yes!!”

Polymorph!

Human transformation!

Without waiting a thousand years!

Even if it takes a thousand years, I’d endure, but I want it now!

“Heh…!”

“Will you be okay? Even if deep-layer monsters come, they won’t threaten you.”

“Don’t worry!”

With an excited heart, I saw the Master off.

This place is my domain now.

I’ll do my best as the administrator until the Master returns!

Not that there’s much to do!

***

After a month-long journey through the hellish Snow Ridge Pass, a small village at the foot of the Shia Kalt Mountains came into view.

“Hey…” Chloe’s white ears twitched.

“There’s a strange atmosphere.”

“Do you feel it?” Ronflow asked in an unusually serious tone.

“In 200 years of life, this is the first time I’ve felt such a vibe. Like a massive shadow of fear…”

The peaceful village was underscored by an eerie tension.

The blacksmith hammered away, but their movements were cautious, and market vendors listened intently to their surroundings.

“The villagers are afraid,” Gain said.

“But they can’t escape.”

Beatrice nodded.

“Due to the Snow Ridge…”

A C-rank adventurer party on patrol encountered them.

Marianne, walking ahead, spotted the Saintess and clutched her holy tablet tightly.

“Who could this be… Saintess?”

Brian and Kevin also stared in shock, bowing deeply.

Passing villagers stopped to watch.

“And… the Silver Hero as well!”

Marianne’s voice trembled.

The street buzzed with excitement.

“It’s the Saintess!”

“The Silver Hero is here too!”

“We’re saved!”

“Michel’s blessing…”

Hope lit the villagers’ faces.

A young mother, cradling her child, tearfully prayed to the Saintess, while elders muttered prayers.

“I’ll guide you to the guild.”

Brian stepped forward, relief in his voice.

At the guild, Arthur looked up in surprise.

His usual dignity was gone, replaced by deep fatigue and tension.

“Saintess…” Arthur bowed.

“You’ve come all the way to this remote place.”

“Are you well, Arthur?”

Seraphina’s voice was calm.

The Guild Master hurried down the stairs, his wrinkled face etched with worry.

He immediately shouted to his staff.

“Quickly! Prepare the best room! Summon the chef for a special feast!”

“No, Guild Master,” Seraphina said gently.

“We only…”

“No!” The Guild Master was firm.

“We can’t treat such esteemed guests poorly. Especially now…”

His expression darkened, as if he knew everything.

“Please come in.” The Guild Master opened the door wide.

“We have much to discuss…”

Seraphina’s pink hair swayed in the cold wind.

She gazed at the distant mountains, where the flower from her dreams-the being she prayed to in Michel’s name-should be.

“Yes.” Seraphina nodded.

“I’ve come to hear the story as well.”