A New Destination

“Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

A messenger who suddenly appeared shouted, ignoring the chaotic surroundings as if they weren’t even there.

His face was drenched in sweat, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

Important news?

With your castle in ruins, could there be something even more pressing?

Looking around, I realized just how much destruction I had caused.

The marble pillars were cracked everywhere, some even collapsed.

My black roots still sprouted from the floor, and the once-grand decorations of the castle were shattered into pieces.

It looked like the aftermath of a hurricane.

“What is it?”

The king asked, wiping his brow.

His face was pale, and his eyes showed clear signs of fatigue and fear.

His gaze toward me was filled with dread and suspicion.

His face was already in ruins.

I guess I went a bit overboard.

But I only told them enough!

Why did they have to take it so seriously?

“It’s from the meeting grounds of the Heshet and Diance Empires… The rulers of the legendary Great Labyrinth have appeared!”

The messenger’s voice trembled.

Each of his words pierced my chest like arrows.

What?

The rulers of the Great Labyrinth?

Could it be?

“Nis has appeared and completely devastated the southern region of the meeting grounds. Everything she touched is rotting, and the dead are rising… The undead are rampaging, and the surviving residents have fled.”

Upon hearing the messenger’s words, a wave of joy surged within me.

Nis has awakened!

And so has the Master!

A smile spread across my lips.

To humans, this was horrifying news, but to me, it was merely proof of Nis’s power.

The butterfly, still fluttering around me, seemed to sense my emotions and flapped its wings more vigorously.

Seraphina’s three pairs of wings fluttered intensely, and even Glacia, who had been lying down, spread her wings wide.

However, Rote seemed to slow her fluttering, as if filled with fear.

Understandable…

I’ll protect Rote when we meet Nis again…

“And… Frostia has also appeared. She has completely frozen the northern part of the meeting grounds! The imperial army has turned into ice sculptures, and there’s nothing left alive…”

Zuin-nim!

Hearing the Master’s name, tears almost welled up in my eyes.

How impressive of the Master to turn the entire imperial army into ice! Truly befitting of the Master!

“Finally! The Master has awoken and descended upon the world!”

My joy spilled out involuntarily.

Though it sounded like something a cult leader would say due to the noble soul, my feelings were genuine.

The expressions of those around me grew paler, but I couldn’t care less.

But why the meeting grounds of the Heshet and Diance Empires?

From the map Ryanodel showed me, it was clearly in the center of the continent…

Why would the Master and Nis go there?

Of all places, the meeting grounds…

What could be their intention?

Flutter, flutter!

Lost in thought, the butterfly fluttered around me earnestly.

Her blue icy wings sparkled in the sunlight, tracing a beautiful trajectory.

Miel flew in small circles in front of me, trying hard to convey something with her tiny feet.

What is it?

Do you understand?

Miel gestured more vigorously, pointing toward Shia Kalt and then at me repeatedly.

She then mimed searching and flapped her wings angrily.

Hmm…

Perhaps the Master has returned home but can’t find me and is destroying the world in anger…

That must be it!

Flutter, flutter!

Miel continued her frantic attempts to explain, her small eyes filled with impatience.

Though I struggled to grasp her exact meaning, I finally understood.

Can’t find me and is angry, so the Master is causing this huge event to let the world know and have me come to them!

My heart swelled with emotion.

“The Master is calling for me!”

My voice trembled slightly.

My heart was already with the Master.

I turned to look at Ryanodel and Levi.

They were quite far away now.

Since meeting the king, they had been distancing themselves, and now they were considerably behind.

Both had pale faces, Ryanodel with sweat on his brow and Levi fidgeting with her bow.

When did they go so far?

And why are they so distant?

I understood why they would feel that way.

After all, I had just destroyed the castle.

And the news from the messenger was terrifying.

But I had no time to care about that now.

The Master is calling me!

“Ryanodel, Levi! We must head to the center of the continent immediately! The time has come to return to the Master’s gracious embrace!”

I looked at them with determination in my eyes.

No more delays!

We must depart at once!

Though they hesitated, Ryanodel and Levi eventually nodded.

Their expressions were reluctant, but they agreed to follow.

Their faces showed fear.

Their eyes were filled with anxiety, and their lips trembled.

Hmm…

Are they afraid of the Master?

Well, the Master is causing widespread destruction, after all.

But I’ll make sure to explain everything!

“And Count Hind, Edgar! Farewell! Thank you for your hospitality!”

“Thank you for the Count’s consideration. Now, I must leave. The time has come for me to stand by the Master’s side and fulfill my eternal loyalty.”

Even though it was only a day, the Count’s estate had treated me very well.

A soft bed, delicious food…

They had been genuinely kind to me.

Looking at Count Hind and Edgar, their eyes showed concern but also relief.

“Safe travels, Lycoris.”

The Count spoke in a deep voice, bowing his head along with Edgar.

Their sincere farewell touched my heart.

Understood!

I’ll return once the lair is complete!

“Remember, Your Majesty. If the lair isn’t completed in a month, your kingdom will become a new sea, its waters tinged with blood.”

Why is this soul so ruthless!

I have no intention of killing everyone!

I just wanted to build a nice lair for the Master…

“Is this the best your kingdom has to offer?”

Before Ryanodel could finish speaking, I was already walking briskly toward the castle.

“Uh, Lycoris? Where are you going?”

“I’m going back to the castle to get the best carriage!”

“But earlier…”

Levi’s words went unheard.

My mind was focused on one thing alone:

I must go to the Master!

Thus, I need the best carriage!

As the castle gates opened again, the guards’ faces were filled with horror.

The knights, who had just recovered from their paralysis, screamed at the sight of me.

“Where is the king? Hurry! It’s urgent!”

“Take me to the king at once! Any delay would be disrespectful, so make haste!”

My voice echoed throughout the castle.

The chandeliers on the walls swayed at the sound, and several courtiers fled from the hallway.

Having just been freed from the noble soul, I needed to get the carriage quickly.

Before long, the king appeared with a pale face.

His legs trembled visibly.

“W-what is it? The construction of the lair has just begun…”

“Give me a carriage!”

The king’s eyes widened.

“A… a carriage?”

“Yes! As the king, you must have the best carriage. I demand it!”

The king stood in silence for a moment before nodding hastily.

“Of course! I’ll have the best carriage prepared immediately, along with the fastest horses in the kingdom.”

“Hurry!”

“Do not tarry! Delay will bring calamity upon your kingdom.”

Within minutes, an ornate, golden carriage, the pride of the kingdom, was prepared.

Eight sturdy horses stood ready to pull it.

The coachman’s face was filled with fear.

“Is this the best your kingdom has to offer?”

“Yes, it’s the kingdom’s pride, built by the best craftsmen and pulled by the fastest horses.”

Not bad.

Exactly what I was looking for!

“This carriage is now mine. Do I need an escort?”

“I… I don’t think so.”

I happily approached the carriage.

It was spacious enough for Glacia to join me.

The king seemed to want to say more, but my attention was fully on the carriage.

“Ryanodel, Levi! Get on! We leave at once!”

“Ryanodel, Levi! Board immediately! Our journey begins now!”

The two still looked flustered but climbed aboard.

The carriage was as luxurious as expected.

Soft leather seats, gold-embroidered curtains, and even a small, jewel-encrusted table.

Not bad at all.

“How long will it take to meet the Master?”

Once the noble soul calmed down, I asked Ryanodel excitedly.

“Normally, it would take about two months by carriage, but with eight horses, perhaps a month and a half.”

Ryanodel replied, his face filled with apology.

“A month and a half?! Normally two months?!”

My voice rose involuntarily.

A month and a half is too long!

“Does this mean the news from the messenger is two months old?!”

I asked in alarm.

If so, the Master might have moved on by now.

Then I might not be able to meet them even if I rush!

“No, that’s not the case. The news was communicated through a communication magic tool, so the Master and Nis must have appeared only recently.”

Ryanodel quickly reassured me.

His words brought me some comfort.

Still, a month and a half felt too long.

“A communication magic tool? Does such a thing exist?”

Is this a world with telephones?

Perhaps I could use it to contact the Master!

“Yes. It’s a magical device that allows sending messages without physical movement. It’s a rare tool used by high-ranking mages and nations to quickly exchange important information.”

His voice carried the usual pride of a scholar.

So the messenger merely received a call and ran here…

His marathon-like face made sense now.

But that’s not what matters.

“Can’t I use this magic tool to inform the Master I’m here?”

My eyes sparkled.

This could let me send word to the Master without waiting a month!

Seraphina’s wings glowed brighter with anticipation, and Miel circled me rapidly, curious.

Rote continued her slow flutter, and Glacia slept peacefully on the soft sofa.

“If we could use the communication magic tool, would anyone dare approach them to deliver the message…?”

Levi asked cautiously.

Her words shattered my hope.

Hmm…

Indeed, no one would dare approach the Master and Nis in their current state.

Who could get close to beings who turn armies into ice and resurrect the dead?

In the end, I have no choice but to go myself.

“At least this is the king’s carriage, so we’ll take the high pass!”

“The high pass…?”

“Yes!”

Master, wait just a little longer!

We’ll take the high pass!