Passage

After finishing my conversation with Bellona, I returned to my room, where Miel lay weakly on the bed.

“Miel…”

My chest ached.

Because of me, she was suffering like this, and I could do nothing for her.

“Hold on a little longer. Bellona is pressuring them to finish the passage quickly…”

I carefully placed Miel on the palm of my hand.

She was so light and fragile.

I could feel her life force rapidly dwindling.

“Is there anything I can do…”

My throat tightened.

Lord Michel had sealed my divine power, so I couldn’t use the Divine Radiance authority.

But my ability as a flower still remained.

I sprinkled emerald-green pollen over Miel with all my might.

The magical pollen clung to Miel’s wings and began to emit a faint light.

But the effect was minimal.

Healing pollen without divine grace was weak.

“More…”

I transformed into a flower using my polymorph ability.

As I took the form of the Thanatos Crown, nectar began to flow from my petals.

Miel fluttered over weakly and landed on my petals.

She started to suck the nectar slowly.

I could feel her wings trembling faintly.

‘Please, let it work…’

As she drank the nectar, her wings seemed to regain a slight bit of their luster.

The tips of her wings, which had turned completely black, changed to a faint blue.

But they were still far from their original blue hue.

Time passed, and I returned to my human form.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I looked at Miel.

“Lord Michel… If only you could use your authority, Miel could be fully healed…”

Miel fluttered her wings weakly in my palm.

It was as if she were saying, “It’s okay.”

…

While tending to Miel, the door suddenly swung open.

“Lycoris! The passage is complete!”

Bellona appeared with an excited expression.

“Really? Already?”

“Yes! Abelaxas has finally completed the passage. Let’s go see!”

Hopes rose in my chest.

Finally, I could return to the human world!

“Miel, did you hear? We can finally go back!”

I carefully placed Miel on a folded handkerchief, gently folding it around her, and rested her on my shoulder.

I tightly tied the Crimson Bind around my waist and draped the Night Veil Cloak over my shoulders.

“I hope they don’t recognize me…”

As I walked toward the passage, my heart pounded.

Would this cloak and my changed appearance deceive Abelaxas’s eyes?

After all, I was the culprit who killed his cult followers and ruined the ritual.

“Miel, will it be okay?”

Miel fluttered her wings weakly on my shoulder.

There was no time.

If I didn’t bring Miel to the human world soon…

“Hah…”

Following Bellona, I arrived at the passage, and the sight took my breath away.

A massive magic circle was drawn inside a vast cave, and a dark red liquid slowly flowed down the walls, as if avoiding the circle.

The magic circle itself was deeply engraved into the floor, with blue streaks of light pulsating like a beating heart.

The air was heavy with pressure, making it hard to breathe.

At the center of the circle, black sparks occasionally flew up, forming strange symbols in the air before disappearing.

Several evil gods were gathered around, some in human form and others as monstrous beings.

But they all wore gloomy expressions.

What’s going on…?

Is the passage not working?

Suddenly, the central figure caught my eye.

A man draped in a deep, dark robe.

His neat black hair, sharp features, and golden, crimson eyes were particularly striking.

But even he wore a despairing expression.

It was like watching a sad scene from a movie.

Then, the status window revealed his identity.

『『『 ᛗᛃᚱᚲᚱ᛫ᛟᚲ᛫ᚠᚨᛚᛚᚨ 【Abelaxas】 』』』

No…

Could this incredibly handsome god-like man be Abelaxas…?

What I knew of Abelaxas’s personality and his actual appearance were complete opposites.

Abelaxas was actually a crazy alpha male…?

I cautiously approached.

The evil gods turned their gazes toward me one by one.

Their eyes held suspicion and curiosity.

“Who dares approach?”

Abelaxas’s voice echoed through the cave.

My heart nearly leaped out of my throat.

“It’s me, Bellona. And my disciple Lycoris is with me.”

Abelaxas’s eyes widened.

Something was off.

His expression showed surprise…

And joy.

“Lycoris… the flower Lycoris?”

My heart seemed to stop.

“Y-yes…”

My voice trembled.

Did I get caught so easily?

“What? Did you two really know each other?”

Bellona asked in a surprised tone.

“Hahaha! Well, I must say, I’m glad you came. I’d like to have a word with Lycoris alone for a moment. Could you all step aside?”

“Alright, Lycoris. I’ll talk to the other evil gods for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Bellona patted my shoulder reassuringly and left.

As the other evil gods dispersed, only Abelaxas and I remained.

Once we were alone, Abelaxas stood up and slowly approached me.

His black robe moved like living shadows.

“To meet you here, Lycoris. How did you end up in the demon realm… and become Bellona’s disciple?”

Abelaxas’s voice was softer than expected.

But his gaze was sharp.

It felt like he could see right through me.

“I… it was… by chance…”

“By chance… interesting. For Michel’s apostle to end up in the demon realm by chance…”

My saliva caught in my throat.

He knew I was Michel’s apostle as well.

“Don’t be alarmed. I know you killed my followers and ruined the ritual.”

Abelaxas’s eyes glowed dangerously.

Darkness gathered around him.

The Crimson Bind at my waist trembled violently.

I couldn’t tell if it was trying to protect me or reacting to Abelaxas.

What should I do…?

Am I going to die like this…?

I’m only six years old…

Not that it matters!

“I… I’m only six…”

“That’s not why I asked to speak with you.”

His expression softened suddenly.

The darkness around him dissipated.

“In fact, I’m glad you’ve come.”

“Huh…?”

“I’ll keep your secret. That you’re Michel’s apostle, that you killed my followers.”

He stepped closer to me.

Up close, his golden, crimson eyes were even more vivid.

It felt like he could see into my soul.

“Lycoris, I have a favor to ask of you.”

***

“Ugh, this is so boring.”

I sighed, tossing a small energy orb into the air and catching it repeatedly.

The surrounding landscape was desolate.

What was once a green meadow and village had turned into a land of death, shrouded in black mist.

“Ugh… Did I make it too sloppily? Why are there so many defective ones?”

A ghoul with its arm dragging on the ground caught my eye.

I flicked my hand, sending black energy toward it.

In an instant, the ghoul’s arm reattached itself.

“Maybe I should’ve left them as they were. Humans seem to fear the appearance of defective ones more.”

Hmm…

I spun the energy orb on my fingertip again.

It had been a week since I arrived here.

But Lycoris still hadn’t come.

“Really taking her time…”

Rumors would have spread quickly. Frostia had frozen the north, and I had turned the south into a land of the undead.

Everyone must be trembling with fear, especially since the news would have spread across the continent.

“Come on, Lycoris. The master is waiting.”

I enlarged the energy orb until it was the size of my head.

Black light spread around it, transforming the floating dust particles into swarms of undead flies.

Thousands of tiny flies buzzed around me.

“Ew… disgusting. Why does Lycoris like these bugs so much?”

Just then, the sound of galloping horses approached.

Turning my head, I saw a group of knights in armor coming toward me.

There were about ten of them.

Their armor gleamed with radiant patterns, and the central figure wielded a holy sword, marking him as one of the so-called “heroes.”

“Oh, this time it’s a hero…”