Crystal Elysium

Crazy! It’s crazy!

I’m looking around this place, and it’s just so, so amazing!

The walls are adorned with beautifully crafted crystals that shimmer in rainbow colors under the sunlight.

The floor is made of smooth, translucent glass, reflecting my image clearly.

A gigantic chandelier hangs from the ceiling, its size tens times bigger than I am.

Wow… Is this really where I’m going to live?

The noble trait activated and made all those strange demands, and they actually granted them all!

Even earlier, they all chanted, “We welcome the glorious arrival of the great Frostia!”

It was a bit ridiculous, but…

I’ll get used to it.

To be honest, I said some weird things because of the noble trait, but I never thought it would become reality.

This incredible lair is thanks to the noble trait, in a way…

But I tried to get rid of it…

It hasn’t activated in a while, so I forgot about it.

I need to tell Nis about it today.

Flap flap!

Miel flew over my head and curiously looked at her reflection in the crystal wall.

Her blue wings reflected off the crystal, looking even more radiant.

“What do you think?”

I imitated Miel’s speech.

In response, she gently pulled my hair and wrote in the air.

《Why are you copying my speech? But this place is really pretty. For real.》

“I’m good at this speech too. I’ll start talking like this from now on.”

I’ve been doing it way longer than you!

Don’t ignore my internet slang!

Miel flapped her wings roughly and started writing again.

《It doesn’t suit you at all!》

“No, it does! I’m better at it~”

Flap flap!

Flap flap!

Miel looked clearly annoyed, fluttering angrily in the air.

Giggle!

Did I finally win an argument against Miel?

“But where’s Rote?”

I realized Rote, who’s usually around me, was nowhere to be seen.

Cecilia was riding Glacia, looking around busily, but Rote just disappeared.

《Nis took her.》

Miel, who seemed annoyed, kindly wrote the answer, but it was disastrous.

Oh no!

Something terrible happened while I wasn’t paying attention!

What should I do?

While thinking about rescuing Rote, I sensed someone’s presence behind me.

“Rico.”

Master!

Turning around, Master was walking elegantly toward me.

Two maids were behind Master, busily scattering white flower petals.

Ah, right.

I had ordered that.

The flower petals floated in the air like snow, creating a fantastic sight.

It was like a blessing from fairies.

However…

Umm…

The flowers seem pitiful.

It’s a horrific mass slaughter…

I should tell them to stop later.

But maybe Master would find it glorious?

As a plant, I feel a conflicting sense of clan love and respect for Master.

Let’s put it on hold for now!

“Master! Do you like the gift?”

I clasped my hands and looked at Master with hopeful eyes.

My heart was pounding.

When we arrived, Master was amazed, but didn’t say anything directly.

Master smiled brightly and said,

“I really like it, Rico.”

Wow!

Master’s smile… It’s the first time I’ve seen such pure joy and happiness.

Unlike the usual cool smile, now Master looked like a pure child, genuinely happy.

My heart felt touched.

Seeing Master so happy made all the effort worth it.

Hmm… Did I actually make any effort?

Anyway, I’m happy!

“How did you prepare this?”

Master asked with curiosity-filled eyes.

“Well… When I was in Shia Kalt, some knights invaded, and they were from this kingdom. So I planned to destroy the kingdom, but… I decided to make this lair for Master instead!”

I proudly said.

It was a great idea, if I do say so myself!

“Not killing humans and using them like this… You’re really clever.”

Master admired and patted my head.

Hehe!

Master’s cool touch on my head sent shivers down my spine.

Master’s touch is the best!

Looking at the maids creating the flower path, their faces were pale.

Because I mentioned destroying the kingdom?

That was just an exaggeration, though…

But looking closely, one of the maids was really pretty.

She had long black hair, big blue eyes, and a great figure, looking like a child actress.

Her skin was white and clean, like a porcelain doll.

Among the staff, she seemed to have a main character’s aura!

Must have been super popular!

Definitely an in-crowd vibe!

“Maid!”

I called out to the pretty maid.

“Yes, yes!”

The maid responded, startled.

Her voice was also clear and pretty.

“Where is Master’s room?”

“I’ll guide you!”

We went up to the third floor.

The stairs were made of glass, and our footsteps echoed.

The walls had beautiful carvings, and crystals decorated the walls here and there.

Upon reaching the third floor, a huge door appeared before us.

It was silver with intricate patterns and a crystal doorknob.

When the door opened…

“Wow!”

The room was enormous, almost like a grand hall.

The ceiling was high, and large windows showed the outside view.

The bed…

Wow, the bed was as big as half of my room in my past life!

It had a silk canopy with silver bedding, and the bedspread looked like silk.

“Wow… Human technology has advanced remarkably.”

Master admired the room.

Then, another maid stepped forward and said,

“I’m Clara. I’m in charge of all matters for your comfort, Frostia.”

Clara had golden hair and a calm demeanor, looking like she was just past her teens.

Oh!

So the pretty one is mine!

I looked at the black-haired maid with anticipation.

“So, you’re my exclusive maid?”

“Yes! I’m Iris, your exclusive maid, Lycoris!”

Aha!

Not just exclusive, but “exclusive”!

Iris bowed deeply.

But her voice trembled slightly.

Well, she looks young and might not be used to it.

Iris…

And her name is similar to mine!

Lycoris, Iris.

It has a nice ring to it!

“Lycoris, shall I guide you to your room?”

My room?

I was planning to stay in Master’s room, but since it’s prepared…

“Yes! Let’s go!”

“Yes, I’ll guide you right away!”

Walking down the hallway, the walls had decorations that matched my tastes.

Red flower patterns, silver edges, and crystals…

“This is Lycoris’s room.”

Iris opened the door, and my jaw dropped.

“Wow!”

The room was filled with white and red.

Flowers shaped like roses bloomed everywhere, and numerous crystals decorated the walls and ceiling.

The bed had red velvet, and white lace covered it.

The large window showed the garden outside, where white flowers bloomed, and a fountain sprayed crystal-clear water.

It’s so to my taste!

“How did you know my taste…?”

I muttered unconsciously.

Is it because we look alike…?!

“Rico, this room really suits you.”

Master also looked satisfied.

Hehe!

Master thinks so too!

But what to do…

Should I go to Master’s room or invite Master here?

Both are romantic…

Then…

Tap tap tap!

A knocking sound came from the window.

Looking back, a small shadow waved its hand outside.

“Ma~!!”

Judging by the mouth shape, it was saying something urgently, but the sound didn’t come through the window.

“Cecilia!”

I called out, and Iris quickly opened the large window.

A strong gust of wind blew into the room, rustling the flower petals and curtains.

Glacia flapped her wings and entered the room.

“Hehe! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Cecilia, wearing the black cloak I gave her, smiled brightly.

She looked so cute in it!

“Cecilia! Where were you?”

I opened my arms, and Cecilia jumped from Glacia into my embrace.

“Mom! I missed you!”

“I missed you too! This is Mom’s room!”

Holding Cecilia tightly, I felt warm and cozy.

Cecilia’s unique sweet scent filled my nose.

Flap flap!

Miel was happy to see Cecilia and fluttered around.

Then she pulled Iris’s hair and started writing.

Iris looked startled but quickly composed herself.

Oh…

A professional maid indeed…!

《The legendary mount and her owner Cecilia!》

“Miel, unnie!”

Cecilia waved at Miel.

Then she held my hand and started exploring the room.

Her fiery eyes were full of curiosity.

“Wow! This is cool! That’s cool too!”

Cecilia pointed at things, exclaiming.

She said “sparkly sparkly!” at the crystal decorations, “so pretty!” at the red flowers, and “fluffy fluffy!” at the bed.

It was so cute that my sides hurt.

Cecilia’s pure joy brightened the entire room.

Master also watched with a warm smile.

Then Cecilia noticed Master’s gaze and turned around.

“Grandma! Don’t you have a room?”

Cecilia asked with sparkling eyes.

Her expression was full of pure curiosity.

“Follow me.”

Master said softly and headed toward the door.

At that moment, Clara and Iris froze.

Their faces showed confusion, seemingly thinking, “Grandma…?”

Oh no…

What happened to the professional maids…!

But with a dragon grandma, flower mom, and butterfly daughter…

It’s no wonder they’re confused!

Thinking they’re overwhelmed by the family tree, I followed Master into the hallway.

Cecilia rode Glacia, and Miel flew alongside.

Returning to Master’s room, Cecilia’s eyes widened again.

“Wow! Grandma’s room is super cool!”

Cecilia admired the luxurious, silver-adorned room.

She pointed at things, acting like a child visiting a museum for the first time.

However, excited Cecilia grabbed Glacia’s antennae tightly.

Glacia let out a small whimper, looking pained.

The antennae are sensitive spots…

Glacia, fighting spirit!

Even if you train, the weak spots get tougher, right? Like Muay Thai fighters!

I silently cheered for Glacia.

Can’t ruin Cecilia’s fun, though.

“It’s super cool! Mom, should we live here?”

“Yes! This and Shia Kalt are both our homes!”

Cecilia got more excited and shook Glacia’s antennae again.

Glacia’s expression turned more desperate.

Then, there was a polite knock on the door.

“May I come in?”

The voice from beyond the door was that of an elderly man.

But it had a different dignity compared to the other staff.

“Come in!”

The door opened carefully.

It was the white-haired old man who was among the staff when we arrived.

He wore a neat black uniform and white gloves.

He looked old but had a straight posture, sharp yet kind eyes.

This is like a butler from games or novels, hiding immense power!

Perhaps you too!?

“Nice to meet you. I’m Walter, the butler here.”

Walter bowed deeply.

Interestingly, he showed no nervousness around Master, unlike Clara and Iris.

A true secluded expert…!

“Dinner is ready. Shall I guide you?”

At Walter’s words, my stomach growled.

Ah!

I realized I haven’t eaten anything since leaving that barren land!