Trial

Seraphina’s eyes were filled with admiration, but Beatrice’s gaze was sharp.

They reacted so differently to the same situation…

‘Maybe I should start with a greeting.’

I slightly lifted one of my roots and wiggled it.

Like waving a hand.

Both of them flinched at the same time.

Oh, they were startled by the moving roots.

《Hello! Aren’t you Seraphina and Beatrice?》

Their expressions became even more bewildered when I carved the words with my roots.

They looked just like they did in the game, but their vivid emotions made them seem even more beautiful.

Seraphina’s pink hair fluttered like cherry blossom petals, and Beatrice’s silver armor seemed to hold the light of the moon.

‘If Isolation Beatrice had been released, she would have been really popular…’

“How do you… know us?”

Beatrice asked without lowering her guard.

‘Oh no! Did I mention their names by mistake?’

Then Seraphina seemed to realize something and nodded.

“Perhaps… did Michel tell you?”

Uh…

In reality, it was thanks to the status window and my past life’s game knowledge…

But it could also be Michel’s grace.

《Yes!》

Seraphina immediately knelt down and began to pray.

Her lips trembled.

“Michel’s revelation led us to you. The being we saw in our dreams every night… it was you.”

‘Huh? What are you talking about?’

Michel’s revelation?

So, you came to meet me?

Then, what am I supposed to do for them?

《Stop.》

《Michel’s will is clear. Attack.》

I interrupted Seraphina’s words.

She still seemed unaware of the situation with her trembling eyes.

“Yes…?”

“This is…”

《Are you ready?》

I carved the words with my roots and slowly took a stance.

Beatrice immediately stepped in front of Seraphina, her silver sword gleaming coldly.

The other insects stirred, preparing for battle.

‘No. This is a task Michel entrusted to me.’

The butterflies hesitated, flapping their wings, and soon all the insects retreated.

‘Alright, let’s begin.’

My black roots dug into the ground.

And in an instant-

Thud!

A root burst forth from under Beatrice’s feet.

She quickly twisted her body to evade, and at the same time, her silver sword stabbed downward.

Clang!

The sword cut through the root, but even more roots erupted from the severed part.

An overwhelming number of auxiliary roots regenerating endlessly.

Then Seraphina’s staff glowed.

“Light of Judgment!”

A pure white light exploded, pushing back the roots.

Indeed, the power of a saint.

‘Now it’s starting.’

This time, several roots danced and entwined to attack.

Beatrice’s sword drew a circle of light as it spun.

The severed roots scattered like black rain.

“Holy Silver!”

Beatrice’s sword turned blue.

In an instant, six roots were cut down.

I inadvertently flinched at the speed and power.

But in that moment, a single root brushed against her shoulder.

Red blood splattered into the air.

Gush-

The blood turned into a red mist, beginning to fill the surroundings.

“This is…!”

Beatrice looked around with startled eyes.

Their vision was gradually obscured.

Seraphina raised her staff high.

“Purifying Light…!”

But in that moment, yellow pollen covered her.

Paralysis effect.

At the same time, roots attacked from all directions.

Beatrice immediately ran to Seraphina and swung her sword.

The shimmering silver trajectory cut through the roots.

“Sera!”

But a root pierced her leg in the opening.

Darker blood turned into mist, completely obscuring their vision.

Seraphina’s healing magic wrapped around Beatrice’s wound.

However, the red pollen caused continuous bleeding.

“Ugh!”

“Bea, get ready!”

Seraphina’s staff shone brightly.

The holy energy enveloped Beatrice’s sword.

‘Looks like they have another trick up their sleeve.’

“Take this!”

Beatrice’s sword flashed like a beam of light.

In an instant, over a dozen roots were cut down.

《Ugh!》

The unexpected pain made me flinch slightly.

But in an instant, new roots grew.

‘Not bad. But…’

The severed roots gave rise to even more roots that wrapped around the two, trapping them completely.

Like giant snakes dancing, dozens of roots swirled in the red mist, surrounding them.

Beatrice raised her sword.

Her silver sword glowed blue, trying to cut through the mist.

But the red mist continued to rise, thicker than before.

“No…”

“Michel… could it be that I misunderstood?”

Seraphina’s voice trembled.

Her beliefs were beginning to waver.

‘Is this enough…?’

As the red mist cleared, the two came into clear view.

Beatrice still held her sword, vigilant, while Seraphina knelt on the ground with a complex expression.

《You can get up now. I don’t want to fight anymore.》

“How can we… trust you?”

Seraphina asked cautiously.

‘Hmm…’

I thought for a moment and slightly opened my petals.

A sweet scent spread, and the insects moved peacefully.

A scene like a small garden unfolded.

《I’ll show you my heart.》

Golden nectar formed between my petals.

It was special honey filled with my resolve toward Michel.

“This is…”

Beatrice still looked wary, but Seraphina slowly stood and approached.

《You should be able to tell what I’m thinking.》

Seraphina cautiously reached out.

A droplet of nectar touched her fingertips.

Instantly, she froze, entranced.

“Sera!”

Beatrice approached worriedly.

“This is… a longing for peace, sincerity toward Michel… and…”

Beatrice also hesitated before reaching out.

She too was entranced after tasting the nectar.

“This taste is… new to me.”

《Now you know my true feelings?》

“Yes…” Seraphina looked up.

“To protect peace, one needs overwhelming power, which is Michel’s will. You are not Michel’s tool, but a guardian for peace.”

Beatrice also nodded slowly.

‘Phew… Done, I guess.’

It felt like I had become a job change NPC in a game.

Still, it was satisfying to correct her misguided beliefs.

This must be the fulfillment of being a job change NPC…

Am I done with my task?

I feel bad for beating them up and sending them away…

Is there something more I can do for them?

‘Ugh… What can I do…?’

My game knowledge seems useless…

Can’t I give them a skill like Michel?

Why don’t you try making some honey?

Yep!

Hoping that Seraphina and Beatrice could also make delicious honey, I tried to share my ability, but nothing changed.

Sensing my intention, their eyes filled with anticipation.

‘Ah… so embarrassing…’

Ugh…

It really feels like I should give them something…

Oh, right!

Master said I could take all the treasures from the lair!

‘Little Butterfly!’

A rosy-cheeked butterfly flew over.

‘Bring some weapons suitable for them!’

‘Not the super rare ones!’

The butterfly fluttered away, and several insects headed to the deepest layer.

The Hyperborean Ant led the way, followed by the Crystal Beetle.

Soon they brought back a bracelet and a pendant.

One was a bracelet containing a blue storm, with swirling cloud-like light inside.

The other was a pendant made of condensed shadows, shining faintly in the moonlight.

‘Are these… too good?’

I asked the butterfly with my eyes.

Even without real eyes, we understood each other.

‘Are they not good?’

Nodding.

‘Are you saying they’re not good?’

Reluctantly.

What’s wrong with them?

‘Indeed, Master’s treasures are on a different level…’

Feeling reassured, I handed them over.

《These are gifts for you.》

When I offered them with my roots, their eyes widened in surprise.

“This… the magic is incredible…”

Beatrice carefully touched the bracelet.

“Are you just giving these away?”

Seraphina asked in astonishment.

‘Heh-heh, glad you like them.’

Well, even if I am an administrator, this is within my rights…

“Could this be… Frostia’s…”

Before she could finish, I wiggled my roots slightly.

Beatrice seemed to want to ask more but refrained.

《Master gave them to me. And Master is currently out.》

Beatrice seemed to fear mentioning Master.

“Thank you.”

Seraphina bowed her head.

Her eyes no longer held confusion.

So, are we friends now?

Now that we’ve made up, can I ask about Isolation Beatrice?

《So, what’s with the sword and armor?》

“This is a holy sword. I am… called the Silver Hero.”

‘Huh? Hero…?’

My head spun.

A hero, yet defeated by me?

And in the game, the hero was someone else…

I don’t remember the name, it was quite long…

And the male hero’s name wasn’t something I bothered to memorize!

《Is the hero a man…?》

“There are five heroes. Three men and two women.”

Instantly, I was shocked by this new information.

‘Five heroes!?’

Does that mean…?

《Are there multiple demon kings too?》

“Demon kings? I thought they were legendary beings.”

Huh?

Then what are heroes for?

“According to legend, the first hero defeated the demon king. The heroes of this age deal with monsters and evil god cultists.”

She continued explaining, noticing my curiosity.

But what are evil god cultists…?

Are they like demon kings…?

Hmm…

《Are you a saint?》

“Yes, though I am called one, I am far from worthy.”

‘Sigh…’

It seems my knowledge doesn’t differ much from the game.

Still, the information gap feels significant.

There’s so much I want to ask.