Cecilia

“Farewell! Come back soon!”

The root bid its last farewell, trembling slightly.

Seraphina and Beatrice walked away, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance. Yet, for some strange reason, a faint pang of sadness lingered in my heart.

“Hehe… It was fun though!”

My first meeting with the heroes from the game had come to an end like this…

I wanted to stay with them longer, but I had to let them go since my companions were waiting. The Master was afraid, so I left them waiting in the village.

“Hmm… They’re scary, I guess.”

From what I heard, humans are surprisingly weak.

Beatrice is the second strongest among the heroes and about fifth strongest among all humans in the continent.

But even when fighting alongside Seraphina, she got beaten by me.

“Huh.”

Am I that strong?

And I’m only three years old!

The possibilities are endless!

Especially since my backers are the almighty Master and Michel-nim!

The flower petals swayed gently, filled with pride.

The Little Butterfly circled around me, reacting joyfully.

Suddenly-

Flash!

Cecilia’s chrysalis glowed more intensely than usual.

A red light seeped through the transparent, ruby-like chrysalis.

“Not giving me a moment’s rest…!”

My chest throbbed.

Well, I don’t have a heart, but it felt that way.

Is our little one finally awakening?

“Little Butterfly!”

The butterfly with fluttering wings flew over.

Other insects gathered one by one.

Frost Moss fluttered its wings nervously, and the Crystal Beetle sparkled its shell, filled with anticipation.

Everyone watched with wide eyes as the youngest underwent her transformation.

It was a warm scene, like a family gathering to watch a baby take their first steps.

Crack-

The chrysalis slowly began to crack.

The light seeping through the cracks resembled the break of dawn.

It was as warm and beautiful as the rising sun.

“Ooh… I want to see it soon…!”

The flower petals quivered with excitement.

We’re about to see the true form of our Cecilia!

The insects seemed to hold their breath as they watched.

Burst!

Finally, the chrysalis split open completely.

And from within…

『 ☆☆ 【Cecilia】 Blaze Lumière LV10 』

“Wow… She’s so beautiful!”

A butterfly-like creature, shimmering like living flames, emerged.

Her ruby-red wings had fiery patterns and transparent tips that glimmered like sunlight.

It was as if she captured the sky at dusk.

Cecilia slowly spread her wings.

Each flap sent small flames fluttering.

The cold ice cave felt as warm as spring.

“Our Cecilia is so beautiful…”

The Little Butterfly fluttered happily around Cecilia.

The Blizzard Hornet saluted with its sharp stinger, and the Hyperborean Ant brought a small ice crystal as a gift.

The other insects celebrated in their own ways.

Cecilia elegantly flapped her wings, greeting everyone.

She seemed as joyful as if she had just reunited with long-awaited family.

“You’ve grown well…”

“Our darling has grown up so beautifully!”

It was almost enough to bring tears to my eyes.

Of course, I can’t actually cry, but this moment felt like I could.

Now I understand why people become so fond of their children…

“Kids! From now on, all the monsters we hunt are Cecilia’s. Got it?”

The insects nodded in unison.

The Little Butterfly looked slightly sulky but still fluttered its wings in celebration.

Our child’s true growth is beginning now!

Flutter, flutter.

Cecilia landed on the flower petals again, wanting to eat the nectar.

Is she finally going to eat nectar?

When she was a larva, she kept eating toxic leaves, causing so much trouble.

Munch, munch.

“Huh?”

Cecilia, now a butterfly, still hadn’t fixed her habit of eating leaves.

What kind of butterfly eats leaves?

A butterfly should drink nectar!

『 「Toxicity LV8」 skill level has increased. 』

Wriggle, wriggle!

“You foolish child!”

Quickly sprinkling healing pollen on Cecilia, small flames erupted around her struggling form.

“Ow, it’s hot!!!”

What is she doing?

As soon as she became a butterfly, she started causing trouble with her fiery nature!

The insects watched in confusion at this chaotic scene.

The Little Butterfly covered its wings, trying to hold back its laughter, while the others seemed amused.

Ack!

“Put out the fire!”

‘Little Butterfly! Use your Blizzard on her!’

…

『 「Pollen Release LV10」 skill level has increased. 』

『 「Pollen Bloom LV1」

　「Pollen Release LV10」 skill has evolved. 』

『 「Pollen Bloom」

　- Releases pollen in a splendid manner. The range and accuracy of the pollen have increased. 』

『 「Pollen-Healing LV10」 skill level has increased. 』

『 「Pollen-Healing (True) LV1」

　「Pollen-Healing LV10」 skill has evolved. 』

『 「Pollen-Healing (True)」

　- The released pollen contains strong healing properties. 』

“Ugh… What a ordeal…”

I didn’t expect raising Cecilia to be this hard.

Did the Master go through the same when raising me?

『 ☆☆ 【Cecilia】 Blaze Lumière LV78 』

Still, it was worth it.

The skill levels rose rapidly, two skills evolved, and Cecilia’s level reached 78.

Did my flower petals have that much nutrition?

If I didn’t have the backup battery, I might have been eaten entirely.

Munch, munch.

Cecilia relentlessly ate my petals day after day.

“No… Stop…”

Watching Cecilia suffer from the poison hurt my heart.

But Cecilia didn’t give up.

Even in the burning pain, she endured a little more each day.

…

『 ☆☆ 【Cecilia】 Blaze Lumière LV92 』

The seventeenth attempt.

Something was different this time.

Cecilia’s body began to tremble, but it felt unlike before.

The red glow intensified, and-

Burst!

“Ah! It’s hot!”

A small explosion of heat spread out.

The flames from Cecilia’s wings burned more fiercely, glowing bright red.

As if they were burning away the poison.

“Huh? Something’s different this time!”

Her trembling subsided, and her wings steadied.

Each flap sent small flames flying, and those flames seemed to purify the poison.

Watching Cecilia grow stronger, my pain naturally faded.

“Could it be…?”

With pride, I extended a flower petal.

“Is it really okay now?”

Flutter, flutter.

Cecilia circled around me joyfully.

It was clearly different now.

The flames that overcame the poison burned even stronger.

Her playful demeanor warmed my heart.

“Our youngest… She did it!”

The Little Butterfly flew over first, circling Cecilia.

The heat no longer felt dangerous.

The Frost Mantis twirled elegantly in the air, and the Frost Hoppers jumped rhythmically, performing a celebratory dance.

It was like a small ball.

“Look at Cecilia! How proud she must be!”

The Ice Aranea crafted a sparkling ice bouquet, and the Frost Centipedes curled up to form an arch of celebration.

The original insect members celebrated in their own ways.

“Our beloved insect princess!”

“What will the Master say when they return?”

With such a beautiful and strong youngest daughter…

“They’ll definitely be thrilled!”

Cecilia’s wings shone even brighter.

Hmm?

Suddenly, something appeared on the detection radar.

This energy…!

“Master!!!”

Filled with excitement and joy.

They’re finally coming back!

I need to tell them all the news.

About meeting the saint and the hero, and Cecilia’s growth!

But…?

“What’s that?”

A powerful energy accompanied the Master, equally strong and mysteriously magical.

In the distance, two figures appeared.

One was, of course, our beloved Master.

And the other…

Jet-black hair that seemed to slice through the night sky.

A faint violet hue shimmering between the strands, like stars embroidered in the darkness.

“Wow…”

The black dress sparkled faintly with each step, as if adorned with countless stars.

The luxurious skirt swayed elegantly, and the porcelain-like skin glowed whiter than moonlight.

Her sharp eyes and slightly raised lips exuded an intimidating aura, yet were undeniably beautiful.

Under her cold gaze and crimson eyes, which resembled roses blooming under moonlight.

“Still… The Master is far more beautiful…!”

A tingling feeling lingered in my chest.

It felt like something significant was about to happen.