Nis 1

Growing Rico was no longer the most pressing matter.

I had to find a monster capable of polymorph.

“Where could they have gone?”

Lost in thought, I gazed at the starry sky.

After venturing out, I searched not only the Sia Kalt territory but also the surrounding areas, but no suitable monster was found.

Initially, I scoured the icy lakes near Sia Kalt, hoping to find a rare species, but it was in vain.

On a whim, I even visited the Glacier Kraken’s lair, but they were as foolish as ever.

“This isn’t where I should be wasting my time.”

I headed west.

Toward the Valley of Demons.

Perhaps, I thought, some legendary monsters there might have what I sought.

Upon arrival, numerous monsters came into view.

Among them, the Crimson Tiger with its fiery mane stood out.

It approached with a confident expression, glaring at me.

“How dare you enter my territory.”

Its arrogant tone was all too familiar.

I had seen enough of such bluster.

A single glance was enough.

The Crimson Tiger cowered, its tail between its legs, and fled. The other monsters vanished in an instant.

“Not here either…”

Next, I visited the Forest of Magic.

I had heard its spirits could change forms at will, but they turned out to be mere illusions.

“Such a flimsy trick…”

Disappointed, I considered freezing half the forest but restrained myself, thinking of Rico.

I searched the entire continent, from the deepest caves of the Karon Mountains to the oases of the Arcana Desert, but found no polymorph-capable monsters.

“Ah, this is…”

I folded my wings and sat on a pillar of sand, exhausted.

Why was this so urgent?

Rico could learn polymorph on her own in a thousand years, but her eager desire to become human weighed on my mind.

Finally, I thought of Nis, the ruler of Deathmere, one of the Eight Great Labyrinth rulers and the only one I was close to.

She always took on a human form, though her true form was that of a massive snake.

Her mastery of polymorph was unparalleled.

“Perhaps she…”

I had intended to show off Rico’s growth but now needed her help.

“Sigh… No choice.”

I spread my wings over the vast ocean, the moonlight shimmering like silver scales on the water.

I flew non-stop for days, a task I would usually find too tedious.

But for Rico, it was worth it.

Memories of Nis surfaced during my journey.

Our first meeting, the gradual ease in our conversations, the unlikely bond despite our contrasting personalities.

“You should melt that icy demeanor of yours.”

“And you should tone down that vanity.”

Our banter was endless, yet we kept meeting, drawn together somehow.

“When was that…?”

Finally, the dark waters of Deathmere came into view.

The massive trench, shrouded in blackness, housed the Deathmere Great Labyrinth.

As I swam deeper, the vibrant marine life illuminated the darkness like stars.

“How like Nis…”

Her love for such grandeur was evident.

Her temple was even more extravagant than I remembered, adorned with pearls and glowing jellyfish.

“More ostentatious than before.”

Approaching the temple, the sea monsters fled at my presence.

A Death Knight, radiating blue energy, hurried toward me.

“P-Prostia?”

“Yes, and you must be Deiana. Is Nis inside?”

“Yes! I’ll take you to her right away!”

Following Deiana, I entered the depths of the temple, now filled with jewels, pearls, and coral statues.

At the center was a familiar figure with raven-black hair and violet streaks, exuding an enigmatic aura like the deep sea.

“Oh my, who could this be? Have you finally awoken from hibernation?”

Nis, the ruler of Deathmere, stood in her starry dress, as dazzling as ever.

“Still so loud.”

“And you’re as cold as ever. What brings you here? The Ice Princess of Sia Kalt visiting me?”

“This gaudy place is tacky. How long will you sleep in your ice cave?”

“My labyrinth is far better than this gaudy shop of yours.”

“Hmph… I’ve been busy decorating my labyrinth every day, you know?”

“Clearly a waste of effort.”

Nis’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Well, since you’re here, shall we play dolls or something?”

“That was millennia ago!”

“Hmm? Didn’t think you’d still be into it.”

‘Does she not know our age…?’

Had Rico asked, I would have gladly obliged, but not with Nis.

“Then what brings you? Perhaps you need my help?”

“…Can you teach me polymorph?”

“What? Polymorph?” Nis’s sharp eyes widened in surprise.

“Could it be… Prostia, have you forgotten how to polymorph?”

“Don’t be absurd. It’s for my subordinate.”

“Subordinate!?!?”

Nis’s jaw dropped.

Understandable, given my history of solitude.

“Wait, am I hearing things? Did Prostia acquire a subordinate?”

“Yes. A very special child. Intelligent, cute… or rather, beautiful. And so kind and loyal. Listens well…”

Thinking of Rico waiting in the labyrinth, her sweet scent in mind.

Anticipation filled me, something I never expected.

Rico had changed much since we met.

“Oh my goodness! This is shocking! Prostia, the Ice Princess, has a subordinate?”

“Be quiet.”

“But I want to hear more about this subordinate… Can I teach them?”

“A flower.”

“A flower!?”

Nis burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! So Prostia is raising a flower? This is… Ah! Like a flower, how poetic!”

“Good grief! Since when did you get so sentimental? Or is Prostia finally smitten?”

‘No… It’s literally a flower…’

I wondered how Nis would react upon meeting Rico.

“Stop joking and answer me.”

“Oh, come now. Don’t rush. I want to hear more about this child…”

“…Take whatever you want from my treasury.”

Nis’s lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes gleaming dangerously, like a snake sensing prey.

“Oh, the famous Sia Kalt treasury… But would that be enough for me?”

“What more could you want?”

“Well… I’d like to borrow your special subordinate for a week. Just a week?”

Nis’s eyes flickered with a dangerous light, revealing her serpent nature.

“…Fine.”

My agreement brought a faint, sweet smile to Nis’s lips, like poisoned honey.

Her interest in Rico was unsettling.

“Oh! You’re agreeing so easily? How intriguing. Shall we depart?”

“Wait, about the polymorph…”

“We can discuss it there. You’re going that way anyway…”

Nis rose from her seat, her dress shimmering like the night sky.

“Deiana, take care of the labyrinth while I’m away.”

“Yes, Nis!”

‘Why this ominous feeling…’

Leaving the dazzling temple, we swam toward the surface. Nis, still in her human form, climbed onto my back.

How annoying…

She chattered excitedly all the way.

“Oh my, Prostia has changed so much! You never would have taken a subordinate before…”

“Be quiet.”

“But I’m curious about this flower of yours. Or is Prostia simply fond of delicate creatures? Huhu…”

I glared coldly, but Nis ignored it.

“Or perhaps… has Prostia finally fallen in love? Oh my, the thought alone…”

“Shut up, or I’ll freeze you.”

“Oh, still as cold as ever. That only makes it more intriguing, doesn’t it?”

Rico…

If only you knew this torment…