Dream

As soon as I closed my eyes, a cool sensation enveloped me.

Somehow familiar… this chill…

It was the presence of my master.

“Rico…”

A familiar voice called my name.

When I opened my eyes, a silver-haired woman stood before me.

It was my long-awaited master.

“Juu, Juuinim!”

In that moment, I realized I was dressed in a negligee.

Ah! It’s too revealing!

But Master was gazing at me with curiosity.

“Huhu. Rico, you’ve polymorphed. Really… lovely.”

“Hueh!”

My face burned at Master’s words.

My heart pounded.

Master examined me carefully, then slowly approached.

Her elegant gait was truly beautiful.

Her silver hair fluttered like moonlight, and her snow-white eyes shone toward me.

“Rico, you’re still my greatest treasure.”

Master smiled softly before me.

Her smile made my heart race faster.

“M-master… I wanted to show you my human form.”

“Oh? You’ve already succeeded with polymorph. Nis would be surprised.”

Master gently stroked my hair.

Her touch sent shivers through me.

I unknowingly tilted my head toward her touch.

Like a cat seeking more pets.

“Belez is doing well, and our labyrinth is well-protected too.”

Master’s voice was as cold and smooth as ice.

“I waited… I kept waiting, Master.”

My voice trembled.

The longing felt so vivid.

“Huhu. You’ve worked hard.”

Master placed a hand on my shoulder.

Her touch, expected to be cold, felt warm against my skin.

“Eh… Master…?”

Master slowly lifted my face to meet her eyes.

“Rico, I…”

Master’s face drew closer.

Ehehe…

Wait, is this…?

Is this what I think it is!?

My heart, don’t burst!

Hold on just a bit more!!!

Just as Master’s soft lips were about to touch mine-

Puk!

“Ew!”

Suddenly, something fell on my face.

I opened my eyes to find Rote hovering above me.

Rote’s glass-like eyes stared at me intently.

“What… what is it?”

I sat up abruptly.

Rote tilted her head and looked out the window.

It had grown dark outside, the sun already set.

“Oh… evening…”

It was a dream…

So vivid, as if I was just with Master…

How would Master’s lips have felt?

Imagining the icy touch made my body tremble.

“Agh! Why wake me at that moment!”

I shouted at poor Rote.

It was my request, but…

Why then of all times!

It felt so frustrating!

“Eek!”

I slapped Rote’s metal body in anger.

“Ow!”

Only my fingers hurt from hitting her hard surface.

A whimper escaped me.

“Ow… it hurts…”

How hard is this Proten metal anyway?

It seemed impossible to pierce even with my sturdy roots.

“Uuuh…”

My face burned.

Miel, Cecilia, and Glacia were watching me.

Especially Miel, who found it amusing, flew up and perched on my lips, flapping her wings.

Flap, flap!

“Eh…?”

What’s going on?

Did I stick out my lips in my sleep?

And did she see it!?

“Wooh!”

My face turned red.

Did I make any sounds too!?

Flap, flap!!

Miel, as if reading my mind, flapped harder on my lips.

Glacia looked at me with knowing eyes, and Cecilia spread her fiery wings, seeming to stifle a laugh.

“Did you see…?”

Glacia nodded.

What is she nodding about!

Not that I asked!

“Ugh…! Don’t watch someone sleep!”

I quickly changed my negligee to a black dress.

“Ugh! Let’s go!”

I hurried out of the room.

The Four Heavenly Kings followed.

Miel on my head, Cecilia on my shoulder, Rote circling around, and Glacia trailing behind.

Downstairs at the inn, Ryandel and Levi waited.

The two looked much better after their afternoon nap.

“Lycoris, did you have a good rest?”

Ryandel asked politely.

“Yeah… it was fine.”

The memory of the dream made me look away.

“Let’s go to the guild! We need to meet Master!”

We hurried through the town toward the Adventurer’s Guild.

It was evening, so people filled the streets.

Everyone greeted me, but I just waved quickly, eager to reach the guild.

‘Hurry up and get the badge, then hurry to Master!’

We entered the guild, where Evan waited at the counter.

“Lycoris, as promised, I prepared your S-Class Badge.”

Evan handed me a small box.

Inside was a badge made of blue metal.

A diamond-like gemstone gleamed at the center, with “Lycoris” engraved below.

“Wow…”

The badge, adorned with a jewel, was beautiful.

Seeing the name Master gave me made me feel proud.

“This is your S-Class Badge. Show this, and you’ll receive the highest treatment at any kingdom or empire’s guild.”

Evan explained the badge’s significance.

“We also prepared the reward for the monster subjugation.”

He offered a small pouch of gold coins.

“Fifty gold coins.”

Ryandel and Levi’s eyes widened.

“Fifty gold coins?”

Levi asked in surprise.

“Yes, actually, just the bodies of the Solhan Pass Guardians are worth over fifty gold coins. And…”

I tuned out Evan’s explanation.

I just wanted to go to Master as soon as possible.

“Thanks! We’ll leave now.”

“Now? Already? Maybe tomorrow morning would be better…”

“No, now! I want to go to Master as soon as possible!”

I handed the pouch to Ryandel.

“You carry it.”

Ryandel looked startled but took it.

“Get anything you need quickly. Let’s leave at once!”

We rushed through the town’s shops, buying potions, gear, and provisions.

Ryandel and Levi picked what they needed, while I just waited impatiently.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, the basics are done.”

“Then let’s go!”

“Umm… could we stop by the temple on the way?”

Levi hesitated.

“The temple? Michel’s temple?”

“Yes! We stopped there before entering the labyrinth too.”

“If it’s Michel’s temple, of course we should!”

We climbed the quiet hill on the outskirts of town.

A white building stood alone under the night sky.

“There it is.”

Levi pointed.

The Temple of Light shimmered softly in the moonlight.

Though small and humble, it radiated a sacred aura.

A symbol of light radiating outward was carved above the door, and a small bell hung on the roof.

The wind caused it to ring softly.

Inside, the warmth surprised me.

Golden candles surrounded the altar, and behind it stood the statue of Michel.

Depicted as an elegant woman, Michel’s statue extended her hands as if blessing.

Various offerings surrounded the altar-sparkling necklaces, flower bouquets, letters in small boxes, and little statues.

Levi knelt and prayed, while Ryandel bowed his head respectfully.

The Four Heavenly Kings acted in their own ways.

Miel flew quietly around, Cecilia dimmed her flames, Rote hovered still, and Glacia stood guard at the entrance.

I naturally knelt before the altar.

‘Michel, thank you for granting me so much power. I’ve offered blood, so please continue to protect me. Bless my journey to Master.’

Suddenly, the candles flickered.

An invisible gust swept through.

‘Huh? What is it?’

Levi and Ryandel also sensed something unusual.

The temple brightened in an instant.

The candles turned golden, and soft, starry light filled the space.

“Th-that’s…!”

Ryandel gasped at Michel’s statue.

Though calm, her statue now emitted a holy aura of gold and red.

Levi looked around with wide, excited eyes.

Then, a warm energy surged through me.

Like flames coursing through my veins, intense heat spread from my heart.

『 [Michel’s Apostle] trait acquired.』

『 [Michel’s Apostle]

– You have been chosen as the Apostle of Michel, the Goddess of Light and War.』

“What… what is it?”

I cried out at the sudden status window.

The candles flared brightly before returning to normal.

The dazzling light faded, and the temple grew quiet again.

Levi and Ryandel froze.

Both pale and stiff, they couldn’t speak.

“R-Rico… just now…”

Ryandel’s voice trembled.

Levi stared, her eyes darting between the statue and me.

“I… I’ve become Michel’s Apostle!”

I exclaimed, my voice shaking with excitement.

The two exchanged glances, then looked at me.

“…Huh?”