Mother-Daughter Reunion?

But then, the flames slowly began to subside.

The towering inferno dwindled and eventually vanished completely.

“Huh…?”

As the surroundings fell silent, the Mistress looked around, seemingly puzzled.

“Hmm… this is…”

“It seems the ruler of the Great Labyrinth has changed,” Nis said, stroking my head.

“Indeed.”

Gasp!

The ruler has changed!?

My ruler position!

A gift the Mistress had prepared for me!

But wait…

Who became the ruler?

Looking at the flames, it was clear.

Cecilia seemed to have become the ruler.

Her characteristics as the Fire Butterfly matched perfectly.

But how?

Did the party defeat the original ruler?

With the Mistress and Nis, the strongest in this world?

Lost in thought, I heard…

Dash, dash, dash!

A rapid, rhythmic footsteps approached from afar.

The footsteps were light and melodic, almost like a child’s.

Hmm… Who could it be?

The sound of footsteps grew closer, accompanied by an unusual energy.

A familiar yet different sensation, warmer and more comforting.

“Hm, this scent!”

Nis’s eyes sparkled with delight.

“It smells like an Evil God! Someone connected to an Evil God is coming!”

Evil God…?

The scent of an Evil God?

Curious, I looked closer and saw a small figure emerging in the distance.

It was a young girl, no older than a kindergartener.

Her vibrant red hair, like flames, caught my attention first.

Her short, bobbed hair bounced with each step.

Her hair shimmered like real fire, a true work of art.

Her face was small and adorable, with chubby cheeks that made me want to pinch them.

Her tiny nose had a bead of sweat, and her small lips, spread wide in a smile, revealed her white teeth.

But what was most striking were her eyes.

Large, round eyes with crimson pupils, where flames danced like a small fireplace.

Each blink made the flames more vivid.

And…

Huh!?

Why is she naked!?

The little girl was running towards us without a care, completely bare.

Her innocent demeanor was heartwarming.

Who is she?

This feeling, this scent…

It’s familiar, yet…

The air grew warmer as she approached, like the gentle heat of spring.

With each step, small flames flickered and vanished.

When she saw me, her eyes sparkled, and she smiled brightly.

Then she ran towards me, shouting…

“Mom!”

…?

Mom…?

Me…?

I’m only six years old!?

Wait…

Cecilia!

Is this really Cecilia?!

She’s used Polymorph!?

And she’s a ☆☆☆☆☆☆ 6-star!

Level 814!?

She’s even evolved!?

How is this possible!?

Becoming the ruler makes her this strong!?

Her level increased by nearly 600, and she even gained stars!?

“Huh…?”

While I stood there in awe, Cecilia approached.

Her cheeks were pink, and her fiery pupils shimmered with warm flames.

She raised a hand and smiled brightly.

Whoosh!

A warm breeze swept around Cecilia, melting the Mistress’s ice barrier instantly.

“Huh!”

With the barrier gone, the warm air rushed in.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable; it felt like a cozy spring breeze.

Cecilia then jumped into my arms.

“Mom!”

Thud!

I reflexively caught her, her small, warm body nestling into my embrace.

The heat from her body was comforting.

“Huh…?”

I stood there, dazed, my mind blank.

My heart raced, and reality seemed to fade.

She was truly adorable.

Cecilia’s red hair felt soft and warm to the touch.

Her fiery pupils seemed even more vivid, their warmth melting my heart.

“Mom! Mom! I missed you!”

Cecilia squirmed in my arms, hugging my neck tightly.

Her warmth and sweet scent, like caramel and honey, filled the air.

“Ce… Cecilia? Is this really you?”

“Yes! It’s me!”

She looked up at me with a bright smile, her fiery eyes sparkling.

It was amazing.

The flames weren’t frightening but warm and loving.

But seeing her naked was a bit embarrassing.

Even though she was just a child…

I quickly wrapped her in my black cloak.

“Here, wear this.”

“Hehe! Mom’s cloak!”

Cecilia snuggled into the cloak, delighted.

Her small frame looked much better wrapped up.

“How… how did you become human?”

“I got stronger! Like Mom!”

Cecilia said proudly.

Her small voice was like a bell, clear and sweet.

Phew…

Transformation almost sounded like a bad word…

Cecilia’s explanation didn’t help much…

But the Polymorph must be thanks to the Great Labyrinth’s core.

Then Cecilia noticed Miel on my shoulder.

“Ah! Miel is here!”

Cecilia smiled and waved at Miel.

Flap, flap!

Miel reacted, circling around Cecilia curiously.

Miel, who had been hovering around Cecilia, flew back to my head.

《Th… this is…?》

…?

What’s with your speech?

Are you secretly browsing the internet?

“Hehe. Miel is so cool.”

Cecilia gazed at Miel with wide, admiring eyes.

Then the Mistress looked at Cecilia with interest.

“This child is the Fire Butterfly…”

“Yes! Grandma!”

Cecilia smiled brightly at the Mistress.

Grandma…?

The Mistress’s flawless beauty momentarily froze.

“Gr… Grandma…?”

The Mistress stuttered in surprise.

Nis chuckled at the sight.

“Haha… it’s funny to call Frostia ‘Grandma.'”

But Nis’s expression turned serious.

“But why is the Evil God’s aura so strong?”

“Mom’s friend helped me!”

Cecilia said proudly.

Huh?

My friend…?

“Who… who is it?”

I asked, confused.

Cecilia smiled even brighter.

“Yes! It’s Abraxas! Mom’s friend!”

Abraxas…?

Why is he referred to as a close friend!

Why so clingy!

Cecilia continued excitedly.

“And Abraxas made me his apostle!”

An apostle!?

So Abraxas helped her defeat the ruler…?

But can an apostle defeat a ruler?

Is the ruler here weak?

I don’t know…

This situation is confusing…

“Hm… a wise choice by Abraxas.”

Nis looked at Cecilia with interest.

“Choosing Cecilia as an apostle sends a friendly signal to us while creating a safety net for himself.”

Then Nis’s gaze turned cold.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on him.”

Cecilia clenched her small fists, puffed her cheeks, and scowled.

Her fiery pupils blazed fiercely, and her small nose wrinkled.

“Bad Grandma! Don’t bully Abraxas!”

Bad Grandma…?

The Mistress’s elegant demeanor crumbled.

“Th… this… Grandma…?”

The Mistress stuttered in shock.

Snort…

I barely held back my laughter and asked Cecilia the most pressing question.

“Cecilia, what happened? How did you defeat the ruler?”

“Yes! Let me tell you!”

Cecilia’s eyes lit up as she began her story.

“Glacia was so cool! And Rote did this!”

Cecilia waved her small arms and wiggled her body.

“And Levi went boom! And Mariondé sparkled! And finally, I, the apostle, delivered the finishing blow!”

…?

Cecilia gestured more, but I couldn’t understand a word.

“What’s ‘this’ and ‘that’?”

“Hm… Miel, did you understand?”

I asked Miel, who quickly replied.

《No. Cecilia was hard to understand even when she was a butterfly. We only communicated through instincts.》

Ah…

I see.

It seems asking Cecilia for explanations is futile.

“Then where are the others? Glacia, Rote, Ryandel, and Levi?”

“Ah! They’re all resting below!”

Cecilia smiled and pointed downward.

“Want to go see?”

“Yes! Follow me!”

Cecilia jumped out of my arms and hopped ahead, her black cloak fluttering.

Her bouncing figure in the cloak was utterly adorable.