The Splendor of Crystal Elysium
Crystal Elysium is insane! Totally crazy! I wandered around every corner of the lair, and it was just so damn good. The walls embedded with beautifully cut crystals sparkled in rainbow hues under the sunlight. The floor was smooth, semi-transparent glass like polished ice, perfectly reflecting my image. And the ceiling held a massive chandelier dozens of times my size. Whoa... Is this really where I'm going to live? They granted every single one of those bizarre demands from my Noble Trait activation! They even all shouted together earlier, "We welcome the glorious descent of the great Frostia!" It was kinda ridiculous... but I'll get used to it, right? Honestly, I never thought those weird outbursts from the Noble Trait would actually become reality. In a way, I owe this ultimate lair to that trait... But I was trying to get rid of it... I'd forgotten about it since it hadn't triggered in a while. Gotta tell Nis about it today for sure.
Flutter flutter! Miel flew above my head, gazing in wonder at her reflection in the crystal wall. Her blue wings shimmered even more iridescently in the reflection.
"Whaddya think?"
I mimicked Miel's speech style. She plucked a strand of my hair and wrote in the air.
"I use this style too. Gonna talk like this from now on." I'd been using it way before you! Don't underestimate my internet vet status!
Miel flapped her wings roughly and wrote again.
"Nuh-uh, I do it better than you~"
Flutter flutter! Flutter flutter! Miel looked totally pissed, spinning in circles mid-air like she was furious. Giggle! Did I finally win a verbal spar with Miel?!
"By the way, where's Lote?"
Suddenly, I realized Lote, who usually buzzed around me, was missing. I'd seen Cecilia riding Glessia everywhere, but Lote had vanished at some point.
She wrote it so nicely despite being sulky, but the news was disastrous. Uh oh... I looked away for a second and disaster struck! What do I do?! Should I go rescue Lote? As I pondered, I heard footsteps behind me.
"Ricoris."
Master! I turned to see Master approaching gracefully. Two maids followed, diligently scattering white petals behind her. Oh right, I requested that too. The petals danced through the air before blanketing the floor—it was utterly fantastical, like falling snow or fairies bestowing blessings.
But... hmm... kinda feel bad for the flowers. They're all dying for this... Such a horrific mass slaughter... Gotta tell them to stop later. Or maybe Master sees it as an honorable effect? Caught between plant solidarity and deference to Master, a subtle dilemma arose. Table it for now!
"Master! Do you like your gift?"
I clasped my hands, gazing up with expectant eyes. My heart pounded. She'd looked impressed when we arrived but hadn't said it outright.
Master smiled brightly. "I love it, Ricoris."
Whoa! That smile... I'd never seen such pure, childlike joy radiating from her before. So different from her usual cool smile. My chest swelled with emotion. Seeing her this happy made every hardship worth it. Hmm... Did I even go through hardship...? Anyway, yay!
"How did you prepare this?" Master asked with curious eyes.
"Well... when those knights invaded Sia Kalt, they were from this kingdom. I was gonna destroy it for revenge... but changed it to building a lair for you!" I said proudly. It was a brilliant idea!
"Using humans without killing them—truly clever," Master praised, stroking my head.
Hehe! Master's cool hand glided softly over my hair. Just that touch sent shivers through my whole body. Master's touch is the best!
The petal-scattering maids looked pale. Because of the kingdom destruction bit? It was a bit exaggerated... I never really planned to! But looking closer, one maid was stunningly beautiful. Younger-looking than Levy, with long black hair, big blue eyes, perfect proportions—like a child actress. Her skin was porcelain-pale and flawless. Like the only one with protagonist buffs among the servants? Must've been super popular. Total social butterfly vibe.
"Maid!" I called to the pretty one.
"Y-yes!"
Her voice was clear and lovely too.
"Where's Master's room?"
"I'll show you!"
We followed her up to the third floor. The glass stairs echoed with our footsteps. Walls bore beautiful carvings, with crystal ornaments glowing intermittently. At the top loomed a massive silver door with intricate patterns and a crystal handle. As it opened...
"Whoa!"
A ridiculously lavish room unfolded—more banquet hall than bedroom. Towering ceiling, huge windows framing the outside view. The bed... wow, half the size of my past life's room! Silver canopy draped over it, silk sheets gleaming.
"Ho... Human technology has advanced impressively," Master marveled, surveying the room.
Another maid stepped forward. "I'm Clara. I'll handle all matters for Lady Frostia's comfort."
Clara was a calm blonde, just past adulthood, with a polite demeanor. Oho! Then the pretty one's mine! I eyed the black-haired maid eagerly.
"So you're my personal maid?"
"Yes! I'm Iris, Lady Ricoris's exclusive handmaiden!"
Oh! Exclusive, not personal! Iris bowed deeply, her voice trembling slightly. Makes sense—she looks young and inexperienced. Iris... and the name rhymes with mine! Ricoris, Iris. Got a nice ring!
"Lady Ricoris, shall I show you to your room?"
My room? I planned to stick with Master's... but gotta see it if it's ready.
"Yeah! Let's go!"
"Right away!"
The hallway walls were packed with my exact tastes: red floral patterns, silver borders, crystals everywhere...
"This is Lady Ricoris's room."
Iris opened the door, and my jaw dropped. "Whoa!"
White and red everywhere—rose-like crimson blooms dotting the space, crystals adorning walls and ceiling. Red silk bed with white lace canopy. Massive windows overlooked the garden: white flowers blooming, crystal-clear fountain spraying.
Too perfect for my tastes!
"How'd you know my style...?" I muttered. Do I have a twin or something...!
"Ricoris, this room suits you perfectly," Master said, looking pleased.
Hehe! Master thinks so too! But what now... Should I go to Master's room... or invite her here...? Both so romantic...
Then—knock knock knock! Something tapped the window. Outside, a small shadow waved.
"Maa~!!"
Her mouth moved like she was yelling, but the glass muffled it.
"Cecil!"
I shouted happily; Iris quickly flung open the huge window. A fierce gust rushed in. Glessia flapped in, whipping up petals and curtains.
"Hehe! Found Mommy!"
Cecilia beamed from Glessia's back, still in the black cloak I'd given her—adorable as ever.
"Cecil! Where were you?"
I spread my arms; she hopped off Glessia into my embrace.
"Mommy! Missed you so much!"
"Missed you too! This is Mommy's room!"
Hugging her tight, her small warm body melted into mine, warming my heart. Her sweet Cecilia scent tickled my nose.
Flutter flutter! Miel looped around happily, then plucked Iris's hair to write. Iris startled but quickly composed herself. Pro maid...?
"Mie-ri unnie!"
Cecilia waved at Miel, then grabbed my hand to explore. Her fiery eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Waa! Pretty here too! That pretty too!"
She pointed everywhere, cooing at crystals ("Shiny shiny!"), red flowers ("Flower pretty!"), bed ("Fluffy fluffy!"). Too cute—my stomach hurt from laughing. Her pure joy lit up the room.
Master watched with a warm smile, eyes full of tenderness.
Cecilia noticed and turned. "Gwanny! No Gwanny room?"
Her eyes sparkled innocently.
"Follow me."
Master headed to the door gently. Clara and Iris froze, exchanging "Grandma...?" glances in panic. Heh... pro maid composure gone... But dragon grandma, flower mom, butterfly daughter... Our family tree's a mess. Forgivable.
We followed Master; Cecilia rode Glessia in the air, Miel fluttering along. Back in Master's room, Cecilia's eyes widened more.
"Waaah! Gwanny room super pretty too!"
She pointed excitedly at the silver decor, like a kid in a museum. But in her excitement, she gripped Glessia's antennae hard. Glessia winced, antennae being sensitive... Hang in there, Glessia! Train your weak spots—they'll toughen up! Muay Thai fighters do it! I cheered silently. Can't interrupt Cecilia's fun.
"Super pretty here! Mommy, we live here?"
"Yup! Here and Sia Kalt—both our homes!"
Cecilia shook Glessia's antennae harder in excitement. Glessia's face grew more despairing.
Then a polite knock at the door. "May I enter?"
A mature male voice, dignified unlike the other servants.
"Come in!"
The door opened carefully. It was the white-haired elder from our arrival, in the center. Black tailcoat impeccable, white gloves. Old but straight-backed, sharp yet kind eyes. Straight out of a game or novel—the hidden powerhouse butler grandpa! Are you too!?
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Walter, the head butler here."
He bowed deeply. Impressively, no tremor facing Master up close. Clara and Iris tensed, but not him... True hidden master!
"Dinner is prepared. Shall I guide you?"
My stomach growled loudly. Ah! Come to think of it, I haven't eaten since the withered lands!