A Quest More Vital Than Blood
A matter more pressing than blood to nurture Ricoris's growth had arisen. I had to find a monster capable of polymorph.
Where on earth did they all go? I pondered, slicing through the starry sky. After venturing out, I'd scoured not only Sia Kalt's territory but the surrounding regions too, yet no suitable monster turned up.
At first, I combed every ice lake near Sia Kalt. I figured one of the rare species there might do the trick, but no luck. On a whim, I even checked the Glaze Kraken's nest, but they were as dim-witted as ever.
I shouldn't be wasting time in a dump like this.
I headed west, toward the valley known as the Devil's Gorge—the legendary haunt of mythical beasts. Surely something there would work.
Upon arrival, countless monsters came into view. The most striking was a Crimson Tiger with a fiery red mane, glaring at me with smug confidence.
"How dare you trespass in my domain."
With a haughty growl, the Crimson Tiger advanced threateningly.
Hah. I'd seen bluster like this a thousand times. One sharp glance was all it took. The Crimson Tiger tucked its tail and flattened itself to the ground.
"Can you polymorph?"
"N-no, I can't...!"
"Tch."
As I turned away, its legs gave out, and it slunk off like a worm. The other monsters scattered in an instant.
Not here either, then...
Next was the Forest of Magic. I'd heard its spirits could freely shift forms. But it turned out to be mere illusions.
"Such a flimsy trick..."
I was tempted to freeze half the forest in frustration, but Ricoris's face flashed in my mind. That innocent child might be disappointed, so I just sighed.
From one end of the Diede Continent to the other—from the deep caves of the Karlon Mountains to the oases of the Arcana Desert. Nowhere did I find a monster that could polymorph.
Ah, this is getting ridiculous...
I folded my weary wings and perched atop a sand pillar. Why the rush? Give it a millennium, and Ricoris could polymorph on her own. But her earnest plea kept surfacing—her pure wish to take human form. I wanted to make it happen sooner.
At last, I recalled Nis, the one I'd last seen five centuries ago. Among the Eight Great Labyrinth rulers, she alone was a friend—the mistress of Desmeer. She always appeared in human guise. A colossal serpent by nature, yet she stubbornly clung to that frail form. A true master of polymorph.
If it's her...
I'd planned to raise Ricoris grandly and boast to Nis, but now here I was, needing her help.
Hah. No choice, then.
I spread my wings over the vast sea beyond the continent. Moonlight cascaded onto the waves, shimmering like silver scales.
I flew without rest for days—something I'd never bother with under normal circumstances. But for Ricoris, it was nothing.
During brief pauses, memories surfaced. The day I first met Nis. Wary at first, but soon we were chatting often, our wavelengths oddly in sync despite clashing personalities.
"Try melting that icy demeanor of yours."
"Maybe tone down your vanity a notch."
We'd bicker like that, yet kept crossing paths.
When was that, again...
Finally, the dark sea called Desmeer came into view—a massive abyss swallowed by pitch-black depths. That was the entrance to Desmeer Labyrinth.
Plunging into the ocean depths revealed a vast underwater vista. Glowing creatures of every hue danced through the gloom like stars in the night sky.
Just like Nis.
This flamboyant spectacle suited her tastes. It hadn't been nearly this lavish on my last visit. Vanity incarnate, that one.
The sea monsters sensed my presence and fled in panic. I dove straight to the deepest trench.
There, amid the intensifying darkness, loomed a colossal temple: Desmeer Labyrinth. Pearls and corals adorned it lavishly. Glowing jellyfish hung like torches, fluorescent moss bedecked the walls.
Even flashier than before.
As I neared the entrance, the local monsters bowed frantically. Not wanting a fuss, I waited. Soon, a Death Knight wreathed in violet aura hurried over.
"F-Frostia?"
"Yes. You're Dayana, right? Is Nis inside?"
"Y-yes! I'll escort you to Lady Nis at once!"
Under Dayana's guidance—the first of Nis's minions I'd seen in ages—I ventured deep into the temple. It was utterly transformed from my last visit: jeweled pillars, pearl-embroidered ceilings, coral sculptures. All new excesses.
And at the center stood a familiar figure. Hair black as the Milky Way, with violet highlights swirling like deep-sea currents. An aura of profound mystery enveloped her.
"Oh my, a visitor! Have you finally awakened from hibernation?"
Her star-studded dress rippled open like ocean waves. Desmeer's ruler, Nis.
Her voice echoed through the shadows, as dazzling as ever.
"Still so noisy."
"And you're still as frosty. But what's this? The lofty princess of Sia Kalt gracing my doorstep?"
"I'm worried a visit to this garish trinket shop might dull my sense of beauty."
"Hah! I've been diligently decorating my labyrinth every day. How long do you plan to hibernate in that ice cave?"
"You know better than anyone that my labyrinth outshines this gaudy boutique."
"Hee hee... think what you like. But dropping by after so long? You must be dying of boredom."
Nis's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Shall we play dolls—or maybe house—after all these years?"
"That was millennia ago!"
"Hmm? I figured you'd still enjoy it."
Does she forget our age? If Ricoris begged, I'd happily indulge, but not with you anymore.
"So what is it? Need my help with something? Do tell."
"...Can you teach polymorph?"
"Pardon? Polymorph?"
Her sharp gaze widened in surprise.
"No way... have you forgotten how?"
"Don't be ridiculous. It's for my subordinate."
"Subordinate?!?!"
Nis's jaw dropped. Fair enough—me, who'd always gone solo.
"Wait. Am I hallucinating? You have a subordinate?"
"Yes. A truly special child. Smart, cute... no, beautiful, perhaps. Kind, loyal—the first like this. Obedient, too..."
I pictured Ricoris waiting in the labyrinth, greeting me with sweet fragrance. Who knew I'd come to crave that anticipation? So much had changed since her.
"Oh my oh my! The ice princess praising someone? Wonders never cease!"
"I said be quiet."
"Anyway, what kind of monster is this subordinate? I need to see if I can teach it..."
"A flower."
"A flower?!"
Nis burst into laughter.
"Puhahaha! You raising a flower? This is priceless... ah! A beauty like a flower, you mean!"
"Heavens! Since when do you wax poetic? Confirms you're a lady after all!"
No... it's a literal flower.
I wondered what reaction she'd have upon meeting her.
"Quit laughing and just say if you can teach it."
"Oh, so impatient! I want to hear more about this child..."
"...Take whatever you want from my treasury."
A smile crept across Nis's lips—predatory, like a serpent eyeing prey.
"Oh, that famed Sia Kalt treasury... but do you think that'll satisfy me?"
"...What else do you want?"
"Hmm... lend me that special subordinate of yours. For a week? Possible?"
A dangerous glint flickered in her eyes—her serpentine nature peeking through. Even after millennia together, this was new greed.
"...Fine."
My agreement drew a faint, honeyed smile from her—sweet as poisoned nectar.
What was this perilous fascination with Ricoris?
"Eee! So easy to convince! Now I'm dying to meet her. Shall we go?"
"Wait, the polymorph..."
"We can talk on the way. You're heading there anyway..."
Nis rose, her dress twinkling like a starry night.
"Dayana, mind the labyrinth while I'm away."
"Yes, Lady Nis!"
Why this nagging unease...
Leaving the opulent temple behind, we ascended toward the surface. Well, Nis—in human form—climbed onto my back.
Ugh... And then she chattered excitedly.
"My, you've changed so much, Frostia. The old you would've never taken a subordinate..."
"I said be quiet."
"Anyway, is this flower really that special? Or are you just getting soft in your old age, finding even frail critters adorable? Hee hee..."
I shot her a cold glare, but she was unfazed.
"Or could it be... you've finally fallen in love? Oh! Just imagining..."
"Shut up, or I'll freeze you."
"Eek, still so chilly. That's what makes me so curious!"
Ricoris... if only you knew my suffering...