Naming the Girl Butterfly
"Pfft! Puhaha!"
Nis's laughter echoed off the labyrinth's ceiling. Her long black hair swayed beautifully with her chuckles.
Eh? Why's she laughing? It's a perfect name...
Flutter flutter!
The girl butterfly smacked my petals as if displeased with the name. Her tiny body pounding my broad petals was utterly adorable. The impact sent a puff of pollen scattering, and her translucent wings quivered in denial.
Eh...?
Why? Isn't it super intuitive and cute?
《Why? It fits you perfectly!》
Flutter flutter!!!
This time, she struck even harder, like a child stomping her feet. Resentment flashed in her compound eyes.
"Ricoris... Imagine if I named you 'Pretty Flower'..."
I could hear the amusement in my owner's calm voice.
Ah! That's it!
I'd been so careless, even though I'm a flower myself. Just like when I tried calling Cecilia a hot pack at first—total half-assed effort.
Hmm... But have I always been this sloppy? Lately, I feel like I've gotten dumber. I wasn't like this back when I was a seed...
My petals curled inward slightly from the worry.
Ah! It started after my owner took me in!
This isekai life got too easy, so my brain atrophied! Like a feral stray cat turning into a lazy house pet!
No, no. I'm my owner's one and only subordinate, the manager of Sia Kalt Labyrinth. And a devout follower of Michael. I can't turn into some unemployed slob!
I need to reclaim that initial resolve from my struggling days.
Then... Michael, who gave me her blood so I could emerge into the world for the first time.
Thinking of Michael sparked a new name for the girl butterfly.
Decided...!
《How about Miel!》
I quickly carved the letters into the floor with a black root, adding cute little floral decorations around them.
A pretty name like Michael's!
From now on, every time I see the girl butterfly, it'll remind me to stay true to my roots!
Oh! It updates instantly even after renaming!
Flutter flutter!
The girl butterfly—no, now Miel—fluttered happily around me. I could see her tiny antennae trembling with joy.
She likes it!
Miel spun delighted circles over my petals, then suddenly darted toward Glessia.
Flutter flutter! Flutter flutter!
Miel circled the giant antennae of the lounging Glessia, flapping her wings in a special pattern. It was like she was bragging, 'I got a name now too!'
Glessia seemed indifferent at first. She lay there with all six legs splayed on the floor, not twitching a muscle. Even when Miel got closer and brushed her antennae with a wing, no reaction.
On the third try, Glessia's compound eyes finally flickered open. With extreme slowness, she lifted just two of her six legs in a lazy celebratory gesture. It looked exactly like half-hearted clapping.
The real slacker's right here...
Flutter flutter!
That's when Cecilia burst in, spreading her sparkling wings wide. Her flame-like wings shimmered as she whooshed right past Glessia's big compound eyes.
Glessia flinched in surprise, and Miel flew up to join Cecilia. The two butterflies swirled around the giant hornet's head, teasing her mercilessly.
They're playing great...
The other bugs were celebrating Glessia and Miel's new names too. A few eyed me expectantly, like they wanted names next.
No more! Names are a privilege for the bug aces!
"Hmm... So you came up with 'Miel' thinking of Michael?"
Curiosity flickered in my owner's cool eyes as she watched.
《Yes! Isn't it a good one?》
"Hehe. It's pretty, but I'm curious what Michael would think if she saw this butterfly."
Nis gave a subtle smile, lightly covering her lips with a finger. It felt mysteriously alluring.
Eh? Wouldn't she love it?
There couldn't be some isekai rule against using a god's name, right? Even if there is, Michael and Miel are similar but different!
"Anyway, you two are having fun naming things, and I'm feeling a bit left out since I suck at it?"
Nis's red eyes sparkled as she pouted, her lips pursing. The hem of her black dress swept the floor, and she playfully scratched at the air with her long nails.
"Hng~ Where's that spider that surprised me earlier?"
Her sharp gaze scanned the bugs, and one spider descended from the ceiling corner on a thread. It crept forward cautiously, its eight legs fidgeting.
"I'll make this one awesome and even name it as a gift for you."
Eh?
A vague unease crept in. Maybe because she looked ready to dissect Glessia earlier. It felt like I should say a final goodbye to the spider.
《I-Is that... okay...?》
My roots scratched the floor anxiously. The ones buried deep in the soil twitched too.
"Oh my! You don't trust me!?"
Nis shot me a stinging pout.
"It's fine. Nis's minions get super strong through her."
My owner said calmly.
Phew, good.
"Though none of Nis's minions are actually living creatures."
My owner added indifferently, but a faint smile tugged at her lips.
《What!?》
"Hey~ Don't worry. They're all just undead, everything else is fine!"
《Undead won't do!》
I'm a follower of Michael—undead minions would be total blasphemy!
"Oh right. Ricoris has Michael's holy power, so undead would be a problem."
"Hng... Got it. Then I'll try a new challenge!"
Nis delicately picked up the spider with two fingers. Her elegant movements contrasted her subtle expression.
"Ugh... Eight legs and so many eyes... So creepy..."
She tried to hide it, but her hand trembled faintly holding the spider. Still, she strode gracefully toward the deepest layer.
"Frostia, mind lending me your lair?"
Nis winked back at her.
"Use it carefully."
I sensed a hint of wariness in her words.
"Sure~ Of course! No worries!"
Nis's bright voice echoed through the cavern. Her footsteps faded away.
Spider... fighting...
Please come back alive... My petals drooped sadly.
《It'll really be okay, right...?》
"If it succeeds, it'll be stronger than Glessia."
What! If it succeeds!?
So failure's possible!? What is this, a game with gear enhancement!?
And if it fails... Does the spider just shatter like 'Destroyed.'!?
In my imagination, the spider exploded in blue light.
Nooo!
《Th-Then what if it fails...?》
"Dunno... Never heard what happens."
My owner's nonchalant reply made my petals quiver in panic.
No... My poor spider...
I scratched the floor nervously with my root tips.
You have to succeed and come back...
"Don't worry too much. She's been doing this for thousands of years."
Thousands of years enhancing monsters!?
How many got sacrificed... No, don't think about it!
"Trust Nis once. Her minions really believe in her."
Phew... Yeah. She's a labyrinth ruler too—I shouldn't doubt her.
I'm handing the spider to an enhancement expert. What's to worry when Nis, one of the world's top powerhouses like my owner, is doing it personally!
Shake off the worry and do my job!
《Yes! Back to manager duties!》
"Huh? Spreading the bugs around?"
《Yes! Labyrinth surveillance and monster cleanup!》
"Hehe, do whatever you want, our Ricoris."
Hot! 'Our Ricoris'! Do whatever I want!
My imaginary heart pounded! Is this confession time!?
Flutter flutter!
Right then, sharp-eyed Miel seemed to read my mind, blushing as she ordered the bugs. Most scattered to all corners of the labyrinth.
Left were just Cecilia, Glessia, Miel, and a few bugs! Perfect timing with no spectators!
Hoo... Deep breath in my heart...!
Alright! Just like you said, I'll do whatever I want!
《Ownerrr, but the bugs that just left came rushing back.》
Argh! What! At this crucial moment!
Confession timing ruined!
Wriggle wriggle! Flail flail!
Hm? Humans again?
But no sense of crisis. More like... happy? Familiar?
Who? Seraphina or Beatrice? Or Brian's party, Arthur's party?
"Hm. More humans?"
《Seems like it!》
"Bugs are handy. But what were you about to say earlier?"
Curiosity lit my owner's gaze.
《L-Later! I'll tell you later!》
Aaah! So embarrassing!
Daring to interrupt this sacred moment! If it's not someone I know...!