Massacre
"Is the talk over?"
Unable to contain my boredom any longer, I sprang up from my seat. My legs were all pins and needles from sitting too long. Human bodies are so inconvenient!
Miel immediately fluttered up to settle into her familiar spot in my hair, while Cecilia perched on my shoulder, sharing her warm glow. Lote, as always, began orbiting around me. Everyone except Glessia, that is. The lazy lump was still sprawled on the sofa. Should've just left her in the depths.
Evan hurriedly gathered the papers on his desk, looking flustered. "Leaving already? If there's anything else you'd like to ask..."
"I'm busy. Got something important to do."
Disappointment spread across Evan's face. He plopped back into his chair and asked, "Where are you headed?"
I curled my lips into a gleeful smile. "Gonna perform a sacred ritual for Michael-sama."
Evan's eyes went wide. He seemed about to say something more, but I was already heading out of the guild master's office. From behind, I heard Glessia slowly hauling herself up. What a sloth!
As I descended to the first floor, every last one of them came swarming after me. Liandel, Levy, Torben, Karl, Terry, Elina, Roderick, Evan...
"You guys planning to follow me?"
They all nodded in unison. Karl's eyes sparkled especially bright as he said enthusiastically, "It would be an honor to join Lady Ricoris in her ritual!"
Hmm... dragging this many humans along for the ritual sounds like a hassle.
"Just Liandel and Levy. The rest of you would just get in the way—stay put in the village."
These two will be adventuring with me from now on, so time to test their skills!
Karl, Torben, and Terry's faces fell. The others didn't seem surprised—they took it in stride.
Suddenly, Evan approached cautiously. "That 'ritual'... is it recreating the red moon and Michael-sama's floral scent from three years ago?"
I flashed him a big grin. "Of course!"
A mix of anticipation and dread flickered across Evan's face. Lowering his voice, he said, "Could I at least come along? When I report to the central guild... I'd like to share firsthand proof that granting S-rank adventurer status was justified."
Hmm, Evan is the guild master here, after all. Imagining him spreading Michael-sama's true teachings to the adventurers brought a pleased smile to my lips. "Fine! You can come too."
Stepping outside, I caught sight of the full moon hanging in the night sky. A perfect full moon loomed huge over the Sia Kalt mountains, bathing the entire village in silvery light.
"What a perfect night for a ritual!"
I hopped excitedly, and Miel wobbled above my head, flapping to regain her balance before settling back in. Leaving the rest behind, I headed out of the village with Liandel, Levy, and Evan.
Can't do the ritual too close to town—might cause trouble.
Dodododo. Humans are fragile, after all. We ran a suitable distance until we reached a spot well away from the village. The snowy field under the moonlight gleamed like silver silk, while the peaks of the Sia Kalt mountains cast dark shadows in the distance.
"Hehe, shall we get started~?"
Levy, Liandel, and Evan all gulped in unison. Tension was written all over their faces—Levy was even trembling a little.
"Hehe, if you're scared, stick right by my side."
Levy sidled up to me with a slightly relieved expression, and Cecilia unfurled her fiery wings, sharing her warmth with her.
Now for the real start. I took a deep breath and focused my mind. Slowly, I prepared to release the Pollen of Seduction. Pink pollen began to bloom from between strands of my hair. At first like thin threads, it thickened, then exploded outward like a cloud, blanketing the field in pink mist that the wind carried toward the Sia Kalt mountains.
"Whoa..."
Levy gasped in awe. The pink pollen shimmering under the moonlight was a truly fantastical sight.
Next, the crimson moon. I tilted my head back to gaze at the full moon overhead. As I pictured it with sacred devotion to Michael-sama, the moon's color began to shift—fading from white to pale pink, deepening to full blood-red. The blood moon dyed the whole world crimson, turning the snowy field into a sea of blood.
"Hehe... this is the power Michael-sama bestowed upon me!"
I cried out proudly. Liandel's face was etched with shock; a small groan escaped his lips.
"I-It really... changed the color of the moon..."
Levy stared up at the sky in astonishment. Evan was trying to stay composed, but the sweat beading on his forehead betrayed his tension.
"This is truly... the realm of gods."
At that moment, movement stirred from the mountains.
"Hehe, here they come!"
Drawn by the pollen, monsters began surging toward us: snow hyenas racing across the snow, crouching ice goblins, lumbering ice trolls, flying reindeer soaring overhead, slimy glacier floppers crawling along—nothing but the same old monsters I'd seen a million times. No new bug monsters in sight. Bummer... probably all joined my bug squad already.
"Alright, here we go!"
I activated Dark Root Writhing. Black roots burst from the ground, writhing like dancers as they shot toward the monsters, piercing their bodies.
"Kwaaak!"
"Kiiik!"
"Grrruk!"
The monsters' screams rent the night air. Those impaled by the black roots flailed and collapsed. At the same time, I unleashed massive clouds of various pollens. Paralysis pollen froze monsters in place; bleeding pollen made blood pour from every orifice; decay pollen rotted their flesh amid agonized howls.
Glessia finally perked up and joined the fray, charging the flying reindeer with her massive bulk and stabbing her stinger. One, two... the stung monsters screamed and flash-froze.
Cecilia and Lote stayed by my side, guarding me—her ready for any fire attacks, him orbiting like a shield.
And Miel, the non-combatant, clung tight to my head.
"Hehe! Kill 'em all!"
As I lost myself in the thrilling ritual, Levy sprang into action. She'd been wide-eyed at first, but now she was focused. She drew an elegant curved bow from her back and nocked an arrow.
Whiiing!
The arrow sliced through the air, piercing a flying reindeer's eye mid-flight. It screeched and plummeted. Levy followed with three, four more shots in rapid succession—each hitting dead center.
"Oh, you're pretty good!"
My praise lit up her face with pride. "Th-Thank you!"
Liandel wasn't about to be outdone. He raised his crystal staff high; a magic circle formed in the air, spawning dozens of blue ice arrows that rained down on the goblin pack. As they fell, he swung his staff again, erecting an ice wall that blocked the charging hyenas.
Evan proved worthy of his guild master title, wielding a massive axe as he charged a frozen bear. His blade cleaved its leg clean; as it staggered, he rolled back nimbly to create distance.
"Nice, nice~"
I nodded approvingly at their efforts. Compared to my power, it was a drop in the bucket—but better than expected.
Come to think of it, I hadn't tried Crimson Bind yet. I'd brought it because it fit my size, but Liandel called it a legendary weapon. Might as well test it.
I drew Crimson Bind from my belt. The sword hummed and glowed red, absorbing blood from nearby monster corpses like a river flowing into it—just like when it drank the crystal basilisk's blood.
"Ooh! So cool!"
The blade grew ever redder. The vibrations felt joyful in my hand, and with all that blood absorbed, an immense power emanated from it.
As expected of a legendary weapon!
Needed a test subject. Perfect—an ice troll paralyzed by my pollen, standing stock-still with its massive, blue-tinged skin and frosty breath.
"You'll do!"
I approached the immobile troll. Looking up at the hulking beast, I saw terror trembling in its dull eyes.
"Hehe, scared?"
I swung Crimson Bind lightly. "Hiyah!"
As I brought it down, the sword suddenly moved on its own in my hand, guiding me like it had a mind of its own. The vibrations intensified, swinging in a direction I hadn't intended.
"Huh? Wha-what?!"
I'd aimed for the ankle, but it arced gracefully toward the calf. I twisted awkwardly, dragged along by the blade.
"Urk!?"
Shlick— The troll's calf sliced off clean as butter.
"Kraaaagh!!"
It lost balance and dropped to one knee, blood fountaining out to stain the snow red.
"Whoa! It worked! ...Wait, what the heck?!"
I just struck the most uncool pose! Rubbing my back, I stared in bewilderment. What was this sword? It had powers like this too!?
Ignoring me, the sword kept moving. It carved through the troll's tough hide like tofu, but I kept stumbling, barely keeping my balance. Then it yanked my hand toward the chest.
"W-Wait a sec!"
Following its lead seemed to hit weak points perfectly, but my body couldn't keep up—I twisted awkwardly, like a dance newbie dragged by a pro partner.
"Ah, slower! Let me keep up!"
But the sword was beyond my control. Stumbling through the motions, I hacked the troll to bits: arms, legs, torso, head... everywhere the blade touched sliced neatly. Under the blood moon, crimson fountains sprayed.
"Wow, so pretty!"
I admired the blood gushing into Crimson Bind.
"Hehe! Yeah, yeah! You want offerings for Michael-sama too, huh? Awesome!"
"...Urk."
A retching sound came from behind. Levy clutched her mouth, lips pale, eyes filled with utter horror. Liandel clamped his jaw shut, breathing shallowly—his fingertips quivering. Evan averted his gaze slightly, lips trembling.
Huh? What's wrong?
I tilted my head at their expressions, then looked down. Only then did I realize.
The troll's corpse was in pieces. One calf had flown off to drape over a rock; the severed head lay behind me. Guts and flesh splattered everywhere.
I don't feel a thing...
Digging into my past-life human memories, this was the stuff of nightmares. I recalled my first snow hyena hunt in the mid-layers—I'd felt horror then.
Now... I've truly become something else.
At some point, I'd started seeing slaughter as normal. No—enjoying it. Another reminder: I was no longer human.
But thanks to becoming a flower, I met Master. No regrets.
And this side of me? Just means I'm tougher. Good, right?
Suddenly, stronger presences approached. A pack of more powerful monsters inbound.
Whatever. They won't stand a chance against me.
I smiled, awaiting the newcomers.