Heavenly Playdate with Miel
No one in Heaven dared block the king's carriage. The ornate carriage, pulled by the kingdom's finest eight horses, shot through the capital Neje's gates like an arrow cleaving the wind. The guards didn't even bother checking who was inside. They were too busy flinging open the gates at the sight of the golden carriage emblazoned with the royal crest.
I gazed out the window from inside the carriage, taking in the passing scenery. The night sky was especially beautiful tonight, stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across black velvet, streaming alongside us. Below, endless grasslands shimmered silver under the moonlight.
"If you look at that constellation..." Liandel pointed out the window, saying,
"Eh~ I dunno~ And I don't care~" I mumbled, sinking deeper into the plush cushions. The stars were pretty, sure, but after over two hours of the same view, boredom was creeping in. What's the point of a comfy, luxurious king's carriage if there's nothing to do inside?
Lote buzzed around the ceiling, playfully varying her levitation speed. Glessia had been conked out in the corner for ages—that giant ice hornet twitching her legs now and then in her dreams was hilarious. Cecilia sat on my lap, wings slightly spread, her warmth like a cozy heated room. Only Miel fluttered excitedly in the moonlight pouring through the window, her blue ice wings sparkling like a little star zipping around inside the carriage.
"It takes about ten days to reach the Heshet Empire, right?" Levy asked, her eyes sparkling with homesickness.
"Yes, that's correct." The moment Liandel replied, my status window pinged.
「Power - Death Mark」 Available
Ah! Death Mark! The cooldown's finally up! I'd totally forgotten!
This status window even notifies me when cooldowns end? Since when?!
My heart pounded. Last time I used this power, I got to meet Michael! And she wiped out that demon in one go, right? So... if I use it now, can I meet Michael again?
Hot excitement surged through me. Better than enduring a boring half-month carriage ride—pop over to Michael's, have a blast, then zip back. Total win!
"Heehee! Playing with Michael will make time fly!" I squealed in delight.
"Pardon? Did you call for me?" Liandel asked, puzzled.
But wait... to use this power, I need to drag someone along, and last time it was that nasty demon. No monsters around now... Nah, with Michael there, she'll send whoever back safe and sound!
So, who to bring? Liandel? Levy? One of the ace quartet?
I scanned everyone in the carriage. Liandel and Levy... hmm, for an epic chance like this, better take my long-time bug buddies over humans. But picking just one of the four would make the others jealous...
Michael... Ah! Miel's name came from Michael! Perfect match—Michael will love it!
"Miel, wanna go see Michael together?"
Miel paused her wingbeats at my voice and looked at me, curiosity sparkling in her tiny eyes.
"I'll go see Michael with Miel! Death Mark!"
The instant I shouted, a mark began etching onto Miel's tiny head. On a little butterfly, it looked like a cute crown.
"Pardon?"
"Huh?"
Liandel and Levy gawked at me in unison.
But the power was already activating. The mark completed, my vision spun wildly. The carriage blurred, faded to black, and suddenly we were in a vast circular colosseum.
"Heehee! We're here!" I cheered excitedly.
Looking around, it was the exact same colosseum—towering spectator seats, grand pillars, and a blood-red moon in the sky. Miel buzzed around eagerly, thrilled by the new sights.
Flap flap! Her wingbeats echoed faintly in the empty arena.
Soon, a secret door on one side creaked open. Dazzling golden light poured out, and a figure emerged from within.
【Michael】
Michael! The stunningly beautiful Michael appeared!
Her golden hair, now with slightly deeper pink tips, shimmered under the moonlight. That sheer outfit... still way too sexy! The thin fabric clung translucently to her perfect curves, fluttering seductively—I felt my cheeks heat up.
But oddly, someone followed her.
【Solaris】
Who’s that? Another god...?
My status window showed Solaris. A woman with fiery red hair like a blazing sun and golden eyes like Michael's. Given the name, probably the goddess of the sun.
But... her outfit was insanely revealing too. Even more than Michael's! Her scorching, dazzling figure—especially those sun-sized breasts and hips—were overwhelmingly violent. True goddess of the sun! Michael suddenly seemed modest!
I rolled my eyes everywhere—walls, floor, ceiling... no ceiling, so sky... anywhere but Solaris.
Miel buzzed wildly, staring holes into the two goddesses. A butterfly's eyes could shine like that? Fearless before divine beings—impressive.
"Ricoris! You're back!" Michael beamed, rushing over to hug me. Her embrace was so warm and soft.
"Hehe... Michael..." I mumbled shyly.
"To actually come to Heaven..." Solaris said incredulously. Her voice was low and deep yet clear and resonant.
"Yeah! I really came, see? When have I ever lied!?" Michael glared at Solaris.
"Just... it sounds too unbelievable..." Solaris shrugged awkwardly, mumbling.
Even gods get embarrassed—fascinating.
"Um... who's she...?" I asked cautiously, glancing at Solaris.
Ugh! Still unreal size!
"...What? You don't know me?"
"Pfft! Hahahaha!" Michael burst out laughing, her peals echoing through the colosseum.
I know the name from the status window, but nothing else... I shot Michael a pleading look.
"This is Solaris," Michael said, stifling giggles. "Goddess of the sun. Super famous in the human world too. One of the oldest gods, with sun temples everywhere."
"Ah, hello, Solaris!" I bowed politely. Sounded like someone I should've known. Sun temples exist? I thought only light temples... Gotta pray at one next time.
"But how did you even get here?" Solaris asked, intrigued.
"With the power Michael gave me!"
"A power I gave...?" Question marks popped on Michael's face; she tilted her head confusedly.
"Death Mark! Used it and poof, here!"
Solaris eyed Michael curiously too. "You have a power like that?"
"Death Mark... Death Mark..." Michael muttered.
"When did I ever...?"
Eh? Not from Michael...?
"Ah!" Michael clapped her hands. "It's a power I got when I became New Michael! Uhahahaha!"
"Here we go again..." Solaris sighed, eyeing her wearily.
"New Michael is thanks to you—well, because of you," Solaris said suddenly, looking at me.
"Me...?"
New Michael...? What's that? Upgraded Michael? Or like... Mk.2 now?
Flap flap! Miel suddenly zipped around me frantically, like she was trying to tell me something.
"Oh right! That's Miel! Our names match!" Michael spotted her and exclaimed.
"Yes! I named her that so I'd think of you every time I see her!"
"Whoa, really? I'm so happy!"
Hehe. Glad she likes it! Michael's face lit up radiantly; she circled Miel childishly gleeful.
Solaris shook her head at our joy, amused exasperation plain.
"A god of unknown age, pure like that..."
Miel kept circling me, then darted to my hair, yanking strands with her tiny legs and dropping to the colosseum floor.
"Ow! Why pull hair?!" I winced, frowning.
But amazingly, Miel started writing on the floor with my hair strands, dragging them with her legs.
What!? She can write!?
"Can we go back?"
"Huh?"
Wait... Michael doesn't seem to know much about the power...?
"Michael, can you send us back?"
"Eh? You went back fine last time—can't this time?" Michael asked, puzzled.
A chill ran down my spine.
No way... does one of us have to die to return...?
Last time, after the demon died in battle, I returned right away... Now it's just me and Miel... Are we trapped?