Michael's Temple and Demon Realm Treasures
Michael's temple... ugh, heading straight to the Demon Realm all of a sudden... From earlier, a blood mist had been seeping out of my sword on its own, and it looked like the blade was actually excited about going to the Demon Realm. Solaris had called it a demon sword soaked in curses.
'Are you originally from the Demon Realm after all...?'
I glanced down at Crimson Bind, and the red mist seemed even thicker. As if it had overheard my thoughts. Was this sword really understanding what I was thinking right now? The moment that crossed my mind, the mist grew denser.
Ugh! It really was listening!
"Alright, Ricoris! Before you head to the Demon Realm, let me give you a few important warnings!"
Michael strode right up to me and placed both hands on my shoulders. Her golden eyes looked more serious than ever. In that instant, the entire colosseum fell silent—even Miel's fluttering seemed to stop.
"The Demon Realm is crawling with evil gods! Some of them have weird tastes, especially for cute little girls like you. If anyone shows interest and says they like you, you have to memorize this super important spell!"
Michael's expression turned grave. A spell? Was there some special incantation to fend off situations like that? Maybe one of her new divine powers?
"No way! I don't want that! Don't do it!"
Eh...? That was the spell?
"And then call for help from those around you! That's the most important spell for protecting yourself! Remember it!"
Michael spoke with such sincerity, but the pink tips of her hair swayed just a little as she did, making her look oddly adorable.
"Michael, everywhere you go there are evil gods. You think that'll work?"
Solaris sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead, her face screaming, 'How many more times do I have to explain this?'
"Ah! You're right!"
Michael's face changed in a flash, her eyes widening like she'd just had a huge epiphany.
"Then you'll have to sneak through the evil gods' passages, super carefully! Don't let anyone spot you!"
"Where are the evil gods' passages?"
When I asked, Michael shrugged with a bright smile.
"Of course I don't know! You'll have to find them yourself!"
Ugh... Just imagining what might happen in the Demon Realm gave me chills. A place teeming with evil gods! And I'd have to find the passages on my own? What if I failed and got stuck there forever? I should've just stayed quietly in the carriage! Or used this power on some random monster instead!
"That sun has no divine power and only shows up for her, so it'll be fine."
Suddenly, I heard Solaris speaking to Miel. Huh? Sun? It looked like Miel had received something... but I couldn't see it?
"What's that?"
"Miel seems to have it rough, so I gave her a little gift. A tiny sun that relays her thoughts to me."
Solaris gave a faint smile as she spoke. It was so dazzling I nearly looked away. Jealous! I want a gift too!
"Ah! Right! I should give her a gift too!"
Michael clapped her hands suddenly.
"Before you go to the Demon Realm, let's head to my temple first! I've got some things there you can use!"
Yay! Michael is the best! My heart pounded with excitement, wondering what the gift might be.
"Follow me!"
At Michael's words, we all left the colosseum. Stepping outside, my jaw dropped at the sight. An endless expanse of fluffy clouds filled the sky—and they were under our feet too. I stepped forward cautiously, feeling like I was walking on clouds in zero gravity. The moment my foot touched one, it was so soft and pillowy. Like treading on the world's fluffiest cotton candy!
And right beside us loomed a massive temple. It was exactly like the gods' temples from those Greek and Roman mythology comics I read as a kid. Towering and majestic on the white clouds, with dazzling pillars, a golden roof, grand ornate doors... everything was overwhelming.
"Wow!"
"This is my temple! Cool, right?"
Michael puffed out her chest proudly. The light streaming from the temple made her golden hair shimmer even more brilliantly. So cool! It really felt like the dwelling of a god!
"Michael, it's amazing!"
As we walked toward the temple, I couldn't stop grinning at the sensation of cloud-walking. Experiencing a dreamlike scene for real!
"Oh, by the way, this colosseum popped up suddenly when I became New Michael!"
Michael veered her steps sideways, pointing at the colosseum as she spoke. There it was again! New Michael!
"What's New Michael supposed to mean?"
"Hehe! That's a secret!"
Michael giggled playfully, pressing a finger to her lips. Eek! So cute! But Solaris's expression suggested some complicated backstory. I was dying to know, but it was a goddess's secret—I couldn't pry.
"Michael, do you have anything suitable to give as a gift? If it has divine power, the evil gods will sense it."
Solaris asked Michael, her face serious but her voice tinged with worry.
"Hehe! It's fine! You'll be shocked when you see it!"
Michael declared confidently to Solaris. Her brimming self-assurance made me think it really was something incredible. What could it be?! My imagination ran wild with excitement!
We finally entered Michael's temple. It had looked grand from outside, but inside, the awe hit even harder. The ceiling soared endlessly high, walls adorned with intricate golden and silver reliefs. Mysterious patterns carved into every pillar, the floor gleaming like a mirror reflecting my image. Everything felt sacred and unreal—it truly sank in that this was the realm of gods. With every step, holy energy seemed to flow from my feet through my whole body.
Following Michael deep into the temple, we passed several doors and entered her private chamber. A super comfy-looking cloud bed and cloud sofa, plus marble-like furniture in a pristine white room. Tiny stars twinkled on the ceiling, and the whole space glowed with a soft golden light.
But there was a large window—and it showed my carriage racing across the plains! Clear as a TV screen!
"Eek! My carriage!"
"Yep! I've been watching you through this window!"
Michael approached the window as she spoke. Sure enough, it displayed my carriage speeding over the plains. Inside, Liandel and Levy were chatting anxiously—but no sound, so I couldn't make out the words.
She'd been watching from the temple all this time! This was a god's power! But my awe was short-lived; embarrassment flooded in. If Michael had seen everything... memories of tripping while running to protect my chastity from the bugs, and Master rubbing me down... My face burned.
Oh right! Master!
"Can you see Master through this window too!?"
Excitement colored my voice. Seeing Master would be amazing!
"Of course!"
Michael waved her hand in front of the window, and the scene shifted in an instant. A sky dumping black snow, frozen ground—and in between, a majestic white dragon. Scales gleaming like moonlight, fierce blue eyes glaring at the world. Even through the screen, Master's dignity was palpable.
Whoa! Master! So cool! Watching her freeze everything on a massive scale filled my chest with emotion. Master really is incredible!
"What? Something like that happened in the human realm?"
Solaris asked Michael, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
"Huh? I told you last time!"
Michael looked at Solaris and shrugged, pointing at the window showing Master.
"Did you...? Guess I wasn't paying attention. Looks like a ton of humans died. You okay with that?"
Solaris asked. The window showed frozen soldiers.
"They're not my followers, so it's fine!"
Michael said it like it was the most obvious thing. Whoa! So as long as they're not her devotees, it's okay to kill them! Big revelation. She really is the goddess of blood and slaughter...
Non-believers dying in battle doesn't matter to her, huh? Super important info!
"Michael, you..."
Solaris started to say something with a subtle look, then whispered to Miel instead. Why can't I hear?! So curious! What are they saying?
Meanwhile, Michael changed the window scene again. A landscape choked with thick smoke and blackened, polluted earth swarming with grotesque undead. The shambling corpses were so gross, just thinking about them gave me goosebumps. Zooming in, Nis lounged at an elegant black table, sipping tea. Black mist enveloped her, endlessly spawning more bodies from within.
Nis is insanely strong too... Master and Nis together attacking the world would be unstoppable. Even one of them is overwhelming—what if both teamed up!
"Haa..."
Michael sighed suddenly. Huh?
"Ricoris was just my cute little seed who only knew me... now she's way too popular..."
Michael said sadly, a hint of sulkiness in her golden eyes. Uh... suddenly felt like a kid torn between mom and dad. But honestly, without Michael, I wouldn't be like this now. If she hadn't given me her blood, I might still be a dormant seed.
I hugged Michael tight.
"I like Michael the most!"
It was the honest truth. Of course Master too—but can't there be two "mosts"?! Wait, does "most" mean only one? Ugh... whatever! I'll have two!
Michael beamed and patted my head.
"Yay! I'm the best, right?"
Hehe. Her touch was so warm and cozy—I was blissfully happy. For her to like me this much was an honor!
"Miel's reporting to Frostia?"
Solaris chimed in suddenly, a teasing lilt in her voice. Hey! What the heck! I glared at Miel, who fluttered around me mockingly in response. That just made me madder. Everyone knows the answer changes depending on who's asking!
"Hehe! Miel, make sure you relay it properly!"
Nooo! Michael laughed as she fetched a strangely shaped box from the corner. Black and purple with eerie patterns—totally at odds with Heaven's bright vibe.
"Here! Pick whatever you want from inside!"
Michael opened the box. Inside: black, red, purple items that clashed with Heaven. Bizarre jewelry, weapons shrouded in dark auras, weird artifacts... everything reeked of shadowy energy.
"Those are evil gods' gear! Why do you have this stuff?!"
Solaris exclaimed, genuinely shocked.
"Hehehe! Five thousand years ago, after I beat the evil gods and otherworldly gods, no one cleaned up—so I did it and picked these up!"
Michael said proudly, face beaming with satisfaction. Michael sure knows how to scrimp and save!