At the Threshold of Reunion
"Hic...!"
Snot was dripping down as I fumbled in my pocket for a handkerchief, but what I grabbed was something red.
◈ Red panties that pair with Blood Seducer.
◈ Made from silk dyed in Nihilion's blood.
"Oh my..."
Nis jumped in surprise and spotted the red panties. The moment her eyes widened, our gazes locked perfectly.
"Ah, I didn't see anything."
Nis awkwardly turned her head away.
Liar!
"Waaah!"
Of all times, why did I grab these?! A torrent of misery, injustice, frustration, and every emotion exploded at once. It felt like the world was out to get me. Was today really the worst day ever?
I hurriedly tried to stuff the panties back in, but it only made things worse. My hands were shaking so much I couldn't do it properly.
"Th-this...! Hwaaang!"
"Rico... calm down..."
Nis patted my shoulder with a flustered expression. This was probably her first time dealing with something like this too—she clearly had no idea what to do.
"Rico, don't go... no, uh... you don't have to cry. It's okay."
Nis's face grew more awkward as she spoke. I kept bawling, and she looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"Um... how about we hurry to Frostia? I'm sure she's missed you a lot too."
Master!
The moment I heard that name, my tears stopped like magic. My mood flipped like a kid with wild emotions.
"And... I'm sorry. Frostia and I sleeping for three years was my mistake. I didn't realize that Golden Wine was that potent."
Nis scratched her head apologetically.
"It's fine! As long as I can see Master soon, that's enough! Hehe!"
A burst of joyful laughter escaped me. The loneliness of those three long years alone vanished in an instant. With the tears gone and my head clear, Abraksas's request suddenly popped into my mind.
"Oh, Nis. Abraksas asked me to do something."
"Hm? From Abraksas?"
"Yeah, he said to leave the portal open and take you far away."
Nis chuckled, narrowing her eyes.
"Pfft... that guy still fears me, huh. Whatever, Rico. We can leave the portal open. If those evil gods ever come down, I can gobble them up nice and tasty."
Great! My quest was just to move Nis, so if they get eaten later, that's not on me!
"More importantly, let's get to Frostia quick. This way's too slow..."
Nis glanced into the distance, as if measuring it.
"She doesn't like my true form, but..."
Nis's body began to change. Her elegant black dress turned to scales, her sharp red eyes grew larger, and her human shape faded away. Her body swelled enormously, surpassing house-sized to pierce the heavens. Black scales that devoured even sunlight gleamed, with only her blood-red eyes shining like twin moons.
Just like the first time I saw her through the portal, her overwhelming majesty hit me again.
"Whoa..."
Seeing Nis's true form again, it was still terrifying. No wonder the evil gods feared her. Anyone would kneel before such a colossal being.
Nis lowered her massive head, and I carefully climbed atop it. The scales were cold and hard, but strangely, I didn't slip.
Rumble...
As Nis moved, the earth shook violently. She slithered across the ground with her gigantic body, seeming to touch the sun itself. I gripped the scales in shock.
"Eek!"
Every forward surge felt like mountains moving. The wind whipping past my ears roared like a waterfall. Giant snake riding was scary at first, but I soon got used to it and looked around.
The world from on high was beyond imagination. Nis was so tall she nearly touched the clouds—it felt like flying. The sky looked deeper and bluer up here. Sunlight pouring through the clouds gilded the world in gold.
Below stretched a land of death. Forests were withered like bones stuck in the ground, streams turned to sticky black mud. Where I'd been, black mist rose endlessly from discolored earth.
Then, far off, a massive ice realm caught my eye.
"Wow...!"
It was breathtaking. Silver ice spires stabbed the sky, frozen expanses between them. Sunlight refracted into rainbows. Less death, more... eternal winter world.
Master's home!
But unease crept in. What if Master hated what Bellona taught me? If she got mad like Nis... just imagining it hurt my heart. Her disappointed face, cold voice, turned back—tears welled up again.
Meeting after three years only to be hated—what would I do? But I shook it off. No, Master will understand! She's always cherished me. If something bothers her, I can change it slowly. The important thing is we're reuniting!
Got it!
Master, I've been through so much while you were gone.
I rehearsed in my head.
I went to Heaven and the Demon Realm! Became Michael's apostle and Bellona's disciple!
No, Master doesn't like Michael... And Bellona might confuse her...
Master! I finally polymorphed! Now I can talk to you like a human!
Yeah, that's a good opener! Then...
Master, I journeyed with companions to find you!
But that'd lead to explaining all day...
Master, I missed you! While you slept for three years, I got way stronger!
Perfect! Master will praise me for sure!
Flutter flutter!
Miel flapped vigorously on my shoulder. Her wings were shifting from indigo to blue. Back in the human realm, her condition was clearly improving. Sensing my mood, she spun excitedly, expressing anticipation for Master. Blue powder scattered from her tiny body—like her bugs' unique celebration ritual. Master is their queen, after all, so Miel's loyal too!
Nis drew nearer the ice realm. The air grew colder. The closer we got, the more overwhelming it felt—ice fortresses, glaciers, snow-blanketed land. Unmistakably Master's territory.
But those undead from before came to mind. They were strong, sure. Normal humans would faint or flee from one, but their movements were so dumb. Like something was missing...
"Nis, I saw those undead fighting earlier. Their combat felt kinda awkward."
"Sss."
Huh? Just snake sounds? Can't speak human in this form?
"Nis, no talking while polymorphed?"
Nis nodded ever so slightly—careful not to shake me off her head.
No talking in true form... Like me as a flower. Kinda relatable. But snake must be harder than flower... I could write with roots, but a snake...? Tail writing? Only one tail, super inconvenient...
"Should we talk later?"
Nis shook her head side to side slightly. Now's fine.
"The undead horde lacks tactics and coordination. They just charge like wild animals."
Nis hissed shortly in agreement.
"They need a smart undead commander. Even if other abilities suck, one with maxed-out brainpower would be perfect."
"Sss... ssh!"
Huh...? What’s that mean?
"Did you try and it didn't work?"
Nis nodded briefly.
Nailed it! Thanks to watching my bugs' gestures so long!
Nis paused, concentrating. Suddenly, black smoke gathered before me, forming letters. Not tail-writing!
Undead Brain Rot
Ah! So undead brains rot and make them dumb. Got it!
Nis resumed moving. The ice grew closer, winds icier. En route, pointless-wandering undead appeared—centuries-rotted faces, brains leaking, grotesque.
But... Bellona taught corpse preservation. I tried blocking her out, but this seemed useful.
Master...
Calling her name inwardly stirred emotions. Short time, but her care was warm—nightly tea chats, smiles at my works...
Yet her Aesthetics of Murder enraged Nis so much. I just learned to express beauty... Why'd Nis react like that?
Preservation for lasting art... Could it work on undead? Prevent brain rot...?
My fingertips trembled. Didn't want to disappoint either. Bellona's teachings precious, but Master's approval desperate. Why must I choose? Just learned a good skill...
But Nis's anger replayed. Mentioning Bellona might set her off again. Wound still fresh...
Still, someday I'll tell her. If Bellona's technique helps Nis, maybe she'll see her better?
Pondering the timing, the air plunged colder. White breath puffed with every exhale. Freezing moisture cracked like glass. Lethal for humans, but my frost immunity just noted the shift—no discomfort.
We'd reached the ice realm's heart. All frozen—endless white snow, blue ice. Forests, mountains, even air under ice's sway.
And far off, a massive dragon with silver scales, eyes closed.
"Maaaster!!"