Mansion Panic
I'd secured Elisiel's cooperation, but that didn't mean I could just stroll out of the basement right away.
"This seal is ridiculously complex."
"How long exactly?"
"Who knows? Fully releasing it would take about half a year."
Half a year. Way longer than I'd expected.
"That long?"
"No choice. It's designed assuming the worst-case scenario."
Elisiel shrugged as she answered.
I got it. I knew exactly what "worst-case" meant.
"If I ended up devouring Carsella."
"Bingo."
Elisiel clapped her hands lightly.
Flora after absorbing Carsella would be a catastrophe.
In the game, even with prior knowledge, optimized gear, and dozens of retries, she was a monster you could barely take down.
If that showed up in reality?
Not even a hero could guarantee victory.
"Makes sense."
"Don't be too bummed, though. Half a year is just for full release—expanding your movement range will be much faster."
"Movement range?"
"Yeah. Tweak the seal's structure a bit, and you can at least roam inside the Alberich Mansion."
She held up three fingers.
"Three days tops."
"Whoa."
That was surprisingly quick.
"You can do that?"
"Duh, who do you think I am?"
Elisiel struck a pompous pose, hand on hip, chest puffed out.
"The genius grand mage, Elisiel Barentia."
Then her gaze turned oddly sticky as she eyed me.
"So? Doesn't touring this great mage's mysterious workshop sound tempting?"
"Not even a little."
Carsella, who'd been quietly listening, cut in immediately.
She wore a super sulky expression and, without a second's hesitation, scooped me up.
She hugged me tight against her chest and shot Elisiel a cold glare.
"Whoa, check out that face. You don't trust me?"
"I do trust you."
"That doesn't look like a trusting face."
"I don't trust your workshop."
"It explodes sometimes, sure, but it's safe!"
"Why does your workshop explode?"
I couldn't help but retort—it was getting ridiculous.
She was shameless about it.
"It's just a rite of passage for magic research! Mages grow through explosions."
"Didn't know mages had such a explosive job."
"Mages are people who dedicate their lives to asking, 'What happens if I do this insane thing with mana?'"
"And it explodes?"
"Most of the time."
She was proud of it.
"Not going."
"Aww... it really is fun, though..."
Elisiel scratched her head, looking disappointed at my firm refusal.
"Elisiel, my darling little sister's will is clear, so stop your silly schemes and get to work on the seal. You can stay as a guest in the mansion during the process."
"Tch, fine, fine."
She pouted and trudged to the center of the basement.
Carsella had fully switched to overprotective mode and showed no sign of putting me down.
It was comfier than I'd thought, so I just stayed put.
From that day on, Elisiel stayed at the Alberich Mansion and got to work unbinding the basement seal.
The title of grand mage wasn't just hot air.
"Whoa..."
Hundreds, thousands of glowing runes and magic circles floated in the air.
Majestic. The countless patterns rotated in perfect harmony without a single error—it was breathtakingly beautiful.
A true grand mage.
"Cool, right?"
Elisiel asked, beaming with pride.
"Super cool."
"Right? And this is me on a normal day—imagine how awesome my workshop is."
"Show me pics."
"Where's the romance in that?"
Still not giving up.
Honestly, it might not be that dangerous. Elisiel was alive and well, so basic safety measures existed.
And even if it blew up, Flora Alberich wouldn't die from a mere explosion.
...Still hated the idea.
"Just give me artifacts then."
"Come tour and I'll hook you up with souvenirs."
No dice.
She had some insanely OP artifacts.
Free goodies would be great, but she clearly wasn't handing them out for nothing.
What a shame.
"Didn't expect you to crave my artifacts that bad."
"You got good stuff."
"I do. Didn't think you'd know that, though."
She glanced at Carsella.
Assuming Carsella told me? Fair guess, since I hadn't mentioned the game to Elisiel.
"Whatever, hit me up if you change your mind."
"Invite me on a no-explosion day, and maybe."
"Does that day even exist? Beats me."
Three days passed just like that.
"Fwew..."
The final rune sank into the floor and vanished. Elisiel wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, then slumped into a chair.
"What kind of mental state was past-me in to craft something this insane...?"
"You okay?"
"Ugh, impressive. Even I have to admit it's terrifyingly well-made... this mad genius. Grand mage Elisiel Barentia. My only rival is myself..."
Extreme mana depletion had drained her stamina; she mumbled in a daze. Impressive willpower to self-praise even while wiped out.
"Ah, now... you should be able to leave the basement..."
She flailed her hand limply as she spoke.
Thump.
My heart raced at her words.
Outside the basement.
"Flora."
Carsella had approached quietly and offered her hand cautiously.
I took it without a word. Soft warmth spread through me.
We stepped slowly toward the door.
Normally, I couldn't have.
A transparent barrier would have blocked Flora Alberich's body.
But now? No resistance at all.
One step.
Two steps.
...I looked back.
The basement door was behind me.
I poked the corridor carpet with my toes for no reason.
The texture underfoot felt totally different.
Nothing special, but after being cooped up in the basement so long, even this tiny change had me buzzing.
"Hee hee."
Carsella just gazed at me fondly, like it was adorable.
Meanwhile, slumped Elisiel waved weakly from her chair behind us.
"Once the thrill of your first outing wears off, someone get this genius grand mage some water..."
"You still have energy for self-praise."
"Just stating facts..."
I chuckled.
That was when it happened.
Footsteps approached from afar.
A young maid at the end of the corridor, arms full of towels, was heading our way. She stared at the floor until she sensed us and looked up.
Our eyes met.
"...Huh?"
Her eyes widened.
I glanced at Carsella.
"Should I use casual speech with her?"
"She's a servant in our mansion, and you're Alberich blood, so casual is fine—no need for formalities."
"Got it."
My appearance might look young, but I was still demon world nobility.
"Hi."
I waved friendly-like.
Silence.
Her face drained to pale blue in seconds.
Whoosh—the bundle of towels spilled limply to the floor.
"Eek...!"
A short, shrill scream echoed down the hall.
Her trembling finger pointed at me; her lips quivered.
"F-Flora... miss... out of the... b-basement..."
Her eyes rolled back.
Thud.
She collapsed onto the pile of towels.
"...?"
I instinctively stepped back.
...She fainted?
But it didn't end there.
Other servants rushed in at the scream, then froze solid upon seeing me.
"Run!"
Someone yelled first.
Chaos erupted in seconds.
"Flora miss escaped!"
"Tell everyone quick!"
"Family head! Someone get the family head!"
"She won't come for something like this! Don't talk nonsense—run!"
"Evacuate! Out of the mansion—hurry!"
"Marie...! Marie's still collapsed there!"
"What do we do...!"
"Can't be helped—survivors gotta survive!"
It felt surreal.
Some sobbed, some bolted, some collapsed in place.
I stared blankly, then slowly spoke.
"Carsella."
"Yes."
"This normal?"
Carsella let out a short sigh.
"Guess we need to retrain the servants."