“The reason Caladi didn’t kill you is because he is a much better demon than you. So never insult him again with your filthy mouth.”
Adelaide and Ellie’s eyes met in the air.
Ellie was still smiling as if she wasn’t too hurt or cold. It was reasonable. Adelaide just threw her on the floor but didn’t cut her throat or drive her nails into her heart.
She had this desire to chastise her for daring to insult Caladium, but it was probably not her place. Even if she was upset, she should let Caladium punish her.
She couldn’t take revenge for him. That was why Adelaide simply subdued her, but did not attack her with the intent to kill her.
However, if she continued to stay here, she didn’t think she would be able to resist her temper. When she came here, her thoughts were to get information about Helheim from Ellie, but that was something she could not afford anymore. She just wanted to get that woman out of her sight as soon as possible.
Adelaide, suppressing her boiling rage, agonizingly turned her back. With every step she took, she felt regret for not being able to get rid of Ellie.
And as she was finally leaving the cafe, she heard Ellie’s relaxed voice from behind.
“If you’re looking for Caladium, go to the highest places in Esperanza.”
Adelaide’s face crumpled as she slowly looked back. Ellie, who was sitting on the floor leaning her face on her knees, said to her.
“The Helheim I remember was in the sky. So the new entrance must be in a high place too.”
“Caladium will be looking for that entrance.” She added.
“…… What are you up to?”
“Nothing, it’s just—”
Ellie slowly raised the corners of her lips. Seeing her brightly smiling as if the glass of cold coffee hadn’t just been poured on her was more bizarre than eerie.
“I still like you.”
And Adelaide’s face became more contorted than ever.
If her intention was to get on her nerves, then she succeeded. This had madeAdelaide hate Ellie even more than Lupin’s father.
* * *
“You worked hard, Adele.”
As soon as she left the cafe, Lisianthus, who was waiting nearby, came over and greeted her. The lady bug, standing on two feet next to Lisianthus, waved its wings to welcome Adelaide.
“Are you sure you want to go back to the dungeon right away?”
Lisianthus followed up, glancing at her condition.
“If not…… We don’t have any other plans today anyway, would you like to take a break?”
Adelaide’s face seemed to have been very dark. Seeing that, he suddenly came up with such an offer.
“Yes, then. I want to go to a place where there are not many other demons.”
“Kwiik, kwik—!”
Mumu pounded himself on the stomach as if he was telling her to trust him. Lisianthus interpreted Mumu’s words in a calm voice.
“Mumu is a ladybug born and raised here in Esperanza, he says that he is more confident than anyone else when it comes to this area. He says he has been to almost every area.”
“Yes, then I’ll ask for a quiet place, Mumu.”
“Kwiik!”
After Mumu gave an energetic answer, he lay flat on the floor so that Adelaide could easily board. Thinking, Adelaide remembered her favorite place.
A quiet and secret place unknown to other demons. Besides, it was an open place where her depressed heart could be comforted. There was only one place that came to mind. It was a bit far from here, but she would definitely like it nonetheless.
Mumu, carrying Adelaide and Lisianthus, flew into the sky without hesitation. His driving skills were so good that it was comfortable without the slightest shaking. Adelaide closed her eyes and rested for a moment.
How much time has passed?
Feeling the wind rustling her hair, Adelaide, who was curled up, opened her eyes.
“Are you awake?”
She thought she had only closed her eyes, but she must have fallen asleep unknowingly. They seemed to have arrived seeing that Mumu had already landed, and Lisianthus was just waiting for her to wake up while holding her in his arms.
“Mumu picked the right place.”
“Eunng……?”
Adelaide yawned widely and looked around. Her drowsiness had diminished and soon her slender eyes became rounder.
What she saw before her was a majestic canyon. The sky with floating white clouds was vast and mysterious, and the towering rocky peaks were red. Their dazzling diverse colors caught her eyes.
Was there such a beautiful place in Esperanza?
Adelaide slowly raised her body with a blank expression. She could swear that the scenery in front of her now was more beautiful and splendid than anything she had ever seen. This was almost as shocking as the first time she saw Lisianthus.
“It’s going to be cold because we’re high up.”
Lisianthus spread out a checkered blanket, which she didn’t know when he had prepared, and wrapped it around her shoulders. This time, the pattern didn’t catch her eye. Her mind was preoccupied thanks to the magnificent view of the Red Canyon.
“Beautiful…….”
Adelaide opened her mouth in admiration. Mumu flapped his wings with a proud look.
“I never knew there was such a place. I can’t see any other demons……. How did you know this?”
You’re amazing, Mumu. As Adelaide praised him again, Mumu wriggled his antennae in embarrassment.
“Kwik, kwiik, kwik.”
“He says it’s a secret place that very few demons know. There is a monster that uses this location as a resting place, and he seems to have found out because he was close to them.”
“Kwik, kwiik-!”
“Unless they completely trust a demon, they do not bring them here. He knows that Master is a good demon, so he brought you here without hesitation.”
Lisianthus smiled softly and delivered Mumu’s words. He also seemed quite excited as he had never experienced such a grand sight.
“Mumu……!”
Adelaide was moved by Mumu’s words and hugged him at once. Mumu’s antennae wriggled again.
Adelaide, who came down from Mumu’s back, looked at the canyon excitedly. Looking at the open view, her stomach, which had been stuffy because of Ellie a while ago, was relieved a little.
“By the way, you said this is a resting place for another monster, who is that monster?”
The canyon in front of her was beautiful, but just as dangerous. If someone had been using this location as a resting place, she would not have thought it was a monster.
“Kwik kwik.”
Mumu replied and pointed his antennae toward the cliff. Even without Lisianthus’ interpretation, she could tell that it meant ‘Look over there’.
Adelaide stared intently in the direction Mumu was pointing. At first she couldn’t see anything, but gradually, through the gray clouds, something long appeared.
“That’s…….”
She narrowed her eyes and examined the identity of the flying monster. It was so far away that it was difficult to tell. However, as she looked closely, it seemed familiar.
Large wings, a snake-like tail, similar to a dragon, but slightly smaller in size.
“Is it a wyvern?”
Adelaide gasped in surprise.
This is the wyverns’ resting place!
There was a reason that they only brought demons they truly trusted here. If this place becomes known to anyone, many demons will come and try to catch the wyverns. In particular, the wyvern she just saw seemed to be a young individual. If other demons saw it, they would surely drool over its saleability.
Soon, countless numbers of wyverns soared into the sky from here and there. They tangled with each other, scattered in opposite directions, and flew to and fro through the clouds.
“There are so many wyverns when they’re being called endangered……. It’s a rare sight.”
“Yes. But is it okay for us to stay here? What if they see us and fly away? I don’t want them to leave the resting place because of us.”
“They won’t be able to see well because we’re far away. And even if they do, don’t worry, they’ll attack you instead of flying away.”
That worries me in a different way……. Adelaide swallowed her words. Rather than being afraid of the wyverns attacking, she was afraid that Lisianthus would annihilate the wyverns if they were attacked. But she couldn’t say these words in front of Mumu, who trusted her and brought her here.
“I see, Mumu. Are there any other high places in Esperanza like this one?”
Kwik kwik. Mumu nodded his head.
“Then can you take me to those other places next time?”
“Why are you suddenly looking for high places?”
Lisianthus asked, fixing the blanket again.
Wasn’t he secretly listening to her conversation with Ellie? He might have listened because of his obsessive personality. Adelaide thought it was unexpected and opened her mouth.
“Ellie said so. If I want to meet Caladi, to go to high places. Helheim was in the sky, so the new entrance must be high up.”
“So it was true that when the ruler changes, the location of the entrance also changes. Perhaps, Master’s guess is also true, being qualified does not mean knowing the location of Helheim immediately. Do you think the information she gave is credible?”
“Yes. It’s annoying, but it didn’t seem like a lie. Well, even if it’s a lie, we have nothing to lose. Let’s look around one by one starting tomorrow.”
“……I agree. But if the information is true, you will soon meet Caladium. Will you be fine seeing him again?”
Adelaide was silent for a moment.
The reason she delayed seeing Caladium again was because she didn’t have anything to make him stay.
What can I suggest to change Caladium’s mind?
She thought deeply but couldn’t come up with a good answer. In the first place, she didn’t exactly know why Caladium left, therefore she didn’t know what to give.
Realistically, Caladium was a devil far above her, and nothing she had would satisfy him.
Which was why Adelaide wanted to get Helheim. If she gains the power of Helheim and fights the Los Halde Dungeon to take revenge on Abaddon, then Caladium’s heart may return.
“Yes. I think I can meet him now.”
She couldn’t give him what he wanted right now, but there was nothing wrong with letting him know about her thoughts.
“As a competitor for Helheim, wouldn’t it be fairer to greet him in advance?”
It’s better to secretly extract information. Adelaide grinned. Caladium said that he wanted to end his relationship with his dungeon master and the demons that belong to it, so she thought it would be okay to meet him as a competitor now.
“That sounds fun. Then, can I introduce myself as his competitor’s lover?”
“The reason Caladi didn’t kill you is because he is a much better demon than you. So never insult him again with your filthy mouth.”
Adelaide and Ellie’s eyes met in the air.
Ellie was still smiling as if she wasn’t too hurt or cold. It was reasonable. Adelaide just threw her on the floor but didn’t cut her throat or drive her nails into her heart.
She had this desire to chastise her for daring to insult Caladium, but it was probably not her place. Even if she was upset, she should let Caladium punish her.
She couldn’t take revenge for him. That was why Adelaide simply subdued her, but did not attack her with the intent to kill her.
However, if she continued to stay here, she didn’t think she would be able to resist her temper. When she came here, her thoughts were to get information about Helheim from Ellie, but that was something she could not afford anymore. She just wanted to get that woman out of her sight as soon as possible.
Adelaide, suppressing her boiling rage, agonizingly turned her back. With every step she took, she felt regret for not being able to get rid of Ellie.
And as she was finally leaving the cafe, she heard Ellie’s relaxed voice from behind.
“If you’re looking for Caladium, go to the highest places in Esperanza.”
Adelaide’s face crumpled as she slowly looked back. Ellie, who was sitting on the floor leaning her face on her knees, said to her.
“The Helheim I remember was in the sky. So the new entrance must be in a high place too.”
“Caladium will be looking for that entrance.” She added.
“…… What are you up to?”
“Nothing, it’s just—”
Ellie slowly raised the corners of her lips. Seeing her brightly smiling as if the glass of cold coffee hadn’t just been poured on her was more bizarre than eerie.
“I still like you.”
And Adelaide’s face became more contorted than ever.
If her intention was to get on her nerves, then she succeeded. This had madeAdelaide hate Ellie even more than Lupin’s father.
* * *
“You worked hard, Adele.”
As soon as she left the cafe, Lisianthus, who was waiting nearby, came over and greeted her. The lady bug, standing on two feet next to Lisianthus, waved its wings to welcome Adelaide.
“Are you sure you want to go back to the dungeon right away?”
Lisianthus followed up, glancing at her condition.
“If not…… We don’t have any other plans today anyway, would you like to take a break?”
Adelaide’s face seemed to have been very dark. Seeing that, he suddenly came up with such an offer.
“Yes, then. I want to go to a place where there are not many other demons.”
“Kwiik, kwik—!”
Mumu pounded himself on the stomach as if he was telling her to trust him. Lisianthus interpreted Mumu’s words in a calm voice.
“Mumu is a ladybug born and raised here in Esperanza, he says that he is more confident than anyone else when it comes to this area. He says he has been to almost every area.”
“Yes, then I’ll ask for a quiet place, Mumu.”
“Kwiik!”
After Mumu gave an energetic answer, he lay flat on the floor so that Adelaide could easily board. Thinking, Adelaide remembered her favorite place.
A quiet and secret place unknown to other demons. Besides, it was an open place where her depressed heart could be comforted. There was only one place that came to mind. It was a bit far from here, but she would definitely like it nonetheless.
Mumu, carrying Adelaide and Lisianthus, flew into the sky without hesitation. His driving skills were so good that it was comfortable without the slightest shaking. Adelaide closed her eyes and rested for a moment.
How much time has passed?
Feeling the wind rustling her hair, Adelaide, who was curled up, opened her eyes.
“Are you awake?”
She thought she had only closed her eyes, but she must have fallen asleep unknowingly. They seemed to have arrived seeing that Mumu had already landed, and Lisianthus was just waiting for her to wake up while holding her in his arms.
“Mumu picked the right place.”
“Eunng……?”
Adelaide yawned widely and looked around. Her drowsiness had diminished and soon her slender eyes became rounder.
What she saw before her was a majestic canyon. The sky with floating white clouds was vast and mysterious, and the towering rocky peaks were red. Their dazzling diverse colors caught her eyes.
Was there such a beautiful place in Esperanza?
Adelaide slowly raised her body with a blank expression. She could swear that the scenery in front of her now was more beautiful and splendid than anything she had ever seen. This was almost as shocking as the first time she saw Lisianthus.
“It’s going to be cold because we’re high up.”
Lisianthus spread out a checkered blanket, which she didn’t know when he had prepared, and wrapped it around her shoulders. This time, the pattern didn’t catch her eye. Her mind was preoccupied thanks to the magnificent view of the Red Canyon.
“Beautiful…….”
Adelaide opened her mouth in admiration. Mumu flapped his wings with a proud look.
“I never knew there was such a place. I can’t see any other demons……. How did you know this?”
You’re amazing, Mumu. As Adelaide praised him again, Mumu wriggled his antennae in embarrassment.
“Kwik, kwiik, kwik.”
“He says it’s a secret place that very few demons know. There is a monster that uses this location as a resting place, and he seems to have found out because he was close to them.”
“Kwik, kwiik-!”
“Unless they completely trust a demon, they do not bring them here. He knows that Master is a good demon, so he brought you here without hesitation.”
Lisianthus smiled softly and delivered Mumu’s words. He also seemed quite excited as he had never experienced such a grand sight.
“Mumu……!”
Adelaide was moved by Mumu’s words and hugged him at once. Mumu’s antennae wriggled again.
Adelaide, who came down from Mumu’s back, looked at the canyon excitedly. Looking at the open view, her stomach, which had been stuffy because of Ellie a while ago, was relieved a little.
“By the way, you said this is a resting place for another monster, who is that monster?”
The canyon in front of her was beautiful, but just as dangerous. If someone had been using this location as a resting place, she would not have thought it was a monster.
“Kwik kwik.”
Mumu replied and pointed his antennae toward the cliff. Even without Lisianthus’ interpretation, she could tell that it meant ‘Look over there’.
Adelaide stared intently in the direction Mumu was pointing. At first she couldn’t see anything, but gradually, through the gray clouds, something long appeared.
“That’s…….”
She narrowed her eyes and examined the identity of the flying monster. It was so far away that it was difficult to tell. However, as she looked closely, it seemed familiar.
Large wings, a snake-like tail, similar to a dragon, but slightly smaller in size.
“Is it a wyvern?”
Adelaide gasped in surprise.
This is the wyverns’ resting place!
There was a reason that they only brought demons they truly trusted here. If this place becomes known to anyone, many demons will come and try to catch the wyverns. In particular, the wyvern she just saw seemed to be a young individual. If other demons saw it, they would surely drool over its saleability.
Soon, countless numbers of wyverns soared into the sky from here and there. They tangled with each other, scattered in opposite directions, and flew to and fro through the clouds.
“There are so many wyverns when they’re being called endangered……. It’s a rare sight.”
“Yes. But is it okay for us to stay here? What if they see us and fly away? I don’t want them to leave the resting place because of us.”
“They won’t be able to see well because we’re far away. And even if they do, don’t worry, they’ll attack you instead of flying away.”
That worries me in a different way……. Adelaide swallowed her words. Rather than being afraid of the wyverns attacking, she was afraid that Lisianthus would annihilate the wyverns if they were attacked. But she couldn’t say these words in front of Mumu, who trusted her and brought her here.
“I see, Mumu. Are there any other high places in Esperanza like this one?”
Kwik kwik. Mumu nodded his head.
“Then can you take me to those other places next time?”
“Why are you suddenly looking for high places?”
Lisianthus asked, fixing the blanket again.
Wasn’t he secretly listening to her conversation with Ellie? He might have listened because of his obsessive personality. Adelaide thought it was unexpected and opened her mouth.
“Ellie said so. If I want to meet Caladi, to go to high places. Helheim was in the sky, so the new entrance must be high up.”
“So it was true that when the ruler changes, the location of the entrance also changes. Perhaps, Master’s guess is also true, being qualified does not mean knowing the location of Helheim immediately. Do you think the information she gave is credible?”
“Yes. It’s annoying, but it didn’t seem like a lie. Well, even if it’s a lie, we have nothing to lose. Let’s look around one by one starting tomorrow.”
“……I agree. But if the information is true, you will soon meet Caladium. Will you be fine seeing him again?”
Adelaide was silent for a moment.
The reason she delayed seeing Caladium again was because she didn’t have anything to make him stay.
What can I suggest to change Caladium’s mind?
She thought deeply but couldn’t come up with a good answer. In the first place, she didn’t exactly know why Caladium left, therefore she didn’t know what to give.
Realistically, Caladium was a devil far above her, and nothing she had would satisfy him.
Which was why Adelaide wanted to get Helheim. If she gains the power of Helheim and fights the Los Halde Dungeon to take revenge on Abaddon, then Caladium’s heart may return.
“Yes. I think I can meet him now.”
She couldn’t give him what he wanted right now, but there was nothing wrong with letting him know about her thoughts.
“As a competitor for Helheim, wouldn’t it be fairer to greet him in advance?”
It’s better to secretly extract information. Adelaide grinned. Caladium said that he wanted to end his relationship with his dungeon master and the demons that belong to it, so she thought it would be okay to meet him as a competitor now.
“That sounds fun. Then, can I introduce myself as his competitor’s lover?”
