NOVEL NEXT Ch63 - Playing with Spirits ★
Chapter 63: Playing with Spirits ★
Rachelle’s Labyrinth
Rena and her party stood dumbfounded, revisiting the place after a long time.
“Welcome everyone! Welcome!”
“Isn’t the redecoration lovely?
Sylphinesia and I put in a lot of our ideas.
What do you think?”
Two beautiful maidens floated in the air within the blue, glowing space. They occasionally played with the Soap Fish that approached them, and watched the astonished Rena and her party with amusement.
Their beaming smiles practically screamed, “Surprise!”
The Spirit Festival is just around the corner.
Busy with daily meetings, Sylphinesia and the others requested the king to allow them a short break to play in the labyrinth with Rena and her party.
The labyrinth is temporarily closed until the Spirit Festival for spatial maintenance by the World Tree.
However, the king, who felt bad about making his beloved spirits work non-stop, gladly accepted their request.
The inside of the labyrinth has undergone a considerable transformation.
First, the space is vastly wider.
It’s so expansive that it could be described as being the size of several Tokyo Domes. The walls are visible far in the distance.
Small, lush green trees bloom with pretty white flowers, occasionally puffing out tiny soap bubbles.
This makes the entire space appear even more radiant.
Blue vegetation sways in the wind.
Soapy bubbles float softly, reflecting the light from the ceiling.
Amidst the consistently refreshing and beautiful scenery, the most overwhelming presence is Sylphinesia’s World Tree, towering majestically in the center of the plaza.
The small maiden’s mistletoe has grown into a massive tree, about 70 meters tall!
Its leaves, sparkling like jewels, are a vivid green that stands out beautifully against the monochrome blue of the labyrinth.
Yellowish-green peridot, green emerald… and here and there, light blue aquamarine and blue sapphire leaves can be seen.
Let’s just say the color coordination is exquisite.
The Soap Fish that kiss the leaves of the World Tree gain a faint, subtle color.
The sight of the joyfully colored fish swimming around the space looks as if the tree’s leaves themselves are dancing in the air.
Because the World Tree itself emits a soft glow, the ground around it isn’t darkened by the tree’s shadow.
The mechanism is completely unknown, but… the sunlight filtering through the branches casts patterns on the ground that resemble the surface of water.
It’s as if there’s a water surface both on the ceiling and the ground.
“Isn’t this idea wonderful?” Sylphinesia sings.
Everyone is mesmerized by the dreamlike scenery.
The tension has unknowingly left their bodies, leaving them naturally relaxed.
The natural energy is so dense that they instinctively feel calm… Luca murmurs, as if to no one in particular.
“…Ah. But with this much space, it seems like it’ll be hard to find the exit hole when we leave?”
As Rena tilts her head, the spirit maidens burst into cheerful laughter.
They were waiting for those words!
They still had a special surprise in store.
A sudden gust of wind whips through the labyrinth, causing the hems of their robes to flutter wildly.
As the surprised members of Rena’s party brace themselves, it swoops down from the ceiling of the labyrinth!
Because its aqua body fully encompasses the ceiling’s light, Rena momentarily mistakes it for a small sun falling.
The sphere of light flaps its large wings and comes to a screeching halt behind Sylphinesia, enveloped in a fierce wind.
Then, poof! it disperses the light within its body.
After watching the wide-eyed Rena and her party with amusement, it performs a somersault in the air.
Despite its large size, its movements are incredibly light, as if it’s weightless.
It snorts proudly, its expression almost smug.
“………Ah!?”
Rena finally manages to speak.
“Gururuuu!”
The answering roar is quite deep.
But strangely, it doesn’t feel intimidating at all.
It wasn’t meant to scare them; it was a roar of greeting.
A refreshing light blue aqua body like the Soap Fish, and transparent golden eyes.
Its body length is about 6 meters. …Very large.
Its appearance is unmistakably that of the extremely rare dragon that inhabits only the forests of the Aneese Kingdom, the Phantom Black Dragon!
It looks exactly like the cursed individual they defeated recently.
However, because its body is currently transformed into a bubbly, soapy form, it appears somewhat cute.
Could it be a new species of monster?
But this is a labyrinth, not a dungeon.
▽ A Soap Dragon has appeared!
“Who is this…?”
When Rena and her party ask, Sylphinesia, who was stroking the dragon’s head, turns around to explain.
She seems very satisfied to see her friends’ surprised faces.
“Hee hee hee, surprised, aren’t you?
You see, I can do a lot more now that I’m a Great Spirit!
Thanks to Rena. Thank you!
The day after the battle with the sorcerer, I happened to find a dragon’s soul wandering in the forest.
It looked so lonely all alone… so before it ascended, I scooped up its soul and invited it to the labyrinth.
My power is [Labyrinth Making].
I created a new vessel for its soul from the labyrinth’s soap bubbles!
And then, it was reborn according to its own will!”
“So, that’s what happened…”
Great Spirits are amazing.
Rena nods with relief and looks at the dragon with a gentle smile.
…The dragon they fought against attacked humans fiercely due to a cursed resentment, forcing Rena and her party to fight back.
But considering that it was also due to the curse, it felt pitiful that it was used, and Rena felt guilty about hurting and killing it.
The fact that they killed a dragon wouldn’t disappear.
However, she’s relieved that the current dragon seems happy… her eyes welling up.
“I’m sorry for hurting you back then,” Rena apologizes, bowing her head along with her familiars.
The dragon bows its head in return. It seems quite intelligent.
“We’re even now, no hard feelings,” Sylphinesia says with a bright smile.
Thanks to the effect of the [Smile of Friendship] passive skill, the dragon responds to Rena’s smile by performing another somersault in the air.
Its movements are just like its master, Sylphinesia.
It uses its wings, but it moves through the air smoothly as if swimming.
The strong wind earlier was apparently a performance to surprise them.
Everyone gives a round of applause.
Sylphinesia explains that they’ll ride the dragon to the exit hole of the labyrinth.
This is another special service that’s sure to be popular.
Apparently, the current Soap Dragon is classified not as a monster but as a “Mysterious Creature,” like the fish.
Instead of attack skills, it has a regeneration ability.
For a while, Rena and her party relax and enjoy the spectacular dance of the dragon, Soap Fish, and spirit maidens.
Thinking that it might be the most luxurious spectacle in the world, they spend a peaceful time.
The dance finale culminates with the swarm of Soap Fish and the dragon colliding vigorously, scattering light and making it rain glitter in the space.
Another round of thunderous applause follows.
“Wow, wow, that was so wonderful…！
My heart is still pounding from the excitement…!”
“It was truly beautiful…. Thank you for showing us this sight first.”
“Ooh! I was so captivated by the beauty that I was late!”
“Let’s dance together next time!
Even Star Jewels can’t compete with the sparkle of our bodies!”
“A collaboration… with the Fairy Dance? Hehehe.”
“Ahh… I was completely entranced…!”
Another Soap Dragon, newly born from the ceiling, quietly descends behind the spirit maidens.
Just like the fish, they can be revived from the ceiling after bursting.
“The Soap Dragon revives!”
“Again and again!”
“Gururu! Gururu!”
The maidens sing cheerfully, and the dragon adds its own powerful humming.
The sounds are far from harmonious, but… it’s heartwarming to see them getting along so well.
The dragon suddenly nudges its nose against Rena.
“Whoa! …It’s cold. Hehe.”
Rena cautiously touches the dragon, careful not to pop its bubbly body.
Finding the coldness pleasant, she starts petting its nose.
The dragon purrs ticklishly.
Sylphinesia and Sylphine lightly hug Rena from behind and whisper in her ear.
…Three-pronged attack!? By the time Rena realizes it, it’s too late.
Their sweet voices make a pleading request to the Red Queen.
“You see?
Uruuru, the Soap Dragon, says it’s having a lot of fun here because there are so many fish friends!
…But it seems to have some unfinished business outside.”
“It seems there’s a mother dragon outside.
But they can never meet again… Uruuru, whose vessel is made of soap bubbles, can’t leave the labyrinth.
That’s so sad, isn’t it?
If Sylphinesia’s Great Spirit powers were strengthened further,
I might be able to take it outside… ?
Oh dear, what a predicament.”
After telling her this sadly, Sylphinesia hugs Rena tightly.
Sylphine strikes an adorable “Please♡” pose and stares at Rena. The cleavage is dazzling.
▽ Rena can’t escape!?
…Rena, somehow sensing what’s being asked of her, freezes.
Sylphine winks at Luca, “Support please♡.”
“…Um.
It’s impossible to enslave a Great Spirit, but it’s possible to strengthen only Sylphinesia’s abilities with Rena’s blood.”
“She’s been swayed! …Luca, you traitor!”
“Apparently, they’ll give a valuable reward. Rena, do your best.”
With the blood donation inevitable, Rena starts to break out in a cold sweat.
According to Luca, there’s no need to worry about taming the Great Spirit.
There’s no more reliable source of information. Damn it.
Furthermore, Lily demonstrates heartwarming growth by saying, “I’m a big sister now… I’ll share some of my supreme desserts.”
The perfect finishing blow.
Her child is so cute!
▽ Rena can’t escape!
“…Blood.
P-Please accept it…!”
“Yay!”
The surprisingly tenacious spirits win.
Resigned, Rena unties the ribbon at her neck and boldly throws open her red robe.
A gallant and manly mother.
The text is becoming incomprehensible due to the overload of personality.
“Then, excuse me. …Here we go♡”
Lily bites into Rena’s neck.
“Eek!” a very unsexy shriek escapes.
Let’s just say this is the first blood-sucking time since her class change.
The fairy’s body has grown to 60 cm, and her fangs have also grown slightly. Sensing Rena’s fear, Lily had been holding back until she was ready.
Growth.
Because she was holding back, she sucks with extra force, increasing the pain.
Rena continues to let out small, pathetic cries of “Eeeeeek.”
“Okay, that’s enough. Stop.”
“…Mmm!”
Thanks to Dr. Luca’s accurate diagnosis, the end is finally declared.
Lily, her cheeks puffed out, removes her fangs from Rena’s neck.
Skillfully, she parts her lips without spilling a drop of blood.
The blood of her master, who has completed her awakening as queen, is an even more exquisite delicacy for her familiar than before, and she savors the incredibly sweet taste with a blissful expression.
Neither too much nor too little. Luca’s skill in stopping at a point where Rena can tolerate the next blood-sucking is truly impressive.
A serious application of [Appraisal Eye], [Mind’s Eye], and [Dexterous Wealth].
Lily, with the blood in her mouth, now!
…Let’s omit the details.
Sylphinesia’s World Tree absorbs Rena’s blood and further strengthens its [Labyrinth Making] ability.
“Mmm, my body feels so warm and nice!”
The moment she says this with flushed cheeks, the roots of the World Tree turn a vivid red.
The red glows and gradually spreads upwards through the tree. All the leaves turn ruby red!
Rena and Luca’s faces understandably twitch.
The familiars innocently exclaim, “Pretty!”
The entire tree, from trunk to leaves, has turned bright red….
“That was delicious!”
As Sylphinesia cries out joyfully, the red is absorbed into the tree as if being sucked in.
The World Tree returns to its original refreshing green and blue.
Sylphinesia tilts her head, as if thinking about something.
…Eventually, her expression brightens.
“Yay!
I can now designate any 100-meter radius around me as labyrinth territory, anytime, anywhere!
Within that range, I can take the Soap Fish and Soap Dragon outside!
Even if their bodies burst outside, they’ll revive back in the labyrinth.
Now… we can go look for Uruuru’s mother!”
“Oh, how wonderful!”
“Guru! Guru!”
The spirit maidens and the Soap Dragon dance joyfully in the air, spinning around and around.
“That’s great!”
“Wouldn’t it be surprising if we went around to various towns during the Spirit Festival!?”
“Oh! That’s a great idea!”
Thanks to Kureha and Izumi’s spontaneous suggestion, this year’s Spirit Festival is sure to be even more special.
Not only might the spirit Sylphine appear, but a sparkling soap bubble army will apparently perform, sweeping through the streets with the wind.
This is enough to make their faith meters explode.
Later, upon hearing this incredible proposal, the king, tears in his eyes, laughs and says, “I’m looking forward to it. Since it’s a surprise, let’s not tell anyone and keep it a secret until the day of the festival,” joining in on the fun conspiracy.
He seems quite playful.
The sisters each offer Rena a leaf as she spaces out.
From Sylphine, a green emerald leaf.
From Sylphinesia, a red, diamond-like leaf.
It sparkles painfully bright.
“W-What is this…?”
“‘Energy Leaves'”
The sisters answer in unison.
“At the very top of the Maiden’s Mistletoe, there’s only one special leaf.
That’s the Energy Leaf.
It takes about 10 years to grow just one.
It’s filled with a lot of spirit power.
You should give it to someone precious to you.”
“Well, let’s see.
My sister’s leaf gives a great blessing of wind and water!
My red leaf has enough power to make a spirit grow into a Great Spirit!
I put all the power I got from Rena’s blood into this, except for the part I needed for Uruuru.
My wish is to take Uruuru outside.
So all the other power is in this leaf!
Thank you for the blood!”
“…Y-You’re welcome.
Um. Is it okay for me to receive something so precious…!?”
“You’ve helped us so much!”
“It’s a service♡”
“……….”
▽ Rena can’t refuse!
▽ Obtained Energy Leaf x2!
She’s acquired some incredible items.
The rarity of her inventory items is seriously off the charts.
…It seems dangerous to keep these around for too long.
But even now, the rarity of her class-changed familiars is already insane. Should she increase it even further? …What to do?
Exhausted, Rena decides to take a nap.
She had planned to nap in the labyrinth from the beginning.
She was going to try Hamaru’s first [Dream Eater].
She thought this comfortable space would surely give her good dreams.
At her master’s command, Hamaru grows to the size of a dragon.
Rena and her party lie down together, nestled in the fluffy golden bed, and quickly fall asleep.
The refreshing breeze and the gentle singing of the maidens bring incredibly good sleep.
Moreover, the golden bed’s fur feels significantly better than before.
Once you’ve experienced this bed… you can’t help but want Hamaru every night.
It’s the ultimate, addictively fluffy comfort.
She’s not using her skill this time, but there’s no way she couldn’t sleep soundly in this environment.
Hamaru herself closes her eyes and dozes off.
Apparently, she can store dreams whether she’s awake or asleep.
…How long have they been sleeping?
The extreme comfort made them nap for quite a while.
The newly grown wind chime fruits on the World Tree chime “Liririn,” a nostalgic sound of Japanese summer, and Rena is the first to wake up.
Sylphinesia loves the wind chimes she saw in anime.
While Rena and her party were sleeping, she used [Labyrinth Making] to modify the World Tree.
The wind chime fruits hang in clusters, making a cool, refreshing sound.
As soon as Rena wakes up, Sylphinesia flies down and smiles, “This sound is lovely, isn’t it?”
Sleepy Rena pets the Great Spirit’s head.
Sylphine laughs heartily, “The Great Spirit is like Rena’s child.”
“What time is it…?”
Smartphone-san responds immediately to Rena’s mumbling.
“Huh?”
The maidens’ break time is until exactly 16:00.
…That means Rena and her party have to leave the labyrinth quickly and release the spirits.
They can’t keep them to themselves forever; the Aneese Kingdom citizens would be jealous.
They decide to postpone Hamaru’s dream release for now.
Riding the dragon, Rena and her party wave to the spirit maidens elegantly floating alongside them.
There are indentations on the aqua body’s back, so there’s no worry of them falling off.
“Whee! Faster, faster, please!”
“…Eek! A bubble hit my face… it’s cold. Hehehe.”
“Mmm, it’s a little scary with my feet off the ground…”
“See you later, Sylphine, Sylphinesia. Uruuru too.”
“Thank you for showing us so many wonderful dances today!
It was truly amazing!
Let’s talk again soon.”
The dragon, Uruuru, flaps its wings gracefully and ascends rapidly.
The current exit hole of the labyrinth is very close to the water-like ceiling.
The brightness of the ceiling is dazzling, and everyone squints.
Below, they can see the beautiful blue natural scenery and the swarms of Soap Fish swimming.
The Labyrinth
The spirit sisters, having seen off their dear friends, exchange smiles of pure happiness.
After playing with Uruuru for a bit upon its return, they head to a meeting with the staff to discuss how to make the Spirit Festival even more enjoyable for the Aneese Kingdom citizens.
Their light steps, like feathers, reflect their excitement.