Chapter 160
Chapter 160
She heard Phoenix’s voice for the first time in months. A few days ago, when Luciel looked at the Rose bud, it didn’t say anything, but…….
‘What happened?’
The closer Luciel was to the greenhouse garden, the more cautious she walked, and the more curious she was.
It was not long before she arrived at the greenhouse garden. Before even walking inside, a flickering light could be seen coming out from inside.
Someone had arrived before Luciel and stood in front of the greenhouse. It was Gillard in a purple long robe. Luciel greeted him warmly.
“Grandpa!”
“Luciel, Evelyn told me she felt a strange aura, so I came here to look, but it seems like something is going on inside.”
“Ah……It’s probably because of the Phoenix. She just called me.”
“Oh, did it call you?”
Luciel nodded her head.
“Yes, there must be a reason why the Rose of the Phoenix that has slept has called me now, right?”
“Oh, it seems the time has finally come. Go on in.”
He said, knowing how much Luciel awaited Phoenix’s resurrection.
“Let’s go in together, Grandpa.”
Luciel grabbed his large hand, but Gillard shook his head.
“Actually, I tried to open the door to the greenhouse garden, but it didn’t open. Maybe Phoenix has been waiting for only you to come.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“So you go alone, Luciel. I’ll wait here, If anything happens, shout it out loud.”
Phoenix wouldn’t do any harm to Luciel, but Gillard was worried and told her so with a firm voice.
“Yes, Grandpa. I’ll be right back.”
Luciel spread her arms out to him and gave him a small hug, then swallowed a nervous breath and slammed the door to the greenhouse garden.
The door opened heavier than usual.
Koo woong.
“It’s open, Grandpa.”
As Luciel turned around and spoke, Gillard nodded his head and waved his hand.
‘As expected, it looks like only Luciel you could open it.’
Leaving Gillard behind, Luciel went inside. The greenhouse garden was not the usual space that Luciel knew.
“……Where am I?”
As she stepped on the soft lawn and walked ahead, Luciel saw endless red waves behind her.
The scent of fresh roses filled the depths of her lungs.
Unknowingly, Luciel smelled the rose and looked at the beautiful surroundings. Seeing that, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
“Yes, I’ve been here.”
When I first met Phoenix at the Altar of Fire, she took me to a gorgeous garden to give me the Phoenix Rose.
Somehow, instead of ordinary petals, gold powder was blown by the wind. Petals blown by the wind were scattered on the floor, forming a flower path.
As Luciel followed the velvet-like flower road, at the end of it stood a beautiful woman with long, flaming scarlet hair in braids.
Dressed in a golden dress, she radiated light from her body and face alike, just like a goddess. She greeted Luciel with a smile.
“Welcome.”
“……Ar-are you a by any chance, Phoenix? You are so beautiful.”
Luciel looked and admired her Phoenix as if possessed. Peridots were made in succession out of that wonder.
The corners of Phoenix’s lips, who looked down at Luciel’s cute reaction, rose.
“Thanks to your jewels, I woke up from a long sleep of death and was thus resurrected.”
“Ah…….Are you really resurrected? I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Yes. Thank you, Luciel. Still, there’s a long road ahead. It’s all thanks to the mana that spurted out of the jewels you gave me.”
Phoenix touched Luciel’s cheek as she hung down her golden eyelashes. Phoenix’s eyes were bent at the soft and cotton-like feel in her hand.
“It’s softer and more fluffy than it looks. Come on, Luciel. Now that you have helped me resurrect, it is your turn to have your wish granted.”
“……Actually, there was a wish I really wanted to make, but already came true.”
“Your mother-in-law’s health?”
Luciel lightly nodded her head. She remembered the day when she came to Phoenix and prayed earnestly.
“Make a wish other than that. I also have other powers.”
Whoosh!
Phoenix summoned fire at her fingertips with a bored and relaxed expression.
“Oh, I can do that too.”
Luciel also quickly pulled out her wand and summoned a great fire.
“Well……It’s amazing that you know how to do fire attribute magic. But I can do more powerful fire magic. We could turn this road into a sea of fire. I can heal sick people, and when someone dies, I can resurrect them with my feathers. Eternal life requires my heart, so that is a little difficult to grant.”
Seeing her actively appealing to her abilities, Phoenix also seemed to want to be by Luciel’s side. Of course, it would have been great for Luciel if she could use Phoenix’s powerful skills.
Luciel flashed her eyes and spoke frankly.
“Phoenix, I want to borrow your power.”
“Call it another way. Familiar. It means you will have me by your side. That way, you can borrow my power whenever you want.”
(Note: The original word is권속- and it does translate as one’s family, but it’s not in the normal use of the word. More like kin, a follower, or a member of a clan. So I decided to use Familiar, as Phoenix is a legendary creature and not a human.)
Luciel’s instinct was speaking.
I want to be stronger. I want to gain more strength.
“All right. Phoenix, please be my familiar. That is my wish.”
“Okay, let’s start the family contract.”
Phoenix smiled as if waiting, and spun around as if dancing in place.
A golden magic circle was created under her feet. Then she put her hand on Luciel.
A burning sensation of fire touched Luciel’s mana.
Paah!
Light spread everywhere in an instant, and Phoenix asked.
“Do any of your things have the nature of fire?”
“Well……The ruby I crafted on my wand contains the power of fire. But my wand also has the power of other elements.”
“Really? It’s not a problem. Then, I will dwell in the ruby in your staff, all right?”
“It’s possible to change later?
“Yes, it’s going to be temporary.”
“Then, let’s do with the Ruby first.”
Phoenix nodded at Luciel’s answer and stretched out her hand. The golden beam of light she spewed out bounced in all directions, and she soon slipped into the ruby engraved on the wand.
“What do you think?”
Luciel was holding the same wand as before, but when Phoenix came in, warm energy was felt. At the same time, she also felt the power of a huge fire.
It was the first time she felt such a powerful elemental energy. It looked like she could use a lot of fire magic with just a little mana.
Luciel slowly blinked her eyes in surprise.
“I can feel the power of an incredibly strong fire.”
“It’s yours now, Luciel. I will always be by your side, so you can call me anytime.”
“Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation. Phoenix.”
After Luciel finished her answer, she left the greenhouse garden. Before she knew it, she looked around and found herself back in the usual greenhouse.
Evelyn, who was with Gillard, asked Luciel as she came out of the door.
“Luciel, have you met Phoenix?”
“Yes, it became my familiar and is nestled in the ruby of my wand.”
“Oh, I’m surprised you brought Phoenix back to life. But I can’t believe you are keeping her as a familiar. That’s great, Luciel.”
Gillard had a face that said Luciel was incredible. The things that this little child could do were too great to measure.
Evelyn was as happy as ever.
“My granddaughter-in-law, I’m very proud of you. With Phoenix as your familiar, there may be no one better at fire magic than you.”
“Really? I can’t believe it.”
“As a matter of fact, the more money you have or the stronger you are, the better, isn’t it? fufu. If you plan to lead Bellstein in the future, keep that in mind.”
Evelyn spoke gently and stroked Luciel’s soft hair.
“I will keep in mind what Grandma said.”
Luciel gave a dimpled smile, but she felt a little strange to be told to lead Bellstein.
‘I won’t be the one who will lead Bellstein in the future, Grandma.’
After 8 years, the contract period with Kizef will be over, and we will no longer be married.
But staying in Bellstein as a family member…would be possible, right?
‘Our Luciel, our baby.’
‘I can do anything for Luciel.’
‘Luciel, why don’t you become this father’s daughter?’
‘My granddaughter-in-law is the best.’
‘I want to sleep with Sister.’
Everyone in Bellstein loved and cared for Luciel as a family with all their heart, and so did she.
And she knew this belief would never change. However, she also knew that the relationship between family members and men was very different.
There is no guarantee for believing in men, nor that she will be forever favored by them.
Now, even though Kizef is kind to her, he may have a change of mind if he falls in love. Still, I want to ask for only one thing.
‘I want everyone in Bellstein to be as happy as they are now.’
“Please…….”
Luciel muttered with earnestness without realizing it.
“Luciel, do you have any worries?”
Luciel shook her head at her grandfather’s question and smiled brightly.
“I want my family to be happy like this.”
“It’s a no-brainer, Luciel. It’s only natural to be happy when we’re together. Is it because of things that haven’t been solved yet?”
As Luciel gently shook her head, Evelyn approached.
“From this grandmother’s point of view, Luciel is still going to grow stronger and become very strong, so for now, instead of worrying, look forward to it.”
“Yes, what grandmother said is 100 times right. Luciel must also need a doll to take care of her worries. Now, come to this grandfather’s arms, it’s been a while I hugged you. I can’t even hug you up anymore when you’re older.”
“Even if I grow up, give me a hug, Grandpa.”
“Heh heh, I got it, this little cute thing.”
Luciel hugged him back, as a puppy embraced in his big and warm arms.
“I’m worried that our Luciel will be too small even if she grows up. It’s a pretty sunny day today, so it would be nice to eat outside in the garden. What do you think, honey?”
At Evelyn’s words, Gillard nodded while holding Luciel in his left arm.
“It would be nice to spend time outdoors with family after a long time. What should we make the motif of this outing……?”
“Well, going out for refreshments?”
When Luciel saw the blue autumn sky where only one puffy cloud leisurely floated around, Luciel suddenly thought of it.
“What about the picnic, Grandma?”
“Oh, yes. It’s perfect for an autumn picnic. Let’s float a boat on the lake and eat something delicious.”
“Wow, I love it!”
“Wait a minute, I don’t have time to do this. I need to get ready for the picnic.…!”
Evelyn took the lead by moving her steps busily.