"Wh-what? Me… becoming this turtle's disciple?"

"Yes."

Icicle pointed directly at Ivy with a sharp motion. Judging by her expression, much like Rey had been initially, she couldn't quite grasp Ivy's strength. Her skeptical eyes revealed her disbelief.

Come to think of it, Ivy had never been feared by anyone upon their first meeting. Perhaps it's a case of "a hawk with hidden talons." Her strength might only be apparent to those who've fought her.

"Ivy is stronger than me, you know?"

"Don’t be absurd! That can’t possibly—"

"Miih!"

Shwoop!
Whoosh!
Bam-bam-bam!

In an instant, the ropes binding Icicle unraveled. The protective barrier that had been erected vanished the next moment. Then, an overwhelming barrage of magic pierced the defenseless Icicle's abdomen.

"Ack… ahhh… such beautiful flowers..."

Having taken far too many hits, Icicle began hallucinating, seeing things that weren’t there. Staring into the distance, her eyes grew unfocused as if ready to depart for the afterlife.

"Argh… guh…"
Thud.

Icicle fainted on the spot. Ivy ceased her assault and cast a healing spell. Then, as if it were the most natural thing, she poured boiling water on Icicle’s face to forcibly wake her up.

"Gahhh! Hot! So hot!"

Icicle, who had been thoroughly beaten, opened her eyes. Her carapace-like dress, somehow, had also been repaired. It seemed to function as part of her body, restored by the healing magic.

Ivy, however, showed no mercy. As with Rey, she displayed her relentless, fiery training spirit. Oddly, her evaluations of me are always unusually lenient, though.

"Urgh… After all this, I can’t deny it anymore. This turtle… Ivy… is no ordinary turtle."

Icicle admitted Ivy's capabilities with a serious demeanor, though the phrase "no ordinary turtle" almost made me burst out laughing.

For monsters, strength was everything. When confronted with such overwhelming power, their instincts compelled them to submit. Survival of the fittest—a brutally straightforward philosophy. That desolate island the Demon King inhabited might as well be a land of unending strife.

"Miih!"

"...Bruno, what is she saying?"

"She's asking if you're truly satisfied with that."

It seemed Icicle had come to terms with the hierarchy between us. While her tone and behavior remained mostly unchanged, she clearly regarded us as superiors now.

Having her strength acknowledged, Ivy floated off my shoulder and landed on the ground, transforming as she touched down. She grew to a size where our entire family could comfortably sunbathe on her back. With a resounding thud, she planted herself firmly, gazing down at Icicle from her elevated vantage.

"Miih! Miih-miih! Mii-mi-mi-miiih!"

"You, among the Demon King's ten Fingers, are the left-hand's third finger. Seven others stand above you. Are you truly okay with that?"

Hearing Ivy’s words, Icicle lowered her gaze, contemplating deeply as she cupped her chin in her hand.

"You're right. I am the 'Insect Queen'... and a queen must always stand at the summit."

Is that how it works? Well, if she says so, it must be true. Who am I to argue with the queen herself?

"I’ve decided, Ivy! I’ll do whatever it takes… to become part of the right hand! Please, guide me well!"

"Miih!"

Ivy replied sharply, I will be strict, but Icicle seemed unusually enthusiastic, responding with Bring it on!

Thus, the "Insect Queen" Icicle became Ivy's disciple, much like Rey. She decided to accompany us for the time being.

Returning with a subordinate of the Demon King—or rather, one of his elite Fingers—wasn’t exactly something I had planned. Another unexpected turn of events.

I only hope the Marquis of Endlord’s stomach doesn’t give out. Then again, expecting otherwise seems foolish. I’ll be sure to cast some healing magic on him later.

As the journey back grew livelier, I silently made that promise to myself.