Chapter 15: Bettu~
It's evolving?!
"What do you mean by evolving?!"
"Th-the beetle is evolving, My Lord!" She shouted, rather aghast as if she's seen a ghost.
"How do you know?" I asked.
Oh, wait… its getting bigger —Is this some Pokémon thing?!
The small beetle emitted a very strong golden luster, followed by a gradual increase in size, together with the surrounding air increasingly being heavy and in disarray.
After a few minutes of shouting with Iris in an exchange on what the hell is happening, the dust settled.
In silence, what stood before is a… pupa? A golden pupa?
It's undergoing metamorphosis? Well, that makes sense.
"My Lord, what happened to the baneling?" Iris looked at me with a frowned face.
"Don't worry, it's undergoing metamorphosis." I raised my hand.
Confused, she frowned even deeper. "Metamorpho-si?" She asked, stuttering
"It is a process of evolution."
"I see! No wonder you received the world's blessing My Lord!" She exclaimed, wearing a very happy smile.
Sitting down, I simply smiled hearing that. Is that really how this world works? The ability to manipulate energy depends on your knowledge of that energy? Well I have the ability to control nature and since I'm a biologist… does that make me strong?
Well I sure hope it does.
"My Lord." Ivy's voice suddenly came from behind me and by this time, I am getting used to it.
"Yes?" I replied while facing her and walked forward.
Then Ivy spoke, "The humans are starting to set up camp, My Lord." She started picking flowers again.
Set up camp? Why won't they just go to the forest directly?
"Why are they setting up camp?" I asked.
After thinking for a few seconds, Ivy replied, "Well… I could assume that they have been travelling for days, My Lord."
"I see." I plucked out a handful of grass. "When do we meet them?"
"The best time to go to them is after they set up camp, My Lord."
"Why is that?"
"Since they set up camp outside the forest, we could assume that they are used to fighting ordinary monsters." She lectured while walking around me. "We can use that to our advantage."She continued, smashing her fists together.
"Quite the strategist eh??"
"W-well it is not that hard to think about it… My Lord."
Ahhhh yes, that cute blush.
"Okay then!" I shouted, quickly standing up and straightening mysel—
"MY LORD!" A shout suddenly came out.
I looked back and the shout came from Iris who has been staring at the golden pupa like it's some very sweet candy.
"What is it?"
"THE METAMORPHOSICSI—"
"No, it's called a pupa."
"P-pupa?" She tilted her head.
"Yes, it's called a pupa."
Noticing her still absorbed in confusion, I continued. "Why? What's happening?"
"It's cracking!"
"Oohhh!" I shouted, immediately making my way to the pupa.
It really is cracking! Is that how a metamorphosis works tho? And Isn't that supposed to be made out of their feces… I'll have to answer that later.
I walk closer and closer to the pupa, but Iris's hands blocked me. "It might still be a bomb, My Lord." She calmly whispered.
"She is right, My Lord, it might only be shining because it is going to explode." Ivy added.
"Don't mind me, I know what I'm doing" I replied as I pushed down Iris's hand and got closer.
Then, the two sisters appeared in front of me, blocking me with their beautiful figures, smiling as they put their hands in front of me—What a way to show respect… but it works.
Fine, fine I won't get close — Why does it feel like I'm getting ganged up on?
Moments later, the bright light coming out of the pupa ceased. Showing a beetle probably double my size with four horns, two vertical and two horizontal, all of them filled with spikes with purple edges. Together with very colorful wings sprouting on its sides.
"This is beautiful." I muttered as I slowly walked towards it, sliding my hands across one of its horns, making my way to its head and rubbing my hands against its rough carapace.
Afterwards, grumbling noises came out from the beetle.
"She says she is thankful for your blessing, My Lord." Ivy suddenly spoke.
Surprised, I quickly tilted my head over Ivy, "It can—She can speak? And how do you know it's a she?"
"Yes, My Lord. She speaks the language of beasts, and it is a female's voice."
"I see." I replied, proceeding to rub my hands over the beetle's shell.
I then looked at the beetle's colorful and transparent wings which are probably almost my size. 'This is fascinating' I thought to myself.
Can I do this to other insects? Man… if I can, it would be cool, I could actually bring Master Mantis in real life…
"How much of the fruit is left?" I asked with my eyes still glued to the beetle who now is starting to move and continues to make grumbling noises, she's probably speaking, and I can't understand it.
"There is nothing left, My Lord." Iris replied, still looking at the beetle but won't come close to her. "It seems she absorbed it all."
"I see." A voice suddenly came out, it was Maxis.
"So you can make mana a consumable, My Lord." He mumbled with a rapidly raising and lowering chest Then he kneeled in front of me. "Y-your power has reached new heights, My Lord."
After that, Iris and Ivy too, kneeled. And the beetle too?! Well it folded its legs and is facing me so… I could assume that it's kneeling.
"Don't mind, stand up." I waved my hand, followed by the 4 standing up. " Why is there nothing left, Iris?"
"She seems to have absorbed it all, My Lord." Iris replied as she slowly walked to the beetle together with the two.
"Hmmm, I see." I shrugged, "I can make a new one later.
"Agreed, My Lord." Ivy replied.
"Let's give her a name!" I shouted.
Then, as Maxim was about to put his hand on one of the horns, he looked at me, "The beetle?" He asked.
"Yes!" I shouted again.
Hearing that, Maxim simply bowed with one hand then put his hand on the beetle. Ivy looked at me and also bowed with one hand then said, "Well… if it is what you want, My Lord, we shall abide by it."
Hmmm, it should be cool… Bettu? Yes! Bettu!
"She shall be called Bettu from now on!" I exclaimed, raising my two hands. Which, the three simple smiled on.
Then, riding atop the Bettu—Because why not, I asked "Where is Ren, by the way?"
After asking, Maxim looked at me then said, "Her recuperation is taking longer than expected… it could be from using that curse."
"Curse?"
"A spell that drains vitality, My Lord." Ivy replied as she plucked another flower again.
"Why would she do that?"
"For you, My Lord." She replied again.
O-oh, for me…
"Well, the humans should finish their camp anytime, My Lord, shall we go now?
Aaghh, I'm feeling drowsy again. But were going to the humans… I can't sleep now.
"You look very weak, My Lord." Ivy gently said.
"How do you know?"
"You look very transparent, My Lord." She whispered, "I can barely see you."
I looked down and yep, I am a bona fide ghost.
"But I want to go to the humans…"
"We can suggest, bringing you to them, My Lord." Iris spoke behind me who is also riding Bettu.
"How?" I shook my head, "You're going to bring a tree?"
Well… not that I don't expect them to not be strong enough for it...
"Transfer to a small plant, My Lord."
"Oh! Right!" I shouted, "You're so smart Iris!"
I could feel her blush from behind its so aaaaaaaaa~~
"I shall do it right now!" I exclaimed as I went down Bettu.
After stepping down, Maxim found a shade and sat on it and Ivy continued picking flowers while I find small plants and Iris lies down on top of Bettu.
Hmmm, what's a good plant. I'm planning on a pretty tall plant since, and so I can see a lot. And Ivy already made a pot-like thing for me…
Oh! There! I ran close to a bonsai-looking plant. At least it looks cool. Then, I leaned towards the plant, transferring my consciousness to it.
Right after, I can only see things from the plant's height.
Ivy picked my up with a container made out of earth wood that she made just a while ago.
"Shall we go to them now, My Lord?" She smiled.
"Yes!!" I exclaimed as she lent me to Iris above Bettu.
On the side, Maxim started to have a sour expression… He really does not want me to meet humans huh…
"I shall explore the outskirts again for their reinforcements, My Lord." Maxim bowed before disappearing.
Yeah… that would be best, or it would be awkward later… I don't want him to strangle a human to death.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone