Charymos slowly swayed his hips up a hill which was matted by the vast greenery of nature. There was immense beauty in the horizons, mountain tops frosted by pure white snow. Beneath his feet were vibrant, breathtaking flora of colors and shapes that were otherworldly.

The cool, fresh breeze that glided down from the distant mountains carried the scent of moist earth and flowers into the air, and Charymos couldn’t help but take deep breath, hoping this scent would be permanently etched into his nostrils.

This was nature’s serenade, and despite being a creature of the deep, Charymos couldn’t help but admire the beauty of it all, in fact, he wanted nothing more than to take off his shoes and run around leisurely.

But alas...

His slit pupils dilated as he beheld the figures of two persons seated on a beautifully carved round table, that seemed to have been made by the delicate hands of the Elves that reside on the Sixth Floor.

...Now was not the time to admire the beauty of nature or bear such carefree thoughts.

As he neared the table, Charymos was greeted by two beautiful Dryads who were clothed in nothing but leaves and flowers. But make no mistake, these were no mere leaves as even the finest fabric that the Humans outside of this Tower can muster, would pale in comparison.

Even the design was impeccable, the leaves and flowers were not merely thrown together to form make-shift garments —No, the Dryads are not so barbaric.

They bowed to him and pulled a chair for him to sit, and the sight of their beautiful faces made his innards churn, but he concealed it.

[How adorable they are, I just want to skin them alive~]

Simply imagining that brought him great joy and his mood was regained.

"Greetings, Lord —"

"Shut it, Frog. Why have you called for us here when you did not even bring us what you promised? Where are the Homunculi?"

Veladreth was extremely displeased, evident in the bulging veins on his neck and frontal lobe.

"Veladreth is correct, Charymos. You would dare move Governors for nothing? Do you covet the seat of our Ruler, seeing as you are exercising authority that only he is entitled to?"

The usually calm Skadi was not amused as well, how dare this creature who doesn’t even bear the title of Governer, gather two Upper Floor Governers for naught?

"Of course not. I am nothing, how could I possibly do such a thing as covet what belongs to our Ruler? Simply existing beneath his feet is enough to bring me joy."

"However, I do apologize for this. Especially to you, Lord Veladreth, I imagine you used a precious teleportation device to get here so soon?"

Charymos bowed his slimy head deeply.

"...A device?"

Veladreth’s lips curled in utter disgust, revealing his long fangs that glistened under the light that filtered through the canopies.

"Do not think of me as you would of yourself, Frog. I have powers beyond your feeble imagination."

The Progenitor of the Eighth spoke with a proud voice, tucking his luscious, crimson mane behind his ear with his long, sharp nail.

"...My, of course. As I said, I am nothing."

Charymos’s words were a whisper, tinged heavily with sarcasm.

He then looked to the pastry of delacies decorating the table before them and gently picked one, a small, pink-colored cupcake topped with a very ripe-looking red fruit.

"Nom...Oh my! How delicious~!"

"Skadi, you must give me one of your pastry chefs!"

Charymos placed his palms on his cheeks and wiggled cheerfully.

"Enough. Why did you call us here?"

Skadi spoke, seeing as Veladreth was about to explode.

"Ah, yes... About what we spoke of, I have had a change of mind."

Charymos licked his fingers clean.

"...What?"

The two Governer asked in unison.

"The Third Floor will not suffice! The Fifth, I want the Fifth!!! Give me Thaldrin’s throne or nothing at all!"

Charymos shot up from his chair and screamed at the top of his lungs!

"..."

"Sigh..."

Skadi palmed his face in disbelief.

"And yet I am the one who is known for being greedy? Charymos..."

"You fool! Have you lost your mind?!"

Skadi shouted, and his bloodlust that scattered in the wind caused the Dryads to lose consciousness, most of them foaming at the mouth.

"Urgh..."

Charymos was forced back into the chair by the pressure, but he endured it, maintaining consciousness.

But...

"Hahaha!!! Yes! I knew it, I knew this was exactly what was going to happen!"

... Veladreth unleashed his own bloodlust and Charymos collapsed to his rear, unable to even breath or think straight.

He felt as though two behemoths were tap dancing across his entire being.

"Oh? What perfect timing."

Veladreth looked to the figure that was approaching in the distance.

"What have you done, Veladreth?"

Skadi stood to his feet, recognizing the person who was approaching.

"Heh. You’ll see."

"This Frog..."

Veladreth stood from his chair and walked over to Charymos who was finally able to breathe.

"... He’s your problem now, good luck, Skadi."

"I shall return to claim the spoils!"

■■■ Teleportation: Instantaneous Transmission. ■■■

Fwip!

Veladreth disappeared as though he were never there and returned to his domain.

"Wh-what? He left?"

[What about Veylith, you dumb Lamprey?!]

[Wasn’t she something that you absolutely wanted?!]

Charymos stood to his feet and turned his attention to Skadi.

"S-skadi, don’t mind him! I don’t need that elixir or whatever. With your power, we can usurp the Fifth Floor! Do this for me, and I will give you both Veylith and Kaelen!"

Charymos rubbed his slimy hands like a housefly.

"Shut up, you idiot. It’s too late for that. "

Skadi pushed him aside, and the Kraken Spawn couldn’t help but wonder what the Elemental King was so focused on.

[What is he...]

[!!]

"Oh no... Why are you here?"

He failed to stem those words from forming in his mouth.

[She knows! She knows! Veladreth! Fuck, fuck!!!]

Charymos spiraled into despair.

"Truly, what a pleasant weather the Sixth Floor always has."

"Is this your doing, Lord Skadi? Are you able to control the Spirits to such a degree as to change the weather as you please, or is it naturally like this?"

Those words were spoken by an old man with a well-trimmed mane of gray hair and beard. Adorning him was a butler’s attire.

As he scanned around the area, he stroked his beard with his white gloves.

"I did not receive news of your arrival, Sebastian. What is the meaning of this?"

Skadi stepped forward, his diamond eyes glittering maliciously.

"Ah, of course. Excuse me."

Sebastian calmly reached into his breastpocket, retrieving a letter with a wax seal that froze Skadi in place.

"I bring you the words of my Queen, backed by the Dark Fae High Court: I Rowena, Governor of the Seventh Floor, declare war on the Sixth and Basement Floors! "

Sebastian boldly declared, leaving Skadi seething with rage and Charymos reeling with immense fear.