Records of Rebirth

I immediately accepted it and the system dinged, confirming the change in their titles.

〚 『Typhon』has earned the title『Commander』Activating status effect. Success〛

〚 『Ophelia』has earned the title『Commander』Activating status effect. Success〛

Not bad!

|[Well done!]| I exclaimed as Typhon and Ophelia looked up at me. 

[Is this another skill?] Typhon asked suspiciously.

|[No.]| I shook my head, quite amused at his confusion. |[This is a reward for your efforts.]|

I was sure they could see the new title by now, as Ophelia kept checking her stats, her eyes growing progressively wider in excitement. 

[A reward?] Typhon muttered.

I nodded, a wide grin on full display. |[There's no one I trust more than you both, and this is just the proof of it.]| 

This new system had such good timing too!

Typhon looked astonished, but Ophelia was slowly recovering and before I could prepare, she launched herself at me in a hug.

Ah! 

I clumsily caught her before she cut herself on my scales, but she really didn't hold back. If she weighed heavier, I would have been knocked back by her enthusiasm.

[This is amazing!] Ophelia exclaimed, her head nuzzling against mine. [I…I don't know what to say.]

|[You don't need to say anything.]| I replied with a laugh.

She was too ticklish!

It took everything in me not to burst into laughter, as she felt no differently from a serpentine feather duster – If only she would stop wriggling.

[Be careful!] Typhon called out with a frown, but Ophelia couldn't contain her excitement.

[Thank you so much!] she cried out. [We won't let you down.]

|[I know, I know.]| I said, hoping she wouldn't cry.

A title upgrade and a few skills really weren't much, but they were acting like I gave them the world!

|[Since the Pit has been expanding recently.]| I began to explain. |[These titles will help you maintain order.]| 

[So, we have your permission to do more.] Typhon declared, his bright eyes fiercely ablaze. [What would you like us to do first?]

Do more?

I could tell where this was going from how he spoke, so I had to stop him quickly. 

|[Er…nothing really.]| I nervously replied. |[The Pit is doing well. You just do what you've been doing all this time. Look after each other, train the nestlings and make sure to practice your new skills.]| 

Typhon grimaced, not even bothering to hide his disappointment.

[Is that really enough with everything that's at stake?] He asked doubtfully.

I gave him a stern look before repeating the same advice to Ophelia. 

|[You earned those titles because of your hard work.]| I replied. |[You don't have to feel like you have to prove something to me.]|

There were no exceptions!

Truthfully, I was happy there were two Commanders now - it meant less work for me and I could laze around more. But I didn't want them abusing their skills either.

There was more to [Commander] than I was telling them. 

With it, they could now order any of the thousands of Pit Members I had, and they would have to comply, as long as I agreed with the outcome. So, I didn't want them to overthink and start doing excessive things just to prove themselves worthy.

[Then, we will do as you say.] Typhon said with a bow, and I immediately felt relieved.

However, Ophelia's grip on me suddenly loosened, her expression troubled as she took to the air. 

[If we are your Commanders, then shouldn't we be calling you Queen?] Ophelia trembled. [Forgive us for being so rude!] 

She then flew over to join Typhon, and both of them lowered their heads in a bow.

What was she going on about?

Though, 'Queen' did have a really nice ring to it, it would be too presumptuous to be called that when it was possible there was a Serpent King much stronger than me.

Besides, the last thing I wanted was for them to treat me like I was some high and mighty royalty. I did appreciate the thought but just their respect was enough. 

|[You don't have to do that!]| I frowned. |[Actually, you can just call me by my name.]| 

Ophelia looked up hopefully. [Really?]

|[Yes.]| I replied with a smile.

Typhon didn't say anything, he simply stared at us before rising.

[Stay here.] He said to Ophelia. [There's something I need to do.] 

And without explaining anything, he left Ophelia and I alone in the room.

|[Is he in a bad mood?]| I muttered.

Did he want to call me 'Queen' that badly?

Ophelia giggled mischievously. [No, he just has something important to do.]

What was so important that he left in the middle of our talk? 

And how did Ophelia know, and I didn't? 

When I glanced at her, she didn't say anything, only looking away shyly.

Hmph.

He could have said so then. 

It was perfectly fine if they wanted to keep some things to themselves. Still, I was glad the tense mood had disappeared, and Ophelia was friendly with me once more.

Maybe now I could actually taste some of those Elf "beverages" here for a change, so I went over and sliced one open to savour the amber liquid that flowed within. 

[Appraisal] revealed it to be some sort of tonic, but it didn't smell medicinal at all. It even had a syrupy consistency and smelled quite a bit like nutty caramel. 

I was more than a little suspicious but I was confident a little sip wouldn't hurt!

But upon tasting the amber liquid, it was unexpectedly sweet and didn't contain any trace of poison as [Detox] didn't react to it. 

Whoever packed these must be quite peculiar, a kid with a sweet tooth, or both!

And to think I thought these were a trap! 

As I was halfway through the sixth bottle, Ophelia came up beside me, looking at the beverages with interest, so I gave a bottle to her. 

However, as she finished drinking, she began to act differently.

Her soft, melodic voice became heightened, and her words came fast and erratic as she grew increasingly distracted by every single object around her. She then leaned against me with a sigh, her colourful eyes darting around excitedly.

|[Are you okay?]| I asked.

[Hic…yes! I just feel really good right now. It's nice…and comfy.]

|[Huh?]| I was confused.

[I don't know why but it's really comfortable being around yooou, it's hard to explain.]

Hah. I was flattered. 

But was she really fine, she was acting quite…drunk. 

Unfortunately, Ophelia's wings came up to cover her face and I lost sight of her. 

|[Wait, are you really okay?]| I asked, concerned by her behaviour. 

Her eyes peeked out from behind a curtain of feathers, blue and red orbs twinkling excitedly before tethering slightly, her long wings knocking down a couple of bottles in one sweeping motion. 

[I feel really warm.] Ophelia muttered, and I glanced at the empty bottles that noisily rolled around. 

She was definitely intoxicated! 

Were the drinks poison after all? 

If I didn't feel anything, perhaps [Detox] at LV9 was just too superior?

|[Don't move!]| I moved to catch her. 

[I'm sorry about before.] Ophelia whispered. [If my words offended you…it's just…how can we call you by name…it's just rude and it would set the wrong example...for the others.]

She hiccupped before falling over on me.

|[That doesn't matter.]| I replied, quickly checking her stats, but nothing was dropping or critical - she was perfectly normal, aside from her unsteady movements and rising body temperature.

If anything, she just seemed drunk.

[We have to protect you…our queeeeenn.] Ophelia slurred.

I rolled my eyes. |[I don't need protection, and you can just call me Aurelia. I don't mind ]|

Ophelia shook her head in refusal before reaching for a bottle. 

[Hic.]

I sighed before sliding them away. |[No more for you!]| 

Drinking them with her was a mistake.

At the same time, seeing Ophelia in this state was… kinda cute. 

[Aurelia…] Ophelia sleepily mused. [Our names sound good together.] 

I chuckled.  Call it an unconscious bias or plain laziness on my part, but she was right! 

Still, why did she look amazed like it was part of some grand design?

|[Maybe I named you after myself.]| I playfully suggested, but Ophelia only seemed to get more amazed.

[Did you really?] she asked, her optimistic smile so blinding, I had the strangest notion to hide it from everyone else's eyes.

I knew I shouldn't take advantage of her state, but I couldn't help having devilish thoughts.

[Of course, you did. I mean you are our 'Queeeen' after all.] Ophelia sighed, her voice mellow. [I want to stay by your side…foreeever... can I do that?]

|[I don't think that would be…practical.]|

There was no way she could follow me everywhere.

Ophelia edged closer. [I will call yooou by your name when we are alone, but I will call you Queeeen when we are with the others, okaaay?] 

|[Uhh...well]|

She was making it really hard to say no, and she kept staring at me with hopeful eyes. 

[You are sooo powerfool, and eeeeveryone needs to respect you.] she continued. 

Despite her drunk ramblings, I was glad to realize nothing had really changed since the Abyss. She was the same Ophelia, only in this moment she was more open and less mysterious. 

So, as I stared into her honest, innocent eyes, I had to concede, because in that moment, I felt much closer to her than I ever did before.

I nodded, accepting defeat and Ophelia yawned, feathers brushing over me.

If anyone was going to clue me into Typhon's agenda, it was Ophelia. Perhaps, it was best to take advantage of her openness and ask some questions.

Unfortunately, Typhon chose to return at that moment and was rather stunned to find a half-conscious Ophelia slumped over on me. 

I immediately tossed all the empty bottles inside [Dimensional Box] to hide the evidence, but another rolled out from under Ophelia's wings when she tried to stand.

We both stared at it in alarm.

|[This....it's not what it looks like.]|