To ensure Flower could enter Acid without issue, Mika decided to take her there now. As they prepared, Mika set down her backpack. What she had brought from home today were insecticide, a shovel, and some nostalgic clothes from when her children were little.

Flower stood only about 50 centimeters tall, roughly the size of a newborn, but her sturdy build meant that toddler-sized clothes would fit her better.

Though there weren’t many well-preserved boy’s clothes left from raising two sons, memories lingered in the drawer full of garments of various sizes. From there, Mika had packed several T-shirts, jackets like hoodies, and an adorable poncho she’d received as a gift. There were even pants to cover her legs.

Pants were a rare sight in this world, so the outfit gave her a distinctly ogre-like appearance.

Changing into the new clothes was a bit of a struggle compared to the plain, makeshift dress she had been wearing, but Flower seemed to like the texture.

“Soft…”

“It suits you quite well,” the Guild Master remarked, squinting approvingly at Flower in her new outfit.

Zurah, who had helped with the dressing, hugged Flower and said, “Comfy clothes like these are great for kids, huh?”

Now clad in an oversized T-shirt, pants, and a hoodie pulled all the way over her head, Flower looked just like a kindergarten kid. Carrying her, Mika stepped through the door leading to Acid.

At the door’s watchpost, the Guild Master explained that Flower was Mika’s child and that she would be staying in Acid for a while as part of a “field trip.”

“Given that she’s an ogre’s child, she can handle herself a little in a fight. As a special exception, we plan to register her with the guild. From now on, her guild card will serve as her pass.”

The guard, already too accustomed to Mika and the others frequently rushing in and out of the door lately, accepted the explanation without question.

They entered Acid’s town and headed to Mika’s house, but for some reason, the Guild Master followed along.

“Hoh, this is quite a nice room. But for Flower to live here, you’re short on furniture and tableware. Wait here a moment.”

After wandering around the room and inspecting things somewhat rudely, he dashed off without another word.

“Is he just a doting grandpa…?”

Dada’s muttered remark hit the nail on the head.

Mika handed the house key to Zurah, trusting her to handle things for a while. Then, crouching down, she took Flower’s hand and spoke to her.

“I’m sorry… I won’t be able to come by very often, but I’ll try to visit as much as I can.”

“Mm. Okay.”

“I’ll bring more clothes too.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

Leaving the rest to them, Mika decided to head back alone.

The otherworldly cream-colored sky had taken on a slightly orange hue as evening approached, casting a mystical glow. After greeting the guard at Acid’s door, Mika tried using the violet key without focusing on a specific location.

The scenery beyond the door was otherworldly, but unlike any place she had seen before.

Surrounded by rugged rock walls, she turned back after stepping through and saw the door standing alone in the wall, just like in Warehouse No. 4—except here, the lighting was natural. The area near the door was dim, while the exit shimmered with a pale, glittering light.

Walking toward the brighter side, she soon saw a curtain of icicles ahead, bending along the curve of the cave. The icicles sparkled as they reflected light, obscuring the view deeper into the cavern.

Stepping outside and looking up…

“Behind a waterfall…”

Mika’s murmur was drowned out by the roaring sound of the river rushing past her feet.