Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 89 - From Blood to Blossoms

The room fell into complete silence, leaving only the bunny girl standing in its center, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Her once snow-white hair, as beautiful as freshly fallen snow, was now stained crimson with blood. Her clothes, her face, everything marked by the carnage.

Atlas stood before her, his gaze heavy as he watched her. Mira’s eyes had returned to their normal color, yet she stood motionless, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath.

For a moment, she didn’t move, just stood there in the stillness. Slowly, the girl turned to look around at the gruesome scene surrounding her.

Her expression was flat, neither shock nor panic crossed her face. Even though she had returned to her normal state, there was no indication of remorse or fear in her gaze.

Does that mean she was conscious of what she did?

Atlas wondered, his thoughts churning.

Did she unleash her fury deliberately while in that form? Is that why she’s been hiding her awakened status?

Mira began to move again, her steps slow as she approached her parents’ lifeless bodies lying on the blood-soaked floor.

She sank to the ground beside them, dropping into a seated W-position with her legs folded under her.

She remained utterly still, silent, staring at their faces. Then, slowly, tears began to stream down her cheeks, but there was no sobbing. No cries or wails of grief, just silent, unending tears sliding down her bloodied face.

Atlas sat down beside her, his gaze softening as he silently kept her company in this devastating moment.

What will happen to her after this? he wondered.

Surely, there would be consequences. The boy Mira had killed must have been someone important, a child of influence in the city. It was evident from the number of bodyguards he had at his disposal and the audacity to command others to take lives without fear of repercussions.

Atlas sighed deeply.

She’s already lost everything... and now this?

But before his thoughts could spiral further, his attention snapped to Mira as a strange energy began to radiate from her body. A glowing magic circle formed beneath her.

Wait... is this it?

Is this the moment she’s chosen to become a Lord?

The magic circle flared brighter, its light enveloping Mira entirely. In an instant, the glowing runes consumed her, and she vanished from the room.

Before Atlas could react, the magic dragged him along with it, pulling him into its swirling vortex.

Atlas found himself in an entirely different place.

Oh... what is this? Wait...

He turned in every direction, taking in his surroundings. Mira was there, still dressed in the same bloodied clothes, standing a short distance away.

But this was unmistakably a floating island.

However, this wasn’t just any island.

Lush green grass blanketed the earth, swaying gently under the soft breeze. Tall, vibrant trees stretched toward the sky. Flowers of every shade and hue bloomed across the landscape, bursting with color like scattered gems.

Atlas turned slowly, his eyes wide with disbelief as he took it all in. The island stretched far beyond anything he had anticipated, its boundaries hidden behind thick, inviting forests. Gentle hills rolled across the horizon, each slope adding to the surreal beauty of the terrain.

How the hell...? How is this even possible?

Why was her starter island this enormous? And not just in size. But so fertile, so rich in life?

The scale of the place was simply absurd. It was several times larger than the floating island Atlas had received when he first began. This place was overflowing with natural resources: thriving forests, colorful fields of flowers, a flowing river, even trees bearing ripe, untouched fruit.

Damn...

It was becoming painfully clear: every Lord started their journey with a vastly different beginning. And hers... hers was something else entirely.

"Woah..."

What? What happened

Atlas turned at the sudden sound and froze when he saw Mira standing there.

"I can’t believe it! It’s like... a giant playground!" she gasped. "There’s even a little hill over there. I can roll down that all day!"

But this wasn’t the solemn, blood-stained Mira from moments ago. No, this was the Mira he knew, the Mira with the bright, familiar expression he had grown accustomed to.

"Ooooh! Look! I can keep fish here! Maybe even name them, Flippy, Wiggles, oh! And Carrotina!"

Mira crouched near a patch of flowers, gently brushing her bloodied fingers over the delicate petals.

"This place... it’s mine, right? I can build a garden here, and a kitchen! I’ll bake carrot pies and carrot muffins and carrot soup!"

The cheerful girl began darting around, exploring the island. She grabbed a bucket and started watering the plants. Stopping occasionally, she leaned in to sniff the vibrant blooms, her laughter echoing through the air.

"Let’s build the happiest bunny island ever, okay?"

At that moment, Atlas’s vision went dark, signaling the end of his journey into Mira’s past memories.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on his bed, now wide awake. He glanced toward the window and noticed the soft glow of morning light streaming in.

"Was I really asleep all night?"

Atlas sat up slowly, his head still spinning from everything he had witnessed. Delving into Mira’s past had been an emotional weight he wasn’t prepared for. It had left him feeling utterly drained and unsettled.

"If her tale hadn’t ended with her becoming a Lord, I don’t think I could have rested without knowing what happened next."

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.

"That girl..."

It was almost impossible to reconcile the Mira he knew. Cheerful, innocent, and full of energy, with the girl from that harrowing past.

Behind her bright smile and playful demeanor, she carried scars that ran far deeper than he’d ever imagined.

Shaking off the heaviness in his chest, Atlas stood up, walked to the door, and opened it. As he stepped out of his room, he was greeted by a familiar figure.

There she stood, a girl with snow-white hair and a pair of rabbit ears perched atop her head.

"My Lord, good morning! I’ve already picked the freshest carrots for you this morning," Mira said cheerfully, holding up a small basket filled with vibrant carrots.

For a moment, Atlas simply stood there, staring at her, his chest tightening with emotion. Then, without a word, he stepped forward and wrapped her in a firm embrace.

This was the hug he had yearned to give the young Mira from her memories.

"My Lord?" Mira murmured softly.

Atlas clenched his fists as he held her. He wasn’t sure if he was trying to calm himself or if he was trying to give strength to the girl in his arms.

Either way, he knew one thing with certainty: this girl had survived a hellish and tragic past. She had endured, and now she stood here before him.

"Are you happy on this island?"

"Yes, My Lord..." Mira replied softly.

[Mira Springfoot has received an upgrade...]

[Her talents have been merged...]

[She has unlocked a new talent...]

[Congratulations on upgrading your subordinate...]

[You have received 320 Arcane Shards.]

"From now on, plant as many carrots as you want," he whispered softly.

"Yes... My Lord..."