The chirping of small birds could be heard faintly from far away.
Inside a sea of a cloud-like mattress and top-tier silk sheets that clung to the skin, I slowly let my consciousness surface.
"...Nn, ...fuwaa."
I let out a small yawn and gave a long stretch.
This isn't my room in Hell, but this custom-made canopy bed I hastily threw together last night turned out surprisingly well. The way it supports my back and the height of the pillows are both perfect.
When I gently opened my eyes to a slit, I saw that thick velvet curtains had been drawn across the cave entrance at some point.
Lyra must have been considerate of me, knowing I am sensitive to the glare of light. Thanks to that, I was able to get a comfortable sleep without being forcefully awakened by the unpleasant morning sun.
"Good morning, my beloved Lady."
Standing by the bed in a flawless posture, Lyra bowed elegantly.
Her maid outfit didn't have a single thread out of place, and her frilled apron was as pure white as snow.
"Good morning, Lyra. ...I slept very well. You were the one who drew the curtains, yes?"
"Yes. We absolutely cannot have the vulgar sunlight of this world burning Your Ladyship's translucent white skin."
Smiling, Lyra lifted a steaming teacup from the pure silver tray placed on the side table.
"I have prepared your early morning tea. This morning, I blended calming chamomile with just a touch of Nectar of Despair."
"Thank you. I was just getting thirsty."
I leaned against the bed's headboard, slipped a cushion behind my back, and accepted the cup.
Taking a sip, the gentle aroma of chamomile and the sweet (and slightly spine-tingling) nectar unique to Hell filled my mouth.
Ah, I feel alive again.
"Now then, I've had my tea, so shall I get up?"
When I stepped out of bed, Lyra immediately prepared fluffy slippers at my feet.
It was dark last night so I don't bother to see, but looking around again in the morning, this cave is indeed just a hole in the rock. There is the crimson carpet I laid on the floor, and the bed and mahogany table set placed in the center, but the walls remain rough bedrock, making it rather bleak.
"Shall we do a little redecorating? We might be staying here for a while, and it's far too dreary like this."
"A brilliant idea! Please, use Your Ladyship's aesthetic sense to dye this filthy hovel into a supreme palace!"
I slowly walked around the cave, drawing up a blueprint for an ideal room in my head.
I absolutely love thinking about furniture and interior design.
The beauty of wood grain, the texture of fabrics, and the negative space of a room.
Just being in a room where all those elements are in perfect harmony brings me great peace of mind.
"Let's see... First, I want wallpaper. Leaving the bedrock exposed gives off a cold impression."
When I drew a circle in the air with my fingertip, a soft cream-colored plaster (or rather, a magical construct resembling it) spread smoothly over the cave's jagged walls. That alone instantly brightened the space and made it feel much warmer.
"Let's place a large chest of drawers next to the bed. A profound oak wood would be good for the material. With antique-style brass handles."
With a cute poof, a magnificent chest perfectly matching my imagination appeared against the wall. The drawers were perfectly fitted, gliding smoothly with a swish when opened and closed.
"Next, we need a dresser to get ready at. Make it a three-way mirror, and the chair a stool with a wide seat. Please put rose embroidery on the cushion."
"Understood. I shall materialize it at once."
Synchronizing with my magic power, Lyra dragged a beautiful walnut-wood dresser out from the shadow.
Delicate designs were carved into the edges of the mirror, and when I sat down, my silver hair was beautifully reflected.
Ping!
[Skill [Creation Magic (Extreme)] has been activated.]
[The structure of space is being forcefully rewritten. The Dungeon Core is terrified.]
The tactless blue board appeared in the corner of my vision again, but I swatted it away with my hand while putting combs and ribbons into the dresser's drawers.
I don't know what a 'Dungeon Core' is, but I'd really prefer it if people didn't interject while someone is building their home.
"Now then, My Lady, allow me to comb your hair."
As I sat in front of the dresser, Lyra stood behind me and began gently brushing my long silver hair with a handmade boar-bristle hairbrush.
A rhythmic brush, brush sound echoed.
Lyra's brushing is truly soothing; it warms my scalp pleasantly and makes me feel like dozing off.
"What about the decorations at the entrance from last night? Are they getting dirty?"
"Ah, yes. Those beautiful black quartz statues. I polished them to a shine with a cloth first thing this morning. They are reflecting the morning sun and letting off a very nice gleam. As gargoyles to ward off evil from this cave, I dare say they look almost too good."
"Hehe, I see. Good work. I'm sure they are delighted to have become such splendid interior decorations."
What a peaceful morning conversation.
Once my hair was done, next was choosing today's dress.
I opened the chest (which was packed with many clothes generated by my magic), thought about it for a bit, and chose a dress with soft light-blue fabric and plenty of white lace, with a hemline short enough to allow for easy movement.
Since we are taking a stroll through a forest in another world, a dress with too long a hem would be inconvenient.
"It suits you perfectly, My Lady. You look just like a spring fairy... No, a lowly insect like a fairy couldn't even reach the feet of Your Ladyship's beauty!"
Lyra held both hands to her cheeks, completely enraptured.
Having finished changing, I gave a little twirl in front of the mirror, and the skirt flared out beautifully. It felt quite nice.
"Lyra. I feel like I've sweat a little, so I'd like to take a bath. Is there a place where water is springing up deeper inside this cave?"
"Leave it to me. I explored a bit further in earlier and found a perfectly sized underground lake. I have already adjusted the temperature and purified it so that Your Ladyship may enter at any time."
Guided by Lyra deep into the cave, I found a beautiful underground lake illuminated by pale-glowing moss.
To my surprise, the rocky shore had been replaced with smooth marble tiles, and the hot water gave off the same scent of mixed roses and sulfur as the high-end spas in Hell.
Lyra had completely remade the environment to match my tastes.
"My, how wonderful! Thank you, Lyra."
"Your words are too kind. Now, allow me to wash your back."
I undressed and slowly sank into the warm water up to my shoulders.
Haaa, a soundless sigh escaped my lips.
In this mana-depleted world, I never thought I would be able to enjoy such a magnificent morning bath. The water temperature was just right, and I could feel myself unwinding from the core.
Ping!
[Area [Underground Lake of Despair (Formerly: Spring of the Clear Stream)] has been conquered.]
[The Master of the Spring (Water Elemental) has been purified (annihilated).]
The blue board appeared again, but I completely ignored it as I played, scooping up the hot water.
Master of the Spring? I have no memory of meeting one, but perhaps when Lyra boiled the bathwater to heat it, she ended up "cleaning it up."
Stepping out of the bath feeling refreshed, I returned to the living room (the front half of the cave that we renovated) and sat down on a plush loveseat.
Hugging a cushion, I enjoyed the texture of the crimson carpet laid at my feet with my bare toes.
"Now then, Lyra. What shall we do today?"
"Whatever Your Ladyship desires. Continuing our tea time is one option, or if you are bored, shall I go turn a nearby town or two into a sea of fire and set off some fireworks for you?"
"No, nothing so dangerous. Besides, since we've gone to the trouble of setting up a room with such lovely furniture, I want to try cooking various things today. I want a proper meal, not just sweets like yesterday."
I lightly patted my stomach.
As a devil, I could survive on souls alone, but the act of "eating delicious food" is simply the best entertainment for enriching the soul.
"Cooking, you say? I must apologize, but while I can prepare tea and pastries, my knowledge of this world's ingredients is lacking..."
"That's fine. Therefore, today's plan will be a stroll to find ingredients. It seems this cave continues a bit further in, so let's look and see if there are any tasty mushrooms or things that could serve as meat. Doesn't it sound fun, like a picnic?"
"Oh...! An excursion into uncharted territory! The moment the pitiful creatures that dare block Your Ladyship's path are transformed into premium ingredients... Just imagining it makes my heart dance!"
Lyra's eyes sparkled, and she straightened her posture sharply.
It seemed today would simply be a peaceful day of leisurely exploring the forest and the cave, using our room surrounded by new furniture as a base.