The first change that Carbink began to experience was in the diamond on its head.
That diamond, which had originally been unique, under the infusion of pink energy began to split little by little.
It transformed into four octahedral diamonds, and from the leftover energy of those diamonds, two long bands of diamonds extended downward, forming a pink crown.
The mutation was only just beginning.
In the center of Carbink's head, that irregular diamond began to transform into a huge round pink diamond, bright and dazzling.
Its body became increasingly slender, and the small ears on its head began to change shape, transforming into something resembling hands.
A ring of white fur around its torso started to spread like a white skirt, wrapping around its body completely.
Carbink's new body emerged in the midst of the mutation.
Its little blue eyes transformed into a pair of large ruby-like red eyes, and a small mouth appeared beneath the diamond that had once covered it.
The diamonds that had hidden its mouth rearranged around its neck, becoming a golden circular bow in which an eight-sided pink diamond was embedded.
At that point, there was no trace left of Carbink's previous appearance.
Magearna, who was at the side, watched Carbink's transformation in astonishment.
Then she lowered her gaze to herself, feeling somewhat inferior.
The centuries had worn away her original splendor: the colors that had once decorated her body had faded, leaving only her silvery surface and some strange lines.
Compared to Carbink's newly born beauty, the difference was enormous.
Even so, Magearna did not step away.
She knew that Carbink was at the most crucial moment of her life, and that she herself was the main source of energy for that mutation.
In the Soul-Heart, the energy accumulated over so many years had not only not decreased, but had grown stronger and stronger.
Nikola's arcane science, from the very beginning, had made the Soul-Heart capable of absorbing the dispersed life energy in the air, replenishing it constantly and infinitely.
That was how the Flying Castle had been able to maintain inexhaustible power and endless firepower.
It was said to be a fortress capable of conquering the world, and all that energy came from the Soul-Heart inside Magearna's body.
Of course, five hundred years ago it might indeed have been possible to conquer the world with that technology so far ahead of its time.
But after five hundred years, outside science had also advanced, and the strength of Pokémon had become impossible to ignore, so world conquest ended up becoming a joke.
Even so, the deterrent power was still impressive.
Carbink's mutation was already at its final stage.
The pink mist surrounding her body began to slowly gather, merging inside her.
She could no longer be called Carbink.
The fragments that had covered her had become a complete octahedral diamond. Her figure had changed completely, now clearly revealing the features of a girl.
"Mmm..."
With a soft murmur, the pink mist finished merging into her body.
The ground, covered by sand, suddenly began to bloom with an unknown energy emerging from below.
One after another, flowers began to sprout beneath Diancie's feet.
It was as if a hidden mechanism had been activated: the flowers spread rapidly from her in all directions.
An ocean of flowers gradually appeared.
In the distance, as far as the eye could see, everything was a sea of blossoms.
It was as if even the flowers were celebrating Diancie's arrival.
Magearna, seeing that scene, had eyes almost in the shape of hearts.
She loved flowers, and to behold so many at once was like a paradise for her.
She began to dance gracefully in the middle of the flower field.
Her movements clearly showed the grace and nobility she had learned from the royalty of the Azoth Kingdom.
She was like a white swan dancing among the flowers.
Diancie opened her eyes and, upon beholding that scene, felt that it was unreal.
Cain's Pokémon were also carried away by the beauty of the moment, their hearts filled with joy.
Diancie looked at her hands, then her body, not quite understanding what had happened.
Cain smiled as he approached.
"Lord Cain..." Diancie's voice sounded softly.
As she said it, she herself was surprised.
Could she speak?
In reality, it wasn't exactly speaking, but rather an ability similar to telepathy, perhaps related to aura or some other mysterious energy.
The fact was that she still wasn't used to it.
"Congratulations. From now on, we should call you Diancie," said Cain, with a complex look in his eyes.
Diancie, the princess of the Diamond Kingdom, had appeared in such unexpected circumstances.
To possess Diancie was equivalent to having infinite riches.
Cain couldn't help but sigh, remembering those days when he had struggled for money.
He thought of all the times he accepted missions at the Hunters Guild for barely a few million Pokédollars; those memories now felt almost endearing.
But now, those opportunities and those feelings would never return.
Poverty was gone forever. Though in a way it felt strange to bid it farewell, there was also a tinge of nostalgia.
A surge of contradictory emotions crowded in his heart.
From now on, he could afford luxuries like buying two glasses of Miltank milk, drinking one and throwing away the other.
What an extravagant life awaited him!
"Di... an... cie?" she repeated that name softly.
She still didn't fully understand that, after completing her mutation, she had become that existence the Carbink had always spoken of.
The princess Diancie?
She looked at Cain with her ruby-like red eyes, full of doubt, incomprehension, and bewilderment.
The change was too great, and she couldn't take it in all at once.
Cain understood how she felt. It was like an ugly duckling, after passing through the winter, turning into a white swan.
Like a beggar transforming into a princess of a kingdom.
The leap in identity was so great that it was normal for her to struggle to accept it.
"Diancie, all this was destined from the moment you began following me. You just have to get used to it little by little and accept it. In the future, you will become the true princess of the Carbink kingdom," said Cain firmly.
He said it with a calm face and steady breath.
"Destined...? Princess? Princess Diancie?" she repeated, and her eyes, once confused, began to shine with a new light.
As she looked at Cain, her pupils filled with admiration and respect.
Could it be that everything was part of Lord Cain's plan?
Cain accepted that credit without batting an eye.
In fact, it wasn't a lie: when Carbink's mutation had barely shown signs, no one knew. It was Cain who discovered it first.
He was the one who took her with him, who constantly provided her with energy and food, accelerating her transformation.
Otherwise, in that underground of Mythical Island, where resources were limited, no one knew how many years it might have taken to complete the mutation.
It could even have stalled or disappeared.
It wasn't impossible.
That's why, as he spoke, Cain felt no remorse (he was far too used to it).
"Yes! From now on, please continue to take care of me, Lord Cain," said Diancie with a smile, deciding not to think any further and simply follow him obediently.
After all, since she had been with him, she had never been mistreated.
(End of chapter)