Brain bloom

"morning."

Mori was wearing a nightgown and looked exhausted. Her hair was tangled with the lush foliage, and if a bird happened to be passing by, it would surely land there for a good nap.

"You don't have to acknowledge me as your father, really." She wiped the drool off her mouth and sighed helplessly.

"But it's the truth, don't struggle with it anymore—let's not talk about this anymore. I'm watching dandelions grow grapes, while I'm worrying about my dad."

"For me?"

Mori tugged at the strap of her nightgown, which was about to fall off, and looked outside. Makoto was observing the grafted grapevines with a strange gaze.

Sen Shi clearly remembers that when this branch was brought to him, it was as still as death. Now, however, it is full of vitality and seems ready to sprout new buds at any moment.

In Yuan's view, would she yearn for the same fate to befall her? Could she escape death?

"Dad, the people from the Holy Coffin Kingdom are here. Why don't you stop spacing out?"

"...What?!" Mori Toki shuddered, no longer sleepy.

"We'll probably be there soon. I just asked directly, what trump cards do the Four Seasons have to fight against us? If not, I'm not confident I can protect you. It's okay, there's nothing to be ashamed of. I can take you all with me..."

She wasn't panicked. Although a direct confrontation might not guarantee victory, a valiant escape was still quite easy.

But Senshi didn't think so.

"How fast is 'very fast'?"

"The sighting report a few minutes ago was from a civilian port. I don't know how far it is from here, but it wouldn't be much slower to walk."

Having seen the map many times, Mori still had some recollection of it and immediately estimated the time required to travel this distance. This was troublesome. Hopefully, he could survive for at least three more months, but if Shiki-zhe didn't handle this situation well, he might not live to eat dinner.

She made up her mind and rushed back to her room. In three minutes, she gathered all the gold coins and stamina potions she had, and made all the necessary preparations.

This time, we absolutely cannot escape.

The true God will not flee from His believers... and must be stopped as soon as possible.

If the other party met with Dandelion and told her the truth, Mori couldn't even imagine what would happen. Just how far would her own dark princess go in her revenge? The mere thought filled her with dread.

Therefore, from now on, we cannot afford to make a single mistake...

Considering that the Time Sprite was also a rather stylish item, she put on her newly acquired pocket watch. In her other hand, she held the Sea God's Gift - Fortune Edition.

On his way downstairs, Mori's consciousness was immersed in the depths of his spirit, searching for the state a true god should be in. To subdue the overwhelming enemy, he had to display absolute holiness.

“…Dad?” When Melia saw Mori coming downstairs, she felt that he looked strange and had an unapproachable air about him.

“I have my trump card. I’ll talk to them myself. Don’t tell Dandelion about this, and don’t worry about me.” She greeted Melia with a kind smile.

“I’ll be with you,” Melia said firmly.

“No need. These are trivial matters for us Four Seasons People. I can handle them myself. Melia, perhaps you and I share the same soul, and you are willing to regard me as family... but that is not a reason for me to hide behind you and let you face the enemy. Besides, I am not that kind of weakling.”

"Can……"

"I will return victorious soon, and I am absolutely certain of it. When that time comes, please give me a triumphant hug... For that, please stay."

Morishi acted as if he were a true warrior who had never been defeated in any battle.

Melia thought about it for a long time before finally nodding in agreement.

Mori felt relieved; the most difficult problem was finally solved. She then quietly dealt with everything on her own. She put away her staff and hurried towards Silvermoon City.

The sunlight illuminated the road ahead perfectly; this was the only road leading from the winery to Silvermoon City.

Therefore, the group of believers who came to punish him would surely appear on this road. Mori told himself that he was not going to fight, nor was he going to negotiate.

Instead, forgive them—forgive these believers who want to attack the true God.

"Senshi? You're awake? What are you going to do so fast?" Dandelion was overjoyed and immediately stopped what she was doing, looking at Senshi with Yuan.

Mori gave a confident and reliable smile: "I'll go buy some groceries."

In order for peaceful daily life to continue, she must bear all of this alone until she has atoned. Until the kingdom of flowers is rebuilt for Dandelion, this secret must remain hidden deep within… Only then can she reveal the truth.

Volume 1, Chapter 181: Confirming Faith

Today, the forest is even more enchanting than ever before, making dandelions flutter like deer.

Even when Sen silently stayed by her side, she was already a light in the darkness for Dandelion. She never spoke much, but her words were more powerful than a thousand.

Today was no different. Sen Shi suddenly appeared, said something casually, and her gentle smile revealed a sincerity. It was as if she was telling Dandelion—she would never leave Dandelion.

Watching her retreating figure as she went to buy groceries, the dandelion and its leaves seemed to radiate fresh vitality. I'll cook her a nice meal later. After all, she's someone I like; there's no need to hide my feelings.

"Buying groceries?" Yuan found it strange.

"Maybe it's because I suddenly have a craving for something, like strawberry cake or something."

Yuan's expression suddenly changed: "...Cannibalism? Those who eat their own kind are truly terrifying."

She seemed to take it seriously, so Dandelion quickly waved her hand with a smile: "It's just a joke unique to those who live through all four seasons, don't take it seriously. Although we eat other plants, we don't eat the kind of plants on our heads."

Yuan let out an "Oh" and suddenly looked up at the sky. She vaguely saw a graceful figure streak across the air. It seemed to be her close friend Melia, but Yuan didn't think much of it; it was normal for a daughter to follow her father out.

Although she still couldn't quite grasp the reality of this strange blood relationship... the generations, the genders, everything was too confusing, she'd have to ask her properly later.

After finishing the grape planting, Dandelion took out her staff and used intermediate-level nature magic to plant a circle of thorny plants around the tree spirit to create a fence.

She was full of praise because the staff that Mori had treated was ridiculously effective.

Each of these plants has thorns as sharp as needles, and a faint poisonous mist hangs over the surrounding area. This easily deters grape thieves and also prevents the tree spirit from sneaking away.

After finishing these tasks, Dandelion hummed a song, caught some innocent earthworms from the field, and returned to the wooden house with Yuan.

After tidying up her fishing gear, she happily went fishing with Yuan at the small pier, hoping to cook a big meal for Senshi that evening. There was a secluded fishing spot there where you could catch some strange and ferocious sea fish. Although they were dangerous and highly poisonous, the taste was top-notch.

The two of them, each with a set of fishing gear, forgot all their worries and went out together during their free afternoon.

Dandelion had no recollection of any danger; Melia would handle it for them anyway. Besides, Morishita was even able to go out to buy groceries, so her leisurely demeanor suggested she was well-prepared. As a princess, she would simply wait quietly and focus on rewarding Morishita.

They chatted for a while—then they both stopped.

"Um……"

"Well……"

"Princess Dandelion, is that a boat?"

"Yes, it looks like a ship."

They gazed at the sea.

"Were there a lot of people running off the ship? I doubt I'm seeing things. These people disgust me; they have an aura of holiness and fanatical religious devotion... They are enemies of the devil."

"Uh...from the Holy Coffin Kingdom."

At the small dock, a large, gleaming ship was moored. Even without seeing the fluttering blood-red "SB" flag, Dandelion knew perfectly well that this was the official ship of the Holy Coffin Kingdom. It was extremely expensive to build, and only high-ranking officials of the country could afford to sail on it.

Why... would it stop at the winery's small dock?

At this very moment—the crew members of the government vessel were disembarking quickly and in an orderly fashion. The first thing they did upon landing was to adjust their weapons, each maintaining a cold yet fervent expression.

B, who was the first to disembark, was still disheveled and smeared holy water on the divinely bestowed blade.

At the same time, he also said to the people around him—

“Traveling by land is too slow, and we have to go through Silvermoon City, which would be too conspicuous for our group. Fortunately, the Four Seasons Manor is by the sea, so we can sail directly here… Slicer of Melons, the information you provided is excellent.”

"This is a sacred place, please remain silent."

The melon cutter was unimpressed; he simply wrote sacred letters on his chest near his heart to prove his piety.

"This is the place where we witnessed miracles, and where our glorious blood still remains."

His piety made B uneasy again. Although he instructed everyone to line up, he hesitated whether he should enter a state of combat readiness.

If... it really is the true God they believe in, then raising the sword would be blasphemy, but her rational mind leans towards the idea that it's a hoax...

Therefore, she didn't relay what the melon-slayer had said directly to the rest of the expedition team. That would cause a huge uproar and could potentially create problems she couldn't control. So, she should make her own judgment based on her own observations.

"Where is that person you mentioned—the one who lives through the four seasons?" she asked hurriedly.

"I think it is in the abode of the gods, with its approachable appearance, that we are peacefully waiting for our pilgrimage to come to an end."

"Alright, everyone be quiet and wait where you are—but don't let your guard down."

B turned around and, as the team leader, issued orders to everyone. No one objected; although they belonged to different departments, their beliefs were the same. They spontaneously formed a defensive formation, the process flowing naturally like water, yet their defense was as unshakeable as a mountain.

The dandelion, who was secretly observing, was stunned: "Why?"

“…They’ve come to punish you, haven’t they?” Yuan said.

"Uh, Mori... Mori isn't here. This is troublesome."

"If necessary, exercise my right to use it."

Using the keen eye he learned from his father, he tried his best to observe the strength of this group. Unlike Mori, whose depths were unfathomable and impossible to discern, he could roughly estimate the strength of this group.

"It's a bit troublesome. It will probably take two uses to get them all back."

"We can't waste this time, let's escape first—oh no, we've made eye contact!"

Even though they hurriedly hid behind the bushes, their observation was still too obvious. Given the strength of these enemies, they eventually discovered their presence, and Dandelion and B's eyes met…

B's boots left deep marks on the ground, and in an instant, he rushed towards the dandelions.

“Four Seasons! I see you!” Her voice was filled with surprise and unease.

"How could this be!?"

"That's too careless! Dandelions are plants that grow on the ground! How could they possibly float in a place without soil? Don't underestimate my eyesight."

"...Damn it, I forgot to wear my hat."

This troublesome enemy had pushed aside the dandelion and the bushes where Yuan was hiding. She looked down at the two of them, holding a strange sword that sent chills down Yuan's spine, but the sword just hung on the ground, letting the pure holy water she had just applied drip slowly.

She could have used a slash instead of words, striking them both and the bushes in one blow.

But she hesitated, unsure of what troubled her. She would occasionally look behind her, and then observe the dandelion with a strange look in her eyes.

“I know you. You are the only survivor of the Four Seasons in the War of the Flowers.”

“I know you too, the guardian of the Blade of Chaos… So, what are you here for? To eat? Or to retrieve the sacred remains? Forgive my bluntness, but we are not thieves.” Dandelion did not yield, her words remaining sharp.

B said, "I'm here to find someone—no, to confirm my faith."