Brain bloom

It wanted to escape this dimension—but unfortunately, it ran out of fuel and ended up failing as soon as it started.

The launch failed, and countless spiritual radiances and fuel particles wove together to form a curtain of light that resembled the aurora borealis. They swayed precariously, echoing the limp, single wing, creating an incomprehensible yet deeply soul-stirring beauty and tragic grandeur that truly amazed Mori.

If the primordial god hadn't revealed its true nature, Mori would surely have been racking his brains trying to understand how this thing worked and what its purpose was.

"I hope this is the purifying light of the Winged Clouds. There is no more beautiful moment in the world. It is more magnificent than any magic, more soul-stirring than any music or words. It is truly incredible every time I see it."

"My soul seems to be crying out..."

They wiped away their tears, but their heads remained held high, not blinking once, unwilling to leave this veil of light, unwilling to let the lonely, drooping white wing transform into the wind. Their souls, unable to embark on the journey, expressed their primal discontent and sorrow through their most primal instincts.

It's certainly possible to interpret it as being moved to tears by the breathtaking scenery of Yiyun.

"Mori Toki..."

"Ok?"

"...How do you feel now? Your dark soul has been cleansed and become a part of this sacred scenery...From the perspective of a soul in the air, does this body seem insignificant?"

“Ah? Yes… I’m so moved, oh my god, my soul has become so clean.” Mori said as exaggeratedly as possible, “I have become a sacred feather, I feel like a living god.”

"Right? That's the power of folklore. You can't escape the ironclad rule of the seasons." Dandelion seemed to want to strike while the forest was still moved.

"I'm going to enjoy this sacred moment."

"Tsk."

Wing Cloud has progressed to the next stage.

The travelers had to get off and go home because their vehicles ran out of fuel. At first, a feather adorning the tip of a single wing slowly peeled off and drifted toward the earth; its whiteness was unbelievably pure.

Then, more feathers fell, fluttering down to the earth of the Four Seasons.

The oppressive sense of evil in this country has vanished; everything has been purified. Now, the veil of light can no longer hold, and the final glory begins to dim. In its place, countless feathers fall like snowflakes, covering the entire sky with the feathers of the returning souls of the Four Seasons.

"This is where Wing Cloud's story ends," Dandelion said reluctantly.

“Indeed, Dad was right. If I were still fighting against my fate, I would feel content even if I died amidst such scenery, and even feel that I hadn’t lived in vain…” Yuan’s voice was tinged with sorrow as she sighed. “But now, I’m so glad I was saved…”

"The Winged Cloud era is over... This country is about to recover."

Is this the beginning of a recovery?

"Yes, they will fall into the earth, and then a few Spring Rain Cloud Insects will be used to irrigate them for about a week. These feathers will then grow from the earth into Four Seasons Beings..." The dandelion said shyly, "Yes, generally speaking, Four Seasons Beings after reincarnation all grow from the ground..."

It seemed both unacceptable and easily accepted. In short, in a week, Princess Dandelion's people would be revived, right? That was how Yuan understood it. Her gaze swept back and forth among the feathers, trying to find that familiar patch among the countless white feathers.

"Your cursed lady will also be born in this way."

"Really?"

Dandelion smiled and said, "Go buy your father a plant guide. Then you'll be able to identify which one is the Casablanca flower. Anyway, it's only a week. You can come and guard it with the Ancient Demon King."

"How wonderful!" Yuan clapped her hands happily. "Plant a feather, and a week later, you've harvested a big sister! Hahaha, I want to water her myself! Dandelion Princess, please teach me how to care for the four seasons. I always enjoy watching you two water her..."

"Hey, there's a tuition fee. But the techniques passed down through generations of the Kingdom of Flowers are guaranteed to be the best."

"I'll secretly take you to my father's treasure trove!"

"make a deal."

Feathers fell to the ground, and with that, the curtain of light in the sky dissipated. The single wing that longed to embark on a journey disappeared, but perhaps one day it will carry the souls of this world on a long journey.

But not today.

The soul feather of the mimosa fell back into the mimosa. Her body trembled violently, and she stretched with an expression of utter satisfaction, deeply moved.

"My sins are over."

“…Oh, mine is finished too.” Mori Toki shuddered and sighed with a look of enjoyment.

"Strawberry...when did your feathers come back?" Dandelion's eyes were very serious as she glanced at Yuan, but the latter shrugged and said she hadn't seen them.

"So clean you can't see it, that's all." Mori said gently, quickly changing the subject. "With the end of Winged Cloud, has the Kingdom of Flowers been completely revived?"

Dandelion was skeptical, but still obediently answered the question: "Pretty much, then I'll just catch some spring rain cloud insects."

"Is my mission over?"

"..." Dandelion paused for a second, then looked relieved. "Thank you, great hero, you have revived this country. It's strange, this moment should be more solemn and serious... I... I would like to thank you with better words... but I can only say such simple words."

"That's enough."

"Mori, thank you for answering my call. Not anyone else... but my call."

A sense of relief washed over Mori, making him feel truly purified. This journey to restore his kingdom, neither long nor short, had come to an end. The princess of the fallen kingdom was very satisfied with the hero's companionship and the struggle he had undertaken. And then? Mori smiled sincerely. Let's wrap things up for her.

To express their gratitude, the princess and the hero became lovers and stayed together for life.

It's cliché and boring, but nothing is more romantic than that.

No, maybe.

That is, the hero obtained a castle, the princess's country was peaceful and prosperous, and in this precious peace, their souls and bodies were united by love. Then—the princess gave birth to two children for the hero.

Then, the two of them will watch their child grow up little by little, and spend their days leisurely. Sometimes they'll reminisce about the past, sometimes they'll laugh at each other, and in this way, they'll slowly walk to the end of everything.

Yes—this is the ending the hero wanted.

“Yes.” Mori looked at Dandelion with a bright smile. “Let’s give Princess Dandelion something fun to wrap up Wing Cloud.”

"what?"

Mori Toki gently loosened the sash around her waist and smoothly removed her ceremonial robes. Her lavish attire was on full display; the glittering jewels and ostentatious wealth became her fighting force.

In her left hand, she held an open book, which seemed to embody the power of countless stars. This ledger recorded the grievances she had suffered at the hands of the dandelion, but more importantly, it contained countless moments of companionship along the way.

In her right hand appeared a brand-new longbow, adorned with gold, silver, and jewels, its wood taken from the very same tattered gravedigger's heirloom she had initially received. The ultimate bow of debt collection, now ready to unleash an arrow symbolizing love.

"Heh heh, they're really going to fight?"

"Huh? Could it be that the enemy Mori Toki is going to face is... Princess Dandelion?!"

“Yes.” Mori Toki smiled confidently. “It’s time! As we agreed, bring the army we’ve gathered! I have only one request: tie up Princess Dandelion for me, and then… hehe, I’ll plant my seed in her.”

Volume 1 #407 Eavesdropping

With a look of keen interest, Dandelion stared at the magnificent longbow in Morishige's hand. A question arose in Dandelion's mind: When exactly did Morishige acquire this weapon?

As Dandelion knew, Sen Shi had likely broken his terrifying longbow some time ago and replaced it with an equally terrifying slingshot. Dandelion could sense that both of the previous weapons, as well as the object Sen Shi was currently holding, possessed the same power.

A powerful and terrifying force that even dandelions found frightening.

Although she wasn't like Mori, a powerful true god who was proficient in all kinds of memories, Dandelion could still vaguely sense through the aura of magic that this was a targeted weapon, and extremely powerful.

So, this is what she relies on? Dandelion pondered in her heart.

Because this battle was of great importance, even though she was used to a leisurely and free life, she began to seriously gather and cultivate her fighting spirit in her heart.

Wait—they said earlier... a large army?

Is the so-called "army" what Dandelion understands it to be?

"A large army?" Dandelion crossed her arms and, with her usual domineering smile, consulted Yuan, an outsider, "Yuan, what did Sen Shi agree to with you? Did he let you command a large army or something, specifically to deal with me?"

"……Well."

"Don't explain to her, Yuan. Now is the crucial moment to seize victory!" Mori Shi raised the Book of Trillions of Stars high in his hand, as if calling out to something.

"Princess Dandelion, I'm sorry, but I'm about to call upon my army to deal with you."

Although she felt a little uneasy, Dandelion still crossed her arms and didn't even hold the staff, merely pretending to remain calm and composed.

"Since you're going to such lengths to deal with me, I'd like to ask, why? And who agreed to this? Can I consider this a sequel to the War of the Flowers, Mori Toki?"

"Heh heh, anyway, I'm going to plant my seed in you today."

“Princess Dandelion, it’s like this. Mori knew I was qualified to attend Yiyun, and he had already discussed everything with us without your knowledge.” Yuan looked at Dandelion apologetically and explained carefully, “Yiyun is a folk custom that does not allow others to participate, so Mori entrusted me with the task of opening the gate and calling the army.”

"...Is it that amazing?"

"Yes, I took care of this for Mori, gathering a lot of powerful guys from various different factions to deal with you! However, I think this is probably just a way for you two lovers to flirt..."

Just as captivating stories are always filled with conflict, and just as setbacks can inspire growth, it's clear that love requires more than just peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. Of course, to avoid any misunderstanding from Dandelion, a few more words are needed.

"Mori saved me back then, so I'm repaying him for it."

"Scared now? Let me tell you, Yuan, the Ancient Demon King, that Primordial Calamity Dragon, plus the Knights Order established for me by the Holy Coffin Kingdom, my Melia, and some guys from the Demon Realm, have all been won over by my reputation and are willing to come and help me defeat you." Mori Toki suddenly began to boast, his amber eyes flashing with the brilliance of victory.

All of this seemed very strange to Dandelion. A mix of grievance and amusement welled up inside her; she found it truly incomprehensible.

because--

"Why? Do you think it's necessary to gather such a powerful force to deal with a pretty but useless princess like me? Even if you explain it clearly, I still believe you're trying to start a war, betray me, and destroy this country... the coffin bearer."

"Don't you need it? You can reset this world!" Mori shrank back, startled by the cold title behind him.

"Because you still exist in this world, I cannot use you," Dandelion said, spreading her hands.

“...Then...you have the crown left by the Rose Queen, which contains a lot of information. Besides, your own strength is also terrifying. I need help to keep things under control.”

"If that's what you think, then think that way."

“Alright, this stalling tactic should end here.” Mori turned to Yuan and said in a resolute tone, “Yuan, please open the gates and let the army enter.”

"willing."

As Sen finished speaking, and Yuan was about to nod and draw a grand portal with her finger, Dandelion's voice called out to her. This voice from Dandelion was unwavering and urgent, leaving no room for interruption.

"You made a promise with Mori, that's good, I understand your desire to repay your savior's kindness. But have you forgotten something? Forgot something, something extremely important?"

"Uh?"

Dandelion's words, clearly carrying a deeper meaning, temporarily interrupted Yuan's actions. Worried about doing something wrong, she stared blankly at Dandelion with a face full of curiosity. Meanwhile, Mori, standing nearby, sensed that something was amiss.

"You joined Winged Cloud, but who gave you the ticket?" Dandelion said. "While we were still unable to travel to this place, and you were still tormented by the painful curse, searching for a place to end your fate, have you forgotten?"

"The contract between you and me!"

"Yes."

Yuan, looking embarrassed, suddenly remembered something, and Dandelion's apt description awakened her deep-seated memories with every word.

“That day, the wind was strong. You came to my winery, but Sen Shi wasn’t there. I was on the second floor, and you were downstairs… The deal we made gave you a ticket to come here.”

"My...right of use".