Brain bloom

Fu Fu hesitated for a second, but decided to obey the order and fly away. Although Fu Fu didn't know where Sen Shi had gone, she was fast enough that she could identify him by the scent of the Four Seasons after just one trip around Silvermoon City.

Dandelion, who remained at the winery, knew she was facing a tough battle.

"Listen up!" Suddenly, a rough, metallic voice rang out, "I want something. If you give it to me, I'll leave immediately."

Dandelion looked out and saw that the Love and Peace had already docked. The skeleton sailors seemed restless and wanted to plunder it. As for the one speaking, it seemed to be a pirate ghost with very low transparency.

The pirate ghost stood arrogantly on high, catching Dandelion's eye.

"I am First Mate Iron Hammer, and everyone should respect me, including you, young lady! I want something from you!"

"What?" Dandelion asked in response.

"One leg!"

"……leg?"

Dandelion was surprised; she hadn't expected the other party to come for this. Indeed, this place contained many relics from the Kingdom of Flowers, so it was normal for it to attract ghost ships to plunder it... but the Kingdom of Flowers didn't have any treasures shaped like legs.

No, she suddenly thought of something.

Before Mori left, he left behind a lot of ham! Yes! It looked so delicious, and it was right there at the door! It was all made from the hind legs of the finest wild boar, and you could tell the craftsmanship was superb.

Come to think of it, that thing doesn't seem to be food? But this doubt was quickly dispelled, after all, it was the people from the ghost ship who wanted those hams, and who knows, they might just have a taste for them...

Although Dandelion thought it was unlikely, after searching the entire winery, this was the only thing that matched the description of legs. Otherwise? Surely it couldn't be her own two legs, could it? That would be absurd.

"First Mate Iron Hammer, right? You wait here, I'll get it for you right away."

"Okay, I'm very patient."

After First Mate Iron Hammer finished speaking, he shouted at the deck again, which frightened the skeleton sailors dressed in their armor. They stopped their frenzied looting and obediently waited for the other party to offer up the tribute.

Dandelion picked up two Senshi-made hams, specifically choosing the ones with more meat. She carried one ham on her shoulder and dragged the other along the ground.

As she approached the imposing Love and Peace, being stared at by dozens of pupil-less eyes was hardly a pleasant experience. About thirty meters from the small dock, Dandelion finally couldn't resist stopping and raising the ham in her hand.

"Here you go, take the leg you wanted and leave."

"Uh..." First Mate Hammer was somewhat surprised, his fierce gaze lowered, clearly observing the ham. "So, you want me to chop it myself? How brave."

"You mean you want me to help you cut it?" Dandelion also found it strange.

“Of course.” First mate Iron Hammer was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “We belong to the devil’s command and would never do anything to break the deal. I will only take your legs and will not do anything else bad. You can rest assured that you don’t need to give me the person as well, I am not worthy of it.”

Dandelion looked down at the two hams and thought the other person was really picky, even going so far as to cut off the bones.

……

(P.S. The yuri theme is still in the works, don't worry, the princess will be won over eventually... it takes time.)

Volume 1 #075 - I've Been Provoked

Left with no other choice, she nodded in agreement.

“Okay, I’ll chop it for you…” Dandelion looked at the ham in her hand, then realized she didn’t have a blade with her, so she suggested, “I’ll go back and get a kitchen knife. Do you mind waiting for me for a bit?”

"A knife? Ha, you mean a kitchen knife? Don't insult that leg! I'll lend it to you." First Mate Iron Hammer was a little angry.

"They're really particular... they even brought their own knife."

Dandelion clicked her tongue and silently nodded in acceptance. First Mate Iron Hammer stroked his beard, reached behind him, and urged his men on with a bold and expectant voice.

"Bring me the knife—not one of those rusty junks you have, I need a clean one."

Most of the skeleton sailors tilted their heads, silently expressing their confusion. Only a few skeletons who still retained some rationality understood the order and returned to the cabin to carry it out.

Retrieving the knife was a long process, the air thick with silence and tension.

The dandelion was uneasy and could only wait silently, calling out the name of the hero in her heart, hoping that this time, she could also return as soon as possible to protect this last remaining piece of land in the Kingdom of Flowers...

She hoped the matter could be resolved peacefully, but the other party's attitude was very strange.

The ghost ship's intimidating presence was unshakeable, even calming the waves. And this group of creatures specifically coming to ask for ham—this inexplicable act could very well be just a pretext for war. Were they summoned by the Peda Empire? Perhaps…

"I'm in trouble," the dandelion thought.

This ghost ship is very, very strange. The first mate, Iron Hammer, who boasts of his strength here, is quite powerful. His eyes are constantly watching the lower half of the dandelion, making every hair on the dandelion as alert as a needle.

But what's even more terrifying is that First Mate Iron Hammer was only the third most powerful on the ghost ship.

There was also a powerful and brutal aura of death lurking within, perhaps the captain of the ghost ship? After all, First Mate Iron Hammer called himself First Mate.

But what truly puts Dandelion on its guard is another.

The aura was hidden, yet it peered outwards, its gaze covering the entire island, as if searching for something.

The aura emanating from this creature could not be adequately described as "powerful," nor even "terrifying." The closer she got, the more powerless Dandelion felt. She gave up trying to figure out how to defeat this enemy, because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't win.

If a fight breaks out, try to stall for time.

Just then, the skeleton returned.

He held an extravagant longsword inlaid with jewels and gold. It looked brand new, so beautiful that one hesitated to use it.

First Mate Iron Hammer caught the knife, and tossed it away with great satisfaction—

The knife flew straight in and landed heavily at the foot of the dandelion, making the latter's heart tighten.

"Let's get started," First Mate Ironhammer declared arrogantly.

She silently picked up the knife, trying her best to calm herself down.

"How do you want it chopped? Cut it in half, remove the bones, and just leave the meat? Or slice it thinly? Or dice it?"

In order to answer the question, First Officer Hammer moved his body, took a step onto the protective plate, and exposed his prosthetic leg.

"Anything that can be placed on it will do. Although it won't match the overall look, it will definitely bring me more and more wealth. After all, I heard its call!" His eyes were full of madness, and his face had a lewd smile.

This made Dandelion burst out laughing, but she immediately covered her mouth and tried to suppress it, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"You want to... haha, stuff a pig's leg into your food?" she couldn't help but say.

First Mate Hammer looked puzzled: "What pig leg? Aren't you human? Or... is this some kind of joke?"

“Isn’t this just a pig’s leg? A wild boar’s. Weren’t you going to use it to put on your feet?” She pointed at the ham on the ground with her knife. “I get it. You were planning to eat it when you were starving, right? Okay, forgive me, I didn’t mean to mock you.”

"Huh? Get lost! I want your legs! The ones with the black stockings!"

He was stunned at first, then roared angrily, his voice so powerful it seemed to stir up waves, his face turning red.

"I knew it! Why were you being so obedient! So... so you were insulting me... I thought you were some kind of sensible enemy, this is the first time I've been insulted like this! Pig leg? Damn it, I'm going to kill you—kill you!"

"...Aren't you supposed to be a tough pirate? Why would you want my leg, a girl's leg? It's ridiculous!" Dandelion retorted, sounding aggrieved.

First Mate Iron Hammer didn't reply, enraged beyond measure by such an insult from a pig's leg. He writhed wildly, seemingly devoid of any reason.

"Time to loot, lads!"

This statement acted as a signal, igniting the atmosphere on the ghost ship.

Dozens of skeletons kept rising, and more skeletons fell from the black mist surrounding the ghost ship and slowly crawled up.

The skeletons had no vocal cords, but they still raised their pirate scimitars, driven by a frenzied restlessness.

"Kill her! Take everything! Burn the entire manor down!"

They heard their favorite command and rushed off the boat, running as if they had been violently slammed ashore by the waves.

They are lifeless, fearless of death, and their rusted scimitars have devoured countless enemies.

Even with only bones remaining, the hand is now hoping to bring back countless treasures.

"...How come there are so many?"

Faced with the endless stream of skeleton pirates, Dandelion, all alone, felt a chill run down her spine, and her heart was frozen by fear.

But her fighting instincts remained, and she was equally furious.

Someone else is going to trample on her land again...

"You are the ones who will die."

The first thing she did was to lift the two heavy pig legs with plant vines and smash them against the ghost ship. Unfortunately, it was useless. Even though the hams released a powerful poisonous mist, it had no effect on these dead creatures, only smashing two skeletons.

Next—"Wild Rose Whip".

Fueled by anger, she channeled her spiritual energy, swung her staff, and instantly unleashed this intermediate-level nature magic.

And more than once.

Suddenly, several vines, each about three meters tall, emerged from the soil. Covered in sharp barbs, they twisted like octopus tentacles, protecting the dandelion.

Each time the Wild Rose Whip is swung, it hits the skeleton pirate in front, stopping its attack.

Some skeletons even had their skulls blown off or their ribs shattered. The magic was far more powerful than usual, and Dandelion knew it was due to the effect of her robes.

She firmly believed that everything would be resolved once she returned.

However, relying solely on a few Wild Rose Whips to buy time is not enough, as more skeletons are lurking behind. Even First Mate Ironhammer has somehow picked up his massive two-handed warhammer, ready to join the battle.

He was really angered.

Dandelion gritted her teeth and decided to protect the winery at all costs.

"By the covenant of June's roots, come forth against the wind, Ring of the Rose Vow." Her cool voice drifted like a gentle breeze.

Volume 1 #076: This was a mistake...

A shimmering light of spiritual energy appeared out of thin air, and a pale green thorn seemed to respond to the dandelion's words.

It wrapped itself around the index finger of my right hand, like a ring, before finally blooming into a tiny golden rose. Like a jewel, elegant and beautiful.

Today, the Rose Vow Ring, one of the three ancient sacred objects that the Land of Flowers is so proud of, has been appropriated by the dandelion.

She was reluctant to use it, because it would prick her fingers and make her feel dizzy and intoxicated afterward. But now, the moment had come; she needed this ring to win.

When the Four Seasons wear it, they will receive the blessing of the first queen of the Kingdom of Flowers.

A gentle power welled up, making the dandelion's gaze as firm as iron.

The Wild Rose Whip protecting her had been cut down by a large number of skeletons. Although they were all mindless undead, the commander behind them, First Mate Iron Hammer, controlled them with precise commands.

With shouts blaring, the skeleton pirates were poised to break through the defenses and slash at the dandelion.