Brain bloom

She hurriedly picked up the book, her fair face flushed with embarrassment. Her fingers kept turning the pages, clearly showing her awkwardness. She muttered under her breath, "That lazy bum, why wasn't it written clearly? What am I supposed to do in this situation?"

Mori lowered his voice and said to Dandelion, "Think about it again, Princess. Didn't you say that a devil came to congratulate you on your birthday? She really isn't an enemy, is she?"

“Oh, wait—Ron Stolt?” Upon hearing this name, Dandelion recalled some clues. “It seems there was such a thing as an ancient, inherited artifact, but it’s too old. I’ll have to go back and look it up. Let’s wait for now.”

"...Princess, if they are truly guests, such neglect is hardly appropriate." Mori's heart pounded with fear; what if this angered the devil?

"It's alright. If she's unhappy, just have Mori use an arrow to pierce her up and shoot her into the sun."

Dandelion still harbored resentment; after all, she had indeed fought a life-or-death battle with that ghost ship, and she didn't trust Yuan. Furthermore, with a reliable and powerful figure like Sen Shi here who had blasted the ocean apart with a single arrow, she felt confident.

"No, it's okay... I think we'll clear up the misunderstanding soon." Yuan readily agreed.

Dandelion drifted away contentedly, and it seemed she would be gone for a long time. As dusk approached, the atmosphere between Mori and Yuki became exceptionally awkward.

"The weather's really nice... In that case, well... how about—"

"I swear I'm not the enemy! The devil never lies! Beautiful sister of the Four Seasons, good weather is not a reason for us to fight."

The other party was extremely flustered, but it was clear they were afraid of being misunderstood. It wasn't that they were afraid of Morishige's powerful attacks. Realizing this, Morishige felt relieved; the other party's personality seemed very pure, not as complicated as he had thought.

Perhaps this is what demons are like.

"I just wanted to say that if you want to eat fish, we can go fishing now."

……

……

……

(P.S. Today's update is genuine, as the previous chapter was 3000 words long.)

PS2... I'm asking for your help, but July is the last month for new releases of this book, and it's also the month that will determine its fate. The new release chart is where Moon Raven can put in the last bit of effort—so I'm asking for your votes next month.

Creative ways of asking for votes... cough cough, I'm not very good at that. All I can say is, if you like this book, please give Moon Raven a little support... QAQ

The artist is amazing! I'm currently slacking off, so I can only post a preview of the dandelion illustration to win tickets!

Image: "Preview Version", Location: "Images/001139-60824.jpg"

Volume 1 #081: The Pursuit (Monthly Pass Collection in Progress)

"fishing?"

She asked innocently, her confused eyes blinking occasionally, as if showing off her long eyelashes.

"It's about taking a fishing rod and going fishing in the sea." As she explained, Mori looked at the sea. Having been cut open once, she knew that this was not a shallow area and was quite suitable for fishing.

"But wouldn't it be faster to just catch fish directly from the sea?"

"I just think fishing is a good way to kill time, and there's no need to take shortcuts in everything. Of course, if I don't want to, that's fine too; I can just have my friends catch a few to grill."

"No, no, no... well... I really don't know." She looked embarrassed, and her tone became softer and softer. "Because I grew up in the world of demons, the ecology is completely different from here, and I'm very unfamiliar with this place."

"So, you are human?"

“By bloodline, I am human.” She simply smiled faintly.

"Anything is fine, as long as they're not enemies."

Mori was about to take out his fishing gear and try to catch some fish, hoping to catch something of interest and ask the other person about their affairs, hoping to deduce more clues. But Fuku, who had been sent to be a diver, just happened to surface.

That azure light was as dazzling as ever, probably because it had drunk its fill of seawater.

“The remaining corpses are like jerks (Sister Morishi).”

Fufu flew to Senshi, seemingly carrying something in its mouth, its speech muffled like a girl just learning to speak. It opened its tiny mouth and placed what it had brought in Senshi's hand, then spoke clearly.

“I have investigated, and there are indeed some things that were sunk, all concentrated in the same area.”

"Okay, hard work."

"This...this is?" Yuan looked at Fufu with eyes full of curiosity. "A very pure and flawless soul, just like a baby."

“This is our partner, the Salt Sprite.” Moritoshi curled his index finger and let Fufu land on it. “It’s a really cute little guy.”

"Salt... Could it be a crystallized natural spirit? It's incredible that something like it can actually be born in this world... No wonder it's a Seasonal Being, it actually found and tamed this thing. However, I can't sense any strong combat power."

"It's not for fighting. As for its advantages... it's great for grilling fish."

Senshi jokingly praised Fufu, and to his surprise, the little guy was quite happy and kept flashing.

I hope I don't completely understand why Salt Elf works so well when grilling fish. I fell into deep thought, as if pondering the ultimate questions of the universe.

"Are there many valuable things?" Mori asked Fukufu.

"They were all junk, but there was a big box and a small box, like father and daughter, submerged underwater. I couldn't open them."

As he listened, Mori glanced at what Fukufu had brought back—a gold coin, presumably a very old one, its appearance tattered and worn. Its size was similar to a regular SB coin, but it lacked the letters SB.

"The original gold coins... they look so familiar, well done."

Fu Fu was even happier, and the color emanating from her became even more vibrant: "Hmm, there are dozens of these scattered here and there."

"There are still boxes; it seems worth a trip out of the water... although it will be quite a hassle."

"I still don't understand why Salt Elf works so well when grilling fish?" a timid voice asked, mustering its courage.

The Salt Sprite itself replied, "Because when I rub myself against it, it's like sprinkling salt on it. I'm an essential seasoning."

"...They actually use nature spirits like this?"

"No, it has many other uses. Salt sprites may be the most practical species in the world."

"I remember now!"

Suddenly, Dandelion's voice came from the other side of the house. She was standing by the window, calling out to us.

"Come in. According to that ancient custom, I will temporarily acknowledge you as a guest!"

"Looks like you're actually staying for dinner. Come on." Mori put away the gold coins and stood in front, gesturing for someone to lead the way. "We both have a lot of questions, so let's go inside and talk about it."

She placed her hands on her chest, finally letting out a sigh of relief, and then followed Mori with cheerful little steps.

……

There was no meeting room suitable for formal talks in the cabin, so Morishige and Fukufu stood next to the dandelion and watched the two of them sit facing each other at the small table.

"I heard that the Harvest Priestess named Tu Mi has... vanished?"

"Yes." Dandelion pretended to drink water while closing her eyes to calm her inner turmoil.

"If that's the case, then where did this extra being of the Four Seasons come from?"

"In the fields, it's harvest season." Mori said with a gloomy face, making a joke that might actually be true.

"How easy is it for a plant to grow in all four seasons? Don't be ridiculous! You devil."

Dandelion cursed under her breath. She couldn't stand the other person no matter how she looked at her, and a strange hostility lingered in her heart. Especially when, earlier, she had followed Sen Shi with a smile as they walked towards her house.

Realizing she had made a mistake, she hurriedly lowered her head and said, "I was just trying to make a joke, because the atmosphere... was very awkward."

"The atmosphere is getting worse... Never mind, I'll explain."

With a hint of helplessness, Sen Shi spoke, revealing what she knew: summoned by the magic of fate, Tu Mi had vanished as a result. After all, she had received that precious feather as payment—no, perhaps not that precious, considering there were dozens more hanging from the other's cloak.

"You're a hero from a hundred years ago? How...romantic! No wonder you were so powerful!"

"I'm not a hero, and I'm not really that strong either."

Then, Dandelion took the initiative to speak, interrupting their inexplicably harmonious conversation, and explained their current situation.

“According to ancient etiquette, I am frank with you. Mori and I will restore the Kingdom of Flowers, and she is the true hero I have summoned.”

“I see. In fact, Dad also told me that you have never given up on this matter. Please rest assured, I am not your enemy.”

"That's good. Now that you've finished asking your questions, please go home after dinner," Dandelion said with a smirk.

Hope shook her head, her face becoming extremely serious—"There's one more crucial question, which is also why I've come to find the Four Seasons. When will Wing Cloud appear?"

“That is the most important part of the restoration of the kingdom... and it is also my duty. But I'm sorry to disappoint you, the day of the sacrifice is still far away. Please go back. This great tradition will never allow anyone other than the Four Seasons to participate.”

"How much longer? What price do I have to pay to participate?" He was exceptionally persistent.

"For a very, very long time, it will not be allowed under any circumstances."

"I want to see..."

"Can I ask why you want to see it?" Sen Shi joined the conversation at the right time. She was more curious about why the other party was so persistent than what Yi Yun was.

"At that time, the Winged Cloud will spread its wings across the entire sky—it is said that the Winged Cloud is the most beautiful sight in the world," she said wistfully, her eyes misty.

"Yes," Dandelion said with deep sorrow, "it is a sight that is unparalleled in the world."

"Perhaps that is the dawn sky I've been searching for... I'm looking for the most suitable place to be my final resting place, and perhaps the Four Seasons can give me the answer."

……

(According to a rumor spread by a certain literary bird author, there is a very effective legend in the world of Happy Books. For every monthly ticket you cast for "Brain Blossoms" and make a wish at the same time, it may come true.)

Moon Crow threw two votes at "Head Blossoms" and wished, "I will receive many monthly votes and many lovely readers," and unexpectedly, it actually came true! How effective!

Volume 1 #082 - Third Time (Monthly passes still being collected)

"Whose burial place is it?" Dandelion muttered, staring intently at Yuan's face.

"mine."

"So you're looking for death? Saying it's under the dawn sky, that's not romantic at all," Mori said softly, adding a remark that sounded almost wistful, "Death is painful, don't make it sound so easy."

"Judging from your tone, it seems you've experienced death?" Yuan played with the ring on her finger, her gaze full of interest.

"Yes," Mori nodded; that was true.

In Dandelion's eyes, she was a great hero from over a hundred years ago, who was given a second life by the magic of fate, so no one questioned her, and the same goes for Yuan.

"Unfortunately, I can't have a second life like you. Thank you for your advice, but this is my unavoidable fate. If I could live, who would choose to die? Alright, let's not talk about this anymore—"

Her lowered gaze silenced Mori and Dandelion, denying them a proper opportunity to ask questions. Then, she raised her eyes again.

"I want to make a devil's deal with you two."

It doesn't sound like anything good... Mori thought. Dandelion thought so too, and immediately stood up, waving her hand in refusal as if wiping a window.