Brain bloom

"We won't sell our souls to you, don't even think about it. We may lack many things, but why would we be so foolish as to try and buy them from the devil?"

"Hmm, why does everyone hate making deals with the devil?"

"Isn't it because people are afraid that their souls will be enslaved by you forever after death? The wealth and honor of a short life is nothing compared to that kind of suffering." Dandelion spoke of the Holy Coffin Kingdom's insights, which was common knowledge known throughout the world.

Yuan smirked, a little dejected: "Maybe other devils do this, but this deal doesn't involve souls. I don't want your souls."

"Tell me about it." Mori gave her a chance, since listening wouldn't hurt her.

Yuan spoke swiftly, outlining the terms of the deal: "I want the right to participate in Winged Cloud! I can just watch from the sidelines and won't bother you. In return, I will help you revive the Kingdom of Flowers—though I don't know how you plan to raise the people of the country... but I can help you deal with your enemies."

Dandelion showed a slight interest: "How do you plan to help? Will you just join us?"

“If I could, I would like to join you directly…” Yuan said with some worry, “but I can only promise to give you three usage rights.”

"What do you mean? Usage rights?"

Mori was also puzzled, unable to figure out the meaning of the deal: "Does it mean you will provide us with some kind of weapon? But we can't use it much?"

“That’s right, just use me as a weapon. I’m very strong. Whether it’s evaporating Mount Edland of the Peda Empire or erasing the capital of the Holy Coffin Kingdom from the world, I can do it… though only three times.”

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Mori was secretly astonished by the power the other party described. He knew that the power displayed in "The Silent World" wasn't exaggerated. Even the final boss relied on a large army to conquer the world, and the highest level of individual power was indeed about the same as what Yuan had said.

Even Mori himself, after cutting through the ocean once, felt invincible and unmatched—but this devilish lady in front of him was describing a power far surpassing her own.

"Are you serious about what you're saying?" Dandelion squinted. "This is on par with the Tu Mi."

"Seriously, the devil never lies."

"Damn it, can't we have a few more tries? Maybe I'd just close the deal with you! Think about it again? How about one more time?"

"I'm sorry, I can't do it any more." She drawled, her voice soft and melancholic. "My remaining life force can only support me in three more all-out battles. I've given it my all... I hope you can accept it."

"I see... We'll have to think about it."

"Thank you."

A hint of sympathy appeared in Dandelion's eyes. She had to admit that Yuan's words were very persuasive.

Mori looked at Yuan, wondering what that slender body, with shoulders that seemed so fragile they could be crushed with a single hand, was carrying. She was willing to give everything to find a beautiful view, and then pass away.

She shook her head, thinking that if the other person was willing to talk, there would always be a chance to find out.

"Let's have dinner first, and put these unpleasant topics aside for now..." Mori stood in the middle, trying to ease the atmosphere. "Fukufuku, could you please go to the river and catch a fish?"

"Okay." Fufu flew off excitedly.

He would immediately ask, "How much should I pay for the meal?"

"The devil is such a nuisance, always insisting on equal exchanges. You're a guest, you don't need to pay." Dandelion waved her hand and asked again, "Want some wine? The non-poisonous kind."

……

Afterwards, Chef Dandelion went into the kitchen to cook a proper meal, while Mori was also busy outside, washing some vegetables, all grown in their own fields.

As for the guest, he sat down uninvited next to Mori, seemingly quite interested in the leaves on her head.

"What kind of plant is this? The leaf patterns are very beautiful."

“Strawberry… also known as Mori-toki. We, the noble Four Seasons People, are all named after flowers,” Mori-toki explained without changing her expression.

"Is Nasen the strongest archer in the history of the Four Seasons? That arrow was terrifying, I almost thought I was going to die."

"No, I think you're more terrifying."

"Hehe, I'm very strong." She smiled and asked, "By the way, unlike the Dandelion Princess, your head didn't bloom, but you deliberately grew a few leaves... I understand, it's to measure the wind direction when shooting arrows!"

“…Hmm, it’s deliberately long.” Mori thought this was a very appropriate and reasonable explanation. “After all, I’m an archer, and measuring wind direction…is very important. Yes, that’s it.”

"Ah, no wonder Mori Toki has leaves on her head!"

Even the dandelion in the kitchen poked its head out, clutching a kitchen knife stained with fish blood.

"However, little sister Mori, why didn't you explain things clearly to me when we were chatting?"

"This……"

Dandelion's gaze grew colder and colder: "I thought you were a magician, or a master who had specialized in magic... I never expected you to be an archer. Speaking of which, your sewing skills for me were quite skillful. Just how many things are you hiding from me?"

"Uh……"

She quietly hid out of their sight, biting her little finger and watching the show.

Such a scene had never existed in her world, but there were some in Tokay Apple's book—yes, it was called a romantic comedy, wasn't it? She liked it very much.

“I didn’t deliberately hide it from you,” Mori said slowly.

"Why is that? Explain yourself, or you won't get dinner."

Mori raised his face and looked at his princess with warm eyes:

“If I weren’t a mage, I wouldn’t be able to soothe your pain with healing spells. But this enemy is too strong, and I can’t protect you without this bow.”

"Tsk, here we go again! Sweet talk! Do you think I'd fall for your sweet talk?" She squinted and snorted several times.

"That's true, but now that the enemy has been driven away, I've become a mage again... So, if the princess cuts her hand while cooking, just call my name, and I'll use a healing spell to help you."

"Hmph, look at your clever little mouth." Although she said that, Dandelion couldn't help but smile, happily playing with the kitchen knife, leaving behind the words "liar" before disappearing back into the kitchen.

A few seconds later—"Mori, I cut my hand."

……

(P.S. Thank you all for your support! Using monthly votes to tie up Moon Raven and throw it into the new book chart feels like New Year's! This is the happiest I've ever been in all my years of writing. O(∩_∩)O)

Volume 1 #083 Dinner Time

The dinner made with dandelion wasn't particularly delicious; it was just a stew of vegetables and fruits. There were fried fish fillets with sauce, and pies made with some kind of meat and flour. It was a fairly ordinary sweet Western meal, but the wine was, as always, excellent.

This meal was entirely made on-site at the estate, and its flavor had a simple, wonderful quality.

Each of the three received a portion, but strangely, there was a small cup of water in front of Dandelion and Senshi.

Sen Shi originally intended to drink it, but then he saw Dandelion lift up, pour it over Dandelion with a splash, and then stretch comfortably. Only then did he understand what it was for.

So she suppressed her shyness and pretended to be experienced, raising the glass and pouring it over her head. The comfortable feeling revitalized her body and even stimulated her appetite.

During the meal, they didn't get to ask her many questions, mostly just praising the delicious food and asking curious inquiries. Through these details, she gained a better understanding of the world.

From her few words, Mori could sense a romantic sentiment she held towards the world. As she drank, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of life path Yu had taken to be adopted by the so-called ancient demon king, and now to be searching for her final resting place.

How was the fate she carried written?

But whenever the topic started to develop, she would either lower her head and avoid it, or Dandelion would try to talk to her about something else. She could never seize the opportunity, and this question gradually faded from Morishi's mind.

Dinner ended quickly. Hope's portion was only half eaten, while the other part remained untouched, sitting cleanly to the side.

"I didn't realize you had such a small appetite?" Dandelion asked. "Or is it that my cooking wasn't very good?"

Mori casually joined the conversation, even insincerely praising the princess: "I think it's delicious—at least much better than the watermelon we had yesterday."

“No, it’s delicious,” Yuan asked earnestly. “But I’d like to take the rest back with me, is that alright? Because this kind of deliciousness doesn’t exist in the world I live in…”

Looking at this frugal devil girl, Mori couldn't help but wonder what kind of remote and impoverished place the devil lived in.

It is a powerful being capable of erasing cities and directly altering maps. Yet, its current behavior resembles that of a stray cat mother who has finally managed to beg for food and is trying to take it back to feed her kittens…

"Whatever you want." Dandelion nodded. "But if you go back, will you come back? We have to give you an answer to the deal you proposed before, whether it was good or bad."

“I will come back, but it’s already night. I don’t really like the magic that the Four Seasons have scattered all over the world; there are always annoying ghosts appearing at night. So I have to go back early and come back tomorrow morning to hear your answer... Is that alright?”

"You've got it wrong. I have no idea what ghosts at night are all about."

Dandelion feigned innocence, while Mori silently collected the plates, indicating that it had nothing to do with her.

A complex, bitter smile appeared on Yuan's face. She didn't reply, seemingly aware that both sides understood the situation. She packed the remaining food into a small box and then asked:

“I see some beautiful grapevines. This must be the winery mentioned in the novel. Can I buy a bottle to take home? It’s from Four Seasons Winery. Dad will like it.”

"No problem, I'll give you a bottle as a token of respect to that ancient demon king."

She stood up, ready to reach for it—but her steps were unsteady. She tried several times, but Dandelion stumbled and almost fell.

"What's wrong?" Mori immediately supported her thin shoulders and teased, "Did you bleed too much when you deliberately cut your finger?"

"No, it's not... Waaah, the aftereffects of the Rose Vow Ring... I didn't expect it to take effect along with the alcohol." Dandelion's face turned even paler, her eyes glazed over, and she leaned her weight against Mori, letting out a soft moan in her arms. "I'm a little dizzy, I think... I want to rest for a while."

"I'll take you to the bedroom." Mori's frivolous smile vanished.

After a moment's thought, she gritted her teeth and picked up Dandelion—to be honest, picking up a girl is not an easy thing.

The things described in the book, like girls being as light as feathers, are all nonsense and jokes. Besides, Mori herself is a girl of similar petite stature.

Sen Shi used all her strength, drawing upon the power gained from leveling up several times, to carry her princess in the gentlest possible way. After a few steps, she gave up on carrying Dandelion to the second-floor bedroom and instead carried her to the sofa in the living room—it was closer after all.

"Let me help," Yuan said.

"No, it's alright, how could I let a guest help with these things?"

"Thank you for your help... Mori Toki." Dandelion managed to squeeze out a voice, her hazy eyes revealing gratitude.

"It's okay, you're as light as a feather anyway."

After finally settling the dandelion in place, Sen quietly cast a healing spell on his arm before he had the energy to check on the dandelion's condition.

She habitually touched her forehead—she didn't have a fever. She used a healing spell on the dandelion, but it didn't work.

Something's strange. Moritoki could feel the chaotic flow of spiritual energy emanating from her forehead, as if a vortex was churning within it. For some reason, Moritoki thought of a rubber band that had been forcibly stretched taut, only to become loose and then curl up again after being released.

The Rose Vow Ring seems quite worthy of study.

"Sen Shi, I'm fine. I'll be alright after a short nap." Dandelion's voice was weak, but she still had a smile on her face. "The wine for the guests is in our backyard, under the snow-cut grass... no, under that patch of pansies. Just dig it up."

"Okay, don't worry about that."

Mori beckoned to the door, and Fufu, who was inspecting the grapevines, immediately flew back to look after the dandelions for the time being. After giving these instructions, Mori went to the backyard.

Perhaps it was her innate racial instincts as a Four Seasons race that made her spot the pansies at a glance.

After using wind blade magic to break through the soil bit by bit, there really was a bottle of wine lying inside.

It's a bottle of red wine with a very beautiful label. It features a yellow dandelion flower and the words "Four Seasons Winery" in cursive script, along with the grape variety and alcohol content.

Although Mori was curious as to why there was a red checkmark in the least noticeable place on the label, since Dandelion had said she would entrust it to someone, she had to do it properly. She took the wine and handed it to Yuan.