The Book Of Flowers

Cadences

-- A few moments after ---

"And in this way, it's done"

"thank you. Everything is official, right?"

"That's it, prince. The Royal Cap can do anything, you know?"

Cap shaped Hortensia flowers are deliberately made big like a trophy. When the bottom has touched the red ink and then attached to a paper, no one will be able to resist the power, not even the king

"Really, prince. You were amazing just now. Your intelligence is vast and brilliant. Even when I'm your age, I won't be able to possibly be on par with your mind!"

This guy's praise made me a little amused and disgusted. Especially since I knew very well that he was looking for face

"In that case, we'll excuse the Lord of Wales. We have to prepare now for departure"

"Oh, then please. I hope you're lucky and just end it all by negotiating"

I doubt negotiations will work

We said goodbye to the man, then went out to return to Thyme castle

...

"I'm surprised this is all we do..."

"To be honest, I did too. I thought Rosalia's brother was the one who wouldn't budge, but her actions were..."

"You forced him to budge, Verdea. Rosalia must be throwing her stuff out of annoyance right now"

Based on what Artorius has written for some time, Rosalia has been doing it since we returned

It doesn't seem like a new thing either...

Oh?

Verdea stopped walking. It was because Artorius was standing before us now

We approached him, and the closer we got to him, the more his face became visibly upset

"Why, dad? Any problems with Rosalia's sister?"

He looks lethargic. There must be something

"... He kicked me out in a furious tone. He even threw a vase at me"

"A- uh... Good thing it didn't hit your body..."

What the fuck?

A father who submits to his own son?

"Are you afraid of your own child?"

"Fear may not be the right word. Maybe worry is better"

Worrying?

"I'm afraid he'll hurt himself by throwing things like that"

Artorius then looked at me limply

He seems to want to say something. Something deep

"Oberonian"

"Yes?"

"... Do you think you can spare my son's life?"

...

...

"Impossible"

"Huh?"

I might be able to let him live, but I can't guarantee I won't think about hurting him, avenging what my people are going through

Disdain. That's all we got from Rosalia Hortensia

I'm sure the Elves won't be happy if I spare their lives either

"I just said impossible. I'm not a very forgiving person, especially to someone who steps on my people like him

I might change my mind if she wasn't Rosalia Hortensia"

His crimes would be inexcusable. The Elves will remember that for millennia

"... Forgive us, Father. But, as Vainzel's friend and as a human, I can't forgive brother either. He should get the punishment he deserves, death. His crimes are inhumane"

"You too... Verdea?"

"... Again sorry"

"Then we say goodbye, Artorius. May flowers bloom with you"

We walked away, leaving Artorius motionless in the hallway of the castle

...

He really asked us to forgive Rosalia?

Verdea might be able to forgive him because Rosalia is family. I didn't even think he was as thoughtful as I was. But my perception of his mind missed

Then, Artorius wished for me?

...

I don't like that useless joke...

-- A few minutes later, Thyme Castle---

Huh... I can finally breathe...

We finally came back... After all this time we were in that cursed room...

"Ahaha~ I haven't felt the trial of man for a long time"

"What's so funny Father...? I could die standing just because I was among them you know?"

"Well, Vainzel's right... Those guys... It's frightful..."

L-Luxor's?

She's okay, isn't she...?

She's shaking...?

"It's Luxor~ We're safe~" Lyralia said

You're also nervous Lyralia...

Your tone turns to be very relaxed if you feel exhausted from being nervous

"Easy! I'll cook a lot of food so we can all calm down!!"

"You better calm yourself down too or things will burn Ivor"

See how you walk into the castle...

Everyone seemed to be very depressed by the atmosphere of the courtroom earlier...

"It seems you're very happy after this, my son?"

"... Well, that's how Ayahanda is"

This Royal Cap will be of great help

Veskal just had to wait a little while longer before we went to save him

...

-- A few moments later ----

"Everyone is ready to talk, right?"

They were sitting quietly in their own places. I'm grateful Edwin isn't here right now

"So, as for those of us who have obtained the royal seal at Damien's behest, we can now freely do anything related to this matter"

"But really, I don't understand why they should give us permission like this..."

The main preparation is done. The next step is...

"When we go east, we have to meet up with Black Hunt first"

Yep. We have to meet them

The seed I gave Erin was also broken, just like Veskal's. Something's going on, but I'm sure they're all fine and we can meet

"Why Black Hunt? They've done their part in the hunt, haven't they?" Luna said again

"They hold all the information that goes on in it, including how Veskal lost in the Xiang plains"

"You better send the pigeons first and tell them to meet"

"I'll do it soon"

"Ehem!"

...

Remina caught our attention. I wonder why

"I have a suggestion too. I remember there was someone among us who was very familiar with Xiang. I suggest, you guys bring the guy in later" he said

...

He's talking about who...?

Which one of us is familiar with Xiang county?

...

"Claudia...!" Verdea muttered

...!

Oh yea!

He's on duty at Crux right now, so I don't take that into account in this plan

Which means, I had to pull him out of there first, even though he might not have done the job of poisoning that sleep

"You're right Verdea, Remina. I'll be preaching it soon too"

"Then, what about this castle? There's no way we're all gonna come, is there?" Frank asked this time

"I will hand over this castle under Artorius' supervision for the time being. Some of the higher-ups will also stay here"

"Huh? Some of us should stay here?" Luxor asked

"Don't joke Vainzel! We're coming too!" Ivor added

"No. You should all remain silent here in case anything happens in Miralius as well. Remember that emergency portal I put here in this castle"

"Tch! Whatever!"

Ivor then snorted like a child

It's time for paper and ink to come out

I did a selection on blank paper for a description of who should go and stay in Thyme Castle

Not long after shredding the paper, I showed it to everyone

"Who...! I guess I won't be chosen...!"

I'm ✓

Verdea ✓

Ordelia (possibly)

Luxor (probably)

Lyralia ×

Ivor ×

Luna ×

Remina ×

Frank ×'s

Ayahanda ×

Claudia ✓

"wait. Why is it that only Verdea might come along? And also, why Ordelia?" Luna protested

I knew there would be such a question...

My fingers began to lift from my index finger

"First, because this is not a plan for a full-blown war. This could be smuggling into the base of the opponent because I brought Claudia along. I want to avoid an insignificant fight that will only take time and focus directly on the enemy's weak points

Second, you higher-ups I've left behind are stronger than I wanted to take. Leaving you would be a wise choice to protect this castle and Miralius in case of any unexpected danger. It might sound very strange to me to take Ordelia along, but I can guarantee that she will be of great help later

Thirdly. It was Verdea who laid the foundation of the plan to save Veskal, so he HAD TO come along, want or not"

"And I'm obviously going to come along. I have to do it with my efforts as well" Verdea commented

"I don't mind coming along either. It's just, I'm not sure it can be of much use" Luxor grumbled

"Just calm down Luxor. I've calculated your abilities as well"

He will be very useful to be a long-range attacker and backup assistance later. I have little plans to make Xiang regret doing what they've done

The main thing I have to do later is to be careful with the plans of king Shen. That man I can't take for granted, because he clearly dared to kidnap Veskal, even to the point that it reached my ears

"Then, regarding the reason Shen kidnapped Veskal..."

He obviously wanted to lure us there. Specifically, he wanted to lure ME there. But I don't know what his intentions are by doing that

I'm guessing because it has something to do with Rosalia. Rosalia also might have deliberately let us off just like that because she wanted us to get into Shen's trap

Too bad I knew it was a trap

"Quite a problem, huh...?" Verdea complained

"I'm afraid we're playing to the rhythm of Rosalia right now. That's why we have to figure out a way to make him speechless by getting out of his grasp" I said

"Then, then..."

Remina once again caught our attention while raising her right hand into the air

"... Let me join in on this plan" he said later

"Huh? What's the matter, son?"

"Let him talk Ivor. I wonder, what kind of thing can you do for this plan?"

"I'll be your backup aid"

...

"Wait a little short! You-you!"

"No. Let him come" I cut Verdea

"Vain?!"

...

This kid understands my plan. He's aware of everything I think

He knows what I mean by 'help' when I haven't told them anything about his smuggling plans

People who have a careful mind seem to be good to be used as 'help'

"I told you I'd make Xiang regret it, right? I'll tell you now, all the plans I've made"

The king will be very surprised at what will hit him

I'm sure he will play in my rhythm through this plan

The rest will depend on everyone who follows me. If they were careful and shrewd enough, everything would be as smooth as a stream without rocks

"The bottom line is, we're going to infiltrate, and put everything we need where it's supposed to be"