The Book Of Flowers

Free to Choose

...

"What?"

I didn't hear wrong, did I?

What about the three children i-

They also seem to be wondering...

...

"Repeat that word?" I asked Lyralia

He sighed because he realized I didn't respond to this as seriously as he did

"In short, I would like to advise you to make Remina a higher-up in the future" He repeated his words later

...

So that's why he felt that not everyone should listen to this first hm...?

True too, if some of them would definitely reject this because Remina did not have something too unique like the higher-ups in general

But, what makes Lyralia think that Remina is capable of being a top brass?

Even Remina was wondering why Lyralia had brought the idea to me

"... I asked Father about the future Remina had before intending to reveal this idea to you" Lyralia said again

"Then, what did he say?"

Ayahanda's prophecy never misses

I'm really in between feeling restless and happy right now. I'm sure the forecast will be good

"He said, 'The waters of the river will flow between a meadow until my eyes are glued to the clear sea not far away, but spread widely on the horizon'. It didn't take long for me to realize its meaning" Lyralia said

'The waters of the river will flow far between a meadow, until my eyes are glued to the sea spread wide on the horizon' hm...?

"He will live a long period of time (oceans meet the horizon) in success (broad and clear). The forecast for Remina is even better compared to one of the six of us"

Mine even stated that I would be bound by a very long life while being carried away by the wind currents (leaves carried by the wind). Even the property of my five friends could not be calmer than the fate that would befall me...

And the fate that had been foretold was because I suggested they all become a higher-ups...

(Note: and for spoiler reasons, the author will not tell you anything else)

"And because of some of my recent judgments towards Remina, I'm increasingly convinced that she deserves the title of a superior officer"

"You mean... This short kid has hidden potential, doesn't he?" Verdea asked, upsetting Remina to pull Verdea's hand over

"It doesn't fit if it's hidden. He has shown that potential in front of all of us from the very beginning" Lyralia commented

I still don't understand

After all, putting aside Remina's abilities, there was one more thing she should have considered

"Training to be a leader is not easy. You and the four of them must have realized that, right?"

...

Our steps were stopped at the castle library

Lyralia seemed to realize that the four of us were intending to come here. He also wanted to talk inside

But, the door of the room had just opened, and Lyralia had already reopened the topic

"I'm not worried about that. Remina had already seen and gone through something worse than that exercise" he said

I admit it. But really, making an ordinary Elf seem to go through that training would only make his mentality collapse if it didn't work out

I mean, what if Remina's life that Father foretold doesn't just mean she'll succeed when she's a senior?

"But I really don't understand, Ms. Lyralia. Why would I suddenly suggest myself to be a senior?" Remina personally started asking

"You'll find out after going through that practice. Then, I will prove to this one king that you deserve to be his trusted person" Lyralia replied

"It doesn't mean that I refuse, it's just that I didn't expect myself to be recommended as an official by you" Remina said again

I never even doubted him. My point is, we don't have to force Remina, that's all

Verdea and Veskal asked them for a minute to search for a book as we continued the discussion

They don't permit me, I won't get in the way. Just go away

Remina looks confused. But, I've prepared all the answers to the questions he'll be asking in a moment

"Indeed, what kind of test should one go through to become a top brass, Oberon?" He asked again, this time to me

Straight to hm core? There are still some procedures before that stage

"There are 5 stages. The first stage is that you must defeat the higher-ups of your clan first in the presence of the other members"

"And I felt that I was easily defeated by you. I'm sure it is" Lyralia interrupted

"Not very true. The last time you went through that test, you got your foster father injured"

And it's real. That was the main reason why only Lyralia was the current superior of the Undine clan

His adoptive father, who was a senior official before, was no longer able to carry out military duties, although he still carried out the job of organizing the life of the Undine clan in place of Lyralia who always ran away from her responsibilities at all times

Remina was certainly sweating coldly hearing that, especially when Lyralia said, "Come on. The five of you will know how big I want to hit that guy's face~"

But that doesn't mean you have to break his bones, either...

"The second stage is pretty easy. You must find Leshy all over Goeitias, and I will teach you one trick to make Leshy come to you personally" I continued to Remina

"I believe if you say it's easy" He replied

Then, get into the hard part

Remembering all that just makes me shiver

"The third stage, Leshy will personally test you for a week" I explained briefly

Remina looks dumbstruck looking at me

"Oberon spoke as if Lord Leshy was very cruel" He said later

...

...

...

"You're kidding, aren't you...?"

"No. He will really do anything to make you fail, so you have to be strong to handle him. Ivor and Luxor just barely failed, but the last day that stage made Leshy's decision change" I was forced to tell him

After all, Leshy was still a monster. He knew the best way to thwart someone, because the monsters were made as 'algojo'. And he used that crude method to judge a person's speed

The rudest, among all the stages that exist in this

In that test, he tried to divide us by using illusions. On the first day we all failed because we didn't find it, until I showed all my friends the truth of Leshy's test

I accidentally dismantled the form of illusion that was given to me before being captured by Leshy in the next moment and declared a failure

{Note: Vainzel has eyes that can see the flow of Mana, so he can distinguish which is the original form of his friend or the form of the illusion of Leshy}

But that couldn't even stop her mentally weak Luxor and Ivor who weren't good at reading the situation until they started fighting. Leshy even targeted them strictly because the two could not get along at that time, while my three female friends had already escaped her illusion

What made the two men succeed through it was only one. They started working together, and even without our help at all

Those of us who had escaped first were surprised to see the two of them make it through all of Leshy's illusions, although I could see there were some injuries to their bodies after that

Leshy was too harsh on them on the last day, but Ivor and Luxor got through it firmly

...

The way Leshy judged also overwhelmed me and my five friends. I was actually even there just because I wanted to accompany all my friends, but instead got entangled in the test...

"Will he hang me upside down as well as those two guys...?" Remina asked in fear, remembering the story I told her back then

"It's okay. You will learn to handle it because I was also hanged in the first three days" Lyralia said

"While I'm only one time, it still doesn't taste good..." I followed

"Aahaha! Considering that we were all hung upside down by him right on the first day it made me ticklish!" He added again

He said so because it was the first time he had seen me and Luna started to grimace...!

"Then enter the fourth stage. The difficulty is arguably lower than the third, but it is debatable" I continued

"Why?" Remina asked curiously

"You must bring offerings for me from outside and inside Miralius. Something that could be of use to me and the Great Tree"

And the problem is here

"You can't just give me something. An overseer of the kingdom of Miralius who will judge how valuable what you will give before letting you reenter Miralius. But since Seren is dying now, Zaphir or Luna will take his place"

...

I also doubt that I will allow Zaphir or Luna to be a test tester in this test. They had no idea what I and I wanted

Forgetit. Not only them, all the higher-ups, including my other friends as well, they did not understand what I and Father wanted from them

Then for this kid...

He has absolutely no good criteria for being a top brass that we, or should I say I, want

I was only looking for two criteria from a top official. Criteria that are also desired by the father

That's why, if in this test he fails to bring what I and Ayahanda want...

"If you don't bring what we want, I will personally foil you in the test in its entirety. You can come back if you feel more prepared, but you have to go back to the early stages" I said to him

"And for the last stage..."

This stage is the easiest

"For the last, you will be crowned, and perform the Elf oath before the entire population of Miralius

You must be smart to choose the sentence you use in it. If not, you'll get entangled without you knowing"

Same as me. Although as I said from before: I have no problem with it, but Verdea will think otherwise. To that child, the Elf's oath was extremely irrational

And the vow to be made is very sacred. More influential than those made on paper or the adventurous vows I made

Because, not only in front of all Elves, the prospective higher-ups must also make an oath before Father. Directly to our predecessors whom we deeply adore

Remina also nodded in understanding

The next sentence he uttered even surprised me

"Well, when can we start?"

...

It turns out this kid is worse than I thought...

He knew absolutely nothing about the difficulty of the higher-ups' coronation procedure...!

I turned towards Lyralia using a gaze that directly made her understand that I was referring to her as, 'Stupid'

He just turned and whistled as if he did not want to take care of this business, until my gaze even more sharply tried to stab him

Huh...!

This means, I have to take care of all the things about the coronation of this child to be a higher-ranking hm...?

What a responsible teacher, Lyralia...!

"You should also think about the initial procedure before those stages, Remina" I turned towards Remina, half-desperate

"Early procedures...?"

See it?! He doesn't know anything, does he?!

"I'll tell you later. There are some criteria that you must meet before carrying out the coronation ceremony" I explained to him

And because of that...

"I might have to take you back to Miralius, so we can take care of it now if you want

You are free to choose. I won't hinder your decision, whatever it is"

From his tone earlier, he seemed to want to do this as quickly as possible

Remina immediately looked enthusiastic and nodded steadily in response to my words

Good riddance...

That way he can stay safe there first

"He~eh? This midget wants to be made a top brass...?" Verdea who approached us commented

He and Veskal who had just returned with us immediately seemed to have disturbing intentions

"Why indeed? The five freaks had also been higher-ups since Remina's age. Precisely younger" I responded, completely on Remina's side

Remina backed up my argument with a loud nod and a smug smile, plus the words, "At least Oberon has acknowledged me"

"Alright, alright. I won't offend that little girl again, little Remina~" Verdea said, with mocking intent

"And I will also miss the noise of this place, because surely all the places in this castle will be quiet after you are busy with a lot of work~" Veskal added

Their words made Remina pout and instead turned towards me asking for help

I also turned away. So is Lyralia who wasn't even asked for help

"I have business. Perhaps, your servants are making trouble in the kitchen again" I said to Verdea. "Ah, and meet me in the kitchen later with Ivor. There's something I want to discuss, but don't leave Remina with Verdea unattended" I turned to Lyralia

I also started to smell smoke. It must have been from the kitchen

This castle is too chaotic until all the abnormal things feel normal

The effect of taking care of strange people seems to have been stuck in my brain until I was relaxed at a time like this...

Aahs... My quiet life is gone...

I left that place first, before Lyralia even had time to ask for help to come out

Remina could only look on in despair when I had completely disappeared behind the closed door

His last hope was Lyralia. But it was extinguished instantly when Lyralia who had been sitting still disappeared, until Remina realized that she had turned into water and as quickly as possible crept out of the room

His face grew increasingly desperate, especially when the two people left with him inside the library just smiled broadly at his defeat

"Where is your help now~?" Verdea sneered with a smile of a winning sign

"It seems we worry too much. Apparently he couldn't even fight without the help of~" Veskal added again

Laughter full of ridicule was thrown by the two children, making Remina's emotions peak until her face turned red

Upset, he ran out as fast as he could, making the two laughing at him start to slow their laughter to a stop

"Well if you miss me after I'm gone! See you, ugly man and body odor!" Remina said, before sticking out her tongue and leaving

Both of them looked at each other after his departure, then laughed a little at the behavior of their friend

"Come on, my body isn't even that nice" Veskal said

"Maybe you should re-sniff it. Even Vainzel had soap in your room, though she wasn't sure you'd use it

And somehow the guess is right! You don't use it at all!"

After that, Verdea's laughter was somehow louder than when she mocked Remina just now, making Veskal completely astonished and flat-faced

"Just ignore my body odor. You'll definitely make it a reproach for a week if it goes on..." Veskal said, putting on a frown

His attitude drew a moment of laughter from Verdea, before he turned to the book he had taken earlier

...

...

"I wonder, why do you want Remina not to go. I mean, you two are fighting with each other every day"

Veskal's sudden comments made an atmosphere of silence, even stopping the new Verdea from intending to open the pages of his book

The eyes of the friend beside him, who glanced at him curiously, he left in silence long enough without an answer

Until one statement he said as much as possible

"If you didn't have anything from the beginning, you would definitely retain what you have now, like a treasure

Truly, had this not been embarrassing, I would have immediately said before everyone, that you are the most precious treasure I can ask for and obtain. I want to keep everyone alive under the roof of Thyme Castle, now and always"

Verdea was silent for a moment, before she again tried to open her mouth to speak

"But you are free to choose. And even if you all choose to leave with your new life, I am ready to have nothing back

Because it's... Grandfather will also leave me soon..."

...

Veskal already got the answer, in the middle of that moody atmosphere

"Not having anything since the beginning huh...?"

Not about material or objects. What Verdea considered to be a possession was the presence of all of them around him

Naturally he could always understand Verdea, and vice versa. He always wanted to get the person he could at least talk to in a normal way without any stiff movements

They were just two different people, but had the same fate...

"So that's your motive. I didn't think it was easy enough to swallow" Veskal commented

"You also at least understood immediately without trying to tease me further" Verdea said, half praising

"Come on. The reaction you showed me while being bullied made me and Vainzel satisfied"

"Damned...! Imagine living to annoy others"

"That's why don't be a grumpy little boy. We're so happy to harass you~"

Verdea grumbled as she once again heard the word forbidden to her, while Veskal only smiled nosily as he put his hands and head on the table

To close the conversation, Verdea opened the book and began reading

...

...

"There are still many steps to take..."

"of course. We just got out of a complicated situation"

"... What do you think we should do next, Veri?"

...

"I'll let Vainzel move without my help this time

He always knows best when it comes to the salvation of all of us. I also usually only add one or two parts to the plan"

Veskal straightened his body before fully waking up and leaving. A smile stuck on her lips while a single goal was implied in her head clearly

"I will also prepare myself" He said for the last time, before completely disappearing from the library

Verdea, who was busy reading the book, only drove his friend away with a smile sign of satisfaction