The Book Of Flowers

Searching for Ways

Nah!

Nah!

The sound of the wooden sword clashing from earlier between Zaphir and Veskal did not comfort Verdea who was watching the exercise at all

She, Luna and Cyth sat in a tree while looking at Zaphir and Veskal who were practicing combat

Verdea was bored. That's because the results have been the same since

"Aghhh!"

Veskal fell to the ground once again. It was the third time he had already lost against Zaphir

Verdea was impressed by Veskal's steadfastness that continued to challenge Zaphir

Meanwhile, Zaphir only looked towards him with an inconsolable gaze

"You have potential, but you're still weaker than Luna" he said, then walked away as if he didn't care about Veskal anymore

"Believe it or not, that was the first compliment she gave me" whispered Luna to Cyth and Verdea

Cyth immediately chuckled and said "Access for you"

Luna then hit Cyth's back head after he finished talking, while Verdea just put on a flat face and continued to watch Vescal

Verdea's first impression of the man named Zaphir was that he was a proud man

From the way he spoke, his nature was already visible. He didn't even try to hide it

I also wholeheartedly agree with Verdea. There is no one who likes the nature of Zaphir, including me. He was too stiff and serious at all times, so just asking him to talk was very troublesome

Veskal grumbled and tried to get up. His grim face was no longer able to hold back and began to be seen in everyone's eyes

But unlike before, he just stayed on the ground, wailing. He did not even attempt to challenge Zaphir once again

Verdea came down from the top of the tree with the help of Luna, then he immediately approached Veskal

The still-sitting Veskal ignored Verdea who was slowly squatting nearby

"It's okay. That person is indeed strong" Verdea said

From a single glance it was clear that Zaphir was strong

However, Veskal did not look happy at all. He clasped his hands as hard as he could to endure the annoyance

"It is precisely because he is stronger that I am annoyed" Veskal responded

"Why?"

"... Because I have to be able to protect you"

...

"Where is Vainzel?" Ask Luna

"... I don't know" Verdea replied

Veskal just kept silent not answering. But her face saying that she knew something made Luna a little suspicious

"Where is he Veskal?"

"... Don't know"

"Tell me. Your face can't hide it anymore"

Veskal threw away his face. Luna then crossed her arms around her chest and put more and more inner pressure on Veskal

As it happened, Verdea only turned to the two of them occasionally in turn

"Hey. I'm missing what?" I greeted them while approaching them

They all turned their heads towards me, and Verdea immediately darted forward and hugged me

"Where have you been?" Ask Luna to me

"Great Tree. As usual"

"Ah.... I get it now"

He probably thought I was just talking to the Great Tree as usual. Actually, I went to consult on this kid's problem

......................

-- A few moments before ---

"May the whole forest bless you my son" Alf said as he welcomed my arrival

"I came to tell you something, Father" I said as I sat on a root of his

"My ears are always open to you"

I immediately told him all the things Vainzel had told me, especially about the dreams and the person in the dreams

I didn't hide a single detail of the story I got from Verdea

Alf was silent. This usually indicates that he is shocked and does not believe what he hears

"I would like to ask Father's advice to untie the bond between Verdea and Marcellus" I said in a stern tone

"......

I don't actually know how to properly untie that bond"

"Huh!?"

"My point is, just like your bond with me, I'm not sure unbinding them both will be easy. Except..."

"Except?"

"I'm just saying if, however...

IF, that kid dies, their bond is definitely gone"

"..."

There is no way...?

Only death can separate them, just like my bond with Father

"I'm sorry my son. No matter how much I intend to help you in this matter, I don't know the right way to do it either" Alf said. His tone sounded agitated and regretful when speaking

"... It's okay, Ayahanda. I get it"

Alf once again said sorry to me

Still thinking, I just walked around in front of Alf. I'm still trying to figure out the hidden intent of Marcellus putting that bond on Verdea, as well as the way to break it off safely

But all the ideas that were in my mind did not feel qualified at all

Looking at me who looked overwhelmed, Alf then proposed something

"Only that child can do this"

I turned to Alf quickly after hearing that

"How do you mean, Father?" I asked

"I'm not saying he can break his bond, but only he can control this. He was the one who had ties to Marcellus, hence he knew the most about Marcellus"

"... And what if he can't control it?"

"I don't know anything anymore. I can only pray for the child's safety"

But I can't just shut up

The Elves and Marcellus had absolutely no good relationship. My guess is he wants to use Verdea to finish us off

And if my guess is right, I won't just shut up. How dare he use Verdea's body like that

I have to find out the truth about that symbol later...

"For now, I suggest you take good care of the boy"

I turned to look at Alf, then laughed

"I've always taken good care of him, Father. I never wanted her to suffer" I retorted

That's the main reason why I wanted to get rid of that symbol from Verdea. He's just a kid, and I don't want him to get into this big of a deal

I really hope that he will be fine if I let the symbol go for a while

"All right, I gotta go. See you later, Ayahanda"

I went down there and disappeared quickly

Alf took his breath. Secretly, his real figure smiled happily to see me

"I'm grateful you were able to get close to a human child of mine" he said softly

......................

I lifted Verdea up on my sling, then turned to look at Veskal who was cleaning all his clothes from the dust

"Are you okay?" I asked

"You think I look fine"

Whoa... If only he knew what Luna looked like after training to fight with Zaphir...

"Just calm. There are worse things than the way he treats you" Luna said

Experienced people facing Zaphir only agree...

Luna then looked at me. And when I saw her look, I felt very uncomfortable, as if I knew what she was thinking

"After seeing the fight, I wanted to fight someone" Luna said

I've guessed...

Why do I have friends who always make my head dizzy...?

"No"

"Come, Vain. Don't be such a coward"

"The last time we fought almost a quarter of the Dark Forest was a mess, so no!"

"Oh~! I want to see it~" Sela Cyth

Veskal nodded steadily with sparkling eyes

Verdea also looks enthusiastic because of them

Huh......

"alright... But, what-"

"Fighting here is okay for me" Luna cut

"Then, with the sword"

"No. With your real weapons"

Stop cutting my words!!!!

He then called out his arrow and looked ready

I hate it when the situation is like this

"Cyth" I said

"Yes?"

"Bring these two children as far away as possible" I continued

Due to her instinct for the situation, Cyth immediately goosebumps and asks the Fae to take them as far as possible

And while they were running away, I took off my gloves slowly and dropped them to the ground

"Call that stick of yours" Luna said with a defiant look

"... I don't need that thing to beat you up"

The fight started when I darted towards him