CHAPTER 92

[The ice is out!]

[The camellia seeds were frozen solid, but the cold wind is gone.]

[How did you do it?]

[How did you do it?]

The five gods of the flowers were so overjoyed that they whirled around Elric, chanting "Wow! Wow!" in celebration.

『Like a swarm of flies. Why are you so noisy? It's making me dizzy, so calm down!』

Of course, the gods of the flowers didn't listen to Mephistopheles.

'As expected.'

Elric could also smile, relieved that his judgment was correct.

"I've heard that the General Winter is something that didn't exist even in Mephistopheles' time, an 'inexplicable phenomenon,' isn't that right?"

『Yes.』

[Yes. It's only been around for 400 years.]

[That's right, that's right!]

"An inexplicable phenomenon means something completely unknown... Naturally, it must be non-human."

Non-human.

A term encompassing all mysterious phenomena beyond the realm of human observation and measurement.

Or more precisely, it referred to the results born of the primal fear and terror such phenomena produced, though the meanings were similar.

And 'demons' also originated from this.

Elric had defined the inexplicable phenomenon known as General Winter as non-human and considered it 'demonic,' which he then absorbed.

『Hmm! Since the cold of General Winter is mixed with the non-human, if you can extract only the non-human part, the cold that froze the seeds will be naturally absorbed by the ice crystal... I see.』

"Yes, that's correct."

Elric nodded silently.

He could see sprouts growing from the broken cracks.

『Are you planning to wake up all the seeds here one by one like this?』

"If I can, I should. The problem is that the ice crystal might absorb the cold here, and this is only a temporary solution as long as General Winter continues."

Mephistopheles looked exasperated.

『So you're saying we need to eliminate General Winter. Something that neither the demons nor the beastmen here have managed to do for over 400 years.』

While Elric gave a wry smile, the sprout gradually grew. The stem thickened, leaves expanded, and it turned into a small sapling.

Then, the leaves fell, buds formed, and slowly the petals began to bloom.

The camellia flower, as vibrant in its red color as it was rich in fragrance, soon filled the greenhouse with its scent.

The God of Camellias was lying right there, hugging her knees.

A fairy in a red dress with pale pink wings hanging down.

[It's a Camellia!]

[Wow! Camellia has bloomed!]

[It's been 40 years!]

[You fool! It's been 41 years and 7 months!]

[Oh, is that so? Anyway, welcome back!]

The God of Camellias, who seemed to be in a deep sleep, slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them in curiosity at the commotion around her.

[Have I… woken up?]

The God of Camellias looked around.

Surely, she had fallen asleep unable to withstand the continuing cold…?

She wondered how she was able to open her eyes again and quickly understood the situation when she saw a familiar face she had seen before she fell asleep.

[You came… as promised, Melvinger.]

Unlike the other flower gods, who seemed like children, the God of Camellias spoke quite maturely.

The smile that broke through her drowsiness was cold and dignified, reminiscent of the image of winter.

Elric felt something click at the word 'promise.'

"Did my grandfather make a promise?"

[He did.]

The God of Camellias fluttered her pale pink wings and flew up to meet Elric's eye level.

[Wow! Camellia is flying!]

[Fly, fly!]

[Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?]

[Did you sleep well?]

The other flower gods gathered around the God of Camellias, chattering away excitedly.

However, the God of Camellias frowned in annoyance and stomped her foot firmly in the air.

Boom!

The sound of the air bursting silenced the chattering flower gods.

[Everyone, be quiet! It's been over 40 years, but you still can't be quiet for even a single day!]

In an instant, the flower gods fell silent.

Elric thought that even these seemingly childish gods became subdued in front of the God of Camellias.

Just from looking at her, it was clear she was the leader among the winter flowers.

But then.

[Wow! As expected of Camellia! Just as powerful as 40 years ago!]

[Do it again, just once more!]

[Do it again! More!]

[This time, do it with a big bang! We want to hear the big bang!]

[Rumble, boom!]

[Ugh…! Really!]

The flower gods, instead of being intimidated, looked entertained and clung to the God of Camellias, shaking her.

The face of Camellia turned red, wondering how she could possibly handle these eternally cheerful friends.

If only she could use her overwhelming power to silence them like in the old days, but having just woken up, she couldn't, and it was frustrating.

『Is there only one flower bloomed? What happened to the majestic divine tree you once boasted about?』

Then, the God of Camellias noticed a familiar face next to Elric and turned her gaze towards him.

A face that seemed out of place in the temple of the flowers.

[Even if there's only one, it's a beautiful and very fragrant flower. But your ugly face hasn't changed at all over time. Even your once tolerable body is now so punny. You've become quite the pathetic sight.]

[I am the king...!]

[King of what? Without followers or subjects, who would acknowledge your self-proclaimed title? Let me give you a more fitting title. Since you remain pitiful and pathetic, how about the king of losers? It suits you perfectly, doesn't it?]

『You bitch!』

Mephisto, unable to respond to the God of Camellias's icy retort, trembled with clenched fists. 

It seemed her anger that couldn't be directed at the fellow flower gods was instead poured onto him.

'They said she had a nasty temper.'

Elric recalled Otto Han's words when he gave him the ice crystal during the first arrangement. 

Of course, he didn't dare voice this thought aloud. He didn't want to provoke any conflicts while he still needed to fulfill the second arrangement.

[You, who share the same face as Usdun Melvinger, what is your name?]

"My name is Elric."

[Elric Melvinger, what a lovely name. Just by your name, I can see the wisdom that woke me from my long slumber.]

The God of Camellias then looked Elric up and down with an interested expression, as if appraising him.

[Blonde hair and green eyes? You are quite handsome. Intelligent, handsome, and your body seems slim yet muscular. If there's one flaw, it's that you don't wear glasses… but that can be fixed with a gift from me.]

"…?"

What on earth was she talking about? Elric tilted his head slightly in confusion.

[It means you're exactly my type. Would you consider becoming my consort?]

"…."

For a moment, Elric thought he had misheard her. But after hearing Mephisto's complaint, he realized he had heard correctly.

『Hmph! Here we go again! Always fixating on looks, you're just the same as ever!』

[Stay out of this. It has nothing to do with someone as unattractive as you, who looks like a chewed-up bone.]

『What? I'll have you know that I was once admired as one of the most handsome beings among the best beauties…!』

[To be considered handsome among monsters? I've heard enough.]

『…!』

Mephisto began to rage again, but the God of Camellias ignored him completely and turned back to Elric.

[What do you think? Such a glorious opportunity won't come twice. I am a very proud and cool being, and I never extend my hand a second time to something that has left once.]

Elric let out a small laugh. 

The way she spoke made it seem like accepting her proposal was the most natural thing to do. 

Her eyes were so piercing that he felt like a frog caught in front of a snake, or perhaps a predator eyeing a tasty prey.

Normally, he would have retorted with some kind of snappy remark, but Elric didn't forget that she was a 'god'. A god who had promised to provide the arrangement.

"I'm sorry, but I am the head of my family and cannot marry lightly. I appreciate the offer, but I must respectfully decline."

[You will regret this decision, you know?]

"I'm sorry."

[What a shame.]

The God of Camellias truly seemed disappointed, licking her lips, but her gaze remained full of interest as she looked at Elric. Mephisto, meanwhile, watched the two with an incredulous expression.

[Well, enough with the idle talk. You asked a little while ago if Usdun Melvinger made any promises, right?]

"Yes."

[That's right, he did. He said that someday, a descendant of his, perhaps a grandson, would come, steal away the 'winter' that blankets the Black Snowfield, and bring 'spring' in return.]

"Is that so?"

As expected, my grandfather did visit here, Elric thought. 

This made him even more curious. Why did his grandfather visit this place, and how did he know that his grandson would visit in the distant future when he would no longer be around?

There were so many questions, but Elric pushed them all aside. Answering was more important right now.

"Whether I can take away this 'winter', I cannot say, but my family's ancestors left specific instructions for me."

Elric handed the ice crystal to the God of Camellias.

"Give this to you and say this."

Elric took a deep breath and his eyes shone brightly.

"I have come to complete 'winter'."

At that moment, one corner of the God of Camellias's mouth lifted. It looked like a sneer, but it could also be seen as a satisfied smile.

[Otto Han, that annoying man's message. Usdun and Otto Han... perhaps this was all part of a connected flow. Very well. Go and learn how to take 'winter' from that place and return.]

The God of Camellias cupped her hands together and blew into them.

Whoosh!

A dense fragrance filled the air, and yellow pollen quickly enveloped Elric.

[See you later.]

It felt like she said something like that, but the emerald part of the Magical Amulet around Elric's neck emitted a bright light and soon disappeared.

Flash!

His vision spun, and when it settled, Elric found himself in a completely different world.

The same phenomenon as during the first arrangement.

"Where... am I?"

Elric looked around to assess the situation. 

Unlike the snowy mountains with the fierce blizzard during the time of the Snow Mountain King, this place was a paradise filled with not only the scent of camellias but also other flowers.

A warm breeze blew, lifting Elric's spirits. He could see flowers blooming and swaying gently along the mounds scattered throughout.

"The Temple of Flowers... is it?"

Elric immediately realized that this was the original appearance of the Temple of Flowers. The only mystery was that the paradise was too vast, and the temple itself was nowhere to be seen.

As if to explain Elric's doubts, time in the paradise began to fast-forward.

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