Chapter 118: The Fortress of Flowers

Chapter 118: The Fortress of Flowers

The 4th Day of Summers Eve, Year 200 of the Royal Era

I surveyed the most recent battlefield from the top of the battlements, casually balancing on the tip of a spire. A variety of knights surrounded me, oblivious to my presence. Willow was standing nearby, dressed in a formal gown with her coat of arms stitched on: a two-headed brown serpent entwined with a red rose. This was the same coat of arms as the slaughtered soldiers I saw in my previous visions. She glanced up at me occasionally, as if she couldnt believe that I was somehow hiding in plain sight. It was agreed between us that I would stay hidden, since seeing the Peerless Devil would cause a mass panic.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Willow was quick to reassure me that only the most pious individuals would recognize me, since Im not a hideous abomination, but you can never be too careful. A twin pair of moons were rising in the clear night sky. The faint light they provided illuminated the area like it was clear day to my eyes. Verlush is an interesting place, set in the midst of an endless sea of flowers. The roads set in this massive meadow were covered in shortgrass that looked like artificial turf, and the city itself seemed overrun with plant life. Every house and manor had flowers, climbing ivy, or grass growing on the walls or roof. Interestingly, there were no trees amongst the plant life, and all the houses were made from clay or stone. I would have pegged this place as an elven enclave or a dwarven settlement, not a human city.

However, the natural beauty of the scenery ended about 300 meters from the walls. The flowers that dotted the landscapes were turned into dried husks, demarcating a sharp line across the span of the invading army. The encroaching wasteland was a stark reminder of the Verlushs upcoming doom. 200 meters beyond that point a pile of corpses was stacked up around the vampire camp, forming a barrier of flesh and bone to deter any sallying forces from Verlush. An eerie mist covered the camp, obscuring the exact position of the enemy forces. This magical camouflage did nothing to hinder me. My newfound power was coursing through me, begging to be put to use. Such strength wasintoxicating.

An elderly knight approached the battlement, quickly moving up the steps to kneel before Willow. Baroness Meadow! It is good to see that you turned back from your foolishness! the knight exclaimed. It is good to see you too, Sir Bark. Willow replied, showing a politicians talent for sidestepping unsavory topics. The sound of bat-like screeches quickly ended their conversation, as the soldiers on the walls readied their weapons. The vampiric horde marched forth, their crimson eyes flashing in the dark. Many of the men and women started trembling at the sight, feeling the instinctive fear that all prey experience before their predator.

The soldiers all hurriedly evacuated from the fortifications, watching in fear as the stone was crushed into dirt by the flowers. At this point, the wild rampage ended. All that remained was a low hedge of flowers ringing the city. However, I could feel that the power was not gone, merely dormant. Just as I had intended. And from the looks of the Verlush mages, they too realized that it was still there. I stood by Willow, admiring the see-through blood crystal that I would put to good use soon. What did you do? Willow whispered in mute shock. I granted you an indomitable barrier. This Fortress of Flowers will ceaselessly guard your precious city from all those who wish it harm. I have no interest in being summoned every time you have an invasion after all. I replied calmly.

Willow smiled at my words, taking me off guard. That was rather kind of you. The only thing that the agreement covered was protecting the city from this one invasion. You had no obligation to do anything more. Dont read into it. It was on a whim. I replied back, much to her amusement. She giggled at me before muttering Tsundere from the corner of her mouth.

The contract seal on Willows hand glowed, reminding her of her own part of our bargain. She handed over a small vial, containing a liquid that I confirmed to be the Elixir of Life. The contract summoning ended, and I could feel myself being pulled back across time and space to the moment I first left home. I decided to do one last service for my summoner, as gratitude for the opportunity I have gained from her. I pressed my hand to her shoulder and simply willed her back into full health. Her figure filled out from her starvation, and the lines of worry on her face vanished, revealing a beautiful young noblewoman.

The legends about you really are false, arent they? She asked as she looked at her unblemished skin with unrestrained awe. Yeah, although its not like I care. I replied. And its true, I could care less that I am the equivalent of the evil deity in this world. I dont plan on coming here again any time soon. I faded away from this new world to the sight of Willow mouthing Thank you at my vanishing figure.

The return trip was far more gentle than the initial trip, and I reappeared in front of Irene an instant after I had disappeared. The all-powerful feeling that I had in the other world faded as I returned to my ambient mana-starved home. The mana that is here is like beef jerky compared to the succulent steak of the mana in the other world. I felt a profound sense of loss for an instance, before shaking it off to focus on Irene. I then remembered that she had kissed me and confessed right before I had left. But that can wait for now. Irene, Ive found a way to cure Hikari. Her response was textbook Irene: she karate chopped my head and said About damn time boss!

I clutched the vampiric blood crystal and the Elixir of Life in my hands tightly, having come up with a potential solution to Hikaris predicament. I just have to hope that she forgives me for what I will have to do to her for it to succeed.