Chapter: 758
During the semester, esteemed figures descended upon the Academy.
“Amazing.”
The Emperor decided to turn Konstantina’s flower field into a part of the Academy.
“Yes. It truly is a beautiful sight.”
The head of the Ministry of Education, the nominal top responsibility at the Academy, chimed in.
“Even if it’s the same plain, the difference between having flowers and not having them is enormous.”
The Minister of Territory, who had to check on any anomalies in the Empire’s lands, nodded.
‘How splendid.’
And here I was, just curious and following along. Honestly, I could have easily bailed out with, “I’m on vacation, so I’ll just rest at home,” but how could I pass up the chance to witness a live flower field being created by a goddess?
After all, since Konstantina likened this flower field to a World Tree, it might become a religious symbol and a holy site over time. It was worth dimming my vacation just to see it.
“Hoo.”
Amidst all this, the bewildered Principal, set to serve the Emperor and the two Ministers by their side, let out a gasp as a vast flower field appeared right next to his workplace.
There was a mix of awe due to the supernatural occurrence and beautiful scenery, but also a tinge of bitterness from a soon-to-be-retired civil servant. It’s understandable; he must feel resentful about being fated to suffer till the very end.
Still, compared to the three years of chaos when foreign royalty and the next saint caused mayhem, having a flower field near the Academy is hardly a disaster.
“Hmm?”
As I watched the Principal slowly start to wear a look of enlightenment, I tilted my head at an anomaly coming from the flower field.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it, Minister?”
“There seems to be a small light near the flowers.”
“Light?”
The Emperor squinted, trying to see as far as possible with his eyes but commented disappointedly, “I can’t see anything.”
Unfortunately, the commoner Emperor’s eyesight wasn’t up to snuff.
If the Emperor can’t see it, then neither can the Ministers of Education or Territory. These two are more administrative bureaucrats than seasoned warriors.
“I see. There’s indeed a peculiar light.”
The Principal, being a former battlefield magician, spotted it right after I mentioned it, even if he hadn’t before. But it was clear he was in a troubled state of mind, which I could fully empathize with.
“Red, blue, green, yellow. Four colors, I see.”
“Yes. Those are the colors of fire, water, wind, and earth.”
Nodding at the Principal’s words, the Emperor shifted his gaze back to me.
“Are they spirits?”
Then he confirmed the identity of the light. Perhaps the spirits had appeared in that flower field?
“Yes, Your Majesty. Indeed.”
“Oh.”
Without hesitation, as I answered, the Emperor stroked his chin with a smirk.
Spirits are beings that can only operate around World Trees. Unless you possess a rare affinity with spirits like our Katlea, or you’re a walking mini-World Tree blessed by spirit kings—this rule is unbreakable.
Yet, this truth was now shattered. Spirits appeared in a place that wasn’t a World Tree.
“Well, since that flower field is suffused with Konstantina’s power, it’s only natural for spirits to show up.”
“It truly is a joyous occasion. The spirits and Konstantina, who suffered from the past misdeeds of Apels, can now freely express themselves in Apels’ capital.”
At that, the Emperor, both Ministers, and the Principal burst into laughter.
This situation was undoubtedly ironic and amusing. The Empire of Apels, which burned the World Tree, has collapsed, yet it’s now the very belief in Konstantina that flourishes there, blooming like a flower. I can only imagine what the deceased emperors of Apels would feel about this.
‘Initially, it seemed like a crazy idea.’
I too chuckled, looking at the Emperor. When he suggested bringing a flower field to the Academy, I thought he was out of his mind, but the more I pondered it, the better it sounded. There couldn’t be a better place to declare the complete revival of the faith in Konstantina.
Besides, there weren’t suitable alternative locations anyway. Triksy’s territory, Count Servette, made it onto the candidate list, but how would it appear with Konstantina’s grace in a place ruled by a half-elf? The faith in Konstantina would surge uncontrollably. It would lead to a messy situation instead of consuming faith.
Yet selecting foreign lands as candidates would be a waste. No matter how difficult it is to pinpoint a location, handing over this rare opportunity to another nation seems ludicrous.
‘Just gotta think hard enough for a solution to appear.’
Nodding in satisfaction while gazing at the vibrant flowers and the spirits hovering above them, I realized we’d indeed found a suitable place after some brainstorming. The power of collective intelligence is great—
– Ah, it’s been hundreds of years since I’ve seen something new!
‘Ah.’
The air above the flower field shimmered, and the Fire Spirit King made an appearance.
For a Spirit King to show up means that the flower field resembles a World Tree indeed. At this rate, fairies might even emerge from the flower patch.
‘Cool.’
An academy where spirits and fairies thrive—it’s the perfect educational institution for our Katlea.
“Hmm.”
“Your Majesty, is there something uncomfortable?”
“Well, not that, but about those flowers.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“What do you think about me picking a few?”
At the Emperor’s words, the Minister of Territory fell silent.
Picking a few flowers from a field filled with thousands is no big deal, but that particular field was made by a goddess. Damaging it could be seen as disrespecting divinity, depending on interpretation.
Although Konstantina has endured extreme disrespect, like the fire of the World Tree, plucking a few flowers could be overlooked with a smile, there’s still a line, right?
– You may take them.
Then, responding to the Emperor’s inquiry was none other than the Fire Spirit King, who had flown down to us.
– That flower field isn’t a single entity like a World Tree but rather a collection of thousands of flowers. Besides, allowing the grace of Konstantina to reside in this Empire means it’s only natural to present gifts to the land’s masters.
“…Hmm.”
– You can speak freely. I’m a guest in this world, and you’re not obliged to serve me.
“Is that so? I appreciate your consideration.”
Deciding whether to be formal or informal, the Emperor nodded readily as he understood the Fire Spirit King’s words.
– Therefore, how will you go about picking them? Since it’s a gift to the Emperor, I urge you to pick them yourself.
“A lily would be perfect. Is that alright?”
– A lily, you say? Just a moment.
With that, the Fire Spirit King turned to fly away and, a little while later, returned with ten beautiful lilies.
The sight of the fiery bird carrying the flowers was quite an impression.
*
An extraordinary and divine event unfolded.
The strange occurrence of a vast flower field appearing near the Academy. But this wasn’t a piece of work made by human hands; it was a sacred event crafted by the goddess of flora and mother of elves, Konstantina.
And as soon as I heard the news, my instincts kicked in, compelling me to calculate the benefits for the royal family and the Empire.
‘Habits can be terrifying.’
I gathered my thoughts while scattering grain to the chickens.
Now, I was just a retired old man, no longer the Emperor. The responsibilities of leading the royal family and the Empire fell to my son, my successor. If I meddled in state affairs now, it would shake the Emperor’s authority.
Therefore, I didn’t mind if Konstantina’s faith blossomed in the former capital of Apels or if her work resembled a World Tree. In theory, I was supposed to not care.
At least, I intended to.
“Your Excellency, we are in attendance.”
“Welcome, Your Excellency.”
Until Gilbert found me first.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. The livestock seems to have increased since a few days ago.”
“Just recently, some chicks hatched. Yesterday, a foal was born too.”
“I see. That’s wonderful.”
Gilbert awkwardly nodded and fell into silence for a moment.
“The grace of the goddess has touched the Academy.”
He cautiously continued.
“They say that the faith of Konstantina, once trampled by Apels, has started blooming again in the Kafellofen region. Isn’t that a joyful event?”
“Yes. As you rightly put it, Your Excellency, it’s a joyous occasion, but perhaps because it’s a divine flower field, it’s both beautiful and wondrous.”
As Gilbert spoke, he handed me a box in his hands.
A tall, narrow box, looking like it could store a fountain pen or sword.
“I felt it was too precious to just look at alone, so I brought it for both of you as a gift.”
Upon hearing “both of you,” I quietly opened the box.
Inside were ten lilies that, despite being plucked from the earth, welcomed me with their still vibrant beauty.
“Lilies, I see.”
“Yes, they are lilies.”
With that statement, both Gilbert and I gazed silently at the lilies.
Indeed, this could be a lovely gift.
*
After viewing the flowers at the Academy, I headed toward the Tailglehen County rather than the mansion in the capital.
“Carl? What’s this?”
“A gift for Mother. I chose the prettiest ones, do you like them?”
I handed a bouquet of daisies to my mother, who was playing with Teresa, and she blinked a few times before beaming a bashful smile.
“This is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”
Setting down Teresa from her arms, she embraced the bouquet, so it seemed that her words were genuine.
I felt a touch shy. Just one bouquet could bring her such joy, and it made me regret not giving flowers earlier. I had prepared this gift, not from my own will but because of the Emperor’s influence.
‘Just like a broken clock.’
But what could I do? After hearing the Emperor’s words in the flower field, ignoring the bouquet would turn me into a legendary ungrateful offspring. How else could the Minister of Education, the Minister of Territory, and the Principal end up picking flowers there too?
“Your Majesty, what brings you to speak of lilies…?”
“My mother loved lilies. Before and after becoming a queen.”
The Emperor was preparing flowers for his mother who had returned to the heavens. Upon hearing that, the Fire Spirit King turned back to the flower field and came back with lilies that would evoke admiration even in a layman’s eyes.
‘Flowers made by divine grace.’
Moreover, flowers carefully selected by the Spirit King.
If I were to present such flowers, surely the queen in the heavens would be pleased.
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