Hanamizuki, Because Flowers Are Not Just Beautiful
Chapter 12: Lyllium (III)

“Is he a survivor of the Lilyum family?”

“I haven't thoroughly reviewed, I'm handing this child over to you yes, take care of him until he recovers.”

“Good.”

“Tung...gu..”.

As I was about to hurry, I felt the edge of my shirt restrained. The boy, he was holding it weakly, he took pains to look at me.

“Nak, you're safe here, relax. You're not going to experience that horrible thing again, from today on you're going to stay here with us, so take it easy, huh?”

I gently stroked her silver hair until the boy closed his eyes again.

“Receive...love..ka...kak.

I'm speechless. Stare at the boy with a look of pity. All the children of war victims did give a different response when they knew they were saved. Some are happy, grateful, or just the opposite, they do not want to be saved.

But this silver-haired boy…

I saw something from him that was different from the other kids than usual.

Time passed. 8 years later, the orphans I cared for had grown up. Many families want to adopt them. There are still one race, there are also different races. I leave the decision to those children, whether they want to be adopted or not. But I don't think that's the case with the silver-haired young man who's 16.

“You sure you don't want to be adopted, Riri-kun? You can find a lot of new things if you accept it.”

The young man just shook his head with confidence. “I'm more happy here, besides Carnation-nee will also be considered as mother!”

I just let out a sigh. The boy saw me too much. Yep. That kid is the silver-haired boy I saved from the Lilyum race. The boy who painstakingly thanked me and called me nee-san.

He also looks different to the other kids. He is very familiar with the children, his pleasant and friendly personality. Also, he was very easy to teach martial arts. His desire to be proficient in various fields was very strong. It was as if he had forgotten that he was a victim of war.

Set time. When I officially appointed Riri as the leader of the royal front line. Of course I didn't choose him. I don't really care about the members who disagree because they raise outsiders as members of the royal army.

“Carnation-san, was your decision not to wrongly appoint the child as the leader of the royal army at his young age? Moreover, he has no relation whatsoever in the kingdom—”

“Do not carelessly talk! Of course he has a relationship in the kingdom! He's my son!”

I get a little emotional if any member of the royal army is to mention Riri. I see potential in that kid. For me who has never had a son, this is my first experience having one.

Even though I thought of her as a child, Riri still casually called me nee-san. She did say that she thought of me as her mother, but I think I would also be more comfortable if she called me nee-san.

“Did His Majesty the King approve your decision? Don't you know for yourself, if that kid has one biggest weakness?”

“He has no flower spirit. Yes I know.”

True, naturally, we can raise flower spirits according to their respective races at the age of 10 years as partners to fight for seeds. Almost all of my former foster children have also been able to raise him. But not for Riri. As hard as he tried to resurrect her with summoning magic, various kinds of rituals and others, he was still unable to summon her. Such a disorder is very rare. It only happens about 0.1% in the world. I don't even understand the cause.

“But he has advantages in sword arts, shooting, and aiming. Beyond all of you. Didn't you guys still lose a sword fight with him?”

Yes, that's the advantage I like about him. Although he could not awaken the spirit of the flower, he did not despair. Because of his shortcomings, he honed his skills in sword, shooting, and aiming perfectly. An ability that I think is impossible for a child of his age.

This is the time for Riri to do his duty as the leader of the royal army. Although at first there are still many who do not like it, slowly they begin to accept it. Although still very young, Riri is very understanding of the attack system of many numbers. I was even amazed to see his ability. How could he know so much?

“I only know from books really, I have read a lot during these 5 years. I've been very interested in joining a frontline assault force like this since long ago.”

I am not wrong to privilege him. Thanks to his ability and intelligence, gradually all members of the army received it. Even His Majesty the King who was at first hesitant to give full confidence to Riri after seeing his success in leading an army while fighting with the rebels for seeds.

But the tragedy changed his world.

When word came out everywhere, that the omen of the seed appeared was visible. Where the sign starts from the sacred heirloom that each race has glowing simultaneously. It is the inheritance that indicates the seed will appear again. Although everyone does not know what the seed looks like, they are ambitious to get it. That is the awkwardness of war for the sake of fighting over the invisible.

“Riri-kun, are you ready to return to fight on the front line?”

“Yes, this ridiculous war must end. Once I have obtained the seed, I will make that request, obliterating the war in this world. Sure!”

Riri hated the existence of seeds the most. I don't know why he wanted to get it too. For this reason he fought. Even I don't understand what he really wants. I can only trust him.

“Riri-kun, you must return to bring victory even if you do not have a flower spirit though”

“Trust me, Carnation-nee.”

To be honest I feel a little guilty, why entrust this much responsibility to a child who is not even 17 years old. But he was so firm and confident. I can't bear to stain him.

Unfortunately, at that time I really regretted putting that heavy burden on her.

“C-Carnation-san! Riri-san...Riri-san she!!”

This 3rd time battle for seeds is far more terrifying than before. Even the 5 strongest races have difficulty winning this endless war. Until the magic heirloom light sign of the emergence of the seed disappears, which means the seed disappears again.

War will continue to flare if the magic heirloom marks on each race continue to burn, and the magic heirloom flame will be even brighter if the seed has chosen the right person to be its owner. Therefore the cruelty of this war caused all races to kill each other, racing to get a position as the owner of the seed.

What a ridiculous war.

The battle for the 3rd seed ended after almost a year of feuding with each other. Riri got the worst wound of all our royal forces. He was in a coma for more than 3 months.

While taking care of her, I kept feeling anxious. Will the magic be on again? Will the seed of that bastard appear again and bring about war again?

And..is Riri able to recover?

“Carnation-san, we have identified where the mysterious forces came from. Looks like they are a group, named Kuroi Uta.”

In the 3rd war, there was indeed a mysterious society that attacked more brutally and horribly. From their data there are 12 people. They kill more cruelly. It was one of them, who had injured Riri to this extent.

“Kuroi Uta..? Is... are they still here?! Have they been caught?! Where are they now?!”

“T-quiet first Carnation-san.according to the investigation, they're an assassin organization that never settled in one place. At this time we still have not found any clue where they are.”

Since the discovery of the Kuroi Uta organization, we became focused on finding their whereabouts. Likewise with me who continues to monitor the condition of Riri who did not wake up.

It was a miracle until he finally recovered like the usual Riri. Unfortunately, not completely.

He suddenly lost his ability to sword, aim, or shoot. Amongst the entire assault force, he was the most skilled at the youngest age. Could it be that she had been traumatized to the point of forgetting all of her extraordinary abilities?

Until one day he told me.

“Carnation-nee, my life as a leader is over. Even so, my desire to destroy the seed still remains. Let the flowers smile again. So that God does not in vain create various beauties in flowers. Without any more war. I'm sick of the word war.”

After that I released him to do whatever he wanted. It was beyond my expectations. I thought he was going somewhere. Riri just went to the orphanage where she grew up and taught various types of flower magic to children. She also said she would be a nanny until the children grew up.

Have I passed on my instincts to like children to her? Was it a mistake that he could not continue his life as a fighter on the front lines?

“Carnation-nee, I don't know how I'll return the favor to you. If you hadn't saved me back then, I guess I would have just waited for my death. I don't want my kids to experience the same thing as me. That's why I like them. My experience as a fighter I think is enough. I will definitely destroy that seed wherever it is. I won't let the 4th war happen.”

Although the members of the royal army that Riri had once led were not willing to release him, His Majesty the King freely released him. He said, Riri still has the right to explore this world in addition to being a leader of the royal army. Riri is still very young.

“Riri-kun, you are a genius, you are also very skilled, there is only one thing that makes your flower spirit never rise. If it's time to get up, then you'll get stronger! I'm sure it is!”

When I said that to her, Riri just smiled back at her. He was hiding something behind his smile.

After several years of serving in the orphanage as a flower magic mentor, Riri is a bit strange. He always daydreams a lot. Sometimes when teaching he is not focused. I think he needs a new atmosphere.

At the age of two heads, I think the laws of nature for a human are starting to appear. He needs a life partner. More like a girl.

At the orphanage, she was not alone in teaching flower magic to children. There was a young man who was the same age as him. The only difference is their height. Riri looks shorter than him. I noticed, they were quite familiar and chatted frequently. But this time he was alone, because his friend was transferred to another place.

During that time as well, I was given a duty by the kingdom to become the principal at a sword academy, Hanatarou academy. The academy is tripping up trouble. The academy used to be for everyone, but now it only accepts female students. A tragedy made the academy prohibit accepting male students. Not only students, all staff teachers, school guards, janitors and others, all must be women. The academy has been like ‘anti’ to men since the tragedy. I'm assigned to investigate the mystery behind this strange tragedy. Until now I still can't find the bright spot.

Is it time for me to make a decision for Riri? He is good at teaching. I'm sure he's fit to be a teacher there.

The problem is, he's a man. Wouldn't it be anything?

I hesitated to send him there. But I can't let him stay here too long. He really needs a new atmosphere.

However, before I told her, Riri came to me and told me something that made me jump.

“Carnation-nee..I don't think I'm suitable to teach flower magic anymore.I used to memorize more than 100 flower magic chords, now I'm not. Almost everything I forgot. Just a few I remember. My body could not bring me to re-read books and to memorize and practice them. As if, staying in this orphanage for too long, will make me forget it even more.”

Oh my God..What happened to my son? What curse did he get to be like this?

Riri told me with a bent face. Looks desperate. But I still felt his desire to destroy the seed even a little.

I took a long breath. I then held him tight.

“There is no need to do what you can't do, Riri-kun.”.

I felt his back shake. All this time I just always saw Riri smiling happily and easily mingling with the children with a happy face. No matter how strong a man is, if he cries, there must be something that makes him very hurt. He must have been hurt because all his abilities were lost. He felt defeated by himself. Shouldn't we be defeated, not defeated?

Then will my decision to send him to become a teacher in Hanatarou academy be alright?

“Then, Riri-kun, you must follow the wind! The wind is so vast and everywhere, you have to follow it to live your new life again! I told you you're a genius, right? Slowly your flower spirit will rise! I'm sure!”

I still see his potential as a teacher even if only a little. Therefore, I've decided to send him to that sword academy. To restore his abilities. It was the only way, by following the direction of the wind as hard as any. I believe it, because he is my son.

***

“I'm not so sorry I sent him here, and again, he already has you. It's just that's what I'm worried about, her magic abilities are decreasing. For that reason, Camelyum-san, please protect your Master as best you can, because he is also my son.”

“With this story you tell, I have come to understand more and more what my Master was like then and now. We were already connected to an inner bond, but I could not read clearly what was in his heart. If his students know all this—”

“No! Riri-kun asked me not to tell him who he was. He just wants to be seen as the present Riri-kun, not in the past.”

The clock shows 9pm past. Tea in a teapot prepared by Camelyum also leaves the pulp alone. Carnation moved out of place.

“I have to think of the right words for Riri-kun's proteges that he won't be able to attend tomorrow on the first day of the magic tournament. Camelyum-san, please take care of him until he recovers huh? I said I was—”

“Understood, strange woman.”

“Stop calling me a weirdo! You're this!”

Carnation vanished with teleport magic. Camelyum still stands silent.

He glanced towards the door of Riri's room that was slightly open. Unknowingly tears came from her eyes.

“Riri..I swear...will protect you with all my strength..I swear!”.

***

“...Master...?”

“Morning, Came-chan! Your favorite fried egg is ready!”

Camelyum could not stop staring at his Master who was cooking in the kitchen as usual.

“M-Masters? Y-you're okay? Aren't you—”

“I cannot be absent because today is the first day of the magic tournament! If I was absent, they would kill me later, ahahaha!”

No way, this is the usual Riri? He looked perfectly healthy even though the black gray hair increased—No, he must not have fully recovered!

“Master, but—”

“Sst, quickly eat, you are also getting used to calling my name right? So do not need to call Master deh, it feels very stiff.”

Camelyum turned his face away. He himself did not realize when he mentioned Riri's name at that time.

“If you don't want me to finish!”

Riri was about to suck a fried egg from a Camelyum plate while biting a piece of toast in her mouth, but Camelyum stopped her.

“A-I have to make sure..k-if you've completely recovered, Master...”

“Ckck told you I'm fine! My advantage is that I am always in good shape on important days! Let's hurry up before the game starts!”

Camelyum ate his fried egg and sipped a glass of hot chocolate. She kept watching Riri who looked busy preparing herself.

He still remembers some of the pieces of the story Carnation told last night.

“He was actually a genius, but since the severe injuries he received, he lost all his ability. Like a curse that befalls him to make him feel defeated by himself.”

“B-okay, Master..”