Hangover
Domain Domination LV1
Crimson Apocalypse
Ice Blockade LV8
Photosynthesis LV6
Extinction Toxin
Black Root Protrusion LV6
Pollen Bloom LV2
Pollen - Seduction LV9
Pain Tolerance LV4
No-Self State LV8
Pollen - Paralysis LV3
Pollen - Recovery (Advanced) LV2
Pollen - Bleeding LV4
Pollen - Corrosion LV3
Pollen - Decay LV4
Delicious Flower Nectar LV7
Flower Nectar - Will LV9
Red Mist LV6
Red Moon
Intimidation LV3
Radiance LV1
Poison Tolerance LV5
'Hmnya...'
'...Huh? Status window?'
I hadn't called it up in ages... Might as well check it out. My level and skills have gone up a ton. Probably from killing all those knights? But what's this Poison Tolerance? I drank some booze earlier...
'...Gasp!!'
Suddenly, the memories came creeping back. I drank the booze, hugged my owner with my roots, and even confessed! Right in front of everyone! My petals curled up in embarrassment, shrinking all the way to my stamen.
'Agh... What did I do...'
It felt like a dream, so I replayed it again. I definitely drank the booze... hugged my owner tight...
And said, 'I love you, Owney~' or something?? Aaaah! My scratched writing on the floor must've been a total mess! But deep down, my heart felt warm. I'd finally mustered the courage to say it! Embarrassing, sure, but no regrets!
I slowly came to my senses and looked around. My owner stood right beside me, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight, a soft smile on her face instead of her usual icy expression. In the corner of the cavern, the humans huddled together, exchanging awkward glances.
Flap flap! Miel buzzed around me happily, her wings sparkling with blue light. Cecilia had her flame-like wings spread wide, and Glessia... was still snoozing in the corner. Total freeloader...
《Owner... I'm sober now...》
I cautiously scratched at the floor with my roots. The writing was crooked, but way better than before. I even drew a pretty flower shape!
"Good. You're back to yourself."
My owner smiled and stroked my petals. Her cool touch trailed down, brushing my stamen, sending shivers through my whole body.
"You were so cute, Ricoris. Drunk and hugging me tight with your roots, confessing your love..."
'Eeee!'
My petals quivered with shame.
"I love you too, Ricoris."
'Aaaah!!'
My petals bloomed wide with joy, then curled back in bashfulness. Was this a dream!? My owner... loves me! She accepted my confession!
Flap flap! Flap flap! Miel flew even more excitedly. Cecilia's fiery wings glowed brightly, like she was celebrating too. My bug squad felt the same. But Glessia... still sleeping. At a moment like this!
"So, what about the knight those humans brought?"
'Ah!'
Only then did it hit me. That's why they came. I'd been so caught up in the drunken confession that I'd totally forgotten!
Tap tap. I moved my roots to call the humans over. Brian carefully carried Edgar forward. Edgar's face was still pale, his clothes torn in places, wounds oozing blood.
Light green pollen drifted from my petals. The healing pollen wrapped around Edgar's body in a soft glow, dancing down like cherry blossoms in spring. His pale skin flushed pink, frozen veins thawed, and wounds knit closed one by one.
"Truly... thank you so much."
Brian's eyes reddened, his trembling voice full of sincerity.
《But these knights, including him, barged in and tried to capture me.》
"Insane. How dare they go after Lady Ricoris..."
Hafel growled angrily, gripping her greatsword's hilt tight.
"There are... rumors about you going around."
Lien spoke cautiously, his eyes flicking nervously to my owner. Kinda funny how he kept peeking at her.
《Huh? What rumors?》
"They say you're a sacred flower that grants miracles to saints and heroes..."
'Oho!'
My chest swelled with pride. Looked like I'd nailed my role in Michael's trial! Started with just her help, but now I'm the key messenger of her oracle!
"Truth is... that's why we came too. Our party wants to get stronger."
Lien glanced at my owner again. Behind him, Hawin stared at me with sparkling eyes.
'Eh?'
All I'd done was correct their misconceptions and hand out items from my owner's storage?
"Ricoris has no such power."
My owner's firm voice echoed, cold as ice. The humans flinched.
"But... everyone who drank the nectar got stronger, we heard."
Adrian ventured carefully. His hand fidgeted with his alchemy pouch—the one with the 95-proof booze... Thanks to that, good things happened!
"Did they? I didn't feel much."
Squish squish! 'Eek!' My owner scooped nectar from my weak spot and took a sip.
"...Nothing special?"
"It... especially affects followers of the Goddess of Light..."
Adrian stammered.
'Eh? Michael? Hidden effect of Michael's Flower?')
The air chilled sharply.
"Hmph. Michael's always drooling over my things."
My owner's eyes sharpened. A terrifying aura filled the cavern. Ice crystals bloomed instantly on the walls.
'My things...!'
My heart pounded. Owner over Michael any day!
But the humans shrank under her pressure. Adrian stumbled back into Hawin; Lien paled. Even Hafel and Brian held their breath.
"No more nectar for humans."
《Yes! Got it!》
My roots scratched proudly, hearts around the words. Nectar for my owner only!
Lien's group's faces stiffened. Hmm... They'd come all this way... Especially Adrian with the booze. Sure, I did embarrassing stuff after that super-strong drink... but it brought me closer to my owner!
《Owner, just this once more? Pretty please?》
My owner eyed them sharply, then smirked faintly.
"Fine. Do what you want."
The humans lined up before me. Even Hafel and Brian shuffled forward sheepishly. Like kids queuing for lunch. Adorable!
《Wait, you've had it before?》
"It was so good... I want more."
Hafel mumbled shyly, staring at her feet like a kid—not her usual bold self.
"I... think more would make me even stronger..."
Brian added, eyes pleading. My owner's icy gaze pierced them. Temperature dropped again.
《Of course you can!》
I scratched hurriedly, adding flower patterns around it.
Amazement spread on their faces as they tasted the nectar.
"Divine flavor..."
"Sweetness like nothing else..."
"Like nectar from heaven..."
Proud! Brian asked if he could give some to Edgar too, but I nixed it—attack history.
"Now get out."
As my owner spoke, a thought struck. If rumors spread, more would come...
《Wait!》
I stopped the turning humans.
《Spread the rumor differently!》
"Differently...?"
Hawin tilted her head. The others looked puzzled.
《Tell them to bring booze if they wanna visit!》
Laughter rippled across their faces.
"Heh, want more booze already?"
My owner teased playfully—sweet, not her usual chill tone.
《Next time something weaker...!》
My petals trembled bashfully. But with new poison tolerance, would weak stuff even work? Nah...
Flap flap! Miel spun around me, like egging on another boozy romance.
"Then we'll be..."
Lien started to bow, but Brian stepped up.
"Lady Ricoris... thank you so much. And..."
He hesitated, then bowed deeply.
"Can we... bring booze sometimes?"
《Duh! Bring variety next time!》
They laughed and left. Relief showed in Brian supporting Edgar. Hafel waved big; Lien's group bowed politely.
Now alone with owner again...
'Eee...'
Heart racing. Confession replay made petals curl shyly.
"Ricoris."
'Eek!' Petals quivered at her call.
"Drink in moderation."
《Yes...》