286. Asphodel (1)
286. Asphodel (1)
- 1 -
It was the very next day after Evangeline seized control of the Kiza Kingdom.
I had created a flower garden within the dungeon.
From the ceiling decorated with purple crystals, mana cascaded down like a waterfall of light.
A wavelength of mana that did not exist in reality, one that imitated natural light and layered additional abilities upon it.
The light filled the space as if asserting that this place was my domain.
- *Sob, sob*...
- Kainel...
This flower garden, created along the edge of the cemetery for my fallen subordinates at the highest point of the dungeon, was both another place to honor them and my laboratory.
I touched the black flower in its large pot with the tip of my finger.
Sararak.
"Asphodel."
The flower was dyed black like my hair, and its tuber took on a purple hue like my pupils.
Its stem was dyed nearly black, evoking the Milky Way rising in the night sky.
This flower was the national flower of the Kiza Kingdom.
It was the most familiar and beloved flower to the people of that nation and, according to Mishin, a flower that comforted the dead.
Perhaps because of that, the Asphodel grew by digesting my mana exceptionally well.
This flower would make everyone's hearts 'at ease.'
'Whether it was the sense of crisis that befell a nation on the brink of destruction, or the anxiety about the monsters that had infiltrated among them.'
"Master."
"Eve."
Breaking the profound silence, Evangeline entered the garden.
Her golden hair shimmered with a strange light under the ceiling's glow, and her white armor shone brilliantly like the sun among the garden's flowers.
"I have come to report on the situation in Kiza."
"You've come promptly."
The maids who accompanied her moved soundlessly and set up a tea table.
Fragrant steam rose from the black teapot, and the teacups also shimmered like rainbows under the dungeon's mana light.
After giving them a light nod of thanks, I fixed my gaze on Eve.
She sat opposite me with an upright posture, a blue cloak draped over her pure white armor.
Loyalty shone in her eyes, and her lips were set in a firm line of resolve.
"Prime Minister Cromwell has provisionally approved the monster acceptance policy. Of course, he expressed concerns, and it was permitted only within a limited scope."
"As expected. It's not an easy proposal for humans who have considered monsters their enemies their entire lives to accept."
I answered while breathing in the fragrance of the flower.
"Still, if it is essential for rebuilding Kiza, he won't refuse. He is a pragmatist, after all."
My fingers stroked the black Asphodel on the table again.
"Is it not a beautiful and useful flower?"
"It is as you say."
A flower that grew well even in wastelands and was also used as food by people facing hardship.
Furthermore, since it carried national symbolism, it could be distributed without resistance.
"Are you ready to spread these?"
I lifted the flower from the pot and handed it to Evangeline.
Evangeline nodded and smiled.
"Yes. They have already finished their preparations. She who has sworn loyalty to you, Master, will personally supervise it."
"Then... our 'food aid' will be carried out even more swiftly."
The current situation of the Kiza Kingdom was utterly miserable.
'War always feeds and grows on the blood of the people.'
Due to the mobilization of the expeditionary force and the rebellion of the royal family, the people's storehouses had been emptied completely.
The farmlands that once rippled with green had all been plundered for military provisions, and even that fell into the hands of the rebels.
The members of the former royal family had already lost their lives on the execution block, but the wounds they left behind did not heal easily.
The people's lives still lay in the abyss.
'And this will be the stepping stone for my plan.'
Amidst all that, the provision of Asphodel roots, which grew well anywhere and could be used for both medicine and food, would be like sweet rain in a drought.
This flower, which grew by consuming my mana, grew faster than ordinary flowers.
On top of that, if Dryads, who possessed a deep affinity with plants, directly managed these flowers...
"As you desire, Master, their hunger will diminish quickly."
Evangeline's eyes held a glint of light.
I remembered my first meeting with the Dryad chieftain.
[We have come to serve you as our superior.]
[How did you come to know of me.]
She, who came to me under Evangeline's guidance, bowed her head and spoke.
[We are monsters, fairies, and shamans, but at the same time, we are also prophets. And in our prophecies, you appeared.]
[What kind of prophecy was it?]
To my question, the Dryad Queen 'Mel-Uria' smiled with a face full of wisdom.
[It was said, 'The one who will tear down all boundaries.']
Those fairies, who used the power of plants in a different direction from the Alraune, would be of great help to this plan.
Kiza would soon fall into the palm of my hand.
- 2 -
The Tarendails Forest was a lush forest south of the Kiza Kingdom, near the borders of Leophere and Hysen.
This forest, where giant trees blotted out the sky, had long been untouched by human footsteps.
Because of the mists surrounding the forest and the mysterious songs often heard, people whispered that this place was cursed.
But it was not a curse; it was the presence of the Dryads.
The moment she set foot in the forest, Evangeline felt the air change.
It felt clearer, fresher, as if vitality surged through her just by breathing.
"Welcome, please come in."
When Evangeline turned her head toward the direction of the voice, an elder woman stood there.
"O hero who serves the Lady who presides over shadow and death."
Her skin was as smooth as white jade, and a jade-colored aura swirled around her.
Her green hair, where moss and small flowers grew, swayed in the wind, and her black eyes, imbued with thousands of years of wisdom, evoked the deep sea.
Mel-Uria. She was the chieftain of the Dryads and the representative of the monsters living in seclusion in this forest.
'She was also Master's subordinate in the future.'
Although her loyalty could not be called particularly high, she was still one of the trusted beings who fought together until the end.
That was why Evangeline had come here knowing about this place in advance.
"Chieftain. It is an honor to see you again."
After giving a brief, formal greeting, Evangeline opened her bag and took out a pouch containing seeds.
"It is a gift sent by the Master."
"Ah. The Black Lady's seeds. I have been waiting for them."
Her lightless pupils glinted.
The moment she received the pouch, the surrounding plants began to tremble.
As if rejoicing.
"Our preparations are complete. We will spread the seeds throughout Kiza."
Mel-Uria took Evangeline's hand. A warm mana flowed from her touch.
"I express my gratitude to the Dungeon Lord who accepted the forest's residents who had nowhere to go, and to her first servant."
"Think nothing of it."
"As you previously requested, we have also prepared gifts for the humans. Healing fruits and saplings to give to those who are ready to open their hearts for peace with us."
They headed toward the heart of the forest, where the Dryads were gathered.
It was a place where trees and plants intermingled naturally.
A path decorated with flowers, a small stream where crystal-clear water flowed.
Vines and stems were woven around giant trees, invisible from outside the forest thanks to Dryad sorcery. Dryads, emerging from hammocks made of plant stems or holes in ancient trees, looked down at them.
"The chieftain and... the hero of the Black Lady."
Voices filled with both welcome and tension flowed out from all around.
The expressions of some Dryads who spotted Evangeline hardened, but their faces soon relaxed.
Although the Dryads had parted ways with the demon tribe long ago, they had already talked enough among themselves.
"The time has now come."
Mel-Uria raised her hand and spoke to everyone.
Her voice was as soft yet firm as leaves rustling in the wind.
A sound, like leaves rustling, echoed among the Dryads.
It was the sound indicating their agreement.
A green-yellow light shone in Mel-Uria's eyes.
She spread her palm open and sent the Asphodel seeds floating into the air.
"Let us plant our blessing, and the blessing of Dungeon Lord Libertas, upon the lands of humans. They will no longer starve, and we..."
As the chieftain saw the seeds entering each Dryad's hands, a soft smile touched her lips.
"We will gain a place to stand in this world."
What filled her pitch-black eyes was hope.
- 3 -
The streets of Kijuker were slowly regaining their vitality.
It had been two weeks since the civil war ended.
Collapsed buildings and scorched black marks still remained here and there on the streets, but hope was gradually blooming on people's faces.
Clop, clop...
Evangeline was surveying the central street while riding her horse.
A street where ruined and newly constructed buildings stood side by side.
Laborers sweating as they repaired the collapsed bridge piers.
Merchants selling food at street stalls.
"Lord General!"
"Commander of the General Knights!"
The cheers of the citizens who saw her filled the street.
Evangeline responded to them with a bright expression while closely watching her surroundings for any trouble.
"Disperse and patrol, and regroup in front of the Prime Minister's residence at the appointed time."
""Yes!""
Behind her, a mixed group of knights and elite soldiers, both human and monster, followed.
Patrol had recently become one of their most important duties.
In harsh reality, people shed the heaviest burden weighing on their hearts first.
The name of that burden was usually 'conscience.'
If people were not reassured that public order was functioning properly, stability would only grow more distant.
"Big sis General!"
A child ran up and stood in front of her horse.
The child's bright smile was one recovered after the war.
"Please eat this. I made it myself."
What the child held out was a piece of bread with a small flower decoration.
The flower was the Asphodel, which was currently in full bloom all over Kiza.
Evangeline dismounted and accepted the bread.
"Thank you. Using Asphodel as a decoration, how creative."
"My mom taught me. She said it's a tasty herb. She said eating it makes you healthy."
Evangeline took a bite of the bread in front of the child.
A sweet yet subtle floral scent spread across her palate.
"It really is delicious. Please convey my thanks to your mother."
As the child laughed and ran off, she watched the child's retreating figure with a gentle curve on her lips and indifferent eyes, then mounted her horse again.
Her destination was the administrative center of the Kiza Kingdom.
Prime Minister Cromwell's office was not luxurious.
In a space furnished only with practical furniture, the old official was buried in piles of documents.
"Countess Evangeline. I have been waiting."
The dark circles under his eyes told her he had not slept properly for days.
Reviving a nation that had gone through a crisis of destruction was a difficult task by its very nature.
But his eyes still retained their shrewdness and sharpness.
"I have come regarding the matter we previously discussed."
Upon hearing Evangeline's words, Cromwell's eyebrows rose.
"You mean the Dryads of Tarendails Forest. Once we conclude an agreement with them, it will certainly be of help to Kiza."
"Hmm."
The Prime Minister furrowed his brows and chose his words carefully before speaking slowly.
"I did not know that many monsters were living inside our borders. Not just Dryads, but did you not also mention there are Orc and Ogre tribes?"
"To recover the lost peace and military strength, accepting them is the fastest way."
"Usually, the fastest way is bound to come with side effects, is it not?"
Evangeline shook her head firmly.
"The Orcs and Ogres will be concentrated solely for military power and will have no significant influence, but the Dryads are different. Their power can help quickly restore the devastated farmlands."
Cromwell rose from his seat, walked to the window, and looked out at the distant forest. A brief silence flowed.
"Can you trust them?"
"I guarantee it."
He let out a deep sigh.
"Very well. Since you, who have been so devoted to our kingdom, are that confident... But there are conditions. All meetings and negotiations must be accompanied by an official from our side. And no special privileges shall be granted to them, and..."
Evangeline wore a gentle expression.
"Of course. Through fair negotiations, it will be mutually beneficial."
After the brief meeting ended, before leaving, she placed a pot containing a blooming Asphodel in front of Cromwell.
"Ah, Asphodel... Lately, our national flower has become popular again. I am glad it instills patriotism in the people. However..."
Doubt flickered in his experienced eyes.
"The variety seems different."
Evangeline answered with a smile.
"Is not the symbol of our alliance the black flower? It has been improved to match that. It will be a fitting symbol for the new Prime Minister's government."
"That makes sense."
Cromwell nodded, breathing in the flower's fragrance.
Since Asphodel was sometimes identified with the Narcissus flower, it would also help symbolize the affinity with the new Hysen government and display that closeness.
Of course, he had absolutely no inkling whatsoever about the hidden meaning contained within that flower.
The doubt was 'naturally' disappearing from his mind, but he felt no suspicion about it at all.