Bloom

Time really passes when one is having fun.

Water Affinity has risen to MAX. Water Affinity is now Water Root!

Also, I can’t stay angry forever. This probably has more to do with my new ‘Balance’ achievement. Due to the way Fire and Water Laws interact I find anger hard to hold onto.

It probably helped that every day for the past four centuries Shimmer asked, “Graaaaaaaaaaaanpaaaaaaaaaa, pleeeeeeeeeease cure brother!”

Rustle.

Tsk. Fine. I suppose several centuries is enough punishment. The boy has certainly been obedient enough since then.

Tribulation of the Martyr has been Purified.

I guess it’s fine, my Garden has grown to encompass the entire Colosseum now.

Rustleee.

What? They want to go out and adventure around in the world now?

Whatever for? They aren’t going to find half the magical herbs, piles of treasure, or cute magical pets they will in here!

Ah, this is that…

That thing again…

Wanderlust.

Tsk. Fine, fine! I see how it is with both of you making faces at me.

“Go on then. Have fun.” I said finally to the two young adults.

I’ve made such improvements in the vast sea of Blessing and Enchantment.

Just like with my recent advances in Fire and Water, I realized a truth.

It’s all about [Balance] in the end.

No enchantment or blessing that grants a boon, can be without an effect that is also a bane!

Rustllllleeee.

Exactly. Proof of concept, once the Itch was casted along with the associated boons he already had, did not Flicker, become more stable?

Proof indeed of the truth of [Balance].

Although, admittedly, having a semi-immortal guardian duo taking care of my Garden was nice.

I am after all a Tree.

A powerful.

Handsome.

Cute, miniature tree, true.

My ‘nap’ and ‘sleep’ are measured in years or decades, not paltry human hours.

For that, it’s obvious I need guardians, caretakers, gardeners.

Rustle.

That!

That’s so cruel!

I am not a lazy Tree!

Research just takes a lot out of me.

And now with our dynamic duo gone, who’s going to protect me when I rest?

Kehoko has reached MAX level! [Humanoid] Evolution Path unlocked!

Eh…

Did you plan this, Dryad?!

Kurhoko has reached MAX level! [Humanoid] Evolution Path unlocked!

You planned this! It’s more obvious than the difference between Water and Fire!

Rustle.

Smirking! I can see it! You. Are. Smirking!

Well, whatever.

Even you have to admit Dryad, the number of Adventure parties that try to sneak into the Colosseum in order to kill me is on the rise.

The first century it was a pittance.

Then a pile.

Now, it’s a damn flood.

I think evasive action needs to be taken to filter out the garbage.

Rustle?

A thresher if you will to separate those worth spending time on from common wheat.

To that end I have made…

This!

Rumble.

Behold! A flying Colosseum and Garden in one!

…Rustle…

No, no I did not just make my Garden fly to follow around my two protégé like a doting older relative.

That, that’s not...true.

Our flight path just might be vaguely in line with their travels.

Vaguely you hear me?

+++

An old man stared at the reports on his expensive desk. The normal tidy reports were arrayed in a haphazard manner that practically screamed terror. It wasn’t unusual for the Sargosso Colosseum to sprout some new mystical herb, or rarely seen magical creature over the last few centuries.

Take the two twin terrors of Sargosso, the foxes of legend, Kehoko and Kurhoko. Although he, Simon Garfunz, had never seen them in person in his life. Legend claimed that almost half a millennia ago, the foxes created the Garden of Sargosso Colosseum. Under their care and concern, the entities known far and wide as demi-gods were created.

Flicker of Life, Shimmer of Death.

No one had any clue what their human names were before they were changed, altered.

Archmages had given lifetimes to unravel the secrets of the undefeatable duo. More gold had been spent in pursuit of trying to discover exactly how their immortality was achieved. Adventurers threw their lives away en mass on a yearly basis.

It was the secret that powerful entities would quite literally, kill, for.

Simon grabbed his head in both hands and slumped on the desk.

And now it’s gone, all gone.

There is no doubt War is inevitable now.

No country, Archmage, Martial Overlord, or Emperor is going to just accept the excuse that the Colosseum floated away.

It doesn’t matter how many eyewitness reports there are, or how many people disappeared inside.

Every party will merely conclude the other has realized a way to grasp immortality, before taking steps to deprive the others.

“Guildmaster…what should we do?” asked a young man dressed in the latest magical gimmicks. His sense of fashion left a great deal to desire, but, to Simon he was a godsend.

Raising his head off the desk, Simon straightened his flowing robes, “We are going to lie.”

“Er…lie, Guildmaster?”

“Yes, Nel, we are going to lie.” Simon said, his expression now calm and completely collected. The fingers of one hand tapped on his desk in nervous rhythm.

“When asked, ‘How’ or ‘Why’ this happened there is of course a simple explanation.” Simon said, rising from his chair to pace behind his desk.

Ignoring the incredulous expression of Nel, Simon continued, “Isn’t it obvious? This action is beyond mere mortal comprehension. Obviously those two Foxes have chosen to make their escape by air!”

“Sir! That’s genius!” Nel said, his expression morphing to awe.

“Exactly, Nel, exactly!” said Simon, triumphant. “Obviously those two monstrous Foxes managed to reach the pinnacle of Beast evolution, perhaps they can even take human shape now!”

Simon paused stroking his thick beard, “After all, at last report didn’t they have eight tails apiece?” Inspiration struck him further, “That’s it, they managed to break the barrier and reach human form!”

“And of course, as newly evolved, they wouldn’t want just any random garbage bothering them while they are weak…” Simon said, his well manicured fingernails tapping once more on the desk as he stood nearby.

“That’s all well and good, Sir. However, how are we going to explain the disappearance of the Holy Red Tree?” said Nel, sweat appearing on his forehead.

Simon glared at him as he tried to think up another brilliant excuse.

“Ah!”

“Ah!” they both exclaimed in unison.

“We’ll just blame those two for everything!” Simon said, his expression relieved.