Chương 372: Visiting Amapola.

Liu Shu's Level Up process was still ongoing while the entire Golden Sap City changed. After a few weeks of squeezing Wisdom's abilities to help her manage the Golden Sap City's future plans, Flor decided to visit Amapola. Unlike herself, Amapola has not really become younger as the years have passed by. Even as the Rose Fairy Queen, her lifespan didn't really reach 60 years old. That day, Amapola's 46th birthday arrived.

Once Flor arrived at Amapola's home, she saw the Rose Fairy Queen wielding her sword and dancing in the air. Flor paused as she observed the mature Rose Fairy dance with elegance and agility. However, Flor could see that a few of Amapola's hairs at the sides had changed from the usual rose-red to a white color. Her face didn't have wrinkles, but it was far from the supple and young skin Rose Fairies had.

Her arms and body were perfectly muscular, and her face carried a stern but wise expression as she practiced the sword. After waiting for 10 more minutes, Amapola landed on the ground, her face drenched in sweat. She took a deep breath and sighed. Flor sighed faintly for herself before speaking up.

"Amapola." Amapola blinked and turned around, showing a faint smile.

"Flor, you are here. Is there anything wrong?" Flor shook her head and stepped forward.

"Nothing like that. I just want to visit my good friend." Seeing Flor's teasing smile, Amapola laughed and moved to the side, taking a towel to clean herself. Flor raised her eyebrow and asked.

"How is your strength? Did you become stronger after reaching Level 50?"

"Well…" Amapola tilted her head, unsure.

"Stat-wise, I am clearly stronger. However, I can feel the age weighing on me. My bones are not as strong as before, and I get tired much more easily." Flor smiled slightly.

"I see. Well, today you are forty six~. A number quite difficult to imagine for our previous selves!" Amapola was surprised and exclaimed.

"Forty-six!" Amapola complained jokingly.

"I am going to fall apart soon. Don't throw me away when that happens." Flor shook her head and explained.

"I've asked Liu Shu to create a zone with twenty-five <Lignified Tree Houses> in the inner area of the city. We will use those houses as retirement homes. There will be enough food, houses, and entertainment areas for up to a quarter of a million veterans." Amapola smiled amusedly.

"Am I going there as well?" Flor shrugged.

"That depends on you. It is not something we'll force on people. That place exists as somewhere for those who don't know what to do after a life of fighting starts to settle down. You will be assigned one apartment as well. Being on the inner side of the city, there will be basically no security problems. Plus, you will be able to live with those who have gone through similar experiences." Amapola tapped her chin and smiled.

"A little paradise of rest before returning to the earth and nourishing new life."

"That's the intention." Flor smiled back. Amapola shook her head.

"I probably won't go there." Confused, the Flower Fairy asked.

"Why do you say so?" Amapola looked at her sword and chuckled.

"I don't really want to pass my last days in relaxation. If I die, it will be in battle." Flor looked at Amapola and sighed.

"You've been like that since I took care of you when you were little." Flor reminisced about the past.

"You, Clavel, Aster, and Zinia… You were good friends." Amapola answered softly.

"Aster died, and Zinia followed soon after. Clavel was probably too affected by their deaths, and that's why she became somewhat reclusive and stayed back taking care of the animals in the farms." Flor shook her head.

"Well, you were a few years older than them. So, I guess that Clavel felt somewhat closer to those two. Eventually, though, I couldn't protect them." Both of them stayed silent for a moment. Amapola spoke cautiously.

"Clavel… How is she doing?" Flor didn't answer right away. She had visited Clavel a few months ago, and the changes made her heart tremble for a second. Being a non-high-level Rose Fairy, her life span was much shorter than Amapola's. Having reached 40 already, Clavel was already looking like a gracefully aged old lady. Her face had some wrinkles at the sides of her eyes, but her face remained gentle and pleasant to look at.

Her hair had also become primarily white, with a few red streaks from what little non-aged hair remained. Flor looked up at the sky, observing Liu Shu's massive canopy.

"Well, Clavel has taught a few excellent children and is now looking over the farm. She has also settled down on the farm, living her remaining days in peace." A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Amapola heard the implied meaning, and a lump appeared in her throat. She couldn't help but ask, "Does she not have much left?" Flor didn't lie.

"Probably four more years? I don't really feel that her vitality can hold beyond that point."

"Four years…" Amapola smiled sadly.

"I should go visit her. We haven't seen each other for a few years already." Flor glanced at Amapola's awkward face and asked with a gentle look.

"Did you blame her?" Amapola scratched her cheek and nodded.

"I did. I thought that she was cowardly for not choosing to fight for Liu Shu's sake. I thought that being the one who discovered Liu Shu, she would fight until the end, just as Aster and Zinia did." Amapola sat down on a wooden chair and sighed.

"I was a bit close-minded. Moreover, with the added responsibilities of becoming the Rose Fairy Queen, I completely ignored Clavel." Amapola looked at Flor with a sigh.

"Now… Many years have passed. I am also beyond my prime, hoping that little Alba can become the next Rose Fairy Queen soon so that I become just one more general, like before. Hahaha."

"Alba…" Flor muttered and asked, curious.

"Is she one of the Rose Fairies born here?" Amapola chuckled.

"Flor… Few Rose Fairies remain from when we were outside. Probably less than ten, even when counting you and I. The older ones died during the last 18 years. The ones our age and younger, being F Ranked and relatively untalented, also died across all the conflicts we've been facing. Combat Rose Fairies from that time… Only you and I remain." Amapola paused and smiled awkwardly.

"Well, you are not even a Rose Fairy anymore. So, I guess I am the last Rose Fairy from that time who still fights." Flor looked at Amapola with a lump in her throat. She felt an indescribable sadness when she heard those words. Amapola's words sounded truly too lonely.

"... Is this why you want to die in battle?"

"Many reasons. Don't worry, Flor. I am not suicidal." Amapola chuckled and stood up, walking to the side where a bottle made out of wood held a bit of water mixed with Liu Shu's leaves. After taking a sip of the refreshing beverage, Amapola exhaled.

"The reason why I want to die in battle is because that's where I am the most useful. This Golden Sap City was built upon many corpses, both of enemies and allies. I just plan to share that burden with those that have become part of nature and continue elevating Liu Shu's standing." Clank! Both fairies blinked and looked sideways. Flor saw a panicked Rose Fairy with beautiful facial features and lively eyes glancing between them and the door. Clearly, she was pondering whether to run or face them.

Flor raised her eyebrow gently and asked with a chuckle.

"Were you spying on us, little one?" Being a normal Rose Fairy, her height was a cute 20 centimeters. Compared to Amapola's and Flor's, who are over 60 centimeters in height, she was truly petite. The Rose Fairy's face was pale at Flor's accusations as she rushed to defend herself.

"L-L-Lady Flor! It is a misunderstanding! I was coming to visit Master Amapola and couldn't help but overhear! I swear I don't have bad intentions!" Amapola chuckled and beckoned her with her hand.

"Come, Alba. Let me present Flor to you. After all, you'll soon become the next Rose Fairy Queen." Flor suddenly realized that this adorable Rose Fairy was the one that Amapola had set her eyes on as the next Rose Fairy Queen. She couldn't help but size her up more closely.

'She has a slender but agile body. Unlike Amapola, who is trained in melee and built like a warrior, Alba feels as if a gentle breeze would blow her back.' The Flower Fairy couldn't help but tilt her head.

'What an odd choice from Amapola.' Alba was so nervous that her wings almost malfunctioned when flying over.

'Oh, branches above! Oh, branches above! I feel that I've listened to an incredible conversation! I was planning on returning later, but how could I miss the chance to listen to Lady Flor speak!' Her big eyes glanced at the Flower Fairy, and her face became almost as red as her hair.

'She is so beautiful and cool! Ah! Our first queen, and now the ruler of all fairies, Lady Flor! Ugh, I am going to faint from being so close to such a goddess!' Amapola commented while gently patting Alba's head.

"Alba is intelligent and knows how to manage things. She has been helping me since a while ago, and her combat strength is second only to mine." Flor was surprised.

"Oh? Little Alba is that strong?" Amapola chuckled.

"Don't underestimate her. She is currently a Level 49, C- Tier little genius. She is also barely over twenty years old." Flor's face gained a touch of shock.

"No way. A C- tier Rose Fairy? I always thought that Rose Fairies would only reach D+ Tier as their maximum potential." Amapola explained.

"Little Alba was born during the time when Liu Shu did some experiments with her <Enchanted Growth> skill. Due to her not having much land, she chose to focus her <Enchanted Growth> on a few Rose Fairy Flowers. Remember?" Flor had some recollection of such an event.

"Is Little Alba from back then?" Amapola confirmed it.

"Indeed. She had a mini mutation, but this slight mutation allowed her to break the barrier of our species. To contribute to our species, Little Alba has been hard working and has already pollinated a few of her seeds." Alba nodded like a pecking chicken.

"L-L-Lady Flor! With me making tons of little fairies, I will make sure that the Rose Fairies become stronger! Like Lady Flor has done with her own descendants!" Flor laughed and smiled gently.

"I am glad that you think like that." Seeing Flor's laugh at her made Alba feel like fainting.

'L-Lady Flor is so pretty! Ahhhh!' Alba managed to stutter out an answer in an excited and high-pitched tone.

"I-It is my honor to spread our bloodline!" While they were speaking, a small bird descended and landed in front of Flor. Flor blinked and leaned down, taking the message from it.

"We've spotted a massive army crossing the Wall Forest and coming our way. The troops have started gathering and heading toward Fortuna City." Her face turned serious, but at the same time, her heart squeezed slightly as she glanced at Amapola beside her.

'After that talk…' Flor had a bad premonition. Amapola asked, curious.

"What's wrong?" Flor hesitated for a second. However, she eventually sighed and spoke.

"We are going to have to fight soon. The Nexus over the Wall Forest seems to be making a move on us." Amapola's face gained a serious touch, and she spoke.

"I'll gather everyone. Alba, come with me. This will be the warzone when you reach Level 50 and take over my mantle." Alba answered loudly.

"Yes, Master!"