Chapter 45
A little over a year ago, I served as midwife for the Flower Witch's second daughter.
The tiny, soft, squishy baby that had been small enough to hold in both hands had grown to about the size of an elementary schooler in a very short time.
She was growing rapidly, but her face looked remarkably like the Flower Witch's, making their blood connection unmistakable.
"Uncle, I've been looking for you forever! I wanted to see you!♡"
The little offshoot slithered closer, wrapped both arms around my waist to hold me in place, and then wound vines and roots around my legs.
The blood drained from my face. The story about the Flower Witch eating people flashed through my mind. Like mother, like daughter.
"W-wait, ah... p-please don't eat me...!"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry...!"
When I squeezed out a plea for my life, the little offshoot hurriedly released me and stepped back a little. Even after letting me go, the tips of her thin vines kept brushing against my hands, but they didn't feel as though they were tightening.
Actually, the force she used to hold me wasn't nearly strong enough to strangle me to death, either.
R-right, yeah?
She wasn't planning to strangle and kill the person who saved her, then drain him dry, right? That would be terrifying.
It's okay to think that, right?
"Mii...!"
"Mii...!"
"Mimimi...!"
The fire lizards had been frightened by my fear and were now scared themselves. Sekitan and Mokutan curled up in my hands, while Tsubaki made herself as small as possible and hid behind my legs.
Damn it, my reliable guards have cowered! All because I wasn't acting dignified and imposing like a proper boss...!
"Um, well, the Flower Witch did tell me to 'come visit once in a while.' It's just, you see, I didn't mean any harm, and I wasn't trying to neglect her or anything. I'm simply a bit of a shut-in. I'll obey the summons, so p-please go easy on me..."
If the Flower Witch and her daughter had a reason to come into contact with me, that had to be it.
When I turned myself into a super-vibrating human shaker and bowed obsequiously while shaking Sekitan and Mokutan all over, the little offshoot stared blankly and tilted her head.
"??? I don't really get it. Oh! I have a letter from Mother. I'll give it to you, Uncle."
The little offshoot rummaged around beneath her petal skirt and held out a letter to me.
I set the two fire lizards in my hands down while trembling violently, missed the letter several times because I was shaking too much, and somehow managed to take it. Then I read it while still shaking violently.
This letter is pretty long. And isn't the writing all shaky, too? No, that's probably because I'm shaking.
"To the savior of my beloved daughters
It's been a long time. I am the Flower Witch.
A little over a year has passed since I failed to learn your name, and the seasons have turned to spring.
From time to time, I had the future-seeing mage look in on you. I wanted to send my daughter sooner, but every future we saw involved the Blue Witch interfering. Whatever the reason, I apologize for this sudden visit.
The daughter who brought you this letter is named Fuyou. I named her after the fuyou flower. I put my hopes into that name, wishing for her to grow into a beautiful, elegant child who would be blessed with wealth and live happily.
Now.
There are two reasons Fuyou has come to visit you this time.
The first is that Fuyou wanted to meet you.
My daughter's growth was very rapid. She quickly learned words, developed a rich emotional life, and became able to speak with humans. As her mother, every day has been full of surprises. It seems the children of my species grow at a very different rate from humans.
Fuyou vaguely remembers the gentle warmth of your hands when you delivered her. Perhaps because I sometimes praised you, she often made the adorable demand that she wanted to see you, wanted to see you.
I stopped her when she was small, telling her that the outside world was dangerous. But now her body has grown, she can speak with reasonable fluency, and she has acquired the minimum judgment necessary, so I have permitted her to make this journey.
Fuyou should have enjoyed a safe outing without meeting anyone on the road from my territory to Okutama. That is, if the future-seeing mage was not lying.
Fuyou must be happy to have met you. You do not seem very happy, though. Fuyou likes you. Please be kind to her. At the very least, do not be cold. If you are too cold to her, I will get angry, even if you are her benefactor.
The second reason Fuyou has come to visit you is so that she can find a place to put down roots.
Our species spreads its roots widely through the earth and claims the area as our territory. However, I have already spread my roots throughout the land I manage from Arakawa Ward to Taito Ward, leaving no room for my daughter to put down roots.
Fuyou has recently begun moving around less and remaining still more, and she has become clumsy at walking. She has also begun to take root in her sleep more often. She needed to be moved as soon as possible to a high-quality territory suitable for putting down roots and spending the rest of her life.
The Okutama where you live is suitable territory for Fuyou.
It is spacious enough, and for some reason, only weak monsters appear there. She will not be attacked by powerful monsters she is still too young to handle. She can grow up safely and healthily. It has clean water, and the soil is fertile.
Of course, I have the motherly desire to keep Fuyou close and have her put down roots in a nearby district. But the land near me is either managed by another witch or, if it is not, inhabited by powerful monsters that would be dangerous for young Fuyou.
Without a doubt, the best land for Fuyou is Okutama. I sincerely hope you will accept my daughter's relocation.
That said.
I know you would refuse if I simply asked. So I have prepared some favorable conditions for you.
First, you will be able to stay with my adorable, adorable Fuyou, who adores you. You can see her, talk to her, and hug her every day. Not that you intend to do any of those things. This is unquestionably the greatest benefit. Denying it is not permitted.
Next is security. I have taught Fuyou several useful spells. She can use the Mist of Bewilderment currently spread across Okutama, as well as Eyeball Familiar magic and Fertility magic. She also knows Night magic and Kindled Flame magic. Fuyou will gladly use the spells she has learned for you whenever you need them. She can also scatter essential oils to eliminate pests from your fields.
Fuyou can pronounce sounds that humans cannot, so if possible, please teach her one new spell after another. They say that a skill is an asset. I will be happy if my daughter grows up strong, wise, and beautiful.
The final benefit is the provision of wand materials. Our species can create wood with a variety of properties. You saw me make a wooden bucket a year ago, didn't you? Fuyou can do the same. Hardness, flexibility, weight—she can adjust them however she likes. She is still a little unsteady at it, but once she grows, she will become an indispensable partner in your work.
Now, your mind is made up, isn't it?
From here on, I have four requests for you concerning my daughter's education.
① No matter how much she begs for chemical fertilizer, limit her to one bag once every three days. Chemical fertilizer is bad for her health.
② Do not be lazy about pulling the weeds around her. You may pull them yourself, but if possible, make her pull them herself.
③ Have her bathe in the morning or evening! Be persistent about telling her this. If she bathes during the day, the water droplets will act as lenses and scorch her leaves, or on a sweltering summer day, the water will turn hot and boil her roots.
④ Have the Eyeball Familiar carry a letter and tell her to send me a letter every day. I expect she will start neglecting her letters around a month after the first one. There is no need to worry about writing implements, as Fuyou can make them herself.
Those are the four points.
Please take very good care of her.
I have talked only about my daughter, but personally, I also think highly of you. You are welcome to visit at any time. I hope we can continue to have a long and pleasant relationship.
The Flower Witch"
By the time I finished reading, the trembling throughout my body had stopped.
When I raised my face from the letter, Fuyou was waving her short roots and threatening back at the fire lizards, who were hiding behind me while threatening her.
"How cheeky! Even though you're smaller than me!"
"Mii!"
"Hmph! I'm the older sister!"
"Mii!"
"Cry uncle! Come on, roll over and admit defeat!"
"Mimimi!"
Tsubaki hid half her body behind my shoe, stuck out her tongue, and grinned provocatively. Fuyou angrily slammed her vines against the asphalt again and again. The asphalt cracked a little, and I freaked out.
You're really strong. Are you actually a one-year-old? You grow way too fast. When you were born, you were so soft and fragile that you looked like you would be crushed if I used even a little force.
"What? You understand what these guys are saying?"
"Huh? I don't! But I can tell they don't respect me. I'm the big sister!"
"Mii! Mimit, mimimi!"
"Hey, Tsubaki, don't be so boastful. Save the pecking order for later."
"Mi..."
I didn't want things to escalate into a contest between flamethrowers and vine whips with me caught in the middle, so I made them settle down for the moment.
Having my actions seen through by future sight isn't a very pleasant feeling.
Taking Fuyou in is certainly a good deal, though. Basically, Okutama's defenses get stronger, and I get high-quality wand materials, right? That's an awfully big benefit.
I was going to agree to the relocation anyway, but having the letter spell everything out as if my agreement were a foregone conclusion still rubbed me the wrong way.
I took the bluish-white Eyeball Familiar from my pocket, tapped it several times to call Hiyori, and then spoke.
"Hello, Hiyori? The Flower Witch's daughter has arrived near the entrance to Okutama. I've decided to grant her permission to relocate here. Come meet her."
"...Huh? What are you talking about? What about the Flower Witch?"
"I'll explain everything here. Bye."
"Hey, wait, you—"
I shoved the Eyeball Familiar, which was still saying something, back into my pocket and spoke to Fuyou, who was spreading her vines and roots as far as she could to threaten the fire lizards.
"I've read your mother's entire letter. You can live in Okutama."
"Really!? Yay! I love you, Uncle!♡"
I stepped back to avoid Fuyou as she stopped threatening them and tried to hug me with undisguised joy.
Holding the undeterred little offshoot's head at arm's length with one hand and refusing her hug, I presented the conditions for her relocation.
"However. Stay away from the house and the fields. And stay away from the river where the waterwheel is. Do not put down roots or extend your vines in any of those places. Don't show your face around here. You may claim territory only outside my living area, even within Okutama."
"...? Huh? Say that again?"
"Stay away from the area around my house. If you can follow that rule, you can live in Okutama."
"Got it!"
She definitely hadn't understood a thing... Well, I'd teach her as I showed her around later.
"Such a biiig territory! With Uncle!♡"
Fuyou happily danced her vines and roots around.
She had an awfully high opinion of me for someone I'd practically just met.
...It is high, right? The Flower Witch's letter said Fuyou liked me, too.
I don't get it. I understand being grateful to someone who saved your life, but does that really make you fall in love with them?
By that logic, I would have to be madly in love with the doctor who operated on my appendix. That makes no sense, does it?
After spending several minutes in philosophical contemplation of the relationship between human emotions and indebtedness, I saw Hiyori sprinting toward us from the other side of the road, gripping Cuanos in her hands.
She leaped between Fuyou and me, skidded to a stop, and scattered a gust of wind. But as she pointed the tip of Cuanos directly at Fuyou, the fierce intensity of her presence faded.
"You are... what? You're not the Flower Witch...?"
"I told you. She's the Flower Witch's daughter."
"Wow, what a pretty wand... Oh! I have a letter for the Blue Witch-sama, too. Here you go!"
"Ah, yes. Thank you?"
Hiyori accepted the letter in confusion while keeping Cuanos pointed at Fuyou.
She opened the letter with one hand, read it, silently crumpled it up, and shoved it into her pocket.
"What did it say?"
"...Oh, nothing important. It said that if Okutama's defenses are stronger, I won't have to worry about Dairi while I'm guarding Kei-chan."
"Exactly. Pretty good, right?"
"The question is whether this child can be trusted in the first place."
Hiyori scrutinized Fuyou suspiciously. Noticing her gaze, Fuyou turned squarely toward Blue Witch-sama, delicately lifted the edge of her petal skirt, and offered a curtsy.
"Blue Witch! My name is Fuyou! I'm one year old. I'm a good girl!"
"...Ah, yes. I'm the Blue Witch. Good job introducing yourself."
"Ehehe."
Fuyou smiled happily at the praise.
The tension of vigilance drained from Hiyori's body, and Cuanos was lowered.
She lowers her guard quickly, doesn't she? Well, it's fine. I also figured Fuyou was mostly safe.
"Is this all right?"
"The Flower Witch isn't stupid, and she would never exploit her daughter as part of a scheme. She might scheme for her daughter's sake, but..."
"That is certainly true."
During the Mushroom Pandemic, she had weighed several million lives against her daughter's life and chosen her daughter without a second thought. I had known her for only a short time, but even I could tell she wasn't going to use her daughter to manipulate me.
If anything, I should be more worried about accidentally hurting Fuyou and making the Flower Witch furious.
I brushed aside the vine that was cautiously reaching for my hand, signaled to the fire lizards, and headed home. Whatever else happened, I had settled things with the person handling security, and if Fuyou was going to move in, we had to start by showing her the house. I needed to show her the fields and the house and make sure she understood not to come near them.
Hiyori and I walked side by side at the front, while the fire lizards and Fuyou followed behind us in a noisy cluster.
We had nothing in particular to talk about, so I walked along absentmindedly. Then Hiyori, who had been rustling the letter in her pocket, cleared her throat and spoke to me.
"Hey, Dairi."
"Hm?"
"This summer, would you like to go to the beach with me?"
"No."
"I thought so. Then how about the river? We could go fishing or play in the water at the Okutama River."
"Oh, sounds good. Then let's have a contest to see who can catch the bigger softshell turtle! Red-eared sliders don't count."
"All right. Then it's a promise. Have a swimsuit ready. I'll prepare one, too."
"Huh? Aren't shorts fine? Ah, no, I guess that won't work for you. Sorry, that was a poor choice of words. Fine, I'll prepare something, too. I wonder if I ever threw away my swimming goggles from high school..."
I led Hiyori, who seemed to be in a slightly better mood, toward my home with a whole procession of monsters in tow.
What was supposed to be an idyllic life alone had become quite lively before I knew it. If someone had told me this would happen before the Gremlin disaster, I doubt I would have believed them. For that matter, even I sometimes find myself tilting my head at the life I'm living now.
Still, it's not bad. It's not a bad life.
That is enough.
After all, I live in a ruined world that has weathered a crisis threatening the end of the world.