Let’s Block the Ruined Route in Advance

‘I’ve stopped seeing the future.’

 

Eileen’s jaw clenched in thought as she eagerly scooped up her late lunch with fumbling hands. She’d watched the original a few more times after she’d kicked Luis Roban out, but mostly it had been about Cordelia’s life in the distant future.

 

‘Considering the lunatics I’ve seen so far, that means there are at least two more Fifty Shades of Grey besides Lucian.’

 

As Eileen pondered what to do next, she turned her head to the commotion outside the window. Cordelia and Lucian were coming up, arguing about whether training time was over.

 

‘So far so good. But not at this pace…’

 

There was another difference from the original. Cordelia had taken up swordplay. Her skill and determination were considerable, and she was getting stronger every day.

 

‘It’s a good thing. They say a healthy body is a healthy mind.’

 

It wasn’t only Cordelia who became stronger. Lucian, perhaps inspired by Cordelia’s words, had stepped up his training and was already showing signs of becoming an Auror.

 

When Eileen told Orgen about it during the afternoon training session, Orgen raised an eyebrow and let out a small gasp.

 “An Auror already? His blood must be scary.” “Yes. They’re both getting frighteningly strong, and I can’t wait to learn how to use my powers.” “Don’t be impatient, everyone goes at their own pace.” “I know.” 

Looking down at the frustrated little head, Orgen shrugged.

 “Still, aren’t you strong enough? “I mean, I am a danger by itself.” “Fuhaha!” 

Orgen laughed out loud amidst the overturned and mangled training grounds. He wiped a tear from his eye and slammed his fist into his palm.

 “Yes! How about a greenhouse? Now that we’ve escaped the level of blowing things up, we can try something a little more delicate.” 

Working directly with the soil had begun to show some results, and he felt it was time to test and refine her life force manipulation skills.

 “Nourishing life from the earth is a delicate business. Wouldn’t it be great to learn to control it and feel rewarded at the same time?” “A Greenhouse…” 

The Duke of Gaudium had a rather large greenhouse. Five years ago, when Theresia’s health was better than it was now, her reputation had spread to other estates for the beautiful plants she tended.

 

Now she hasn’t left her room for over two weeks with the winter flu, but she might be pleased to see the greenhouse revived in the future.

 “I think it’s a good idea.” 

That evening, Eileen officially received permission from the duke to begin rebuilding the greenhouse.

  

* * *

  “Yes, it’s nice.” “It’s okay to laugh. It’s not reconstruction, it’s a disaster~” 

Orgen chuckled. The plan to create a furrowed border to give it an exotic feel had turned into a canyon, and the plants that had survived the winter with the earth’s energy had bloomed, creating a jungle-like atmosphere with their sprawling bones.

 “Well, it certainly looks exotic! I’ve never been to the demon world, but I wonder if it’s like this?” “Sir!” “Oh, it’s not that bad!” 

Cordelia and Lucian tried to shut the catastrophic Orgen’s mouth, but the eighty-year-old grunt was not easily silenced.

 “Still, it’s not that bad. At least the plants are alive~ I mean, I ate them, but they’re gnarly.” 

Eileen’s shoulders slumped slightly as Orgen continued. Cordelia looked impatiently at the vines beside her and exclaimed.

 “But this exotic vine makes it feel, um, a little more upscale!” “That is weed…” 

Cordelia snapped, and Lucian, watching, pointed at the huge flower.

 “Wow, sunflowers this time of year. Pretty charming!” “That’s cosmos…” “What?” 

Shocked, Lucian stared at the flower’s head. He was about to turn around and laugh when Oslo stopped her.

 “Since you brought the greenhouse to life, why don’t we leave the maintenance to the gardeners? Victor complains that winter has come and there is less work to do. I’m sure he’ll be very happy to take over.” “Will it be okay in this condition?” 

Oslo, looking as shriveled as a puppy caught in the rain, nodded hastily.

 “Of course!” 

A relieved Eileen breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Theresia’s greenhouse had at least some chance of resuscitation. 

 

Lucian gave Oslo a thumbs up from behind her.

 

Over the next two weeks, major work began on the greenhouse. 

 

Gullies were filled in, stone paths were carved out to create water channels, and the jagged, giant plants were transformed by Victor, a gardener with 25 years of experience, into unique works of art that could not be found anywhere else in the Empire.

 

It was no secret that Eileen cried silent tears of joy as she watched the greenhouse transform from day to day, until one day it was finally finished.

 “Madam, it’s still cold out there.” “It’s okay, I’m just stuffy.” “I’ll help you.” 

Finally, Theresia shook off the flu and came out of the room. Her pale face and frizzy hair showed how hard she’d been working.

 

She hadn’t eaten much and could barely walk with the duke’s help, but when Eileen told her that the greenhouse was being decorated for her, she was more than happy to oblige.

 

And it was in the greenhouse that Theresia visited that Eileen discovered another of her abilities.

  

* * *

  

The first thing Theresia saw when she entered the greenhouse was a huge arch of rose vines, blooming beautifully even in the dead of winter.

 “Oh my!” 

She gazed in amazement at how large and luscious the pale pink rose blossoms were before turning her attention elsewhere. Huge, exotic trees and flowers clustered together like a miniature forest, adorned with colorful silks.

 “Eileen, it’s so beautiful! I feel like I’m in a fairy tale.” 

Small birds sang and fish swam lazily in the interconnected waterways. It couldn’t have been more beautiful, and Theresia’s cheeks burned.

 “If the gardeners hadn’t helped me, I could never have done it alone.” 

Eileen scratched her cheek in embarrassment, and Theresia pulled her into a hug.

 “You could use some help. I’m just glad you’re thinking of me and that you made such a beautiful garden. Thank you so much.” 

Hesitantly, Eileen carefully put her hand around Theresa’s waist, and Orgen, smiling at the sight, asked,

“Theresia, do you feel anything?” “Ah, yes.” 

As Theresia marveled at the mysterious transformation of the landscape, she soon realized and marveled at one thing.

 “It’s so easy to breathe here.” 

She had been coughing and suffering from chronic chest pain for a month, but when she entered the greenhouse, the pain seemed to disappear. 

 

Her fatigue seemed to lift as well, and she found it easy to stand without the support of the duke.

 “Certainly.” 

The duke nodded. 

 

The fatigue that had built up in the swordmaster’s body from nursing Theresia at night and tending to his affairs during the day was slowly dissipating.

 

Orgen nodded proudly at the sight.

 “As expected,” “You know something?” 

Eileen, who had been watching the Duke and Duchess curiously, asked him. Orgen chuckled and put a hand on Eileen’s shoulder.

 “This is no ordinary garden, after all it was created by an elemental spirit, so why shouldn’t it be special?”

Orgen said, watching Star roll happily across the grass.

 “A space filled with the dynamic life force of the spirits, especially the waves you and Star create, Eileen, are so different from the spirits of other lands that they affect the surrounding area. Even the plants here aren’t that big.” 

Eileen’s eyes widened.

 “You didn’t say that…” “I’ve never seen waves and young spirits like this before, so it was just an estimate. Don’t you think it’s better to have a surprise than to build up anticipation and then be disappointed?” 

Eileen nodded.

 “Don’t be impatient to get stronger. You’re doing fine.” 

Smiling like an adult for the first time in a long time, Orgen patted Eileen on the head. Eileen blushed.

 

She was embarrassed to have been caught being a little impatient, but also glad to be understood.

 

A moment later, Theresia and the Duke approached, having heard the news. Theresia, looking more relaxed, smiled more affectionately than the sunlight streaming into the greenhouse.

 “Thank you, sir.” 

Eileen’s euphoria caused Star to jump up and down in the garden, her mood echoed by the mysterious ball, whose glowing form hovered over the crowded greenhouse.

 

Cordelia and Lucian’s eyes widened at the sight as they entered the greenhouse late.

 “It’s so, so, so beautiful!” “Yes! It’s like a magical world!” 

The excited children crowded around Eileen as she hugged them.

 

It was a happy childhood, a reborn future.

 

The Duke and Duchess and everyone else in the garden smiled. The trees were a vibrant green, growing through the thick winter.

 

Three years had passed in the softness of that day.

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