1127 17.54 Fourth Violet Star - The Forbidden Greenhouse.

At the First Military Imperial School,

In the Forbidden Greenhouse...

Every morning when the pupils woke up, they were all busy. They have to water the plants, turn the soil, trim the leaves and branches, and take care of the roots every day. The pupils were accustomed to this calm existence and seemed to be full-time farmers and gardeners. They received daily gifts of fruits and vegetables from the Sentient Beings in the greenhouse, who were friendly to them as well. Even if there isn't any meat to eat, eating vegetables and fruits is more satisfying than consuming repulsive nutritious alternatives like rations.

"Lili, can you accompany me to trim the roses before breakfast?"

"Sure. Let's go together!"

"Rean, go with me to the pond to refill the water in the tank. Let's bring the squad too."

"Let's go, bro. We cannot lose to the ladies in doing our duties."

"Don't play with water, you boys!"

"Yes~~"

They built a few wooden tree houses to reside in. They are created by some sort of sentient tree that feels awful when it sees kids sleeping on a chilly, muddy surface. Also, some of them are injured people. These Tree Cabins were built for them to use in order to prevent infection. Of course, they are not allowed to go inside the greenhouse's deepest level. Only Jace Green von Imperlian was permitted to travel there among the group.

This is thus because Little Bing'er, the most powerful Sentient Being in the greenhouse, is originally housed at the deepest part of the greenhouse. The only Sentient Flower with an SSS Ranking that Yara von Chrysalis had ever planted. This is actually the snow lotus that Lord Hei unintentionally transported from the previous Cultivation World. In the snowflake-shaped inventory earring that the Grand Marshal had given Yara, the snow lotus bloom was discovered.

The wilting flower was discovered by Yara von Chrysalis, who replanted its roots in a tiny pond inside the Forbidden Greenhouse. This Snow Lotus woke up, developed intellect, and became one of the most powerful Sentient beings in existence as a result of Yara's spores. Her strength is comparable to that of the first Grand Marshal, who was reputed to be the strongest member of the Human Race.

Typically, Sentient Beings were more powerful than equal-rank humans. Another reason Duke Gretel wanted to visit the Greenhouse his nephew had taken care of was because of this. Because he was aware that these Sentient Beings owed him something as Yara's Uncle, he knew that if he needed their a.s.sistance, they would look Yara in the eye and provide it.

09:21

Jace Green von Imperlian is swimming in the pond while wearing waterproof gardening gear in the deepest part of the Greenhouse. A ma.s.sive Snow Lotus in full bloom is in front of him. He is now using a dripper to gently water each flower petal. The petals of the snow lotus don't require an abundance of water. It is abundant in water, and its roots are submerged in it.

But, it doesn't suction too much because if it did, it would dry out more quickly and would only be able to consume pond nutrients. To prevent the flower from suffocating from an excess of nutrients, Jace Green would pour the flower nutrients onto the pond rather than straight onto the blossom. To examine the condition of the Snow Lotus' roots, the youngest prince would also have to plunge into the pond. Its roots must remain in the water, or it would wilt, after all.

Little Bing'er in his humanoid form was floating on the water swimming around the busy youngest prince.

"Greenie~ I'm bloated with those nutrients. Is there no other flavor? It seems tasteless already~"

"Please stop complaining. We can even come out or maybe the main city is already gone. Where can I get the materials to make new nutrients to eat?" Jace Green von Imperlian said.

Little Bing'er was floating on the pond bored and commented, "I think the city you humans used to live in had been taken back. There are fewer Ant Zergs outside your school~"

"R-Really?!" Jace Green von Imperlian exclaims in delight. Getting the Main City retaken means that the Military had finally made a move.

Little Bing'er pouted and said, "What are you so happy about?! These stupid ants wouldn't disappear unless you humans kill the Black Ant Zerg Queen. This bug multiplies fast only second to c.o.c.kroaches. The King and his spouse aren't even in this star, it would be hard to get this invasion to stop~"

"Little Bing'er! Do you know where that Ant Queen is? Please tell me. I will definitely do my best to create a new and delicious nutrient solution for you as soon as I have the materials!" Jace Green von Imperlian promised.

Little Bing'er said, "I want a snow-flavored one!"

"Snow flavored nutrients? Did that flavor even exist?" Jace Green von Imperlian mumbled.

Little Bing'er snorted and said, "That's a problem for you to solve. That Ant Zerg Queen is in the South Forbidden Forest. The Lost forest that no humans had ventured into. Ask the other humans to destroy them thoroughly. They have almost ruined the King's Flower Garden in that area."

"Yara's Flower Garden? How come he didn't bring me there?" Jace Green von Imperlian muttered looking a bit deflated with his mood down.

Little Bing'er carelessly comforted. "It's not like the King can just bring you there whenever he feels like it. That's a forbidden land that even the human race hasn't looked through yet. If he brought you there you would be caught right away and the King wouldn't be able to keep a low profile anymore. Anyway, I can bring you there with little brother Rozen to meet the other sisters and brothers if I have time."

"Really!?" exclaimed Jace Green von Imperlian and Rozen, the Sentient Flower fairy.

Especially the flower-like Sentient Beings like Little Bing'er, they were eager to meet the other Sentient Beings. Little Bing'er is the only Sentient Flower known to exist in the Greenhouse that can transform into both a human and a fairy. Little Bing'er abruptly a.s.sumed her true appearance, appearing to be hiding.

She said, "Someone strong is coming. You should go meet them. I will melt the Ice Dome now. Grandpa Oak got him out here!"

"Someone came over?" Jace Green von Imperlian mumbled as he didn't notice the tree branch that silently wrapped around his waist and he was dragged out.

AHHHH!!!

---

Meanwhile, in front of the melting Ice Dome...

The second prince, Silvan von Rosegard, Duke Claudius von Gretel, and a few members of the Gretel Clan arrived at the alleged spot where the Forbidden Greenhouse is said to be.

Silvan von Rosegard commented, "Why is the Ice suddenly melting now? It wouldn't move no matter how much we attacked it before."

"Is there a powerful Ice Ability user inside?" mumbled Christopher Klein von Imperlian.

On the other hand, the aroma of flora that accompanied the ice was only detected by Duke Claudius von Gretel. As the Ice Dome melted, the scent became more potent. He realized right once that the user of the Ice Ability might not be a human, but Claudius didn't let the others know and instead instructed them to follow him toward the Greenhouse that had suddenly materialized in front of them.

Duke Claudius von Gretel said, "Let's go. It seems that there are survivors in this place. Maybe the youngest prince is also here."

The two looked at the house regulations written on the door as they followed him into the Greenhouse. Since his name was already on the page, it was obvious that Yara personally wrote it in his neat and flawless handwriting. Claudius is now certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Sentient Beings in this Greenhouse are ones his nephew personally planted and developed.

"Remember the rules. If you fail to accomplish it there would be no one to save you. To the special beings inside these rules is like an edict. I won't forgive anyone who fails to follow such simple rules." Duke Claudius von Gretel stated.

"As you wish, My Lord!"

His subordinates became serious and recalled the rules they had put in their hearts on the paper. They were informed of the unique bloodline the Gretel held before they swore allegiance to the Gretel Clan. General Nimbus von Gretel, the former Duke's wife, is the ancestor of this line. So, every member of the Gretel Clan is aware that the Gretel Family's offspring aren't entirely human. They are descended from a rare Mystical b.u.t.terfly Clan bloodline.

Although no one can recall the existence of such a formidable Mystical Clan, those who entered into a contract with the Gretel Family were aware that both their existence and their powers were true. The Gretel Clan's weakest member is S-ranked. n.o.body from this clan was born with a strength less than S. Hence, this Duke Clan is more potent in comparison to other aristocratic clans. Unfortunately, they support a different power stationed beyond the Imperium Star rather than the Crown or the Imperium Star itself. The Mystical b.u.t.terfly Clan, the Chrysalis Family.

The Descendants of the Gretel Family are members of the Mystical Clan and are able to communicate with Sentient Plant creatures. So, the majority of the Gretel Clan's devoted members had made a contract with the Sentient Plant or Flower of their choice to serve as their additional quantum beast. Those who were fortunate enough to do so even signed three or more. One's strength as a warrior improves significantly the more devoted one is to the Gretel Clan since they profit more from the Plant User who works for them.

They had complete faith in their Lord and were aware of the Student's true ident.i.ty, Yara von Chrysalis. The restrictions he posted must be adhered to at all costs because this is the youngest member of the Mystical b.u.t.terfly Clan and there is no way the Greenhouse Garden he maintained would be simple.

They were met with a serene and fantastical scene as soon as they entered the Greenhouse. The area is covered in beautiful-looking tree dwellings. Students crouching in front of several plants and flowers were holding a watering bucket, a miniature shovel, and miniature trimmer scissors in their hands.

Stunned Silvan von Rosegard mumbled, "What is this place!? Are those fairies!?"

What makes this image so spectacular are the flowing flower vines that are playing with the kids, the st.u.r.dy tree branch that some kids are using as a swing, and the flying miniature fairies that are dancing and singing all around the people. It was such a breathtaking scene. Nevertheless, their unannounced entry disrupted the moment, and the fearful fairies all took off when they saw them. Some hid behind the child, but only the Sentient Trees were unafraid because the mischievous Little Ice Lotus had already notified them of their arrival.

Duke Claudius von Gretel continued to speak elegantly while pretending he wasn't aware of the tension in the room. His gaze vacillated before settling on the tallest old oak tree. He was courteous but not subservient in his speech.

"I'm Claudius from the Gretel Clan, and I'm glad to meet you. I'm wondering whether I can speak with the strongest person here."

The Old Oak Tree responded, but because he spoke in an ancient language from bygone eras, the youngsters had a difficult time initially understanding him. Fortunately, the Sentient Beings in this Greenhouse are incredibly brilliant, and they have picked up the language of the present century so quickly. Only youngsters receive his or her senior's patience; adults do not.

{The young la.s.s is busy. Thee can talketh to this fusty sir f'r business. Bef're yond the scent coming from thee. What is thy connection to the king?}

Translation: [The young la.s.s is busy. You can talk to this old man for business. Before that, the scent coming from you... What is your connection to the King?]

Claudius von Gretel responded with the same ancient language. This was something their Dad, Zephyr, had taught them.

{I am the eldest son of Zephyr von Chrysalis. The f'rm'r protecteth'r of the Exalt'd b.u.t.te'rfly Emp'r'r of the Mystical b.u.t.te'rfly Clan.}

Translation: [I am the eldest son of Zephyr von Chrysalis. The former protector of the Exalted b.u.t.terfly Emperor of the Mystical b.u.t.terfly Clan.]