Magic Gems Gourmet

Is this such a gem?

This gardener must be incredibly skilled, to harmonize all these different kinds of flowers almost as if it were art.

With those thoughts in mind, I walked here along with a beautiful woman.

Any men who could see me right now would surely look at me with envious eyes.

And as I held my hand with hers, we walked together across this paradise of flowers.

But if I could ask for one thing, I only I could ask for one more thing......

Why is it that it’s you, and not mom, Krone?

In short, she took a liking to me.

And quite strongly at that.

“Ain! Hey, shall we hold hands? ”

“Y-Yes, thank you.”

“Fufufu, it’s so cute you two are getting along.”

She completely took a liking to me, oh god, why did this happen......?

＊

“To think miss Krone would be the one to guide us, I’m sure my son is happy.”

“Please don’t be so formal with me, Olivia-sama. To have someone as beautiful as you, who is called the flower of society here...... I’m afraid my garden will be overshadowed. I’m just happy to be able to show the person I admire, around.”

What is she? A fan of mother?

Ohh, Krone...... you’re a nice girl!

To be able to understand this much about mother’s splendor......

Alright, I’ll give you the honor of walking next to mother! Be grateful and thoroughly enjoy this happiness!

“......I really don’t get where those rumors came after all.”

Krone murmured, rumors? Just as I thought that, mother was the first to react.

“......About Ain, right? ”

“Yes. It’s just something that I always hear, whether I want it or not...... But I bet it’s something Olivia-sama doesn’t want to hear right now.”

“What are you two talking about? ”

“The person in question is the only one who doesn’t seem to know, right? It’s nothing. Just by being Olivia-sama’s son I never thought you’d be someone disgraceful, so there’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“T-Thank you...... is that so?”

I heard something nice.

Embarrassing mother would be equivalent to hurting myself, at least for me.

＊

“(......Isn’t this the complete opposite of what I heard? Doesn’t know manners, unattractive appearance...... I was always told things I couldn’t care less about, so I somehow wondered what kind of boy he was.)”

The eldest son of the famous general Logas was a failure, at best, with the worst of the gossips questioning if he was a child born of Olivia-dono’s infidelity. There were many similar stories that Krone had heard.

And thus, Krone was thinking about his impressions of this boy named Ain.

And the fact that reality was completely different from the rumors she heard.

“(Doesn’t know manners? At least compared to the other noble children here today, isn’t he a head above the rest?

Unattractive appearance? He has Olivia-sama’s gentle looks, and his brown hair is also beautiful like Olivia-sama’s.

Rather than being someone who doesn’t care about others...... I’ve never seen such a caring boy in any social circle.)”

Krone thought it would be difficult to find someone who could say such cheesy lines...... like when Ain bowed before Olivia was humiliated, and saying that she found something as beautiful as his mother, he asked them to see it together.

“(That is? It might be that because I really love Olivia-sama, that I’m finding him somewhat appealing?)”

Krone saw Ain in a favorable light, him being a good boy, and she knew it was inevitable that there were people in a position like the second wife who were scheming and with their own agenda, Still, she couldn’t stop feeling sick at those thoughts.

“Truly...... Beautiful.”

Ain muttered as he looked at the flowers in the garden with bright, clear eyes.

Seeing Ain honestly loving the flowers, Krone felt a bit touched.

“(With such beautiful, honest eyes, I really can’t believe the lies that have been told about this person.)”

“Beautiful indeed.”

“I thought the flowers were shinning with magic, until I came closer...”

“That’s not entirely right, as you can see, this rose...... It shines on its own.”

The Bluefire Rose.

As its name suggested, it shimmered like a blue flame.

It was very difficult to grow since it had specific requirements of water, soil and climate...... And would only grow once all these conditions were met.

And once the buds were ready, they were given a large amount of fertilizer, to allow the flowers to finally bloom.

Once the flowers bloomed, they absorbed magical power from the surrounding area little by little, causing the flower to glow in a blue light.

“However, be careful, okay? After they bloom...... every part of those flowers is poisonous after they bloom.”

“Yes.”

“And the poison is incredible too. The poison from just one flower is strong enough to kill 500 people! ”

＊

When Ain heard about the poison from Krone, he then thought:

‘Then, don’t plant such a dangerous flower in such a place’.

“You might be wondering why such a dangerous flower is planted here, right? ”

“......I can’t say I haven’t thought that.”

“You surely know the reason why it’s not really a problem, right, Olivia-sama? ”

“Why, of course. Ain? You see...... there are only a few people who are allowed to enter the Archduke’s garden. That’s why even though it’s dangerous for people, it’s fine since they are told about it the first time they come. And also, the poison won’t come out unless you touch it or pull it out.”

“I-I see...”

Archduke Augusto really cherished this garden. Since this was his only real hobby, for him this was almost like a sacred place.

“Also, they are usually covered with a glass, they are uncovered today since it’s a special occasion. He wanted to make them easy to see since a lot of people would be coming.”

“So, that’s why we can be this close to them today?”

“Just as you say, well, there are still many things I’d love to show you. I hope you’ll have fun. ”

Ain and Olivia followed after the high-spirited Krone.

They felt this would be a fun occasion.

After a long walk in the large garden that lasted for about an hour, we took a break in a salon-like area in the middle.

I’m grateful to miss Krone for asking for tea and snacks to be brought.

“Well then, did you have fun? ”

“Yes. Thank you very much for the amazing experience.”

“It’s fine, I too am honored to have the chance to take my time to talk with Olivia-sama.”

“Oh my...... if you’re okay with it being me, then anytime you want to talk is fine.”

......It’s great since mother seems to have been able to relax properly.

I rather feel glad I didn’t have to participate in a party like that.

Because of that, I was able to meet such a beautiful girl like miss Krone, I’m seriously on the winning side.

“Come to think of it, I wonder if Ain-kun knows? The origin of the name of the Bluefire Rose.”

“No, not really, I never heard of it, but isn’t it because it glows like a blue fire? ”

“Fufu...... It’s a bit different. You remember I said it had a poison, right? ”

“Yeah, I remember, but what does the poison has to do with the name? ”

“That poison, you see...... It gives a burning pain. A pain like your whole body is on fire, making you want to die.”

What the heck! That’s scary.

Quite dangerous, this Bluefire Rose......

“That is...... a magnificent naming sense.”

“Fufu. I know, right? More often than not, it’s the most beautiful things that have the most painful thorns.”

“My, my, Krone-sama? There’s also one more thing, right? ”

“As expected of Olivia-sama.”

“One more thing? ”

What? There are still more reasons for the origin of that name?

The two of them are smiling beautifully, it makes me a bit scared......

“It’s called Star Crystal.”

“That...... Does that have something to do with the Bluefire Rose? ”

“Yes, indeed, Ain. What do you think it is? ”

“Uhmm...... Is it a special artificial flower made using the Bluefire Rose?”

However, I feel like it would get a name like Star Crystal just for that alone.

From its name, I can tell it’s an incredibly luxurious item.

“Close, but not quite.”

“Fufu, the correct answer, Ain-kun, is...... If you remove the poison from the base to the top, the flower part becomes a jewel.”

“Eh? The flower is a jewel...? ”

“The toxins of the Bluefire Rose have the property of crystalizing substances. If you remove the poison, it feels a sense of crisis and begins crystallizing starting around the part where the seeds are made. From what I heard, it’s a defense mechanism. Eventually, the top part solidifies and becomes what’s called a Star Crystal.”

A toxin that crystallizes?

I’ve heard that snake’s venom hardens the blood, turning it into a jelly-like substance...... but to think such a thing existed.

Wait, toxin......? A toxin, huh?

“What is the crystal like? ”

“You see it’s shimmering and glowing in a faint blue, right? It shines just like now...... but it also has particles that shine like a starry sky! ”

“That’s why it’s called Star Crystal, you see. I’d love to show one to Ain......”

“That would be difficult, Olivia-sama......”

“But it’s just removing the poison, right? ”

It might take a lot of magic to remove the poison, but in the end it’s just that, isn’t it?

“I understand why Ain might think that way, however...... It will die out if the poison isn’t removed quickly. That’s why it’s difficult to do it with magic...... There seems to be people who can do it, but after asking father, it seems they live very far away.”

“The other option is, using money for it.”

They say money talk, I guess that’s true no matter the world.

That might be a crude way of saying it...... still, is it really that amazing?

“Mother? How much would that take then?”

“I think it would be around the annual income of the Roundhart territory for three years.”

“Eh......? EHH! ? ”

“I said it would take money, but that is for medicine to remove the poison. ......A very high-grade antidote is poured like hot water in order to detox it.”

“What a crazy way to do it......”

A high-grade antidote......

As a man, I can’t see this way to make jewelry as anything other than a complete waste.

......Detox it? I feel like I’m forgetting something.

Ahh, that’s right, I can break down toxins. Since it’s EX, I should be able to do it, it’s what God said.

When it comes to the EX, no matter the poison, no matter the bacteria, it’s not effective at all. If I remember correctly, this is what God said.

“From the base...... Detox it.”

“Ain-kun? What’s wrong? ”

“Hey Ain, it’s dangerous to get too close.”

I want to believe there are things I can do.

Even if it’s for something like making a jewel, at least these two would be pleased.

“AIN! ? ”

“AIN-KUN, YOU CAN’T TOUCH IT! ! ”

Yeah, sorry for suddenly plucking it out.

But...... Ahh, so this is what toxins are...... After touching it I felt like I was connected to the Bluefire Rose.

But it’s not scary nor disgusting, I just accepted it as it was...... assimilating it, neutralizing it, breaking it down.

Poisons are scary and dangerous...... but it’s okay, I’ll just accept it.

Rather, I was raised to be a good boy, I’m even nice to the poison.

“No...... way......”

“A-Ain, that is...... don’t tell me, you...”

“Yes, Krone-sama. I’m grateful to you for guiding me today. I’m sorry for plucking out one without permission, but I couldn’t be any happier if you could please accept this along my gratitude.”

“A S-Star Crystal! ? W-Why...... Ain-kun, how? ! ”

“Yeah, Ain...... Your skill. So, you could use it for something like this.”

“That’s right, mother. Don’t you think it’s a slightly useful ability at least? ”

“Fufufu. That’s right, it’s amazing...... mom is so happy to have such an incredible child.”

Before starting, I was a bit scared.

But once I touched it...... I somehow knew I would be okay.

I mean, I got the feeling that these flowers were happy to blend with me.

“Ahh, Krone-sama? May I please have another one? I’d like to give one to my mother.”

“......Sure. Why not? ”

Pulling out another flower from right next to miss Krone, who was still a bit stiff, I produced another Star Crystal.

Yeah, I kind of feel like I got the hang on it the second time since it went smoother than before.

“Here, Mother. Please accept my feelings for you.” ”

“My, my...... there aren’t many times to see such a wonderful proposal. ”

“I’m glad that you received it. More than anything.”

“Fufufu. Thank you, Ain.”

“Wait, Ain! How did you make a Star Crystal!? ”

“Ahh, you’re back to being yourself at last.”

“Anyone would be this astonished! After all, there are only two in this country! ”

I see, so there are only two!? I’m kind of amazing, aren’t I?

“You might be thinking I’m talking about these two, but that’s not it! ”

Miss Krone raised her voice at the time her beautiful light-blue hair fluttered in the wind. You’re a young lady, please calm down.

“Both of them are in possession of the Royal Family...... The Queen is wearing one of them, and the other is embedded in the royal sword.”

“Ahh, is that so?”

“That’s not it...... How did you make this!? ”

“It’s my skill. Have you heard of it? Of my Toxin Decomposition?”

“That’s...... I heard the eldest son of the Roundhart family had the skill of Toxin Decomposition, but even then......”

Ahh, I knew it, that information has been leaking after all.

Well, it makes sense, that makes for a great gossip.

“Well, my Toxin Decomposition is not the normal kind, but EX...... in other words, it basically can completely break down any toxin or bacteria.”

“I’ve never heard of something like that existing......”

In any case, miss Krone, isn’t your face getting redder and redder? Is there something wrong?

You should calm down a little, getting so worked up might be tiring.

“......Are you sure you want to give me this? ”

“Yes, I prepared it especially for you, I’d be troubled if you don’t accept it. ”

“......Yes, I’ll accept it gladly.”

“Oh my, oh my, Ain, to propose not once, but twice, mom is glad to have raised you to become such a great man.”

Wait a moment, my angel of mother...... a proposal? Is this some sort of joke?

What does that mean?

“Mother? What do you mean?”

“It’s considered a proposal to gift a Star Crystal to a woman. It is said that a woman who received a Star Crystal will certainly live a happy married life with that man.”

“......I never heard of this.”

“I guess you haven’t. However...... Krone-sama certainly knew that, and she still accepted it.”

Wh......at......?

Please mother, tell me that was a typo.