Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 230. Flor’s Decision. Amapola’s Transformation.

After her conversation with Liu Shu, Flor stayed still, pondering over the near and far future. She balanced everything slowly, and finally, she decided. She flew toward the door, opened it, and approached one of the people working for her. "Call Amapola. I want to meet her as soon as possible."

After going back, she sat and waited.

Outside the walls, Amapola was leading a group of Rose Fairies while defending the domain. Between all the Rose Fairies, she was, without a doubt, the most hardworking of them all. The hard work compensated her by being a constant number two across their race. She was at Level 19, and being E+ Tier, her stats were second only to Flor's.

Due to Liu Shu's influence, the new generations had a few D- Rank Rose Fairies that grew from being specially nurtured to reaching the peak potential they currently could achieve. The plan was that, in the future, when these high-tiered Rose Fairies planted seeds, there would be a chance to create even stronger Rose Fairies.

Even then, when these new Rose Fairies had talent like never before, Amapola, who had been born as an F Rank Rose Fairy, was leading everyone.

"Lady Amapola!"

Amapola was standing on the branches of a Tree when someone called her. She picked up the spear by her side and looked over. The spear she wielded was around 35 centimeters long. If you account for Amapola's height, 25 centimeters, it was quite large. The equivalent for an average human was a spear nearly two-and-a-half meters long. 

The reason Amapola used it was its ability to channel her wind abilities. If the Rose Fairy managed to take advantage and struck you with it, the chance was that you would receive extreme injuries. 

"What's wrong?" Amapola's tone was serious, and as always, she cut straight to the point.

The Rose Fairy knew how Amapola was, so she spoke directly as well. "Queen Flor has called you. She said you should go see her when you have time."

Amapola blinked, her red eyes gaining a pondering look. Like all Rose Fairies, she was red-haired and red-eyed with pearly white skin. Her beauty entered the serious and valiant category without losing any feminine appeal.

After pondering a few seconds, she looked around and asked. "What are the reports from the scouts?"

One of her direct subordinates spoke. "They have not discovered anything. We should have no problems even if you leave, Lady Amapola."

Amapola nodded, and her wings buzzed, lifting her feet off the branch. "Understood. If they attack, fall back or call for Liu Shu. We are near her domain, so as long as you are in trouble, she should be able to intervene enough until reinforcements arrive."

"Understood!"

Amapola nodded and then flew toward the Golden Sap City, leaving a blurry shape in her wake. She weaved between the trees with familiarity and arrived in just a few minutes.

She stopped at the entrance, and when the guards noticed her, they smiled. They were two human men, but even they knew about this particular spear-wielding Rose Fairy. "General Amapola, how was your hunt today?"

Amapola answered faintly. "Nothing new. I only managed to kill one Level 17."

The guards saw that the Rose Fairy didn't even have a single hair out of place, so they guessed that the poor Level 17 didn't even have a chance before they were killed. "That's great, General. Let me use this device, and you'll be ready to enter."

Amapola floated up to make it easier for the humans, and both of them nodded with smiles at the small gesture. After the devices went around Amapola, they did nothing, and the guards smiled. "You are good to go, General Amapola." 

"Thanks. Keep up the great work. Remember that, regardless of where they come from or what status they have, no one can skip this check, not even Queen Flor or Lord Wert."

The guards nodded seriously. "Understood!"

Amapola then took out a crystal worth 25 <Lir> from a pouch hanging from her waist and gave it to them. After the guards confirmed the value, the Rose Fairy was free to enter. 

After reaching the main Town Hall and going to the highest floor, she knocked on the door. 

"Enter."

Hearing Flor, Amapola opened the doors and entered, flying up and landing on the edge of the large desk. "Did you request my presence, Queen Flor?"

Flor looked up and stood up, approaching Amapola. Size-wise, she was almost double her height, reaching 45 centimeters tall. Flor sat down in front of the Rose Fairy and hummed. "Say, Amapola, would you like to be the Rose Fairy Queen?"

"Eh?" Amapola blinked a few times, looking at her Queen with a baffled expression. 

Flor smiled faintly. "Well? If I were to pass down my position to you as the Rose Fairy Queen, would you accept it?"

Amapola looked at Flor's face, trying to see if she was joking or something. However, this was not a matter that Flor would joke about. After a few seconds of silence, Amapola asked. "Did something happen to you? If you have any problem, you should tell the others and see if we can help you!"

Flor laughed and patted Amapola's head gently. "Nothing's wrong with me, Amapola. In truth, I have the chance to become stronger. However, I am not sure if my <Rose Fairy Monarch> title will disappear when I accept this power. Therefore, I want to pass it down and not risk losing it. I've thought of all of you, and I think that you are the most qualified."

Amapola scratched her head. "How can that be? There are plenty of more intelligent and talented Rose Fairies, my Queen. Not to mention, if you are searching for an old timer to become the next Queen, Zinia or Clavel might be a better option than me!"

Flor shook her head. "The Rose Fairies have never been a warlike race." She explained. "However, you've shown exceptional talent in that area. What Rose Fairies need now is not something like me; they need a strong leader who can guide them on the front lines. You are more than ideal for that role." 

Amapola looked at Flor with a serious expression, evaluating Flor's words. "Um… Will I also become the City Lord?"

Flor raised her eyebrow and laughed. "Do you want to?"

Amapola quickly shook her head. "No!" She coughed. "I am not very… brilliant, to be honest. I just know how to fight."

Flor smiled softly and picked up Amapola, sitting her in her lap. "Don't worry. The title should help clear some of those blurred thoughts."

Amapola's body relaxed when Flor's presence surrounded her. As their Queen, Flor had an innate calming aura that made other Rose Fairies feel at ease in her presence. "Okay, I accept. But, even if I inherit the title, you will always be my Queen."

Flor giggled and rubbed her chin on Amapola's head as a gesture of endearment. "Thank you, little one. But if everything goes well, you'll have nothing to worry about."

Amapola looked up, confused, but she couldn't see Flor's expression, only her chin. '... I am like a little child by her side.' Amapola smiled faintly. 'If I am half as good of a Queen as Flor has been to us, I'll feel like I've done something incredible.' 

While Amapola admired her, Flor looked at the system page and spoke aloud. "System, I want to pass down my <Rose Fairy Monarch> Title to Amapola."

After she said so, Flor's heart tightened. 'Please, work!'

Two agonizing seconds later, a message popped in front of her eyes. 

[Are you sure you want to appoint Amapola as the next <Rose Fairy Monarch>? This action can't be undone. You will lose all the benefits this Title gives you and will never be eligible for the <Rose Fairy Monarch> Title for the rest of your life.]

Flor's eyes gained a hopeful glow. 'It is possible!?' However, she paused before confirming. '... What if I lose my qualifications to become the <Flower Fairy Monarch> when I lose the <Rose Fairy Monarch> title?'

Flor had not considered that option, but now that it appeared in her head, she couldn't help but feel somewhat scared. 

Amapola noticed the silence, and she spoke softly. "If you are hesitating, I don't think it is the time for me to become the Rose Fairy Queen." 

Flor looked down and saw the petite Rose Fairy looking up at her with a smile. Seeing that, all of Flor's hesitations were instantly blown away. 'Even if I permanently lose my title, I am sure this little one can guide the Rose Fairies to a prosperous future.'

She smiled and spoke. "Don't worry, I was just checking a few things. I want the process to be smooth and have no unsolicited problems."

After saying so, she didn't hesitate anymore and answered with a smile while closely hugging Amapola. "I am sure. Make Amapola the next <Rose Fairy Monarch>."

[Processing Amapola's qualifications… Completed. <Rose Fairy> Amapola has perfect qualifications to become a <Rose Fairy Monarch>.]

Flor felt an essential part of herself leaving her body and flowing into Amapola, making her feel a terrifying feeling of weakness. It felt like her own soul was being sucked away. 

However, she didn't flinch and kept hugging Amapola tightly from behind. "Accept it, Amapola. Absorb the essence and digest it."

[You will lose a Tier, becoming an E Rank <Rose Fairy>.]

Flor ignored the message and continued guiding the little fairy between her arms. "Being the Rose Fairy Queen means that you now have a responsibility. You need to make <Rose Fairies> prosper and reach new heights."

Meanwhile, Amapola's body felt like it was about to burst with energy while her eyes were being flooded by different messages. 

[<Rose Fairy Monarch> has chosen you as her inheritor. You will receive the <Rose Fairy Monarch> Title.]

<Rose Fairy Monarch>: As the Queen of Rose Fairies, all Rose Fairies following your command have a greater chance of breaking through limits. 

[Tier Up!]

[Level Up!]

[You've reached Level 20!]

[<First Energy Cycle> Upgraded! Receiving stats!]

[<First Energy Cycle> Upgraded! Unlocking Potential!]

[Your race is undergoing a change… Due to your inherent nature and innate proficiencies, there has been a mutation! You are now a <Rose Fairy Battle Queen>!]

[Tier Up!]

[You've gained <Protector Of Nature> Title]

<Protector of nature>: Your stats will increase by 10% when protecting nature. (Warning: If you ever damage Nature maliciously, this title will transform into <Cursed by Nature>)

[You've gained <Victorious Battle Fairy> Title!]

<Victorious Battle Fairy>: You will gain a 20% stat boost whenever you fight alongside other Rose Fairies. Your mind is clear in battle situations, allowing you to remain calm. Each time you win a War, you will gain an increasingly deep aura that will boost the morale of the troops you command and reduce the enemy's.

[Congratulations, you are now a <Level 20 Rose Fairy Battle Queen (D Rank)>!]

Amapola's aura exploded like a volcano, blowing Flor's wings and dress backward as every single stat increased like crazy. Those who were high enough level could feel the deep aura burst, making them look toward Flor's office. 

Wert hummed. "Oh? What is happening over there? Did Flor have a breakthrough? But… This aura feels similar but different from Flor's… It's more… Battle thirsty."

Igantia, who was relaxing in her nest, couldn't help but look up. Her large compound eyes looked as if they could pierce through the thick layers of dirt and see what was happening. "Hm~, I wonder what my little darling is doing. Did she decide to do something silly without asking me first? If she did… Hehe, I'll need to have a spanking session with her~."

Others also looked over, pondering what was going on but knowing not to poke their noses where nobody called them.

Back in the office room, Flor stayed close to Amapola and felt that her arms were being pushed outward. 'Hm…? Oh. Is she growing to my size?'

Flor separated from Amapola, allowing her to grow in size as everything happened. She didn't care about anything else but guarding Amapola's transformation. 

After an entire night, Amapola's aura finally calmed down, and she opened her eyes. They glowed sharply like a pair of rubies. Her hair was even redder than before, as if made out of gleaming blood threads, while her figure had gained a faint muscular outline that was different from the usual Rose Fairy's slender figure. Her height had also reached 50 centimeters, overcoming Flor. 

She looked imposing without losing a single shred of the feminine beauty all fairies had.

Amapola turned toward Flor and smiled. "Thank you for this blessing, Queen Flor. I'll fight with my soul for our race and guide our sisters to a prosperous future."

Flor laughed while looking at the relatively tall new Rose Fairy Queen. "I don't doubt it."