Chapter 412
The Magic Power conduits flowing within the trees, which channeled Magic Power, began to pulsate like a heartbeat, making a "thump-thump" sound.
The terrifying tremor, accompanied by a blood-red glow that stained all Magic Power, stung the eyes.
"What... what did you do?"
Star Flower realized that things were developing in a direction that was beyond their control.
However, the next moment, she felt a tearing sensation, and a terrifying, piercing scream, like the cry of a newborn baby, came from her mind.
Even Star Flower couldn't help but cover her ears at this moment.
The voice came from deep within the Demon Tree.
The entire tree echoed with that cry.
Tachibana naturally opened her arms.
"It's feeling hungry now."
"Born under the influence of Snake-Type Magic, it now desperately craves more... more of her Magic Power."
What exactly is it?
Star Flower finally recovered from that shock.
What she had just sensed was even more terrifying than the Demon King before her.
Next, inside the demon tree, vines began to grow wildly, rapidly engulfing the space within the tree and extending outwards. One after another, enormous demon flowers bloomed, drawing large amounts of desire and Magic Power from the outside world.
Especially Snake-Type Magic.
"----Rumble..."
One after another, enormous, exaggerated roots rose from the ground, rampaging wildly in this world shrouded in darkness. Within the demon tree, raging Magic Power went berserk, accompanied by earthquake-like roars, as the demon tree frantically expressed its thirst for Magic Power.
Just like how the essence of Monster is revealed in its ugliest form.
Only by exhausting all the nutrients can the sweetest fruit be grown.
Faced with the tremors that were threatening to overturn everything, the Star Flower flying in the air could still maintain their balance, but they could no longer remain calm. Meanwhile, the Demon King, who seemed to be lost in thought, smiled as usual.
"At this rate, your companions will soon have their Snake-Type Magic drained and become food for this tree. You should leave with them, or it will be too late."
Tachibana said with a smile.
Otherwise, it's unclear what we'll face next.
What she said was no exaggeration.
Under such circumstances, Star Flower was naturally extremely anxious. She glanced at Tachibana, whom she had no chance to defeat, and then immediately unleashed a barrage of floating flowers that pierced through the demonic vines blocking her way, before rushing out at top speed.
---Meanwhile, outside the Demon Tree.
The fierce battle that had been raging was now on the verge of collapse for all the Magic girls present who had used Serpent System Crystal to transform, except for Phantom Wind.
The alluring flowers that bloomed from the demon tree scattered their pollen, instantly turning the sky a chilling, terrifying blood red.
The air was constantly being distorted and vibrated by Magic Power.
Both Thousand Sins and Fate Kite cried out in pain as their Magic Power was extracted.
Even the Torch Dragon Black Death Cult raised his claws and covered his head at that moment---
[That crazy woman...]
The Demon Tree's absorption range naturally includes the Serpent System Black Death Cult.
The next moment, Thousand Sins and Fate Kite's transformations completely collapsed, their Magic Gear shattered, and they reverted to their original forms.
They lost consciousness mid-air and were about to fall.
"Hey! Damn it..."
Faced with this sudden situation, Phantom Wind was also at a loss for what to do.
Without hesitation, she flew towards Takanashi Shiori to her.
At the same time, Star Flower flew out of the Demon Tree and quickly caught Kirishima Ai as she fell. On the other side, from behind her, countless huge vines from the Demon Tree stretched out and rushed towards them like bloodthirsty venomous snakes.
"President, there should be an exit this way. Follow me!"
"Star Flower shouted."
Phantom Wind nodded and followed Star Flower. Behind them, all the attacking demonic vines were knocked down or torn apart by Star Flower's floating flowers.
For some reason, a strong sense of unease still lingers in my heart.
Ever since I met that Demon King.
Although she had a human female appearance that I didn't recognize, Phantom Wind felt a sense of déjà vu, a feeling that made her extremely... extremely... anxious.
What exactly happened?
When they were far from the Demon Tree and almost at the gate to the "World Apart," Star Flower and Kirishima Ai and Takanashi had already left, leaving only Phantom Wind behind before the gate.
Before leaving, as if sensing something, Phantom Wind turned his head and looked back in the direction where the Demon Tree was.
Suddenly, she noticed a tiny human figure appearing among the wildly growing giant plants.
Is it that woman who is suspected to be the Demon King?
However, she noticed that this time, the Demon King, who stood amidst the flowers and fragrance, appeared in the form of Monster.
She finally saw the Demon King's true, Monster nature.
"... Eh?"
Phantom Wind was taken aback.
This wasn't because the posture was too frightening.
Rather, she had seen what that Monster looked like before.
Just two years ago.
Once he realized this and confirmed that he hadn't misread it, Phantom Wind, which had remained unwavering until now, underwent a slight "change" for the first time.
Her expression shifted from slight silence to a wavering and uneasy look appearing in her eyes:
"Who are you..."
They were far apart.
But the Monster Phantom Wind memory was carried by a giant demonic vine, getting closer and closer to Phantom Wind until Phantom Wind could clearly hear its voice.
That Monster, whose beauty could be described as stunning, simply rested one hand lightly on her cheek, looked down at Phantom Wind, and then said in a curious tone:
[Speaking of which, Lily didn't realize that yet.]
[Was it because it was such a trivial matter that it was overlooked?]
However, a child who deceives his mother is the worst kind of child.
It was saying things that were incomprehensible.
But Phantom Wind understood.
Since Haihara turned into a child, there has indeed been something that no one else has realized, something that only Phantom Wind has been protecting.
If we're talking about its significance, perhaps it isn't.
Even if others knew, they wouldn't think there was anything wrong with what Phantom Wind did.
[Or are you afraid that once she remembers this, she will no longer be your mother, but her own parents' child?]
[That's terrifying...]
That Demon King — Tachibana —teasing Phantom Wind with childish words, as if coaxing a little kid.
At this moment, Phantom Wind did not react to what it said, because after seeing the other party's appearance, Phantom Wind's rationality was overwhelmed by a multitude of emotions.
She had no time to think about the Demon King's words.
The girl's expression went from swaying to gradually contorting.
"Who are you----"
Chapter 173 The Epilogue of an Idol
From a young age, Sakaki Chika longed to become an adult.
The adult is mature and reliable, and knows many things that she doesn't.
They know how to cook, how to study, how to become happy, and they can make their own decisions.
Sakaki Chika, as a child, was completely unaware of this.
Perhaps that's why she always feels sad.
In her childhood memories, Sakaki Chika was always accompanied by loneliness and sadness. She was a child who liked to cry and was not strong at all, and she had no friends.
It's really puzzling.
Sakaki Chika didn't understand it for a long time afterward.
"Grandma, is Chika a bad child?"
In my faded memories, compared to my cold and frightening home, the true haven I could find temporary refuge was my grandmother's house.
Grandma will stay by her side.
Make her warm food, tell her stories, and comfort her when she's sad.
When Sakaki Chika was confused about all of this, her kind and gentle grandmother would always patiently answer her childish questions.
"How could Chika be a bad child? Chika is cute, sensible, and a very good child."
Grandma's warm hand stroked her head.
But Sakaki Chika's face still showed a bewildered expression.
She looked around in confusion; only her grandmother was with her.
"If that's the case, why don't Dad and Mom like Chika? Why don't they come home with me and always leave me alone?"
Little Chika lowered her head, her large, bright eyes now appearing somewhat dim and filled with dejection.
This is most likely because she is an unlikable child.
At times like these, even Grandma seems at a loss.
At that time, Sakaki Chika could never understand what her grandmother was thinking.
"Grandma was like this when she was little, so maybe your parents were like that too?"
Grandma seemed a little troubled by this, and her tone was very sincere.
Sakaki Chika had heard her grandmother say that her grandmother was cared for by a very gentle and beautiful woman when she was a child.
For Grandma, he was the most important person in her life.
It turns out that it's normal for parents to neglect their children like this.
Sakaki Chika nodded blankly, then said with a hint of grievance:
"But Chika doesn't want to always eat the cold cup noodles her mother left behind."
Although cup noodles aren't bad.
There are also sealed konjac jelly, canned food, or meals that Dad cooks that aren't very tasty.
She heard from her teacher that this would stunt her growth.
In the future, she wants to grow up to be a very tall adult, preferably over 1.7 meters tall, although she doesn't know exactly how tall that is.
Wearing glasses might make you look more mature.
Hmm, maybe I should try to act a little cooler, although Grandma says it's better to smile more.
"Then Chika can come to my place often. Whatever you want to eat, Grandma will make it for you, okay?"
Grandma is really good.
He was the gentlest and kindest person in Sakaki Chika's memory.
If only Mom and Dad were like Grandma.