"This is the apple tree?"
In the Garden, Annan stood before the apple tree that had "ambushed" Martin not long ago.
After Dade confirmed it, Annan said, "Protect it."
"The children of Free City will come here on pilgrimages someday."
If Martin really managed to build a magical Airship... No, there was no if.
The theory was complete. The Airship would take flight within days; the only question was how much weight it could carry.
What interested Annan more was Martin's sudden burst of inspiration. Perhaps he really did have the makings of an Alchemist...
Martin, an Alchemist. It sounded about as absurd as linking a Dragon with generosity.
But... if a Succubus could open a legitimate Massage Parlor in Free City, why couldn't Martin become an Alchemist?
Annan stepped into the shade and looked up at the apple tree, its branches heavy with fruit.
Did eating apples influenced by the Otherworld Tree make people smarter?
Should I try one too...?
"The Princess is here."
Dade's warning interrupted Annan. He looked away from the tree and saw the Princess walking toward him.
The newly reborn Princess had to learn everything from scratch, including how to walk.
Her unsteady steps alone would not have made her fall, but perhaps she was eager to get back to Annan. She sped up, caught her left foot on her right leg, and pitched forward. Her missing arm threw off her balance, and she had only one eye to watch her path.
Annan hurried over and helped the Princess up, his heart aching. She had scraped her palm and knee, so he tore open a healing Scroll and closed the small wounds.
"You're all right now..."
He gently reassured her as he helped her to her feet.
The good news was that she did not