While most smaller magical creatures traveled by carriage, moving Hyperion, which was as large as a building, presented no easy task. Eventually, all available magic users at Flora’s shelter mobilized. With thirty magic stones retrieved from the sea and long-cut Phyllis vines, they determined it would suffice to move Hyperion.

First, they created a circular magic formation by surrounding the greenhouse edge with Phyllis, then placed magic stones at regular intervals. After placing the final stone in the array, Berke approached, seemingly having waited for this moment.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Yes. I should do it.”

Among various types of magic, transportation magic consumes an enormous amount of magical power. Moreover, magic performed on an unconscious being proves particularly tricky. However, if someone becomes a ‘guide’ to lead the subject, the chance of failure significantly decreases.

As soon as I heard Berke’s explanation, I volunteered to be Hyperion’s guide. While it sounds like volunteering, truthfully no one else could do it. This was because everyone else needed to pour in their magical power.

When I nodded confidently, Berke slightly bowed his head.

“When the path appears, you just need to walk forward. Whether you want to or not, as the ‘guide,’ you’ll likely encounter some of Hyperion’s memories.”

“Some memories?”

“Yes. But they’ll pass like mirages. However, until you reach the exit, absolutely do not let go of this.”

With his serious warning, Berke handed me what appeared to be a branch from Hyperion. Preciously holding the thin branch that fit in one hand, I glanced at the people surrounding the magic formation. Asrein wasn’t among them. Reluctant to use magic publicly, he already waited at the location where Hyperion would be moved.

As I slowly entered the magic formation, a solemn voice followed from behind.

“Professor Asrein and others from the shelter will be waiting when you arrive. Please take care until then.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Berke.”

I answered bravely and approached Hyperion. I gently closed my eyes while placing my hand on the still deeply sleeping tree. Then everyone in the greenhouse began chanting prayers in unison. Though I couldn’t hear them clearly, combined with the sound of rustling leaves, it sounded like fairies whispering.

Soon my ears felt stuffed and my body became light, resembling submersion in water. When external noise completely blocked out, I carefully opened my eyes.

It felt like being trapped in a narrow box without sunlight. Perhaps because I suddenly entered a dark place, I couldn’t see anything around me, not even the hem of my clothes. As I hesitated in place holding only the humble branch, I heard voices from afar.

[Someday stupid humans will hurt Elder.]

[Thank you for worrying about me.]

[Look! Last time someone kicked Elder because their wish didn’t come true!]

While the young one clearly belonged to a Seed, I couldn’t identify the owner of the gentle resonating voice. Could it be… Hyperion? As I walked endlessly following the voices, a light with hints of green bloomed in the void. The experience resembled encountering fireflies by chance in a midsummer night forest. This might be the ‘Hyperion’s memories’ Berke mentioned. As I moved following the light slowly leading the way, voices leaked out again.

[Do you remember the human who cut off my branch claiming it was a charm long ago?]

[Of course!] [When we tried to make sure they’d never see sunlight again, Elder stopped us!]

Such brutal words in such cute voices. But Hyperion changed the subject leisurely, seemingly listening to a child’s complaints.

[Then you must remember the child who took care of me so preciously.]

[Of course.] [But not all humans are like that child.]

[Yes. You’re right.]

Hyperion seemed to take the Seeds’ side in being wary of humans, but soon began telling stories of those times.

[The day after my branch was cut, that child happened to visit me. With hands covered in dirt, they gave me a pure white flower. The child expressed sadness asking ‘why was the branch cut,’ seeming more hurt than I was. It was just one of my countless branches… but their sincere concern was so lovely.]

It seems Hyperion had an old friend – a human child. Somehow nostalgia washed over me from the voice weathered by time. Just from the voice alone, I could feel how precious the child was to Hyperion. After catching his breath briefly, he continued in an even lower tone.

[At the same time, I realized something important. That child carried the scent of the human who cut my branch. They must have been related by blood. The young child didn’t know what their own flesh and blood had done.]

One day having a branch stolen by a human, another day receiving flowers as a gift from a human. And to think they were parent and child – what a fateful coincidence. The Seeds all cursed at ‘foolish and ignorant humans.’ Heh heh. Hyperion, who had been laughing heartily, murmured softly.

[In the end, wasn’t it that ignorance that colored me with pure white flowers after my long years of loneliness.]

The emotion felt from him was by no means light. Perhaps he still longs for human touch even now.

Eventually, a small firefly appeared to guide me to the exit so I wouldn’t get lost. As I stepped into the flood of light at the end of the passage, a brightness that nearly blinded me enveloped my body.

The sound of wind rustling through grass, birds calling to find their scattered flock, metal scraping rough soil. Bit by bit, the previously cut off external noises reached me. As I slowly opened my eyes, I saw a high sky without a single cloud and pale hair cutting through it.

“Tae-oh.”

A voice with a short drop at the end caught my drifting consciousness. As I quickly raised my upper body, my eyes met with Asrein’s, who knelt on one knee beside me.

“Why am I lying here?”

“We moved you to the field after you fainted from the magic’s aftermath.”

“What about Hyperion?”

“Of course, it arrived safely at the designated location.”

“Ah, what a relief…”

So we succeeded. For a moment when I couldn’t see Hyperion in my field of vision, I thought something had gone wrong. While calming my startled heart, I grabbed Asrein’s outstretched hand and got up.

“Is everything finished now?”

“There’s one last thing to do before the banquet.”

“And that would be…”

“Praying for successful adaptation in the Kune Forest and safe return to its original home. It’s the most important ritual at Ad Kune.”

Following Asrein, I looked around and saw a group standing on a hill. A person in clean robes dipped their thumb in golden dye and applied it to the magical creature’s forehead. Afterward, the people around also chanted prayers together.

The atmosphere became solemn, resembling a baptism ceremony. Despite quite a number of carriages having departed, only they conducted the ritual. Perhaps it proceeded while I was unconscious.

As I headed to at least watch the ending of the ritual, Asrein suddenly blocked my path.

“Here, take this. I’ve already discussed it with Professor Berke.”

“What discussion…”

Asrein handed me a wooden bowl containing golden dye. As I received the bowl without knowing what was happening, he gave a faint smile.

“You will bless Hyperion.”

“What?! Is it okay for me to do that?”

“You’ve accomplished great things. Hyperion will be pleased too.”

To be able to bless Hyperion – there was no reason to refuse. Holding the bowl with both hands, I quietly followed behind Asrein. Pushing through the grass, we saw a group surrounding the sturdy tree trunk. They transplanted surrounding vegetation to ensure the massive Hyperion had enough space. Those digging holes with shovels noticed Asrein and lightly greeted him while making way.

It was truly a quiet forest. Stretching its branches under the open sky rather than in a glass greenhouse, Hyperion displayed an even more majestic appearance. But due to the unfamiliar environment, the Seeds that should have been chattering busily by now remained quiet. Only the dong- dong- of church bells from beyond the hill carried by the wind rang out. Taking a deep breath, I approached Hyperion with reverence.

“How should I pray?”

“Just say what you want to say. There’s no set form for prayers.”

When told to say what I wanted, I felt lost. First, following what I’d seen, I dipped my thumb in the dye and knelt before the base. Then I silently stared at the large wound on the trunk for a while. As the ‘guide,’ I had unintentionally glimpsed Hyperion’s memories. Although he might have to live with scars that will never fade throughout his life, he still doesn’t resent humans.

Hoping that precious heart would continue for a long time.

“May you bloom beautiful leaves, and someday when the wind is just right… provide shade for those who have nowhere to rest.”

With slightly trembling hands, I applied the dye around the wounded base. The sight of rough bark turning golden following my touch appeared both mysterious and beautiful. The bark gently glowing whenever sunlight filtered through the leaves would light his path forward.

Sincerely wishing for his happiness, I stood up holding the empty bowl. When I returned to him who had been watching a couple steps behind, Asrein slowly blinked.

“Tae-oh. You’ve worked hard.”

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

“Now go enjoy the banquet without worry.”

I returned with Asrein to where banquet preparations were in full swing. In one corner they tuned instruments, in another they busily arranged tables. That’s when the flowers decorating the banquet hall caught my eye. They were white gardenias resembling roses with layered petals. While staring at the seedlings that hadn’t been transplanted yet, a good idea came to mind.

“Professor!”

“What is it?”

“Can I… visit Hyperion briefly? It will only take a moment.”

What comforted Hyperion during his long years of solitude was the white flower gifted by that child. Though it won’t be the same flower, a gardenia with its captivating fragrance might comfort Hyperion.