I arrived in Yugfressia via teleportation magic and set off, following the simple map Rosmiel-san had sent me. The Garden of Myriad Flowers was situated just outside the city, a distance easily covered on foot.
Despite its proximity to Yugfressia—which was quite possibly the largest metropolis in the Demon Realm—the place was known as a "Phantom Garden." Unless you were specifically invited, you simply couldn't find it. Rosmiel-san’s barrier magic must have been incredibly powerful to keep it so well hidden.
After walking for a while from the city's outskirts, the edge of a great forest came into view. If I kept going, I’d eventually end up lost in the deepest woods of the Demon Realm, so I stopped at the tree line and pulled out the invitation Rosmiel-san had included in her letter.
According to her, the invitation had been crafted specifically for me. As long as I held it, the entrance to her garden would reveal itself.
I looked around with the card in my hand and soon spotted what looked like an archway woven from roses. It was a gate that hadn't been there a moment ago.
Feeling a slight thrill at the pure fantasy of the situation, I stepped through the mysterious portal. The scenery transformed instantly.
"Whoa... amazing."
A sea of flowers stretched out before me, blossoms of every imaginable color competing for space. It was a vast, nearly endless expanse—truly a garden of "myriad flowers." In the middle of it all stood a charming house built from wood.
Just as I was wondering if that was where she lived, rose petals began to swirl in the air, and Rosmiel-san materialized before me.
She glanced around tentatively to make sure no one else was there. Once she confirmed I was alone, a small smile touched her lips.
"...Welcome, Kaito-kun."
"Hello, Rosmiel-san. Thank you for inviting me today."
"Not at all. I'm just glad you came. Did you have any trouble finding the way?"
"No, the map you gave me was perfect."
Away from the crowds, Rosmiel-san didn't seem nearly as stiff as usual. Her expression was relaxed, and she spoke with a gentle, steady smile.
When she was nervous, her striking features and flashy appearance could make her seem a bit intimidating, but in this private setting, she had the warm, comforting aura of a kind older sister.
"I’m sorry. I really should have come to meet you at the entrance, but... there were so many people..."
"Don't worry about it. Besides, this garden is incredible. Do you really manage all of this on your own?"
"I do... I love flowers, and as I kept collecting and planting more, it eventually grew into this."
"That's impressive."
I’d known she was a flower enthusiast, but seeing the scale of her passion firsthand was something else entirely. It felt as though every flower in existence had been gathered here. Even from where I stood, the meticulous color coordination and sheer variety were breathtaking.
"Since you’re here, would you like a quick tour before we go inside?"
"Are you sure? I’d love to, if it isn’t a bother."
"Of course. Some of the species over here are quite rare—you won't see many of them in the Human Realm."
She began leading the way through the fields. As expected of someone with such a deep love for botany, Rosmiel-san possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of her garden. She explained the details of each plant as we walked, making the stroll even more engaging.
Thinking back to her lectures on art, she really was a talented teacher. Her explanations were clear, concise, and easy to follow.
"By the way, Rosmiel-san, what’s your personal favorite? Is it roses, as I’d expect?"
"Hmm, that’s a tough one. I love them all, but I suppose if I had to pick, it would be the rose... I am a Rose Spirit, after all, so I might just be biased toward my own kin."
"I’m quite fond of roses myself. They’re so vibrant, and the sheer number of varieties makes them fascinating to look at."
"I agree. Their diversity is definitely part of their charm. I have a dedicated rose section over this way; shall we go take a look?"
"I’d like that very much. Do you have any particularly rare ones?"
"I do. I have several 'Old Roses'—ancient varieties that have largely vanished everywhere except for here."
She continued her gentle explanation as we walked toward the rose garden. Some species were strikingly beautiful but too fragile to survive climate shifts, meaning they were nearly extinct in nature. In the Garden of Myriad Flowers, however, Rosmiel-san kept them thriving.
She mentioned that she placed individual mini-barriers over each variety to precisely regulate the temperature and environment. Her dedication was truly staggering.
Seeing her look so genuinely happy while talking about her passion was infectious. I found myself smiling along with her, enjoying the atmosphere.
Serious-senpai: "Is this a date? It's a date, isn't it? It's definitely a date! Damn it all!"
???: "What's with that dramatic three-part conjugation...?"