Chapter Twenty-Four: The Pink Waterfall
Windchime Ranch was a vast garden, where besides the pebble paths for walking, every inch was a flowerbed.
Clusters of pink blossoms shimmered with fresh buds under the sunlight, while bees buzzed busily among them. As the gentle breeze stirred, petals danced with butterflies through the air, scattering across the ground to form ever-changing patterns. Immersed in this scene, one felt as if stepping into a dream.
The breathtaking sight left Suan silent for a moment, wrapped in the fragrance of flowers. Beside her, Mr. Stone thoughtfully spread his wings to shield her from the falling petals.
Momo, overwhelmed by the strong scent, chose to stay outside the gate.
Cecil, brushing petals from his hair without a care, asked, “So, how is it? Isn’t my ranch beautiful?”
Suan nodded. Compared to his, Ping’an Ranch was indeed rather modest. She hadn’t expected such a stunningly romantic flower garden to be owned by a burly middle-aged man with a full beard.
This striking contrast made Cecil’s fierce face seem softer and even endearing.
“There are no other crops on my ranch, only flowers. But don’t underestimate them—aside from being used to brew honey, the blossoms are also harvested to produce perfumes that I sell far and wide.”
“There are two magical creatures helping out on my ranch: one is the dazzling butterfly tending the flowerbeds, and the other is the Pink Ring Bee Queen who produces the pink honey... and here we are.”
Cecil, leading the way, suddenly stopped and pointed at a massive beehive coming into view.
The hive was enormous, not built on a branch but nestled against a rocky cliff. Unlike the usual oval shape, it resembled a cylindrical fortress, with a round window-like opening at the top. Pink honey continuously flowed from it, creating a stunning honey waterfall from top to bottom.
The bees busy within were different from ordinary ones—their abdomens bore a ring of pink. As one flew past Suan’s ear, her Book of Enlightenment instantly opened before her eyes:
Pink Ring Bee
Size: Normally between 15-20 millimeters
Description: A small, social magical creature that works tirelessly from birth—truly the chosen laborers of the magical world. They always obey the queen’s commands. If their queen disappears, they refuse food and drink until they fade away among the flowers.
Reading this, Suan was puzzled. “Every Pink Ring Bee obeys the queen’s command. Without a queen, they vanish. There’s only one queen per colony. As the source of the pink honey, they cannot be taken individually. So, Cecil Ranch Owner, what exactly is this mysterious grand prize?”
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Hearing the question, Cecil sighed and said, “That’s right—a hive only has one queen. But what if a new queen is born in the colony?”
Ignoring Suan’s surprised expression, Cecil waved his right hand forward.
Soon, a tiny pink creature flew out from the hive fortress, darting into Cecil’s arms.
Up close, Suan could see it clearly.
Roughly the size of a fist, it looked as if it wore a pink princess dress. Two black antennae framed compound eyes like pink gems, covering two-thirds of its head, topped with a small golden crown. This was Suan’s first encounter with a magical creature bearing anthropomorphic traits.
The disappearance of her Book of Enlightenment confirmed it: this was the other magical creature Cecil had contracted—the Pink Ring Bee Queen.
Cecil gently touched the antenna on the queen’s head. “Her name is Nini. She was my first contracted magical creature and is the queen of this hive.”
“Originally, the hive only produced ordinary Pink Ring Bees. But this spring, a new Pink Ring Bee Queen was born. The bees became confused about whose orders to follow.”
“The chaos in order and division of power was not tolerated by the original queen. The newborn queen was expelled, restoring order in the hive. But without the hive’s protection, the young queen faces only death.”
Cecil looked somewhat embarrassed. “I had hoped to contract the new queen and split the hive, but Nini wouldn’t allow it.”
Understanding Cecil’s words, Nini crossed her arms and turned her head away, clearly displeased.
“That’s it. The mysterious grand prize this time is actually the other Pink Ring Bee Queen. Since these bees love snacks, this competition was arranged.”
Cecil emphasized, “But contracting depends on mutual consent. You can win her favor by feeding her, but absolutely no force is allowed.”
He then glanced warily at the Leaping Rock Beetle silently guarding Suan.
“Oh, I’m suspected,” Mr. Stone’s dissatisfied voice echoed in Suan’s mind.
Suan smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, it’s completely fair and voluntary. Mr. Stone is powerful, but he’s more like a noble knight—above such tactics.”
“So, Cecil Ranch Owner, take me to meet this newly born little queen.”
Cecil nodded and looked at Nini fluttering beside him. “Nini, lead the way.”
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Nini’s antennae twitched as she flew ahead, her pink skirt swirling in the air, making Suan’s eyes turn heart-shaped.
Too adorable~
Suan silently cheered herself on—no matter what the new little queen liked to eat, she would prepare it. Her third contract page was about to light up.
Following Nini through the flowerbeds, they soon arrived at another cliff.
Nini stretched her antennae, pointing upward.
“This is troublesome. I didn’t expect her to have moved behind the mountain in just a few days,” Cecil frowned, concerned about the cliff that needed climbing. He was used to mountain terrain, but Suan was a delicate young lady. Climbing here was dangerous.
With that thought, Cecil asked, “Suan Ranch Owner, can you climb? If not, I’ll fetch some tools from the ranch.”
“Ah?”
Just then, Suan was gently lifted into the air by Mr. Stone.
“No need. Mr. Stone can take me up. Do you need any help, Cecil Ranch Owner?” Suan called down happily from midair.
Cecil looked at his own hands, then at Suan who had effortlessly climbed halfway up, and smiled awkwardly.
“No, no, I can manage.”
He then turned with a pitiful look toward the queen who had witnessed everything.
“Nini, help me out.”
The anthropomorphic queen sighed and waved her antennae, summoning the hive.