The next day, Nic prepared to visit the last two Natural Tree of Heaven tourist spots he hadn't visited yet.
First, Nic went to the Jacaranda Tree tourist spot.
"Turns out the Jacaranda Tree spot is quite crowded, huh?" Nic said, seeing so many visitors.
But just as Nic was about to walk around, he saw a stage in the middle of the tourist area that was quite conspicuous. He also saw someone he knew: Aurelia, the botanist.
"Oh, looks like there's going to be an event? Might as well watch," Nic said, heading over there.
On the stage were Aurelia, the Guardian of the Jacaranda Tree, her partner the Guardian of the Delphinium flower, and also the three guardians of the threatened trees and flowers.
The Delphinium flower guardian, named Dellia, tested her mic. "Attention please... thank you."
After that, Dellia handed the mic to Aurelia.
Aurelia sighed. "Hello everyone, warm greetings. My name is Aurelia, I am a botanist. I study trees and flowers. Their beauty is very diverse in the Eastern and has become the symbol of our nation as the country with the most beautiful nature! Our unique, beautiful, and colorful nature makes our country famous and frequently visited by tourists because they are curious. But time doesn't lie; as time goes on, it's possible those beautiful trees and flowers could be damaged and lost, and that's why we have the Guardians of the Natural Tree of Heaven!"
Casandra, the Jacaranda Tree guardian, stepped forward with her partner, Dellia.
"Greetings everyone. Since Sakura, Aisteria, and Mapple couldn't come, I will represent them. We all protect every tree and flower that the East has with great sincerity and care so they don't go extinct. We take care of their habitats, and we do it all out of our own awareness because of our love for their beauty... BUT! Now I feel disappointed because three tree and flower habitats are threatened to be destroyed by the government with the excuse of advancing the country—with vast land, they can build new factories."
Dellia added, "So we need your voices to help make the government realize that our country can advance without destroying nature. Silence those who are greedy for power!"
Then the three threatened tree and flower guardians stepped forward with slightly gloomy faces, holding a sheet of paper that read Stop Destroying Nature.
Raily, the Eucalyptus Tree guardian, was a bit hesitant about this idea.
And sure enough, some people spoke up.
"If it can make the country advance, then so what? Do you want our country to be left behind?"
"Right, we know trees and flowers are beautiful, but it's only three, right? There are still four more beautiful ones, especially the Cherry Blossom and Wisteria that elevate the Eastern nation above others!"
One by one, they started leaving their seats and exiting the tourist spot.
Aurelia panicked. "Eh, guys, wait, please! We really need your help!"
Aurelia tried to chase them while getting off the stage, but the seats slowly emptied out.
Dellia muttered, "Ah, I thought our visitors would support us since so many wanted to come."
Casandra patted her shoulder. "They came because I promised a reward if they listened, but why did they just leave like that?"
"I told you, didn't I... no need to help us this much, Casandra... it's useless," Raily said.
Olip nudged Raily's waist. "Raily, we still have to believe in one person."
Raily turned and saw Nic sitting alone on the bench. Everyone else realized Nic was there too.
They knew him, except for Casandra and Dellia, who were meeting Nic for the first time.
Aurelia, who came back because she couldn't catch the visitors, was shocked when she finally noticed Nic.
"Huh? What are you doing there? Have you been watching this whole time?" Aurelia asked.
Nic nodded, then asked casually, "Why are you doing this here?"
Aurelia explained that she visited the Jacaranda spot yesterday on a whim and was told about the three threatened spots. That's why she immediately panicked and didn't want it to happen, suggesting this event because the Jacaranda Tree spot had a fairly stable number of visitors. At the Cherry Blossom or Wisteria spots, you couldn't just build a stage randomly like this.
Lusita and Willee approached Nic and greeted him.
"Have you visited all the Natural Tree of Heaven guardians?" Lusita asked.
"I have. Only one left, the Maple Tree," Nic answered.
Willee was surprised. "That means you've met Sakura? She's usually not at the tourist spot, you know."
"I met her in her real territory, Kyu," Nic said.
Everyone instantly fell silent. Flamiya jumped toward Nic, followed by Rosa.
"So how was it? Did she agree to help too?" Flamiya asked.
"Isn't it obvious? She's your leader; she definitely agrees with me," Nic answered.
They immediately hugged each other, while Casandra and Dellia were confused.
"Wait... who is he? Do you guys know him?" Casandra asked.
Before anyone could answer, Nic promptly introduced himself as a tourist ready to help the Guardians of the Natural Tree of Heaven.
"By what means?" Dellia asked.
"I have two plans... Plan A, I will make the two strongest territories, Kyushin, help you voice the rejection to the government..." Nic said with serious eyes.
"With the voices of those two territories, it should be enough. But how can you convince them when you're just a tourist?" Casandra asked.
"I happen to be close with Kyu Kazumi and Shin Meilin..." Nic said, smiling.
They were shocked, almost in disbelief, but Raily and Flamiya believed it.
Dellia asked again, "And for the second plan?"
Nic pointed up at the sky. "Plan B is for you to trust nature."
They were all confused about what Nic meant.
"Basically, trust me, and please close your tourist spots tomorrow and stay in your homes because I predict a massive storm is coming," Nic said.
Aurelia stood silent, constantly questioning Nic in her heart. "He really doesn't seem like an ordinary person... From the incident in my garden that grew so fast when Hinata said she was helped by him, and now he wants to help the Natural Tree of Heaven... it seems he's not lying..."
Aurelia clapped her hands. "COME ON, TRUST HIS WORDS! THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF EASTERN NATURE! I BELIEVE IN HIM!"
Casandra was shocked that Aurelia suddenly shouted. "Are you sure, Aurelia? You usually think very logically before deciding."
"True, Casandra, but this time I feel he can be trusted. Besides, who else can help the three of them?" Aurelia said.
Casandra couldn't argue with that. "True enough... alright, I'll trust you too. I hope you're not lying about the storm... I'll inform Mapple, Sakura, and Aisteria."
"Ah, I haven't told them yet, so please do... well then, I'll be going now," Nic said.
---
Nic went to a high mountain covered in clouds to meet Rainzy.
Rainzy was chilling when suddenly Nic arrived.
"H-huh? What's up? Why are you suddenly here?" Rainzy said, taking out her fan.
"You have a news account that some people trust, right?" Nic asked.
"Yeaa... Why?"
Nic smiled and whispered something to Rainzy, then immediately left again.
Rainzy just said okay while standing in silence.
"A storm is coming tomorrow... interesting," Rainzy said, staring up at the sky.
To be continued...