"Do you think soone intentionally spread this withering curse?" Hua Mi and Centaur Manet walked through the snowy forest.
Hua Mi pondered after hearing what Manet referred to as "on interpretation." This term had cropped up several tis in their conversations. It seed like the centaur always gleaned vital insights through this ability.
The books described centaurs as natural "wild ons interpreters," yet without specific explanations. Presumably, it was an innate gift, akin to the natural telepathic abilities of elves.
Simply put, it might be the high intelligence to process information. If the explanation were more complex, Hua Mi probably wouldn't understand, so why bother asking?
"Is soone targeting the Black Forest?" Hua Mi muttered, lost in thought.
"Highly unlikely. However, as the guardian of the Black Forest, it's essential to maintain this line of thinking and stay vigilant."
"Right, I'll keep that in mind."
Manet deliberately slowed his pace so that the human beside him could keep up. After all, two legs couldn't match four.
"The withering curse didn't originate in the Black Forest. It spread here from elsewhere. Before this, another forest fell victim to the curse, dissipating so of its power."
Ah, so another forest acted as a buffer.
"Through interpreting a series of ons, I can now mostly confirm that the curse didn't directly leak from the abyss. Initially, soone deliberately gathered it and contained it for a considerable ti, leading to a fusion of the curse with our world. As for the purpose, it might have been initially intended as a weapon, or there's another possibilityit was for research. And I believe the latter is more probable."
"Research..."
"For the general public, the abyss signifies the deepest fears, but inevitably, there are madn coveting its power... Researching the abyss curse is no easy task. Perhaps this outbreak of the withering curse occurred because the one behind it couldn't contain it any longer, so they had to release it."
As he ntioned researching the abyss curse, images of that eccentric abyss scholar popped into Hua Mi's mind, followed by the extre discomfort he experienced when facing the abyss crack.
"As for the investigation into this withering curse, I intend to make a trip to Modu."
Clearly, Manet had also thought of it.
The headquarters of the Abyss Research Association lay in Modu.
After the incident in Brass City, Hua Mi didn't hold a favorable impression of this association. Yet, it was a globally recognized official organization. At most, it might have been "administrative negligence," so Hua Mi didn't dwell much on it.
If this withering curse was caused by them, then it indicated that the association's problem might be larger than he imagined.
---
The portal wasn't established near the Bee Whisperer's cottage, but it wasn't too far either.
Soon, Hua Mi spotted an area ahead where the snow had lted.
On the open ground stood a stone door haphazardly assembled from rocks, surrounded by three crude stone piles.
Simple equals the highest form of sophistication?
This didn't resemble the magical portals he knew. Unaware individuals might have thought it was a child's random stack of blocks, easily knocked over with a push.
Hua Mi followed Manet to the middle of the three stone piles, facing the crude stone door.
It felt like standing amidst the remains of a primitive coordinate monunt.
This portal, unlike the one built by Alyss, was vastly different in styleexquisite and intricate versus rough and crude.
Manet approached the stone door, placing a hand on one of the rocks, murmuring sothing.
A faint blue inscription appeared on the stone doorfra, followed by a faint "hum." The empty doorway was obscured by a hazy "veil," concealing the other side.
Manet explained that to use this portal, one didn't necessarily have to et the conditions discussed previously; all that was needed was a guide.
In other words, even if his intelligence didn't et the standard, following the centaur would enable passage through this portal to another node.
"Then, farewell, Guardian of the Black Forest."
"Bon voyage, Interpreter of the Wild."
Manet stood by the portal, turned slightly as if to say sothing else, but ultimately chose silence, stepping into the portal. His figure vanished into the mist in an instant.
The inscription on the portal disappeared, reverting to the appearance of ordinary stones.
"Indeed, a lone traveler," Hua Mi approached, placing a hand on the stone. "Open sesa."
As expected, there was no response.
---
As Carter entered the luxurious estate, he was greeted by waves of intoxicating floral scents, reminding him of the Bee Whisperer's cabin in the Black Forestalways enveloped in fragrance.
"Master is on his way back. Please wait in the parlor," the benevolent and graceful butler inford him.
"Lead the way, please."
Carter followed the butler upstairs.
Passing by a window, a more distinct and potent fragrance wafted in with the breeze.
Carter wasn't fond of flowers, but neither did he detest them. He simply felt indifferent.
However, the florals here were stunning.
He took a deep breath, gazing out the window. A riot of colors surged into his vision, like a splendid enchantnt, instantly imrsing him.
Modu, located in the south, even in an ice age, boasted a mild climate. These flowers in vibrant competition were the best evidence.
The back garden wasn't just randomly filled with various exotic flora; it was evident they were ticulously cultivated and arranged.
When he paused, the butler didn't rush him, waiting silently by the side. After a while, he asked, "Would the guest like to visit the rear garden?"
"If it's convenient..."
"Of course." The butler smiled, gesturing for him to follow. "Miss Suzie is quite happy to showcase her achievents to visitors."
"Suzie is..."
"My young lady."
Carter had thought such a beautiful garden would have been created by a renowned gardener, not the duke's daughter. Nevertheless, the eccentricities of the wealthy knew no bounds, and floriculture was relatively normal among them.
Accompanied by the butler, they arrived at the entrance to the back garden, encountering a fair-haired, modestly dressed girl erging from within.
She wore a simple dress, a kerchief around her head, and sleeves on her arms, even with dirt on her clothes. However, her deanor clearly signaled she wasn't a servant here.
Her azure eyes glead like gemspure, like soone who'd been protected within a greenhouse since childhood.
Moreover, she was accompanied by a small flower spirit.
"This is the master's guest," the butler introduced Carter first, then introduced the girl to Carter.
Indeed, she was Miss Suzie.
Carter respectfully bowed, greeting both "ladies," explaining his purpose for visiting.
He ntioned his fondness for flowers, feeling compelled to visit and casually praised her floral artistry.
Suzie didn't show any particular pleasure at his deliberate complints. She elegantly curtsied, fingers tugging at her skirt slightly, smiling, and said, "Please feel free."
Then she hurriedly departed.
Carter continued to follow the butler into the back garden.
---
Suzie returned to her bedroom, changing
into a simple white dress, sitting by the window, writing sothing.
Sunlight stread into her chamber, enhancing the brilliance of the embellishing flowers.
The flower spirits sat on her shoulder, holding her chin with both hands. "That magician seems quite nice. He says he likes flowers too, and he called 'miss.' Perhaps we can beco friends with him."
"He's pretending. Like others, he only talks the talk."
"Are you so sure?"
"Of course," Suzie paused writing, a smug smile forming, "those genuinely fond of flowers or deeply engaged in their study, I can discern. Unfortunately, such people are rare."
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