Chapter 159: 159: Forsaken Plant Village
Just like that, the team five went past various landmarks. From the Desert to the Forest of Lanthanor, until they arrived at the Forsaken Plant Village. Luckily, this time, they haven't encountered any tier 9 Apokalips even once. The team began to feel that it was a good, smooth start. They didn't even have to exert the effort that much.
Speaking of which, the Forest of Lanthanor was strange. Caleb's team encountered a lot of wild animals but unlike the Forest of Death, the animals were gentle and even guided them to the correct route. Not only that, the animals in the Forest of Lanthanor don't hunt each other, which was very strange for the team and it gives them a new perspective.
The only question is... How do they survive and get food if they don't hunt each other? Wouldn't that mess up the food chain? Well, as it turned out... There was a fountain of water in the Forest of Lanthanor, guarded by every animal living in the forest. No matter if it was lions, elephants, hippos, wolves, tigers, snakes, etc... They were all huddled together there, creating a strange harmony to defend the fountain.
As for what is in the fountain. The team didn't see anything except for clear water. Although the animals were very kind or 'tamed', it didn't prevent them from eyeing the team. If one wrong move of desecrating the fountain, they would riot and beat the shit out of them.
The five didn't fear such ordinary animals, but they rather proceed on the mission instead of fighting the animals unnecessarily over a fountain. They're not even thirsty. Actually, they could see if it was just to drink. The animals would lash out at them as long as they didn't cause damage to the fountain. However, no one was really thirsty and who knows what stuff is in the fountain?
Yes, there are animals drinking in the fountain here and there. The water might be safe for the animals, but who can tell if the water wasn't dangerous to humans? After all, humans have different physiology from animals.
It was worth mentioning that in the perimeter near the fountain. The team found the atmosphere relaxing, calm, serene, and tranquil and they would have happily stayed if not for their mission. It was a great spot for vacation and relaxation. The team agreed to come back to it once the operation was successful.
In the end, a pack of lions, wolves, and elephants escorted them out of the forest smoothly. The lions, that are supposed to be king of the jungle, behave like a damn cat to the team. Furring and rubbing their heads to their arms.
Caleb began to understand. The strange behavior of the animals has something to do with the damn fountain! Certainly, there was more to the fountain than they could see. The question is... What did the water do to the animals for them to become tamed?? And why would they guard it? Still, he realized that the animals in the forest didn't suffer any mutations like the rest of the animals of this world should have. Or.... Is it that the water in the fountain purified them? To Caleb, this was an area worth digging.
...
"Damn. This place seems to be a fucking garden in the past. Look at those humongous trees and plants. It is really like this?" Kidd looked at the ten-meter towering trees with orange leaves. The girth of the barks could fit four humans clustered together. The wrinkled and dotty wood skin of the barks gave him a feeling that it had withstood the onslaught of the flow of time.
Kazuto, on the other hand, placed a hand on Kidd's shoulder and smiled. "You don't read in the library, do you? The village's name in the past was Miniature Sun Garden. The inhabitants of the town depend solely on their agriculture. They plant herbs, plants, and a variety of trees. They are fond of plants, so they styled their village in the image of a garden.
"What a fitting name. But they died in the end, aren't they?" Rekka sighed with a melancholic expression. "It just proves that no matter how beautiful. All of us would die in the end. Life is just like that. We would become the plant's nutrients at the end of the day. So why live when we're gonna die?"
Hearing Rekka's statement made Caleb, Kidd, and Kazuto speechless. Although what he said sounds reasonable. They couldn't help but feel that it was out of place. They're obviously talking about the old village. Why did he bring the topic of meaning to life and death?
Caleb shook his head with a wary smile on his face. In all his life, he would like to Call Rekka the strongest! Well, in terms of pessimism, that is. He even began to doubt how Rekka managed to live until this age without someone strangling him. After all, if it was him. He would have already choked on the bastard. Such a negative mindset was just spreading negative vibes.
Is it because he's a member of a high-ranking clan? Well, that's the only thing that would explain it. Furthermore, Rekka was the only one who inherited the Nine Dragons Infinite in their clan.
In the end, no one refuted Rekka. Fuck, they don't even want to talk with Rekka anymore. Why? For fear that they would begin to doubt life and become infected with Rekka's strange mental disease.
As Kazuto thought of this, he changed position. He didn't want to be anywhere near Rekka. Then he contemplated for a while and said. "After the invasion. The prosperity of the Miniature Sun Garden was gone. Due to mutations that affected most beasts and plants alike. The plants and trees here became like this. Beware, one of the shoots of a plant might even strangle us. That's why it was called Forsaken Plant Village by the people in our city now."
"Hmmm... You really know a lot. That's quite unexpected." Caleb chucked.
Chapter Stay:
Kazuto blinked. Unexpected? What do you guys think of me? Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on his face. "What? I'm just interested in what happened in the past. However, there is just some interesting stuff in the library, but no information that is really relevant."
"It was as if someone was deliberately hiding them, right?" Caleb smirked.
"You also did a little bit of digging?" Kazuto couldn't help but ask in surprise. Now, he felt he found his kindred spirit.
Who would have known that Johan would be interested in history like him? What a surprise!
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