Black Sword and Fragments [Vol. 1: Unforeseen Conspiracy]

Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Amazing Burning Ice Lily

Inside the forest of Uzuri, Allastor and the mysterious young lady continue on their track. They are alert to their surroundings as they try to detect the ripple of magicules in the surrounding. Even though his sensitivity to the magicules isn't well developed enough, Allastor still trying to detect the magicules anyway. He thought that if he could detect the part of the forest that has a concentrated ripple of magicule energies, he expects that he could see the magical Mana-Tree in that area. Even though his way of tracing the location on the Mana-Tree isn't that certain enough, albeit, this is the only thing he could do right now as a mere Bronze ranker. If he wants to become stronger immediately, there's no other way than to gamble his life to find this legendary Mana-Tree. 

As they look from left, right, back, and so forth, of course, the two of Allastor and the Maiden were not only feeling nervous. They also feel so much admiration to the beauty of this magical Forest. Its grasses, little plants, and its giant trees are so unusually beautiful compared to a usual plants they see for almost everyday. They couldn't even classify exactly what plants are these.

However, they know that all of these are magical. All the plants and trees are emitting unique yellow blob of lights floating and roaming around the area. Allastor also tried to pick out parts of the plants here, but, the parts he took from the plants broke into pieces like a broken mirror—until it became a golden light that dissipated into the air. This forest is really unusual and magical compared to any other forest.

On the other side, the alert maiden that is also busy observing the field innocently looked at the serious Allastor Frauzz. It was already a few minutes ago that she could sense that there was an unusual emotion behind the lifeless bright red eyes of the young man. It isn't like the eyes that she has, but it isn't that different either. She couldn't tell exactly what is lurking behind his red pair of gloomy eyes.

“I forgot to ask. What is your name?” Asked the maiden. Allastor continues with his frantic way of feeling the magicules on the field.

“Allastor Frauzz.”

The Young lady smiled. “Allastor Frauz... Your name is unique, it feels as if it matched your red-colored eyes and the braviness you have. It is my first time to encounter a Bronze rank that has the guts to enter this Forest.”

A trace of a slight smile formed on Allastor Frauzz as well. He remembered something. 

“My Grandfather who passed away gave me this name. He also said that he gave me this name for the same reason. He wants me to become brave at the battle of Life.”

Luna nodded at what the young man said. She was expecting Allastor to ask for her name as well, howbeit, he didn't ask for it. Her mother told her that every time she was accompanied by someone on her adventure, it is only natural to form a good bond with another. In addition, they should also know the name of each other. “Amm. My name is Luna Haynes...”

Allastor nodded in response. He smiled a bit. “It fits your name as well.” His attention turns towards the bright pair of yellow eyes of the young lady. Her eyes are very pleasant to look at as they are also paired with her long curly eyelashes. Her eyes also looked at his lifeless eyes. He knows that the word Luna is the alternative to the word Moon. “Your eyes are just like the yellow moon from the night sky. Your parents must have got your name from the... moon...”

Allastor's smile suddenly fades. He remembered his friend Selena again, making him feel a pinch of sadness caressing his heart.

The maiden noticed the sudden change in Allastor's expression. still, she happily nodded. “That's right. Even the others can easily guess where does my name came from just by looking at my eyes”

               

*   *   *   *                                

After an hour, Luna halt on his track. He raised his hand, causing Allastor to stop as well. 

Luna just looked at his confused expression of Allastor. She sighed and shook her head. She smiled for a bit as well. “Nothing. I just thought that there is something following us. I'm glad that I am just overthinking.”

The two of them started walking again, but not even making enough steps, they stopped on their track again. Luna immediately covered her nose as her forehead wrinkled. “Gross! What the hell is that smell?!”

Allastor doesn't know what to say. He didn't expect that a Level twelve Silver Rank had no knowledge of what she can possibly encounter inside the Forest.

“Really... Is this the first time she traveled inside the forest?” Allastor thought. 

In truth, every time Allastor travel inside the other forest, he smells something like this more often. Every he goes near that smell is that he can see a corpse of a magicule beast. He smiled a bit at the innocent expression of the maiden before he said. “It might be a corpse of a magicule beast. For the monsters here to survive, of course, they are eating their own kinds. Haven't you know anything about that?

Luna's eyebrows jumped. She thought of dangerous possibilities at this moment. “Magicule beast's corpse?... I hope that the one who killed it is already far from here. If it's not the case, then...”

Allastor didn't let Luna finish her words. He confidently responded. “Its Killer must be far away now. Based on the smell of that corpse, it might already have died two to five days ago.” Allastor's expression became serious afterward. “However, even with this luck, we shouldn't let our guard down. After all, we are still here inside the dangerous forest of Uzuri...”

*   *   *   *

Their roaming inside the dangerous forest of Uzuri had already last for two hours. Unlike the story they heard from the other, they still have not encountered any of the unusually strong magicule beasts here. 

During their time together inside the Forest, Luna became more comfortable at Allastor. In her mind, she already thought of him as her best friend. On the other hand, unlike Luna, Allastor hesitated to become too close with Luna, however, in his mind is that the two of them are already friends. Even how much he try not to be attached to Luna, he couldn't do it. She was like his reckless and talkative friend Selena. At this point is that he thought more of her as Selena. The thought of Selena, Hukkon, and the other children crossed his mind as well, every minute. He was wondering how are they now or are they still alive?

Luna, told Alllastor about her motive for entering this forest. She told him that she was finding the magical plant called “Burning Ice Lily”—a magical plant that can cure any kind of disease. But she didn't tell Allastor to whom or where she will use it. 

On the other side, Allastor also told Luna Haynes about his motive for entering this forest. She told her that he was finding the Legendary Mana-Tree. But just like what Luna keeps to herself, Allastor didn't tell the reason why he wants to find that magical tree.

In the middle of their track, finally, they stopped when they saw in their front a small clear watered swamp. No fish are living in this swamp, but there are small plants sprouting in the wet soil. They are both Familiar with these plants because it is what Luna often says along their way.

Both of them were dazed and mesmerized by how beautiful these plants are. Unlike the unusual trees and plants that can be found here, the plants in the small swamp gave a more dazzling view to their eyes. The plants are surrounded by small blue lights as if blue fireflies roaming around their leaves and buds. And in the middle of the hordes of small plants sat a very bright and noble electric-blue flame. 

Luna couldn't help but swallow at this view. She slowly approaches the plant before finally kneeling in the wet area. On her front is the noble blue-flame dancing on the weak wind. She stared at it for a few seconds before she earnestly whispered. “The Burning Ice Lily...”

Luna holds firmly the unique-looking ring on her finger. Unlike the space ring, this ring is black in color with gold symbols engraved on its surrounding. 

Allastor's eyebrows jumped at what he saw. He didn't notice that Luna has this ring all along. 

“A medical Space ring!” screamed Allastor in his mind. 

Even though his knowledge as a ranker was still lacking in some areas, however, he was aware of the existence of the Medical Space Ring. Inside the palace of Kreo Kingdom, only the herbalists with high positions can have this kind of ring. 

Unlike the Space-ring, the Medical Space ring has the ability to maintain the quality and effectiveness of the herbal plants that will be contained inside it. If one will contain a herbal plant inside of just an ordinary Space bag or Space ring, if one does not have enough knowledge about medicines, they would not prevent the herbal plants to lose their quality and effectiveness once it is inside any of those containers. On the other side, anyone, even someone who doesn't have enough knowledge about medicines, if the one will use Medical Space Ring, the Medicinal plants that will be contained inside it will be able to maintain their quality and effectiveness—Just like when it is still not plucked from the ground.

Luna Haynes activated the ring when she placed it near the Burning Ice Lily, making the ring release a white light. Next is the white light wrapped around the Burning Ice Lily before pulling the magical plant inside its storage. When she successfully contained the Burning Ice Lily, her medical space ring was wrapped by the noble blue flame. Luna felt anxious about the sudden happening, yet, when she realized that the flame didn't burn her skin, she sighed. It was not long after that the flame has been extinguished.

“Congratulation.” Happily said Allastor as he walked closer near where Luna Haynes is kneeling. He just stopped when their distance is just about two feet.

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