The Seed of Decay or known as Hanubi is a special plant of demons a long time ago. A researcher discovered it first on North's cold land.
Apparently, the plant can only be grown in a cold environment, but after planting it in different places during winter it died as soon as it was planted on the ground.
The researcher speculated that the plant can only grow in the North since the land has the demon's energy. For its appearance, it slightly resembles a tulips, however its petals are in full bloom, colored in a hue of pink with long and vibrant green leaves.
The one who found it was a herbalist besides his house after the war errupted. The symptoms soon appeared after a year of constantly being exposed to it.
At first, he's out of breath all the time and he easily got tired followed by losing appetite, lack of energy as well as fainting or sleeping longer than staying awake. Lastly, the most dangerous thing is when the person is coughing blood and bed ridden for days with high fever. That is when its insides slowly are destroyed before dying.
It was a potent poison that none of the wizards can find a cure since there is always a little information about this plant, other than that it was rare that none of the people heard or seen it.
The herbalist who studied the plant died after 3 years and the one who wrote it was his brother. His papers were found and fully published 326 years ago—year 451.
'because... the earth spirit was sure there were no traces left of it. Then, how did it appear in North again?'
"..." the spirit must know something about it since she panicked. She kept saying that it wasn't supposed to be here. Meaning that the plant was in our home to begin with or Euphrasia is exposed to it.
"Hanubi?" I jolted from my seat when Zairon whispered close to me. He looks serious as he reads the book I'm holding as a deep frown appeared in his face.
I closed the book and glared at him for leaning close. I feel uncomfortable especially since he has nice features and the fact that I am trying to avoid him.
"How's lady Agatha?"
"Her symptoms are coming back,"
"Mom can't cure her." I said unconsciously which both of them looked at me. His eyes are reflecting the pain as well as acceptance. I see that he realizes it as well.
"Is this what you're searching for? Why?" he changed the topic, grabbing the book away from me.
he flips the pages as he awaits my answer. I frowned and sighed, "yes and haven't you heard what happened to Euphrasia?"
"Ah, Lady Mavis' youngest child being gravely ill. Is it related to this plant?" I nod, confirming his guess.
"I heard she hasn't woken up ever since they came back," he says, his focus though is on the book.
Warm hands and a smell of mint soon penetrates my nostrils. Those warm hands soon pinch my cheeks hard, Cervi grinned widely.
"Hehe, her cheeks still look like dough after being stretched." I glanced over at Boaife. However, she was busy chatting with Milla over the other table. How should I punish these two later?
On my peripheral vision I saw how Zairon grimaced, smacking Cervi's hands away, "You don't learn. For a spirit you are an idiot."
Cervi became silent and then...
"Yup." he just admitted it which made Zairon more annoyed. These two never get along which is understandable since Zaiton hates air-heads like Cervi.
"besides, I cannot let my master summon my older sister. My master may collapse again." speaking of which, I heard him call her sister before I collapsed.
"You have a sister?" Zairon asked, openly showing how surprised he was.
Well we all are surprised to learn about him having a sibling.
"Your highness I think you are missing the point..." Theo said as he looks ashamed for no reason, "Spirits are like humans you know."
"I have something to ask your sister," The three of them then glanced over my way.
Cervi then patted my head, "... what is this for?"
"No reason master," I really do not understand this guy.
Zairon clicked his tongue, and said in such a bitter tone, "If you are done. Can we go back to our topic?"
suddenly Sir Theo laughed and turned his back on us, ignoring the piercing gaze of Zairon. I really have not answered him.
"Right, She hasn't woken up. I have to call for a spirit."
"and coincidentally that is your knight's sister," I nodded at him and then, Cervi once again spoke, "You can't make her summon my sister."
Zairon looks at him coldly, "I heard you, and I have no interest in making her collapse."
He must hate me seeing weak all the time... and maybe he doesn't want me to collapse here, "I'm sorry." I whispered and let myself immerse myself in the books I had.
---------------------------------------------------
On the other side of the palace, the laboratory is chaotic when the twins and Yessenia arrive. No one notices them after they enter the room.
The researchers are busy with papers and new tools on every corner. Some even cram themselves in paperworks while drinking coffee in a big mug that Yessenia frowns with the unfamiliar environment.
Was this like how a mage acts? She can't see Lexus acting like this. After all she rarely sees him do any work back in the castle.
"Why am I with you, Brother?" Yessenia pouted, thinking about the fun she missed and the anger she felt not seeing Zairon and Wren together.
Yessenia protested on their way because of it, but Lexus is firm in not letting Yessenia out of his sight today. This made Yessenia think of something.
"Brother are you also rooting for Wren and Prince Zairon?"
Lexus is showing disgust in his face as he winced. Yessenia did not see this, "Let's go with whatever you think," her face brimmed brightly with how Lexus answered
It seems he made another mistake since this is Yessenia we are talking about. This results in Lexus having a grim face.
"Ah! Lord Lexus!" someone shouts behind the big vial with high steam from it, "Senior what are you doing?"
he fixes the goggles first and puts some purple liquid in the vial when a small explosion happens. Blackening his face and the glass vials broken.
he then removed the goggles and wiped his face off, grunting, "I messed up again, haizz..."
Lexus walks forward and stares at the left over liquids and dust on the table, "Are you trying to make a warping scroll?"
The man was stunned when he heard Lexus' question. "Wow, how did you know? Did Abbie tell you? I thought I told her to keep quiet about it."
A young girl huffs and retorts, "I haven't spoken with Lexus since his last visit here!"
They were surprised at his guess while Lexus was left in deep thoughts while staring at the liquids.
"I just guessed since you guys have been busy."
The warping scroll they are talking about can be used one time where a single person will be teleported to the other person's copy of the scroll.
What they were was not released to the empire and only the researchers and the emperor knew about it.
"As expected of Lexus! He is so smart!" someone praised him and Yessenia and Knight Aaron watched the scene.
"Isn't Young Master Lexus... Usually quiet?"
"That's how he is, Aaron. If his voice is needed he will speak." Since the knights rarely see Lexus as he also never steps inside the Training ground. The reason why he doesn't know that this is his usual attitude.
Still, there is something bothering him.
"..." nothing seems to be out of place there as he sighs.
"Aaron don't you think he is being weird as he stands there?" Yessenia pointed to Lexus who was staring at the empty spot on the corner.
he just assumed that there must be something there. Suddenly, the ground shakes, the vials on the table kept shaking and fell from the table, shattered followed by the books falling from the shelves.
"W...what is this?"
"did someone make another mistake?" The shake is everywhere in the Palace that it makes the employee pause their work.
Boaife and Milla stopped talking. The shaking is undeniably different from normal. The ground is splitting from outside, cracks appearing on the palace's walls.
"What is happening?"
The quake continued, Yessenia held onto Aaron.
"Seriously? A quake happening right now?"
"We should record this!"
This is the first quake after 400 years and some say they can learn something after the quake. Lexus who is staying still suddenly said, "Hide yourselves"
no one listened, but it is fine since if this plan is executed properly, they will live. It has a small amount of percentage that will work and he is willing to risk it.
"Lex..." Yessenia stops as loud shriek suddenly appears and the shaking stops. Everyone reflexively covered their ears as the screams began to hurt.
None of them can check outside as it is making them weak. Except Lexus, he watches the red dragon roar once again from the window.
"It's here." at first he was worried if the sudden changes would result in a change of plans. Other than that he's awfully calm about this.
"The quake must be the sign that a dragon has awakened. The ground feels warmer than earlier too." Boaife said as she gritted her teeth, "A dragon?!" Milla is surprised at what she said.
Dragons were legends that the last sight of it was before the empire was founded. To think that she will see a living dragon at this time.
"let's just pray that he will be bored." even though they were overwhelmed by the dragon, they were not surprised with his answer. It's a very Cervi-like answer.
"Lexus!!" Yessenia shouts as she grabs the sleeves of his robe, "We should leave!" she shouted, worried over their lives as a loud explosion happened in the imperial garden. The Imperial Knights were already in the garden, trying to slain the dragon.
It even became more agitated as it flew higher, breathing out fire. The knights groaned with how hot the fire was. The silver shield melted slightly, then the dragon blew another—directed at the laboratory.
The flame lights the room as everyone panics, running towards the door, forgetting about the painful shrieks of it. Aaron tries to run away, grabbing Yessenia and Lexus who was rooted on the floor.
"Young Miss and Master! We should leave, hurry!" Even though leaving is the choice, it doesn't guarantee they will live. Yessenia cried as Aaron put her on his back, while Lexus stared at his cousin when the fire broke the laboratory. Soon, a loud shout behind shocked Lexus.
It didn't occur to him that Laxus will try to slain the Dragon. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "MOVE AWAY, LAXUS!"
However, Laxus is occupied with the dragon as he pierces his sword on its back. The Dragon roared in pain, swinging its tail uncontrollably everywhere, hitting different roofs.
The tower next to the laboratory shattered with its tail, Lexus saw the debris being thrown on their side. His eyes remained calm with it despite the fact he'll die and everyone else if nothing supressed the dragon.
Laxus was then thrown off to the far side of the building, leaving him with cuts and blood.
Lexus on the other hand is unconscious on the floor. Blood pooled beneath him as she suddenly felt something painful ringing in her ears.
Of course, even though he teases Yessenia. She always thought of him as her older brother and now seeing him bathed in blood makes her mind go blank.
Aaron cursed under his breath, running away from the destroyed lab when something glowed underneath them. "What—"
his eyes widened when he saw her eyes glow then she muttered, "Turn... back..."
The sound of bubbles once again filled the room, the laughter and argument can be heard from the room.
"I haven't spoken with Lexus since his last visit here!"
the young girl said the same thing earlier. Even Lexus staring at the same space earlier happened. Aaron is still behind him without the dark expression on his face.
She pinched herself, maybe she was dreaming after all?
"Lexus!" Yessenia's eyes grew wide as she remembered the scene in front of her. Suddenly, she felt dizzy tumbling when Lexus immediately caught her. Momentarily confused before a thin smile appeared on his face, "rest now, Yessenia." he ruffled her hair as she closed her eyes.
"..." he then turned towards Aaron, handing Yessenia to him and said, "Get Wren."
"Yes, Young master," before he left the room Lexus added, "If you see my brother. Tell him not to do anything and stay still."