Chapter 13 - Foret

Geraldine looked at the only pharmacy in town located at the heart of the market. People in different classes gather around to buy medicine for their health. It was a successful business and because of that, their prices are very expensive even for a single herb.

"Alexjin, could you buy another shelf... choose a small one," She gives him several silver coins and sent him off as Geraldine wanted an alone time.

She entered the pharmacy to see a swarm of people buying medicines at the counter. There are several wooden containers with names labeled at the front and inside of them are dried medicinal plants.

She went to the man standing near the counter wearing a white apron, "Excuse me, sir, do you sell Rambootan?" The man looked at her with confusion.

"Rambootan is a fruit lady, we don't sell fruits here," The man scoff while looking at the young girl standing in front of him.

"The fruit sellers in town don't sell Rambootan too, perhaps do you know where can I find those?"

The man stepped on the side, dismissing her, "I don't have time for --" his eyes bulged seeing 5 gold coins in Geraldine's hand, "I... um," He pulled Geraldine away from the people, "The Rambootan is located at the East side of the forest but be careful, there are wild animal roaming around." After the man said the information, he opens his palm to receive his payment.

"Money is really a powerful thing as it can open one's mouth to talk," She handed him the gold and went away. Geraldine saw Alexjin outside waiting for her in the carriage.

"Have you bought what I asked for?" She asked and Alexjin nodded his head, "Good, now, let's go home."

Sitting inside the carriage, Geraldine couldn't help but think about her plan of slowly taking poison inside her body. She really hopes that her mana would able to help her stay alive and be immune to poison so that she can start her plan of getting the poisonous butterfly eggs and become their master.

When they arrived at their house, they immediately went to arrange Geraldine's room and when it's done, she sent Alexjin away to help his mother doing laundry.

Geraldine, waited for him to be gone before she steps on a particular wood on the floor, and instantly, the plain flat flooring turned to a series of stairs going down.

It was just 10:00 in the morning where the sun gives light on the earth but it's the opposite in Geraldine's room. Her room's window is covered in a thick black curtain that prevented the light from coming inside and going down on her basement is like closing your eyes, you can't see anything without a torch.

Slowly coming down on the stairs, she put the torch at the side holder and lit up the candles to make the room brighter. There's a single chair and table with multiple bookshelves at the side. At the far end are the nesting ground for the eggs and at the right side of the room are made in healthy soil that can grow plants that she'll put soon.

Walking towards the right side, she was amazed at the work of the Moineau. There's a sprinkler that waters the soil twice a day and a small window above in disguise of grass that she can open anytime and multiple mirrors to reflect and gives light to the plants. The was currently empty but Geraldine planned to slowly fill it all.

She didn't waste any time and pack the stuff she needed on her journey to get the Rambootan fruit, as she wanted to take the first step as soon as possible because she only has three years left before Alexjin will be taken to the palace.

She wanted to achieve the highest level of her power before that happens so that she can be one of his supporters to take the Empire's crown.

Going to Alexjin, she notified him that they will be leaving after an hour to the East side of the forest to get the Rambootan fruit which he followed diligently without any questions.

---

With a sword attached to his hips and a large basket in his hand, they ventured inside the forest of Bagyoo town. Geraldine couldn't take her eyes off the scenery in front of her.

The expanse of trees ahead of them was never-ending. The canopies provided a slight glimpse of the bright weather which turned the shades of greenery even brighter. Animals running of the forest floor and insects jumping from trees to trees - it was a sight to behold.

Geraldine could see a shimmer behind one of the trees. She tried following but the shimmer would appear one moment and vanish the next, always appearing a few trees ahead as if it was leading on her.

The more they entered the forest, the denser it became. Till they couldn't see the trail they were walking on anymore. The trees began to be more red and orange hues than the green ones they have seen.

Ahead of them are trees with trunks are wide and all twisted. Leaves in red and green hues but what caught most of Geraldine's attention is the group of small spiky fruit in red color attached to the trees.

"Rambootan!" Geraldine exclaimed in excitement seeing the fruit she needed is meters away from her. She was about to go but Alexjin held her shoulders and gestured to stay silent and point in a specific direction to see a group of men laying on the ground unconscious.

Five men look like travelers are laying at the trunk of the trees but they don't look like they just got there. Old ashes from bonfire wood can be seen as well as their dirty cups and plates scattered on the ground. They are also wearing thick clothes under the hot weather, all these lead Geraldine to think of one conclusion.

"They are poisoned!"