Chapter 118: Suzie's Garden

Chapter 118: Suzie's Garden

"Do you think someone 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 "omen interpretation." This term had cropped up several times in their conversations. It seemed like the centaur always gleaned vital insights through this ability.

The books described centaurs as natural "wild omens 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 someone 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 some of its power."

Ah, so another forest acted as a buffer.

"Through interpreting a series of omens, I can now mostly confirm that the curse didn't directly leak from the abyss. Initially, someone deliberately gathered it and contained it for a considerable time, 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 madmen 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 mentioned researching the abyss curse, images of that eccentric abyss scholar popped into Hua Mi's mind, followed by the extreme 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 melted.

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?

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 achievements 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 emerging 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 demeanor clearly signaled she wasn't a servant here.

Her azure eyes gleamed like gemspure, like someone 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 mentioned his fondness for flowers, feeling compelled to visit and casually praised her floral artistry.

Suzie didn't show any particular pleasure at his deliberate compliments. 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 something.

Sunlight streamed 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 me 'miss.' Perhaps we can become 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."