Chapter 322: Roar of a King (V)

Chapter 322: Roar of a King (V)

Chapter 322

Roar of a King (V)

Five silhouettes walked through the open plain without seemingly a care in the world, though only for a little while. The closer to the valley that was sandwiched between two ever-looming peaks they got, the more gingerly their footsteps became.

Mana around the mountains grew heavier and more oppressive, almost akin to someone climbing a mountain where atmospheric pressure grew heavier itself, though on a much more primal scale. They felt it in their bones, since the drag of having to move Mana around became even harder.

The lushness of life, too, grew thinner, the grass itself seeming to bend away from the mountains like a sea of scared kittens. Cain still stuck to the rear, suddenly letting the Mana outflow from him, cradling the other four. They looked back at him in shock and then smiled in gratitude, realizing that his Mana was actually thicker than the pressure, allowing them to breathe freely once again.

The group made it to the valleys entrance, a jungle-like sprawl of strange, eerie trees whose branches were more akin to vines, bending and entwining everywhere. Light could hardly pierce through the thickness, leaving the wet rock to fester fungi that were draped in a vast range of colors.

Cain moved forward to the groups front, cutting through the troves of vines, slowly opening up a gate. Crossing through, he alighted the surroundings with a simple ball of Mana, letting them see the winding corridor that led further into the valley.

Jagged, sharp rocks protruded from the edges, with a curious, strange growths slouching about everywhere--from a five-feet-tall, pear-shaped flower, to a foot-tall tree... that was about twenty times wider than its height. The growths were everywhere, but Cain hardly paid attention to them, his focus on the front, beyond the corridor, and onto the depths of the valley itself.

Hey, isnt that flagger? Quinn suddenly asked as the group paused, causing even Cain to look back and see what she was pointing at. It was a cactus-like plant, oval-shaped, red, with sharp-seeming, thick, and fairly long thorns protruding from its surface.

Youre right, either Harmony or Nature replied. Whats it doing here? No, in the first place, doesnt flagger only grow on the sunny side of a mountain?Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

Thats trigol, either Nature or Harmony said suddenly, pointing at a curled weave of a plant. Doesnt it only grow in swamps? that wasnt the end of it, however. Cain suddenly began to hear more and more names hed never heard before--kanijak, jagola, jabuna, otah... and all seemed like the kinds of plants and trees that grew in specific locations, within specific environment, and bound to specific climate.

And yet, all of them grew here, in the damp, dark, buried part of the world. Cain quickly realized it was like walking through a worldly garden, a museum, really, of the cosmic flora that sported unmatched collection. He suspected that, beyond what they could see, there was likely a myriad of other plants and trees and fruits and vegetables.

He didnt have to wait too long for his suspicions to be confirmed--as soon as they stepped out of the long, dark corridor and into the open valley, a strong smell belted their senses, causing even Cain to gag for a moment. It smelled nice, but it also felt like spraying a whole bottle of perfume directly into ones nose.

Gah, whats this?! Lear coughed violently for a few moments before managing to adjust to the overwhelming scent.

Just Conquerors on an adventure, I guess, Cain replied.

Conquerors? Ah! No wonder I smelt the scent of chameen from you, he said, his thin lips broadening into a smile. Welcome, aye, aye!

What exactly is this place? Cain pondered curiously.

tis a museum, my good sir! he replied. Empyrean! A cosmic garden, a collection of the beautiful and breathtaking, aye, aye!

... it is beautiful, Cain said. Overwhelming, but beautiful.

Many thanks, good sir, the tiny gnome, Danny, said. It is a lot of work to maintain the Garden. Your words are much appreciated. That said, as you sirs and ladies are Conquerors, no doubt you seek trials to empower thineselves, aye?

Aye, Cain chuckled.

Aye! tis a trial you seek, and tis a trial you have found, ladies and gentlemen!

What kind of a trial? Cain quizzed.

A good kind, sir! the gnome chuckle. See, I only seek to have some fun and entertain myself, as guests nary come by no more. So, win or lose, I shall leave you with an award or two. But I shant go easy on you! Good rewards ought to be fought for, think not so, ladies and sirs?

Sure, sure. So, what are we supposed to do?

tis but a simple trial--I shall present you with some of my collection here, and you tell me as much as you can about it! You need not know the name, but use thine eyes and thine lips and thine noses and ears to discern as much as you can bout it, aye, aye! I shall present you with a hundred! I trust that ladies and sirs shall trust me with the judgment over how to award you points, aye?

Aye, Cain chuckled once again. I guess Ill be plenty useless here. Its your time to shine, ladies and sirs!

Oh, shut up, Quinn rolled her eyes. Youre just looking for an excuse to laze around. Im onto you.

Worry not, good sir! the gnome said. Guess with your heart! Be free!

Aye, aye, Cain sighed.

Ah, before you do, however--I must be a proper host, m afraid. I shall rightly prepare a feast for you--rest and recover and meditate. We shall begin when you are ready, aye, aye!