"Grrrrr!"
A colossal creature emerged from the thick grass, emitting a menacing growl as its colossal eyes surveyed the surroundings. Its gaze fixed upon the cloth ball before it, exuding an oily substance that burned like incense, enveloping the air in fragrant smoke.
The beast maintained a vigilant stance, cautiously lowering its massive head to inspect the intriguing object.
"Gwarr?!" A single inhalation caused the creature to recoil, its basketball-sized eyes widening in astonishment. After stumbling backward, it regained its footing, observing the ball with heightened wariness. The volume of smoke intensified, dense fumes enveloping its face as it breathed in. Restlessness coursed through its body, emanating an energy swarm from its skin. Just as it prepared to pounce, the creature's movements grew unsteady.
Low roars erupted from its throat as it struggled to maintain balance, but the smoke's effect took hold. The escalating quantity of smoke compounded the turmoil. The beast stumbled relentlessly until...
Thud!
It succumbed to its own weight, collapsing to the ground with pained groans. Feeble attempts to distance itself from the smoke proved futile as its breathing rhythm drew it in, rendering the creature semi-conscious.
"Now's our chance! Let's go!"
Anom, followed closely by Tiana, emerged from their concealment, sprinting toward the fallen behemoth.
Drawing nearer, Anom beheld the imposing form of the colossal lizard, its prone body reaching his own height. Stepping through the swaying grass, he marveled at the hammer-like bony growth adorning the creature's tail, which bestowed its name. Menacing spikes protruded, evoking an instinctive shiver at the mere thought of being impaled. The lizard's dark greenish-brown hide presented an imposing barrier, reinforcing its reputation as a formidable adversary.
"It's there." Tiana's voice beckoned him away from his scrutiny as he directed his gaze forward.
A few feet beyond the lizard's tail lay a discreet two-foot-tall plant concealed amidst the verdant backdrop.
Among the plant's unremarkable features, three clustered, fist-sized fruits stood out. Resembling blackberries, they possessed a captivating allure. Though the fruit was blue in color.
Anom wasted no time, hastening toward the plant and deftly plucking two of its precious fruits.
"Let's deal with this creature as well," Tiana suggested, wielding a sword that materialized in her hands.
"Wait!" Anom interjected, halting her advance. "There's no need. Let's depart."
Perplexed, Tiana questioned his rationale. Pointing at the incapacitated lizard, she argued, "Isn't this the opportune moment to finish it off? Isn't that the allure of the tranquilizing herb? It allows you to subdue higher-ranked beasts without endangering yourself. You could reap significant rewards from this, you know." She struggled to comprehend his motivations for intervention. The present moment seemed ideal to dispatch the lizard before it regained its senses.
However, Anom persisted, shaking his head. "There's no need. We have obtained what we came for." He displayed the two fruits in his hand, emphasizing their significance. "We each have one now, so there's no reason to linger. Let us depart." With determined steps, he led the way, retracing their path through the valley. Tiana, bewildered yet compliant, trailed behind.
Within minutes, they reached the valley's edge. Advancing further would expose them once more to the prying eyes atop the cliff.
GRROAARR!!
A thunderous bestial roar reverberated through the valley, shaking the surroundings.
The duo, still situated within the valley, tensed instinctively, poised for an instant escape. Moments passed, and aside from the lingering echoes of distant roars, no further disturbances materialized. Exhaling a collective sigh of relief, they finally allowed themselves to relax.
"I still don't understand why you didn't allow me to finish it off." After confirming that the lizard was not going to leave its territory, Tiana relaxed a bit and brought up the topic that had her confused. "You're about to go to the capital and will require quite some funds to continue whatever spying work you're undertaking. Wasn't this the opportune moment to secure a handsome profit?"
"That may be true," Anom agreed, nodding his head before shaking it. "But we have already robbed the beast of its possession. While one could argue that it belonged to no particular owner, it cannot be denied that the creature dutifully guarded it. Moreover, our primary objective was to obtain the fruit. Going out of our way to kill the beast just because it's convenient doesn't suit my tastes."
Tiana regarded him with surprise.
"Are you secretly a member of Animal Welfare?" she quipped.
Anom gave her a speechless look. "I never said I was against killing them; I'm just saying there was no need to do so at that moment." He paused before saying in a serious tone, "Sometimes, it might seem like something negligible, or you might just be acting out of convenience, but in truth, there is an effect for even the minutest cause you generate."
"For me, undertaking unnecessary actions is akin to making the wrong move."
Tiana scrutinized his unassuming countenance, her gaze lingering for a moment before nodding in reluctant agreement. "Surprisingly, that somehow made sense."
Anom smiled before clapping his hands. "Let's go. Our 'teammates' are still waiting for us."
Tiana reciprocated the smile, and together they embarked on their ascent up the towering cliff.
...
"Mr. Davion, are you sure they will be able to dispatch that beast safely?" Acelo inquired, his gaze fixed on the valley below. The reverberations of the lizard's roar still echoed in his ears.
Davion remained silent for a moment before responding, "Anyone possessing a potent tranquilizing herb capable of subduing a Rank-3 beast would surely exercise caution before employing it. Confidence must be their ally, don't you agree?"
Acelo nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed," he mused, then turned his attention to Davion. "And what are your thoughts on Blatt, Mr. Davion?" Acelo had his own reservations about Blatt's usefulness, but he was curious to hear Davion's analysis, given his deeper understanding of their family affairs.
Davion cast a scrutinizing glance at Acelo before responding icily, "We must ensure that he accompanies us, no matter the circumstances."
Acelo's heart raced as he grasped the weight behind Davion's words. It was evident that Blatt possessed invaluable talents for their purposes.
Simultaneously, a surge of anticipation coursed through Acelo's veins as he realized that he, too, was part of the team that had discovered this remarkable talent. Just rewards would surely follow their contributions.
"They are approaching," Davion announced, fixing his gaze upon the base of the cliff.
Acelo's gaze followed suit, and soon he could discern the figures of two individuals drawing nearer to their positions. Within moments, the pair ascended the valley and stood before them.
Acelo hastened to greet them. "Congratulations on your successful endeavor, miss."
Tiana, now once again concealed beneath her cloak, offered a slight nod. "Let us depart before any further surprises arise."
All present acquiesced, for lingering in this place was ill-advised.
Retracing their steps, the group retraced their path.
"Very well. I have returned you to our meeting point," Tiana murmured, her gaze fixed upon the descending sun. "It is time for me to take my leave."
As the others observed her retreating figure, Tiana turned her head, directing her gaze toward Blatt. "I apologize for not expressing my gratitude earlier. How about accompanying me?" She let out a soft laugh, her voice laced with charm. "I assure you, I will take excellent care of you. What do you say?"
Davion tensed, realizing that she might whisk Blatt away.
As he had earlier conveyed to Acelo, they must ensure that Blatt remains within their grasp. His talents were simply too valuable to be relinquished.
Yet, it was equally true that they stood without support in this unfamiliar territory, facing an unpredictable factor that could prove fatal at any moment. While Tiana seemed to have sought Blatt's opinion, Davion harbored no doubt that it was just a formality on her part, as the strong needed no excuse to do as they pleased.
"N-no, thank you, miss," Blatt promptly replied, his words tinged with urgency. "I am already in the employ of House Sorneo, and it would be unfair for me to violate our contract. I hope you understand."
"Is that so?" The lady cast a glance toward Davion and Acelo, causing unease to stir within them. "Very well, then." After a brief pause and a sigh, she continued, "It is a shame, though. Talented boys like you are hard to come by. I suppose it cannot be helped."
"We shall meet again, I hope." With a final glance in Blatt's direction, the lady set off in a different direction from the city, soon vanishing from the group's sight.
Blatt released a sigh, his hand coming to rest upon his chest. "She has finally departed."
"Shall we proceed with finding the remaining herb, Mr. Davion?" Blatt turned to Davion, a reminder of the lone herb still on their list.
"No need," Davion promptly declined, his gaze lingering in the direction Tiana had gone. "We are returning to the city."
"As you wish, sir!" Blatt acquiesced, his voice tinged with relief.
And so the group started journeying back to the city, albeit at a somewhat hurried pace.