A faint breeze finally returned to the illusory Arshland, brushing across the trio as they walked. The atmosphere earlier had been tense, suffocating even – but now it softened, carrying a faint herbal fragrance that didn't belong in a land of death.
Princess Lainsa eyed Diala with a sly smirk.
"Little girl, I thought you were simple and open-minded. Looks like I was wrong about you."
Diala jolted. "B-Big Sister! What are you saying?! I didn't hide anything!"
Her face flushed, and in her panic she pinched Kiaria's arm so hard he nearly groaned. He simply pretended it didn't hurt, letting her cling onto his sleeve like a startled rabbit.
Kiaria placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Big Sister, don't corner her. You're asking about the darkest part of her life. I'll explain everything. Don't force her."
Princess clicked her tongue dramatically.
"Ohhh, look at this. Someone is eager to shield her. Fine, fine. I'm obviously the unwanted third wheel here." She paused, then leaned closer. "Do you two know the tragic love story of the one-leg lovebird and the three-leg lovebird?"
Diala blinked. "There is such a story?"
Kiaria narrowed his eyes. "…Your phrasing sounds suspiciously interesting."
Princess burst into light laughter.
"Hah! There is no such thing! I was just testing if you two were paying attention. Look at your faces – adorable. Enough teasing. Explain before I invent more embarrassing stories."
Kiaria sighed but obeyed.
"Her father is the Phantom Beast. You probably know the rest."
Princess froze. "What?! The Phantom Beast – that Phantom Beast? I attended one of his childhood lectures in the palace. His words were so moving the queen cried. His reputation is untouchable."
Kiaria nodded. "So… yes. That's why the spider is good for replacement."
Princess whistled. "What a choice. A Mythic spider as a guardian beast…"
Diala suddenly pointed. "Look. There's a water pond ahead."
Kiaria frowned. "This place has no beasts, no insects… too quiet. Something's inside the water."
"Whatever it is," Diala warned, "it's not something we can offend. Don't act heroic."
Princess chuckled. "Kiaria, you're surrounded. No room for you to perform."
"Understood. No provoking anything," he replied helplessly.
The pond stretched only a short distance – hardly enough for danger. Yet the three walked across it at a snail's pace, careful not to disturb even the water's reflection.
Eight long minutes later, once they stepped onto the other side, all three exhaled at once.
Then the sight ahead froze them.
A vast stretch of emerald plantlets waved gently under warm sunlight. The thick herbal fragrance filled the air. Tiny dew droplets glimmered like scattered gems. Even the soil looked soft and rich, the exact opposite of everything Arshland was known for.
It was beautiful.
Peaceful.
Impossible.
Princess grabbed both their shoulders, forcing them still.
"Don't get mesmerized. This land is desolated for a reason. Something owns this place."
Kiaria nodded. "We know. Even if I'm inexperienced, Diala knows how lairs work. Less talking, more living."
Princess led the way carefully, scanning the area.
Kiaria suddenly stopped halfway through the field.
"We forgot something big."
Both girls turned.
Kiaria continued, "The Mythic Evil Spider is from Arshland. Why not ask him?"
Princess rolled her eyes. "We thought that already. But how? It has no face. Don't tell me it can write."
Diala blinked. "When did we think that? And Big Sister… he can tame beasts. Obviously he can speak to them."
Kiaria grinned. "Dia understands me. Big Sister is just impatient."
Princess scoffed, but her lips twitched.
Kiaria summoned the Evil Spider from the relic. A white, cute spiderling leapt onto his hand, bowing with its front legs.
"Master, your servant is here."
Diala and Princess jumped in perfect unison.
"IT CAN TALK?!"
Kiaria couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Surprise."
He lifted the spider slightly. "Do you know this place?"
"Master, rest assured," the Mythic Spider replied. "This is the safest land in all Arshland. You may have crossed a pond… did you drink that water? It heals injuries and replenishes strength."
All three froze.
Princess pinched the bridge of her nose. "We… didn't drink it."
Kiaria raised a brow. "Continue."
"Master, this land belongs to the Naughty Plantlet. The only normal, unmutated plant in Arshland. To protect her, our Mythic Emperor Beasts enrich the pond every year and guard this area from mutated beings. But because of that… I cannot enter."
Kiaria looked at the peaceful field with a new layer of understanding – and a bit of dread.
The spider added cheerfully:
"Master, one warning: plantlet is very naughty. Not malicious. Pure-hearted. But playful. We pampered her too much and forgot to teach her mannerism. If you gift something, she'll behave. Otherwise… endure the teasing."
Kiaria sighed deeply. "Good to know. This world is illusory, but everything besides life is real. Return for now."
The spider returned to the relic.
Kiaria turned toward the girls.
They avoided his eyes instantly, pretending to admire flowers and herbs.
"You two made me miss a good opportunity," he muttered.
"Diala, that herb might be valuable."
"And look, the rose one is beautiful."
Both girls threw random comments to escape his gaze.
Kiaria's eyebrow twitched. "Oh, you two are good at acting innocent."
Princess patted his back gently. "Don't sulk. We were worried about your safety. You kept fueling our worries… don't forget that."
Kiaria softened.
Princess continued lightly, "Alright, alright. You're the best. Our mistake."
They walked deeper into the peaceful field – toward the heart of the plantlet's territory – unaware that something mischievous was already watching them from beneath the soil.
Kiaria walked forward in silence, but his mind wasn't calm.
A clean land in Arshland.
Uncontaminated by evil.
He had paid a terrible price to gain the power to purify evil within himself–blood, pain, near-death, and even the awakening of the Heart Demon. Yet here, in this cursed land, existed a plant untouched by corruption.
What kind of existence must it be…?Not stained by Evil… not twisted by resentment…
His gaze drifted across the peaceful plantlets. The more harmless they looked, the heavier the unease in his chest grew.
Before he could dwell further, a faint ripple passed through the relic.
The Evil Spider emerged again, settling carefully onto Kiaria's shoulder instead of his palm this time. Its voice was quieter than before.
"Master… keep some distance between the three of you."
Kiaria turned his head slightly. "Distance?"
The spider hesitated, then continued cautiously.
"She… I mean, the plantlet… is extremely mischievous. Not dangerous in nature–but she enjoys chaos, especially human embarrassment. To prevent… awkward situations… it's better if you don't stay too close together."
Princess raised a brow instantly. "Awkward how?"
The spider stiffened. "That… this servant cannot explain."
Kiaria sighed. "Got it. We'll be careful."
The spider vanished back into the relic at once, clearly unwilling to say more.
They proceeded deeper.
With every step toward the heart of the field, the land felt increasingly sacred. The soil beneath their feet was warm yet gentle, as if alive. The herbal fragrance thickened in the air, no longer pleasant alone–but blending into something dizzying and soft.
Diala stopped.
Her eyes fell on a single herb among the waves of green.
It had gentle green leaves, a flawless white stem rising from a rose-red core. Tiny emerald hairs covered its surface like velvet, each trapping a crystal bead of water that shimmered under the soft light. At the very top rested a small white flower bud, trembling faintly in the breeze.
"It's… beautiful," she whispered.
Without thinking further, she knelt down.
Princess opened her mouth to stop her–but it was already too late.
Diala leaned closer, studying the structure with pure curiosity, tilting her head just slightly as she examined the strange harmony of its colors.
The plant exhaled.
A faint mist of herbal fumes drifted upward–sweet, sharp, and strangely ticklish.
Diala's eyes widened.
"Ah–ah–!"
"Achooo!"
The sneeze burst from her without warning.
Princess blinked.
Kiaria barely had time to turn–
"A-Achooo!"
Princess sneezed next.
Then–
"Achooo!"
Kiaria followed immediately, his usually composed face scrunching for the first time in pure shock.
The air filled with sneezing.
Again.
And again.
Their noses instantly turned red. Tears welled in their eyes. Their breaths hitched in helpless cycles.
Diala clutched her nose. "S-Sorry–achooo!"
Princess tried to laugh and sneezed instead. "Wh-What cursed pl–Achooo!"
Kiaria turned his face away, hand over his mouth. "This is… Achooo–!"
The three of them stood in a ridiculous circle–sneezing uncontrollably, eyes watering, noses running, utterly defenseless.
They wanted to laugh.
But every time they inhaled to do so–
"Achooo!"
The sneezing only grew worse.
The repetitive sounds echoed across the peaceful field.
And somewhere beneath the soil…
Something twitched.
The continuous sneezing finally irritated the true owner of the land.
Deep within the root-networks beneath the sacred field, a small consciousness stirred.
The Naughty Plantlet was annoyed.
Far from where the trio stood, a faint rustle passed through the herbs. One stem bent without wind. Another gently tapped its neighbor. Soft whispers moved through the plants–not sound, but intent.
The Naughty Plantlet was talking to the herbs.
And she was clearly plotting to "teach them a lesson."
The air subtly shifted.
And none of them noticed.