Chapter 85: What makes this plant tick?

It was another hour when the other two patients had woken up, Kanan and the others informing them of the successful operation.

Both of them were just as excited to see their families again, to be healthy, and to be able to go back to serving the village as warriors.

But for the time being, they were ordered to rest and relax, something that they gladly accepted.

"Now that we have a way to remove the plant from the body, albeit dangerously, we need to figure out a way to standardize this practice, for the time being at least." Kanan already had some ideas, but he wanted to hear what everyone else would say first.

"I’m able to sense inside the body to find the best place to cut. I will teach the other healers how to do it as well." Yala informed him.

"Good." Kanan then turned to the herbalists. "As for the poison, calculate the dosage and prepare vials of it. This will be used for the operation. I’ll speak with the blacksmiths to create a tool to make the injection process easier."

"And when you are undergoing this operation," Nala chimed in. "Make sure to have at least two warriors with you to hold the patients down."

’Straps. I should work on straps as well. The materials to make them exist already, so it shouldn’t be too difficult, especially since I have blueprints. Hopefully they wont cost points.’

[Blueprints for items that can be crafted with existing materials don’t cost system points.]

’Oh, that’s wonderful. Wait, so if I had spirit water, all I would need to do is build the spring, and I wouldn’t need to spend points to buy the water?’

[Correct.]

’Status Windows are better.’

"For now, let’s get some rest. It’s been a long day. Elder Nala, please see to burning those plants."

"You got it."

"Alright everyone, let’s retire for the day."

For the time being, the patients would stay in the hut where they would be monitored and rest until they could walk home on their own.

Alue, already tired from training, instantly crashed when he arrived back home. He didn’t even have the energy to eat.

Nala returned to her duties while Telah and Anuwat returned to their homes.

Kanan was also on his way back home when he was suddenly called over to the Chief’s hut for a meeting.

’Ughhh!’

He walked inside, bags under his eyes, and found Chief Solan sitting around the fireplace with Omula at his side.

"Ahh, Kanan, glad you could make it. Come sit."

Kanan sat next to Omula as it was the only available spot.

"Bread?" Solan offered.

"Yes, please." He was starving, his only meal being a half-eaten breakfast.

"I’ve heard that you were able to cure that plague. I’m proud of you."

"There’s nothing to be proud of, Chief. I was just doing my duty. But it seems that this plague is just a small piece of a bigger picture."

"Oh? Please explain."

"Months ago, Nala had suspected that the plant could be part of a monster species. Since we didn’t see any plant monsters during that time up until now, we put that thought in the back of our minds."

Omula shifted on her cushion, tearing off a piece of bread and tossing it into her mouth.

"You’ve found evidence of a plant monster?"

"Not physical evidence. Alue, he’s a warrior of my generation, can control plants. He explained that every plant has a different feeling when controlling them. When controlling the Verminus Plant, he mentioned that it had a mind of its own, fighting back against his power."

"I see. That would explain how and why the plant absorbs nutrients from living beings. It’s feeding off them to survive, like how we eat vegetables, fruits, and meat to live."

"Exactly." Kanan nodded. "For the time being, we have managed to secure a way to deal with this Verminus Plant, but it’s a crude method."

"Has Lord Nemean offered you any aid, like with the wall?"

"He has."

Solan and Omula perked up, eager to know what their gods had told Kanan.

"And? What did they say?"

"We have to deal with the current threat before getting access to the proper cure."

Their expressions shifted to disappointment. Surely their lord hadn’t given up on them, right?

"It’s not what you think." Kanan wasn’t going to let them think that Lord Nemean wanted them to suffer or anything.

"You see, the cure to this Verminus Plant isn’t really a cure; it’s a spring that can eliminate any foreign entity that makes our body its home. But that’s not all. The spring can also cure sicknesses, strengthen the body, increase your spirit energy, and many more things."

"Ohhh! I see. So Lord Nemean wishes to bless us with a spirit to make our people stronger, but in order to do so, we have to survive this upcoming threat."

Kanan nodded. "That’s right. And to do that, we need to know what makes this plant tick."

"Hold on, you aren’t suggesting what I think you are, right?" Omula, being the next chief, was informed of everything that went on in the village, even the council meetings.

"Yes, we need to take a trip to the ruins of the old Typhon Tribe."

"Hmm. I can understand why you would want to investigate that place. But are you sure? It’s dangerous; I cannot lose you, Kanan. While you do have children on the way, it will be nearly two decades before we learn what their role would be, and that’s IF they even become a shaman like you. Not every blood of Nemean became a shaman, you know."

"Yes, I’m aware. I will not risk my importance on this mission. We’ll send experienced warriors: those who can manipulate plants and those who can control fire. This way, our bases will be covered."

Solan thought about that idea for a while, calculating all of the pros and cons.

"Alright, but we should send some Typhon Tribesmen on this mission as well. They are not only familiar with the land, but they can also inform the others about what to look out for."

"I agree."

"Then let’s put this team together, Kanan."