[IYFILWATIP] Chapter 33

It had already been a year since Kirona had been searching, yet she hadn't even found a clue to lead her to Nadalin's Flower, let alone the flower itself. Whether in the capital or the East, bringing up the topic of Nadalin's Flower only made people think she was crazy.

She was becoming increasingly desperate. Eventually, Kirona decided that if she was going to be treated like a madwoman, she might as well actually become one. She decided to enter Nabimi Forest herself. 

The heart of the Eastern monster zone. The high-level monsters that periodically descended into inhabited areas, terrorising the East, all came from Nabimi Forest. It was impossible to explore the East without venturing into that forest. 

After cycling through several mercenary bands, she was finally introduced to one from the West. This mercenary, Marlon Druha, was said to have entered Nabimi Forest before, was skilled at hunting monsters, and was highly competent. Marlon was a scarred, forty-something mercenary whose experience was evident from her stance. 

The fact that she was an older woman was reassuring in itself. Given the danger of the job, most mercenaries died young. Kirona clasped Marlon’s hands tightly and said, "I’m going to Nabimi Forest. I need you to guide me." 

"Are you out of your mind? No one will go there, no matter how much money you offer. No one even dares to approach that forest..." 

"I’ll pay you five million Elysia as a down payment. In cash, right now. I’ll give you another five million when we return." 

"When do we leave? I’ve always wanted to take a look inside that forest." 

Marlon immediately changed her stance. Money didn’t solve everything, but it did take care of quite a lot, especially in the East. 

"I’ve never met anyone as crazy as you. Nabimi Forest? Even the Emperor has given up on that place. Well, technically, he’s given up on the entire Eastern region..." 

"He hasn’t given up. He sent me here, didn’t he? People live here too, and because of the frequent monster appearances, the capital sends hunting parties every year." 

"Hah, are you talking about those hunting parties made up of prisoners?" 

"…At least he still sends them." 

"I’ve heard you’ve been here for a year, so let’s be honest since we know how things are. You’ve realised by now, haven’t you? This place is a graveyard for knights and a land for the abandoned. The only people who stay here are either insane wizards or those with nowhere else to go. You’re either one or the other, or both." 

Marlon was right. Kirona knew all too well how miserable and barren this place was. The East had become a land where people lived only for today, constantly besieged by monsters. 

It was land the Empire had abandoned. 

Even if someone tried to cultivate the fields, a single wyvern from the monster zone could wreak havoc, destroying everything. So who would persist in farming? There wasn’t much arable land to begin with. 

Wherever you went, the ground beneath your feet was contaminated by monster venom, the so-called "black earth." 

Poverty had consumed the East. During years of famine, even the nobles subsisted on thin gruel. The wealthy in the East weren’t landowners but mercenary leaders and moneylenders who extracted wages, fees, and interest from those living day to day. 

"The only one who hasn’t given up on this place is Count Rohatyn, the lord here. He’s a stubborn man who uses his own money to send hunting parties into the forest every year. Just as insane as the wizards, really." 

"The Emperor hasn’t given up either. I’ve told you many times, he sent me here for the people of the East!" 

Though Kirona herself thought the Emperor had indeed given up on the East, she couldn’t admit that openly. After all, she was still royalty. 

"Let’s just say that’s true. It doesn’t matter to me. I only care about getting paid. I’m genuinely curious, though. Why are you so determined to go there?" 

"There’s something I need to find. Something I must find." 

"What could be more important than your life?" 

"You sell your life for money, don’t you?" 

"I may be living a rough life, but you don’t seem to be that type. Why doesn’t someone so young understand the value of life? You look like someone from a noble family. Why don’t you return to the capital? A year is a long time. Don’t you think the Emperor would understand?" 

"I have to find it. I must." 

–Because if I don’t find that flower, I’ll die. 

Marlon didn’t press further. She just shrugged and gave Kirona some advice: travel light and fast with a small, elite group. Bring only minimal food and water to conserve energy, and rely on what you can find there. Since Count Rohatyn was sending a hunting party into the forest, it would be best to join them.