Outside the Ancient Labyrinth City, a team of about five hundred established a strict temporary defense line.
Not many tents were pitched, set up specifically as emergency treatment areas.
Soldiers remained constantly vigilant of any movement around.
Even in the open flatland between the Sea of Trees and the Ancient Labyrinth City, everyone meticulously confirmed changes in every direction within sight.
The Sea of Trees' edge was about two kilometers from the campsite… such buffer distance provided sufficient time to respond if anomalies occurred.
Now, at the Sea of Trees' edge, a group stood behind a large tree, observing the International Permit Agencies' camp.
"There are humans here?"
Tonpa carefully reduced his detection radar range, avoiding touching the humans stationed two kilometers away.
"The International Permit Agencies' team. They chose the Ancient Labyrinth City's herb..."
Ging thoughtfully watched the team on the flatland. The International Permit Agencies selecting the Ancient Labyrinth City as their first target likely considered attrition risks.
After all, only the Ancient Labyrinth City was closest to the coastline. Short travel meant lower attrition rates, plus humans had explored it most frequently, gaining the most intelligence.
"Looking closely, almost all are Nen Users," Nobunaga observed calmly.
"Yeah. Rough count: about four hundred," Uvogin widened his eyes.
Law glanced at them and said, "The International Permit Agencies dispatched a thousand-strong Nen User team this time, but only about four hundred here. Possibly lost nearly half traversing the Sea of Trees, or possibly entered the Ancient Labyrinth City. I lean towards the latter."
Ging said calmly, "Just four hundred kilometers… I don't think the International Permit Agencies' team lost over half."
Shortly, team members gave guesses, mostly leaning towards the latter.
"So? Forceful seizure?" Shiro eagerly asked.
During the swamp, he contributed little, so he felt awkward asking for more Nitro Rice. But for this Ancient Labyrinth City trip, he'd definitely contribute greatly, aiming for at least ten herb portions.
"Why forceful seizure?" Law looked strangely at Shiro.
"If not, won't the International Permit Agencies take the herb?" Shiro stared.
"The labyrinth city is vast. Even with a five-hundred-Nen-User team, the International Permit Agencies can't scour all herbs. Though our targets align, we don't conflict. They can take theirs; we take ours."
"However vast, not vaster than the swamp, right?"
"Right. Before coming, I confirmed the ancient city's area from a treetop. Indeed not larger than the swamp," Law redundantly explained.
At the Sea of Trees' center was a slender tree about a kilometer tall. Compared to other trees, it resembled a branch, yet its height stood out.
Law climbed its top, confirming the ancient city's location and direction, thus learning it wasn't larger than the swamp.
But such info was common sense even without confirmation.
Hearing Law, Shiro muttered softly, "We scoured the entire swamp's Nitro Rice. Couldn't the International Permit Agencies' take all herbs?"
"Comparable?" Salin helplessly shook her head. "The ancient city has numerous Brion."
"Alright..."
"Shiro, your desire to perform is too obvious. The city's herbs can't be smoked like tobacco," Tonpa teased.
"Tonpa, seems you don't know about tobacco flavorings," Shiro lightly retorted.
Tonpa paused, as he truly didn't know.
Biscuit looked at Law and asked, "Do we wait here?"
"Law, eliminate them all! Don't forget you still owe me many black pages!" Kuro's silver eyes flashed with fervor. Only blackened pages from killing humans significantly enhanced his strength.
On the Six Continents, countless humans could be killed, but the Dark Continent differed. So these five hundred humans were rare materials.
Interrupted by Kuro, Biscuit glared displeased.
Seeing this, Kuro shrunk his neck, quickly showing an apologetic expression.
Law ignored Kuro, saying, "No need to wait, but also no need to expose. Let's detour."
Deciding, Law's group detoured, aiming to enter the Ancient Labyrinth City from another direction.
Treasures weren't unique… same-kind conflict causing attrition was foolish.
Unless provoked, Law wouldn't provoke the International Permit Agencies' team.
...
Inside the Ancient Labyrinth City, the International Permit Agencies' team advanced about a kilometer, encountering five waves of wandering Brion attacks. Strangely, attacking Brion all parasitized humans.
Giles distinctly recalled their previous operation being overrun by numerous aberrant Brion.
Puzzlement unresolved… no time to investigate.
The International Permit Agencies' team continued deeper, finally finding faint green-glowing herb in a three-sided building-enclosed flat area… like a throne, surrounded by lush plants.
Across the flat area, barbed vine-like roots spread like spiderwebs, even on walls to the top.
Among these nearly omnipresent root plants grew many door-sized silver lantern flowers, with longest stamens hanging vertically.
Lantern flower stems grew high, and even long stamens hung some distance above ground.
At each stamen's bottom grew a boat-shaped plant, both sides bulging like mature peas.
Looking past these unknown plants to the center was the International Permit Agencies' team's target… the Herb for All-illnesses, like a bouquet, quietly standing amidst roots and lantern flowers.
Veins on each herb leaf emitted faint green light… though inconspicuous in daylight, they indeed glowed.
"That's the Herb for All-illnesses. Surrounding plants are continuous growth Brion," Kincaid stared intently at the boat-shaped pea plants hanging below lantern flower stamens.
Based on round bulges, spherical Brion came to mind.
…
A cave with distinct carvings, fire tree roots spread over cave walls, silver flowers blooming brilliantly.
Heavy blood scent filled the air… under silver light, over a dozen corpses lay motionless in blood.
Besides motionless corpses, nearly a hundred figures stood in the room.
On the front wall, the only area fire tree roots didn't cover… a giant stone book was embedded open.
In silver light, a figure looked at corpses on the ground and said calmly, "We have endless time, yet cannot avoid death from survival of the fittest."
"Thus, you'll never understand."
"How unreasonable those called Menders are."
"And only they cannot repair the time within us."