"Hello, I'm Verina. Though we've only met once... but... I heard everyone say there are many fascinating plants here, so I came."
Verina's gentle voice caught Rover off guard.
He hadn't expected Verina to show up. Rover couldn't help but chuckle softly. With some time left before nightfall, he decided to take Verina for a stroll through the rainforest.
Verina seemed a little reserved at first, but as she glanced around, her eyes sparkled with excitement. She pulled out her field notebook and instinctively began recording her observations.
A light-green pencil adorned with a blooming flower rested in her hand as Verina eagerly sketched the plants that amazed her.
"Ah... sorry, I got too absorbed. I heard from the Magistrate that whenever a spatial rift opens, it must mean you're in trouble. She told us to inform her immediately if anything happened..."
Verina appeared somewhat nervous. Rover crouched down, plucked a small flower from the ground, and handed it to her.
"It's fine. I'm really happy you came, Verina."
Verina nodded, her usual smile returning.
"Did you know? The little flower you just gave me really likes you. I can hear its voice. Plants usually speak quietly, but their words are sincere. If you'd like, I can tell you what they're saying."
Verina was a plant breeder with extensive botanical knowledge. Perhaps her presence would be a great help during this journey in Sumeru.
As they wandered, stopping here and there, Rover noticed Verina sitting on a tree root, holding two identical leaves in her hands.
"When I was little, my mother would place two identical leaves in my palm and ask me to find the differences."
Rover was more than happy to be the little angel's listener, so he sat on a stump opposite her and followed along with her words.
"So, what's different about them?"
Verina slowly placed both leaves on the same palm and pointed to the veins of one with her other hand.
"The patterns of the veins are completely different. It's like drawing two distinct images on the same blank paper. These wondrous similarities and differences always amazed me, so I pay extra attention to every flower and plant around me—because they're all unique."
Outside, Rover had once heard a captain from an exploration team of the Pioneer Association describe Verina like this:
"She's always alone, rarely initiates conversations. The girl's had a tough life, but she's too well-behaved."
Yet here, in the embrace of nature, Verina's reticence melted away. She was more than willing to share her thoughts and insights with Rover along the way.
"Wait, Verina."
Seeing Verina about to venture deeper, Rover's gaze sharpened. In the distance, he could faintly make out the miasma of death creeping toward them.
Ahead lay a Withering Zone.
"I know. The plants here are all warning me not to go further. I can feel it—many of them are crying out in pain."
Verina turned to Rover with determination, clasping her hands behind her back and blinking at him.
"I'll heal them."
...
Finally standing before the Withering Zone, Rover's usual approach was to sever the glowing red branches, follow the eerie crimson threads to the tumor at its core, and destroy it.
But Verina pressed her lips together, fists clenched tightly.
"They're begging for release..."
For her sake, Rover abandoned his usual method, curious to see how Verina would handle it.
Verina placed her small hands on the grass, closed her eyes, and a mysterious green light emanated from her palms.
Soon, the Withering Zone began to change.
The surrounding mist was absorbed by the flowers, clearing the air.
The ashen ground cracked open, revealing a vibrant green trail as vines burst forth, carrying a Dendro seed and launching it toward the red branches.
Instantly, the deathly red blooms regained their vitality. The lifeless soil slowly regained color, spreading inward.
When the Withering Tumor appeared, Verina's brows furrowed briefly before relaxing. As the plants encircled it, the tumor shrank until it was no larger than a fist—then turned to stone.
"Verina... can purify the Withering?"
Verina shook her head, speaking unhurriedly:
"I'm only guiding the plants to resist the Withering in their own way. Plants have memories. If the Withering returns, the flora here will fight back on their own. They won't have to fear its corruption anymore."
Rover was stunned again. Verina continued sharing her discoveries.
"While guiding them, I also realized the Withering is scattered across the rainforest like a cancer. When forcefully suppressed in one place, it just moves and regrows elsewhere.
Beneath the surface, there's a great tree fighting against something... but it told me it's exhausted. It needs help."
So the situation with Irminsul is truly dire... Wait—Verina can communicate with Irminsul?!
Rover immediately sensed something amiss. Normally, only Lesser Lord Kusanali should be able to perceive and connect with Irminsul. Could Verina be the key to reaching the Dendro Archon?
Verina didn't disturb Rover's thoughts. Instead, she quietly watched him while soothing the plants in the area.
After a while, Rover changed his mind.
"Verina, head to a place called Gandha Ville. I think you'll get along well with someone named Tighnari."
Yes, Verina wasn't suited for the next phase of his mission. Plus, Rover still needed to investigate the strange happenings in Sumeru City.
Verina obeyed without question. Taking the map and supplies Rover handed her, she set off alone.
Before she left, Rover hesitated, wondering if he should escort her.
But Verina pointed to the vines that had already stretched out beside her.
"The rainforest will protect me. And those little spirits watching us—the plants told me they're called Aranara."
Following Verina's gaze, Rover couldn't see the Aranara, but his worries eased.
If the Dendro Archon's envoys were drawn to Verina, her safety shouldn't be an issue.
With that thought, Rover bid Verina farewell. He looked up at Sumeru City, now bathed in twilight, his expression turning cold—as if all the softness from before had vanished.