Aside from its paradise-like scenery, this tiny space held nothing else—let alone any trace of the fearsome Cataclysm Civilization.
That was it.
Even Reilo couldn't help relaxing his guard a little as he looked around.
Beneath the soft grass lay incredibly fertile black soil, rich with the scent of plants. Two butterflies chased each other in a graceful dance, while busy bees flitted among the flowers. This place truly was a rare, tranquil haven amid the perilous Death Storm.
Reilo casually picked a cluster of wild berries.
They were small fruits that looked like blueberries. The scholar's keen sense of smell told Reilo they were harmless. He popped one into his mouth, and its tangy-sweet juice burst across his tongue. Dopamine flooded his brain, and a brief feeling of pleasure quickly displaced the tension he'd felt moments before.
"We can take some back and transplant them."
With that in mind, Reilo gathered a few seeds.
The vegetation in the wasteland had been twisted and mutated by radiation. It was no longer anything like the plants of the old duchies. Even plants had developed all sorts of strange abilities to survive in such harsh conditions. The ancient strategy of relying on delicious fruit to spread their seeds had long since become a thing of the past. Needless to say, their taste had changed accordingly.
"Heh heh. What do you think would happen if we went back and told those guys at the fortress about this place? Would the little ones hate us?"
The old man Chuback teased him with a mischievous grin.
Reilo fell silent for a moment, then said, "The road ahead is always full of setbacks and failures. We're no exception. Besides, it's not like we've come away empty-handed. Look at these plant seeds. If we can transplant them