"So, this is called Frostfern, right?" Zer inquired of the young lad by his side. The two of them wandered through the quaint mountain village, now standing just beyond a modest garden filled with various herbs and plants. Adjacent to the garden lay a small house nestled beneath a tree, one possessing similar characteristics to a birch tree but distinct in its own right. This abode belonged to none other than the village's resident herbalist.
Zer had already discerned that the realm's medical knowledge lagged far behind his own world's advancements. The locals here heavily relied on herbs and traditional remedies to address ailments and health concerns. Just the previous day, he had learned about the significance of commonplace herbs, such as Frostfern, which proved indispensable for those residing in the mountains. These weed-like leaves helped maintain body temperature, thus safeguarding against severe cold-related ailments. He had requested Saver to acquaint him with these plants, for the mere names of these unfamiliar herbs held little value without an understanding of the actual flora.
As the boy beside him confirmed the herb's name, Zer settled down beside the Frostfern plant, his gaze transfixed by a profound sense of wonder. In his eyes, a very curiosity sparkled, ignited by the discovery of a genuinely unique plant with extraordinary properties amid what appeared to be the routine existence of these villagers. This botanical specimen was absent from his home planet, as were the myriad other plants distinguished by their distinctive hues that surrounded him.
While Zer lacked an in-depth understanding of botany, he could easily deduce that these herbs held immense research potential, a notion that would undoubtedly captivate scholars on Earth. However, the stark reality remained: he had no knowledge of how to return to Earth, rendering such musings a distant and elusive dream.
Amidst these contemplations, Zer's attention was drawn to a young man emerging from the modest wooden-brick house. The man carried a sizable pot of water, presumably intended for the nurturing of the garden's plants. Dressed in a simple grey linen shirt, his long, straight, greyish hair was loosely bound by a piece of string. Faint traces of a burgeoning beard adorned his countenance, and while he might not have been considered exceptionally handsome, there was a distinct allure in his rustic appearance, embodying the essence of a village dweller.
Observing the boy with a somewhat disinterested demeanor gazing into the distance and an unfamiliar individual kneeling before his garden as if unearthing a priceless trove, the young man's curiosity was piqued. In this close-knit village where everyone was acquainted, the presence of a stranger was an uncommon occurrence. With a friendly smile, he beckoned to the boy he recognized, "Hey Saver, what brings you here? Last I knew, you weren't particularly fond of herbs. And who might your companion be?"
"Indeed, you speak the truth. Warriors have little use for herbs; they require swords and shields," Saver responded to the young man with an air of certainty. "And this is Zerion, a friend of my father, hailing from a distant land. He'll be staying with us for a while."
Rising to his feet as well, Zer introduced himself in accordance with the narrative he and Victor had concocted from the outset. There was no need to delve into extensive explanations, which might raise inconsistencies. Instead, he proceeded to inquire about the young man before them.
"What a surprise, I never met any travelers. Surely, now that I met you,I am very interested in your homeland. In my childhood I always ran towards the travellings merchants when they came in our viilage and tried to listen about the stories about distant foreign land of heros and demons. But those were made for specially for us kids then. And it is true that a spiy story could alsways earn a few coins without and work.
But the old stories of then told by merchants had become repetitive and boring for us. Ohh, I forgot to introduce myself. Zerion you can call me Alric. I am the son of this house's old man. ", The young boy replied and extended his hand for a handshake and Zer also shook it with vigor. As Zer was interested in the plants, he directly asked Alric about it.
Seeing someone interested in their family profession, Alric smiled politely and invited Zer and Saver into his house. Zer was inwardly a very frank person and he didn't mind taking this invitation from his new acquaintance.
"Sure, but I am very eager to know this worl…This place but demons… are they real?.", Zer asked him with hint of new fire in his eyes but Saver contorted his face saying," you could have just asked me, I know more than him at least. He only knows how to water the plants. ".
Hearing this, Zer and Alric exchanged glances and laughed off the little boy's words. Then Alric said, "I have never seen them myself, but they are indeed real. They are the most malevolent beings among all evils. According to Father, thousands of years ago, demons and dragons descended upon this world to annihilate it and mankind. But God's angelic heroes vanquished them and protected us, ushering in the Silver Era of peace. Before that, the entire world was engulfed in red flames, and humans were mere fodder for the demons. Oh, merciful God, blessings."
After speaking, Alric shivered and prayed. But Zer was not satisfied with just this fairytale. He had gleaned another key piece of information: 'Dragons.' As if someone had poured oil on the fire of his curiosity, Zer asked eagerly, "Are dragons alive? Where are they?"
"What are you talking about? Of course, all of them are dead. I don't even know where they came from. Besides, I have never left this village since my birth. If you want to learn about history, shouldn't you ask the chief? He is the most learned among us."
Zer did not ask more and merely nodded, unsure whether any of this was even true or false.
...….
It's been quite a while since Zer began learning about the herbs of this new land. Gazing at the crimson flower in the glass jar filled with a light yellow liquid, Zer was utterly fascinated. Although he had found some medicinal herbs interesting before, it was clear that this crimson flower possessed a value far greater than the others. When he inquired about its name, Alric smirked proudly, "This is called ScarletBloom. This flower can snatch a person from death's grasp. When the old man was young, he was fortunate to receive this as a gift. It is too precious for us to buy or use, so he has never used it."
But Zer's attention drifted away from Alric's words. He knew this flower. He had used it many times... in a game. His eyes remained fixed on the flower. Nothing else penetrated his mind or ears, only one question echoing, "How is it possible? A coincidence? Same color, same name, same usage. No, it must be."
He sprang from his seat and demanded loudly, "What is the name of this place? No, tell me which continent we are on? Tell me. Tell me now."
Alric was bewildered by this sudden, out-of-context question. He replied, astonished, "Hey, what happened? Don't you know that?"
"No, just tell me."
"I don't actually know. I just know that our country is called WhiteWind. Being illiterate, knowing more than this is beyond me."
Disappointment clouded Zer's face, realizing that his companion couldn't enlighten him about their whereabouts. Just then, a voice from behind caught his attention.
"We are in northern Vaelandar." It was Victor who spoke. Zerian's eyes fixed on him as if he had seen a ghost. Victor knew a conversation was inevitable, one he had been avoiding until now.
"Let's return home and then discuss these matters," Victor said.