The Devil’s Plant

"Huh?" Ashina hadn't fully processed what was happening.

Field lunged at her, burying his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling the unique, delicate fragrance that belonged solely to the Chosen One.

Then, he pressed down fiercely.

Her waist was soft and slender, yielding easily to his grasp.

"My Lord, don't do this!" Ashina felt the hot breath against her neck and glanced around frantically. Though her words protested, she didn't push him away with force.

She even had to restrain the formidable divine power within her, lest its violent surge harm her lord.

As Field's breath brushed her skin, a shiver ran down Ashina's spine, weakening her legs. The next moment, Field's hand began exploring toward areas best left undescribed.

"How did things come to this?!"

Ashina didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She struggled against the waves of pleasure coursing through her while simultaneously suppressing her divine energy to prevent it from raging out of control.

This divided focus only made her more sensitive.

"This… can't happen."

Ashina bit the tip of her tongue, the sharp pain bringing a sliver of clarity. She swiftly retreated.

"Mmm… though it's strangely comfortable—no! What a bizarre thought!"

After all, excessively explicit content isn't everyone's cup of tea.

"That plant is the problem. As expected, only devilish things exist within the Grey Mist."

Ashina was filled with regret. She should have burned that suspicious thing the moment she saw it.

"Lord Field! Where are you?" The guards, realizing Field wasn't at the village center, had grown frantic and were searching for him.

"Heavens!" Panic instantly replaced the flush on Ashina's face.

In her flustered state, Ashina broke free from his grip and channeled her divine energy, pressing a fingertip to Field's forehead. Pure sacred power immediately dispelled the effects of the magical plant.

"Urgh… dizzy."

Field held his head as clarity gradually returned. Rationality suppressed the primal urges within him. He saw Ashina, her face flushed crimson as if about to drip, yet pretending to admire the scenery.

"I'm fine."

As the guard approached, Field waved him off, signaling him to wait outside.

"I don't think I finished studying that little bok choy." Frowning, Field felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Shaking his sore arm, he bent down again, reaching out to pluck a sample. "So, is this a magical plant?"

"Don't! By the Winter Goddess!" Ashina was nearly speechless. If this happened again, she might not be able to restrain herself—or her divine power. She'd probably need to change her dress afterward. She couldn't let Field put her through this again. "You *did* study it, My Lord. That plant is extremely dangerous."

With no other choice, Ashina leaned close to Field's ear and quietly recounted everything that had just transpired.

"What a perverse plant," Field murmured, stunned. But then he sighed. "What a shame. I have no memory of it at all."

"Shame?!" Ashina wagged her finger indignantly. "You terrified me! If that plant could devour souls, what would become of the territory?" She huffed. "Even if you… desired me, you shouldn't resort to such… uh, ahem."

Realizing her slip, Ashina instantly fell silent.

"Yes! Burn it! Burning it will thwart the devil's plan!" Ashina gritted her teeth, her crimson pupils seeming to blaze like a fervent villager at a witch-hunting rally.

Field watched Ashina's flustered state with amusement. "Don't rush. We need patience and an open mind when dealing with new things. Think about it—what if we gave this to horses or cattle?"

Ashina's beautiful eyes widened. She crossed her arms in an 'X'. "How perverse! Crossbreeding isn't possible! I mean… between cows and horses? No! But humans and demi-humans can… *Ahem*."

"Pfft." Field burst out laughing. Clearly, his earlier actions had scrambled her usual composure. "I meant for livestock breeding. With this herb, breeding livestock could become much simpler."

"Once our cattle and sheep numbers increase, we'll have endless meat." Field snapped his fingers cheerfully.

Chosen Ones possessed strong magic resistance. Royal scholars had conducted experiments: ordinary Chosen Ones could nullify 35% to 70% of magical damage. Those specialized in defense could even achieve complete magic immunity, sometimes reflecting spells.

Field handed Ashina a jar and instructed her to carefully collect three samples, roots and soil included.

The financial haul, however, was dismal.

The guards scoured all of Rum Village and found a total of 21 silver coins and 87 copper coins.

"The village is too poor. We weren't the first visitors." Field picked up a tarnished silver coin, brushing off the dirt. The coin's intricate patterns reappeared. "During the war between the Empire and the Orcs, both sides raided Rum Village. The lack of coins is expected."

The other loot consisted of: one barely functional chair, a chest, a dozen or so cracked clay pots, and piles of firewood salvaged from dismantled furniture inside the houses.

Fortunately, the return journey was smooth, free from monster ambushes.

The moment Field stepped back into his territory, his eyes lit up. The farmlands were clear of writhing tentacles and fleshy masses, refreshingly clean—like scrubbing away layers of grime after a thorough bath.

Only toxin-laden soil and the ashes of burned corrupted creatures remained in the fields.

"My Lord, we've cleared all corruption within the territory and burned it all to ash," a slave reported with an ingratiating smile, his posture hunched.

Field, seated on his horse, surveyed the area and nodded. "Well done. Each of you will be rewarded."

The slaves beamed with joy.

"The next task is to repair my Great Vineyard. Remove the remnants of corruption, replace rotten wood, and patch up collapses and holes." Field had long planned this. Living in a drafty place reeking of monster urine was torture, even if his residence was the best Nightfall Territory had to offer.

"But, My Lord… I don't know carpentry."

Field paused. He'd forgotten that detail. Raising his voice, he called out, "Is anyone here skilled in carpentry, masonry, or blacksmithing?"

Silence fell over the crowd. Steward Kao stated bluntly, "My Lord, those with such skills are freemen. Slaves are useless."

"Then we'll recruit some. I plan to visit a city outside the Grey Mist anyway. What's the nearest city… ah, yes. Maple City in Highcastle Province. They'll surely have what we need."

The steward looked regretful. "Every city's artisans belong to exclusive guilds directly governed by their lords. They can't simply be hired with coin. And… I doubt any craftsman would willingly come to Nightfall Territory."

"I'll go myself." Field shrugged. Steward Kao excelled at pointing out problems, not solving them. He was used to it.