Chapter 582: The Root That Feeds Death

Jarek’s expression shifted the moment Ronan mentioned the corpse plant.

His brows drew together, suspicion flickering briefly in his eyes.

"...Where did you hear that name?" he asked.

Brynhild tilted her head slightly. "So you do know it?"

Jarek hesitated for only a second before nodding.

Ronan’s lips tilted before he said to Brynhild, "He nodded."

Jarek’s eyes widened instantly as realization struck him. "Oh—right. I’m sorry, I forgot—"

Brynhild waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about it," she said. "You’ll get used to it. Now, since you clearly know something, how about you tell us what you know about the corpse plant?"

Jarek exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair as if organizing his thoughts.

"It has another name," he began. "Actually... it has several. In the black market, people don’t really call it ’corpse plant.’ That’s more of a... surface name."

"Some call it the Plant of Death," he said. "Others call it the Harbinger of Death."

Ronan let out a low whistle. "That’s not reassuring in any way."

Jarek gave a humorless smile. "It’s not supposed to be."

Brynhild remained still, listening.

"And why those names specifically?" she asked.

It seemed the plant was associated with death just from the names.

Jarek’s expression darkened slightly.

"Because of what it represents," he said. "And how it grows. There’s a real name, but it’s hardly used."

"The plant is primarily known for its use as a booster," he said. "That’s its main purpose. On its own, it’s practically useless, but when combined, it’s like it takes on a different role—it blossoms. That’s the best way I can describe it."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"It enhances whatever it’s paired with. Poisons become faster, stronger, more aggressive. It helps them spread through the body at an unnatural rate."

Brynhild nodded faintly. "Lysander suspected that."

Jarek glanced at her. "Then he’s right."

Ronan leaned slightly forward. "So if it’s mixed with something like wolfsbane..."

"...Then the wolfsbane becomes far worse," Jarek finished. "It won’t just suppress healing—it will spread faster and dig deeper."

Ronan’s jaw tightened.

That matched exactly what they had seen with Tobias.

Jarek continued.

"But that’s not all it does," he added. "Like I said, it depends on what it’s mixed with."

Brynhild tilted her head again. "Go on."

Jarek shifted his weight.

"It can also be used for healing," he said. "Though... very carefully. From what I know, it’s not something most healers are willing to work with. But originally, it was a plant that was known for healing until people found out its other uses."

"It’s banned from usage, but people still trade it in the black market. It’s unstable when used for healing. If it’s mixed correctly, it can enhance the effects of healing herbs. It can help the body recover faster... or even stabilize someone who would otherwise die."

He paused.

"But if it’s mixed wrong..." he exhaled. "As far as I know, it’s instant death."

Ronan swallowed but didn’t say anything.

"It’s also been used for sleep," he added. "For people who can’t rest. If combined with certain herbs, it can help induce deep sleep."

"That doesn’t sound so bad," he said quietly.

Jarek shook his head slightly. "True, but you should remember that there’s a reason this plant was banned."

"While it helps induce sleep, some say it enhances dreams to the point where they feel real. Others say it can cause hallucinations."

"But the main issue is what the corpse plant does to our body when used, hence why it was banned and every garden destroyed, though..."

"...it was still sold in the black market, which means people could cultivate it," Brynhild said, and Jarek nodded.

"Yes," he said.

"The plant affects our system. It affects healing," he continued. "Not as directly as wolfsbane, but it still interferes. It makes recovery slower. The body becomes... less efficient."

He frowned slightly.

"Though I’ve heard it depends on dosage. Small amounts might not do much. Larger amounts..." he shook his head. "They can be devastating, especially if taken over time."

Brynhild was quiet for a moment before asking, "Is there anything else?"

Jarek hesitated.

Then he shook his head. "Not that I know of."

There was a brief pause as Brynhild and Ronan tried to make sense of what they had just heard.

Why would something as dangerous as this be in the tonic Sophia remembered drinking when she was younger? And it was overpowering, which meant it could have been the major plant in the tonic.

"I heard something too."

The small voice cut through the conversation hesitantly.

All three turned.

Maya stood a few steps away, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her dress.

"What did you hear?" Brynhild asked softly.

Maya hesitated, glancing at Jarek like she wasn’t sure if she should speak.

Jarek nodded encouragingly. "It’s okay. You can tell us."

Maya shifted her weight slightly before speaking.

"I wasn’t supposed to hear it," she said. "I was just... looking for food. For me and Tarin."

Her voice grew quieter.

"And there were some adults talking in the black market in front of Piggy’s stall."

Ronan and Brynhild didn’t even ask who Piggy was. Most people used aliases when trading at the black market, after all.

Jarek frowned. "What did they say?"

Maya scrunched her face slightly, trying to remember.

"They said..." she paused. "They said the plant could do something else too."

Maya hesitated again.

"That it could... make our kind stronger."

Jarek blinked. "Stronger?"

Maya nodded quickly. "Not like... muscles," she clarified. "Like... abilities. It could make you faster, heal quicker, I think."

Ronan’s expression shifted as dread curled in his gut.

Perhaps the reason Sophia had been given the tonic was to make her ability stronger... her visions.

Brynhild’s posture straightened slightly.

"...Abilities?" she repeated.

Maya nodded again.

"Yes, they said it could make powers faster," she said. "Or stronger. I didn’t really understand..."

Jarek stared at her, clearly caught off guard.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Maya nodded. "Yes."

She paused, then added, her face scrunching up as she tried to recall it.

"They used another name too."

"It was... long," she said. "And weird."

"Take your time," Ronan said softly.

Maya squeezed her eyes shut slightly, concentrating.

"It sounded like..." she hesitated. "Um..."

Her brows furrowed deeper.

"...Mor... morvi... no—morvith—"

"...Morvithra?" Jarek asked quietly.

Maya’s eyes lit up immediately.

"Yes! That one!" she said. "Mor... Morvithra... something."

"Morvithra Noctivagus," Jarek said.

"The fuck kind of name is that?" Ronan asked.

"It’s an old name," he said. "Not many people use it anymore. It’s more... botanical. Ancient, even. It’s the real name of the corpse plant."

"It loosely translates to..." he paused. "’The wandering death that feeds in the dark.’"