Chapter 793

At that moment, she noticed many women with tools, carrying baskets on their backs. Among them was Arin.
“Arin!” Nina called out. “Are you all going to gather herbs this early?”
“Yes,” Arin replied. “Early is best. Some herbs retract once the dew dries. Plus, we can also gather bamboo shoots. It’s the season for them!”
“I’ll join you,” Nina offered, thinking she had nothing else to do and was eager to help.
“Great, I’ll get you a basket and tools,” Arin responded warmly.
Nina quickly integrated with them and joined them in gathering herbs on the mountain. Some of the women, noticing her delicate appearance, doubted her capabilities.
One remarked, “Can you manage this?”
Nina confidently replied, “I can handle it. I’m stronger than I look,” in the Yaren language. Though her pronunciation was still rough, she understood their words and could respond in kind.
This impressed the women. “This girl is smart, speaking our language,” one exclaimed.
Nina smiled. “Just a bit, so bear with me if I mess up!”
This made them like her even more, chatting and laughing with her.
“You’re really something, young lady,” one woman said. “You must be educated.”
Walking beside Nina, Arin whispered, “You really learned it? That’s amazing!”
Nina replied, “Carl taught me a bit, just the basics.”
“Still impressive!” Arin praised. “I underestimated you.”
Nina raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
They continued up the mountain, where the trees were enormous and the dew was heavy. Nina marveled at the unfamiliar plants and the massive trees, some so large that two people couldn’t encircle them with their arms.
Arin explained things to her as they walked. After about an hour, they reached the area where the herbs grew. The temperature here was cooler, and Nina’s pants were soaked with dew, but she didn’t mind. She started recognizing herbs with the help of the women and Arin.
Nina gathered a bunch of herbs and showed them to the women to make sure she got them right. One passing woman gave her a thumbs up. “Miss Nina, you’re really good! No mistakes!”
“That’s good to hear,” Nina replied, continuing her task.
Just then, Nash arrived with a group patrolling the area.
His companion, Felix, walked beside him. “We’ve checked this area. It’s a relatively peaceful village, not like others constantly raided by the allied forces. The locals have a very positive view of the Pharaoh, almost seeing him as a protector.” “Then why was it raided by the allied forces this time?” Nash asked.
“They claimed it was to seize the medicinal herbs. They probably wanted a piece of the herb trade.”
Nash pondered, “Was there any difference before the allied forces arrived?”
“Well, this area was unusually peaceful. It’s said that the idea for the herb trade came from the Pharaoh, and it allowed everyone here to live comfortably.”
Nash was skeptical. “So, to them, the Pharaoh is a good guy?”
“Seems that way. It’s strange though. People on the other side despise the Pharaoh. They say his actions have ruined lives for three generations.”
The situation was confusing and chaotic, with multiple factions in conflict. The Pharaoh was not directly part of the allied forces but seemed to be a hidden influence behind them.
The differing opinions about the Pharaoh on each side made one wonder whether he was truly good or bad.