Chapter 238: A Scholar's Sanctuary
Xiu's mind reeled, the pieces clicking into place with chilling clarity. The League coveted the Murasame family's breakthrough with the hyper-potent Stun Stem. The family, however, inexplicably refused to hand over their discovery. So, they were eliminated.
'Accidents' were arranged, a young, orphaned heir was left, and now, the League reaped the benefits, securing a steady supply of a powerful, strategic botanical agent.
He thought of the Bug-type Gym in Viridian. If its founder had been foolish enough to openly publicize the existence and properties of the purple flower, their fate might have been chillingly similar. But the founder, a pragmatic man who had grown up in the harsh realities of the forest, understood that some secrets were best kept hidden.
Often times, the greatest danger often came not from wild beasts or treacherous cliffs, but from the greed of one's own kind. The secret of the purple flower had been passed down through generations of Gym Leaders, its existence guarded, until the Gym's eventual collapse. Even then, its true nature remained largely unknown.
The Murasame family were simply dedicated researchers eager to share their discovery in the scientific community, yet they had unwittingly exposed a treasure far beyond their capacity to defend.
Rinko's continued survival and her autonomy in managing the garden was likely due to a combination of factors: Professor Oak's intervention and the crucial fact that she was now the only living person who possessed the complete knowledge and genetic stock to cultivate this unique strain of Stun Stem. The League needed her, at least for now.
Of course, this is all just my own speculation, Xiu reminded himself, but it fits the available facts with a disturbing neatness.
From a purely pragmatic and amoral perspective, Xiu could almost understand the League's actions. If such a potent substance were to fall into the wrong hands, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Controlling it, ensuring it remained within official channels, was a logical, even if ruthless, strategic imperative. The Murasame family had positioned themselves as 'obstacles' to the League's perceived greater good.
Their fatal flaw was not a lack of scientific brilliance, but a lack of political power, a failure to understand the intricacies of control. If a powerhouse like the Joy or the Jenny family had made such a discovery, the League wouldn't have easily dared to interfere, let alone orchestrate their downfall. Power respects only power.
Xiu kept his face carefully blank, his inner turmoil hidden. Rinko, noticing his prolonged silence simply assumed he was still processing the effects of the Stun Stem. She quietly began to tidy the lab, restoring the order of things after their experiment.
As she reached for the small, sealed bag of Stun Stem leaves lying on the floor, Xiu snapped out of his dark reverie. "Miss Rinko," he said, his voice carefully neutral, "can I… request a small sample of that? For my own research purposes, of course."
Rinko paused, her red eyes fixated on him. Even with her mask back on, Xiu could tell she was smiling. "What use could you possibly have for it, Xiu?" she teased gently.
"Purely academic, I assure you," Xiu replied, matching her light tone, though his mind was already racing with what to do with it.... none of them particularly academic.
"Well," Rinko said, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "if you want a sample, then it should be of no problem. The League restricts its sale, but there's nothing in the regulations about gifting it away." She handed him the bag with an almost casual air, showing a surprising lack of caution, or perhaps, a profound trust in him.
Xiu accepted the bag, his movements smooth and practiced, tucking it away securely. "Thank you, Miss Rinko. This is… exceptionally generous."
"And this," Rinko added, producing a small, sealed glass vial filled with a viscous, honey-colored liquid, "is Gloom nectar. The antidote. Just in case…"
"You think of everything," Xiu said, accepting the vial with genuine gratitude. "If you ever require assistance, Miss Rinko, with anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask. If it's within my power, I will help."
Rinko waved a dismissive hand, though her smile was warm. "Nonsense. But if you ever need other botanical materials, or simply wish to discuss your research, you know where to find me."
Their work in the lab concluded as they stepped back out into the main villa. Rinko removed her lab coat, revealing the simple shirt and casual trousers she wore underneath. The change was striking.
Freed from the white, clinical attire, with her long purple hair now unbound, cascading softly around her shoulders as she moved, she seemed more vibrant, almost… ethereal. Even Xiu found himself momentarily captivated by her natural, unadorned beauty. A truly lovely young woman, hidden away in this mountain sanctuary.
"What is it?" Rinko asked, noticing his gaze, tucking a few stray strands of purple hair behind her ear with a graceful, almost unconscious gesture.
Xiu quickly masked his surprise, offering a bright, disarming smile. "Nothing at all. I just admired the scenery for a moment. By the way, can we continue our tour of the garden? I only had a cursory look last time."
Rinko's face lit up with genuine pleasure. "Of course! I would be delighted." She was clearly eager to share her passion with someone who appreciated it.
They stepped into the vast greenhouse, Rinko's Gloom ambling contentedly beside her, shaking the large flower on its head. "I usually tend to the plants in the morning and evening," Rinko explained, her voice animated as she described the garden's layout and its various sections. "The plants growing here in the main conservatory are mostly…"
With Rinko as his guide, Xiu gained a deeper understanding of the garden's intricate ecosystem. It was a marvel of organization and horticultural expertise. Plants were grouped by environmental needs – soil type, sunlight exposure, water requirements, and humidity levels – then further subdivided by characteristics like height, root structure, and compatibility.
Plants with highly specific or sensitive needs were housed in smaller, climate-controlled enclosures within the larger greenhouse. Every square inch of space was utilized, every plant meticulously cared for, thriving in its carefully calibrated ecosystem.
Xiu was astounded by the sheer diversity and depth of knowledge Rinko possessed. He realized the garden held samples of almost every common, and many uncommon, plant species found throughout the Kanto region, and quite a few from even farther afield. This isn't just a garden; it's a living library.
"And over there," Rinko said, gesturing towards an unassuming, almost weed-choked patch in a shaded corner, "is where we cultivate the Stun Stem."
Xiu stared. That's it? The plants looked like common, unremarkable weeds. "You keep one of your most valuable and dangerous, specimens so… openly?" he asked, surprised.
Rinko chuckled. "It prefers these specific conditions – low light, high humidity, specific soil pH. And," she added, her eyes twinkling, "even in its less mature state, one accidental brush with it can be quite unpleasant. Best to admire it from a distance."
Xiu nodded, a wry smile on his lips. "Indeed. I have a firsthand experience of its effects."
Rinko laughed again, a clear, bright sound that echoed pleasantly in the humid air of the greenhouse. They exchanged a look of shared understanding, a moment of camaraderie forged in a near-disastrous experiment. "Come," she said, her earlier reserve completely gone, replaced by a warm, inviting openness.
"There are some fascinating carnivorous specimens over here I think you'll appreciate…"
In the weeks that followed, Xiu became a regular visitor of the Murasame Botanical Garden. He found in Rinko a kindred spirit and a fellow scholar. With her, he could discuss everything openly. It was a simple shared passion for science, for unraveling the secrets of the natural world. He found a rare sense of peace in her presence.
Rinko, in turn, seemed to blossom in their companionship. Isolated in her mountain sanctuary and her life devoted to the solitary pursuit of her family's legacy— she had few peers, if any at all.[1]
Xiu, with his sharp mind and endless curiosity, was a welcome change alongside the silent company of her Gloom. She seemed most animated when discussing about plants, her quiet reserve dissolving into an almost childlike enthusiasm.
I wouldn't mind... Xiu thought, spending the rest of my life like this. Rinko was one of the most interesting individuals he had ever met.
[1] Yes, Potter isn't here yet.