As the cascading water played a melodic tune over the colossal, smooth pebbles surrounding the ominous mouth of the waterfall, Officer Dara, marching methodically behind Prince Raibod, found himself captivated by the enchanting, mystical panorama.

The clock neared noon, and Prince Raibod, leading the way with a purposeful stride, assumed the role of a clandestine guide to an undisclosed hatch known only to him. Glancing over his shoulder, he guarded his precious secret zealously, unwilling to allow even a single soul to stumble upon this significant discovery.

As Dara carefully trailed his liege, memories of his recent exchange with castle vendors infiltrated his thoughts. The recollection of a rotund, dejected vendor lingered in his mind, his confession echoing through the corridors of Dara's consciousness.

"Man! Honestly, he caught me off guard! The main reason I couldn't assist His Highness with his proposition wasn't due to a lack of manpower or anything. We simply couldn't fathom his request, and I'm truly ashamed to admit this," the morose vendor divulged, his words shared with Officer Dara in the dim confines of his shop.

Uncertain about how to broach the specifics of the encounter, Dara cautiously inquired, "I'm here to ensure that His Highness's demands are executed with precision, so I must press you on the matter at hand. What was so significant and elusive that it had to be handled in such a manner? I mean, His Majesty left your shop in a fury!"

"Oh, goodness! Please forgive me!" Dara interjected as the flustered vendor was on the brink of protest. "Just tell us, and we'll consider it as if it never happened. All right!"

Dara's reassurance worked its magic, coaxing the store manager to share his tale. "As you can see, our establishment specializes in the finest and most exclusive fruits and vegetables. This shop is strategically placed to cater to the needs of the royal household. My family has been in service to the Salar dynasty for generations, ensuring an abundant supply of precious fruits for the mountain area. When the prince graced my humble store, I eagerly offered him samples of the rarest fruits, some even imported from neighboring lands. However, His Majesty sought something beyond my current inventory—a specific fruit that eluded my grasp."

Intrigued, Dara pressed for details. "What type of fruit could that possibly be?"

The beleaguered seller responded, "It's a fruit from the forested mountain, just beyond that fearsome waterfall! None of the noble blood would dare venture into that ominous landscape!"

"Continue, Dara! Just a bit further!" Prince Raibod urged, bringing the pensive officer back to the present.

Still reeling from the revelation, Dara found himself on the verge of treading upon mossy rocks that grew larger as they approached the wide mouth of the waterfall. A few missteps and a perilous fall seemed inevitable—an absolute nightmare, Dara contemplated.

Meanwhile, Raibod stood resolutely, casting shade upon a massive black rock in the midst of the flowing water. His eyes danced with joy and excitement as he teased, "Here we are!"

Each flame interlinked by ethereal strings illuminated the vast cave, forming a warm glow that extended into the distance. Dara couldn't help but be instantly captivated and surprised, his admiration evident. "Fascinating, my liege!"

Raibod, akin to a child showcasing his favorite toy to peers, gleefully guided Dara toward the end of the seemingly boundless tunnel, boasting, "You haven't seen the best part yet!"

…

Amidst grandiose wall murals, Dara pondered why the late King had prioritized certain individuals over others in the depictions. It became apparent that the people favored in the outside world differed from those preferred behind the curtain of this eerie and mysterious cave, where the true essence of the late King was unveiled. Notably, the visage of Raibod's late mother, Princess Lily, held a prominent position higher than many others. "He must have noticed it, right?" Dara speculated.

Continuing along the path with brisk strides, the two young men soon reached the cavern's base. Raibod, familiar with the extraordinary structure, hastily traversed the path, leaving Officer Dara's overflowing curiosity unfulfilled.

"Wait a moment, your majesty! This place is unbelievable! How can you ignore such amazing architecture and craftsmanship milestones?"

Ignoring the plea, Raibod ran toward the alternate entrance, almost reaching the cave's exit, mischievously teasing his companion, "Where do you suppose we are right now?"

Dara, puzzled by the enigmatic question, admitted, "No clue, your Highness! We descended into a cave, but our destination is lost on me."

"Then behold! We're here!" Raibod revealed the concealed cave mouth behind the thundering waterfall, the symphony of the fierce jungle audible. As Dara was about to arrive at the same conclusion, the Prince beat him to it, declaring, "You guessed right! We're in the jungle now!"

…

Descending from the heights in less than an hour felt like a miracle, a feat that should have realistically consumed half a day. The actual path from the mountain's zenith to the foothills wasn't a smooth one—rather, it was a perilous animal track marked by abyssal edges and unexpected turns. The constant threat of bandit attacks and the potential for enemy invasions meant that the traveler had to remain vigilant at all times. Reflecting on it, Dara marveled at the brilliance of the old man who devised such a fortress and, above all, provided it with a secure escape route.

"Put yourself together, Dara! You're not here to dwell on unrelated assessments. Don't neglect the real objective of your mission. You've come to discover the truth, explicitly to uncover the leading reason behind the prince's abnormal behavior," Dara reminded himself sternly.

The muddy trail through the densely forested land seemed excessively narrow and unfamiliar. Despite considering himself a local, Dara knew that only animals, porters, and the underprivileged slaves living in the area used this passage for commuting. In all honesty, even labeling it a "trail" was a generous stretch.

"How about it, Dara? Can you find me that medicinal herb you promised earlier or not?" Prince Raibod badgered his fellow traveler.

"I'm looking keenly, Your Highness. It's just a matter of time," Dara excused.

"Well, hurry it up! We don't have much time," Raibod responded, his patience wearing thin.

A seasoned visitor to the wilderness, Dara possessed extensive knowledge of herbs and survival techniques. He knew precisely where and how to search for the specified item, and it probably wouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to yield substantial results. However, he hesitated, not wanting the journey to be cut short. It was imperative for him to spend more time beside the prince if he wanted to unravel the mysteries at hand.

"By the way, Your Eminence, you didn't disclose the purpose behind our journey for herbs! Is there a person in need that I'm not aware of, someone you have to look after?" Dara finally ventured, taking a shot in the dark.

"Not exactly! Just improving my skills," Raibod answered, rendering the question somewhat pointless. However, Dara, undeterred, had no choice but to dig deeper. "In that case, why the rush, my liege? And why medicinal plants? I gathered someone you know is in urgent need of assistance!"

"Wow! Such exquisite blossoms! Flora here is incredible! By the way, don't any of these possess healing properties?" the passionate prince exclaimed, his attention drawn to some bushes. Dara anxiously counted the seconds, awaiting a more serious reaction.

"Was the prince truly oblivious to the problem at hand, or was he just playing ignorant?" Dara marveled, but there was no way to confirm either possibility.

Almost disappointed in the lack of results, a line of stout trees suddenly appeared before their eyes—an annoying impasse to the north area. However, amidst them stood a magnificent tree, bearing heavy branches laden with vivid reddish-orange fruit. Dara, a son of the northern lands, quickly recognized the towering tree that soared toward the heavens.

The ancient tree boasted a relatively thick trunk, a testament to its immeasurable years of existence.

"My liege, look at this stout tree! It's quite striking!" Dara exclaimed, rushing to touch the cold, hard trunk.

"Yes indeed! Like a colossal troll keeping watch over the land!" Raibod charmed by the notion, positioned himself beneath the giant sturdy vertical and looked up, instantly captivated by a straight view of the juicy load. "Look at those plump fruits! What are they called? Are they edible?" The astounded prince was undeniably intrigued.

"They're called persimmons, Your Majesty! A type of tree solely found in this area! They're unique and can't be found in orchards. They are indeed edible and quite delectable, sweet like apricots but more tasteful if you ask me," Dara explained passionately.

"They're in season right now; look! A few have already fallen on the ground!" Dara's admiration was unceasing. He picked up a smashed reddish-orange piece and tasted it. "Oh yeah! That is immensely sweet!"

"Let me try it too!" The prince leaped forward.

"It is completely out of the question, Your Highness! A noble as prominent as you shouldn't eat the remains of crushed fruit from the ground. It's unhealthy and disrespectful.” Dara declined his request yet didn’t leave any room for negotiation either.

“You mentioned it's not fit for plantation and has an unusual fruit. What did you mean by that?” Prince was persistent.

“I'm sorry, Your Highness; it is impossible to convey it with words. You should relish it for yourself." Dara kept making persuasive notions.

The officer, perhaps knowing the prince better than anyone else, cut to the chase without introduction. "My Prince, do you remember when you were a kid, climbing trees better than anyone else?"