Silas stepped aside at the doorway. "Come in." Kieran nodded gratefully and entered Silas' room. Each of their rooms contained a small sitting area built with spatial stones, arranged like the living room downstairs—only smaller and simpler. Once they settled in the lounge, Silas poured Kieran a glass of water and set it before him. Then he asked, "Why do you need my leaves?" Kieran didn't conceal the truth. "I found that when I ate your leaves, my condition improved a lot. If you could give me more, my illness might clear up quickly." Silas remembered hearing Lucien mention that those from the Merfolk claimed Kieran suffered from a strange ailment. When it struck, he couldn't maintain his human form, was forced back into the water, and lost control of his ability entirely. "How did you get sick?" Silas asked. "It happened during a fight with the Chitinid. A Rank 10 bit me, and I've been like this ever since.""So that's it," Silas murmured, understanding dawning on him. He smiled faintly at Kieran. "Many of their bugs carry toxins. You were poisoned by the Chitinid. My leaves can ease the symptoms, but they can't purge the poison completely. My flowers can." He had seen cases like this countless times on the battlefield and knew exactly what to do. He took out two blossoms and placed them in front of Kieran. "Eat these two flowers, and the toxin should be gone. I only have one request—I don't need anything else. Once you recover, give me some pink pearls. Is that okay?" "Just pearls?" Kieran asked in disbelief. Silas really was one generous man. Silas nodded. "Just pink pearls. But since you'll be staying in the Aquadome for several days before heading back, I'd appreciate it if you could give them to me now." Kieran hesitated—not because he was unwilling, but because he wasn't sure he could cry. "I'm worried I won't be able to," he admitted honestly. Silas didn't seem concerned. "No worries. I'll make sure you do."Seeing Silas so confident, Kieran stopped overthinking it and quickly swallowed the flowers he was given. Silas hadn't lied. The moment Kieran swallowed them, a wave of vitality spread through his body, washing away the heavy, clogged sensation inside him. He tested it—water surged from his palm in a clean, steady stream. "My ability works again." He turned to Silas, eyes bright with excitement. "I think I'm cured." Silas had given him the flowers from the mutated Crescent Vine—they possessed genuine healing power, much like the blossoms of the Divine Tree. "Alright then, let's get started," Silas said briskly, not wanting to waste time. He had Kieran try crying on his own first to see if he could produce any pearls. He brought over a wooden box. "When you cry, catch them here." Otherwise, the pearls would scatter across the floor, and they would have to pick them up one by one. "I want them the size of pigeon eggs," Silas added casually. Kieran was left speechless. That meant tears the size of boulders. "I'll try," he said with determination. He dug up every painful memory from his childhood and squeezed out two tears with great effort—but the resulting pearls were only the size of a fingernail. He glanced at Silas guiltily. Silas turned away and fetched a herb, handing it to Kieran. "Crack it open and take a sniff." Trusting Silas' good intentions, Kieran broke the herb and inhaled. Instantly, a piercing, skull-splitting stench shot straight to his crown. His eyes overflowed like a burst dam, tears streaming uncontrollably. What in the world is that? It's pure torture. He quickly tossed the herb aside, grabbed the box Silas handed over, and began catching the pearls. Pink pearls the size of pigeon eggs dropped into the box one after another, their smooth, rosy luster gleaming under the light. They were breathtaking. Silas watched with great satisfaction. Still, Kieran hadn't produced that many—barely thirty or forty pearls in total. "Cry some more," Silas said, passing the herb back to him. Kieran fell silent, at a complete loss for words. Silas had given him the flowers, leaving him with no choice but to obey. Half an hour later, five boxes brimmed with pearls. Silas nodded, mostly content. Even if he wasn't completely satisfied, there was nothing more he could do—Kieran truly couldn't shed another tear. "I'm done. Not a single drop left. My eyes are swelling shut," Kieran muttered, pointing to his red, puffy eyelids. If he cried any more, he was sure he'd go blind. Silas decided not to push him further. Kieran was already Emma's follower, which made him half one of their own. He tossed Kieran his bag of leaves. "Crush them and lay them over your eyes. They'll heal quickly." "Thanks!" Kieran said, surprised that Silas had not only cured him but also offered extra leaves. "I'll bring you more pearls next time," he promised sincerely. Silas couldn't refuse that. After storing the pearls safely away, he walked Kieran out—just as Corvin descended from the third floor.