Chapter 144: Elixir Restock
Since then, to improve our efficiency, we decided to split into three groups.
The groups were formed based on familiarity: me and Yuri, the former Imperial forces, and Hiroki’s group.
For now, neither the Ancient Race nor the Empire has made a move, so we’ve been spending most of our time leveling, only occasionally returning to the village.
By leveling up while moving over a wide area for more than half a year, we’ve learned various things.
First, the Ancient Race basically lives concentrated in one place.
Like Vavel in the Empire, they have learned Japanese.
And most of the Ancient Race are in a dormant state, with only a few individuals being active.
The reason we were able to gather so much information is that the wreckage of an Ark was found at the site where the Japanese people Vavel-san was likely protecting had lived.
Mei used a detector to find it, restored the data, and showed us what happened back then.
At first, Vavel showed off his strength, intimidated them, and demanded food, but it wasn’t direct violence.
If anything, although it was for the sake of food, he protected them, who had lost their Ark, from strong Monsters.
In that way, he slowly but surely opened up to the residents.
In the process, he learned Japanese. Though, it was more like it was directly inputted into his brain.
Having acquired the convenient tool of language for the first time, he was in a good mood and eagerly conversed with the residents, wanting to use it as much as possible.
And so, he became known to the residents by the nickname Ver-san and blended in so well that he’d have lively drinking parties with his drinking buddies day after day.
However, as it was a place where Japanese people had settled, it was also a land with low Mana Essence concentration.
Apparently, even for the Ancient Race, it’s difficult to settle in lands with low Mana Essence concentration, and they need to store up Mana Essence in lands with high concentration about once every ten years.
Having lived there for over fifty years and having left many times, he was unaware that other members of the Ancient Race had their eyes on him, and on the day of the attack, he had left the town as usual.
As soon as he left the town, five members of the Ancient Race came to the town and began to pillage it while destroying it.
However, based on their experience of understanding Ver-san, the town’s residents chose the path of giving them language and trying to talk things out.
But their efforts were in vain; after snatching a few high-tech items they liked, the Ancient Race members went on a rampage and completely destroyed the town.
The footage cuts off there.
“This is horrible… But seriously, there’s no need to be wary of Ver-san. He’s just a cheerful old guy.”
“Yes. If only his current location weren’t the Empire, there would be almost no cause for concern,” Yuri said.
Ah… I see.
If those guys from the Empire deceive him or rub him the wrong way, there’s a normal chance he could turn into an enemy, huh?
But I’m still getting occasional reports from Mei, and it doesn’t seem like there are any particular problems.
As I was talking with Yuri like that, the long-awaited report came in from Mei.
“From the Abyss, the appearance of a flower Monster has been confirmed. Shall we proceed?”
“Oh! It’s finally here! Let’s go, let’s go!”
So the Monster for Elixir materials has finally spawned, huh? I thought, instinctively standing up and telling her to take us there.
“Understood. We will lure the Yetis using drones.”
Even as she said that, the scenery flew by at an incredible speed, and we were back in Oldam in just a few tens of minutes.
Then, I dashed towards the hole leading to the Abyss, taking Yuri and Mei with me.
“Ah, that’s…” Yuri said, peering through a telescope and observing the flower Monster.
“Yeah. Even after you defeat it, absolutely do not touch it. You’ll die instantly in less than ten seconds.”
“Okay. You too, Rui. Please be really careful, okay?”
She probably remembers because I’ve told her the story of when I touched it several times.
She’s looking up at me with genuine concern.
“No, seriously, it’s fine. Mei will do the dismantling.”
“Ah, I see. In that case, I’m relieved. Mei-san, I’ll be counting on you.”
“Understood,” the girl in a maid outfit said, bowing her head.
Outwardly, she’s truly an ordinary girl, but inside, she’s a cyborg.
It all started with Mei saying that in this situation, we should always be together, so she took on a human form to act as my exclusive maid, allowing us to be together without it feeling out of place.
Surprisingly, she has a child unit of the Ark built into her. Thanks to that, she can create anything on the spot at any time.
Under the guidance of this versatile girl, we traveled to the Abyss at high speed.
Using stealth mode and a Laser Gun, we reached the hole to the Abyss without difficulty and descended.
As we got reasonably close, the flower Monster naturally fired Light Magic at us, but I defended against it by changing the properties of my Maso and extended my Maso towards the Monster’s Magic Stone.
Naturally, the flower Monster also attacked with its highly poisonous vines, but my Maso is now freely transformable; whether it’s torn or entangled, it pushes forward, changing its properties without regard.
And so, it reached the Magic Stone, enveloped it with Maso, and separated the Magic Stone from the Monster’s body, causing it to stop moving.
“Man, it’s pretty much a small fry now. Only its poison is dangerous, though.”
“Rui, your control is just too abnormal. Why is it that even though you shared the techniques with everyone, you, Rui, who received nothing in return, are the one who has grown the most?”
“Nah, it’s because everyone else only focuses on close-quarters combat and doesn’t practice it. No matter how much data on property changes you get from Mei, if you don’t practice, it’s obviously impossible.”
I gave Yuri a natural reply, but she mentioned that even if they dedicated all their time to it, they still couldn’t catch up to me from when I first enrolled.
I see, it’s because I’ve dedicated most of my waking hours to it since childhood.
Just knowing the method isn’t enough to easily replicate it, huh?
I still can’t beat Yuri in close-quarters combat either, so maybe it’s not that simple.
Or rather, now that the gap in our physical abilities has closed, the difference has actually widened compared to before.
It seems I ultimately can’t catch up without using magic.
That said, the property change is so versatile that my Maso has become quite an incredible thing.
While we were talking, Mei performed the dismantling work and gathered the flower parts for us.
I was surprised to see that the highly poisonous parts were completely gone and looked at her.
“I’ve stored them as research material. Will you be using them?”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t need those. But be careful with managing them. If we touch that stuff, we’ll seriously die.”
“Understood. Assuming a situation where we are carelessly attacked, I will move them away from populated areas immediately.”
With that, she created a small aircraft on the spot and sent it flying out of the Dungeon.
“That’s a big help,” I said, thanking her while gazing at the Petals.
“This… we still have to deliver it directly to His Majesty, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. When it comes to dividing something this valuable, we can’t just leave it in Oldam… It’s safest to show him the actual item and divide it equally in his presence.”
Thinking I’d need Pops’ permission for that, I contacted him and told him I’d gotten the Elixir materials, and he gave me permission to take them directly.
Or rather, since I’m the one with the contract, and it’s such a significant item, my assessment that I had no choice but to go myself seemed correct; the nuance was that he was uneasy but told me to go.
Either way, it didn’t change the fact that I would be going, so I had Mei head out to deliver a letter.
Last time, I delivered it directly myself, but apparently, that’s something one generally shouldn’t do.
They’d probably be troubled if a prince came just to deliver a letter.
Even that Princess Lena sent an advance notice when she went to Count Connor’s place, so I decided to follow suit this time.
During that free time, I went to see Pops for the first time in a while.
After that, I was thinking of going to check on the village, but while I was chatting with Pops, a communication came in from Mei saying it was fine for me to come as I was, so I headed to Lestall.
When I arrived, it was my third time in that reception room.
Just like last time, His Majesty and the Prime Minister were sitting opposite me.
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty,” I said, bowing my head, and Yuri followed suit.
“Mm. Welcome. I’ve heard about the matter. Well, please sit.”
“Yes,” I replied, and Yuri and I sat down opposite them, with Mei standing behind us.
After the greetings, I received their thanks for rescuing Princess Lena and their apologies for what happened afterward, which I accepted, concluding that part of the discussion.
Naturally, that matter had already been settled between our countries.
A letter and some expensive-looking gifts had also arrived for me quite some time ago.
It was all done ceremoniously without any particular heaviness, and the conversation quickly shifted.
“However, things have become quite serious, haven’t they? How is it? Do you think countermeasures can be taken?”
The next topic that came up was, as expected, about the Ancient Race.
He asked with a troubled expression, but I don’t think we can currently fight them on equal footing, so I could only offer a wry smile.
“It’s still very difficult. We’re doing our best, but…”
“Well, I suppose so. Even Monsters from the lowest stratum couldn’t do something like that.”
“Hmm,” they showed troubled faces, so I told them, “Well, the Ancient Race member over here doesn’t seem that dangerous, at least,” and shared various details about Ver-san, along with the footage.
His Majesty and the others were glued to the video, looking utterly perplexed the entire time.
“Well, now… This is the first time I’ve seen such friendly Monsters.
I thank you. This should put my mind at ease somewhat.”
Just as I was starting to feel relieved that they understood, saying, “That’s good,” His Majesty and the Prime Minister kept smiling and looking at me as if to say, “There’s still more, isn’t there?”
“Um… The Elixir materials?”
“Mmm. That is also important. However, there is something I wish to ask even more than that. I might even offer a reward, you know?”
“If Prince Rui truly cares for our country, wouldn’t it be about time you told us?”
The two of them were saying such things, but I seriously had no idea what they were talking about.
I suspected it was probably about the Tokyo Faction, but aside from the fact that it’s the Oldam Dungeon, I’ve already told them most of it. The matter of me telling them directly fell through, but I heard Pops told them.
“Um, I really don’t understand, so could you please tell me directly?
There are also state secrets, so I don’t know if I can answer your questions, but…”
“Then, let me ask.
In the writings left by our country’s founder, there is a passage stating they served the top of the Garden of the Gods.
Looking at the content, it is clearly a different organization.
Where did this god of ours go? With such advanced technology, surely records must remain?”
Ah… I see.
Just like our founder left behind journals, Lestall-kun must have passed on information too, huh.
It wouldn’t be strange for them to know the details then.
Our founder seemed to have hidden it for the safety of the Tokyo Faction, but there’s no guarantee Lestall-kun wouldn’t have conveyed it in the same way.
But, the people who remained in Lestall died in the Dungeon’s collapse, didn’t they…
“Um… According to the stories remaining in the records…
It seems there’s a high probability they were wiped out due to the Dungeon’s collapse.”
“What… did you say…?”
“Wait! Prince Rui, are you saying our god is dead?!”
“No, um, they weren’t a god…” I tried to correct them, but neither of them seemed to be in a state to listen. When they realized I was serious, they pressed their hands to their foreheads as if enduring a headache and looked down.
So, while scratching the back of my head, I waited for the two of them to calm down, and then His Majesty slowly raised his face.
“It’s just a high probability, then? Can you show us those records?”
Um… Mei, in what form do these records remain?
I asked Mei in my mind, as if deep in thought.
“Just before the Ark was destroyed, footage remains of an explosion occurring and the ceiling collapsing. Shall I display it?”
Eh… Something like that remains…? Are they going to be okay?
Isn’t the shock going to be too much…?
“Prince Rui. This is a grave matter concerning the survival of our nation. Please tell us without hiding anything.”
“This is not a matter unrelated to Belfast either.
If this technological gap permeates, friction will inevitably cause someone to run rampant somewhere.
Friction from such a disparity. It’s highly likely to become considerably large.
If that happens, you understand what will follow, don’t you?”
As I was perplexed by His Majesty’s pleading eyes, the Prime Minister explained the situation in detail, and I finally understood.
In short, they’re concerned that Lestall nobles, unable to bear the disparity, will run rampant and unilaterally start a war.
Right now, Belfast is overwhelmingly stronger.
Is that why His Majesty said it concerned the nation’s survival?
Now that they mentioned it, if I imagined it, the possibility of that happening is indeed high.
If it were us, who have always been called a weak nation, in that position, it might be one thing, but for Lestall, the world’s second-greatest power, to suddenly be placed in that situation, I feel the friction wouldn’t be at a controllable level.
That said, we can’t just give up the advantages we’ve gained.
The most amicable solution would probably be to introduce the Kyoto Faction, but it wouldn’t be good for me to leak that kind of information on my own.
For now, I should probably limit myself to answering His Majesty’s and the others’ questions.
I really need to discuss this with Pops.
“This isn’t the time to be talking about how shocking it is,” I thought, and opened my mouth.
“This is apparently the footage from that time,” I said, showing them the scene of the Dungeon collapsing.
“This is indeed… If they were human, survival would be impossible…”
“By the way, which Dungeon is this?”
When I relayed His Majesty’s question to Mei, she said it was apparently the Silence Dungeon.
When I relayed that answer, His Majesty showed a sign of understanding.
“Hmm, the ancient capital, as expected.
We’ll have to confirm it, but it seems more and more likely to be correct…”
“However, even if we investigate, the personnel capable of going that far… Shall we summon all the Holy Knights?”
“Indeed. Conquering a Dungeon is an unprecedentedly difficult task, but we’ll have to ask them to make the effort.”
Oh, speaking of Holy Knights, that includes Sensei too, right?
This looks like a situation where I should probably offer a helping hand.
But given my position, I can’t exactly go myself.
“In that case, shall I try asking Hiroki and the others too?”
For the past six months, they’ve been continuously defeating deep-level Monsters at an absurd speed.
And ever since their Magical Power increased, they’ve been doing it on a twenty-four-hour system.
In terms of pure strength, they should be able to go already.
However, in the deeper levels, the magic used by Monsters becomes atrocious, so that’s a concern, but if they implant a few Elixir Capsules inside their bodies, they should be fine.
Honestly, it’s unknown just how safe it will be, but it would be more dangerous to let Sensei and the others go alone.
If Hiroki and Ami found out I knew that and kept quiet, they’d get genuinely angry, so I should probably ask them.
“If I recall, he is Baron Owen’s son, correct? I remember hearing about him during Silence’s active period.”
“Is he strong enough to go to the deep levels?”
“Um, they should be a great help. We’ve been doing various things together as countermeasures for the Ancient Race.”
“Hooh, that is reassuring. I would very much like to ask.”
And so, the discussion reached a conclusion, and things proceeded smoothly after that.
Regarding the Elixir materials, nothing particular was said, and they were divided equally.
A purchase price of twenty thousand Large Gold Coins was offered for them, and I agreed, settling the matter.
My past self from a while ago would have been intimidated by the amount, but I’m used to it now.
With this amount of materials, I could easily make a thousand bottles, so I even thought it was rather cheap.
After that, I was invited to dinner, and we had a pleasant meal while chatting with Crown Prince Will, Prince Riley, and the others.
His Majesty asked me to stay the night after dinner, but I declined, saying I was busy with the Ancient Race matter, and left Lestall Castle.
“Phew, I’ve gotten quite used to this. I used to get incredibly mentally exhausted.”
In a room on the airship, I stretched and started to relax, thinking, “It’s over, it’s over,” but Yuri was showing a troubled face, so as I tilted my head, she slowly placed her hand on my shoulder.
“…Rui, when we get back, let’s study dining etiquette, shall we?”
Huh? Oh.
I thought I was doing it normally… Was I no good?
No, well, since she, a Duke’s daughter, is saying this, I must have definitely been bad.
And so, while breaking out in a cold sweat, I accepted Yuri’s words with an “Ah, yeah.”