Chapter 469: Root of the Steel Tree

With Haru and Touko, I visited a dungeon located in the southwestern part of Crocus, and its name is the 『Root of the Steel Tree』.

「We’ve arrived. I was running for the first time in a long time, but I guess I could endure it.」

「We ran for quite a distance, huh? But we didn’t put any weight and just ran, so I think it was just right for Shishō’s rehabilitation!」

「Now that my body has warmed up, I feel like I’m ready to go!」

Haru and Touko lightly wiped their sweat with the towels they brought and said so with a refreshed feeling. In terms of distance, they should have run across the whole Hokkaido, but it seems that it was only a warming-up for them. Yeah, it’s impossible for Oda to do the same training as them.

「So, Shishō, what’s our goal this time? Is it to annihilate the monster in the dungeon, or to collect items?」

「Hey, Haruna, you’re being hasty, you know? First, if we don’t know anything about this dungeon, we might get tripped later. Do you even know where this is?」

「Well, uh…. I wonder where?」

「Good grief, I think I understand why Chinatsu is worried about you. Now, listen carefully.」

Hou, Touko knows about this place, huh? It seems that Lily also taught Touko about these things properly. I’m impressed.

「Now, please tell us, Danna!」

…… She leaves it to me, huh? No, well, yeah. I expected it to some extent. By the way, this place is in a very deep forest spreading around a huge tree called the 『Steel Tree』, and this place itself is a quite dangerous zone. The reason why we can talk leisurely like this is because the dangerous level 4 monsters that came attacking are already scattered around as dead bodies. This place, which boasts the highest level of difficulty in the Crocus Territory, is not a good training ground if the monsters just come attacking. I’m happy that my disciple is getting stronger at a tremendous speed, but it’s hard to think of a training method every time she gets stronger.

「Shishō, please!」

「Okay. Then, I will explain it briefly. The dungeon we are about to enter, called the 『Root of the Steel Tree』, is located right under the giant tree. It is also known as a vast ant nest because the ant-like monsters, called the iron ant, are digging holes in the ground under the tree. Well, the iron ant itself is a level 4 monster, so it shouldn’t be a threat.」

「Uh-huh.」

「I see.」

Haru takes out a memo, and Touko nods vigorously.

「Rather, the problem is the roots of the giant tree. The truth is, there are a lot of huge magic stones buried under this huge tree. Perhaps because it has absorbed nutrients and magic power from these stones, some of the roots have turned into monsters.」

「Speaking of the magic stone, is it the same as the black magic stone that’s used to make my Doggan Staff and Shishō’s staff?」

「No, the black magic stone is ridiculously sturdy and repels magic, while the ordinary magic stone is brittle and stores magic power. Their names are similar, but their natures are the exact opposite.」

「Hee~, that’s interesting.」

「So, why are the roots problematic? Even though some have turned into monsters, they are still weaker than that vampire group, right?」

「Well, in terms of simple strength, only Vakala’s army that’s stronger than Maria’s subordinates…. The monster roots of the huge tree and the iron ants are in a symbiotic relationship. The iron ants bring their prey to the nest and eat its flesh, and the remains and magic power left on the spot become nutrients for the soil, which is then absorbed by the tree. So, the roots don’t attack the iron ants, and the iron ants don’t try to get rid of the roots.」

「H-Hee~, that’s interesting. I understand, I can understand somehow…!」

「Haruna, your voice is trembling, you know?」

It’s as Touko said. But it’s not something that will make smoke come out of Haru’s head, so it’s okay.

「Unlike the ants that have a big body, the roots attack while mimicking ordinary roots. Be careful not to be caught by surprise. Also, just as you would expect from the name, the Steel Tree, the roots are sturdier than the iron ant. They are good for earning extra money, so don’t forget to dismantle them after you defeat them.」

「Yes!」

「I should cut them into an appropriate size and put them in Haruna’s pouch or Danna’s bag, right? Got it!」

With their current power, it’s possible to do this even if the target is made of steel. They are no longer in the category of crushing an apple with a bare hand.

「The dungeon has a structure where you enter through a hole in the root of a giant tree and descend through an ant’s nest-like interior. The lower you go, the more concentrated the magic power emanating from the magic stone becomes, the tougher the roots become, and the higher-ranking iron ant species will also appear. Our objective this time is to defeat the queen ant at the deepest part of the dungeon and to collect the largest and best quality magic stone. It’s a troublesome work that no adventurers in Crocus can do it, so the Adventurer Guild has requested Nell to do it. But, she’s busy right now, so we’re going to do it instead.」

「Oh, so it was originally Nell-san’s work. It’s kind of emotional to be able to receive a request on behalf of Nell-san.」

「Hehe, it shows that we have grown that much, right? I have leveled up a step ahead of Haruna and Chinatsu, and I can’t wait to show Deris-danna how strong I am!」

「That’s good, but don’t forget to set your new skill, okay? I mean, Haru always forgets about it.」

「I-I haven’t leveled up yet, so I’m sure this time will be fine! I’m sure of it!」

「I-I’ve already set it, okay?」

「Hee.」

How should I put it, I feel that she just noticed it recently and she was neglecting it until then.

「By the way, it might be too late asking this now, but Chinatsu wasn’t with you today, was she? She wasn’t there when I went to the courtyard of the castle.」

「Ah, yes. Chinatsu-chan is attending a meeting with Nell-san as a vice-leader of the Magic Knight Order. She was appointed as a security guard and a recorder from a neutral position, or so she said in the morning!」

「She was smiling, but she looked a little tired, you know? It seems that her title as the vice-leader is giving her a hard time since she has to participate in a meeting like that. I mean, a meeting is like a large study session, right?」

H-Hmm, it’s something similar, maybe? Well, maybe in the sense that it’s exhausting. But, I see. The reason why Oda was in the courtyard even though he was supposed to be a knight of Crocus was probably because Nell decided that he was unnecessary for the meeting. I guess she thought that his presence would be meaningless as a security guard. And then, she put Chinatsu as a security guard against Maria. Hmm, I pity her.

「T-That’s exhausting! Now I can understand why Chinatsu looked so depressed in the morning…. I’m really happy to come to the dungeon! Training is the best!」

「Well, if you think that the stress will lead to level up, it’s also a kind of training for Chinatsu. She just has to do her best. Now, let’s do our job.」

After we completely switched our feelings, we stepped into the Root of the Steel Tree.