Chapter 47: Exploration (2)

Exploration Drone.

It was a small sphere, just big enough to hold in my hand.

The outer shell was made of connected Mithril.

Various Great Magic Circle circuits were engraved on it.

At the center of the round sphere, a lens was installed.

“It looks like a billiard ball on the outside.”

“Billiard ball?”

“Ah, there’s something like that. More importantly, can you show me how this works?”

“Yes! Just a moment!”

At my words, Vellerin handed me another small disc and a small sphere made of Mithril.

This sphere was even smaller than the previous one. About the size of a ping pong ball.

“With this, you can control the Exploration Drone and share its vision!”

“Oh, really?”

“Shall I show you?”

“Yeah.”

Vellerin placed one disc in front of her and held the ping pong-sized sphere in her hand.

Wooooong!

A device resonating with Vellerin’s hand.

Paat!

A holographic screen floated up from the disc placed in front.

“Popo!”

“Chuchu!”

At the sight, Popo and Chuchu let out startled voices.

“Wow. That’s amazing.”

On the hologram, the landscape seen by the Exploration Drone was vividly displayed.

Through , I sensed that an incredibly high-level magic circuit was engraved.

“What rank magic is this?”

“It’s 8th rank magic!”

“……!”

My goodness.

8th rank.

I had seen records that elves were also skilled in magic, but…

At 8th rank, you’d be called a Great Mage in the world.

“By the way, what rank mage are you?”

“Embarrassing as it is, I’m only at 9th rank!”

“……9th rank?”

“Yes! I’m obsessed with smithing, so my accomplishments in magic, spirit arts, and archery are a bit lacking.”

Heh.

I was deceived by Vellerin’s appearance.

And by the word blacksmith.

Arthur Bennett, the strongest human Great Mage, is 8th rank.

But 9th rank?

If Vellerin ever appeared on Earth, it would be only natural for her to be recognized as the highest Great Mage.

“What about your proficiency in spirit arts and archery?”

“In spirit arts, I can only summon the highest-class Earth Spirit, and for other attributes, I’m between high and intermediate.

As for archery, I barely reached the beginning of Bowmaster…!”

“Haha, hahahaha……”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

Truly, a guardian of the Rare Dragon Lair.

I shouldn’t judge by human standards.

‘Come to think of it, her level is 256.’

The highest among us.

Even as a blacksmith, her basic combat power was inevitably high.

‘With this, even if Arkeron is away, there’s no need to worry.’

“You’re reliable, Vellerin.”

“Heheh. Thank you, Master.”

Vellerin smiled brightly and then spoke to Arkeron.

“Arkeron! May I attach the Exploration Drone?”

『Keron. No problem.』

With Arkeron’s permission, Vellerin picked up the Exploration Drone and approached Arkeron.

I wondered how she would attach the Exploration Drone to Arkeron.

Jiiing!

Clack, clack.

When she placed the Exploration Drone on Arkeron’s head, the lower part of the drone opened and it settled on top of the head in a hemispherical shape.

It looked just like a silver safety helmet.

“All set! Now I just need to increase the magic synchronization rate between Arkeron and the Exploration Drone! It’ll take a tiiiny bit longer!”

Vellerin took Arkeron to the corner and picked up a hammer again.

Dung, tang, dung, tang!

Vellerin worked enthusiastically on something.

Her focused expression was truly admirable.

“Popo!”

“Chuchuchu~”

Meanwhile, Popo and Chuchu had also started doing their own tasks.

Popo hopped around, tilling the soil.

Chuchu followed behind, scattering seeds held in his hands.

“Awoong~!”

Fenrir toddled along too.

Chasing after Chuchu, dropping a seed into the empty spots on the line.

They’re already earning their keep.

Such a commendable fellow.

So, what about our Mandrian?

@Guuuuu!

He was harvesting seeds from the fully bloomed Mandragora.

@Guuu-

(I’ll remember.)

And he dropped Mandragora seeds one by one into the holes Chuchu had dug.

He had become a proper manager of the Mandragora field.

With this, even if I left the lair, the land would be tilled, seeds harvested, and sown on its own, forming a fully automated farming system.

A truly desirable phenomenon.

Everyone was so admirable.

‘Alright. Party later!’

Menu?

Grilled Nagataran Meat.

It would taste even better than before.

Why?

‘Because now we have Green Onion.’

When you grill Green Onion, Pagi Oil comes out.

Meat grilled over Pagi Oil is especially savory.

The Green Onion grown here must be even tastier.

If you grill Nagataran Meat with that Pagi Oil, it’ll be truly exceptional.

I could tell without even tasting it.

Churup.

Just imagining it made my mouth water.

‘Good.’

Everyone should eat their fill later.

“All done!”

Just then, Vellerin’s voice called out.

“I maximized the synchronization rate! Now we can go outside as is.”

Kiiing, clack.

Arkeron, with the Exploration Drone on his head, stepped forward before me.

[Arkeron. I’ll be back.]

“Please do, Arkeron.”

Arkeron knelt on one knee, as if telling me to trust him.

After that—

Jiiiiing!

Arkeron waved his hand, tearing through space.

The moment he stepped beyond the dimensional boundary—

For the first time, I could see the scenery outside the lair with my own eyes.

“Wow.”

A sigh of awe escaped my lips.

Giant tree spirits, Elatria ancient trees, soared majestically toward the sky.

Their branches intertwined and tangled, covering the sky like a massive dome.

It was a scene like a fortress of the forest, filled with ancient mystery.

‘These trees are the Elatria.’

From various parts of the Elatria trunks, emerald hoarfrost shimmered as if spreading out.

The light flowed between the leaves, softly illuminating the whole forest.

[Arkeron…… Guardian…… Of the great…… Being……]

[Convey our gratitude…… To the great…… Being…… The Clearwater Herb…… Was a mysterious…… And wondrous…… Blessing……]

The Elatria conveyed their thanks to Arkeron.

Clearwater Herb.

Earlier, when we gave potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes to the Shadow Wolf Clan, we also gave Clearwater Herb to the Elatria.

I thought the water from the Clearwater Herb’s leaves would be a delicacy for them.

It seemed I was right.

Countless Elatria were calling out for the Clearwater Herb.

“We could plant Clearwater Herb Seeds among them later.”

“Oh! That sounds like a good idea too!”

Vellerin agreed with my suggestion.

It didn’t seem like a bad thought.

“Awooooooo~!”

“Awooooo!”

“Uwooooo!”

At that moment, black mist-like beings rushed toward Arkeron.

The Shadow Wolf Tribe.

“Awwoong!”

Then Fenrir, who had been sitting next to me, suddenly stood up and howled.

“Awoong, awoowoong!”

Fenrir toddled forward, trying to run into the hologram.

“Oh dear. That’s not real.”

“Awoooong…….”

Perhaps understanding my words, Fenrir drooped his ears and head, letting out a weak whimper.

‘He must miss his family.’

This won’t do.

Once Arkeron returns, I’ll have to let him outside for a bit.

He’s still at the age to seek his mother’s warmth.

I’d neglected Fenrir’s feelings.

“I’ll let you see your mom soon. Just wait a little longer, okay?”

“Awoong……!”

As I patted Fenrir’s head and spoke, his eyes brightened and his head wagged gently.

And then.

Lap.

He began licking the back of my hand softly with his tongue.

At the cloud-like sensation, I smiled gently and hugged him closer.

[I will…… Open the door……]

Meanwhile, Arkeron exited out of Elatrium.

And the scene that appeared—

It was quite different from what I had imagined.

High-level elixirs, spirit herbs, monsters existing outside the lair.

I had expected a tense atmosphere, like a dangerous jungle ruled by predators.

But instead, a completely different landscape unfolded before my eyes.

A mysterious land stretching out in four directions, like something from a dream, filled my vision.

“Wow…….”

“Popo!”

“Awoong……!”

[Kkyuuu…… Beautiful!]

Gathered around the hologram, we all let out exclamations of wonder.

It was only natural.

To the north.

A huge, radiant canyon caught the eye.

The shining canyon itself was awe-inspiring.

It exuded grandeur and sanctity, as if facing a god.

To the west.

A ridge covered in ice was visible.

Bathed in sunlight, it sparkled pure white, shining with the delicate beauty of a silver-sculpted artwork.

Transparent ice pillars stood in rows atop the ridge.

It gave off the atmosphere of an ancient temple.

To the south.

A golden meadow spread out.

Dazzling golden grasses and flowers stretched endlessly, swaying in the wind like waves of gold.

It looked like a paradise created by nature, filled with warmth and abundance.

And finally.

To the east.

Rainbow-colored trees soared high into the sky.

The leaves of the trees glowed with different hues, and as sunlight filtered through, the whole forest shimmered softly like a rainbow.

It was as if looking into a fairy tale world.

“Wow! The Rainbow Forest to the east is so pretty♥”

Vellerin gazed at the shimmering forest with an ecstatic expression.

“Popo!”

“Chuuu!!”

Popo and Chuchu raised their voices in agreement.

And then.

@Guuuuuuuuu!

Mandrian.

His reaction was unusual as well.

@Guuuuuuuuuu!

As if facing a long-lost lover, he reached out toward the eastern forest with a wistful voice.

No way…… Is that where you came from?

@Guuu…… Guuu!

At my words, he let out a sorrowful cry, as if to say yes.

‘Heh.’

After hearing his answer, I made up my mind.

The first place to explore.

The eastern forest.

There were two main reasons for choosing this place.

First, it was such a beautiful landscape that just looking at it felt healing.

Second, if it was the place where Mandragora grew, there might be other valuable spirit herbs as well.

‘Arkeron. Head east.’

With my will—

[Keron. I obey]

Arkeron began running toward the eastern forest.

***

Rainbow forest.

In this place, various monsters divided the territory and lived.

Among them, the most beautiful species were considered.

The Lili Clan.

They were a fairy tribe inhabiting the Rainbow Forest.

They possessed wings of light made of magic, and had the small, cute, and beautiful appearance of characters from a fairy tale.

They helped the prosperity of the forest’s flowers and rainbow trees, and were usually gentle-natured, never harming others unless provoked.

However—

“Aah……..”

“Magic power…….”

Plop, plop.

One by one, countless Lili were collapsing.

The reason was—

The Lili Clan lived by consuming the forest’s magic power, but for some reason, the forest’s magic was rapidly decreasing.

At this rate, all the Lili might collapse soon.

To make matters worse, a group of evil spirits was extending their claws toward them.

“Li, Lili!”

“A, attack…….”

“Aaah……!”

Brrrr!

The Lili trembled their small, delicate wings pitifully.

“Samat-”

“Samaaaat!”

“Samat!”

Insect-shaped demons with the appearance of Mantis Demon.

They surrounded the Lili Clan’s village and began striking the village barrier.

If this continued, the barrier would break and a catastrophe could occur.

The clan’s warriors would have fought off the enemies, but now, due to lack of magic power, they were also exhausted.

At the moment of utmost crisis.

Kiiing. Clack.

From one direction of the forest, a black golem, larger than the Lili Clan and wearing a silver safety helmet, appeared.