Chapter 49: Lily Tribe (1)

At the same time Arkeron was battling the mantis Outsiders, Vermis’s second legion commander, Queen Centria of the centipedes, was receiving a report from her subordinate.

“You found traces?”

“Yes. That’s correct, Commander.

At Centria’s question, her right hand and first commander, Karsera, bowed her head in reply.

“It’s certain, right?”

Shhhrrr.

Centria’s lower body, shaped like a massive centipede, rippled like a wave.

It was a sign that Centria was somewhat agitated by Karsera’s report.

“Yes. We confirmed it three times through Ferincia.”

Ferincia.

Among the centipede swarm, a centipede particularly specialized in pheromone-magic detection.

“Somewhere within the wide-spread Illusion Barrier in the northern Shining Gorge, it’s certain another Rare Dragon Lair exists.”

Karsera added with a voice full of conviction.

Ferincia had detected the faint magic leaking from the Illusion Barrier several times, like a pheromone. As she identified the unique pattern possessed only by ‘dragon magic,’ different from normal magic, there was no doubt a Rare Dragon Lair existed there.

“I, too, found that place the most suspicious.”

It was a completely new Rare Dragon Lair, not the location where the Grim Reaper vanished.

With all the Outsiders tracking the Grim Reaper’s disappearance, it was a perfect opportunity to find it alone without competition.

‘If I make a contribution with this, I could surpass Karmax and rise to the position of first legion commander!’

Shhhrrr!

Centria’s massive centipede-like lower body shook again.

“Find it. At all costs, even if it costs your life.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

At Centria’s order, Karsera bowed deeply in obedience.

Paaaat.

***

As the Lily Tribe’s barrier opened, a figure walked out.

Tap, tap, tap.

What stepped outside was a fairy tribe smaller in stature than Arkeron.

“O savior……! My name is Lucien. I deeply thank you for saving our Lily Tribe from danger.”

Bow.

He knelt deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground.

On his back were faint, glowing wings.

Made of magic, they were transparent yet shimmered with the flow of light.

Every time he moved, rainbow-hued particles of light scattered, brightening the surroundings.

‘Beautiful.’

That was my first impression upon seeing the Lily Tribe.

“Ah!”

At that moment, Vellerin let out a pained sigh beside me.

“What’s wrong?”

“That child…… seems to have depleted their magic.”

“Magic depletion?”

“Yes. The Lily Tribe are a race that feed on the magic of the forest. If they lack magic, their wings of light become that faint.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, looking sorrowful.

‘Ah.’

No wonder.

That’s why the Lily Tribe’s wings looked so faded.

As I observed Lucien’s wings more closely, Lucien spoke again.

“Savior……. It’s shameful, but due to our circumstances, we cannot offer a suitable reward for your kindness……. It weighs heavily on our hearts to be unable to repay your grace.”

He looked in poor shape to offer any reward.

Receiving thanks from someone like him would feel like robbing a beggar.

I clicked my tongue and sent a thought to Arkeron.

‘Ask how their magic got depleted.’

At my thought, Arkeron’s eyes glowed red.

『Keron. Master asks how your magic became depleted.』

“Ah, so there is a master. If you’re the master of such a powerful golem, you must be a truly great Archmage…….”

After saying this, Lucien began to explain their story.

“As you may know, our Lily Tribe are a race who live on the magic of the forest—more precisely, the Forest Essence. However, at some point……”

The Lily Tribe were beings who created the Forest Essence in the Eastern Forest to sustain life.

“Strange beings appeared, attacked us, and plundered the Forest Essence……”

He explained that, at some point, bizarre beings began to appear and steal their Forest Essence.

By ‘bizarre beings,’ he likely meant the Outsiders like the mantis.

If things continued, the Lily Tribe would soon face extinction.

『Can you show us the state of the other Lily Tribe inside the barrier?』

Biting his lower lip, Lucien dispelled the barrier.

The Lily Tribe’s village came into view.

“Ah!”

“Oh my…….”

At the sight, we let out a deep sigh once more.

All around, Lily Tribe with wings of light flickering as if they’d go out any moment lay collapsed.

“Ah! The Lily Tribe…… How tragic.”

Vellerin murmured with a sorrowful expression beside me.

The Lily Tribe’s situation looked pitiful and desperate.

“Can’t we bring the Lily Tribe to Elatrium?”

Forest Essence.

It seemed like something that could be made in Elatria as well.

“Ah! It might be possible. But…… whether they’d be willing to leave the Rainbow Forest……”

The Lily Tribe, once settled, rarely left their nests.

“Well, if they refuse, there’s nothing we can do.”

This was the only kindness I could offer.

To give them a place in Elatrium.

But if they refused due to their nature?

So be it.

After that, even if I wanted to help, there would be nothing I could do.

I couldn’t fend off Outsiders who plundered them forever.

『Keron. Master……』

Arkeron quickly conveyed the message to Lucien.

“To the place where the savior is……?”

『That’s right.』

“Do you reside in the Eastern Forest?”

“No. It’s some distance from here. But since it’s where the Elatrias have settled, you needn’t worry about Forest Essence.”

『E-Elatria……?』

At the mention of Elatria, Lucien’s eyes widened.

“W-wait a moment……!”

He hurried to the center of the village.

The Lily Tribe watched with worried and wary eyes.

He spoke with a few who seemed to hold positions of authority.

It took longer than expected.

‘Guess it’s not happening.’

As I was about to tell Arkeron to stand up since no agreement seemed forthcoming—

“S-savior!”

Lucien ran back, breathless.

“We’ll be in your debt from now on……!”

He prostrated himself deeply.

They had decided to join us.

Thus, the Lily Tribe became the second tribe, after the Shadow Wolf, to enter Elatrium.

***

“Awuuuu~!!”

“Awuuu!!”

The Shadow Wolves howled.

“U-uwaaaa!”

“0000!”

The Lily Tribe screamed in terror.

This commotion occurred as the Lily Tribe were loaded onto the Shadow Wolves’ backs.

‘If not for the Shadow Wolves, bringing these people would have been impossible.’

There were about 100 Lily Tribe.

Bringing those who could barely walk all the way here would have been nearly impossible.

That’s why the Shadow Wolves stepped up.

The Elatrias made cradles with their branches.

The Shadow Wolves, carrying those cradles on their backs, could transport over ten Lily Tribe each.

In this way, the Shadow Wolves swiftly brought the entire Lily Tribe to Elatrium.

“Ah…… Ah!”

“This is Elatrium……!”

“Lily……!”

Despite their exhaustion, the Lily Tribe couldn’t hide their awe upon seeing Elatrium.

[Come…… Enter…… Children of the forest…… I have heard the story…… You have suffered…….]

[Come…… Create…… The Forest Essence…….]

The Lily Tribe entered Elatrium and began to create the Forest Essence.

Kuaaaa!!

The Lily Tribe exhaled magic powder from their wings of light, condensing the life force and magic of Elatria at the heart of Elatrium.

In this way, energy previously invisible began to take shape as a translucent liquid.

“Oh.”

I watched the scene in real time through Arkeron and let out a gasp.

‘So that’s how Forest Essence is made.’

As I watched the process, Vellerin approached me.

“Master, can I try making some equipment with the resources Arkeron brought back?”

Magic stones, mantis carapaces.

And mithril.

Vellerin was full of excitement.

“Of course, as much as you like.”

I was grateful she was willing to help even before I asked.

“Thank you, Master! I’ll make something great!”

Vellerin clenched her fists and trotted off to her workshop.

‘I should eat, too.’

Nagatarra meat and Mandragora.

Plus green onions, cabbage, carrots.

If I finish this meal, I might reach 50LV.

With that thought, I was about to stand.

[Master. The representative of the Lily Tribe wishes to express their gratitude to you directly and present the first Forest Essence just completed.]

Arkeron’s voice.

When I looked at the transmission screen again, Lucien stood before Arkeron, hands politely clasped.

Behind him, a transparent liquid orb the size of his body floated in midair.

That must be the Forest Essence.

Okay.

I was curious about it, too.

Let’s summon him.

Fortunately, since the Lily Tribe were as small as Arkeron, they could cross into the lair through the dimensional cut Arkeron created.

“Ah! Savior and noble Archmage, on behalf of the Lily Tribe, Lucien offers heartfelt thanks in this place!”

At the sight of me, Lucien bowed deeply.

“Well done.”

“This is the first Forest Essence we made here……! Please accept it, it would be an honor!”

He extended the transparent liquid.

It was about the size of a baseball.

The fascinating thing was that it floated in midair without touching the ground.

When I placed it in my hand, it hovered above my palm.

Forest Essence created by the Lily Tribe, Lv 150」

Wow.

That’s a level not to be underestimated.

“What effect does this have?”

“For us, Forest Essence is a means of sustaining life……! It possesses strong vitality, so when others consume it, their life force is also strengthened……!”

Lucien continued.

“It’s especially effective for plants, helping them not only grow stronger but even advance to the next stage!”

Advance a stage?

No way.

That sparked a thought in my mind.

‘Does that mean it raises levels?’

It was worth testing.

“If I take a little of this……”

I intended to use it on a Mandragora or a sprout.

@Gueooooooo!

Mandrian came dashing at incredible speed, waving arms and legs wildly.

@Gueooo!!

He reached out desperately for the Forest Essence in my hand.

“You want this?”

@Gueoooooo-!!

Mandrian nodded frantically.

“Hm.”

I hesitated.

But Mandrian was, after all, a Mandragora.

It might be worth using it on him to see if his level rose.

Making up my mind, I split it in half and gave him a portion.

Immediately,

@Gueooooooo!!

He bowed with his head to the ground as if overwhelmed with gratitude, then swiftly accepted the Forest Essence and took half.

Kuaaaaaaaa!!

A beautiful silver light enveloped his body.

Gooooooo!

With that tremendous energy, he dug into the earth and planted his roots.

「Mandrian, Lv 115」

His status hadn’t changed yet.

But.

For some reason, I had a strong feeling his level would rise once the essence was fully absorbed.

If you could really use Forest Essence to raise levels?

‘I’ll boost all the spiritual herbs right away.’

Starting with the most effective Mandragora and sprouts.

‘Could it be used on Elatrias, too?’

I wondered as I gazed at the still-budding Elatrias.

Then.

Following my gaze, Lucien noticed the Elatrias.

“Huh? Huh? S-sacred tree……?”

Lucien gasped.

With an expression of awe, as if witnessing a god, he knelt and clasped his hands.

“A sprout of the Sacred Tree……! Oh my! What kind of place is this……!”

As Lucien made a fuss,

Dania, who had been asleep, woke up.

[Ugh……. So noisy!』

“Gehk!”

Thud!

Lucien, faced with Dania, nearly fainted and collapsed backward.

“D-d-d-dragon?”

Kkyu! What’s this.」

Dania spotted Lucien and approached.

Then,

“Huff, g-great being…… I-I-I greet you!”

Lucien bowed tremblingly toward Dania.

Grab.

Dania lifted the prostrated Lucien with both hands and examined him closely.

[Small fairy. Cute』

“T-thank you……. ”

Lucien, sweating profusely, did his best to play along.

“Dania. This friend is unwell. Stop bothering him and eat some Ice Cold Fruit.”

[Kkyu! Ice Cold Fruit!! Yay!!』

I picked a fruit and handed it over, and Dania lost interest in Lucien, munching happily.

Lucien finally caught his breath and spoke again.

“Haha, I never imagined such a great being would be here……!”

He still couldn’t believe the situation, glancing at Dania in awe.

Then.

Lucien spoke again.

But this time, his words made my ears perk up.

“So they said they found a Rare Dragon Lair in the northern gorge…… and that the land had become Yong Taerim (Dragon hatchling forest)……!”

What?

Rare Dragon Lair in the northern gorge?

Yong Taerim?

What is this?

There’s more than one Rare Dragon Lair?

My eyes widened in disbelief at the completely unexpected words.