The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 40



Only Noblemtl

Episode 40. Tattooing

Peeeeek!

The watchman’s hawk roared.

The high-pitched, widely resonating cry truly had the status of a beast called the prince of heaven.

Glossy fur, sharp claws that will not let go of prey, and keen eyes.

The majesty of a predator at the top of the food chain flowed through his body.

The guy spread his wings wide and smiled contentedly at his own majestic appearance… … .

“Be quiet!”

… … I couldn’t do it and got scolded by Sage.

“If you yell in the room, you won’t be able to use it!”

Boom, bang, bang!

Following Sage’s admonition, the person in the next room also started banging on the wall in protest.

It was noisy when the birds cried in a hotel, not even a private residence.

I remembered the humiliation I suffered when I was caught trying to smuggle it in secretly.

After arguing with the hotel manager, we reached an agreement using the best means of communication, bribery.

But the foolish beast did not understand the hardships of such a master and the agreed-upon social order of mankind.

Ppaaaak!

“this!”

The watchman flapped his wings in protest.

Sage’s actions in response were a manifestation of magic.

Hurrah!

Gurr!

The watchman falcon jumped up in surprise as his tail feathers caught fire.

The fire was put out quickly, but that pretty much ended the pecking order.

The watchman crouched with his head down and his body curled up in a sullen manner.

After watching all the developments, I made a summary.

“… … Have you ever raised an animal before?”

“There were a lot of wild dogs and stray cats in the neighborhood. They may be different species, but the way they were treated was the same.”

The way he spoke as if it was nothing was very manly and reassuring.

Perhaps because of the harsh environment in which he grew up, the child’s personality, unlike his dignified appearance, was revealed here and there like a servant.

You shouldn’t do that on the rooftop.

Sage asked the Watchman Hawk again, reorganizing the order of the ranks.

“But are you really going to raise this child?”

“Now that I’m the owner, I have to raise it.”

“I think there will be a lot of accidents. They will be noticed a lot, and the cost of food will be high.”

It was a tone of speech that regarded them as either carnivores or thieving cats.

The watchman’s hawk flew from the torch to my shoulder, avoiding my uncomfortable gaze.

“Well, we have to find a way.”

I stroked the feathers of the watchman falcon and calmed him down.

He’s smart and listens well, so he’s cute.

It was also one of the private druid’s relics.

I couldn’t just throw it away because some inconveniences were expected.

“… … You, don’t cause any trouble while I’m away.”

Sage took care of the watchman Mae by nagging him while acting like a scapegoat, thinking he was his senior.

I guess kids really like animals.

I was a little disappointed because I, as a human, still have some sense of caution.

“Have you packed all your bags?”

“yes.”

“Okay, it’s a good opportunity, so go and don’t complain and work hard.”

If we pack our bags and leave for Matap today, it will be a separation for a while.

After you get some basic training, you’ll have some free time, but until then, you’ll be very busy.

“… … Yes, I will work hard.”

Sage’s voice trembled slightly as he lowered his head.

“I know you’ve given me a great opportunity. I’ll do my best to repay your kindness soon.”

Sage rubbed his eyes and looked up at me with determined eyes.

I was overcome with emotion as if a cat I picked up on the street had finally opened its heart… …

“Well, okay, don’t try too hard.”

“… … ?”

“When things get tough, just rest. If you stay in your room and focus on things that don’t work, you’ll only end up with a bad temper.”

Somehow, the image of the future Sage, who was responsible but also neurotic, overlapped.

I didn’t want that kind of wizard.

Sage’s growth potential is beyond doubt, so I hope he grows up to be gentle.

“Believe in your talent and take it easy. That’s okay.”

“… … !”

Sage looked quite impressed.

I was worried that I would appear to be a polarizing parent, so I added several complaints that I had hesitated to mention.

Since the rooftop is a place where people live, there will be some territoriality. Ignore it and do your job. You are a genius. The ugly jealousy of the fools is just an expression of envy.

If things get really tough, just tell Colin or me. You don’t have to deal with it alone. We’ll take action.

Thankfully, Sage listened to my nagging without doing anything else.

When he was young, he was such a smart kid.

I felt the importance of the growing environment deeply.

“Then I will go now.”

Sage then rolled his eyes as if he was checking the mood and asked.

“Later… …Can I come and meet you again? In person, rather than through the rooftop?”

The fist clenched behind his back was shaking, perhaps because he thought it was a courageous statement.

“I’m not saying that we should just go to the rooftop and be strangers. I’ll give you the address, so come visit me whenever you want.”

“… … !”

The next candidate for the top post.

It wasn’t something I forced, and if he came to me first, I would welcome it.

After hearing the answer, Sage finally left the room with a bright face.

‘Now I can use the room a little more spaciously.’

Even though they were children, two people shared a room that was meant for one person.

Although I didn’t show it, I felt uncomfortable.

‘I need to get a house ready for Sage’s return.’

Getting out of the hotel and finding my own home was something I had been considering for a long time.

I don’t know if I’ll be a guest or a boarder, but considering both, I needed a house of my own that was bigger than this one.

‘From now on, I’ll be taking on mostly large corporations’ orders, so I’ll have plenty of money.’

Large companies are the ones that make sure to pay their employees well instead of being picky about how to handle things.

You should be able to easily find a room large enough to accommodate one adult, one teenager, and one pet.

“… … The problem is this kid.”

The watchman tilted his head as if he thought he was talking about himself.

“You stand out so much.”

Most of the contractor’s missions are based on stealth.

It was usually the job of mercenaries to attract attention and make a show of it.

The watchman’s falcon was not suitable for carrying around in that respect.

The hawk is a conspicuous animal, and its loud howling belies any secrecy.

Of course, the watchman’s falcon wasn’t unhelpful in the mission.

From securing vision, reconnaissance of destinations, to combat assistance.

Compared to those ugly, shabby contractors, he did his job well enough.

“How can you not become smaller?”

Even though it’s small, I wonder how much of an estimate it would be to carry around.

It was a moment when I had asked for a favor.

“The watchman falcon tattoos himself!”

The watchman’s eagle melted like water and permeated my body.

“……what?”

Tattoo?

When I lifted the top on his chest, I saw a tattoo of an eagle.

It was in the shape of a watchman’s eagle.

“The tattooed guardian falcon’s abilities are applied!”

“Your eyesight will improve!”

“Your strength will improve!”

“The skills held by the Watchman Hawk are shared with some players!”

“Tattooing is applied and removed automatically in response to your will!”

A series of system messages appeared.

After seeing this, I couldn’t help but point out one thing.

“If you could get a tattoo, why didn’t you do it when Sage was nagging you?”

The tattoo sparkled as if it was laughing.

It seemed like my guess that he had kept quiet because he was afraid of being screwed by Sage was true.

***

The rooftop is lofty.

They have survived for over a thousand years by pioneering extreme natural environments, and have grown from the oppressed to become a huge force that has shaken society.

This atmosphere also had a great influence on the magicians who were its members.

They knew their own outstanding talents, so they did not bow their heads even to nobles.

On the contrary, he was so arrogant that he demanded respect.

After a long agreement, the city acknowledged their influence and granted a small number of them the same treatment as nobles or members of parliament.

In that vulgar way, it was a gathering of people who were only concerned with their own self-interest.

But today, the atmosphere of such a magic tower was an exception.

Today, the magicians of the magic tower gathered together and whispered to each other while stealing glances at a child.

“Ahem.”

Colin puffed out his chest and stretched out as he walked through the noisy tower.

As if he were a man of destiny who had their attention focused on him.

Sage, who was following behind him at a fast pace, asked.

“… …Why are they like that?”

“It’s about watching the real power.”

“Real power?”

“This master is quite an amazing person in the magic tower.”

“… … .”

His hair is still messy, his beard is roughly trimmed, and his facial features resemble those of a bandit.

Would his appearance be enough to be respected in the wizarding world, which is considered the pinnacle of intelligence?

Sage pretended not to hear and just ignored it.

“Ahem, actually, it’s thanks to your guardian.”

Colin coughed in vain to clear his embarrassment and spoke honestly.

This time I was a little curious.

“Why, sir?”

“Didn’t you hear what happened?”

“I just said that I took care of the work well.”

“Tsk tsk, it’s more uncool to hide things like this. You have to brag about it yourself so the child will respect you.”

Colin explained what happened on the rooftop.

It was a realistic story that drew on the experience of living as a wanderer.

Sage’s bright eyes perked up his ears so that he wouldn’t miss a single word.

“That’s why they’re keeping an eye on you. Since your guardian was so great, they must be curious about how you are.”

It was a remarkable change for one person to have brought about.

The nobility that Matap had maintained until now was virtually shattered.

As the head of the free-spirited Juggernaut school, I finally felt like it was a place with a bit of a human touch.

I even sued them because they immediately started a trial for something that wasn’t even a big mistake.

Of course, it was difficult to say that everything was good.

Colin did a 180 degree turn to the light-hearted atmosphere.

“You will receive a lot of attention from now on.”

The gentle advice predicted the future with such precision that it was almost like a prophecy.

Sage’s presence was the center of attention that soon united the Magic Tower.

From all over the country, renowned journalists will be keeping a close eye on Sage.

There would be no one who would dare touch the disciple of the schoolmaster, but the burden would be even greater than that and weigh on her.

“Control your mind well. That is enough. If it is your talent, it is more than the burden and jealousy directed at you… .”

“i know.”

Sage didn’t stop walking across the tower.

Even amidst the waves of gazes focused on me, I did not lose my dignity and nobility.

“I already heard that story from you, sir. I’m prepared for it.”

“It’s a good thing, but it could be more than you imagine.”

“are you okay.”

Allen’s words flashed through my mind, word by word.

“My uncle said I was a genius.”

There was a solution there.

What other people thought didn’t matter.

She took only one person’s compliment as her milestone.

“So I’m okay.”

I will do better than you expect.

Prejudice, jealousy, and envy would soon turn into praise for her.

“… … Excellent.”

Colin was genuinely impressed.

Because it is not the unfounded confidence of a frog in a well.

With that mindset alone, she was already more than capable of conquering the Magic Tower.

***

I visited Cromwell’s brokerage office.

The fan hanging from the ceiling was spinning coolly.

The room, which had been dark for thousands of years because of the tightly closed windows, finally became bright.

‘There was a leather sofa here.’

When I took my time looking around, my impression was completely different.

It’s so hard to adapt.

When I sat down on the chair, this time I was served factory-made soju instead of cold water.

“Are you treating us well today?”

“I didn’t say I would treat you with empty words.”

How long has it been since you last had a drink?

The burning sensation that went down my throat was stimulating.

It felt even sweeter because it was free.

While I was licking my lips, Cromwell slid a wad of paper in front of me.

“I’ve selected some good requests for you to take on. As I said last time, I’ve selected them mainly from large companies, so just pick one.”

The material was different from the public request paper stuck on the cork board.

I skimmed through the contents, feeling the crisp texture of the paper.

‘Their intentions are very obvious.’

Although the content was different, the purpose of each request was the same.

Deterrence of hostile enterprises.

These are requests that will have a big social impact whether they succeed or fail.

I wondered what the city’s police department was doing.

“I personally recommend Delight Conquer’s request.”

As I took my time choosing my commission, Cromwell added something suggestive.

“… … Delight Conquer, was it a military company?”

It’s a name I remember.

Cromwell shook his head as I stammered my answer.

“I don’t know where I got you confused. Delight Conquer is a golem manufacturing company.”

Golem, a type of robot commercialized in the world of magical engineering.

It was in high demand in industrial settings as a replacement for difficult work that was difficult for people to do.

Because they are more expensive than people, higher-ups in companies do not prefer them, but that was a special characteristic of the times.

Anyway, I was convinced by that.

My memory was not wrong.

‘Golem is not used as a commercial combat robot.’

It was a research project that Delight Confeme was secretly pursuing.

Golems are used not only in industrial settings, but also for security purposes and even on the battlefield.

Ultimately, the technology development was successful, and Delight Conquer emerged as a next-generation military company.

“Why do you recommend Delight Conquer?”

“I have some information that Madhouse has received the request.”

“… … Madhouse?”

“That’s the madhouse you know.”

Even if you weren’t a player of FP, any resident of this city couldn’t help but know the name of the group.

Madhouse.

A small group of elite armed forces consisting of retired war mercenaries, renowned hitmen, and city wanted criminals.

It was different from the mercenary group.

Mercenaries, no matter their status, were subject to city administration, but they were not.

Rather, it reigned over the city’s order.

Each and every one of them was a powerful figure who could not even be easily touched by the city government.

There is even a saying that if you encounter one privately, it would be considered a natural disaster and you would be asked to sacrifice your life.

Even the city government’s principle in dealing with them was to evacuate them rather than negotiate or punish them, so much so that they were like walking disasters.

“If Madhouse joins, success is almost guaranteed. It’ll be an easy request.”

Although each member has a high notoriety, they boast an unbelievable success rate of close to 100%.

That was why many companies hid them, treated them well, and exploited them despite the city government’s condemnation.

If the information was true, I could have accomplished the mission without lifting a finger.

“I’ll consider it.”

“… … Okay, I see.”

Cromwell was disappointed by my virtual refusal, but I knew.

This was a poisoned chalice.

He probably knows this too, which is why he won’t recommend it to me again.

‘With my current skills, I can’t handle an emergency situation.’

There are one or two people who can communicate well, but basically the members of Madhouse are crazy people with antisocial tendencies.

It was difficult to expect them to exhibit the noble virtue of cooperation.

It wasn’t strange for him to suddenly feel bad and brandish a knife, even though he was trembling and trying to please her.

Even leaving aside such risks, the reason I was selecting commissions for such a long time now was not because I was assessing whether the commissions would be successful or not.

“I’ll do this.”

Cromwell accepted the request and nodded with a look of understanding.

“It’s Sylvester’s request. Is it to subdue a gang that has set up shop at a new business site?”

Sylvester, also known as Megacorp, is a powerful figure who is considered the second largest conglomerate in Galaga City.

If you want money, it was the best choice.

I guess you’re thinking that.

‘What matters is the place.’

Money is a secondary issue.

Sylvester’s new business site, I had a purpose for going there.

‘Eastern District 16, otherwise known as the Unfilled Swamp.’

In the database of the tower, I found information about a spring that never dries.

‘It was said that the never-drying spring water caused the ground to sink and form a swamp.’

It was a story close to a fairy tale, but the only clue pointed to District 16.

If it is true, the World Tree will react.

There was no reason not to go.