The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 58



Only Noblemtl

Episode 58. Is the effect certain?

Claire Sylvester is a beauty.

Shiny hair that flutters in the wind, refined facial features that match gorgeous accessories, and a well-maintained body without an ounce of fat.

Although not an aristocrat, she was an upper-class person who boasted natural dignity.

While Centrim emphasizes familiarity that permeates everyday life, Sylvester uses luxury as a weapon.

The marketing strategy that put forward the looks of Claire, the only daughter of Chairman Sylvester, was once very successful.

Even now, when her popularity has waned due to various circumstances, there are still many people who show interest in her.

Claire knew how to use her looks to her advantage.

If you approach someone with a sad smile, as you can’t spit in a smiling face, after a while, whoever it is, they will relax.

Even if the opponent was an elf, Claire was confident.

It was confidence, not arrogance.

“… … Sir, sir?”

“… … .”

Confidence soon evaporated.

The wall of reality was thick.

The noble Elf, who was the only child in the family, showed more than one could imagine.

“What are you looking at?”

“… … .”

“It was negotiation-related material. I have something to say about that, and I know you’re busy, but could you take a moment to share your thoughts?”

“busy.”

Giselle dismissed the idea of ​​small talk, even though it wasn’t just for the sake of socializing, but to talk about work.

Only silence fell upon the room.

He not only didn’t talk to me, he didn’t even give me a glance.

It was a disregard that could not be described with the cliché word ‘predatory’.

“… … .”

Claire’s well-drawn smile cracked.

It was the best makeup I could do to make a good impression on the higher-ups.

I never imagined that it would not work at all.

Well, she is an elf known for her beauty.

When we met in person, there was no exaggeration at all.

Since the face they see every day is like a model and a celebrity, they won’t be impressed by just any appearance.

“Regardless of the circumstances, I have given you permission to accompany me on this trip. So I won’t say anything about it. But please don’t go too far beyond that.”

There was no iron wall like this one.

Claire nodded to her aide for help.

The aide slowly turned his gaze away.

It probably means a rigid wall window.

If even her close associates had given up, there was no answer for her as an outsider.

“… … Phew.”

Claire had high expectations for this meeting.

For Claire, whose position was unstable, her friendship with the congressman was a joker card that could turn the unfavorable succession structure around.

That’s why I took a gamble and jumped into the city-to-city negotiations myself.

By providing full support to close negotiations and establish a foothold in the political world, the company can grow further.

If one fails, not only will the succession plan be shaken, but the entire company called Sylvester will be shaken.

On the other hand, if successful, it could provide a foothold for pursuing their long-time rival, Centrim.

It was an opportunity that her father, the current Chairman Sylvester, who had become a toothless tiger, gave her to risk her position.

I didn’t know I would get caught like this, and it shouldn’t have happened.

‘Don’t be too excited or sad. The day is long.’

Today is the only day I was allowed to accompany you.

The schedule has only just begun.

Claire steeled herself against the urge to be weak.

***

It’s been a few days since the city government started requesting the work.

During this time, the contractors, including myself, diligently cleaned up the area around the negotiation table.

Even Corrupted, a discarded experimental body, has instincts like a beast.

As the massacre took place, the men seemed to feel afraid and disappeared.

Now even the traces of them were faint and difficult to find.

In the meantime, I observed the group.

It was an investigation into the incident mentioned by the black magician Mezier.

‘No. 16 and Cedrak are not related.’

After the first day, No. 16 focused solely on his mission, excluding me from accompanying him.

The blind swordsman Kedrak was a misanthrope who refused to interact with others.

It was difficult to judge whether he was a seed that would participate in the operation.

‘Felixso on hold.’

The guy wasn’t sad, but he didn’t give a shit.

I often had people talk to me, and the same was true for Mezier.

It was unknown what they talked about.

That’s why it was right to be on guard.

‘If the whisper of Mother Nature is triggered, it will be resolved quickly, but I am worried because there is no news.’

The whisper of Mother Nature was not a skill that I could activate at will.

I looked into the conditions from various angles, but the conclusion was ‘I don’t know.’

‘It was useful just to provide a clue anyway.’

It’s a waste of time to rely on chance.

Now that I had a big hint, the next decision was up to me.

“… … ?”

Then one day.

I felt a commotion.

The direction was different from that of the negotiation hall building, which was nearing completion.

It was a similar atmosphere to when the factory was preparing for a visit from a city council member.

Just then, an employee came up to me and spoke to me.

“The city council member is scheduled to come for an inspection today.”

As expected.

I brushed aside his words to be mindful of my actions and recalled the information I had about Elf Councilor Giselle Willow.

‘He had a very picky and prickly personality.’

As is the case with all elves, he was different from others because he was a member of the upper class.

I remembered a post by a user who started out as a city council member’s assistant, complaining that he was dying trying to please others.

Since I am not a newbie but a member of a veteran club, my memories are vivid.

‘There’s no need to befriend Giselle.’

The primary reason the negotiations broke down was Giselle’s stubbornness.

However, trying to break his stubbornness was a useless effort.

Because the key was to resolve the issue that would occur later.

What if I found out that there was a villain threatening my life with the intention of starting a war?

Giselle would change her attitude.

The shame goes beyond the level of concern for face.

That was the behavior pattern of those who had the so-called self-centered personality.

‘But we have to be careful about the escort.’

The survival of the negotiating team leader is essential.

So I was worried.

‘Giselle is the type of person who wouldn’t have a hired hand around her.’

Since the contractor is seen as an errand boy who will handle odd jobs, the escort will be left to the mercenaries.

If you can’t be there when something happens, it’s too late.

‘In the end, the key is to attack the close associates.’

There was no invincible fortress.

If you can’t conquer yourself, then all you have to do is attack those around you.

He was not his exclusive aide who kept his promise even though he was always demanding it.

There was a marginalized player in these negotiations.

He is a character who is kicked out by Giselle, but if you boil him down to it in the beginning… … .

“Come!”

While I was organizing my thoughts like that.

The car skidded onto the dirt road.

It was a long limousine, symbolizing a high-ranking official.

Click!

The aide got out of the passenger seat and opened the back door.

First, the heels of his shoes, then, as he stuck his head out, a sharp impression caught my eye.

‘Giselle Willow.’

A nobleman with pointy ears.

Indeed, the tip of the earlobe was angled.

No one admired his handsome face that seemed to have jumped out of a magazine.

Because the city government officials knew how difficult he was.

‘… … and one more.’

Sure enough, the person I was aiming for was confidently taking up a seat.

The face of the woman who got off under the driver’s escort was familiar.

‘Claire Sylvester.’

He was an ill-fated successor who was currently struggling to regain his lost position.

***

“Claire Sylvester?”

“You’re a businessman. Why did that woman come with you, sir?”

Sylvester’s only daughter.

She displays the skills that will later lead her to be called a money ghost, but she is currently an unfortunate character destined for downfall.

“Didn’t you hear? I said I would take a seat at this negotiation.”

“Sylvester?”

“I don’t know the details, but they said they would fully cooperate. They said they would bear a portion of the losses resulting from the negotiations.”

“I don’t know what you don’t know. It’s so blatant. They’re asking me to push them.”

I overheard the staff whispering quietly.

As expected, I wasn’t particularly welcomed as I had expected.

This is the reaction of city government officials.

The congressman who is the final boss is… … .

‘They’re treating me like I don’t even exist.’

Even though he was a guest accompanying us on our trip, he didn’t show any sign of wanting to move with us.

Giselle walked in alone and looked around the building.

“How much time is left until completion?”

“Oh, yes. I’m just starting the finishing touches. I think it’ll be done in two days.”

“Make sure you don’t finish things sloppily just to make it on time.”

“Of course. I will do my best.”

“Anything unusual during the construction process?”

“That is… … .”

Giselle fulfilled her duties as head of the negotiation team.

I talked to the site manager, listened to the employees’ grievances, and walked around the area to prepare for any unexpected situations.

He was different from the usual city council members who were drunk on power.

High self-esteem comes from the pride of having fulfilled one’s responsibilities.

Being put in charge of the negotiation team was not only a matter of being assigned a troublesome agenda, but also a result of such behavior.

“… … .”

That’s why it was a picture with even greater contrast.

A busy congressman and a woman following him one step behind.

Claire was pitiful, being completely ignored like a sack of barley that had been left lying around.

It is commendable that she never loses her smile even in the midst of all that… … .

‘You look anxious.’

Fingers clasped politely in front of the waist are scratching the back of the hand.

The pupils in the narrowed eyes are wandering without finding a destination.

‘It must be frustrating not being able to find even one place to talk.’

Claire was risking her life for this meeting.

It is not because other businessmen are incompetent that they do not directly participate in negotiations.

A position where you could easily be blamed if something goes wrong.

Of course, the fruits of success were tempting.

Enough for her to return home triumphantly, having lost her position as successor.

‘But if we continue like this, we will ultimately fail.’

The discord with Giselle is at a standstill.

The relationship did not improve and he was even excluded from the negotiating table.

Thanks to that, my life was saved, so should I call it a blessing in disguise?

I don’t think so myself.

The price was high.

Sylvester’s presidency is replaced, and Claire loses her right to succeed him.

Her struggle to regain her lost position was romantic, but the wicked game company did not give her a happy ending.

Even if things work out well, he will always be second in command.

Her Sylvester-esque future was a scenario I knew of that never existed.

‘Our understanding of each other is in agreement.’

If Sylvester had supported me, I could have successfully led the negotiations.

They said that even rotten teeth are good teeth.

If the giant is a plot by Centrim, only Sylvester, the next power, can effectively restrain it.

‘Then we need to seize the opportunity to make contact.’

The persuasive argument was prepared.

The existence of a black magician.

The key was to secure evidence that Centrim was involved.

If you let luck show you how to find out for yourself… … .

“… … ?”

Suddenly I felt a strange gaze focused on me.

When I came to my senses, the distance between me and Claire, which had been far away, had become closer.

No, it was still getting closer.

To be exact, as Giselle Willow approached, she was also chasing after her.

“What is your name?”

It was a hard voice.

Are you really asking me?

The aide was watching from behind, telling him to answer quickly.

“This is Allen.”

“Don’t you have a last name?”

“I am an orphan.”

“Aren’t you hiding your family relationships by publicly claiming to be an orphan? For example, are there circumstances where you need to hide the identity of your parents?”

“… … .”

Why are you complaining?

I was more embarrassed than angry.

Giselle is not the type of person to be nosy enough to talk to others right away.

The fact that he still acts like he has no companion proves this.

I just ignore the people I hate.

Contractors who were already not recognized well were treated like ants on the street.

But he looked me straight in the eye.

The emotion reflected on his expressionless face was unexpectedly conflicting.

“……aide.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you remember what we talked about in the car earlier?”

“Are you talking about the withdrawal?”

“Okay, let’s do this one.”

Borrow?

The aide said with a puzzled expression.

“No, if you decide it like this… … .”

“Isn’t his skill guaranteed? I don’t think we need to look any further.”

“Uh, yes. Okay, I understand.”

The story ended without any explanation to the person responsible.

Giselle then tapped me on the shoulder and said:

“Don’t expect results.”

The audience blinked in shock.

Anticipation, encouragement, skinship.

Nothing suited the pointy-eared nobleman.

I was embarrassed too.

Since I couldn’t become close with Giselle, I tried to conquer the people around me first.

But my worries were in vain as he approached me in person.

While giving encouragement without giving an answer.

What on earth was blowing… … .

‘ah.’

It came to mind.

‘The favor of the race of Mother Nature.’

A reward for increasing your affinity for nature by absorbing the essence of the elixir.

‘Is it sure to be effective?’

Enough to make you laugh out loud.