The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 66



Only Noblemtl

Episode 66. Don’t refuse

The meeting place Claire had designated was the plaza located on 4th Street in District 3.

As expected from a street of thought with cafes, people’s clothing was neat and classy.

Millina Olqueur waited for someone, looking at her watch.

It was soon the appointed time.

And soon she felt that her target had arrived.

The wind was howling.

I felt like people were glancing at me as if they weren’t citizens walking down the street.

‘How is that a contractor?’

A gentle breeze gently swept the man’s hair.

Mysterious green-tinged eyes.

Her flawless skin and high nose were as ideal as a painting or sculpture.

However, the muscles visible through the tight clothing strongly revealed a masculine appearance.

Allen the hitman.

Even though it was a face I had only seen a few times while working with Claire, I was still impressed.

Millina approached him, her ecstatic feelings subsiding.

“Allen, the contractor, are you?”

My body trembled as soon as our eyes met.

A deep and sharp gaze that seems to pierce deep into the heart.

As expected, he was not an easy man, as his job was his job.

“Milina Olqueir.”

“… … I guess I won’t have to do a painful self-introduction, so it’ll be comfortable.”

Millina hid her confusion at the voice calling her name.

I thought it was just a one-sided meeting, but he knew me.

That fact made me feel alert.

‘Have you been caught doing background checks?’

Claire ordered him to dig into his past.

Even though they mobilized Sylvester’s manpower, nothing was revealed, so they swallowed their pride and even outsourced the work to an outside company. That was the current situation.

Since it was Sylvester’s request, it was natural that it would be kept confidential, but even so, since it was not done by our own personnel, there was a high possibility that the information would leak.

Millina waited nervously for him to say what he would say next.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’ve heard a lot from your boss.”

“……yes?”

And Allen spoke with a sweet smile and a friendly tone.

“He used to brag a lot about the person he trusted the most, like a family member who had overcome difficult times together.”

The content was unexpected.

“Hey, is this the director?”

Claire’s rank at Sylvester was director.

At a young age, he became an executive of a large corporation. This was truly a parachute appointment befitting a member of the royal family.

Of course, in this city, parachuting was a basic skill, so it wasn’t something to be ridiculed.

It could be said that this was a successful example of a woman with the ability to fit the position.

… … It’s a bit shaky though.

“When, ahem, when did you do that?”

“I heard it on the phone yesterday.”

“Aha, so that’s why the call was delayed.”

A blush appeared on Milina’s cheeks.

“What I said is a secret.”

“Yeah, ahem, of course.”

Millina kept coughing to calm her excitement.

Because she has high standards for herself, she is a woman who is stingy with compliments, not only to herself but also to others.

He was taken aback by the story that he had been praised by a close associate who knew him well.

“Hehe.”

But he seems too happy.

Allen’s expression became subtle as a hollow laugh burst out.

“Ahem!”

The sense of caution had long since receded like the tide.

‘He’s a good person.’

A secretive past, and a job as a contractor that doesn’t match his appearance.

It all meant nothing.

Allen was a good guy.

‘There are no bad people among the pretty and handsome people.’

Claire, the sensible boss, did so, and Rep. Giselle, who was prickly but soon assured her cooperation, did so.

Allen, whose appearance was comparable to theirs, was also clearly a logically good person.

“You have a really good impression. If you had found another job instead of being a contractor, it would have been your calling.”

“thank you.”

“If you’re interested, please let me know. I’ll contact the public relations department and help you get hired as an exclusive model.”

Millina handed over her business card.

It wasn’t an empty promise.

With that kind of appearance, the public relations department would come running out barefoot to welcome you without you having to make any effort to get you on board.

“Follow me. The director is waiting.”

I was worried that the boss would have a one-on-one meeting with a contractor, but my worries were unfounded.

Before she knew it, Millina had developed a little intimacy with Allen.

***

Millina Olqueur.

He was Claire Sylvester’s secretary and chauffeur, and a close associate who shared Claire’s hardships and glories.

When you think of a secretary to the royal family, you usually think of a competent and cool-headed person.

Millina surprisingly wasn’t like that.

‘Don’t be indecisive. It just so happened that I ended up staying as Claire’s secretary until the end.’

I make excuses, saying that I chose a sensible and reasonable boss who knows and respects my worth.

It was just a result of the tendency to be easily swept away.

‘But in terms of work, it’s perfect.’

Unlike Millina, Claire was not obsessed with feelings.

Even if he had no one under him due to his poor position, if he didn’t stand out, he would have been kicked out.

However, Millina was a person with no flaws in her abilities, enough to take her to the end.

‘There’s no need to be prickly.’

Most people associated with corporations are hungry hyenas that will quickly bite at the first sign of an opening.

So I set a rule to be intentionally rough.

Millina was an exception.

It’s a treasure chest that will give you more beans as you become closer to it.

‘Should I oil it a little?’

So I gave him some praise.

“Hehe.”

… … I like it so much.

I turned my eyes away from her, who was still smiling like a fool.

‘That was easy.’

Unfortunately, we didn’t talk about anything personal during the call.

How long has it been since we met to have such an intimate conversation?

My conscience pricked me, but I decided to be brave because it was a fact that Claire trusted Millina.

Claire should be grateful, since he provided her with free lubricant to smooth her relationship with her subordinates.

“I brought it, sir.”

As the car door opened, the air inside escaped, releasing an alluring scent.

Claire was riding in the back seat.

“Welcome.”

Claire smiled faintly and welcomed us.

The dress was so extravagant that it made the dark interior of the limousine seem bright.

However, beneath the presence created by the picturesque features, the glamor was dulled and gave off a rather quiet impression.

“Please sit down.”

I sat across from Claire.

The soft seats were no different from those of luxury cars on Earth.

It was so stable that there was barely any shaking while driving.

“Your eyes have become brighter. Your expression is good.”

If before there was a darkness and sharpness in his expression that could not be erased, now his complexion was bright even at a glance.

Claire smiled and nodded coolly.

“Thanks to you. I’ve been very busy with the profits I made before.”

Is it good to be busy?

I guess it’s because I’m a workaholic.

I gave it a proper nod.

“It’s better to be busy than idle.”

“You know very well.”

Claire even hummed.

Her eyes were sparkling brightly as she watched the scenery passing by outside the window.

As far as I remember, he wasn’t originally that lively of a person.

He looked lively because things were going well before he faced any real adversity.

“I am known around the company for my foresight, would you mind correcting that?”

“I don’t really care about that much.”

“Thank you. It’s good that we can communicate well.”

How can we turn back a rumor that has already spread?

Those who know my work know that there is no need to seek even such small resonance.

Claire knew him well, so she must have calculated everything she said.

‘In the long run, Claire’s position is also beneficial to me.’

He targeted her and shared information with her, giving her a chance to act.

What I wished for was the resourcefulness of a fox who knew how to take care of his own share.

“I heard you were going to show me the headquarters building.”

“Yes, I will be coming here often from now on.”

“What is your intention?”

“I’ll get straight to the point. Be my man.”

The car just stopped at a traffic light.

Claire physically expressed the closer distance by leaning her upper body forward.

“I think you have too much talent to waste on a contract worker. I’ll make it as comfortable as possible for you. I’ll even give you whatever salary you want.”

“… … !”

I wasn’t surprised because it was something I expected.

Instead, Milina’s mouth was wide open as she looked at me through the rearview mirror.

Claire glanced at Millina, who had suddenly started off without coming to her senses, and continued speaking.

“Not bad conditions, right?”

Of course, compared to the life of a mayfly contractor, that was true.

With a steady job and ample means, he could have settled down in this city.

What was unfortunate was that it wasn’t the life I wanted.

“I refuse.”

“… … Is that so?”

Claire paused for a moment, as if she hadn’t expected the rejection, unlike me.

“That’s surprising. I thought you shared your plan to look good to me.”

“It was a long-term vision. If you maintain a good relationship with the successor of a large corporation, there are many bean sprouts that can fall.”

“Do you usually say that in front of others?”

“He’s a talented person who deserves to be personally offered a job, so wouldn’t you look at him favorably?”

Claire didn’t deny it.

Just don’t go overboard.

The type of person she wanted was someone who was arrogant and confident, rather than someone who lacked confidence under the premise of ability.

“Hmm, then things are a bit tricky. If we do this, we’ll have to pay the transaction fee in some other way.”

I could sense her pride in something I took for granted.

That would usually be the case.

I was different.

“Is there something you want?”

Claire was not a conscientious businesswoman who accepted favors and kept her mouth shut.

Whether it was a favor or a grudge, he returned it in full.

When the question I had been waiting for came back, I answered without hesitation.

“I hope we can maintain a good relationship in the future. To the extent that you consider me a priority when it comes to commissions.”

“Of course. There’s no reason to turn away a capable contractor.”

“And one more thing.”

This was the main idea I had after talking to her yesterday.

“I’d like to take a look around the factory.”

“… … A factory?”

Claire wiggled one eyebrow as if she didn’t understand the unexpected story.

***

“Is this really okay?”

“This will do.”

After hearing my story, Claire changed her destination and headed to District 8.

It was a factory, but since what I was looking for was a special factory, it was located in District 8, the exact opposite of the industrial area, District 10.

“You really don’t regret it, do you?”

“Okay. Should I write a memorandum?”

“That’s not it.”

Claire kept asking me again and again.

It was an expression of opinion that she did not understand her position.

“It’s really nothing.”

I ignored Claire’s muttering and opened the door.

Inside, the sight was exactly as I had expected.

“Our second cultivation plant boasts a stable supply of superior quality compared to other companies… … .”

The factory manager, who had been suddenly notified of the visit, seemed to think this was his chance and talked loudly next to Claire until his mouth hurt.

I ignored him and looked around.

A vivid green color was waving over the land divided into districts.

It was a plant cultivation factory for a large corporation.

The world tree, which had been standing still, began to raise its leaves and then soon shrank.

“The World Tree is disappointing.”

My impressions were no different.

‘I had a rough idea of ​​the quality from what was being sold in the market.’

There were no spirits here either.

The plants I grew in my garden were more vibrant and nice to look at.

‘Is it impossible to artificially restore nature even with the technological prowess of large corporations?’

Judging from the considerable harvest, they had the technical skills.

However, it did not solve the fundamental problem of devastation caused by the absence of spirits.

‘That’s too bad.’

Well, it’s a quest that involves returning.

There was no way things could be resolved that easily.

If I had done that, I would have achieved the gameplay objective earlier before the ice.

‘Since I’m here, I’ll give you a hint.’

“The World Tree responds to your will.”

I used the spirits to bless the area.

It was a wide-ranging display of talent that made plants grow rapidly in the garden.

Although the effect may not be as dramatic as before, it can guarantee more robust growth than before.

“This is enough.”

“Already?”

It hasn’t been that long since I arrived.

Claire’s expression was just as mysterious as that of the factory manager, who had missed his chance to impress his superiors.

“Oh, one more thing.”

“Okay, then. What is it?”

“Be careful to collect data until the next harvest.”

“… … .”

Claire now had eyes for the number one eccentric.

After completing my purpose, I didn’t care.