The Druid Who Swallowed Mother Nature - Chapter 71



Only Noblemtl

Episode 71. Right Place, Right Time

I joined Draxia’s reinforcements with Belle.

The mercenary group’s support force was, of course, a familiar face.

“Oh, our soul mate has arrived.”

“… … soul partner?”

It was a strange nickname.

Hela smiled slyly and nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.

“How many missions have we been on together?”

“Three times, I think.”

“Who wants to know the real number? Who else but my soulmate would support me during my busy schedule, even though I know it’s a tough mission?”

The spear on his back slipped and kept hitting his shoulder.

As I pushed it away, I saw that its shape and color were different from before.

“I see you got a new weapon.”

“Oh, you noticed?”

Hela grumbled, her eyes sparkling.

“This was used by the guy I defeated during a previous mission. He said it was a special alloy made from a vision stolen from a dwarf. I thought it would be good to use as a spear, so I tried it and it worked great.”

Dwarf.

They were a nation of artisans who passed down their vision of working with metal from generation to generation.

It boasts a messy character in the name of craftsmanship, but its excellent quality puts to rest any complaints about it.

‘There was a quest to find the legacy of the dwarven craftsman in the city of winter.’

I knew the location, but it wasn’t the equipment I could use right now.

If their vision had been stolen, it would have been a masterpiece even if it was a deteriorated version.

Being interested in weapons was a common hobby among mercenaries, and Hela seemed to be one of them.

“… … But is that color also your taste?”

“No, why?”

“Well, um, I thought it was unusual.”

The windows were a dark pink that looked cheap, as if they had been painted with cheap paint.

It stood out in a bad way.

“But it’s still pretty.”

“Pretty… …?”

A vicious weapon that crushes human bones and cuts throats, painted pink.

There was no particular bad taste.

It was a taste that was difficult to understand with my universal aesthetic sense.

“I decorated it a bit because it’s a weapon that will be used for a long time. Why, it doesn’t look that good?”

“… … Then how about that? There’s no such thing as a crazy bitch.”

“what?”

That’s not what I said.

It was a voice that came from a giant tin can right behind me.

“It would be scary if it was pink instead. Pink is a really crazy color.”

Even though he mumbled softly, his pronunciation was so clear that it stuck in my ears.

Hela, who had listened carefully, lit up her eyes with twinkles.

“Hey, what did you say?”

“Hic! Did you, did you hear that?”

“You were talking so I could hear you. Are you trying to pick a fight? Right, right?”

“I’m sorry! It was a mistake. Stop talking to yourself.”

Hela has a very angry look on her face.

As expected of a mercenary, his temper was not bad.

As she growled, the timid Belle cowered even though she was still hiding behind her armor.

“So, that’s what you thought about at least once.”

“Well, it’s true that I have a crazy taste… … .”

“Hey, you still don’t understand the situation?”

“evil!”

Hela pounded Belle’s entire body like a tin can.

Belle’s body swayed to and fro under her touch.

‘Isn’t that armor made by modifying a broken android prototype?’

It was an object that had been rummaging around for hours and then boasted that it would survive a bomb explosion.

It was already covered with dents here and there.

Is Hela’s power really that great, or is Belle just bluffing?

At the moment when he was about to slowly stop whatever was going on, Hela took her hand away.

“Who is this kid?”

“A guide well-versed in internal affairs. He is essential. So harass him appropriately.”

“You’re an official. Well, I won’t say anything, but aren’t you too weak to take with you?”

“evil!”

Belle fell to her knees as Hela struck the back of his head one last time.

The shadow of Draxia, who had been persecuting her, loomed in the clean, uncluttered trajectory.

Is it a skill you’ve learned through experience?

Belle, who had collapsed, was still struggling, unable to come to her senses.

“I will take care of my own life.”

“Well, I guess so. Well, since he said he would follow us, I don’t think he will blame us even if we die.”

“… … !”

Belle stirred as if to retort, but her voice wouldn’t form a sentence.

It was because the impact on the head had not subsided.

‘Well, I guess there’s no risk of death if you say it like this.’

If you reveal your identity, Delight Confessions will take you away.

Of course, it was unknown whether his limbs would be intact.

It was a world where you could easily replace one or two limbs as long as you saved your life.

So even though I was trembling, Belle had no worries even if the worst happened.

On the contrary, it is we who should be worried.

“It looks like you’re the only support force for the mercenary corps.”

“We’ve been really busy lately, so we don’t have enough manpower. The value of our name has definitely increased, but we’re still not hiring people. It’s like someone is trying to stop us from coming.”

“Did you hear that Delight Conqueror’s escort is Madhouse?”

“know.”

The voice suddenly became dry, as if it had swallowed rough sand.

“I asked around through my grandfather’s connections and heard that a yellow press reporter was eaten by a black beast while covering an story.”

“The black beast… …is it the Shadow Empress?”

“Probably so. There probably aren’t any other humans who can handle black beasts.”

It was easy to guess who her opponent was, as his pink lancet was as unique a feature as Hela’s.

Shadow Empress Bianca Melbrick.

Although they never directly clashed, they were rivals when they were asked to retrieve Einsiedel’s blade knuckles.

‘It’s the same information Cromwell gave me, so I’m sure it’s true.’

Since it has been cross-checked, you can put aside any suspicion that it is false information.

And so, a question arose.

“Well, I don’t know why that thief got involved in this matter. Wasn’t he just a philistine who only showed up when he was trying to steal something?”

It was a strange thing.

Madhouse was a united but loosely knit group.

Only a select few acted upon orders, while the rest acted as they pleased.

Bianca was the latter.

He only moved when he wanted to steal something, and he never worked diligently for a company’s request like this.

It was an impossible assumption that Bianca had suddenly changed her ways, as this had never happened even once in the past.

‘No, it just happened once.’

The situation was the same as it is now.

As it turns out, the request was a sham and Bianca ran away with the items.

The guy’s greed was real, given that his opponent was Centrim.

‘If it’s the same as before… … .’

The outline was roughly visible.

‘… … It might be the same thing Bianca stole back then.’

The goal is, of course, Android.

If it were really the same aircraft, it might have been a waste to just use it as a chore slave.

‘I guess I can use it anyway.’

Since I knew the general plot, ideas on how to play it started to spring to mind.

Of course, if I failed the request, it would be a complete failure.

“First of all, infiltration will be difficult.”

Any area her shadow touched was her domain.

It had a unique surveillance ability that made it easier to be detected in remote places.

It has become impossible to accomplish the objective secretly.

Hela gave her opinion cautiously.

“The smaller the number of elites, the more they have to avoid conflict. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to increase the number of people and confront them head-on? Since it’s Sylvester’s request, there’s bound to be an overflow of money.”

“No, there’s no point in fighting the Shadow Legion.”

The monsters that Bianca serves as shadows are specialized for large-scale battles.

If the manpower was just called to fill the number of people, it wouldn’t have been of any help.

“However, it may take some time to select a proven capable person. There is a high probability that the other side will make the move first.”

The number of groups targeting Belle’s androids was too numerous to count on one hand.

If those guys had stopped looking around and fully participated, this would have been a mess.

As originally planned, it was best not to waste time.

“Then what should I do?”

“We have to keep going like this.”

Nothing changed.

“If there is a conflict with Bianca, I will deal with it.”

I had a track record.

I have already fought and won against the mad dog Buggy Vile.

It was easier than that when the opponent was the Shadow Empress.

***

The decision was postponed for three days.

It was to develop a customized strategy for Bianca.

In terms of fighting ability, Buggy Byle is obviously superior.

‘It’s a very subtle difference, though.’

Even if Bianca is weaker than Buggy Byle, it is a relative standard.

Bianca was more picky.

… … Especially when you think about the sinister intentions.

“Hey, wake up.”

After Hela left, I woke up Belle, who was pretending to faint with her presence dead.

Did you think I’d tell you not to take me if you acted so weak?

The guy who got caught doing the trick got up, groaning.

“Why? Asking me about strategy and stuff doesn’t help me at all.”

“I don’t even want that. You’re enough of a guide.”

Even though he was smart, his field was different.

Human resources had to be deployed appropriately.

“You have to do what you have to do.”

“What should I do?”

“You said you’d work without complaint for the rest of your life? You’ll have to work very hard for three days.”

“… … .”

Bell looked at me like I was crazy and said, “Are you even bothering with something this serious?”

But I can assure you that it was not going to be a chore.

‘This is a process of preparing a tailored strategy to snipe the Shadow Empress.’

The newly awakened powers of the World Tree will be the solution to defeating this enemy.

***

Growl!

“Huh!”

The researcher jumped in surprise and fell on his butt at the threat of the black beast shrouded in shadow.

As the beast continued to growl at the fallen man, his fellow researchers quickly blocked its path.

“Calm down.”

“We’re just trying to get one tool out of there. We weren’t trying to touch you.”

Growl!

“Eww!”

Fortunately, the researchers’ persuasion worked and the beast turned around.

Bodily fluids dripped down following the beast’s footsteps.

The researchers shivered as they watched the sticky black sap seep into the shadows.

“Damn, there are people like that.”

“I haven’t been able to move around with peace of mind since those guys came here.”

“I understand the need for an external perimeter, but shouldn’t we protect our own lives first?”

As always, the complaints of office workers ended without any results.

“… … What are we talking about among ourselves? It’s said to be a beast that serves the Shadow Empress of the Madhouse.”

“… … .”

For a mere beast, its master was a huge tycoon.

If I bothered to plant something, I never knew it would disappear without anyone knowing.

“But isn’t that strange? How did they call such a big shot from a company that had completely failed?”

“I found out that the Shadow Empress was born a thief, so she doesn’t guard or anything.”

“So are we leaving the fish in the hands of the cat now?”

“No way. Even so, I received the request… … .”

The researchers could not hide their excitement.

Anxiety about what might happen.

There were more than a few people who harbored such doubts.

And the Shadow Empress ignored their suspicions.

“Oh, so that’s it?”

Grrrrr!

In a room filled with darkness, Bianca stroked the beast’s head.

The beast seemed to be in a good mood and told its master everything it had seen and heard.

[How is the progress?]

Next to Bianca, on the table, a light flashed and a voice rang out.

Bianca answered the man’s question, retrieving the beast from the shadows.

“We estimate that it will take about three days until the test run.”

[Three days? It’s a close call.]

“Hmm, it seems like the great Director Sylvester doesn’t have the ability to sustain this standoff for even three days.”

[… … It’s funny, I have up to a week to spare.]

The voice answered through gnashing teeth.

[And I must have told you over and over again to change your title. I am not just a director of Sylvester, I am the next chairman.]

“Unfortunately, the stories I’ve been hearing lately have been different, Director Berman.”

[My position is not threatened. If I can just succeed in this one, it will be a minor problem.]

“Well, okay. If that’s the case, then that’s the case.”

It had nothing to do with Bianca.

She was only interested in the beans he sowed.

“Do you remember the contents of the contract?”

[… … I remember every single word without missing anything.]

“Once the Android is confirmed to be operational, I’ll take the fuselage and you’ll take the design.”

[okay.]

The researchers’ concerns were spot-on.

From the beginning, Bianca’s goal was to steal, not protect, her belongings.

But there were many obstacles to overcome for this to happen.

Madhouse’s name value was weak compared to many other companies.

Even she was annoyed when Megacorp was chasing her.

It was at this time that the person who contacted me was Berman, a director of Sylvester.

“Be careful not to let anyone say it was my doing. You’ll know later if rumors start spreading, right?”

[You little bastard, don’t even think about stealing stuff and running away.]

Bianca felt lust for the coveted item.

Berman needed results to prove that it wasn’t a failed investment.

Their understanding was aligned, and Bianca and Berman agreed to each share the aircraft and the blueprints.

[Three days later, the people I sent will attack you. Make up any excuse and leave. Then we’ll take care of it.]

After some back and forth about detailed changes to the plan, the call was disconnected.

“Hmm, it’s a blueprint.”

Bianca looked down at the disconnected phone with a meaningful expression on her face.

“I think my young lady would like it if I gave it to her as a gift.”

Madhouse is a group of outlaws.

“Can’t I just cover it up and take care of everything myself?”

It was unbecoming of an outlaw to share the profits for fear of the power of a broken kite.