Volume 3 Chapter 15

Volume 3 Chapter 15: Carrier up on the tree

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

「Are you okay, Sidonius?」

I asked Sidonius who was walking while slightly shaking his head.

Since he got out of the bag he kept doing this for some time.

「It wasn’t that uncomfortable inside the bag, but maybe since it’s my first time getting all the way up here in one go, I feel a bit lightheaded. Are you unaffected by this, Axel-dono?」

「No, I don’t feel any particular discomfort.」

Such height won’t affect me that much.

When I was a dragon knight, I fought at greater heights.

I probably got used to this.

「Good gracious, seeing you being fine and sharp while I can’t even walk upright really makes one doubt if you really are a carrier.」

「Haha, well, since I’m using this bag, I don’t think there is actually any room for doubt.」

「Indeed. As regrettable as it may be…」

And while having such a chat we were walking through the square, towards the laboratory on the other side of it.

And part of the way thereー

「Another failure……」

「It is…」

「Hmmm…」

Moka and two other people in white robes were frowning.

Are they the Magic Science Guild’s personnel?

For some reason, they were standing in front of a silver apple-like object lying on top of a metal box.

「What’s wrong, Moka-san? Groaning at such a place.」

When I called them, wondering what is going on, Moka first turned our way and while a little surprised replied.

「Axel-san. And captain. So you came.」

Following those words, the two other guild members bowed in greeting.

「Yeah, we arrived just a moment ago. Since you said we should have a meeting.」

「Ah, indeed. Ehm…… Wait for a bit. I’ll be done with instructions in a moment.」

Then Moka immediately returned to her conversation with the researchers.

「Even so, Doctor Moka. With this, it’s an established fact. If the fruit is not in perfect condition it’s effectiveness will deteriorate, yielding inferior results. Therefore. It seems there is nothing more that we can do at the current stage.」

「Right. The substance is so delicate that even you, who came from the outside, have heard of that. Well, in that case just proceed as we originally planned.」

One of the staff members nodded to Moka’s words.

「Roger, Chief Moka. Then, Bane. After this, we have to join with the logistics team and assist them. You are quite capable, so acting with some degree of independence will suit you better.」

「Yes. The first time going to the ground in a long while.」

「Right, it’s not even a month since you came to us, but it’s indeed a long while…… Well, I hardly showed you around before, so this time I’ll introduce you along the way.」

「Oh, thank you very much.」

After that exchange the two researchers went towards the rope ladder on the passageway.

Seeing that Sidonius made a delighted smile.

「Seems like the number of people capable of going down has increased.」

「Yes. You are right. Thanks to Axel-san’s aid, the time when the rope ladder can be used has increased.」

「Hm? Before that people weren’t going to the ground that much?」

「Yes. Most of the time it was used for goods transportation. But now, descending to the ground became a little bit easier.」

Not only their activity grew in energy, but it seems that delivery affected some other areas as well.

Well, I’m glad that I was of help.

And while I thought that, Sidonius glanced downward.

「However, your conversation just now, it seems to be another failure, chief. And judging by that fruit there.」

「Indeed.」

They exchanged such lines.

It seems to be the same topic she just had with the staff.

「I wanted to ask but. This thing that you keep looking at, what is this?」

Spherical apple-like object, but it has a silver color.

Half of that sphere also keeps slowly crumbling away. It’s hard to tell what is that thing actually is.

As such I decided to ask, Moka-san took the sphere in hand and after showing it to meー

「Ah, this? It’s a fruit that appears only at the top part of the God Tree. Over there, you can see several of them still hanging.」

She explained.

Then, she looked at the tree branch near the laboratory. And as she said, several silver fruits were growing there.

「Oh, so this tree can produce such fruit.」

「Yeah. Moreover, they actually grow absorbing the essence of the God Tree. We already established in our previous research that they could work against poisons, and they actually were quite effective……」

Saying just that, she looked hesitant to continue.

Isn’t that good that they can be used to neutralize poisons? Am I missing something?

「However…… There was some kind of a problem?」

Wondering so I asked, to which Moka replied with a nod.

「It takes delicate handling to use it in antidote production. Soft and easy to damage, and even a slight scratch will lead to its decay. 」

「Ah. I see, so that’s what that talk about the complete thing was about?」

「Yes. I obtained a few of these damaged fruit, and the extraction proved that as ingredients they were pretty much ruined. If we manage to get an undamaged one, I think we will be able to advance with antidote research……」

「Fumu. Is it that hard to collect this fruit? Does it turn like this from a mere touch of a human hand or something like that?」

「Ah, no. Nothing like that. Plucking it from the branch wouldn’t damage it. I once went to collect them myself, and the harvest itself was quite easy.」

Sidonius said. So he also tried his hand at fruit collectionー

「Eh? But, then, how does it get like this?」

I don’t get the reason. And while I kept wonderingー

「ーAxel-san. Take a look over there.」

Moka said, pointing at the branch next to the one where the fruit grew.

「Can you see insect-type monster there?」

A beetle-like creature with a horn could be seen there.

A few dozen centimeters in size, it looked familiar.

「Are those… Penetration Beetles?」

「Oh, so you’ve heard of them, Axel-san.」

「Well, just a bit. But it’s my first time seeing them inhabiting such a height.」

I’ve seen them only in dense forests.

「Normally, they aren’t supposed to be there. But holes appeared when the God Tree started to wither. Normally, it would heal with its restorative ability, but since it’s currently weakened, some insect-type monsters were able to make nests in it. And one of them is this.」

I see. So the decay of the God Tree wasn’t limited to the passageway but also spread to the upper floors.

「And on top of that, those penetration beetles are kind of strange. Normally they would just sit there, but if someone tries to take the fruit, they attack.」

「How did it even turn to such behavior?」

「Who knows, it’s an abnormal situation, so maybe it affected monsters as well. Even so, since we need it for an antidote we have to pluck some of the fruits…… But any fruit we get our hands on become riddled with holes……」

With a sigh, Moka looks at her feet.

「Even so, we tried to put fruit into a sturdy box to carry them away, but……」

That small metal box on the floor.

A rope was attached to one of its sides, making it possible to carry it back.

Opening it, Moka showed the contents.

Inside was a cushion, the form also allowed fruits each to fall in their own place.

So they tried to carry them in this. And yetー

「Well, after the attack this is what we got.」

The box had noticeable dents here and there, and in some places it even had holes opened.

Big horn of penetration beetle has the toughness on par with metals.

It’s flying speed is also remarkable, so such a result from a direct hit wasn’t surprising.

「That’s a fine assault they made.」

「Yes. They charge hard enough to open holes even in a metal box. This one was made especially sturdy, so they weren’t able to break all the way inside…… But, the shock from impact is another matter. The fruit should be able to endure one or two hits, but with numerous hits, god tree’s fruit became all mushed.」

And pointing to the result, Moka put a hand on the metal box.

A vexed face.

「Hm, if a metal box is no good, then how about putting them into a bag that has magic protection?」

「We tried. They start deteriorating by merely being put into an enchanted box……」

「Really? They really are delicate.」

To think even transportation-type containers are no good.

「Hmm. If only they were as stable as potions or medicine there wouldn’t be a problem no matter where we put them……」

With another sigh, she looked at Sidonius.

「Earlier, Sidonius-san tried to have a go at it as well and it was quite tough.」

「Yes. I also used this box. …Though small, those monsters possess a powerful charge attack, with them surrounding one on all sides, safely carrying those tender and demanding of care fruits is next to impossible……」

「Well. Even so, the fruits that Sidonius-san brought were in the best condition we managed to get. That was enough to allow plenty of progress in our research. ……But as a result, we also concluded that for the antidote we would need one in perfect condition, and as such resumed our attempts to pluck more.」

And saddened by the result, Moka cast down her eyes.

Looks like even collecting ingredients gives them a lot of hardship.

「Ehm, Axel-dono? Can I make an extra request to you?」

Sidonius asked.

「Extra request?」

「Yes. It’s about our current issue.」

Hearing Sidonius’ words, Moka squinted her eyes.

「Sidonius-san, don’t say that you want Axel-san to attempt this? Those bugs are quite dangerous, you know? They are aiming only for the fruit, but with enough momentum, they can easily injure humans as well……」

Sidonius showed his agreement with Moka’s words.

「Indeed, there is a risk. However, Axel-dono has his mobility…… And above all, according to what I’ve heard from my children, he is stronger than them. 」

「Eeh, stronger than your children?!」

For some reason, Moka gave me a very surprised look.

「Stronger than those children that went through such hardcore training…… No, but, since he could climb all this way here it sounds quite reasonable. ……But, in that case. If he has such mobility and combat ability, then he might be able to pull it off…」

「Right? To be honest, I think he has better chances than us. ……What would you say, Axel-dono?」

「Hm? Eh, well, if you put a request, I will do what I can. After all, it’s my first time dealing with those, I can’t tell how well it will go. And I also can’t use the transportation bag, right?」

「You are…… Right. You will have to use the same metal box.」

I happen to have pretty much no experience with transportation of luggage outside of the transportation bag while also protecting it along the way.

I finished quite a number of requests until now, and yet here is another one that I’m hardly familiar with. In terms of earning experience, it’s a fine chance, so if I can, I’d like to try though.

Everything is an experience.

「It will be sort of a challenge for me, if that’s fine with you then I’d like to try.」

Hearing my response, Sidonius and Moka first exchanged glances and then nod.

「Please do, Axel-san.」

「Yes. To be honest, I estimate you to have higher chances of success than we would’ve gotten by ourselves. Of course, I will also provide my assistance as a guard. I should be able to provide you some degree of protection.」

「Oh, thank you, Sidonius.」

And thus, before the two would have their meeting, we were to do a bit of work.

The start of the request for transportation of fruit of the God Tree.