Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Western Magic Tower's Request (1)
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I had been thinking it was about time to leave.
I had gathered all the plants available in Ravata, the Dimensional Garden had taken on a decent shape, and El and Ayla had grown considerably through their training.
Since I was already in a port city, my original plan had been to cross the sea to the Ekaitz Confederation and investigate how the Black Opium trade with Niram was conducted.
"Hey."
That was before some arrogant mage came looking for me.
"Are you speaking to me?"
Mages were notorious for their foul tempers, so I responded to him gently.
"Yeah, you."
He scanned me up and down, then clicked his tongue in disappointment. It was as if he pitied them for having such a dull servant.
"I heard the Saint of Purification and Foe of Evil, Theodore, is staying here."
"...That's correct."
"Show me where he is."
The mage jerked his chin at me and waved his hand dismissively, as if it were a bother.
He clearly had no idea who I was.
'Well, only my name has become famous so far.'
I thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
"Yes, of course."
If something troublesome arose, I planned to slip away quietly without revealing my name prematurely.
I wasn't a servant, and for such a haughty mage to come in person, it wouldn't be something trivial—whether good or bad.
I turned away from the direction of the restaurant and started climbing the stairs again.
"May I ask what brings you here?"
I asked casually. The mage glared at me with an expression that said, 'What business is it of yours?' but soon replied with a smug attitude.
"The great Western Magic Tower has need of him."
"The Western Magic Tower?"
"That's right."
The Western Magic Tower was the tower of Ruby School mages located in the western part of the continent.
Why were these battle-hungry, radical mages among mages seeking me out?
It didn't seem like it would be for anything good...
'Could they have discovered that I'm cultivating Black Opium?'
No, that couldn't be.
The only one who knew I'd attempted to cultivate Black Opium was the mad mage Khalid, and he despised other mages.
He wouldn't have gone blabbing about it.
'Then why?'
Fortunately, the mage spoke up before I could ask.
"I heard the Saint of Purification cleansed the Cursed Land in Galopik. Is it true? The rumors are rampant, but I need to see it with my own eyes."
The mage whispered secretly, as if worried someone might overhear.
"That druid... is he really as capable as they say?"
"...Who knows."
I trailed off awkwardly and opened the door at the top of the stairs.
I could see the luggage I'd packed in advance to leave Ravata.
Perhaps expecting me to guide him to a reception room, the mage stuttered in surprise upon seeing the bedroom.
"This is... Hey, you. I asked you to take me to the druid..."
"I've done as you commanded."
"What?"
"I'm that druid."
-Thud.
The mage, who had been strutting with an arrogant expression until now, dropped his bag and gaped at me.
"Y-You're the Saint of Purification and Foe of Evil..."
"Just call me Theodore. That title is too grandiose and lengthy."
"I-I'm sorry! Forgive my rudeness! Please forgive me!"
The mage bowed his head repeatedly, apologizing profusely.
* * *
I'd expected it to be no small matter if they sent a mage from that lofty Magic Tower in person.
The message delivered by Johnson—the mage from the Western Magic Tower—contained something I hadn't anticipated.
"Is this... real?"
"Yes! Absolutely true!"
Johnson, the mage, bowed his head to me with an attitude that was not just polite but bordering on servile.
The contents of the message were more serious than I'd imagined.
In the western border region of Roshan, an undead-infested area similar to the 'Cursed Land' had appeared, and the situation there had worsened.
It was the [Swamp of Death].
Across the continent, there were various dangers lurking beyond the massive threat known as the 'Cursed Land'.
Wars spanning thousands of years, mad mages, cunning cultists, brutal demons...
The causes varied, and so did the locations.
But they all shared one thing in common.
They were horrific places where one had to be prepared for death just to set foot inside.
The Swamp of Death was one such place.
If the Cursed Land was infamous for its brutal blizzards, the Swamp of Death was notorious for its 'plagues'.
Once a beautiful lake, it had become the Swamp of Death after cultists performed a wicked ritual, spewing forth all manner of infectious diseases.
Naturally, the lifeforms inhabiting it had long since mutated into monstrosities.
The only silver lining was that, like the Cursed Land, the temples had steadily conducted purification efforts over the years, preventing its expansion.
It was tantamount to instant death for ordinary people to enter, so the surroundings of the Swamp of Death were under strict control.
Only priests and mages could come and go from the Swamp of Death.
The monstrosities emerging from it couldn't be swept away by brute force, so holy knights weren't much help.
Only priests and mages could exert real power there.
Mages assisted in the purification of the Swamp of Death to procure rare magic stones and various resources from the monstrosities it spawned.
Unlike the beginner fields of the Cursed Land overrun by mercenaries, entry to the Swamp of Death was restricted to a select 'chosen few'...
And yet, these prideful mages were requesting my help.
From me, the [Saint of Purification] and [Foe of Evil].
'I'm grateful, but my level is still precarious...'
The Swamp of Death boasted difficulty on par with mid-level fields of the Cursed Land.
It meant you needed around level 40 to conquer it without much issue.
I already had [Poison Resistance] and [Nature Purification] skills, but they wouldn't be enough.
'Entering the Swamp of Death at my current level would be like running hard mode.'
Of course, levels would rise quickly as a result.
The risk of death would increase accordingly, though.
'But it's too good an offer to refuse.'
Money wasn't the issue.
Successfully completing this commission would grant me a precious connection to the Western Magic Tower.
'If I play it right, I could gain both connections and levels—a two birds with one stone opportunity.'
I stared at Johnson. He still looked tense. He was even breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Johnson, you're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
"N-No, what would I have to hide...?"
Johnson was lying right now.
If it were just about obtaining magic stones and resources, the Magic Tower could manage the monstrosities adequately on their own. They weren't a temple—why go to the trouble of purifying the Swamp of Death now, of all times?
'They must have discovered something crucial enough that they need to purify the Swamp of Death.'
"I want a clean deal. No matter who the other party is, my conditions won't change."
Johnson looked at me with a flushed face, as if he'd bitten his tongue.
That was understandable.
The reward offered by the Magic Tower was exceedingly generous.
It must have seemed outrageous for a mere druid to demand more.
But right now, I held all the cards.
And thoroughly so.
"...This matter must not leak anywhere."
"Of course."
"If you break the promise, the Western Magic Tower won't stay silent."
"Don't worry—just tell me."
As I responded firmly, Johnson began speaking in a very hushed voice.
"You're aware that cultists worshiping demons performed a most wicked ritual in the Swamp of Death, yes?"
I nodded. Johnson paused for a moment before continuing.
"An ordinary ritual couldn't create something like the Swamp of Death. They used a tremendously powerful sacrifice as the medium to summon those horrific plagues and cruel deaths."
"..."
"It was the bones of a Black Dragon."
"A Black Dragon?"
"Yes. Recently, the Magic Tower discovered fragments of Black Dragon bone among the byproducts flowing out from the swamp."
Ah, so that was it.
Black Dragon bones were an incredibly rare resource. So rare they couldn't even be graded.
No wonder the Western Magic Tower was fired up about it.
"You're not surprised."
"Well, I don't think it's that shocking. That's the level of sacrifice needed to complete the 'Swamp of Death.'"
"..."
Johnson looked displeased but pressed on.
"We believe the bones of the Black Dragon used in the cultists' ritual are in the heart of the Swamp of Death. If we're lucky, perhaps intact."
"I see."
"But according to the temples, fully purifying the Swamp of Death would take about 200 years."
"...You don't want to wait that long, right?"
"Well, something like that."
Having discovered such a rare resource as Black Dragon bones, it was no wonder their eyes were gleaming.
'I feel a bit greedy myself.'
It really was too good an opportunity to pass up.
Dangerous, yes—but the rare resources and the Magic Tower's rewards...
Plus, I wouldn't be going alone; I'd be partying with powerful mages.
'If I don't head straight to the center and level up on the outskirts for a while before pushing in, it should be manageable.'
I pondered for a moment.
Worried I might refuse, Johnson anxiously bit his nails and hurriedly added,
"As you know, we're not trying to purify the entire Swamp of Death."
"That would be insane. Even the temples say it would take 200 years."
"Exactly. What we're requesting is..."
"You want to rush straight to the heart of the Swamp of Death at top speed."
"..."
Johnson nodded vigorously.
'It is insane, but not impossible. If certain conditions are met.'
Level up on the outskirts first, then form a party with competent mages and head to the center. And...
After running several simulations in my head, I stood up and looked at Johnson.
"Very well."
"R-Really? Then we'll prepare the teleport right away...!"
I smiled at Johnson, who was fumbling around hurriedly as if readying a teleport spell.
"But I have conditions."
Johnson began biting his nails again with a tense expression.