Volume 4 Chapter 2 (1/2)
The result of my and Rorono's trip to the [Mine] was that we found out that the Mithril deposits there had increased and also that orihalcum could now be mined.
In exchange for those though, the amount of silver had declined but that was probably inconsequential.
Upon our return, Rorono said she was going to shut herself in her workshop and begin on making new weapon designs.
According to her, because our stock of orihalcum before was limited, she had to compromise the performance of the weapons she had made for Kuina and Aura. It seemed she also had to consider about the spare parts for when the weapons break down.
None of that mattered now though; the only consideration she had to keep in mind now was their performance.
Anyway, I had other work to take care of today. For the next one, I was walking out of our residence together with Aura the Ancient Elf.
”Well then, master, shall we go?”
”Yeah, Aura.”
The day after tomorrow, the soldiers from the next city was going to be dispatched. That being said, that didn't mean the operation of the city had to stop.
On the surface, we were business as usual. Beneath the surface though, we were advancing our various preparations.
And so, we were on the way to see the new fruit Aura had grown.
That fruit was similar to the apples in the way that it didn't exist in this world.
”Fufu, master's sleeping face was so cute.”
”Well, I can't see myself while sleeping so I really wouldn't know.”
The night before last night was Aura's turn to sleep beside me. Just like how she was the only who didn't who cling to me while sleeping, she was also the only one among them to wake up before me, taking then the opportunity to look at my face.
Sleeping beside her sure was enjoyable but unlike the others, I could feel some kind of distance.
”This has been in my mind for a while now but you're the only one that doesn't refer to me as father; is there some kind of reason?”
Kuina always did so while Rorono calls me father only on special occasions like when she's excited about something. However, Aura only ever called me master.
”Do you want me to?”
”No, not really.”
Aura then placed a finger to her lips and smiled. It was strangely so charming.
”I also like master but my like is different from the others. Anything beyond this is secret.”
She said so as though that was the end of that conversation and then hurried onto our destination. Just like with Rorono, Aura and I held hands as we walked but the way we did so was a little bit different: with the palm of our hands facing outward.
”Alright, I won't ask any further. Let's go then.”
◇
Like that, we arrived at the orchards. The High Elves were busily moving about and tending to the apple trees.
There were many human farmers too though they tended to their own crops and not the apple trees.
The apples were Avalon's precious specialty product. Since the apple trees were showered daily by the [Water of Life] made by Aura the Ancient Elf and were also raised by the blessings of the High Elves, the fruits could stay fresh for several months. Additionally, the apples could also satisfy one's hunger, thus making them popular among adventurers headed to dungeons. Other effects included its ability to relieve fatigue, strengthen one's recuperative abilities, and help in the treatment of curses.
The regular apples' effects weren't as overwhelming as those from the First Tree but they were still on par with low-grade magic potions. Rumors of the apples and their effects had spread like wildfire and they became popular items. So popular in fact that they vanished from stores the moment that they appeared.
And so, many customers from other cities came to Avalon to buy apples. They stayed the night at our inns and thus became a lifeline for Avalon.
”As usual, it's a splendid sight. They're so full of life.”
”Naturally. They are after all grown with love by me, an Ancient Elf, and several High Elves.”
Ancient Elf aside, High Elves by themselves were superior beings. There probably wasn't any orchard as plentiful as ours.
”Seeing all these splendid apple trees like this made me want to see the First Tree again after a while.”
”Okay, let's now go see the new fruit ahead, then. I'm sure that child will be glad to see master too.”
”Really?”
”Really.”
Aura informed me so and we moved to the inner part of the orchard.
Upon doing so, I noticed that the trees surround us became twice as large.
The surrounding atmosphere changed and I felt a cool but powerful aura.
And then, I saw a lot of fruits that looked like they shined, only to realize that they literally, really did shine a golden glow.
”Aura, what's going on? I'm sure pretty sure fruits didn't glow like that.”
”I believe it's an effect of me becoming a [Monster of the Covenant]. I have been giving the First Tree the special [Water of Life]—which I made by pouring half of my entire magic power—almost daily. So to cope with all that power, it made changed itself and became a very splendid tree. However, when I became a [Monster of the Covenant], the effects of my [Personification of the Planet] became stronger too, so the fruits this little one bears is now comparable to the fruits of the heavens.”
Aura explained so and then stuck out her tongue playfully.
I on the meantime was at a loss for words.
Just by looking at it, I could feel the terrifying power emanating from within.
To begin with, just the fact that it received half of an S rank Ancient Elf's entire magic power was ridiculous. But for it to receive an even more potent nourishment, well, that was beyond comprehension.
”May I eat one?”
”Yes, please do.”
I drew near the First Tree. Upon doing so, a large, white silhouette appeared from the tree and bared its fangs.
”Ah! Kohaku-san, wait!”
Aura shouted so and Byakko halted his advanced with a twitch.
”Now that I look closely, It's you, [Creation] Demon Lord. I thought you were another apple thief. Sorry.”
Upon saying so, Byakko lied down and yawned. He then took out a golden apple from his magnificent fur and munched on it. It was an immensely surreal scene.
”What the heck's going on?”
I asked Aura.
”Instead of a watchdog guarding the apple trees, we have a watchtiger! You have entrusted me with Kohaku-san's recovery, right? So after I had purified the miasma's curse, I brought him here. Kohaku-san's wounds and curse have been cured but Wight-san's miasma attack has seeped deep into his body and has considerably contaminated his soul. So I've determined that prolonged treatment through exposure to the life energies that became holy around the First tree and through the consumption of the apples was necessary.”
”Just one blow injured even a monster as strong as Byakko that much?”
I began to fully realize just how strong the black dragon of death Siegwurm was.
”Yes. Honestly, if it weren't for the First Tree's apples, there was nothing that could have been done to help Kohaku-san. Even I couldn't purify him completely. So the only option for now is for him to slowly recover.”
I gulped down. The new golden apple was already proving to be extremely reliable.
That was great and all but…
”What do you mean watchtiger?”
”Exactly that. Look, it's written on that sign over there. It says whoever is found stealing an apple will be eaten alive by a tiger. Originally, many humans had come to steal the apples, right? After the apples started glowing like gold, even more came. Plus, first-class adventurers who cooperated with everybody and fought to the death also appeared. I and the High Elves could handle them individually but the golems on the other hand were too slow so apples were stolen from them. But then, after Byakko came, we were all able to relax!”
”Wha-”
I was momentarily stunned.
Certainly, the apples by themselves were worth risking one's life, what more were the stronger gold apples.
However…
”You shouldn't have made Byakko the sentinel. He still belongs to the strongest class of monsters. Moreover, he's our great senior.”