Chapter 37 Power, Huh...
"Kukukuku...!!"
At home.
In my renovated atelier, I couldn't help but burst out laughing from the excitement building up inside me.
The reason was the single object placed on my worktable.
I never could have imagined it, but by obtaining "this," I would be able to gain the highest honor in the world without a single lie ―― and it was right before my eyes.
If I were to use "this" like this, there's no doubt my name would resound throughout the world.
My reputation would know no bounds, and I would receive an unimaginable amount of money. And that's not all ―― by gaining fame and wealth, I would be able to build connections with powerful people from all over the world, giving me the real power of authority...
And in this case, authority would be equivalent to overwhelming power. In reality, having power would be no exaggeration.
"Power, huh..."
I never thought I wanted power until now.
No, I might have even looked at those who were fascinated by power with a cold gaze, thinking they were foolish.
But now that I've seen power right in front of me, I realize it's hard to resist its irresistible charm...
――Supremacy.
Only those who stand at the top, unmatched by others, can obtain it.
It's a highly limited thing, but I'm in a position to grasp it in one field.
"...The core of the Wind Elemental Treant...I never thought I'd get my hands on something like this...!!"
That's right.
This is the material that could give me absolute power ―― the pale green, semi-transparent crystal body sitting on my worktable.
No need to hide it ―― this is the "Wind Elemental Treant's Core."
Its existence was confirmed over 600 years ago in the [God's Remains Labyrinth], and it was thought to be extinct in modern times.
[God's Remains Labyrinth] has a property where it undergoes a complete transformation every 100 to 200 years through the ≪Great Transition≫, changing its internal structure and the monsters that appear within. Even the teleportation circles set up until then will disappear due to the ≪Great Transition≫.
In other words, all the progress made so far will be completely reset.
There's also a property where the variations that occur after the transition are influenced by the previous labyrinth's exploration status, but that's a long story, so let's skip it.
Anyway, due to this troublesome property, [God's Remains Labyrinth] has continued to reject humanity's complete conquest since ancient times. If only the ≪Great Transition≫ didn't exist, we could've set up teleportation circles steadily, accumulated information, and found an efficient way to conquer it. Complete conquest wouldn't have been just a dream.
――But, well, that's not the issue.
The problem is that the monsters that appear due to the ≪Great Transition≫ change.
The monsters that existed in the labyrinth before disappear with the ≪Great Transition≫. That means we can't obtain their materials anymore.
This has an enormous impact on the industry.
In the long history of [God's Remains Labyrinth], the following types of ≪Attribute Treants≫ have been confirmed:
≪Fire Elemental Treant≫, ≪Water Elemental Treant≫, ≪Wind Elemental Treant≫, ≪Earth Elemental Treant≫, ≪Ice Elemental Treant≫, ≪Thunder Elemental Treant≫, ≪Gravity Elemental Treant≫, ≪Light Elemental Treant≫, ≪Dark Elemental Treant≫, and ≪Holy Elemental Treant≫.
By the way, the magic attributes don't match. Let me briefly explain what magic attributes are:
The basic 4 attributes are "Fire", "Water", "Wind", and "Earth", and their upper-tier attributes, such as "Flame", "Ocean", "Storm", and "Terra".
Next are the "Light Attribute" and "Dark Attribute", followed by the higher-tier attributes "Flash Attribute" and "Darkness Attribute".
Finally, there are the 5 special attributes: "Ice and Snow Attribute", "Thunder Attribute", "Gravity Attribute", "Holy Attribute", and "Space Attribute". That's all of them.
By the way, magic like Necromancy falls under the "Holy Attribute" category, while jobs like Craftsmen have "Bestowal Magic", and combat jobs have no magic. There are various types of magic that exist.
Also, there are composite magics that combine multiple attributes, like the "Sand Dust Magic" used by the 20th floor's guardian, Manticore. There's no such attribute as "Sand Dust Attribute", but rather, it's a fusion magic, and there are several types of it besides "Sand Dust Magic".
――Let's take a break from this chatter.
...If I've explained this much, you should understand by now?
In modern times, it's thought that the ≪Wind Elemental Treant≫, which can create wooden swords, no longer exists. However, that's not the case.
I obtained the 'core wood of the Wind Elemental Treant' on the 46th floor of [God's Remains Labyrinth].
The ≪Wind Elemental Treant≫ that grew on the floating island was moving freely in the air, creating its own wind. I discovered it while exploring and defeated it to obtain this material.
In the long history of Necronia, there are only a few records of exploration below the 46th floor.
Perhaps there are other ≪Attribute Treants≫ like the ≪Wind Elemental Treant≫ on the 46th floor or below? The special characteristics of the 46th floor and beyond, and the glimpse I caught of the 47th floor's scenery, make me think that the possibility is not low at all.
And I, who will create new wooden swords using the materials from these ≪Attribute Treants≫, will become an unparalleled pioneer in the wooden sword industry, a master craftsman without equal.
Without a doubt, I will leave my name in history...
"......!!"
I imagined the scene at that time and shuddered with excitement.
My excitement won't calm down.
I want to explore the "Sky Floor" beyond the 46th floor as soon as possible, and gather the materials from the ≪Attribute Treants≫....
"Fuuh... calm down, me."
But today, I have a visitor coming over later.
It's not an urgent matter that can't be postponed, but the person is someone I work with. As a socially aware adult, I can't just cancel on them unilaterally.
I'm feeling anxious, but I have no choice but to endure it. Since I'm not going to run away like ≪Attribute Treant≫, there shouldn't be a problem.
I'm trying to convince myself of that.
――KNOCK, KNOCK!!
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed throughout my atelier.
The source of the noise is probably the entrance. It sounds like the door was knocked on with excessive force, rather than a gentle knock.
"Who is it...?"
If it were my scheduled visitor, they wouldn't knock like that. They're someone who, like me, values etiquette and social norms. In other words, it's someone else.
I thought it might be Lion, but... the next moment, I heard a woman's voice.
"――I know you're in there! Open up!!"
"......A debt collector...?"
――KNOCK, KNOCK!!
As the loud noise continued to echo from my entrance door, I couldn't help but think that way, but I don't have any debts to worry about now.
The only time I was chased by debt collectors was when I first became an explorer and borrowed money from a shady character to gear up.
In other words, this isn't a debt collector?
Then maybe it's a scammer or an extortionist. If it were a scammer, they would try to gain my trust with a gentle approach at first.
"Open up right now!! I know you're in there!! If you don't, I'll kick the door down!! You're fine with that, right?"
"......"
This is getting too noisy, even for early morning. It's going to disturb the neighbors.
It would be quicker to confront her directly, but that would just play into her hands. I've decided to stay quiet and pretend I'm not home.
"Cut it out!! You're not fooling anyone with that 'I'm not home' act!! I know you're in there, and if you don't come out, I won't forgive you!!"
What a pain. Is this a stalker or something...?
I was trying to ignore her, making a sour face, thinking "Can't you just leave already?" But the unwanted guest showed no signs of leaving.
Before I knew it, the scheduled visitor had arrived.
I could hear 2 people's conversation coming from the other side of the entrance.
"Hey? Miss, do you have some business at this house?"
"――Who... are you?"
When dealing with an unfamiliar person (especially someone older), I tend to become overly polite and cautious. I didn't need to explicitly state it, but the one who was loudly talking at my entrance was Fiona Ackerman.
And the other person, the scheduled visitor, was a gentleman who exuded a calm atmosphere from his voice.
I couldn't possibly continue to ignore him.
I let out a sigh and reluctantly went to the entrance, opening the door.
"Good morning, Mr. Tyler."
"Good morning, Master Aaron. I'll be in your care today."
The one standing there was a middle-aged man with a gentle smile. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, holding a cane in one hand, and wore a monocle over one eye, giving off an air of refinement, as if he were a butler from a noble family. But he wasn't actually in that profession.
On the other hand, Fiona, with her bright red ponytail, was keeping a subtle distance from Mr. Tyler, like a stray cat. She turned to face me with a strong momentum, her face approaching mine with a sudden intensity.
"You're there, after all!! Why are you ignoring me!!"
"......"
I remained silent, wiping my face. I didn't want to get splashed with her saliva.
"...What's your business? And don't make so much noise in the morning. You're disturbing the neighbors."
As I said that, I was confident that her business was the usual nonsense. She would suddenly become violent, like a thug, and attack me, claiming it was "training." It was a regular occurrence.
"I'm telling you, I'm busy today, so I don't have time to deal with you."
"It's different today."
But Fiona's response was unexpected.
"What is it, then? What's your business?"
"...I can't say it here."
When I asked again, Fiona glanced at Mr. Tyler before answering.
Hmm, so it's something you don't want others to hear, huh?
"Are you in a hurry?"
"Not particularly, but..."
You're not in a hurry, yet you bang on my door like that? ...Is this guy sane? I thought, suppressing my wariness deep down in my throat, and said.
"As you can see, I have something to attend to. If it's not urgent, can you come back later?"
"Then, I'll wait inside."
Fiona replied naturally, without a hint of hesitation. It's quite refreshing, actually.
"No need to be formal... Mr. Tyler, please come in."
"I'll be in your way."
I invited Mr. Tyler and Fiona into my house.
* * *
The 3 of us headed to the atelier, not the living room.
Fiona, who had followed me without hesitation, looked puzzled, wondering why she was brought here.
On the other hand, Mr. Tyler seemed to be questioning the nature of my relationship with Fiona.
This wasn't the first time I'd brought Mr. Tyler to the atelier, and there were guest chairs prepared inside. I offered them to Mr. Tyler and Fiona, and after they sat down, Mr. Tyler spoke up.
"――By the way, Master..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Is this beautiful young lady your girlfriend?"
Young lady, huh?
I chuckled and replied,
"No, not at all――"
But Fiona cut me off, shouting loudly, "I'm not his girlfriend!!"
It was clear she didn't want to be misunderstood.
Mr. Tyler, with his years of experience, didn't flinch at Fiona's outburst and apologized calmly, "I see. I apologize for the mistake."
Then, he turned to me and asked again,
"So?"
I hesitated, wondering if I should answer honestly that we're in a one-sided, life-or-death relationship, but I decided not to trouble Mr. Tyler unnecessarily. I'd give a safe answer instead.
"Well, she's like a disciple of mine."
"What? Don't joke, I'm not a disciple――."
"OOOOOOOOOO! WHAT?! YOU'RE A DISCIPLE?! YOU'RE ACTUALLY A DISCIPLE?!"
"Phew!"
Fiona's negating voice was drowned out by Mr. Tyler's loud shout, as if he was trying to overpower her. On top of that, he was standing up from his chair, looking excited.
It seemed like people around us were shocked, and a weird voice was leaking out of Fiona's mouth, but let's just pretend I didn't hear it.
But why was Tyler so excited? The reason became clear in the next moment.
"This means we've found a young wood sword craftsman who can inherit the next generation! We've finally found a worthy successor who can inherit Master Aaron's techniques! All those wood sword craftsmen who gave up, saying it was impossible to recreate the master's secret technique, [Hand of Meister]...!"
Arnold Tyler, 54 years old.
He was an employee of "Necronia Times," the largest publishing company in the City of the God's Remains.
As its name suggests, "Necronia Times" started as a newspaper publisher, but it has since expanded its business scope and uses its own printing machines to publish various magazines and books.
Among them is the magazine "Wood Sword Way" that I've been featured in numerous times, and Tyler is the editor-in-chief of the "Wood Sword Way" editorial department, which makes him a prominent figure.
That means he's one of the most influential people in this industry. In the field of wood sword publicity, there's no one more influential than him.
As someone with that much influence, he's extremely sensitive to the future of the industry. Among many craftsmen, I'm one of the most exceptional, holding the title of "Wood Sword Meister." He was worried about the succession problem more than I was.
So, when he found out that I finally had a disciple, he was overjoyed.
"This is wonderful!! This is truly wonderful!! Master Aaron's techniques are a priceless treasure, a national treasure that should be praised! If it were to be lost in his generation, it would be an irreparable loss for all humanity...but finally, we've found a successor!!"
"No...well..."
...He's beaming with joy.
Fiona was taken aback by Mr. Tyler's words, and for a moment, she forgot to respond with a denial. She stood there, stunned, listening to Mr. Tyler's story. Then, as if she had come back to her senses, she jumped up and shouted loudly.
"――I'm not a woodworker!!!"
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