chapter 31
Episode 31
The horn of the yellow dragon, the heart of the nine-tailed fox.
Both are ingredients necessary to make a potion to cure the Celestia’s addiction symptoms.
Currently, the only one in need of these two ingredients is Celestia.
After all, at this point, drugs like ‘Eden’ were not widely spread in the world.
So, the question here is.
“Hmm.”
What can we do with the remaining ingredients?
“This is a puzzle.”
It takes some time to grind and refine the ingredients to make the remedy. It should take roughly two weeks to prepare.
So, while making the remedy, what should we do with the remaining ingredients during that time?
“Thanks to Oroboros, we have a lot left over.”
After that incident, as a fun experiment, we fed Oroboros some minerals and herbs.
They were duplicated as well.
Our Oroboros replicates what it eats!
After repeating several experiments, we were able to figure out our own formula.
‘The amount of energy needed varies depending on the value of the ingredient.’
Some could be solved simply with mana, while others required high-quality energy like the energy of the fox’s breath.
Minerals rolling around nearby could be easily replicated through mana.
On the other hand, premium minerals like gold could be replicated through mana, but the amount needed was too much.
It was just too much to handle.
“Well, it’s unreasonable in its own way to replicate things as they are……”
Well, just the fact that replication is possible is a big profit.
Especially if we can get our hands on the horn of the yellow dragon or the heart of the nine-tailed fox, it would be profitable even if it costs energy.
“So……”
I quietly looked at the remaining horn and heart, excluding the amount needed to make the remedy.
Both are valuable ingredients that are worth calling out.
And there is a set way to handle such superior ingredients.
Make magical tools, or make potions that increase mana in the body……
‘Before, I made potions as I got the ingredients.’
Before the regression, making magical tools would result in them being smashed the next day, so I preferred sturdy weapons.
Since I could use mythic magic, it was much more efficient to just use mythic magic again.
But now it’s different.
‘Even if I refine them into potions with a huge amount of mana, would that be more efficient than magical tools?’
And the problem is, I can’t be sure of that.
“What should I do……”
As I was contemplating the use of the two ingredients for a while.
– It seemed like another absurd thing had happened.
“Hmm?”
A voice suddenly rang in my head.
And then, a bright light flashed in the air, and a familiar woman descended.
Eve.
She is the representative of Delvear and has been helping me in various ways.
“So, I can only watch.”
She said so and flicked her finger lightly, creating a plausible chair in the air and sat on it.
The process was so natural.
She sat on the chair and looked at me.
“How have you been, Kyle.”
“It’s only been a week.”
“Still, greetings are necessary. It’s called manners.”
Her way of thinking as a representative of a god is really old-fashioned.
I sighed inwardly and asked.
“So, what’s the matter that made you come all the way to the mortal world like this?”
“You already have an idea.”
She said, looking at my wrist.
“The snake that’s parasitizing you. It seems to have grown again.”
“……”
I guess that’s what it was.
“I’ve grown using the tree that gives generously. The kid gave me a replicated potion.”
“Besides that.”
Eve said, tilting her head.
“It has grown. To the point where it can express its intentions.”
“That’s right.”
“Can you trust that?”
“I’m not sure.”
It’s understandable that Eve is wary.
She already half believes that Oroboros is related to Jormungand.
Well, from her perspective, the existence of Oroboros itself might seem like a danger.
“You showed it to me before. You firmly controlled it through mythic magic.”
“That’s true, but……”
“Besides, Oroboros’s potential itself is useful. If you can use it, you should.”
I said so and took Oroboros out for a moment.
Oroboros, without making eye contact with Eve, just fiddled around.
“This guy will be helpful.”
“Can you prove it?”
“No. It’s just a gut feeling.”
Yeah, there’s no evidence to give someone confidence.
But.
“However, before the regression, I survived stubbornly with just that.”
“……”
“Is that enough of an answer?”
To that, Eve remained silent for a moment. She glanced at Oroboros with an unfriendly look, then nodded slightly.
“……Okay.”
“Then it’s settled.”
“I’m sorry for being overly suspicious. I just… I have my reasons.”
“I understand.”
I don’t know exactly about Eve. But it must have been a lot for her to become the representative of Delvear.
It’s a very reasonable act for her to be cautious of Oroboros.
Eve, looking quite tired, raised her hand to her forehead and looked up at the air for a moment.
“I can’t afford to be a god. There are too many things to protect, and there are too many things that are too difficult to handle if I do.”
“You must be tired.”
“…Yeah. But thanks to you, I’m a little more comfortable. You’re keeping Jormungand in check for me.”
“I’m just doing my job.”
After all, that’s why I asked for Ji Soo-won’s help and regressed.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Abel chuckled at his words and stood up.
“Well, I didn’t come all the way here today to ask for accountability. If I have to say… it’s to give you a reward.”
“A reward?”
“The mark of honor seemed insufficient. Compared to what you will have to do in the future.”
She said that and lightly flicked her fingers.
At that moment.
Hmm.
The Abyss Breaker, the magic sword I had equipped, appeared in the air.
“Well, not bad. The finish is good, and the structure of the sword… It’s not bad for this era.”
‘This era?’
I heard a word that caught my attention, but for now, I let it pass.
It’s not important right now.
“What do you plan to do with that?”
“While this is a decently made weapon, it’s not sturdy enough.”
Of course, it’s only in relation to dealing with things related to Jormungand.
Abel said so, then lightly tapped the Abyss Breaker. A strange resonance followed each time she struck the sword.
“So, are you going to give me a new weapon? I happen to like this sword for now.”
“Well, I haven’t thought about it like that, but giving you something material goes against my ‘rule,’ doesn’t it?”
“True.”
If she was going to do that, she would have given me something like a jewel a long time ago.
But she didn’t.
As a representative of Delvear, Abel must have her own rules to follow.
“So, what are you going to do then?”
“The horn of the Yellow Dragon and the heart of the Gumiho that you acquired this time.”
Abel said with a smirk.
“Use those two to improve this magic sword into a new form.”
“…Improve?”
“At first glance, it looks like a prototype. The flaws are quite obvious.”
Abel looked around the Abyss Slayer with an interested gaze.
“It has a structure that is excellent for dealing with Jormungand. It may seem like a flaw, but for you, it might even be an advantage.”
“True.”
“However, even considering that, this prototype is incomplete. So, it’s better to improve it.”
She said that and raised the hand that wasn’t holding the sword.
Then, naturally, the horn of the Yellow Dragon and the heart of the Gumiho, which were stuck in the corner, were sucked in.
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to have a more useful tool?”
“That’s not wrong, but originally, I was planning to use those to make potions.”
“If it’s a potion, well, it will raise your status, right?”
“Yes. Of course, it doesn’t have to be made into a potion.”
It’s not the only way to raise my status with these materials.
“Then leave it to me.”
Abel said confidently to me.
“After all, Delvear has created many wonders when he was in good shape. You can trust me.”
“Hmm.”
Well, why not? What could possibly go wrong?
If it’s Abel, she’ll surely bring back something amazing.
And an hour later.
“….”
I looked silently at the Abyss Slayer (that it used to be) on the table.
It used to be a fascinating tool with a design that precariously balanced between a staff and a sword, but…
“Hey, what’s this?”
The Abyss Slayer (that it is now) on the table right now is not like that.
For one, there are two of them.
The beautiful appearance that once showcased singularity is nowhere to be found. Moreover, it’s not even a magic ‘sword’ anymore, but a ‘glove.’
“This is a glove.”
“….”
“How did this happen? Why did the sword become a glove!”
That’s right.
The Abyss Slayer, which used to be a sword, has now miraculously changed its business to a glove!
Damn it.
“Calm down, Kyle.”
Abel, the cause of the problem, tried to calm me down, sweating cold.
“First of all, let me explain how this happened.”
“Fine.”
“The craftsman’s soul was ignited.”
“Yeah.”
If you’re a representative of Delvear, you are, right? You are!
What am I going to do with my Abyss Slayer?
When I came to my senses, I found myself holding Abel by the collar without realizing it.
“Do you think that’s an excuse! Do you think so!”
“My, my hand slipped…”
“No, this is insane.”
Does she know her crime? Abel, caught by the collar, was shaking weakly.
“But listen, Kyle!”
“Go on.”
“The performance has definitely improved! Moreover, it’s strange for a magician to have a sword, isn’t it!”
“It’s because of your romanticism, damn it!”
Why did I support Alonzo’s thoughts so wholeheartedly!
It’s all because of romanticism!
Not all magicians prefer staves or wands!
But from Abel’s perspective, which values efficiency, my righteous cry didn’t seem to resonate.
“Think pragmatically, Kyle.”
“….”
“Aren’t magicians that kind of people? They are a type that is practical and seeks efficiency.”
“That’s a prejudice.”
There are magicians like Alonzo. There was a sigh at Abel’s discriminatory remarks about her profession.
However.
“Surely, if we look at it rationally, this side seems to be a bit better.”
It’s hard to deny that this new Abyss Slayer created by Abel is attractive.
But.
“So where did the sword go?”
Where is it? Seriously.
As I said that, Abel avoided my gaze for a moment and said cautiously.
“Oh, as I said before…”
She said timidly.
“My hand slipped.”
“….”