The cave that I came to with Theo to get the material for the lenses is so dark that I can’t see the end of it, but it’s not that deep.
Still, just to be sure, I lit the lamp with the flintstone I had brought with me.
“Is it not a magic tool?”
Since I always take out various magic tools and use them, Theo seemed to find it strange that it was just a lamp.
“If the air is thin, the fire will disappear or become smaller, so it’s easier to tell whether it’s safe or not. My robe has an anti-poison effect, but it can’t be used to protect against poisons that are found in normal air. I can’t react to what I can’t see.”
“Oh”
Magic tools are useful, but they are not omnipotent.
Both magic circles and magic have laws, and there are things they can and cannot do. Things that are not originally poisonous will not react as poisonous.
“There’s a small chance that there’s such a danger in this cave, but it’s not absolute none, so I guess it’s just in case. It would be a problem if something were to happen.”
This is a place where there are monsters, so just in case.
Immediately after we entered, something that looked like a translucent white stone was sticking out.
“It’s like a limestone cave.”
“It does look similar, but when you look at the ceiling, I think it’s different than you thought.”
When I held my lamp up to the top, I could see the roots of the tree stretching out like a coiled snake. If it’s a limestone cave, there should be stalactites on the ceiling as well.
“Wow. It kind of feels like a snake.”
If you look closely, you’ll realize it’s not a snake because it’s not moving, but it’s a dark place, so you’d be really surprised if you didn’t know.
“Right? I think the reason why the roots are so well developed is because of the maga, but I’ve never compared them to actual roots, so I don’t know for sure. However, if these roots are gone, this cave will collapse. And the reason why this crystal is so rare is that two conditions must be combined: the maga has been left untreated for decades, and there is a cavity under the tree.”
This mountain is not the only mountain that has been left untreated, but I think it would be difficult to find a place with the same conditions.
“Then, let’s collect them right away. Gloves are a must, and my father told me that you can cut them with a knife and break them. Now that you have the opportunity, try it. I’ll try it too.”
“Wow. Is it softer than I expected?”
When I placed the lamp on the ground and touched it gently, it felt like it had a springy feel to it, although I couldn’t really tell since I hadn’t touched it directly with my bare hands.
“That’s true. But if you cut it out, it will harden…Wait a minute. Can I check its attributes once?”
“Huh? Oh. Please.”
My father thinks that these crystals were created when the magic power of the tree dissolves in water and drips down, and I thought so too. But is this really the crystallization of magical power? And if this is magical power, under what conditions will it crystallize?
I took out the attribute testing device and magic circle I used earlier.
“Theo, place the stone you just picked on top of the magic circle.”
“Yes”
As soon as a stone is placed, the device starts up normally, and the stone stuck in the device shines brightly. Then, as it continued to turn on and off, on and off, all the colors finally disappeared.
It has no attributes. In other words, this crystal is not magical power, but a mana crystal. My father must have gotten it wrong, too, since it was made of something that had fallen from a tree. If I hadn’t known that trees continue to absorb mana and spit it out, I would have assumed that what spilled from the trees was magical energy and wouldn’t have investigated it.
“In other words, in addition to absorbing mana and spitting it out, trees also release mana from their roots along with water, which crystallizes… Huh? That’s terrible. What a great discovery. Huh? What kind of tree is this?”
I was so excited as I looked up at the roots of the tree above me.
When you look through these crystals, the world looks vaguely red, so those glasses must have been modified to allow you to see magic and mana more efficiently.
“Amelia, this place isn’t going to disappear, so let’s go home once we’ve collected some.”
As I grumbled and started thinking about things, Theo tapped me on the shoulder.
“Sorry. Right.”
I didn’t have to think about it forever in the mountains.
In addition–.
“By the way, my father told me to go down the mountain as quickly as possible after I got it. He also told me to put the crystal in this leather bag.”
“……What do you mean?”
Even if the purpose was to prevent the deterioration of the materials, why rush to descend the mountain? Given the location, it didn’t take that long to descend the mountain.
I heard a disgusting rustling sound behind me, sending a chill down my spine.
The next moment, Theo placed the crystal on my hand, and as soon as I put the device into my bag, he grabbed me and started running. I put the crystals into the leather bag, my eyes widening from the tremendous shaking.
“Listen. Never look behind you.”
“Don’t look at it. But it’s a monster, right?”
“It’s a monster, but the moment Amelia sees it, she’ll collapse.”
What’s that? Scary.
It’s too scary to hear rustling sounds in a cave. It’s probably an insect type monster though.
Then there’s only one thing I’ll do.
“Salamander, spirit of fire. Give me a shield to protect me. Behind me is the power of purgatory to burn down the evil ones. Wall of flame. Flame Wall.”
With my spell, a shield of flame appears behind us, blocking the entrance to the cave with flames. I tried to move, wondering what it would feel like, but Theo guarded me tightly and I couldn’t move.
“Wait. Mr. Theo? I just brought out a magic shield, so check it.”
“It’s okay. I strengthened my ears and checked, but I’m sure it’s stuck. So I’ll keep my distance from it now.”
“But it would be better to look at it and get rid of it.”
“It’s definitely something that Amelia doesn’t like, so stop it.”
…It’s a little scary when you say that much. Rustling is the sound of footsteps, right?
Just remembering it gave me chills and I stopped thinking about it.
“By the way, may I ask what kind of creature it was?”
“There are three types of insects that are hated in the home.”
“I understand. There were three species. Anyway, I’ll run too.”
“No, it would be faster to just run down to the foot of the mountain like this.”
No. It’s fast.
It’s true that Theo’s speed is ridiculously fast. It’s amazing how much you can do if you strengthen your body. Even if your legs become faster, it will still be difficult to run in areas with many obstacles.
This may also be strengthening the eyes. He had strengthened his ears earlier and was able to confirm the enemy without looking, so in other words, he was able to use all three at the same time.
I can strengthen my body, but I can’t strengthen my ears or eyes, and there are only a few people who can use both of them at the same time.
Is Theo really good?
Come to think of it, I only heard that Theo was protecting the Saint, but I hadn’t confirmed his position. no. wait. He said that the saint who he was guarding was engaged to a prince, right?
…In other words, the future queen’s bodyguard?
Eh?
I didn’t hear about it, but Theo may be a person in a pretty amazing position.
I look up at Theo in shock, but I’m in no position to ask Theo, who has a serious look on his face.
When we finally jump over a low tree, we’ve already left the mountain. I heard heavy breathing above me, and I patted his chest.
“Thank you. Can you put me down?”
He nodded sheepishly, I wonder if he was having trouble speaking, and Theo lowered me to the ground with the gentleness of someone handling something fragile.
“It’s okay. Anyway, let’s walk slowly, okay? It’s putting stress on your body, so it might be hard, but I think you should walk a little to cool down.”
I handed Theo a towel from my bag and asked him to slow down his heart rate. He must have pushed himself pretty hard to strengthen his body.
It would be terrible if Theo collapsed because of me.
“You look a little pale. Maybe it’s because you used magic.”
It would be unreasonable to use three. Theo is taking medicine to cure his demonization.
“Theo… I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I came out as an escort, so I should have noticed before the last minute. Besides, I’m sorry for soiling your towel.”
“I don’t care about the towel… I don’t like insects, but I can use magic like I did before, so I want you to rely on my power as well. I’m not just a princess who needs to be protected.”
Theo probably reacted the same way he did when protecting the Saint.
No matter what you do to protect the saint, ensuring the safety of the saint is your top priority. But I’m not a saint, I’m a magician who can fight alongside you.
“…That’s right. I was also too impatient and reacted in the wrong way. I’m sorry.”
“No, there’s no need to apologize. You don’t know my abilities either. And you were overprotective and protected me because I hate bugs, right? Thank you. But next time I can fight too, so don’t do anything reckless by yourself. Especially now that you’re undergoing treatment. It would be a big deal if you collapsed due to exhaustion of your magic power, right?”
I’m worried about Theo, who looks paler than me.
When I looked at him closely to get a better look at his complexion, Theo rolled his eyes a little, then smiled happily and nodded.
“Next time, I’ll rely on Amelia.”
“Absolutely, right?”
We returned to the clinic, making our next appointment as if it were natural.
It looks like Theo may be an OP character.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!
