Chapter 26: Request From the Western Magic Tower Part 1

I was thinking that it was about time to leave.

Having gathered all the plants available from Rabata, shaped my dimensional garden into something quite impressive, and seen good growth in El and Ayla through their training, it felt like the right moment to move on.

The original plan after arriving in the port city was to cross the sea to the Echaits Union and find out how the black opium trade with Niram was being conducted.

"Hey there."

That was until a rather arrogant wizard showed up.

"Are you addressing me?"

Knowing wizards to be notoriously ill-tempered, I responded to him with a gentle tone.

"Yes, you."

He scanned me from head to toe and clicked his tongue in disdain. He looked at me as if to say, "How dull-witted are you?"

"I hear that Theodore, the Saint of Purification and the Nemesis of Evil, is staying here."

"That is correct, but…"

"Show me the way to him."

The wizard expressed his annoyance with a jerk of his chin and a wave of his hand.

He seemed to have no idea who I was.

Well, it's only my name that has become well-known.

After a moment's thought, I smiled broadly and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, understood."

I had no intention of revealing my name hastily so that I could get out quietly if something troublesome happened.

The fact that such a haughty wizard and not just any servant came to seek me out personally meant that the matter at hand was likely not a trivial matter, for better or worse

I turned away from my initial path towards the dining hall and began to ascend the stairs once again.

"What brings you to this place, if I may ask?"

I asked casually while turning my head to face the wizard. He looked at me with a "What's it to you?" expression but soon responded with an air of arrogance.

"The great western magic tower requires his presence."

"The western magic tower?"

"Yes."

When it comes to the western magic tower, isn't it the magic tower of the Ruby School wizards located in the western part of the continent?

Why were these wizards, who were known for their belligerent and radical tendencies, looking for me?

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 possible.

Only the mad wizard Khalid knew of my attempts at cultivating black opium and he despised other wizards too much to spread that information around.

It was unlikely he had blabbered about it.

Then why?

Fortunately, before I could voice my question, the wizard spoke up.

"The Saint of Purification has cleansed the cursed lands in Galopic; is that true? Rumors are spreading quickly, but seeing is believing."

He whispered as if fearful of being overheard.

"That druid, is he truly as skilled as they say?"

"…Well."

I trailed off, pretending to be at a loss for words before I opened the door at the end of the staircase.

My bags that were packed for departure from Rabata came in full view.

The wizard was expecting to be led to a reception room, so he stuttered in surprise upon seeing the bedroom.

"This is… Hey, you. Take me to the druid…"

"I did as you asked."

"What?"

"I am that druid."

-Thud.

The wizard who had until now carried himself with an air of arrogance dropped his bag in shock and gaped at me.

"Yo-you, the saint of purification and the nemesis of evil…"

"Just call me Theodore. That title is a bit too grand and lengthy."

"I-I'm so, so sorry! Please forgive my rudeness!"

The wizard bowed several times while apologizing to me.

***

I had suspected that if the lofty magic tower went as far as to send a wizard directly it must be a matter of some importance.

Yet the message brought by Johnson, the wizard sent from the western magic tower, contained information I hadn't anticipated.

"Is this true?"

"Yes, yes! It's all true!"

The wizard called Johnson bowed deeply to me. He went from being polite to being almost servile.

The content of the message was more serious than I had expected.

There was an area plagued by undead similar to the "Cursed Lands" on the western border of Roshan and the situation there has worsened.

This place was known as the "Swamp of Death".

Beyond the grand threat of the "cursed lands" the continent was rife with various dangers.

Centuries of wars, mad wizards, cunning heretics, brutal demons, and more…

The causes were different as were the locations.

But they shared one thing in common.

Each place demanded one to be ready to face death before they even dared set foot within its terrifying boundaries.

The Swamp of Death was among these places.

While the cursed lands were known for their harsh blizzards, the Swamp of Death was notorious for its "plagues".

What once was a beautiful lake turned into a deadly swamp, spewing all manner of diseases, following the vile rituals conducted by heretics.

Naturally, the creatures living there had long since turned into monsters.

Perhaps the only silver lining was that just like the cursed land the range of the Swamp of Death hadn't expanded, thanks to the temples' long and continuous efforts at purification.

Given that entry was akin to death for ordinary people, the area around the Swamp of Death was strictly controlled.

Only priests and wizards could travel through the Swamp of Death.

The monsters that emerged from the swamp weren't the type that could be simply swept away by force, so even paladins were of little help.

The only ones who could exert any real power there were the priests and the wizards.

Wizards were said to be helping in the purification efforts of the Swamp of Death in order to secure a rare type of magic stones and other resources that could be obtained from monsters created in the Swamp of Death.

So unlike the beginner grounds of the Cursed Lands which were mostly populated by mercenaries the Swamp of Death was said to be accessible only to a "chosen few".

Despite this, it was the proud wizards who had asked for my help

Well, they asked for the "Saint of Purification" and the "Nemesis of Evil".

I'm grateful, but my level is just on the edge…

The Swamp of Death boasted a difficulty level comparable to that of the intermediate fields of the cursed lands.

It meant that one needed to be around level 40 to tackle it with ease.

Although I already possessed the [Poison Resistance] and [Nature's Purification] skills, it was clear they wouldn't be enough.

Entering the Swamp of Death at my current level would be like choosing to play in hard mode.

Of course, my level would rise quickly as a result.

And naturally, the likelihood of dying would increase as well.

But it's an offer too good to refuse.

It's not about the money.

Successfully completing this task would connect me with the esteemed western magic tower.

It could be a two-for-one opportunity to gain connections while leveling up.

I stared intently at Johnson who still wore a tense expression on his face and was now even breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Johnson, are you hiding something from me?"

"Of course not. What would I possibly have to hide…"

Johnson was lying.

If it were merely about obtaining magic stones and other resources, the magic tower could simply manage the monsters adequately. Why would the magic tower which wasn't a temple bother with purifying the Swamp of Death, and only now?

Surely, they must have discovered something of great importance within the Swamp of Death that necessitates its purification.

"I seek a transparent deal. Regardless of who the other party is, that condition will not change."

Johnson looked at me with a gaping look on his face as if he had bitten his own tongue.

And that was only normal.

The reward offered by the magic tower was exceedingly generous.

It must seem presumptuous to him that a druid was daring to ask for more.

But at this moment, I was in the position of power.

A position of absolute power.

"…This conversation must not leak to anyone."

"Of course."

"If the promise is broken, our western magic tower will not stand idly by."

"Please don't worry and speak your mind."

As I responded firmly, Johnson began to speak in a very secretive tone.

"You must be aware that cultists worshipping demons conducted a very sinister ritual in the Swamp of Death."

I nodded my head in acknowledgment. Johnson paused for a moment before continuing.

"Ordinary rituals could not create something like the Swamp of Death. They used a very powerful sacrifice to bring about those dreadful diseases and brutal deaths."

"...."

"It was the bones of a black dragon."

"A black dragon?"

"Yes. The magic tower recently found fragments of black dragon bones among the materials flowing out of the swamp."

Ah, so that was the reason.

Black dragon bones were an extremely rare resource, so rare that they were not ranked.

No wonder the western magic tower was so eager to find them.

"You don't seem surprised."

"Well, I don't think it's that surprising. It would take something of that magnitude to create the 'Swamp of Death'."

"..."

Johnson appeared displeased yet he continued his explanation.

"It is presumed that at the heart of the Swamp of Death, there lie the bones of a black dragon used by cultists during their rituals. If we're lucky, they might even be intact."

"I see."

"However, according to the temple, it might take around 200 years for the Swamp of Death to be completely purified."

"So you're saying you guys don't want to wait that long."

"…. Well, something like that."

The discovery of such a rare resource as black dragon bones was enough to make anyone's head turn with disbelief.

I find myself coveting them as well.

It was an opportunity too precious to simply reject.

Despite the dangers, the rare resources and the rewards from the magic tower were tempting…

Plus, I wouldn't be going alone; I would be forming a party with powerful wizards.

Maybe it's feasible to spend some time leveling up on the outskirts of the Swamp of Death before venturing into its heart?

I found myself pondering the idea.

Johnson was chewing his nails anxiously as he noticed my hesitation. He must have been afraid I would reject him so he added hastily

"As you're aware, our goal isn't to purify the entirety of the Swamp of Death."

"That would be madness. Even the temple says it would take two hundred years."

"Exactly. What we're asking for is…"

"You want to swiftly make a beeline for the center of the Swamp of Death, right?"

"..."

Johnson nodded his head vigorously.

It's a crazy idea, but not entirely impossible. If certain conditions are met.

After leveling up on the outskirts, I would form a party with capable wizards and head towards the heart. And then…

After running through various simulations in my mind, I stood up and looked at Johnson.

"Alright."

"Really? Then we should start the teleportation immediately…!"

I smiled at Johnson who was frantically moving as if to prepare the teleportation spell.

"However, there are conditions."

Once again, Johnson began to chew his nails anxiously.