Chapter 36: The Swamp of Death Part 6

In the heart of the swamp of death,

The chirping of canaries was no longer heard. They had perished two days prior.

The concentration of the poison spreading through the air was indeed terrifying.

I don't think even the purification ash trees can protect us now.

The number of poisonous fruits grown on the purification ash trees has increased significantly compared to the beginning. It signified that this place was filled with evil energy.

In a few hours, we were to arrive at the altar where the cultists' ritual was taking place, but there were already several wizards and mercenaries collapsing. Those in poor condition were left behind, while the rest replenished their detoxifying potions and moved forward.

It would be okay for El, who had used the Hydrus antidote, to reach the center, but since I didn't know what would happen, I decided to leave El and Ayla in the rear as well. El seemed displeased with that decision but appeared to accept the situation as she could not defy my orders.

I moved forward while planting the purification ash trees more densely than before. From this point on, falling into the swamp by mistake would mean no return, and the atmosphere was filled with tension.

Beneath the black swamp, there lived parasites capable of piercing even a troll's skin.

Fortunately, parasites did not flock to the place where purification ash trees grew.

I distributed small masks crafted from the Void Tillandsia harvested in the Dimensional Garden to the mercenaries and wizards. To be precise, I didn't just hand them out; I sold them for a silver coin each. Nothing in this world comes for free, and I am no volunteer.

"Wow, this is really amazing!"

"I can actually breathe properly now?!"

The mercenaries were both astonished and delighted. Breathing must be important for those whose profession relies on physical exertion.

"These aren't permanent solutions, so don't let your guard down completely. If anything feels off, make sure to take a detoxifying potion immediately."

After issuing this caution, I collected a hefty sum of silver coins from them.

Thanks to the distribution of the masks, our advance speed began to accelerate.

-Grrrrr!!!!

Monsters that were stronger than before emerged, but they were few in number. Probably because not many could survive and thrive in such a toxic environment. The Red Bear Mercenaries were displaying their true skills, to the extent that neither I nor the wizards needed to intervene.

If only things could continue this way.

After drinking the clean spring water from the Dimensional Garden, I took a moment to catch my breath. The dense poison fog that hung heavily made it difficult to see the surroundings clearly, but when I used the [Owl's Eyes], I could see strange patterns carved into the dead trees around us.

"I think we've arrived."

I said to Jacob who was wearing two layers of masks. He nodded his head in agreement. It seemed he was using some spell to observe our surroundings as well, as he accurately pointed to the carvings on the trees and said,

"This is the emblem of Rasghal."

"Rasghal?"

"The master of the Hydra."

Hydra.

A monster with nine serpent heads.

The mention of Hydra explained why the swamp of death had become such a wasteland. I sighed and muttered,

"So they summoned a Hydra."

"It's something the followers of Rasghal would do."

There was no surprise in the fact that Rasghal's followers had summoned the Hydra.

What puzzled me was where exactly the summoned "Hydra" was.

Surely, they hadn't just exchanged pleasantries with it and sent it on its way?

If the Hydra had been properly summoned, the damage wouldn't have been confined to just the swamp of death.

At the very least, an entire city would have been obliterated.

It's unsettling.

Regardless of what I thought, Jacob seemed excited at the prospect of retrieving the Black Dragon's bones.

"Now we just need to collect the Black Dragon's bones."

."I was planning to plant the remaining purification ash trees…"

"No need. There's no need to purify all the way to the center. Sir Theodore, please focus on retrieving the Black Dragon's bone fragments."

"But…"

"We are not here to purify this place. We came to retrieve the bones of the Black Dragon. Please don't forget that."

"But, you see…"

Jacob disappeared into the mist without listening to me.

Having come this far, wouldn't it be beneficial for future purification rituals to destroy the ritual altar and plant the purification ash trees?

"Wizards…"

A selfish lot, they were. I didn't follow Jacob. Instead, I stayed back and planted the purification ash trees. All that remained.

Retrieving the Black Dragon's bones was always meant to be the task of the wizards, not mine.

But just in case, I should plant some purification plants.

It wasn't urgent, but there was always the possibility of returning here for a quest in the future. After all, the course of human events is unpredictable. And what harm could there be in planting a few purification plants? If anything, it could only be beneficial.

I scattered wild grass seeds around the area of the purification water ash trees and then invoked the [Blessing of the Forest]. I used not only the magic stones provided by the magic tower but also my own lesser magic stones to stimulate the growth of the plants. Soon enough, a rather impressive space had emerged.

So much so, that one could almost argue it had become a small "grove" of ash trees.

-Beep!

Beepy who was nestled in my pocket soared to one of the branches of the purification ash trees. No matter how many times I saw it, it remained a marvel how those tiny wings could support its plump body and carry it in the air…

"Huh?"

Just as I was pondering this, a familiar vibration emanated from within my pocket. I hastily pulled out an old book and flipped it open.

[Achievement Unlocked: Owner of the Ash Trees Grove]

[Additional Effect: The ash tree fairy will always come to your aid.]

I had achieved a new milestone!

I can't believe I've already met a fairy…! And in such a place!

Fairies were mysterious beings born from the essence of life itself.

It was said that fairies could be born from ash trees, as well as red zelkova trees, green willow trees, and even nameless wild plants, but it was extremely difficult to actually find them.

Even among those few who did encounter them, it was usually the druids, who were intimately familiar with plants, and only a select few among them ever had the chance to meet a fairy.

I recall how that old woman knew many fairies.

The first time I saw her talking with what seemed to be mere flickers of light, barely visible to the eye, I thought she had lost her mind to old age.

I had asked her how she could possibly communicate with fairies, but she never divulged her secret.

Such was the way of my teacher.

Looking back, I realize that it wasn't something that could be simply taught.

The conditions for meeting a fairy were not really straightforward.

From what I had gathered, they were as follows:

First, you must have a profound understanding of the subject in question.

Second, you must care deeply about the subject

And third, the most crucial aspect:

The fairy itself must want to reveal itself.

Even if the first two conditions were met, an encounter would remain impossible if the fairy didn't want to.

Clearly, I've met the first two conditions.

Given the number of ash trees I planted after entering the swamp of death, I couldn't help but get to know them well.

Moreover, thanks to these trees, I could tread on purified land even within the swamp, so it was possible to "care for it deeply in my heart".

Yet, fulfilling these two conditions often wasn't enough for a fairy to reveal itself.

So the appearance of this capricious fairy…

It was somewhat of a stroke of luck.

"…. How are you doing?"

I murmured while gazing at the twinkling lights around the ash trees.

"Hey, Theo!"

Jamil's voice reached me from not too far away. While the wizards were busy searching for the dragon's bones, Jamil and the mercenaries were dealing with the lesser monsters swarming beneath the swamp, and it seemed something had come up.

"You know about poisons, right?"

"Well…"

"Look at this."

What Jamil abruptly showed me was the arm of a young mercenary that was beginning to turn a deep black, accompanied by bizarre blisters.

"Aaaagh!!!"

Even after pouring a detoxification potion, the young mercenary's arm continued to burn away without stopping. Despite the air being thick with poison, the acrid smell of flesh decaying filled the surroundings.

"It started with the fingers."

However, contrary to Jamil's words, the young mercenary's fingers were nowhere to be seen.

They had already dissolved away.

That means…!

I hastily sprinkled the Hydrus antidote I had kept on hand over the young man's arm. Yet, the flesh continued to rot. The Hydrus antidote was completely ineffective.

There was only one conclusion.

The poison was stronger than that of Hydrus'.

There's only one creature with such poison.

With this realization, I quickly tore off the young man's clothes and tightly bound them above his elbow. Then, I turned to Jamil and said,

"Bring out the axe."

Realizing what I intended to do, Jamil quickly drew a hand axe from his belt. I firmly held the young man to prevent any movement and said,

"If we don't amputate now, the rot will spread until there's nothing left of your body."

"No! I don't want that!!!"

"If you want to live, you'll have to endure."

I scraped off a little bark from an ash tree and placed it in the young man's mouth. A tiny bit of the bark would paralyze his body slightly and make the pain less intense.

"Here we go."

At Jamil's signal, I nodded my head.

-Thwack!!!!

It was a horrendous sound.

But it was necessary to survive.

Losing an arm is better than losing a life.

The young man foamed at the mouth and passed out. I cast two healing skills on him and then poured a homemade potion into his mouth.

This should keep him from dying.

Nevertheless.

"..."

If there were legends of a dreadful poison that could burn limbs until death, I was already familiar with them.

The poison of the Hydra.

The most supreme and fearsome of all poisons, reigning above all others.

It was clear that the followers of Rasghal had successfully summoned a Hydra.

But if the summoning had been successful, the Hydra wouldn't have simply ravaged a single swamp area and then retreated.

"Where is the creature that caused such damage to his arm?"

"It must be beneath the swamp. That foolish guy had been pulled out of the swamp, and he was in that state. He said he brushed against something. Initially, we thought it was a parasite from the swamp…"

Perhaps the Hydra was already dead, and the young man had been poisoned by coming into contact with its remains.

If that's the case, we will be very lucky.

I stood up.

"We need to inform the wizards about this as well."

"I think we should."

Just as I was about to move, a small light flickered before my eyes.

When I looked closely, it wasn't just light; it was a form of writing.

Thanks to my [Polyglot] trait, I was able to decipher the writing.

Beware.

The danger

Is approaching you.

"...!"

[The ash tree fairy warns you of an approaching threat.]

I was startled and took a few steps back.

-Rumbleeeeeee…!!!