The dungeon, ‘Evil God’s Nest’, is managed by Celia.
In Sector 3 of the first layer, filled with the scent of grass, Nariel was carefully tending to carnivorous, tentacled plants. She had neatly braided her pale blue, silver hair down her back and was stroking the wriggling plants with her slender hands.
“Grow quickly.”
Nariel’s clear voice echoed. As the plants felt her touch, they stretched out their stems and grew. This was possible because, despite being plant monsters, their origin was plant life.
Sector 3 had developed tremendously since Nariel joined. Although the Lamia swarm had once ravaged it, its recovery was entirely thanks to the power of the Elf, Nariel. In short, Nariel was in charge of strengthening the forces. However, Nariel was not affiliated with this dungeon. The reason she worked so diligently was for her friend, who was being held hostage in the dungeon.
‘I wonder if Iselin is doing well…’ Nariel felt a pang of loneliness as she thought of her friend, with whom she had adventured. Iselin was the first human Nariel befriended after leaving the forest, a precious friend who treated her, an Elf, without any reservation.
Above all, Iselin was a promising mage. She possessed the ability to live comfortably as a territory mage under a noble, even if she quit being an adventurer. However, that Iselin was currently trapped deep within the dungeon, her body even stolen by a Banshee.
‘She must be doing well.’ Nariel was curious about how Iselin was faring but couldn’t find out. Celia, the Succubus who managed this dungeon, kept all information meticulously hidden.
“…” However, she had no intention of resisting. Hadn’t she already seen Celia’s power when she was brought here? “A monster…” She was truly a monster, a monster beyond her ability to contend with. She continued to work diligently, believing Iselin was doing well.
While she was tending to the plants, she sensed a familiar aura. Nariel immediately stopped her work and lowered her head in that direction.
“Celia-nim, what is it?”
Celia, the Chief Administrator of the dungeon, was there.
* _ _ *
“You mean the Terrilif Tree?”
“Yes, Nariel-ssi. Master wants information related to the Terrilif Tree.”
Celia had come to Nariel for one reason: to seek information about the Terrilif Tree from the Elf, Nariel. Celia already knew that the leaves of the tree could create top-grade Mana Potions. The question she asked was about a more fundamental aspect.
“Terrilif Tree…” Nariel murmured, pushing back her pristine white hair. The monster before her was a powerful Succubus who managed this dungeon. However, Celia had mentioned she served a separate Master. Just like this.
‘How powerful could they be…’ Celia’s Master was a mystery, but it was not important now. The information Celia requested was about the Terrilif Tree. As Elves knew this subject well, there was no reason not to share it. She closed her eyes for a moment to organize her thoughts and began to speak.
“The Terrilif Tree is a tree that our ancestors improved upon a very long time ago.”
Elves are long-lived. What is considered “a very long time ago” by Elves is literal. Celia, her eyes full of curiosity, asked, “So, it wasn’t a tree that existed naturally from the beginning?”
“That’s right. It was just an ordinary tree. But our ancestors created a new species to prepare for mana depletion. But why they created the Terrilif Tree is unknown. There was no related record.”
“Hmm, indeed.” They had discovered that the Terrilif Tree was a species created by ancient Elves. However, the reason for its creation was unknown. It didn’t matter, though. Celia had been ordered to explain the Terrilif Tree and its growth method.
“Nariel-ssi, then I am curious about the method of growing the Terrilif Tree.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can help you with that part. Not all Elves can manage Terrilif Trees. If it were my younger sister, perhaps…”
“Your sister?” Celia didn’t know she had a sister, as they hadn’t spoken in depth.
“Yes, growing Terrilif Trees requires magic. Specifically, only Elves who have contracted with wind elementals can manage them.” It required the mana of an Elf, not just any person’s mana. Moreover, only Elves who had contracted with wind elementals could manage Terrilif Trees. Given the strict conditions, Celia asked another question, about the sister Nariel had mentioned earlier.
“Then where is Nariel-ssi’s sister now?”
Nariel’s expression darkened at the mention of her sister. “…I don’t know. She suddenly disappeared. That’s why I left the forest to look for my sister…” Celia nodded silently as she listened to her story. She had left the forest to find her sister but couldn’t. Celia looked closely at her face.
‘Came out to find her sister…’ Elves are rare. They were naturally traded at high prices. The chances of them being captured by humans or other dungeon owners were high. Even if they survived, they wouldn’t lead a normal life. If captured by a dungeon, they would likely be sold to the Underworld Merchant Guild. If captured by humans, they would undoubtedly become slaves. Given the exceptional beauty of Elves, in what capacity they would be used as slaves was obvious.
Of course, there was no need to give Nariel despair. No, Celia saw the current situation as an opportunity instead. First, she planted a seed of hope.
“Don’t worry. I will also help you find Nariel-ssi’s sister.”
“…!” Nariel looked surprised by Celia’s words. She was grateful for the offer to help find her sister, even if it was just words.
“Th-thank you.” Nariel thought to herself that Celia wasn’t entirely bad. However, Celia’s inner thoughts were different.
‘As expected.’ Celia couldn’t understand why an Elf would be so attached to a human mage. But now she felt like she understood. Nariel was filling the void left by losing her sister with Iselin.
‘How fortunate.’ She had already doubted whether Iselin alone would be enough to control Nariel. And now, she had given her the opportunity to leash herself. Celia smiled coldly.
‘No, perhaps all of this is Master’s will.’ If Master hadn’t asked about the Terrilif Tree, she wouldn’t have been able to hear about Nariel’s family matters.
‘Truly Master.’
* _ _ *
Detailed information about the Terrilif Tree was needed. Betta’s knowledge was only fragmented. She thought Celia might know more, so she gave instructions, and surprisingly, obtained a crucial clue.
“So, you need an Elf who has contracted with a wind elemental?” She found out that not all Elves could grow it and that the Terrilif Tree was actually a species improved by ancient Elves.
“Things are going well from the start.” Isn’t it that the Ciel I have with me is an Elf who contracted with a wind elemental? I immediately returned home and decided to take Ciel out with me.
“Are we really going out?” Ciel was initially taken aback by the sudden mention of going out. But when I told her that I needed help with tree management, her eyes sparkled.
‘As expected of an Elf.’ Thus, Ciel safely arrived at Betta’s general store under Maru’s thorough escort. Naturally, to hide her Elven identity, I dressed her in a hoodie to cover her ears.
“Wow, isn’t this a Terrilif Tree?” Ciel recognized it immediately upon seeing the sapling Betta was holding.
Afterwards, following Betta’s guidance, we headed to the vegetable patch behind the building. The general store Azmo established was originally an abandoned building. Since it was a business establishment, the land area was not small. Behind the general store were Azmo’s dungeon and a vegetable patch.
In the vegetable patch, young trees were seen withered and dry. It seemed Betta had tried to grow the saplings to the best of his ability. However, it was a natural outcome as Betta wasn’t an Elf.
“Ah…” Ciel felt pity seeing that, but she was relieved that there was one sapling left. I immediately got to the point.
“Ciel, I need your help.” Even if Ciel was an Elf who contracted with a wind elemental, she would be useless if she had never grown a Terrilif Tree. Moreover, since there was only one sapling left, caution was necessary. Fortunately, Ciel nodded.
“I-I have grown them before. Master.” Ciel carefully received the Terrilif sapling from Betta. Her blue eyes held the sincere affection with which she treated the sapling. She cupped the sapling in both hands and gazed at it for a moment. As if by the touch of an Elf, the withered sapling soon regained its vitality.
Soon, Ciel placed the sapling in a suitable spot in the vegetable patch. Then, with her slender hand, she gently dug the ground, carefully creating a spot for the sapling to root. After a moment, the sapling was firmly planted in the nest made by the Elf. A faint smile bloomed on Ciel’s lips as she tidied the soil. She took a deep breath and brought her hands together around the sapling.
“Wind elemental, bestow your blessing upon this tree.” As if the elemental responded to the Elf’s prayer, a warm breeze blew around Ciel. Her white hair fluttered in the wind, and the sapling’s leaves rustled. Then, a green, light blue light bloomed from her fingertips. The light flowed into the young trees as if enveloping them.
“…!” Both Betta and I, who were watching the scene, let out exclamations. The sapling that looked withered was visibly changing. Not only that, but the other saplings that were dying also began to regain vitality. Stems with green vitality, hardened bark softening, and sap flowing as if through dry veins. As if time had been fast-forwarded, the saplings continued to grow.
“It’s amazing.” I couldn’t help but agree with Betta’s involuntary remark. Ciel alone was growing the Terrilif Tree, which the government and guilds couldn’t grow despite pouring in vast amounts of money. Now that they knew they could cultivate Terrilif Trees, all they had to do was turn them into Mana Potions and sell them. Since they would yield top-grade Mana Potions, making money was a sure thing. But I became greedier.
‘With that much, can’t I grow more?’ There were a total of six saplings in the vegetable patch. As long as Ciel wasn’t struggling, I couldn’t find any signs of her being tired. Instead, a confident smile graced her lips. It meant she still had room. I said to the stunned Betta, “Betta, go and get more of those saplings.” It would be good if I could get more, and if not, well, it couldn’t be helped. Betta responded to my command with a resounding voice, “Yes, Master. I will bring them, even if I have to subjugate the dungeon right away.”
No, why would he subjugate the dungeon? Didn’t he receive the saplings? But Betta was already gone.
* _ _ *
Betta was amazed. “As expected of an Elf.” A miracle had occurred the moment an Elf’s touch graced it. Betta was simply in awe of the miracle created by the Elf and nature. But that wasn’t important.
“Master is truly great.” I never thought Master would bring an Elf. Thanks to the grace bestowed by Master, Dungeon Co., Ltd. would soar even higher. But with that came a problem.
“How can I repay this kindness…?” I have received so much grace, yet I have nothing suitable to offer Master.
“Ordinary items won’t do.” Master owns a dungeon and is accompanied by Skeleton Paladins as escorts. Not only that, but he also possesses Elves, so ordinary items wouldn’t satisfy him.
“I suppose I should ask Azmo-nim.” Betta thought that Azmo, as the dungeon administrator, would know what Master likes.
