379. Conversation and Conditions

I call out to Magiatite Heart who’s currently stuck on the wall.

Hey, Magiatite Heart.
I’ll overlook the fact that you attacked us first, but you’re going to answer my questions.
You’ve lived a long life and developed intelligence, right?
I want you to tell me all about the dangerous monsters living in this mine.

The Magiatite Heart’s core that was stuck in the wall falls back to the ground.
Then, it turns up, as if facing at me.
To ensure that it doesn’t escape, I stand closer to it and stomp my foot near it.

Even Treant went closer to the Magiatite Heart while moving his branches in a (kind of?) intimidating manner.
Where’d he even learn those moves.

【“I already surrendered, I won’t dare to think about escaping. Two-headed dragon, you should leave this place too”】

The Magiatite Heart tells me.

Hm?
Why? Is there something past here?

【“The dragon sleeping underground has awoken. I admit that I have the skills to avoid it even if I encounter it, but I’d rather leave than live together with something so dangerous……”】

…… He says that like he’s proud of his capabilities of escaping or something.
Where does that arrogance and self-confidence of his come from?
For the time being, at least I don’t sense any hostility coming from him.
I guess he really did attack me first just for the sake of dashing off while I’m distracted.

【“As a mediator of the monsters in this mine, I was planning to stop the underground dragon from unnecessarily killing everything in sight. But, that blasted dragon…… forget mediating, it didn’t even listen to me”】

…… I'm not sure if his story is real, but at least he’s not a bad guy.
I’m glad Partner finds him disgusting. Otherwise, she’d have gobbled him up by now.

【“The underground dragon tried to eat me, that’s why I’m escaping……”】

I don’t think that was the case.
Maybe you were just nearby and became its target of violence.

【“There’s even…… an adventurer here. Even though the humans have already left this place…… that human must be after that dragon. No, it’s not just hunting dragons. He has already reached the level of a hero”】

T-The level of a hero……?
The only one who’d match the power of the late Hero would be the Saint, but then why would Lilyxila intercept with my destination before me.
Besides, I thought it would take her time before she catches up to me in the royal capital.
Since that person came here to hunt the underground dragon, maybe it could be someone else?

【“It was a tall half-naked, silver-haired man. I didn’t think there’d come a time when I’d run away from humans. He had an intimidating aura within him……”】

Magiatite Heart’s core vibrates, as if shaking in fear.

So, it isn’t the Hero then……
I mean, of course it’s not, I killed him myself. Plus, the appearance doesn’t match.
If I remember right, the Hero had blonde hair.

When Partner said she smelled a human earlier…… it must’ve been that silver-haired man.

But is it really possible for a human to instill fear into a rankＢ- monster, outside of having sacred skills?
That would mean that person is even stronger than Adofu or Azalea.
Other than the Hero, or the Saint, or a rank A monster, nothing else is coming to mind……

【“Is that all your questions?”】

When Magiatite Heart started to move, Nightmare steps in and stops him from his tracks.
Nice.
This is a rare specimen.
I feel bad for Magiatite Heart, but we’re not done here yet.

【“W-W-What more do you want? I knew it, you plan to eat me-……”】

Are there other dangerous monsters here?
Other than the underground dragon and the tall adventurer.

【“…… Other dangerous monsters? Well, there’s the magic metal giant golem, Gordogigan, who destroyed the magical ant, Adamant……”】

T-There’s a monster like that here?!
It sounds strong and I don’t want to fight it, but I definitely want to see it!

【“If you’re here for that…… it’s unfortunately not here at the moment. Other than the underground dragon, you’re probably the strongest one here. No one here can match your rank”】

…… So, this old lump of metal was the strongest in this mine until I came……
I-I guess that makes sense. Being rankＢ- and all, I’m sure he’s unmatched against normal human opponents.
The royal capital wouldn’t be here today if there were many rank B monsters near them anyway.
Even in the Lithuvar forest, the strongest there was the rankＢ+ Mother.

…… Anyway, what exactly is that thing?

【“…… Eh? I-I don’t know. I am just a helper. I have no actual ties with this place”】

What do you mean?
I thought you wanted to escape from me and go somewhere else……?

【“…… I don’t know. I don’t want to know”】

He’s acting strange.
…… He must’ve felt actual fear when he faced them.
Oh well, it’s not like I’m that interested, so I won’t ask anymore.
He doesn’t seem to be lying.

【“Really? Then, if you’ll excuse me……”】

Magiatite Heart begins to move around.
Treant blocks its path.
Then, a small dent is formed on its surface, and from there, a purple smoke is expelled.
Treant, after making contact with the purple smoke, bends over his trunk and is struggling to stand on his roots.
It’s the〖Poison〗skill.

I pin down Magiatite Heart with my open claw.

Hey! What do you think you’re doing to our precious walking tree?!
Partner! Here’s your lunch!

【“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry! For some reason, I just felt an inexplicable annoyance and couldn’t control myself. I swear I held back!”】

When Nightmare blocked his path, he stayed still, but when it’s Treant, he starts acting up, I see how it is!

While being cautious, I slowly lift up my claw.
Partner heals Treant with〖High Rest〗.
Treant weakly gets up.

Alright, although he assaulted Treant, he makes a point that I have no use for him now.
Since he himself doesn’t want anything to do with us, there should be no harm in letting him go…… no, wait.

Hey, Magiatite Heart.
Care to make a deal?

【“What deal?”】

I’ll kick the adventurer out of the mine and beat the underground dragon for you.

【“W-What’s in it for me……?”】

I want you to…… protect Treant while we’re away.

【“What?”】

Uhh, you know, if it weren’t for the underground dragon, you’d still be the strongest around these parts as the peacemaker for monsters, right?
If it’s you who’s guarding Treant, then I’ll feel reassured.
I don’t want to keep worrying about him when we leave him all alone here.

【“That Treant, you say…… I don’t mind. But only if you satisfy your end of the deal”】

Thanks〖Steel Sage〗.
You understand things quickly.
Now let’s go take out that pesky dragon.

As I walk back up the shaft, Magiatite Heart pondered for a while as it looked at the sight of me climbing up the slope before catching up to us.

【“Let me just tell you that there is absolutely no merit in settling in a place like this……”】

Magiatite Heart says as I look back at him, with his core looking more down than usual.
There was a hint of sadness in his tone.

…… Could it be that he knows what’s happening in the royal capital?
But looking at his condition right now, it doesn’t seem like he’s in the mood to share it.
I could always just threaten him and get him to say it, but if it’s possible for us to have a good relationship, then I’d go with that.
Besides, since he’ll be looking after Treant for us, I’ll have my chance to ask him when we get back.
For now, let’s just focus on getting rid of that underground dragon.