Ch.433Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

A colossal monster over 200 meters long lay sprawled across the buildings of a small town reduced to ruins.

“What is that thing? How can a worm get that big?”

“I don’t know either.”

The thoroughly scorched monster looked like an earthworm that had crawled onto summer asphalt. The difference was that earthworms aren’t large enough to flatten multiple buildings, and they don’t make humans their primary food source.

[A giant monster has been killed in Hallam, a city in Armuk bordering the Tisphon Republic. The creature, which had been roaming the underground of the uninhabited zone, destroying villages and nomadic settlements, measured over 200 meters in length, a record-breaking size…]

“Holy shit…”

Jake cursed as soon as he arrived at the office and checked the TV. The monster’s size was truly worthy of being called the world’s largest.

“It looks crispy on the outside. Wonder if it’s moist inside?”

“Talking nonsense again.”

“Just joking…”

I smacked the back of Jake’s head. The tanned blonde rascal scratched his head as he received comfort from his colleague.

“Take it easy, Jake.”

“…Thanks a lot, Pippin.”

The subordinates gathered around the table couldn’t take their eyes off the TV. It was broadcasting a scene of a dazed peacekeeping force officer responding to a reporter’s interview with an old tactical vehicle in the background.

Behind them were clusters of officials who had gathered to look at the monster, and the magical recording device focused on a magician standing awkwardly between uniforms and formal suits.

The magician, with sparkling blue eyes, was poking the dead monster with a pipe from who-knows-where when he stepped on a piece of fallen flesh and tumbled over.

As peacekeeping soldiers gathered around the rolling magician, I stepped in and turned off the TV, unable to watch anymore.

“Sigh… causing trouble again.”

I massaged my neck with a tired face and tossed the remote control.

“Someone contact that unit. Tell them to send Camilla over as soon as they secure her. Left alone, she’s now causing accidents even after killing monsters…”

“Yes, sir.”

I sat at the table, leaving Jake behind as he tapped on the receiver.

“Let’s get to work.”

Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

Unlike last week, when it seemed a large-scale expeditionary force would cross the sea to deliver peace at any moment, the armies of the major powers didn’t budge.

The unlimited support predicted by the media never materialized, and the actual reinforcements that arrived in Mauritania numbered less than 100.

Local governments couldn’t hide their disappointment, and residents blamed the international community, wondering where the large expeditionary forces that international organizations and prominent figures had promised had gone.

However, no one actually directed harsh criticism at the support troops, out of respect for those who had come to help regardless of their numbers. It also meant there were still people who hadn’t given up hope.

They say blessings come to those who believe.

That expectation was soon rewarded.

*

[Numerus, famous for its sharp predatory teeth, six arms, and a face on the back of its head, has finally met its demise! Suffering from raging flames, Numerus tried to jump into the river but couldn’t escape the two subsequent explosions. The amazing fact is that this monster was hunted by just one person!]

[At the refugee camp in Davarsh, Saint Lucia heals patients. This place, where 70,000 refugees have gathered due to civil war, has been suffering from an epidemic until recently. The saint, accompanied by clerics and doctors, has treated over 1,500 patients in the past four days—]

[Above the uninhabited zone, a flying carpet crosses the sky as yellow powder rains down. This is the scene of the Magic Tower’s potion being dispersed. According to Francesca, who developed this alchemical product to combat monsters in the uninhabited zone, it is harmless to humans…]

[The Alliance’s peacekeeping forces have destroyed a Wendigo colony. With this, residents of three countries on the Mauritanian continent who have lived in fear for the past eight years are finally free from their nightmare.]

United Nations Resolution No. 3774 for International Peace—the result of agreements between governments to resolve the crisis on the Mauritanian continent—was beginning to show results.

“Wow… another big achievement.”

I watched the breaking news on TV with my arms crossed.

“How could such a large colony still exist? It’s amazing that they were still alive.”

Camilla answered.

“Because it was a colony the military couldn’t touch.”

She approached me, wiping moisture with a towel. Returning covered in soot along with news of victory, Camilla had transformed from black to white in just an hour.

I alternately examined the quasi-black person on television and the white person with a towel around her neck. Camilla, who had completely burned down the natural cave where monsters had nested, was sucking on candy from her combat rations.

“Can you swallow that candy?”

“My throat is dry. Oh, right!”

Camilla, munching on candy, leaned her upper body on the desk and started making a fuss.

It was concern about her health.

“Earlier in the bathroom, I touched my nose and a lot of black stuff came out! I’m not getting lung cancer, am I?”

“I think you should worry about diabetes before lung cancer. How can you keep inhaling smoke?”

“It happens during fights.”

“Now you’re even consuming smoke because you have nothing else to eat…”

“Shut up.”

As soon as the resolution passed, our group flew to the Mauritanian continent as if they had been waiting for it.

Borders, refugee camps, uninhabited zones.

The three people who spread out to various locations began resolving incidents and accidents on the ground as quickly as a crab blinks. And they did it swiftly and accurately.

Problems that even the local governments and international community found difficult to handle disappeared in less than two weeks.

“Hmm. Very good. Things are going smoothly.”

The situation was progressing favorably, especially from a social perspective.

The main problems plaguing Mauritania were civil war, monsters, epidemics, and disasters. While civil war was difficult to address due to complex political circumstances, the other three were issues we could handle.

Camilla, Lucia, and Francesca began addressing urgent problems as soon as they arrived. Monsters attacking borders, cholera spreading in refugee camps, colonies roaming uninhabited areas threatening transportation networks, and so on.

Although they scattered without even exchanging greetings, it was fine. Dealing with monsters, healing patients, and rebuilding collapsed infrastructure were their specialties.

“Everyone’s doing as well as they did in the north. The government sent their thanks, saying they’ve been able to put their worries aside.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Lucia and Francesca received thanks too. Of course, you as well, Camilla.”

“Wow!”

Camilla’s large eyes lit up as she took the certificate of appreciation sent by the government.

I spoke to Camilla as she examined the certificate with curiosity.

“And the two of them are coming here.”

“Now?”

“We’ve put out the urgent fires, so it’s time to gather. We have things to discuss.”

I got up and cleared away the candy bag she had left. Camilla, who had dried her hair with a towel, was using magic to remove the remaining moisture.

She shook her flowing hair from side to side, then jumped up. With an expectant face, she began pulling my hand.

“Let’s go meet them quickly! Hurry!”

“Ah, let’s go a bit slower. My wrist might dislocate.”

*

At the base where the peacekeeping force flag fluttered. The military facility built in the desolate desert exuded an iron fortress-like atmosphere.

The sound of military boots trudging on sand and military trucks spewing exhaust was thick in the air. After waiting for a truck to pass, we ran across the road to the outpost.

The entrance to the base was blocked by barricades and concrete blocks. Soldiers at the checkpoint were also searching passing vehicles. We arrived at the checkpoint under strict surveillance, and there we encountered familiar faces.

“Lucia! Francesca!”

A woman with brilliant blonde hair and another with purple hair turned their heads.

Hearing the voice calling them, the two responded with welcoming expressions.

“Camilla. It’s been a while.”

“Finally meeting you!”

Lucia nodded with a smile to Camilla. Francesca, watching the two, turned her gaze with her arms crossed.

“Officer, you’re here too.”

“Yes, well, it’s my job. You must have had a hard journey.”

“It wasn’t that difficult.”

Camilla was so excited to see her friends again that she didn’t know what to do with herself. Passers-by occasionally turned their heads to look at the jumping magician.

After greeting Camilla, Francesca approached me. Lucia also bowed her head with a kind smile.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since we all gathered in one place. About six months?”

“About that. The last time we met was after the Star Ceremony. Is everyone well?”

“Very comfortable. The Saint seems to have had no major incidents for months.”

“Yes.”

Lucia nodded with a pleasant smile.

It was a smile that made even onlookers smile. Seeing Lucia’s unusually bright smile, Camilla couldn’t contain her curiosity.

“Did something good happen?”

“Ah.”

As if coming to her senses at those words, Lucia let out a small exclamation and admitted frankly.

“I think it’s because I’m seeing everyone again after half a year.”

“I see!”

As she spoke, Lucia’s gaze kept darting in my direction. Looking around, the saint waved her hand slightly, as if afraid others might see, and I waved back.

While Lucia turned her gaze back to Camilla after the shy greeting, Francesca hummed a strange nasal sound with her arms crossed.

“You two seem to get along well. Are you particularly close?”

“We’re just happy to see each other. That’s all.”

“Hmm…”

Francesca’s crossed arms shifted diagonally. It was a silent signal that she was critically listening to the other person’s words. Her mouth was still smiling, but I realized her eyes had grown cold, and I thought, “This is bad.”

I broke into a sweat as Francesca gave me a subtle look. She seemed slightly upset, though not seriously. What should I do?

“Why are you suddenly suspicious, Francesca? We’re not the kind of relationship you’re thinking of, so don’t worry.”

“What kind of relationship am I thinking of, Officer?”

“Ahaha…”

Francesca listened halfheartedly with a sulky expression. Even if I tried to explain it was a misunderstanding, her mood showed no signs of improving.

As I was sweating profusely trying to make conversation, Camilla, who had been chatting with Lucia, began looking at me with a puzzled expression.

“Frederick. Did something happen with Francesca?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Nothing happened, Miss Camilla.”

Francesca left me out completely and went to Camilla. It was clearly an attitude of not wanting to hear any explanation. Maybe no explanation was needed.

“…”

As I stood there with a grim face, Lucia approached me this time.

With concerned eyes, she asked if anything was wrong.

“…It’s nothing.”

Gathered at the base entrance, we exchanged pleasant conversation. From small talk about recent events to incidents that had occurred in the field. The spectrum was broad and the topics diverse.

I checked my watch as I looked at the line of vehicles entering the peacekeeping force base. Noticing that quite some time had passed, I quickly climbed the stairs of the building and spoke.

“Everyone, please come in now.”

“What for?”

“What else?”

I tapped the watch on my wrist.

“It’s time for you all to get to work.”