Earth Dungeon 39.2

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Chapter 39.2. Grass Cutting

"It's sweltering, huh? Have I finished mowing the grass for about 1 kilometer?"

"No, not quite there yet. It's more like a square of about 500 meters, President."

With hopeful words from Sakimori, Katsuyori calmly provides an estimate. Yeah, too bad. Is that all? I think Shizuku-san did her best, but I droop my shoulders.

"That's right. People's perceptions can easily be deceived. Even with a shell mound gathered with thousands of shells, you might think there are tens of thousands. Too bad, Sakimori. Gahaha!"

"That's a story from your youth, Shingen? Testing his vassals. Geez, it's hard to understand."

Although disappointed, Sakimori is also amazed by Shizuku-san, the human lawnmower. By acquiring Aura, Sakimori has become stronger than he initially imagined, but Shizuku accurately grasps the aura's power and maximizes its efficiency. It's on a different level than me, who's still fumbling around.

"Max Efficiency Aura Conversion Technique... That's what she desires."

Indeed, it's strong. It's a trump card. However, on the other hand, if my enemy can wield aura, there's a possibility of falling behind. The skill is limited to a maximum conversion efficiency of 1. But that's only for humans. It's specifically named "maximum." Of course, there may be skills for medium or small conversion efficiency, so we can't let our guard down.

When I think I'm in an advantageous position, I mustn't let my guard down. Even if I fall behind once, I have the remaining skill, so it should be fine.

Deciding to keep the danger of battle in mind, I gather my composure, look at the plain-like scenery before me, and clap my hands together.

"500 meters is fine. Guys, dig up the turf and start cultivating. Collect the defeated monsters, and although the Lesser Mandragoras don't have any means of attack, be careful when defeating them. Let's begin."

"Yes! [Calvary Creation]. We'll use it for cultivation. Make sure to remove all the small stones!"

Shingen concentrates his mana, releasing his mana to use the skill [Cavalry]. A magic circle is drawn, and 5 gallant horses appear, neighing.

Without any confusion, his other subordinates attach homemade plows to the warhorses. It's like a time without machinery and Sakimori smirks, but it's much better than having animals that can't be used.

The horses walk, and the plows dig into the soil. The land near the dungeon is fertile and soft. The plows dig deep, continuously cultivating the earth.

Small stones emerge, and children walking behind the adults stoop to collect them. Lesser Mandragoras that occasionally appear don't frighten the children because Shizuku already mowed their leaf-like weapons. They hastily crawl out of the soil, and we crush them with sticks, extracting their cores.

The Lesser Mandragoras are still alive, but we're handling them without problems. I cross my arms and express satisfaction. But to avoid developing disgusting carrots, we don't need to collect the fragments, right? Why do we collect them? Let's burn those fragments in a bonfire.

Since monsters don't reproduce, there won't be any development where their shattered bodies crawl and parasitize humans. But still, don't they feel emotionally disgusted by it? Why are the children happily extracting the cores from the dead Lesser Mandragoras and putting them in a basket? Could you explain that to this old man a little?

The cores are being extracted not only from the corpses of Worms and Mothmans, ignoring the old man's suspicions.

"Ouch!"

Amidst that, a young girl let out a voice of pain. It seemed that Worm's cilia had stuck into her hand. Should I have prepared gloves? Her hand swelled up, and a little blood oozed out.

"Are you okay, Hana? Here, it's the Initial Potion."

A young boy, referred to as Hana, handed a small bottle of red liquid to the girl.

"Hehe, thanks, Jun."

She smiled, thanked the boy, and then poured the potion onto the affected area. In an instant, the area touched by the potion glowed, the swelling subsided, the bleeding stopped, and there was no trace of the injury.

It's one of the new items in the lineup of the new chain store. It was added recently.

-Initial potion: 10 F-cores-

Initial Potion is a magical potion that heals minor injuries such as cuts and abrasions. The empty bottle turns into sand and disappears as if it never existed in the first place.

It can only heal superficial wounds. Unfortunately, it won't heal deep wounds even if you use multiple potions, but it still has many uses. It can prevent tetanus, and chapped skin, and provide a slight stamina boost. Drinking it when tired makes you feel a little more energetic.

"It's so popular because it's slightly sweet. I wonder if it's not bad for the body?"

It's slightly sweet. It's not intensely sweet. But for the people in the abandoned town. It's still a treat. Many people drink it unnecessarily.

[The only result that remains is recovery as an event. Unlike ordinary medicine, there are no side effects, so you don't have to worry.]

[I'm glad you're here, Shizuku-san.]

Shizuku resolves my doubts. I can't thank her enough. It's great to have this girl as my partner.

While feeling reassured by Shizuku, who floats gently, I can't help but ask.

[Why are you crawling on all fours and sticking out your lips, Shizuku-san?]

I'm a beautiful girl giant warrior. I've been completely regenerated over a sufficient amount of time, so I'm not rotten. It's not my preference. Boo. I will burn the rotting sea. Boo. My choice is to burn it all. Boo.]

[Oh, I see.]

Once again, I avert my gaze from the pitifully beautiful girl who is crawling on all fours and taking small, adorable steps, as she does something incomprehensible.

She would be the perfect partner if not for this illness.