Chapter 58
*Yawn* Good morning.
It feels like it’s been a while since I said this phrase.
Well then, after I eat the magic stone for breakfast, let’s start working.
The first thing I’ll do is make a golem to serve as labor.
The full-scale construction of the dungeon will probably take place in two to three days.
Elibel is drawing up the blueprints based on the ideas I came up with.
It’s quite complicated, and each level needs to be properly constructed, so I decided to have Elibel draw up the plans for me.
She was quite enthusiastic about it and boasted that it would be done in about two days.
I was skeptical about whether she could draw up the plans in two days, but Elibel, who completed “Return X” in just three days, probably can do it.
By the way, I heard from Berg that if an ordinary magician were to make that potion, it would take several decades to complete.
Berg is probably being put to work by Elibel right about now.
Well, let’s give it our best.
Now then, it’s time to make a golem after a long time.
Although it’s a simple one with only the bare minimum of parts.
Initially, I thought that if I made them as usual, I could only make about twenty in a day, but by following the design made by Elibel, I was able to increase the workload several times over.。
It’s a humanoid golem with a simple design like a drawing mannequin.
It’s composed of only the bare minimum of parts and is simple to make.
It can only follow the most basic commands.
However, the magic stone embedded in its chest is an ultra-high purity magic stone mined from the deep layers.
It’s an excellent power source and performs even better than its appearance suggests.
Their main job is repairing this dungeon.
They work together with Ann’s antlings to repair the damaged areas and cracks inside the dungeon.
This dungeon will also be transformed into a new dungeon entrance and trap.
However, it’s quite surreal to see the drawing mannequins wandering around the dungeon with tools in hand.
Next time, maybe I’ll make hats for the construction workers.
It’s too eerie.
『Hmm… It’s too easy making these golems, it’s not fulfilling enough.』
I feel like I’m cutting corners or something.
As someone who has quite a passion for golems, I have mixed feelings about it being so simplistic.
I want to create golems that have a better feel to them.
But completing the dungeon takes priority, so I’ll create more impressive golems after finishing the dungeon.
Right now, I feel like I can even create “that golem.”
Oh, speaking of which, I molted for the first time in a while yesterday.
After the discussion with everyone, before going to bed, I felt itchy, and as expected, I shed my skin.
It felt refreshing.
My body has also grown a bit.
However, the shed skin and scales were taken by Elibel.
She was saying things like, 『Woohoo! Rare materials acquired! Time for research!』
Damn it.
I need that shed skin and scales for creating that golem I’m thinking of.
Well, I’m not in a hurry, so I can wait until the next molt.
I entrusted the work to the golems and the antlings, and I passed through the teleportation gate to move.
I arrived at the limestone cave where Tres and the others are.
Out of all the caves I explored, this one feels the most comfortable.
Above all, the fact that sunlight doesn’t reach here is a major plus.
I feel calm in this dark and damp place.
Tres and Pururu seem to be quite far away.
I’ll just keep exploring; I’ll send a thought transmission saying it’s okay.
Now then, let’s start digging.
Dig, dig, dig.
I’ll set aside the excavated soil for now.
…It would be convenient if I could use earth magic.
Currently, among us, only Elibel and Berg can use earth magic.
I can’t use any magic other than alchemy.
I’ll ask them to teach me next time.
I look at the soil I’ve dug up again.
『Hmm, it’s still good soil.』
Yesterday, I only judged it based on the taste of the magic stone, but the soil in this limestone cave is also quite good.
That’s why I thought of making a golem with this soil as well.
Alright, let’s shape this soil into a humanoid form and mix in the magic stone I brought from the Eld Desert.
As soon as the magic stone is embedded, the humanoid form immediately stands up as a golem.
However, its movements seem somewhat smoother than the golems created in the Eld Desert.
I see, the performance of a golem can differ not only based on the magic stone but also on the quality of the soil.
This is a delightful discovery.
『Oh, you’re here.』
When I look back, the antlings arrive, carrying magic stones.
It seems that the teleportation gate is working fine.
I asked the antlings and golems to not only assist in repairing the dungeon in the Eld Desert but also to mine magic stones.
Well, the quality and quantity may not be as good as when I dig them myself, but with this many, it shouldn’t be a problem.
The antlings place the magic stones in front of me and immediately pass through the teleportation gate, returning to the Eld Desert.
『Now, let’s keep making golems.』
I diligently worked on creating golems in the underground space of the Add Mountains Range.
And when I made around thirty drawing mannequin golems, a single antling passed through the teleportation gate and came to me.
I was so absorbed in making golems at first that I didn’t notice, but I finally realized when it bit my hind leg.
Apparently, it was entrusted with a message from Ann.
I receive that message through thought transmission.
Hmm, I see…
It seems that they found some monsters in the Yuguru Great Forest that could be useful in battle, but convincing them is proving difficult.
And the condition they presented is to meet their leader, which means me.
Well, it’s true that no one wants to follow someone they haven’t even seen.
Indeed, even the lowest-class monsters have quite a bit of intelligence.
Can’t be helped, I’ll go.
Right now, I’m in a situation where I could use all the help I can get.
Whether it’s a Lesser Goblin or a Slime, I’ll go meet them.
I order the golems I created to excavate the soil needed as materials.
Also, I order them to shape the excavated soil into the specified form.
With this, once the magic stones are embedded, the next golems can be activated immediately.
As I watch the golems start their work, I dive into the teleportation gate and head to the Yuguru Great Forest.
However, moving my body like this feels good after all.
I can feel magical power surging throughout my body.
Perhaps it’s because I recently molted, but I feel like my magical power is overflowing more than usual.
After diving through the teleportation gate and exiting the cave, Ann was right there nearby.
Ann also noticed me and approached.
『Ah, Lord Earth! I apologize for troubling you.』
『Oh, it’s fine. I’ve finished making the golems. So, who are you negotiating with?』
I look around.
I should be able to sense the presence of those creatures… the presence…
Huh?
What’s with this massive amount of monster presence?
When I activate my magic sense, there’s an overwhelming number of presences surrounding me.
I can’t see them. Are they hiding?
But there are countless monsters around me.
And not just one kind.
I sense the presence of dozens of different types of monsters.
What’s going on?
『Alright, everyone, come out!』
As I tilt my head in confusion, Ann sends a thought transmission.
From the bushes in front of us, something emerges.
It’s four monsters.
A snake, a dog, a monkey, and a spider-like creature come out.
Ann steps forward in front of me.
『This is our Lord, Lord Earth. Do you understand? The overwhelming magical power he possesses! That you wouldn’t stand a chance even if you all teamed up!』
Ann seems to be explaining something about me to the monsters.
It feels like there might be some exaggeration in her words, but I decide not to worry about it.
Hmm… these creatures emit quite a strong magical power.
They definitely don’t look like the lowest-class monsters.
In fact, judging by the waves of magical power I feel, they might be at the General-class or even higher.
However, they all tremble in fear.
Everyone seems to have expressions as if it’s the end of the world.
What’s wrong?
Did they catch a cold or something?
『Lord Earth, they are the four ruling races of this forest: the Dead Snake, Lesser Fenrir, Red Monkey, and Gluttony Spider.』
Ann proceeds to explain.
Oh, I see. The ruling races, huh?
……………..What?
Ruling races?
Um, didn’t you say yesterday that they were probably the lowest-class monsters?
『Um… Ann? What’s going on? Yesterday, you said they were most likely the lowest-class monsters, right?』
Ann, in a cheerful mood, waves her hands near her chest and proceeds to explain.
『Yes. However, if we plan to utilize this forest as a dungeon, I thought it would be more efficient to establish a hierarchy first and then proceed with the rest of the tasks smoothly.』
…………Um?
It feels like she skipped a few steps there, this ant.
『So, with the help of the worker ants, I investigated the ecosystem of this forest and discovered the four ruling races at the top. I attempted to persuade them.』
I see, I see.
『And so, I found these four races, engaged in one-on-one battles with their respective leaders… but they all proved to be no match for me, and I defeated them quite easily.』
Oh… so Ann has become quite strong, huh?
Looking at her, she doesn’t have a scratch on her.
Wait, hold on. They fought?
Does that mean it was a show of force…?
『But then, none of the races were willing to accept defeat. In the end, they demanded to see Lord Earth… So, I thought, perhaps wiping them all out would be an option. However, considering the future, it would be a waste to kill them, so we reached the conclusion not to do so.』
『So, that’s why you contacted me?』
I heard some dangerous words there, but I’ll just ignore them.
Certainly, it’s impossible to cooperate with someone you’ve never seen before.
Especially when they suddenly appear and resort to violence.
Well, cooperation might be difficult…
If worse comes to worst, I’ll just remove this place from the dungeon――――
『But, truly, Lord Earth, your power is magnificent. Please look, the moment Lord Earth arrived here, everyone swore their loyalty to you.』
『Huh, is that so?』
Being told that, I look at the creatures in front of me once again.
Since they are all bowing their heads, I can’t see their expressions, but their bodies are trembling.
Wait, is this okay?
Let’s confirm.
『Um, could you cooperate with us in our dungeon…?』
I transmit my thoughts so that it can be heard throughout this area.
At that moment, as if they had made up their minds, the creatures slowly nod.
It’s true.
But… I see, so that’s how it is.
I understand.
……………..They’re nervous too, huh.
Come to think of it, it’s impossible for them to accept without hesitation when someone suddenly arrives in the place where they live peacefully and asks for their cooperation in building a dungeon.
I’m so nervous about this.
They must be nervous too.
For now… in times like this, food works.
Yeah.
Food diplomacy.
I command the antlings to bring magic stones from the Eld Desert dungeon.
Deeply buried, ultra-high purity magic stone.
It’s a good thing I dug up a few.
Then, I hand those magic stones to the creatures in front of me.
The creatures have surprised expressions on their faces.
『Well, this is the best we can offer… Even so, could you somehow cooperate with us?』
The creatures slowly take the magic stones into their mouths.
They chew and swallow with a crunching sound.
In the next moment, they abruptly look at me.
Then they seem to communicate with each other, exchanging words.
After a while, the four types of monsters nod at each other, look at me again, and…
『『『『ｂぃｃｆｂｚｓｂｖＺＬＳＩｅｆｃｈａｎｉｕｙｈｓｖ』』』』
Noohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
I received an overwhelming amount of thought transmission.
It hurts!
My head hurts!
Wait, this feeling… it’s like déjà vu.
Ah, I remember. It was like this when I first met Ann too…
『『『『is… this… getting through…』』』』
Huh?
I hear about four voices overlapping each other.
『Great Earth Dragon, can you hear our voices?』
The monkey-like creature in front takes a step forward.
Could it be that these voices are coming from these creatures in front of me?
『Oh, yeah. I can hear you, I can hear you.』
I reply through thought transmission.
Then, starting with the monkey, the forest creatures all kneel down at once.
Huh?
『『『『Great and mighty Earth Dragon, please guide us.』』』』
………………..Uh, sure?
Other creatures that were hiding in the bushes also appear and kneel.
Wait, what’s going on?
Well, for now, does this mean they’ll cooperate?
Ann is looking at me with an overwhelmed expression.
Huh?
Um, is this okay?
Is it safe?
And so, on the first day of dungeon construction, I ended up obtaining the Yuguru Great Forest.
…Yeah, things are probably going well.