Chapter 51

During the day, when I was called by Hestia to the garden, she handed me a staff.

Among all the staffs I have received, this one was particularly white.

"With this, it probably won't break! Use it!"

"O-Okay, thank you."

Judging from the amount of effort put into it, it might be a masterpiece.

I'll try it out lightly.

"Um, Golems x 100."

The trees in the garden turned into golems and stood up.

The last time I used it, the magic key broke, but...

"Whoa."

Even after summoning a hundred golems, there wasn't a single crack on the staff.

"Wow. It doesn't budge at all."

"Hmm... I made it without sleeping or resting. ...I'm hungry."

"No, you don't have to push yourself so hard."

When Hestia started to wobble from hunger, I gave her an apple, and she started munching on it.

After eating just one, she seemed much calmer and sat down on a tree stump.

"Because the amount of magic power required for the magic key has been increasing day by day, I had to put in more effort to keep up. ...Recently, the golems have become more detailed and muscular."

"Thanks for the compliment."

You're even paying attention to the details of the body.

The more detailed it gets, the more magic power it consumes, though.

"Anyway, thank you. From finding the materials to making the staff."

"Hmm, it's fine. It's a hobby. The money comes from your pocket, after all."

"But, the material for this staff is your bone, right?"

That can't be bought, can it? Isn't it valuable?

"Hmm, the tailbone is valuable, but to be precise, it's more like claws or scales. They can be replenished during the growth period, so it's not a problem."

"Oh, I see."

If that's the case, I'll use it without hesitation.

"Besides, if the stock runs out, there are other sources."

"Other sources?"

"Hmm, there are other dragon kings who might have it."

I see. Any dragon king can provide the materials.

"There are differences in magic power and hardness, but the basics are the same. So, they can be used as substitutes. For example, Anne could..."

At that moment,

"Did you call me, Big Sister—!!!"

Anne, who ran over at an incredible speed, hugged Hestia tightly.

"Ugh..."

"Good morning. Since I was called, I came again today, Daito-sama."

"Hey, welcome."

While hugging Hestia, Anne greeted me skillfully.

Because she bowed deeply, Hestia was buried in her two mounds.

"Ugh, I didn't call you...!!"

Since this was the second time, Hestia immediately pushed her chest away.

With a strong rejection, she managed to escape from Anne.

"Haah... Haah... The perfect amount of force, Big Sister... It felt good..."

Anne, who was pushed away, was blushing.

Is this dragon king really okay?

"Anyway, why did you come, Anne?"

"Huh... That's right. I came to apologize for the trouble I caused last time."

"Hmm, trouble, you say."

Which trouble was it?

Was it the trouble of rushing in with the clay doll, or the trouble of cleaning up afterward?

"Eh, you know that the doll was mine?"

"Yeah, Hestia told me."

It's fine to act out, but I don't appreciate you messing up my garden and ruining my peaceful lunch. I'm a bit angry.

"Ugh... I'm sorry."

Alright. Since you apologized before I got angry, I'll let it go this time.

"But, just apologizing isn't enough. Ah, those cold eyes... They make me shiver. Haah... Haah... What kind of punishment will I get? Will my butt be hit by that magic vortex? If that happens, I, I...!!"

No, this is bad. If I give her angry eyes, it will have the opposite effect.

I need to handle her quirks appropriately.

It's impressive that Hestia can treat her like a little sister. I respect her.

"Anyway, what did you come to apologize for?"

"Ah, right. I brought my secret magic item!"

"What's a magic item?"

While I was wondering, Hestia, who was catching her breath, explained.

"An object containing magic power that can produce various effects. It can be used for daily life and combat."

As expected of Hestia, who is knowledgeable. She gave a perfect explanation.

"I'm the Earth Dragon King. I'm good at making magic items from soil and underground dungeon materials. ...It started as a copy of Big Sister, though."

"I only make staffs. But Anne can create a variety of items, from potions to auxiliary tools."

"No, no, I can't make staffs. The fact that Big Sister can make such delicate weapons is what makes her abnormal."

I see. The items you can make are different.

While I was thinking about this, Hestia looked at me intently.

"Hmm. But... the most abnormal one here is the person who can create golems of this precision and quantity."

"Eh!? These are all golems!?"

Looking around at the muscular golems, Anne jumped up.

"They are filled with incredible magic power..."

"Yeah, this person made them. And with a magic key, too."

"Wow, I've never seen anyone with such precision as Big Sister. They are using more magic power than I do, yet they made them with a magic key..."

What is this?

It might be a look of surprise, but it feels like I'm being looked at as if I'm a rare creature.

I'm not a rare animal.

"S-Sorry, Daito-sama. I was just surprised because I also make golems."

"No, it's fine..."

"Ah, right. If you're making tree golems or working outside, this might be even more useful!"

With that, Anne took a bottle from the slit in her chest.

Inside was a small crystal-like substance.

"Please use this if you like."

"What is it?"

"It's a healing potion extracted from dragon king blood. It's a valuable item that can be used for various purposes, from minor cuts from thorns to broken bones from tripping on roots. It works immediately when applied."

"Wow, a versatile medicine, huh?"

I usually leave the tree maintenance to the golems, but I do occasionally get caught on something.

If I tell Sakura, she can heal me with magic, and even without that, the band-aids in the medicine cabinet at home are enough.

But if it can heal with just an application, it's a convenient medicine.

I'll take it as a first-aid medicine.

"Thank you, Anne."

"No, no, it's a gift. Oh, and I have one more thing to report."

"Hmm? Report?"

"Yes, monsters in the Magic Forest might become more active or appear in the future."

What happened in the Magic Forest?

"Actually, there's a bit of a problem underground in the forest. But the activation of monsters is temporary, so there's no need to worry too much."

"I see. Got it. I'll be cautious."

"Yes, then I'll take my leave. If you run out of the healing potion, please let me know, and I'll come to replenish it. Thank you, Daito-sama. Big Sister."

With that, Anne hugged Hestia once more and returned to the forest.

"...I'm so tired."

"Yeah, good job."

Somehow, we ended up with a very noisy, door-to-door medicine salesperson.

But since we got a convenient medicine, it's not all bad.