Chapter 73

Before anyone could notice, I hurriedly left the orchard. I wanted to see more of the orchard, which was far more splendid than the 26th terrarium, but...

Still, Elder, who usually becomes troublesome when Dia is involved, was unusually quiet. The amount of Dia that drained everyone's color must have bleached my skin as white as Elder's hair, I worried. But when I glanced at him, he seemed surprisingly calm. That's strange. Didn't he see it? Didn't he notice?

Should I scratch and make a fuss, or let it pass quietly?

"Mesquite, do you know what a hornet is?"

I chose the latter. Mesquite's face showed a moment of contemplation at my question.

"Hmm, if my knowledge is correct, I can explain about 'bees.' However, they are usually honeybees. Honeybees are known for their ability to find their hives even after traveling long distances with pollen or honey, which druids use as mail carriers."

Like pigeons that carry letters tied to their legs? But bees are too small to carry letters, aren't they? Imagining a tiny honeybee carrying a letter five times its size made my forehead wrinkle.

"I've heard of hornets before!"

Daisy, who had been waiting calmly for Mesquite to finish, jumped up and said. She seemed worried that she wouldn't be visible because my gaze was still on Mesquite's face, which had risen to look at me. Her cute action made me smile.

"I often met administrative officers at the village hall before meeting the druid. They talked about using hornets to send messages!"

"Hmm, that's a helpful hint."

I stroked Daisy's red hair and thought. Combining Mesquite's and Daisy's information, it seems that regular druids use honeybees, while administrative officers use hornets. What's the difference?

"My master, Jay. For information about administrative officers, isn't there a more knowledgeable dryad?"

Mesquite smiled and looked at the hand holding Wallet. Ah, Daisy2! While Mesquite is knowledgeable in a broad range of topics, Daisy2 knows things Mesquite doesn't.

I called the 28th terrarium using the artifact to check on the dandelion children and see how they were adapting. In the meantime, I received a message that I had been officially appointed as an administrative officer, not just a temporary one. However, since my terrarium's market was not active, the World Tree's branch was still sucking Dia from my wallet.

"Master Jay! Did you arrive safely at the 18th terrarium? The dandelion seedlings arrived on time and are training hard. They are very active and enthusiastic, so if I teach them well, they will grow into fine trees!"

Looking down at the 28th terrarium, it seemed Daisy2 was in the middle of a training session, with the dandelion children sitting on their knees in front of her. The children's clothing had improved significantly since the first time I saw them, and it seemed their experience points had been steadily increasing due to the battles they had been in.

The area around where the dryads were gathered was clean, and the cleaning and maintenance of the terrarium were progressing well.

"I'm now an official administrative officer, not a temporary one. The process was simple."

"I'm not doubting you, Jay, but I was a bit worried. I can't imagine the 28th terrarium without you!"

Daisy2 then laid out a more advanced terrarium construction plan, insisting that no druid other than me could realize her dream. She was still as talkative as ever.

There was something more urgent than listening to Daisy2's strong attachment to the 28th terrarium.

"Have you heard of hornets?"

"Ah, you know about bees, right? What about spider webs?"

"I know about bees, but what about spider webs?"

It was one thing after another. Bees are just insects that collect honey, and spider webs are webs spun by spiders, right? Why are there so many things that deviate from common knowledge?

"Honeybees are cheap and can send multiple bees at once by just placing a hive, making them convenient but very weak. Since our terrarium used to have spider webs, most terrariums probably have them too."

As I imagined white spider webs stretching throughout the terrarium, Daisy2 corrected me with a smile.

"I don't mean visible spider webs. These spider webs exist to catch bees carrying messages. They are used to intercept druids on the blacklist or bees with specific conditions set in the terrarium."

"So it's for security."

I chuckled, thinking of a country that controls even private SNS.

"Hornets are difficult to tame and require a male and female pair, making them expensive, but they are strong and can't be stopped by spider webs, so they are used for important messages. However, for really important and complex messages, it's better to send a messenger. Bees can only carry simple messages. Hornets use their habit of finding their mates, so they can only send messages one-to-one with the owner of the other mate. If you want to use hornets, you need to prepare a male and female pair and a hive for them, but I'm sorry, I don't know how to get them. All terrariums officially prohibit the use of hornets, though they are secretly used."

Kallon must have meant to send one of the pair when he said he would prepare a hive. Still, it's illegal to use hornets. They seemed to be openly used in front of administrative officers in the meeting room earlier. Maybe they turn a blind eye.

I now knew what hornets were, but finding them was a challenge. Since it's illegal, there wouldn't be any stores selling them openly. Should I find a beekeeper and offer a bribe with a sinister smile...?

The answer came surprisingly quickly. While communicating with Daisy2, I had been thinking and speaking half to myself, and someone nearby must have overheard our conversation.

The 18th terrarium was crowded, and we were just talking in a suitable spot, so we didn't pay attention to who was around. That's why we didn't notice someone eavesdropping.

A man rustled a paper bag and approached.

"Did you just say hornets?"

The man, with thick glasses and long hair tied back, wore a thin headband to keep his bangs in place. He looked like someone who had been up all night during exam week.

Despite his haggard appearance, a bright smile spread across his face, as if he had found an oasis in the desert.

What is he, a bad guy? Ignoring my skeptical expression, he kept coughing and approached until my dryads' presence made him stop.

"What a coincidence! I happen to have a good item..."

I need hornets, and someone who can provide them just appeared? This feels like a predetermined quest. He seems suspicious.

I had just met the organization that tried to kidnap Kanabis, so my suspicion of others was at its peak.

"No, I'm not suspicious. Here's my ID."

He showed the badge on his chest, which read "18th Terrarium Alchemy Tower, 5th Grade Researcher."

So, there's an alchemy tower in the 16th terrarium too. Do all the advanced terrariums have one? We should get one for the 28th.

"Although I haven't yet earned the title of alchemist, my skills are already at that level. I'm 5th Grade Researcher 'Pila' at the 18th terrarium. I happen to be researching a super hornet, which is on a different level from regular hornets. Of course, it's still in the testing phase, but it's the best result of my alchemy knowledge..."

The thin, weak-looking man spoke as if he was asking, "Do you understand the way?" He talked a lot but only touched on the hornets I was interested in. The conclusion of his long speech was a request for investment in his research.

"I don't have time to wait until your research is complete."

I don't believe in the way, find someone else. The best response to this type of person is to ignore them. As I tried to leave, he suddenly knelt and clung to me.

When the dryads tried to attack, he started pleading rapidly.

"Please, just give me a moment! If I don't produce results this time, I'll be demoted, and from 6th grade, I'll be kicked out of the alchemy tower! How can they expect me to produce a blockbuster result worthy of the 1st terrarium with only a tiny research budget at 5th grade?! If you come to the alchemy tower and see my research, you'll change your mind! I'll give you a 70-30 share if you invest now!"

Shares? I like that word.

"80-20."

I threw it out without knowing what it meant.

"Rather eat a flea's liver! I've used my own money for research because the budget is insufficient, and I've been eating discarded goods from the store!"

"I have a lot of money."

"Sir!"

His attitude changed. He bowed deeply as if I were his new deity. This is amusing.

"Jay, let's go. He's a strange person."

"He happens to have hornets, so let's take a look. I'm also curious about the alchemy tower."

Alchemists, who make potions and the Panacea for dandelions, are fascinating people.

Is this a sub-class in the game? I want to see what they do. Since it's inside the terrarium and feels like a public institution, it shouldn't be dangerous.

He led the way to the alchemy tower, guiding me with both hands.