Chapter 1026 – The Use of Items Is Planned

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If we were to describe it using Cleon’s existing knowledge, it would be best to say that it has the shape of an ‘apple’.

It is imbued with magical power and emits a beautiful light. Even if it is explained as an object aimed at by many heroes in legends, there will be no discomfort at all.

However, looking at the fruit, which contains a dangerous energy, naturally reminds me of the one I saw before in the fallen kingdom of the Sun King.

Along with the tree branch that Kuon had, the hope of restoring the land was buried, but it was also the feeling that I felt when I briefly got hold of it.

When you have it, you feel like you are full of energy for some reason and a feeling that makes you want to test your own limits.

That feeling could be called ‘arrogance.’

A feeling of being strangely stimulated by the ‘confidence’ that all humans may have.

I remember that in order to shake off that temptation, I needed some kind of mental strength.

At that time, the fantasy he saw-

Thinking back to the scene where Kuon had become a being that changed this world as a result of using the fruit, Cleon could not help but feel pure joy at the existence of the fruit before his eyes.

Besides, if there is any part that gets stuck.

Why did the sacred tree give such an important item to them?

Of course, pacifying the adamantite mine was not a simple task.

It may have been necessary to eliminate the entire adamantite mine.

Because of Herti, he was able to hear Zita’s voice and choose another path through her.

She cooperated with her and convinced her adamantites, so to speak, it was almost like a trick on her part.

And to create Zita’s body – the adamantite golem required for her deal – four wizards who could control powerful elemental magic were needed.

One of them is ‘Melusine’… Thinking about the adventures of her fairy incense to bring her back to her, the river fairy, Cleon and his party take both her fairy incense and Asteris. All were saved.

─In any case, in the end, that’s it.

That’s why Cleon couldn’t help but feel that the compensation for the work they received was a bit excessive.

“Cleon?”

Seeing that Cleon’s expression was not bright, Lila called out to him as if asking if he was okay, and Cleon nodded his head while pretending to fix his bangs.

“It’s okay. But that case…”

“It’s a case that is put in and sealed to prevent magical energy from flowing out. It’s mainly used to store dangerous artifacts or monster materials. You never know what might happen if you hold something like the ‘Fruit of Life’ alive.”

Lila answers Cleon’s question lightly and presses the case firmly with the tip of her index finger.

“I checked it on the spot when I received it, and I also checked it when I returned to the workshop. It is, as expected, genuine. In fact, it contains enough magical power to change even the biological structure of the person who consumed it. … No, in this case, should I say ‘life force’? .”

As Lila said that, she immediately took her fingers off her case.

“I’ll be honest with you. This is a very dangerous item. Well, it’s definitely worth studying, and it’s so rare that I doubt I’ll ever be able to get it again.”

When he hears even Lyla evaluate the Fruit of Life that way, Kuon also nods.

She would recall that she, too, had the same vision as Cleon.

“If you eat this, a human will turn into a non-human being. In other words, it is a fruit that has the power to simply carry out past life rituals. There are probably a lot of people who want that so much that their hands will stick out of their necks. So, the fact that we have this, it’s best to hide it as much as possible, but we can’t just dispose of it… Haha.”

At Lila’s explanation, which ended with her bitter smile, the other people gathered also looked nervous.

“And among those aiming for this, the most dangerous one is… ‘Adam’.”

When Amelia spoke in a mutter, Cleon also nodded her head.

“This guy is looking for the ‘Crystal of Perfection’ and the ‘Fruit of Life’ as the keys to gaining the power to take down Nemea from her throne.”

“And—just by coincidence, the fact that both of those things are gathered around us. Does this give Adam more and more reasons to target us?”

When Lila said that, Cleon frowned and nodded.

“Even so, I have no intention of having it taken away.”

“Yes… If Adam or the Exile Church take this away, this world will come to an end.”

Sasha also agreed with Cleon.

“Then. Can’t you just use it?”

At that time, Schrödinger, who was quietly watching the scene from the side, opened his mouth.

“Well, it is said that if you use this, you will turn into something other than human… But you are sure that it will become stronger than now, right? Then, you can use it and destroy it before it is taken away.”

Schrödinger speaks as if asking what he is worrying about so much.

And, following her Schrödinger, Melusine sympathized with her and opened her mouth.

“As she said. If it’s an item that is at risk of being taken by the enemy, I think it’s a good idea to use it when the opportunity arises. This is especially true when a dangerous battle is ahead and your power increases.”

“That’s…”

To those two people’s words, Kuon reacts passively, and his expression darkens.

“Well, I thought so too…”

Meanwhile, Lila is probably sighing and scratching her head.

“This is something you shouldn’t just eat. Rather than changing into a non-human being, should we say that the change in the ‘mental’ part is attracted to the ‘body’?”

“The ‘spirit’ is being dragged by the ‘body’…?”

Amelia asked back as if it was difficult to understand Lila’s words.

“When the body changes into a non-human being, it has the mind of a non-human being. … In other words, when it becomes a monster, it has the mind of a monster.”

Cleon explained this to Amelia.

At least in the fantasy he saw, Kuon was transformed into an ‘angel’… Although it was a little twisted, he had the spirit of that being.

“Yes. So, if you use the fruit, you will turn into a different being than you were before you ate it.”

“…”

Even if it does not have a human body, if its spirit is close to that of a human, it can be called a human.

However, even if it resembles a human, if it does not have a human mind, it is not a human.

“You don’t plan on giving up your humanity to eat this fruit, do you?”

When Cleon asked again as if to confirm, the group gathered around nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. That’s what I was thinking…”

And as Lila received Cleon’s words, she pointed to the fruit again and spoke.

“How to safely use this item called the Fruit of Life. The hypothesis is that what is needed for that is a ‘crystal of perfection.'”

As Lila said that, she crossed her legs and took out her glasses from her arms.

The sight of Laila’s glasses popping out whenever she was explaining something made the group adjust their posture to listen to the explanation.

“The fruit of life is something that changes the body. And as a result, the strength of the mind cannot withstand the changes of the strength of the body. So how can we achieve balance between the body and the mind? It’s simple. Strengthen the body The more you do it, the more you strengthen your mind and soul.”

“I guess that’s the theory.”

Cleon responds to Lila’s explanation.

“To protect the soul, a large amount of magical power is needed. And what if there is a lot of magical power? The soul is naturally protected. And where can you get that much magical power?”

In order to cover the magic power that has exceeded one’s limits, potions are generally absurdly insufficient.

If it were a little primitive, there would be a ritual using live sacrifices.

However, in general terms, it could be said that external magical power was used as one’s own.

“… So, you can use the ‘Crystal of Perfection’ as a storehouse of magical power.”

“Yes, that’s right. We don’t know how to extract magic from that crystal.”

Lila just shrugged her shoulders while saying that.

“… Sophia might know.”

“Great Sage? That’s true if she’s her. But she’s not a being that we can summon when we want from here, right? Well. Anyway, my conclusion is…”

Click. And she adjusts her glasses.

“Until I can find a way to use it safely. Don’t let this fruit be taken away by the Expulsion Church. And when I find out how, Cleon.”

She looks back at Cleon.

“You are using this fruit.”

“What, what?”

Cleon looked at her, perplexed by her words, as she suddenly singled him out.

“Me?”

“Okay, you. Why are you so surprised?”

In response to Cleon’s reaction, Lila actually says that.

“Mr. Cleon is the center of the party, and I am sure that Mr. Cleon will use his power in the right direction.”

Sasha said this and showed her faith in Cleon.

“Because I thought it was the power you needed the most.”

Cuon understood Cleon.

“Your goal is not just to defeat ‘Adam’, is it?”

Lila also seemed to be aware of Cleon’s gaze towards the ‘star’ he was looking at.

“…”

At the words of his colleagues, Cleon could not help but find words to return for a moment.

If there is an awkward silence between the companions for a moment…

“Well, it’s okay. Even if Cleon ceases to be human, we will take good care of him!”

As if to break the tense atmosphere, Lila spoke.

“Layla…”

Kuon shook her head as if she was tired of Lila’s words.

“What if I become bigger than Gonzales?”

“Then I guess I’ll have to find a bigger house.”

“Even Sasha!”

Watching the three girls making jokes, Cleon looks a little dazed, but soon bursts into laughter.

Then, he calmed down his laughter a little and spoke to the three.

“Thanks everyone. … Still… Right now, I won’t decide to use the power of that fruit. Of course, having the power of the fruit would be a big help, but…”

At Cleon’s answer, the three people look at each other for a moment.

“Well… If you say so.”

“Yes. It’s up to Mr. Cleon to decide.”

“Yes. Then, I will keep this.”

Lyla, Sasha, and Kuon spoke like that, showing their understanding of Cleon’s choice.

“Is that okay? Amelia.”

And Cleon asked Amelia.

“Yes… Yes?”

Amelia looked a little surprised, saying she didn’t know that the baton for her story would be passed on to her as well.

“Yes. Amelia is also a member of the party, right? I thought I would listen to her if she has any opinions about the fruit.”

“… Me too, in the party…”

Amelia will likely react a little agitated to Cleon’s words.

Of course, it wasn’t because of any reluctance to be recognized as a member of the party, but because I didn’t expect to be said that way.

But soon, she nods her head and answers.

“Me too. I will respect Cleon’s choice.”

“… Yes. Thank you.”

Cleon also nods his head at Amelia’s answer.

With this, the opinions of all parties have been gathered into one.

With that answer, Cleon stood up.

“Good. In many ways, it has been decided. Then, let’s each prepare for the remaining period until we follow Attis’ expedition. Okay?”

Just like that, the party was disbanded in the living room.

They went back to their respective rooms and prepared for the ‘last adventure’ in the eastern country.

And time passes quickly.

Everyone probably thought that two days wasn’t that long of a time, but when the morning comes that day, you’ll think it really was an instant.

Meanwhile, Beatrix and Anatis returned.

Anatis seemed a little upset when we parted ways, but why?

At a glance, I think I was looking at Cleon’s finger.

Anyway. Cleon and his party changed into adventurer clothes on time and appeared in front of the northern castle gate where the expedition team was to gather.