The Druid Who Devoured the Great Nature

“……”

I was standing on the podium. Below the podium, researchers with intellectual impressions, wearing white gowns and round glasses, were looking up at me. For some reason, it was a scene that reminded me of the principal’s admonition during my school days. The difference would be that, unlike the admonition which was practically nap time, there was no one dozing off or looking away now.

‘Well, the next chairman of the company is watching.’

Claire was sitting next to me. Unlike students, the researchers, who were office workers, had to look good to their superiors. Listening attentively was the most basic of basics.

“I will introduce him, everyone.”

At the host’s words, the researchers pricked up their ears.

“They say he is someone Director Claire has brought in with great difficulty. He is Mr. Arman Hessen, who will be inaugurated as the team leader of our plant growth research team!”

The host said energetically. However, there was no immediate response. As the host’s voice echoed, the researchers just looked at each other awkwardly. An uncomfortable silence fell upon the venue. As if this was not the reaction he had expected, the host rolled his eyes.

“Now, everyone, please welcome him with a round of applause!”

Clap, clap, clap!

Claire, who couldn’t watch any longer, took the lead and clapped her hands. Only then did the researchers begin to clap one by one. Naturally, there was no enthusiasm in the forced response that was prompted by a superior.

「The World Tree waves its hand with a gentle smile!」

The World Tree, which was showing symptoms of attention-seeking, responded happily even to that.

I maintained my poker face and approached the microphone on the podium.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Arman Hessen.”

Arman Hessen. It was a new identity I had purchased from a broker. I was inspired by Taser Gale, who was the underboss of the Brotherhood and the president of Penicill. I had made a simple change in my appearance, and had even used a totem of illusion. There would be no one in here, at least, who could connect the current me with the contractor Allen.

Clap, clap, clap!

This time, the sound of applause was heard before Claire could give a hint. I looked around at the researchers who were clapping their hands reluctantly. The emotions revealed in their eyes and expressions. There were very few who welcomed me. It was safe to say there were almost none.

“The plant growth research team is a one-time project team that Director Claire has personally planned.”

To be precise, it was my idea. A large-scale seed improvement originating from the World Tree’s garden, and the greening of the continent using it. When I first thought of it, I had thought it was still a distant story. Money, facilities, manpower, in any aspect, it was premature with my abilities.

But I realized that I didn’t have to satisfy all of them myself. If I was lacking, I could borrow. And Claire had the capability to fill the parts I was lacking. As it happened, she was also putting in effort to recruit me, so it was a deal that both of us wanted.

And so, not long after, Claire launched the project team. It was so fast that even I, who had brought it up, was surprised, as if she were roasting beans in a lightning fire.

“But depending on the future results, we may remain as a core department of the head office.”

Under Claire’s leadership, manpower was drawn from various departments. Some departments were even dismantled in the process. However, I heard that the atmosphere itself was not bad. It was thanks to the external perception that Claire, who was getting closer to being the next chairman, was starting a new business to solidify her position. It was a matter of getting a piece of that plan, so if one had a desire for success, it was something to be welcomed.

“I believe I have been given a great responsibility. I will feel the responsibility and do my best.”

So, the dissatisfaction they had was directed entirely at me. An externally recruited person, a young age, and the full support of a superior. A rolling stone had sat on top of them, so it was enough reason to look at me with displeasure.

“Thank you.”

I bowed one last time and came down. Claire didn’t seem to have any intention of resolving this uncomfortable atmosphere. On the contrary, she blinked her eyes and gave me a strange look.

‘Is she telling me to solve this kind of difficulty on my own?’

I just shrugged my shoulders. Claire couldn’t force them to be loyal to me. She had done her part just by setting the stage as I wanted.

‘In any case, I’m the one holding the knife.’

This department, from its establishment purpose, was a department that could not run without me. Their misunderstanding would not last long.

***

“First, we plan to secure as many seeds as possible and start the experiment.”

Harry Wist was a renowned researcher. Right after graduating from university, he had built his career by moving from one prestigious research institute to another. Using that spec as a stepping stone, he was recruited by Sylvester, and had been on a roll without any particular failures since then.

So, when the rumor that Director Claire was establishing a new project team came out, he thought that his time had come. And when the recruitment offer came, he was filled with anticipation, along with the recognition that it was a natural thing. Although his age was a bit of a stumbling block, he had clear achievements. The position of team leader would surely come to him.

He had thought so. Until a rolling stone suddenly took that position.

“If it’s the same seed, we plan to conduct experiments and verifications starting from the environmental factors, to see in which environment the growth and development proceed actively.”

Chief researcher. That was the position Harry was offered. It was definitely a high position. As the second-in-command right under the team leader, he could see that Claire was treating him well. The reason he was not satisfied was because an unacceptable person was sitting above him.

“Also, in that process, we plan to conduct verifications on what kind of artificial touch will have a positive effect.”

Harry finished his report and looked at his superior sitting in front of him. Neatly cut hair and a monocle. A tall stature and refreshing features were quite admirable. He must have charmed the upper management with that appearance.

News about outstanding talents would reach one’s ears even if one was not interested. Among them, the name Arman Hessen was not there. It was a wonder where and how Claire had heard that name and recruited him.

“You can look at the documents I have submitted for more details on this.”

“Yes, I will review it and approve it if there are no problems.”

Did he even understand what he was saying? From Arman Hessen’s calm attitude, Harry read his naivety. It felt like he was forcing an atmosphere to not be looked down upon.

Harry licked his lips with the tip of his tongue.

“Are you perhaps feeling burdened?”

“……?”

“You don’t have to worry. I will produce the results, so you just have to take care of the overall coordination, Team Leader. I will assist you.”

It was a statement that was treading a fine line. It could be heard as just offering to hand over the achievements, or it could be heard as telling him to just keep his position like a scarecrow.

Harry carefully observed the other party’s reaction.

“Yes, I would appreciate it.”

As Arman answered, Harry clenched his fist. The estimate was out. This was enough to eat him up.

“I will do my best.”

Yes, I’ll give you the temporary results. But the one who will monopolize the credit at the end of the project is me. Ambition boiled under his good-natured smile.

***

‘His intentions are obvious.’

…Such were Harry’s intentions, as clear as day to me.

‘I knew one of them would pop out.’

It was a planned insubordination from the dissatisfied atmosphere of the inauguration ceremony. It was the position of team leader that Claire had personally placed me in. I could have used that as a weapon and firmly established the atmosphere from the beginning. I deliberately did not do so.

‘We’ll see who gets eaten up.’

Harry Wist was a capable person. It was a fact that anyone would admit if they had checked his personal information. A desire for success is not necessarily a bad thing. He was the type of person who would bring results once he was put in a position.

It would have been so if the research topic had been different.

‘The direction of approaching from the environmental factors itself is wrong.’

That was an experiment I had already finished with dozens of playthroughs of experience. If you approach it that way, you will never get results even if you die and come back to life. Even I didn’t know what the problem was until I had awakened as a druid. I had never imagined that the absence of spirits was the cause of the decline of Mother Nature.

Therefore, his ambition would never see the light of day. In the end, I would be the only one to see the results. It was a battle of wits where the outcome was already decided.

“……”

I suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. It was a feeling I remembered. A sensation similar to when Bellis Inc. was tailing me.

‘No, is it a little different?’

It wasn’t as sticky and gloomy as that time. It was closer to the feeling of having stumbled upon it by chance. Even a tailing put on by the researchers who doubted my career would be more professional than this.

‘It can’t be a tailing put on by the researchers.’

The contractor Allen and the research team leader Arman were different people. To eliminate the connection between the two, I had meaninglessly walked the streets and had taken a detour to remove my disguise in a blind spot. The current me was the contractor Allen.

「The World Tree notices a sense of unease!」

It was then that a creature suddenly popped out from an alley, as if it were hopping.

“Was it a rat?”

I muttered, having realized the identity of the gaze. A sewer rat, it was looking at me as if it were wary.

「The World Tree scratches its stem, saying it was being sensitive.」

Was it because my senses had become more sensitive? I could even feel the gaze of an animal on my skin. The tattooing of a spirit beast enhances my physical abilities. It seemed the effect of tattooing the Swindler Wolf was showing here.

…Of course, that couldn’t be all.

Bang!

“Ugh!”

「The World Tree is startled, asking why I did that.」

When I shot the sewer rat, a scream was heard from not too far away.

“As expected, it was a familiar.”

The sewer rat is a creature that can be commonly found in this city. They lived in the sewers and were covered in all sorts of filth. On the other hand, the sewer rat that was looking at me had stiff fur and sparkling eyes. Unlike a typical individual, there were traces of human touch.

“Making a sewer rat a familiar was a pretty good choice.”

It was commonly seen around and was small, so it wasn’t wary, making it perfect for stealthy movements.

“It would have been perfect if you hadn’t washed it clean and managed it like a familiar.”

“Ugh!”

The place where the scream was heard. A man with a suspicious bag on his back was lying there. He seemed to be suffering from a mana backlash caused by the forced disconnection with his familiar. It wasn’t a pain that would last long. If I waited, he would soon recover.

Before that, I stepped on his shoulder and aimed my gun.

“What’s the reason for scattering familiars around my house and watching me?”

“W-wait…!”

As the heat of the muzzle touched his skin, the man shouted in surprise.

“I-it wasn’t on purpose! Really!”

It was a voice full of injustice. The man’s two hands, raised above his head, were trembling. I paid no mind and brought the muzzle closer to him. Even the physical reaction of being scared could be an act. Carelessness was forbidden.

“If you’re being wronged, answer. If I’ve misunderstood, I’ll apologize and let it go.”

“I-it’s, that is, so…” The most update n0vels are published on novèlfire.net

The man just mumbled meaningless words that didn’t form a sentence. This couldn’t even be an excuse.

“Spit it out when you can move your mouth freely. I won’t wait long. I can find out the details from your corpse after I kill you.”

“Heok!”

There was no need to emulate the resourcefulness of the Public Security Bureau, which had succeeded in interrogating a corpse with only its head left. There were many ways. I don’t know which one he thought of, but the man’s face turned pale, and he clutched his bag.

“……”

Come to think of it, what was more suspicious than the man’s identity was that bag. The length of a person’s height, and a width of more than a hand’s breadth. I don’t know what he had put in it, but it was a considerable size.

“If you don’t want to move your mouth, then untie that bag first.”

“Y-yes?”

Although the man expressed his question with his mouth, he held the opening of the bag tightly with his hands. It meant it was that important of an item.

“Let go.”

“N-no!”

The man’s resistance subsided in front of the muzzle. I snatched the bag from the man. It was quite heavy. Had he put a corpse in it?

As I roughly untied the opening, the contents poured out.

“……What is this.”

“Eou-eu.”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment. The man closed his eyes tightly.

The contents that poured out of the bag were… soil and fruits and other crops that seemed to have been stolen from the World Tree’s garden.