I also confessed about what I had learned while I was separated from them. They were amazed that I had already reached the very core of secret information after only about a week since I headed to the Alchemy Tower.

They said that level of intel would normally require months of infiltrating the Alchemy Tower and conducting lengthy investigations.

Hearing their words, it kind of felt that way. Because it was like I was guided by given quests, and the information I needed to know was sequentially unlocked.

Weighing the information gathered so far and predicting the future, I pondered what to do when the Central Administrative Department arrived at the 16th Terrarium.

A consensus was reached that it was absolutely impossible to hide what had happened due to its scale. None of the events that occurred in the 16th Terrarium could be covered up or buried. In fact, trying to hide it would only make things more suspicious, to the point where they suggested just revealing everything outright. After all, it wasn’t my doing.

“So, in the end, we’ll have to tell them about Inferno too, right? Will they believe that?”

“I’m against it.”

Zephyr, who had been saying we might as well report Papillion and get a reward for defeating evil, shut his mouth tightly when Iris voiced her opposition.

“The story about Ironbeast being wanted is famous. Wanted posters are spread all the way down to the back terrariums. But as I mentioned before, rumors about a fire-worshipping group are rampant, but I’ve never heard of them being officially wanted. I only learned that the organization’s name is Inferno this time. While rumors like urban legends about that group being behind fire-related incidents tend to follow, that group has never been specifically identified before. In terms of the severity of their crimes, they’re far more dangerous than Ironbeast, but unless you’re a druid like us who travels widely, you probably wouldn’t even know much about them.”

As Iris looked at Siedling as if seeking agreement, he opened his mouth.

“I’ve also heard rumors about a fire-worshipping group that recognizes each other by their scars. I was once mistakenly suspected because of my burn scars too. There were even rumors that they burned down an entire terrarium somewhere.”

“We know about that rumor too. But there’s always more added to it. ‘Though I’m not sure if it’s true.’”

Judging from personally meeting the head of that organization and seeing and experiencing things in the 16th Terrarium, which is practically their hideout, Inferno, which harms the World Tree, clearly deserved to be wanted. They’re practically terrorists, so shouldn’t wanted posters warning of their danger be posted in places people often see?

Suddenly, I recalled what happened in the orchard of the 18th Terrarium when I rescued Cannabis.

He examined my wrist. Considering what he said afterward and the fact that the people I faced while rescuing Cannabis had burn scars, the administrative manager of the 18th Terrarium must have wanted to check if I also had burn scars. Could it be that he knew Inferno was the one that attacked the training school?

“The reason Inferno isn’t officially known isn’t just because they act in secrecy, but maybe because they have spies in the front-line Terrariums, covering up information. So if you, Jae, step forward to bring information about Inferno to the surface, it’ll get really dangerous. Handling Inferno, which operates secretly below the surface, is already a big deal, but if you also face checks from those acting openly on the surface, it’ll become truly dangerous.”

“If it gets dangerous, I’ll protect you.”

At Siedling’s words, Iris made a look of disbelief.

“Do you really think that’s something an individual can handle, no matter how strong you are? It’s a huge organization that’s already altered one entire Terrarium to suit their taste. Not everything in the world can be solved just by being brute-force strong.”

Iris especially emphasized the word ‘brute-force’.

“How terrifying are fights fought with words, brains, and information? They say with just three people, you can even create a nonexistent ‘herb of immortality.’ Haven’t you heard the old tale where three greedy servants tricked their master into believing in an ageless herb, sending him off on an endless journey to take over the house? If just three people conspired to slander you, Jae, your wanted poster could end up right next to the Iron Beast’s.”

“Is… is it that bad?”

Hearing Iris’s words sent a chill down my spine. Was it really that serious?

“Unless you, Jae, have a backing of that caliber, bringing Inferno into the open officially would be dangerous. If the Gaia Guild were a large guild with a Stonehenge in the front-line Terrariums, it would have been possible. They might even have gained fame as a guild that punishes evil. I’m sorry I can’t be of help. If I’d known this would happen, I’d have worked harder to build up my fame…”

“No, Iris, what do you have to apologize for! But isn’t Siedling famous too?”

“That person is infamous. Whatever he does, it’ll only have a bad influence.”

You really are something… I looked at Siedling with pitying eyes. That kid doesn’t have a bad heart.

Iris’s party was well aware that I was a solo player. It was because I had honestly confessed to them in order to receive their protection.

“Couldn’t I be protected as the administrative manager of the 28th Terrarium? I’ve been telling them that there’s a huge organization backing me.”

“Now that you mention it, Inferno was also involved in the process of you obtaining the 28th Terrarium.”

I had told Iris’s party about the tragedy that occurred in the 28th Terrarium.

“What if it also negatively affects the 28th Terrarium? The enormous amount of diamonds used by Master Jae to save the World Tree branch of the 28th… An organization that can justify the source of those diamonds… Can you present it to the Central Administrative Department?”

“Um…”

A truly big problem that even those completely on my side didn’t know about. The source of the countless diamonds that could even defeat former administrator Papillion. This was a really big deal.

It was a quantity too large for an individual to handle. It was fortunate that Iris’s question wasn’t about how I came to possess so many diamonds.

Would the lie that there’s a huge organization behind me, just like I’ve deceived others before, be readily swallowed by the people of the 1st Terrarium, the highest in this world?

If it doesn’t work, what will become of me? What will become of my existence, an anomaly who possesses infinite diamonds?

I cannot reveal the secret of my infinite diamonds even to those I trust. Even if they are my dryads.

Using the excuse that I needed time to think alone for everyone who was exhausted, I urged them to return to their rooms and rest. I took a long-overdue shower, had a decent meal, and finally lay down on a soft bed to sleep, but I was trembling with anxiety, afraid of the future that was coming.

I always used to look forward to future adventures. Is it because I’ve acquired too much, too soon? Am I still not ready for it?

***

Only two days had passed when I received news that the people from the Central Administrative Department had arrived.

I bought a suit to be fully prepared. No matter how much I wore custom equipment, my appearance was, at best, that of a rookie adventurer who had just shed the beginner’s tag.

I had it tailored in a luxurious navy blue, like what Papillion wore. The clothes were completely useless for defense and only inconvenient to move in, but when I looked in the mirror, wealth and ease radiated from my appearance.

I was worried I might look like a job seeker going for an interview, but as they say, clothes make the man. After properly grooming my hair, which I usually just tied up carelessly, I felt like someone who had secured a high position.

Recalling the confident and upright expression of her in the frame I saw in Scarecrow’s office, I practiced hard. She had led the 28th Terrarium alone and received praise from everyone who spoke of her, so showing a similar demeanor might be helpful.

Papillion was waiting for me outside the room. Ever since the Central Administrative Department arrived, she had been trying to play the role of an aide. I tried to open the door and step out, but suddenly froze, tense with nerves.

“Wow… Hang on… There’s no heart-calming pill in this world, is there?”

I hadn’t fully figured out how to handle this yet. When I first changed clothes, the tension rippled faintly, but now it was surging like a tidal wave. Only if I spoke well could I secure the 16th Terrarium intact.

Maybe chain-smoking would have helped? Strangely, the longer I stayed in this world, the more my craving for cigarettes faded. It felt like my entire body, even my mind, was being purified. If so, I needed something to borrow strength from…

My gaze suddenly fell on an amber liquid in a luxurious bottle on the dining room display shelf. At a glance, it looked like strong liquor.

My problem when drunk was that I lost all sense of fear. Memories of getting tipsy on Cannabis’s power and spouting nonsense came to mind.

“You should come out soon.”

Papillion outside started urging me. I had spent quite a while practicing my expression after dressing up. Without hesitating further, I opened the glass door of the display case and pulled out the liquor bottle. I took out a tea cup, filled it to the brim, and downed it in one shot.

“Oh, damn.”

It felt like my esophagus was burning. The harsh smell of alcohol shot up my nose, and I thought my brain was flying away.

Elder looked at me like I was crazy for how much I drank. I’m not that strong with alcohol, so I figured one glass would do. I felt a little tipsy, with baseless confidence bubbling up like a gushing spring.

But with every step I took, the alcohol seemed to wear off by the second.

“Why the hell did you drink?”

Elder, who had been silently watching me, finally asked in a bemused tone.

“If I get a bit drunk, I can speak better.”

“Do you think you can get drunk in this body?”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“You’re the one who’s soul-bonded with me, the top-tier recovery Dryad. Do you think I’d let any harmful energies erode your mind, backed by my soul’s power?”

Could it be that’s why I’ve stopped craving cigarettes lately, and why this liquor leaves only its strong alcohol scent while the buzz evaporates in seconds—because I’m maintaining the soul bond with the Dryad?

“Looks like one glass isn’t enough.”

I downed two more glasses in a row, then chugged a whole bottle of water. My nose stung so much that tears blurred my vision. Mesquite, looking oddly troubled, just stared at me without a word. In that state, I hastily opened the door and stepped out.

“Oh… What the hell is this smell of alcohol?”

Papillion asked in an amused tone.

“Let’s go quickly before it wears off.”

It felt like I had downed a short-lived mental fortification potion that lasted barely over ten minutes. I hurried my steps, knowing the buzz would wear off before I even reached the orchard. Just as I was leaving the inn, I saw familiar faces in unfamiliar attire.

The guild members standing on either side were all dressed in suits that seemed tailored to match me. Even Siedling had thrown off his armor and donned a suit. I didn’t think there’d be a suit that fit those broad shoulders.

“Let’s go. I’ll escort you.”

Iris, with her cotton-candy-like sky-blue hair neatly tied up, had completely shed her usual lively demeanor and taken on a cold image.

Seeing the guild members all dressed up and acting with such precision made me feel like I had become the boss of an organization. And I felt a surge of confidence several times greater than the boost I’d gotten from relying on alcohol.

Just like before, with the guild members by my side, it felt like even difficult tasks could be overcome.

Alright, let’s go. To fully seize the 16th Terrarium.