Return of the Max-Level Lord Chapter 67
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Raion and Caldein propped their small boat up on the coast of Sellios and stepped onto the island.
“From the outside, the whole island looked black. So this was the reason?”
Caldein examined the surroundings and nodded.
“This is Steeloud.”
Steeloud was a peculiar type of wood that possessed hardness comparable to steel.
Moreover, since it could contain mana like mithril, it was classified as an A-rank rare material often used to make staffs for mages.
Raion touched the Steeloud’s surface, murmuring quietly.
“Was that why the Edina Kingdom once visited Sellios?”
It was something that would happen not in the present, but in the future.
Caldein seemed to have caught that murmur.
“Pardon? Did you say the Edina Kingdom? What do you mean?”
“It’s nothing. More importantly, if most of the trees on this island are Steeloud, this is incredible.”
Every tree within their sight was Steeloud.
Normally, even in a Steeloud grove, only two or three trees would grow together at most.
They were extremely difficult to find, so staffs made from Steeloud fetched a very high price.
“Even a small amount would be worth a fortune. With this much, it could become the Kanas Territory’s greatest asset.”
“More than that… I think I understand now why people who came here were all wiped out.”
“Huh? What do you mean by—wait, hm?”
Caldein finally seemed to sense something odd as well.
“The Steelouds are absorbing mana. I’ve never heard of such a phenomenon. Is it something that only happens in large groves like this? Or are the Steelouds here somehow different?”
“I think it’s best we get out of here first.”
Fortunately, it was because they were Raion and Caldein that they could even stand here now.
Both of them had mana reserves several times greater than ordinary people.
If they had brought along Jade or Alkas, those two would have collapsed long ago from mana depletion.
“First, we have to block the mana absorption.”
“How should we do that?”
“You can control mana, can’t you? Imagine sealing off the channels where mana leaks out of your body. Like I’m doing.”
As he spoke, Raion closed his eyes and completely gathered his mana inward.
The flow of mana leaking out of his body slowly faded until it stopped altogether.
Caldein, watching beside him, imitated Raion’s actions.
“Phew… It’s not easy.”
Luckily, Caldein managed to succeed—barely.
“You’re learning faster than I expected.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Master. Still, to think such a phenomenon existed in Steeloud groves… Anyone who came here unaware would have collapsed immediately.”
“That’s why no one who entered this island has ever left alive.”
At least a 5th-circle mage would have needed to accompany them to even notice this phenomenon.
“But even if they collapsed from mana depletion, they wouldn’t die from it.”
“That’s because of those things.”
Before they knew it, Raion had summoned a detection map.
Just like when they had encountered the Sea Serpent, dozens of red dots flickered across the area.
[Target Information]
Name: Steel Lizard
Grade: D
Life: 999 / 999
Health: 3,190 / 3,190
“Monsters?”
They were a swarm of monsters crouched low among the Steeloud trees.
Because their bodies were pitch-black, Caldein couldn’t make out what kind they were.
“They’re Steel Lizards. I’d say at least fifty of them.”
“Don’t tell me… a swarm of lizards evolved after consuming the Steeloud?”
The creature known as a Lizard was originally among the lowest F-grade monsters.
However, due to their peculiar diet, they sometimes consumed minerals, which allowed them to evolve by enveloping their bodies with the material they had eaten.
Just like now—having eaten Steeloud, they had turned into Steel Lizards.
“Seems like today’s a day fated to be spent with lizards.”
“What will you do?”
“There are a lot of them again, but since we’re on land this time, you’ll fight too, Caldein. I’ll handle the close-range ones, you take the long-range.”
Raion drew the sword hanging at his waist.
Kraaaak!
The Steel Lizards let out eerie cries as they crept closer.
At the same moment, Raion dashed forward and swung his blade wide.
Chwaaaaaak!
His sharp blade scraped across the Steel Lizards’ ranks.
Since their hide was as tough as iron, if one didn’t cut cleanly, even a scratch wouldn’t form.
So Raion coated the blade’s surface with a thin layer of aura.
Shwaaaak! Shwaak—!
With Raion’s skill, slicing through the Steel Lizards posed no difficulty.
Meanwhile, from behind him, Caldein was preparing his magic.
Both hands moved busily as the magic formula was completed.
It was the 3rd-circle spell, Ground Lance.
The ground around them trembled, and dozens of sharp earthen spikes shot up beneath the Steel Lizards.
Papapapapak! Papapak!
Kueeeek!
Part of the Steel Lizard swarm shrieked as they were struck down one by one.
“Huh? Is that possible with a 3rd-circle Impact Spear? Or did the Steeloud somehow alter the soil’s composition?”
The earthen lances had pierced through the Steel Lizards, whose skin was as hard as steel.
It seemed the soil here had changed in composition due to the dense growth of Steeloud.
Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible for mere compacted soil to pierce through a Steel Lizard.
“Caldein, keep fighting like that!”
“You don’t mean to wipe out the entire island, do you?”
“Of course not.”
Sellios was roughly the same size as Kanas.
Naturally, it was impossible for just Raion and Caldein to scour the entire island fighting monsters.
“For now, let’s just clean up this area properly. We can bring troops later.”
The current issue with Sellios Island was the Steeloud grove.
Because the island absorbed the mana of anyone who landed on it, it was extremely dangerous.
As long as they dealt with that problem in one region, there would be no further issue.
Raion then released his suppressed mana, coating his sword in a thick layer of aura.
Shwaaaak!
With a wide swing, the sword’s trajectory cleaved not only the Steel Lizards but also the Steeloud trees.
The area was soon cleared, leaving only the stumps of Steeloud, and their line of sight opened up.
To anyone watching, it would have looked less like hunting and more like logging.
“You can release a little of the suppressed mana now.”
“Understood.”
Caldein, who had been using mostly 3rd-circle spells, released his mana and cast the 4th-circle spell Thunder Breaker.
A thick bolt of lightning shot from Caldein’s outstretched palm.
Bzzzzzzzzt!
“Ah! Not that one!”
Raion tried to stop him, but it was already too late.
The electric spear extended forward, enveloping the Steel Lizards in blinding flashes.
But instead of pain, they seemed to enjoy it.
“Ah…”
“If you study only spell theory and ignore monster attributes, this happens! Steeloud is a plant that grows through lightning!”
“Then that means…”
Since the Steel Lizards had evolved by consuming Steeloud, lightning was naturally a good source of nourishment for them.
Moreover, the tremendous mana from a 5th-circle mage caused their bodies to grow even larger.
“At this point, you should step back, Caldein. It’ll be quicker if I finish them off myself.”
“Ah, understood.”
Caldein retreated to the area without Steel Lizards.
At the same time, Raion tightened his grip on his sword and swung it powerfully.
With his other hand, he began forming a magic formula.
The rapidly completed formation was the 5th-circle reconstructed spell, Rain Boom.
Moisture in the air quickly condensed, gathering in midair and surrounding Raion.
Moments later, the droplets, now the size of fingernails, flew toward the Steel Lizards with his gesture.
Shwaaaaak! Papapapak! Papapak!
It was a different spell from the one he used when fighting the Crimson Wolf.
That one had burned over a wide area; this one pierced it.
Kueeek—!
Dozens of Steel Lizards that had been charging forward suddenly froze mid-motion.
Their bodies were riddled with countless holes—it was only natural that they fell still.
The remaining Steel Lizards, witnessing the sight, grew frightened and began retreating.
The danger was over for now.
Caldein approached from the side and bowed his head.
“I’ve caused you trouble.”
Having strengthened the Steel Lizards with his misguided spell, he couldn’t help but blame himself.
“It’s fine as long as you acknowledge your mistake and learn from it. You should also study monsters better. To use magic properly, you must understand your opponent’s attributes and traits.”
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
“Then, let’s start gathering the materials.”
All around them lay piles of Steel Lizards and Steeloud.
Raion immediately opened his storage and swept everything inside.
Including the Sea Serpent they had caught earlier, the haul was enormous.
“Shall we head back to the territory now? How’s your spell practice coming along, Caldein?”
“I think I still need more time.”
“You can’t master everything in a day, but make sure you get used to it as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir.”
Raion and Caldein made their way back toward the coast where they had left their boat.
Shtefan paced nervously inside his office.
He wanted to calm down, but he couldn’t sit still, worried about Raion.
At first, he thought Raion and Caldein had gone to the shore and would soon return after finding no ship.
But as time passed and they didn’t return, he sent Jade to investigate the coastline.
There, they only found traces of a small boat having departed from the western shore.
“Please, sir, try to sit down. I’m sure Master is safe.”
Jade, who had been watching the entire time, finally spoke up in frustration.
“You’re telling me none of you are worried at all?”
Shtefan felt the same frustration.
Neither Jade nor Monica seemed the least bit concerned.
“If it were the butler chief, he’d probably be panicking like you, Lord Steward. But we trust our Master. Honestly, it’ll be a miracle if he doesn’t cause any trouble.”
Whenever Raion did something, the scale was never small.
And as the aftermath of his actions grew, the new people always ended up suffering for it.
While the two talked, Monica knocked on the office door and entered.
“The Prince has returned with Caldein.”
“Truly? Where are they now?”
“He said he was heading to the backyard. Also, he instructed that all dismantlers from the castle and guild be gathered.”
“Dismantlers?”
Though unsure of what was going on, Shtefan immediately ordered Administrator Conrad to summon them.
Then, together with Jade, he rushed straight to the backyard.