I Became a Druid in Another World

– Knock, knock.

Just as I was about to fit the key into the lock, a knocking sound came from the window.

"...!"

Was I really about to open the box? I quickly put the key back in my clothes and put the box in the subspace ring.

What was I just…

It felt like I was under some kind of spell. At first, I felt fear, but this time what I felt was…

Temptation.

Yes, it was closer to temptation. The kind that whispers, "You're curious, aren't you? Go on, open it… now…"

…Until the right moment arrives, I can't let myself face this box alone.

I rose from my seat and opened the window. A shadow stood silhouetted against the flood of moonlight.

"Theodore."

It was Callisto.

To be honest, part of me had hoped Callisto wouldn't return. His return would mean that something had happened. I lowered my voice to a whisper.

"Cal… you made it back safely."

"Yes. There's something I need to report."

"Will you come in and tell me?"

"No. Unfortunately, I can't. I can't be away for long right now."

He can't be away for long… That must mean Callisto has successfully gotten close to Dawood, just as planned. I nodded my head to show I understood.

"For now, please take this."

"This is…"

I took the pouch Callisto held out to me. When I untied the string and opened it, inside were top-grade magic stones that shimmered like jewels. Acquiring magic stones of such high quality wasn't easy, and there were several of them… With just the contents of this pouch alone, it would be possible to buy a decent mansion in the capital.

Even though Callisto was an elf and a skilled mercenary, paying him this much…

It was excessive. Callisto looked at me with eyes that showed he understood exactly what I was thinking.

"There's even more besides this. Various gemstones, countless gold coins…"

Even more? With jewels and gold coins, too… The mercenaries he'd hired had already cost a fortune, yet these people were paying Callisto an amount greater than what was given to the entire group of mercenaries.

"I thought the magic stones would be of immediate use to you, so I brought them."

"Th-Thank you. But this is your…"

"No. This entire job is something I wouldn't have done if not for you, so I believe these should go to you."

"..."

"I certainly can't leave them for those filthy bastards to use, either."

Callisto spoke with a tone of disgust before clicking his tongue in frustration. Clearly, being in their company hadn't been pleasant for him. Well, I had expected as much.

"If they're paying this much, then… it sounds like the job they've given you isn't just dangerous, Cal."

"..."

Callisto grimaced for a moment, as though he couldn't even bear to voice the proposal, then murmured in a low tone,

"It's not dangerous."

What Callisto said was unexpected. Not dangerous? Then why would they offer such a high reward? I looked at Callisto with a face that clearly showed my confusion.

"…Sir Theodore, I think they're preparing something far more terrible than we expected."

"Take your time and tell me. I can handle whatever it is."

"What they hired me for wasn't an orc subjugation. Nor was it an escort mission."

I had already figured they wouldn't assign something like an orc subjugation to Callisto. But hearing that it wasn't even an escort was a bit surprising. For someone who wanted so badly to become a lord, I thought he'd secure his safety by keeping a skilled swordsman like Callisto close by… After all, according to Louis, Dawood's swordsmanship skills were close to zero.

"What exactly did they ask you to do?"

"..."

"You accepted the job, but you haven't actually done it yet, right? So there's no need to feel ashamed."

"If you say so."

Callisto looked at me with one corner of his mouth faintly tilted up at an angle before finally speaking.

"They asked me… to guard the Sequoia Forest."

"To protect the Sequoia Forest, not themselves?"

"They said they'd even send soldiers to help…"

They would even provide soldiers? I wanted to question it immediately, but instead, I stayed silent and listened to Callisto.

"When the next subjugation begins, they told me to kill anyone who tries to enter the forest afterward."

"…..!"

That meant killing "humans", not orcs.

Humans, for example, like myself.

"..."

"..."

A brief silence fell. Since they still didn't know about my presence, it wasn't likely they had singled me out specifically. What they were probably wary of was…

Louis.

It must have been Dawood's younger brother. They were worried Louis might sense the trouble and interfere with their plans, so they tasked Callisto with blocking anyone trying to enter the Sequoia Forest.

Their reasoning was correct, at least to some extent.

However.

There were things they hadn't anticipated. Things far more significant.

Namely, my presence and intervention.

Louis had me by his side, and the manpower they thought they'd secured in Callisto was, in truth, my ally.

Because of this alone, their plans were already halfway to failure.

"Don't worry, Cal."

I smiled at Callisto whose expression remained troubled.

".….."

"You don't need to kill anyone."

"But…"

"All you have to do is make sure I can get into the Sequoia Forest."

At that, Callisto's expression lightened somewhat. Had he really been worried that I'd make him kill people to avoid arousing Dawood's suspicions?

As if I'd ever do that.

Callisto's task was simple. He would subdue Dawood's soldiers in advance, then guide us to the center of the Sequoia Forest when we arrive.

Of course, if the situation became unavoidable, Callisto might still have to join the fight…

But that was a far cry from senselessly slaughtering innocent people.

"And, Cal, just to be clear."

"Yes, Sir Theodore."

"You don't ever have to break your convictions to follow someone's orders."

"..."

"Even if it's my order."

Callisto nodded his head silently. Good, that was all I needed. I smiled and gave him a light pat on the shoulder before pulling some blackberries out of my pocket.

"You have to head back right away, don't you?"

"Yes…"

"Take these with you."

When I used [Gift of the Forest] on the blackberries in my palm, they glowed brightly for a moment. I handed them over to Callisto.

"You're not much of a fan of meals, but fruit is okay, right? It might not taste like those Rembe berries you like, but one of these should keep you from feeling hungry. It'll also give you a bit of stamina back."

"…Thank you, Sir Theodore."

"No, it's me who's grateful. For everything you've done."

I meant it. It wasn't exactly safe to be hiding among Dawood and his flock of crows while keeping watch on them. If Callisto did anything remotely suspicious, those people would be quick to try to kill him. The fact that he took on that risk for my sake was something I couldn't help but be thankful for.

"I'll savor it and eat it sparingly."

"No, no, don't save it; just eat it…"

Even as I waved my hands to dismiss his concern, Callisto's eyes still looked moist with emotion. Ah, maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

"Well, I'll be heading back now."

"Alright. We'll head to the Sequoia Forest before the next subjugation mission."

"Yes, Sir Theodore. I'll have the path ready for you."

"See you then, Cal."

Before I could even wave, Callisto disappeared like a gust of wind, leaving only the red moonlight falling on the spot where he stood.

I've gathered some good information.

I couldn't yet tell exactly what they planned to do in the Sequoia Forest that day, but from Callisto's report, it was clear…

…it's definitely something shady.

The idea of needing to kill anyone trying to enter the Sequoia Forest was obviously no sign of good intentions. What, were the crows planning a tea party in there?

The most immediate possibility that came to mind was…

Something similar to the Swamp of Death, where they might sacrifice mercenaries to summon something and pollute the entire Sequoia Forest.

Or, perhaps like in Dihid, they would turn the mercenaries into some other creatures, like ratmen.

…something along those lines.

Of course, this was just my speculation, so the chances of this exact scenario unfolding weren't high. Something truly unexpected might happen…

If it came to that, then…

"..."

Well, I'd find a way to handle it when the time came.

Somehow. Somehow.

I felt a chill as if a cold wind had swept in and closed the window. The room was quiet. Legion, Beepy, and Blackie were all there. Each of my beloved companions was sound asleep with their little breaths rising and falling gently.

I laid my head back down on the pillow where Legion was sleeping and closed my eyes. To appreciate even the brief moment of peace.

***

The next morning.

The inn was still quiet. Naturally, the first subjugation had been incredibly successful, and with no casualties, the mercenaries only needed a quick rest before starting the second round.

The innkeeper looked a little disappointed, but she soon forgot that once I ordered a huge number of packed meals. Not only that. I bought up all the food supplies she had prepared in advance, which made her quite happy.

I had asked the innkeeper in advance if we could use the same room when we returned. Naturally, she agreed to my request.

"Alright, let's head out."

After storing the enormous amount of packed meals and supplies from the innkeeper in my space ring, I climbed onto the carriage. Thanks to the ample rest we had, Storm was in great condition. He'd been pawing at the ground and fidgeting from the moment El took his seat on the driver's bench. It seemed he was bursting with energy, which was fortunate.

"Lloyd, what about Louis?"

"He said he'd be waiting for us at the hidden path in the Sequoia Forest."

"Oh, he's always in such a hurry."

He could have waited and departed with us, but I understood his sense of urgency. With his father, his family, and even Corin involved, there was a lot at stake.

"Hyah!"

At El's energetic call, we set off toward the Sequoia Forest.