Aono is explaining how this world currently is and about each of the [Sacred Marks] as we walk.
The [Sacred Marks] can be strengthened by gathering mana and can start from there, but I probably understand that part better than him.
[Sacred Marks] and [Magic Marks] also serve as vessels for collecting mana. It’s quite a challenge to train them until they can expand as vessels—after pushing the [Sacred Marks] or [Magic Marks] to their limits, it seems special items or rituals are necessary.
The stronger ones automatically absorb surrounding mana and find it easier to gather without loss. Additionally, mana has a tendency to increase when it reaches a certain density, so strong beings scatter mana around them.
The mana currently present belongs to me, the Demon King, and any additional mana also belongs to the Demon King. I thought that maybe mana increased by someone else would be different, but that’s not the case.
I want more practical information for daily life, but for Aono, combat equals real life. That’s troublesome.
“—So, there are water and fire attributes, and if you train, you can become stronger, but in battles against monsters, the dark attribute can get in the way, making it incredibly difficult to achieve greatness. If you have no particular preferences, it might be easier for you to focus on production instead of combat.”
Right now, I’m thinking about my future. It’s ice, not water, but I won’t make a comment on that.
“Darkness can also be used to create tools that hide your presence from monsters, and you can manipulate your aura in combat the same way. It’s not necessarily a bad attribute.”
Konten-sensei follows up on the attributes.
It’s okay; I chose this attribute because I didn’t want to participate in combat.
“Production, huh? First, what should I do about materials and tools? It still feels surreal, like I’m in a dream.”
As a Demon King, I can’t just loot a nearby town. I’m broke.
“The feeling of unreality is because you’ve been immersed in mana for so long. In exchange, you won’t be confused for a while. Once you’re separated from the mana pool for some time, it will gradually hit you. Before that happens, you should set up a foundation for your life.”
The calmness is because I’m the Demon King. Or is it referring to that dazed state?
If I were thrown out without knowing left from right, it wouldn’t be surprising to panic. If I have some sort of foundation for living, I can manage to get by even if I get confused, so it’s a gentle system. Is this also the influence of the saintess who melted into the mana?
Maybe the fact that most of the people who woke up first received a direct explanation in their brains was also an act of kindness. It’s said they imprinted knowledge when their consciousness wasn’t fully intact.
“This mountain has a lot of dense mana, and you can obtain good materials here. We came here for a collection request. We already finished one spot, but now we’re heading to the second one. Mimic the collection process. Also, the clothes you’re wearing, if you sell those soaked in mana, you can get a decent amount of money. I’ll introduce you to a selling place—in exchange for teaching you various things, let’s have you sell there. Don’t worry; they won’t try to cheat you.”
So that’s what we’ve agreed upon. Right now, we’ve arrived at the collection site.
Since I’m still surrounded by mana, it seems to dazzle the monsters, making it convenient for the two of them. Nevertheless, we’ve had several encounters with monsters.
Aono’s combat style combines martial arts with two short swords. It’s not so much about strength; it’s refined.
I think both of them are strong… or at least, I can’t tell for sure. Only Aono is fighting, and Konten-sensei hasn’t had a chance to join in yet.
The parts that sell for a high price are those with concentrated mana, usually fangs or claws that monsters use to hunt. After defeating them, those parts conveniently detach from the monsters’ bodies.
Mana drains from the monster’s body, severing the connection between the parts with concentrated mana and the body, causing them to separate.
“There may also be parts with strong mana inside the body. Fur and meat are essential for life and can fetch good prices. However, you need to process them properly.”
Saying that, Aono picks up a fang.
Ah, yeah. I’d rather not deal with skinning and tanning here. I get it.
So, we arrive at a ravine filled with large rocks and small pebbles.
“This is it. We can collect here—ah, just as I thought, we found some. Let’s gather these.”
“Stones? No, crystals?”
I ask as I look at the stone Aono picked up and showed me.
Can we even collect something like this?
It wouldn’t be interesting to learn everything about this new world all at once, and more importantly, I don’t know when I might raise suspicion, so after gathering basic information about the “Sleepers,” I stopped the influx of knowledge from the mana.
Sensory-wise, I feel just like an average person; I’m unfamiliar with the saintess’s chuunibyou world. Plus, it seems my future is going to be very long. I don’t even know if I have a lifespan.
“This is called fluorite. The larger and more square-shaped it is, the higher the price it will fetch.”
“Can you collect it in a place like this…?”
This is a stone that has existed since before I fell asleep.
I have a relatively cheap impression of it, but I remember being surprised to hear that the prices can vary greatly and that there are people who collect them.
“Not just fluorite, but gemstones can be found all over the place. There are color compatibility issues with attributes, but for now, you don’t need to worry too much about that.”
It seems Konten-sensei found some too and stretches out his hand toward the ground.
“…There are gemstones scattered about?”
Huh?
“Perhaps I exaggerated by saying all over. They can be found where mana accumulates. It’s typical not to approach places with dense mana, except for adventurers like us. Stones can sometimes come out of monsters; the ones from stronger foes have strong mana and sell for higher prices.”
It seems these gemstones are similar to those I know but also different. As I listen to Aono and Konten-sensei’s conversation, I search for fluorite.
I think fluorite glows under black light. Wouldn’t it be a bad idea to come at night with a black light to shine on it?
There are broken stones scattered around. I search for fluorite that’s stuck to the stones. I find a few dull green ones, some brownish-purple ones, two with light blue and purple edges, and two pink ones.
The stream is too narrow and feeble to be called a river. The stones here, including the fluorite, probably got washed down from upstream during heavy rain.
“There are several strong monsters living upstream. If you get too caught up in searching, you’ll enter their territory.”
Noticing that I was looking upward, Aono called out to me.
I see, strong monsters also mean strong mana. So, this fluorite is formed there, huh?
Convinced, I return to searching for stones. It’s a hassle, but if I collect a lot now, I’m sure it will make things easier later on, so I take it seriously.
