Celebrating the full recovery of the world tree, the extermination of the giant cicadas that were responsible for it, and the elimination of herds of monsters attacking the settlement, the feast continued into the middle of the night.
　That would naturally slow you to sleep and inevitably slow you to get up in the morning.
　That morning... Ray had come with Sett near the stable of his rented house.
　It's still early in the morning, and most of the village is sleeping.
　Of course, if you're going to act in public concern, there's no better time to do so.

"I think I've been absorbing magical stones since I came to this village... well, it's only natural that there are so many monsters."

　In Ray's muttering hand was a green wolf... two magical stones from Forest Greenwolf and a magical stone about the size of two fists.
　The latter is a magical stone that Optis, who enjoyed himself at last night's feast, took out from a giant cicada.
　Although the peeling off of the giant cicada itself is not over, it is fortunate for Ray that he was able to take out the magical stones for now.
　The main attraction this time is the magical stone of the giant cicada, which is kept close to it, and the first thing I looked at was the magical stone of Forest Greenwolf.

"Forest Green Wolf?" They're rank D monsters, so it's not like they're small fish in general... but again, there were a lot of goblins and covorts."

　Forest Greenwolf wasn't in Ray's Monster Dictionary, so I heard from Lagdo at last night's feast about his abilities.
　Rank D monster Forest Green Wolf is, as the name suggests, a wolf-shaped monster who is good at lurking in the greenery of the forest.
　They are green with both body hair and shade, and they are good at group raids such as mimicking trees and bushes in the forest and attacking prey all at once.
　Nevertheless, Forest Greenwolf's own physical abilities were not so high that it was treated as a rank D.
　Of course, Rank D is not generally treated as a small fish, as Ray said, but that's just in general, and it's a different story for Ray.
　In fact, Forest Greenwolf's magical stones were obtained when Ray plunged into a monster group and slashed his enemies to death using his death size.

"Given the power of this monster, hopefully... set!"

　When Ray throws Forest Greenwolf's magic stone with that kind of thought, asking him to learn the skills he expects, Seto stifles it with a stick... swallow it the next moment.

[Seto learned the skill of Optical camouflage Lv.4]

　Ray smiles at the echoing voice in his mind.
　Given the property of blending into the surrounding area, I had expected that perhaps if the level was to rise, it would be optical camouflage.
　I couldn't be happier because it turned out so well.
　Optical camouflage is also the most powerful skill set has.
　It's not as flashy as a firebreath, it's just the skill of vanishing yourself and the person touching the set, but it's not for the person against whom the set of Gryphon disappears and moves.

"The rest is how long the skill will be effective..."

　10 seconds for Level 1, 20 seconds for Level 2, 40 seconds for Level 3. It was double, double, double, so if Ray's prediction was correct, the set could have disappeared for 80 seconds because the level was four.
　To confirm it, Ray calls out to Sett.

"Seto, can you use it right away? Try to get rid of it at level 4".
"Slurrurling.

　At Ray's words, Seto uses optical camouflage by his throat.
　a set that melts into the surrounding scenery
　Ray then begins counting time in his mind after Seto disappears.
　At ten, twenty, thirty, forty seconds... nearly eighty seconds later, Sett appears.
　It wasn't 80 seconds as far as Ray could count, but as long as he hadn't timed it correctly in the first place, it was sufficient to feel that it was about 80 seconds.

"Well, that's just as I expected. ...well, if you think of the example of jumping-off, if your skill level goes to five, your performance goes up so much that you don't necessarily get 160 seconds when your skill level goes to five."
"Grull?"

　Ray caresses his head with a smile as he quips his throat.

"As expected, Seto's ability is amazing.

　Perhaps pleased to hear compliments from Ray, Seto purrs like a cat.
　Ray has been caressing such a set for a while, but soon picks up another Forest Greenwolf magical stone.

"Well, I wish I could learn some skill at death-size..."

　Throwing a magical stone into the air with the words, a flash of death size.
　The sharp blow cut the magic stone in half...even after a few seconds, there was no announcement of skill acquisition in my mind.

"No, sir.

　Ray with a slightly chagrined look on his face.
　Since Seto has mastered the skills, I think even death-size people can acquire the skills.
　That's because I had such a feeling.
　However, I have experienced many times before that I cannot acquire skills by absorbing magical stones.
　That's why it's so fast to recover.
　...it may have something to do with the fact that what remains is the magical stone of a giant cicada.

"Well, what do you think I should do about this magical stone?"
"Glu?"

　At Ray's words, Seto nods his head slightly.
　For Seto, he had the attitude that Ray could do as he wanted.

"Oh, Seto is good-natured. No, it's not a man, and you say that a Gryphon is good, but don't hesitate what to do with it."

　It's a special monster's magical stone in many ways, called giant cicada. Ray had the confidence that he could definitely master his skills.
　Then, since Seto learned his skills at Forest Greenwolf's magic stone, I think it's OK to let Death Size master his skills.
　It's true that there's such a desire to strengthen the set.
　I usually work with Seto, but it's not like I don't have to do anything else like this.
　Only Seto had previously moved to another location, or acted differently in the guild's rank-up exam.
　With that in mind, Ray also thought it might be better for Sett to acquire new skills or improve his skills so that he wouldn't get hurt in an emergency.

"Well... what should I do?"
"Guru..."

　utter a song to Ray's words as if Seto.
　Ray was thinking for a few seconds, but suddenly saw a light bulb flying in the air.
　Ray knew without thinking what it was.

"Is it okay for the world tree to move around this freely? No, the world tree itself is growing properly, so there's no problem."

　Ray's gaze is directed to the world tree, which can be seen anywhere in the village.
　Seeing the lush leaves, it's hard to believe that they were dying yesterday.
　So I was dying... No, it was true that I was dying, so Ray honestly felt that I should rest a little longer.

(Well, from what I've heard from Marina, I can't say very strongly that I've become a light bulb because of my magical powers.)

　It must be terrible in many ways to allow them to move freely but not to move.
　The light bulb blinks as if to greet Ray.

"You are free," Should I tell you not to enjoy your freedom?"

　At Ray's somewhat dumbfounded remark, the light bulb blinks bitterly in protest.
　It's very depressing from Ray's point of view to fly around him like that.

"All right, all right. Stop it because I'm at fault."

　When he apologizes, he leaves Ray, perhaps satisfied.
　Looking at such a light bulb, Ray thinks briefly, holding the magical stone of a giant cicada in his hand.
　I was wondering if I could absorb the magical stones in front of this light bulb.
　But after a little thought, he quickly decides that he doesn't mind.
　In the first place, the only thing a light bulb can express its intention is blinking.
　This means that if a light bulb learns about the art of the beast, it cannot teach it to anyone.

(Well, Marina's family seems to have a deep relationship with the world tree... I don't know what to do just because I know my secret, including Optis. But I'll remind you just in case.)

　Ray opens his mouth convincingly, looking at the light bulb."You know what? From now on, me and Seto are going to do important things... very important things. I don't mind if you look at it, but don't try to teach it to others?"

　As Ray nods, the light bulb blinks over and over again.
　Determined that this is a sign of approval, Ray decides not to worry about the light bulb being here any longer and turns his eyes to the magical stone of the giant cicada.
　Do you want Seto to absorb a magical stone the size of two of Ray's fists or Death Size?

(Even if you let Set absorb it, it's quite big compared to the monster's magic stone. ...can you swallow it?)

　In order for Seto to absorb the magic stone, it must be put into his body. In other words, you have to swallow the magic stone.
　Many of the magical stones I had obtained so far were small, and I could easily swallow them if they were two meters long.
　but I thought it would be a little difficult to swallow if I had two fists."

"Glu?"

　Looking at Seto with his head tilted slightly, I began to wonder why he was probably OK.

"... well, let Set absorb it."

　Watching Seto, Ray makes the decision so easily that he wants to say what his previous hesitation was.

"Seto, you should absorb this magical stone."
"Gurululululululululululululululul

　Seth turns her head slightly toward Ray, who nods back.

"Oh, this magical stone is sure to help Seto. ...so let Seto absorb it."
"Grullllllwow.

　Seth understood Ray's desire to absorb death-size.
　Since Seto was born by witchcraft, he naturally wants to absorb many magical stones.
　But I was still wondering if I could let it absorb death-size this time.
　One of the main reasons was this battle with giant cicadas, just like Ray.
　Separating from Ray and fighting had a lot of things to think about.
　He sulked when he was the magic stone of the aerowing, but didn't expect to fight Ray separately then.
　Of course, Seto and Ray have fought separately several times before.
　However, Seto still had a lot to think about in this battle.
　Ray got Seto's attention, but if he was urged to absorb it quickly, Seto would be interested in the magical stones of giant cicadas.

"Grull".

　She shows her gratitude by rubbing her face against Ray, and Seto's Kuchibashi stares the magical stone of a giant cicada and swallows it the next moment.
　I don't want to think about what kind of skills I'm going to acquire, or if I'm not able to acquire skills... when I think about it like that...

[Seto learned the skill of King's intimidation Lv.2]

　Such a message passes through Ray and Sett's mind.

"King's oppression? ...King?"

　Previously, he obtained the king's coercion when he absorbed the Oak King's magical stones.
　As long as he was Oak King, I was convinced that he had the power of the king, but this time he was not the king.

(Is it just that I don't know, but is it actually like a demon king in the shape of a cicada?)

　With his head tilted, Ray looks at the light bulb that leaps around Sett, blinking violently, perhaps surprised to see him swallow the magical stone.
　Seto is chasing the light bulb with his eyes, but apparently has no particular intention of doing anything.

(Is it because I absorbed the sap and magical power of the world tree? I think I can understand it somehow... No, is it me? If that's the case, I'm a monster who grew up absorbing my magical powers and sap from the world tree, so the pressure of the king... by any chance...)

　Suddenly, he could use his magical powers to create monsters like giant cicadas again, absorbing the magical stones... and that thought passed through Ray's mind.