The Aerial Garden of the Great Heavenly Tree Lv5, accessed by the Magic Elevator, presented a picturesque scene, much like a beautiful rural village or settlement. It was like an Ikutamakki Village without ruins, serene and pleasant. Dragons flew in the sky above.
It felt as if the entire place was surrounded by the tree’s natural ramparts.
“This is quite something,”
“Ms. Nina, this isn’t really a garden anymore, is it?”
“No, the central area straight ahead seems to be like that.”
Following the path, there was even a well-maintained fountain. The area around it was a plaza, and yes, it seemed suitable for duels.
“…I am impressed.”
“What is it, Clarice?”
“The trees around us. They’ve been deliberately spaced to allow for wind flow and the sun’s path.”
This meant that the trees wouldn’t obstruct the sunlight from sunrise to sunset, nor would they block the wind. For Clarice to notice this just by looking around was remarkable. If it were true, then this tree was incredibly intelligent, especially considering its origin as the Evil Heroine!
“Um, what is that over there?”
“Nastasia, are you referring to the mansion behind the fountain?”
“It’s the only two-story building there.”
Yes, all the other structures were single-story.
“Alright, let’s go in.”
Upon entering, a wooden chair immediately caught their eye. They had seen this before, the chieftain’s chair from the Old Village of the Angel Race, which now resembled a fairy’s chair spitting donuts.
“…There’s a staircase behind it.”
“It’s a perfectly fine mansion, likely intended as the residence for the village chief.”
“Then I’ll take the second floor.” “I’m going too!”
Ah, Nastasia and Nataira rushed up to the second floor. We explored the other rooms… the living room was spacious, and the toilet was remarkably clean. There was also a bedroom, a dining room, and a fully equipped shower room.
(I wonder if there’s a bath?)
We followed them upstairs, and Nataira emerged from a room at the back.
“It’s amazing; there’s an open-air bath where you can see the sky!”
It was indeed an open-air bath. With no roof, it looked cold. And with dragons flying overhead, anyone piloting one could potentially see inside.
(If my level reaches 6, perhaps a transparent glass roof will appear.)
It was just like the chief’s mansion in the Old Village of the Angel Race.
“Perhaps Qualia should reside here, Deles.”
“Yes, if anyone were to move in, it would naturally be him.”
“We’ll discuss it with him later. This should be sufficient for now.”
We checked the other rooms. On the second floor, the most notable was what appeared to be a study filled with bookshelves. Oh, and there was another clean toilet upstairs. It was clearly a mansion for a family.
“Shall we look at the other buildings?”
“No, they all look the same, like ordinary houses.”
“Understood. This residential area is fine. Let’s proceed further up, to R2.”
We returned to the Magic Elevator and pressed the R2 button. Soon, we arrived without any time for reminiscence or thought.
“My, this is another Aerial Garden in its own way.”
“Rather, it feels like a forest in the sky, or perhaps a mountaintop.”
“What do you think, Deles?” “Yes, there are many large holes at the base of numerous trees.”
A beautiful river also flowed through the area. Entering one of the nearby holes, we found a dragon.
“Um, Nataira.”
Taking out the Appraisal Glasses and putting them on, I looked closely. While I could recognize names with my Hero skills, it was still useful.
“Yes, it’s a ‘Dragon That Meets Your Gaze.’ It seems to be quite relaxed.”
The interior was clearly comfortable for a dragon, with a bed of grass, fruit from the Great Heavenly Tree growing inside, and what appeared to be a toilet. It also had a water source and, in the back, steam rose from what seemed to be a bath.
“Deles, any points of concern?”
“Yes, this is a dwelling for dragons, isn’t it? I’m curious to see the living quarters of other monsters as well.”
Nataira went outside and pointed out the dragon lairs one by one.
“That’s a ‘Hop Step Dragon’s’ nest over there, and that’s a ‘Kabuki Dragon’s’ nest. The hole up high is for a ‘Subtly Dragon,’ and that one is for a ‘Three-Tiered Belly Dragon.'”
“You know this?” “Yes, when I look at the holes with the Appraisal Glasses, it’s displayed.”
Amazing. Perhaps if we look at dungeons, we’ll know what kind they are too?
“Hmm, I just realized, this higher Aerial Garden seems to form a complete circuit.”
“Yes, Ms. Nina. It appears to be the upper section of the Great Tree’s natural ramparts.”
“If it’s like this at Level 5, I look forward to its future development.”
As we continued on…
“Ah, that’s a Kelpie’s nest.”
Peeking inside… they were being affectionate this early in the morning! What would a child between a Kelpie and a High Kelpie be called? Perhaps a half-kelpie? And in the back, a lone Cupid was yawning.
(I need to bring that one’s bride too.)
More than half of the interior was water, presumably for the Kelpies. Emerging and proceeding further, we passed several dragon nests and came to a tree with numerous holes. According to Nataira, these were Kidnap Monkey nests.
(Looking inside, there’s nothing.)
They were probably out playing. As we moved forward, we encountered a geyser! It was the monster dwelling version of the fountain in the residential area below (perhaps for the Angel Race?).
“There’s a particularly large tree beyond those geysers.”
“The entrance is quite large, isn’t it, Nataira?”
“Yes, it’s displayed as a ‘Tamer Dragon’s Nest.'”
So, this was the village chief from the monster’s side, the Tamed Monster. It was originally like that on the floating island.
“Excuse us for intruding.”
“GOOOOD MOOOORNING.”
“How is your new dwelling?” “WOOOONDERFUUUL.”
In the back, the Tamer Dragon’s wife was warming her eggs. She still seemed wary of us, which was understandable.
“Will you continue to lead the dragons?”
“LEAVE IT TO US.”
“Good. On that note, have you seen my Helen?”
Ah, that’s right!
“IT’S THE WHITEBEARD’S HOLE AHEAD.”
“I see. Sorry to disturb you.” “NO, NO.”
I should raise this dragon too someday. Leaving the monster chieftain’s lair and proceeding further… could this be it? A nest with an unusually wide entrance. Nataira nodded in agreement.
“Is Helen here?”
“Yes, Ms. Nina. And Husband, everyone!”
We found Whitebeard, completely soaked, with Helen blowing hot air at him. Yes, she was in the process of drying him!
“Ah, I can’t get fluffy like this!”
“Nastasia, didn’t you start before me?”
“That’s right. Incidentally, I knew about this place too.”
So, Nina had asked the Tamer Dragon about this, something she could have asked Nastasia. Well, let’s say it was to communicate with the Tamed Monster.
“Were you giving him a bath?”
“Yes, in that hot spring over there.”
Ugh, so much white fur floating around! Cleaning this must be a hassle. Well, since it’s on the surface, we could scoop it up, or Burning Succ could burn it, or maybe boil it and sublimate it.
(Come to think of it, there’s a skylight-like hole, letting in sunlight.)
The Tamer Dragon’s nest had that too!
“Helen, has there been anything unusual in this residential area?”
“Yes, actually. I’ve looked around, and I believe this might be…”
“What is it?” “There was also a nest for a Summoned Succubus, right next door.”
Leaving Helen for a moment, we entered the nest in the adjacent tree…
“There’s a huge wooden bed.”
“All the Succubi are soaking in the hot spring.”
“Deles, don’t stare too much.” “Eh?! Now of all times?!”
At this point, Nastasia’s expression shifted as if she’d realized something.
“Um, if there’s a dwelling prepared for the Succubi, then…”
“What is it?”
“Perhaps the dwellings and residential areas for Mr. Iwamoto and the others are also here?”
Yes, that was possible!
