The Martial Unity

"The data you brought back was most interesting. We identified what we were dealing with in a moment before urgently summoning you back." Officer Zhrekes explained. "The tree responsible for the anomalies is actually not of a species that normally engages in such biological developments."

"What?" Rui frowned. "The species of the tree doesn't grow and develop this way?"

Officer Zherkes nodded. "Correct."

"Then... Are there some specific circumstances under which the tree develops and grows this way?" Rui asked.

This was the first possibility that came to mind. However, he had no idea what circumstances those were.

"Also correct." Officer Zherkes nodded. "In fact, this species isn't the only species that engages in such growth and development. There are many species that engage in similar growth developments under a specific set of circumstances."

"What are these circumstances?" Rui asked curiously.

"Many tree species in the Beast Domain have a high root development capacity." He continued. "Their roots have the capability to grow to an extremely deep depth. The net root volume ends up providing an immense amount of sustenance to the tree in question. However, every once in a while, these roots run into something more than just ordinary soil, water, and nutrients."

run into high-energy esoteric ores." He continued. "Most species do not possess roots powerful enough to drain the esoteric ores and turn them into sustenance for accelerated growths. But what if a species that

circumstances had not even entered his mind when he thought about it himself. Largely because this required an understanding of the geology of Gaia, something he

there was such a species... Then it would likely gain access to a large amount of energy?" Rui scratched his head. His understanding of esoteric matter and other esoteric

a much greater degree than it normally can under normal circumstances. The excess energy is channeled into the expansion of the tree. However, that expansion does not occur in the vertical elevation of the tree, it occurs

tree was that

ore reservoirs to siphon more of the high-energy matter. Based on the data you have provided, it's quite clear that the tree that was the target of your mission has run into a rather large reservoir of esoteric

Rui digested the information officer Zherkes provided

why it attacked you when you displayed a Squire-level aura with the Mind Mask technique. Only Martial Apprentices that are, of course, below the Squire Realm are able to enter

you mentioned earlier..." Rui continued. "You're referring to the esoteric ore reserves beneath

processed and purified esoteric matter within them, hence their strange traits, including their high toxicity. The tree allows creatures weak enough to be a threat to itself to be lured

valuable themselves, then?"

not understand nor can replicate. They're often used in the

we need to do is swoop in and take the

was the case, he could certainly understand the Martial Union's and the ministry's interest in the tree. But

reality is rarely that ideal. Do you know the