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."

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 was capable of

with interest and curiosity. These 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 was sorely lacking. But he could see the

his head. His understanding of esoteric matter

sources that it can viably provide energy to? What happens is that the tree is able to grow and develop to 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 in the lateral expansion of the

tree was that ridiculously wide in regards to the

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 compounds, considering

digested the information officer

branches is also not uncommon. The tree does not allow lifeforms that are too dangerous to it to approach it. Which is why it attacked you when you displayed a Squire-level aura with the Mind

the opportunity you mentioned earlier..." Rui continued. "You're referring to the

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 in by the fruit's allure so that they consume it, only to die and

are valuable themselves,

Zherkes nodded. "They process ores in ways that we often do not understand nor can replicate. They're often used

all we need to do is swoop in and take the fruits and mind the esoteric ores?"

the Martial Union's and the ministry's interest in the tree.

Agent Zherkes nodded. "But alas, reality is rarely that ideal. Do you know the geography of the Serevian Plateau and its placement in human civilization? Specifically,