The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]
Chapter 422: Mutualism

Chapter 422: Mutualism

It was like a moment of truth, one that got Luca so excited his eyes were practically glowing.

Spiritually enriched soil had always been a critical issue, which was precisely why they ended up resorting to soil-less methods of planting. While it would be possible to take a bunch of soil from the space and put it into a dome to grow root crops, Luca didn’t think it would be sustainable.

After all, just how much soil would they be able to take from the space before it’s all used up?

Also, wouldn’t this raise questions about where they were getting them?

Most definitely.

At first, Luca thought about using the grow beds to raise root crops outdoors. He even considered bringing in soil from outside and trying to enrich it with spiritual energy. But with this unexpected gift—delivered straight to their doorstep—it looked like they’d have to rethink a few things.

From what he knew, soil had always been a finite resource, which had even led him to ask where all the soil they kept getting during expansions was coming from. But at the same time, it wasn’t impossible to make them. It might not just be produced within an ancient human’s lifespan.

Surprisingly, a Cindermoss Burrower worked a lot like the machines used to make lab-grown diamonds—the same kind he’d only heard about because the lab handlers claimed they’d at least given him tools made from synthetic ones.

Not that he ever used them to make guiding pills.

But the significant bit here was how they could similarly shorten a process that would have taken ages if done naturally.

And Luca was all for it.

Now the others weren’t exactly sure why their heir had been so excited, and Jax, for one, was just excited because when Luca was excited, it usually meant something really good.

He wasn’t wrong.

And it was ground-breaking. Literally.

For it was definitely faster than composting in a space that had such an odd sense of decomposition.

Spiritually enriched anything takes so much longer to decompose, and while connected to the plant or tree, they don’t even follow the natural growth and decay cycle, so even now, they’d been reliant on the barn’s built-in composting machines.

Which helped, but if they could have something like this, then wouldn’t they be able to make fertile soil faster?

All in exchange for rocks and minerals, partially burned roots, mosses, rotting wood, or even compost.

They even take spiritual mushrooms, dried leaves, and grasses!

Which probably explains why the earlier attempts to use them weren’t working.

"Captain, isn’t this...?" asked Kyle, who couldn’t exactly announce the Imperial study that they had once had to review for funding.

Xavier understood what he meant and just nodded.

Kyle had known about the hype this once had and the subpar results, but for some reason, with their current state, he felt like he could understand why Luca looked absolutely thrilled.

For this was practically a gold mine. One made with poop, ash, and leaves!

So when said "gold" came out, it sure took Xavier explaining that this was spiritually enhanced fertile soil before everyone started rejoicing.

Jax, in particular, wanted to scoop it all up until Luca told him not to do that, not just yet, because the temperature might be a little too hot.

All this was observed by Tortie, who realized that these new mouths to feed might be useful for producing more food. As this redheaded servant of his only ever got excited when it was related to eating.

Understandable.

So, the guardian beast decided it was faster to drag everyone to the feeding stations himself—just so they’d know when and where to return, and maybe they could be useful that way.

Hmph.

Meanwhile, the humans who were admiring the antlers from a mycohorn and spiritual gems from psimucklings were shocked to see the tortoise moving ever so slowly but with purpose.

Then he launched.

"???"

What started as a slow movement stopped being slow when the guardian beast started propelling itself with those wicked vines that scared the spirits out of humans, as well as the newly arrived beasts.

"!!!"

So, they all did the smartest thing. They followed Tortie, who went toward the feeding area used by the primates.

And only then did Luca understand what the guardian beast was trying to do.

"Wow! Such a smart idea, Tortie!" exclaimed Luca, who decided it was only fitting to give him flowers in exchange for this novel idea.

In the dungeon-linked space, the idea was actually to prioritize the freedom of beasts. However, these beasts have already grown accustomed to humans, so they generally return to fixed areas for food. While the ones they obtained from this place were great, the ones that humans would leave for them were usually far better.

And these creatures would soon learn the same, especially after several sick beasts received treatment.

Then let’s just say that what started as a security breach ended up with the oddest exchange of goods. As these animals would soon learn that offering their by-products would get them treats.

All this was good and great for them, except that Luca worried about domesticating wild beasts and how it might adversely affect their survival instincts in the wild.

Xavier stepped beside him.

"As much as we would like to return them to their old habitat. We can’t do that now that they’ve regained their characteristics as spiritual beasts."

"Because humans and other beasts alike would hunt them for their spiritual energy. And in a way, that’s going to be another problem."

It was harsh, but true.

In fact, Xavier was certain that if any of these beasts or those pets that were now spiritually charged were to disappear suddenly, most would never get to return.

Because like them, humans were just trying to survive. So until they figure something out, they’d have to stick to rescuing as many as they can and housing them for as long as possible.

"Do you think we’d be able to find a way?" Asked Luca, who looked at the beasts being inspected by the specialists.

"Somehow, I think it’s possible. Many of us who should be dead by now are still alive today because of the changes you’ve introduced. What’s to say it’s not doable in the future?"

Luca was stunned because Xavier looked at him with a knowing smile before hooking his pinky with his.

The little guide could only flush, moving closer to the prince.

And it surely was a sweet gesture, one that got the dungeon owner’s heart pounding. However, a certain adjutant, who had a different opinion and couldn’t understand why he had to witness this all the time, could only sigh from behind.

Maybe he should go out there and tease a certain someone to get rid of all this unwanted dog food!

Although he might want to save that for later and instead prioritize telling people not to clap and celebrate each time the burrowers pooped.

For just how would they deal with this situation if the beasts developed a learned behavior of needing to hear applause before doing their business?

But how could it be helped when the first offender was his redheaded buddy, who saw this as some sort of birth to celebrate.

Maybe he ought to start fixing this one first.