Volume 2 Chapter 41 part1

“What are you doing at a place like this, Ryouma?” [Jeff]

While I was dozing off at a place some distance away from the carriages, Jeff-san called out to me. Behind him were the people who helped out with the latrine pit.

“Aren’t you going to go home, nyaa?” [Miya]

“Good job today, everyone. I don’t think I could get a ride right now even if I wanted to with how many adventurers there are, so I think I’ll ride last.” [Ryouma]

“You too?” [Jeff]

“You too? You mean you guys are going last too?” [Ryouma]

“Well yeah, with how exhausted everyone is, we don’t really wanna tussle with all those adventurers.” [Mizelia]

“You said it… I know we were hired precisely for situations like today’s, but it’s still tough.” [Gordon]

“Especially today. We even had to deal with a goblin king. And that’s a monster you deal with only after preparing for it. I couldn’t help but remember that story while fighting. You know that one about never letting down your guard even when fighting weak monsters.” [Mizelia]

“Ah, are you talking about the country that got wiped out by 10,000 goblins? I remember that too. It’s really a miracle no one died today.” [Cher]

Was there a story like that?

Gordon had his thick arms around his neck as he grumbled, while Mizelia-san echoed his statement.

Everyone sure looks tired… As I thought that to myself, I asked Cher-kun about that story Mizelia was talking about.

“Huh? Ryouma-kun, you don’t know about it? I thought for sure it was a popular story.” [Cher]

“I don’t recall hearing it…” [Ryouma]

“Ah, you were probably that kid, weren’t you? The kid that didn’t read fairytales in his childhood and instead read nothing but complicated stuff.” [Jeff]

When Jeff-san said that, everyone nodded.

For some reason, my ignorance was taken in a strange light.

Do these people seriously see me as a swot?

“It’s a story about knights and adventurers who fought hard to protect a country, only for their efforts to go to waste, as the goblins overwhelmed them. We can laugh at it now, but without you and your slimes, we would have suffered the same fate.” [Gordon]

Well, regardless how strong one is, if you can’t apply that strength, then it’s meaningless. ‘There is power in number’ is a common saying too.

“Oh, right!” [Raypin]

While ruminating to myself after what Gordon-san said, Raypin-san suddenly yelled.

“What is it all of the sudden, Raypin-ossan?” [Jeff]

“Ryouma, can you show me your heal slimes from before? I’ve never seen one in the flesh, de aru.” [Raypin]

“Sure.” [Ryouma]

I called the 2 heal slimes over and lifted them up so Raypin-san could get a better look.

“Here.” [Ryouma]

“Thank you, de aru. Hmm… They’re white… And they’re short, even for slimes… I saw them use healing magic in person. It seems the rumors are true. What do they eat? Is it the same as normal slimes, de aru.?” [Raypin]

“They only drink water, and they won’t eat meat unless you order them to. I think the meat thing is just preference, but when it comes to drinks, they really can’t drink anything but water. That part is a pretty big difference compared to normal slimes.” [Ryouma]

“Really?” [Raypin]

“How do they live with just water?” [Wereanna]

“They have a skill called Photosynthesis. With it they can get all the nutrients they need just by bathing in sunlight.” [Ryouma]

“There’s a skill like that, de aru!? Mu mu mu… How interesting… Ah, come to think of it, the encyclopedia did mention plant-type monsters having a skill like that, de aru.” [Raypin]

“Are those slimes strong, nyaa!?” [Miya]

As Raypin-san went off into his own world, Miya-san asked a question.

“They’re really weak. They’re so weak that if they were to fight a normal slime, they’d lose.” [Ryouma]

“That’s really weak, nyaa…” [Miya]

“That’s probably the reason why heal slimes are so rare. Since even if a heal slime manages to be born in the wild, it’ll just get killed right away.” [Ryouma]

“That makes sense, de aru. Weak critters can’t live in the wild. Do heal slimes have any methods of self-defense, de aru?” [Raypin]

Ah, Raypin-san heard us.

“They’re completely specialized in healing. They also have the Increased Vitality skill on top of healing magic, so they could heal while running away should they be attacked.” [Ryouma]

“So they have no choice but to take the hit while healing and running, de aru?” [Raypin]

“They’re surprisingly tough, actually, but of course, they can’t live long in the wild by themselves. And they seem to know that instinctually since even if you tell them to do as they please, they won’t separate from my other slimes.

They’re really useful, though, since they immediately heal my other slimes when they get hurt. They’re healers through and through, so they can’t be used to fight.” [Ryouma]

“I see… That was interesting. Thank you, de aru.” [Raypin]

“It’s rare to have someone who can understand slime research, so this much isn’t really worth mentioning.” [Ryouma]

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask me too. I’m confident I can answer it so long as it’s nothing too complicated. Talking with you is a joy since you always have so many discoveries. It’s unfortunate that you don’t get much recognition despite that.” [Raypin]

When Asagi-san heard that, he joined the conversation.

“I’m not that familiar with monster tamers, but I’ve heard that it’s harder to control monsters the more you have. With so many slimes tamed, surely you must have gotten some recognition at the tamer guild.” [Asagi]

“Unfortunately, I’m still just a neophyte with no achievements. Moreover the tamer guild judges a ranker’s skill according to the strength of his monsters, so slimes can’t get me much recognition. In fact, I’m more likely to be looked down on because of them. It’s also because of that that I didn’t bother publicizing my research results. I would just stand out in a bad way.” [Ryouma]

“There are a lot who think slimes are useless just because they’re slimes, de aru. Ryouma discovered two new variants, the cleaner slimes and the scavenger slimes. Either one is extremely useful. On top of that, there’s also his research results. Personally, I believe that’s more than enough to promote him a couple of ranks, de aru.

But as an individual monsters researcher, considering the position of slimes in the industry, it’s more than likely that others will unfairly look down on Ryouma. It’s perfectly understandable that Ryouma doesn’t want to publicize his research results. Slimes are just looked down on that much, and it’s not just the tamer guild who thinks that way, de aru.” [Raypin]

“Really? Someone as unlearned as me recognizes just how useful those 2 slimes are, though. In fact, they’re so useful that if I knew how to tame monsters I would immediately get some myself.” [Wereanna]

“If more people were as open minded as you, then Ryouma would get the recognition he so rightfully deserves, de aru.” [Raypin]

Everyone nodded at Wereanna-san’s remarks.

Looks like the latrine pits job and the subjugation quest today convinced everyone how useful the cleaner and scavenger slimes are.

“I wonder if I could make money if I started a laundromat…” [Ryouma]

“A laundromat?” [Wereanna]

Ah, I seem to have said that out loud.

“Oh, I was just thinking. Couldn’t I use the cleaner slimes to wash laundry for cheap? And if I tell other adventurers that even a goblin’s filth could be cleaned, I might be able to make enough to live off of.” [Ryouma]

“How cheap are we talking here?” [Wereanna]

“Hmm… Using a special bag I will be making myself, at the lowest end, one bag would be one copper coin, and at the higher end, one medium copper coin. Something like that?” [Ryouma]

“It’s doable!” [Everyone]

When I said that, everyone responded affirmatively.

“I know full well just how clean cleaner slimes can make things. A bag’s worth of laundry cleaned at that quality at the cost of just one medium copper coin is definitely cheap! Nyaa!” [Miya]

“Especially at times like today. Goblin blood and fat really aren’t easy to wash off…” [Gordon]

“Just thinking about it depresses me…” [Syria]

“Personally, I just throw away clothes when they get as dirty as they did today. Washing is pointless since they’ll still stink, so you still won’t be able to wear them.

Beast tribe members with a sharp nose and enough income would definitely want your service at one medium copper coin. That’s still cheaper than buying new clothes, after all.” [Wereanna]

“Because beast tribe members really have sharp noses,” said the four female beast tribe members as they gave their stamp of approval.

“At that price, people other than adventurers would also be interested. Considering how much time and effort laundry requires, enlisting your service is better.” [Jeff]

“I actually want to get mine done tomorrow. I have a lot piled up at home…” [Gordon]

“In my case, I’m bad at chores, and I have a bad habit of piling up laundry when researching, de aru. At times like that I would hire someone to do my laundry, but the fees aren’t anything to scoff at, de aru.” [Raypin]

“In Raypin’s case, leaving the laundry for too long makes them even dirtier, so he has to pay a premium too, but either way, hiring people to do your laundry is generally expensive. Normal families can’t afford it, but with your proposed prices, even commoners should be able to afford it, de gozaru.” [Asagi]

Are they single?

In any case, everyone seems to like my idea.

“Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot yesterday, and eventually decided to become independent.” [Ryouma]

“What’s this about?” [Jeff]

“I believe everyone knows this already, but I came to this town with the duke’s family. They’ve been taking care of me all this time, but at this rate, I realized I would end up too spoiled, so I talked to the duke’s family to turn down their support and live by myself.” [Ryouma]

“You turned down their support!?” [Mizelia]

“What a waste…” [Jeff]

“Ah, but I’m still living with them at the inn… The thing is stuff like that has started to become a given, so it’s starting to feel like I’m being spoiled. So in order to focus my mind I decided to go independent after they leave…” [Ryouma]

“But still… That’s not something a person normally does, is it? But then again rejecting the duke’s support usually isn’t even possible since you normally won’t even have the opportunity in the first place.” [Gordon]

“But I believe your way of thinking is admirable, de gozaru.” [Asagi]

“Ha ha ha… Anyway, in the end, it was decided that I would do a job for them and have to contact them regularly. I’ve also decided to stay in this town, so I’ve been thinking of various ways to make a living.

Of course, I intend to continue being an adventurer, but because of the job from the duke and their request to keep in touch with them, I need to come back to this town. I’m planning to prepare various ways of making a living just in case I become unable to become an adventurer.” [Ryouma]

“I see, then that’s fine. Do your best.” [Wereanna]

“If you’re going to be staying here, then we’ll be seeing each other a lot. Let’s get along [1], de aru.” [Raypin]

“Same here. Let’s get along.” [Ryouma]

We continued talking about random stuff after that, and then when it was time for the last carriage, we rode last.

[1] – This is just the usual ‘yoroshiku onegaishimasu’ in case you found the translation weird.

After that I went home and was summoned to the room of the duke’s family.

“Welcome home~.” [Elize]

“Good work out there, Ryouma-san.” [Elialia]

“Work ended early today, huh? How’s the abandoned mine?” [Reinbach]

“Huh? You haven’t been informed yet?” [Ryouma]

“We had some things to ask the government office… As expected, it seems they haven’t touched the mine in a while. Did something happen?” [Reinbach]

“We found a goblin village today and were able to destroy it, but it was pretty tough since even a goblin king came out.” [Ryouma]

As soon as I said that, the members of the duke’s family immediately panicked.

“A goblin king!?” [Reinbach]

“Are you alright!?” [Elialia]

“Fortunately, I only had to take care of the fleeing goblins, so I didn’t have a hard time. No one died too.” [Ryouma]

“I see. That’s good to hear…” [Reinhart]

“It was a big nest with a goblin king and some goblin knights, so there were still over 2,000 goblins that went our way. It was really a huge operation, so we were sent home right after disposing the corpses.” [Ryouma]

“It’s amazing no one died despite that.” [Reinbach]

“It’s because the high rankers dealt with the goblin king, and the low rankers used traps. Oh, there’s one more thing I’d like to talk about.” [Ryouma]

I told them what I heard from those 6 adventurers regarding their difficulties since the latrine pit jobs were stopped being an option.

When I did, the members of the duke’s family became a little dispirited.

“I see…” [Reinhart]

“What’s going on at the government office right now?” [Ryouma]

“They’re currently reorganizing. The people responsible for the original allegations have already been caught, and now, other crimes are currently being pursued.” [Reinhart]

“Today’s incident will probably be held against them too. Is the guild still posting those latrine pit jobs?” [Reinbach]

“Yes. I took one of those jobs just recently.” [Ryouma]

“Guilds don’t like leaving their customers waiting, after all.” [Reinbach]

“I’ve informed those 6 adventurers that they can do the latrine pit jobs again through the guild. They were dubious whether they would really be paid, but from the looks of things, they’re at least willing to do it.” [Ryouma]

“Sorry about that… We’ll get someone new to inform the slum residents.” [Reinbach]

After that we changed the topic.

“Now, now, let’s put the heavy topic to rest. I’m glad you’re safe, Ryouma.” [Elize]

“You must be hungry after working so hard. Is there anything you want to eat?” [Reinhart]

“Yes.” [Ryouma]

“The slimes also worked hard, didn’t they?” [Elialia]

“Yes, but don’t worry about them. They’ve already eaten their fill with the goblins. In fact, they can start splitting again later this evening.” [Ryouma]

“Really? Which slimes are going to multiply?” [Elialia]

“Acid, poison, cleaner, and the sticky slimes.” [Ryouma]

“You’re going to get more slimes again.” [Elialia]

“They ate a lot, after all. In any case, it’s not a bad thing since more slimes means I’m stronger, and the production of the waterproof cloths and threads will also increase, not to mention the slimes will also be useful in landscaping and construction. If there’s any downside it’s the mana cost of the familiar contract. It’s no joke with so many slimes.” [Ryouma]

“It can’t be helped, there’s just too many of them. Please don’t push yourself, though.” [Elize]

“Yes. If it’s impossible to finish all the contracts today, I’ll spread it over a couple of days.” [Ryouma]

“That’s a good idea.” [Elize]

After that they asked me my plans while eating, so I told them that I plan to live as an adventurer while also looking for other avenues to make a living.

Speaking of which, I don’t know how long they’ll be staying here… I should ask.

“By the way, how long will you be staying here? I never got to ask, so…” [Ryouma]

“We haven’t told you? We’ll be staying here until the grell frog outbreak and until Elia needs to enroll.” [Reinbach]

Grell frog? If I recall correctly that’s…

“Isn’t that the monster that my armor’s leather was made out of?” [Ryouma]

“Yes, its hide can be used to make armor, while its internal organs can be used to make medicine. There’s usually an outbreak of grell frogs around this time of the year. We plan to take Elia there.” [Reinbach]

“The area is somewhere in between the town and the mines in a forest with a red mud swamp.” [Reinhart]

“Are you going to hunt grell frogs?” [Ryouma]

I thought they’d be training again, but it seems that’s not the case. Although training is a part of it, Elialia will mostly be tagging along. Their real objective is apparently the flock of rimel birds that passes by at the same time as the grell frog outbreak.

“Rimel birds are beautiful blue-winged bird-type monsters. Moreover, they also have a beautiful voice. On top of that, they also fly quickly, making them popular among monster tamers.

Unfortunately, taming one isn’t easy and there’s not a lot of people that could tame one, so it’s not often that one gets to see a rimel bird. Yet those rare birds are going to come in droves during the grell outbreak. I suggest you come too, Ryouma-kun. Just the rimel birds alone are worth us staying here.” [Elize]

So monsters aren’t all scary, huh. But if they prey on grell frogs, then that means they’re carnivorous. When I think of carnivorous birds, crows that fish for garbage bags come to mind, but considering their color, peacocks might be closer. I don’t know. In any case, my curiosity has been piqued. I think I’ll go see them too.

“I’d like to see them too.” [Ryouma]

“You should come with us then.” [Elialia]

“That would be great. Please let me come.” [Ryouma]

“Sure! Let’s go together!” [Elialia]

I promised the ojousama I’d see the rimel birds with her, then when I was done eating, I went back to my room.

I had the slimes split and formed contracts with them before sleeping, but I ran out of mana halfway through, so I had to put off the rest until tomorrow. I still have some MP Recovery potions with me, but it seemed wasteful to use them for this.

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