I dropped by the Commerce Guild first thing this morning and was ushered straight to the reception room yet again. It happened so often now that I was finally starting to get used to the routine.
"Welcome, Ryoma. Is it more manpower you're after?"
"Yes. But I also have something I'd like to consult with you about."
"Oh? And what might that be?"
I began by explaining the situation.
"I see... Well, the people we introduced on your first day were a bit of a mixed bag. I understand. If you find someone you think is trustworthy, bring them in. It’s not a crime to hire outside our channels, so I’ll have the paperwork ready to process them immediately."
"I'll bring them by as soon as I find them. Thank you for your help."
"Of course. Good luck."
Since the discussion had concluded smoothly, I stood to leave, but she called out to stop me.
"Ryoma, wait a second. I forgot to mention something. Sit back down."
"What is it?" I asked, lowering myself back onto the sofa.
"It goes back to what we just discussed, but specifically regarding those thugs who harassed your shop the other day. We looked into it on our end... We confirmed they were hired by a third party, but we couldn't track down the employer. There's a chance the Dark Guild is involved, so be careful."
"The Dark Guild..."
A criminal organization, then?
"You mean a syndicate of thieves and assassins?"
"Exactly. They aren't just common criminals; they're the ones who supply illegal goods, provide tools for crimes, and act as liaisons for the underworld. They do everything. They don't just stop at theft and intimidation—some specialize in killing. Watch your back."
"I understand. Thank you for the warning."
"It’s the least I can do. Besides, you're heading over to see Taylor next, aren't you? There's something I’d like you to take to him while you’re at it."
The Guild Master called out to the hallway. A staff member entered, received a few instructions, and returned with a glass bottle. It was filled with a light green liquid, with a fine powder settled at the bottom.
Medicine?
Once she confirmed it was the right bottle, the staff member placed it into a wooden box. Judging by the color, viscosity, and sediment, I could tell it was a nutritional supplement—specifically, a high-potency restorative.
"Curious?" she asked.
"Ah, sorry."
I felt I shouldn't pry too deeply, but since my curiosity was obvious, I decided to ask.
"Come to think of it, you were the one who gave Wogan the idea for his tonic," she said. "If you already recognize the medicine, I suppose there's no need to explain, but don't worry—it’s not for any specific illness. When you get to be our age, there are just some days when the fatigue won't leave your bones."
As the Guild Master spoke, she scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to me.
"Give this letter to the receptionist. This box is the usual order, so they'll know what it is. I’ve written that you should deliver it to him directly, so you can handle your own business while you're at it."
"Thank you very much. For everything."
"Give my regards to the old man."
With the Guild Master seeing me off, I left the guild once more.
"And that is the situation. Therefore, I was wondering if I could post a recruitment notice at the guild, or if you could help me register the personnel I find on my own."
"I see..."
Having secured a meeting with Branch Master Taylor under the pretext of the delivery, I explained the same plan I had given to the Commerce Guild Master. While she had accepted it readily, the Branch Master here was currently wearing a troubled expression, lost in thought.
"...Hm? Oh, excuse me. Let me prepare some tea."
"Ah, please don't trouble yourself. Is there some sort of problem?"
"No, not a problem, exactly... Just wait a moment. Let's sit down and talk properly."
The Branch Master stood up and pulled a tea set from a small shelf in the corner. He also had a magic tool that functioned like a portable stove, which he used to start the water.
"You make it yourself, Branch Master?"
"It saves the trouble of calling for staff, and it’s a nice way to clear my head."
With movements every bit as practiced as the maids at the ducal manor, the Branch Master brewed and served the tea.
"Now then, as I said, there’s no issue with your proposal itself. If you find someone trustworthy, you’re more than welcome to bring them in, and we can certainly post recruitment notices for our current members. That’s all standard procedure. In fact, I’d love to have the guild support your shop officially, but... there are elements of concern."
"Concern? And what do you mean by official support?"
"Well... if your shop recruits through the Tamer Guild, it provides a new avenue for employment. If you expand to more shops in the future, it means even more jobs. As a guild, we should welcome that. Above all, the fact that the monsters required to work at your shop are slimes is a major reason I want to help. Do you remember what I told you when you first registered?"
"...That you didn't have any jobs you could give me?"
The Branch Master nodded gravely.
"The Tamer Guild only facilitates jobs when we believe a tamer and their monsters can actually complete the task. If a request seems impossible for them, we can't recommend it. We try to find alternatives, but certain monsters are simply better suited for some tasks than others. Jobs are scarce, the pay is low, and the cost of keeping monsters fed and housed adds up quickly. A significant number of tamers end up living in poverty because of that. Unfortunately, our options are limited... I’ve even heard of people growing desperate enough to try contracting with monsters they have no aptitude for, only to fail miserably."
They clearly tried to gather a wide variety of work to prevent this, but they had reached their limit. This was where the slimes came in.
"They are weak and slow. They’ve been branded as useless monsters, yet every tamer relies on them at least once when starting out."
"Because we practice with slimes first, right?"
"Exactly. In all my years, I’ve seen many who could only ever contract with slimes, but I’ve almost never seen someone who couldn't contract with a slime at all—unless they lacked the talent for taming magic entirely. Their ease of contract is exactly why they're used for training. I don't know what you plan to pay, but if there were jobs that allowed a person to earn a living with only slimes, the number of tamers in financial distress would plummet. At least, that’s my hope. I realize it’s quite selfish of me to ask this of you, especially after telling you I had no work to offer you before."
"No, not at all..."
I understood his position. As a guild, they couldn't assign work they knew would end in failure.
"I appreciate your understanding," he said, taking a sip of his tea. It was heavily sweetened, yet the Branch Master’s expression remained bitter. "Providing minor support is within my authority. But if we make it an official guild-wide initiative, I have to report it to headquarters. If I do that, there's no telling what kind of interference the upper management might try."
So the guild might try to act like a demanding shareholder or use their support as leverage to control the shop.
"There will also be those who simply cannot let go of the idea that slimes are worthless," he added.
"...I suppose so. If someone spent years struggling to climb out of poverty to reach a stable life, only to see someone else making a living with the weakest, easiest-to-catch monsters... even if they understand the logic, they might not be able to accept it emotionally."
I’d be in trouble if that resentment was directed at me, though I had no intention of closing up shop.
"Well, judging by the rumors, you probably don't need our official support anyway. I’m not sure how a general recruitment notice would turn out, so for now, I’ll personally reach out to a few people I trust."
"Thank you. I’d appreciate that."
"It’s the least I can do. By the way, are you busy for the rest of the day?"
"Actually, I was planning to head to the Adventurer Guild next. I’m supposed to meet someone who can help me find staff."
"You're moving quite fast. I expected you to take things a bit more slowly."
"Hearing your perspective changed my mind a bit, Branch Master. While I still need to be cautious, if expanding my business helps people in need, then it's a good thing. I feel like I should be a bit more proactive about it. That's the conclusion I've come to. Since I've decided to hire people, I figured I should hear what they have to say as soon as possible so I can start planning."
"I see... I’m grateful you’re taking it to heart, but don't feel too much pressure. Since you're here, would you mind keeping me company until this pot is empty?"
"With pleasure."
The Branch Master poured a refill from the tilting teapot. Until the tea was gone, we sat in a relaxed atmosphere, letting the conversation drift into idle chatter.