"Phew..."
The culls and the subsequent meal seemed to end in a flash today. Now, all that remained was to wait for Niki.
"Niichan! I’m done with work!"
It seemed his tasks had finished early as well.
"Oh..."
"Something wrong?"
"No... it’s just that there’s one thing I have to tell you today. Actually..."
I started by telling him the honest truth: the Metal Slime had evolved into a Wire Slime.
"What?! It evolved already?!"
"That’s right. Thanks to you and the rest of the villagers, I was able to provide it with a massive amount of food."
"Show me! Let me see it!"
"Of course. I thought we could head to the forest after collecting the refuse to see exactly what this slime can do."
"Got it! Let’s go right now!"
With that, we left the dining hall where we had met. Niki seemed so eager to see the Wire Slime that his pace during the refuse collection was much faster than usual. Thanks to his enthusiasm, the work was finished in no time. We moved to the entrance of the forest where we usually gathered firewood, and I summoned the Wire Slime to show him.
"Huh... it doesn't look any different."
"Yeah. It looks slightly—really, just barely—smaller, maybe? That’s about the only change. But watch this."
I had the slime extend its body into a long, incredibly fine thread.
"Whoa! Heh, so it can do stuff like this now... Since it ate nets, can it be used like one? Can it change thickness? And how far can it stretch?"
"Let’s start by investigating those questions."
When I checked with the Wire Slime itself, I found it could adjust the thickness of the thread as it extended. However, the thicker the thread, the shorter the maximum length. As for the limit, I had hypothesized earlier that morning that it was related to its total volume. When I had it stretch into a cylinder at a fixed thickness as a test, the limit was approximately forty meters. After calculating the volume of that cylinder and comparing it to the slime’s spherical form, the numbers matched almost perfectly.
However, while its body was flexible, the nucleus was a different story. When it stretched to its limit, the sphere that appeared to be the nucleus became exposed. Technically, it was still wrapped in a thin layer of the slime’s body, but its location became obvious at a glance. While the volume calculations were fine, the fact that its vital weak point became so glaringly visible was something I’d need to be careful about.
Furthermore, I tested whether it could change its shape as Niki suggested. It could produce thread from any part of its body and even generate multiple strands simultaneously. It could also entwine these threads to weave nets or thick ropes. It hadn't lost the shape-shifting abilities it learned back when it was a Metal Slime, either. However, those transformations were now limited to thread-based variations, such as turning an extended strand into barbed wire or adding fine, serrated blades to the side to act as a wire saw.
"I think that covers the basics. Now, for the next part... Niki, would you like to see the moment a slime evolves?"
"I definitely do! Is it possible?"
"Yeah. Actually, there’s one species I can evolve right now."
I summoned the slimes I had either captured or received recently.
"Slimes don't just react to food; they also respond to the mana used for magic. If you give them a large amount of mana with a specific attribute all at once, they evolve into a variety that can use that magic."
"Oh, that's right. You did say your magic slimes were ones you’d evolved yourself, Niichan. Is that how you did it?"
"It was a coincidence the first time. I think the attribute they prefer depends on their environment. Back where I usually live, I hardly found anything except for earth and dark attributes. I’ve heard that Fire Slimes are often found in volcanic regions. Anyway, as for the main point... when I checked the preferences of the slimes caught near this village, almost all of them preferred water-attribute mana."
"Which means they can become slimes that use water magic, right?"
"Exactly. Since I can supply the mana, I can make one evolve right now. I don't have a water-magic slime yet, so I’ve been wanting one. Let’s see how it goes."
I channeled water-attribute mana through my palm and positioned the slime that approached the fastest between Niki and me. Once I was sure he was watching closely, I gently began pouring the mana into it.
"It looks like it's trying to cling to your hand..." Niki muttered as he watched. It did look that way; the slime was stretching its body toward me to absorb the mana as quickly as possible.
While I was nodding in agreement, the slime reached its capacity. It pulled its body back into a sphere and began wobbling around on the ground as if trying to find a comfortable spot. After a few vibrations and some fine-tuning of its position, it stopped moving entirely and began emitting a faint aura of mana.
"It... it stopped moving."
Since Niki couldn't feel mana, I explained that the slime was currently radiating energy.
"Heh... I can't use magic, so it just looks like it's sitting still to me. Hey, Niichan, what does the mana actually look like?"
"Hmm... it’s hard to put into words, but I guess it feels like waves. Fine ripples are coming out of the slime, forming a flow that cycles back into its body. It’s almost like it's breathing in its own exhaled breath. It’s rare to actually see the moment of evolution, but I noticed the Metal Slimes doing this same intake and output of energy. It might be a necessary part of the process."
"I see... Oh!"
The color of its body was gradually changing. Its transparent form took on a slight blue tint. Little by little, it shifted into a color reminiscent of a clear blue sky. Eventually, the flow of mana stopped.
I used Appraisal.
Water Slime Skills: Water Magic Lv2, Water Attribute Resistance Lv8, Water Attribute Magic Absorption Lv1, Jump Lv1, Digestion Lv3, Absorption Lv3, Division Lv1
"It evolved successfully."
When I asked it to produce water as a test, the Water Slime sprouted a jet of water with much more force than I expected, looking like a small fountain.
"Whoa! It really used magic! What else can it do?"
When I had it fire off a Water Ball, Niki clapped his hands in delight. After we finished playing around with the new magic, he ran all over the forest to help me catch more slimes for future experiments. By the end of the day, our haul was fifteen slimes.
"Wait, what's going on?" I asked as we returned.
"It’s pretty noisy, isn't it?" Niki noted.
It was exactly as he said. Usually, this was the time when villagers headed home or started preparing dinner, but a large crowd of adults was out on the street, huddled in groups and talking animatedly.
"Let’s go ask. Hey, lady!"
"Hm? Oh, it’s Niki and Ryoma-kun. Were you in the forest again?"
"Yeah. We just got back, but did something happen?"
"Well, a messenger from the Lord came to the village just a bit ago. Apparently, the Lord is coming here tomorrow."
"The Lord?! Why so suddenly?"
"It’s about that..." The woman talking to Niki suddenly turned her gaze toward me. "He said he wants to meet Ryoma-kun."
"What?! Me?"
"So it seems. I don't know the specifics, but I’m sure word has reached Hoi’s place by now. If you’re curious, why don't you visit the Village Chief? He was the one who dealt with the messenger knight, so he should know the details."
"Thank you very much. I'll go check."
As for why the Lord of this territory would want to see me... I had no idea. I had heard a few things about him, but he shouldn't even know I existed. Why on earth would he... regardless, I needed to visit the Village Chief before it got dark.
I thanked the woman, parted ways with Niki, and headed there immediately. I ran into the Village Chief right in front of his house. He looked like he had just returned from somewhere himself.
"Ah, Ryoma-kun. Good timing. I was just over at Hoi’s place."
"I heard the rumor that the Lord is coming to the village tomorrow and that he wants to meet me. Do you know why?"
"It’s likely because of how active you’ve been with the fishing and the culls. The Lord mentioned he’s coming to encourage everyone on the front lines. It’s not just you; Kai and Kei have been called as well."
Oh, so that was it.
"That's a relief. I couldn't think of any reason for a summons, so I was worried I might have done something wrong without realizing it."
"Haha, there’s no need for that. The Lord is a frank and kind gentleman. If you just act naturally, it’ll be over before you know it."
"I see. Thank you very much."
Ah, come to think of it...
"Village Chief, I actually have a letter of recommendation from someone, just in case I ever met the Lord."
It was the letter from the current Duke—Reinhardt-san. He had given it to me before I left the Ducal House for Gimul, telling me to use it if anything ever happened in the Fatma Territory. I hadn't expected to meet the Lord and didn't think I’d ever need it, but I was glad I’d kept it in my Item Box.
"Hmm... in that case, I’ll take custody of it just before the meeting."
"Understood. I'll be in your care tomorrow."
"The same goes for me regarding tomorrow’s fishing. Make sure to keep warm tonight."
I headed back while the Village Chief saw me off. On the way, as I passed through the central square, the shrine in the corner caught my eye. It was an old shrine, housing a stone that appeared to be a God Statue. Its surface was heavily worn down by years of exposure to the elements.
"Maybe I’ll offer a quick prayer."
Thinking about it, tomorrow would be only the second time I’d dealt with a high-ranking noble. According to the rumors, he was a good person, but he certainly wouldn't be coming alone. I hoped everything would conclude without incident. With that wish, I pressed my hands together in front of the shrine.
Suddenly, the world before my eyes erupted in white light.
I guess I can be summoned even if it's not a church.
"Ugh!"
A sudden sensation of weightlessness washed over me. Surprised by this unprecedented method of summoning, I opened my eyes to find an endless expanse before me.
Water?!
Almost the instant I realized where I was, I began to fall. I couldn't tell how far I dropped, but the impact wasn't particularly hard. However, the water clung heavily to my body, and I began to sink deeper and deeper. There was no sign of buoyancy.
"No need to worry. You can breathe here. Give it a try."
A voice reached me just as I began to panic and try to swim. It was true. My movement was restricted as one would expect underwater, but breathing wasn't difficult at all. Calming myself, I looked up toward the source of the voice.
There, framed by a dazzling light, was a figure about the size of a middle schooler, drifting effortlessly through the water. The silhouette slid through the depths toward my side, and I could finally see them clearly.
"Hey there. Hellooo."
"Hello. I'm Ryoma Takebayashi. Excuse me, but are you Selerepta-sama, the God of Water and Fishing?"
"Oho? Did I mention my name? You figured it out quickly. My statues are usually supposed to be brawny, masculine types."
It seemed he really was the God himself. Indeed, the myths I knew depicted him as the ideal image of a rugged man of the sea. But the person speaking to me now in a soft, androgynous voice had long, unkempt hair that was the first thing I noticed. It was so long that it completely hid the right half of his face. The visible left half was as pale as snow, with distinct dark circles under his eye. He didn't look healthy at all.
He was draped in multiple layers of loose cloth that obscured his frame, but his hands, visible from the baggy sleeves, were so delicate they looked like they might snap. He didn't look like a brawny man; he looked more like a girl. And, to be honest, he had the undeniable aura of a total shut-in.
The only reason I’d guessed his identity was because I’d prayed at a fishing village shrine, and more importantly...
"Because I fell into the water like this."
"Ah, true. When it comes to gods of the water, that’s me."
He drifted through the depths, laughing. The edges of his clothing fluttered behind him like the fins of a fish.
"Ahaha, you won't sink even if you don't move your limbs so much. Just relax and let yourself go. It’s much easier on the body."
As instructed, I relaxed. I stopped sinking, and the perfect buoyancy made my body feel light and comfortable.
"There, much better. You don't have to worry about formal speech, either. Anyway, you get called by Gain and the others quite often, don't you?"
"Yes. It's only once in a while, but I do visit them."
"I generally don't give oracles or meet with people, but I really wanted to see you for myself."
"You wanted to see me? I'm honored, but why? Was it like Gain and the others—were you watching me and found something interesting?"
"No, not at all. From my perspective, it wasn't interesting in the least."
"Oh. I see..."
"I mean, you were just living a normal life in a fishing village. It’s not like an unexpectedly dangerous monster appeared. If I wanted to see a normal villager’s life, there are plenty of other villagers to watch. It was redundant. It lacked any sense of modulation. I’m sure you’re happy because you like that kind of peaceful life, and I’m not saying that combat and adventure are everything, but being shown a mundane life over and over... it gets boring. Don't you think?"
"I... suppose..."
"It’s just a repetition of the same things. If you're going to do something, it should be flashier. Do you ever think about the feelings of the person watching you?"
"I admit, I haven't really considered how interesting my daily life is to an outside observer..."
"Right? So when you ask if it’s interesting... well, first of all—"
He began to launch into a fluent, uninterrupted stream of surprisingly sharp critiques. And I just stood there, listening.
They were all things I had never cared about in my daily life. But why was I, upon meeting a God for the first time, receiving the kind of harsh feedback an editor gives to a struggling novelist?