The day after the attack by the Mighty Sword Brothers and their black-clad squad, I returned to the city as planned, my Space Magic storage packed with supplies. While distributing the materials, I gave my formal report on the previous night’s events.
Naturally, the staff dispatched from the Ducal House—especially Lilian, to whom I’d promised I would be fine before I left—gave me an earful. "You’ve been reckless again!" she scolded. However, since I was back in one piece and the city’s reconstruction remained an urgent priority, the matter was eventually shelved for the time being.
Fortunately, it seemed the enemy's plot had culminated with the attempt on my life; no further attacks or sabotage followed. While some dregs remained—mostly local thugs and self-proclaimed "Vigilante Corps" members looking to profit from the chaos—the Town of Gimul gradually regained its composure through a series of crackdowns and continued relief efforts.
I took on whatever tasks were necessary to facilitate that recovery. Then, one day, after a full week had passed...
"Pardon the interruption, Ryoma-sama."
"What is it?"
I was at the makeshift Food Production Base—established on a vacant lot where the slums had once stood—handling an extra harvest for shipment when Lilian arrived, looking quite hurried. As it turned out, Reinhardt and the others had returned from the Royal Capital and were already waiting at the security company.
"Isn't that a bit early?" I asked. "I heard the New Year is the peak of the social season for nobles. It’s only the fourth of January."
"They reportedly attended only the most essential ceremony at the start of the year and moved up the rest of their schedule. His Grace is currently meeting with the Town Office and the various guilds to assess the situation. After he finishes his briefings, he wishes to speak with you leisurely this evening."
"I understand. I don't have any other plans today, so let's wrap things up here early. Once I finish growing the crops for the request I just received, the timing should be perfect."
"Understood. One more thing—where might I find Yudum-sama?"
"Yudum-san is in the vegetable room on the third floor."
"The Master and Madam wish to hear from him as well. They’ve requested that he come to the security company immediately."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense. I'll show you the way. Sorry, everyone, I'll be right back!"
"Leave the shipping to us," one of the helpers from the Commerce Guild replied.
Leaving the work to the volunteers, I climbed the stairs marked "Beware of Monsters - No Entry" with Lilian.
"...I think this every time I visit, but you really are growing crops inside a building," she remarked.
"It’s not much different from growing plants in pots."
We reached the second floor. Lilian’s gaze swept across the windowless rooms, where soil was spread across the floor and light flooded down from magic tools embedded in the ceiling. In this climate-controlled environment, a group of goblins was busy harvesting potatoes.
In my mind, I envisioned a modern, high-tech vertical farm... though the reality looked anything but high-tech. It felt more like someone had hauled tons of dirt into a bare concrete office building and started farming.
"I understand that it’s essentially a greenhouse," Lilian said, "but the sight is still... no, more importantly, I never imagined those new slimes you mentioned would actually become the field."
"I was just as surprised when the Scavenger Slimes I’d put to work evolved into Composter Slimes and Fertile Soil Slimes. I’ve reached the point where I’m not truly shocked by their changes anymore, but I still find myself thinking, 'Oh, so this is how it works!'"
The Composter Slime’s appearance had shifted to resemble a literal mound of earth. The fertilizer it produced had changed from a liquid to a solid compost that generated significant heat during the decomposition process. The properties of the fertilizer had also shifted; it was now far less likely to cause the "Mana Mutation" that occurs when crops are over-saturated with magic.
When using Wood Magic for rapid growth, this compost was less efficient than the Scavenger's liquid fertilizer. However, fertilizer is a tool meant to be used for specific purposes. If one studied agriculture and balanced the Scavenger’s "liquid feed" with the Composter’s "manure," the quality of the crops improved significantly.
Then there were the Fertile Soil Slimes, which also looked like lumps of dirt. In terms of sheer stats, they weren't much different from Water or Mud Slimes, but as the name suggested, their bodies were packed with the nutrients necessary for plant life.
Furthermore, they loved eating the Composter’s output. If I gave them a diet of compost with a splash of liquid fertilizer, they exhibited a mysterious Synergistic Effect that boosted their productivity. If I had my Weed Slimes cultivate nitrogen-fixing plants like White Clover on them, they became even more efficient.
My own lack of deep agricultural knowledge was a bit of a bottleneck, but by using slimes as a living medium, the health of the crops became much easier to read and manage.
I’d also discovered that a Fertile Soil Slime could evolve into a standard Soil Slime, and vice versa. Even more interestingly, I’d found that Mud and Sand Slimes—which both favored the earth attribute—could also evolve into Soil Slimes.
This confirmed that slime evolution wasn't a one-way street. Multiple species could share a common evolution path, reinforcing my theory that their elemental preferences dictated the Principles of their growth.
With that logic, the sheer number of evolution patterns finally made sense. Personally, I was nearly certain of it. If I tried to map out slime evolutions with names and connecting lines, the resulting diagram would look like a massive, tangled spiderweb.
It almost made me wonder if "evolution" was even the right word, or if they were simply changing their states of being... but that was a question for another time.
"There he is. Yudum-san!"
"Tenchou-san. Lilian-san, good work."
"How is the progress?" I asked.
"This is our third harvest today. It’s only possible because of your slimes, Tenchou-san, but we’ve produced enough to stock a whole grocery store. The goblins are doing most of the heavy lifting, and well, with the field being what it is..."
Yudum-san looked at the goblins and gave a wry smile.
The ground was lined with rows of Passero—a leafy vegetable that looked like a cross between giant parsley and celery. Normally, harvesting them required digging them out of the earth one by one. But since the "field" was actually a slime, it simply moved its body out of the way when it was time to harvest.
The goblins didn't have to dig a single hole. They didn't risk damaging the vegetables with tools; they just had to pick up the plants that emerged from the soil. It was exponentially faster and easier than traditional farming. For root vegetables, it also meant zero wasted or overlooked crops.
"In a way, this is like picking a fight with every farmer in the world," Yudum said. "It’s incredibly convenient, though."
"I can't really argue with that. Anyway, Yudum-san, the Ducal Couple is back, and they want to see you. Please head to the security company with Lilian-san immediately."
Yudum-san’s expression instantly sharpened. "Understood. I'll go at once. I’d like a moment to make myself presentable first, though."
"We have changes of clothes ready at the office," Lilian noted. "We have enough time for that much."
With a solemn nod, Yudum-san followed Lilian out of the production base.
"Don't push yourself too hard," Lilian added as a parting shot.
"The city still has some stockpiles, so consider these crops an insurance policy," Yudum-san chimed in.
They both left me with those warnings. It couldn't be helped, I suppose, but it seemed their trust in my ability to "not overdo it" had reached an absolute low.
That night.
As promised, I finished my work early and returned to the security company, where I was granted an audience immediately. I wasn't sure if they had finished their meetings or if they were specifically making time for me, but either way, I was happy to see them.
I felt a twinge of nerves as I approached the small conference room. Zeff-san and Camille-san were standing guard at the door. I greeted them and knocked. Upon being told to enter, I found the Duke and his wife waiting inside. They looked exhausted, yet visibly relieved.
"It’s been a long time," I said.
"Ryoma-kun, I'm so glad you're safe."
"Come, please. Have a seat."
The two of them clearly had a lot on their minds. Following the Madam’s lead, I sat across from them. Lulunese-san entered shortly after to serve tea and sweets.
"Now then, Ryoma-kun," Reinhardt began. "There is something we must say first. We are profoundly grateful for everything you’ve done during this crisis. Truly, thank you."
As he spoke, both he and Elise bowed their heads deeply toward me.
"Please, raise your heads. I don’t know what to do when you bow like that. I only did what I wanted to do, in the way I saw fit. It may have helped the city and its people, but I wasn't the only one contributing."
I meant that sincerely. I wouldn't go so far as to say nothing would have changed without me, but I couldn't have accomplished much alone. It would have ended in a stalemate, much like that previous merchants' meeting.
"But because of this, your life was targeted," Reinhardt said.
"That certainly wasn't your fault. Besides, I assume you’ve heard the report?"
When I’d first reported the assassination attempt, it had caused a massive uproar. During that process, I’d shared my conversation with the Mighty Sword Brothers and my own thoughts on the matter. I’d tried to choose my words carefully and deliver the news gently, but...
"I'm happy and grateful that you worry about me. I trust all of you, and I don't think you’re unreliable. However... when it comes to combat, the thing I rely on first and foremost is 'myself.' That was true in the past, it’s true now, and it will likely be true in the future."
If I said that out loud to a stranger, I’d be branded as arrogant and conceited, so I never would. But the reality was that I had a talent. Not just the power gifted to me by the gods, but a natural affinity for "martial arts" and "combat" that I had possessed since my previous life.
Ever since I was a child, I could understand a physical movement just by seeing it once. If I could visualize it, I could replicate it, and with a bit of practice, I could master it. Looking at delinquents or professional fighters on TV, I honestly never felt I would lose. My father was the only person I truly believed I could never beat.
In hindsight, my decision to hire Fei-san and Li Ling-san likely came from that unconscious confidence. A person with normal sensibilities wouldn't dream of hiring former assassins.
To be honest, I would have traded that talent for a gift for studying or a knack for social interaction in a heartbeat... but perhaps that’s ungrateful. Regardless, I can fight better than any normal child, and better than most adults. Combined with my magic and my slimes, it’s a strength I’m quietly proud of.
"You... no, you're right," Reinhardt said with a sigh. "I’ve known for a long time that you aren't just a child who needs our protection. You even prepared your own countermeasures this time, and you returned safely. I won't say any more on the matter. Elise, are you alright with that?"
"Yes. I suspect everything I wanted to say has already been said by the others. I know you understand our concern, Ryoma-kun, and Jill told me as much, so I will trust you. But please, truly be careful. If you feel you need help, don't hesitate to ask. Whether it’s us or someone else, please reach out."
I’d expected the conversation to go in circles, but they were the ones who yielded first. Elise’s final warning was likely her way of making sure I got the message.
"Elise, you’re still saying it," Reinhardt teased.
"Oh, my apologies. It just slipped out."
"I think being someone who has people worrying about them is a form of happiness," I said. "If anything, I feel like I'm the one who should be apologizing. But this is one point I don't think I can compromise on."
I truly felt nothing but a sense of apology.
"Don't worry about it," Reinhardt said, waving it off. "More importantly, Ryoma-kun, what do you plan to do next?"
"Are you still planning to leave the city?" Elise asked. "I heard you've entrusted the management of the shop to Serge’s subordinates."
They both looked anxious, but I had no intention of cutting ties with Gimul. I simply intended to shift my focus back to my work as an adventurer.
That had been my original plan, after all. My goal was still the Shulls Great Forest. But life in the city and my connections with the people here had been more enjoyable than I’d anticipated, making it harder and harder to leave.
So, I would scale back my work in the city to make room for adventuring. I would likely be away for long periods, so I’d delegated management of the laundry shop to Calm-san.
However, I would remain involved as the owner and investor. I had no intention of closing the business or abandoning my current life.
When I explained this, their faces visibly relaxed.
"Now that I’ve secured my supplies for food and medical care, I’m going to focus on raising my rank so I can finally head to the Great Forest. I haven't thought much about what comes after that, but as I said, I'm not closing the shop, and I still have the waste processing plant to look after. Once my business in the forest is done, I’ll return to the abandoned mine. I'd like to continue working as an adventurer with this city as my base."
"That’s a relief," Reinhardt said. "To be honest, that was our biggest fear—that by taking you out of the forest, we had made you miserable."
"Not at all. I'll say it as many times as it takes: life in this city has been wonderful, like a dream. It’s just that I’m not really cut out for staying in one place for too long. I’m a bit selfish that way; I prefer to keep a comfortable distance."
"There are many people who aren't suited for a fixed city life," Elise said. "Such people are often isolated or cast out, but I think that’s just part of who you are, Ryoma-kun. I would have been heartbroken if you said you were leaving forever, but as long as you promise to come back, I’m satisfied. You should live in whatever way makes you happiest."
With that, the Madam reached for the tea and the plate of sweets.
"Please, Ryoma-kun, help yourself. These are from a popular shop in the Royal Capital; I bought them right before we left."
"Thank you. I'll have some."
The sweets were rich, sweet, and fragrant. Whether it was the flavor or the sight of the two of them smiling as we shared the meal, the air in the room felt warmer and lighter. We sat together, simply glad that we were all safe.