"Heh, so you’ve had another new slime born over there?"
It was noon, and as had become our custom, we were exchanging information over lunch. In addition to reporting that my studies in curse magic were proceeding smoothly, I filled the group in on the newly evolved Curse Slime.
"That wasn’t the only thing. Lord Rosenberg also told me about a species called the Miasma Slime."
Thinking back to the Execution Ground of Hunger and Thirst, I had wondered if there were slimes that breathed in miasma. When I asked about it, I learned that there were rare slimes found in areas with severe miasma damage or miasma pools—essentially, places where the concentration was extremely high.
"Because they scatter miasma into their surroundings, extermination is the standard recommendation whenever they are found," Rosenberg explained. "However, that is precisely because they actually exist. I don’t think it’s a slime we’ll find easily, but if we search, the possibility is there. However, even if you do find one, it might be difficult to move it elsewhere. Please be prepared to need specific procedures or official permission."
Since miasma was a clearly dangerous substance, that kind of response was only natural. However, it didn't mean there was a rule strictly forbidding anyone from keeping them.
For starters, almost no one would want to keep a dangerous monster that scattered miasma. They were far too risky to be useful for crimes, either. There was no real point in banning the husbandry of a monster that no one would ever want to raise in the first place. It seemed to be an interpretation based on a legal loophole... but regardless, keeping them wasn't explicitly prohibited.
In that case, I just needed to use my position as a technician to get permission from the Ducal House under the guise of slime research. My desire to study Miasma Slimes was genuine, and if I found one, I would certainly observe it. Furthermore, if it were a slime that actually consumed miasma, there was a high probability it could be useful for purification.
Additionally, regarding the acquisition of a Miasma Slime, I believed it would likely be possible to evolve one without having to travel around searching for it. I should be able to trigger an evolution using the miasma accumulated in the tainted land on this mountain.
...Of course, attempting that evolution was still quite a way off.
First, I needed to find a slime that actually liked miasma. I had tested the Curse Slime’s reaction to miasma collected from deep underground at the experiment ground, but that little one hadn't taken to it. Even if I did find a candidate, I wouldn't let it evolve until I had observed the process thoroughly.
Based on the reaction to miasma, its inherent nature, and my past experiments evolving Poison Slimes, I predicted a high fatality rate unless the slime’s preferences perfectly matched the miasma. Although I occasionally administered toxins out of curiosity, I had no intention of killing my slimes for no reason.
Since miasma was a type of mana, I suspected the evolution into a Miasma Slime would be similar to the Curse Slime’s process. For the time being, I planned to look for slimes with an affinity for the dark attribute, evolve them into Dark Slimes, and then see if they reacted by becoming Miasma Slimes or something else entirely.
The utility would change depending on whether "scattering miasma" was a biological function or a defensive reaction, but if Miasma Slimes ate the stuff, they could be used for purification or even miasma storage.
"However, we’ll definitely need appropriate safety measures. Even with the experiment ground, I don’t want to cause any unnecessary damage. I intend to hone my skills in miasma countermeasures further before we meet the right conditions."
"That’s for the best. We don't have knowledge of purification or curse magic, but we could feel that there was something nasty on that land," Mizeria, the tiger-kin, said.
The other three beast-kin and Jeff, the human, all nodded deeply. When they accompanied me for the purification this morning, they must have felt the miasma filling the tainted land for themselves.
"That’s how things went on my end. How was the mountain?" I asked.
"Over here, we focused our investigation on the land that looks easiest to use, keeping in mind that you're going to be working the forest," Jeff answered.
He was likely referring to the plateau Silia and the others had mentioned the day before.
"Just like yesterday, the only living things we saw were insects and small animals. We didn't see anything big or dangerous. It might not be the best spot for hunting, but except for that miasma zone, this mountain seems perfectly safe."
"I wasn't sure how much work you were going to do on the mountain, Ryoma, but there's enough space to build fields or buildings, nyan. Also, Yudum seems to have an idea about securing water, nyan."
"An idea?" I wondered if he knew the location of a river or something similar.
"We found a small stream, but the water volume isn't very high and it's far from the plateau. It's fine for drinking water and daily use, but it's a bit inconvenient. We were talking about how it would be better to dig a well when you consider the volume needed for farming."
"So the 'idea' was about a spot where we're likely to find water?"
"Exactly," Yudum said. "There are various types of trees mixed together on this mountain, and among them is one called the Kareppashi. It’s a tree that stores a vast amount of water inside and only takes root in land with an abundant supply. Since ancient times, people have said that if you dig where Kareppashi trees grow in clusters, you'll hit water."
I listened with interest to Yudum’s explanation; I hadn't known such trees existed. He added that they had already found a spot where the Kareppashi were growing in clusters. Their efficiency was a huge help.
It was still undecided exactly how much of the mountain I would develop, but with a river and a cluster identified, water wouldn't be a problem. I could probably dig wells using magic, to say nothing of irrigation channels.
"Also, this isn't about using the mountain so much as managing it, but I think we should mow the undergrowth and start thinning and pruning as soon as possible," Jeff suggested. "The way it is now, it’s obvious it's been neglected. That’s not just bad for optics—I think a forest fire would spread way too easily."
"Ah... you're right. I completely forgot about fire prevention."
If it were just a matter of appearance, I could make the excuse that I hadn't had time yet since receiving the land was so recent. But if a fire actually started, the damage would be done, and excuses would be meaningless. I needed to prepare in advance to minimize potential damage.
Thinking of fire prevention... the first thing that came to mind was a firebreak. Under Japanese fire laws, I believed they were supposed to be six to thirty meters wide. My memory was a bit fuzzy, but the idea was a zone where trees were cleared to stop a fire from jumping.
Since I was planning to build a road anyway, if I made it wide enough, it could serve as a firebreak.
"Oh, Yudum-san. If those Kareppashi trees store water, are they resistant to fire? If we can cultivate them, I was wondering if we could plant them on both sides of the road to create a fire-prevention forest."
"They're quite fire-resistant while they're living trees," Yudum replied. "They only become highly flammable once they're cut down and dried. I'm pretty sure they can be grown from cuttings, so if you let me use some of your slime fertilizer, I should be able to prepare seedlings for planting. Should I give it a try?"
"Yes, please do."
I wasn't an expert in forest management, but I knew enough to realize that I had to consider planting trees, not just cutting them down. If I just kept clearing land, it would be no different from the environmental destruction seen in the miasma zones. I didn't want that, nor could I allow it to happen.
Yudum was reliable when it came to plants, so I decided to proceed while consulting him. As for me, I needed to concretely define my goals for the mountain. As the one with the decision-making authority, I had to set a rough policy first, or we wouldn't be able to draft a plan or offer suggestions.
"If I were to prioritize tasks at this stage, it would be the maintenance of the roads and the forest. For now, starting from the area around this mountain hut, the Huge Bush Slimes should be able to handle most of the undergrowth if I let them roam free. For the pruning, let's mobilize the entire goblin force. If I have the Metal or Iron Slimes transform into tools, we shouldn't have any trouble."
"Lord Ryoma's goblins numbered a little under a hundred, did they not? In that case, they will be a significant force," Sebas said with a nod. He had seen the goblin unit in the Town of Ghosts.
Actually, the number of goblins had surpassed a hundred the previous week, reaching a total of 113. If we were doing full-scale development, we’d need an order of magnitude more, but for general maintenance, this was quite a substantial number.
"They can work just like humans for simple tasks, and the hobgoblins have plenty of strength. I think it'll be more efficient if I make the roads with the help of the slimes, but I can leave the pruning entirely to the goblins. Once the road and forest maintenance are finished, I also want to work on the collapse site in the miasma land."
If left as it was, that area could collapse again at any time, which would make future purification difficult. Fortunately, I could protect myself from miasma using the curse magic I’d learned that morning. I wanted to utilize that knowledge to firmly review and master my new skills.
"Also, my goblins try to make alcohol every chance they get, so I need to make them work hard at jobs other than brewing."
Recently, they hadn't been satisfied with just Shirozake; they had begun experimenting with other ingredients. Wheat and potatoes from my slime farming method trials... and even the leftover fruit I’d brought back from the Sea of Trees was being fermented.
Their enthusiasm had actually led to the discovery of the Drunk Slime, which liked alcohol in the middle of the brewing process, so it had helped my research in the end. However, based on what I’d seen, that Drunk Slime would likely evolve into something specifically useful for brewing, like a slime specialized for mash.
I truly looked forward to seeing new slimes, but if I ended up with a whole pack of slimes dedicated to brewing, I’d seriously need to take some countermeasures. The goblins would likely get out of shape if they stayed inside the Dimension Home all day, which wouldn't be good for their health.
With that in mind, regular forest management would be excellent exercise. And not just for the goblins—I wanted to take this opportunity to train a bit more myself.
"When you say train, do you mean special training?" Mizeria asked, sounding interested.
"If I can find the time. You know I went back to my old home recently. Even now, I don't have a problem navigating the Sea of Trees, but when it comes to defeating the monsters in the deepest parts, I feel like my attack power is slightly lacking."
"I don't think you lack strength if you can go into the Sea of Trees and come back alive," Jeff said with a chuckle. "Are the monsters in the depths really that bad?"
"There are many that are massive and incredibly sturdy. While the small ones can be troublesome, my attacks work on them well enough."
But I knew I would have had a very hard time with the Tyrant Raptor or the leader of the Cannonball Rhinos if Glen hadn't been there. I could probably defeat them using slimes or indirect tactics, but I felt a definite lack of personal power.
I didn't necessarily want to become like him, but I wanted to refine my physical reinforcement through Qi and magic power. Besides, that man had run off saying he was coming back to buy retort food, so he’d likely be back before long. It wasn't out of the question that he might demand another match.
"Well, if there's anything we can do to help, just say the word."
"We can use strengthening magic too, nyan," Mizeria offered.
"I'll join you when the time comes as well," Jeff added.
"Thank you very much!"
Finding time to train sounded like it could be fun. I wanted to hammer out the details, but I set that aside for the moment to bring the conversation back on track.
"Well then, since the goblins will be helping with the forest maintenance... I'd like to go and confirm the site with my own eyes once."
"In that case, I'll guide you," Yudum said. "I've seen the whole explored range now, so just let me know when you're ready, and we can go anytime."
"When I'm ready... Lord Rosenberg?"
When I asked for his opinion, Rosenberg gave me a warm smile.
"Ryoma-kun, you are already capable of performing basic purification. I will provide whatever advice I can, but after this, it is simply a matter of gaining experience through practice. It is better for you to search for the method that feels most natural to you. I will be available if you need me, so you decide the schedule."
The decision was entrusted to me. In that case, I would have Yudum guide me through the mountain this afternoon.
"Then, Yudum-san, I'll be in your care this afternoon."
"Understood."
"Also, Lord Rosenberg. I have the materials regarding that Lost Magic ready; would you mind taking a look at them later?"
"But of course."
I had prepared the documents quite some time ago, but since I had been focused on the purification lessons since we met up, I hadn't found the right moment to hand them over. I wanted him to read them now so that we could have a detailed discussion tomorrow.
I had dealt with unscheduled work and sudden changes in plans more than I liked in my previous life... but moving forward one step at a time while discussing things with everyone like this was a genuine pleasure. I was determined to keep working hard toward my goals.