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nFounding Festival. Present day.

nIt’s been about 2 weeks since I started sword dancing with Soldio-san and the others.

nAlthough Soldio-san found no ‘issues with my sword’, he found my experience in magic ‘lacking’. As such, my training revolved around casting my magic and using it while moving.

nThe training method he taught me involved casting spells with a priority on speed rather than power or casting spells at regular intervals. Naturally, it wasn’t possible for me to learn everything in such a short period of time, but my ability to focus and move while invoking magic has clearly improved.

nHaving someone to guide you really helps in making progress.

nI also used the firewood throwing test we did that day as a reference for my morning training. But instead of firewood, I’m having the iron slimes and metal slimes charge at me from every direction.

nHaving lumps of metal throw themselves at you from every direction makes for pretty good practice as far as dodging and parrying goes. Those two variants’ hardness and my own body strengthened by ki. It would be extremely dangerous if not for those two properties, but so far there hasn’t been any problems, so that’s that.

nTo the slimes, it’s a way for them to train their attacks. Just yesterday I saw one slime taking care of a cave mantis. There have been many incidents in the past, where they accidentally defeated an intruder, but now, they have officially recognized crashing into their enemies as a form of attack.

nWith that the defensive strength of the abandoned mines will also go up. Continuing the training looks like a good idea.

nThe guild prioritized the safety of the highway, so they were able to prevent any damages to the town or any negative effects on the circulation of goods from the tunnel ants that appeared in the plains. Although they managed to scare the town people a little, they were successfully dealt with via a combination of human wave tactics and the power of monster beasts. Thanks to that, tourists poured into town and the atmosphere of a spectacular festival filled the air.

nIt was on the morning of such a day.

nEveryone in the store gathered with faces full of spirit.

n“Good morning!” Ryouma

n“Ryouma-kun, good morning. What do you think of the place? Hey! Get me one breakfast here!” Pauline

n“Thank you very much.” Ryouma

nI was given a hot dog, so I happily accepted. It would serve both as breakfast and a way for me to do some final checks before opening the stalls.

n“Ryouma-kun, why don’t you take a seat?” Zeke

n“Thanks.” Ryouma

nZeke-san the butcher offered me a seat, which I accepted.

n“Sure. Still, this place sure has changed a lot.” Zeke

nIndeed. At first, this was merely an empty lot, but now all sorts of structures have been put up on it.

nThere’s an entrance facing toward the street, and at the very center of the once empty lot was now the stage of the Semroid Troupe. There was apparently someone in the troupe with such abilities. That person got materials from who knows where and suddenly built up the whole stage.

nI was busy with the tunnel ants, so I don’t know for sure, but I think they completed the stage in just 1 or 2 days.

nBefore the stage were chairs and tables. There’s plenty of gap between them, so it might appear disorderly, but these chairs and tables were actually arranged by Prenence-san to optimize viewing area and moving space. In this way, the audience shouldn’t have a hard time moving around or seeing the stage.

nWith stalls that serve food and drinks on the left side facing the stage and stalls of the Morgan Company on the right side, the place gave a feeling that resembled that of a food court in a department store.

nThere was also space provided behind the stalls on both sides. In the Morgan Company’s case, they used that space for their storehouse. On our side, the space is divided by a hanging banner and a stone wall since we’re using the space both to transport ready-made goods and as the stage wing of the Semroid Troupe.

nPublic toilets were also installed separately in a corner so that guests and customers will be able to use them as they pleased. Of course, we’re making the most of the slimes and the store’s products.

nIn any case, we were able to complete all our preparation.

n“All that’s left now is to wait for the festival to begin.” Ryouma

nThe Founding Festival will begin at 8AM.

nSome hasty stalls have already started accepting customers at the main street, but our stalls will wait until the festival has officially begun.

nOn the first day, the people in charge of the store will be Zeke-san, Pauline-san, and the employees and wives of their meat store’s employees. Me and my staff won’t be working till tomorrow.

n“Shall we start soon?” Zeke

n“Sure.” Ryouma

nI feel like time goes faster when talking.

nIn order to make it in time for the opening of the stalls, I quickly finished my food and cleaned up.

n“I’ll be going then. I wish you all luck. I’ll come back in the afternoon.” Ryouma

n“Just leave it to us!” Zeke

n“You have fun too, Ryouma-kun.” Pauline

nSince I’m not a customer, I’ll just get in the way of those who are working. My visit here was really just meant as a greeting before the store opened. Now that the festival is starting, it’s time to leave.

nThe rough voices of men and women fell on my back as I left.

nA few minutes while walking idly on the street. The bells of the church started ringing.

n“Ah, it started.”

nAlthough the festival had already half-started, it was another thing when a signal was officially given.

nThe enthusiasm of the people reached another level and the clamor grew rowdier.

nIt was as if all that pent up energy was now about to burst out.

nThe town looked dazzling with all the colorful cloths and flowers decorated along the street.

nNow then, where should I go?

nI’ve already eaten, so I think I’ll check the food-related places later.

n“Welcome! Welcome Our hamburgers are excellent!” Stall Man 1

n“Traveling from town to town for 30 years! The legendary French Fries!” Stall Man 2

n“Popcorn! Popcorn! We have popcorn here! It’s delicious!” Stall Man 3

nStalls that sold nostalgic food were lined up. Judging from the name of the dishes and the contents, it’s likely that these are influences of the otherworlders from Earth.

n“Can I have one order of French fries please.” Ryouma

n“One order of French fries coming right up! That will be 5 suits!” Stall Man 2

nOut of impulse from the nostalgia, I ended up buying some.

n“Here. It’s the exact amount.” Ryouma

n“Please come again!” Stall Man 2

nAfter paying, I got a bowl made out of a huge leaf filled with French fries. I tried a piece immediately, and the simple taste of fried potato seasoned with some salt spread in my mouth.

n“Delicious.” Ryouma

n“Right?” Stall Man 2

nNot only does it sounds good, it tastes good too. It’s just as I imagined it to be. I happily ate away, and before I knew it, I’d emptied the leaf bowl. I actually wanted some more, but I decided to stop there, Or there would be no end to it.

n“Oh? Wait.” ???

n“Ah, good day.” Ryouma

nWhen I passed by a stall, the gramps from the drug store I frequented called out to me. Normally, he doesn’t deal with customers and just sits on a chair in the store while watching people, but today, he seems to be selling something.

n“Aren’t you the child that frequents our store? Here, take one with you.” Drug Grandpa

n“Thank you very much. Is this candy?” Ryouma

nAt the end of the rod was a round lump. It was like a Candied Apple with no apple and was powdery and colorful. When I tasted it, I found out that it was indeed candy.

n“!?” Ryouma

n…The moment it entered my mouth, my whole body broke out in shivers.

n“What is this?” Ryouma

n“Hihihi. Something good to eat when the weather is hot.” Drug Grandpa

nIt was so sour and bitter that I actually felt cold for a moment. It was a little salty too. As I continued tasting it, I realized that some medicinal herbs that help against the summer heat were present. If there’s some salt in it too, then it would would definitely be able to prevent heatstrokes. The taste aside, it’s somewhat similar to ‘salt candy’. It might really be suited for hot weathers.

n“I’ll be selling here tomorrow too. If you like, come buy some.” Drug Grandpa

nI don’t find it too sour… I think I’ll buy some tomorrow too.

nI thanked gramps and walked away.

n…After taking a better look at the stalls, I’ve found that there are all sorts of stuff being sold.

n…Fruits are still fine, but I wonder if vegetables can sell too. Pots and knives are being sold too, but I’m doubtful that people interested in buying such things would come here. Everyone is full of life and seem to be enjoying themselves, so maybe that’s why?

nThis stall here is selling toys, while that stall over there has targets to shoot at. It’s the sort that uses a good bow.

n“The young master over there. Want to give our shooting range a try?” Stall Man 4

n“Thank you, but maybe next time.” Ryouma

nThere weren’t any prizes that I wanted, so I left. I kept on walking and eventually found myself at the center of town, where the roads joined from every direction, making the decorations appear conspicuously gaudy.

nThere were many street performers here.

n“4~, 5~, and 6~!” Juggler

nA juggler that kept adding more balls.

n“Look!” Acrobat

nAcrobats, who stood on places with little footing such as atop chairs balanced atop each other.

nThis part of town isn’t that much different from the festivals in my psat life. Personally, I was more taken by the magic tools and monsters used rather than the food and the performances. There’s a man balancing on a ball atop a monster beast that looks like a giant armadillo for one. I have no idea which one of them is supposed to be the main character.

nWhile looking around, I suddenly felt like I just saw someone familiar in clothes that stuck out like a sore thumb through the gaps between the crowd.

nIn front of a store, which many people came in and out of, stood a nun. The tumult from the festival goers and her clothes really didn’t fit. The youths tending to the stores and the passing customers had noticed her too, as she seemed to be worrying over something.

nWhat is—!!

n“Color Slime” Signboard

nThe signboard of the store got my attention.

n“Good morning, Bell-san.” Ryouma

nI called out to the nun, and she vigorously turned around.

n“Oh, Takebayashi-san. Good morning.” Bell

nThe nun cheerfully greeted me back. Behind her was as a large box, inside of which were a multi-colored slimes.

nSeeing that reminded me of the time when they asked me for advice on raising slimes. They never said anything about it again, but I wonder if they decided on raising one in the end.

n“Yes. I asked the children after that if they’d like to raise one, and they said they did. So I started studying Monster Taming and the Contract Spell. I’ve been going at it until just last week.” Bell

n“I see. So, today you’re…” Ryouma

n“About that, there’s actually something worrying me…” Bell

nWe moved places so as to not interfere with business, and apparently, it has been decided that she would be taking on the responsibility of raising slime. In connection to that, she also has to provide the slime. The problem now is how to acquire the slime, but she couldn’t make up her mind on whether to catch it herself, buy it at the previous store, or ask the guild to get her one.

n“Buying at that store is cheaper than asking the guild, but I feel like the slime in that store is less lively than the ones in Tamer Guild.”

n“You’re not wrong.” Ryouma

nI took a look at that Color Slime too since I was curious about it, but it’s not an advanced variant. It’s just a slime colored by making it drink colored water. And the reason why Bell-san thinks the slime isn’t lively is most probably because of the paint it was made to ingest.

n“Slimes do change colors depending on what they ingest, but that’s usually only for a moment until they finish digestion. How well they digest something depends on what it is, so it’s probable that that store made them ingest paint that’s specifically difficult for a slime to digest.” Ryouma

nFrom the faint aroma I picked up, they probably used Mizurina Herb. Although it can also be used to make green dye, the components of its aroma is also used make insect repellent. It’s full of fiber so it’s hard to digest.

nMoreover, because it also contains insecticidal properties, it can weaken the slime, making it take even longer to digest.

n“I see…” Bell

nWhen I was trying to figure out the evolution conditions, Mizurina herb is one of the herbs I refrained from giving the slimes unless they themselves wanted it. Incidentally, only the poison slime wanted to eat it.

n“Well, even if people eat it, at most they’ll just feel some discomfort. The herb is also used to make clothes, so it’s not exactly dangerous, but since children will be touching the slime a lot, I can’t exactly recommend it.” Ryouma

nI don’t think it will, but it would be dangerous if it evolved into a poison slime.

n“If you’d like, I could prepare a slime for you. I’m an adventurer, so I go out of town a lot. In fact, I work outside of town everyday.” Ryouma

n“In that case, please allow me to oblige you.” Bell

nShe happily accepted my offer. The church has helped me a lot, and they’ll probably continue helping me in the future. Even as someone who owns the store, it would still be a joyous thing if they could remember me. The clergy have much influence in regional communities. Fufufu… And on top of that, with this I’ll also be able to slowly proselytize people about the goodness of slimes… Or at least that’s what I’m plotting.

n“Hmm?” Ryouma

n“Is something the matter?” Bell

n“Over there.” Ryouma

nA grim-faced child was standing at a corner of the street. From his hairy and drooping ear, it was easy to tell that it was a child from the beast tribe. It’s hard to distinguish their gender, but this child looks a bit too young to be walking by himself… I don’t see anyone likely to be his guardian either.

nAfter mentioning that the child seems to be acting odd—

n“*Sniff… Mommy… Mommy!”

n“That’s not good.” Bell

n“So, it really was a lost child.” Ryouma

nI followed after Bell-san who rushed to his aid immediately.

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