By the Grace of the Gods

Three days later

Since that landslide incident, no problems had occurred, and the journey was progressing smoothly. Perhaps because I had been with someone constantly for the past few days, I was gradually becoming able to speak normally. Although my tone was said to be a bit stiff, there was no problem with communication. Today, we finally arrived at our destination, the city of Gimul.

“We’ve arrived. This is the city of Gimul.”

“So this is Gimul…”

A peaceful town surrounded by high walls and greenery. That was my first impression. Compared to the City of Kereban, where I had stayed before, it was smaller in scale, but it looked calmer. I had heard that the main industry here was steelworks due to the nearby mine, so I had imagined a noisier town, but this one seemed nice in its own way.

However, according to what I heard from Mr. Reinhardt on the way here, there was a recent problem of declining iron production. One of the purposes of this inspection was to decide whether to close a mine that had become unprofitable due to decreased output over the past few years...

Apparently, the closure of that mine was almost certain. “There’s not just one mine, so the city probably won’t have any major issues for at least another ten years,” Mr. Reinhardt said, already discussing it assuming the mine would be shut down. Perhaps he was being considerate, thinking it wasn’t something to discuss with children...

Well, the mine’s output had been almost zero for the past three years. If they didn’t find new veins by this inspection, closure was the condition. Moreover, the city’s miners had not been working at that mine since last year. Anyone would want to work somewhere where they could deliver results, especially if their income was at stake.

“Alright, let’s drop off our luggage at the inn, then head to register at the Tamer Guild.”

The Tamer Guild is a guild for Beast Tamers and summoners—two types of magic users who control magical beasts. Its main roles are job placement and information management for registered members. It also arranges housing where Beast Tamers can live with their beasts, offers discounted feed, and provides other forms of support.

There are also Adventurers' Guilds, Magic Guilds, Commercial Guilds, and so on, but the Tamer Guild has significantly fewer members, and Beast Tamers are less popular because their beasts often scare people. Consequently, the guild is naturally smaller and has fewer branches. However, this city has a branch due to constant demand for transporting goods in the mines.

...Well, I mostly heard this from madam.

Madam was in a very good mood today, humming as she held the hands of me and the young lady, and we dropped off our luggage at the inn. However, I had one question before going to the guild, so I asked madam and the others.

“How much information should I provide to the guild?”

“Providing information is up to the discoverer, Ryoma-kun. Just tell them whatever you think is okay.”

I see, then...

“I will register the slime evolution conditions, the contract method with big slimes, and two new slime species.”

“You’re keeping the secret about the sticky slime’s adhesive liquid usage, right?”

“Yes, if it’s marketed as waterproof cloth, it would be problematic if similar products spread.”

“That makes sense.”

We were about to head straight to the Tamer Guild, but Lord Reinbach stopped us.

“Ryoma-kun, you’ve never been to a church, right? Then you should first disclose your status at the church.”

At that, Mr. Reinhardt and madam both looked like they suddenly remembered something.

Apparently, the “Status Board” issued by the church is the tool I had heard about for viewing one’s own status. Having it not only allows checking your stats but also smooths the guild registration process.

For example, to register with the Tamer Guild, you must be able to use Beast Taming Magic or summoning magic. If the skill appears in the skill section of the Status Board, registration is immediate. Without submitting the Status Board, you have to wait and perform a beast taming contract with a prepared slime in front of the clerk before registering.