Published: August 15, 2025
Today, two chapters posted simultaneously.
This is the second chapter.
“Hmmm... This taste, this aroma, it’s as if it was made right in the middle of the city. I can’t believe this is preserved food. And if you can just boil the whole pouch for a short time to eat it, it’s perfect for camping or marching. If I had known about this during my active days, I would have definitely negotiated to introduce it to the knight order and the army!”
After the goblins finished preparing their lunch and I presented the warmed retort pouch meal, Mr. Seaver especially showed strong interest.
“Seaver-chan, I understand how you feel, but you’re getting a bit too excited.”
“Still, being able to eat normal food outdoors in such a short time is a big deal, you know.”
“This freeze-dried soup here is also just as simple—just add hot water. It’s excellent not only for adventurers but also as military rations, without a doubt.”
“Ryoma, is there any plan to sell this? Even if it’s a bit expensive, I’d like to buy some.”
“I’m happy you like it, but as for this preserved food, the Duke Jamill's household—the current head Lord Reinhardt—has been entrusted with the recipe, so everything is left to them.”
“Hmmm... I see... Considering its usefulness, a private individual who’s not a noble probably couldn’t handle it.”
“If you don’t have powerful backing, foolish nobles will definitely come after you. I think that’s a wise decision. Ah, this one’s really delicious too.
By the way, slime turns out to be unexpectedly useful, huh?”
Miss Remily murmured that, then suddenly went quiet, seeming to be deep in thought. She was still eating, so it didn’t seem like she disliked the taste, but I wondered what was on her mind.
“What’s wrong? You suddenly went silent.”
“Hmm, after hearing Ryoma-chan’s story about slime, I felt it was a waste. A little while ago, I heard from an acquaintance in the Royal Capital that the Royal Magical Beast Research Institute’s slime research department is going to be closed.”
“Eh? Is that true?”
The Royal Magical Beast Research Institute... It’s where Mr. Kokin, who works in our store, used to work.
“Didn’t Lord Reinhardt tell you?”
“There’s nothing particular about the Royal Capital... I heard from a former researcher acquaintance that the slime lab was being neglected, but this is the first I’ve heard about closure.”
“Then, do you know that in recent years, sightings and damage from magical beasts have been on the rise?”
“I’ve heard some rumors about that.”
“If you look back through past records, there have been several times when magical beasts increased and caused major damage, and the government’s upper echelons have been on alert. There are many important things in war, but ‘information’ is among them, right?
If the virtual enemy is magical beasts, you need information about them. There’s also the possibility of subspecies or new kinds with unusual traits increasing, so the magical beast researchers—and the Royal Magical Beast Research Institute where they gather—are relied on in such times.
The researchers’ workload will probably increase from now on; so, it’s best to cut off lower-priority research now and concentrate research funds and materials. The research institute’s upper management apparently judged so.”
Her ambiguous tone gave me pause, but what concerned me more was the treatment of the slime researchers.
“What will happen to the people in the slime research department?”
“Don’t worry; it’ll be fine. Of the researchers who will be dismissed, those who wish to join will all be taken in and cared for by the Duke Jamill's household.”
“Is that so!?”
“Yes. Before the closure decision, His Majesty the King directly approached us. I was involved a little in the arrangements, but my husband said, ‘Let the researchers continue slime research even in the Duke’s territory,’ so we thought they would be placed under Lord Ryoma.”