Kousuke performed Slime Sumo, timing it for when Schmidt visited the Management Layer.
“My, my. I see. So this is it,” Schmidt nodded in admiration as Kousuke showed him another slime battle, just like he’d done with Towa.
“What do you think? I believe it could be a bit of entertainment,” Kousuke said.
“I’m sure it will be,” Schmidt agreed immediately, unlike Towa.
This wasn’t because Schmidt was superior to Towa; it was solely due to their different positions and perspectives. Furthermore, Schmidt possessed information that Towa lacked.
“Indeed, it seems the domestication of slimes is somewhat feasible. And by making good use of that, you might be able to make it popular, is that it?”
“Precisely.”
Kousuke had previously spoken to Schmidt about the possibility of using slimes as cleaning tools when he discovered Sura cleaning. At that time, they had been considering domesticating slimes by referencing farmed slimes. The idea was an extension of that, with Kousuke and Schmidt aiming to breed slimes for Slime Sumo.
To make Slime Sumo popular, the most crucial step was to spread slimes. If that was the case, they could simply register the cleaning slimes as players (?) for Slime Sumo. If cleaning slimes became available at a low price and were accepted by ordinary households, it would lay the groundwork for Slime Sumo’s popularity.
“Above all, we need to make slimes easily accessible,” Kousuke stated.
“That is certainly true. However, that is where the difficulty lies,” Schmidt replied.
While mass-producing slimes was easy, making them accessible for general households was difficult. Alternatively, it would be quicker to create specialized species for mass production. However, at present, Crown had not yet been able to clearly divide and mass-produce such specific species.
“……Is there nothing that can be done?” Kousuke responded to Schmidt’s expectant gaze with a bitter smile.
“That’s pushing your luck a bit much… Hmm? No, maybe not?” As he spoke, Kousuke recalled Slime Island.
Currently, Slime Island was inhabited only by Kousuke’s familiars. This was because only slime species had been summoned onto an island where monsters did not appear. Moreover, summoning was no longer performed, and the island was maintained solely by the division of existing slimes. Consequently, the current Slime Island could be considered saturated. No new species were expected to be born, nor could their numbers increase any further. Therefore, Kousuke considered that some of the slimes on the island could be provided to Crown for breeding purposes.
The only problem was the lack of a guarantee that slimes bred for pets or other purposes would not be subjected to mistreatment. Since all the slimes on Slime Island were Kousuke’s familiars, any slimes that split from them would naturally also become Kousuke’s familiars. Unknown were the emotions Kousuke would experience if he learned that these familiars were being harmed. However, it could also be argued that even familiars who were properly named could die due to an accident, so perhaps there was no need to worry excessively.
With that thought, Kousuke muttered, “…Hmm. Perhaps I should seriously consider handing them over.”
Schmidt, who would not miss such a statement, leaned forward slightly, his eyes sparkling. “Is there something?”
“Ah, yes. Well, there is, but…” Kousuke said, backing down slightly and glancing at Floria, who had been silently listening to their conversation, as if seeking help.
Floria, sensing Kousuke’s plea for help, smiled wryly and said to Schmidt, “What Kousuke is referring to is his familiars. If they were to learn that divine familiars were being mistreated… I don’t even want to think about the chaos that would ensue.” Hearing Floria’s explanation, Schmidt’s expression turned regretful. Even Schmidt was not so much of a money-grubber as to try to forcibly lay hands on divine familiars.
“…I see. That is indeed difficult.” However, that was merely Schmidt’s personal sentiment; there were individuals who would readily engage in unethical practices. Even if they were bound by contract not to mistreat the slimes, countless individuals would still find ways to use them for illicit purposes, circumventing the contract. In such a scenario, it was uncertain how gods, including Kousuke, would react. If they were going to tread such a dangerous path, it would be better to find an alternative from the outset.
Of course, Kousuke did not keep tabs on the status of all his familiars in the tower. The tower housed familiars summoned through summoning circles, named familiars, and even those that had come into existence naturally. It was practically impossible to keep track of them all. Considering this, there was no need to concern himself with the treatment of slimes sold as merchandise. However, on the other hand, there was a possibility they could be treated poorly. Once such a thought surface, Kousuke would hesitate to sell his familiars. If it didn’t even cross his mind, it wouldn’t be an issue, but when it did, it was a cause for concern.
Floria did not necessarily grasp Kousuke’s unspoken feelings precisely. However, after a long acquaintance, she understood that he had complex emotions. That was why she had said what she did to Schmidt earlier. “Well, what I just said was an extreme case. Given the potential involvement of gods, it’s better to be overly cautious,” she explained.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Schmidt nodded, appearing greatly convinced by Floria’s explanation. Kousuke, overhearing their conversation from the side, wore a rather subtle expression.
“…It feels like a rather harsh assessment, doesn’t it?” he remarked.
“It’s the truth. …Or rather, in this instance, it concerns not only Kousuke but other goddesses as well.” Kousuke wasn’t the only one with familiars in this world. Other goddesses also possessed familiars, although not to the same extent as Kousuke. It was unlikely anyone in this world, except perhaps a child lacking understanding, would not comprehend what would happen if their familiars were indiscriminately harmed. Furthermore, if it became known that a god’s familiar had been harmed, other gods might intervene. History had also proven this.
Kousuke himself would likely act to help if another goddess asked for assistance because her familiar had been subjected to mistreatment. With that thought, Kousuke nodded in understanding. “…I see. That’s a fair point.”
“Right? Therefore, it would be best to sell the familiar slimes only after Kousuke has fully come to terms with it,” Floria stated.
“Huh? You’re not completely rejecting the idea?” Kousuke asked.
“That’s right. …I too want the Slime Sumo plan to succeed. That’s all there is to it.” Kousuke and Schmidt exchanged a glance and then laughed at Floria’s rather personal reason.
Although I’ve written quite a bit of convoluted explanation, in a nutshell, it’s “If you harm my familiars, I won’t forgive you!” lol.
