Volume 4 Chapter 2: Reunion 2

The Teres.h.i.+ Diner was a big restaurant, so the travelers that came to this city would often eat and drink there. At a corner of that restaurants warm atmosphere were Elia and the others, chatting as they enjoyed their tea.

So Sebasu, did you know that Ryouma-san was here? [Elia]

I did hear that Ryouma-sama has gone through the mountainous road many times, but I wasnt aware that he would have his cart open in this town today. [Sebasu]

At that time, Sebasu saw Ryoumas figure working within the cart through the opening between the people lined up. It was there, that he first realized that Ryouma was in town.

Incidentally, the reason Ryouma was in this town was because Elia had once sent him a letter, informing him that she would use this path to head to Gimuru. Because of that, Ryouma decided to subjugate the bandits in the area. Him deciding to open a cart in this town came after that.

The rumored person they heard of this afternoon is none other but Ryouma. Sebasu was already aware of that. When Elia found out that he knew, she complained and told him that he should have told her. Right around that time though, Ryouma entered the store. Promptly, he was brought to where the girls were sitting, and the clerk called the girls attention.

Excuse me. Ive brought your companion. [Clerk]

Sorry, I was late. [Ryouma]

After a quick bow, Ryouma called out to Eila.

Elia, its been a while. I did mention it just a while ago, but its great to see youre doing well. [Ryouma]

Indeed. It really has been a while, hasnt it? Ryouma-san, are you doing well too? [Elia]

I did mention it in the letters, but yes Im doing fine. By the way, these people are your? [Ryouma]

After Elia smiled at Ryouma, he turned to look toward the other girls. The one who received his gaze was Miyabi, who waved her hand.

Ryouma-han, long time no see. Dya still remember me? [Miyabi]

Miyabi-san, right? Long time no see too. Of course, I remember you. [Ryouma]

So ya remembered me, huh? Ta tell ya the truth, I was sort of wonderin what I should do if ya didnt. [Miyabi]

Dont worry, forgetting you wont be possible, since the impression you left was quite strong. [Ryouma]

The way ya talk makes me wonder exactly how it is youre remembering me, but eh, whatever. That aside, how long are ya planning ta keep on standing? Take a sit. [Miyabi]

Having been told that, Ryouma took a seat, then he began his introductions to Mich.e.l.le, Riera, and Kanan.

My name is Ryouma Takebayas.h.i.+. I believe the two of you have already seen me back there in the cart, but in any case, I am the owner of the meat bun selling cart and the restaurant, Slime Den Restaurant at Gimuru. But considering that the management is mostly taken care of by the head chef, I suppose it might be better to refer to me as an investor instead. I normally spend my days at home, researching and manufacturing things. When Im not, Im out gathering materials and ingredients for my research while carrying out adventurer work. In any case, its a pleasure to meet you all. [Ryouma]

A pleasure to meet you as well. I am Mich.e.l.le Willdan. Im the eldest daughter of the Willdan Household, but please refer to me as Mich.e.l.le. My hobby lies in magic formation research. [Mich.e.l.le]

So Mich.e.l.le-san is a scholar of Magic Formations. [Ryouma]

When Mich.e.l.le heard Ryouma say that, her eyes sparkled.

Are you familiar with magic formations!? [Mich.e.l.le]

I know a little from my grandmother, but its nothing more than a little introduction. [Ryouma]

As Magic Formations is unfortunately a study thats widely unpopular, there are few people that know of its existence Which is why Im so happy to know that I have some to talk about it with now, Ryouma-kun! [Mich.e.l.le]

As Mich.e.l.le began to grow excited, Riera remonstrated her.

Calm down, Mich.e.l.le. We havent finished introducing ourselves yet. [Riera]

Oh, sorry, please excuse me. [Mich.e.l.le]

Seriously Im sorry, Mich.e.l.le has a tendency to sometimes prattle on like this. [Riera]

Please dont mind it. There are many people like her amongst my acquaintances, so if anything, its actually relaxing. [Ryouma]

Thank you. [Riera]

Said Riera as she sighed, then as her expression stiffened, she introduced herself.

Please pardon my delayed introduction. I am Riera Clifford. Theres no need to be polite with me either. So please just call me Riera. In the future, I plan to become a knight By the way, a while ago, you mentioned that you did adventurer work. May I know what rank you are? [Riera]

My rank? Its C. [Ryouma]

After Ryouma said that, Riera thought to herself for a bit, then she said this.

I see If you dont mind, I would like to have a duel with you should the opportunity present itself. I want to know my current strength. [Riera]

If youre fine with me, then anytime. There is a good place for that very purpose in Gimuru after all. [Ryouma]

Thank you. [Riera]

Riera bowed, and the next one, Kanan, spoke.

Next up is me. Names Kanan Shuza. My familys been working as magic tools craftsmen for generations. So Im studying both as a magic tools craftsman and as a jeweler. Its a pleasure to meet you! [Kanan]

Its nice to meet you as well. [Ryouma]

By the way, I heard you mention just a while ago that you manufacture things. Can I know exactly what it is you make? [Kanan]

Ryouma appeared to be a little troubled as he answered Kanans question.

If I were to put it briefly, a lot. Medicines, smithing, woodworks. I also make kitchenware such as pots and knives, and even the steaming baskets I used in the cart from before. I make weapons too, but Im usually making things that are needed for daily life or farming tools If theres anything I specialize in in particular, then I guess its medicine and magic staves. [Ryouma]

You really do make a lot. Ah, as for me, I specialize in grinding jewelry. [Kanan]

Hearing that, Ryouma asked.

Kanan-san, do you make jewels right from the grinding stage? A jeweler I know buys his from a specialist that specializes in grinding, which he then uses to create his ornaments. [Ryouma]

There are people like that, but the Shuza Family works from the grinding stage to the engraving stage. Because of that members of our family are able to create products all on their own. Part of the reason is because of the necessity in ensuring that the materials used are compatible for magic tool purposes, but its mostly because our familys made up of stubborn craftsmen who dont want others interfering with their work. Of course, there are also cases where several people work together to make a single product, but that only really happens between a pupil and a master thats been together for a long time. We dont really buy jewels from external sources. [Kanan]

It was in this way that the introductions concluded, and Ryouma and the others got to know each other. There, Ryouma finally ordered. And Mich.e.l.le asked him a question.

Do you frequent this store? [Mich.e.l.le]

Yes, actually. I usually have my meals at this restaurant whenever I drop by this town. At first, I was planning on having the leftovers of the cart for supper, but since nothing would be left for met to eat, I decided to eat out instead. [Ryouma]

Well, that meat bun really was delicious after all. Still you seem to be famous here for some reason, and not just because youre a regular or anything. Is there something going on? [Mich.e.l.le]

This is actually something that the others have also been itching to ask.

At first, they thought it would be rude to just enter the store without ordering anything, so they figured they should order something light while waiting. But when they entered the store, and mentioned they were waiting for Ryouma, the female clerk they were talking to realized that they had already eaten some meat buns from the cart, and she told them that they didnt have to forcefully order something if theyre only waiting for Ryouma.

It shouldnt be strange to see customers who take up seats without ordering to be a nuisance, but despite that, no one saw them as a bother.

Its probably because I order a lot and come here frequently. Moreover, I also helped out a lot of times with the expansion of the town. I used my earth magic to create the area they are building the new lodging on now, you see? Also, each time I would come here, I would order food enough for 10 persons portion. [Ryouma]

Hearing that, not only Mich.e.l.le, but even Sebasu and the others were shocked.

10 peoples portions every time? [Mich.e.l.le]

Ryouma-san, did you always eat that much? [Elia]

Having been asked like that, Ryouma explained himself.

No. I eat the same as a normal person. A single persons serving or maybe two at most. The one eating the remaining food is I think the three of you who dropped by the cart might have noticed it, but there is another person working at the cart alongside me. The one who eats a lot is that. [Ryouma]

There was another person? [Elia]

There was. But he was working by the cookware at the back, so he didnt stand out. [Riera]

I saw him too. That guy had the same face as Ryouma. Is he your twin? [Kanan]

Ryouma chuckled when he heard Kanans words.

Were not twins. Actually, hes not even human. [Ryouma]

Everyone else except for Sebasu was shocked. Sebasu had met Ryouma many times in these past two years, so he already had a good grasp of the situation.

Hes actually a slime. [Ryouma]

A slime? [Kanan]

Its a mimic slime, a slime with the ability to mimic. I have it mimic my appearance to help out with the cart whenever I put it up. And instead of a salary, I feed it a lot. It may look like a human, but its really a slime deep inside, so its digestion is really fast. [Ryouma]

So thats why youre ordering 10 peoples portion every time [Mich.e.l.le]

They even gave us some service thanks to that. [Miyabi]

Its because Im an important customer. Besides the people of this shop are all good people and really adaptable.

As Ryouma said that, the food finally came. The waiters lined them up before Ryouma, and Ryouma paid them in chips. Then he began to eat. As he was eating, he asked something that bothered him while they were introducing themselves.

By the way, why is Sebasu-san the only escort? Is that really ok? [Ryouma]

The one who answered that question first was Mich.e.l.le. She threw her chest out as she said.

Its true that there are n.o.bles who like to bring escorts and helpers in groups whenever they travel, but I hate that sort of stuff. Besides, my mom is a researcher of medicine, and my dads a researcher in the field of magic formations, so therere plenty of times when they go out to gather ingredients and test out their magic. Because of that, I was also advised to put importance on field work. Accordingly, I normally go out by myself. Besides, Sebasu-san is here too, so there shouldnt be any problems. [Mich.e.l.le]

The next one who answered was Riera.

I might be a n.o.ble, but I was still born to a knight family. If its just one or two, Im fairly sure I can protect myself. Besides, if anyone from my family were to ask for escorts when going out, my family would scold them saying, If youre aiming for a knight, then you shouldnt be on the side of the ones being protected, but on the side of the ones protecting! Dont be nave! [Riera]

Riera smiled as she said that. Following after her, Kanan spoke next.

Me and Miyabi arent n.o.bles to begin with, so we never had any escorts from the start. Even without escorts, a girl can still travel safely as long as she pays to ride a stagecoach. Unless youre carrying a lot of money, or carrying something valuable, or being target by someone, a commoner wouldnt really bother hiring an escort. [Kanan]

Hearing their replies, Ryouma was able to understand. After that, they spoke about a lot of things such as when Elia and Ryouma first met or when Elia and the other girls first met. Ryouma was eating while they were talking, so he was mostly just listening.

Around the time when Ryouma finally finished eating, they were a lot more familiar with each other, and could speak their thoughts unreservedly. It was then that they decided to travel together to Gimuru tomorrow.

Well see you tomorrow. Lets meet by the east gate. [Elia]

Ryouma and the others left the store. Then the girls group randomly picked a place, opened the Dimension Home, entered it, and then pa.s.sed the night.

Within Sebasus Dimension Home that was wonderfully part.i.tioned with a part.i.tion screen, inside a room where five beds were lined up, were five girls talking amongst themselves.

Who wouldve thought wed actually meet with the rumored Ryouma-kun in this town? Although we did plan to say hi once we got to Gimuru, it seems our plans were pushed forward a bitWell, what do you all think? [Mich.e.l.le]

As Mich.e.l.le said that, Riera and Kanan began to think. Elia and Miyabi waited for them to talk.

They have heard all sorts of things about Ryouma from Elia and Miyabi, who would sometimes talk about him. But the things they heard were things were all unbelievable things such as a boy who was a year younger than them but could cast intermediate dimension magic or someone who could kill D Rank magical beasts barehanded. This caused Mich.e.l.le, Riera , and Kanan unable to decide whether what they were hearing was true or not.

Its not that they suspected Elia and Miyabi to be lying. Its just that the stories they heard were really hard to believe. Because of that they made it one of their goals in this trip to meet Ryouma in person.

Kanan was the first to speak.

How to put it He feels like a normal older brother. The type that could be seen anywhere I cant see him being as strong as the stories say. [Kanan]

But his body seems to be well-built. He mentioned being a C Rank adventurer, so he should have at least that much strength. In any case, I like how he didnt look at us with perverted eyes. [Riera]

His eyes aside, Im more interested in his research rather than whether hes strong or not, but I couldnt ask him about it at all today That slime of his sure surprised me though. Its my first time knowing about a slime that could become anything it eats. If it eats a goblin, it will become a goblin. If it eats a dragon, then it can turn into a dragon. [Mich.e.l.le]

He called it a mimic slime, right? [Elia]

The conversation would sometimes stray, but their impression of Ryouma wasnt bad.

The three who hadnt met Ryouma until now, especially for Riera who had only heard of rumors of a queer and unknown young man, were wary of him. But after their first meeting, they were at least able to understand that he didnt seem to be a dangerous person, allowing them to relax their guard.

Even though it should have been a given that Ryouma wouldnt be a dangerous person as he only came to know Elia thanks to her ducal family acknowledging him, it could be said that Riera having her guard up is due to how serious she was and how strong her feelings were for her friends.

In Mich.e.l.les case, she didnt think of Ryouma as anyone dangerous at all. The only thoughts she had regarding Ryouma was her interest in him as a researcher. From what shes heard, Ryoumas an intellectual. Moreover, the chances of him being an alchemist is high. Because of that she cant help but be restless, eagerly hoping to have a chance to talk with him about magic formation research.

She may not have any proof that hes an alchemist, but from what she knows, Ryouma is the most mysterious person around Elia. As Elias friend As a researcher There were many reasons why she wanted to meet him. And now that shes able to meet him, she cant help but rack her head, trying to think of a way to bring alchemy up in a conversation.

As for Kanan, she didnt hold any special thoughts regarding Ryouma, and was mostly interested in him for being a friends friend. Because of that, she never had any preconceptions or bias when they met.

Like this, the girls continued to talk about their impressions until the night grew late. When they reached a point where they could stop, they went to sleep, and retired for the day.