Chapter 213: Consultation with Serge-san and a Flash of Insight (4/4)
If it’s worth that much, then…” [Ryouma]
“Ryouma-sama?” [Serge]
“…” [Ryouma]
Suddenly, it occurred to me, perhaps one could even call it a flash of insight, as the things scattered in my mind and even those with no relation suddenly connected.
“Ryouma-sama, what’s the matter—” [Serge]
“Serge-san.” [Ryouma]
“—Yes?” [Serge]
“Do you remembering the garbage processing plant I told you about previously?” [Ryouma]
“The garbage processing plant? Ah, that conversation about using the scavenger slimes to deal with the town’s garbage? I do remember it, but what about it?” [Serge]
“Actually, when I was staying at Fatma Territory for my work, the families there gave me their garbage everyday. The scavenger slimes gets to eat their fill too, but on top of that, because of the differences in garbage thrown out due to their different lifestyle compared to Gimuru, I was able to discover a new slime. Yes, just like the fiber slime I talked about earlier.
The garbage thrown out by a single household may not be much, but when you’re talking about an entire village, the amount really adds up, so the slimes evolve even faster. That’s why collecting garbage is really important to me.” [Ryouma]
“R-Right. Indeed, as you say, perhaps that might just be the case.” [Serge]
“That’s right. That’s why I want to make a garbage processing plant for my hobbies.
But to that end, just leaving the scavenger slimes to deal with the garbage won’t be enough. I’ll need people to collect the garbage, people to filter out the things useful for evolving slimes or experimenting, people to manage those people, and so on and so forth. In other words, I’ll be needing a lot of people. Most of it is dirty work, so at first I thought it would be really hard finding enough hands, but now?” [Ryouma]
“The town is overflowing with people looking for work… I see!” [Serge]
“Exactly. You could even say that the current situation allows me to have my pick of laborers. I don’t know what the nobles were thinking pulling strings behind to send them here, but I’m sure there are those among the laborers who genuinely just want to find work. If I look, I’m sure I’ll find skilled people too.
And for people who want to find work even a moment sooner, I’m sure they won’t demand too much either. I don’t know about hiring them for cheap and making them work in poor conditions, but at the very least, if they’re demanding less, then that should make it easier for me, right?” [Ryouma]
“There are those who rate themselves needlessly high from time to time too, after all. I get what you’re trying to say.” [Serge]
“What’s more is this.” [Ryouma]
I pointed at the small box containing the pearl on the table again.
“A considerable amount of investment is necessary whether it is to hire people or start a new enterprise. Though of course, ideally one would get the necessary expenses from said enterprise itself.” [Ryouma]
“And even if your business isn’t able to profit, you’ll be able to stay afloat for the time being with this.” [Serge]
“Yes. And there are still plenty of things I want to do and have to do.” [Ryouma]
Given the current state of the town, I want to strengthen my store’s security.
I also need to prepare for my trip to the Great Shurus Forest.
To be more precise, I need time to train myself and I want to study up on medicine too just in case.
I also want to perform research on tools to make my life easier, as well as preserved foods. Of course, slime research too.
In order to feed the slimes that will continue to increase from here on out, I learned about the monsters at the duke’s family used to feed their monsters, but in order to raise some myself, I’ll need to get a license from the Tamer Guild. To that end, I’ll have to study for their exam.
Presently, the number of things I want to do and have to do are too many. I also haven’t been researching the slimes as much as I did before. If I add all the new stuff too, I really will be done for.
If I wait until everything is done, who knows when I’ll be able to go to the Great Shurus Forest? Should I go while making my preparations? No, going without sufficient preparations is out of the question.
“Everyone’s been telling me that I don’t have to do everything by myself.” [Ryouma]
“That’s right.” [Serge]
“I now see the error in my ways. I want to do the slime research myself, but preserved food research or the tool production research can be taken over by other people. No, I need to find people to take over them! Am I wrong?” [Ryouma]
“…Ryouma-sama. I don’t think what you’re saying is wrong, but basically, you’re saying you want to give the laborers work, right?” [Serge]
“Surely not. That’s something for the authorities or the nobles or the big-wigs to think about. It’s not my place as a mere individual. All I want is to use the money at my disposal to help me find a solution to my problems. Everything is for my own sake. Of course, in the process, I do believe the laborers will end up finding work, however.” [Ryouma]
“Truly?” [Serge]
Serge-san said as he stared at my face.
Hmm? What is it all of the sudden? What is he looking at me like that for?
Just as I thought he was doubting me, he suddenly heaved a sigh and looked like he understood something.
“I see. But starting a new enterprise requires groundwork. Especially, building a new garbage processing plant. How about talking to the guild master of the merchant guild first to figure out the details?” [Serge]
“Thank you very much! Yes, I do think that’s a good idea!” [Ryouma]
To turn misfortune into a fortune… Is this a good time to say that?
By changing my way of thinking and looking at things, I just might be able to make a chance out of this grim situation!