Chapter 359

Arrival at the Vegetarian Spiders' Colony
Beyond the rocky mountains—well, more like sheer rock walls—lay another range of mountains.
Beyond those peaks was the home of the Kiblinki Saltas.

Dropping straight down might cause unnecessary conflict, so one of the Kiblinki Saltas descended first to explain the situation.

I hope it goes well…

(It should be fine. We’re naturally cautious, but we’re tolerant toward our own kind. They’ll at least hear us out.)

Are you *really* sure about that?

As I worried, the Kiblinki Saltas that had gone ahead returned, saying that they were prepared to talk and we should descend together.

Alright, here we go.

Led by the Kiblinki Saltas, we descended into their colony.

Waiting below was a massive swarm of Kiblinki Saltas—definitely far more than just a thousand.
Anyone afraid of spiders would probably faint on the spot from this sight.

(Welcome, guests. I am the one who oversees the Kiblinki Saltas here.)

“Nice to meet you. My name is Lily. And this is my partner, Talat.”

(Nice to meet you!¨)

Talat’s participation in the greeting was suggested by the Kiblinki Saltas who had come with us.
It seemed even to the Kiblinki Saltas, a Tarachnathos was a terrifying presence.

The plan was to use that fear to gain an advantage in negotiations, but… was that really going to work?

(Oh? A Tarachnathos? How unusual. So, what brings you here? You must have a reason for traveling all the way to such a remote place inaccessible by human feet.)

Yeah… I knew that wasn’t going to work.
Well, it was only a gamble to begin with, so no big deal.

Time to get straight to the point.

“We’ve come to pick up Kiblinki Saltas who are preparing for their colony split. I currently have about seventy Kiblinki Saltas contracted with me, but they’ve spread out to various places, and I need more. We’re looking for reinforcements and also seeking help with our work.”

(Work? What kind of work exactly?)

“The city lord has tasked the Kiblinki Saltas with patrols. In exchange for patrolling the city for a day, the Kiblinki Saltas receive vegetables as compensation.)

*Vegetables as compensation.*

At those words, a murmur spread through the Kiblinki Saltas.

As expected, even these Kiblinki Saltas seemed interested in human-grown vegetables.

(I see. Anything else?)

“We also need help cultivating farmland on a mountain granted to me by the lord. Due to other work, the number of spiders available for that project has dwindled, and they’re barely managing to maintain the fields.”

(Managing *farmland*!?)

Oh, they really latched onto that!
Maybe this could work?

“Yes. The lord of the region I live in granted me an entire undeveloped mountain. The Kiblinki Saltas under my contract have been developing it into farmland. Of course, I provide them with seeds for various vegetables.”

(Even with mind-reading magic, I sense no lies… Is this true, my kin?)

(It is. I am stationed in the city as a guardian, so I don’t know the full details, but we were given an entire mountain where we used to live, and the development rights were secured. Additionally, a deal was made with nearby villages—by defending them, we receive vegetables in return. Right now, our numbers have decreased because many are traveling in search of new vegetables and fruits. Once they return, another expedition may be planned.)

(Hmmm… A farm where we can openly grow human vegetables, vegetables received in exchange for protecting humans, and expeditions to discover new crops… All of this is quite appealing.)

(Right? We’ve brought vegetables sold in human cities and will make a soup made from them for you to taste. There will only be enough for everyone to get a small sip, so savor it.’

Ahh… Making soup for this many spiders…
This was going to take a while.

Well, no choice but to give it my best shot.

What do you think about this chapter?