Chapter 488

State of the Monster Ranch
As we approached Parfe, it seemed to notice us too and slowly began walking over.
How should I put it—it had this lumbering *thud-thud* presence, giving off a vibe of great strength, but also slowness.

“Guh? Goo! (Did you come to play? Let’s play together!)”

“I just came to check on things, but what do you want to play?”

“Goo, gugoo! (Let’s test our strength!)”

A contest of strength, huh…
It’s been doing that with the Kiblinki Saltas too, but even with six of them now, they still haven’t managed to pull it.
Parfes are seriously strong.

(Lily, I’ll do it.)

“Talat? Are you sure?”

(Yeah. I’d like to see how strong she is.)

Since Talat volunteered, we tied a rope around both Talat’s and Parfe’s midsections.
Then, at my signal, they started pulling against each other—but neither of them budged an inch.
Wait, is Talat holding back?

“Goo! Goo!! (You’re strong! I give up!!)”

“I win. But Parfe, you’re really strong too.”

Since Talat and Parfe couldn’t speak directly to each other, I relayed the message, and Parfe looked absolutely delighted to be praised for its strength.
I guess being recognized for its strength is the highest compliment for Parfe.
It’s kind of heartwarming to see.

(Contractor, may I speak for a moment?)

“Hmm? What is it?”

While I was watching Parfe, one of the Kiblinki Saltas came over, leading another Parfe along.
This Parfe looked different from the others—it had yellow fur, and its body was noticeably larger.
I wonder what kind of being it is?

(It’s apparently a higher-ranking species of Parfe who leads the other Parfes at this ranch.
They wanted to say a word of thanks to the Contractor who brought the Parfes from the grasslands, so I brought it here.)

“It’s not really something worth being thanked for, though.”

(From their perspective, it seems they don’t see it that way. Will you accept her greeting?)

“Sure. I don’t see any issue with it. Can you interpret for me?”

Since we don’t have a contract, I can’t understand what the Parfe is saying.
Well, even with the contracted ones, I only get vague nuances at best.
I guess I’ve gotten too used to those like the Kiblinki Saltas, who can clearly communicate via telepathy.

“Gumoo. Gugggoo.”

(Thank you for helping our comrades. We’re truly grateful.)

“No, I just happened to be passing by.”

“Goo. Guggumoo. Goo.”

(Even so, if you hadn’t passed by, some of our comrades might have gotten hurt.
Especially since wild Parfes don’t know to rely on Riku.)

“So in situations like that, Lord Riku usually handles things?”

“Goo. Gug.”

(That’s right. Riku handles all matters when wild monsters are in trouble.)

Lord Riku really has it tough.
I admire him all the more as a fellow tamer.

“Gu. Guggug. Gugugu. Goog?”

(Now for a proposal—would you be willing to take the comrades you helped back to your homeland?)

“Wait, back to the grasslands?”

“Gugug, Gugu. Googggg, Googggggg. Googgg?”

(No, not the grasslands. Your homeland. I’ve heard from the Kiblinki Saltas that it's across the sea. Some of the herd are interested in that place—so what do you say?)

Well, even if you say that…
I can’t just take monsters from the Isles on my own.
Even if the Isles give permission, I can’t take them without the marquis’s approval.
Hmm, what should I do…?

What do you think about this chapter?