Chapter 536

A New Tameable Monster Candidate
“Rumaja. Since we’re having such fine gyokuro, can’t you tell us something a bit more interesting than all this dull talk?”

Plum, who had been quietly listening behind me while on guard duty, suddenly cut in with a request for a change of topic.
Honestly, I was feeling a little hesitant about the previous topic too.
If it turns into a formal request, I’ll act—but for now, I’ll stay out of it.

“Even if you say it’s dull… I’m the head coordinator of the Adventurers’ Guild. Naturally, most of what I hear involves public safety matters.”

“You’ve really taken on a dull post, haven’t you?”

“It may be dull, but someone’s got to do it… Oh, right. There was a story from the Tamers’ Guild.”

“The Tamers’ Guild?”

I leaned forward with interest.
What kind of story would come through Rumaja from the Tamer Guild?

“It’s something I heard from them. Apparently, there’s a rather unusual honeybear out there. So I had it looked into.”

“Honeybear?”

“Ah, you don’t know of them, Lily? As the name suggests, it’s a bear-type monster that feeds mainly on honey. It forms a symbiotic relationship with a bee-type monster called a Flowerbee, which also feeds on nectar. The honeybear protects the flowerbee’s nest from external threats, and in return, it receives honey.”

“Huh. So, what about it?”

“Here’s the interesting part. Word has it that there’s a region where the honeybear and flowerbee allow humans to enter their territory. So I had it investigated—and sure enough, the nearby villagers are allowed close and even receive honey.”

“That’s… unusual?”

“Extremely. Both honeybears and flowerbees hate humans getting close. Normally, if you got near enough for them to smell you, either one would attack. But for some reason, these villagers are neither attacked nor driven off—they’re freely given honey. Naturally, they keep it all within the village and don’t distribute it outside.”

Huh. That is rare.
But what does that have to do with me?

“Now here’s the real point of this story. Lily, would you consider taming that honeybear and those flowerbees?”

“… Huh?”

“According to research done on the Isle of the Eight Gods, it seems you’re capable of forming contracts with friendly monsters. So I’d like you to give it a try.”

“How did this even become about me?”

“They’re considered wild monsters under classification. So even if they’re harmless, adventurers can legally hunt them. However, if you tame them and they become your contracted monsters, then any harm done to them would be a crime. In turn, that means the village would be protected.”

Ah, I see. That’s the reason behind it.
Still, I’ve never heard of such a thing.
The Saltas Company operates across many villages, and I’ve never once caught wind of anything like this.

“Where is this village, exactly?”

“It’s within the Duke’s direct domain. That’s likely why it hasn’t reached your ears.”

“Ah, makes sense. But… is it really okay for me to go into the his domain?”

“You’re a Platinum-Rank Merchant now. The only person who can stop you is the Duke himself. And in fact, the Duke is quite enthusiastic about this idea. Once you get official permission, things should move quickly. Best to try the taming before he changes his mind.”

Hmm… I guess that much is fine.
If those monsters disappear, the villagers will be in trouble.
I’m still a little concerned about stepping into the Duke’ss personal domain, but I’ll manage.
Once things settle down, maybe I’ll go check it out.

What do you think about this chapter?