Chapter 59 - Passion for Materials in the Meeting
"Now then, let's move on to this topic."
August, the vice guildmaster of the Adventurer Guild, offered a smile that only narrowed his eyes.
Dahlia shifted her gaze to meet his.
"Chairwoman Rossetti, regarding the use of green slimes for shoe insoles, how many pairs can one slime typically produce?"
"One small slime can yield about five pairs or ten insoles."
"So, 200 slimes for 1,000 sets... quite a significant number. Jean, what do you think?"
"If we consider the future, hunting alone won't suffice. Please allow us to proceed with cultivation."
Jean, the Material Management Department Head at the Adventurer Guild, directed his reddish-yellow gaze toward Dahlia.
It was supposed to be a smile, but the piercing look in his eyes made it clear that he was glaring at her.
Dahlia wondered if she had done something to incur this man's resentment.
As she racked her memory desperately, Jean's lips curved into a pleasant smile.
"The Rossetti family has been a tremendous help to us. During Carlo-sama's time, I gathered kraken for water heater gaskets and sand lizards for heat-resistant dryer parts. Those were truly nostalgic memories."
Hearing Jean say he personally went out to gather materials froze Dahlia's professional smile.
While Jean was certainly well-built, he was supposed to be a guild staff member, not an adventurer.
For him to have been compelled to go out himself must have meant the situation had been dire.
"We were greatly indebted to you, Chairwoman Rossetti, during the time with the waterproof blue slime fabric. Back then, various parts of the guild ended up turning quite blue, which left a lasting impression on us as well."
Though his tone was matter-of-fact, his words pierced Dahlia's heart even deeper than before.
She couldn't picture what the situation had been like, but it was clear both she and her father had caused a great deal of trouble.
"My deepest apologies. My father and I must have caused you significant inconvenience back then..."
"No, it was just work. However, to prevent such chaos in the future, we're truly, sincerely grateful for the early notice regarding the green slimes. Let us prioritize cultivation immediately."
"Thank you..."
As Dahlia bowed her head deeply in apology, August began to propose a plan.
Because green slimes were not particularly popular as materials, existing stock would be prioritized for use. Simultaneously, mid-level and higher adventurers would be discreetly tasked with obtaining a sufficient number through subjugation.
Additionally, the Adventurer Guild would process the slimes into powder, ensuring no issues with initial operations.
As for cultivation, there were already businesses experimenting with breeding green slimes. These operations would now increase the number of slime platforms for breeding.
For now, the matter seemed under control.
"On that note, the Adventurer Guild has a request. Since we will take responsibility for stock management to the best of our ability—including subjugation, cultivation, and powder processing—we would like to request a certain number of green slime insoles to be prioritized for sale to the guild, second only to the Chivalric Order."
Yet another request for priority sales to a guild, following the Merchant Guild.
Dahlia assumed it was for the same reasons as the Monster Subjugation Force and inquired further.
"Will these be sold to adventurers?"
"Yes. Adventurers rarely take off their shoes while working. They face issues like sweat, combat strain, and even foot fungal infection. If five-toed socks are difficult to mass-produce, at least providing insoles quickly would be beneficial."
"Insoles take less time to produce, so we can focus on mass production and, after discussing with the Rossetti Company and the Merchant Guild, we can arrange to supply as many as possible. Would that be acceptable?"
"That would be most helpful."
Ivano smoothly wrapped up the discussion. As expected from someone in charge of contracts and accustomed to mediating disputes, he handled it like a seasoned Merchant Guild member.
Dahlia naturally didn't interrupt, and neither did Gabriella.
"The Adventurer Guild seems to handle many material-related tasks."
In response to Volf's impressed tone, August answered with a cheerful smile.
"Indeed. The active career of an adventurer is surprisingly short. To provide opportunities for retired adventurers, we’ve been expanding work in material-related fields and education."
Jean’s expression softened slightly, seemingly satisfied that the discussion had reached a temporary conclusion.
"Chairwoman Rossetti, what type of slime are you currently using the most?"
"Blue slime is the most commonly used. I believe green slime usage will increase moving forward as well."
"Do you have any plans to develop products using other types of slime?"
"I'm not certain yet, but I’d like to experiment with yellow slimes and red slimes eventually. Oh... I just remembered, we’ve also used a small amount of black slime."
"...Black slime."
Just as his expression had softened, a furrow appeared between his brows.
His reddish-yellow eyes stared intently at Dahlia, full of suspicion.
"Black slimes cannot be cultivated... It’s classified as a first-grade subjugation target, and it dissolves platforms."
"I see. What if we covered the platform with the silver used in magic-sealing boxes?"
"That might work, but the cost would be..."
"What about smaller platforms for just a few slimes, with only the inner surface covered?"
"Hmm, in that case, it might be feasible..."
"Lady Dahlia, let's put off the discussion about black slimes for now."
As she eagerly offered suggestions to Jean, who was deep in thought, Volf stopped her with a business-like smile.
Indeed, this was something to bring up only when the need for Black Slimes arose. Thinking so, she decided to drop the topic for now.
"Well then, we’ll do our best to establish a production system for both as quickly as possible. At the same time, we’ll work on any suggested improvements and also search for stronger threads."
"Still, making five-toed socks will take quite a bit of time, won’t it?"
At Gabriella's sigh, something suddenly came to mind.
"Oh... What if we made socks out of 'fabric' instead?"
"Fabric?"
"Yes, Lucia. A fabric with good elasticity... For example, what if we used a fabric containing unicorn or bicorn fibers and combined it with creative sewing techniques?"
"That might work with just some clever stitching. Dahlia, that’s a great idea! ...Oh, my apologies."
Lucia accidentally let her true feelings show, her sky-blue eyes darting around as she apologized.
"Unicorn and bicorn fibers... Both are practically nonexistent in stock, and encounters with them are rare to begin with..."
Jean, who had been looking down, began to tremble slightly, his shoulders shaking.
"Chairwoman Rossetti—no, Lady Rossetti—list all the materials you currently need and those you plan to use for development... No, just spill everything here and now!"
"Jean, calm yourself!"
August raised his voice to counter Jean's command of "Spill!" and gave him a stern warning.
At the same time, he smacked Jean’s back a few times with enough force to make an audible thud.
"...My apologies for my subordinate’s behavior. It seems his passion for materials got the better of him. Regarding the fabric, I’ll discuss it later with the deputy head of Fano Workshop and see what we can do."
"...My sincerest apologies."
Whether it was August's words that served as a follow-up, or Jean, who had lowered his head and kept his gaze down, triggering it, an awkward silence fell over the room.
However, the lukewarm gazes of everyone present eventually turned—not to Jean or Lucia—but to Dahlia.
"I’m sorry, Jean-san. After the meeting, I’ll create a list as thoroughly as I can and hand it over to you…"
"...I would greatly appreciate that..."
Once the meeting concluded, Dahlia found herself frantically compiling the requested list.
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