The morning after I dried the slime. I woke up to the sunlight shining through the window and whipped myself out of bed.

　It's a little early for breakfast. Normally I'd be the first to fall asleep twice.

　I decided to get up because I was worried about the condition of the slime that was drying on the patio.

'The slime didn't come back last night...'

　After a good night's sleep, sister Elinora, who had taken a good nap, was so pleased with her sleeping slime pillow that she wanted to sleep with it that night as well.

　It's a typical pattern for her to borrow from her sister. I can't help but feel a hint of this, but I'll get it back today.

　I need a good night's sleep, and I need my slime pillow.

　I open the window in my room and the cool morning air comes in, softly stroking my bangs.

　Maybe it's because autumn is approaching. The morning air has become much cooler.

　It's just the right time to wake up my fuzzy brain and body, but in winter, I'll probably be too lazy to even open it.

Now, do we have the slime we dried yesterday?

Good morning, Mr. Alfried.

　As I was about to check to see if the slime was drying up, I was approached by a cool voice.

　I turned my gaze in that direction and saw Saara, a maid with glossy black hair.

　Apparently, she noticed me by the sound of me opening the window.

'Good morning, Sarla.'

'I would like to ask Master Alfried, what is this thing you have drying on the edge?　There's obviously something hanging out there that doesn't look like clothing...

　Saying that, Saara pointed to the slime that Meena had dried for me yesterday.

''Oh, that's mine. I'll go get it now, so leave it there.

　The feel of Saara's words would have thrown me away, so I hurriedly change out of my nightgown and into my regular clothes and head down the stairs to the courtyard.

　I psychically remove the washcloths and put them down as Saara wonders about us.

　The slime is completely dry, probably from being hung out to dry for a day.

　The water has been lost from the resilient skin, to the point where it even feels rough, like washi paper.

What's that?

'Dried slime. It could be used as a small fish scooping tool.

...I see.

　I guess she understood when I explained the reason for it, so Saara changed her mind and started washing.

　But in terms of feelings, it would be something like "I'm doing something weird again........

　If I was drying slime that wasn't even edible, I'd feel that way too.

　Anyway, the dried slime is ready, so it's time for the same experiment as yesterday.

'I'm going to go to the creek in front of the mansion for a bit.

It's almost breakfast time, okay?

I'll be back by then.

　As I tell Saara that, I take a short run out of the mansion.

　Then, when I reach the stream that runs by the mansion, I take out the water tank, poi, scissors, and teacup from the sub-space, just like I did yesterday.

　When I put the scissors into the dry slime, I could feel it as if I had cut a piece of paper.

　I cut it into a circle and sandwich it between the poi I made with earth magic.

　Then I used water magic to catch the fish from the creek and put it in the tank and I'm ready to go.

　I slowly insert the dried slime poi into the water. The skin of the slime was dyed darker as it entered the water, but it didn't particularly gain water and return to its elasticity.

　As it is, I scoop a small fish that has passed near me and put it into the bowl I hold in my left hand as it is lifted up nicely.

　Hmm, I feel like I have enough durability to scoop up a small fish.

　I wonder how much of a load it will take to break it next.

　I dare to move the poi without paying attention to the water pressure.

'Whoa!　There's a hole!

　I look at the poi that has a wonderful hole in the center and scream with admiration.

　This durability feels like washi paper!　I'm very happy to hear that your poi has been torn up.

　I used my earth magic to mass produce the same poi in the same way. Then I experimented further by sandwiching the slime skin one after another.

　How much can I soak in water and not have a problem with it? How many small fishes could I catch with these poi if I was serious about it? How many small fishes could we scoop up in the water if we tried seriously?

　It's not too weak to water, but it's easy to be torn. It was easy to break, but if you had the skill, you could scoop up quite a few of them.

　As a result, the dried slime turned out to be very close to the poi I had in mind.

　There's plenty of slime in the vicinity of Coriat Village, and since all I have to do is stretch and dry it, I don't have to do much work.

　This way they wouldn't have to complain about it.

　When I put the small fish back in the river, I returned to the mansion with a great sense of satisfaction, having returned all the tools except the poi to the sub-space.



　◆



　When I walked into the dining room, my family was already seated, except for me.

　As we exchanged greetings and sat down, sister Elinora, who was sitting across from me, opened her mouth.

''Restful slime, that's nice!''

　This line while borrowing it from my brother. Could it be that I'm being agitated?

　I thought that for a moment, but I knew from the clear, sunny smile on Sister Elinora's face that it was different.

'That's good to hear,'

I feel so much better and lighter than usual!

　Oops, I was going to corrupt Elinora sister with a slime pillow, but it seems to have the opposite effect.

　Her physical strength has recovered more than usual, and she seems to have a surplus of energy that she could use right now.

　It's hard to know when I'm going to be taken out of practice.

"Hey, I'd like to get my slime back soon.

What, I can't just take it?

No.

　It's the slime I worked so hard to raise. Unfortunately, I can't give up on this one.

"I'll teach you how to raise them properly, so go get your own slime. Isn't that the deal?

'All right. I'm going into the woods today with the vigilante and I'll catch my own slime then.

　When I brought up yesterday's promise, Elinora's sister backed down, as if she was in a bad mood as expected.

　Oh, you're going into the forest with the vigilante today? Then it's convenient for you.

You know, sister Elinora. If you're going to go into the forest, you're going to have to catch a lot of slime.

'Slime?　What are you going to do with any more pillows?

　Sister Elinora gives me an understandably dubious look at my request.

'Don't use it as a pillow. The slime is used as material for scooping small fish at the harvest festival.

"Slime?　What's that all about, Al?

　Maybe it was because the key word "small fish scooping" was mentioned. My Nordic father, who has been watching me, leans forward.

　I explained to him that I could dry slime skin and use it to make poi, while I showed him the slime poi I kept in my pocket.

　I also show him the slime poi I kept in my pocket.

"Well, that's what it looks like when you dry slime.

You've burned slime before, but you've never dried it before. But I'm surprised you ever thought of using slime as a material.

　I wouldn't have thought of using dried slime all of a sudden.

　I never would have thought of this if Sister Elinora hadn't been so careful with the slime. 'Thanks a bit.

'If you can use slime, let's go with that. Elinora, I'll give priority to catching slime today.

Well, it's not a problem. You should have come to Al's house anyway.

No, I'm not going to fight a demon.

"There's nothing dangerous about fighting a slime, is there?

You can't just follow Elinora's sister around and get away with slime.

　When I pointed that out to her, Sister Elinora blatantly turned her face away.

　Probably to improve the safety of the harvest festival, they're going to take down the surrounding demons on a large scale. They did it noisily last year, too.

　I'd rather give up slime poi and order washi paper from Tory with my pocket money than participate in such a thing.

Do you have any tips on how to catch slime?

　As expected of a former adventurer. He's going to ask me exactly what the demon's materials are for use.

Bring it back with as little damage to the skin as possible. They can't be used as an ingredient if they're burned with magic or something.

Okay. Then I'll ask Al to order the poi for Ehrman.

What?

'After all, it's quicker to explain the idea to Al, who thought it up rather than me, in person. I've heard that the prototypes for the kick target and the pitch target are ready, so I want you to go and check them out as well. If you don't like it, you can have a look at it with me.

　The moment I was about to say defeat, Elinora sister's face flashed.

''All right!　I'll explain it to Ehrman and we'll see!

　The moment I said that, sister Elinora blatantly squeezed out.

　Watch out. I'm not kidding about defeating demons, you know.

　I feel like I'm being treated like a good person, but it's just like a simple errand, so let's not worry about it.

　It's also a good idea to be able to move through the transition, and I'm wondering if the equipment for the event is ready.

　Just as the conversation has come to a halt, there is a knock at the door.

''Is it okay if I bring you your food soon?''

　Saara's voice can be heard from outside the door. Apparently she knew that our conversation was serious and was looking for the right moment to enter. As expected of a capable maid, she can read the air.

''Oh, fine.''

Excuse me.

　Dad Nord allowed, and Saara and Meena came in, pushing the wagon.

　Then, as the delicious breakfast was being put on the table, Mother Erna tilted her head and said, "By the way, what is that restful slime you were talking about?

'By the way, what is this sleeping slime you were talking about?　I'm very curious.

　Apparently, my restful slime is not returning today.