Volume 6 Chapter 8-2 The Toad Sage Of Toyota Village
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Huh? It doesn’t work? I see, you’re a Hero.”
While launching an attack, that guy Aslink said it casually, without feeling bad at all.
No, unless his mental resistance isn’t maxed out, even a Summoned Hero would have trouble resisting.
It doesn’t seem like a dangerous spell, and he probably didn’t mean harm, but casting magic without permission isn’t right.
You probably can’t complain if you get killed, right? I won’t kill you, though.
”This is a confusion magic. If you fall for it, you’ll become happy. If you have an anti-magic talisman or something, you should probably not use it.”
Ah, now that I think about it, I feel like I received one along with a laptop when I was summoned.
I heard there was a limit on its uses, so I left it somewhere and totally forgot about it.
Once I remember, I’ll look for it later.
”Why shouldn’t I use the talisman?”
”Relying on talismans all the time weakens your magic resistance. That’s common sense.”
It probably means the resistance skill points don’t increase. With that logic, wouldn’t it be bad to use not only items but also support magic? I’ve never heard of that, but as a theory, it’s not wrong.
If you die before gaining skill points, it’s pointless, so it’s probably case by case. When there’s no danger to your life, it might be better not to use talismans or similar items.
Inside the small room, there was no magician attacking me. Surprisingly, it was toads who used magic.
* * *
Mr. Aslink opened a wooden box and carefully took out a large frog wrapped in sphagnum moss. When I was in Japan, I had seen frogs this size before, but none as strange as this one.
The most unsettling thing is that it has no eyes. Maybe the eyes are hidden under the skin, but there’s not even a trace of them anywhere.
Its body is swollen, as if it swallowed eggs whole. The surface is slimy and smooth, but its back is covered in black patches, making it look bumpy.
Its limbs are weak, and it seems to have trouble walking properly on land, let alone jumping. Maybe it’s the type that moves slowly through water like a giant salamander.
The breeding environment Mr. Aslink prepared for the frogs is simple: just a ceramic water tank with peat moss inside. On the room’s shelf, there are other similar setups, and the same type of frogs sit quietly on the moss cushions.
A weak mana flow continues from the frogs toward Mr. Aslink. He mentioned illusion magic, right? Surely they’re not controlling him with hallucinations through the frogs?
”Are you under a spell?”
”It’s cast on me intentionally. On purpose.”
I see, it’s intentional. Well, that’s fine then.
Like healing magic, there’s also magic that benefits allies. Mental magic that grants positive effects? Maybe something like happiness?
”It’s often said that intelligent monsters can disguise themselves as humans, but only dragons can truly transform. Human-mimicking frogs show hallucinations through magic.”
Even slimes can transform into humans. Ms. Lime is special, but ordinary mimic slimes can also imitate humans well. The mandragé raised by Mr. Ginchi… Well, pointing out every exception to nitpick is childish, so I’ll just keep listening quietly.
”For me, those girls look like utterly beautiful women.”
Frogs as beautiful women──huh. In fairy tales on Earth, frogs turn into princes, you know.
”Human-mimicking frogs show me wonderful dreams. In return, I give them meat dumplings and clean the tank. It’s a symbiotic relationship.”
Is it really equal, though? Better than being eaten, but maybe he’s under a spell or parasitized or something?
”As expected, it might be hard to show illusions to multiple people at once. There seem to be inherent discrepancies.”
In old stories, being tricked by foxes or raccoon dogs usually happens when one is alone. Well, maybe the old folks were groggy and just dreaming.
There’s also mass hypnosis, but I think that’s more about crowd psychology, right? Inciting the masses or causing panic──that’s about it. Showing illusions of beautiful women probably isn’t possible.
But if you apply it a bit, it could be used in ninjutsu. For example, fire manipulation techniques, or confusing enemies with illusions of flames.
”Hmm, mimicking frogs is quite interesting. Mr. Ginchi is getting involved.”
”The villagers treat me as a strange person. The only one who understood me was Sir Ginchi.”
Certainly, being delighted by a frog showing beautiful illusions might be an uncommon hobby.
”No, I can understand the villagers’ opinions too. The more wonderful the illusion, the more addicted you become, to the point you can’t do without it.”
Unproductive entertainment should be kept in moderation.
If more people start drowning in illusions and neglect their work, it could be a crisis for the village. It’s strange that Mr. Laken hasn’t said anything about it so far.
”You’re going to create a new village, right? Is it okay to keep mimicking frogs there?”
Wow, I thought for a moment I didn’t need someone like that… but maybe people like him are also necessary in society?
”Regarding pets and livestock, registration will be required. The detailed rules will be decided by those involved.”
Just thought of this now. For such niche cases, a good idea might be to leave everything to the involved parties and let them handle it.
”So it’s about setting your own rules. Can we decide freely?”
”Of course, if the rules turn out too lenient and problems arise, we’ll prohibit keeping mimicking frogs altogether.”
If problems happen, I can step in and address them. After all, the ruler of this world is a legitimate dictator.
”I see. If I’m alone, there are no issues, but if more people start raising frogs, various problems might occur. It’s about creating rules to prevent that, isn’t it?”
It’s helpful that he understands quickly. This guy seems quite sharp.
”Interesting. I might be willing to live in your village, but will meat be available steadily?”
Ah, the butcher Mr. Chaa is on the village head’s side, so there are issues like that. Should I ask the Merchant Guild to send a butcher? Or maybe assign Antfolk full-time to quail hunting for a steady meat supply.
”Quail meat is fine. I plan to discuss butchery with the Merchant Guild from now on.”
In my mind, the Dejima Leisure City Project is almost decided, but I want to consult with Mr. Mauro and others, and hear Miss Floria’s opinion too.
”I heard a rumor that if you go to your village, you can eat as much meat as you like without working?”
”No, that’s not true. Who would say such a thing?”
We need some social security system, but I definitely don’t plan to take care of them that much.
”If you go to the Hero’s village, Chaa, the butcher, said that just by sleeping, you can eat delicacies every day. He’s talking to the rough guys of the village. I thought there’s no way such a good story is true.”
Rough guys… Maybe some will reform and become village labor. Mr. Laken is giving them some slack.
I thought they’d be incorporated as the violent strength supporting the village head faction.
”Chaa is on the village head’s side, so I thought it was strange. He’s probably trying to dump troublemakers in your village.”
”People who are completely unwilling to work are troublesome, but I intend to prepare places where they can work.”
I can prepare jobs. In fact, I’m worried about a manpower shortage. The problem is balancing with existing jobs.
For example, bread bakers work from morning to night every day, with almost no income. Their wages, determined by the Merchant Guild, are less than 10 gold per day.
Considering 1 gold as roughly 10 yen, that’s less than 100 yen per day. Baking bread all day is hard work, and this is unacceptable.
Of course, since the cost of living differs from Japan, simple calculations can’t be made, but the reward for Yomogi Quests that even children can do is 1 gold. If they work the same amount, gathering Yomogi Mimic is much more profitable. Hunting quails can fetch several hundred gold per bird.
Because the Merchant Guild suppresses craftsmen’s dissatisfaction, the economy is somehow managing. Price controls and income limits for craftsmen might also be done to maintain society’s balance. It’s not just about money, but also about adjusting social status and honor to keep people motivated. Humans can endure everyone being unhappy, but they can’t tolerate a few people being happy.
Creating an artificial island free from the guild’s influence is fine, but if you don’t consider these aspects, it might sow discord.
”Hey, I’m not bragging, but I’m a man whose only skill is raising frogs. Do you think even someone like me could work in your village?”
Mr. Aslink asks hesitantly. I feel just as uncertain. I plan to leave what I can’t do to those who can, but I’m still anxious.
”To be honest, I’ve squandered all my ancestors’ inheritance. The money for Chaa’s meat payments is almost gone. Once that happens, I’m… finished. I can’t even imagine a life without my frogs anymore.”
Meat is expensive. Without finding a decent income, securing frog feed will be difficult.
Still, being able to raise frogs well is a special talent, isn’t it? Mr. Ginchi would probably hire him as a human mimic frog keeper for a high salary.
”You’re the one tending the roses in the garden, right? If you can supply rose hips steadily, a market can be created. They could become the village’s new specialty.”
People who can cultivate plants are valuable. If you can grow more roses, there are ways to profit beyond just rose hips.
Ms. Hóa has a Damascus rose seedling from Earth. Its value as a fresh flower isn’t high, but it’s incredibly fragrant and has potential as a perfume ingredient. If you turn it into perfume and sell it to the upper class, it would be a money-making venture.
”I’ve only been growing wild roses in the garden to make tea. So, if I grow more, they’ll make money?”
Mr. Aslink’s eyes suddenly light up. They must have seen a vision for the future.
”You, no, Sir Hero. Please let me work in your village. I’m begging you.”
”I’m the one asking you. Please.”
We firmly shook hands. People like him are incredibly talented in their specialties. If I let him do what he wants, he might surprise me in a good way.
Once I secure meat dumplings for frog feed, he’ll have no reason to work, but that’s fine too. I want him to live freely and relaxed. They say the greatest happiness for the greatest number, but making even one man happy is a solid start for a novice ruler.
I’ve come up with lots of ideas for the new village, but can I organize these scattered thoughts into something coherent by tomorrow’s meeting?
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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