A Loopholes In The Rules.

Various forms of compulsion exist within the subterranean labyrinth. For instance, monsters you’ve defeated are eventually reborn over time, or the fact that you cannot progress without defeating the special guardian of a staircase.

Among these rules, the one I want to focus on now is that monsters generated by the labyrinth cannot leave their designated floors of their own volition. Without this rule, monsters from the deep layers might raid the shallower floors one after another in search of easier prey. There might even be the danger of monsters overflowing from the labyrinth into the world above.

In that regard, it’s a very helpful compulsion, but there is actually a way to invalidate this rule. That is the ability of Monster Tamers.

Mysteriously, the moment a creature becomes a familiar, it is seemingly liberated from that rule, becoming able to move freely between floors and even to the surface. Monsters require mana as an essential component to maintain their existence. Perhaps because the source supplying that mana changes, the constraints binding them to the labyrinth vanish.

However, there is a limit to the mana an individual Monster Tamer can store. Therefore, the number of monsters one can influence is a mere handful compared to the total number of monsters held within the labyrinth as a whole. That, at least, had been my understanding until now.

“I see! Make them familiars temporarily and then use ! That’s well thought out.”

“Yes. We won’t know if it truly works until we try, but…”

I had previously recognized as simply a skill to discharge a familiar from duty, but depending on how it’s used, it becomes a means to transport monsters in bulk. It’s easy to make the excuse that this element didn’t exist in the game, but thinking it over carefully, it’s a skill that seems applicable in other ways too. It seems my perspective had become quite narrow because I relied too heavily on my knowledge of the game. Yes, I need to reflect on that.

To verify various things immediately, we hurried back to the Goblin settlement on the fifth floor, but…

“Oh, you’re back! How’s it goin’? Alright, it’s boiled! Hurry up and eat!”

“Gehihihi.”

“Gufufufu.”

It had been about half a day since we last met, but Heimo seemed to have completely blended in with the Goblins. Even now, they were huddled together around the sea turtle shell pot in the plaza, enjoying a meal. At the drifting, delicious scent of seafood, Yoru and Kuu—drool trailing from their mouths—dashed energetically toward the pot.

“What, you hungry?”

“Pardon my hunger—!”

“Koo!”

“What are you doing, leavin’ the kids with empty bellies! Here, eat your fill!”

Wait, I just fed them leftover bread a moment ago.

Watching them, Heimo scooped up the contents of the pot with a grand gesture using a wooden ladle and poured soup into a plate made from a crab shell. To my surprise, the Goblins, who had previously eaten with their bare hands, were properly using wooden spoons and crab-shell plates. The crustacean parts I had handed over because I lacked leather for them to process were being used in an entirely unexpected way.

But that wasn’t all; there were other processed goods. Heimo, noticing my gaze, puffed out his chest proudly.

“Heheh, look, look. I made all sorts of stuff for ’em.”

Looking around, I saw helmets and breastplates made from crab shells distributed among quite a few Goblins. They even had fasteners made of leather straps; they looked quite the part. Furthermore, the holes in the fence were patched with sea turtle shells, and the watchtower was reinforced with shells as well. It was a splendid result for less than half a day.

Heimo had masterfully improved the Goblin settlement, but he raised his voice in bewilderment at the sight of the monster-kids cutely sticking their tongues in and out as they tried to drink the soup.

“What’s this? Can’t handle hot food? Good grief, can’t be helped! Here, how’s this?”

Having had their portions moved to smaller dishes that cooled easily, the two took a gulp of the sea turtle meat soup and let out satisfied sighs.

“Feast—!”

“Kooooo—!”

“Ugh, that looks so good! Hey, where’s my share?!”

“I believe I shall have a taste as well.”

“Oho, if you want to eat, get in line!”

Mia and the Chief busily lined up in the queue of Goblins. Since they had just experienced a grueling battle on the eighth floor, it was a good way to ease the tension.

“I’d like to say ‘us too,’ but let’s finish the verification first.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

On this fifth floor, there was a familiar perfect for testing. We headed toward the pedestal placed next to the watchtower. Sitting atop it was Imo-tchi, munching away on olive leaves. Currently, he just spits out a Cocoon Ball once an hour and is being diligently cared for by the Goblins.

The important thing for a target of is that the monster must be non-hostile toward us humans. With something like an Assault Bird, the moment the was broken, it would likely bite my head off without hesitation.

With Yo and Gob-tchi attending, Paula easily her relationship with her servant. The Great Caterpillar looked slightly blank for a moment, but then resumed eating as if nothing had happened. For now, it seemed no major change occurred.

That being the case, there was something else I wanted to try next… Unfortunately, since he was no longer a familiar, Imo-tchi would no longer follow Paula’s orders.

“Kuhihihihi!”

However, that wasn’t an issue for Yo, who had a long acquaintance with him. With the fairy perched on his back, the Great Caterpillar sluggishly descended from the pedestal and started walking. Whoa, he’s gotten really fat.

The two headed toward the arena in the back of the settlement. Or rather, to the stairs leading to the sixth floor beyond the arena. As a conclusion, Yo could go to the sixth floor, but Imo-tchi could not. He could go right up to the edge of the stairs, but his feet stopped there as if blocked by something. As expected, once he was no longer a familiar, the compulsion of the subterranean labyrinth returned.

“Hmm, interesting.”

“What shall we do next, my Lord?”

“Then let’s take the plunge and have two more become ‘free.’ I want to free up some slots, after all.”

The fairies, having returned to being mere monsters, seemed to have retained their memories. Yo remained perched nonchalantly on Paula’s shoulder, while Gob-tchi hugged my leg familiarly and rested his chin on it. Yes, this looks like it’ll work.

“Alright, let’s make a quick trip.”

Using a “Goblin Taxi,” Paula and I hurried to the stairs for the fourth floor. The Goblin drivers seemed to have completely mastered handling the Assault Birds, crossing the fifth floor in less than fifteen minutes. My rear hurts a bit from the bouncing, but I have no complaints.

Waving to the farmers at work, we went up the stairs, and Paula two Great Caterpillars that were wandering around in succession. We climbed back into the waiting taxi and returned once more to the settlement. Because the Great Caterpillars move slowly, it took over thirty minutes this time.

Once we arrived, we introduced them to Imo-tchi and released the three from their status as familiars. The new Great Caterpillars didn’t seem confused; they started eating the mountain of olive leaves that Imo-tchi pushed toward them. Honestly, they don’t seem to be thinking about anything.

“If we keep increasing them like this, we’ll have a caterpillar ranch. Mass-producing silk thread won’t be a dream.”

Though, I’ll have to raise their levels to 20 so they learn . I’ll leave Yo and Gob-tchi around here, so if they hunt some Horn Rabbits, they’ll reach that soon enough. Besides, if an Assault Bird raid happens, they’ll serve as useful defense.

“A marvelous idea, my Lord.”

“You praise me far too much for every little thing.”

When I talked back to hide my embarrassment, Paula showed her usual glamorous smile.

“Fufu, you’re back to normal now.”

“A-ah, sorry. I made you worry.”

Apparently, she had seen through the fact that I was shaken during the battle with the Black-Fur Wolves. I said I shouldn’t apologize lightly, but I hope she’ll forgive me for showing a bit of weakness only to her.

Returning to Heimo and the others mid-feast, I reported that the Great Caterpillars had increased. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, but it would be tragic if they were accidentally used as ingredients for the pot.

“Ho-ho! You can bring monsters back and forth freely?! That’s great!”

“I can’t handle too many just yet, though.”

“In that case, can these guys go too? There’s a few I want to take as apprentices.”

“Ah, if it’s just a few.”

At that, the Chief took on a serious expression and spoke to me.

“By the way, Sir Nino, regarding that healing medicine with the wonderful effectiveness… I have a small request…”