Chapter 31.3
Chapter 31.3
Is that a monster?
Yes, I suppose
What!? Why is there a monster here!
Well, calm down, will you?
Rhea would get angry if Karen started to lose control, so he wanted her to be quiet.
Haruki soothed her, and Karen took in a deep breath and sat down on the floor.
Now, lets hear your excuses. Though, youll be executed either way. Came the voiceless voice.
So, why is there a monster here?
The truth is, I brought it from the dungeon
You did what?!
And then I planted it here. And its going well.
Why did you do that!
Hey, its because you told me that I could grow potatoes at home.
I was talking about normal potatoes. Not monsters!
What?
He had been depressed because he wasnt able to gather the monsters potatoes. And then she had suggested he grow them at home
Well, I understand your reason now.
Said Karen. But her face suggested that she didnt understand at all.
But, it is a monster, right? What are you going to do if it attacks you?
Its fine if it attacks me.
But what if it attacks you when youre sleeping!
Hmm. Its still fine. Now that shes planted here, Rhea isnt very lethal anymore.
Not lethal anymore?
Yes. Sorry, Rhea. If you dont mind.
He said. And then Rhea hurled out a potato, a little angrily.
Bam! The potato hit the palm of his hand.
But it didnt hurt at all.
As you can see, the potatoes become all wrinkly when they arent in the dungeon.
Rhea was not able to damage Haruki.
Even if she hit a good spot, she might be able to make a small bruise at best.
Hmm.
Haruki passed Karen the wrinkly potato, and she squeezed it several times to check its texture.
She was narrowing her eyebrows but there was also a suspicious light in her eyes.
Apparently, she took a liking to the soft texture.
I see. So its isnt lethal after all. But its still a monster, you know? They are the enemies of mankind.
Yes, but Rhea is
Lets uproot it right now!
Wait! Wait!
Haruki held Karen as she was about to stand up.
That wouldnt do. Her eyes were on the target
Behind Haruki, Rhea understood that she was being threatened, and she turned her body as if to say, Just you try.
Hey, dont provoke her.
Its true that Rhea is a monster. But shes a good monster.
But that doesnt look like a good monster to me?
How could a stalk of potatoes look evil to you?
HmmI suppose you are right. But its still a monster.
Karen.
Haruki put his hands on Karens shoulders and looked straight into her eyes.
Uncertainty flashed in Karens eyes. And a little color appeared on her cheeks.
Splat. A potato hit Haruki in the back.
Hey, Rhea Stop butting in.
He glared. Hmph! Rhea turned her nose away.
She may be a monster, but just like wolves and dogs, they can be mans best friend depending on how you treat them.
But
Alright then. What is the difference between the Adventurers and monsters that are on the first floor of Chikaho?
Karen grimaced and closed her mouth.
On the first and second floors of Chikaho, Adventurers surrounded monsters as soon as they popped, and then lynched them.
Its not as if those monsters had killed their family or loved ones.
While individual monsters may be guilty, their entire species were not.
However, they were killed as if they were the enemies of the Adventurers parents.
They would be hit even after they were dead. Carved. Crushed.
Who is the real monster?
Almost every Adventurer would ask that question upon first seeing that sight.
Haruki had thought it.
Karen must have as well.
Of course, Im not saying we should just leave all the monsters where they are. I do think we should defeat the ones we come across. But what Im trying to say is, when determining whether something is an enemy, its not their type, but how they are. Rhea is unmistakably an ally. She didnt attack me even when I had my back towards her. See?
But she did hit you in the back with a potato?
How sharp!
Karen was quick to find the smallest contradiction. Haruki scowled.
Forget about that. Its just her way of showing affection!
As he said this, another potato hit him in the back.
Huh? That one hurt a little?
He glared back from the corner of his eye. Thats not what it is! Rhea insisted.
Haruki had to laugh.
It was funny.
Very funny.
See, Karen? How can you think that she is hostile?
I suppose. But I dont know. I have a feeling that it has no tolerance for me. Like it sees me as a rival.
A rival?
Haruki tilted his head in puzzlement.
..Ah, its because Rhea is good with ranged attacks.
Dont worry. Youre more of a magic-user, Karen. Rhea specializes in physical potato attacks. And while Rhea can shoot potatoes, she is unable to make new potatoes with her body. So you dont have to be jealous.
Thats true, but No, thats not what I meant Oh, never mind. At least my worst fear didnt come true.
Worst fear?
Karen let out an exaggerated sigh.
She wasnt sure why she was apprehensive.
In any case, Haruki succeeded in making Karen overlook his foolishness.