shinsori

I Have Tamed a Spider Monster - Chapter 238, Chapter 239, Chapter 240

Added 2024-10-19 08:03:29 +0000 UTC

Alizée Checks Talat’s Threads (1)
“Haah, so Talat has evolved, huh?”

"Yeah, it happened last night."

"Calling me before making the silk was a wise decision. Thank you."

I had Alizée come all the way to the Adventurers' Guild, but the real reason I called her was because of one comment from Melanie.
I should have been the one to realize that, but I just couldn't.
Yup, it's all part of the training.

"So, what kind of Spider Silk can Talat produce now?"

"I asked about that while we were waiting for you. In addition to the regular Spider Silk, Mana Spider Silk, and Frost Spider Silk, Talat can now produce Ogre Spider Silk, Magic Spider Silk, Ice Veil Silk, Ice Crystal Spider Silk, and Ice Prison Spider Silk."

"... That last one sounds like a pretty ominous name for Spider Silk."

"... I think so too."

Ice Prison Spider Silk... yeah, that one doesn't sound too appealing to me either.
I have no idea what kind of amazing thread will come from it.
Anyway, following Alizée's instructions, we decided to try making silk from each type of Spider Silk.

We started with Ogre Spider Silk.
The thread Talat provided had a stronger yellow tint compared to regular Spider Silk.
When we made it into silk, the fabric also had a yellowish tone.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

"Hmm. Lady Lily, this isn't a failure, is it?"

"I can't say for sure until we've tried it a few more times. But, I think this is how it's supposed to be."

"I see. The value of this silk as a product would be lower than Spider Silk. It's thicker in color and a bit rougher in texture. However, I believe this fabric's true value lies elsewhere."

"It's different?"

"Yes. Forgive me for handling it a bit roughly."

Alizée stretched the silk made from the Ogre Spider Silk with all her might.
The fabric stretched out, almost like rubber.
When she released it, the silk returned to its original shape, without any signs of being stretched.
It really was like rubber.

"As you can see, this silk has the property of being able to stretch and shrink. Guild Master Roland, may I borrow a letter opener?"

"Oh? What are you going to do with it?"

"Watch."

Alizée then drove the letter opener hard into the silk, trying to cut through it.
But even with the effort, not a single scratch was left on the fabric—it remained pristine.
I see, so it has that kind of property too.

"This silk appears to have both stretchability and excellent resistance to blades. Depending on production volume, it might be ideal for use as under-armor."

"Under-armor made of silk... that sounds expensive."

I get what Alizée is saying, but Melanie's offhand comment seems spot-on.
Still, as Roland and Ordo pointed out, its value would depend on how much protection it offers.
According to Talat, the mana needed to produce this thread is about the same or a little less than for regular Spider Silk, so mass production should be possible.
A comfortable under-armor made of silk sounds like a luxury item.

By the way, this Spider Silk originally comes from a species called the Ogre Silk Spider.
Thus, we decided to name it Ogre Spider Silk.
Come to think of it, I remember that one of Talat's early evolution paths was the Large Ogre Silk Spider.
Does that mean Talat can now produce silk from every possible evolved species?
No way, right?

----------

Alizée Checks Talat’s Threads (2)
Ogre Spider Silk understood.
Next, let’s try silk made from Magic Spider Silk.

"... It’s not much different from Mana Spider Silk."

"Right. According to Talat, it’s more prone to damage compared to Mana Spider Silk, but its magic conductivity is higher. When mana flows through it, it becomes sturdier."

"I see. It seems more suitable for magic equipment rather than being sold as regular silk."

Wow, an expensive material for equipment.
However, this silk isn’t unheard of; it’s already being distributed as "Mage Spider Silk."
It’s more common than the Mana Spider Silk I’m making, and Alizée mentioned that there’s probably no need to produce it in large quantities.
Vardmoi’s Trade Guild wants to sell a lot of Mana Spider Silk instead.
I don’t mind that, so let’s move on.
By the way, the mana burden on Talat is about the same as for Mana Spider Silk.

"Next is silk made from Ice Veil Silk, but..."

"That’s a stunning blue color. It doesn’t even look like silk."

Even Alizée tilted her head at the blue color.
Is this really silk?

"Right? According to Talat, this silk won’t freeze, no matter how much cold air it’s exposed to."

"Hmm, it seems like it could also be used for under-armor or robes."

"So it’s for equipment again?"

"It can also be used as a material that highlights the blue color, but that’s about it. What about Talat’s burden?"

"Um, it’s a little more than for Mana Spider Silk."

"Then, there’s no need to mass-produce it."

Yeah, I agree.
The Trade Guild only wants a sample roll, so I’ll give them that and keep the rest in stock at my shop.

Next, the silk made from Ice Crystal Spider Silk is incredibly vibrant.
Or rather, the silk itself reflects light and shimmers.
Is this okay?

"Hmm. This silk also seems to have its own demand."

"Really, Alizée?"

"If you made an entire dress from it, it would be too flashy. But if you only used it for parts, like the edges of a skirt, around the neckline, or the tips of gloves, it would catch people’s attention."

I see, that’s an interesting way to think about it.
However, as with the other fabrics, a small amount should suffice, so I’ll only provide the Trade Guild with a sample and let them come to my shop if they need more.
Talat’s burden is quite significant for this one, so mass production isn’t feasible.
I hope they’ll be understanding about that.

Lastly, we tried the silk from Ice Prison Spider Silk, but... we couldn’t make any.
Why?

(Lily, I think your proficiency in Magic Weaving isn’t high enough.)

"Talat, really?"

(Yeah, I mean this is a thread from the legendary Tarachnathos. It’s not something that can be handled so easily.)

I was speechless at Talat’s explanation.
Everyone in the room asked what was wrong, and when I explained, they all fell silent as well.
So that’s why it’s called "Ice Prison."
I’ll have to keep practicing and show the actual product to Alizée once I manage to make it.
It’ll probably end up being banned, like the Frost Spider Silk was, though.
… It seems like this will make some terrifying silk.

----------

Talat’s Combat Prowess
Alright, now that we've got a handle on the production capabilities of Talat’s Spider Silk, the next issue is his combat abilities.

Even though Plum said, "It's pointless to even try measuring it," I still want to gauge it to some degree.
I had the idea to have Plum spar with Talat, but Plum declined, saying that their powers were too far apart to make a proper comparison.

So, I asked Melanie to look into any monsters that might serve as a worthy opponent for Talat.
However, it turns out that at this time of year, there are no monsters stronger than a Plain Earth Dragon in the vicinity.
The Grand Death Worm that used to feed on Plain Earth Dragons was already defeated by pre-evolved Talat and Plum.
Even the Plain Earth Dragon wouldn’t be a challenging opponent now.

Hmm, what could be a suitable match...?

"Lily, if you’re having trouble finding an opponent, I might have just the thing.”

"Eh?"

According to Melanie, about five days northwest by carriage from this town, near a volcano’s crater, there’s a dragon—specifically a dragon from the mythical beast side.
Apparently, dragons come in two forms: regular monster-type dragons and mythical beast dragons, which possess intelligence far surpassing that of humans.
This dragon resides in the mountains there.
This country—or rather, the former country now, I guess?—anyway, the Adventurers’ Guild here has a test for those aspiring to become Gold-ranked adventurers.
As part of the test, adventurers challenge the dragon, and if recognized, are given one of its scales.

I’m no Gold-ranked adventurer, but since Plum’s combat abilities are above that level, if even Plum can’t serve as a suitable opponent, then we’ll have to rely on this dragon.

This plan has become grander than expected.

With no better option in sight, we set off with the Lumite Grand Wing toward the mountain where the dragon resides.
A five-day journey by carriage takes less than a day with the Lumite Grand Wing, and we arrived at the base of the mountain before dusk.
From there, however, we had to climb on foot, so we camped for the night and set out early the next morning.

There’s a faint trail leading up the mountain, likely due to adventurers heading to face the dragon.
The slope wasn’t too steep, making the climb relatively easy, but nearing the summit, the path became much steeper.

Now, where’s the dragon...?

(Who dares trespass upon my territory? A new challenger, perhaps?)

Whoa!?
A dragon just descended from the sky!
It’s far larger than a Plain Earth Dragon!

"Um, you’re the mythical beast dragon that resides here… right?"

(Indeed. I am the guardian of this mountain, accepting challenges from adventurers.)

"I have a request..."

(A request? Speak.)

"I’d like you to fight my familiar. The Adventurers’ Guild said they couldn’t measure its strength."

Upon hearing this, the dragon burst into roaring laughter.
Was it really that funny?

(Hah! Ridiculous. For an Adventurers’ Guild to be unable to measure a mere human’s familiar… has the Guild’s standards fallen that much?)

"I don’t think so. It’s just that my familiar is apparently too strong..."

(Alright, alright. I shall humor you with a light sparring, so as not to cause too much harm.)