I Have Tamed a Spider Monster - Chapter 266, Chapter 267, Chapter 268

Teaching Amira Skills
Ever since then, Amira has been diligently working on making an apron while I handle my tasks.

However, she struggles to even cut fabric from the patterns, often ending up tearing the templates instead.

I've heard that the orphanage graduates working at Magical Butterfly face similar issues, but this is really disheartening.

It's no wonder there are so few magic tailors. Their rarity makes it easy to understand why nobles want to monopolize them.
Still, I want to support everyone in their efforts.
Isn't there some way to help?

Since mulling it over on my own wouldn't get me anywhere, I decided to consult Plum and Keuko.
While Keuko suggested perseverance and gradual improvement, Plum had a different approach.
What method could she have in mind?

“Well, it’s simple. Just use a Skill Crystal*.”

“A Skill Crystal… Oh, that.”

“Exactly. Isn't there a marketplace for Skill Crystals here?”

“I've never heard of one. Keuko, how are Skill Crystals handled in this country?”

“They are essentially all purchased by the nobility. They rarely, if ever, reach common citizens.”

Ah, I vaguely remember reading something similar in the Goddess’s book.
However, Plum and the others from the Darshe Principality seem to be able to buy Skill Crystals at auctions.
It’s one of those cultural or customary differences.

But heading to the Darshe Principality just to visit a Skill Crystal auction isn't practical.
Given the volatile state of this country, Darshe is also dealing with lingering threats from the Gaze Church’s inquisitors.
They've asked us to avoid visiting unnecessarily.
It’d feel wrong to go there just for Skill Crystals.

“I see. So, how can ordinary citizens acquire Skill Crystals legally in this country?”

“The most reliable way is to establish connections with the nobility. For you, Lady Lily, you might request assistance from Marquis Vardmoi, who could likely provide some leeway.”

“Hmm, but wouldn’t that draw attention?”

“Yes, it would. Unfortunately, alternative methods tend to be less reliable.”

Alternative methods?
Curious, I asked Keuko for details.
It turns out that acquiring Skill Crystals independently involves exploring dungeons.

“A dungeon. What kind of place is that?”

“It’s best described as a realm that defies the laws of this world. After traversing a cave floor, you might suddenly encounter a sprawling grassland or dense forest. The common features are the presence of staircases connecting floors, numerous monsters, and these inexplicable containers called treasure chests.”

Ah, that makes sense—there’s no logical explanation for treasure chests. Come to think of it, having a box filled with valuables amidst hordes of monsters does sound strange.

As for how to obtain Skill Crystals in a dungeon, there are two primary methods.

The first is to find them in treasure chests.
While this method lacks consistency and usually yields only one crystal at a time, the occasional discovery of a rare Skill Crystal is possible.

The second method involves locating a Skill Crystal vein and harvesting from it.
Skill Crystals can sometimes be found clustered together like minerals, forming what’s referred to as a Skill Crystal vein.
Although veins only produce crystals with specific skills, they provide a more abundant supply.
However, once discovered, veins are often claimed by nobility, so new veins must be found.

Hmm… I don’t need a large quantity, nor am I after rare crystals.
Consulting Marquis Vardmoi seems like the most practical approach.

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Consulting with Marquis Verdomoi
I promptly arranged a meeting with Marquis Vardmoi to discuss the matter.

Once again, I traveled to the Marquis’s estate using the Lumite Grand Wing.
Apparently, traveling by carriage still isn’t considered safe.

I had asked Alizée to look for a general-purpose vehicle, but a car with the level of defensive capabilities I require seems to be something that typically needs custom ordering.
It appears the Lumite Grand Wing was special in that regard.
Although the order has been placed, delivery is still a long way off, so for now, I’ll have to make do.

Upon arriving at the Marquis’s mansion, I waited in the drawing room for him to arrive.
In the meantime, I reviewed the list of Skill Crystals I hoped to obtain.
In addition to Magic Sewing, I also wanted Magic Weaving, Healing Magic, and Defensive Magic.
I wondered if it would be too much to ask for.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lily.”

“Thank you for seeing me, Marquis Vardmoi.”

“It’s no trouble. Now, what brings you here today?”

“Yes, I was wondering if you might be able to spare some Skill Crystals. Of course, I’m prepared to pay for them.”

“Skill Crystals, you say...?”

Hmm, did I say something inappropriate?
The Marquis stroked his chin thoughtfully, seeming to deliberate.
Was there a problem?

“Are these Skill Crystals meant for Amira’s use?”

“Primarily, yes. Here’s the list of the ones I’m hoping to acquire.”

As he reviewed the list I handed over, Marquis Vardmoi’s expression grew more serious.
Was my request really that unreasonable?

“We do have Healing Magic and Defensive Magic in stock, so I can provide those. However, we don’t have any Skill Crystals for Magic Sewing or Magic Weaving. In fact, it’s quite rare for noble families to possess such crystals.”

“Is that so?”

“Think about it. It’s extremely uncommon for members of noble families to make a career out of crafting fabric or garments. While not unheard of, those who do typically marry into merchant families. Once they’ve married, the noble family rarely has any say in their work. That’s simply how things are.”

Hmm, it’s a world I don’t really understand.
Apparently, it’s rare for noblewomen to work actively.
Even Marquis’s daughter, Kou, has mentioned becoming a female marquis, but that, too, seems to be an exception.
Usually, nobles look for a husband to marry into the family, and he inherits the title.
It’s complicated.

In any case, I now knew Marquis Vardmoi didn’t have a Skill Crystal for Magical Tailoring.
The question was, what should I do next?

Would it even be possible for me to venture into a dungeon?
My movements are already restricted because of the danger I’m in.
It’s a tricky situation.

----------

Checking the Trade Records at the Trade Guild
It was clear that Marquis Vardmoi didn’t have any Skill Crystals for Magical Tailoring.
So, who might have them?
To investigate, I decided to stop by the Trade Guild on my way back.
Alizée might know something.

“Skill Crystals for Magic Sewing and Magic Weaving, you say?”

“Yes. I thought you or the Trade Guild might have some information.”

“Let me check. While I can’t guarantee any transaction records exist for Skill Crystals, I’ll see what I can find.”

“Thank you, Alizée.”

After Alizée left the room, we waited for the results.
It must have been an extensive search because it took her about an hour to return.

“Thank you for waiting. To cut to the chase, there are records of transactions involving those Skill Crystals.”

“Really?!”

“However, all of them are over ten years old. There have been no transactions in the past decade. It’s likely nobles are purchasing them directly.”

I see. That’s what I suspected.
When I asked Alizée about the possibility of me heading to a dungeon to mine for Skill Crystals, she wasn’t in favor of the idea.
No surprise there.

“Lady Lily, please remember that you’re a target. We have no idea when or which faction might send assassins after you. In this situation, you must avoid drawing attention to yourself.”

“Isn’t there any way, Alizée?”

“Even if there were, I’m with the Trade Guild, and dungeon affairs are outside my jurisdiction. Perhaps you should consult Melanie?”

Melanie? She’d definitely oppose it.
As I frowned, Alizée sighed and offered a potential solution.

“The main reason you cannot venture outside freely is the threat posed by three factions: the Third Prince’s faction, the King’s brother’s faction, and the Gaze Church. A short walk within the city could likely be managed with Plum, Talat, or the members of the Wildcat Claws. However, going outside the city remains a significant risk.”

“That’s true…”

“The biggest concern is whether any of those factions are lying in wait beyond the city. While we had no issues retrieving he Kiblinki Saltas last time, there’s no guarantee this time will be the same. That’s why we should consider using the additional resources we now have.”

“Additional resources… you mean the Kiblinki Saltas?”

“Yes. They’re capable of using mind-reading, are they not? Anyone attempting to follow you out of the city could be caught at the gates. As for ambushes outside the city, Kiblinki Saltas’s abilities should help detect them. While the risks remain, this approach might slightly increase your safety.”

So the risk would still increase.
There doesn’t seem to be a way to avoid that.

The reason Alizée made this suggestion, even knowing the risks, is likely because she understands I have a tendency to find loopholes and push forward with my plans regardless.
In other words, if I can’t be stopped, she wants to pave the safest path possible ahead of time.

It’s a bit rude, but I can’t argue since she’s not entirely wrong.

At least I now have a clearer idea of how to go about mining Skill Crystals.
Next, I’ll need to convince the Kiblinki Saltas.
Forcing them isn’t my style, so I’ll have to negotiate carefully.

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