Chapter 186: After Story IV – A New Ingredient (3/4)

I said while trying to make myself as assertive as I could.

The clever chickens didn’t make a fuss, and the black and white chick walked out of the brood slowly. I don’t know if it’s because it’s still small that it walks so slow, but it walked so slowly to the point that it almost seemed as if it was checking every step it took.

…It’s feathers were fluffy like white cotton, and it was a little bigger than your usual chick. Frankly speaking, it was really cute.

“So you’re the leader of this brood.” [Ryouma]

“Pi.” [Genius Chick]

The genius chick replied. That’s probably a yes.

“Let’s form a familiar contract so we can talk.” [Ryouma]

“Pi.” [Genius Chick]

The genius replied a second time in a chirp that suggested affirmation. At that, I formed the contract.

When I did…

Release us lowly humans!! [Genius Chicken]

“!!” [Ryouma]

Wow, okay. That surprised me…

I can share a mutual understanding with the slimes and the rimel birds too, but this feeling is a bit different. I have better compatibility with the slimes, so it’s probably because the monster is really intelligent that I can understand its thoughts so clearly.　It’s almost like it’s talking to me.

“Let’s introduce ourselves first. I am Ryouma Takebayashi. You are?” [Ryouma]

I have no name to give to the likes of you!! [Genius Chicken]

Well, this is troublesome. It can talk, but it refuses to hold a conversation.

“At this rate, you chickens will be turned into human food. How about you listen to me before that happens?” [Ryouma]

“…If you want to talk, then release us!　Otherwise, you must enter the cage!” [Genius Chicken]

“—Is what he said. Can I enter the cage, Pioro-san?” [Ryouma]

I translated for Pioro-san, and he called for the employee in charge here.

“President, are you really sure about this?　Letting this kid inside?” [Employee]

“It’s Ryouma, so it’s fine. He’s the one asking for it too, so go ahead and open it.” [Pioro]

“I-I understand…” [Employee]

The employee opened the cage reluctantly, and I went inside. A few steps into the cage and the adult clever chickens surrounded me. After that the leader approached me from the front.

“Quite some guts you have for a cowardly human.” [Genius Chicken]

“Well, thanks. Can we talk now?” [Ryouma]

“Very well!　What do you want?” [Genius Chicken]

It sure acts big despite being so small. Well, whatever.

“As I’ve said earlier, at this rate, you chickens are going to die. But if you’ll lay eggs for me, I can take you away from here. I’ll prepare food and a place for you to live in as well.” [Ryouma]

“So you’re the same as the previous human. Very well. Give us a full bowl of the best wheat everyday. Mix it with corn and other grains. Of course, you must mix only the most luxurious grains!　For our bed, I want a place with plenty of sunlight, the smell of earth, and delicious earthworms—“ [Genius Chicken]

The little chick spoke in a haughty manner while listing out the most luxurious conditions.

The conditions he listed would require me to go to some dangerous territories. Moreover, there were simply too many that I couldn’t meet.

Oh, well. I guess it wasn’t possible, after all.

“I suppose it was simply not meant to be…” [Ryouma]

“Wait!　Why are you refusing!?” [Genius Chicken]

“Because I can’t meet those conditions…” [Ryouma]

“You fool!　If a demand is too big, then you have to haggle it down!　That’s the basics of negotiations!!” [Genius Chicken]

Is a chicken seriously explaining to me the basics of negotiations right now?

“In that case, let’s talk about some conditions that I can meet.” [Ryouma]

“…Very well. What conditions can you promise us?”

If that’s what he’s saying then…

• I will leave you to pasture outside the mines when I’m out.
• We can further negotiate the location of your pasture after you see the place. And if needed I’ll provide a cover to protect you and your chicken people from the rain and the sun.
• When I leave I’ll allocate a special place for you in the Dimension Home.
• Your food will be average good and homemade goods purchasable from the tamer guild or the market. The mixture can be negotiated, however.
• In exchange, you’ll have to give me your unfertilized eggs.

I listed the conditions I could promise one by one.

And then…

“These air about all the conditions that I can promise. I’m telling you this in good faith, but this is the upper limit of what I can guarantee. If you say you’re okay with promises that might not be met, then I can promise better conditions.” [Ryouma]

“…You’ve pushed your luck too far!　At a time of crisis!　We won’t kneel to unreasonable threats!”

“Ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko !!!!!!!!!!!” [Genius Chicken]

The leader started chirping energetically.

The surrounding clever chicken responded and started making threatening sounds with their chirps and beaks.

“President!　We have to get that boy out of there!” [Employee]

The employee in charge of this place started to panic.

But that’s not really strange. After all, the situation had deteriorated such that a child like me could get attacked any moment now.

“Rise!” [Genius Chicken]

“Ko ko ko ko ko ko ko ko !!!!!!!!!!!” [Clever Chickens]