Ryoma and the Traveling Entertainer

Ryoma and the Traveling Entertainer is the twentieth episode of the By the Grace of the Gods (anime).

Summary
Ryoma is introduced to the Semroid Troupe leader Prenance and, from him, learns about Tunnel Ants nesting in the Southern Fields outside of Gimul. Hence Ryoma decides to hunt the Tunnel Ants and, amid this, runs into Beck and his adventuring pals, which he later hires them as temporary staff to help with the upcoming Founder festival.

Plot
Chelma shows everyone the food she prepared for the upcoming festival to Ryoma, Maria, Jane, Fina, Dolce, and Callum. Callum also suggests they have the Semroid Troupe try to food and see which ones they like best, to see what'd sell best at the festival.

Later, Callum talks with Ryoma in his office, stating they'll still be short-staffed even if they narrow down the menu items and suggests they hire some temp staff. Before they can continue their conversation, they're visited by Serge accompanied by the Semroid Troupe leader, Prenance Semroid. He introduces himself to Ryoma, calling the young boy a sage, and compliments his humility when asked to address him on a first-name basis. Furthermore, Prenance compliments Ryoma's music box invention, and thanks him for providing a greenroom for his troupe. He also apologizes on behalf of his troupe for being the only one to greet him as they nearly encountered Tunnel Ants en route to Gimul. In light of this, Ryoma plans to visit the Adventurer Guild the following day and ask about the Tunnel ants.

At the Adventurers Guild, Ryoma meets with Paena concerning the Tunnel Ants found in the Southern Plains. He learns from Paena that locating colonies was the most important of the available tasks involving the Tunnel Ants. Hence, Ryoma decides to take on that task.

Afterward, Ryoma heads to the Southern Fields, where he uses his Limour Birds to search and locate Tunnel Ant colonies. After releasing them, his Limour Birds Ryoma used Share Sensation to perceive what his birds viewed. From it, Ryoma could see Beck and Wist accompanied by three other young adventurers porting a Tunnel Ant carcass. Ryoma soon met with Beck's group and was introduced to their friends, Finia, Ruth, and Rumille, all of who were slum residents. They intended to bring the Tunnel Ant carcass back to their older brother in the slums, who's an apprentice armorer. Ryoma then offers to help them find more Tunnel Ants as it is part of his job, and they happily accept his offer.

Later, Ryoma summons his Metal and Iron Slimes that help them locate a colony of Tunnel Ants. From there, Ryoma slays one and leaves the rest to Beck's group, while he and his Slimes assist them. They continue this until dusk, and when they return to Gimul, Beck's group graciously thanks Ryoma for all his help. In return for his help, Ryoma hires them all as temp staff for the shop's Founders Festival stall. At first, Callum has uncertainties about Beck's group, but Dolce vouches for them and allows them to be hired.

Soon afterward, Ryoma formally introduces himself to the Semroid Troupe and temp helpers of the upcoming Founding Festival. Once that was over, Chelma, Jane, Fina, and Maria served everyone some food. During this time, Prenance compliments the food served, and troupe member Sordio introduces himself and his "gluttonous" niece Maiya, both of whom are sword dancers in the troupe. Ryoma would then talks to Beck's group, and Wist asks him if he ever gets scared while fighting. Understanding that Wist himself gets panic-stricken while fighting, Ryoma answers he's too busy concentrating on fighting than being scared. Wist takes the advice to heart, and Beck and his comrades also support him.

Outside, Callum and Ryoma see Beck's group off, and Callum reflects on how many people he's worked with thus far since he began working with Ryoma, and he concurs.

Afterward, Ryoma writes to Eliaria about his experiences thus far about the preparations for the Founders Festival. Meanwhile, Eliaria was seen off as she was driven to the capital via carriage.

Characters

 * Ryoma Takebayashi
 * Maria
 * Jane
 * Fina
 * Chelma
 * Dolce
 * Carme Norad
 * Serge Morgan
 * Prenance Semroid
 * Paena
 * Beck
 * Wist
 * Finia
 * Ruth
 * Rumille
 * Sordio
 * Maiya
 * Eliaria Jamil
 * Reinhart Jamil
 * Reinbach Jamil
 * Sebas
 * Elise Jamil
 * Hughes
 * Camil