After Gabiru left, Rimuru—guided by the Great Sage's insights—gathered all his executives for a strategy eting. However, upon hearing the intelligence Souei had gathered regarding the enemy's strength, he was absolutely floored.
"220,000?!"
The revelation that an army of 200,000 existed sent Rimuru into such a shock that he nearly toppled backward. Fortunately, Shuna caught him just in ti, preventing a clumsy fall, and the eting resud.
"The force that attacked our village was only about 4,000," Rimuru noted.
"That appears to have been a detachnt. The main force is currently marching north along the river. Judging by the movents of both the main army and the detachnt, their destination is..."
"The lizardn's territory... the eastern marshes," Rimuru finished.
"Yes, you are well-inford, Rimuru-sama."
Well, the Great Sage told everything, Rimuru thought.
"But if their target is the lizardn, the ogre village shouldn't even be in their way... What could their real objective be?"
As Rimuru tilted his head in confusion, Kaijin spoke up.
"Orcs aren't exactly known for their high intelligence. If there is a specific objective, it's more likely that soone is pulling the strings from behind."
"...Like a Demon Lord?"
The mont Rimuru suggested this, the room fell silent, and everyone listened with grave expressions.
"...Uh, I don't actually have any evidence, so don't take it too seriously!"
Feeling overwheld by the sudden intensity of their stares, Rimuru waved his hands dismissively, and the group quickly looked away.
"...While it may not be a Demon Lord, I believe there is a high probability that an Orc Lord has appeared. It is unthinkable that ordinary orcs could command an army of 200,000."
"Rather than assuming it's impossible, I believe it is wiser to remain vigilant."
Just as the goblin lords were sharing their opinions, Souei interrupted.
"Soone has made contact with one of my reconnaissance clones. They wish to et with Rimuru-sama. How shall I proceed?"
"Who is it?"
"A... dryad."
A dryad?! Oh, you an those beautiful tree-spirit ladies? I definitely want to et her!
"Bring her here!"
Rimuru's excitent was written all over his face, and the executives couldn't help but think the sa thing.
So cute...
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the eting room, and a stunning woman with long, flowing green hair appeared. She was exactly as Rimuru had imagined, leaving him absolutely delighted.
"It is a pleasure to et you, 'One Who Rules Over Monsters,' and your subordinates. Please forgive my sudden visit. I am Treyni, a dryad. I look forward to your cooperation."
"M-my na is Rimuru Tempest! I'm not a bad sli, I promise!"
As he tilted his head and looked up at her, Treyni blushed deeply, looking as if an arrow had pierced her heart.
The appearance of the dryad caused a stir, not only among the goblin lords but also among those peeking in from outside. Is she really that impressive? Rimuru wondered.
『Answer. Dryads are the highest-ranking beings of the forest, often referred to as the "Guardians of the Treants" or the "Administrators of the Great Forest of Jura." They are omniscient regarding all events occurring within the forest.』
Based on the Great Sage's explanation, Rimuru viewed her as a sort of forest CEO. Treyni then cut straight to the chase, requesting that Rimuru subjugate the Orc Lord. The suddenness of the request left Rimuru standing there, blinking blankly.
"M-? You want to do it?"
"Yes."
Caught off guard by the request, Rimuru struggled to find an answer. Sensing his hesitation, Benimaru stepped in to intervene.
"You're quite pushy, dryad. Why co here? Surely there are races more influential than goblins you could have approached."
"That is true. Had your forr ogre village remained intact, I might have gone there. However, I cannot ignore the existence of this one."
Treyni picked up a thin fried potato from the table and took a light, crisp bite before continuing.
"As I ntioned, we know almost everything that happens in the forest. And right now... there is an Orc Lord."
Rimuru, who had been dazed, finally managed to speak.
"Treyni... can I have a little more ti to think? I... I just don't want to see my family get hurt..."
As Rimuru spoke while fidgeting with his fingers, Treyni suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace, treating him like a precious doll.
"Of course~~! Oh, I've been watching you for a while, but how can you be this adorable?!"
As Treyni rubbed her cheek against him, the kijin in the room imdiately radiated a murderous aura. It took a few words from Rimuru to barely calm them down so the eting could resu.
The eting eventually concluded that the orcs' goal was to use the Orc Lord's Unique Skill, [Hungry One], to seize hegemony over the forest by stealing the power of its superior species.
Realizing that the orcs were hunting the strong, Rimuru understood that his village was by no ans safe. Treyni added that there was likely a majin serving a Demon Lord behind the entire operation.
Steeling his resolve, Rimuru addressed everyone. Knowing his nature, the executives already knew what he was about to say.
"...I've decided. I'm going to take down the Orc Lord! Everyone... will you stand with ?"
In unison, everyone in the room dropped to one knee and declared:
""""Of course!!!""""
With the decision made, Rimuru knew he needed an alliance with the lizardn, though Gabiru's face flashed through his mind.
"Souei. Could you negotiate with the leader of the lizardn?"
"Yes, understood."
Following the order, Souei vanished instantly, and the village shifted into full war preparations.
Can I really do this?... ...
As if reading his inner anxiety, the Great Sage spoke.
『Answer. Since it is you, Master, I believe there will be no problem.』
Reassured by his partner's confidence, Rimuru felt his spirits lift.
Right! Let's do this!!
Seeing Rimuru clench his fists in determination, the others were further inspired, imdiately throwing themselves into the creation of specialized equipnt for him.
*****
anwhile, in the natural great cavern, the stronghold of the lizardn.
"Lord! An intruder! At the entrance of the stalactite cave, they are requesting an audience with you..."
"I shall et them. Bring him in."
"Pardon?"
"Lord, is it not dangerous...?"
"Do you feel it as well...?"
The aura emanating from the visitor was far from ordinary.
"...With an aura like that, even a hundred of our elite soldiers might be defeated."
The figure who appeared at the entrance was a handso young man with blue hair and horns protruding from his head.
"I will be brief. Our master wishes to form an alliance with the lizardn. Rimuru-sama has accepted a direct request from the dryad to subjugate the orcs. According to her, the army is led by an Orc Lord. I suggest you consider the implications of this carefully."
The forest's administrator herself... personally requested it?
"Hmph! Rimuru? Never heard of him! He's probably just terrified of the Orc Lord and is coming to us crying for help, isn't he? He should just beg for our assistance plainly!"
The mont the subordinate beside the leader spoke, a thin, razor-sharp thread tightened around his neck, and blood began to seep through.
"If you insult our master any further, I will dispose of all of you right here."
That was close. I almost let my emotions take over and killed him. If the alliance fails, Rimuru-sama will be saddened.
Though Souei's voice remained cold and ruthless, he had been on the verge of a dangerous lapse in judgnt, nearly ruining the diplomatic mission in a fit of rage.
"Among those in the Great Forest of Jura, no fool would dare impersonate the forest's administrator. Looking at you... your aura is distinct. I suspect you are an ogre from the southwest?"
"I am different now. When Rimuru-sama bestowed the na 'Souei' upon , I evolved into a kijin."
"A kijin? The higher race that occasionally appears among ogres... If that is the case, then the one who nad him must be an existence far beyond that!"
The lizardman leader pondered for a mont before looking at Souei.
"Very well. However, I have one condition."
"I am listening."
"What kind of person is your master?"
"Our master, Rimuru-sama, is more beautiful than anyone, possesses overwhelming power, and yet possesses a heart of imnse kindness. He truly wishes to save you all."
"Could I et this master of yours?"
"Agreed. We shall rge forces in one week. You will be able to et Rimuru-sama then. Until then, hold your position and endure the siege. Also, a warning from Rimuru-sama: watch your rear. Farewell."
With those words, Souei vanished instantly.
****
"Well, well, things are certainly getting interesting."
Sitting in my room and sorting through a mountain of paperwork, I watched the events unfolding in the Great Forest of Jura with great curiosity. I couldn't afford to miss a single mont of the coming battle, so I quickly contacted my subordinates via a communication magic stone to clear my schedule.
"Bring all the pending docunts. I'll finish them all within three days. And while you're at it, bring so onion-flavored popcorn and a cold cola."
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 65
Link: patreon/UltraMagnus_T
User Comments
0 comments from readers