The Adventurers who finally arrived
There were adventurers preparing to investigate the forest.
With monster activity worsening, even the merchants have avoided entering.
Thus, to cross the forest, one would have to proceed on foot.
When they had finished some preparation and were about to set off, a single person called out to them.
「Pardon me. If you are heading towards the forest, could I not perhaps accompany you half way?」
Was the voice feminine? Masculine? Young? Old? That you couldn’t figure out.
For some reason, that person wore a mask.
The stranger emitted a suspicious aura… but
「Should be fine…?」
「Hey! You! Before the leader – I! – gave permission… seriously, what the hell!」
「Really… well, now that Nee-san gave her okay, there’s no use arguing, is there?」
The three accepted the stranger without a second thought.
「I am grateful」
After saying those three words, the suspicious stranger silently followed the trio.
Thus, Cabal’s group of three obtained a new companion, and set off on their investigation.
*Tontenkan*
*Tontenkan. Kaaaaan. Kaaaaan. Don!*
The forest was filled with the sound of cutting wood and blacksmith’s hammer.
At first, to lay the plumbing, they had avoided building any houses, and it was but empty land…
It’s under construction, but they plan on constructing a building for water pipe control. There, the water will be purified and distributed to every household.
And, leading away from the city, it will end at a facility where it will be reprocessed into manure.
It serves as temporary lodging are. And as such, it’s not made to last.
Near the cave, at the seat of honor, I plan on placing my dwelling.
As I want to get it right, the initial map was drawn with utmost precision.
But, it is easier to attack.
(TL long note for the curious mind: what this plan made me think of is of construction of Heian-kyo (modern Kyoto) and Edo (modern Tokyo). I have a feeling that it is those examples that Rimuru is referencing. Kyoto was planned to resemble the Chinese imperial city, and thus constructed square. It had two main roads running through it, leading to the “seat of honor”, the imperial palace. Edo, on the other hand, imitated the construction style of castles; and, using rivers, was thus made into a spiral. In terms of defense, while both were well known styles, Edo was considered superior.)
In any case, seems like having the goblins evolve into hobgoblins was the right decision.
Also, their constitution and strength improve.
In any case, I should probably treat them with the same respect as humans.
I mean, individual strength depends on the individual, right?
And Rigurdo, whom I crowned King…
「Oh! You have spent your time here! I was looking for you!!」
What a monster! Is all I want to say. He’s huge and muscular.
Thus is seems that evolution is affected not just by a name, but also by the class.
Probably should try bestowing a few more titles to test this theory.
「What’s up?」
「Ay! We have captured suspicious individuals, so I came to report.」
「Suspicious? Of which monster race?」
「Not monsters, they are humans. As you have commanded, we did not lay our hands on them.」
「Humans? Why all the way over here?」
Humans… huh?
Well… if they are like those idiot adventurers from before, I’ll dispose of them or turn them into monster snacks…
「They were assaulted by a group of giant ants, and were saved by Rigur’s defense squad, who then took charge of their protection…
There is evidence that they were investigating these lands. How shall we respond…?」
I see.
I checked with the dwarfs, but Jura forest is not any country’s property.
If that’s the case, that complicates the matter…
Well, I’ll decide after meeting them.
「Alright! I’ll meet with them. Lead the way!」
Having so decided, I jumped on Rigurdo’s shoulder.
This is no different from walking, but my low eye level bothers me.
But it’s all an excuse!
Rigurdo, with me on his shoulder, walked to the captured adventurers.
As I thought so, before my eyes (which I don’t have, of course), I saw,
「Hey! You! I saw that first!!!」
「You’re terrible! I was aiming for that meat!」
「Danna, I shall not yield when it comes to food!」
「*Mogu mogu*」(Munching sound)
I heard a boisterous group.
「……」
To my silent question,
「Many apologies. Somehow, it seems that all their items were stolen… so we decided to prepare a meal, and this…」
Huh.
Rigurdo is pretty nice guy, it seems.
「Nah, isn’t this fine? Actually, well done! Treating those in need kindly is a good thing!」
I praised his actions.
That, in itself, is a wonderful thing, I imagine.
「Ay! Henceforth, as to not cause Rimuru-sama any trouble, we shall further devote ourselves!」
Well, he’s still damn formal, though.
After that conversation, we entered the tent.
And all the eyes fell on me.
Their eyes opened wide at the sight of me. However, it seems that they aren’t aware that their surprise showed itself.
Ah! The trio of the cave!
Wearing a mask… how is he eating?
*Mogu mogu*
Slowly, at his own pace.
Nostalgic Meat-chan. Ah… wouldn’t taste buds just fall from somewhere…?
Rigurdo let me down at the main seat.
「Dear guests, although we cannot offer better hospitality, please make yourselves at home. Before you is our lord, Rimuru-sama!」
Having so introduced myself, he took the seat next to me.
And,
「「「What? A slime?!」」」
「Mogu mogu」
They’re surprised.
But really, to react in the same way… oh well.
「Pleased to meet you. I am the slime Rimuru. Not an evil slime.」
Bu!!!
However, the one wearing the mask, seems to have kept his composure.
Seems like they’ve been greatly surprised to see a slime talk.
So… what kind of people are they?
Well, after having regained their composure,
「That was rude of us! We never would have imagined to be saved by demons, but we are in your debt!」
「Yeah! We work as human adventurers! This food, very delicious! These days we’ve been doing nothing but running, never having a decent meal… Truly, thank you!」
「Thanks! We’re in your debt. However, to think that hobgoblins were building a village here.」
「Gohogoho, gusu. Gokugoku.」
Well, at least they aren’t panicking.
「Well, take your time chewing, we can talk when you finish!」
Having said that, I waited for them to finish their meal.
Well, they did get flustered, but that’ll serve as practice for future encounters.
And, maybe because I was feeling a little unpleasant, I exited the tent.
Rigurdo seemed very apologetic, but,
「Well, don’t sweat it. Just learn for future reference!」
So I comforted him.
Can’t expect everything to be perfect from the start.
Having entered my tent, I felt at ease.
Seems much better compared to what they brought out before, but, unfortunately, I can’t taste it.
This is clearly a sign that they are evolving as a cultured race.
Now, time was spent on this and that…
“We apologize for earlier rudeness!” While saying so, the four enter.
At the same time as the goblinas that showed them in leave, another set comes to bring them tea.
When night comes, while drinking with the dwarfs, I do know that they discuss their lives and cultures.
「Well, then. Once again. Please to meet you. The lord of this place, I am called Rimuru. For what reason have you come to these lands?」
That question would fall within their prediction.
After all, they had plenty of time to discuss what answers they’ll give.
「The pleasure is mine. I am Cabal. For now, I am this party’s leader.
Would you understand if I told you? We are B rank adventurers.」
「Pleased to meet you, I am Ellen.」
「Yo! Gido’s the name. Pleased to make your acquaintance.」
As I thought, these three are a party, huh.
Now then, the other one is?
「And, this one has joined us temporarily for the journey, named Shizu-san.」
「Call me Shizu.」
A voice that wouldn’t show whether the speaker was a man, a woman, an elder, or a child.
It’s a girl. Furthermore, if I am not mistaken…
That’s the feeling that I get.
Since I don’t know much about this world, I can’t be certain; but, surely that sitting posture is rare, right?
Sitting on the wolf pelts, the males have crossed their feet. The girl named Ellen also relaxed, and reclines horizontally.
But enough of pointless chatter. Need to get down to business.
「How polite. And?」
I’ll summarize the conversation.
……….
…..
…
I heard their story.
So, on the orders from their guild master, they needed to come to the forest and investigate if any suspicious happenings were… well, happening.
「In any case, he says to search for anything suspicious, but what should we call suspicious and what normal, huh?!」
「Right, right! Should’ve asked him to explain in more details!」
「There’s a limit to how much we can investigate, you know!」
Thus they began badmouthing their guild master.
And when they had thought they found something fishy–a hole in a boulder, they drew their swords…
I really want to ask why they drew their swords then. I really want to ask!
And from there, for three days, they desperately ran, having abandoned all their things.
If I had to say something it’d be: “well done!” but I’ll refrain.
「Wouldn’t the most suspicious things be found around here? Like, in the cave?」
I asked.
「No, no! There’s nothing in there!
But, without showering once, we searched that place for two weeks without finding anything!」
「Wha… idiot! That’s not something you should be talking about right now!」
「You see? The one who spilled it is you, Nee-san! Not my problem!」
Ellen suddenly says, causing the men to panic.
Oh, and it seems that bath culture exists here… I’m planning on building a bath house in this city, as well.
That aside,
「You say you investigated that cave, but for what reason?」
Doesn’t seem like they came for treasure, in any case.
While shaking his head, and with a sigh,
「Since we mentioned it, we have no choice.
The thing is, as Ellen mentioned, the black dragon’s presence suddenly vanished, and…」
I see.
He was supposed to have been sealed, but his disappearance causing such chaos.
However, isn’t his influence too great?
Building a city this close to the cave–was that a mistake?
「To say nothing of the fact that the cave’s previously abundant magical energy had decreased. An unusual phenomenon we couldn’t understand. Right now, it’s magic levels are average, and is no more than a normal cave.」
「Well, it’s filled with strong monsters, so it’s best not to enter it. No treasure in it either, and not a single ore to be found! Powerful monsters, and no benefit to be gained!」
「If you search around, you might find a thief’s gear drop, but nothing major.」
Doki. (Heartbeat).
Well, it should be fine. They won’t know if I don’t tell them!!!
But their story continued.
Maybe these guys are just good people.
I thought that we’d have to move the city, but should be fine, then.
For now,
「By the way, as you see, we are amidst constructing a city here; would that cause any trouble with the guild?」
I tried asking.
「No… should be fine, I think?」
「Yeah… it’s no skin off the guild’s back. But, countries…」
「Yeah… no idea about them.」
That was their answer.
And it’s not like I expected guild members to know how countries would react.
When I thought that,
Shizu, who had been quiet until now, groaned loudly.
Gu, guaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
It suddenly began!