The Ogre Tribe
All monsters within the cave now run away at the mere sight of me.
Pleased, I left the cave.
So I planned, but…
「Gu, who is it! Pursuers?」
「Wicked demon! Don’t try to deceive our eyes!!!」
And other similar grand statements I could hear from a group at the entrance of the cave.
Aren’t these the self-proclaimed rulers of the forest? They look exactly as Rigurdo has described.
A bit bewildered, I plan my escape.
So the ogres can see it but I can’t! This might be bad…
Just when I thought I had gained new abilities… I guess I am still far from true strength.
「Ku, a demon? What kind? My bad, but I don’t see it… where is it now?」
While on my guard, I begin to make retreat to ogre’s side.
Moreover, they are keeping distance from me.
The moment I thought so,
「What are you saying? The wicked demon is none other than you, slime! You have not fooled our eyes!!!」
One of the ogres called out.
To call such an adorable slime a wicked demon? That’s not a nice thing to say!
「Oi. Oi! Wait a second. I am a the wicked demon?」
「Are you trying to play dumb? That aura unbefitting of a slime! Did you think you’d fool someone?!」
Hmm? Oh… I was enjoying freaking out the cave’s monsters too much and kept it open, huh.
So I quickly pull back the aura. And,
「I don’t have anything like that! You must’ve imagined it!」
「「「・・・・・・・・・」」」
Of course, I couldn’t fool them.
Oh, boy…
When I so asked, they told me that they had escaped here.
A normal monster would have died by now.
Still, I proceed to spit out some restorative medicine and treat their wounds.
While appearing surprised for some reason, they thank me.
After all, I need to find out what had enough power to so decimate the ogres.
The rulers of the forest. The strongest beings around, or so I heard.
In any case, I’ll guide them to the village.
Deciding to carry them over there, I summoned Ranga.
My pride simply didn’t allow the fact that Gobuta succeeded where I couldn’t. Thus, I practiced.
There were six ogres.
By foot it would have taken more than a day, but at our pace we managed it in under an hour.
Thus, we escorted the ogres to our village, where I invited them to my tent.
Looking just like the blueprint I had suggested.
While thanking the dwarfs and goblins, I enter it.
The blueprint I made by drawing on a plank with some charcoal, and, along with measurements, I passed it all to Mildo.
Furthermore, the room was furnished just as I had previously requested.
And, asking them to wait inside, I head over to the dwarfs.
Assuming my child version, I tried the clothing on.
The materials used, of course, came from the previous pack leader. But, for some reason, the fur had turned black.
As an extra bonus, it seems that the fur had quite some magical energy stored in it.
「Danna, this seems to have tremendous defense power. It ain’t just some normal fur!」
Satisfied, Garm gave his approval.
So I thought, until I heard about,
「Ah, by the way, this attire just happened to have become a magic item. It will always perfectly fit the one who wears it!」
Such wonderful news! In other words, even if I turn into my adult version, the clothing won’t rip!
Chances are, the fur, that had been constantly floating inside my magical energy (stomach), was thus strengthened. So, if I come across any good ingredients, I should remember to allow them to mature inside.
Let’s make a mental note about that.
Now then, I shouldn’t make them wait too long.
The ogres patiently waited. Perhaps finding things unusual, they were looking around the room.
Haruna brought in tea, and immediately left.
I take a sip of the tea. Delicious.
It tastes like matcha–a bit bitter. I also feels its warmth. Not the effect of warmth, but just warmth itself.
A bizarre feeling.
The ogres too seem to enjoy the tea.
Half way through, I called for Rigurdo. And, I also had the remaining four clan chiefs also attend.
Rigurdo and Ririna immediately came over.
Why did I call for them?
If I had to summarize the ogre’s story, it would be simple: a war. And the ogres were defeated.
At the same time as we fought the Flame Giant Ifrit, the ogres were caught up in their own war.
The goblin chiefs were just as shocked.
The enemy was?
「They suddenly attacked our village. With overwhelming strength…! Those bastards… Orcs!!!」
Unlike humans, monsters don’t have any rules stipulating a declaration of war.
Orcs rank between C~D. Stronger than your average goblin, but pose no danger to veteran adventurers.
Thus, I asked for details.
300 B rank monsters.
And the orcs possessing that much might? We all have expressions of disbelief.
The village chief and a small group apparently opened up a path for their young master and the princess to escape.
With a pained voice, one ogre said,
「Had I had more power…!!!」
He must be their young master.
Also, a giant orc was releasing some strange aura.
While the elite warriors of the village approached those four, the remaining orcs invaded the village.
But regardless of method, there was an absurd number of orcs.
Should that be true, then this was certainly not planned by orcs alone.
Perhaps some country is using the orcs…
「Hmm, perhaps, they have become pawns of the “Demon Lord”」
Kaijin muttered.
I thought that the Demon Lord avoids the forest on priniciple.
With fertile land, production is undertaken by the enslaved masses and golems.
And for that reason, a demon lord desiring conquest would be most likely to attack the humans.
The disappearance of the Jura Forest’s guardian – Veldora – also meant that this particular type of demon lord would no longer be deterred.
In that case, I probably have to put more thought into the defense of the forest.
I asked for everyone’s opinion.
「I believe the orcs intend to capture our lands!」
Rigurdo answers on everyone’s behalf.
Fight, run, or join them?
Quickly, the tension rises.
「Well, how about we request some more tea!」
Having said that, I called for a second serving.
Now, then.
「What are you planning on doing?」
I ask the ogres.
「Isn’t it obvious. Look for a chance, and charge right in!」
「Me too! While I am yet powerless, I can’t let those pigs live!」
「「「We shall follow our young master and princess!」」」
Huh. They know they’re going to their deaths, but…
「You guys. Not interested in becoming my subordinates?」
「What did you say?」
Yeah. Even if they do, the goblins won’t be enough to sway the course of battle.
We need to increase our fighting strength for when the orcs arive.
「If you guys support me, I think I can fulfill your wishes?」
「Simple. I’ll help you guys. Well, I’ll be fighting them anyways eventually.」
「Exactly. By the way, it’s fine if the agreement lasts until we defeat the orcs! Afterwards, I don’t mind if you request your freedom.
You can stay with the goblins and create a country! Or, you can set off on your own! How about it?」
The ogre called “young master” stopped to think upon hearing my offer.
He slowly closed his eyes, and then opened them wide. And,
「Understood! We shall become your subordinates!」
To raise their chances of victory if even a bit, they decided to serve me.
Perhaps I can save these guys too.
I hadn’t known at the time, but the ogres often served as mercenaries.
They easily accepted my offer.
When I had heard it then, I accepted them as friends without question.
「Alright! Now then, let’s name you guys!」
「Huh? What are…?」
The usual naming.
I’ll quickly give them some names!
I looked at the color of their aura.
Princess will be “Shuna”.
So I called them.
Hey, for that to happen from just six of them… what’s with that?
When I awoke (well, I was awake, but…) the following day, I got my answer.
Although he used to be big and bulky, his height decreased to 180 cm, and his body tightened.
Eh? They evolved that much?
Clearly, they surpassed A rank. Truly, Onibito. (TL note: Ogre-men sounds weird)
Though I bet he’d find it unpleasant if I called him a beauty.
Shuna and Shion are women. If the princess were a guy, I’d be complaining.
What’s with this? Where did these idols come from?
From within her long, wavy, pink hair, two white horns could be seen. White skin and pink lips.
Crimson eyes, with a gaze filled with passion, stare at me.
Purple, dark, straight hair, with a single purple horn. White skin, and red lips.
Licking her lips as models sometimes do, a true beauty.
So I thought from the bottom of my heart.
Hakurou is a middle-aged man. However, you can’t underestimate him for it.
Darker skin, and dark blue hair. A beautiful man with a different air around him; 190 cm tall.
And all surpass A rank!
That’s why I had to use that much magical energy!
And they probably already had names.
And, as if ridiculing my worries,
「「「Rimuru-sama! We humbly wish for You to listen to our request! If You are so kindly disposed, please accept our loyalty!!!」」」
And, they simultaneously bowed before me!
A reason to refuse…? I have none.
Thus, I obtained new comrades!
… the fact that I slightly feared their strength, we’ll keep a secret!