War Preparations
After sending out Souei, I had everyone else prepare for war.
The construction of the city is proceeding smoothly, but we have not prepared any fortifications.
So what are we to do? In response to that thought,
「The decisive battle will occur at the marshes If we win, great. If we lose, we’ll retreat back here as fast as circumstances allow.
While holding the fort, we will request help from the humans.
Regarding our attack,
Shion, you indiscriminately slaughter at your discretion.
I will create a network with [Telepathic Communication] for you all to join and issue orders as needed.
A withdraw order will be given by your commander–me.
Riguru will stay with the remaining goblins and see to the defense of the city.
Dismissed!」
I thus conveyed the plan.
I had thought that there would be some complaints about requesting help from the humans, but seems like I was mistaken.
As for the guild request, if I sell the demonic steel, we should have enough gold. And besides, the orcs are as much a threat to the humans.
And besides, we’re already trying to figure out just how dangerous this Orc Lord is.
I had ordered Kaijin to quickly produce 100 armors.
Before Souei returns with their response, we need to finish these preparations. If they reject our alliance, we will move as soon as we ascertain Gabil’s motives.
Having thus decided, we concluded the conference.
After dismissing the group, almost all immediately left.
Do they want something? I looked inquisitively at Benimaru,
「Rimuru-sama, do you perhaps worry too much?
「As he said. Rimuru-sama is our lord. Commanding the battle can be left to us, if you so wish.」
So they said.
But, of course, I didn’t say that.
We shouldn’t count that time before they had evolved.
「Well, that should be fine. I just plan to observe the battle from above, and leave the orders to Benimaru.」
「I see, so it was like that!」
They agreed with my words.
Thus, as I observe from above, I intend to devote myself fully to relay orders.
「That aside, you guys, get yourselves ready. Unless you are planning on fighting a war in the nude?」
Nodding at my words, the three oni.
And thus, we headed towards the production building.
Dedicated to the Department of Production,
Still, the building is the largest in its kind, and looks pretty impressive.
Well actually, only the dwarf Garm and Doldo are making things with ten apprentice goblins assist them.
We proceed further in.
Only Shuna can enter that room–the rest are forbidden. She is far too skilled and teaching others will take too long.
Gradually, they should move on to finer work with silk.
We proceeded towards Shuna’s room, and, after I announced ourselves, entered.
I don’t know when it happened, but I suddenly found myself wrapped in a beautiful kimono.
Standing up from a chair,
「I had been waiting.
However, I had finished preparing Rimuru-sama’s dress. And Onii-sama and the rest’s by the way.」
「Ho ho ho. That’s only to be expected.」
「Well, considering Shuna-sama’s marvelous skill. I would presume mine to have been made as well?」
The three thus responded.
「Here they are!」
With those words, she brought out more dresses.
Having received mine, I was guided to a room to change.
Changing into my child form that wore the black fur coat.
A glossy linen. First class silk that feels wonderful to the touch.
This one also became a magic item, huh.
Just to try, I change into an adult and, as expected, the clothing grows appropriately.
Wearing the coat over it, I finished with the clothing.
It is a beautiful mask.
My body radiates a small amount of magical energy as aura.
Thus, I plan to use this mask to hide it.
I equipped the mask. Strange, but it makes me feel calm.
I could create lungs if I wanted to, but since I don’t see a need to, I haven’t made them.
And it doesn’t feel strange.
Returning to my child form, I had so decided.
Wearing the clothing, I exit the fitting room.
This clothing. Absorbing the aura of its wearer, it can change its appearance.
Benimaru’s blood red.
Shion’s, of course, turned purple. It’d be strange if it turned orange or something.
Magic items completely specialized for our use.
Makes changing clothing seem kind of pointless. In the first place, had you bought this, you just might wear it for the rest of your life.
A very high quality product.
After saying thanks and taking Souei’s clothing with us, we took our leave.
The next place we stopped by was Kurobee’s smithy.
That he’s fine in there, I know… he’s probably the type that gets engrossed in what he loves.
Kaijin had mentioned it before the conference.
Kaijin had provided him with a set of tools he took from the kingdom.
The demon steel I held I also deposited there. As a material it’s also there, but I just help but think of iron ore as unreliable.
Because of ongoing construction, there have been too few hands around here.
This is the only place with a high temperature furnace. Made with packed, backed clay, a furnace we had built.
I have a ton of plans, but not enough hands.
Showing his whole face…
「I have been waiting! By all means, come and behold!」
He greeted us with a face that wanted to boast of his products.
Two hours had passed.
It’s fine already! We get it, we get it! It’s amazing!
Seeing Kurobee’s happy face stopped me. What can I… I began thinking thus.
(Rimuru-sama, would now be a good time?)
Telepathically, I was asked. By Souei.
After leaving looking so cool only to come back saying, “My bad, I have no clue where to go, where is it?” Even the benevolent me would get mad at that…
With a voice free of worry,
(I had met with the Lizardmen’s head. He accepted our offer.
However, he wishes for us to journey there…)
What did he say! To have arrived already. Isn’t it too fast?
Not even half a day has passed since the conference ended.
(That’s no problem. If anything, I was planning on settling it there anyways. And besides, you already arrived?)
That aside, when shall we hold the strategy meeting?)
That aside, huh? Isn’t it a damn amazing skill! That Shadow Step.
That was a surprise… oh well.
(Yeah… preparations will take some time, and we’ll also need to account the time it takes for the wolf riders to travel there, set it five days from now.)
(After the negotiations end, come back. If you have to–as a clone)
(As you will!)
He handled the negotiations well. What a useful guy.
If marching by foot, it would take two weeks; the wolves could over it in three days.
But we shouldn’t arrive before him.
After thinking about these things, I tuned in to the never ending explanation.
「I apologize for my belated appearance.」
Souei appeared from the shadows.
Giving him his clothing, I asked him to change.
Ohon! He cleared his throat, and brought out a number of swords.
He showed us six swords.
An elegant tachi.
A massive, odachi.
Pleased with his creations, he lined them up.
And thus said,
「For Rimuru-sama, I offer this straight sword. This is but a base, it is not yet complete. We wish to create a weapon from demonic steel as Rimuru-sama has suggested. That is our goal, but Kaijin and I are busy researching towards that end. Therefore, please wait some more! Until then, please keep the sword inside of you. 」
With those words, he handed me the sword.
Something to look forward to.
「Got it!」
With a nod, I deposit the sword into my stomach. To let it mix with my magic in there.
Kurobee nods once, and hands me another sword.
「This is a prototype among prototypes. Please honor us by using it as a replacement.」
I’ll happily put it to use.
Really wanted to have a sword. Thus, I hang it on my hip.
And each one of us receives a sword.
Shion the odachi.
How will she draw it? It’s a freaking huge katana,
「Please fret not. The scabbard is made from magical energy, it will disappear when you wish.」
Is what he said.
The dwarfs also have some bizarre strength, but can barely lift it with both hands.
Souei came back after changing and took the two ninjato. A two sword style, huh…
After we had taken our weapons, Garm stopped by.
Seems like he was running out of iron so. Thus, he was unable to create full plate armor.
Much like the one they had given to the adventurer Cabal before.
To me, however, he gave Dark Leather Guards.
And thus, we finished preparing our equipment.
The following day.
With one week’s worth of provision, they wait for us.
Mobility is everything, if we fail, we must run.
Well, though I said 5 days, there should be no problem with coming early.
「The enemy is the Orc Lord! Now, advance!」
I simply declared.
The simpler the goal the better.
A shout capable of shattering the enemies’ hearts filled the forest.
Though there are many new members among them, the goblins that ride the storm wolves are the elite among them.
And having thus seen their spirit, my own worries were dispelled.
We shall win.
Enjoying this too much is probably bad. However, riding into battle while imagining defeat is also no good.
Riding towards the marshes, towards war… we thus set off.