The Great Jura Forest Coalition
The war ended.
Perhaps, if he had finished his evolution… I probably would not have a method to defeat him.
I’d much rather had fought him before he had evolved!
But more importantly!
Well, though I actually haven’t gotten the unique skill [Starving Ones], I did absorb its potential.
Analyzing the skill made me want to seal it away.
And while I was thinking these things,
「Mu? Somehow my power feels as if though it’s boiling…」
「Yeah…」
I heard such voices.
It’s the effect of [Gluttony].
Its effects are,
≪Solution. Changing into unique skill [Gluttony] has added the following effects…
Decay: The ability to decompose the target. Ability to add decomposition status effect.
There is now a chance of acquiring an ability after consuming only a part of a monster’s corpse (※ Random)
Supply: Whether a subordinate or not, you can now grant an ability unto a monster with whom you have a relationship. (※ Limited by the target’s inherent magical energy)
Food Chain: It is now possible to acquire skills from your subordinates (※ All of them)
These three have become your power.≫
Is what it said. The five original abilities of predator stayed the same, and these three were added.
So does this mean that I can now use Benimaru and Ranga’s skills that they’ve gotten from evolution?
≪Solution. It is possible.≫
Seriously?!
How terrifying this power had become!
Of course, proficiency I also need to raise on my own. Daily effort is important, after all.
As expected of Orc Disaster.
Particularly, through pure luck, I have gotten 〈Flight Magic〉!
Well, I’ll slowly practice with it, and along the way learn to fly at supersonic speeds.
For example, I had thought that I can’t mimic all monsters at a time… but I was wrong.
This too I will carefully research later.
The battlefield was filled with happiness, sadness, and despair.
I think it every time after a battle, but more troublesome than the war itself are the reparations afterwards.
The day after the Orc Disaster was exterminated.
In the center of the marshes, in a temporary tent, the representative of every race has gathered.
From our side came I, Benimaru, Shion, Hakurou, and Souei. Ranga is lurking within my shadow as always.
Since I had shown them my true form when I defeated Orc Disaster there is no need to conceal it now.
Gabil is imprisoned for treason. Even if they are parent and child, insubordination is bad.
The orcs sent the one remaining Orc General and ten clan chief representatives.
The reason for the previous chaos was, indubitably, the orcs.
And it is because they understand this fact, that their expressions are so dark.
Through cannibalism and the effects of the unique skill, they were able to advance while starving. Now that they have lost the skill’s effects they can’t possibly eat their brethren.
They are fully expecting to be demanded to take responsibility for the war, but they also know that they can’t possibly pay reparations.
Even considering that their numbers have decreased, there are still 150 thousand of them. There’s not enough food to feed them all.
If they did not have the [Starving Ones] skill, they would have all perished from hunger.
Though there are 150 thousand of them, that also includes women, children and the young. It was a mass exodus of the orc race.
The cause was a severe famine.
Many powerful demonic beasts and demons inhabit it, but thanks to the demon lords, it is safe.
Those who wanted to live on fertile lands had to provide a large amount of crop.
However. Those who could not pay the tax were immediately killed.
Aiming for the abundant resources, many monsters attack.
Thus that land inevitably becomes dangerous.
Though there was a need to control their number, the demon lords decided that the extras would die anyways.
Thus, losing the protection of the demon lords, they decided to flee those lands in search of a safe haven.
And thus wandering, they have made their way to Jura Forest’s outskirts.
Around that time, a devil named Gelmudo offered them a hand.
And thus, following his directions, they plunged Jura Forest into chaos.
The conference began with a heavy atmosphere.
I had originally asked the Lizardmen’s Guard Captain to do it, but he refused.
「That role is too much for one such as I!」
He said, and turned me down.
Hakurou had declared the conference open, but no one said anything.
How annoying. I seriously hate conferences.
Well, it can’t be helped.
「Before we begin the conference, I wish to share the information I have gathered. Listen!」
I exclaimed. At my words, everyone’s expressions hardened, and they fixated their gazes on me.
The cause for the Orc uprising, and their current situation.
There a few who shed tears listening to me. They were fully convinced that they’d all be executed without a chance to explain themselves.
And giving Hakurou the signal, I continued the conference.
「Ahem! Now then, the first let’s confirm the casualties!」
And thus the discussion started.
Listening to his report, the Orcs hid their faces and stayed silent.
「Now then, Head-dono, do you have any demands for the orcs?」
After discussing the losses, the discussion proceeded to discuss appropriate payment.
I couldn’t prevent the conversation from going this way.
「Nothing specific. This victory was not wrought by our strength. We were saved by Rimuru-dono!」
Abandoning the right to reparations, the Head thus replied.
Alright. Let’s let theorcs speak now, but when I had just looked at them
「Please pardon my interruption! Please allow me to compensate for this incident with my life! Of course, I understand that it is not enough, but I have no followers to add!」
Orc Generals calls out, falling prostate before me.
“I have become a B rank monster, and gained quite a lot of magical energy, so please forgive the rest with my death!” Is what he says.
Damn it, conferences are annoying.
Let’s just do this my way.
「Wait. Rimuru-sama has something to say!」
Hakurou intervened.
The rest, as well, quietly waited for me to speak. Just the atmosphere that I hate.
「Umm, so this is my first conference, so I’m not sure I can handle this well. Thus, I’ll just say what I think. After that, I want you all to discuss my words.」
Having said that I proceeded to discuss my thoughts.
Next, that I wanted to continue the alliance with the Lizardmen.
And finally, that I wanted the orcs to join that alliance.
「And those are my thoughts. I bet you have many things you want to say, but know this: I will not permit any punishment to befall the orcs. That is because I have thus promised to Orc Disaster. I will bear all their sins. If you got something to complain about, let me hear it!」
So I declared.
In contrast to them, the Head asked a question.
「We are completely satisfied with what you have said. However, we do have a question…」
「Now that the war has ended, why do we need an alliance?」
「About that, huh. To explain…」
And thus I explained that point further. My plan to create the Great Jura Forest Coalition.
Lacking in discipline, some would attack lizardmen and goblin villages.
And that’s why we’ll form a coalition.
The goblins… can’t expect much from them.
And the orcs excel at manual labor.
That place is also by a foot of a mountain with abundant resources.
If the particularly large clans split into individual districts, this’ll work… somehow.
After all, our village’s population is too small and many things are left undone.
That much I explained to them.
Unlike last time, this declaration left everybody greatly excited.
For some reason, Shion, who had been holding me, bent her back and haughtily laughed *Fufun!*. That, of course, I could not permit.
Ah, whatever, I permit it. I am a gracious lord!
「Y-y-you’d permit us… to join your coalition…?」
The orc general fearfully asked.
「You can work, right? I won’t let you slack off」
「O-of course! We’ll work as if our lives depended on it!!!」
The orcs trembled, tears falling from their eyes.
「We have no objections. Rather, we’d like to aid you!」
The Lizardmen’s Head also voiced his agreement. Seems like they’ve all accepted my plan.
However, a problem remains.
I’m sorry for bringing this up while you’re rejoicing, but…
「Quiet. Now that everyone has agreed, I want us to tackle the largest problem!
How do we prevent 150 thousand orcs from starving?
I want everyone to lend me their wisdom in this!」
The last great perplexity.
Even if we plant crops now, we won’t make it in time; if we fish for food, we’ll clean the lake dry.
The lizardmen have enough food to feed ten thousand for half a year.
So what can we do…
And then,
「Pardon the interruption during the conference! There is an emissary that desperately seeks your audience!」
A Lizardman had run in saying.
After I nodded to Hakurou,
「Show them in!」
Hakurou responded, sending the soldier away.
As if answering my question, a single “person” had entered the tent.
A beautiful girl with green hair. Like the people of Europe, her skin was white with well defined facial features.
A guardian spirit of the Treants. Among the monsters, she would rank among the top of A rank.
Well duh, you’d be surprised. As I heard later, it’s been many hundreds of years since a Dryad “Layato” has last been seen.
You would normally be happy if they had sent a messenger.
Dryad “Layato” looked around the room and focused her eyes on me.
「Please to meet you, everyone!
I had come today to exterminate the orc lord…
I was planning to leave a second ago, but decided to at least greet everyone.
And then I found that you are troubled over a certain problem. I ask that you listen to what I have to say!」
She said with a bright smile.
And immediately continued her speech.
「It seem you lack provisions, correct? I believe we could assist with that.
We ask that our beneficiaries, the Treants, are allowed to join your coalition!」
We have no reason to reject. Actually, we would gladly accept.
However,
「Umm, we are grateful for the offer, but why would you want to join the coalition?」
I asked on everyone’s behalf.
And when I did,
「The Treants are a race that hardly move.
Should they be attacked by a powerful opponent or face some natural disaster, they would be helpless.
If we were to join an alliance, we could receive help when needed, right?」
She responded with a pure smile.
Do you honestly believe strangers’ words? Since you haven’t met that many, you aren’t even doubting them, right?
Of course, I have no intention of betraying her.
However, a girl like her would find herself in danger due to her trust…
「Of course! When troubled, our lord Rimuru-sama would help somehow!」
With a Fufun! Shion selfishly replied.
I wanted to interject, but it was too late.
「Maa! So it was as I thought!
In that case, please take care of us from now on.」
She ended the conversation with a smile.
I guess I must concede here.
Thus, the Great Jura Forest Coalition was established.
Its members,
Rimuru’s Happy Bunch.
Lizardmen
Treants
And leading this coalition, (hopefully temporarily) is me.
This day, my name was for the first time etched into the history of this world.
Status
Name: Rimuru (Disaster) Tempest
Divine Protection: The Storm Crest
Magic: 〈Thought Battle Magic〉〈Flight Magic〉
Unique Skill 『Great Sage』Thought Acceleration, Analysis, Parallel Processing, Incantation Nullification, All of Creation
Chain
『Shapeshifter』Fusion, Separation
Extra Skills『Segmenting』『Black Flame』『Black Lightning』『Barrier』
Daily skills 『Magic Perception』『Heat detection』『Auditory Perception』
Battle Skills 『Noxious and Paralysis Breath』『Full Body Armor』
『Devil Transformation』『Flame Transformation』
Mimicking: Flame Giant, Black Wolf, Black Snake, Lizard, Giant Spider, Giant Bat, Centipede, Goblin, Orc
Resistances: Thermal Fluctuation Resistance EX, Physical Damage Resistance, Pain Resistance, Heat Attack Resistance, Paralysis Resistance, Corrosion Resistance, Electricity Resistance