A Country’s Name and Two Treaties
The city has gotten rather pretty.
But that aside,
The first three we made in Japanese style. I also built window screens using spider thread.
Though that’s how the Japanese did it, its unbearable to maintain. It rots, you know.
They’ve never failed at their task, so perhaps they could do something about the toilet problem.
So using it, I could easily transmit an image to them.
Even then however, when I showed them flush toilet system saying, “When you push the lever water flows down!”, reproducing it was impossible.
Also, since they need to be frequently replaced, they are rarely used even for military objectives.
Since we don’t have the needed capital, we would do with what we have.
So for now, we supplied water to tubs in every household from which one can then draw water.
So Kaijin lived up to his reputation yet again.
I don’t know whether monsters can develop dental problems, but there’s no harm in making sure they don’t.
That way, they can avoid staying dirty during long trips.
Now, about the insect repellent.
While that’s not a problem for me, the Hobgoblins do get sick.
I asked the dwarfs to create it, but they couldn’t do it.
I asked the three idiots to go get it, but this is what they said,
「Don’t ask the impossible! It’s super expensive!」
You’d find that quantity only in the Royal Capital!」
「Rimuru-danna, can you imagine how hard it would be to transport?」
Is what they said.
Moreover, they are getting too friendly with Shuna.
And we even built them a house to stay in during their visits.
The monsters’ birth rate dropped to to that of humans.
I want Orc, Goblins, and Lizardmen to have the right to choose whomever they love.
But there is a problem: should I allow polygamy?
All their magical energy gets absorbed in the process, and some have not been able to recover it.
As Benimaru said,
「But that isn’t something Rimuru-sama should be concerned about, right?
Many people have lost all their magical energy after naming monsters, and even Demon Lords generally avoid it, after all.」
Way to drop the bomb.
Thank goodness it has been replenishing till now.
Anyways, it seems there are also two types of children produced by oni.
The former is made by combining some of one’s magical power, and while they do inherit some abilities, they tend to be weaker. The latter you pour all your strength into.
But your life span shortens as a result.
「I’m fine alone! I’m not interested!」
It’s personal.
They can reject a seed they believe too weak. So if they were forced, that would mean that the partner was stronger; but if deception was involved, then they wouldn’t bear a child.
And this is common among high ranking monsters and devils, it seems.
So far, we’ve had about 5~10 children born, and not more than 2 at a time.
And that’s the rule I passed. I’ll change it when needed.
Singles would continue living in tenement housing.
That much doesn’t bother me personally.
In the end, I won’t be able to make sure everyone’s satisfied, but there is a custom to accept my wishes in this city.
Well, the Elder Bunch also handles many of these, so my involvement can be said to be limited… to some degree.
I was surprised at how cooperative the monsters really are.
A Land ruled by a truly just King. Where everyone is equal.
I decided to aim for that dream.
That’s what I thought while observing the Confession Festival.
Now that we’ve stabilized the life here and passed all (seemingly) necessary rules, I want to go and see how humans live.
Normally, those who have reincarnated into a different world make a big deal about meeting humans; I, however, have met very few so far.
Nor have I forgotten my original objective of meeting fellow World Travelers.
I do want to meet the two of them, but Sakaguchi Hinata sounds like bad news.
As her senpai, as a fellow Japanese, shouldn’t she have seen her off? I must meet Hinata and confirm.
When I meet her, I should confirm what I know.
That letter simply expresses my desire to meet him.
Hopefully I can get some benefits from meeting him.
Since things have calmed down around here, I can probably leave for a bit.
However, to do that there is something I lack.
The three idiots were pretty poor, and didn’t have much money on them. Not that I expected better of them.
I initially planned to sell some “Demon Steel”, but decided against it.
Since we use it in our weapons and armor, selling it would be almost sacrilegious.
And while I do have a lot of it, it’s not like it’s an infinite amount. So let’s hold off selling it until we can replenish our stock.
So Kurobee and Kaijin are using it as a base to create weapons.
They manufacture it from crystallized magic stones they extract from monsters.
Monsters sometimes drop crystallized magic stones; those are then collected at each individual branch and sent to the headquarters.
A pretty good system, if you ask me.
So I ran into the money wall again.
Thus, how should I earn some money?
The same with selling–our fields don’t produce nearly enough, and we probably couldn’t sell them at a high enough price.
So, do we have nothing to sell?
Right! Hipokte grass!
So I called Gabil over,
「Gabil-kun, how is cultivation going?」
「Fufufu. I’m glad you asked! It’s going well! Literally the fruits of our labour!」
He said, showing me their produce.
Silently, I aimed 『Black Lightning』at him.
Well, he won’t die from it. I’ve gotten good at adjusting the output.
「Guoo! What are you doing! Have I angered you somehow?!」
「Wh-what! I beg your pardon! I’ve been hurrying so I seem to have mixed things up!」
Watch what you are doing! Besides, it should be nearly impossible to grow weed in a cave with such high magic density!」
In reality, even this exchange was planned.
Rather, teaching Gabil to distinguish between different types of grass is what was giving me trouble.
The monsters inhabiting it also flee at the sight of him.
It’s actually really impressive. Not that I will say that to them, or offer any praise.
I understand because I am the same. They have been grown a lot of hipokte grass up until now.
I then called Kaijin over and showed him the hipokte grass.
I’ve always been able to produce quality medicine with it.
Then, I started the conversation.
「Kaijin. If I sold this in a city, how much would I make?」
Kajin thought for a bit, and then replied,
「Hmmm. Danna, that’s a tough one. This medicine is too good.
It’s effects are too good. It’s impossibly good!」
And then I learned a few things from him.
That normally, the limit is 98%, and even Dwarf masters have not been able to surpass it.
And so on.
「So, if you tried selling this in a city…」
「You’d stand out too much!」
An answer came from the sky.
But my 『Magic Perception』didn’t sense anyone!
「It’s been a while, Kajin! And, Slime. Does thou… do you remember me?」
While saying this, a person appeared from the sky saddled on a winged horse.
How could I forget… it’s the dwarf King! Hero King Gazelle Dwargo himself.
「M-my lord! Why, eh, why would you be here?
Eeeeh!!! Did You sneak out of the castle?!」
Kaijin’s opened his eyes so wide they seemed like they’d fall out.
Actually, haven’t I seen the other one somewhere…
Huh! Isn’t that Bester! The dwarf that tried to ensnare us… why would he be here?
「Fun! I slipped past a hundred guards of my own! They’ve been slacking. When I return I’ll retrain them!」
「Hmm? Kaijin, did you say something?」
「Is that so? Okay, then!」
Speaking of things outside of my knowledge, the two continue their conversation.
How the hell did the king slip out?!
We decided to continue the conversation at a different place.
So we borrowed one of the conference rooms.
「So, King, what’s all this about?
「Oh! That’s simple!
So I decided to come and see you instead.
But we can’t have him lead a carefree life, now can we! So I brought him over.」
「”So I brought him over”! Did you really just say that?!
Are you planing to have Bester work here?」
「That’s not the problem! Aren’t you worried that his knowledge will be leaked to us?」
Kaijin said with a deadly serious face.
In contrast to him, the King casually ignores his questions. The previous dignity is nowhere to be seen; this is probably his actual appearance, huh?
As for Bester, he looks completely lost.
「Leak… huh. When you guys left, isn’t that exactly what you were doing!
I’ve considered erasing you, you know?」
Suddenly the King turned serious
「King, that…」
I brought Bester over because I would like him to work here!」
Those words lit a flame in Bester’s eyes.
「K-King!」
I won’t permit you to serve me, but you can work to your heart’s content here.
「King! Wouldn’t that mean that they would be learning all the dwarf skills for free?」
Kaijin had just gotten over that, though…
「Fun. “Is it fine” is all you guys say.
Don’t you understand?
Get it?
Also, before that. As an under the table deal, we want to form Mutual Technology Research Treaty.
How about it? Will you accept these two treaties?」
He said with a serious face looking me straight in the eye.
They are essentially recognizing as an official state.
「So does that mean you are recognizing us a country with sovereign rights?」
To my question,
「Of course. It’s an good offer, isn’t it?
Also, just out of curiosity, what is the name of this Country?」
Eh? A Name?
Kaijin and I exchanged glances,
「Undecided as of yet…」
「Now that you mention it…」
I had thought that about it once, though.
The Dwarf King had decided to stay the night with us.
However, journeying by night is dangerous, so he decided to return the following day.
And thus we decided, we shall be known as the Monsters’ City “Tempest”.
It’s not like it’s only my name, and it sounds alright.
We have an abundance of food, and some pretty good cooks.
That’s mainly because Shuna is just such an amazing cook.
For entertainment, we had a mock battle with the King.
But a mock battle is no good. Is what I thought. But he wouldn’t listen.
But I have no choice, I’ll play along.
Since eating the Orc Disaster, my human form grew a bit.
Taking wooden swords in hand, we face each other.
Hakurou observed the match, and called for it to start.
「Begin!」
That very moment, the King disappeared. Escaping my perception completely.
The match was decided. I completely lost.
So this is the Dwarf King… the power of the hero king!
「Listen, Rimuru. From the very beginning you didn’t notice me approaching from the sky, did you?
I anticipated what perception method you would use, and slipped past it.
These are the basics of war! Concentrate harder. If you depend only on your abilities, you won’t improve!」
So that’s why he did this…
Satisfied, I thanked him.
「Thank you, Gazelle. Next time we meet, it won’t be this easy!」
「Fun. So you say, youngster!」
After our match ended, the monsters’ cheers filled the city.
Benimaru, Souei, and Shion also seemed like they wanted to say something–their faces were serious.
I still have a long way to go. I finally learned that.
The banquet continued long into the night…
And the next day, the Dwarf King Gazelle Dwargo and I officially signed the two treaties.
History will know today as the day when the Monsters’ City “Tempest” was officially created.