Even the monsters in the cave would run away as soon as they saw me.
It must be due to the aura I emit.
Feeling good, I left the cave.
However...
"Wh-Who are you! Are you chasing us?"
"Master! We will hold them back! Please escape with the princess!"
"This wicked monster! Everyone, don't be deceived by its appearance!"
Shouting exaggerated things, they spread out in front of the cave entrance.
They were large monsters, over 2 meters tall, resembling worn-out warriors. They were Great Oni, muscular and bulky.
These guys are the Great Oni Clan, the rulers of the forest, right? The characteristics match what I heard from Rigld.
The ogre is wary of a wicked monster? What is it? It's scary!
Panicking, I jumped away from the spot.
Looking back, I don't see anything. No heat signature either.
So, it's visible to the ogres but not to me! That's dangerous...
I tried to use my new power, but there's always something stronger.
"Ugh, a wicked monster? What kind of creature are you? Sorry, but I can't see anything... Where are you now?"
I took a step back, keeping my guard up.
The ogres didn't answer my question.
Not only that, they even backed away from me.
What? Do they think I'm a threat?
Just as I thought that,
"What are you talking about? The wicked monster is you, slime! Don't be deceived by its appearance!"
One of the ogres shouted.
What did he say?
This cute slime, a wicked monster? There are other things to say, you know!
"Hey, hey! Wait a moment. You're saying I'm a wicked monster?"
"Are you trying to bluff? That aura! You thought you could deceive us, didn't you!"
Hmm? Now that I think about it, I was emitting an aura because it was fun to scare the cave monsters.
I stopped emitting the aura. Then,
"That doesn't come out! Maybe it's just your imagination?"
"??????"
I tried to brush it off, but it didn't work.
After a while, I managed to convince them it was a misunderstanding and succeeded in lowering the ogres' guard.
What a relief.
By the way, why are these guys here in the first place?
When I asked, they said they had fled.
Looking closely, many of them were injured, some with serious wounds.
If they were ordinary monsters, they would have died.
Ogres, being a higher species, have strong vitality. So, they were barely alive.
I took out healing potions and treated the injured.
Indeed, ogres have strong vitality. Even a small amount of diluted potion made the wounds disappear cleanly.
The ogres were surprised and thanked me.
Though their injuries were healed, they looked tired and exhausted. I let them rest in the village.
Most importantly, I needed to hear about the force that could defeat ogres.
Even one of them is a B-rank monster. I heard that if they become skilled warriors, they can reach "B+" or "A-".
Rulers of the forest. I heard they are the top of the food chain in this forest...
Anyway, I'll guide them to the village.
I summoned Ranga to move them.
Ranga appeared from my shadow. Finally, I can summon Ranga.
Gobta said he could, but I couldn't, which I couldn't accept. I had been practicing with shadows.
Fortunately, it came in handy quickly.
There were six ogres.
I transformed into a black wolf and carried three of them. Ranga also carried three and headed for the village.
It would take a day on foot, but we arrived in about an hour.
Indeed, the ogres. Unlike dwarves, they didn't faint and were impressed by the speed.
Thus, I guided the ogres to the village and called them to my personal tent.
A log cabin was built where the tent used to be.
I designed it with wooden boards and gave it to them.
While I was away researching skills, they built it quickly.
I thanked the goblins and dwarves and went inside.
It was built according to the design. Amazing.
I can draw blueprints, so I wrote detailed measurements and scales with graphite on wooden boards and gave them to Mild.
Mild looked at the blueprint and agreed, "It's easy to understand!"
My method of writing seems to be efficient and easy to understand.
We had discussed it beforehand, but the interior was as ordered.
I guided the ogres to the living room.
I asked them to wait a moment and went outside.
I went to Garum to get the clothes he made.
I quickly transformed into a child and tried them on.
Underwear made from steel threads and a coat made from Arang's fur.
It was the original boss's fur I had in stock. For some reason, it had turned black.
I put on the pants and top. The fit was amazing.
The fur seemed to contain a large amount of mana.
"Master, this has considerable defensive power. It's not comparable to ordinary fur!"
Garum, who made it, guaranteed it.
It's not armor, but regular clothes. Whatever. It's better to have it than not.
Even more happily,
"Ah, and this clothing is a kind of magical tool. It fits the wearer's size perfectly!"
That is, it won't tear even if I transform into an adult!
Garum, you did a good job.
This fur probably strengthened by continuously absorbing my mana. If I have good materials, I might put them in the storage and let them mature.
I made a mental note.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
At the perfect timing, I asked Haruna to prepare seven cups of tea and returned to the ogres.
The ogres were waiting patiently, looking around the room curiously.
Even though it was a brand new, undecorated place.
Haruna brought the tea and left the room.
It was time to experiment with human taste.
I took a sip. It was delicious.
Though I only had passion for taste, it was a flavor that could move me in this world.
It was bitter, like matcha, but I could feel the heat. It was a heat effect, but I could feel the warmth.
I found it a bit amusing.
The ogres also seemed to enjoy the tea.
After they calmed down, I decided to listen to their story.
I interrupted the story and called Rigld. I also called one of the four former chiefs who had time.
Kaijin was resting at the perfect time, so he came. Perfect.
Rigld and Ririna came immediately.
The others were busy, so including me, five of us decided to listen to the story.
Why did I call them?
Because I judged that the story was quite important.
To summarize the ogres' story, a war broke out, and the ogres were defeated.
That's the whole story.
It turns out that while I was fighting the Flame Giant in this village, the ogres were caught up in a war.
Who could challenge the rulers of the forest, the ogres? Moreover, who could win?
The goblin chiefs were shocked.
Their expressions hardened.
The opponent?
"They suddenly attacked our village with overwhelming force! They were... Orcs!"
Monsters don't declare war like humans do.
So, we can't blame them for the ambush. It's abnormal for orcs to challenge ogres.
Orcs are C to D rank. They are stronger than goblins but not a match for veteran adventurers.
However, the weak challenging the strong and winning...
I listened to the details.
The ogre village was slightly larger than a small village, with about 300 people.
300 B-rank monsters.
That's equivalent to a country's knight force. It's the power of over 3,000 knights trained to B- rank.
The orcs? Impossible.
The village was wiped out.
The chief-led warrior group held off the orcs, allowing the young master and princess to escape.
One of the ogres, looking angry,
"If I had more power...!!!"
sighed.
He must be the young master.
The last scene he saw was the chief being killed by an orc.
A giant orc suddenly released a strange aura.
There were at least three individuals on par with that orc.
While the village's elite warriors were distracted by those four, the orc army, like an avalanche, began to ravage the village...
The number, 10,000. It seems they felt it was that many, but...
Even so, it's an enormous number.
Each one was wearing full plate armor like a human.
If that's true, it's not a story possible only with orcs.
It's likely that they allied with a human country somewhere.
"Or, they might belong to one of the Demon King's forces."
Kaijin muttered.
Is that possible...
I thought the Demon King didn't interfere with the forest.
Beyond the forest lies the Demon Continent.
It's a fertile land where large-scale production of war slaves and magic golems takes place.
So, the Demon Kingdom has no hunger, and the Demon Kings have no interest in humans.
However, if there's a Demon King who starts a war out of boredom or interest, it's not strange.
The disappearance of "Veldora the Storm Dragon," the guardian of the Jura Great Forest, also means a reduction in the deterrent power against such a Demon King.
Indeed.
Thinking about it, I need to consider the defense of this forest more seriously.
What should I do...
I asked everyone for their opinions.
"The orcs are after the dominion of this forest!"
Rigld, who received a signal from me, answered as a representative.
He was looking at me.
Fight or flee, or retreat into the mountains.
The ogres might come this way depending on my attitude.
The tension was rapidly rising.
"Well, how about another cup of tea!"
I said and got another cup of tea.
Everyone took a sip and relaxed.
Okay, ah.
"So, what are you going to do from now on?"
I asked the ogres.
"Obviously. We'll fight again when we get the chance!"
"That's right. We must avenge the lord!"
"Me too! I'm still weak, but I can't let the pigs live!"
"We will follow the young master and princess!"
Hmm. They know they might die...
"Do you want to become my subordinates?"
"What do you mean?"
Hmm. The goblins' power alone is insufficient.
If orcs invade, it's better to have more power.
"If you swear to cooperate with me, I think your wish will come true."
"What do you mean?"
"It's simple. I'm saying I'll cooperate with you. Since we're going to fight anyway, it's a bonus."
"Indeed... The goblins will cooperate with us, and we will also be used as defenders here...?"
"That's right. As a subordinate, it's only until the orcs are dealt with! After that, you can be free.
Cooperating with the goblins to build a country is okay! Traveling is okay! What do you think?"
The "young master" ogre, who was called that, thought for a while.
Indeed, B-rank. This "young master" seems to have B+ rank skills. I can see the light of intelligence in his eyes.
He closed his eyes once, then opened them. And,
"I accept! We will become your subordinates!"
To gain a slight advantage, he chose to become my subordinate.
Lucky.
It's also helpful for me.
At that time, I didn't know, but it seems many ogres work as mercenaries.
Some lead the vanguard in wars started by Demon Kings and are active in different eras. These guys might be from such a clan.
They didn't feel averse to becoming subordinates.
Hearing that, I simply accepted them as comrades.
"Great! Then, I'll give you names!"
"Huh? What exactly...?"
The usual name-giving.
The ogres looked flustered, but it's fine.
I named them neatly!
This time, I tried to express the ogres' atmosphere and color.
The young master is "Benimaru (η΄ δΈΈ)."
The princess is "Shuna (ζ±θ)."
For the retainers, I named them "Kurobei (ι»ε ΅θ‘)," "Hakuro (η½θ)," "Souei (θΌε½±)," and "Shion (η΄«θ)."
They became the usual subordinate state...
More importantly, being drained of mana by just six of them, what is this...?
The next day, when I woke up (I was already awake...), the answer became clear.
Benimaru, a handsome man with hair like burning crimson flames.
He was tall, 180 cm, with a well-built body.
But the amount of mana (energy) hidden inside was completely different from yesterday.
Eh? Evolving this much?
That was my true form.
Clearly, A-rank and above. Truly a demon man.
Two black horns protrude from his crimson hair, with a light more beautiful than obsidian.
His perfect beauty is just annoying.
Next.
Shuna and Shion are female. If the princess had been male, I would have had a complaint.
Ogre females are surprisingly beautiful, but they became even more stunning after evolving.
What is this? An idol from somewhere?
No, no, it's not that level!
Pale pink wavy long hair, two white horns, white skin, and pink lips. What a cute girl!!! She's about 155 cm tall.
Her crimson eyes glistened with moisture as she looked at me.
And Shion.
Purple-black straight long hair, one purple horn. White skin with crimson lips.
Her purple eyes looked straight at me. She's about 170 cm tall...
She was a slender beauty like a model.
I wanted her to be my secretary.
I thought to myself.
Kurobei is middle-aged, a sturdy uncle.
Hakuro is an elderly old man. But his movements are not to be underestimated.
Souei is the same age as Benimaru.
With a pale black skin, dark blue hair, and a different atmosphere, he is a handsome man, about 190 cm tall.
His blue eyes suit him well.
All A-rank and above!
I'll say it again. All of them, A-rank and above!!!
They're worth taking all the mana at once!
I heard they were the strongest in their clan who managed to escape...
Even if I had heard it just now, I would have given them names.
If I'm betrayed, it's not a joke!
Mocking my worry,
"Lord Rimuru! We have a request! Please accept our loyalty!!!"
They all knelt in front of me!
There's no reason to refuse.
Thus, I gained new comrades!
... A bit too powerful, so it's a bit scary, but that's a secret!