After sending Soue off, I ordered the remaining members to prepare for battle.
However, we can't all go out. We haven't yet determined the enemy's capabilities, so I want to prioritize mobility.
The village construction is progressing smoothly, but the defensive facilities are not yet complete.
Therefore, if this place is attacked, it would be better to consider relocating. I made this judgment.
Then, what should we do? Thinking about this,
"The battle will take place in the swamp. It would be best to win there. If we lose, depending on the situation, we will quickly retreat and fall back to this place.
In such a case, since there is no prospect of winning a battle here, we will hide in the Sealing Cave and lay siege.
We will request human support during the siege.
If we request through the guild, it should be possible somehow, so everyone should be prepared to move at any time."
Regarding the members going out,
I will appoint Benimaru as the leader, and 100 Goblin Riders will attack.
Shion will act as a guerrilla.
Hakuro, please participate as a deputy.
I will link everyone through my 'Thought Transmission' and give instructions at any time.
Judgments about retreats and such will be made by me, the commander-in-chief.
Rigel, please command the remaining Goblin troops and strengthen the security around the village.
That's all!"
I announced the decided plan.
Everyone nodded, and no objections were raised.
I thought there might be objections or comments about requesting help from the guild, but it seems they had thought deeply about it.
Previously, they had interacted with adventurers and might not have any aversion to them.
If we sell the 'Mystic Steel' to the guild, we can get some money. More importantly, this situation is a threat to humans as well.
If we can negotiate well, we should be able to get their cooperation. I think it will be fine not to worry about it.
More importantly, we need to investigate how dangerous the Orc Lord is.
In any case, we need to prioritize equipping the Goblins with weapons and armor.
I ordered Kajin to prepare 100 sets of armor as quickly as possible.
Benimaru, Hakuro, and Shion will also need weapons.
Let's prepare before Soue returns with the Lizardman's response. If an alliance is not formed, we will determine the timing of the retreat based on how Gabil moves.
If we can't form a united front, it would be best to wait for the Lizardmen to strike the enemy first.
After concluding this meeting, we dispersed.
Everyone left the room, leaving only the three Oni and myself.
Is there anything left to confirm? Thinking this, I looked at Benimaru,
"Rimuru-sama, aren't you worrying too much?
I think we can manage with just Benimaru and Hakuro going out, even if you don't go."
"That's right. Rimuru-sama is our master. It would be better to leave the battlefield to us."
They said this.
No, that's not possible. After all, you were once defeated by the Orcs!
I thought this but didn't say it out loud.
I feel that the evolution battle is a no-count.
"Well, it should be fine. I plan to observe the battle from above and will entrust the command to Benimaru."
"Indeed, if that's the case!"
It seems they understood.
To begin with, I have no experience with military command. I was absorbed in simulation games, but I have no experience with actual combat.
For that reason, I plan to observe from above and give instructions.
"By the way, you should also prepare. You're not going to fight without any clothes, right?"
The three of them agreed.
So, we headed to the building where the production room is located.
This building can be called the base of the production department.
It's a wooden building about the size of a gymnasium. We plan to reinforce the walls with mortar (a mixture of cement and sand), but that hasn't been done yet.
Still, it's the largest building we have, so it feels quite impressive.
When we entered, a few people were working busily. They must be preparing the 100 sets of armor I ordered.
However, the actual work is done by the two dwarves, Garum and Dold, and 10 Goblin apprentices.
The others are probably involved in gathering wood or transporting finished products.
We entered.
Recently, we also prepared a room dedicated to textile production.
This room is exclusively for Shuna, and no one else can enter. The technology is too advanced, and it takes time to learn.
Goblinna wanted to learn how to use a loom, but for now, she is working under Garum to produce hemp clothing.
Gradually, the more skilled ones will be assigned to handle the finer materials.
Before the armor, we need clothing.
We arrived at Shuna's room and asked to enter.
Shuna greeted us with a smile.
At some point, she had woven a beautiful kimono for herself, which is not pure white but a light red, giving it a cute feel.
She stood up from her chair,
"I have been waiting.
I wanted to participate in the meeting, but I could only help with the food, so I am really sorry.
However, I have prepared clothes for Rimuru-sama. I made clothes for the others as well."
"Made clothes for the others...?"
"Hohoho, it couldn't be helped."
"Well, Shuna's weaving is excellent. Do you have clothes for me too?"
While listening to their responses,
"Here they are!"
She said, handing over the clothes.
A pure white kimono.
After we took them, she guided us to a room to change.
I went in first to change.
Pretending to be in a child form, I put on the black fur equipment.
After taking off the equipment, I put on the clothes Shuna gave me.
Smooth texture. Even better than the finest silk.
I was wearing the pants I received earlier. When I put on the clothes, they fit perfectly to my body.
This must be a type of magical equipment.
It blends with my body as if it were a part of me.
I tried changing to an adult form, but the size of the clothes adjusted automatically.
It seems to be perfectly made.
After putting on the black fur equipment over the clothes, it was complete.
Feeling good, I took something out of my pocket.
It was a beautiful mask.
The legacy of Shizu, the "Anti-Demon Mask."
Sometimes, I unconsciously release a faint aura from my body.
If I am aware, I can stop it, but sometimes I release it unconsciously.
So, I plan to use this mask to block it.
It was broken once, but Dold repaired it.
I put on the mask. Strangely, I felt more composed.
Since I don't need to breathe, I don't need to breathe even in human form.
I could create lungs if I wanted to, but since I don't need to breathe, there's no need to create them.
With the mask on, I can pretend not to breathe.
There was no discomfort when I put it on.
Good. From today, I will go out in this form.
Thinking this, I returned to my child form.
After equipping the gear, I went outside.
Shuna, who was praising me, and the Oni who were putting on their clothes one by one.
These clothes have the property of absorbing and assimilating the wearer's aura.
My clothes turned black and became like pitch.
Benimaru's were crimson.
Hakuro's were pure white.
Shion's, of course, were purple. If they were orange, I wouldn't know how to explain.
Even if they were torn, they seemed to self-repair when infused with mana.
They are truly my custom-made magical equipment.
I was surprised to hear that they can change shape to some extent.
There was no need to change clothes. If I were to buy these, I might not be able to put a price on them.
I don't know what kind of performance the magical equipment in human towns has, but if it were made by an A-rank ability user, it would be quite expensive.
If this is the case, I can expect a lot from the equipment Kurobe, who has specialized in abilities, has trained to make.
We thanked him, received Soue's clothes, and left.
The next place we visited was Kurobe's small forge.
Recently, he has been so absorbed in production that I haven't seen him.
I know he is healthy, but he is the type who gets so absorbed in what he likes that he doesn't notice his surroundings.
It seems he has been working hard, even sparing sleep, for the past few days.
Kajin told me this before the meeting.
We arrived at the door of the small room and opened it.
A set of tools brought from Kajin's workshop was set up.
Next to the small room, a storage shed was built to store the materials brought in.
I gave him some of the "Mystic Steel" I had. While the materials are somewhat prepared, we are short of iron ore.
We plan to investigate the surrounding mountains to see if we can mine high-quality iron ore.
The current situation is that there are not enough hands for the construction, but we will address that.
Inside the small room, the sound of metal being forged echoed, and heat was emanating.
The only place with a high-temperature furnace is here. We made the furnace by hardening clay and firing it at high temperatures.
I made it with 'Flame Manipulation,' but it turned out surprisingly well. We plan to investigate the use of the furnace and gradually increase the number of furnaces.
There are many plans, but the work is not progressing much.
In any case, Kurobe noticed our arrival and greeted us with a full smile.
"I have been waiting! I want you to see this!"
He had a strong desire to show off what he had made.
Two hours passed.
We were listening to his explanation with glazed eyes.
That's enough. I get it, I get it. It's amazing!
Several times, I almost spoke but held back.
I couldn't say anything, seeing Kurobe's happy face. What should I do... I started to think.
(Rimuru-sama, are you okay now?)
Soue contacted me through thought transmission.
I sent him to form an alliance, but did something happen? Did he not know the location?
If he said something like, "I'm sorry, I don't know the location, where is it?" I would be angry even if I am usually calm...
I was a bit worried, but of course, it wasn't that.
I replied that there was no problem,
"I met the Lizardman leader. It seems they are willing to accept the alliance.
However, they prefer if we come to them."
Amazing! It seems he has already arrived. Isn't that too fast?
The meeting ended, and it hasn't even been half a day...
(There shouldn't be a problem. In any case, the battle is planned in the swamp. More importantly, you're already there?)
(Ah, yes. I used Shadow Travel to smoothly reach near the swamp. I can instantly move to the vicinity of someone I know.
In that case, when would be a good time for the meeting?)
In that case, what an incredible ability! Oh! How is Shadow Travel?
I can use it, but is it that convenient? I haven't been able to use it completely yet...
I was a bit shocked. Well,
(That's right. It will take time to prepare, and it will take time for the Goblin Riders to move, so let's make it five days from now.)
(I understand! Then, like that.)
(When the meeting is over, come back first. At least leave a clone to guard!)
(As ordered!)
It seems the meeting went smoothly. What a capable man.
I think it's quite a distance from here to the swamp.
If we march on the road, it will take two weeks, but with the Goblin Riders, it shouldn't take more than three days.
Gabil, the Lizardman, was riding a large monster for transportation.
It would be bad if they join us faster than we return.
There is a possibility of being attacked from behind, so we need to take the initiative.
Thinking this, I listened to the endless explanation.
"It's late."
Soue appeared from the shadow behind.
He is truly a spy.
I gave Soue the clothes and told him to change.
Soue's appearance brought Kurobe back to reality.
He cleared his throat and took out a few swords.
Finally, we get to the main topic.
The swords he took out were six.
A simple straight sword.
An elegant curved sword.
A sword inside a staff.
A large and heavy greatsword.
And two ninja swords.
He laid them out with a confident look.
And he said,
"For Rimuru-sama, this straight sword. This is still at the basic stage and not yet complete.
It is the sword you thought of, with mystic stones embedded in the weapon. That is my goal.
I am researching with Kajin's workshop, so please wait a little longer!
Until then, please get familiar with this sword."
He said, handing over the straight sword.
Indeed, he plans to continue the research. My heart raced.
I'm glad I asked him to do it.
"Got it."
I agreed, swallowed the sword into my body, and stored it. To get familiar with it, it's better to keep it inside my body.
Kurobe nodded and took out another sword.
"This is a trial piece. Please use it as a substitute."
I will use it gratefully.
Recently, I have been learning swordsmanship from Hakuro.
I thought I wanted a sword. I put the sword I received on my waist.
I felt strangely stronger, which was surprising.
We each received a sword.
Benimaru got the curved sword. Hakuro got the sword inside the staff.
Shion got the greatsword.
It's so big that I wondered how to draw it,
"It's fine. The scabbard is surrounded by mana, so it disappears when you think about it."
It seemed.
For a normal human, it would be impossible to lift, and it seemed even Kajin couldn't lift it.
Dwarves have quite a lot of strength, but it seemed they could only lift it with both hands.
Shion, however, held it easily with one hand.
Soue joined, put on the clothes, and received two ninja swords. Is he a dual-wielder...
He has a certain style.
Garum came to us, who had received the weapons.
It seems the Oni's armor is ready.
Without iron ore, iron is precious. Therefore, we can't prepare full plate mail.
It was scale mail made from monster materials.
It was the finished product of what we gave to the adventurer Gaff earlier.
It seems to assimilate with the wearer's aura. The "Mystic Steel" I gave was used generously, and the strength is incomparable to the trial piece.
I have a black leather armor, so I don't need it.
Thus, the equipment was complete.
The next day.
It seems the Goblin Riders were also ready.
They lined up with a week's worth of rations on their backs, waiting for us.
This time, it's a short-term battle. We only carry rations for the journey. Preparing a supply unit would slow us down.
Mobility is everything, and if it doesn't work, we will retreat.
Each only carries their own rations, but that should be enough.
I thought it would take two days to prepare, but it seems they were distributed in order, so it was done quickly.
I said five days, but it would be good to arrive early and investigate the surroundings.
"The enemy is the Orc Lord! Then, let's go!"
I declared very briefly.
This time, there's no need to feel burdened. We will act based on the situation.
The goal is to be clear.
In response to my declaration, everyone answered with a loud cheer.
A loud cheer that seemed to tear the air covered the surroundings.
The main force is made up of Goblins who have fought in the battle against Arang.
There are a few new members, but as Goblin Riders, receiving Lamia as partners makes them elite.
Everyone's morale was high.
Feeling their high spirits, the unease inside me washed