We managed to reach a place called a swamp after getting out of the forest.
Since there was no place to distribute water along the way, I took out water from my stomach and distributed it to the canteens, but everyone said they were overflowing with energy.
Thinking about it, it might be due to the influence of the concentrated horse fodder.
We moved with a focus on speed, carrying only the minimum amount of gear.
Thanks to that, we arrived at Maly much earlier than expected.
I want to check the situation first before proceeding.
The meeting with the Lizardman tribe's chief is scheduled for tomorrow. Since we've come this far, there's no need to rush.
Therefore, I order everyone to stand by. We set up camp and secured a place to rest.
Now, if we're going to scout...
"Rimuru-sama, I'll go and check."
Soue quickly spoke up.
He's not wearing his usual armor but instead has on the scale armor I designed.
It's definitely lightweight.
He says it's unnecessary because it doesn't fit well. When the pretty boy said it, it felt more refreshing than just cool.
I can only respond with, "Is that so?"
This time, I'll leave it to him, who is so confident.
"Alright, Soue. Go and check the surroundings. If possible, it would be great to know the abilities of the pig leader!"
I said and sent him off.
He will surely bring back various information with his excellent investigative skills.
"Rimuru-sama, can we freely wreak havoc this time?"
Benimaru asked.
To be honest, I can't say anything without knowing the situation. Therefore,
"Sure? You can, but if the retreat signal is given, make sure to pull back properly, okay?"
I warned him.
Benimaru grinned boldly,
"I don't think we need that signal. Since it's a rare opportunity, let's annihilate them! Right?"
He was so confident. You too, huh! I thought.
A good man looks cool when he's this confident. If we can win, that is...
If we lose, it would be embarrassing to admit.
Do these guys not have such worries?
Whatever.
"Don't get complacent, okay?"
I said, shrugging my shoulders to end the conversation.
Shion was looking at his sword with a blissful expression, as if saying, "I'll let you run wild soon!"
If he didn't have the property of being a thief, Shion would be cool.
But when he looks at his sword with such a blissful expression, it becomes a dangerous scene.
I'll pretend I didn't see it. For my mental health, it's better that way.
Hakuro, as always, was calm.
Should I call it a clear mind? He had the experience of a seasoned veteran.
Most importantly,
"Is there an opponent worth fighting...?"
I didn't miss his muttered words.
Really, are these demons overconfident?
We're challenging an opponent we've already lost to once. I think we need to be cautious.
I sighed while worrying about this.
But... my worries were completely unfounded, as proven shortly after.
Two hours later.
(Are you well now?)
Telepathy reached me while I was resting in the camp.
(What is it? Did you find something already?)
(No, a Lizardman is running this way.)
(What? Do you know what happened?)
(Yes. According to the clone, the battle has already started in the swamp. I confirmed again not to be hasty...)
(Ah, it must be Gabiru, the Lizardman, who couldn't hold back. He was also overly confident...)
(I think that's likely. What will you do with this Lizardman?)
Hmm. The battle has already started. But, it's not to the point where the situation has changed significantly?
Rather, it might be a perfect timing.
I need to confirm the situation from the air.
Now, about the Lizardman...
(Listen. Even if the battle wasn't ordered by the chief, we need to confirm the intentions of either side.)
(As ordered!)
The telepathy ended.
So, it's started. I thought we could rest and investigate the situation, but it seems there's no time for that.
I told everyone,
"Listen! Rest is over. It seems the battle has started.
I will give orders from the air!
You need to be ready to join the battle quickly according to my instructions!"
Everyone's faces showed determination.
"Understood. Then, good luck!"
Shion replied, and Benimaru nodded in agreement.
Hakuro was as usual.
I took out my wings from my back. The clothes had holes to match the wings, which closed again when the wings came out.
I can manipulate the structure of my clothes and armor slightly with my will. It was very convenient.
"Order. Avoid actions that could get you killed! This battle is not the decisive one. Don't make mistakes!"
In response to my words,
"Oooooooooooh!!!"
They answered with a loud cheer.
After acknowledging, I flew into the sky.
I looked down from above to observe the battle.
Even if I can't see with my eyes, I can clearly perceive it using the application of 'Magic Sense'.
It's like satellite surveillance from a high altitude.
The situation is not good for the Lizardmen.
They are clearly surrounded and can't move.
They are barely holding on due to the desperate encouragement of their commander. But it's unknown how long they can hold on.
I've seen that commander before. It's Gabiru. I thought he was just a simple fool, but it seems I underestimated him.
As a commander, his lack of vision for the big picture is fatal.
But, being young and inexperienced, it's impossible for anyone to see everything clearly.
Not all commanders throughout history have been excellent.
If he survives this and learns from it, he has the potential to become an excellent commander.
It would be a waste to let him die. I suddenly thought.
I gave the order.
"Benimaru, link with my thoughts. The Lizardmen are in a tight spot. Save them!
After that, do as you see fit. Detailed command can be left to Hakuro."
A happy response came through my thoughts.
"Understood! Can I send Ranga first?"
"Leave it to you!"
Then, the situation began to change.
But thinking about it, being able to observe both sides' movements from the air gives us a significant advantage.
Moreover, the information obtained from the air can be relayed to each soldier through 'Thought Transmission'.
It's like implementing modern information warfare tactics in a fantasy world.
Unlike future armies, the amount of information that can be relayed is overwhelmingly different. This could make guerrilla warfare with a small number of troops possible.
It's more suitable for moving a small number of troops to the extreme.
While thinking about this,
(Rimuru-sama, it seems we've been ambushed. The chief's son, Gabiru, has rebelled.
Moreover, the chiefs are trapped in the underground grand hall.
There is also an orc attack there, making the situation unstable.)
Indeed, it was the son. But, the method is bad, even if the chief has some issues.
I suddenly thought,
(Soue, can you spirit move to the chief's side?)
I asked. He said it was possible if he had met them once...
(I can. Should I go?)
(I leave it to you. Work with the chiefs to prevent the orcs from running wild inside the cave!)
(As ordered! ...Wait, is it okay?)
Shadow movement, I'll practice after this battle. I was thinking when Soue spoke to me.
He seemed to have something to say.
(What is it? What happened?)
(Yes! According to the clone's report, there are suspicious monsters around the swamp.
They have their own magic power and are upper-level beings. What should we do?)
What?
Is it a trap or something? Even if it is, I don't know what kind of trap.
(Do you know how many there are?)
(Yes! Currently, four can be confirmed. I think there are only four.
There are no other suspicious signs.)
(Indeed... Can you handle them?)
(If done simultaneously, two of my clones... If given time, all can be handled!)
That's right. He's a truly excellent guy.
For some reason, handling them simultaneously feels better... I wonder what kind of beings they are, though.
But, it's not good to kill them, as we don't know if they are enemies...
(Can you incapacitate two simultaneously without killing them?)
(No problem. It's possible.)
(Then, send me their location. I'll direct Shion and Hakuro.)
(I'll contact them to incapacitate them simultaneously.)
(Thank you.)
I also informed Shion and Hakuro about this.
Try not to kill them, just incapacitate them! I strictly ordered.
I don't know what kind of beings they are, but none of my acquaintances are upper-level monsters.
Since they are around the swamp, it might be a trap or reconnaissance. They don't seem to have noticed us, and the Lizardmen don't have the means to do this.
If they were already scouting, then the orc army?
That's a mystery. It doesn't make sense.
A third party? I suddenly thought.
There might be someone else observing the situation like us.
Well, if we can capture them, we'll ask. They might not talk, but we'll see.
From the perspective of being monsters, it's hard to think they are on the human side, and I only get a bad feeling.
Since there's nothing I can do about it, I'll put it aside.
After giving all the orders, I checked the battle situation.
The Lizardmen side started to be pushed back.
They won't hold out for long. The cave where the chief is might also be losing ground.
Soue seems to have sent a clone, but I wonder if the main body is okay?
I had a fleeting worry, but it was a new one.
I gave the order, and they accepted it.
Accepting an impossible task is a sign of incompetence.
I was scolded by the then-president when I was a new employee at a company. Don't take on an impossible amount of work!
If the person who takes on the task gets stuck and can't do it, it causes trouble for everyone.
After that, I made it a rule to only take on tasks that are possible, regardless of whether they are difficult or not.
This time, I don't know their abilities. I can't judge if the task I assigned is too much.
I hope they are not incompetent. And I don't want to be criticized as an incompetent master.
Now, I want to check the situation.
If they are struggling somewhere, I want to be able to help immediately.
??????????????????????????
Now, ah.
Soue ended the telepathy with a faint smile.
He felt he was helping his master.
To Soue, Benimaru is the son of his lord but not his master.
They are of the same generation and rivals. He thought he would eventually become his subordinate, but that day never came.
Instead, he got a new master, Rimuru.
He considers himself lucky.
Peace continued without any turmoil. The forest monsters were not a match for the powerful Ogres.
Recently, there have been no incidents of lower dragons (lesser dragons) running wild.
He thinks it's a good thing, but he also wants to use the skills he has honed.
Then, the orc army attacked.
He couldn't do anything. He thought he would lose and not be able to avenge his lord...
He is lucky.
Under a new master, he got the chance to avenge his former lord.
Complacency due to overconfidence. He doesn't have that now.
He hones his skills for his master and eliminates the enemy.
Following orders is the ultimate pleasure.
Soue calmly created two clones.
And,
(I'll take the two far away. Hakuro, Shion, please take the south and west, respectively.)
He confirmed with telepathy and received their agreement.
He sent each clone to the north and east.
And he disappeared like melting into the shadows to join the Lizardman chief.
An upper-level monster, but not an opponent for the current Soue.
He is fully aware of that.
After ending the telepathy with Soue, Hakuro and Shion faced each other.
Without waiting for the other, they both agreed,
"Then, I'll take the west."
"Alright. I'll take the south."
They quickly discussed and dispersed.
They ran at a speed that made them seem to disappear from the spot.
Watching them,
"We're going too!"
The main force led by Benimaru also started to move.
The lamia ran swiftly and silently like the wind.
The goblins driving them were not tense.
They quickly followed Rimuru's orders, feeling joy and their blood boiling.
Are you all the same...
Benimaru thought. He understood himself as a free-spirited person.
That's why he hesitated to succeed the ogre village chief. Now, it's impossible, but...
That's why he liked his current position. Serving Rimuru as a master.
As a single warrior, he can act freely.
If he became the village chief, he couldn't forgive himself for heading to certain death. But now, it's different.
He can fully show his skills.
Benimaru ran.
Suppressing his boiling blood will soon be over.
??????????????????????????
Soue, Hakuro, and Shion confirmed their positions in all directions.
They hid their presence and remained invisible.
In front of each of them, a suspicious monster appeared.
Through telepathy, they realized their thoughts were in agreement.
These monsters are familiars of upper-level demons specialized in reconnaissance!
Soue told the other two, just in case,
(I'll report this to Rimuru-sama.)
It would be troublesome if all three reported separately.
The other two reluctantly agreed. Soue is the best at telepathy.
Shion, who is not good at it, vowed to practice in secret.
After getting their agreement,
(Rimuru-sama, the monsters have been confirmed.
They seem to be familiars of upper-level demons specialized in reconnaissance. Should we capture them?
In my opinion, it's better to kill them to avoid detection and for easier cleanup!)
He sent a telepathic message to Rimuru.
He received a response to leave it to him.
He confirmed with the other two through telepathy to act simultaneously.
Hakuro would give the signal.
At the moment Hakuro's signal was transmitted,
A sword flashed, and the monster in front of Hakuro was sliced into pieces and disappeared.
Like melting into the shadows, two monsters were absorbed into the ground... No, crushed and vanished. This was Soue's work.
Then, a flash of light followed by a loud explosion. This was Shion's work. The monster was shattered and flew away without a trace...
All of this happened simultaneously with no more than a second's difference.
The shockwave from Shion's powerful sword, used with all his might, continued without losing momentum after destroying the monster.
It swept away the orcs that were bustling on the surface of the swamp.
This strike marked the beginning of Rimuru and his party's participation in the battle.