If it had completely evolved... perhaps there would have been no way to bring it down.
It was only because of the current situation that I was able to win.
If I were to be greedy, I would say it would have been easier if it hadn't evolved yet!
But, it was fortunate that I was able to bring it down.
Most importantly!
That's right. I got it, the Unique Skill!
It wasn't that I acquired the Unique Skill "Kiga-sha (Famine Bringer)," but the ability was inherited.
Moreover, my "Predator" skill has mutated into "Glutton."
After analyzing the ability, I closed my eyes.
No, no, it's an incredibly dangerous ability.
To me,
"Hmm? It feels like some power is surging up..."
"The recovery of wounds is fast! My stamina has been fully restored?"
"Definitely..."
I heard a voice saying.
Ugh, it seems I wasn't wrong.
The ability of the Unique Skill "Glutton."
It is,
《Answer. The Unique Skill "Glutton" has mutated, adding the following effects...
Decay: Causes the target to decay. Grants the decay effect. Erodes living beings.
Absorption: When absorbing a part of a monster's corpse, it is possible to acquire a part of the ability (※Random)
Supply: Grants a part of the ability to monsters under influence or with a soul bond. (※Acquisition is limited by the amount of mana the target possesses)
Feeding Chain: It is possible to acquire abilities that monsters under influence have obtained. (※All targets)
These three abilities are integrated and added.》
That's the feeling. The five abilities of the Predator remain, and three additional abilities have been added.
Moreover, the capacity of the stomach has increased more than double.
Does this mean that I can use the evolved abilities of Benimaru and the Ranga?
《Answer. It is possible.》
Really?
It seems that when my ability is strengthened, the subordinates are also strengthened, and the reverse phenomenon also occurs.
It has become an incredibly terrifying ability.
Even so, it seems that knowledge sharing and the transmission of magic are not possible.
Of course, I need to improve my skills myself. Daily effort is important.
But, I have acquired an absurd ability.
Indeed, the Orc Digestor.
When I first ate Gelmuth, I thought it was a regret, but it turned out to be a good ability.
Moreover, by some luck, I was able to acquire the "Flight Magic"!
In my case, I don't need to chant spells. I can fly freely.
Well, I'll start with slow practice, and soon, supersonic flight will be possible.
Not only the acquired Unique Skill, but also thanks to the optimization by the "Great Sage," the abilities have been integrated.
I thought it would be impossible to assume all at once, but it seems it was possible.
Moreover, if I think of it as "Demonization," it is possible to transition to the strongest form in humanized state.
This area also needs to be studied slowly in the future.
In any case, the battle has ended.
Joy, sadness, and despair swirl on the battlefield.
Well, well.
Every time I think about it, the post-battle cleanup is a big deal...
The day after the Orc Digestor was defeated.
In a tent set up in the center of the swamp, representatives of each race gathered.
We are, me and Benimaru, and Sion, Hakuro, and Sou. Ranga is in my shadow, as usual.
I am sitting on Sion's lap in a slime form.
Since I revealed my true form with full power when we defeated the Orc Digestor, there's no need to hide now.
From the lizardmen, the chief, the head of the royal guard, and the vice-commander.
Gabil is in prison for treason. Even if he is a parent, he must set an example.
He's a foolish kid, but he has an interesting side. The atmosphere wasn't right to bring it up, so there's nothing I can do.
From the orc race, the last surviving orc general and the ten tribal chiefs.
All of them have a bad complexion and are looking down with a gloomy expression.
The cause of this chaos is the orc race.
Even if they were manipulated by the Orc Lord, they are not without responsibility.
Knowing this, their expressions are not good.
Moreover, the lack of food supplies is also a cause.
According to Sou's report, the provisions were not well prepared.
Due to the influence of the Unique Skill, they were able to advance while starving. Under the influence of the ability, such things as cannibalism were not possible.
Their helpless situation has created a heavy atmosphere.
Even if they are held accountable for the war, there is nothing they can do, and they do not have the ability to compensate.
Moreover, the fundamental cause of the war was that they could not do anything about the hunger of their tribes.
There are still 150,000 soldiers, but the number has decreased. There is not enough food to feed everyone without starving.
The fact that they do not have the ability to continue the war, even with so many soldiers, proves the dire situation of the orc race.
If it were not for the influence of the Unique Skill "Famine Bringer," they would truly starve to death.
Although there are 150,000 soldiers, they include women, young people, and children. They came with a full tribal mobilization.
??????????????????????????
The cause is, a great famine.
The Great Continent is a place of abundant land and a safe place under the protection of the Demon King.
Even if powerful demons and monsters run rampant, safety is maintained by the Demon King's subordinates.
However, the price for this is, of course, high taxes.
To obtain the right to live on the fertile land, it was necessary to offer a large amount of crops.
The rapidly reproducing orc race is needed by the Demon King as labor in mines and on farmland.
However, those who cannot pay taxes will die!
The Demon King does not punish them.
The Great Continent is also a dangerous place. Many monsters attack to seize the abundant resources.
The Demon King cannot protect those who cannot pay the tax to protect them from the monsters.
Naturally, the land becomes a dangerous place.
The highly reproductive orcs, even if most of them die, can quickly return to the necessary number.
If they grow too much, they need to be thinned out, but it's not a problem to leave them alone.
They were short of the taxes they needed to pay due to the great famine.
Therefore, the Demon King abandoned the protection of the orcs, and they were forced to flee from the safe land.
Amidst the hunger, the Orc Lord was born, but they could not yet resist even weak monsters.
They wandered and fled to the outskirts of the Jura Forest.
At that time, Gelmuth extended a hand to them.
Without noticing Gelmuth's suspicions, they grasped the extended hand.
Thus, with Gelmuth's support, the orc turmoil began.
??????????????????????????
The meeting started with a heavy atmosphere.
Hakuro is the facilitator.
Initially, I asked the lizardman head of the royal guard to take on that role, but he refused.
"It's too much for me!"
He said and firmly declined.
We couldn't choose from the defeated side, so we asked Hakuro, who seemed suitable for this role.
Hakuro announced the start of the meeting, but no one spoke.
Everyone just looked at me.
It's troublesome. Honestly, I don't like meetings.
There's nothing I can do.
"Before we start the meeting, I want to share the information I know. Listen up!"
I started talking. As I spoke, everyone's faces turned to me with interest.
Seeing this, I shared the knowledge of the Orc Digestor and the information Sou had investigated with everyone.
The cause of the orc uprising and the current situation.
The orc representatives looked surprised, as if they didn't expect me to say such things.
As my story progressed, some of them even shed tears. They probably thought they couldn't even complain or protest.
I finished my story and gave Hakuro a look to prompt him to proceed with the meeting.
"Ahem! Then, let's first confirm the damage from this orc invasion!"
Thus, the meeting proceeded.
The lizardman chief reported the damage to their side.
The orc representatives bowed their heads, having nothing to say.
"Then, Chief, do you have any demands for the orc race?"
The conversation moved from confirming the damage to demanding compensation.
I don't know what it's like to experience a real war, but the winning side has the advantage, right?
Such a meeting is not my forte.
"Frankly, this victory was not due to our strength. It was possible thanks to Rimuru-sama's help!"
The chief said, almost giving up on compensation.
More than anything, it's the possible side that is limited.
Well, let's hear the orcs' side, I thought, and looked at the orc chieftains.
"Please allow me to speak! I want to offer my life for this! Of course, I know it's insufficient, but we have nothing to pay!"
The orc general shouted, appealing to me.
In a desperate state, his words became more intense.
He is a B-rank monster and can provide a considerable amount of mana, so he wants me to forgive everyone with that!
I have no intention of doing such a thing, and that's not the issue.
Indeed, meetings are troublesome.
It's done, let them do as they please.
"Wait. It seems Rimuru-sama has something to say!"
Hakuro took control of the situation.
The orc general fell silent and looked at me.
The others also looked at me. The atmosphere was awkward.
"Since this is my first meeting, I'm not good at it. I'll just say what I think. After that, I want everyone to review my words."
With that introduction, I shared my thoughts.
First, I have no intention of holding the orc race accountable for their crimes.
Second, I want to form an alliance with the lizardman race.
Finally, I want the orc race to join this alliance.
"That's my opinion. Everyone may have their own thoughts, but I will not punish the orcs. Why? Because it's a promise with the Orc Digestor. I will take on the sins of all the orcs. If you have any complaints, tell me!"
I said.
The orcs looked at me with surprise.
In contrast, the lizardman chief asked,
"We have no complaints about that. But, I have a question..."
"What is it?"
"The battle is over. Why an alliance?"
"That's right. Let me explain..."
I explained my thoughts. The concept of the Jura Forest Alliance!
If I had said, "No punishment! Dismissal!" in this situation, the surviving orcs would eventually starve to death.
Without control, they would attack the lizardman or goblin villages.
The cause is the lack of food and a place to live. It's meaningless without a solution.
That's where this alliance comes in.
From the lizardmen, we get high-quality water resources and food like fish.
From the goblins, not much can be expected.
From our village, we provide processed goods.
From the orcs, we receive high-quality labor.
The living place is outside the swamp, in an area originally dominated by the ogres.
It's a forest that spreads at the foot of the mountains, a place with abundant resources.
Realistically, it's impossible to accommodate 150,000 people at once, but if they are divided into mountainous areas, foothills, rivers, and forests, there is enough space.
Since the orcs have many tribes, if they distinguish their living places by region, it should be possible.
We will provide technical support for housing and other things. However, we will need a lot of labor!
In any case, our village also has a small population and often lacks labor.
I want to acquire labor in one go.
I explained this content here.
Everyone listened to my explanation.
Unlike before, a strange excitement and heat spread among them.
It's as if the anxiety was washed away and hope ignited in their hearts.
I don't understand why Sion, who is holding me, is puffing up her chest as if she's showing off.
Still, since it fits me, purr!
Forgive me, I am generous.
"U, Us... Can we join...?"
The orc general asked hesitantly.
"Work? If you slack off, I won't forgive you!"
"O, Of course! I'll work with my life!!!"
The orcs shed tears, moved by the situation.
"We have no objections. Moreover, we would like to cooperate!"
The lizardman chief strongly agreed, seeming positive about joining the plan.
With everyone's agreement, the Jura Forest Alliance moved toward its establishment.
However, there is still a problem.
A very large and troubling problem!
In the midst of excitement, I'm very sorry, but I have to bring up this problem.
"Calm down. Now that you've agreed, we need to solve the biggest problem!
It is... the food problem!
We need to prevent the 150,000 orc survivors from starving! I need everyone's wisdom!"
The final puzzle.
This food problem. The orcs have only three days' worth of food left.
It's too late to grow crops now, and even if we catch fish, it won't be enough.
It's a very difficult problem.
The lizardmen have reserves for 10,000 people for half a year.
Even if all of it is released, it will only last 12 days for 150,000 people.
What should we do...
This problem became a matter of everyone scratching their heads.
At that moment.
"Excuse me, during the meeting! A messenger has come, saying they must meet us!"
A lizardman messenger entered, looking very flustered.
I signaled to Hakuro,
"Let them in!"
Hearing Hakuro's answer, the messenger ran out.
A messenger? From where?
As if answering my question, a figure was guided into the tent.