"Let me tell you—this incident is definitely connected to the Demon Lord"
Kouga spoke while chewing on the roasted meat in his hand. His voice was calm but steady, leaving no room for doubt.
"Yeah, this idiot's actually right," Argenta muttered flatly.
Rimuru frowned, trying to sort through the thoughts spinning in his head.
"The Demon Lord, huh? What a pain… But why the Demon Lord?"
"Argenta-san, are you certain this information is accurate? Sorry, I don't mean to—"
Before he could finish, Argenta fixed her sharp gaze on him, her tone cool but edged.
"That's enough, Rimuru-dono. We're merely delivering our master's message. We're not in a position to judge its truth. But let me be clear— to us, this is a trivial matter"
She paused for a breath, then continued coldly.
"Our duty is to protect the city you're building. How you handle the information we give you isn't our concern. Whether you believe it or toss it aside—that's up to you"
Rimuru fell silent. Not out of fear, but guilt.
Ah, crap. She's pissed, isn't she? Great. I messed up. What if she reports this to Lucien… ahhh!
Suddenly, Rimuru stood and bowed deeply.
"I apologize! You've given us valuable intel, and yet I doubted you!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
A booming laugh shattered the tension—Kouga, face flushed, spoke cheerfully.
"No need to bow like that, Rimuru-dono! Argenta's just like that when it comes to our master's name. She gets… intense"
A vein pulsed at Argenta's temple before she smacked Kouga right on the head.
Smack!
Kouga hit the ground, unconscious.
"Shut it, idiot! And how can you even get drunk with that body of yours!?"
"Excuse me. I have business with this idiot"
Dragging the limp Kouga, Argenta disappeared from sight.
The remaining men twitched their mouths, all thinking the same thing:
"Women are terrifying"
Rimuru just sighed, scratching his head as he watched her leave.
"Well… where were we again?" he muttered.
The tension eased a little. Outside, the night breeze stirred the tent's curtain. The dying campfire cast slow-moving shadows of monsters along the walls.
Rimuru watched the embers quietly. "If the Demon Lord's really involved… this could turn out a lot worse than we thought"
Benimaru nodded, eyes narrowing. "A Demon Lord, huh? Damn it… maybe I'll finally get to avenge the others" His fist tightened.
"Calm down, Benimaru," said Rimuru. "We need to find out which Demon Lord that Argenta meant. If we make the wrong move, we'll end up fighting someone we can't handle right now"
Silence hung for a moment. Only the sound of crickets filled the air.
Then, from far away, Argenta's voice rang out:
"KOUGA!! STOP SINGING AND GET OUT OF THE MUD!"
Everyone in the tent looked at each other—then burst out laughing.
Rimuru covered his face. "Well… at least we've got tonight's entertainment"
---
The next day.
"Orc Lord? What's that?" Rimuru asked, puzzled.
"Well, to put it simply—just think of it as a Beast," Benimaru replied.
"Wow, that's really simple," Rimuru muttered.
"It's said to be a unique monster born once every few centuries"
"A unique monster, huh?" Rimuru whispered. Kinda like me, then.
"They say it devours its own kind to become an unnaturally effective leader"
"Ugh"
"The orcs that attacked our village didn't flinch when their comrades died. So that's the conclusion I reached"
"I see." Rimuru fell silent.
"Of course, that's just a shallow theory," Benimaru added.
"Then do you have another idea why they attacked your village?"
"Actually, yes. I don't know if it's related, but before the attack, a Majin came to our village"
'"I shall grant you a name,"' he said. But I refused—his words didn't sound trustworthy. He cursed me before he left"
"A Majin, huh? …So you think he might hold a grudge against you?"
"Well, can you blame me? I don't want some random lord's 'gift.' Besides, who accepts a name from a stranger?" he said with a teasing grin toward Rimuru, making Rimuru blush slightly.
"What was his name again? Something like… Gela… Geli… Gelo…?"
Suddenly, Ranga and Benimaru turned toward a shadow behind the trees.
Souei appeared silently from the darkness. "Gelmud."
"Yeah, that's it," Benimaru nodded.
"Gelmud… I feel like I've heard that name before," Rimuru murmured.
Then he remembered his earlier talk with Rigur.
"The same name, huh? Is he just wandering around giving names to random people? Why?"
Souei kneeled and cut in, voice calm. "I have a report, Rimuru-sama"
"Yes?"
"I found a group of Lizardmen"
"Lizardmen? Not Orcs?"
"Correct. Their territory should be in the marshes—it's strange for them to be this close. That's why I thought you should know"
Benimaru spoke up, "Seems like they're trying to negotiate with a nearby Goblin village"
Souei continued, "They should arrive within a day"
"I see… Lizardmen, huh?" Rimuru muttered.
---
The next day.
Rimuru was suffering—blacksmithing discussions were flying over his head.
The door opened, and Rigurd entered.
"Ah, perfect timing, Rigurd. What is it?"
"Rimuru-sama, the Lizardmen envoys have arrived"
Outside, Rimuru met Benimaru, Shion, and Hakurou.
"Rimuru-sama, may we accompany you?" asked Benimaru. "We also want to see what they're after"
"Of course," Rimuru replied.
"Ah, Lizardmen, huh? Brings back memories… Forgive us, Rimuru-dono, may we join as well?"
Kouga and Argenta walked side by side behind them.
"Of course, Kouga-san"
"Alright then," Rimuru thought, are we meeting allies… or trouble?
At the village gate, a formation of Lizardmen stood in perfect rows, as if hosting a ceremony.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The sound of spear butts striking the ground echoed as they saluted.
Then one Lizardman strutted forward, chest puffed, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Thank you for your welcome! I am Gabil. I shall give this village the honor of submitting under my rule!" he declared grandly.
…Huh?
Rimuru blinked, expression blank. Is this guy for real?
Rigurd tried to mediate. "I apologize, sir, but asking us to surrender so suddenly is rather—"
"Pfft! Haven't you heard? The Orcs are on the move! They'll attack soon—and only I can save you!" Gabil cut him off, nose practically scraping the sky.
Rimuru fought back a sigh. "Ah… I see," he said flatly. But inside, he knew this one wasn't exactly a bright ally.
"And I've heard," Gabil continued, "someone here subdued the Direwolves. Who was it? I'll make them my chief advisor! Bring them forth!"
Kouga was already biting back laughter, only to get a sharp pinch from Argenta to shut him up.
Rimuru exhaled. "That'd be me. Though to be exact, we're friends"
"Huh? You, a lowly slime? Don't make me laugh! Prove it first, then I might believe you!"
Rimuru's patience was thinning. He said quietly, "Ranga"
"Yes, my lord," came the deep reply as the giant wolf stepped forward.
Ranga's intimidating aura spread instantly, forcing the Lizardman guards to take a step back.
"Lizard," Ranga rumbled, "my master allows you to speak. Say what you must"
The sheer pressure in his voice made the air heavy—but Gabil still puffed up proudly.
"So you're the alpha of the Direwolves. I am Gabil, mighty warrior of the Lizardmen! Such strength… such fur! Leave that slime and follow me! I'll give you the place you deserve!"
"You arrogant lizard…" growled Ranga, eyes glowing red. Rimuru quickly stopped him. "Easy, don't overdo it"
But Gabil only sneered. "If you're truly strong, then fight me! Anyone among you!"
Just then, a lazy voice chimed in.
"Huh? What's all the noise?" Gobta walked in, looking half-asleep.
"Oh, you're still alive?" Rimuru asked dryly.
"That's mean! I almost died earlier, but then a weird voice told me I got a new skill—Resist Poison! Cool, right?"
"Not bad," Rimuru said. "I don't even have that one."
"Seriously? Wow, I'm awesome!" Gobta grinned proudly.
Ranga glanced between Gobta and Gabil. "Perfect timing."
He grabbed Gobta suddenly. "Prove your strength first. Face him." He pointed at Gobta. "If you can beat him, I'll hear your request."
"A-what?! What is this?!" Gobta panicked. Rimuru calmed him.
"Relax. Go hit him, Gobta!! If you win, I'll have Kurobe craft a custom weapon for you"
"R-really?!"
"Of course. When have I ever lied?"
"Hmm… well, you did hide some things before…"
"That's just your imagination"
"If you lose, you have to eat Shion's cooking!"
"Anything but that! Arghhh!"
Suddenly, Gobta seemed supercharged, like he'd just taken some insane stimulant.
"Why am I getting so fired up?" Shion muttered, squeezing Rimuru's slime body.
The battle began. Gabil spun his spear arrogantly. "You're just a hobgoblin, you're nothing to me! You won't win"
Gobta simply stared. "Fine, I'll start!" He hurled his spear straight at Gabil.
"A—what?" Gabil muttered as he dodged. "Dirty trick!" He swung his spear back, but Gobta vanished.
"Where did he go?!"
Rimuru murmured softly, "That… is Shadow Movement?"
Gobta emerged from the shadows behind Gabil and kicked him square in the neck. Thud! Gabil collapsed, instantly unconscious.
Everyone froze.
Ranga bowed respectfully. Rimuru exhaled, watching Gobta panting. "Well, studying this wasn't wasted after all?"
"The match is over! The winner is Gobta!" Ranga shouted.
Rimuru looked at Gobta, surprised. "Could it be… he's a genius?"
He then faced the stunned Lizardmen.
"You heard him. Gobta wins. If you want our help against the Orcs, we'll consider it—but we won't serve you. Take him and leave."
Two Lizardmen carried Gabil away.
"We'll be back."
"Yes, this isn't over!"
One Lizardman glared sharply.
"We—"
"We'll remember this!!!" they shouted, running off in panic.
Kouga observed Gobta silently, then a crooked grin formed on his face.
"That kid… has potential," he murmured, loud enough for Rimuru and Benimaru to hear.
He turned to Gobta, still beaming.
"Hey, kid," he said, patting Gobta's shoulder and knocking him down slightly. "Do you even realize what you just did?"
"Uh… I won?" Gobta replied innocently.
"Yeah, you won. But more importantly—you just combined Shadow Movement with instinct because you were nervous, right?"
Rimuru raised an eyebrow. "Kouga-san, you mean he pulled it off because he was under pressure?"
"Exactly," Kouga nodded. "If he trains seriously, that instinct could become a real skill"
Gobta scratched his head. "Hehe, really~?"
"How about it? Want to call me your master? I'll turn you into a true warrior"
Gobta hesitated. "But—"
Hakurou stroked his beard and said, "Hohoho, lucky you, kid. Just accept it. Kouga is far stronger than I am anyway."
Gobta gawked. "Really? Kouga-san is stronger than Old Man—"
A sharp glare from Hakurou made Gobta shrink and stop talking.
Kouga crossed his arms. "So, Gobta-kun, from now on—you'll call me Shishō!"
Gobta shouted dramatically, "Kouga Shishō!"
"Good, good… HAHAHAHA!" Kouga laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!" Gobta laughed along, almost uncontrollably.
The camp erupted in noise.
Benimaru frowned. "Master Kouga, are you sure you can handle him?"
"Not really," Kouga replied quickly. "But I want to see how far he can go"
Rimuru chuckled. "Careful, Kouga-san"
Kouga thumped his chest. "Relax, kid. I'll train you so your body will curse me and thank me at the same time"
Argenta, watching quietly, facepalmed and muttered, "Idiots"