Milim, who witnessed everything from outside the house,
Facing the suddenly appearing human caravan and Adventurers, some monsters were curious, some were hostile, and some offered help.
Regardless of the situation, the interactions between the two sides were relatively peaceful.
Because Chen Hai had emphasized to the monsters that the humans who came here were not enemies, and anyone who acted against them would be severely punished.
And the monster groups allied with Chen Hai were very obedient.
Some returned to their previous work;
Some chose to chat with humans about the world outside the 'Jura Forest'.
Treyni, having finished other matters, also came to Chen Hai's side.
She looked at the Caravan Captain who had just thanked Chen Hai, and finally spoke,
"Lord Chen Hai, how about we hold a small event tonight? Those monsters must want to understand humans, and I believe the humans feel the same."
Hearing this, the Caravan Captain nodded repeatedly.
He looked around and continued the topic with a surprised tone,
"To be honest, this is our first time seeing so many different races of monsters gathered together. After all, usually, the same race establishes a kingdom, such as the Armed Nation of Dwargon on the north side of the forest. Although it's a neutral free trade city, the main ethnic group is still dwarves."
He then added,
"We usually travel between different countries, buying and selling goods, and then choosing safe routes to transport these goods. '600' never thought that the Jura Forest could be passed through… If it weren't for this adventure, our caravan probably would never have met Lord Chen Hai in a lifetime."
"The Jura Forest was indeed very dangerous originally, but it's different now. If you are willing, you can safely choose the 'route through the Jura Forest'."
"You flatter us, Lord Chen Hai, we have no 'willingness' or 'unwillingness'; if the 'Jura Forest' is truly under your dominion, of course, we are willing to change our route and pass through here! On one hand, the journey is shorter, on the other hand, we can rest, and…!"
The Caravan Captain emphasized,
"We hope to transport goods and merchandise for Lord Chen Hai and everyone here, as repayment for saving us this time, and it will be long-term!"
In this regard, the Caravan Captain was actually very shrewd.
His words could secure him three benefits.
First: Cooperate with Chen Hai, who governs the Jura Forest;
Second: Obtain a safe route through the 'Jura Forest', making goods transport faster and more efficient;
Third: If he could further obtain Chen Hai's protection, the caravan could earn more money by relying on this right.
Chen Hai understood the thoughts of the uncle in front of him.
Without continuing the previous topic, Chen Hai turned to Treyni.
"What was the small event Miss Treyni mentioned earlier?"
"A bonfire party."
Treyni then turned her gaze to the working monsters and humans.
"To let the tired people relax and let monsters and humans truly get to know each other."
Chen Hai nodded.
"That's a good idea."
For this, Chen Hai asked Treyni to arrange it as his 'representative'.
So, an open space in the central area of the village was cleared.
Before long, a bonfire blazed brightly.
The notified monsters brought out fruit wine brewed from forest fruits, while the caravan members laid out spices and bread, even making baked goods like flatbreads on the spot.
The smell of wine and delicious food began to waft in the night breeze.
Chen Hai naturally also participated in this event.
Not just him, Shuna, Shion, Souka, and others, upon learning that a bonfire party would be held at night, also changed into new clothes.
The new clothes couldn't be called exquisite or luxurious, but they were very beautiful.
In this regard, Milim and Izawa Shizue were also the same, both changing into long dresses made by monster tailors.
"Chen Hai! Come and drink and eat with us!"
Milim invited Chen Hai.
He agreed but didn't act immediately.
"I'll be there in a moment, but before that, I have some things to discuss with this Caravan Captain."
"Don't take too long!"
"Two or three minutes will be fine."
Chen Hai intended to 'make a quick decision'.
So he turned to the Caravan Captain, who also didn't intend to waste time and began to recount his experiences.
"The Eastern Empire… that's a place to be both revered and feared."
Chen Hai leaned slightly forward, signaling him to continue.
"Our caravan stayed in the largest city outside the imperial capital for a whole month, and only got the Pass on the last day."
The Caravan Captain's voice carried some bitterness and helplessness.
"The city walls there are a hundred meters high, cast entirely from a metal as black as ink, gleaming coldly in the sunlight. It is said that even giant dragons cannot break through them. The walls are covered with glowing 'magic eyes', which can see movements ten miles away, day or night, and can record all people's actions."
Glowing magic eyes and recording actions… aren't those surveillance cameras?
Chen Hai remembered the setting about the 'Eastern Empire' in the original work.
As described in the work, the Empire had abandoned primitive sword combat and adopted a combat style mixing science and magic.
After all, there are many Transmigrators from other worlds within the Eastern Empire, and these Transmigrators can directly change the technology tree through their golden fingers.
The most important among them are the three major legions—
1. Mecha Legion.
2. Mixed Legion.
3. Monster Legion.
Chen Hai was more interested in the first Mecha Legion because they might have developed exoskeletons and Gundams.
Of course, in this era, even the strongest Gundam cannot fight a Demon Lord, but the most important thing is... it's interesting.
Moreover, equipment like Gundams can greatly enhance the combat capabilities of ordinary people.
For an empire, while ensuring the upper limit, raising the lower limit is also very important.
"When you were active there, did you see anything like robots? That is, humanoid steel constructs."
"Well..."
At Chen Hai's question, the Caravan Captain thought for a moment.
"I don't remember that very clearly, but I'm deeply impressed by their weapons and equipment! Once, we saw with our own eyes a three-headed hellhound attacking a caravan; it was burned to ashes by a beam of light before it could even let out a whimper."
"A beam of light?"
"They seemed to say it was an experimental laser weapon or something."
"..."
They really know how to develop things.
And this world doesn't have to follow the so-called 'conservation of energy'.
Assuming modern technology can only fire one laser cannon, then the magical world can fire ten, or even a hundred!
"Also! Their means of transportation are also very strange."
The Caravan Captain, recalling the past, continued,
"It's not a carriage, nor a wyvern, but a long, self-propelled metal box. Some can speed along on rails, traveling very, very far in a day!! I haven't ridden one, but some companions have experienced it. The price is very expensive, so we can't transport our goods there."
High-speed rail or something similar?
Chen Hai made an assumption in his mind upon hearing the description.
"As for the humanoid steel constructs you mentioned, I don't have an impression, but if I had to say... I once saw a person operating a giant steel arm to move goods."
"That's enough."
Since there are flexibly operated mechanical arms, there is a possibility of Gundams existing.
It feels quite interesting... people from another world developing alternative technology in a world of swords and magic.
From this perspective, the 'Eastern Empire' has great conquest value!
However, as the strongest nation in the 'that time i got reincarnated as a slime' plane (before the Demon Lord's arrival and power-up), its strength naturally cannot be underestimated.
Even so, considering it as the primary target is not impossible... for example—
Transferring the entire Abyss Floor to the 'Eastern Empire' using the term 'Dungeon Full-Area Transfer (Exceptional)'.
In this way, the 'Abyss Floor' will be directly embedded into this axial world, becoming an 'artificial black hole' dominated, controlled, operated, and utilized by Chen Hai.
Technology is powerful;
Magic is strong;
However, when facing an 'artificial black hole', all attack methods will be absorbed and devoured, becoming meaningless.
Simply put, Chen Hai's 'Abyss Floor' is the first space to engulf all things.
There's no way around it, the 'Boundless Region' is just that buggy.
I wonder if Milim, who can destroy planets when rampaging, can fill the 'Abyss Floor'.
[No, the vast and boundless area of the Abyss Floor will not completely collapse due to Milim's rampage, but... too much destructive power poured into the 'Abyss Floor' will affect the Host's operation.]
Why?
[The monsters living in the 'Abyss Floor' might die as a result, and they are excellent combat power in the eyes of this system.]
What is Ignis's level?
At Chen Hai's question, the system responded,
[If she descends into this world, she is in the first tier.]
That is indeed very strong.
As for whether she is at the bottom or the top of the first tier, Chen Hai did not ask, because he heard the confusion of the Caravan Captain beside him.
"Excuse me, Lord Chen Hai... are you planning to form a united nation by recruiting so many monsters? If it's just a simple multi-racial stronghold, it would be difficult to operate uniformly."
"I have considered building a 'Federation'."
"I see... If you have the idea of establishing a nation, please let us be your partner at the first opportunity and build a trade guild here."
It was clear that the Caravan Captain wanted to cling to a powerful figure.
Chen Hai, however, didn't mind this.
By the time they discussed this, a few minutes had passed.
Milim ignored Shuna's dissuasion, then jumped over the bonfire and landed directly in front of Chen Hai.
"Stop chatting with the old man! Come spend time with us 3.9!"
"Just once."
"Oh oh! Here's some wine for you!"
Milim handed Chen Hai a cup of honey wine, which was also brought by the caravan, said to be a high-value, high-end product.
Because desserts in the 'that time i got reincarnated as a slime' plane are all expensive goods, let alone honey which can be used as a raw material.
Milim then sat down next to Chen Hai.
"By the way, Chen Hai, I might have to go back in a few days."
"For what?"
"To meet and talk with certain Demon Lords in person, so they don't come here to cause trouble."
Milim emphasized that she had met with the familiar Demon Lords before she came.
"I don't mind."
Chen Hai stopped Milim's action at this moment.
She raised her wine glass and clinked it lightly with Milim's.
"Wouldn't a free-for-all with the Demon Lords Milim knows be very interesting?"
Huh?!
Milim's eyes widened.
"Really? Chen Hai isn't worried?"
"As I just said, it sounds 'very interesting,' and I believe you feel the same."
"Hehe, you're right!"
Milim shifted her body, leaning against Chen Hai while also raising her honey wine.
"A free-for-all it is! Let's enjoy it together!"
Whether it's the Eastern Empire's Gundams or the potential Demon Lord free-for-all, Chen Hai, who wants to increase his occupation rate, is willing to try everything!!