War Begins

The Village...

As soon as Rimuru got Souei's news...she got her fighters getting ready for battle, donning their battle attire and gear.

Rimuru assembled her whole town.

'Everyone listen up!' Rimuru spoke to the assembly of Hobgoblins. 'I'm sure all of you are wondering why I had all our supplies relocated to Veldora's Cave, keeping only little for daily use even though we have a storehouse out here?' she paused a bit to let it sink in.

'As you know, we have six new members in our community, six Kijin. I'm glad you all welcomed them warmly, for they have had a terrible reason to join us.' she continued. 'Ever since I defeated Ifrit, the Orcs led by an Orc Lord razed their town at the exact same day!' she explained what an Orc Lord was and how it spelled disaster for all of them.

'They roamed the forest for various tribes to consume, led by a vicious majin who triggered his evolution to an Orc Lord and causing racial genocides in their wake! And now, in five days, they will make their way to Lake Shiss Marshlands where the Lizardmen Tribe live! Should they fall, we, are next as we are near them by seven days' travel on foot!' this horrified her listeners. 'QUIET!' she hollered. 'Now here is where Veldora's Cave comes in! We converted it into an Evacuation Center! We even magically fortified the Gate created by the Hero who sealed Veldora with Engraving Magic! When we depart for the marshes to face the army there, all of you will evacuate to the cave, and seal that gate shut!'

'You have food and cooking equipment, and a source of water is where Veldora used to be at the bottom of the caves.' said Rimuru. 'The caves are also well-lit. And I exterminated all Aggressors there so it will be safe. But if any appears due to magicules in the air, it's nothing the Hunter Unit can't handle. You will remain there until we return home! I will flare my aura three times to signal that it is safe to open the Gates and return home!'

'Yes, Rimuru-sama!'

'Now, pack your belongings and the remaining goods in the storehouse and move to the cave! Us fighters will guide you along the way and keep away Aggresors! You have two hours! We'll meet at the eastern dirt road!' the Hobgoblins immediately scattered to get packing.

'Phew...' Rimuru sighed, her shoulders sagging in relief that she's done talking. 'Open speeches like that is nerve wracking.'

'It's to be expected of a guardian.' said Gazel. 'You're doing well.' he praised her. 'But you need more polishing as you still have a nervous air about yourself.' he chided gently. 'You're still young so you'll learn, but you'll have to adjust as being a guardian, you must inspire confidence and reassurance in your people.' he advised her. 'Easier said than done but that tends to come in time.'

'Yeah, I've never spoken in an assembly far numerous than your court.' Rimuru said wryly. 'Even better, they are people who rely on me.'

'Well, I'll go back to Dwargon now with the Magisteel.' said Gazel. 'I'll have the Craftsmen work full time.' and he hopped on his pegasus and left, taking to the skies.

'There he goes.' said Shuna.

'Shuna, Kurobe, you are crucial parts of the Evacuation Team, so hang in there.' Benimaru told his sister and Kurobe who nodded.

They were told that Shuna's job is magical security and Kurobe was sharpening weapons incase of Aggressor Attacks on evacuees.

'Good luck, everyone.' said Shuna softly. 'And come home safe.'

'Yeah, we will.' Benimaru grinned. 'We'll come home.' he promised her.

And after evacuation is completed, with select few Hunters, the fighting party left on the Tempest Wolf pack, heading at full speed, safely secure in place with Rimuru's threads and protected from the winds through Multilayer Barriers they activated, and Shuna sealed the Gates shut.

xxx

Three days later, the Marshes...

'I thank your swift arrival.' said Aldrich, looking grim as he is clearly heading to the front lines. 'We have spare two days left for rest and recuperation...before we see to our destinies.'

They talked in the conference room regarding what they intend to do.

'Souei, kill one Orc so we can see what kind of armor they have for me to interrogate.' Rimuru instructed. 'We'll determine how much force to deploy. Our strength here, can waste a large city easily and wipe out the land fertility we'll have to be careful.'

'Yes.' Souei had gone to his clone who had strung up a captive into silence, which the real Souei brought home.

'Keep him tied up.' Rimuru then touched the Orc's armor. '...Hakurou, what kind of swords did you use back in your village?'

'The only kind we can afford, pure steel.' said Hakurou softly. 'Why do you ask?'

'...with a Unique-Class Armor on a soldier alone, normal weapons just won't cut it.' the Kijin gasped at this. 'Nevermind an Orc Knight or Orc General outfitted with better wares.'

'We lost to Orcs because of equipment differences?!' Shion sputtered indignantly. 'Our skills and strength meant nothing because of our weapons back then?!' she burst out, upset. Benimaru was livid while Souei bit his lower lip hard.

'Yeah. Even a weak fighter can survive against the strong with proper goods in terms of melee and ranged battles in terms of weaponry that the only way around this, is magic, or slicing through the joints where it's just cloth.' said Rimuru with a pained grimace. 'This Demon Lord really wants Jura for his territory doesn't he?' she swore angrily.

'Father, most of our men only have iron spears as do I!' Chieftain's daughter whimpered nervously. 'Our tribe's treasure, our sole Unique Weapon is in a Chieftain's hands for generations!'

'Then Rimuru-sama, the weapons Kurobe gave us...' Benimaru shook out.

'...is pure, 100% magisteel this time.' said Souei stiffly. 'Rimuru-sama had Kurobe secretly create our weapons as secret from the Dwarves.'

'WHAT?!'

'Pure Magisteel?' Hakurou gasped in astonishment as they looked at Rimuru. They have never heard of a 100% pure magisteel sword before.

'Its a precaution but a weapon that will grow alongside us as we get stronger.' said Rimuru. 'Considering a Demon Lord is using the Orcs, he would surely equip them well, so I had to come up with something that can change the game. And thanks to Kurobe's ability, he made us one hell of a blade.' she then took out...a blade of a tri-pronged spear with a black inside but gold at the edges. It was wicked-looking guaranteed to deliver a world of hurt no matter how you wave a spear. 'Chieftain, use this on your spear. We don't know what kind of armor the higher orcs have, nevermind the Orc Lord.'

'Alright, but what material is this made out of though?' Aldrich inquired, admiring the blade. 'It's beautiful...'

'It's Kurobe's brainchild on all our blades thanks to his skill.' Rimuru grinned as the Kijin squawked at her before quickly pulling out their swords out of their sheaths and indeed, it's the same black and gold with a beautiful sheen and luster, but they can also see how stupidly sharp it is! 'Mithril, the dwarven brainchild has the power to be powerful against undead monsters made out of magisteel mixed with silver...and alloy from magisteel with gold is far superior. I can only look forward to the future when it evolves alongside us.' she chuckled excitedly. 'Expose your blades to your magicule signature to begin their growth in our remaining rest days to start leveling it up. And we have no idea what to name this monster alloy Kurobe created when I had him experiment with metals so for now let's call it Kurobe's Child for now.'

'That guy probably blushed when you said that.' Benimaru snorted.

'Ohhh he did, but he's proud of his masterpieces!' Rimuru smiled, clapping her hands once. 'We'll all be A-OK!'

'Then what of our Hunter Unit outside? They're currently talking to the other soldiers outside.' said Shion.

'I cannot give them the same class of weapons.' said Rimuru. 'They lack as they are now. They cannot protect these treasures in their possessions. So I gave them swords with 20% magisteel.'

'That would make sense...I cannot also see myself giving such treasures to just anybody. It's like giving my newborn child to untrustworthy nannies to raise.' Aldrich grimaced at the idea. 'It has to be someone with skill to keep these in their ownership for as long as they live. Any less, is simply out of the question.' he shook his head quickly.

'By the way Chieftain, who are guarding your people?' Benimaru asked him. 'Our villagers are already evacuated.'

'They are in our hidden passageways.' said Aldrich. 'I also delegated the goblins Gabiru recruited and a thousand Lizardmen. Its safer that way. The rest of us will be at the front with our men behind us.'

They rested at the rooms designated for them while cooking dinner while the wolves ate their meals already.

'I can't believe you had this made for us...' said Benimaru, moaning longingly at his new weapon a tachi, admiring his beautiful blade with its matching red and gold sheath. He then noticed a pair of kanji at the blade collar. 'What's this say?'

'Kurobe asked me how Crimson Lotus is written in kanji, I showed him how.' said Rimuru. 'It reads as 'guren'. The crimson kanji can be read four ways: beni, momi, kurenai, and gu(in another reading). Kurenai is often a favorite name for girls in Japan if a daughter is born from good-looking parents so the girl will be a looker growing up, according to Shizu's knowledge.'

'Oh...but why a flower though?' Benimaru wondered aloud, making Rimuru snort in amusement, conjuring a red lotus image before pointing at his hair which they looked at. The spikiness does resemble the silhouette of the flower. 'Ah...'

'I can see where Kurobe got it from.' Souei chuckled.

'Oh, mine has a name too.' said Shion, seeing hers in her large odachi. The scabbard is magical that ir responds to Shion if she wants it drawn or sheathed, it would appear or disappear. 'What's it say?'

'It means Gouriki, Strength of a Mountain.' Shion lit up in glee.

Souei's pair of ninjato having the name Jinsokushi or Swift Death and Hakurou's meant Mujihi or Merciless.

They liked their sword names. That Kurobe!

Shuna also made them specialized clothes and shoes. The protective-but-stylish clothing she made changes its appearance based on the wearer's aura. Not only that, it self-repairs with Shuna's own technique, other than adding the Enchantments Rimuru created for Garm. And dang, did she make her brother very princely in looks.

'Well, let's rest as much as possible. For there will be none in the battlefield.' Hakurou advised.

'Right...'

xxx

'Wow, these guys have fur beds, Rimuru-samaa!' Shion squealed as she rolled on their bed.

'It's finely-diced staw under the furs for extra squishiness too.' Rimuru patted the bed before shrinking to Slime form and bouncing about. 'Well, comfortable beds will have to wait a bit back home. We lack material.'

'Material?' Shion blinked.

'Yes. Bed Stuffing. We'll have to wait till harvest day for that.' said Rimuru wryly. 'In Autumn.'

Vegetables aside, she created a massive grain field for bread, bird feed and bedding by using its chaff and stalks. All that's left, is animal husbandry through chicken coops for eggs for bread as well as meat but that can wait until the coops are built. Honey? She befriended an injured pair of friends that got away from a nasty aggressor stronger than them, healed them, gave them Names and jobs. So now they're her honey-makers in Treant Forest where there's thankfully, a lot of non-poisonous large flowers rich in magicules, so honey made is nutritious for monsters.

Reason why Rimuru is respectful to Dryads?

They got wind of how tasty honey was when Rimuru taught Apito about it and used persuasion tactics...so Rimuru got 'honey taxed' with two honey jars per sister so that's six taken every harvest time in exchange for letting Apito and Zegion work in their area. Their 'persuasiveness' reminded her of her mom when she wants to make her dad do something for her and he's not allowed to refuse.

Scary~

xxx

Rumors spread that the allies from the Named Village have arrived.

Five A-Class Monsters, seven powerful Hobgoblins in classy rare-class equipment in good quality clothes and twelve Tempest Wolves! The latter two being B-Class monsters!

'Is their leader really a Slime?'

'That guy said she takes the form of a blue-haired girl right?'

'She's really beautiful!'

'That other woman with her really has a huge rack!'

'Are monsters in Named Village all like that? Muscular and pretty?'

'Looks like it...'

xxx

Next day...

'So this is the marshlands during the day...' Rimuru walked around with Shion for company. Though Shion carries her as she cannot show that she's somewhat a cripple as a human. She can walk straight for short periods but any longer...

'The air is a bit cleaner with a hint of grassiness...' Shion remarked. 'Though walking here is kinda hard, like one wrong move you slip and go splat on the mud.' she pouted. She wore a xianxia battle dress in shades of purple and lilac that showed her cleavage. She has black shorts on, given her fighting style. 'It's good our clothes are magical and keeps the rest of us filth and odor-free.'

'Can't be helped. But alas this is the fated battleground...we can't fight anywhere else.' Rimuru sighed. 'I already warned Benimaru that while he can go trigger-happy with his newfound powers, just that he has to ensure that it doesn't touch the water or he kills the fish here by boiling them in their lake, the lizardmen are not gonna be happy about that.'

'That will make our fights tougher.' Shion pouted. Slippery grounds and now environmental mindfulness to add to that? Oh, come on...

'Yeah. I have to be mindful about my magic too. What a pain but we can't ruin a neighbor's livelihood. Don't do unto others what you don't want done unto you. I'd hate it if they retaliated by messing with our farms y'know. Building the farms are hard work.'

xxx

Nighttime...dinnertime...

'Rimuru-sama, how far are they?' Rigur asked Rimuru while they're in a large dining hall with a large roasted armored spider, nicely de-shelled. Its carapace taken for future armor-forging.

'Souei's clones are watching over them. They'll be here by tomorrow night at their eternal march.' said Rimuru. 'Dinner will be early tomorrow. As in, we're done eating two hours before it begins.'

'We will adjust.' said Aldrich. 'Its folly to go to war on an empty stomach. And we're not like Orcs who can manage such madness.'

And on the big day after dinner?

The Two Commanders looked at their assembled forces.

'Today is the day we decide our fates!' Chieftain Aldrich spoke to them. 'There Orc Forces are at our doorstep and to protect our brethren, they are forbidden entry! Do not let them reach your loved ones at all costs! By the blades in our hands, we protect family and friends! Losing is out of the question as it means losing what we protect! Bringing victory not just means we live another day but also for us to have a future and for our children to reach their future!'

'OU!'

'While I'm confident in our strength, mistakes or worse, dying is forbidden.' Rimuru continued. 'Cover for your comrades if anyone is having a hard time. Work as a team!' she told them sternly. 'In war, Heroes are those who sacrificed greatly in battle and I'm not having any of that in our ranks. All of us are going home to everyone!' she looked at the army seriously. 'Got me?! Leave that Martyr bullshit to idiots and none of the men here are surely not idiots!'

'Hai!'

'Move out to your designated missions!' Aldrich ordered as they all left the grounds. 'That's an interesting mindset, Rimuru-dono.' he said as they were behind their soldiers.

'Is it? It's hard to lose those you care for.' Rimuru chuckled somberly. 'It makes a person constantly think of what ifs and if onlys, but there are no takebacks. Friends and comrades, are gone and there's nothing you can do about it.' she stated. 'The loss is there, staring you in the face, mocking you forever. So I hope nobody dies today and we miraculously keep everyone after this.'

'Mm. Its hard telling families of the fallen you're sorry.' Aldrich agreed. 'And posthumous military honors bring no comfort either.'

xxx

At the battlefield...

'Here they are.' Benimaru grinned, his blood boiling for battle. Wings sprouted out of Rimuru's back.

'I'll direct everyone through Thought Transmission from above! But if the Orc Lord shows up, leave him to me!' and she soared up above the sky.

From above, she observed the battle.

What cannot be seen with naked eye alone is clearly visible with Magic Perception.

Almost as if you were observing with a satellite far beyond the clouds.

Thus, she began to change the tides of war. She tells her men where to go and strike, and tells Aldrich where to direct his men as he joins the Kijin in their wholesale slaughter as she allows them their revenge by killing as many as possible as they lost their families and friends.

In fact, above the clouds, thinking while observing the armies clash and being able to understand their every movement, gives her a sense of overwhelming superiority.

She also notes that through Thought Transmission, the aerial information can be transmitted to every soldier...

Information tactics of modern warfare can be implemented in a fantasy world...AWESOME.

Unlike conventional armies, the amount of information provided is vastly different. With this, it is be possible even for an individual unit to maneuver well.

Actually, this makes individual movement possible.

When she was thus thinking, Souei called.

Is there something?

Hai. The clones have reported suspicious monsters in every direction across the marshes. They have decent magical power, high ranking individuals. How should I proceed?

What?

Could it be a trap? Even so, what kind of trap I—we wouldn't know.

How many have you confirmed?

I able to confirm, 4 individuals. Unfortunately, there could be more. However, I don't feel any other auras.

I see...is it possible to dispose of them?

If doing it simultaneously, it may be possible with 2 clones. It may take time, but I can eliminate all of them!

Truly an outstanding guy.

Somehow, I feel it's best to dispose of them simultaneously...just what are they—that much is unclear.

She'll decide on this.

Send me the information about their position. I will investigate with my magic. Once I confirm their threat levels and status regarding our situation, I'll make my decision. Keep your clones watching while you enjoy your revenge, before you and the others can let go of your hatred.

Yes!

She doesn't know who they are, and as far as high-class acquaintances can go, it's those ladies and no one else.

Rimuru cast Reinforcement on her eyes to have a zoom function, like the eyes of a hawk. And...why are they clowns? This gives that Creepy Clown trope a whole new deal of shit. But one of them is Gelmud!

"Great Sage, analyze these individuals." Rimuru instructed while keeping an eye on the targets to enable Great Sage to analyze them.

/Hai. Analyzing four suspicious individuals...Danger Level of the Three Clowns: High. Do Not Engage./

"Eh? So high? How come?"

/They possess the same level of strength as you and clearly work as a team. Engaging them is not advised. They seem just content to watch./ said Great Sage. /As for the fourth individual Gelmud, despite his energy level, he is clearly not a fighter-type. Even A-Class Monsters can handle him as long as he is not allowed to use magic./

"I feel better already." Rimuru sighed in relief. "But this just proves our suspicions too." she contacted Souei. Souei, forget those three clowns you saw. Too strong! Three clowns with the same energy level as me? Provoking them is a bad idea. But one of them is Gelmud! I'll handle him myself if the bastard shows up. I catch him...and you guys have fun after I toss his skinny ass at you.

Very well.

Such is their lady's favor!

xxx

Well,

After finishing the telepathy, Souei wears a thin smile.

He feels he was able to help his Lady in where he's good at. She makes use of his gains, and puts it to good use and she doesn't issue dangerous orders either.

For Souei, Benimaru who is son of the lord was not his Lord. Had Rimuru not taken them in and Named them, he would remain his young master but similar of age, Souei treats him as a rival. Someday, he considered to serve under him, but it was not meant to be.

Instead, they both began to serve a lady named Rimuru.

I am fortunate, he thought.

A time of peace had continued for a while. Symbolizing strength, the Oni had no opponent in the forest.

Recently, even lesser dragons had not caused any commotions.

He had thought that the peace was a good thing. However, they also wanted to use the skills they have obtained, such was their earnest wish.

Then, they were attacked by the Orc army.

He could do nothing at all, and left without avenging his lord and fallen comrades...

I am fortunate, he thought.

Under the new Lady, he was given the opportunity to avenge his former lord.

Negligence born of pride. That he currently did not have.

For their Lady, he had polished his technique (skill), all to eliminate his enemies. He had embraced being a shinobi, the shadows that supported the warriors.

Being commanded filled him with the highest of pleasure and his heart warms as despite orders, she was concerned for her people and forbade death. For her, to live after conflict is true victory. Dying is true defeat. And losing is forbidden.

The high class majins were not his enemies right now.

He understands that much.

xxx

The main force led by Benimaru began to move.

Soundlessly like the wind, the tempest wolves gallop into battle.

The goblins ride in enthusiasm.

They move in accordance to Rimuru's order. So extreme was their joy, that they felt their very blood dance in delight.

"You guys felt the same, right..."

Benimaru thought so, he was aware of his carefree personality.

That's why, he remember the hesitation he felt when faced with the need to take over the Oni Village Chief. Right now, however, he had no such choice.

Thus, He liked his current position with Rimuru as the Lady he served.

As one of the military commander, he merely wished to rampage to his heart's content.

Had he become Chief, he could not ride off to battle thus. But now was different.

He can participate without any concern.

Benimaru sprints.

He can't stop his blood from boiling.

Souei, Hakurou, Shion, had confirmed that they had arrived at their destinations.

To prevent their presence from being noticed, they concealed themselves.

In front of each of them, a suspicious demon was visible.

They confirmed their observations, and found their opinions to match.

This demon was a familiar of a High Devil which specialized in reconnaissance!

Just in case, Souei conveyed to the two

(I'm going to report this to Rimuru-sama)

Our lord would surely be troubled if suddenly beset by three reports.

The two reluctantly agreed, as the one who with the best telepathy was Souei.

Clumsy Shion was only good at receiving. She swore in heart to continue practicing.

However, Rimuru forbade provoking 'three clowns' but she will handle Gelmud herself if he dares to show up. And she would allow them their revenge to heal! And she intends to capture Gelmud to let them make him pay!

...what kind of creatures are clowns? A new type of majin?