Preparing for Trouble

At the Exam Room...

There's big hullaballoo as someone is taking the B-Rank Exam alone when normally, it's taken in teams.

The brazen one to do so, was Mizora. The local beauty of Blumund.

'Alright, let's begin.' said Fuze as Mizora drew her sword.

Due to what it was, Mizora had requested the dwarves to tweak its aesthetic appearance so on the outside it looks like low-level equipment when it's sharpness and quality is anything but to hide that her sword is made of a precious alloy.

Fuze summoned a B-Rank monster, a Giant Wyvern that clearly took a toll on Fuze.

He was sweating heavily and wheezing.

Maybe he needs her Limit Break.

Mizora put on an act of having a difficult fight, remembering her performance as a child. Took her ten minutes before killing the Wyvern with her magic, shoving her fire magic inside the wyvern by force and it began thrashing around violently.

'Whoa, what'd you do to it?' Fuze asked her as the Wyvern thrashed in pain before dying from being rapidly burned alive from the inside. Nasty way to go.

'...cook it inside out. I wonder what Roast Wyvern tastes like?'

'...are you for real...?' Fuze twitched. Who eats monsters?! Are they even edible?! 'But anyways, you pass.' he said as she put the monster away with her magic. 'You can update your Guild ID at the General Counter.'

xxx

Dwargon...

King Gazel was in deep thought.

Rimuru's Stray friend has Skills that enabled a fast route to Human/Dwarf Evolution to Enlightened and Saint by knowing how to do it right, instead of grasping at straws and hope for the best. That she is an Enlightened at age 14 when even he took ten years to train after learning the sword technique of the ogres, and the 'saints' of Ruberios took just as long. But Rimuru hopes for his backing as Rimuru and Mizora disdain the idea of Child Soldiers...with good reason.

Even he disagreed on such a notion to great disgust.

He's not blind to how other nations work thanks to his spy network. He really pitied the children but no thanks to the Enslaving, he cannot exactly kidnap them to safety can he?

What keeps Dwargon on top, is that they supply the world with Potions and equipment. Without them, how can humans hope to defeat monsters?

For Mizora's sake, Rimuru traded with him how to create Orichalcum which was Mizora's creation through her skill Harmonic Combination. She knows perfect balance in combining all materials and magic known to man to create, also effectively making her a top-class alchemist and chef, craftsman if she bothered to try. Orichalcum was the western country's best alloy yet.

However, for the sake of Dwargon, he refuses to sell this product. Period, as Dwargon's ace in the hole.

Orichalcum has twice pure Magisteel's abilities. And greater evolution effects, if one feeds it their magicules to make the weapon imprint on their owner over time, while feeding more magicules to make it evolve into a Legend-Grade Weapon as opposed to just Pure Magisteel weapon.

They can definitely do that, considering they make healing potions out of Hipokute! To think obtaining Legend-Grade is under their nose for years and they just did NOT figure it out!

Trade is disproportionate. That both parties knew, but Rimuru wanted to protect Mizora from her understandable fears. They need a backer and that backer, is him.

Well, to make it work, he'll have to pull his own strings if she was ever discovered, and arm his men with the precious alloy.

Since Kaijin's departure no thanks to balancing good and evil in politics in his court, he has to find trustworthy smiths now. Sigh...

Now, to send a letter about how their kind works...now then, how will Rimuru handle Orc Lord and his army?

xxx

Mizora returned to the village in record time, assisting in training the Goblins for the upcoming fight with Benimaru, Hakurou trains Rimuru in swordsmanship as Rimuru was solely a sorcerer but doesn't know how to fight, while Souei gathers intelligence for them.

Mizora's ability wasn't THAT psychic. So Souei put himself to good use.

Skills are born from wishes of the Heart upon evolution. Thus most of the Kijin who learned that from Rimuru who learned that from Mizora, were given time to think before he names them.

They gained many Extra Skills, with three of them gaining Unique Skills.

Shuna gained Analyst, Hakurou gained Martial Master and Kurobe gained Researcher.

'You're a pretty good fighter Mizora.' Benimaru praised as the Hobgoblins were exhausted so they took a break by sitting under trees to avoid too much sunlight. They divided the fighters among them to train. While she IS a good swordswoman, she is clearly better with fists and kicks. And dual-wielding as she taught Gobuta. He would gain a pair of shortswords suiting his stature soon for the battle.

Their weapons are forged long ago, but everyone practices with weighted weapons to build up body strength and muscles. So when going all out, they're agile and have stamina to spare.

'Well, my ability Ultra Intuition helped out a lot...like, I know what's best for me and others simply by activating it. So I know where I'm most skilled at and where I'm weak at, as well as others around me.' said Mizora. 'But I don't want to look too presumptuous so I guide things along instead of directly teaching. This ability can make a weaker person at heart grow arrogant with a holier-than-thou attitude and earn enemies in the process.'

'Define your idea of weak at heart.' Benimaru asked with a raised eyebrow.

'Someone who never knew hardships in life, born with a silver spoon and nothing bad ever happened to them. Thus become arrogant. But as they say, they higher you fly, the harder you fall as karma comes charging at the best time.' Mizora began. 'Those who suffered are actually stronger, kinder and more mature and wiser in life...or plunge into hatred and will do all means to sate that hatred, using, exploiting and discarding anyone and anything in their wake. Thus in a corrupt way, they are strong in their own way.'

'I see...'

'And ever since I evolved, I began having weird dreams about my predecessors...that I'm suddenly glad I'm a Stray Otherworlder now.' Mizora shivered as she hugged her knees. 'It was a bloodline trait in my family, my paternal line has a connection to spirits of our ancestors who would challenge their heirs for the right to leadership of something nasty...my father who lied to me and my mother's face for years that he works as a miner, is in fact, a high-ranking member of a criminal organization...and I'm a potential heir at that because of lineage.' that shocked Benimaru.

Mizora was a good girl loyal to their master and got along well with monsters thus never had prejudice to anyone. Despite how she looks, she was no different from a little girl younger in mind than her body suggests.

She lived alone due to well-justified fears after becoming a Stray. And her home life made her isolated back in her world. She was bullied by schoolmates and teachers were neglectful of their students that bullying went rampant because teachers don't care, angering his master Hakurou as teachers should not be that way.

At home, her mother never believed she was bullied in school, because she doesn't believe her daughter because her friends' children never said anything bad happening at all and they were classmates with her daughter. Was it a wonder that she never missed home while living in fear here in their world?

This was why Mizora was highly distrustful of her own kind, and liked monsters better as company because when she stumbled into Rimuru's village, they treated her kindly when nobody ever was to her before and it made a big impact on her.

She never matured, has the mentality of a little girl trying to be brave despite her awesome power and skill as an evolved human, but Rimuru would tell them that 'Wounds of the body heal quick, but wounds of the mind and heart take longer to heal. She needs support of good, reliable adults such as us before she can break free and become a lady she should be at her age.'

'Thank goodness for being a Kamikakushi now, I want no part in it and just live my life the way I like it here.'

'...what's a Kamikakushi?'

'Its a term in my country back in the world I'm from...it means 'spirited away'. Kidnapped by supernatural means and sometimes you disappear like a ghost because you were taken.' Mizora explained. 'Well, it seems Kamikakushi means very few people back in my world end up here somehow...'

'Magic doesn't exist where I'm from though, but mysteries still happen in their own way...and supernatural exists in their own way through curses of people who died horribly and suffered injustice...sometimes, they haunt as ghosts, their hatred manifesting powers reflecting how they suffered before dying. The only way to make them go away is to satisfy the ghosts. They are thus reason why you should not be bad to anyone back home. But some people are still irredeemable jerks.'

'Heee...that's pretty scary.' Benimaru shivered at the idea of being cursed and haunted.

'That's in Japan, my country though. I dunno how the rest of the world works.'

And so...

At the Log Cabin, dinnertime...

'OOOOK!' Mizora chimed. 'First things in order...I'm gonna use Limit Break on Rimuru!' she told them.

'Er...?' Rimuru blinked at her.

'I requested for an upgrade for my Unique Skill: Limit Break...so now I can cast it on anyone instead of just keeping it for myself.' said Mizora. 'I'll increase your Magicule Cap Limit. I can break anyone's limits so they can keep at it in training and reaping the benefits.'

'Is it only limited to magicules?' Hakurou asked her, intrigued.

'Muscle. Bone. Magic. Spiritual...good for training.' said Mizora. 'By increasing how much the body can take and training, quality improves. Its why for a human, my body was so strong because for humans, monster meat is extremely nutritious compared to livestock meat and I'm a frequent Dryad visitor I have a lot of Treant Fruit on me. My body is very healthy and increased quality training gains as a result, so it made evolving easier for me. Thing is, I need consent of the one I'm applying it on as well as agreeing to my offer.'

'Er...define the limit cap you're talking about?' Shion asked her, not really getting what she's saying.

'Like that mug of tea, it's full if it reaches the brim right? What I'm doing is like doubling the space the mug can accommodate so the amount will increase. Quantity and Quality increase in targeted field. Rimuru being a slime can only increase magicule limit while everyone else can afford to improve bone and muscle growth in quality, not in size for strength and durability increase after training and eating well.'

'That would make us crazy strong if you mean what I think you mean...' Rimuru croaked out, sweating buckets.

'Yup.'

'Well, we need that power now if you ask me.' said Rigur, looking forward to it. 'So what's Rimuru-sama's magicule limit at present date?'

'Well, to make an analogy...' she conjured a tiny Rimuru the size of a fingernail which she shrunk further... 'Rimuru is a Calamity-Class monster that he has enough power to wipe a city if he bothered to try.' she said, conjuring a diorama of a city and a tiny Rimuru laying waste to it. Then made the city whole again and divided the diorama evenly to six. 'And this is how much he gave the Kijins in magicules in equivalent to trigger evolution while for Goblin to Hobgoblin.' The division of six was gone and became numerous smaller bubbles within the city. 'Hobgoblins are C-Rank monsters, reaching their magicule limits. Break that limit...they'll evolve. And I can keep breaking limits as many times when you keep reaching your limits. Even monsters fear Magicule Poisoning, hence they have a cap limit sooo why not?'

Rimuru is an A-Class Monster, a Calamity-Class. As strong as a Dryad already and she compares to him in strength.

It dawned on EVERYONE the possibilities.

'Well, since bones and muscles are pointless to slimes, magicule break for me!' Rimuru laughed jovially.

'Alright, time to double your city-size limits then!' her hand then glowed golden-orange and so did her eyes. 'Limit Break: Magicule Capacity Triple!' Rimuru, when touched by her hand, ended up glowing gold and he began rapidly absorbing magicules to his body like a water draining in the sink.

'W-whoaaa?!'

'Ehh that's normal. Slimes absorb magicules remember? You'll prolly stay that way until you're full again. Sooo who's next? Be clear with what you want though...'

"Er, Great Sage?"

Notice: Upon application of Limit Break to triple magicule capacity, it has done as it says. Master's magicule capacity in terms of points, 300000. And when Mizora tripled master's new limit, it's now 900000. Enough to destroy five cities in one blow.

"Looks like I have to keep this up somehow..." Rimuru knew this method must be used on everyone until they gained a lot of power.

xxx

There is a lake in the center of the Jura Forest, called Shiss.

A marsh surrounds the lake, and is controlled by the Lizardmen.

Countless caves surround their lands, forming a natural labyrinth thwarting any invasion.

Protected thus by the land itself, the Lizardmen peacefully ruled over the lake.

However, one day, troubling news reached them.

The orc army was advancing to the lake.

The Head, upon hearing these news, quickly issued orders.

'Prepare for battle! We'll crush them!'

The Head was full of confidence.

Had they fought on the plains it might have been different, especially considering the Lizardmen's were outnumbered, but this battle would be on their terms.

If they set traps and proceed carefully, they were sure to win.

While sending some to prepare for battle, he also sent a reconnaissance team to investigate the orcs.

Knowing the size of the enemy is a must. The basic of basics in warfare.

Along with becoming the leader, his intelligence increased.

The carnivorous Lizardmen would individually rank as a C+ monster. The warriors could reach B-, and some special individuals among them could even reach B rank. Thus Orcs that can only go for C and remain there, are nothing to them.

The total number of their troops numbered ten thousand–if calling half of their entire population to arms. However, even so, their abilities are rather highly ranked.

If they properly cooperate and fight as a single unit, they can easily rival the army of a small human country. Thus, this battle seems completely to their advantage.

"There is no way we will lose!" So thought their head in confident determination.

However, his heart was still heavy with apprehension.

Orcs were typically a race that wouldn't attack those stronger than themselves.

And by no means are Lizardmen weaker.

Had they attacked the goblins, then it would've made some sense. But why them?

And thus the question slowly grew into unease that tormented him.

A bold personality, but with enough humility. That was the Head of the Lizardmen who ruled them carefully for many years.

And this old lizard's fears were soon to come true.

That much was confirmed but the reconnaissance team.

'The orcs numbered 200 thousand!' one of them sputtered in alarm.

'That can't be!' Chief's Daughter exclaimed. 'That's twenty times our size!'

'We used Magic Sense and Thermal Sense to be sure, but there's no denying it!' said the second scout.

Chief's mind raced with thoughts as the Elder's Council were just as horrified.

'Impossible! How can a headstrong race be so organized?! They know no order or discipline!'

'How could a vast army that big even be controlled in the first place?!'

'I've heard dark tales about them conquering the Ogre Village...'

'They did WHAT?!' yes, another unthinkable thought as Ogres are B-Class strong. Again, Orcs are C-Class, weaker than Lizardmen.

The orcs were indeed a race bursting with life, renown for their reproductive abilities. However, even then, to prepare 200 thousand warriors was unthinkable.

How were they able to procure enough food?

Who had united that many selfish and greedy orcs under one banner?

With their power, at most a thousand would follow.

The best the head could do would be raise an army for twenty thousand.

Are they divided into sections controlled by some outstanding individuals?

But even so, someone has to unite the leaders...

It couldn't have been...

The mere thought evoked fear.

He wanted to reject that thought with all his might.

That's how terrifying that existence was. 'The Orc Lord...' he spoke with such grimness in his voice that the hall fell silent.

However, no matter how hard he thought, only that entity could have achieved such results.

If...if the Orc Lord has indeed been born, then the advantage he so depended on would probably be meaningless.

If they fight normally, defeat is almost inevitable. They don't have enough troops!

'If there is any Orc capable of uniting such vast numbers...then it can only be the birth of such a unique monster.' his elders and only daughter gaped at him with wide, fearful eyes for they know full well what that meant for them all.

You see, in that Horde of Orcs, one individual is born different. The only Orc capable of going B-Class. But that special Orc has two paths.

Orc King, the wise ruler of Orcs.

Orc Lord, the mad conqueror, enslaved by hunger and his people enslaved with him in the process.

Every 500 years this special orc is born. But its up to fate, if its a much-preferred Orc KING or the feared Orc LORD.

'I merely speak of possibilities, but we must take all precautions we can.' said the Chief as he slowly stood from his throne. 'Son! My son, are you there?!' he called out to his only son who was blessed with a name by a powerful majin who serves under a Demon Lord. He went by the name Gelmud.

He who named his son...

'Father, I am present.' he said, kneeling on one knee. 'But it is too distant of you to call me by title...please call me the name Gabiru bestowed upon me by Gelmud-sama.'

Chieftain looked discontented at his only son, his heir for the Lizardmen's Throne.

The Naming is sacred. The highest of all magics.

Monsters Named will gain great power and evolve. Gabiru gained power alright, but along with it came this snobby arrogance he never had before! He used to be a good kid. A natural leader and naturally-talented in martial arts and education bestowed upon him. Charismatic and quick to befriend that he has a lot of loyal followers that Chieftain could relax for when his time comes.

Yet he...changed for the worst.

Or was there something he didn't know in the process of naming?

'Sigh. What I call you matters not, for we have more pressing business at hand.' he said. 'As you know, many tribes, even the Ogres have been annihilated by the Orc Army.' Chief told Gabiru. 'So we really are in no place to complain now. We need more numbers. 20000 against 200000. I will send you as a reliable ambassador to convince the goblin tribes to ally with us.'

Gabiru's jaws dropped.

'G-G-GOBLINS?!' Gabiru shrieked in disbelief. 'Father, we may as well roll over and die!'

'I know how you feel but we are in no room to be picky.' Chief deadpanned. 'Again, I remind you, the reliable people are gone. Eaten. For survival, we must do what must be done whether we like it or not.'

xxx

Lizardmen's Raid Leader Gabiru, upon receiving the orders from the head, left the marshes.

Taking with him a hundred warriors riding on Overlizards as their mounts.

'Visit all goblin tribes and gain their cooperation, he says!' he grumbled. 'It's shameful for proud Lizardmen to quiver in fear of mere orcs!' he exclaimed. 'What is my old man thinking...'

Gabiru was not pleased.

Totally not pleased at all!

His father now quivers before low-class monsters when he used to be a great, proud man!

WHY must they rely on wimpy little runts who can't even talk properly?!

But he supposed they'd make good fodder while the real warriors do the work...and he would lead the vanguard and gain glory in battle.

"I am a chosen one!" That very fact was the root of Gabiru's pride and confidence.

A certain majin he had met granted him this name.

'You show promise! Someday, I'll come back to call you to my side!'

So the great majin told him.

He remembers those words as if they were said yesterday.

'Say Gabiru, when will you become the Chieftain?' a lizardman behind him asked him.

Other than his men, his childhood friends are in his squad too.

Been together since they were little neonates!

'I know I talked big, but I'm still a far cry from dad's greatness.' Gabiru admitted as he was still under training for lordship while he's still a juvenile lizard like his older sister who works as their father's personal bodyguard, tomboy that she was, instead of being engaged and enjoying life of a tribal princess as she should be doing.

But sister says 'That life is boring when I'd rather be useful to father!' that, he can agree with. In her view, princesses are expensive, but also useless deadweights in a kingdom and hostage material she'd rather be a warrior than worry her family.

'I happen to think you're just as great as chieftain was in his glory days.'

'Indeed.'

'H-huh? That's not true for now...' Gabiru croaked out.

'For one thing, you have a name.'

'Aye, and in our age, none are more skilled than you in the spear.'

"Wasn't that fruit of my hard work?!" Gabiru thought as he worked harder than anyone else that he made father proud and never lost him any face before the whole tribe as their prince, AND why Gelmud-sama chose him that he bestowed him a name!

'If you don't stand up for yourself now, when will you shine?'

His friends' sincere flattery struck him hard. He knows he's awesome, but to think it's widely acknowledged now?! Flustered as he scratched his cheek with a claw, he coughed awkwardly.

'Well, dad's getting old.' he thought. 'It might be a stretch now, but I'll show him I can succeed him now! Once I've done that, he'll happily concede to me and retire!' Gabiru decided.

'Then...'

'In order to lay my claim, I will bring the greatest gift...I'll crush the Orc forces!'

'That's our Gabiru!'

'Awesome speech!'

Gabiru preened himself proudly.