Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 103! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
- Rimuru POV-
We are finally back in Tempest. It's been only a few hours but seeing the town makes me feel better after what we were doing back at the Vongola Mansion.
" Now, let's get you guys acquainted to our town." I said
" Yes, sir!"
" Don't be so stiff." I assured
First, let's get a meeting with some of the executives. I can call them with Thought Communication, so they should be over in the meeting room in a few minutes.
" Here we are."
" Rimuru-sama." The Kijin greeted
As expected, Benimaru and the other Kijin are already here. Looks like Rigurd will be busy for awhile.
" Gobta and the other Goblin Riders found adventurers running from a Knight Spider. Looks like we'll have hotpot for dinner." Benimaru informed me
" Oh! Sounds great!"
I took my seat at the end of the table while Aichi and Kai sat down on the seats to my right. Shuna had Tasuku with her and he immediately took the chance to go back into his mother's arms.
" You guys can sit too." I offered the four Knights
" But..."
" It's fine."
Even my other executives sit down when we don't have guests over. That'll change once the adventurers arrive though. For now, I want these four to acquaint themselves with the ones currently here.
" First, I'll introduce the Kijin. Benimaru, Shion, Shuna, Hakurou." I introduced them one by one while they nod to acknowledge being called
Oh? Ratie seems to notice something about the shadow.
" Souei." I called
Immediately, he appeared from one of our shadows and greeted the four.
" This one's Souei."
" Benimaru-san and Hakurou-san will be assisting us in training all of you." Aichi added
" Yeah, that's what I wanted to discuss about. These four will be serving under Aichi and Kai as their secret troop, dubbed the 'Quatre Knights'." I introduced
" My name is Gaillard."
" Ratie's my name!"
" I am Neve."
" As for my name, I am Serra."
" I named them recently and they've already evolved so they're ready at any time for training. We currently have to find out what are their aptitudes and the weapons they can wield. However, since they're a secret troop, only us here and the other executives will know about them. Other than that, treat them like normal citizens outside of work. Same goes to the four of you. You're normal citizens on the outside but on the inside, you're the Knights of Tempest." I explained
" Yes, sir!"
" This will be interesting. They are the next batch of interesting individuals after Aichi and Kai." Hakurou said
" I agree. Glad to have you guys with us." Benimaru said
Seems like they will get along just fine. Without the creep opening his mouth, I hope... Anyway, we should probably get back to business before our guests arrive.
" Before you guys start with anything, that elemental power you guys talk about is actually magicules as I explained. That's how you guys were born. It shouldn't happen again in that world since Alu and Zen got skills to properly store their magicules without leaking." I explained
" I see. This world does feel much better to live in. It's brimming with this 'magicule'." Gaillard nodded
" Yeah, yeah."
" Glad you understood that. So on the topic of weapons..." I trailed off
I immediately raised my eyebrow in caution. Aichi and Kai are silent again with that swirling light in their eyes. Is it that PSYqualia again? In the middle of a meeting? That power really does things suddenly. But it seemed like I didn't have to call them since Milim burst through the doors loudly as usual, scaring poor Tasuku until he cried.
" Oh, Tasuku-kun!"
Aichi was the first to snap out of his trance to comfort Tasuku before Kai also followed behind and returned to reality.
" Milim! What did I say about busting through the door?!" I scolded
" You guys are doing something fun without me!" She pouted
" We're not!"
" Um..."
Right, back to our situation at hand... Now there's four cards glowing in front of the two after they snapped out of their trance.
" What are they?" I ask
" Vanguard cards... It seems like they're attracted to our new members." Aichi explained
" ... Have a talk with them."
Kai directed the cards to the knights. This is interesting. The cards actually took form into shapes or rather, 'units', as Aichi and Kai like to call them.
" I am Bluish Flame Liberator, Percival. Pleased to meet you, Gaillard." Percival greeted
He has a sword made of blue flames. Are they the same race or something? Does that mean that these guys are related to Planet Cray somehow? That might explain their weird origins.
[Answer: Analysis shows that Cray and Earth can directly affect each other. Thus, the theory of the Quatre Knights having been from Planet Cray could be true.]
Two planets affecting each other's karma through a simple card game and the ones that reverberate their fates are the Prayer granters, the PSYqualia users. Is that right, Great Sage?
[Answer: Yes. This lines up with Aichi and Kai's stories.]
And it's happening now. Aichi and Kai are reverberating the fates of Planet Cray's inhabitants so that they can materialize in this world for the Knights. There's so much mystery around them that I can't wrap my head around most of the facts.
" I am Mesmerizing Witch, Fianna. I am happy to meet you, Ratie."
" ... Metalborg, Sin Buster."
" And I am the Young Pirate Noble, Pinot Noir. It is a pleasure to be meeting you, Serra."
" We would like to watch your growth in this world, Quatre Knights. We are your eternal partners. Use us as you please." Percival explained
" Huh? That simple?" I ask
" They are special existences that require proper care and weapons. Not every weapon can suit them. We will become the weapons that you'll be able to fight with." Fianna explained
" But that is if you are willing to accept us, that is. If you do, then you four will be a strong force to be reckoned with." Pinot Noir added
" Oh! Does that mean they'll be stronger than they are now?!" Milim jumped about
" I think so, and quit moving about! Let them finish talking! Lunch will be here any time soon, so just be good!" I chided
" Lunch?! Yay!"
Sighing, I returned my attention to the four Knights and units.
" It takes a strong bond to be able to work this out. Do you think you four are capable?" Percival ask
" ... Maybe it'll be hard to become that capable, but I feel like if I have you by my side, anything will be possible." Gaillard replied with determination
" We can have a lot of fun together, Ratie." Fianna said
" Yeah, yeah! I like you a lot, Fianna!" Ratie exclaimed
" Me too."
" Sin Buster, you'll be willing to fight by my side?" Neve ask
The robot simply nodded back at him. Looks like he'll be fine. And all that's left is...
" It would be an honor to have such a grand noble as my partner!" Serra exclaimed
Damn... Still creepy but he seemed to be okay with it too. It's such a short and sudden meeting but they immediately bonded with the units without any problem. Is this also the effect of the PSYqualia users?
" Prayer granters of Earth. You have our thanks. Takuto Tatsunagi was not wrong to choose you two as our Overseers. From now on, we are also at your service." Percival stated
" Overseers... It wasn't exactly our decision, but it was needed one. Time and Space have been in chaos ever since that distortion world appeared, so we took on the roles of Overseers of Time and Space to maintain it." Aichi explained
So it was a job forced on them, huh? I understand that feeling very well.
" We are grateful. Our loyalty now belongs to you." Fianna bowed as did the other three units
" Now then... Let us bestow you four our powers. Call on us when you need us." Percival said
They turned back to their card forms and from there, something appeared from the cards. Gaillard received a pair of rings made with steel and blue gems in the middle. Ratie's ball talisman now had a green gem inside. Neve was gifted a pair of steel balls which he clicked comfortably in his hand. Serra was given a cravat brooch attached to his cravat. It had a teal diamond gem embedded on a gold brooch.
" Those are talismans, apparently. You can now generate pocket dimensions as your prisons, sending your opponents to different types of dimensions as you imagine them to be." Aichi explained
Pocket dimensions? Like my 'Stomach'?
[Answer: These pocket dimensions are prisons of different elements that the Knights can freely control. Sending an opponent inside it will trigger their real strength.]
Wow... That's actually pretty useful. I do hope we won't have to use those prisons too soon.
" Huh?"
Those knights are now kneeling to Aichi and Kai. Those two are just dumbfounded by their sudden action. Reminder: you guys are their Vanguards.
" Aichi-sama. Kai-sama. Thank you for these blessings. We will serve you to the very end!" Gaillard declared
" E... Eh...?"
" Congratulations, Aichi, Kai." Benimaru snickered behind his hand
Kai was muttering something under his breath, probably cursing about these turns of event. At least now I don't have to worry about those two anymore. They seem to have dependable comrades serving them now.
[Notice: Gobta is bringing our the adventurers as we speak.]
" ... Seems like our guests have arrived." I informed
At this, everyone in the room had started standing to move behind me.
" Come on, guys. They're just guests." I reminded them
I managed to get Aichi, Kai and Benimaru to sit at the left side of the table before changing to my slime form. The Knights stationed themselves behind Aichi and Kai. Hakurou excused himself to return to train some of the Goblin Riders. Gobta soon entered with familiar and unfamiliar faces, explaining to us about their situation in the forest.
" ... And to make a long story short, these are our guests!" He presented them to us
" O... kay?
I swear... Eren, Kaval and Gido always gets themselves in dangerous situations, huh? And then there's that old man beside them and the bunch of adventurers.
" What do they want with us?" I ask
" No idea!" Came Gobta's cheerful reply
You could've asked...
" Ahem... Pardon me. My name is Fuze. I am the Guild master of the Kingdom of Blumund. I asked Gobta to lead me to you because making contact is my mission." The old man, Fuze, explained
" With me?"
" Roughly ten months ago, I hired them to investigate the state of the forest, and they came back to me with their report. First, I would like to thank you for memorializing a true hero of the guild. Forgive us for not extending our gratitude earlier." He continued
" Well, I appreciate that. But I'm guessing you didn't come all this way just to say that." I said
" No, I didn't... A few months ago, rumors spread through the Blumund Guild about the arrival of an Orc Lord in the area. Our investigation turned up solid evidence that this was true. We were desperately trying to make a plan with no idea how to proceed..." Fuze explained, glancing over to Souei, " ... When that man over there appeared in our office."
Oh, yeah. I did send Souei to tell them that we vanquished the Orc Lord...
" The Orc Lord is gone now. But if it was other monsters that vanquished them... As far as humans are concerned, that doesn't entirely eliminate the threat." Fuze continued his explanation
" Ah, yes. The same thing that the Dwavern King was looking for when he showed up." I said
" Dwarven King? He was here too?" Fuze ask
" Yes. King Gazel was hoping to 'ascertain my nature' as he put it. In the end, we formed a pact with Dwargon." I explained
" Huh...? A pact...?"
Well, he seems troubled by that. Hm?
" Pardon me. I wanted to speak to you about the method of sale for this healing solution, Rimuru-sama." Vesta had entered and saw our situation, " Oh, pardon me! I didn't realize you had company."
" Sorry, Vesta. I'll hear what you have to say later." I apologized
" It's quite alright. Until then." Vesta said, exiting the room
" ... Was that Vesta, the minister of Dwargon?!" Fuze exclaimed
" Yeah. Former Minister. He's now part of our excellent research and development team, alongside Kaijin." I explained
Ah... I think he's frozen solid... Must be quite a shock. Looks like he'll need quite a bit of time to think. I'll leave him in peace for awhile.
" And what about you folks? Why are you here? Are you part of Blumund's guild too?" I ask the other adventurers
" No, um, we're..."
" Wait. First, tell me... How is it that a slime can talk?" The leader ask
That's your question?
" It just doesn't make sense! Why doesn't anyone else question it?! It's a freakin' slime! With all those badass types lurking in the background, why is this puny, jiggly thing the one that's calling the shots?!" He continued yelling out
Uh oh... Tasuku looks like he's about to cry again and I don't think anyone should be on the receiving end of Aichi's fury. I should probably stop him...
" You're being very rude to Rimuru-sama!" Shion interjected
" Shut up, tits!"
Ah! Shion just whacked him on the head with her odachi!
" Oops... I didn't mean to." She claimed innocently
" I think you very much meant to!" I scolded
I quickly tossed a healing potion onto the guy's head.
" Sorry about my secretary. She's rather lacking in impulse control. It's what you get for harassing her though..." I muttered out the last part
" You're much too quick-tempered, Shion!" Milim laughed
No... If there's anyone Shion doesn't want to hear that from, it's probably Milim.
" Well, um... We're actually with a survey party for the Kingdom of Falmuth. This is Youm, our captain. I'm Rommel, the chaperone. It was happenstance that we trespassed upon your territory. But we consider it a stroke of luck that we've learned our target, the Orc Lord, is already gone. It was clearly a very dangerous mission. And our lord is greedy, and pushed us to work together without giving us adequate equipment for the task..." The mage Rommel explained
Okay... So they are not a formal military source. No wonder they seemed so uncouth.
" I'm surprised you didn't turn tail and run." I said
" Well, that is why I was ordered to accompany the company. I can cast binding magic that forces its target to comply with orders. That keeps them in line. But I've already removed the spell." Rommel cheerfully said
Huh?
" Wait... But aren't you supposed to be their chaperone, Rommel?" I ask
" Yes, I was. But now I've decided I would rather follow Youm instead." Rommel replied, looking over to Youm
He's like a kid admiring his favorite ball player. But that just further begs the question...
" Why did you try to run away?" I ask Youm
" Huh?"
" They sent you on a dangerous mission with cheap gear, right? From what's been said, it doesn't sound like your employer was the type to shower you with riches for your success." I said
" You think I don't know that?" Youm ask, placing his legs up on the table and earning a 'poor manners' comment from Shuna, " It's because if I don't give him intel on the Orc Lord, the townsfolk are gonna be in danger."
Hang on a sec...
" It'd hurt that old lecturing grandpa and the nosy lady at the tavern. Not to mention all those kids that follow me around." Youm continued
He might have a nasty attitude and filthy mouth...
" You're actually a really nice person, aren't you?" Aichi giggled behind his hand
" ... Don't get me wrong, okay? I'm just saying it wouldn't sit right with me if they all died." He said, a small blush on his cheeks
Yeah, he's right. He actually seems kind of... nice?
" On the other hand, I'd love to see that badger of a count freaking out. From what Rommel tells me... he was embezzling the funds that were meant to be invested on national defense." Youm told me
" In other words, the Orc Lord showed up right when there was no proper defense... so they scrambled to put our little group together." Rommel added
" The real question is..." Youm started, grabbing Rommel by his head, " ... Who uses some green kid like this on such a dangerous expedition? They gotta have a more experienced mage or two in the wings. It's obvious that he just wanted answers, no matter how he got them."
Indeed. They are clearly meant to be disposable pawns. And why are you tying that ribbon on my slime head, Milm...? Well, now I know why Rommel decided to follow Youm instead.
" I hear that you helped save Kaval's party. As their friend, I thank you." I said
" Uh, actually... We weren't really much help at all. The best we could do was deflect the Knight Spider's legs. It was actually that weirdo there who saved them." Youm pointed to Gobta
" Weirdo?!"
He's capable, but not full of himself. And he's got the natural leadership to inspire devotion in his friends. Not bad looking either. But best of all, he's got a good heart. Hm... Seems like not just Aichi and Kai caught onto my idea, seeing their smiles and smirks.
" ... Rimuru-sama?" Shion hovered over me
" He's got an idea of some kind." Benimaru huffed
" Yes, he does." Shuna giggled
" ... Fuze, was it? Pardon me, but..." I called
He snapped out of his stupor to respond to me.
" Is it widely known already that the Orc Lord has been vanquished?" I ask
" Widely known? Well... When your agent visited us, only the four of us were present." He said, looking over to Eren and the other two, " I only told the King of Blumund and a few select Ministers the news. There has not been a public announcement yet. It might cause confusion if we made the news public without reliable confirmation first..."
" I see. That's perfect then. I've made my decision. Youm." I called
" Oh yeah? What's that?" Youm ask
" Do you feel like becoming a champion?" I ask
" ... A champion? Me...? What are you talking about...?" He sputtered out
" I'm not going to force you. I'm only asking." I said
" Yeah, but..."
" You heard what Fuze said, didn't you? If another monster beat the Orc Lord, there's still a potential threat to your town. So I want the story to be that you and your team beat. the Orc Lord." I explained
" Huh...?!"
" And it was the town of monsters that supported the brave young heroes by offering them supplies, weapons and food for the mission. This is a narrative that would really help me in my quest to be on good terms with the humans." I continued
" I have a feeling that the Kingdom of Blumund might be able to assist with this idea." Fuze said
" Huh? Really?"
" If I work with the Ministers I know, we can spread the rumors to the neighboring nations." Fuze explained
" Hey! Why are you all so gung-ho for this idea?! These are monsters!" Youm exclaimed
" I understand your consternation. However... forming a fellowship with them has a meaning beyond just avoiding confusion." Fuze said
" What would that be?" Youm ask
" Well, from what I've gathered, every one of the over ten thousand monsters here is a named monster. If they felt like it, they could bring down an entire nation... To say nothing of what they could do to us right now." Fuze replied, silencing Youm
But I wasn't trying to threaten anyone...
" I would like to hear about this plan of yours. This all assumes, of course, that you do not intend humanity any harm." Fuze said
" But of course. If you want, feel free to spend some time here. I'd be happy for you to learn more about us." I offered
" That would be very appreciated." Fuze said
" That goes for you too, Youm. You are the linchpin of this whole idea. I'd be very happy if you accepted, but I'm not going to force you into it." I said
" It's... just not my style. I'm not cut out to play Hero." Youm sighed
" No. Not a 'hero'." Milim interrupted, " Heroes are a kind of special being, just like Demon Lords. Calling yourself a Hero sets fate into motion. If you want to lead a long life and die old, better to be a 'champion'."
Is that the rule?! Does that mean you can't just call yourself a Demon Lord, either? I wonder what would've happened if I tried to follow Milim's lead and called myself one...?
" Whaddya want, kid? The adult are talki-"
And the next thing I heard was a smash. This Milim...! She smashed a fist on his forehead for calling her a kid!
" Milim-sama..."
" This is the moment you choose for violence...?" I ask
" N-No, I didn't! But when he called me a 'kid', I just..." Milim tried to reason
I really need to talk to Shion and Milim about this... I had to toss another potion to heal Youm before he could listen to me again.
" You might not trust me, but I'm telling you the truth when I say I don't want to force you. Just think it over." I said
" ... Can I go outside?" Youm ask
" Of course."
Youm left the room with his comrades, leaving Rommel alone in here.
" Youm-san instructed me to tell the Count that the Orc Lord's forces found us, and wiped out the entire survey party." Rommel explained
" I see. If you're all dead, they won't bother looking for you." I said
" Yes. The idea was that I would regroup with them after receiving the payment of the mission. Youm stood in front of the group and said, 'The only thing waiting for us back in Falmuth is the old forced-labor camp. If you're sick of that too, then follow me, boys.'" Rommel recounted
" Oh, what a stud." I said
" I know, who even says things like that? But... there was something strangely convincing about it. Right from that moment, I must've realized on instinct that this was a man who cared for his people." Rommel said
I nodded and dismissed the meeting for everyone.
" Then we shall leave to introduce the town to the Knights so that they can familiarize themselves." Aichi said
" Yeah. I'll have their lodging be ready as soon as I can. We should have available houses, so I'll have a check with Geld tomorrow. I have him be on a rest day today." I said
" Thank you, Rimuru-sama."
Hm? What was that solemn like look? He passed Tasuku over to Kai and walked back to me.
" Rimuru-sama. Can I hug you for awhile?" He requested
" Sure..."
He carried me from the table and held me to his chest.
" Something the matter?" I ask
" ... Nothing. Everything will be alright. We'll always be here for you, Rimuru-sama." He smiled warmly at me
" O-Okay..."
I think I kind of understand how Kai could fall for someone like him.
" Oh? Are you getting warmer, Rimuru-sama?" Aichi ask
" I... It's just your imagination." I replied
He smiled again before setting me back down on the table. I waved them off and told Shion that she could do whatever she wants since I want to be left alone for a bit. But that expression Aichi made still bothered me... Him and Kai acted strangely when I apparently went into the future and switched places with my future self. I wonder what happened... I just remember being asleep for the entire five minutes.
[Notice: It may be the case of Sleep Mode activating temporarily as an emergency response to your sudden transfer to the future.]
I guess that makes sense. I'm just going to head to that cliff for a bit. I bounced off to the cliff and found Youm looking over the town with empty skewers sticking out of his mouth. He seems to know that I'm here.
" ... I'm the leader of the survey party. It's my job to keep the rest of them safe. If we go and join a guild in another country, we might be able to put food on the table. And with thirty people, we could even take some big extermination contracts. I had my own vision of what is possible in the future. But now you want me to be some 'champion'? It's far too beyond anything that makes sense. The whole thing reeks." Youm said
He sighed, getting up and turning to face me.
" I've decided, Rimuru. You're not like that awful count. There's a power in the words of those who are revered by their companions." Youm said, kneeling down, " I've decided to trust you. Allow me to call you 'Master Rimuru' from now on. I am at your command. So I'll be whatever you want me to be."
This is great.
" ... Great. I'm happy you decided to accept." I said, turning into my human form and holding out my hand, " Put 'er there. I have high hopes for you, Youm."
He did shake my hand after getting through being flustered at my human form. Aichi and Kai were right about my face giving some form of effect, but whatever... Now, all we have to do now is to make things perfect for Youm and his party to become the champions.
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!