Chapter 6: A Review


Early Morning in Tempest, Tanya Von Degurechaff

The early morning light was just rising above the horizon when I arrived at the kitchen of the mansion. As it had become a regular routine the staff quickly began making the usual breakfast. I smiled slightly at the efficiency of the staff. It had only taken them a few days to start making the food without needing my verbal request.

As I watched them do their magic I made a mental note to get them something as a show of appreciation. Efficient workers should always be rewarded for diligence when possible after all.

Taking my cap off and the sword on my hip. I placed them on the table in front of me. I took a moment to look over the sword. It was strange how right it felt in my hands. I had received the sword from Lord Rimuru. It was a simple design that resembled my ceremonial Saber. The black and gold shines brilliantly. Showing that the man who made this had taken great care even on the polishing.

With a sigh I sat down and laid out on the table the papers I had been carrying with me. Taking one rolled up paper I unfurled it to reveal a large map of the Jura Forest. On the map were the details of their underground defenses. It was a large network of interconnecting tunnels and bunkers. Geld had taken my initial idea and had begun adding his own. At first I had my doubts but soon warmed up to him.

I smiled at the map full of markings. The Dryad Treyni had been immensely helpful. She had helped repair the damage we had done to the forest. With the trees we had removed for construction returned to their places the forest looks exactly as it did before we dug it up.

I lifted my gaze as a woman arrived with my breakfast. She laid the plates down smoothly allowing only for the minimal amount of noise. I smiled and thanked her. Once she was gone I dug into my food. Allowing my thoughts to wonder as I ate.

I had been asked by Geld for permission on an idea of his. He had requested to create numerous small towns throughout the forest for the Orcs to live in. At first this seems as something not within her job description. But I quickly realized what he was really planning. See the forest was giant compared to most of the countries on the continent. So keeping the tunnels at the border supplied would be difficult. I had planned to simply build underground caches of supplies and wash my hands of the issue but I realize how half-assed that was.

Geld on the other hand wanted to make permanent residences as the perfect cover for supply depots. After realizing his intentions I enthusiastically gave the order. At the moment the supply depots were being built and construction on roads to connect them to each other and the main city was well under way.

Glancing at the map, I took in the sight of small blue dots and rings scattered throughout the forest. Recently the magic receptors had been completed and the installation was nearly complete. The network of "radar" systems allowed them to monitor not only the entire forest but also a fair distance into their surrounding neighbors.

I couldn't help but grin as I thought about all that had happened over the past few months. Winter was going to be coming soon if the cooling weather was any indication. I froze as flashes of the Eastern Front flashed before my eyes. But I quickly shook the thoughts out. It would do me no good to dwell on the past. Though the reminder of the cold russy winter gave me an idea for what the troops I had been training would do for the winter.


Mid Morning, Lord Rimuru Tempest Office

Rimuru had been having a relaxing morning. Since he had no need for sleep he had spent the night thinking about new luxurious things he could bring to this world to make life easier. And at the moment he was thinking about adding rest stops along the roads he was building. A place for merchants and travelers to stop and have a taste of what his country could offer. Yes, he could see the money rolling in already.

"Hehehe."

Knock

Rimuru jumped a little at the sounds, his slime body jiggling at the movement. The doors to his office opened and in walked his Commander-in Chief Tanya Von Degurechaff.

Rimuru quickly steeled himself. Tanya was a very serious person. Sure she could have a back and forth with you but when she meant business then it was best to get serious yourself.

Tanya walked over to his desk and placed a bunch of papers on the table. She unfurled a map and then clicked her heels and saluted.

"Lord Rimuru, I would like to discuss our current defenses and the progress of the army."

Rimuru let out a pained groan before accepting her salute. Tanya insisted on acting like this when meeting with him "officially". It had even started spreading among the soldiers she was training. Any time he would pass by a patrol in the city they would snap to attention and salute him. It made him feel more important than he thought he was. But there was a silver lining. So far it had only been the soldiers saluting him. He hoped it stayed that way.

After Tanya finished her report Rimuru was glad he remained in slime form. "You said Geld was the one who suggested this?" Rimuru looked at the map with small black dots labeled "Town/Supply Depot." He glanced back at Tanya and saw that she was waiting for his thoughts.

And thoughts he had. He was pretty sure that the relocation of over a hundred thousand Orcs all over the forest was outside of her job description. But the look in her eyes told him that it would be dangerous to voice his opinion. So instead he did what he always did when something troublesome came up that didn't need his direct intervention. "Fine. Do what you will." He sighed.

Just as Tanya was about to leave he stopped her. "Also get some food and drinks for Geld and the others. They deserve it after working so hard."

She nodded and then closed the door. Rimuru sighed and looked at the map again. "Looks like I'm going to have to change my plans for the rest stop idea.


Outside Rimuru's Office

I let out a sigh of relief. I had been nervous about telling Rimuru that I had completely overstepped my authority in relocating the Orcs. It was his authority alone to grant land to his citizens and his authority to allow the construction of new communities. I had taken the authority of the sovereign of the nation and used it to grant land to the orcs. I was prepared to argue that the so-called towns were more like supply depots and therefore within my purview. But it seems he realized that without needing an explanation. It's nice to have a boss that can quickly grasp what needs to be done even if it means stretching the definition of a supply depots.


Within The King's Court, Falmuth

"Gentleman, we are convened today to discuss the matter of this monster kingdom and its ruler named Rimuru Tempest. As you all know our economic security could be compromised if we allow a power to rise within the Jura Forest. Reports show that Blumund is beginning to drift away."

"What! They would dare trade with monsters!"

"It seems they would."

"..."

"...luckily for us the Western Holy Church has given us their blessing. Now all that we need is to gather our forces."

"I ask for a second of your time before you leave gentlemen."

"..."

"Thank you… This information does not leave this chamber. Under no circumstances are you allowed to speak of this matter to anyone else. We cannot allow the element of surprise to escape us. That is all. Dismissed."


? Somewhere In The East

"What is this?"

"My apologies sir. This information just came in."

"How did you miss this? She has been there for months and I'm only hearing about this now!"

"Like I said sir. This information only just arrived now."

"Fine! Now let's move on to the issue at hand. What noble family is she from? And how close are they to the Empress?"

"I sniffed around with my contacts to try and see if anyone had any information on the Von Degurechaff name. But it seemed like there wasn't any."

"Do you think that she is an escaped slave?"

"That could be possible. She could have given herself a noble sounding name to get clout. But from the reports I have she carries herself too well for her to not be a noble."

"..."

"Then perhaps the Empress has always kept Degurechaff or the family members closely hidden. But why would an elf be sent to Jura? Why get involved with the monsters? Something doesn't sit right with me."

"Sir, I have to report that the Holy Church has given Falmuth their blessing and that Falmuth has begun to mobilize."

"We can't stop them now. The seeds have been sown. I will have to try and wash my hands of the matter. There are too many unknowns with Sarion and their involvement. I can only hope the attack goes to plan. If it does I can enjoy reaping those souls. If it does not, then I wash my hands of the matter. I was never involved."


? ? ?

There was a thunderous boom that echoed throughout the cosmos. Energy burst forth from the ether and moved with unimaginable speed. Anything in its path was destroyed with overwhelming power. But the cosmos was not about to allow an intruder to move with impunity. A thunderous boom echoed again. The energy was surrounded and constrained. The hole the energy had ripped into the cosmos was beginning to close. But the energy bucked ferociously, breaking free it reinforced the hole it had made and continued deeper into the cosmos. Although now with far less energy than before.

All throughout its journey it broke free from the defenses of the cosmos. Again and again it bucked the will of the universe. And every time it lost a little more energy. But that was fine because it was quickly closing in on its target. It could see it far off into the distance. Shining like a star, was a planet.


I am so sorry about this chapter being so late. Honestly I just can't figure out what I want to do with this story. Since I started this story with Tanya meeting Rimuru it has tied my hands on what I could do. Since so much of the story is Rimuru's impact on the world. Trying to make Tanya a significant character is hard since Rimuru is so overpowered and so central to everything.

This has given me writer's block. So I have gotten ideas to just go balls to the wall, break completely off the rails and just focus on Tanya in this new world. But at this point in this story I can't do that since she has already joined up with Rimuru.

The next few chapters will decide if I continue this story or not. Depending on the reactions I get. Also I'm sorry for such a short chapter. I had written this chapter like 6 different ways with many routes. But every time I felt unsatisfied. So once again I rewrote the chapter and this is what I got. Not much but I felt satisfied with it. Compared to a much longer 4k word chapter that I felt was all over the place.