Saiyans of Jura

~Trial~

The courtroom had an air of silence and disdain to it, as Kaen and Kaijin's group stood before the judge, with Vesta and their proxy, standing off to the sides. But it looked as though Vesta was laying it on thick, with the victim act. The walls were lined with armed guards, and there was more then a single judge.

'All this, over a single assault charge?' Kaen thought, before the sound of heavily armored boots echoed through the court hall, as the trial was about to commence.

"His Majesty, Gazel Dwargo, will now enter." One of the minor judges declared.

As the horn, declaring the Kings arrival began to sound off, everyone took a knee, including Kaen, while Rimuru just remained on the pedestal.

"This is me kneeling." Rimuru said, bending forward.

High on the stand, where the throne sat, Gazel came out through the door behind it, and sat himself on the throne, to pay witness to this trial involving one of his ministers, as he was the main judge presiding over the consequences of their party's actions.

"Everyone, we will now begin the trial." The minor judge said, slamming his gavel. "You may all rise."

"This is me rising." Rimuru said, straightening out.

"Now, let the trial commence." Gazel said.

As soon as the trial began, Kaen raised his hand, knowing full well he wasn't allowed to speak without Gazel's approval, thanks to Kaijin filling him in on a few of the finer details.

"Allow your proxy to speak sir. Then once he's finished, you may have your say." Gazel said. "Do you understand?"

Kaen looked at Gazel and nodded in respect.

"Very well." The proxy stated. "It was a quiet evening at the Butterflies of the Night. These brutes were out and about, disturbing the peace of the town, and decided to cause trouble. Kaijin has always had a bone to pick with Minister Vesta for getting him fired from the royal guard, and so in their drunken haze, they chose to act and cause him harm. Knowing he frequented the Butterflies of the Night, Kaijin lead his ragtag team of miscreants to the tavern, and sought out some of their brand of 'justice' while causing harm to the Minister. In conclusion, Minister Vesta was minding his own business at the nightclub and enjoying his drink, Kaijin and his crew entered the establishment, and they assaulted the Minister. Such boarish behavior must not be tolerated in our city."

There was a moment of silence, as everyone let the words sink in.

"Looks like he's been bought off to throw our case out the window." Kaijin whispered.

"This sucks, he's supposed to be defending our case." Rimuru said.

"An' everything you just stated is true?" The minor judge asked.

"Yes, beyond a shadow of a doubt."

"King Gazel, now that you've heard the proxy's testimony, I re…"

"Silence Vesta." Gazel said. "I did say that the young man on trial may speak, after the Proxy's testimony. An' I am a King of my word."

"Yes… of course your highness." Vesta said, backing down.

"Speak young man. Let us hear what you have to say."

Kaen stepped up past Kaijin, and took in a deep breath. The Proxy's testimony had really gotten his blood boiling, so he needed to calm down and watch his language in front of the king.

"Everything the Proxy just spouted, is a lie." Kaen said, shocking the court as they did not think he would make such claims. "But you already knew that, didn't you your majesty?"

The silence Gazel gave Kaen was all the answer the Saiyan needed, before the King raised his head in what Kaen assumed was, a modicum of respect for recognizing that Gazel Dwargo was no fool.

"Do you have any proof to back up these claims?" The minor judge asked.

"I do indeed." Kaen said, pulling out his Scouter Shades. "On these, I recorded the entire interaction with Minister Vesta, down to the reason why Kaijin assaulted him. I can play them out for you now, if you'd like."

"Go ahead, show us the proof you have." Gazel stated.

"What are you doing?" The proxy asked. "As your proxy I do not advise you play that footage."

"An' as the person you're supposed to be helping, I advise you don't stoop so low as to taking bribes and being paid off." Kaen stated, before turning to one wall. "Excuse me guards, would a few of you mind moving? I need the wall to project the footage on."

Gazel looked to the guards and nodded, signaling to them that they should move, and to keep Vesta from interfering. Setting the scouter glasses down on the banister, Kaen reached down to press the button to begin playing the footage from what happened last night. However that was on hold as the doors to the court room flung open.

"Papa." Eri called out, running past and through the guards, that tried to stop her.

"Eri?" Kaen questioned, before Eri jumped and glomped him in a hug, before Kaen caught himself on the banister.

"I heard every word, and my Papa's no brute. He's a hero." Eri said.

"Eri, what are you doing here? Why aren't you with Mina?"

"Mama was stopped outside, but I snuck in because you're not a bad man." Eri stated, hugging him tighter.

"I am so sorry King Gazel. We've been separated for almost a week due to an incident and…"

"Enough." Gazel said. "I'll allow her to stay, just play the footage."

"Yes sir." Kaen said, holding Eri, and pressing the button on the scouter shades, while Eri stuck her tongue out at Vesta.

"Good evening Kaijin. Honestly I'm surprised you're playing around like this. Especially since the deadline for those swords is fast approaching."

"I'm gonna stop ya right there fancy pants." The footage was in Kaen's point of view, and it moved as he stood up, before taking the invoice from Kaijin and holding it to Vesta. "Read this."

"What I just handed to Vesta, was the invoice for the swords Kaijin had completed and handed in the previous day." Kaen explained. "The number of which, is 60 in total, exceeding the number Vesta challenged him with, by 40. We were at Butterflies of the Night, celebrating his achievement, as well as a thank you party to me, for lending my aid."

The court looked on in interest as Vesta looked at Kaen, before taking the invoice of paper. The footage showed Kaen sitting back down, and they could practically hear as he smiled, as they witnessed Vesta's body trembling in disbelief after reading the invoice as he got to the number of swords handed in.

"Impossible."

"That's why he's the best of the best." Kaen's voice was heard through the footage.

"Ahem." Vesta straightened himself out. "It doesn't matter. Finishing one's work in a timely manner as well as exceeding the clients expectations is all part of business. Honestly I'm more concerned with these creatures." Gazel's eyes narrowed when he saw the look Vesta had as he directed his gaze to Kaen and Rimuru in the footage.

"Rimuru was sitting on the lap of one of the hostesses at the club." Kaen explained.

"Got a problem with us pal?" They heard him ask, before the sound of him drinking something could be heard.

"This is a nice place. I can't believe you'd have the audacity to bring those disgusting things inside and serve them like guests." Vesta said, giving them both a look of disgust. "Just looking at the slime alone makes me queasy."

"Watch it Vesta." Kaijin's voice came through.

"So, since when do you allow monsters inside your establishment?" Vesta questioned as he turned to look over his shoulder at the off screen tavern owner.

"While it is true that one of them's a slime monster, he's perfectly harmless. But the other patron is not a monster, so he's perfectly welcome inside our establishment." The tavern owner said as she came into view with a mug, and handed it to Vesta. "Please, have a drink on the house."

"Very well. I'll show you what these monsters deserve." Vesta said, taking the mug before turning around and the drink was washing over the camera of the Scouter Shades a moment later.

"Mr. Saiyan." The voice of one of the elf girls came through.

"Kaen, are you alright?" Rimuru asked.

"I'm fine." Kaen said, before the sound of his neck cracking could be heard, alongside the footage shifting views to the sides. "Pissed off, but fine."

The footage showed Kaen was just glaring at Vesta, who had a smirk on his face, clearly thinking he won this tussle, before Kaijin came in and punched Vesta, square in the face, right between the eyes and on the bridge of his nose, sending him back a few feet.

"Hey Vesta. Just because those two are more polite then you are, doesn't mean I'm willing to let your insults slide. Not to mention, you just poured booze on a village chief." Kaijin said, cracking his knuckles.

"A village chief?" Gazel asked, looking to Vesta with a glare, causing the man to cower.

"You… you brute. How dare you talk to a minister in such a manor."

"Shut up." Kaijin shouted, marching to Vesta.

"Kaijin."

"Go easy on him."

"Not in the face, aim for the body." Rimuru said.

The footage just showed Kaijin, as he pulled his arm back stepping up to Vesta as the Minister tried backing away, and hit him with another punch to the face, knocking the Minister back into his attendant, and sending them both to the floor. With that the footage ended.

"The rest after that, is Kaijin offering his services to help our village." Kaen said, putting his Scouter Shades away. "So as you can see your majesty, Vesta was the one who antagonized the situation, and provoked us."

There was a moment of silence, before Gazel spoke again.

"Tell me, are you really the leader of a village?"

"I am. We're not well known, but we're doing our best to survive in the forest of Jura." Kaen said. "I've even managed to establish friendly relations between the residents of our village, and the Direwolves, or rather the Tempest Wolves, who've been attacking up until recently."

"I see." Gazel said, before turning his gaze to Kaijin. "It's been a while, Kaijin. Have you been well?"

"Sir." Kaijin said, as he took a knee, with the others following his example.

"Speak Kaijin, answer his majesty." The Minor judge said.

"Yes, I have been well my Lord." Kaijin said. "An' I am relieved to also see that you are in good health."

"That's good to hear." Gazel said. "Are you at all interested in returning to my ranks?"

Kaijin was silent for a moment, before he raised his head, and returned his answer to the King.

"Forgive me your majesty, but I have already sworn myself to a master." Kaijin said.

"The Village leader you defended the honor of I presume?" Gazel asked.

"Yes. My word, and my oath are the greatest treasures I own." Kaijin said. "An' that's why, I could never do anything to forsake them, even if you tried to order me to do so."

"Insolence." One of the guards stated, resulting in the rest aiming their weapons at them.

There was a moment as Kaijin and Gazel look at one another, before Gazel came to terms with what the blacksmith said.

"Right, I see." Gazel stated. "Young man, you claim to be Eri's father, correct?"

"That's right, I am." Kaen said.

"Blatant lies." Vesta said. "Her father is lost, and she is under my care. I will not…"

"Then tell me young man." Gazel said, interrupting Vesta once more. "Tell me how this came to be. We know the story from Eri, so if it matches up, I'll believe you."

Kaen sighed, putting Eri on the ground, only for her to hug his leg.

"Eri… had been the victim of cruel and inhumane experimentation. Done to her by a man named Kai Chisaki, or rather Overhaul. She ran into Mina, my girlfriend, during one of her escape attempts, and before things could get ugly, I swooped in and rescued them both." Kaen explained. "I brought her to my mother, who is a doctor and had Eri checked out for any ailments. Aside from some malnourishment and dehydration, she wasn't suffering from anything to be concerned about. Afterwards, we took Eri clothes shopping, but during that time, Overhaul managed to find us, and I fought him off, while Mina and Eri made their escape."

"What of her power?" Gazel asked. "Do you know how she has her current power, and what her previous abilities were."

"Eri's original power, was known as Rewind. Overhaul was trying to harvest her cells with that power, to create a drug that would cause a world wide catastrophe." Kaen said. "My sister, has an ability that allows her to either steal, copy, upgrade, downgrade, or erase powers entirely. She used it to remove Eri's Rewind abilities, and replace them with one called Wrath. An ability that shows the angrier she gets, the stronger she'll become and the more feral her appearance will evolve."

Gazel just looked at Kaen, before he nodded and smiled, seemingly satisfied with the answer. Raising his hand, he signaled the guards to move back, and put their weapons away.

"I am glad Eri's family has been reunited." Gazel said. "However, the matter at hand is what to do with you as penance for breaking the law. An' since this incident involved a village leader, we can't have you doing forced labor in the mines." He stated. "I will pass my judgement. Kaijin and his companions are hereby exiled from this land. That is my verdict. Leave my sight at once."

'King Gazel seems upset. He must have been close friends with Kaijin, and is saddened to see him go.' Kaen thought as they were escorted out of the courtroom.

As they left, Gazel, some guards, and a minor judge were all that remained.

"Right then, Vesta is there anything you wish to say to me?" Gazel questioned.

"Uh, me sir, well I… no nothing." Vesta said hesitantly.

"How unfortunate. I am saddened by the fact that I have lost what I thought to be a loyal retainer." Gazel stated.

"But how can you say such a thing? Kaijin he… he turned you down, he swore his allegiance to that ape monster. He was never loyal to you, he cares only for himself." Vesta stated.

"That's quite enough. I fear you've misunderstood me Vesta." Gazel said. "Kaijin isn't the one I was talking about."

There was a moment of silence as he let Gazel's words sink in, as realization dawned on Vesta, as to what the King was saying. Vesta realized the King was talking, about him, not Kaijin, when it came to losing a loyal retainer.

"Once upon a time, I had great hopes for you, I waited for years, after the failure of the Magi-Soldier project. I wanted the truth, but I'm tired of waiting." Gazel said.

"Uh, please sir, your Majesty I swear…" Vesta began to plea.

"It's too late for excuses." Gazel stated. "Look what he has."

Vesta turned to look at the Court Official standing next to him, with a bottle and a burlap bag in his hands. One of them, was filled with Rimuru's healing potion, the when he looked inside, was filled with beans. He was shocked in seeing the potion, but couldn't understand the beans.

"Do you know what those are?" Gazel asked. "The liquid is a potion, a draft of complete recovery made from Hipokute herbs."

"It can't be. Even with the most advanced of Dwarven techniques, a potion can only reach 98% Recovery at the most." Vesta said. "But, what's with the beans?"

"A food capable of healing, with power so strong, it's comparable to that of a draft of Complete Recovery." Gazel said, causing Vesta to look up at him in shock.

"How is… this possible?" Vesta questioned.

"They're called Senzu Beans, we received them and the healing draft, as a gift from the slime and young village leader you had so rudely disrespected. Both of these, were used to help treat, the injured who suffered at the hands of the Armorsaurus attack yesterday." Gazel said, before standing up from his throne. "Now because of your actions, we've severed our relationship, with that monster, and the young man who could have been our ally. Are you sure there's nothing you'd like to say to me?"

"No sir, I have nothing to say." Vesta said, sounding surprisingly calm by this. Vesta just looked up at Gazel, and with a heavy heart, fell to his knees, silently sobbing. "All I wanted, was to be useful to you somehow. Ever since I first saw you, when I was but a young boy. It has always been my dream. An' yet I… I failed to do just that. All because I envied Kaijin. Or was it something else? For betraying you great expectations, I beg your forgiveness."

"Vesta… never show yourself to me again. However, I do have one last thing to say before you leave." Gazel said. "Thank you for your work." He exclaimed before turning to leave, as Vesta began to cry his sorrows away.

~Outside the Gates~

"This is it, take care of yourself." Kaido said, seeing Kaijin off.

"Sorry for all the trouble. You take care too." Kaijin said.

"Listen Kaen, look after my bro." Kaido said, turning to Kaen as he stood with Mina, who had Eri in her arms.

"Don't you worry, I'll only work him to death." Kaen said with a laugh, readjusting the bag on his back. "But seriously, he's in good hands. No need for concern."

"Hmph." Kaido smiled. "Now then, by order of his majesty. Kaijin and his companions have been exiled from this country. You are to leave here at once."

As they began to turn to the door, Kaen suddenly remembered something.

"Wait hold on." Kaen said.

"What is it?" Kaido asked.

"Uh, remember that Hobgoblin Mina, Rimuru, and I came to the city with?" Kaen asked. "He's still in the guardhouse."

"Ah, I'll have my men fetch him right away. But you'd best head off out of the country as per ordered by the King." Kaido said.

"Right." Kaen said. "Take care."

As they turned to leave Kaen sighed as the others followed him.

"Man, this sucks." Mina groaned. "I really liked the shopping district they had in there. There was so much stuff I thought would look nice as décor for a house."

"We'll find somewhere else to purchase décor from. Don't worry." Kaen said. "Besides, Vesta's the reason this whole mess started, so if you're gonna blame anyone, blame him."

"So where are we gonna wait for Gobta?" Mina asked.

"Forest line should do." Kaen said. "Hey Kaijin, I wanna apologize."

"What for?"

"You're being exiled, and it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gotten involved and tried showing off your work to Vesta." Kaen said. "So I feel kinda responsible for this somehow."

"Nonsense. I've been wanting to do that to him for years." Kaijin said. "True he was rude towards you, by pouring that drink on you, but it gave me the excuse I needed."

As they reached the treeline, Kaen sighed in relief as he sat under a tree, while Rimuru answered any questions Rigur and the others had for them.

"Papa?"

"Mmm?" Kaen asked, as Eri sat next to him. "What's up Kitten?"

"Am I a princess now?" Eri asked. "Since you're a village leader and all that."

"Good question." Kaen said. "I'd have to say that would be one way to look at it."

"So… why did you not tell King Gazel about the other part of my Quirk that Aunt Athena gave me?" Eri asked.

"Did you tell him about it?"

"No, I only told him about the strength enhancing part, because I saw a lot of Lycanthrope and demi-humans." Eri stated.

"Lycanthrope? You mean people with animal traits, that can turn into full on beasts?" Kaen inquired.

"Uh-huh." Eri nodded. "He just assumed I was a Lycanthrope, and I guess I do kinda fit the description a bit."

"I guess you do kitten." Kaen smiled.

"Kaen." Mina said, coming up to him. "Gobta's almost here. Let's get going."

"Right." Kaen said, getting to his feet. "Off to the village we go."

~3Days Later~

"Uh Rigurd." Kaen said, looking past the Hobgoblin mountain of muscle, and to the smaller creatures behind him. "What's going on here? Who are these goblins?"

"They all heard the rumors about you and Lord Rimuru." Rigurd said, striking a pose. "So they've journeyed here from other nearby villages, to seek your divine protection."

"I wouldn't call my protection divine, so to say." Kaen said, Ranga stepping up with Rimuru and Eri on his back.

"It seems you've also come with a few new faces to the village My Lord." Rigurd said.

"Ah yes, allow me to introduce you." Kaen said. "Here was have Kaijin, along with Garm, Dord, and Myrd. They'll be residents of the village from now on, and will help with the artisan work that we can't do ourselves."

"Who's the small child though?" Rigurd asked.

"Ah, allow me to introduce you." Kaen smiled.

"Rigurd, we'd like for you to meet our daughter Eri." Mina said. "She somehow ended up being a guest of King Gazel's, and was well taken care of during our time apart."

"This is wonderful news. This calls for a celebration." Rigurd stated.

"The celebration can wait." Kaen said, heading off. "For now, we need to build proper clothing and shelter for the entire village, as well as name the newcomers. I'll leave the naming up to you Rimuru."

"Where are you going?" Mina asked.

"I have to converse with my, inner council, so to speak. No one is to disturb me unless it is important." Kaen said, heading for his tent.

Inside, Kaen sat on the ground and crossed his legs, taking in a deep breath, before clearing his mind, and entering his mindscape. Once there, he found himself sitting at a kotatsu, with the manifestation of Oozaru, his undead servant Asura, and a near mirror image of himself, but with his hair down, and a darker looking expression on his face. This fellow is Pinach, the twin Kaen absorbed in the womb, but stuck around as both a symptom of D.I.D and Chimerism. Between Oozaru, and Asura, was a being made of pure light, sipping a cup of tea.

"Uh… Hi there." Kaen said. "I'm guessing you're the Great Sage I've been hearing."

"Affirmative. I am the voice of the world." The familiar voice of Great Sage said, coming from the being's motionless mouth.

"Kaen… We appreciate you taking the time to talk with us." Oozaru said. "We know you just got reunited with Eri, but this is important."

"What's this about?" Kaen asked.

"With your… connection the Great Sage, there's something you should be aware of Bruv." Pinach said, with a bit of a British accent.

"What's going on?"

"With being in this new world, you're capable of developing and attaining new skills and abilities." Oozaru said. "Not only that, but since you are not human, you are susceptible to evolution, just as the Goblins did by evolving into Hobgoblins."

"Wait… what are you telling me right now?"

"Kaen you have magic now. An' it's not a tiny bit either. It's a fair amount, comparable to the amount Rimuru's giving off." Pinach said. "An' it's not just you Bruv, Mina and maybe Eri are vulnerable to these aspects of evolution as well."

"That's bad." Kaen said.

"Only if you look at it that way." Asura said.

"What do you mean big guy?"

"We can get to that in a bit. Right now, we need to talk about, something much more important." Oozaru said, holding out his hands, before producing a diamond shaped ruby gemstone. "This, appeared suddenly, connected to your One-for-All core, absorbing and consuming it."

"Wait, does that mean the Quirk is gone?" Kaen inquired.

"No, you still have your One-for-All, but this is the new anchor that's manifested itself as part of it." Oozaru said. "Problem is, this isn't part of the Wukong Gem within your chest, yet it's compromised of the same substance."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning… this gem, is connecting you to another Wukong Gem, in a multitude of alternate timelines and dimensions." Pinach stated. "Theoretically, you could access any number of abilities from those timelines, and realities through this gem that connects you to all of them. You could even use the power, to amplify your magic."

~Adventurer's Guild~

"So, it looks as though the eastern empire, has decided to stay put, for now. At least there's that." A man with brown and white hair, a scar over his left eye, said as he put down a scroll delivered to him with a written message, while looking to the three sitting across from him. "Our intelligence burro will continue to monitor them. More importantly, how did it go in the Forest of Jura?"

"Not only did it go terribly, but it kinda seems you don't care, that we managed to make it back in one piece." The leader of the group said, sounding rather sour about the whole thing.

"Kaval, you Eren, and Gido, will give me your report." The Guild Master said.

"It sounds like you care more about that stupid report then us." Kaval said.

"The only thing I want is a hot bath." Eren groaned.

"I don't know what you two are complaining about. I'm the poor sap who had to listen to you two arguing the entire time we were traveling." Gido stated.

"Your report." The guild master said, sounding annoyed.

"So uh…" Kaval cleared his throat. "Anyway, we searched the whole cave like you requested, and Veldora's definitely gone sir. We weren't able to find a single thing."

"It's empty?"

"There's nothing there. No Hipokute herbs, no magisteel ore, no anything to indicate Veldora's magicules even touched the cave, almost as if something had devoured everything in the cave." Eren stated.

"Ah, thank you for your report on the cave." The Guild Master said.

"Righty-o, we'll get out of your hair." Gido said as they started to get up.

"I'll give you three days off." The Guild Master stated. "Then I'll need you to investigate the area's around the forest."

"Huh?"

"Keep an eye out for monsters, they'll be more active with Veldora gone. Report any changes, no matter how small. Be thorough." He explained. "Search every nook and cranny, you're excused."

~Outside~

"He, is such an ass." Kaval exclaimed.

"You're excused, he says, like we should be grateful for three lousy days off, when we're so exhausted he doesn't even know." Eren stated.

"You all talk a big game, but I bet you'd never say those things to the guild master's face." Gido said. "Why is it they can only agree with one another, when it's their mutual hate for someone?"

"Do we have to go back there?" Eren asked, after she and Kaval finished with their little tirade.

"I guess. If Fuze gives an order, you gotta do it." Kaval sighed.

"I just want a break." Eren said.

"Excuse me." Someone spoke up.

The trio of adventurers turned around to see a young looking woman with black hair, wearing a mask, with a sword on her back, and a cloak over her shoulders.

"Huh, you need something or what?" Kaval asked, after the woman remained silent for a moment.

"Did you just say, that you're going to the Forest of Jura?" The woman asked.

"An' what if we did?"

"Would you allow me to accompany you on your journey?"

Kaval was skeptical of her, but Eren was a bit more open minded.

"Sure thing." Eren smiled.

"Excuse you, but last time I checked, I'm the leader, so I'll be the one who says yay or nay." Kaval stated.

"Oh come on, it'll be lots more fun with another companion along." Eren stated. "Besides, it'll even things out, between the gender majority of the group."

"She's got us there. I think she could use a bit of a female friend to hang around, and get a bit of a break from us boys." Gido said.

"Eren, Kaval, Gido." Eren introduced the three of them.

"Shizu." The woman said.

"We're happy to have you Shizu." Eren smiled.

"Fine." Kaval sighed.

"Yay." Eren said.

"We're leaving here in three days." Kaval explained. "If that's good for you, then you can join us."

"Thank you." Shizu said, before she began to follow them.

~Kaen, some weeks later~

"Go Papa." Eri cheered.

"Try not to go overboard honey." Mina said.

Mina and Eri were cheering Kaen on as he was testing out his enhanced abilities, and the safest option for that seemed like doing it at the riverbed.

"Alright, let's get to it." Kaen said, forming a Ki ball in his hand as it sparked with black lines of electricity. "Let's try a simple Ki attack, enhanced with black lightning."

Thrusting his arm forward, Kaen sent the attack hurtling towards the boulder sticking out of the water. Upon impact however, there was a strong blow back and the water surrounding the no longer in tact boulder, as the water was pushed away, before it came rushing back and straight towards them, as there was a giant hole in the middle of the lake.

"Oh no the picnic." Mina said, as she and Eri gathered up all the food spread out.

"Sorry, I got it." Kaen said, rushing to help them while wading through the water.

A short while later, the three of them were heading back to the village, their picnic ruined.

"Geeze, you really don't know when to hold back, you know that?" Mina sighed.

"Sorry, but I did hold back the same amount I do when fighting weaker villains." Kaen said. "I hadn't realized my power had gotten that big of a boost from magic."

"It's fine. To be honest my cooking wasn't all that special today anyways." Mina said. "I've been feeling a little down and distracted lately."

"Thinking of home?" Kaen asked.

"Yeah. I'm worried that we're not gonna be able to find a way back." Mina stated. "I mean, I miss my mom, and I'm sure you miss your parents as well hun."

"I'll admit, I do miss them." Kaen said. "I also miss Athena, as annoying as she can be."

"I miss grandma and grandpa, and Aunty Athena to." Eri said as they returned to the village.

"Looks like Kaijin and the others are settling down nicely here in our little village." Mina said.

"It's been nearly a month since we returned, I'm sure they've made themselves quite at home by now." Kaen said. "An' thanks to Garm, Dord, and Myrd, we've got plenty of clothes to go around, and some descent shelters to keep us warm at night."

"I still can't get over how there were five hundred new Goblins waiting for us when we got back." Mina said. "It's quite remarkable."

"Well, with the Storm Dragon Veldora gone, there's been conflict among the residents of the forest, resulting in other intelligent races vying for dominance." Kaen said. "Those Goblins wouldn't have been able to survive if we just turned them away."

"True, always thinking like a true hero." Mina smiled. "Hey, look over there."

Kaen looked to where Mina pointed, and saw Gobta trying to teach something to the other Goblin Riders, as a Tempest Wolf came out of his shadow.

"Looks like he's trying to teach the others how to summon their Tempest Wolves." Kaen said. "I still can't believe he managed to get out of the Guard House at Dwargon that way."

"I know right? Though Gobta's not exactly the best teacher." Mina said.

"Lord Kaen, Lady Mina." Rigurd called to them, running at the Saiyans with Ranga and Rimuru by his side.

"Is it just me or did getting promoted from Goblin Lord to Goblin King cause Rigurd to evolve a bit more?" Mina asked.

"I'm sensing that as well. He's as big as All Might now." Kaen said, as Rigurd stopped in front of them. "What's up you guys?"

"Sir, we've just received a message from the security team, it says they've spotted suspicious beings in the forest." Rigurd said.

"Monsters?"

"No, humans." Rimuru said.

"Humans?" Kaen asked. "I haven't seen another human settlement anywhere around these parts."

"It's possible they're scouts, sent here from another nation to expand their dominion." Rigurd said.

"That could be trouble. What do you wanna do about it?" Rimuru asked.

~Kaval's Party~

"This whole mess is your fault, Kaval!" Gido shouted at Kaval as they were running for their lives. "What kind of idiot goes around stabbing giant ants nests?"

"Shut up and show your leader some respect, damn it!" Kaval stated angrily, as he kept running.

"No, you haven't earned my respect!" Eren exclaimed rather harshly. "If I die today, I swear that I'm coming back to haunt your ass!"

"Well, come on, Eren, that's not even gonna be possible, and you wanna know why? Because I'm gonna be dead with you!" Kaval said, as one of the giant red ants was right behind them, with others following suit.

Shizu, while running along with them, turned around and pulled out her sword, facing the giant insect. Flames sprouted from the hilt of her blade as they enveloped the lethal weapon, shocking her party members. As the ants approached, Shizu prepared her attack as she held up her sword, and the flames swirled into a single mass as she held out her hand, and shot it out at the giant insects. The attack instantly killed three of the giants ants, with the others keeping their distance, and waiting to strike. Their chance came when the flames blocked Shizu's field of vision, and leapt at her through the flames.

Leaping from the ground herself, Shizu sliced through the ant, and continued to slice through the others that leapt at her while she remained in the air. Landing on the ground, Shizu ran towards one of the ants, and went under it, before jumping upwards, and diagonally slicing through its exoskeleton, before she came falling down, and her sword pierced the head of the last ant, killing it. With the ant falling, Shizu jumped to the ground, as the ant behind her was enveloped by flames.

Kaval, Gido, and Eren all looked in shock, as they just witnessed Shizu take down those giant ants, like they were nothing.

"Wow, she's so strong." Eren said, as Shizu pierced the skull of one of the ants, stabbing its brain.

One of the giant ants was still alive however, and quickly got up to attack Shizu.

"Quick behind you." Eren called to the fire wielding woman.

Shizu quickly turned around to face the giant ant, but she wasn't fast enough, as it was right on top of her. Thing's seemed dire until they heard a single word being shouted out.

"SMASH!" Kaen shouted, slamming his fist down on the ant's skull, causing its head to explode, as it fell lifeless to the ground, writhing with the last commands the brain gave it, before curling up and going motionless.

The force of Kaen's strike caused the wind pressure to knock all four adventurers back, build up a cloud of dust, and for Shizu's mask to go flying.

"Who the hell is that?" Kaval asked.

"Everyone okay?" Kaen questioned, picking up the discarded mask, as the cloud of dust faded.

"We're fine." Eren said.

"Sorry about that, didn't mean to knock everyone over." Kaen said, handing the mask back to Shizu. "I believe this is yours."

"Thank you." Shizu said, taking back her mask. "Who are you?"

"Kaen Yagi. Saiyan Warrior, and leader of the local Hobgoblin Village." Kaen said, introducing himself. "Nice to meet you all."