Chapter 5: For Our Purpose
"Everyone, we will marched towards the other side of the gate."
The bold announcement from Rimuru had manage to filled the entire meeting room with new spirit. All of them were eager to give their best upon the task that have been assigned by their beloved leader.
Benimaru in particular, smiled the brightest. Then, he gave the first respond.
"Then, we need to prepare a plan for it."
"Exactly, but don't get it wrong, Benimaru. We won't invading the Saderan Empire."
This answer was giving a little surprised to Benimaru, but soon Rimuru gave the reason.
"Our main focus is their Gods and Goddess. We have to know who they are and what are their purpose. But they probably still using the people in that world as their pawns. And as much as I wanted to take the root directly, our moves are going to be limited by their pawns. We must dealt with the Saderans before we make a move against those Gods and Goddess. And what I mean with dealt the Saderans, we only need to make sure they wouldn't continue their hostile attitude toward us. We need to give them a reason to stop their idea of conquest."
Not just Benimaru, many other minister starting to understand more of Rimuru's intention. Invading other nation was never existed in Rimuru's mind, but he need to pacify the Saderans from this situation.
Starting to understand more about the true intention, Mjormile made a first comment.
"Then, we don't necessarily subjugate the Saderans. We can also influence them with peaceful way."
"Exactly as it is, Mjormile-kun. But still, I wouldn't surprise if there will be an armed conflict during the process. That's why I still need a military presence in their world."
"Fufu, I understand better now, Rimuru-sama. You want to supress the Empire capability to continue their hostile attitude without cleansing their existence. Rimuru-sama is always the most benelovent being." Testarossa made the respond gleefully.
"I see. Then, we won't need a large army for it." Benimaru retorted.
"Yes, but we still need a good quantity this time. Quality alone wouldn't be suffice."
"Understood, Rimuru-sama. I can prepare it right away."
"Thanks, Benimaru. And, the military presence are only meant for self-defense. I want to settle this with negotiation or any other peaceful way."
"In that case, I would sent my proficient subordinate to handle it." Testarossa reponded.
"Thank you very much, Testarossa. I leave that to you. And, Mjormiles-kun, I don't think this is ethically a right thing to do for now, but what do you think about expanding our economy influence to the Saderans?"
"It's a great opportunity, Rimuru-sama. If we can have a lot of influence with money alone, the Empire would have limited options to stand against us."
"Hmm… I feel like robbing them right now, but it's better than taking lives. Please prepare a plan for it, Mjormiles-kun."
"It shall be done, Rimuru-sama."
"Thank you, Mjormiles-kun. Also, during the process to supress the Saderans, I want to gather information as much as possible about their Gods and Goddess. If possible, I want to personally meet them."
"I will handle it, Rimuru-sama. I will appoint my capable subordinate to gather intel in that world. I also have already sent spies in disguise between the retreating army, we may figure out how much power the Saderans had possess soon."
Rimuru and Benimaru smiled proudly at Souei. He works really fast and efficient. Rimuru didn't have thought about it earlier, but Souei was already taken a step much further by sending spies between their armies.
"That's one of a hell good idea. Now we could make a more efficient plan. Benimaru, tomorrow we'll begin our military planning. Call every corps leader or their respective staff. I want to supervise the whole planning."
"Understood, Rimuru-sama. Geld and the other would arrive shortly."
"Very good. You should attend as well, Souei."
"My pleasure, Rimuru-sama."
"Thanks. I would like to also hold a separate meeting with every ministry. Shion, I leave the schedule to you."
"I'll gladly working on it, Rimuru-sama."
"Now, until further notice, I call it off for today's emergency meeting. Thank you for your attendance, everyone."
Everyone present responded with smile and respectfully excuse themselves. They all began to prepare their roles.
Jura Tempest Federation, would not let this go as the enemy wanted.
…
The next day, Rimuru held a special meeting with his military staff.
Benimaru as the Supreme General hold the second highest authority after Rimuru in military sector.
The other attendees were the army corps leader and their adjutant, military advisors, intelligence bureau, quartermasters, and many more.
The topic of today's meeting is the continuation of yesterday emergency meeting. Right now, Rimuru intended to make a plan on how the military sector should acted.
"Rimuru-sama, we all have gathered."
"Thank you for arriving on time, everyone. Now, let's get started."
Rimuru start the meeting with an explanation about his intention to send his military presence to the world beyond the gate. However, he did not intended to invade the Saderans. He just want his military presence to be the self-defense force during the process to pacify the Saderans with negotiatons. But, he also wanted to make an impression of his superior military strength to the Saderans in hope to limiting the Saderan Empire's move.
Benimaru had thought about this and propose to send some elite unit alone such as his personal guard, Kurenai.
Kurenai are currently a famous elite unit that were well-known throughout the world. It's an army of Oni, boasting a strength of S Class for every each of it's member. Led by Benimaru's adjutant, Gobua, the Kurenai unit consisted with 500 members. And to give more perspective of how strong they are, each of the member could rival old Demon Lord.
Kurenai was initially consisted with a newly evolved Hobgoblin and Goblinas into an Ogre and only consisted with just a 100 members. But after the Great Tenma War, the members had increased and everyone of them had evolved into an Oni. Their participation during the battle to defend Dwargon during the Eastern Empire invasion, and the battle of Eurazania against the army of Insectars, had successfully make them famous as they never failed to achieve victory.
Although every high ranking executives know they were still underpowered by Rimuru's personal retinue, the Black Numbers, Kurenai is not a joke either.
It is understandable if Benimaru wanted to sent his elite unit to make an impression of their powerful military strength.
However, out of everyone expectation, Souei disagree with the proposal.
"Why, if I may ask, Souei?" Benimaru asked.
"We have just gathered a more valuable information from the prisoners. And I have to adress this in this meeting. Rimuru-sama, may I?" Souei try to gave everyone another piece of paper that was filled with the report of the newly information extracted from the prisoners.
"Of course, let we all know the updates, Souei."
"Yes."
Souei gave everyone the reports, and everyone who present immediately read it.
After several minutes reading, the first one to make a comment was Rimuru.
"Urgh, so the Saderans are looking down to the demi-human race. This is gonna make it more difficult."
"So we face the same problem like we used to be, a discrimination against non-human race. But it seems, the Saderans done it more awfully." Benimaru responded.
"Slavery, war fodder, prostitutes, they all see the demi-humans that way. If we sent our non-human people, they would never wanted to talk with us." Hakurou made another comment.
"But that is something that could be changed. Rimuru-sama has proved it. However, it would be a long journey to achieve a same feat like we're now." Geld retorted.
"Exactly, Geld. What I want is to supress their hostile attitude. But if we sent our monsters or demi-human people beyond that gate, what we receive would be an increasing hostility." Rimuru remarks.
"Then, we have no choice to settle this with our human people. Or at least, some of ours who can be look like a human, like the dragonewts for the example." Said Benimaru.
"That's why I disagree with your initial proposal to send the Kurenai. Although right now they all seems to almost look like a human, they still have many parts on their body that will shown as non-humans. Some of my men could disguise as a perfect human. However, yours, are not." Souei retorted Benimaru's words.
"Hmm… I understand now. So, that leave us with only one option."
Benimaru looked at one of the army corps leader. In particular, the newly formed army corps.
"Saare, you're the only one capable right now."
Seeing the sudden change of conversation, everyone looked at Saare.
The Grey Numbers Corps, the newly formed army was having zero experience in battlefield. However, everyone acknowledge their strength. After series of joint training, they found that these fellow human warrior are very strong. And more than that, right now they are the most capable with handling the technological advancement.
"I agree. I believe Saare-dono have a capability to handle the task." Geld gave his support.
"Me too, Saare-dono is a great warrior. I believe he could dealt even the deity in the world beyon the gate. Gwahaha" Gabiru also showed his agreement, with his own way.
"The Grey Corps are consisted with human warriors. This is a perfect unit for the task." Hakurou agreed with Benimaru.
The other people who attend also showed their agreement and support the decision. However, Saare hasn't been said a single word yet.
Rimuru notice it, and didn't want to force them if they don't wanted to.
"Saare, what's wrong? If you don't want it, then I would not approve to send you and your corps to do it."
"I-I… no, Rimuru-sama. It's on contrary, I was so delighted but also overwhelmed with joy that my corps would get this much approvement." With stuttered tone, he explain himself.
Saare has grown into a humble warrior, and he still think he was nowhere near the other corps leader. So, seeing the overwhelming approval was the joyous feeling he ever felt since a long time ago.
Rimuru grinned a little, finding Saare's attitude was pretty cute. He was worried that Saare didn't want to do the job since it's going to be quite difficult, but he was relief to find out that Saare was just overjoyed from his fellows support.
Seeing this, Benimaru made another comment.
"Saare, this is gonna be your first major task. We will not left you behind, but for the most part, you have to make your own decision. We cannot come there leisurely. However," he smirked, "just in case you need us, just call it right away."
Saare's smile grew wider, "By all means, Benimaru-sama. I will finish the task with my utmost care."
Everyone gave a hearty smiled and some of them even patted his shoulders. This is gonna be a first debut for the Grey Numbers Corps.
"All right, it's settled then! Saare, after the meeting, go and prepare your corps. Gather supplies and make sure your corps aramaments is in well maintained condition."
"Yes, sir!"
…
"Now, we have to continue the discussion. Right now we are facing a threat from the Saderans. They said they would come back with larger numbers. Souei, can you confirm it?" Rimuru asked Souei, continuing the meeting after a cheerful mood for appointing Saare for his first campaign.
"Yes. My agents across the gate had informed me that it was indeed a large number of troops to invade our place. The number is estimated around 140.000 troops."
The numbers made some of the attendees in surprise, however no one was scared. On contrary, they felt pitiful to the Saderan Empire.
"I didn't mean to be overconfident, but we have manage to defeat 10 times larger troops before. We can deal with this." Benimaru confidently made a statement.
"Umm-hmm, in my opinion, if the Saderan Empire consisted with the same troops as the first wave, then the already standing army near the gate is already enough. Saare-dono and his corps has to withdraw to preparing the journey beyond the gate, but we still have 50.000 troops stationed there. It should be enough." Hakurou said in agreement.
However, something else is inside Rimuru's mind.
"Hmm… Benimaru, what do you think? Should we wait for their advancement or should we sent Saare and his corps before they come again?" Rimuru asked.
"On that note, I'm not too sure, Rimuru-sama. I believe Saare and his corps could withstand the whole enemy, but I think it would be better to wait until every last men from Saderans to come to us."
"I agree, Rimuru-sama. We might be able to attack them by surprise for now, but my spies has told me they are pretty well defended beyond the gate. We better wait for them to deplete their own men before sending ours." Souei supported Benimaru's opinion.
"Hmm, but wouldn't the Saderans Empire learned from the initial defeat and decided to withdraw? I know they have a mental of agressor, but I doubt they would be stupid." Rimuru responded.
"I see. I understand. It could be possible. However, for now, my spies told me there is no order to withdraw. Their generals and leaders is still in discussion about the next move."
"Rimuru-sama, in my opinion, given from their attitude and their history, I believe they couldn't come back with empty-handed. They would gave their all. It's either success, or die. I have met with these kind of people before." Hakurou made another comment, tried to assured Rimuru.
"So that's how it is. It's unfortunate, but it shall be done. I don't want my people dying. So, Benimaru, I leave the counter-measure of the threat to you. And this time, it won't be restricted with anything. If they come at you, beat them to the pulp. Prioritise our own safety. But if possible," Rimuru looked at Souei, "can we capture at least the high-ranking people among them? We might be able to use them as bargaining tools."
Souei smirked, then proudly say "It should be easy, Rimuru-sama."
Rimuru followed the smirk, and nodded.
The other attendees also nodded with satisfaction. And so, the military meeting continued to discuss the more detailed plan.
…
The day has passed without doing anything in between the Saderans Empire soldiers.
Yesterday, they have sent the first wave under general Agnius, expecting they would bring back a huge mount of booty and the detailed scout reporting. However, they came back only a half-day after they departed. Tattered, injured, and loosing more than a half from their initial numbers.
The elite legionaires, trained cavalries, even the wvvern riders had been utterly defeated by mysterious force beyond the gate.
The levvies troops had become uneasy since the return of the first wave.
They had heard the tale from the surviving troops of the first wave. They heard about the giant orcs and the mysterious flying human who slaughtered the wyvern riders. At first, no one believe it. But as time goes by, those tale are getting more make sense since they couldn't imagine another cause for their defeat.
Some who got newly conscripted, had started a mutiny. Monster are exist in their world, and they were a fearsome creature for ordinary people. For the levvies who were only trained for a brief moment, this is too much to handle.
The Saderan Empire, for the first time, had bite too much they can chew.
The talk for mutiny had been grow and grow as the day passes. And many of the officers got themselves busy to hunt down the perpretrator.
Inside the commanding tent, Marquis Kallios, Prince Diabo, and other patricians and generals held a war council. The news of general Agnius defeat had given them a headache.
The combined professional and elite unit, with total 20.000 troops has been reduced into 8000 in just merely half a day. Marquis Kallios is no fool to consider this as a big loss, and should be evaluated properly.
First they interrogate general Agnius. The council demanded his responsibility, and many patricians had blamed him for being incompetence. General Agnius, for being a warrior at heart, had to admit he probably could do better. But, as prideful as he is, he manage to admit the army beyond the gate was very powerful and he wouldn't be able to win if he forced his men to keep attacking.
Marquis Kallios, being a veteran of war, understood right away that in many times, triumph couldn't be achieved without tasting a defeat. He forgive general Agnius, and plead to his fellow patrician to forgave Agnius.
However, prince Diabo have a little patience with this situation.
"Marquis Kallios, we cannot just stay and do nothing. Let me take the half of the entire army and I will lead the invasion personally. I will bring a victory for the Empire!"
Marquis Kallios looked at prince Diabo with sympathetic eyes. He understood that prince Diabo need to gain glory to win the throne from his brother. He also knew pretty well of prince Diabo. Prince Diabo is still young, vigorous, smart, full of spirit, but fool.
No matter how smart he is, if he blinded by ambition, it was worth of nothing more than easy prey.
He do not dare to let him grow into a foolish men.
"Your Highness, I understand your frustation. But we can't do that."
"Why? Do you think I would lose?"
"It's not the point, it's abo-"
"Liar! You think I'm still young and fool! Just give me the right to lead the army, and I will end this grim situation!"
"Your Highness, please li-"
"Enough! I will do it myself! Don't you dare to-"
*Plak!
A sound of clap were heard throughout the tent. Everyone was stunned by the sight.
Marquis Kallios has mercilessly slap Prince Diabo.
Prince Diabo was beyond stunned, he's more confused than angry. He look at Marquis Kallios with disbelieved looks. No one had ever gave him a harsh treatment, except from his father.
"Y-You!" Diabo held his slapped cheek, the confusion had started to turn into anger.
"Forgive me, Your Highness. My hand is slipped." Marquis Kallios calmly put his hand down. Many of other people still couldn't believe what just happened, especially Diabo himself.
But Marquis Kallios stay calmed. He let the slap to sink in Diabo's mind. He believe Diabo is just a fool because of his ambition, not a wholeheartedly foolish person. He believe that Diabo would come back to his sense after some time.
Seeing the whole tent still kept quiet after the scene, Marquis Kallios took the advantage to gain dominance.
"Everyone, for many many times our Empire has been victorious over many conquest. However, as a veteran, let me tell you something that never been spoked by the Empire."
Everyone looking at him with curious look. Diabo, although he still shocked and angry by the slap, he couldn't resist his curiousity towards Marquis Kallios's words.
Marquis Kallios look around the tent once again, making sure everyone's attention is directed to him. Then, he take a deep breath, and then started to speak.
"For many of our glorious victory, the Empire also got himself defeated sometime."
Several gasps could be heard, but Marquis Kallios kept continue.
"It's not publicly known, so I know most of you, except for my fellow generals and military officials, would not believe it. Yes, we sometime taste a bitter defeat at our conquest."
The whole council is still silent, Marquis Kallios had a strange of domineering aura that no one dared to interrupt.
"Most of our defeat was happen because our lacks of knowledge about the enemy. We simply don't know what are they capable of, how good is their commander, how well they know their terrain, and how persistent they are to fight against us. Those are few factors that could led to our defeat. However," Marquis Kallios take a short pause, looking at Prince Diabo, "We adapt. We didn't gave up and we make a new strategy to face them."
"We fought against artic people, so we change our steel armor into a thick wool with winter equipment, we fight against dessert tribe so we strengthen our supply line to keep our army marching and well fed, we subjugate the Elben kingdom with our superior numbers so Duran didn't have any option and tricks to face against us."
"My fellow Empire subject, a victory is not come by a single battle. It's coming from a series of battle. Not one, not two, but many battle. We learn everything we can to adapt against their advantage. So this time, we tasted defeat, yes, an utter defeat with huge loss. However, we're not finished yet. We still have enough strength to do our glorious conquest."
"The nation we faced right now is unknown, unfortunately. However, if they could armed their monster unit with such fine equipment, I can't fathom how much more gold they have in their treasury."
"My friends! This is what our mighty Empire do best. We never gave up until we achieve our glory! This is what made our Empire as the greatest! No one could withstand us, because we are the mighty one! A single defeat is not enough to make our mighty Empire yield to the enemy! So, what say you all?!"
The sudden fiery speech from Marquis Kallios have made the whole tent burned in spirit. All of them had clench their palm, fidgeting over excitement, and a fearless expression.
Prince Diabo had forgetting his pain from the slap, and he too felt the excitement from Marquis Kallios's words. He didn't feel embarrass to admit it. Instead, he grab a cup of his wine, and raised it to the air as high as his hand could get. Then, he shout loudly.
"LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!"
The other, including Marquis Kallios, had imitate his action, then counter shouted,
"LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!"
"FOR GLORY!"
"FOR GLORY!"
The whole tent errupted into a cheerful shoutout, a loud of clapping hands could be heards almost across the encampment.
The battle is not over yet.
To Be Continued
Hello everyone. Good day to you all.
Heck, I didn't expect such numbers of favorites and follows. I really made this story on a whim. lmao.
And hey, Sol4g, thank you for your short review. I didn't think you would read this one hahaha.
This chapter is more focused on the revealing the purpose from both sides. I want to make a justice for the Empire, although they are precisely the agressor. And as I already said in my chapter 0, the whole plot would be changed and AU is definitely going to happen. So, faturandi37, I hope you understand that it would not be as precise as the original story.
The reason why I didn't put a monster unit from Saderans is because of several reasons. First, I want to make the Empire looks more prideful so they wouldn't use monsters except they are in despair or scheming the battlefield. Two, I don't know what kind of monsters that usually used by the Saderan Empire. Three, I'm not ready to write the reaction from the Jura Tempest Federation when they faced a fellow monsters, at least not in the initial conquest. The army of monster from Saderan would come later as the story progressed.
Also, I want to emphasize that although this is Tensura x Gate fanfiction, it will be not like Rimuru vs the Empire. It will be Jura Tempest Federation vs The Saderan Empire. And, spoiler gifts, it will be slightly Cardinal World vs Falmart.
Do enjoy my story, and don't be reserved to sent me critics.
See you in the next chapter!