As the Horde Marches …. Also Gabiru
(Play Cornerstone of the New World - Astera for this chapter.)
(Grim's POV)
After the ogres were named and their subsequent evolutions they waited patiently for Rimuru to wake up. In the meantime Zino and Vensus took some time to eat each other. And in the past few days Kaijin was able to get his forge up and running in full. Kurobei decided to take up blacksmithing with Kaijin.
Now with there being a master smith and an apprentice smith, as well as Shuna and Garm working together to make clothes, me and Flora decided it was time for an upgrade.
"So you want us to make two pairs of armor for you two out of your shedded scales?" Asked Shuna,
"Indeed," I began, "Call it a gut feeling, but I feel like we will need it sooner rather than later. And we already requested weapons from Kaijin and Kurobei."
seeing as we had come to this world as the Raths it was only fitting that we had armor and weapons made from the sheds. I requested a modified lance, though by our metrics it would be a gun lance. The major change was swapping gunpowder for magi-crystal that I could funnel my fire power through, I also already knew its name by heart, The Red Rook.
My dear also commissioned a weapon for herself, the sword and shield combo forged from her spines and scales. She also already had a name for it, the Queen Rapier.
However compared to the world of Monster Hunter the reinforcements for the weapons and armor would be of magisteel rather than simple iron and alloy.
it would take at least a week before the armor and weapons could be done with all the other orders in progress from the rest of the village.
However after another two days Rimuru awoke and with it remembered the Kijin that he named. Throughout the day he went around and talked. First the three of us went to speak with Benimaru and train with Hakuro. Though the training was mostly for Rimuru since a rapier and lance weren't what Hakuro was a master in.
During the training Rimuru asked Benimaru a question, "Orc Lord? What is that?"
"To put it simply, it's a monster." Benimaru said.
I whispered to Flora, "Really helpful that one."
she giggled behind her hand as we watched them from the shade of the nearby trees.
Rimuru then responded to Benimaru, "By that definition isn't Hakuro up there an Orc Lord."
"Actually, he is similar in a way." Responded Benimaru.
Hakuro then decided to speak up, "Hoh-oh! That's quite a quip.n Let us not forget, this training is by your request Lord Rimuru."
"I think I could use a break." Rimuru said.
"Very well then," Hakuro said before he spun around to the goblins that were also training with Hakuro, "But You will continue."
As Rimuru and Benimaru began to speak again he told us that the Orc Lord is a rare monster only born once every few centuries. To me and flora as we spoke through our bond. It sounded akin to an Elder Dragon if infinitely weaker that most of them.
Benimaru then responded with the fact that it is a rare and unlikely situation that an Orc Lord has been born. However he did propose that a Majin by the name of Gelmud passed through their village before it was attacked and was offering names.
Soon Soei also arrived with news for the three of us.
"I have a report to deliver, my lords. I witnessed a troop of Lizard-men. They make their home in the wetlands, and it is not normal to see them ranging out this far. I thought it appropriate to inform you."
Rimuru then asked a question, "Lizard-men? Not the Orcs?"
Soei then continued, "No my lord, it seems they are attempting negotiations at a nearby goblin village. But they may come here eventually." After he had finished his report Shion and Venus came running up to us. With Venus trying desperately to stop her sister.
"Lord Rimuru! Lunch is now ready to eat. I helped with the cooking."
Rimuru asked Benimaru and Soei if they wanted to join him. Benimaru passed and Soei just left.
Rimuru and Shion then looked at us with Venus desperately shaking her head no and asked if we wanted to join. However since it was a good day me and flora decided to have a picnic in the garden close to the meeting hall.
"We respectfully decline that we already have plans for lunch. However if you wish to join us Venus you are more than welcome to." Flora said and soon she was by our side as we were walking away.
I then asked Venus a question, "If I may inquire Venus, were you trying to stop your sister and were begging us to not have her lunch?"
Venus shuddered for a second and gained a distant look before she responded, "If i am to be blunt she can't cook to save her life, throughout our entire lives anytime she cooked the food was highly poisonous or just a flatout abomination."
I simply nodded having known that cooking is a talent some people just don't have. Having been a cook helps me gauge that skill far better than others.
Soon we arrived at the Garden that Flora had made. There were a few fulgur bugs buzzing about as well as Zino was taking a nap in the garden. There were also a small spattering of other plant life included in that was a berry bush that looked like it was a Dragonfell bush. But soon we began to eat some simple sandwiches i had made close to Zino.
After a few minutes we heard some yelling from the meeting room where Rimuru was 'eating' Shion's food.
after we were done eating we ventured out with the now awake Zino check in on our projects. At the moment the armor was nearly done it would only take about another day or two before it would be done. As we walked by the forge we overheard the conversation that Rimuru had found himself in with Kurobei and Kaijin discussing the proper temper for blade making. However just as soon as the four of us had arrived Rigurd came rushing in.
"My lords we've got trouble, an envoy from the lizard-men has come to our village."
As we left the forge the rest of the Kijin joined in along the way to see if the lizardmen would be friend or foe.
Soon we arrived at the entrance to the village where we saw a lone lizardmen. However as we began to approach we heard the thundering of footsteps coming towards the village as the lizardman spun on his heels.
Soon the leader of the group lept of his mount and then stood up into a theatrical entrance when another subordinate began to speak. ]
"I highly advise you commit this face to memory. You are in the presence of the warrior who will soon be the chieftain of the lizardman people."
The lizard man then introduced himself, "My name is Gabiru and I have come bearing a priceless gift - the opportunity to become my subordinates!"
Everyone proceeded to give the idiot a flat stare. Shion, who was holding Rimuru, began to squeeze him.
Gabiru began to speak again due to Rimuru making a confused noise, "Good grief. Must I really explain everything to you? Surely you heard the story. The orcs are on the march through the forest. So it behooves you to work under my command for i Gabiru shall protect you from the orcish menace! For you tiny, fragile goblins are unable to withstand their terror I dare say."
He then looked at us before conversing with his subordinates. Soon they stopped conversing as Gabiru began to speak again.
"Ahem! From what I understand, someone in this village has tamed the mighty direwolves. I wish to take him as my lieutenant. Bring him to me." We looked at each other before we called for Zino to step forward and Ranga to appear from Rimuru's shadow.
the Lizardmen were taken by surprise when Zino leaped over our heads and Ranga appeared from the shadows.
"Listen to what he has to say you two," Flora spoke
The two replied in tandem, "Yes my lady."
Benimaru was surprised by their size before we explained that what we were seeing was their true size rather than their more normal smaller size.
Gabiru then began to speak to the pair of wolves.
"A-ahh are you two the leaders of the Direwolves? You both certainly have the proud bearing of a leader. However it is a bit of a head scratcher why you have a slime and humans for masters. It seems that you are suffering under some form of trickery. But no more. I shall defeat the devious ones who plagues you with illusions."
his subordinates began to cheer as i could feel the rising want from both me and Flora to pummel this idiot into dirt. Zino and Ranga we also unimpressed.
"You dare mock our masters?!" Zino bellowed.
However before the irate Zinogre decided to have lizard for lunch Gobta showed up and Ranga snatched him in his mouth and place the small hobgoblin in front of Gabiru.
"Lizard, if you defeat this one we will spare a thought for your story." Ranga said.
then Gabiru began to speak. Again, we have met for all of a minute and I want to punch this idiot. Not to mention the glances I saw him taking at Flora. She is mine goddammit and I won't let some overgrown gecko take her from me! Our death was the closest I'll let the love of my life go! While that was going on I could feel her disdain for the gecko and calmed me down.
"(I won't be going anywhere, love. You know that.)" she said through the bond.
During this I was half paying attention to the fight which lasted all of 10 seconds and with Gobta as the victor.
With their leader knocked out the Lizardmen fled with thier leader in tow. We then began to head back to the meeting hall in order to plan for our next move.
As night fell we held a meeting as Soei had gained more information on the orcs.
"Whaaaattt! 200,000 of them?!" Rimuru yelped in surprise.
"So you're telling us that there is a giant army of 200,000 Orcs marching through this forest." I said in a tense voice. A few thousand possibly we could deal with but one fifth of a million orcs is an immense number.
Benimaru then spoke, followed by Soei, "When they attacked our village there were only a few thousand."
"That was a splinter group. The main forces are heading north along the river and based on the way both groups are moving, I expect they'll regroup in the wetlands east of here. That would be the lizardmen's territory."
Rimuru then spoke, "I wonder what the Orcs are after."
Kaijin then spoke up, "Hmm. Orcs are not naturally intelligent monsters. If this invasion is for a purpose beyond simple instincts. Then we ought to look for someone else urging them forward."
Flora then took a grim expression, "Someone, like a demon lord."
"Or not," Rimuru proclaimed, "We have no evidence to suggest such a thing."
Then Benimaru spoke again, "It is not a demon lord, but an Orc Lord if my suspicions are correct. No ordinary orc is capable f leading an army of 200,000 strong."
I looked at Benimaru, "The one you mentioned, Benimaru."
"That's the one." He replied.
Rigurd the spoke as well, "I believe we ought to take utmost precautions, rather than assuming the best."
We all agreed on that front. Then Soei reacted to something.
"Hmm? What's up Soei?" Rimuru asked.
"Someone made contact with one of my body doubles while on reconnaissance. They sought an audience with you my lords. What shall we do."
i spoke up, "Who is it? With what happened with Gabiru I'd rather not have something like that occur again."
Soei then spoke, "This one isn't like Gabiru but it's certainly rare. It's a dryad."
Rimuru made a face which lead to Flora smacking him upside the head.
Flora then replied, "Bring her in Soei."
With a simple, "Yes, ma'am"
There was a sudden burst of Magicules in the center of the table. And from it a feminine voice.
"Greetings to you 'Rulers of Monsters' and their followers. please forgive my sudden visit. I am Tryni the Drayd. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"I am Rimuru Tempest. This is Grim and Flora Tempest as well. It's nice to meet you, Treyni."
Flora then spoke, "What has brought you before us Treyni?"
Treyni then began her request, "I have a grave request for you three. Rimuru, Grim and Flora, Rulers of monsters … I ask you to vanquish the Orc Lord."
