New Blood and A Meeting of Royalty

Anytime things are calm in Tempest use Astera's theme*

Grim's POV*

The past few days have been long ones; we've had to name 150,000 Orcs after all. We decided to name them based on the locations of their new livelihoods. With the three of us trading who named who in the order of Rimuru, Flora, me. After the first few hundred Rimuru got lazy and just used where they were going to live with a number then either an F or M based on their gender.

Me and my dear gave each orc a true name but we did repeat some names several times over, there were plenty of Oros and Orims.

As we named the Orcs I thought back to when the alliance was created and the problem of food. They left their homes in search of it after all.

We had "Gone fishing for ideas" on how to solve the food problem when Treyni proposed an idea. Through her connection with the forest she along with her treants would be able to provide the fortune of the forest. I also looked over to my dear since she was able to grow her garden through her innate connection to the forest as well even if it was admittedly lesser than the Dryads.

Benimaru was to help with the transport of said food and would have the aid of some of the Tempest Wolves. However eventually as I came back to reality I realized we were on the last group of Orcs. The Orc Retainer that we saw in Geld's memories was standing there as well as a female Orc around his size which was in itself odd due to the size difference between the males and females of their Species.

"How many are in this last group Gobta?" Rimuru asked.

"About two thousand." Was the reply but then the two orcs at the front came forward and made a request.

"My lords," spoke the Retainer, "We are the survivors of the Orc Elite Guard as well as the Queen Guard."

It was then the second older orc spoke in a tone that spoke of the wisdom she had, "Indeed, we wish to serve at your sides, my lords."

We agreed to the deal and as such began to name them eventually it came to the last two Orcs being the two that asked to serve us.

Rimuru then asked a question, "Who do you wish to be named by?" He asked.

The two exchanged a quick glance before making their choices. The male orc wished to be named by Rimuru as the female orc wished to be named by Flora and myself.

Rimuru then spoke once more, "I want you to carry forth the will of the Orc Disaster. His name was Geld. In honor of the Great King who fought until the end for his people, you will name yourself Geld now.

Geld then spoke, "I accept the weight and the honor of this name. I pledge my fealty to you!" He said as he kneeled to us.

However due to the amount of names given Rimuru proceeded to go into his sleep mode as we took to calling it. And after calming the Orcs present we told the last orc to follow us while I sent a message to Venus.

[Meet us where we named you Venus.] She simply replied with an ok and was on her way to clearing.

Soon we arrived at the clearing that I felt would one day become a training yard for the Guards of our town, and to those that we named who became Wyverns.

The female Orc had a look of confusion but stayed quiet when we arrived at the clearing Venus was already waiting for us. It was then that we spoke to the woman.

"This will be the place for your naming not out of a want to separate you from your kin no. This is early a precaution for what your naming may entitle. Venus transform if you would." Commanded Flora, and soon Venus was in her Glavenus form.

We then turned to the orc and began to name her.

Begin Gammoth's Theme*

"Your kin have traveled far from your homes to new lands for safety." I began.

"You traversed an endless desert for this place." Flora continued.

"For this we shall name you as we did Venus after a being of immense power compared to a god."

"We name you Gamma for your endurance and power, now rise and join us."

As we finished she glowed an icey blue that seemed to freeze the dead grass around us.

While she did not grow scales along her body like us her tusks grew immensely as a large crest grew along her face forming an almost Oni like mask. Her skin changed to a deep blue with stripes of red running along it on her shoulders spiraled a white pattern as the area around suddenly became shrouded in a small ice storm that did not harm the trees, grass or us. As the squall calmed stood a Gammoth that let out a bellow that we and Venus replied to, filling the air with such noise that if someone were to approach they might suffer permanent hearing loss.

Then with another sudden squall she shrank back down to about the size of a large Orc taller than she was before she was named. She still had her tusks but they were only slightly larger than they were. And the head crest had shifted spots with it behind her head in an imitation of a halo.

After that day the next three months flew by as if an illusion. With the workforce provided by the new High Orcs we had a construction boom. And despite objections permanent homes were built for the three of us. In those three months the town expanded and the Orcs began to pick up more of the trades with some joining the dwarfs in helping with smithing or weaving.

Fields of crops were also assembled to help prepare for the future soon enough there were 10,000 souls in our city.

As I was walking with my dear though the city with Venus, Gamma, and Zino with us. As we were walking we saw that the Gecko and his companions had returned as we entered the main cookhouse. Currently talking with them was Rimuru seeming at the end of a long conversation.

"So, your father Abiru disowned you then." He said as I spoke up from behind him.

"So why are you here Gecko?"

With my arrival he then announced that he wished to serve us and that he could prove useful.

Soon the Head Guard who had followed Gabiru then announced that she too was there to serve under us. But not as a follower of Gabiru.

All of the lizardmen which only numbered about a hundred all were named by Rimuru who then passed out, again.

Within a week however the Lizardmen had been divided up into different jobs with most working in the Sealed Cave to try and cultivate the herbs there to make healing potions. And some of the now Dragonewts were in a more human form so they were handed off to Soei to be trained as spies once we began to open up more.

However, this calm day of relaxing was interrupted by Soei sending a message, [What is it Soei.] I asked.

[My lord, I've spotted an armed force in the sky to the north.] Was the report.

I, alongside my dear Flora, decided to intercept this force. If a battle were to happen I'd rather it happen over forest than in our city.

Play Dog Fight by Joe Hisiashi*

As we took flight in our Wyvern forms I asked Advisor a question, [What are the chances that they might fly over our city and ignore it Advisor.]

[The chances are low my lord and by the time you arrive they are likely to have landed on the outskirts of the city. However Lord Rimuru, the Kijin, Venus and Gamma are all on their way to intercept.]

3rd POV*

As the pair of Wyverns were flying towards where the force was landing Rimuru along with Kaijin were already on site with Rimuru begging ready to possibly fight when Kaijin announced his presence.

"Hmm. Is that…" he trailed off as Rimuru spoke.

"Hang on, Kaijin, what are you doing? Hurry up and evacuate."

"Actually, I might know who that is. I once shared drinks with an old retired general who told me that the Dwarven King commands a top-secret force of his own."

"And you think this might be them?"

"I do, especially since they're called The Pegasus Knights. It's a bit on the nose isn't it." he said as the knights began to land with the first on the ground and first to dismount being King Gazel.

When he landed Kaijin kneeled to his former lord, "It's good to see you are well King Gazel."

The Dwarven king then spoke, "It has been some time Kaijin and you, slime. Do you remember me?"

But before either Kaijin or Rimuru could say anything one of the still mounted Knights pointed up to the sky and exclaimed, "Wyverns my Lord!"

At that moment the Wyvern Pair arrived to the scene landing just behind Rimuru, some of the knights reached for their weapons before the two burst into scales and reappeared in their human forms wearing their armor with weapons at the ready, but Rimuru spoke up.

"Stand down you two! They aren't here for a fight!"

With a quick glance the pair sheathed their weapons and stepped into line with Rimuru.

Gazel had an inscrutable look on his face but if one looked closely they could see a near imperceptible raise of an eyebrow at their arrival.

"Now if we aren't going to kill each other," Kaijin began, "Do you have some business here your majesty?"

"I've come to determine this slime's worth for myself. I am here not in my capacity as king, but as an individual. Forgive the grandiose entrance, I cannot leave without them I'm afraid. However the Wyverns at your side seem to have a knack for it and they seem to have a similar amount of respect."

Rimuru then spoke, "We're not on trial this time so may I speak when I please?"

"Of course," Gazel responded before telling one of his soldiers to stand down.

Rimuru then began to shift forms, "First, let me introduce myself, I am Rimuru Tempest. You are correct that I am a slime, but I don't care to be looked down on. Believe it or not I am one of the three chancellors of the Jura Alliance. Don't take this as my true form, but it'd easier to hold a conversation this way isn't it?"

Gazel then spoke, "So you have a human form and you wield a blade. And i suppose that the two at your side are the other chancellors if i may ask your names."

Grim growled out his response, "I am Grim Tempest."

Flora also responded in a flatter tone but one that still carried the fact her peace was interrupted, "Flora Tempest is my name."

Rimuru spoke next, "Sorry if we put you on guard."

"That is for me to decide," Gazel said as he drew his sword and pointed at Rimuru, "I do not nerf words to gauge you. This sword should be plenty."

Flora and Grim then also unsheathed their weapons, (Seems like we won't end this peacefully.) Grim said through his bond.

Gazel continued, "I must see that any upstarts who fancy themselves as 'Chancellors of the Forest' be solely put in their place by the rightful power of steel."

However before anyone could clash Treyni and some of her sisters arrived to stop the fight before it started, "You treat the Chancellors of our forest alliance with great disrespect, king of the dwarves."

"Hey, Treyni." Rimuru said before Treyni continued.

"Forgive my long absence my Lords. Since the formation of the alliance I believe."

Gazel then began to laugh before speaking, "Hah! FWA HA HA HA! Well if the overseer of the forest says so herself, then it must be true! I apologize for doubting your word! But that still does not give me a measure of your quality. Draw your weapons!"

Treyni tried to protest but Rimuru told her it was alright as he began to step forward with Grim and Flora.

"It looks like we need these weapons to prove to him that we're harmless."

With Treyni operating as a referee the 1v3 duel began.

The three attacked first with a slash from Rimuru's Katana followed by stabs and slashes from the wyverns. However all of their attacks were either parried, blocked or evaded. All while not moving his feet once.

Gazel then spoke, "Well? Is that all?" He said.

While Grim and Flora saw the obvious stab to the ego to try and get them to screw up Rimuru didn't.

"Shut up! We're starting off easy, that's all."

Rimuru then went in for a charge while the Wyverns went to flank the king only for them to pause from his [Heroic Presence] skill.

Gazel then spoke again, "Are you done, then? Let's put an end to this."

However as he stepped forward to the three they all suddenly roared with some of the knights having to cover their ears at the guttural roar from the Wyverns.

"That undid it." Rimuru said as he raised his blade again.

"Now that is more like it." Gazel then smirked before declaring that it was his turn to attack. He then 'vanished' from sight before taking swings at the three Rimuru was barely able to dodge the fiat swing barely with Flora and Grim raising their shields and backstepping the attacks with the sword clashing on their respective shields. He then took one last swing at Rimuru to end the flurry of attacks with a string overhead swing.

Rimuru was able to block the attack barely.

"Ha Ha If this wasn't a Kurobei forged katana I'd be sliced in two."

"Heh, FWA HAHAHAHAHA! I don't believe it! You actually stopped my sword!!" Bellowed Gazel as he spun on his heel and reaching down to grab Shizu's mask.

"I resign. Consider this my defeat. I judge that you are not malicious actors. I'd like to arrange a formal discussion, if you're up for it."

After that declaration Treyni declared the Chancellors the victors. Hakuro also appeared to congratulate Rimuru and in the meantime since through a mix of enchantments and skills the Wyvern Duo changed their armors shape. From the armored platemail to something more casual of a long tail coat and undershirt for Grim and Flora's armor becoming a rather elegant dress.

"Well guide the way Rimuru," Gazel said slapping Rimuru on the back, "Judging from what I saw from the air you have quite the fetching town down here. I presume you also have some good drink to offer as well."

Grim's POV*

After a rather exciting day with dueling the king of the Dwarves we settled into a small party with Gazel to exchange words with one another.

As we were talking to Gazel he asked a question, "Say, Grim, Flora? Why did you not visit Dwargon with Rimuru?"

With that I replied with a muffled chuckle as i was mid drink, "Think of how your soldiers reacted to our Wyvern forms and apply that to the citizens of Dwargon. We didn't want to cause a massive problem despite Rimuru still somehow causing one."

With that he nodded before asking the bigger question, "So do you intend to form a pact with me?" He asked before commenting on Rimuru's face, "Don't give me that look. The one that says, "What is this crazy old man thinking.""

"The layout and construction of this town is amazing. I'm certain it could be the center of a bustling trade network. Such a place would benefit from an established nation ensuring it's safety." He said as he raised his glass.

"Are you sure," Asked an uncertain Rimuru, "That would mean recognizing a bunch of monsters as a proper nation."

"Of course. I am speaking as King. Naturally this offer isn't just for charity. It's an agreement that would benefit both sides."

Then Flora spoke, "And how can we be sure this isn't a ploy?"

"Fwa ha ha ha! I wouldn't attempt to take advantage of the masters of a dryad and my Exalted Teacher in their presence. I have only two conditions to propose. One, that grave national danger prompts mutual aid. And two that we share our knowledge and expertise with one another. But there's no need to rush to an answer. Give the idea time to settle in your mind."

"There would be no need for that Gazel. We gladly accept your offer." I said after some very quick conversation over Thought Communication.

He proceeded to slap me on the back, "That is a king's decisiveness! It's good to see that a fellow follower of the blade can hold their reputation! So what is the name of your nation?"

At that Flora responded, "Well technically we are not at the level of a nation yet. We are chancellors of the Jura Forest Alliance. We are not Kings and Queen."

The others however had different ideas with them calling us your majesties even Treyni said it. However as the night waned on i came to a name that would stake our claim to the world. A strong name one used by the capital of the Guild for our city.

Dundorma