Clarifications:
-"Person Talking"-
-(Person Thinking)-
-
[Skills or Magic]
(JC: Author's Notes)
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Let's start
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Taking a good look, I realized exactly how much all the now-Onis had changed. They had shrunk a decent amount, which made their clothes hang loose on them, though they still retained enough dignity to wear them well. Beauty is a damn useful thing in moments like these.
I didn't think Kurobe could pull it off, but I think he borrowed an outfit from Kaijin, and surprisingly, it suited him. If it weren't for the horns, I'd almost mistake him for a Dwarf.
Hakuro was the only one who hadn't changed that much physically. His outfit still fit him normally.
Shion, on the other hand, was a bit more of a… precarious case.
-
-(Eeh… Better do something about that. Garm should be informed immediately)-
I thought, while still trying not to look at her chest.
Souei's chest plate was still in pieces as well. I had forgotten that I'd destroyed it, but at least there was an easy way to make up for it. It was time for all the Onis to get new clothes and equipment. I'd promised to take care of the basics, and I didn't want them fighting in old, battered gear.
So I took them all to Garm's workshop.
-"Hey, boss!"- He greeted me, smiling as he stopped working. -"Are those the new Ogre friends we have? Are you sure? Because they sure don't look like Ogres to me, but..."-
He looked quite surprised, his eyes drifting straight to Shion's chest.
-(Seriously… I'm surrounded by perverts...)-
-"Yeah, well, I named them all, so they're not exactly Ogres anymore. Onis is the term for them now"-
-"Onis?! That's a high-level race, isn't it? Born only on extremely rare occasions among Ogres..."-
-"Is it? Well, there you go"- I replied dryly. -"Do you think you could make some clothes and armor for them?"-
-"Oh. Yeah, sure"-
Garm still looked doubtful, but he refrained from making further comments as he led the Ogres inside. I was sure he'd start measuring all of them shortly.
Hakuro was fine as he was, and Kurobe had apparently borrowed some Kaijin outfits a few days ago. Simple work clothes, really, but Kurobe seemed quite happy with them.
And that reminded me of something: why did their clothing look so Japanese?
-"Hakuro"- I called to the elderly Oni. -"Your weapons are rather unusual, aren't they?"-
As he recounted it, about four hundred years ago, a group of armored warriors arrived in the Ogres' homeland, badly wounded and apparently lost in the forest. The Ogres were a warrior group back then, more like Monsters than they are now, but even so, they hesitated to attack the defenseless.
They were a high-level race, not very concerned with food, so they took care of them.
The warriors, grateful for this, taught the Ogres battle techniques and gifted them their armor. One of them knew how to forge katana-style weapons, and after a long process of trial and error, they managed to produce them in large quantities.
-"One of the warriors they trained was my own grandfather"- Hakuro said proudly. -"And he made sure to teach me all the skills he had"-
-"Yeah"- Kurobe added. -"And my family is among the smiths who supply them all!"-
-"So you can make those swords yourselves?"-
-"I'm more versed in the straight sword"- Hakuro said. -"But at least I've learned how to commission them and use them fairly well. Kurobe, however, is something of a master weaponsmith for us"-
-"Yup! I made all these swords. I'm not very good at fighting, but if you want me to hammer some metal, I'm your Ogre!"-
-(Wow. I had no idea there was an armorer among them)-
Kurobe was noticeably weaker than the others, so I suppose strength wasn't the only thing he could excel at.
-(But thinking about it carefully, that group from four centuries ago could very well have been from another world, like me)-
It's not like I had any way of knowing for sure. What mattered was that the Ogres were intelligent enough to preserve their traditions.
-"Alright"- I said, now with a clear plan in mind to make use of these monsters' skills. -"In that case, Kurobe, you'll be the consecrated blacksmith of our village from now on"-
-"I accept, Yukimaru-sama! I'll do my very best for you!"-
I introduced him to Kaijin right away, and since they had already met the day before, our discussions were brief. The two of them got to work immediately, and when I took my leave, they were already chatting animatedly about new weapons they could make… along with some kind of strange "research" Kurobe wanted to pursue.
I don't know if it was because of this, but it seemed Kurobe had obtained a Unique Skill known as [Researcher]. It sounded somewhat similar to my own [Predator] Skill, though it was geared toward item production. It offered sub-skills such as [Complete Analysis], [Spatial Storage], and [Material Transformation].
[Spatial Storage] was basically like my [Stomach], and [Material Transformation] allowed him to manipulate the objects stored inside it. For example, he could "store" a large pile of scrap and transform it into solid ingots for later processing. More or less like my own copying abilities.
It was curious how [Researcher] granted Kurobe exactly the kind of Skills that he—and only he—would find useful. He had also acquired [Fire Manipulation] and Temperature Resistance, and while I considered him B-rank in combat, those Skills would make him a rather troublesome opponent for most people.
Even so, Kurobe himself seemed to want to devote his life exclusively to forging katanas.
Now, at least, I was fairly certain the Hobgoblins wouldn't have to worry about the origin of their weapons. But before they began mass production, I really wanted them to forge a few swords for me and the other Ogres. I handed Kurobe a rather large supply of Magic Steel and put him to work.
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-(That may be true, but I've trained my sword technique to use two, or even three katanas at the same time)- I commented proudly. -(I even created and developed techniques like that myself)-
-
-(Well… Maybe I copied the technique from a famous anime…)- I admitted with a bit of embarrassment. -(But even so, I was able to perform it on my own)-
-
And just like that, he suddenly stopped talking…
-(Wait… He can see my memories!? I seriously need to talk to him about privacy...)-
-"I'll make the best swords you've ever seen!"-
Kurobe promised, pounding a fist against his chest to make his enthusiasm clear.
I was really looking forward to it.
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Once their measurements were taken, Benimaru and Souei came out dressed in leather outfits. People that handsome looked good in anything. I was sure that, in my world, they would be chased by all kinds of women.
-(Well… With my current appearance, I'd probably experience something pretty similar…)- I couldn't help but admit.
-"Hmm? Where are Shuna and Shion?"-
-"Ah… Yes. About that..."-
Benimaru seemed a little reluctant to explain. After pressing him a bit, I realized that both of them were apparently dissatisfied with wearing simple hides. Considering how elegant Shuna's usual clothing was, I couldn't blame her. She had said she would fix her own outfit, since bare pelts were far too irritating for her tastes.
-"Princess Shuna, you see"- Souei said. -"She's very gifted at sewing and that sort of thing. In fact, she's one of the best among us"-
I could believe it. She and Shion had made clothes from a fabric that could only be described as silk—assuming there was an equivalent here. It was made by weaving threads spun from cocoons produced by nearby creatures known as Demon Moths, then infusing the thread with a large amount of magic for additional protection.
They also wore clothing made from what looked like braided hemp, not very different from the simple rags the Goblins used, though it was far better cared for. It wasn't the same base plants, of course, but the result was basically identical. The Ogres cultivated in large quantities a crop similar to cotton, something I assumed Shuna could process, and the resulting fabric was sufficiently durable.
It would be useful for everyday clothing. We definitely needed more battle gear made of silk, considering the defense it offered. It would be perfect as a base layer beneath the armor Garm was making for us. I decided to mention it once I saw him following Benimaru.
-"I see"- Garm said. -"Braided cloth garments..."-
-"Yes, actually I was wondering if we could do something with silk"-
-"Silk?!"-
I was surprised by the intensity of his reaction. Then again, thinking about it, maybe I shouldn't have been, considering how expensive it was in the Dwarven Kingdom when I had been there. Hemp and cotton were everywhere, but silk was a true rarity. They didn't even know how to produce it, and the required materials were more than precious.
Souei then chimed in. -"I might be able to help with that"-
Demon Moths were B-rank Monsters, capable of enchanting people with the powder they released from their bodies, but in their larval state they were defenseless. One simply had to locate the cocoons containing juvenile insects and harvest them.
I decided to leave the gathering to our Goblin Knight troop, with Souei guiding them to the secret locations he knew. Sooner or later, I'd like to capture some larvae and try to raise them in facilities within the village. It's not like I knew much about how that process worked, but if people on Earth could raise silkworms in captivity, it had to be possible here too. It would probably require some trial and error, but it could become a job with great economic benefits for both me and the village.
Shuna and Shion came out shortly after, their clothes already adjusted. I called Garm and the rather bored Dold over, and formally introduced them to Shuna.
-"Oh my!"- She exclaimed when I explained the situation. -"I would be able to help you, Yukimaru-sama"-
So, as we talked, I began delegating duties. Shuna would produce high-quality textiles and fabrics for clothing. Garm would craft handmade silk battle gear. Dold would handle dyeing the fabrics and finished clothing. With their combined efforts, we'd soon have all the comfortable clothing we needed.
As we went over this, I suddenly wondered if we could use my [Sticky Steel Thread] in any of the processes. Given my EX Thermal Fluctuation Cancellation ability, I could probably handle most heat attacks, or at least make the resulting clothes fire-resistant.
-"Oh, thank you, Yukimaru-sama!"- Shuna smiled. -"I'm sure I'll be able to produce the finest fabric there is for you"-
I returned her smile sincerely. -"I hope so!"-
-"Just leave it to me, Yukimaru-sama"-
She added, blushing slightly.
-(How cute)-
She must have loved receiving that support. Sewing was her hobby, and being able to use it as part of her duties as a princess seemed to give her a lot of motivation.
From what I'd seen with the Dwarven brothers, working alongside such an attractive young Ogre woman wouldn't displease them either.
-(Please, please, please… just don't try anything inappropriate with her…)-
She might look adorable, but she was deadly. If they tried anything out of line, I seriously doubted they'd still be alive by dawn.
On a whim, I decided to make a few sketches. There was no paper available, so I kept using charcoal on wood. My Skills made designing what I wanted fairly easy; in this case, something that in my world we'd call a business suit.
I drew several examples for both men and women, trying to imagine Benimaru wearing them. With everyone's appearance, I thought that kind of clothing would suit them perfectly.
-(Shion in particular, with her dignified appearance)-
-"Very interesting"- Shuna said when I showed them to her. -"I'd love to try sewing some of these"-
So that was settled. In the meantime, I'd go with something a bit more casual: a light shirt and pants, suitable for the summer heat. I wouldn't mind some kind of sweatshirt either, though there was no way I could recreate a zipper in this world.
For now, I'd used [Telepathic Communication] to transmit my mental image of how the clothes should look and feel to the relevant people, along with several fairly detailed hand-drawn sketches. I hoped that, sooner or later, they'd be able to bring them to life.
With those commissions done, we all took our leave of the workshop… Except for Shuna.
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Lake Sisu was located at the center of the Jura Forest, surrounded by a vast region of swampland. It was the domain of the Lizardmen.
A handful of caves surrounded the lake. These formed a kind of natural underground labyrinth that hindered anyone who tried to enter, and at the end of it lay the vast cavern that housed the Lizardmen's fortress. There, the race maintained control over the lake area, secured by the natural protection with which they had been blessed.
Today, however, the Lizardmen were met with news that had the potential to affect the very future of their people.
The Orc forces were here… And they were advancing toward Lake Sisu.
The chief, upon hearing this, managed to maintain his composure.
-"Prepare for battle!"- He shouted. -"Let's kick these pigs back into the abyss they came from!"-
He was extremely confident, but that didn't mean he rested on his laurels. Along with the order to attack, he sent out a call to gather as much information as possible about the Orc army that his people could obtain. They needed to know their numbers before acting.
An average Lizardman, carnivorous and fierce in battle, was rank C+. Their battalion leaders likely reached B-, with perhaps a few even at B. Around half of the tribe would serve in combat, and that half alone already represented a formidable force in any war.
Conventional wisdom dictated that a fully armed corps of knights from any of the small kingdoms surrounding the forest constituted a solid C+ level threat. In most of those kingdoms, armies did not exceed five percent of the total population, and usually didn't even reach one percent unless they were involved in a prolonged war. A Lizardman force of ten thousand warriors, demonstrating the teamwork and synchronization for which the race was known, would leave no hope for a kingdom with fewer than a million inhabitants.
And this would be a fight on their own territory.
The chief liked his odds.
But even so, something troubled him.
The Orcs had no problem hunting weaker opponents, but they never dared challenge those higher up the food chain. The Lizardmen were not weak. They were "superior," so to speak. Attacking Goblins was one thing… But what made them act with such audacity against the Lizardmen?
The question planted a small seed of doubt in his mind, one that even now stabbed at the chief's heart. He was a bold leader, but also a cautious one; an indispensable balance for anyone who wished to guide such a fierce tribe.
And his concerns proved to be all too accurate.
-"The Orc force totals two hundred thousand!"-
The report from the scouting team, delivered to the chief and the Council of Elders of the tribe, sent a wave of fear through the great cavern. The words, spoken between ragged breaths by the Lizardman warriors, froze everyone in place.
-"Ridiculous"- One of the elders scoffed. -"That can't be possible!"-
The chief agreed. He himself would have said the same if not for the many others present. His duty was to be a rock for his people, unmoved by any bad news. He couldn't believe it… But he also couldn't afford to say so out loud. If the report proved true, he had to accept it and think of countermeasures.
He ventured to ask:
-"Is this true?"-
-"By my own life, it is, my Lord!"-
-"Very well. You may go and rest"-
He nodded with a gesture and ordered the Lizardmen—who had undoubtedly run day and night to deliver the news—to leave the chamber. The image of the chief, as wise and reserved as ever, must have reassured them enough that they collapsed to the floor right where they stood, too exhausted to go on. That was more than enough proof that the report was true.
-(Two hundred thousand…? This is madness…)-
As he watched other warriors carry the scouting team away, the chief was forced to reevaluate the situation. The Orcs were, without a doubt, a race that multiplied rapidly, but he doubted that even they could gather so many men and women in a single place.
-(How could they even have the logistics necessary to feed two hundred thousand hungry stomachs?)-
It would be a colossal effort to keep those supply lines stocked. Transporting such an amount of food simply shouldn't have been possible for such an undisciplined mob.
-"These Orcs are selfish brutes"- One of his advisors whispered. -"They don't care about anyone but themselves. How could someone have gathered them into a single cohesive unit?"-
-(That's the question)- The chief thought.
Even the most talented leader couldn't control a force of two hundred thousand at once, unless they had absolute control over every single one of them. A thousand would already be the practical limit. Orcs were rank D monsters, with intelligence lower than that of Humans. They cared little for anything that wasn't right in front of their noses. They were stupid, each and every one of them, and the word cooperation simply didn't exist in their vocabulary.
The chief already had his hands full managing the Lizardmen under his command, who numbered around twenty thousand. And that was a race that, in general, lived in harmony with itself. Adding a zero to that number went completely beyond comprehension.
-"Is there some kind of genius among them leading the forces?"-
The chief said to himself.
-"That could hardly be the case"- His advisor replied. -"Anyone capable of maintaining order among them would have to be a Unique Monster, and I have never heard of more than one of those creatures existing at the same time"-
-"Indeed"- Another interjected. -"The idea that multiple Unique Monsters of such caliber, my Lord, are born among the Orcs… It is impossible to conceive"-
The chief nodded as everyone shook their heads in disbelief.
-(No. It makes little sense. But it also makes little sense to deny the facts. If I must assume this report is valid, what are the Orcs truly capable of?)-
Even if the Orcs possessed several Unique Monsters like the Lizardman chief himself, would they have been able to cooperate with one another to achieve a single goal? Gathering such an absurd force would require another presence… Something that pushed all those Unique and talented Monsters to fight for a common cause without trying to tear each other's throats out.
A leader with such overwhelming charisma would mean that even low-level Orcs wouldn't dare to rebel. In fact, they could become a threat unlike anything seen before.
-(Should I act under the hypothesis that a superior leader exists among them? Do the Orcs really have that "within" them…?)-
-(Wait… Could it be…?)-
Upon reaching that point in his reasoning, the chief visibly stirred. It was a thought he wished to expel from his mind, but he couldn't. Someone capable of ruling such a force. Someone who, according to legend, was only born once every several centuries…
-"Could there be an Orc Lord among their ranks…?!"-
Despite how low the chief's whisper was, it echoed clearly amid the growing commotion. Those who understood the meaning of his words fell silent, and little by little, the entire cavern sank into complete muteness.
-"An Orc Lord..."-
-"But surely..."-
-"If, by chance, this were the case..."-
The elders, who served as the chief's advisors, could not deny the possibility either. An Orc Lord was a legendary creature and, according to the accounts, fully capable of commanding an army of six figures. The more they reflected on it, the less they could conceive of any other explanation for the current situation.
-"If… If they somehow have an Orc Lord among them, that would explain why they have united like this..."-
-"But for what purpose?"-
-"Does it matter at this point? The only question is whether we can defeat them or not!"-
The cavern erupted into uproar once more, the advisors exchanging increasingly tense and hostile opinions.
-(Whether we can defeat them or not…?)-
Fighting on a plain would put the Lizardmen at a clear numerical disadvantage. The swamps, on the other hand, were their territory.
With a careful hand and the right traps placed in the right locations, they had every chance of winning.
Or at least, that's what they believed.
If it were just a simple horde of Orcs like any other, the chief knew countless ways to annihilate them. But if an Orc Lord had truly been born, the situation changed completely. Outnumbered, they would have to keep morale high and crush the enemy through teamwork. The chief knew it was possible, thanks to his knowledge of the terrain… But that strategy would not work against an Orc Lord.
An Orc Lord was a Monster capable of smelling and devouring the fear hidden in the hearts of its allies.
-(How can we escape this dilemma?)-
If the existence of an Orc Lord turned out to be a false alarm, he couldn't ask for a better outcome. Even so, he felt compelled to take every possible precaution before the confrontation.
They needed support.
With the decision made, the chief called for one of his men. His name was Gabil, and as prudent and considerate as the Lizardman chief was, he could not imagine the amount of fuel that individual was about to throw onto the flames of this chaos.
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The pale Goblin Chiefs glanced at one another nervously as their meeting began. There were fewer attendees than before, which made sense. Many had fled in the face of this unprecedented threat, one that could drastically change the Forest of Jura forever…
It had all begun with the attack of the Dire Wolves. That, and with all the Goblins who abandoned the villages to which the named warriors belonged. Despite this mass desertion, the named fighters managed to defend themselves against the Wolves.
A savior among them had used an incomprehensible power to protect them. Not only did they overcome the threat of the Dire Wolves, they even forced them to obey their orders; and now they were trying to rebuild. The villagers who had expressed their desire to fight alongside them at a tribunal some time ago had already left, relocating to the village ruled by that savior.
Goblins, those small and insignificant creatures, had no hope of surviving unless they lived in groups, helping one another. But even after everything that had happened, there was no way those Goblins, after abandoning their kin in that manner, could swallow their pride and beg for forgiveness.
No matter how much, deep in their hearts, they truly wished to.
In fact, some had already voiced it. But if they tried to join now, they would undoubtedly be treated little better than slaves. Thinking of it that way, it was completely impractical. Fortunately, that savior had shown no signs of wanting to absorb the surrounding villages. Perhaps they could maintain the status quo and continue living as before. That would be best, yes.
But life was not so kind to them.
One day, out of nowhere, a small group of Orc Knights clad in full plate armor came to visit them.
-"We are knights of the Orc Order! From this moment on, this land is under the control of our valiant Orc Lord. We will grant these worms the chance to remain alive, should they so desire. You are to gather all the food supplies you can over the course of several days and bring them to our headquarters. If you do so, we will spare your lives and treat you as the slaves you are. If you do not, there will be no mercy. We offer no terms of surrender to those who oppose us. Think carefully before you act! Gahjajaja!"-
With their unilateral declaration complete, the Orc Knights withdrew boldly.
Orcs were, at best, rank D monsters. Stronger than Goblins, yes, but not overwhelmingly so in a one-on-one confrontation. A force like this was beyond anyone's comprehension.
Something unknown and terrifying was happening in the Forest of Jura; now everyone was certain of it. Something that foretold a darkness that would not only affect this village, but all the surrounding ones. The moment the villages gathered and discovered that the Orc Knights had made exactly the same demands of them, despair took complete hold. In that instant, all Goblins understood that there was nowhere to run.
The Orcs wanted the Goblins to supply their food; that much was obvious. They intended to use the Goblins so they wouldn't have to worry about procuring it themselves. Otherwise, they would have razed the Goblin villages at first sight, reducing them to ashes.
They claimed to spare their lives, but if they confiscated every scrap of food they possessed, what was the real difference? They would starve or be killed. The choice was between certain death or an infinitely small chance of survival; no matter how hard they clenched their teeth, only total annihilation awaited the Goblins.
Their forces ready for combat didn't even reach ten thousand. There was no way to contact their comrades in outer lands without the mediation of the tribal elders. There was nothing they could do.
Just as they found themselves trapped in this dead end, they received news that pushed them even closer to the brink. A Lizardman emissary had come to visit them.
Was this a ray of hope?
The Goblin elders hurried to meet the messenger, a Lizardman named Gabil, who claimed to lead the warriors of his tribe. The arrival of a named creature made them swarm around him, as if he were a savior destined to pull them out of that desperate situation.
-"I want"- This supposed savior told them. -"You to swear your loyalty to me. Do so, and your future will truly be bright!"-
The elders decided to trust him immediately. It was the classic mistake of the weak: clinging to anything that seemed to offer help. Some Goblins suggested that it would be preferable to rejoin their former brothers rather than submit to Lizardman rule, but they were in the minority.
The vote was held.
And so, they fell under Gabil's authority, unaware that this decision had sealed their fates in stone…
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Gabil, Warrior Lord of the Lizardmen, had led one hundred fighters with him out of the swamps under direct command. The chief had given him his orders—orders he particularly disliked. He was a named monster, and his unnamed chief was using him like a pair of oxen hitched to a cart.
And whether that chief was his own father or not, he was beginning to test Gabil's patience…
He knew he had been chosen. Special. That certainty was a source of pride for Gabil, and the main pillar of his self-esteem.
And "chosen" he truly had been. In the past, he had encountered a certain Monster in the swamps, and that Monster had granted him a name.
-"You have potential"- That figure told him. -"In the future, I can imagine you as my right-hand man. I will see you again someday!"-
That was how he obtained the name Gabil. He remembered it as if it had happened yesterday: the event and the Monster, Gelmud. To him, Gelmud was his true master.
-(He may be my father, but why should I let an unnamed servant guide me forever? Someday I must rule over all the Lizardmen. I have to do it, for the sake of Lord Gelmud!)-
Wasn't that how things were supposed to be? It couldn't be otherwise—or at least, that's what Gabil thought. It was a side effect of his desire to be acknowledged by his father, the ever-strict figure in his life, the great leader of all the Lizardmen. His pride was clouding his judgment, though he lacked the words to understand it.
-(And now what…?)-
The chief had ordered him to travel among the Goblin Villages and seek their cooperation. He was permitted to threaten them to a certain extent, but explicitly forbidden from doing anything that might turn them hostile toward the Lizardmen. An absurd idea, in Gabil's opinion. With Goblins, shows of force always worked. Always. From his point of view, his method would be more than sufficient; he had all the power he needed to impose it.
-(Yes! Why should we obey a chief so weak that the mere thought of an Orc horde makes him tremble in fear? This is my chance to take control of the entire tribe!)-
The opportunity seemed perfect. But winning over the Lizardmen wouldn't be easy. They valued power, yes—but also solidarity, above almost everything else. The chief maintained control over all his people, even the humblest, and Gabil knew that few would side with him at the start.
Even so, he was convinced he could gather enough soldiers loyal to him. The Goblins, for example. Low-level creatures, yes, but they would serve well as living shields. In sufficient numbers, even they could pose a threat. Strength lay in numbers, and ten thousand seemed more than useful to him.
-"Why worry about the Orcs? With my powers as the strongest warrior among the Lizardmen, they're nothing but nonsense. And besides, I can use this opportunity to force my father to abdicate once and for all!"-
-"Then"- Interjected one of the warriors accompanying him. -"Is the era of Gabil-sama soon to arrive?"-
-"Mmm…? Ahjajajaja! Indeed, indeed!"-
-"Excellent, my lord! We promise to follow you to the ends of the world!"-
Gabil nodded confidently. In his mind, his future as the new chief and great leader of the Lizardmen was already a foregone conclusion. Perhaps then, at last, his father would see him for who he truly was.
For now, however, he had to be discreet. Remain in the shadows and wait for the right moment. Building his forces was the priority.
So he traveled to the Goblin Villages. One by one, he brought them under his command. It seemed they had already had contact with the Orcs, and that was enough for them to treat him like some kind of benevolent god. This only inflated his confidence further, leading him down ever more dangerous paths.
-(I am the true hero here!)-
Gabil thought.
His actions grew bolder, more reckless. His swollen ambitions were hungry… And soon, they would demand to be fed.
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Several days passed.
At first, I had worried that Benimaru and the Ogres wouldn't get along with my people, but it turned out I had nothing to worry about. For the Hobgoblins, the Ogres stood one or two ranks above them in the natural hierarchy, but even so, the Goblins were capable of accepting them as their own. And since the Ogres showed no interest whatsoever in abusing the weak, they practically became figures worthy of worship from the Goblins' perspective.
With Kurobe forging swords, Shuna sewing clothes, and Souei collecting Hell Moth cocoons, everyone was busy. Benimaru and Hakuro were in the underground cavern they had told me about.
"Training," they called it.
Which was fine by me. In their evolved forms, they undoubtedly had new Skills they needed to test.
Shion had told me where they were while we were inspecting the structures currently under construction within the city. Or, to be precise, I was inspecting them, while Night walked at my side and Shion followed one step behind. She had voluntarily offered to act as my secretary, and I had no reason to refuse.
And Ddraig?
He hadn't said a single word in several days. Apparently, the nosy Dragon still hadn't finished reviewing my memories.
As I inspected the village—or rather, the city—I couldn't help but feel proud of what we had accomplished. I was already calling it a city, and it was the best way to describe it. It certainly was no longer a simple village. As for the future, our reach was beginning to expand considerably. Of course, we were still busy with the sewer system and other underground infrastructure, so it would be some time before many changes became visible on the surface. Even so, given the enthusiasm Mildo was putting into his work, I had more than enough reason to expect great results.
The city center was beginning to fill with buildings, though most of them were temporary. It was becoming our industrial district: a row of wooden houses situated next to the warehouses, used as workshops for the manufacture of weapons, armor, and clothing. Kurobe was hidden inside one of them, laughing together with Kaijin as they worked on something. I decided not to interrupt them; I had the feeling that doing so would affect their creative process.
So we headed toward the building where Shuna was.
-"Ah, Yukimaru-sama!"-
She smiled the moment she saw me. She quickly stood up and took hold of my arm, as if trying to pull me away from Shion. As for me, I couldn't help but blush at her action.
She clung tightly to my arm, the way a girlfriend would with her partner. Just thinking about it made my face grow even hotter.
She began to show me how they were handling their work. They seemed to be having quite a lot of fun, which made me happy to see, and as we talked, she didn't voice any particular complaints.
-(Good for her)-
I was glad to know she was happy.
Every time Souei returned with new cocoons, Shuna and the others immediately devoted themselves to silk production. Work with hemp and cotton fabric was also progressing smoothly. Their speed was truly impressive.
-"Well, we have you to thank for that, Yukimaru-sama"-
It turned out—and I had had no idea—that Shuna had obtained the Unique Skill [Analysis], the same one I had been using with such good results. Apparently, she had inherited several benefits related to my Skill [Great Sage]: [Thought Acceleration], [Analyze and Assess], [Chant Cancellation], and [All of Creation]. In her case, however, her evaluation capabilities were so advanced that she could use [Magic Perception] directly to analyze objects, whereas I needed to rely on [Predator] first.
It was quite convenient.
That said, upon acquiring that Unique Skill, she had lost a considerable amount of Magic Energy. This reduced her approximate level to B+, although the evolution still represented an overall increase in strength—something she had no complaints about.
-"You don't have to thank me"- I said sincerely. -"You and the others are the ones doing the real work. I'm the one who should be grateful. Thank you, Shuna"-
I smiled at her and, without realizing it, ended up gently patting her head.
-"Hehehehehe~"-
She laughed in an incredibly cute way.
-(There's no doubt about it, I'm addicted to cute things)- I thought without hesitation. -(First it was Neko-chan and now Shuna. All this cuteness is going to kill me...)-
-"Yukimaru-sama"- Shion said as I stopped patting Shuna's head. -"Princess Shuna has work to attend to. Perhaps it would be better if we left her for now?"-
She had a schedule prepared for me, like any decent secretary would.
-"Oh? So you're taking good care of Yukimaru-sama?"-
-"Of course!"- Suddenly, Shion grabbed my other arm, pulling me away from Shuna. -"I will take care of all of Yukimaru-sama's needs, so there is no need to worry about that"-
-"Hehehe! I certainly wouldn't mind taking care of him myself either"-
-"Absolutely not, Princess Shuna. There is no need. I will attend to him completely!"-
I could almost see sparks flying.
-(Nah, it's just my imagination)-
Besides, I didn't need to be "taken care of" at all. I had lived my entire adolescence on my own, long enough to be able to handle everything I needed by myself.
-(Maybe it's time for me to get out of here)-
-"Yukimaru-sama! Who do you think is more suitable to fulfill your needs? Shion or me?"-
I was too slow.
-"Um, yes... You have silk to weave or something like that, right, Shuna? I suppose you could help when you're free, maybe?"-
-(Help with what, exactly? Though I could draw and teach her clothing designs from my world)-
-"Very well! I'm glad you think of me that way!"-
Shuna smiled. That was enough for her, I suppose. -(Well, that's fine. Let's leave it at that)-
-"Thank you!"-
I replied. She nodded gently in response.
-"Absolutely! I will gladly serve as your Shaman whenever you need!"-
I raised an eyebrow. -"Shaman?"-
-"Yes! You have accepted me as your Oracle, the one who will venerate and serve you, haven't you?"-
-(Um, did I? Because I'm pretty sure I would have remembered that!)-
But I hesitated to say it, feeling that it might be a bit dangerous.
-"Oh, yes. Sure"- I shrugged. -"Have fun being my Oracle then"-
I was rewarded with a rosy smile.
-"You are in good hands, Yukimaru-sama!"-
So cute. I was ready to let her tell me almost anything.
-"In that case, Yukimaru-sama, it's best that we leave!"-
Shion, of course, seized the opportunity to ruin the moment, dragging me away quickly.
-"Um, thanks?"-
-"You're welcome, sir!"-
Shuna said, with a tense smile on her face, as if she had just emerged victorious from some kind of epic battle.
I was glad it ended that way. I felt like the temperature around us had dropped a bit, though I was sure it was just my mind playing tricks on me. With many things in this world, it's better for everyone to simply chalk them up to imagination.
Now we were heading toward where Benimaru and the others were. Without a doubt, they were busy testing their new Skills, and I wanted to find out what they had achieved so far.
We arrived at the underground cavern to find Benimaru and Hakuro crossing swords. Benimaru's wooden blade was, for some reason, wrapped in a white aura. When he struck at Hakuro, it released a brilliant arc of light that shot forward. The slash passed through Hakuro's body without harming him, but it cleanly split a rock behind him in half.
In the very next instant, Hakuro appeared behind Benimaru, his own wooden sword resting against his opponent's neck.
That marked the end of the match.
-(... U-Umm... These guys are Ogres, right? Because that little snippet I just witnessed looked far too refined. Those movements. And that white light...? What is that supposed to be? Why are simple wooden practice swords enough to split rocks? If that's the case, then...It's making actual swords completely useless...)-
Hakuro was the first to notice my presence.
-"Ah, greetings to you, Yukimaru-sama"- He said. -"It is quite a pleasant place here. Peaceful, as well"-
-"My apologies for having shown myself in that manner, Yukimaru-sama"-
-"Oh, no. I heard you were training, so I thought I'd come by to see how things were going. Good work. I can tell you've become stronger than before"-
-"We are making good progress, yes"- Said Benimaru. -"Hakuro has regained enough youth to be as strong as a man half his age"-
-"Jojojo! Indeed, it is just as Lord Benimaru says. I can feel the power flowing within this old and withered form!"-
-"Ah, but this has only just begun for the two of us, Hakuro! I am still stronger than you, remember that. That should have been enough to win, but..."-
Benimaru's face visibly soured. I noticed that his reserves of Magic Energy clearly surpassed those of his opponent.
-"Indeed, young master… Or should I say, Lord Benimaru. I fear, however, that you rely too heavily on your reserves of strength. You must listen to your sword, as I do, and become one with it. I would hate to let myself lose until you achieve that"-
Even before evolving, Hakuro had already been a sufficiently masterful fighter to hide behind my back. I still remembered how he evaded my [Magic Perception] long enough to attempt to decapitate me. I didn't want to dwell too much on that thought, but now he might be strong enough to carry through with that task.
-"Yes, you nearly caught me by surprise"- I said. -"If you don't mind my honesty, that impressed me and scared me"-
-"Hahahahaha! And then you leapt into battle in such a magnificent way! I believe I was the one closer to panic"-
Well… That was true, yes. Exactly. But it only happened because I had [Prodigy] and [Ultra-Fast Regeneration] on my side, not to mention my Resistance to Slashes. Still, what Hakuro didn't know couldn't hurt him.
-"However, I was very impressed by how you managed to hide yourself completely. How did that work?"-
-"That is a Skill known as [Battle Will]. It uses my aura, which places it within a different family of Skills than magic"-
As Hakuro explained it, [Battle Will] was a unique type of Art, or Technical Skill, that transformed the magical energy within the body into fighting spirit, thereby energizing the user's physical form. If aura is what one emits even when doing nothing, then fighting spirit is what the body releases while, well, fighting. Though, given that auras are already available to high-level Monsters, it seemed to me like six of one, half a dozen of the other.
There were also other Arts. [Instant Movement], for example, which allowed exactly that, or [Conceal Form], which forced the opponent to lose sight of you. [Exemplary Will], which strengthened fists and weapons, was more of a beginner's Art, and that was the white light I had just witnessed; it could even be fired as a projectile. It was all a bit like magic… Except it wasn't. Since it required no casting time, it was far more useful to put into practice in an emergency situation.
Given that anyone with a sufficient level of intelligence could learn Arts, I suppose the sight of Ogres using them shouldn't have been a surprise. Shuna also had her [Illusory Magic], after all. It was to be expected that high-level Monsters would possess this sort of resource as a general rule. Great if they were on my side; really annoying if they weren't.
If any adventurer were to run into a Monster that had that kind of arsenal at its disposal… I couldn't imagine how many unfortunate souls had met their end that way. I took a moment to offer a silent prayer for them.
This whole [Battle Will] thing, however, was fascinating. I definitely wanted to learn [Conceal Form], against which [Magic Perception] seemed to have no effect at all. My normal form had given me ordinary sight, but if I hadn't had that, I would have been completely exposed to that attack.
As they described it, the Art began by suppressing sound, then smell, then temperature, then spirit, and once you reached that level, you no longer even disturbed the magical energy around you.
Definitely a Skill I wanted to have.
-"Lord Hakuro was our instructor"- Shion explained. -"And the most powerful swordsman among our retainers"-
-"Great. Then, Hakuro… I want to learn this [Battle Will] thing, and I'd also like the Hobgoblins to be trained in it. Would you mind flexing those muscles of yours a bit more for me, as my official Instructor?"-
-"Jojojo! Are you seeking a favor from this decrepit old man?"- He dropped to one knee. -"I am delighted to hear it! If it is for your sake, Yukimaru-sama, I would gladly exercise these weary bones once more!"-
-"Yukimaru-sama"- Benimaru added. -"You said you planned to build a nation on this land, correct? Will you serve as King, with Rigurd as your chief Minister? I know nothing about governance, but when it comes to military matters, I believe there are few who can match me. If you wish to appoint me to such a role, I would gladly accept"-
-"That seems fine… But wouldn't that be a step down for you?"-
-"Not at all. We serve you now, Yukimaru-sama, and we have offered you our loyalty. If I can fulfill that by serving as your vassal, I would gladly put everything I can offer on the line"-
-(Hmm. I wonder how I should handle this. He certainly seems serious)-
He had made a similar request a few days ago, but honestly, I hadn't taken it seriously yet. Perhaps it was I who owed him a bit more respect.
-"Very well. I hope I can rely on your strength, then"-
I had to respond to his determination in one way or another. Now was the time. The time for these Ogres and me to finally walk firmly, side by side.
-"That's terribly unfair! Yukimaru-sama! If that's the case, then I'd like to be appointed to a position as well!"-
-(Geez… That startled me)-
Shion, who was still holding my arm firmly against her chest, was visibly pouting.
-(I suppose I'll have to prepare something for her too)-
I stepped a few paces away to stand in front of them. I gave them the most serious look I could manage, conveying the gravity of the situation. Benimaru and Shion seemed surprised, but they silently knelt before me instead of saying anything.
-"Very well. Benimaru, I hereby appoint you as my Samurai General. From this point on, you will be responsible for overseeing the military affairs of my nation"-
-"Yes, my Lord! I will serve you well, both on and off the battlefield!"-
-"And you, Shion, I hereby name you my Royal Guard. Your duties will be primarily secretarial. Even so, do your best, all right?"-
-"Thank you very much, my Lord! I will make a great effort every day to serve you to the best of my ability!"-
So now I had not only appointed all of them, but I had also given them three distinct "classes" to fulfill. They couldn't have been more absorbed by the excitement. Kurobe also seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his own work. Perhaps I should have given them formal titles from the beginning. Shuna and Souei deserved something as well.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, a figure suddenly appeared beside Benimaru. It was Souei, and he seemed to have emerged practically from his shadow. The result, he explained, of the Skill [Shadow Movement] that he had obtained as part of his evolution. I knew it involved using people's shadows to move from point A to point B in the shortest time possible, though I didn't know the details in depth.
I had learned it myself; it was part of what I had obtained from the Storm Fang Wolves, but I hadn't tested it yet. It was probably more useful than it looked at first glance. I had so many things on my plate at that point that I simply hadn't had the time to experiment with everything. I'd better take care of that soon, at least.
-(Especially if Souei is already well-versed in its use. It would be ideal for gathering information)-
Noticing me, Souei dropped to one knee.
-"Reporting in, my Lord!"-
-"Yes?"-
-"I have completed my mission of collecting cocoons, and on my way back I witnessed a group of Lizardmen on the move. Seeing them so far from the swamps they call home struck me as highly unusual, so I thought it best to report it to you as soon as possible"-
Souei looked perfectly composed. His breathing wasn't disturbed at all, even though I was sure he must have been in a hurry. My Skill [Heat Detection] told me that his body temperature was slightly higher than normal.
-"Lizardmen? That's strange"-
Benimaru said in a thoughtful tone.
So Lizardmen and Orcs…? Something was definitely going on now.
-"Souei"- I said, already with a clear idea in mind for his role. -"I want you to take charge of intelligence work for me. From today onward, you will act as my Covert Agent, gathering information for me and for our cause"-
-"I couldn't dream of anything better, my Lord"- he replied in a low but firm voice. -"I was always told that my ancestors were endowed with the so-called Dark Arts, and I hope to exercise those abilities to the fullest for you"-
And so, now the Ogres and I were one big family… More or less. I had a small group of loyal agents working under my command. They had evolved into Onis and had recovered a good number of their ancestors' Skills.
When they first evolved, I had assumed they were at the upper limit of Rank A. But now, as they acquired Skills and grew accustomed to their new bodies, their individual ranks were changing. They were, without a doubt, head and shoulders above the rest of the city in terms of strength, though they were still evolving.
I had the feeling that assigning jobs, or "classes," had helped solidify the exact amount of magical energy each of them was meant to operate with. The same had happened with the Hobgoblins who had been given classes.
In the end, success in battle had less to do with brute strength and more with how it matched up against an enemy's Skills. It was my Skills that defeated Ifrit, not the strength of my body. Watching these Onis obtain Unique Skills in the same way was fascinating.
I had the sense that Shuna had forced my hand a bit, but I didn't mind. She used to be a Shaman, after all, so the class I had given her fit quite well. Besides, she seemed happy enough with it.
Thus, I now had six Ogre Mages working under my command, each with their own class: Benimaru, the Samurai General; Shuna, the Oracle; Hakuro, the Instructor; Souei, the Covert Agent; Shion, the Royal Guard; and Kurobe, the Swordsmith.
I liked it.
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Gabil was finding very receptive minds among the Goblin Villages he had visited personally. They didn't need grandiose speeches about how strong he was; they were eager to follow him almost at first sight. That was how weaker races worked, he supposed. And if they showed any sign of challenging him, he was ready to whip them into submission.
His chief's orders no longer occupied Gabil's mind. He had gathered the most skilled warriors from each village, forcing them to bring whatever food they could pull from their stores. There were seven thousand in total, clad in flimsy leather armor and armed with crude spears whose tips were carved from stone. They weren't worth trusting in a real battle, but they would suffice for now. Those who were too frightened to fight had already fled anyway.
-"Elders!"- he shouted. -"Are there any other villages in the area that I should be aware of?"-
The elders exchanged glances among themselves, until one finally stepped forward timidly to answer.
-"Well… It might not be a village, exactly, but there should be another settlement, yes"-
-"Settlement?"- The elder's choice of words irritated the Lizardman. -"What's so concerning about this 'settlement' you speak of?"-
The elders replied with an astonishing story: that of a band of Goblins riding on Fang Wolves. It made no sense to him. Those canines were powerful Monsters; they roamed in packs and ruled the plains. Even Lizardman warriors moved cautiously through their territory. Why would they submit to the will of a species as lowly as Goblins? It was absurd.
And the elders' stories only grew more exaggerated as they continued. Apparently, they were being led by a human boy, no less.
-(Ridiculous)-
Gabil thought. The lowest-level creature in existence! Maybe they could find some way to fool the minds of Goblins, equally stupid—but Fang Wolves? Please.
Gabil needed to see it with his own eyes. Perhaps there was some trick behind the founding of that so-called "settlement" that he could appropriate for his own purposes. If everything went well, maybe even those supposed Fang Wolves would join his cause, turning the vast plains into his personal hunting grounds. With that in mind, he sprang into action, letting his desires drive him forward.
The location he had been given did not lead to a village. That irritated him, but he let it slide. If he wanted to gain control over the Fang Wolves, he would have to endure setbacks here and there. Having freed himself from any sense of duty toward his Lizardman superiors, it was impossible for him to suppress his hunger for power; still, he knew patience was key.
At that moment, the existence of his chief was nothing more than an obstacle on the path to his army's objectives. If he could secure the cooperation of the Fang Wolves, the other Lizardmen would surely acknowledge their new King. The Lords of the Plains, paired with the King of the Swamps—who would have anything to fear from those low-level pigs, no matter how numerous they were?
No one. Gabil was certain of it. He would crush them swiftly and then rule over the Forest of Jura.
-(And that, I imagine, would be a feat worthy enough to lay at the feet of Lord Gelmud)-
Imagining the delight his master would show upon hearing the news made it easier for Gabil to maintain his patience. He already had men stationed at Lake Sisu, awaiting further orders. Supplies were still scarce, so they needed to act soon. There was no time to waste.
One of his men reported having discovered fresh tracks in the area. Gabil gave the order at once. A group of ten elite fighters, himself included, would ride their Mount Lizards toward the target. He didn't even bother to conceal their presence on the plains. The Fang Wolves were a potential concern, but if they were obeying Goblins, then they could no longer be a real threat.
-(I'll have to train them!)- he thought. -(And restore them to their former glory!)-
He had no idea what awaited him. His mind was far too full of pride at the thought of serving Lord Gelmud, the only master he truly loved.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
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Author's Notes
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Upcoming chapters (Spoilers):
Chapter 23-The Envoy
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