The goblin tribe wasn't that far away from my lounge hut—I had decided to leave that area as it was—so we walked at a relaxed pace to it.
I did as I did and made a simple walking path, just a somewhat rumbly stretch of condensed earth. The bumpiness of it made foot travel much more comfortable—a little wisdom from the Romans. Well, at least that was how I learned of it. In actuality, it might have been an Asian thing, or Persian.
It was always those two.
"Lord Rimuru is so amazing, to think you could use magic without chants," one of the female hobgoblins—I wasn't calling them goblinas; that was stupidity—said. I believe it was Hana; the other one was Haruna.
I smiled at the girl. "I didn't know you were aware of the existence of magic, Hana." I was indeed surprised, as little of the unnatural was known to these goblins. "Where did you see magic used with chants before?"
The girl blushed a bit at my attention, and I was amused by her adorable and… timid nature. Still, she obliged me with an answer.
"I once saw some oni putting up charms in the lands that neared their tribe," she confessed. "She was saying some long chants that made her talismans glow and disappear into the trees. After she did that, it became dangerous to go near that place."
That was quite interesting, though not greatly so. It sounded like… deception. Still, it was amazing that there was a different type of magic aside from Aspectual Magic. Though, it would be nice if the next magic I got was just pure mysticism.
"That's amazing," I told the girl, giving her a pet on the head. "Though my magic doesn't quite work that way."
It actually did, but I was just… somehow better at visualization and invocation. I also didn't create single specialized spells but effects that could be manipulated after manifestation. Though I was, again, well aware that my practicing of this was a bit strange.
"Of course, Lord Rimuru's majesty would be wholly different from the common," Gobta butted in, backflipping into a smooth stand that he transitioned into a walk. "I bet those Oni will be surprised and scared."
There it was again, the Oni. I was certain that these weren't the mythic hellish creatures from Japanese folklore, more so because that wolf pack leader had referred to me as one than the actual snippets the goblins shared with me.
However, by mere description, it felt like the personification was almost the same, if a bit… humanized. There was also a clear absence of rage and loincloth fashion.
"I'm glad that you think so highly of me, Gobta. But I don't think I have the desire in me to frighten any one of good character." I was a slime-cum-elf, after all. My presence should impress awe and admiration. "Though, I think I'll be wanting to meet these Oni."
I was obliged to surrender aid to all that might have been affected by my and Veldora's stunt. Plus, I didn't mind acquainting myself with this tribe that shared the customs of feudal Japan.
I had an inkling that there might be a more obvious reason as to why they acted in a similar manner… it was probably a reincarnator from Earth.
I was also beginning to suspect that the world I was living in was somehow anime-inspired or at least, it was one of those worlds that had anime-esque events and shenanigans. The contractor had watched a few anime of like nature, and even a couple of similar transmigrations, though he never finished them.
The programmer saw Oz, so I made roads.
I chuckled a bit at my antics. We continued walking and ran into some wildlife—both hostile and docile. In those encounters, I was reminded of one thing: while the hobgoblins were superior to their prior incarnations, that didn't make them stronger.
Nope, they were still prey. And funnier still, the evolution had taken away their instinctive senses in lieu of active cunning. That was a funny thing to discover, watching two of them fail spectacularly in trying to catch a wild goat. A very aggressive and clearly mutated wild goat.
"…You guys need to start being observant. You can't hunt whatever looks like prey without preparation and studying," I told them after saving them from the Star Goat—I was calling it that because it had a large white star on its back. "Also, you don't have your hunting tools. What happened to them?"
"We forgot them, Lord Rimuru," Itachi said with an embarrassed smile. "But that goat was so aggressive. Why was it able to double jump…"
Well, it was able to do that because it was a dire beast. It also had a force projection skill called Ram. With this, it could project and amplify the force of its ram attacks. That was like being hit by a car at 20 mph. Except it was focused on a small area.
"Well, it might be great to teach you guys some magic—earth type." That was the most versatile and low-cost for their measly reserves. "Do you want it?"
I got a resounding yes.
Easily, I created a data package that included the sensation of casting, the skill of earth manipulation, the art of energy conversion, abnormal sensations, and the understanding of structural manipulation on a ground level. I also included the sensation of my contemptuously refined magicule control—no one was overspending for effects.
After that, I used Imaginary Projection to beam the understanding into their psyches. They paused for a minute, dazed. Then Gobta spoke.
"I heard the Voice of the World twice in one day," he said in awe. "And I have a skill! Thanks, Lord Rimuru."
He lunged at me and hugged me, the others joining with tears in their eyes. I was starting to think that teaching them empathy was a bad idea—these hobgoblins were too affectionate.
"No need to be too excited; it's just a bit of knowledge." Still, I hugged them back. I was wanting affection as both of my incarnations were starved of it—albeit they did that to themselves. "What kind of skills did you get?"
The hobgoblins were average humans in potential—except for Gobta—so I didn't expect something as uncommon as a Unique Skill or as encompassing as Aspectual Magic—certainly not my kind of magic.
"I got Attuned Earth Control," Haruna said with enthusiasm, swinging in an arc to the side. The ground rumbled before a chunk of condensed earth shot out of the ground.
I was impressed; that was certainly effortless and ghostly in expenditure. And the effects were extraordinary.
"That's impressive, Haruna," I praised the girl, who was smiling brightly. And looking at the rest, I saw they were also playing with small chunks of earth. "I'm guessing you all got the same skill?"
They exclaimed in the affirmative. The boys were already doing dumb things like shooting rocks, making holes, flying on a rock in Gobta's case—he figured out that one quick—and creating tree-sized rock arrows.
Those were some cool feats. Though they had the mind to not disturb the forest too much and erase most of their tampering. I had to stop Gobta from flying out too far into the distance.
The girls helped me with the road—they rather liked being near me, I supposed. It was also nice that they had entertaining and informative stories to share. Like the tribe's current chief being a kind goblin who was always protecting them. Also, one of his kids was a named goblin, but he died in a monster attack a month ago.
That had saddened me greatly.
I also learned about Gobta being well-traveled. He apparently went to the Dwarven Kingdom of Dwargon. That was a lazy name. Asking the enthusiastic goblin about it, I found out it was located at the far north of the Jura Forest—way out of dodge.
"This forest is pretty large, isn't it?" I was genuinely amazed. It was almost like an entire continent on its own—more than that—with a great many countries.
"Hasn't Lord Rimuru traveled it?" Hana asked me with curious eyes.
I shook my head. "I don't actually know much about this place, though I think I'll be rectifying that little ignorance."
Further asking Gobta about the Dwarven Kingdom, I was told it specialized in technology, the nation having the best metalworkers this side of forever. That was a bit generic . But what wasn't generic was…
"…beautiful elf women with big chests," Gobta said, gesturing with his hands. I chuckled at his antics, further still as Haruna started shooting tiny pebbles at him.
I knew that there was some stereotype in these green creatures. And since elves and goblins were of sprite ancestry, interbreeding was possible, with the end result either being an elf—most of the time—or a hobgoblin with dormant elven genes.
This meant the hobgoblin could either have a hobgoblin child with those genes still dormant or an elven child—with no dormant goblin genes.
That was funny to me. Apparently, dwarves and elves couldn't carry dormant genes from other species. Also, a hybrid race of both species was impossible; you were either one or the other. So no half-elves.
Still, the existence of big titty elves was a relief to the heart. I was also floored by the number of nations existing in this forest. Fortunately, most of them were at the edges or further inland. We also had a lot of sapient races—orcs, oni, tengu, lizardmen, goblins, okami, treants, and more.
Most others, like myself, were just straight-up monsters who'd awakened sapience. Funnily enough, the awakening of sapience was immensely rare, and the requirements were unknown—I was so happy I didn't kill that dire wolf; it was something rare.
Also, dragons, despite being so powerful, weren't intelligent. If it was, then it was better to just dip out of there because there was little else that could be done against it.
Well, that was just a bit of glaze from my side. However, dragons were strong and wrathful, having quite a frightening number of destroyed settlements under their scales.
They were barbaric, in that vain, inconsequential to me—I was still wary of voodoo magic or gods. This world felt like a place that might have actual mythos.
But back to dragons…
I had long deduced that creatures like Veldora were Origin Beings given to the imagery of dragonhood. He had a very distinct presence about him, like a fundamental weight that was removed from just… being.
Like a little "g" god.
My guessing was that he had some claimant to the authority of Storm, as was his title and our last name. Not to mention my getting Black Lightning after swallowing him.
I might be needing to analyse my soul, blessing, and the etheric connection that threaded me to my brother. I also had to familiarise myself with my Haki—why did my Predator Skillhave Haki under its Intimidation sub-skill.
My planned was to simulate a very very very prideful incarnation of myself and assign him complete governance over my Haki. I'd assimilate him after complete control was achieved.
After an hour or so of walking and being regaled with the Forest's lore, we reached the goblin village. It was time to play civilization building.
———
I was not…impressed.
The image of my imagination dared not give hint to the actual truth of this goblin village. Though, to give credit where it was due, I was not disappointed, either.
To put it simply, the village was a bunch of stick huts with thatched roofs and no casements. The doors to the huts had no blinds to hide away or shield the goblins within from the chilly climate of this forest. But worst of all, the place stank. The goblins stank.
Somehow, it was worse than Hana and the others when I first met them. It was no wonder they were being harassed by the wolves; their scents denied them concealment.
"What you… stranger?" one of the goblins amongst the host that was surrounding us with their sharpened sticks—I wasn't calling those things spears—pointed at us and asked. He was a brave one, this goblin, and a bit taller too. "Adventurer?"
There was fright in that suspicion.
I was still impressed with myself that I understood instinctive goblinese—I was definitely calling it that—though I wasn't fully fluent. I didn't think the language was polished enough for anyone to be fluent in it, though.
In fact, I think there was a low intelligence requirement for it, but it immediately turned into gibberish once that low intelligence level was transcended. Case in point, Gobta and co were just blinking in confusion.
However, most of the goblins were evidently looking at Gobta in slight confusion as well—the hobgoblin hadn't lost its charm.
"Neither, fair goblin," I said in response, once more abusing my Imaginary Projection with a link to all the goblins. "I've come to aid, and I already showed some of that aid to your brothers and sisters here."
I gestured to Gobta and co, who gave self-conscious waves and smiles at their unawakened kin. The goblins gawked at the swagged-out hobgoblins.
From there, because it appeared I needed no additional convincing, I was guided and shown to the chief. It turned out the goblin who led the security detail was the chief's son; that was cool. And I supposed it explained the bandana.
As for the goblin chief, he was close to dying with how old he was. His face was all wrinkles, his back was bent, and he shook violently when he walked or stood.
The funniest part was the fact that he was all of eighteen years old.
Still, he was a chill guy and learned in governance—at least benevolent and uncontested governance. He even tried to bow to me, on all fours, mind you, for my helping of Gobta and the others.
Predictably, I stopped that attempt; I didn't want my ego stroked that badly.
"…No need for all that, chief," I aided him up. "I did what anyone would have done."
Until I was proven wrong on this, I was ever going to believe that anyone with a heart would be inspired to do the decent thing when the opportunity came with middling consequences or effort.
Unless the cost was severe, I would be inspired to aid. I decided that I lacked for nothing in this life. Thus, I was owed no right to malicious indifference.
Of course, the chief still lavished me with praise, and again I was unable to take it without being uncomfortable. I needed some arrogance in me right soon.
"…What have you and your people been doing, if you don't mind me asking?" I felt I needed to know this in order to offer appropriate aid.
The chief thought on it, then told me. "We… were… collecting tracks of… wolves." He said, and I understood it better. "Spy enemy."
I then asked them if this had been routine for a while. He answered in the affirmative, but admitted that it was the first time for Gobta and co. He also admitted that their previous scouting unit was severely injured in their most recent scuffle with the wolves…
A bit of anger at the wolves was felt in my heart, yet I simmered it down by reminding myself of the law of the jungle—the goblins were just easy prey.
…Also, most of the male goblins were lost, which was why Gobta and the others had Haruna and Hana in their group—brave girls. Most of the population of the village was now just kid goblins, which made up about half the population, the women, about thirty or so percent, and then the men…
I frowned.
…the point was, a lot of goblins died. And not just from the predatory wolf attacks but other monsters as well. Veldora was really these guys' protection. They lived so close to his cave, where few monsters dared to reside—at least in the past.
We really screwed up.
Still, I had already decided to mend matters. I then went to asking about their lives before Veldora's vanishing. Spoiler alert: it was still awful, albeit not as stressful as it was now. First thing, the goblins didn't know how to do jack all. All their rugs were foraged from the corpses of overeager adventurers who wandered into the wrong place.
That little information gave me pause. I was not… sure just how strong the inhabitants of this world were. I mean, all the monsters I encountered weren't really strong, both in presence or feats of violence.
So, what were these adventurers dying to?
I was starting to think that I had misjudged that trio—those might have been exceptional individuals, proper mythril-rank adventurers. Though even with that suspicion, they would have struggled or even died against the cave monsters—those three were too relaxed.
I think… I was unreasonably strong, even on a barbaric level. I was probably incomprehensibly strong on a genuine level.
Still, I hoped the adventurers who died were just the overly curious and arrogant type instead of the genuinely strong ones.
Additionally, the person who imprisoned Veldora was a human, and Veldora was definitely strong. So, humanity or elvenity at least had people capable of countering the great powers of this world.
I apologized to my dragon brother for celebrating the existence of individuals who were as strong as him.
Unfortunately, the goblins did not have such strong individuals in their midst. I mean, sure, the hobgoblins could probably be as strong as sin if they trained and figured out more constitutional enhancements, but they would not stop Tempest Serpents or Black Spiders…
Right?
…No, they probably could with some guidance. I mean, yes, their measly reserves were too insignificant for advanced skills or enhancements to take root, but I was using much lower level magicules to invoke and manipulate my miracles.
I thought about it a bit, turning the possibility in my head.
"How many residents do you have, chief?"
The answer was four hundred—I had to count them myself because the goblins were not learned in mathematics. But as said, most were kids. But it didn't matter; they were more than enough for what I was planning.
I think I was going to make these goblins a force to be reckoned with.
"Can you show me to the wounded? I wish to render them aid," I said, standing up in full. "And gather everyone to the village center; I'll be making some helpful announcements."
The chief was more than happy—a bit too happy—to oblige my requests. I was starting to think this geezer was set to beg me for help.
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Extra chapters on my Pa-treon/BoombaTheSaint. I'll be taking this opportunity to bring Echoes of the Seven up to date. Bye