Chapter 277
The Meeting with the Goblins
The two of them, Arthur and Rimuru, continued walking together, embarking on an exploration of this world about which they knew so little.
The land stretched out before them, while the forest surrounded them on both sides, eerily silent, as though watching their every step.
Halfway along the road, a group of five gray wolves suddenly appeared before them. Their eyes were sharp, their fangs bared, and their bodies tense, radiating hunger and desperation.
"They look hungry," Arthur said calmly, observing them without the slightest hint of tension.
Before he could finish speaking, Rimuru smiled and eagerly stepped forward.
He had grown stronger now, and he wanted to prove to Arthur that he was not the only one capable of fighting.
But…
Before he could do anything—
Arthur calmly raised his right hand into the air.
"Cut."
At that moment, the very air began to move.
It responded to his gesture as though it were a living entity, taking the form of invisible blades as sharp as swords.
They shot forward all at once.
There was no delay… not even an opportunity for the wolves to comprehend what was happening.
In an instant, their bodies were dissected into tiny pieces, scattering across the ground with terrifying ease, as though they were nothing more than meat prepared for slaughter.
A brief silence fell.
"Arthur…"
Rimuru spoke in a distinctly protesting tone.
"What?" Arthur replied coolly.
"I wanted to fight them."
Arthur smiled faintly, then extended his hand and gently patted Rimuru's gelatinous head.
"All right, all right.
The next enemy is yours."
Rimuru's face immediately lit up, and the two continued on their way.
They had not traveled far when a group of small goblins appeared before them, standing still and watching them warily.
Their bodies were thin and exhausted, their features pale.
They wore old, worn-out human armor. Some carried spears, others clubs, and a few had swords that were barely fit for combat.
"They're… incredibly weak."
Arthur thought calmly.
"Is this world really so fragile?"
A faint feeling stirred within him, but it quickly faded.
He smiled calmly as he looked ahead.
The wind brushed gently against his face, carrying the cool scent of the forest and trees, along with the first hints of a mild winter.
Sunlight filtered through the drifting clouds, lending the place an unusual sense of tranquility.
"I really do feel a little more at ease."
Arthur murmured unconsciously.
"What did you say, Arthur?"
Rimuru asked, his gaze fixed on the goblins with an almost predatory look.
He was eager to demonstrate his strength.
"They're yours."
"G-Gya!"
One of the goblins spoke in a trembling voice, addressing Rimuru.
"Y-You powerful one… what are you doing here?"
Damn it, this idiot…
Arthur sighed inwardly as he noticed the dark, demonic aura beginning to seep out of Rimuru unconsciously.
He still doesn't know how to conceal his presence.
Rimuru smiled with obvious enthusiasm.
"This is the first time we've met!
My name is Rimuru, and I'm a slime."
Then, with a broad smile, he forcefully tensed his body and let out a low but commanding roar.
The goblins' bodies trembled violently.
The sound was not loud… but it was heavy.
It struck their souls directly, causing them to bend involuntarily under its pressure.
"What's happening?!"
"I can't stand!"
Arthur sighed and took a step forward.
"You idiot.
Your demonic aura is leaking out so intensely, and then you added a roar with an imposing tone."
He continued seriously:
"There's a difference between speaking with a powerful voice and speaking loudly.
The former shakes the soul and brings it to submission.
The latter only strikes the body."
He paused for a moment.
"Lower your aura and your voice… before you turn the entire world against us."
Rimuru listened carefully and did as he was told.
The aura receded, and the goblins gradually regained their balance.
Afterward, they began talking.
The goblins explained their situation, then invited Arthur and Rimuru to their village.
The village was… miserable.
Old, cracked wooden houses, obvious signs of poverty, and weak goblins who could barely stand steadily.
An elderly goblin appeared, his body bent and barely able to move.
He approached them with a look of dejection and bowed deeply before Arthur, who was seated with Rimuru resting in his lap.
He asked for their help.
It turned out that the place had once been protected by a guardian dragon.
However, after the dragon disappeared, other races began expanding their territories one after another.
The Direwolves were among the most prominent, seeking to take control of the goblins' land.
"The strong devour the weak… that is the law of this world."
The old goblin said sorrowfully.
Arthur sighed calmly as he listened, then turned toward Rimuru.
"And what do we get in return?"
Oh…
Arthur smiled inwardly.
He's clever.
Rimuru had not offered to help for free, nor did he want to place them under an eternal debt.
Help… in exchange for something.
"We will pledge our loyalty to you."
The goblin chief said, bowing deeply.
Loyalty…
Arthur thought.
Does this concept actually carry any weight here?
Before he could finish his thoughts—
A sharp wolf's howl pierced the sky.
The village trembled.
The goblins began rushing indoors, their voices rising in fear.
"This is the end for us!"
"We're finally going to die!"
"Calm down!"
"Should we run?!"
"And where would we go? The wolves are faster than us!"
Rimuru raised his voice steadily.
"The Direwolves… they're the opponents we must defeat."
Then he declared in a powerful voice:
"I am Rimuru Tempest.
And I accept your request on behalf of the Storm Dragon."
"Good boy."
Arthur smiled calmly.
He picked Rimuru up and placed him on his shoulder, then strode toward the outside with steady steps.
The confrontation… was about to begin.
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