War Reparations
The day the coalition was established would become a day of great commemoration for the monsters.
Because each one of them received a name.
Just kidding.
Even if it sounds cool you've got to think about who would be giving them names.
There's 150 thousand, damn it. That's just reckless. I mean, I had gone into a three day hibernation after naming merely five hundred goblins!
By the time I name all 150 thousand, they'd die from hunger!
I was planning to just ignore it this time, but…
In any case, I also need to devour their sins.
And somehow, while they had risen up to rank C+, it seems that they'll be returning back to D in about two weeks.
They were merely strengthened by the Orc Lord's abilities.
And once they lose their magic energy I will eat it and bestow it back upon them. Thus, I will be able to name them without tiring needlessly.
So there is no problem in naming them… except that I'll run out of simple letter combinations.
Even if I give start giving out the same names in different districts, managing the process will be a pain.
There's only one thing to do, the most extreme and supreme method. I will name them based on a series with infinite potential!
That's right! Numbers!
Sounds too much like a citizen's registration number? Well, frankly, this is the most efficient method.
Since they are able to at least line up in formation, I had them line up in the marshes.
Would they hate being named on a whim?
I had that passing thought, but once the magical energy disappears, they'll devolve into an uncontrollable mob of 150 thousand.
That's too many to let loose.
Being only a D rank, they would't pose much of a threat; however, I can see them breaking into private property.
Besides, as they are, I can't expect much of their work skills, making the coalition rather pointless.
Also, if they evolve, their status increases and their reproductive ability decreases–that much we know from the time I named the goblins.
Thus, I'll be exercising victor's rights here.
The great clans shall be separated by their names: Yama (mountain) , Oka (hill), Hora (cave), Umi (sea), Kawa (river), Ko (lake), Mori (forest), Kusa (grass), and Suna (sand).
For example, a man from the mountains would be "Yama-1M". A woman wouldbe "Yama-1F". That's how I would diversify their names.
Honestly, managing this will still be a pain. For kids I decided to go with something like "Yama-1-1M", for example.
Perhaps it would be more appropriate to give with some name or letter combination instead, but I'll leave that to them for new names.
And thus, I absorbed their magical energy, and gave them names instead.
I first aligned them by clan, then separated them by gender, and began giving them names; as you'd expect, it took a while.
However, I was able to give them all names without worrying endlessly.
They were given names by their place in the line. I didn't try to match names for parents and children.
They should just name themselves if unsatisfied.
In this fashion, I went on naming them all.
I then had the clan representatives conduct a census. But since they had no paper, it was only to make sure no mistakes were made.
But in reality, there was nothing to worry about–those named could hardly forget it.
Unlike humans, monsters always know the name etched on their soul.
I thus started to give and each one of them a name.
Taking no more than five second per person.
However… giving each one a name still took 10 days.
Of course, while I was naming them without rest, I couldn't just have Benimaru and the rest having fun.
I had the Dryad Trainee escort them to the Treant's community.
In order to transport the food.
Would it really be enough to feed 150 thousand? While I had such worries, I could only trust in her words.
At the very least, I hope there is enough to last them a year.
I didn't worry about the carriers at all.
The fundamental worry of war is logistics, after all. Allowing the front line to starve welcomes defeat.
No matter how much of a demon each one of them is, carrying enough food for all the orcs must be difficult.
However!
The Storm Wolves, the moment Ranga had evolved into Tempest Star Wolf, had evolved into Star Wolves.
Each one is at least a B rank now. A high ranking monster.
Their numbers are still at one-hundred, but they have unlocked a Star Leader evolution variation.
And let's not forget to mention that they can all use 『Shadow Step』now.
They can't move instantaneously like Souei or Ranga do, but they can easily move faster than sound.
And they now move ignoring any obstacle–straight to their target.
Closing long distance with every step, they are moving at three times their original speed. In short–really quickly.
So I also had the strong Star Wolves handle ferrying the provisions over.
If we used a carriage, the trip – with a necessary detour – would take two months; this way, a round drip takes only a day.
However, the Goblin riders cannot journey with them.
I don't know if this is something they can learn through practice, but I want them to try.
So having remained with me, the Goblins are helping arranging the orcs.
Thus, we came up with a method to procure food.
Which lead me to worry about food reserves…
I mean, Treants are monsters who survive on water, sunlight, and air alone.
They would grow fruits using their magical energy, but there was no one to eat them.
They were meant for the race residing in the holy lands, but the immortal race just had them accumulate.
Moreover, the fruit being magical, it does not rot no matter how much time passes.
By the way, as I learned later, this fruit is sold as a rare ingredient called "Dried Treant" in human markets.
It's really hard to find and can be sold for a large amount of money.
The reason for the price is its abundant magical energy. Just one drop can keep you going for seven days. Without feeling hunger.
Another reason for the high price is the fact that Treants don't interact with other races, and the troublesome Dryads, who manage this product, give it out sometimes as a present.
When I learned this fact, I had mild regrets about giving it out to the orcs for free… but it is what it is.
And thus, thanks for Dryad Trainee's guidance, we were able to acquire food.
Ten days later.
Exhausted, I finished.
I almost ran out of numbers to use. Tired.
However, I was also filled with a sense of accomplishment.
150 thousand? Just counting that high is annoying.
Well, by the time I finished naming them, we also finished dividing up the food.
Fifty pieces each.
The probably understand that when they run out they starve. So everyone wore serious expressions when accepting the fruit.
After being named, the orcs evolved into high orcs. But since they weren't named using my magical energy, there was no master-servant relationship between us.
Everything rests on their sincere promise to join and support our coalition.
Their strength did reach up to C+ immediately after evolving, but they settled comfortably in the C rank zone. Considering they were D ranks originally, this should be good enough.
More importantly, they have gotten smarter while preserving their special characteristics.
They evolved into a race that can adapt to and make use of any situation.
After thanking me, they dispersed each to their lands. Overseeing this were 10 goblin riders per group.
Once they confirm the location, we plan to assist them with setting up tents. And, guiding them on necessary skills, we will set up each and every community.
Though this won't be for a while, but they'll eventually settle down, and their living standards should improve.
Thus, we saw the orcs off.
Which reminded of a certain individual.
The Orc General insisted that I work him to my pleasure.
But…
I did want another laborer.
Ah, whatever. Let's just let him in.
I also need to figure out what to do with the black full plate armor clad, two-thousand strong elite orc army.
Them I cannot name using a district. What should I do…
Since they have a yellow aura about them, I decided to name them using a color and numbers.
I glance over the orc army. And, have them line up according to my wishes.
Recently, I can use my『Great Sage』's appraisal ability simply by looking.
Just like Shuna does.
As expected of 『Gluttony』's Food Chain ability. It's super effective!
And so I named (assigned numbers to) everyone, except the Orc General.
Thus the later famous Yellow Corps was born. Numbers assigned indiscriminately of gender.
Since there could be no gender inequality among fellow warriors.
I'll be later dispatching them to every community as production workers. At the present, there's no choice but to have them do this kind of work.
Now, about the Orc General.
I'm going to ignore any feeling of foreboding.
And decide on a name.
I'll incorporate the Orc Lord's ambition, the one he got from Gelmudo. Just thinking about that Clown's face makes me angry, but to the orcs he's an important benefactor.
I don't care much about his expectations, and I don't have anything to base it on.
So, the name I will bestow upon him,
「With respect given to Orc Disaster's dying wish, you shall henceforth be known as Gerudo!」
At that moment, the Orc General's body was enveloped in a yellow aura, and he began evolving.
And at the same time, I lost a lot of magical energy. Crap… so it really came to this.
As always, I entered a lowered activity state (Sleep Mode).
And the following day,
Should I say "just as expected" or something? My premonition was spot on.
The Orc Elite has all evolved into High Orcs.
Though they possessed strength almost surpassing C+ rank, they were able to retain that level. All in all, they have evolved into rather powerful warriors.
Considering that Goblin Riders are also ranked C+, I seem to have acquired a rather powerful army.
Well, though Goblin Riders are ranked thus, they really should be evaluated together with the Star Wolves.
So perhaps I shouldn't be comparing them.
Now then, the problematic Orc General, or rather, Gerudo…
He had gained the unique skill 『Gourmet』with abilities「Stomach, Supply, and Demand」.
His magic energy is also pretty high, almost reaching A rank.
As expected, he no longer has any of the abilities he got from cannibalizing. Simply because he has no need for them.
This skill he got probably because he wished for it from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps because he had endured the pain and suffering, he became such a rational and dignified monster.
"Can I be satisfied with such a subordinate?" I had such a fleeting thought, but decided to ignore it.
If he desired to go on independent, I would permit it.
Though he doesn't seem to want to do that.
And perhaps the Death March has finally come to an end.
Was all their suffering up until now the effect of Gelmudo's skill–that I wouldn't know. Perhaps that clown was actually a really powerful guy.
I joked to myself.
The goblin soldiers have finally returned. Their numbers greatly reduced, with only 4,000 survivors.
Are they okay? I worried slightly. But, this is their problem and not something I will intervene in.
Too much intervention would be harmful to them.
Now then, should we take our leave?
Let's return the control of this area back to the lizardmen, say our farewells to the Head, and head of.
Though our time hear was a mere three weeks, this war felt rather long.
I myself seem to have fought alone for a long time.
The forest disturbance story thus comes to an end.
* * *
Gabil was brought before the Lizardmen's Head, his father.
The moment the fighting ended, he was thrown into prison.
His was fed every morning and every evening, but no one had said anything. This kind of lifestyle continued on for two weeks.
After all, he was a rebel. That much was true.
While he acted in what he believed was everyone's best interests, his foolishness almost annihilated the entire race.
It was his fault.
He had no excuses to say, nor any desire to come up with any.
He would probably face the death penalty. A fact he accepted. But…
Gelmudo who had betrayed him. Ignoring that fact, the Slime who had saved him.
A lowly monster. That's how he referred to the slime.
While that was not a mistake, it also was.
That Slime is special.
Unique and Named, a truly special monster.
If he could have one final wish, he's want to ask.
Why did you save me?
The mislead, worthless me. A complete idiot.
That thought was on his mind every day for two weeks.
He stood before his father.
The atmosphere heavy, they looked each other in teh eye.
A father who, as usual, did not show his emotion. Ah… death penalty, huh?
He agreed.
A leader cannot show weakness. He must uphold law at all cost.
So there's no way he could hate him.
He resolved himself to quietly accept his punishment.
「I will pass judgment! Gabil, you are exiled. You are forbidden to ever call yourself a Lizardman.
Further, you are forbidden to ever return. Leave! Show your face among us no longer!」
Eh?
What did he say?
His father's guards lead him by the arms outside the caves.
The Head threw him out.
And to the confused Gabil,
「Don't forget this! Don't lose it, okay?」
He was told, an something was thrown to him.
Along with his things, a long wrapped package. Just from the weight he understood. It was the Magic Weapon: Water Vortex Spear.
Tears falling from Gabil's eyes, he wanted to say something to his father.
But words wouldn't come out. He was an exile.
Filled with various emotions, he could only bow in gratitude.
And, without looking back, he continued onward.
To the city under construction he had once visited.
After walking a bit,
「Please wait a minute. Gabil-sama!」
Someone called out to him.
His 100 subordinates.
「Wha-what are you doing, idiots! I was exiled!」
「It doesn't matter to us! We follow Gabil-sama, if you are exiled, then so are we!」
「「「Yeah!!!」」」
They responded with a smile.
What fools they are;
This is no place to shed tears. Like my father, I must learn to act with dignity. , he thought.
「What will I do with you! Got it. Follow me!」
And thus he walked.
Filled with a different kind of self-confidence than before.
Gabil's group joined up with Rimuru a month later.
And thus we finished the city
Now that the war ended, we might as well return to our city.
Honestly, returning back with an extra two thousand or so followers is tiresome.
So, I'll leave the return march to Hakurou.
Souei has already returned to let everyone know about victory. We also need to set up some temporary housing for the newcomers.
After I sent him back, I sat down to decide who'd rush back with me.
Ranga can carry two back and Star Leader can carry another…
But they couldn't come to a consensus on who'd go.
Shion said, "I'm in charge of our lord's care!", and Benimaru mentioned something about defenses or what-not.
Gerudo also referred to his ability to carry things with his stomach, and asked to be included.
Honestly, though, I don't care who goes.
Wait a second! I just remembered that I can use 『Shadow Step』as well.
After I decided to return this way, the debate suddenly stopped.
I was completely oblivious to dejected Ranga, who wanted to carry me, and disappointed Shion, who was hoping to ride with me.
「Well then, I'll be going on ahead!」
I declared, and left using『Shadow Step』.
Daaamn, this skill is convenient! It's like moving straight to the target through a different dimension.
Oh, and I fly through that plain using 〈Flight Magic〉.
Feels like I'm moving really, really fast. In a blink of an eye I reach the city.
Seems like this skill can plot a course not just to people and monsters, but also to locations I've previously visited.
I still can't fly especially fast using〈Flight Magic〉. However, even at current speed, I can easily conclude that this is the best way to travel.
I am completely satisfied with the results of this trial run.
Ranga's group will probably arrive within 2~3 days.
Hakurou and the High Orcs will be here a month from now, at the soonest.
So before they arrive, I have to prepare a place for them to live.
While some small dilemmas are bound to arise, we've at least solved all the major problems.
For now, I just want to relax.
* * *
Then,
After everyone arrived on time and I divided up the responsibilities, things quieted down.
The city was quickly taking on shape.
The high orcs, who arrived in less than a month, quickly learned the appropriate skills from the Dwarfs and skilled Goblins.
According to Kaijin,
「With time, they just might become as good as the Dwarf Manufacturing Battalion.」
Is what he said.
Thus, having acquired new workers, we quickly rushed to finish all the previously neglected projects.
At the same time, we started transporting goods and equipment.
We dismantled the tents that were no longer in use, and sent them to the orc communities.
The goblins sent to them have been able to assert their leadership and have been helping establishing basic necessities.
The moment we began exchanging goods we also started establishing a solid system of exchange.
Though they ended up with, what we may call ancient, bartering system, the fact that they came up with it is in itself wonderful.
Besides, it's not like they are growing that many goods yet, so they can take all the time they need to learn these things.
There is very little variety right now; basically limited to growing a potato-like crop.
It can grow even in harsh environments.
It also has high nutritional value, and though you can't exactly call it luxury food you can certainly live off of it.
Thus, we spread the seeds among them and taught them how to grow it.
Perhaps in two years they could be self-sufficient? I surely hoped so…
Gerudo was very useful in transporting the seeds and tents.
As he claimed he could, he swallowed the disassembled tents and thus distributed them among the villages.
However, his success is largely thanks to the fact that he can now leap along with the star wolves during 『Shadow Step』.
He seriously tried hard to learn it and became the first to succeed with it.
The rest went smoothly.
That is, the trip to the mountain district alone on foot would have taken him many months. Instead, he was able to make a round trip in a single day.
So we decided to put the skill to use and established a communications network between all the villages.
Basically–Postal Service.
For example, I can scribble some information on a wood block and have it circulated among the communities.
Though I must mention that only a few individuals here can read and write, and I'm rather afraid of sending a verbal message.
Who knows that it will become after being passed from village to village.
Hopefully they can learn letters. More so, since 『Telepathic Communication』 does not reach that far.
But that's for later.
Thus, we were able to establish some kind of connection between the many communities.
And I must not forget about a guy that showed up.
Gabil.
That idiot suddenly showed up in our city.
「Iyaa… ha ha ha! This Gabil has rushed over to become Your strength, Rimuru-dono!」
He brazenly stated.
「Kill him?」
Shion asked me with a serious face.
The kind of face that screams "serious!" and reads "absolutely serious!"
Gabil paled and,
「I got carried away! I'm sorry!
Please allow us to become Your subordinates, Rimuru-sama!
We will definitely prove ourselves useful!!!」
He immediately corrected himself falling into a dogeza.
Apparently, he was disowned (exiled?) by his father, and had no place to go.
So since he was just so pitiful, I decided to welcome him in.
Bet he'll get carried away again right away, though.
Hmm? If I look closely, seems like the Head's Guard Captain is also among them.
「Hmm? Captain-san, why are you here?」
When I asked him,
「I came to serve Souei-sama, whom I greatly admire!」
「What? So you didn't come because you admired this Gabil!」
「I am different from the other muscle brains! That much is obvious!」
They started to quarrel among themselves.
The majority, it seems, came out of respect for Gabil, but there were a few from the guard squad as well.
Well, I don't see a big problem with them wanting to serve Souei.
「If you want to serve Souei, go and talk to him. But do note–he's a ninja. Will you be of any use to him? 」
「We shall! We are different from those naive idiots!」
「Wh-what did you say! Don't underestimate me, little girl!」
Seems like they don't get along.
Probably the fact that one started a rebellion and the other captured them afterwards led to a grudge forming between them. In any case, I won't meddle in that.
Cause it's damn tiresome.
Oh, and I later learned that the little girl is Gabil's younger sister.
Since she's his relative, she's probably also little weird.
But her father is a wonderful guy…
「Well, since you'll be serving Souei, I guess you'll be called Souka.
The other four I'll name,
Touka, Saika, Nansou, and Hokusou!」
Flower endings for girls, and spear endings for boys. Of course, there is no greater meaning attached.
These five served in the Guard Squad. I'll leave them to Souei.
The moment I named them, they began to evolve.
Gabil observed this with great envy.
However, I cannot name Gabil. He already has a name.
「Are you jealous, Gabil-kun?
But you are already named "Gabil!"」
Gabil quickly looked at me.
And then, his body began to glow. Hmm? That's a sign of evolution…
The moment I thought that, a lot of magical energy suddenly left my body.
Again?!
Seriously… But who could have thought I can overwrite names.
Well, chances are this happened by pure chance. The one who named him had died, and we were on the same wavelength or something like that? I don't know exactly why it happened, but the fact remains: I (re)named Gabil.
I had wanted him to reflect a bit more, but just thinking how haughty he'll become after evolving… damn it, now I'm scared!
While thinking these things, I entered Sleep Mode.
The following day, I named the other hundred lizardmen soldiers.
The names I assigned by picking letters of the alphabet.
20 names was my limit. Since they were high level monsters to begin with, naming them takes uses up a lot of magical energy.
The whole process took five days.
Can't I just stop?
Somehow, I feel like I'm working harder than I ever did in my past life.
It's Gabil. It's all Gabil's fault.
Since that's clearly the truth, let's fire a magic bullet at him.
「Wh-what are you doing?!」
He exclaimed in surprise,
「Practice!」
I responded.
He happily accepted that response. He really is an idiot. One that can compete with Gobuta.
By the way, since it was pointless, I didn't fire a bullet at him.
Gabil evolved into a Dragonewt.
He's covered by dense scales which act like a multi-layer barrier.
Oh and speaking of strange, the appearance of dragonewts varries by gender.
The men don't look much different than when they were lizardmen. They sprouted dragon wings and horns, and are now covered in hard scales–just that much.
Well, their dark-green color also changed to dark-purple.
On the other hand, the women have a human appearance. Rather beautiful, actually.
Furthermore, they can also cover themselves with dragon scales, sprout wings and horns at will.
They look like I would if I were to transform into a human and combine myself with the black snake and giant bat.
Perhaps that black snake was a dragon species.
So, since Gabil's vices annoyed me to no end, I also wanted to check out his defenses, and it's hard to check that by yourself, I fired a test shot at him. He was unharmed.
I only shot a normal round, that he normally received… that should have been five times stronger than usual…
Well, maybe he's just so stupid he doesn't feel the pain, or, even worse, he inherited my pain resistance.
They do say that dinosaurs were dull to pain, so could he be a…
Now that they have evolved, what should we do about their housing?
If they need water, there's that river flowing nearby…
And it's a pain to make a village with only a hundred people.
There is that underground lake in the cave, but there's no fish and high magic energy density.
Well, since it's Gabil, he can handle that much, right?
They could also cultivate Hipokte grass while they are at it.
However, would sending them into the cave prove perilous to them?
The five guards I left to Souei.
Hopefully he can raise them into fine ninja and kunoichi.
Since I'm scared, I'll be sure to avoid their practices.
Gabil's group is the problematic one, however.
Even if I send them into the cave they probably won't become monster feed, but…
As Dragonewts, their fighting strength is B rank.
They should have no problem defeating most monsters in there, but the centipede could cause them some trouble.
But since they are experienced warriors and are carrying weapons they should be fine, right?
I shouldn't worry about Gabil either. His evolution placed him at rank A-.
He also obtained quite a lot of magical energy.
So maybe he'll end up as an A rank.
「Gabil, I want to leave harvesting Hipokte grass in the caves to you, how about it?」
When I asked,
「Please leave it to me! This Gabil will work himself to the bone for your sake!」
He casually responded.
I'll leave it to him.
Besides, if they start living there, they can also double as the cave's guards.
And so Gabil's group started harvesting hipokte grass in the caves.
I had some lingering worries, so I came to check, but they seem to be doing just fine.
And since they are constantly fighting, they are becoming stronger.
Right now, they can bring down a centipede with just the five of them.
How reassuring.
I should also send them new weapons. So I thought.
And thus, some time passed.
* * *
Two months have passed since I returned to the city.
Just as everyone was getting used to life here and production was going smoothly,
And the moment we finished the last house,
The goblins.
If I had to say, about eight thousand of them.
Showed up and knelt before me, saying
「If you may, please make us your servants as well!」
「「「We humbly beg you!!!」」」
They said falling prostrate before me.
I thought for a second.
If I refuse them, that may seed conflict later on.
Besides, I also strictly ordered not to discriminate against other races.
If I send them away that may set a precedent of discrimination.
Let's accept them. So I decided.
「Fine. But I will drive away anyone who's slacking, is that fine?」
「Of course!!!」
I accepted them lightly.
But little did I know that another struggle was soon upon me!
Again! My screams could be heard immediately after.
To say the least, I used numbers and thus created the Green Corps.
That was the moment the famous Green Corps was born. Along with the Yellow Corps, they would be known as having no equal, the crux of my force.
Right now, they were but dirty goblins.
And a month later, I finally finished naming them.
But this was not a complete tragedy. My total amount of magical energy has increased.
I mean, I kept emptying time after time again, so it was bound to increase a bit.
And thus, I finished naming the goblins.
By the time I finished naming them, we also finished constructing housing for everyone.
I had the goblins stay in a boarding house for now, but that's certainly better than camping out in a tent.
We had a system for drawing water, a well in every house, so it is a pretty advanced city.
Having a flush toilet is also heavenly.
There is a need to carry the pumped out water to the toilet in a bucket, but strong monsters don't particularly mind.
There are also those who don't excrete, though. Me included.
However, we can't have the city stinking.
That much I will not permit.
However, there are still many fields and animal farms that haven't seen success.
I want to make sure this city grows in abundance.
I have finally acquired a land where I can live at peace.
Here are those who were with me at the time,
Oni – 6 people
Tempest Star Wolf – 1 member
Star Leader – 1 member
Star Wolves – 100 members
Goblin Riders – 100 people
Goblin King – 1 person
Goblin Lords – 8 people
Hobgoblins – 8,657 people
Orc King – 1 person
High Orcs – 1,984 people
Dragonewts – 106 people
And 4 dwarfs supporting us.
There are over ten thousand monsters inhabiting these lands.
And thus we finished the city.
End of the Forest Disturbance Arc
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