That time I got reincarnated as the Monster King

The battle that began before anyone could comprehend its cause had come to a decisive end. The Ogre Princess, now calm and composed, reversed the sleep spell that had been cast, and the Goblins stirred from their enchanted slumber. Their eyes blinked open, first in confusion, then in relief as they saw familiar faces and the golden-hued figure of Arceus standing watch.

With a wave of his hand, Arceus channeled a wave of divine healing energy, closing wounds and mending broken bones. The Ogres' battered bodies began to regenerate under his miraculous touch, the pain ebbing away like the tide. Together, the group—composed of Goblins, Ogres, and the Monster King Arceus—began their trek back toward the village that Arceus and the Goblins called home.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm orange hues over the trees, I turned to the warriors walking beside me.

"What are your names?" I asked gently, a smile softening my expression as the warm light painted our path.

The red ogre in crimson samurai armor shook his head solemnly. "We have no names," he replied, his voice low but steady.

"I see," I murmured, thoughtfully.

---

That night, the Goblin village was alive with celebration. Strings of hanging lanterns crisscrossed the open air, glowing warmly above the rustic homes. Fires crackled, casting flickering light over the gathered crowd. The scent of roasted Bulldeer meat wafted thick through the air, mouthwatering and rich. Goblins cheered, laughed, and passed around skewers of tender meat. The village brimmed with energy and life, a testament to the bond between these humble beings.

Female Goblins bustled among the groups, carrying towering mugs of ale and strong liquor in their arms, laughing as they served both Goblin and Ogre alike. The barriers between their kinds had already begun to melt in the heat of camaraderie and good food.

In a quieter corner, Kaijin, Elder Rigurd, Rigur, and the red ogre sat together in a circle, sipping beer with solemn expressions. The elder ogre rested nearby, his eyes reflecting a quiet wisdom.

"The Orcs attacked the Ogres? That can't be true," Kaijin said abruptly, nearly spitting his drink in disbelief.

"It is the truth," the red ogre replied grimly, eyes dark with anger.

"Can such a thing really happen?" Kaijin asked again, this time with a trace of unease in his voice.

"I… don't know," Elder Rigurd said slowly, shaking his head.

"Is it that strange?" Gobta asked, approaching with a skewer still in his hand, bits of meat clinging to his lips.

"Strange? It's unthinkable," Kaijin muttered. "Ogres are leagues above Orcs in strength and skill. For them to be overrun…"

"Nevertheless, they came," the red ogre said, eyes narrowing. "They came in droves. Armed. Armored. Their numbers drowned the forest like a tide of filth. We fought, but they overwhelmed us."

His voice shook slightly, not with fear, but with restrained fury.

"They wore full plate mail. Not crude scrap, but human-quality steel," he continued.

Kaijin stiffened. "Armor like that… that's not something Orcs can gather on their own."

"Exactly," Elder Rigurd agreed, stroking his beard. "They had help."

"Among them was a Majin," the red ogre said bitterly. "Masked, powerful—far beyond the rest."

"You mistook Great Arceus for that Majin?" Elder Rigurd asked gently.

"Yes. We were desperate. We attacked him, thinking he was the enemy."

Silence fell for a moment.

"What does this mean?" Gobta asked, scratching his head.

"It may mean the Orcs have aligned with a Demon Lord," Rigur said cautiously.

Kaijin sighed. "A Demon Lord meddling in the forest… That would be disastrous."

"But why would a Demon Lord use Orcs?" Elder Rigurd pondered aloud.

"I do not know," the red ogre replied, voice low. "All I do know is that only six of my three hundred kin survived."

I approached then, stepping into the circle. "I see now… I understand your pain."

The red ogre looked up. "Have you had enough to eat, Arceus?"

"I stepped away only to rest for a while," I said with a soft smile. "Your little sister… she's impressive."

"She was sheltered," he said, glancing at the pink-haired ogre girl laughing with Goblins. "But she's finally found something to do."

"What are your plans now?" I asked, my voice now serious.

"Our plans?"

"Yes. Will you rebuild your village? Seek revenge? Or find somewhere else to start anew? The lives of your comrades now hang in the balance of your decision."

"That's simple," the red ogre said, eyes blazing. "We'll regain our strength. Then we'll take the fight to them."

"Do you know where they are?"

His confidence faltered. "No."

"I have a suggestion," I said, taking a sip of liquor. "Would you consider becoming my subordinates?"

"Subordinates?" he echoed, surprised.

"I can't promise you glory. Only food, shelter, and protection."

"That would involve your village in our revenge."

"It might. But the Orcs are a threat to us as well. And if a Demon Lord is truly behind them, then no one in the forest is safe."

"We'd be stronger together," Elder Rigurd added.

"And I will fight with you, should the time come. I do not abandon my kin. Nor my friends."

The red ogre lowered his eyes. "Let me consider it."

"Take all the time you need," I replied, then turned and walked into the night.

---

Later that evening, the red ogre approached the silent figure of his dark-skinned comrade, who lingered in the shadows of a nearby tree.

"What do you think?"

"It's a good offer," the dark ogre replied, arms folded. "But it's your call. We'll follow your lead—and the Princess's."

"If only I had been stronger…" the red ogre muttered, slamming his fist into the tree. Bark exploded, and a crater formed in the trunk.

---

By morning, he stood before me, straight and proud. I remained seated, having just awakened.

"Have you reached your decision?"

"The Ogres are warriors," he said. "We do not shy away from battle, especially when it is in service to one stronger than ourselves."

I nodded.

"We ask one thing: that our contract lasts until the Orcs' leader is defeated."

"You are free after that," I said. "Stay and help us build a nation—or go where you will."

He knelt, lowering his head. "We accept your offer. We will serve under you."

"Good," I said softly. "Raise your head, and summon your kin."

They filed into my hut one by one. I looked at each of them and said, "I shall give you names—as proof of our bond."

Their eyes widened. "All of us?" the red ogre asked, stunned.

"Wait—naming takes a toll on your body," the Princess objected.

"It's fine," I replied, voice calm. "I do this willingly."

"We accept," the red ogre said firmly.

And so it began.

The red ogre became Benimaru.

The purple-haired warrior ogress became Shion.

The gentle Princess, Shuna.

The wise elder, Hakurou.

The silent shadow, Souei.

The muscular ogre, Kurobe.

As I named them, their bodies radiated light and their forms evolved—no longer mere Ogres, but Kaijin.

I returned to my sleep after, waking only in the afternoon.

Shion and Shuna were the first I saw, kneeling beside me.

"Great Arceus, good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon, Shion. Shuna," I said, smiling softly.

Benimaru, Souei, Hakurou, and finally Kurobe greeted me in turn. They were no longer the broken, desperate warriors I had first met.

They were my comrades now.

Meanwhile, deep within the Great Forest of Jura, a sinister force marched onward—thousands of armored Orcs, their weapons gleaming, their purpose unknown.

But we would be ready.

Together.