Chapter 99: Watching Rimuru’s Journey/A Dangerous Scheme Unfolds
I leaned back into my seat, arms crossed, as the floating projection displayed Rimuru's journey in real-time. My personal surveillance magic, a refined recreation of technology from my past world, allowed us to witness everything—his movements, his battles, even his conversations.
Seated beside me, Velzard sipped from a delicate crystal glass, her icy blue eyes fixed on the display with mild amusement. "He's quite the energetic little thing, isn't he?" she mused.
Testarossa, elegant as ever, smirked slightly. "I must admit, I didn't expect watching a slime to be entertaining, but there's something… charming about it."
Across from them, Ultima kicked her legs playfully, grinning. "He's so ROUND! Look at him bounce! I kinda wanna poke him!"
Carrera, arms folded, leaned back. "Hah! He's naming monsters left and right, doesn't even realize he's building a whole damn army."
I exhaled slowly, watching as Rimuru, a perfectly round, blue blob, wobbled his way out of the cave and into the dense greenery of the Jura Forest.
"Let's see how our little slime handles his first real challenge."
The image shifted, showing a tribe of goblins lurking in the trees, watching Rimuru with wide, nervous eyes. Their bodies were frail, their weapons nothing more than crude sticks and rusted blades.
Then—
"HUMAN-SHAPED MONSTER!!"
One goblin's panicked shriek set off a wave of absolute hysteria—the others flailed, running into each other, tumbling over logs.
Ultima burst out laughing. "They think he's some eldritch horror!"
Velzard smirked. "For them, he might as well be. A slime with that much magicule density is unheard of."
On the screen, Rimuru wobbled in place, frantic.
"Wait, wait! I'm not a monster—well, I am, but not like that!"
The goblins froze, still wary. Then, an elderly goblin stepped forward, eyes filled with desperation.
"O mighty one… are you… a god?"
Testarossa chuckled softly. "A god? How flattering."
Rimuru visibly panicked.
"Uhhh, no! I'm just a slime! A very normal, average slime!"
The goblins still bowed deeply.
"Mighty Slime-sama, please, we beg of you! Help us!"
I tilted my head. "And just like that, he becomes their protector."
The scene shifted again, revealing the goblin village—a pitiful collection of crumbling huts, with deep claw marks on every surface.
The goblin elder's voice shook with desperation.
"A pack of Direwolves attacks us every night… our warriors are too weak… please, if you don't help us, we will all perish!"
Rimuru paused, as if considering. Then—
"Alright, I'll help you."
Velzard smirked slightly. "Just like that? No negotiations?"
Carrera cracked her knuckles. "Heh. Hope he knows what he's getting into."
The camera flickered—night fell.
A deep, bone-chilling howl echoed through the forest.
From the darkness, glowing crimson eyes emerged.
A pack of massive Direwolves stepped into view, their fur black as shadows, their fangs glistening under the moonlight.
At their lead, a towering, scarred alpha growled.
"Weak goblins… surrender, or be devoured."
Ultima's eyes sparkled. "Ooooh, this is getting good!"
Rimuru wiggled forward, unbothered.
"Hey, big scary wolf guy. How about you surrender instead?"
Carrera grinned. "Ohhh, I like this slime."
The Direwolf leader snarled. "You DARE challenge me?!"
Then—
SHINK.
A whip-like tendril of dark energy lashed out.
The Direwolf leader's head hit the ground before he could finish his sentence.
Silence.
The remaining wolves stiffened in absolute horror.
Testarossa raised an eyebrow. "Efficient."
Rimuru calmly absorbed the corpse. "Alright then. Who's next?"
The remaining wolves immediately collapsed to the ground, trembling.
"W-We submit! Please spare us, Great One!"
Velzard chuckled, swirling her drink. "Smart move. They know they can't win."
Rimuru turned back to the goblins.
"What do you guys think? Should we keep them?"
The goblins exchanged nervous glances.
The elder, after a moment of hesitation, nodded.
"…If they swear loyalty, they may yet prove useful."
Rimuru wiggled. "Alright then! Wolves, you work for me now!"
The wolves bowed immediately.
"Yes, Great One!"
Ultima grinned. "He doesn't even realize he's collecting subordinates at this point."
Carrera smirked. "Oh, he'll figure it out soon enough."
Rimuru observed the goblins and wolves.
"None of you have names, huh?"
They shook their heads.
He paused, then grinned.
"Well then… let's fix that."
The goblins gasped.
One by one, he named them—and in that instant, brilliant light engulfed their bodies.
The goblins evolved, their forms growing taller, stronger.
The wolves transformed into a new species entirely.
The Direwolf leader, now reborn, stepped forward.
"I am… Ranga."
As the light faded, the goblins and wolves knelt before Rimuru.
The elder, now larger and more powerful, bowed deeply.
"Mighty Rimuru-sama… from this day forth, we pledge our loyalty to you."
The wolves howled in agreement.
Rimuru tilted slightly, as if deep in thought.
Then—
"…Huh. I guess I'm kinda building a country now."
Velzard smirked. "So it begins."
As I watched Rimuru's rise in the Jura Forest, a familiar whisper of movement signaled the arrival of one of my spies. He knelt swiftly, lowering his head in submission.
"Lord Arion, I have urgent news to report."
I narrowed my eyes, my lovers turning their attention to the spy as well.
"Speak."
The spy took a measured breath before delivering his report.
"Clayman is plotting to seize control of the Jura Forest. His subordinate, Gelmud, has begun executing the plan by naming key monsters—an Orc, a Lizardman, and others."
Testarossa's crimson eyes flickered with interest. "Gelmud, that insignificant worm? What is he playing at?"
The spy continued.
"The Moderate Harlequin Alliance—Laplace, Footman, Tear, and Clayman's contact, possibly Kazalim—attempted to name the Ogre Tribe, but they refused. It seems they still have some pride left."
I leaned forward slightly. "An Ogre tribe resisting the Harlequins? Hah. That's bold."
Velzard spoke, her voice cold. "It won't end there. Clayman isn't the type to give up so easily."
The spy nodded.
"Indeed, my lord. Their alternative plan is already in motion. The named Orc—who has gained the Unique Skill Starved—has begun amassing an army."
A brief silence fell over the room.
Carrera cracked her knuckles. "Starved? Sounds troublesome."
Ultima grinned. "Oooh~ A gluttonous orc rampaging across the forest? That actually sounds fun!"
But I frowned. This wasn't just some random power-hungry monster. This was a calculated move.
"Explain."
The spy's expression darkened.
"The Skill Starved is a terrifying ability. It constantly keeps the Orc in an endless state of hunger, forcing him to devour everything in sight. But it's not just mindless gluttony—the more he eats, the stronger he becomes."
Velzard's gaze sharpened. "So it's an evolutionary trait."
Testarossa tapped her finger on the table. "Clever. As long as he eats, his strength will continue to grow exponentially. He'll never be satisfied, which means endless destruction."
The spy nodded grimly.
"Gelmud and Clayman's plan is to let the Orc and his horde rampage through the Jura Forest, consuming every monster in their path. Their goal is simple—if the Orc eats enough souls, he will evolve into a Demon Lord."
I exhaled slowly, understanding the full scope of the plot.
"So, Clayman wants to create a new Demon Lord… one that he can control as a puppet."
The spy bowed his head. "Yes, Lord Arion. The entire plan revolves around Clayman's desire to increase his influence among the Demon Lords. If the Orc becomes a Demon Lord, Clayman will have a powerful servant bound to him, giving him the strength to rival others."
Testarossa smirked coldly. "Tch. What an insult. That fool Clayman thinks he can manufacture a Demon Lord like some disposable toy?"
Carrera laughed. "Well, he is a disposable toy. Just one with a bit of ambition."
Ultima tilted her head. "Mmm… Should we intervene? Or should we just sit back and watch how this disaster unfolds?"
I closed my eyes for a moment, considering the possibilities. Clayman's scheme was audacious, but not invincible.
Velzard's voice cut through the silence.
"More importantly, what will Rimuru do?"
That was the real question.
If Rimuru didn't act, the Orc Lord and his horde would consume everything, leaving nothing but ruin. But if Rimuru did act, he would be stepping into a battlefield far greater than he realized.
Clayman, Gelmud, the Harlequins—this was no longer just a conflict over land. This was a game of power.
I opened my eyes.
"Let's see how our little slime handles this trial."