Ruler of monsters, and all those who are loyal to him,
forgive me for this unannounced visit.
I am Treyni, a Dryad.
It is a pleasure to meet you.
Rimuru Tempest, ruler of monsters, I would like you
to defeat the Orc Lord.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Episode 12: The Gears Spin Out of Control
Defeat the Orc Lord?
Um... You're asking me?
Yes, that's right.
That's quite a selfish request from someone who just appeared out of nowhere,
Treyni the Dryad.
Why have you come here?
There are races far stronger than Goblins.
Yes, that is true.
If the Ogres' homeland had been at full strength,
perhaps I would have gone there.
Though, even if I had done that,
I still could not have ignored this individual's existence.
Were our settlement to be attacked by the Orc Lord,
the Dryads could not hope to fight them alone.
This is why I have come to request assistance from someone strong.
The idea that the Orc Lord even existed was still just a theory to us...
The Dryads have knowledge of essentially everything that happens in this forest.
The Orc Lord does exist.
If a Dryad acknowledges it...
Then it must be true.
Give me some time to answer.
I will back up the Kijin,
but I don't want to go poking at a hornet's nest for no reason.
Let me take stock of the information we have before I answer.
Despite how I look, I'm the leader here, after all.
Let's continue the conference.
Anyone have any ideas what the Orcs might be after?
One thing does come to mind...
Okay.
Souei, did you investigate our village?
Yes.
Judging by your reaction, I assume you found none?
Correct.
Not a single one belonging to either our brethren or the Orcs.
Not one what?
Corpse.
We didn't understand how they were getting the supplies
to keep an army of 200,000 fed.
Are you saying...
The unique skill...
Starved
Starved.
Starved?
It's a skill that the Orc Lord,
a calamity that brings chaos to the world, is born with.
Its influence reaches all those who serve under him,
Trample all! Trample all! Trample all!
making them devour everything in sight, like locusts.
At the same time, they consume the victim's strength and abilities,
making them their own sustenance.
The strength of this comrade we eat is now ours!
The strength of this prey we eat is now ours!
It's quite similar to your Predator skill.
In return for obtaining Starved,
they feel constant, insatiable hunger.
The Orcs move forward for no other purpose
than to sate their endless hunger and gain more power.
That is their king's only wish.
So the Orcs' goal isn't to wipe out
the superior forest races, the Ogres and Lizardmen,
but to steal their powers?
Well, if that's the case,
I can't say we're in the clear.
We have Tempest Wolves, Kijin, and Hobgoblins.
Flavors aside, they're all meals with powers that the Orcs would kill for.
Aren't you forgetting the one meal that would attract them the most?
Huh?
We have the strongest slime here, remember?
Where?
Huh?
In addition, we have confirmed that a certain majin
is behind the Orc Lord's appearance.
I believe it is someone you won't want to overlook.
A majin?
It is a subordinate of a Demon Lord, after all.
They have knowledge of everything that happens in the forest, huh?
This lady's shrewd.
Honored Rimuru Tempest.
I once again request that you defeat the Orc Lord.
As the one who received the Storm Dragon Veldora's protection,
subjugated the Direwolves, and became the patron of the Kijin,
you are surely more than a match for the Orc Lord.
What do you think, Great Sage? Can I trust her?
Caretakers of the Forest
The Dryads are the caretakers of the Great Forest of Jura.
Caretakers of the Forest
They are said to be the ones who pass divine justice on villains
They pass divine justice on villains and any who would harm the forest
and any who would harm the forest.
Divine Justice
Divine justice, huh?
But there are 200,000 of them.
Of course he will!
That Orc Lord is no match for Great Rimuru!
Oh, you agree with me, then?
Yes!
Are you kidding me?! Did she really just...
Fine. I'll accept this request to beat the Demon Lord.
You're all in this with me.
Of course, Great Rimuru!
That was our plan all along.
We believe in you, and we're with you. That's all we need.
Exactly!
Let's show them how strong we are!
Yeah!
I acted all cool about it, but what if we lose?
If we're taking on an army of 200,000 Orcs,
I feel like we should consider an alliance with the Lizardmen,
but given the guy they had representing them...
I am Gabiru!
The Guy
I'd really like to talk to someone who'll actually listen...
Great Rimuru.
Would you mind if I spoke personally with the chieftain of the Lizardmen?
Souei? You can do that?
Yes.
Oh, my God, he's so confident! What a dreamboat!
O-Okay, then.
We'll join forces with the Lizardmen and attack the Orcs.
Yes, sir!
The battle will probably take place in the marshlands inhabited by the Lizardmen.
The Lizardmen's cooperation will be essential for this to work.
I'm counting on you, Souei.
It shall be done.
I hope their chieftain isn't an idiot like Gabiru...
Sir Gabiru!
You're awake now?
Sir Gabiru...
Wh-Where are we?
Thank goodness...
Th-That's right! I was...
defeated by that boy with the dopey face!
They clearly tricked us.
What do you mean?
It's simple.
That boy who beat me
is obviously the real master of that village!
Really?!
That kid?
He must be, or Sir Gabiru wouldn't have lost!
Indeed.
What a dirty trick, lowering Sir Gabiru's guard with such lies!
Cowards!
How dare they?!
Now, calm down.
Such is the wisdom of the weak.
What a great man you are! Great as a mountain!
That's our Sir Gabiru!
Yeah! Our next chieftain!
You're the best, Gabiru!
Oh, no, I'm really not so—
Wait, who?! Wha?!
He's been here this whole time.
You're just as great as I've heard!
My name is Laplace.
Laplace?
I've come as a servant of Lord Gelmud to give you a warning.
Oh! Lord Gelmud!
Who's Lord Gelmud?
He's the man who gave Sir Gabiru his name.
Thank you for taking the trouble to come!
So, what is Lord Gelmud's warning?
Well, we have quite the situation on our hands!
It seems that army of Orcs
really is being led by an Orc Lord.
An Orc Lord?!
The Lizardman chieftain is a capable man,
but he's getting up there in years, you know!
Frankly speaking...
Don't you think this is a bit much for Daddy to handle?
I had planned to take over as chieftain after we had fought off the Orcs,
but it seems that would be too late!
Yep, exactly!
Laplace, forgive my leaving so abruptly, but we—
Oh, it's fine, it's fine!
You're going back to the marshlands, right?
You should hurry!
Thank you.
Let us go!
Yeah!
Do the best you can, Gabiru.
Trample all! Trample all! Trample all!
Chieftain, what shall we do?
The Orc army is approaching.
What can we do but remain here?
We have no means to fight an army of 200,000 Orcs.
Yes, sir.
Chieftain!
Chieftain! We have an intruder!
He demands an audience with you!
Very well. Bring him to me.
Chieftain, is this not dangerous?
You can feel this aura, as well?
Yes. This is no simple intruder.
With this one...
even a hundred of the strongest Lizardmen would stand no chance.
Forgive me, but my hands are rather tied at the moment.
I cannot spare any hospitality.
No need to trouble yourself.
I am only a messenger, here to convey to you the words of my master.
And what is your message?
My master desires an alliance with the Lizardmen.
An alliance?
But I have no knowledge of your master.
My master is the great Rimuru Tempest.
Upon receiving a personal request from the Dryads,
he has sworn to defeat the approaching Orc army.
A personal request from the caretakers of the forest?
She informed us that the Orc army is led by an Orc Lord.
An Orc Lord?!
Keep in mind what that means as you consider our proposal.
Rimuru, you say? Never heard of him!
He probably just came crying to us because he fears the Orc Lord!
If he would just ask for our help...
Enough.
Hold your tongue.
Ch-Chieftain! Such complacency will lead others to belittle—
Wh-What is this?
Hold.
I apologize for my comrade's rudeness.
Would you please forgive him?
This offer does benefit both of us equally, does it not?
Forgive me.
It was not my intent to threaten him,
but I will not stand for such mockery of my master.
Strong words...
Had I not stopped him, he would have taken his head in a heartbeat.
Judging by your aura, you appear to be an Ogre from the southwest.
Not anymore.
My master granted me the name "Souei," and I became a Kijin.
Kijin?
The superior race born only rarely from among the Ogres?
If that is true, it would mean that your master
is of an even more superior race than the Kijin...
An offer to enter an alliance
immediately after the appearance of the Orc Lord...
I have no reason to refuse.
However...
Souei, was it? I have one condition.
What is it?
I wish to meet your master, Rimuru Tempest.
Very well.
Then we will make preparations
and meet you here in seven days.
You will have an audience with him then.
Ensure that you do not wage battle before then.
Understood.
Then I will go.
Chieftain!
I feel as if I've seen the light of hope.
Gather everyone together.
The Orc army has already drawn near to this underground cave.
But there is nothing to fear.
In seven days, powerful reinforcements will join us.
Until then, we will remain here and conserve our strength for battle.
Do not, for a moment, think of making the first strike.
Any who die in battle will be eaten by the enemy and become their strength!
That is what it means to fight the Orc Lord.
Once our reinforcements join us, we will launch a counterattack.
Resist fighting until then!
I will not tolerate a single death among my men!
Four Days Later
All right! Surround him!
Is this really an Orc?
I feel like I just fought an Ogre...
It's chilling to think that there are 200,000 of these guys.
That must be the power of the Orc Lord.
Can we defend this place for three more days?
If all we do is defend, we'll exhaust our strength!
You're...
Father!
Ah, you've returned.
Well?
Did you succeed in recruiting the Goblins to assist us?
Yes, sir!
They number 7,000 in total.
They are standing by.
But...
Why must we remain here in the face of an Orc attack?
This is not how the proud Lizardman race fights.
While you were away, we were approached with an offer of alliance.
Until they join us, our best option is to focus on defense.
You've aged, Father.
What?
Utilizing these natural labyrinths may be a wise strategy against a large army.
However, it divides our forces between too many separate corridors,
preventing us from meeting the enemy with our full strength!
G-Gabiru, what is the meaning of this?
Be calm, captain of the guard.
I have no intention of harming you.
But...
I will apologize later for resorting to violence.
You may feel uncomfortable while restrained,
but bear with it until I defeat the Orc Lord.
Son! I will not allow you to do this!
Gabiru... no, Brother!
Please, come to your senses!
Unhand me! Unhand me, I said!
Unhand me at once! I will not stand for this!
Sir Gabiru, here.
That's my father's...
Th-This power...
Vortex Spear, you acknowledge me as your master now?
We've seized the leaders of each clan.
There were a lot of young ones who didn't agree with this defensive battle.
I see.
We're all behind you.
We're counting on you, Sir Gabiru.
Of course.
I will show you how a true Lizardman fights!
The time has come!
Gabiru! Gabiru! Gabiru!
Trample all! Trample all! Trample all!
The Orc army filled the marshlands.
From one corner of their ranks, a commotion arose.
There is no need to fear these pigs any more than before!
These marshlands are our domain!
We will throw the Orcs into confusion with our agility!
We will not lose to these dimwits whose feet are held by the mud!
All right!
Our attack is making a dent!
Indeed.
Mere Orcs are no match for us Lizardmen!
Right! Withdraw for now!
Gabiru's men had to acknowledge his talents.
What's happening?
If there was anything they didn't account for,
it was that Gabiru didn't know...
the terror of the Orc Lord.
The Orcs... are eating other Orcs?
The chieftain did know the terror of the Orc Lord.
This difference between the two of them was now
bearing its fangs at Gabiru.
Trample all! Trample all! Trample all!
The strength of this comrade we eat is now ours!
The strength of this prey we eat is now ours!
Next time, "The Great Clash."
The Great Clash