"Your efforts are appreciated. You may withdraw and rest." Looking at the scouts' earnest expressions, the Lizardman chief spoke slowly.
"Yes." Receiving their chief's command, the two scouts swiftly departed the cavern.
"Two hundred thousand... How are such an exaggerated number of Orcs' stomachs to be filled?" With the scouts gone, the chief frowned and spoke.
"Come to think of it, they are originally a race lacking coordination and acting on impulse. Gathering two hundred thousand is impossible."
"I heard the Ogre village was destroyed by the Orc army."
Below, three Lizardmen discussed the matter, finding it incredulous.
"The Orc Lord... If there exists an Orc commanding an army of two hundred thousand, we must suspect the presence of the legendary unique monster, the Orc Lord." Knowing the sheer number of Orcs, the Lizard chief concluded the army's commander was indeed the fabled Orc Lord.
A monster capable of devouring even its comrades' fear. Though not yet certain, the chief's prudence compelled him to take necessary measures for his clan: requesting reinforcements.
The envoy he dispatched was his son, the sole Lizardman to have received a name… Gabiru.
…
Several days had passed since Rimuru regained consciousness. Within the goblin village, with the Ogres' incorporation, various aspects rapidly fell into place. Kurobe oversaw forging, Souei handled reconnaissance, and Hakuro assumed the role of swordsmanship instructor.
Shuna taught the goblins herbalism and weaving. Shion became Rimuru's secretary. As for Benimaru, he took the position of military commander.
As for Takeru, after leaving behind a shadow clone, he brought Tsumugi and Houndoom to the Kingdom of Falmuth, introducing her to the girls.
Upon seeing Akame and the others, Tsumugi was extremely surprised. However, she realized Akame and the others did not recognize her. It dawned on her: the Akame, Leone, and others she knew belonged to a different parallel world.
Seeing Takeru had manifested so many characters from mission worlds, Tsumugi was astonished. Yet she quickly integrated with the group, including the Demon Lord Milim.
Learning that Takeru had, in a mere short period, seized control of a nation of over thirty million people, she was again shocked.
Unfamiliar with the conditions for becoming a Demon Lord, Tsumugi had only been impressed by Takeru's achievement. Now, understanding he had become a king, which is a comprehensible feat, the impact was far more staggering.
Upon arriving, Takeru granted her access to the Kingdom of Falmuth's collected swordsmanship and magical knowledge, ensuring she would not be idle here.
Everyone held favorable impressions of Tsumugi. Thus, Akame, Emilia, and others eagerly instructed her in the new swordsmanship and magic. Tsumugi studied diligently, earnestly improving her strength.
"Um, Takeru, will we spend the remaining twenty-plus days here?" Looking at Takeru, who was also meditating, Tsumugi asked curiously.
These past days in the Kingdom of Falmuth had been rather comfortable, almost making Tsumugi feel as if she had returned to the main world, leaving her somewhat embarrassed.
In previous Reincarnation Space's missions with others, while not every day was life-or-death struggle, roughing it outdoors was common. Yet mission with Takeru seemed to become a leisurely otherworldly journey, making her feel somewhat guilty.
"No. The Orc Lord has already emerged in the Jura Forest. We can go there and hunt it. This should significantly boost our evaluation scores."
"I see." Hearing Takeru's words, Tsumugi nodded understandingly.
"Afterwards, I plan to hunt a Demon Lord," Takeru then stated seriously.
"Hunt a Demon Lord?!" Hearing Takeru's words, Tsumugi was stunned. After several days of study, she understood the true significance of a Demon Lord… the apex existence of this world.
'Could Takeru truly hunt a Demon Lord?'
"I heard that! Takeru, you said hunt a Demon Lord, right?" Suddenly, a boisterous figure burst in, excitedly pouncing on Takeru.
"Yes." Looking at Milim's demeanor, Takeru nodded lightly.
"Hunt who? I can help too!" Hearing Takeru confirm it, Milim spoke excitedly.
"You help? Didn't you sign an agreement with them?" Looking at Milim, Takeru said with amusement.
"Oh, right!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim tilted her head.
"Hey, who are you planning to hunt? Guy Crimson, the so-called Lord of Darkness? Or Dagruel, titled Earthquake? Or perhaps the Platinum Devil, Leon Cromwell?"
"Or the Sleeping Ruler, Dino? Or the Marionette Master, Clayman? Or the Lion King, Carrion?" Milim rapidly fired off questions excitedly.
"It seems you left out a few." Looking at Milim, who was clearly scheming, Takeru said with an amused smile.
"Eh, no way! You're not planning to hunt the Sky Queen, Frey, or the Labyrinth Fairy, Ramiris, are you? Um, they're actually quite stupid, not worth hunting at all!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim grew anxious.
She considered Ramiris and Frey close friends, and naturally did not wish Takeru to hunt them.
"Is that so? Stupid doesn't mean harmless, does it?" Hearing her words, Takeru said with a faint, knowing smile.
"Ah, no, no! Um, they, well..." Hearing Takeru's words, Milim became even more flustered.
"Relax. The one I plan to hunt is the Marionette Master, Clayman. Ever since I became a Demon Lord, that one has been covertly causing me trouble." Seeing Milim's nervousness, Takeru ceased teasing her and stated directly.
"Oh, it's him! Since he's causing you trouble, Takeru, as your close friend, let me help!" Hearing Takeru target is Clayman, Milim sighed in relief and spoke seriously.
"That won't be necessary. However, if you guide me there, I would be grateful." Hearing her words, Takeru said with amusement.
"Hehe, leave the guiding to me!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim nodded earnestly.
"So, what did you come here for?" Subsequently, Takeru looked directly at Milim.
"Oh, right! Felt said this can do multiplayer. I want to play multiplayer with Felt and the others!" Hearing Takeru's question, Milim recalled her purpose.
"So you came for a second PSP?" Hearing her words, Takeru directly inquired.
"Uh huh!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim nodded rapidly.
"Fine. However, games are for occasional leisure. Do not neglect your training, understand?" Looking at Milim, Takeru pondered briefly, then produced another PSP.
"Hehe, I know!" Taking the PSP, Milim excitedly dashed off toward Felt.
"Milim is really a Demon Lord? I can't believe you tamed her so easily, Takeru." Watching Milim happily depart, Tsumugi remarked with emotion.
"Yes. Though she has lived for countless years, her disposition matches her appearance… that of a child." Seeing Tsumugi's surprise, Takeru said with a light laugh.
"I see. But won't dealing with that Clayman be dangerous?" Subsequently, Tsumugi spoke with a trace of nervousness.
"Don't worry. Others might pose a challenge, but Clayman, a schemer who only resorts to underhanded tricks, is easily dealt with. As long as we are cautious of his special manipulation skills, even Ram and the others could effortlessly kill him."
"Moreover, this Orc Lord incident is also a scheme orchestrated by him." Looking at Tsumugi, Takeru stated calmly.
"Eh, it's his scheme?!" Hearing Takeru's words, Tsumugi appeared somewhat shocked.
"Yes. Gelmud, who runs around naming monsters, is his subordinate. His goal is to exploit the superior-subordinate relationship inherent in naming to acquire capable monsters as minions, thereby strengthening himself." Looking at Tsumugi, Takeru unhesitatingly revealed Clayman's affairs.
As for the source of this intelligence, though Takeru knew it from the original world's anime, here, having seized control of the Kingdom of Falmuth, he could simply attribute this information to the national intelligence agency's investigations.