"Chief!" The Lizardman princess looked worriedly at her father.
"At last, there is some hope. Gather everyone." Souei's words finally gave the Lizardman chief a glimmer of hope.
Soon, the Lizardman princess assembled all the Lizardman warriors.
"The Orc army has already approached the underground caverns. But do not fear. Powerful reinforcements will arrive in seven days. Until then, we must hold the caverns and preserve our strength. Under no circumstances launch a premature attack. To die in battle is only to become fodder, strengthening the Orcs' power. This is the reality of fighting the Orc Lord."
"Once we rendezvous with the reinforcements, we will shift to a counteroffensive. Endure until then. Not one of you is permitted to die." Looking down at the Lizardman warriors, the Lizardman chief made the wisest judgment.
However, this defensive strategy lasted only four days. On the fourth day, with Gabiru's return, the situation shifted.
"Fighting a massive army using the natural labyrinth may be a sound strategy, but it prevents us from concentrating our forces to strike." Looking at the old chief, Gabiru had his confidants seize control of him.
"G-Gabiru-sama, what is the meaning of this!" Looking at Gabiru, the Lizardman princess felt only a sense of alienation.
"Calm yourself, Captain of the Guard. I have no intention of putting you in danger. I will apologize later for my rough methods. It may feel constraining, but you need only endure until I have defeated the Orc Lord!" Hearing his sister's words, Gabiru spoke calmly.
Subsequently, he had his confidants place the old chief and his sister under house arrest, completely seizing power.
"Gabiru-sama, please accept this!" At that moment, a Lizardman presented Gabiru with a weapon resembling a trident.
"Father's..." Seeing the weapon before him, Gabiru grasped it. Instantly, he sensed immense power merging from the weapon into his body, considerably enhancing his strength.
"Water Vortex Spear! You acknowledge me as your master now?" Sensing the weapon's empowerment, Gabiru spoke excitedly.
"All tribal chieftains have been secured. Many of the younger generation were skeptical of the defensive strategy," Gabiru's confidant reported additional news.
"Is that so."
"Everyone will follow you. We entrust this to you, Gabiru-sama!"
"Very well. I shall show everyone the true way of Lizardman combat! The time has come!" Hearing his confidant's words, Gabiru shouted loudly.
"Ooh! Gabiru! Gabiru!"
…
Subsequently, under Gabiru's leadership, leveraging the wetlands' advantages and their agility, the Lizardmen rapidly slew a number of Orcs. Yet facing their fallen comrades, the Orcs showed no fear. Instead, they continuously devoured their own kind, growing stronger.
In the blink of an eye, another three days passed. On this day, Rimuru, accompanied by Benimaru, Shion, Hakuro, the reconnoitering Souei, Ranga, and the Tempest Wolf cavalry, raced toward Lizardman territory.
As for Takeru, realizing he had spent more time than anticipated, brought Tsumugi and, riding Salamence, followed Rimuru and the others through the air.
With only a little over ten days remaining in this world, Takeru still intended to eliminate Clayman and his subordinates.
Why not strike earlier? Naturally, he was waiting for the Orc Lord to evolve into the Orc Demon Lord.
Additionally, the ever-curious Milim, upon learning Takeru was confronting the Orc Lord, persistently insisted on accompanying him.
After repeatedly confirming with Milim that she must not act, Takeru brought her along. Thus, Salamence now carried three riders.
"Oh, Takeru, that slime down there is your friend? His strength seems decent, but compared to me, he's far inferior! Ahahaha!" Looking down at Rimuru, Milim cackled.
"Do not underestimate him. Though currently weak, his potential is considerable. Moreover, within him resides a Dragonoid." Looking at Milim, Takeru calmly reminded.
"Eh, really?" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim grew curious. Yet even her Dragon Eye could not penetrate Rimuru's unique stomach.
As for Rimuru, seeing Takeru following, he breathed a sigh of relief. Simultaneously, he felt deep dread toward Milim, whom Takeru had brought. Great Sage had warned him: Milim's normal-state magical energy was over ten times his own.
As Rimuru's thoughts raced, Souei interrupted him. Souei had discovered Lizardman chieftain guards engaging the Orcs.
"What should we do? We can't just abandon them, can we? Can we win?" Hearing Souei's words, Rimuru, adhering to his principle of seeing good through, spoke.
"Easily." Hearing Rimuru's words, Souei spoke with overflowing confidence.
'Doesn't even hesitate. Is it because he's handsome that he can do this?' Hearing Souei's words, Rimuru inwardly complained.
"Move out! We're heading there immediately!" Confirming Souei could handle it, Rimuru directly commanded.
"As you command!"
"Assume battle formation! Proceed to Souei's location!" Rimuru then instructed Benimaru and the others.
"Yes! Understood!" Hearing Rimuru's words, Benimaru and the others rapidly responded.
Subsequently, Rimuru called to Ranga, and their speed increased.
As Rimuru accelerated, Salamence above lightly flapped its wings, effortlessly surpassing Ranga's speed. However, maintaining a certain distance, Salamence did not advance further.
"Master, Rimuru and the others below have stopped," Salamence respectfully reported to Takeru after a brief flight.
"Is that so? Then we shall wait a moment." Hearing this, Takeru yawned.
Takeru held little hope for the upcoming battle, even against the Orc Lord… or rather, even should it evolve into the Orc Demon Lord.
Demon Lords possessed hierarchies. Takeru and Milim were undoubtedly at the apex. Clayman, Frey, and the peacemaking-shrunk Ramiris were at the lowest tier, as was the soon-to-evolve Orc Demon Lord.
Milim, however, brimmed with excitement. Though Takeru's hospitality had introduced her to many amusements, combat remained her fervent passion.
Tsumugi still felt a sense of unreality. They were about to face a two hundred thousand-strong Orc army.
Under normal circumstances, even if the Orcs stood motionless, it would take days to slaughter them all… and these Orcs would fight back, including a truly terrifying commander.
"Tsumugi, do your utmost to hunt. Prioritize your own safety above all." Looking at Tsumugi, Takeru directly stated.
"I understand." Hearing this, Tsumugi nodded earnestly. Since Takeru was willing to carry her, she did not wish to perform poorly.
Below, having rendezvoused with Souei, Rimuru used recovery potion to save the Lizardman princess. At her plea, and seeing her respect for Rimuru, Shion, on Rimuru's behalf, agreed to the rescue.
Subsequently, Rimuru recognized her as the provisional chieftain and formed an alliance with her.
As for rescuing the Lizardman chief, Rimuru entrusted this to Souei, then led Benimaru and the others toward the battlefield.
As Rimuru and his group advanced, Salamence above once again followed.
…
"Gabiru-sama, we are surrounded!" On the battlefield, one of Gabiru's confidants shouted in panic.
"What is happening? Their movements have clearly accelerated!" Watching the rapidly surging Orc army, Gabiru's gaze was grave.
'Impossible! The Orcs have developed webbed feet and scales? They are becoming just like us!' Gabiru then noticed the Orcs' dramatic transformation.
"A comrade was just devoured!" At this moment, other Lizardmen fell back to Gabiru's side.
"Indeed! Their behavior changed after that!" Another Lizardman confidant added.
'They can acquire our abilities through devouring!' Hearing his kin's explanation, Gabiru finally realized the dire situation. Yet regret was now useless.
At that moment, an Orc swung its axe at Gabiru. Gabiru hastily blocked with his Water Vortex Spear, but the immense force sent him stumbling back several steps. However, he ultimately erupted with power and repelled the Orc.