Rimuru, upon learning Takeru's purpose, could only wryly smile.
He had worried so much for nothing. He never expected Takeru's objective was the Orc Lord. It was his own fault for not directly inquiring earlier. Knowing Takeru's character, he certainly would not have concealed it.
Of course, although this matter no longer required excessive concern, Rimuru understood clearly that Takeru could not always be there to assist him.
Thus, he needed to intensify his own training, preparing to handle any special circumstances that might arise in the future.
"Oh, Takeru, didn't you say the mastermind behind this was also a Demon Lord? You should know who it is, right? If we defeat this Orc Lord, won't he become furious and seek revenge?" Calming down, Rimuru directly looked at Takeru and inquired.
"The mastermind involves a Demon Lord? Might I be permitted to participate in this discussion?" Upon hearing the mastermind involved a Demon Lord, and that defeating the Orc Lord might plunge the Jura Forest into a Demon Lord's vengeance, Treyni again grew anxious.
"Well, what do you say, Takeru?" Hearing Treyni's words, Rimuru instinctively looked to Takeru.
Having learned Takeru was a Demon Lord, Rimuru instinctively placed himself in a lower position. This stemmed from his nature, as well as an instinctive deference to the strong.
"If you wish to listen, stay. There is little to conceal. The instigator of this affair is the Demon Lord known as the Marionette Master, Clayman." Looking at Treyni, Takeru stated directly.
"As for whether he will seek revenge... I can only say this: that one is constantly covertly causing me trouble. And he is my next target." Looking at everyone, Takeru spoke nonchalantly.
Unsurprisingly, hearing Takeru's words, everyone again fell silent, plunged into immense shock.
Benimaru and the others gazed gravely at Takeru, feeling a mix of lingering fear and regret. Fear, naturally, that they had once challenged a Demon Lord. Regret, that their strength had not earned Takeru's recognition. If only it had been Takeru who proposed taking them as subordinates.
Yet now, having become Rimuru's subordinates and through these days of interaction, they held deep recognition for Rimuru and would never betray him.
Seeing Takeru essentially shoulder all the burdens, Rimuru momentarily felt somewhat at a loss.
However, Benimaru and the others quickly reminded him: though Takeru would personally deal with the Orc Lord, the two hundred thousand Orcs themselves were not to be underestimated. They, too, needed countermeasures.
"Oh, Souei, you said the Orcs will first pass through Lizardman territory, correct?" Suddenly, Rimuru thought of something and directly inquired.
"Yes." Souei nodded.
"Um, Takeru, when exactly do you plan to act?" Suddenly, Rimuru thought of a crucial point.
Though Takeru said he would act, he never specified when. While unlikely to wait until the goblin city was destroyed, neither had he indicated he would intervene before the Orcs caused catastrophe.
"When and where I act? That's hard to say." Hearing Rimuru's inquiry, Takeru replied calmly.
Hearing Takeru's words, Rimuru smiled wryly. Although Gabiru and the other Lizardmen's behavior today had irritated him, the thought of their entire tribe being completely annihilated by the Orc onslaught was unbearable.
"Um, Takeru, I want to try and save the Lizardmen as much as possible. You won't be angry, will you?" After hearing Takeru's words, Rimuru took a deep breath and asked.
"My target is the Orc Lord. As for the rest, do as you please." Seeing Rimuru's nervous, guarded expression, Takeru spoke calmly.
Hearing Takeru's words, Rimuru sighed in relief. Yet the thought of two hundred thousand Orcs once more brought him worry. If possible, he did not wish to endanger his subordinates. However, standing idly by was not his style.
Thinking this, Rimuru contemplated whether the Lizardmen could evacuate Lake Siss. If they remained there, the likelihood of Takeru intervening was substantial.
"Even if I want to save them, their envoy was such an idiot. Sigh, I wish to negotiate with someone capable of rational discourse," Rimuru sighed.
"Rimuru-sama, would you permit me to directly raise this matter with the Lizardman chief?" Seeing Rimuru's distress, Souei stood and inquired.
"Souei, can you do it?" Hearing Souei's words, Rimuru was curious.
"Yes." Hearing Rimuru's inquiry, Souei nodded confidently.
'What's with this confidence? Handsome guys are so annoying!' Looking at Souei, Rimuru inwardly complained.
"Very well. Then you shall negotiate with the Lizardmen. Try to get them to temporarily evacuate. If that fails, the decisive battle will likely be in the wetlands, the Lizardmen's territory. I entrust this to you, Souei!" Recovering himself, Rimuru spoke gravely.
"Yes." Hearing Rimuru's words, Souei nodded and swiftly departed.
"My apologies. It seems we cannot avoid this Orc affair. Please, everyone, prepare yourselves." Subsequently, Rimuru looked apologetically at Benimaru, Rigurd, and the others.
"Yes, of course, Rimuru-sama!" Hearing Rimuru say this, Shuna stood and declared.
"I was prepared for this from the start." Hearing Rimuru intended to clash with the Orcs, Benimaru smiled.
"All we can do is trust in our master." Kaijin spoke calmly.
"Indeed! Let them witness our power!" Rigurd stood and declared seriously.
Seeing everyone's trust, Rimuru felt a sense of responsibility.
Subsequently, the meeting concluded. Takeru's shadow clone dissipated into smoke, transmitting its memories to the main body.
Takeru, who had been constructing a more stable spatial dimension within the palace, received the clone's memories. After digesting them, he revealed a faint smile. He passed no judgment on Rimuru's kindness.
Under normal circumstances, Takeru did not mind extending goodwill toward the world. Though he had become a Demon Lord, he did not intend to alter his conduct or engage in meaningless slaughter.
As for rescuing others, that depended on his mood and whether it benefited him.
However, if the decisive battle occurred at the Lake Siss wetlands, Takeru would need to make a trip.
After all, although Rimuru's current strength was slightly inferior to the original work, against an Orc Lord, his unique skill, Predator, could still devour it. If Rimuru stole the kill, Takeru would lose an opportunity to boost his evaluation score.
As for the Treant deducing his identity from his clone, Takeru was somewhat surprised. He was quite interested in recruiting Treyni.
With her around, upon returning to the main world, someone could tend to the mansion's gardens.
Yet she was not indispensable. Having recently learned some plant-based skills, Takeru could manifest special tree spirits to handle such tasks.
Furthermore, Treyni was the guardian of the Jura Forest, quite intellectual and rational. Subduing her would likely require considerable time… an endeavor nearly impossible in his remaining month.
As for using Kotoamatsukami to alter her will, disregarding the World's Will, individuals modified by such special skills could not be summoned using Character Manifestation Cards.
Shaking his head, Takeru ceased further contemplation. He directly dispatched a shadow clone, teleporting it back to the goblin city.
As for Takeru himself, he resumed developing his new spatial dimension. Through the efforts of multiple clones and his main body, the new space had reached two thousand cubic meters. Though still modest, it was a significant breakthrough.
Additionally, the previously frequent spatial collapses, due to increased mana stabilization, had become stable. Next, Takeru intended to imbue the new space with time acceleration or deceleration.