As time passed, Takeru perceived Geld's struggling soul begin to weaken. Simultaneously, Devourer successfully analyzed Geld's abilities, granting Takeru several special skills: External Uniformity, Steel Strength, Scale Armor, and Gelmud's Death-March Dance.
Among these, only Steel Strength proved useful, as it's a skill that significantly enhanced his strength through mana expenditure. External Uniformity and Scale Armor altered his appearance… though providing some defense, they manifested exoskeletons and scales, so Takeru had no desire to employ them.
As for the unique skill [Starved], it was completely devoured by [Devourer], becoming nourishment that strengthened [Devourer] itself.
Crucially, devouring Geld's soul further enhanced Takeru's own power. His mana capacity increased from 344,000 to 391,000.
Beyond this, Takeru acquired fragments of the Orc Demon Lord Geld's memories and witnessed his greatest obsession.
In a sweltering, lifeless wasteland, the Orc tribe had lived for generations. Everywhere, Orc children wept from hunger.
"Are you hungry? Wait a moment. Here, eat." Seeing his starving kin, Geld unhesitatingly tore off his own arm and offered it to his tribesman.
"Eat well. Grow strong." Looking at the Orc child, Geld revealed a benevolent expression.
"My King, please cease! If we lose you, our king, to this great famine, the Orc tribe will know only despair!" Seeing Geld's actions, his subordinates pleaded.
"The child born yesterday died this morning. The child born the day before hangs by a thread. Yet no matter how much of my own flesh I cut away, it regenerates. If this is not despair, what is?" Facing his subordinates' entreaties, Geld felt only profound despair.
"I shall enter the forest in search of food." Subsequently, Geld resolved.
"But the Jura Forest is under the Storm Dragon's protection!" Hearing their king's determination, his subordinates spoke anxiously.
"That Storm Dragon has long been sealed. I shall beseech him for some measure of grace." So saying, Geld walked directly toward the forest.
Yet, due to his limited strength and mana, after journeying an unknown distance, Geld ultimately succumbed to hunger and the scorching sun, collapsing on his quest for sustenance. It was then that Gelmud appeared before Geld, bestowing upon him a name and food.
Gelmud further informed Geld that by becoming the Orc Lord and continuously devouring, his kinsmen, driven by hunger, need not die.
For the sake of his kin, even knowing he would be drawn into an evil scheme and become a pawn, Geld resolutely plunged into the abyss.
Even now, at an absolute disadvantage, Geld refused to abandon any hope of survival.
He understood: should he fail, his kin would be completely annihilated, and he would bear the burden of sin. This he could not endure.
Yet, before absolute power, Geld ultimately could not resist Takeru's [Devourer] devouring. He could only become Takeru's nourishment.
Having witnessed Geld's entire obsession, Takeru was deeply moved. Looking at Geld's corpse, he hesitated briefly, then collected it.
[Confirmed. Orc Demon Lord, deceased.] With his soul devoured by Takeru, Rimuru received Great Sage's notification.
With Geld's demise, the effects of Starved ceased. The war completely concluded. Watching the sunrise, all present sensed the hope of survival.
"Our King... you are finally liberated!" Though Takeru had slain Geld, the surviving Orcs bore him no resentment. Instead, they sighed in relief that their king need no longer bear his sins.
Takeru turned his gaze to the remaining Orc leader… the subordinate who had counseled him in Geld's memories. Looking at them, Takeru fell into contemplation.
This conflict, truthfully, whether Orc, Lizardman, or Goblin, each fought for their own race's survival.
From both sides' perspectives, this Orc invasion possessed no inherent right or wrong. Yet the invasion's failure signified the Orc tribe would now face judgment.
Among all parties, perhaps the sole beneficiary was Takeru, the outsider. He had not only claimed the Orc Demon Lord but also devoured his soul as nourishment. Furthermore, the corpse could serve as precious summoning material.
…
"It's over." Rimuru, observing the Orcs' complete lack of fighting spirit, remarked with emotion.
"Our agreement was to grant you freedom upon defeating the Orc Lord. Though not slain by my hand, the Orc Lord has perished. You have labored hard thus far." Subsequently, Rimuru spoke earnestly to Benimaru and the others.
"Rimuru-sama, I have a request." Hearing Rimuru's words, Benimaru spoke slowly.
"What is it?" Hearing this, Rimuru asked curiously.
"Please, accept our loyalty. We shall serve Rimuru-sama from this day forth." Looking at Rimuru, Benimaru spoke sincerely.
"Is that permissible?" Hearing Benimaru and the others' formal pledge, Rimuru was somewhat surprised.
"Ohoho, I have no objection." Hakuro was the first to voice his agreement, smiling.
"We are fortunate to have encountered you." Subsequently, Souei spoke seriously.
"Hehe, I am Rimuru-sama's secretary and bodyguard. I shall never leave your side!" Shion excitedly embraced Rimuru again.
"Yes, until the end of our days," Benimaru once more declared solemnly.
…
Time swiftly passed to the next day. Having briefly cleared the battlefield, all parties gathered within the Lizardman cavern to convene.
Out of sympathy for the Orc tribe, Takeru participated in this meeting.
Though, from Rimuru and the others' perspective, Takeru's actions in slaying the Orc Lord placed him on the side of righteousness against the invading Orcs, it was undeniable that by devouring Geld, Takeru had extinguished their race's hope for survival.
Takeru had previously stated that, when not conflicting with his own interests, he did not mind extending goodwill toward the world. Thus, Takeru attended this meeting.
As for Milim, Takeru had sent her back to Marris. Her presence here served little purpose.
"Then, Nara Takeru-sama, as presiding officer, please commence." With representatives of numerous races assembled, the Treant Treyni respectfully addressed Takeru.
"Yes. Before this meeting begins, I declare first: I do not intend to hold the Orc tribe accountable." Scanning the assembly, Takeru spoke calmly.
"Ah!" Hearing Takeru's words, the Orc representative present stared blankly at him.
"Of course, the Lizardmen, having suffered severe damages, may feel aggrieved. I permit you to challenge me. The cause of this Orc invasion was famine-induced starvation. Consider: placed in similar circumstances, any race might act likewise."
"Of course, this does not justify their actions. Nevertheless, I have decided to grant the Orc tribe an opportunity." Looking at everyone, Takeru cut straight to the point.
"Then, may I hear your true sentiments? Why do you go to such lengths for the Orcs?" Hearing Takeru's words, the Lizardman chief inquired.
"If you ask why... consider it my compassion for the Orc tribe," Takeru replied calmly.
"This..." Hearing Takeru's words, the Orcs present looked at him with inexpressible complicated emotions.
"I see. An evasive answer, indeed." Hearing Takeru's words, the Lizardman chief sighed.
Though Takeru's approach might appear high-handed, conversely, by slaying the Orc Demon Lord, he had indirectly saved the Lizardmen. Thus, Takeru could be considered their benefactor.
Moreover, given Takeru's overwhelming power, they were in no position to challenge him.
"All monsters abide by one immutable rule: the weak are prey to the strong. When you chose to oppose, you should have been prepared for this." At this moment, Benimaru stepped forward and addressed the surrounding Lizardmen.
"Your village was also destroyed. Do you bear no resentment?" Seeing Benimaru voluntarily step forward to aid Takeru, Tsumugi asked curiously.
"It would be false to claim none. But should there be a next time, we shall not disgrace ourselves as we did this time." Hearing Tsumugi's inquiry, Benimaru spoke earnestly.
Hearing his words, Takeru revealed a slight smile.