23 chapter 22 - 18 Warlords

Erix easily connected the dimension within the World Tree into his personal world and even connected it to the entirety of Nazarick allowing him to survey it. He tried placing the entire expanding kingdom but it was impossible at the moment since the world of Tensura is too strong.

Fortunately, he found a way to cover this entire territory with a powerful barrier using the world Tree. Erix finished finding the world tree had grown significantly enough that I appeared akin to Erdtree and fortunately it cannot be seen by anyone beside him unless he let them.

It was beautiful and mystical that Erix's malicious heart was mesmerized by its beauty. He experimented enough and was satisfied at the result and believed that the treant and dryad of Tensura would already sense its presence.

'I wonder if I could open portals to other anime worlds?'

He pondered if he was able to create a portal to his desired world but decided not to risk it knowing that without having the necessary preparation it would be foolish to take a leap.

Once that's done, he went outside where he decided to head towards the farmlands and take a moment to check on the progress of their agriculture and vegetation, supervised by Mare who is an expert in the field. He decided to walk his way towards the place having met with the citizens enjoying their smiles.

Erix pondered if there would be a time where some countries were at war since he can take the opportunity to take both sides in fell swoop. He wanted to capture some otherworlder and plunder their skill but patience is the key. He met Rigurd who accompanied him towards the field, finding the vast vegetation that weren't native to their world was added and surprisingly nothing changed in the quality.

He met with Mare who was assisted by Ririna, [ Hobgoblina Lord ] who had unnatural beauty and charisma that could make appear like an elf if it weren't for her green skin that didn't ruin her beauty. She had skill for agriculture which is why Ririna was given the vice-supervisor position since Mare takes the title but since she is too shy needed Ririna to assist her.

The quality of the produce was incredible using appraisal and informed by Arryn that the quality would be 10 times better than earth because of mana infused. He took the report paper and told the current situation by Ririna informing him that the speed of the vegetation growing was incredibly fast where it likely takes a few weeks for the vegetation to be harvested.

Erix satisfied, telling Rigurd to store up once harvested and discuss Jibril in regards to their economics sell. He knows he'll eventually sell and trade therefore need to evaluate their goods. His aim is to conquer but he'll let them keep their kingdom only so that they will serve his empire. In the end, Erix is fair and reasonable unless provoked or deemed necessary to be eliminated.

Rigurd happily did as told, heading to meet up with Jibril who likely joined Demiurge. He watched as Rigurd disappeared before excusing himself and heading to the livestock with Mare to find Aura who was surprising the Hobgoblin who is attending the livestock. She found them and immediately went to greet him, receiving a pat from Erix that made Mare a bit jealous and soon received one as well. Despite their adult appearance, they acted like kids to him.

Afterwards, Aura happily showed them around where their livestock were Terra birds which are low level monsters from Yggdrasil yet in the lore provide large eggs as big as an ostrich and Large buffalo whose meat was unbelievably tender. There are also large boars that provide high quality pork.

Beside that there were also tamed monsters that Aura captured from a basilisk to a large spider that provided silk for them. The tempest wolf also guarded the place and acted like their home. Kurosaburou arrived licking his face as he had been staying with Aura and there also captured a four legged bear that had turned into Kumajirou which was Rou's pet.

Normally, they would be at his mansion guarding the place even though he doesn't but he does enjoy their company. The two have freedom to roam around and liked to be with Aura most of the time. Erix finished inspecting the place having observed how the livestock and produce is currently developing decided to excuse himself heading towards the training ground letting Aura and Mare work on their task.

Erix found Minokichi sparring with Cocytus who easily defeated the minotaur. He quietly watched them enjoying the two fight and decided to let his presence known as Cocytus and Minokichi along with the other Hobgoblin greeted him with respect.

He noted that they had grown significantly more than before based on Arryns analysis. Many would question why he would need an army when he's already this strong and the answer is that he finds it more entertaining to rule rather than be a lone wolf and do everything himself.

There are many powerful beings that still have armies like darkseid. Erix also reap their skill if they gain new ones due to his plundering ability.

'I wonder if I should try to visit that Demi-god Dungeon today?' Erix pondered since he wanted to test his strength but decided to do it at a later date. He joined them in a sparring session having concealed and nerfed himself immensely yet everyone was defeated showing his skill in combat. Erix found it boring when he couldn't find a worthy opponent and hoped that either Velzard or Milim would visit him in order to have spar.

According to some of the spies he had been informed that the [ Age of God dungeons ] had a restraining effect making those already strong weaker and once they survived would become immensely powerful than before. Erix found that the power scale had been ruined but didn't think too hard of it.

Cocytus praised his lord having seen his form and Erix appreciated it seeing Warrior Takemikazuchi in him who had been his long time rival as well as Touch me. They were the monster trio back in Yggdrasil and each had their own belief in fighting where Touch me believed that strong protect the weak while Warrior Takemikazuchi believed strong should find strong opponents to fight instead of saving the weak.

On the other hand, Erix believed that if they have use then he'll take them since everything can be a tool but when in combat would fight then no one would escape believing that if you prepared to kill then you should be prepared to be killed. Erix accepted that he can lose but refused to lose easily because it's not over until he says so.

"What. Is. It. My. Lord?" Cocytus asked to see Erix's thought expression and said.

"Nothing, you reminded me of your creator, my rival." Erix felt rather sentimental missing the time they fought. Even though he uses them as means to an end does not remove their value to him.

Cocytus felt emotion upon hearing his lord and grew curious about the story of his creator. Erix knew what he was thinking and told stories of their combat, especially the Yggdrasil tournament they did. It was always Warrior Takemikazuchi, Touch me and Erix would fight for the finals.

After a while, Erix left the training ground to visit Rimuru after he received some skewers from the Hobgoblin. He found her watching a young goblin playing around and was too distracted as Erix decided to surprise by leaning and blowing on her ear making Rimuru jump in surprise then saw who did it and became angry.

"Eek! What the! Erix!? Why did you scare me like that!?" Erix chuckled and said.

"Because I know you'll make a cute face." Rimuru blushed from being teased and said.

"Stop teasing!" Erix just patted her head making Rimuru slowly calmed down.

'Dammit, why does his head pat feel so good!?' Rimuru seemingly purred from the gestures before Erix stopped and saw her feel disappointed.

"I'm just here wanting to know if you had a great night's rest?"

"Hard to say…I'm a slime now and I don't think it's possible for me to feel tired. Though, I did manage to sleep."

Erix nodded as he sat down on the ground and Rimuru sat beside him looking at the Hobgoblin children.

"Aren't you ruler of this place? Why are you here?"

"I am but if I wish to be served then I must lead. Also, I already let someone else handle it and I just finished visiting every facility."

Erix can easily finish all the paperworks and already set all the laws that would soon be followed by his nation, ensuring a just and fair nation. He also considered their flag and currency but mostly focused on trading for the time being. The monsters don't even need money and exchange goods instead. Erix also added taxes to maintain order and helped his nation grow.

"How about you? Any plans?"

"I don't know but I don't want to be a freeloader. Give me any work and I'll do my best."

"If you say any work then…" Erix rubbed his chin thinking where to put her since she was supposed to be the leader and figurehead but now that he took that position then Rimuru doesn't have any role in this world.

"I'll put you as one of my 18 Demon Warlord positions that I'm thinking of making."