Chapter 5 - Exiting cave & Goblins..?
After Veldora's disappearance, we set out in search of the cave's exit. Along the way, we confronted and dispatched various monsters, each encounter leaving us with newfound skills. It was primarily Rimuru who engaged in combat, while I mirrored his skills.
Rimuru took down a Black Serpent with a [ Noxious Breath ] and [ Heat Source ], a Centipede monster with [ Paralysis Breath ], a Big spider with [ Sticky Thread ] and [ Steel Thread ], a Vampire Bat with [ Vampirism ] and [ Ultrasound Waves ], and a Carapace Lizard for its [ Body Armor ]. While he battled, I busied myself devouring Magic-Ores and Hipokute herbs.
As we approached the cave's exit, our journey took an unexpected turn. Three humans opened the gate and entered the cave. I turned to Rimuru, communicating through our Family Link, 'What should we do? Intercept them or wait for them to leave?'
I analyzed the newcomers using [God's Eye], discovering nothing particularly interesting among their skills. However, one of them possessed an art called Stealth Art, which allowed them to become invisible. I promptly copied it.
<< Confirmed. Acquiring Art [Stealth Art]. Success >>
Rimuru's response came, 'We should wait.'
The humans moved away from the gate, and once they were gone, we left the cave and emerged into the open.
As I stepped into the daylight, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful scenery. "Isn't it breathtaking?" I asked Rimuru.
"Yes, it is," he replied.
"So, what's our plan now? What's the next step?" I inquired.
Rimuru pondered for a moment before answering, "For now, we have to assess the situation."
'No plan, huh?' I thought to myself.
While we moved forward, we encountered a group of goblins, visibly intimidated by our presence. Their scrawny bodies and rudimentary weapons hardly posed a threat, yet one of them stepped forward and addressed us, "Guga. O strong ones... Do you have any business up ahead?"
Rimuru contacted me through our Family Link, 'Did they just call us 'strong ones'?'
'Yes, they did,' I replied.
Rimuru couldn't help but project his voice, which startled the goblins. "Oye Oniisan, stop screaming; they're getting blown away."
The goblin who had approached us spoke, "Guga, O strong one! We understand your great power! Please lower your voice!"
"What do you need from us?" I asked
"It's like this. Our village stands along this path, and we sensed the presence of two powerful monsters, so we came here as a precaution," the goblin explained.
"Powerful monsters? We didn't sense anything," Rimuru replied, puzzled.
"Surely you jest! Even in those forms, we are not fooled," the goblin exclaimed.
I spoke to Rimuru via Family link, 'I think they might be referring to us.'
Rimuru nodded in agreement, 'I think so too.'
The goblin continued, "O strong ones, having witnessed your power, we have a favor to ask."
And so, we followed the goblins into their village.
In a humble hut, an elderly goblin and the goblin who had initially spoken to us knelt before us. The elderly goblin lifted his head slightly and spoke, "We humbly apologize for the inability to provide better accommodations. I currently serve as the village's chief."
"No need to worry at all," Rimuru assured him.
" So, for what reason have you gone out of your way to invite us here?" I asked the village chief, getting straight to the point.
"If I may, are you aware of the recent surge in monster activity?" the village chief inquired.
Rimuru and I exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of the connection.
I signaled Rimuru through our Family Link, 'Perhaps they're under attack by more powerful monsters?'
'We don't know. Let's hear them out,' Rimuru responded.
"We have lived peacefully under our god's protection," the village chief continued, "but he seems to have vanished about a month ago. Since his disappearance, neighbouring monsters have started invading our lands. We fought back, but our forces..."
'It's possible that their god was Veldora. The timing fits. In any case, these goblins seem to need our help,' I told Rimuru through the Family Link.
'Yes, I agree. Let's see what we can do,' Rimuru replied.
"I understand your request. However, we are both slimes, and I'm not sure if we can meet your expectations," Rimuru expressed to the village chief.
The village chief chuckled and said, "Please don't be modest. Mere slimes would not exude such a powerful aura. You both are quite famous, are you both not?"
'An aura?' Rimuru inquired.
'Use your [Great Sage] to understand it,' I suggested.
I had already attempted to change my Magic Perspective when the goblin mentioned the aura, and it turned out to be quite intimidating. It appeared that Rimuru had done the same, as I noticed it in Rimuru's expression.
"Fufufu... leave it to the village chief to notice," Rimuru said with a smile.
"But of course, you cannot hide the formidable air about you," the village chief said while looking at us.
I used [God's Eye] to ensure they had no ill intentions toward us, and it confirmed their goodwill.
"I see. You've found both of us," Rimuru remarked.
'Potential? You're sounding a lot like Veldora,' I teased Rimuru through the Family Link.
'Oh, come on. How did those three humans not notice us? Are they going to be all right?' Rimuru asked.
'Maybe... or maybe not,' I replied, there is one more thing I need to say to Rimuru about them but now is not the time
Rimuru then concealed the aura he was emitting, and I followed suit.
The village chief chuckled and said, "Ah, you've been testing us, haven't you? It's fortunate that so many of us were frightened by your aura."
"Y-Yeah, you're right. You've shown potential by speaking to us without fear," Rimuru acknowledged.
'see there you again..' I teased Rimuru by using family link
'shut up…' replied rimuru in a comical frustration
"Thank you so much," the village chief said. "As for the favor we wish to ask..."
According to the goblins, they had been facing direwolf attacks from the east, resulting in many casualties, including their guardian. Even the guardian had been slain, which left the village in a dire situation. The guardian was none other than the village chief's eldest son and elder brother to the goblin who is beside him.
"I see... how many people live in this village, and how many can fight?" I inquired.
The village chief, looking dejected, replied, "We have about sixty individuals, including females, who can fight."
"And how many direwolves do we have to defeat?" I questioned further.
"There are about 100 direwolves," the village chief answered, clearly distressed.
"That's a substantial difference in strength, like an impossible video game scenario," I commented.
'So, what's our plan now?' I asked Rimuru through the Family Link.
'We'll help them, of course,' Rimuru responded.
I raised a final question to the village chief, "Chief, tell me one thing. What will we gain from assisting this village? What can you offer us?"
'Why are you bringing this up?' Rimuru inquired through the Family Link.
'I'm not looking for compensation; I'm just adding some drama,' I explained.
'I see,' Rimuru acknowledged.
The village chief bowed his head and replied, "We will offer you our loyalty. Please grant us your protection. If you do, we will swear our loyalty to both of you."
'We will swear,' the goblin outside the hut echoed, also bowing their heads.
The direwolf howls in the distance stirred the goblins' anxiety. Rimuru reassured them, "We will defeat the direwolves. In the name of Storm Dragon Veldora, I, Rimuru Tempest, and my younger brother, Emeric Tempest, will fulfill your wish."
Tears of happiness flowed from the goblins as they knelt, bowing their heads in gratitude. The village chief said, "Thank you so much. We are your loyal servants, Rimuru-Sama and Emeric-Sama…"
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And that's how we became the Goblin's leaders and their guardians….
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A/N: I hope you liked this chapter, please let me know if you have any suggestions and how this fanfic should proceed further.
please note that it is a Tensura AU, English is not my first language forgive me for any mistakes