Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 42

The war ended.

I fought a truly strong opponent.

Perhaps, if he had finished his evolution... I probably would not have a method to defeat him.

It's because we had fought now that I could win.

I'd much rather had fought him before he had evolved!

Though he had evolved, I am rather fortunate that I defeated him.

But more importantly!

Right. I've gotten another unique skill!

Well, though I actually haven't gotten the unique skill [Starving Ones], I did absorb its potential.

That is, my [Predator] has changed into [Gluttony].

Analyzing the skill made me want to seal it away.

Nope. It's too dangerous of a skill.

And while I was thinking these things,

ŒMu? Somehow my power feels as if though it's boiling...

ŒMy wounds are healing faster! Have all been restored already?

ŒYeah...

I heard such voices.

Hmm. As I had thought.

It's the effect of [Gluttony].

Its effects are,

‰ªSolution. Changing into unique skill [Gluttony] has added the following effects...

Decay: The ability to decompose the target. Ability to add decomposition status effect.

There is now a chance of acquiring an ability after consuming only a part of a monster's corpse (» Random)

Supply: Whether a subordinate or not, you can now grant an ability unto a monster with whom you have a relationship. (» Limited by the target's inherent magical energy)

Food Chain: It is now possible to acquire skills from your subordinates (» All of them)

These three have become your power.‰«

Is what it said. The five original abilities of predator stayed the same, and these three were added.

And along with that, my stomach capacity seems to have doubled.

So does this mean that I can now use Benimaru and Ranga's skills that they've gotten from evolution?

‰ªSolution. It is possible.‰«

Seriously?!

So whenever they get stronger I get stronger, and the opposite is also true.

How terrifying this power had become!

Though as you'd expect, I can't share knowledge this way or transmit magic.

Of course, proficiency I also need to raise on my own. Daily effort is important, after all.

But seriously, what an absurd power I got my hands on.

As expected of Orc Disaster.

It's a shame I couldn't eat the clown earlier, but I did get some spare change from him.

Particularly, through pure luck, I have gotten ˆFlight Magic‰!

I don't need incantations to use it. I can fly around just by willing to do so.

Well, I'll slowly practice with it, and along the way learn to fly at supersonic speeds.

But more than getting my hands on unique skills and such, I was able to optimize [Great Sage] and further integrate all my skills.

For example, I had thought that I can't mimic all monsters at a time... but I was wrong.

And if you're wondering about ŽDevil Transformation, my human version has acquired a new strongest form.

This too I will carefully research later.

This all aside, I did just mention that the war has ended.

The battlefield was filled with happiness, sadness, and despair.

Now then.

I think it every time after a battle, but more troublesome than the war itself are the reparations afterwards.

The day after the Orc Disaster was exterminated.

In the center of the marshes, in a temporary tent, the representative of every race has gathered.

From our side came I, Benimaru, Shion, Hakurou, and Souei. Ranga is lurking within my shadow as always.

I am in my slime form, sitting on Shion's knees.

Since I had shown them my true form when I defeated Orc Disaster there is no need to conceal it now.

From the lizardmen"the Head, Guard Captain, and Guard Vice Captain.

Gabil is imprisoned for treason. Even if they are parent and child, insubordination is bad.

Though he's an idiot, he does have some amusing points. And since it's not the time to discuss his sentence, we'll just leave him there for now.

The orcs sent the one remaining Orc General and ten clan chief representatives.

They were all pale, depression visible on their faces.

The reason for the previous chaos was, indubitably, the orcs.

No matter how hard anyone tries to pin all the blame on the Orc Lord's manipulation, they were clearly not blameless.

And it is because they understand this fact, that their expressions are so dark.

According to what Souei had gathered, they didn't prepare that much food.

Through cannibalism and the effects of the unique skill, they were able to advance while starving. Now that they have lost the skill's effects they can't possibly eat their brethren.

Their rather unfortunate situation made the atmosphere in the room even heavier.

They are fully expecting to be demanded to take responsibility for the war, but they also know that they can't possibly pay reparations.

As in the first place, the main cause for the war was the perpetually starving orcs and their leaders who could do naught about it.

Even considering that their numbers have decreased, there are still 150 thousand of them. There's not enough food to feed them all.

And the fact that even with this many troops they can't continue combat simply emphasizes just how cornered the orcs are.

If they did not have the [Starving Ones] skill, they would have all perished from hunger.

Though there are 150 thousand of them, that also includes women, children and the young. It was a mass exodus of the orc race.

＊＊＊

The cause was a severe famine.

The Magic Continent is a land with fertile soil under the protection of the demon lords.

Many powerful demonic beasts and demons inhabit it, but thanks to the demon lords, it is safe.

However, there was a price for safety. A steep tax.

Those who wanted to live on fertile lands had to provide a large amount of crop.

Orc, who reproduced quickly, worked in the mines and toiled the fields, and were necessary to the demon lords.

However. Those who could not pay the tax were immediately killed.

The demon lord never lends a helping hand.

Aiming for the abundant resources, many monsters attack.

Those that have not paid a protection tax are not protected.

Thus that land inevitably becomes dangerous.

The fertile orcs, even if the majority of them were killed, would soon enough restore their population to needed levels.

Though there was a need to control their number, the demon lords decided that the extras would die anyways.

Now, thanks to a great famine, they could not pay their tax.

Thus, losing the protection of the demon lords, they decided to flee those lands in search of a safe haven.

While beset by hunger, the orc lord was born among them, but until then they would never fight anyone stronger than themselves.

And thus wandering, they have made their way to Jura Forest's outskirts.

Around that time, a devil named Gelmudo offered them a hand.

Oblivious to his machinations, they decided to accept his offer.

And thus, following his directions, they plunged Jura Forest into chaos.

＊＊＊

The conference began with a heavy atmosphere.

Hakurou presided over it.

I had originally asked the Lizardmen's Guard Captain to do it, but he refused.

ŒThat role is too much for one such as I!

He said, and turned me down.

And since this wasn't something I could delegate to the defeated, I imposed... asked the most fitting man"Hakurou to do it.

Hakurou had declared the conference open, but no one said anything.

Everyone was looking at me.

How annoying. I seriously hate conferences.

Well, it can't be helped.

ŒBefore we begin the conference, I wish to share the information I have gathered. Listen!

I exclaimed. At my words, everyone's expressions hardened, and they fixated their gazes on me.

And then I conveyed the information I have gotten from Souei and Orc Disaster.

The cause for the Orc uprising, and their current situation.

The orc representatives, not expecting me to bring these things up, stared at me with wonder.

There a few who shed tears listening to me. They were fully convinced that they'd all be executed without a chance to explain themselves.

Then my story ended.

And giving Hakurou the signal, I continued the conference.

ŒAhem! Now then, the first let's confirm the casualties!

And thus the discussion started.

Lizardmen's head discussed their casualties.

Listening to his report, the Orcs hid their faces and stayed silent.

ŒNow then, Head-dono, do you have any demands for the orcs?

After discussing the losses, the discussion proceeded to discuss appropriate payment.

Though I've never experienced an actual war before so I wouldn't know, but they probably have the winner demand things from the loser.

I couldn't prevent the conversation from going this way.

ŒNothing specific. This victory was not wrought by our strength. We were saved by Rimuru-dono!

Abandoning the right to reparations, the Head thus replied.

Not like they could do much in the first place, though.

Alright. Let's let theorcs speak now, but when I had just looked at them

ŒPlease pardon my interruption! Please allow me to compensate for this incident with my life! Of course, I understand that it is not enough, but I have no followers to add!

Orc Generals calls out, falling prostrate before me.

He desperately pleads

"I have become a B rank monster, and gained quite a lot of magical energy, so please forgive the rest with my death!" Is what he says.

Not that I'm planning on that, but that's not the problematic point.

Damn it, conferences are annoying.

Let's just do this my way.

ŒWait. Rimuru-sama has something to say!

Hakurou intervened.

The Orc General shut up, and looked at me.

The rest, as well, quietly waited for me to speak. Just the atmosphere that I hate.

ŒUmm, so this is my first conference, so I'm not sure I can handle this well. Thus, I'll just say what I think. After that, I want you all to discuss my words.

Having said that I proceeded to discuss my thoughts.

First, that I thought that we should not pursue the discussion about the orcs' sins.

Next, that I wanted to continue the alliance with the Lizardmen.

And finally, that I wanted the orcs to join that alliance.