Second Meeting
This time, the meeting was held in the Ice Sculpture Castle, where every structure and decoration had been personally carved by Granstar.
Intricate and ornate patterns adorned the doors, each detail displaying an unparalleled level of craftsmanship.
Inside, long corridors of ice meandered like frozen rivers, flanked by gleaming ice pillars that stood like silent sentinels, refracting light into dazzling hues.
The hall was vast and open, its high vaulted ceiling crowned with chandeliers sculpted from ice, each casting a soft, ethereal glow. Exquisitely crafted tables and chairs, also of ice, were arranged throughout the space—so finely made that one would hesitate to touch them, let alone sit.
Rimuru, however, looked visibly bored. Propping his tiny head up with one hand, he began scanning the furnishings out of habit. Despite frequent visits, he couldn't help but admire the artistry anew each time.
"Granstar, you're practically an artist! Do you just play around with these sculptures in your free time?" he asked.
Granstar raised an eyebrow slightly, offering a calm smile as he explained.
"Yes, actually. I discovered by accident that focusing on sculpting helps me improve my control over magic. The more delicate the work, the greater the training effect."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But there's no helping it. My ice-based skills require extremely precise magic control. If I'm careless, even slightly, the area covered by my abilities could accidentally harm my allies..."
Rimuru smacked his lips in understanding. He remembered how Granstar's attacks often caused wide-scale icy destruction, which could indeed be dangerous for friendly forces nearby.
"Hey, why don't you try it too?" Granstar suggested, hoping Rimuru would give ice sculpting a shot.
Rimuru immediately shook his head like a drum, waving his hands frantically.
"No way! I don't have the patience—or the temperament—for that kind of work!"
Everyone knew Rimuru's energetic and impulsive personality. Getting him to settle down for such a meticulous task would be harder than ascending to heaven itself.
After notifying everyone through telepathy, Granstar and Rimuru sat at the head of a long rectangular ice table, while the others took their seats on either side.
To Granstar's left were Hakurou, Benimaru, Souei, Shion, Rigurd, Gobta, and others.
On his right sat Rogurd, Shuna, Kaijin, Kurobe, Rugurd, Regurd, Garm, Lilina, and more.
The seating arrangement wasn't based on hierarchy, but rather reflected their respective roles.
Seeing everyone's gazes turn toward him, Granstar knew it was time to begin the discussion on wartime strategy.
"Souei, give your intelligence report."
"Yes, my lord!"
Souei stood and gave a respectful bow to both Granstar and Rimuru. He then began reporting the latest intelligence he had gathered on the Orc Army.
From his robes, he drew out a piece of sheepskin parchment and spread it across the icy table. It displayed a simplified map of the Jura Great Forest, with clusters of red dots marking the main force's locations.
"The most alarming thing is that their numbers have reached 200,000. They continue to devour both fallen comrades and any creatures in their path as supplies, evolving from basic D-ranked monsters into stronger C-ranked ones..."
"Additionally, I've detected dozens of Orc Generals among them. Their strength is likely above B-rank..."
"What?! Two hundred thousand?!"
Rimuru's eyes widened in shock, genuinely taken aback by the overwhelming numbers.
The others grew visibly tense upon hearing this. If the Orc Army continued unchecked, it would spell disaster for all races inhabiting the Jura Great Forest.
"So that means... our village is going to be a target sooner or later, right?"
Rimuru's voice had turned grim.
"Let's go over the Orc Army's projected route of advance. Rimuru, you'll likely be facing a large-scale battle this time," Granstar said, casting a serious look at his companion.
Rimuru nodded solemnly. "Got it. I'll leave the planning to you, Granstar."
But Granstar was already thinking ahead—about how to evolve Rimuru's [Predator] skill into [Gluttony].
The advanced form, [Starving One], could devour everything in the surrounding area. When merged with [Predator], it would trigger a powerful evolution into [Gluttony].
"Yes, my Lords."
Souei resumed his report.
"The Orc Tribe's main forces are marching north along the Great River. Based on the movements of their main and secondary troops, their current convergence point appears to be in Lake Siss."
Granstar studied the position marked on the map.
"In other words, their target this time is the area governed by the Lizardmen?"
"Yes," came the reply.
"In that case, we may have to make our stand at the Lizardmen tribe's location. But that hinges on us forming an alliance with them first."
"It's best if we meet their chieftain in person... Don't engage in a decisive battle prematurely. Hold out until we arrive. Otherwise, if the Orc Army devours the Lizardmen forces, they'll become even harder to deal with..."
Granstar turned to Souei again—this capable subordinate of his.
"Souei, I'm afraid I'll need to trouble you with heading to the Lizardmen tribe once more."
"Your subordinate will not hesitate!" Souei responded firmly.
Just as he finished speaking, his body visibly froze. He glanced up at Lord Granstar, then at Lord Rimuru, who sat beside him, a look of surprise crossing his face.
Granstar immediately noticed the shift in Souei's demeanor.
"Souei?"
Souei quickly regained his composure.
"Lord Granstar, someone just contacted the clone I left in the forest for reconnaissance. She also requested to meet with both Lord Rimuru and yourself."
"She wants to see me and Rimuru?"
Granstar raised an eyebrow, silently pondering who it could be—especially choosing such a moment to appear.
"Who is it? If it's another weirdo like Gabiru, I'd rather not waste my time," he muttered.
Rimuru glanced over, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Well, she's quite a rare visitor. She insisted on meeting Lord Granstar in person, no matter what."
"Hm?" Rimuru tilted his head in confusion, then looked toward Granstar.
Granstar, equally puzzled, exchanged a glance with Rimuru.
"Do you know her?" Rimuru finally broke the silence.
"I don't," Granstar replied, shaking his head slightly to indicate he had no idea who the person could be.
At that moment, Souei added,
"My Lords, based on my observation, she appears to be... a Dryad."
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