"Lord Rimuru! Lord Takumi, be careful!"
Tomioka Giyuu and Uzui Tengen reacted instantly, stepping in front of Rimuru. Their bodies lowered, hands on their swords.
At the same time—
Swish!
In a blur of silver, Sakuya appeared in front of Takumi, one hand raised, throwing knife poised to strike.
A soft breeze brushed against their skin.
Green leaves spiraled gently around the room.
A calm, graceful voice followed.
"You who command many monsters and visitors from afar, please forgive my sudden intrusion. I am the Dryad, Treyni. It is an honor to meet you."
She bowed elegantly, hand over her heart, her green hair fluttering like a living curtain of forest light.
"Rimuru Tempest, the one who leads monsters—I wish to entrust you with the subjugation of the Orc Lord."
She turned and bowed even deeper toward Takumi.
"And this must be Lord Takumi. I sincerely request your assistance as well."
Her eyes held a mixture of reverence and fear—she felt the weight of Takumi's existence. A Herrscher's aura, even suppressed, resonated like a divine storm.
Eye of Identification – Treyni
Takumi invoked his identification skill.
Treyni
Loyalty: 0
Affection: 92
Abilities: Forest Prayer, Scattered Dancing Leaves, Atmospheric Compression Rupture, Contract Spirit
Comprehensive Rank: S-Class
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? With strength like yours, why not subjugate the Orc Lord yourself? An S-rank like you should be able to defeat him easily."
Treyni lowered her gaze.
"This is because we Dryads, as guardians of the Great Jura Forest, cannot act freely. The Orcs, too, are part of the forest. And… even with our strength, we cannot manage an army of two hundred thousand."
She paused.
Then smiled knowingly.
"Therefore, I took the liberty of visiting you."
Takumi smirked.
Half-truths.
He knew very well she wanted Rimuru to become the symbolic ruler of the forest—just like in the original timeline.
But he didn't call her out.
Instead, he asked casually:
"So, if we accept the request… what's the reward?"
Treyni blinked.
"Oh my. It seems Lord Takumi intends to accept it?"
Takumi didn't reply.
He turned to Rimuru.
"Rimuru. Your decision."
Rimuru paused.
She looked at Benimaru, Shuna, Hakurou, Rigurd, Souei—and the Demon Slayer Corps members watching her expectantly.
Their trust.
Their hope.
Their belief.
Rimuru inhaled.
"I accept this request."
She turned to Takumi.
"But this time, Takumi, I don't want you to interfere. We can't always rely on you. We have to grow stronger—for ourselves, and for our home."
The room fell silent.
Then—
Clap.
Takumi applauded softly.
Then louder.
Soon the entire room erupted into thunderous applause.
"Lord Rimuru! Allow us to lead the charge!" Rigurd declared passionately.
"We owe you everything—our lives are yours!" Benimaru added.
Hakurou chuckled.
"My sword remains sharp. Let it serve you."
"Our forces have been itching for a real battle!" cried several Garrison captains.
Uzui Tengen cracked his knuckles.
"A flashy war is what we need."
Sakuya bowed.
"I will accompany Lord Rimuru."
Rimuru's eyes gleamed.
"Then, I'll leave it to all of you!"
"Yes, Lord Rimuru!"
Takumi smiled.
This—this was what he wanted.
Not dependence.
Not blind trust.
But growth.
The Reward of the Forest
Treyni bowed.
"Then let us speak of the reward. I offer to Lord Rimuru—dominion over the entirety of the Great Jura Forest."
Gasps echoed through the room.
"What!?"
"Dominion over the entire forest!?"
"That's the same as ruling an empire!"
Takumi whistled.
Straightforward as always, Treyni.
Rimuru blinked rapidly.
"Eh? Dominion? What does that even mean?"
Shuna stepped closer and whispered into Rimuru's ear.
"It means the whole forest becomes your territory—all monsters must obey you."
"Eh!? All of it!?" Rimuru panicked. "Takumi! You can have it! I don't want to be a ruler!"
Takumi waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh no, I'm an honorable member of the Dimensional City's duo of slackers. A ruler's job isn't for me."
Rimuru's jaw dropped.
"Takumi!! Don't abandon me!"
Takumi leaned back in his chair, smirking.
"You accepted the request, Rimuru. Not me. Handle it yourself."
Rimuru deflated.
"Takumiiiiii!"
Treyni giggled softly.
"My, my… Lord Rimuru will make a splendid ruler. The forest itself acknowledges your right."
Takumi pointed at Rimuru.
"Well. There you have it. You're the new ruler."
The room erupted into cheers.
"Lord Rimuru!"
"All hail the future ruler of the Great Jura Forest!"
Rimuru spun in circles.
"Noooooo! I didn't ask for this!!"
Takumi simply laughed.
"Welcome to responsibility."
The War Preparation Begins
Takumi stood, golden fractal lines glowing faintly in his eyes.
"Alright. Dominion settled. Now—war."
The Civilization System activated.
[New City Quest: Operation Forest Reclamation]
Objective: Subjugate the Orc Lord
Reward: Territory Expansion, Unique Technology Unlock, Civilization System Upgrade
Takumi addressed the room.
"This will be Rimuru's first large-scale military operation. Support him, but let him lead."
Benimaru saluted.
"Yes, Lord Takumi!"
Treyni bowed deeply.
"I entrust the entire Great Jura Forest to you… Rimuru Tempest."
Rimuru gulped.
Takumi laughed and patted her shoulder.
"You'll be fine."
He turned.
"Let's go prepare. The Orc Disaster won't defeat itself."
Outside, the wind rustled the leaves.
War was coming.
But so was the birth of a ruler.