Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken

There were adventurers preparing to investigate the forest.

They were B-rank adventurers Cabal, Ellen, and Gido.

With monster activity worsening, even the merchants have avoided entering.

With protection fees rising, the trip would no longer be profitable.

Thus, to cross the forest, one would have to proceed on foot.

And in the first place, as no carriage could approach the "Cave of the Seal", any trip would inevitably continue on foot.

When they had finished some preparation and were about to set off, a single person called out to them.

ŒPardon me. If you are heading towards the forest, could I not perhaps accompany you half way?

Was the voice feminine? Masculine? Young? Old? That you couldn't figure out.

Nor could you see the person's expression.

For some reason, that person wore a mask.

An expressionless, but beautiful, mask.

The stranger emitted a suspicious aura... but

ŒShould be fine...?

ŒHey! You! Before the leader " I! " gave permission... seriously, what the hell!

ŒReally... well, now that Nee-san gave her okay, there's no use arguing, is there?

The three accepted the stranger without a second thought.

ŒI am grateful

After saying those three words, the suspicious stranger silently followed the trio.

Thus, Cabal's group of three obtained a new companion, and set off on their investigation.

.

*Tontenkan*

*Tontenkan. Kaaaaan. Kaaaaan. Don!*

The forest was filled with the sound of cutting wood and blacksmith's hammer.

The foundation of a new city is being laid; and new houses are being built.

At first, to lay the plumbing, they had avoided building any houses, and it was but empty land...

For the water way, they redirected the water from the river.

It's under construction, but they plan on constructing a building for water pipe control. There, the water will be purified and distributed to every household.

As for drainage, it will be directed into an underground sewage. As it is made from wood, we decided to preserve it by hardening it in cement.

And, leading away from the city, it will end at a facility where it will be reprocessed into manure.

Furthermore, we temporarily erected a building the size of a Gymnasium on the outskirts.

It serves as temporary lodging are. And as such, it's not made to last.

All in all, the construction proceeds smoothly.

Near the cave, at the seat of honor, I plan on placing my dwelling.

From there, we'll first build the houses of the clan lords, followed by that of the commoners.

As I want to get it right, the initial map was drawn with utmost precision.

Drawing a cross, with large roads running through the city, this plan is best for overseeing the denizens' behavior.

But, it is easier to attack.

(TL long note for the curious mind: what this plan made me think of is of construction of Heian-kyo (modern Kyoto) and Edo (modern Tokyo). I have a feeling that it is those examples that Rimuru is referencing. Kyoto was planned to resemble the Chinese imperial city, and thus constructed square. It had two main roads running through it, leading to the "seat of honor", the imperial palace. Edo, on the other hand, imitated the construction style of castles; and, using rivers, was thus made into a spiral. In terms of defense, while both were well known styles, Edo was considered superior.)

In any case, seems like having the goblins evolve into hobgoblins was the right decision.

They quickly develop superior intellect and memorization.

Also, their constitution and strength improve.

According to the dwarfs, goblins are ranked F, but hobgoblins are monsters deserving a C~D rank.

In any case, I should probably treat them with the same respect as humans.

In short, their rank varies. Equipment and armor, individual class and skill, and other such factors greatly affect the rank.

I mean, individual strength depends on the individual, right?

The four I deigned lords, for example, are stronger than the rest.

And Rigurdo, whom I crowned King...

ŒOh! You have spent your time here! I was looking for you!!

What a monster! Is all I want to say. He's huge and muscular.

Compared to an ogre, he's not just similar, he seems stronger! Or so Kaijin said.

Thus is seems that evolution is affected not just by a name, but also by the class.

Truly, monster's capabilities are wondrous.

Probably should try bestowing a few more titles to test this theory.

ŒWhat's up?

ŒAy! We have captured suspicious individuals, so I came to report.

ŒSuspicious? Of which monster race?

ŒNot monsters, they are humans. As you have commanded, we did not lay our hands on them.

ŒHumans? Why all the way over here?

Humans... huh?

Finally, the opportunity I was waiting for! Have to start on friendly terms.

Well... if they are like those idiot adventurers from before, I'll dispose of them or turn them into monster snacks...

ŒThey were assaulted by a group of giant ants, and were saved by Rigur's defense squad, who then took charge of their protection...

is evidence that they were investigating these lands. How shall we

I see.

on behalf

checked with the dwarfs, but Jura forest

there's a good chance they are investigating the lands on

case, that complicates

decide after meeting

with them. Lead the

decided, I jumped on

Ranga moves around too quickly, moving

no different from walking, but my low eye level bothers

appear dignified, having people look down at you (literally)

it's all

his shoulder, walked

of people are

(which I

You! I

was aiming for

not yield when it comes to

Œ*Mogu mogu*(Munching sound)

heard a

Œ......

To my silent question,

their items were stolen... so

Huh.

nice guy, it

Actually, well done! Treating

I praised his actions.

importantly, they, without consulting me, decided on a course of action they

in itself, is a wonderful thing,

to not cause Rimuru-sama any trouble, we shall further

he's still damn

that conversation, we entered the

the people guarding outside opened

all the eyes fell on

full of meat and

at the sight of me. However, it seems that they aren't aware that their

Hmm? Haven't I...?

trio of

them I

mask... how is he

*Mogu mogu*

at his own

Kuu... I also want

Ah... wouldn't taste

my mind seems to have wondered

let me down at the

better hospitality, please make

so introduced myself, he took the seat

swallowing what they

And,

ŒŒŒWhat? A slime?!

ŒMogu mogu

They're surprised.

to react in the same way... oh

meet you. I am the slime Rimuru. Not

Bu!!!

to my greeting by

the mask, seems

What a rude bunch.

been greatly surprised to see a slime

trio's surprise, but I'd

of

if they were decent

after having

imagined to be

delicious! These days we've been doing nothing but running, never having a decent meal... Truly, thank

your debt. However, to think that hobgoblins were building a village

ŒGohogoho, gusu. Gokugoku.

least

time chewing, we can talk when

that, I waited for them

when they had finished, seems

flustered, but that'll serve as practice for future

outside of my expectations... not

was feeling a little unpleasant, I exited

with their meal, I had them escorted to the tent placed closest to

very

don't sweat it. Just

So I comforted him.

The goblins are growing.

be perfect

tent, I

had his Goblina

compared to what they brought out before, but, unfortunately, I can't taste

even

that they are evolving as a

time was spent on this

While saying

simple tent, so

goblinas that showed them in leave, another set comes to bring them

don't know when, but they've improved greatly in

dwarfs, I

of this place, I am called Rimuru. For

would fall

time to discuss

am Cabal. For now, I am this party's

Ellen, and this is

told you? We are B rank

to meet you,

name. Pleased

I thought, these three are a party,

B rank they are moderately strong, but the cave

then, the

has joined us temporarily for the journey, named

ŒCall me Shizu.

whether the speaker was a man, a

For me, who can tell goblin sexes apart, this is a piece

if

Isn't... she Japanese?

feeling that I