"A tree dryad, is it? Like those tree spirit big sisters that show up in games?"
Rimuru's interest was immediately piqued upon hearing that a tree dryad had come to visit.
"Sure, let her in!" he said without hesitation.
Granstar already had a good idea who it was, but upon seeing Rimuru's eager expression, he muttered to himself,
"What kind of game is he even talking about? I've never played anything like that..."
(Alas, unlike Japan where such games are openly made, they're pretty rare in reality. Strict regulations and all... those who get it, get it. (˵ ¯ ͒ ♦ ¯ ͒ ˵ ))
The others in the room wore surprised expressions.
"If I remember right, didn't Tree Dryad-sama last appear... decades ago?"
Rigurd, standing nearby, rose in shock.
Just then, a green leaf drifted in from outside, carried by no wind. It circled around Granstar playfully before fluttering down onto the conference table.
As it landed, a faint green glow shimmered. The leaf sprouted into a small sapling adorned with a few floating leaves—and from it, a barefoot maiden with long, flowing green hair and a light green dress emerged gracefully.
She gently floated down to the floor and bowed to everyone.
"I apologize for the sudden visit. I am Treyni, a dryad of the forest. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Treyni's emerald eyes immediately settled on Granstar, watching him curiously.
Rimuru glanced between the two of them in confusion. First Granstar, then Treyni.
{Granstar, didn't you say you didn't know her? Then why is Treyni-san staring at you like that? Fess up—how many ladies have you secretly wooed?}
Rimuru's telepathic message echoed in Granstar's mind.
Granstar's already strained expression darkened further.
{Don't pin this on me, Rimuru! I'm pure, I swear!}
{Yeah, sure you are. And I'm the Demon Lord of Honesty.}
Rimuru just turned away, clearly unconvinced.
"Ahem... Miss Treyni, may I ask what brings you to Rimuru and me today?"
Seeing Rimuru's uncooperative attitude, Granstar coughed and tried to steer the conversation forward.
"Oh! I was terribly rude just now," Treyni said, suddenly realizing how intently she'd been staring. Her cheeks flushed a light pink.
The others exchanged knowing glances and gave Granstar amused looks.
Something's going on here... As expected of Granstar-sama.
Goosebumps prickled along Granstar's skin under their teasing stares.
Treyni, could you not blush like a teapot about to whistle? You're making this even harder to explain...
"I've come here for two reasons," Treyni began, regaining her composure.
"The first is to request that your leader—the one who governs the monsters—subjugate the Orc Lord."
"And the second... is to thank Granstar-sama."
All eyes turned to Granstar again, this time in surprise.
The Tree Dryad-sama had come to thank him personally?
Even Rimuru looked intrigued.
"Miss Treyni, we've already decided to deal with the Orc Lord, so don't worry. But... what exactly are you thanking this guy for? Mind explaining?"
Relieved at Rimuru's words, Treyni smiled.
"I speak for the entire Dryad race when I thank Rimuru-sama."
"As for Granstar-sama, the thanks are more personal…"
As Treyni explained, the others began to understand.
It turned out that Granstar had often roamed the forest, hunting powerful and malicious monsters—duties that technically belonged to the forest's protectors.
Once, a particularly dangerous creature had threatened a dryad's life. Granstar had intervened just in time, slaying the beast and saving her.
That dryad had been Treyni's kin.
Ever since that day, Treyni had started to notice a strong, wandering elf appearing in the forest. She'd quietly observed him from afar...
Granstar finally remembered.
He had rescued a young girl in the forest once. At the time, he didn't realize she was a tree dryad. He simply killed the monster, gathered the materials, and left without a second thought.
...
Jura Forest
Located in the northern region, Jura Forest is a land of intricate rivers and flourishing aquatic plants. Among its many areas, this region Lake Siss boasts the most fertile terrain, thanks to its expansive wetlands. Naturally, this abundance has also led to plentiful fish and game, making it an ideal habitat for the Lizardman tribe, who have long made this place their home.
Inside the underground palace, an urgent voice echoed sharply through the halls.
"Report! Chief! The Orc army is advancing toward our territory—and they're fully armed!"
The elderly Lizardman chief, seated upon his throne, immediately grew tense.
"Mere Orcs? How dare they! And where would they acquire such equipment?"
He leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
"Do we have any information on their numbers?"
The scout, visibly shaken, swallowed hard before replying.
"Chief... their forces number two hundred thousand!"
The chief's eyes went wide in disbelief. He rose sharply from his throne, glaring at the scout.
"What did you say? Repeat that!"
The scout, voice trembling, confirmed again,
"We've sent multiple scouts. We lost several of them... but the reports are consistent: 200,000 Orcs."
The chief collapsed back into his seat, stunned. The surrounding guards and advisors shared the same look of dread.
"Two hundred thousand Orcs...? That can't be... That's impossible!"
The Lizardman tribe, though proud and resilient, numbered fewer than ten thousand soldiers in total. The disparity was overwhelming—twenty to one.
A heavy silence fell over the chamber. After a long pause, the chief muttered to himself, drawing from years of experience.
"Could it be... that an Orc Lord has emerged?"
If so, they stood no chance. An Orc Lord would unify the hordes, granting them strength and intelligence beyond the norm. Their tribe's only options would be to flee—or fight to the last.
At that moment—
"Halt! Who goes there?!"
A shout rang out from the guards posted outside the palace. But it was quickly followed by silence, as if the very air had frozen.
Glare... Glare...
Footsteps echoed ominously. A Kijin with short, dark blue hair and a pristine white horn strode confidently into the hall, unimpeded by the paralyzed guards.
"Protect the chief!" one of the guards cried, forming a defensive ring.
The chief, however, raised a hand, stopping them. His gaze was fixed on the newcomer, sensing the immense magic radiating from him.
"Who are you?" he asked, voice low but composed.
The Kijin spoke coolly.
"My master has sent me to propose an alliance with the Lizardman tribe."
The chief's brow furrowed.
"Your master? An alliance?"
He studied the Kijin carefully. This one had walked through the guarded palace as if it were nothing. For such power to serve under someone else... just how powerful must their leader be?
After a long pause, the chief spoke again.
"Very well. Let us discuss this alliance between our tribes..."
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