Rimuru had been more or less pushed into the orc lord–slaying role by Shion, but that didn't mark the end of the conference. We kept going, while Treyni joined us for the rest.
On the map, in the marshland area, was a wooden board with LIZARDMEN written on it. Behind it, another one marked GOBLINS . In front of it was the spot where the two different orc contingents were going to cross paths. Putting it all down on the map like this made the sheer size of the orc force stark in our minds, but my eyes were turned elsewhere.
"You know," I said, "if I not reading the situation wrongly that idiot from before will stage an attack on the lizardman HQ right now, and he'd seize it pretty quick, wouldn't he?"
"I also had the same thought." replied Rimuru
Indeed. Gabil, the so-called lizardman envoy. If he decided to raid the lizardmen's home turf while their main force was busy tangling with the orcs, he'd be greeted with only skeletal resistance. The caverns would be his in the blink of an eye. And the goblin forces were already in perfect position for it.
"You're sure these are the right positions, Soei?" asked rimuru
"I am, sir," Soei said. "The goblins are encamped in the plains by the foot of the mountain range. If they deploy their forces from there, they will do so right in the spot indicated."
We trusted him at his word—but why were they just sitting around there instead of joining up with the other lizardmen? That was the thing.
Hakuro added "I think you may have a point. If the main lizardman force is deployed directly in front of them, it would be easiest to try to strike from the rear. But the orcs clearly don't have the time to try to circle behind them, and even if they attempted such folly, they could easily be attacked and routed from both sides while their lines are stretched thin. There is no reason to keep an army here."
"But what would the point be?" Benimaru countered. "Even if the goblins defeated the lizardmen, all they'd have waiting for them is death at the hands of the orc onrush."
"Perhaps. But Gabil seemed to style himself as a leader. He may want to seize the position of chief for himself."
"It is possible. And really, I see no other reason for him to position his forces here."
Gabil was certainly overconfident. Dreaming big. But was he really that brazen?
"If that's the case," I said, "then that's all the more reason why we can't team up with him."
Nobody offered any disagreement.
"Do you believe Gabil may be rebelling against his own people?" Treyni asked.
"Yeah, it looks possible, the way this map is showing it. He offered to have us join his army, but I don't think that's such a good idea anymore." replied rimuru.
"…I see. Perhaps there is someone compelling him to do this. I will investigate."
Since she'd cover Gabil, we have to decide how to deal with the other Lizardmen.
"I would very much like to forge an alliance with the lizardmen," Hakuro said. "By ourselves, our numbers are too low. I would hate to leave them alone and defenseless, besides."
Nods around the table. Nobody seemed to have any concerns about that.
"But whether we have an alliance or not, we're never gonna outnumber the orcs," Rimuru countered. "You sure they wouldn't just treat the offer like an insult?"
The hobgoblins seemed to view that as a problem. The Kijins laughed them off. "Sir Rimuru, you worry far too much!" Hakuro commented. "Each one of us is as powerful as an entire army. I highly doubt they would look down upon the likes of us!"
Now that he words it like that, it is indeed foolish to offend strong people for no reason.
"I will go and negotiate with them myself," Soei said. "Is it all right if I speak with the lizardman chief on your behalf, Sir Rimuru?"
He certainly seemed confident. In the end Rimuru delegated this task to him.
The map had just told us to expect a clash between orcs and lizardmen before long. Assuming that was true, we had more time to save this town than I first thought. Having a general idea of the near future helped everyone else calm down a bit, too. and so Rimuru concluded.
"Right. So we're gonna take two different tacks. I'll lead an advance force over to the lizardmen, and we'll bash up the orcs together. We'll try to win the battle, but if it starts looking bleak, that's when we'll go to Plan B—where, basically, we abandon the town, regroup where the treants are, and focus on defending them. We'll probably need to call upon human aid if it comes to that, so I'll contact Kabal the adventurer and have them help us rub out the orc lord. He's just as much of a threat to them as he is to us, so I'm sure they'll step up to help. Of course, this is all dependent on forming an alliance with the lizardmen. You're gonna be key to that, Soei. Make it happen."
"Yes, my lord!"
Soei nodded, accepting the responsibility.
"Right! In that case, feel free to talk to the lizardman chief whenever you can. Just make sure we're both equal partners in this alliance. Nobody's serving anyone else!"
"I understand," he said, then promptly disappeared, as if fading into the shadows. He works fast, doesn't he?
"Good. Now, if Soei messes up his job, we'll jump right to Plan B. I want all of you to be prepared for that, should it come to it." announced Rimuru.
The rest of the room nodded in agreement.
"Thank you all for accepting my sudden request," Treyni said, bowing low. "I will do my best to ensure this relationship is beneficial to us both."
"Oh, no, uh, same to you," Rimuru stammered.
She smiled a little in reply, perhaps finding his hesitation cute or something. "We will meet again, then, Leader of the Monsters—or Sir Rimuru, I should say." Then she was gone, casting her own magic to return home.
"By the way, Sir Rimuru, have you any interest in contacting Gabil again?"
"Hmm… Good question, Hakuro. I think I'd like to save that for Plan B, when we get to seeking human support… Hmm, but the kingdoms are gonna need time to mobilize their forces when push comes to shove, huh? You think maybe we could just tell them there's an orc lord out there for the time being?"
"It sounds like a good idea, my lord. I will leak word to the kobold merchants. They will spread it well enough after that."
"Thanks."
And that concluded the end of the conference, everyone was moving around preparing for the fight with Rigurd the apparent Goblin King running around all day like a chicken with its head cut off. Things were starting to happen.
An orc lord, though, huh? Sounded pretty tricky. Stealing people's skills sounded awfully unfair, Rimuru had been sweet-talked into confronting him but if he has trouble dealing with him I will help.
I haven't gone full power in a fight for sometime now, sadly due to the war preparations the research on my sword will be temporarily halted as the blacksmiths will be busy with making weapons for everyone. looks like I have to join the battle unarmed like the old days when I couldn't awaken a Zanpakutō spirit. if I didnt get involved in Aizen's experiment I wouldn't have awakened one until now.