Mikaeru began by getting right to the point. "So, my brother and I have been working on a project. We were given leadership over a goblin village in the Jura Forest. However, manpower and resources aren't exactly plentiful there, so we came here to hire some new workers. You can probably already guess who we got for that, but we still lack actual resources. That much is what I am asking of you."
"You have quite the tone of voice." Gazel said about his lack of respectful language. He didn't seem bothered by it though, he knew someone that was way harder to speak to, so he calmly explained, "You said you wanted repeated aid, correct? That is a very demanding request coming from a simple village. Especially one that is only offering a promise of repayment."
The slime could see where he was coming from. In this negotiation, the only one that knew how good the deal was for Dwargon was ultimately just him. He was betting using the leverage of a country that was still about a little over a month or so away from being set up. So, to fix that, he would rely on something more tangible. Using materials in his [Stomach], Mikaeru made a few sheets of paper and handed them to the dwarf. "I cannot guarantee success in the path I have claimed to be on the road to achieving. So, instead I will give you something more tangible. I offered you priority trade for developments made by my village, right? Here are a few blueprints for promised developments."
Gazel took hold of the papers and read them. About a minute passed before he said, "I see." Mikaeru could see the gears turning in his head, "With Kaijin at the village, this is likely not an empty promise."
What Mikaeru had handed Gazel were blueprints for magical technology developments Rimuru had described back in the original story. For example, magical stone powered faucets that could give hot or cold water on command. Gazel was too honorable a man to steal these blueprints once given a chance to look at them, so it was safe to let him see them, and even then, he didn't give a full sketch and description, censoring out crucial points of information.
"These creations will require material. Hence why you have chosen to ask us." He put a hand to his chin, "How shrewd. You ask us to give you material for free, only to sell what you create with them back to us."
"Well, that much can be negotiated. Given our lack of cash flow, we won't be able to pay for the first trade. Once we get some money, I'm open to negotiating a price for future shipments." That in itself was beneficial to Tempest as well, seeing as that would mean the third shipment would become a recognized trade between nations rather than the secretive deal it was now. It would only help in solidifying Tempest's place.
"That does still leave us with an issue." He looked at the slime, "How do you plan on transporting goods between Dwargon and your village?"
"You don't have to worry about that." Mikaeru said, "We already have an answer to that."
"Is that so? Would you care to explain?"
"That much is a trade secret. Just know we have an efficient method of transportation and carrying." Tempest wolves with hobgoblin riders would have no issues moving cargo. It was still too early in the timeline for large shipments to be necessary. Wolves would suffice for a time until other methods were made.
Gazel made no effort to ask further. "Very well." He looked at the slime with a serious gaze, "I cannot say I trust your promise will yield results, slime, so while I shall agree to your terms, I will expect results. If you do not provide, you can consider this investment canceled by the time the second aid package is scheduled."
"I understand." Mikaeru replied. That much was obvious. Although it wouldn't be a big hit to a nation as wealthy as Dwargon, this was still a potential loss.
Gazel crossed his arms, "Now, while I still plan to discuss the details of what we are to send, I have a pressing question I wish to ask. Byakuya Araki. How are you aware that I have a past with him?"
Mikaeru internally sighed. Well, he knew because of the original story but of course he couldn't say that here. So, he said, "I know you use the Hazy Style. I looked into you when we first arrived. The sword style you use in combat is recorded. Byakuya didn't tell me much, but I do know he's the originator of it." He added, "The Hazy Style is exclusive to two locations. The Jura Forest Ogre Tribe and the Eastern Empire, where one of Byakuya's successors currently resides. It's not hard to guess which of the two you got training from seeing as Dwargon and the Eastern Empire aren't exactly buddy buddy." Gazel looked at the slime.
"I see. That is an impressive deduction."
"Well, let's just say I'm a smart cookie." He moved along, "So, about the details of the deal. How about we begin with what materials I'm asking for." The slime and the king relaxed themselves. This part of the negotiation would be the longest by far.
As this happened in Dwargon, back in the forest, the sounds of panicked screaming was heard. "Aaaah! Why does this happen to me!?" Eren yelled out as she frantically ran from a swarm of giant ants.
"You!? What about us!?" Yelled Gido.
"Sh-shut up!" Yelled Kaval. "This isn't the time for arguing! Just keep running! Wait, where's Shizu!?"
The three comically looked around. Where was she? She was with them a moment prior. "Inferno flame!"
"Eh?" All three exclaimed as a massive torrent of fire shot at them. "Eh!?" They all jumped out of the way as the blast shot straight into the oncoming, incinerating all of them instantly. As the fire coalesced in one spot at the end of the spell's range, it exploded, creating a massive heat wave that shot past the trio and resulted in an explosion so high that it could probably be seen for several kilometers. "Hehe-he-he." The trio could only laugh nervously upon seeing the massive inferno.
Shizu landed next to them with a tap before scratching at her head nervously, "Sorry if that scared you but the spell needed to be big to get rid of all of them." She was way too casual about that!
"How about you warn us next time!" Yelled Eren.
"I thought I was seriously about to die!" Said Gido.
"At least it got rid of them!" Exclaimed Kaval.
Shizu turned away from them, "It looks like they noticed. This might get messy if it goes wrong."
"What do you…" before Kaval could finish asking, he froze as the feeling of cold steel appeared on his neck. "Eek!" Not only him but the other two made a similar noise as a monstrous presence appeared.
These were, "Kijin?" Eren said with dread.
Kijin, the evolved form of ogres, were some of the most powerful non-spiritual monsters in the world. So strong that some remote tribes of humans worshipped them as deities. With such monsters pointing a sword at them, one movement would spell death to them.
They looked at Shizu. She didn't seem phased, and to top it off, they weren't pointing a sword at her. "Please, don't harm them. They're my friends."
The kijin turned to look at the girl before, as if heeding her request, they sheathed their blades and jumped back into the forest. The three collapsed onto the floor in cold sweat. "W-what was all that about!?"
"We're in the ogre tribe's territory." Shizu said, "They were defending themselves." She turned to look at them. "Do you…want to take a short break?"
The three looked confused. Her voice turned almost shy for a second. "Yeah, let's do that."
As the group sat down under some trees, Eren looked at the mysterious girl they had been sent with. "Hey Shizu, when those monsters came out. They didn't attack you. Is there…a reason why?"
Shizu perked up, "Oh, well. I have a…relationship with them. Sorry, but I can't tell you any more."
"Relationship, huh?" Eren couldn't help but think there was more to it than that, but didn't pry. It wasn't like she was one to talk here about secrets.
"How close are we to the cave?" Kaval said, entering the talk between the two girls. That would be their first expedition. Investigate the cave. They were free to go back if they wanted from there. Although Shizu had told them that she was going to stay a bit longer. She had some business to attend to in the forest outside of that, although she did not tell them exactly what.
"We are a 5 hour walk away from it. We should arrive before sunset if nothing goes wrong again."
"Sorry about that." Gido said from nearby.
Eren pouted, "What made you think it was a good idea to look straight down a giant ant hill!?"
"Sorry! I was just curious!" Gido yelled out!
The talk devolved into a stupid little lighthearted argument. Shizu felt a small smile appear on her face as she watched. They were really good friends.
Mikaeru jumped out of the arms of the royal guard that sent him back to Kaijin's shop. "Thanks!"
The guard nodded before vanishing. "Those guys are real professionals. I should get some of those."
Souei was probably still an option if they managed to get the ogre tribe to agree to be part of Tempest. That much he would have to figure out later. Jumping down and in, he was greeted by Rimuru as he asked, "Hey, Mikaeru. Who was that?"
"Oh, you actually sensed them this time?"
This was the first time he successfully spotted someone that was concealing their presence. "Well, I've been more on guard since Kaijin and you told me about them. They were one of those secret guards, right?"
"Yeah." Mikaeru jumped on one of the tables. "I was going to tell you anyway so I think it's about time I just get it out of the way. Back at the trial I used one of my skills to have a private talk with the king."
"What!?" Rimuru exclaimed, "Why!?"
"Well, Kaijin and the brothers are going to be a big boom for our development but that doesn't mean they'll be able to fix everything. We're lacking in raw materials. Seeing as the king was right there, I figured it would be worth it to get some negotiations with him started."
Kaijin put the tools he was holding in his luggage. "I see. I'm assuming things went well? King Gazel isn't one to personally summon someone inept."
"You seem really calm about this, Kaijin."
"Well, coming from someone who knows the king personally, he's a lot easier to talk to than he looks. He's not the kind of king to execute you over some small disrespect." Kaijin explained with a smirk.
"I see." Mikaeru turned back to Rimuru, "Anyways, I got him to agree to secretly send some material aid to us once a month. I'll handle the repayments by the way, so you won't have to deal with that either."
"Really!?" Rimuru yelled in disbelief. "But, weren't we exiled? How did you get him to agree?"
"Please, this is politics, Rimuru! Do you think being a public criminal is enough to get a king to not talk to you!? Heh, you're too naive!" His voice deepened, "As long as this deal isn't made public, there's no real reason for Gazel to say no just because of that. I can't say it's a very stable deal for now, but it's there." He looked at Kaijin, "By the way, Gazel also told me to send you my regards. He expects great things from you, even now that you serve us instead."
Kaijin's fist tightened, "Oh, I see. Thank you."
Mikaeru nodded along. "So, we're leaving tomorrow, right?" Rimuru confirmed. "Got it."
The day passed as Mikaeru visited the library one more time to look into the world's altered history. Then, as they made their way out, they heard something.
"Wait for meeeeee!" Everyone turned around to look at Gobta running after them on a wolf.
Oh shit, they had left him again. "That doesn't look good." Mikaeru said as guards ran after the hobgoblin.
"We should run!" Rimuru yelled as he summoned Ranga. Mikaeru was just as fast with Ranryo.
"Jump on!" He exclaimed as Kaijin and the three dwarf brothers hopped onto either wolf. "Let's go!"
By the time they made it to the edge of the forest, the hobgoblins they traveled with were already on the wolves. Before long, they had all escaped into the forest with the new Dwargon fugitive Gobta.
The trip back to the village turned out to be quite a casual ride with nothing really going wrong. They took the time to introduce Kaijin and the brothers to Rigurt, seeing as he was the son of the hobgoblin chief, but that ended up being all they did for a few days.
Then, when they made it back, Mikaeru took note of the presence of a few people he couldn't help but raise a nonexistent brow at. Eren's party and…Shizue?
This was interesting. This was still about a month and a half early for Shizue to enter the forest. Entering the village and jumping off the wolves, Rigurd was the first to arrive. "My lords! You're finally back!"
"Have things been going well?" Asked Rimuru.
"Oh course, Lord Rimuru! I have put my utmost effort into fulfilling my role!" From behind, Mikaeru watched as the four "humans" made their way over.
"So, who are they?" Asked Mikaeru.
"A group of humans wandered into the village a day ago. We decided to provide them shelter."
"I see." Mikaeru looked at them. Something's off.
{Notice- Analysis of subject Shizue Izawa has been completed. Species confirmed. Complete Demonoid, Fire Spirit/Human Hybrid.
Warning- Subject has been detected as a Demon Seed}
Mikaeru froze for a moment. What did [Great Sage] just say? Mikaeru's mind went into overdrive for a moment as he processed this…I see. Mikaeru watched as Rimuru greeted them. This would be interesting.
It seemed this world was full of strange surprises.