"Oh no!!! How could you, A Chen, you actually…"
Rimuru-san was on the verge of tears, looking at Zhong Chen, who was across from him, looking disgusted and saying, "Don't bother me with such troublesome things."
But seeing the expectant gazes of everyone present, especially Rigurd's expression that seemed to say, "If you don't agree, I'll commit seppuku in a minute," Rimuru-san could only reluctantly accept.
With a face about to cry, Rimuru-san said, "I'll do it, I'll just do it! ╥﹏╥"
"That's great! I knew Lord Rimuru would agree!"
"Hmph! Of course! This is Lord Zhong Chen's best friend, Lord Rimuru!"
"With Rimuru-san as the ruler, the Great Jura Forest will surely experience long-lasting peace!"
Seeing Rimuru-san agree, everyone present exclaimed excitedly.
Especially the monsters, who, upon realizing that the one they pledged loyalty to was about to become the ruler of the Great Jura Forest, all expressed that their chosen master was extraordinary and their judgment was truly excellent.
"Since Lord Rimuru has agreed, shall we begin discussing how to subjugate the Orc Lord?" Toreini, standing on the table, asked with a smile after everyone had slowly calmed down.
"Yes, that… Miss Toreini, why don't you come down from the table first? Shion, please get a chair for Miss Toreini!"
"Yes, Lord Rimuru!"
Watching Shion go to get a chair, Toreini placed her right hand on her chest and bowed slightly, saying, "Hehe! Then I'll trouble Lord Rimuru!"
As Toreini sat down among everyone with a cup of black tea, Rimuru-san continued, "The Orcs are attacking the Lizardmen's territory this time, which is still some distance from us. What are everyone's thoughts?"
Hearing Rimuru-san's question, everyone present started discussing animatedly. Shuna suddenly thought of something and asked Souei, "Souei, did you investigate our village?"
Souei responded expressionlessly, "Yes."
Hearing Souei's answer, Shuna continued with a look of disappointment, "It seems there really wasn't anything!"
Hearing Shuna's words, Souei said with a slightly serious expression, "Yes, not a single body of our kin, nor of the Orcs!"
Rimuru-san, not understanding what they were talking about, asked curiously, "What do you mean?"
Souei, with a serious face, uttered two words: "Bodies!"
Benimaru, sitting next to Souei, also spoke at this moment, "I've been wondering how a 200,000-strong army would manage their food supplies…"
Rimuru-san seemed to understand something and said, "It couldn't be…"
Just then, Toreini said with a serious expression, "Unique Skill: Starved."
"Starved?"
"This is a skill that the Orc Lord, a calamitous monster that brings chaos to the world, possesses upon birth. It affects all creatures under the Orc Lord's dominion, devouring everything around them like locusts."
"It gains the power and abilities of whatever it devours, making them its own! It's very similar to your Predator!"
At this point, Toreini glanced at Rimuru-san meaningfully before continuing, "The price of Starved is an insatiable hunger. The Orcs will…"
As Toreini narrated, everyone gradually understood the terrifying nature of the Orc Lord.
After listening to Toreini's explanation, Rimuru-san stretched in front of everyone.
After attracting everyone's attention, he reached for a potato chip on the table, shook it, and said to everyone with a smile, "Storm Fang Wolf, Ogre, large Goblin, members of the Demon Slayer Corps, regardless of the taste."
"All of you, as bait, possess the power they desire!"
Benimaru, sitting nearby, said with a slight smile, "You haven't forgotten the bait they desire most, have you?"
Rimuru-san, who was about to put the potato chip into his mouth, looked at Benimaru in confusion. Benimaru continued, "It's right here! The strongest Slime and the strongest human!"
Rimuru-san then ate the potato chip in one bite and nonchalantly joked, "Where is it?"
Zhong Chen smiled without speaking. Toreini also continued, "Moreover, with the birth of the Orc Lord as an opportunity, I have confirmed the existence of a Demon Lord and believe you wouldn't ignore him!"
Rimuru-san placed his right hand on his chin in thought and muttered, "A Demon Lord?"
Just then, Zhong Chen, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Rimuru-san! There's no need to think so much. Don't worry about a Demon Lord or anything. Just do what you want to do."
"Don't worry! I've got your back on everything! Let alone a mere Demon Lord, even if a Demon King comes, I can scatter his ashes!"
Listening to Zhong Chen's arrogant words, Rimuru-san immediately felt incredibly at ease, as if with A Chen present, there was nothing to worry about.
Everyone present was also shocked by Zhong Chen's statement. They had always known Zhong Chen was strong, but they never knew how strong until today, when they finally got a glimpse of his power.
"Hehe! As expected of Lord Zhong Chen. It seems we made the right choice to follow you to this world!" Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had been watching everyone speak without interjecting, said to Zhong Chen with a smile.
"A Chen's words are truly arrogant, but I like them!" Kanae Kocho said, then winked at Zhong Chen.
"As expected of Lord Zhong Chen, with you here, we fear nothing!!!"
"Lord Zhong Chen is invincible!" Gobuta shouted excitedly.
In fact, although Zhong Chen and Rimuru-san had always been the leaders, everyone actually respected Zhong Chen more.
Although everyone knew that Zhong Chen had a very good temper and wouldn't mind even jokes, due to Zhong Chen's immense strength, everyone subconsciously treated him as an absolute powerhouse.
As for Rimuru-san, everyone loved her more than they respected her, because Rimuru-san usually acted like a pure and cute little girl.
Everyone subconsciously overlooked the fact that Rimuru-san also possessed great strength, and they treated her more as a group favorite.
As for being a leader? Everyone in the town knew that Zhong Chen and Rimuru-san were famously the "idle duo." General affairs were usually handled by Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Rigurd.
The Garrison had always been handled by Kanae Kocho.
Zhong Chen and Rimuru-san only appeared for major events. Otherwise, they were either hiding from Sakuya everywhere or had run off to play somewhere.
"Alright, alright! If you praise me any more, I'll get embarrassed!"
Zhong Chen, flattered by everyone, finally couldn't take it anymore and stopped them with a slightly red face.
"Hmm, let's get back to the main topic. Since we know the danger of the Orc Lord, we must prepare for it!"
"This time, since you, A Chen, are not taking action, you will stay and guard the home!"
"As for the rest, I plan to…"