"Ultimately, this incident was caused by the Great Famine. If it were us or other races experiencing the same thing, we would probably make the same decision!"
"Although I don't think you all will fully accept this reason, but…"
Just as Rimuru was about to say more, Benimaru stepped forward and interjected:
"For monsters, there is one unchanging common rule! The strong prey on the weak! You should have been prepared for this when you decided to fight back!"
Benimaru looked at the many racial representatives present and said loudly, while Rimuru, with a hint of surprise, said to Benimaru:
"Your village was also destroyed by the Orcs. Don't you have any grievances?"
Benimaru replied calmly:
"To say none would be too fake. If there's a next time, we will never be defeated so miserably again!"
"But since Lord Rimuru, you said you do not intend to pursue the Orcs' sins, then as your subordinates, we will naturally act according to your will, even if it means abandoning our hatred, we will not hesitate!"
Zhong Chen looked at Benimaru, who was expressing his stance, and couldn't help but think:
"See! That's why Benimaru is the best subordinate. He can abandon the hatred for his destroyed village for his boss. Who wouldn't like such a subordinate!"
"I understand what you mean, Benimaru! Then let's discuss the resettlement of the Orcs!"
"Although the number has decreased significantly, there are still no less than 150,000 Orcs that need to be resettled!"
After much deliberation, Rimuru seemed to have found a solution and said to everyone present:
"It might sound a bit far-fetched, but I hope everyone can cooperate fully!"
"Cooperation?"
"Lord's meaning is?"
Everyone present expressed their confusion at Rimuru's words, and Rimuru continued:
"The Lizardmen provide quality water sources and fish, and we will help the Orcs build housing and provide processed goods. But in return, the Orcs must provide labor."
"All races in the forest will form the Jura Forest Alliance, where all races will benefit from each other and help each other! What do you all think?"
The Orc Lord, the son of the current Pighead Tribe Leader, asked with a surprised look:
"You… you mean… we Orcs… can also join this Grand Alliance?"
Rimuru replied calmly:
"Anyway, you have nowhere to settle! We will prepare your housing, but you must work hard! I won't forgive you if you dare to be lazy!"
Hearing Rimuru's words, the Orcs present all knelt on the ground, shouting with tears in their eyes:
"Yes!"
"We will do our work well, even if it costs us our lives!"
Rimuru looked at the Orcs kneeling and expressing their stance, nodding in satisfaction, then asked Toreini:
"Miss Toreini, do you have any objections?"
Toreini narrowed her eyes slightly and replied with a gentle expression:
"I have no objections. My Treant Tribe, which I protect, is also willing to contribute and provide various fruits from the forest, which should alleviate the Orcs' current hunger."
After speaking, Toreini stood up straight, opened her slightly narrowed eyes, and said to everyone present:
"Then… as the manager of the forest, I… Toreini hereby swear again, acknowledging Lord Rimuru as the new leader of the Great Jura Forest, and establishing the [Jura Forest Alliance] in the name of Rimuru Tempest!"
After speaking, Toreini took the lead in kneeling on one knee, and representatives of various races also knelt on one knee to show their respect.
"Lord Rimuru! Please guide us in the future!"
Looking at the crowd below, Rimuru remembered what she had said before about ruling the Great Jura Forest and could only bite the bullet and say:
"Well… that's pretty much it, everyone! Please take care of me from now on!"
"Yes!"
Zhong Chen looked at the established Jura Forest Alliance and thought, since the Grand Alliance has been formed, is the Monster Country Federation still far away?
...After the meeting, Benimaru, who was walking away, turned back and asked:
"Is something wrong?"
The current Pighead Tribe Leader said in a low voice:
"The strong prey on the weak, it sounds simple, but hatred cannot be easily erased. It was us… who destroyed the Ogre village!"
At this point, the Pighead Tribe Leader knelt on both knees and continued to Benimaru and the others:
"No amount of apology can atone for our sins, and I know it might seem presumptuous to say this, but… can my head be used to repay the blood debt owed!"
After speaking, the Pighead Tribe Leader's body trembled uncontrollably, hoping that his death could earn their forgiveness.
Benimaru looked at the kneeling Pighead Tribe Leader and said solemnly:
"After the war, we proposed that we also wanted to serve under Lord Rimuru and Lord Chen in the future, and Lord arranged positions for us. Shion as secretary, Hakurou as instructor, and Souei as a spy."
"As for me, I was even honored by Lord Chen and Lord Rimuru, bestowing upon me the position of Garrison Commander!"
Zhong Chen: I actually just wanted to get rid of the troublesome position of Commander!
"As the saying goes, one must fulfill one's duties in one's position, so naturally, one cannot arbitrarily dispose of talented individuals!"
After speaking, Benimaru turned and walked outside. The Pighead Tribe Leader looked up in shock at Benimaru's back. Suddenly, Benimaru paused, and without turning back, said faintly:
"If you harbor hostility towards Lord Rimuru, I will not show mercy. But if you join the alliance and respect Lord Rimuru, then you are no longer my enemy!"
Hearing Benimaru's words, the Pighead Tribe Leader quickly said:
"How dare we harbor even a trace of hostility? That Lord is our savior! We can only swear allegiance to the death! It is absolutely impossible to be enemies!"
Hearing the Pighead Tribe Leader's words, Benimaru extended his right hand and waved it, replying:
"Then we are companions serving the same master."
At this point, Benimaru turned his head and said with a slight smile to the kneeling Pighead Tribe Leader:
"As long as you serve Lord Rimuru and Lord Chen with all your heart and soul, that will be the best atonement for us!"
After speaking, Benimaru turned his head and walked straight out.
The Pighead Tribe Leader stood up and bowed deeply to Benimaru and the others who were leaving, and pledged:
"In the name of my father, Starved Krut, we will definitely keep our word!"
Zhong Chen and Rimuru, hiding behind a rock, watched the entire scene. Rimuru couldn't help but exclaim:
"What does it mean to be broad-minded? Just look at Benimaru, and you'll understand. I need to learn from him too!"
"How about it, Rimuru? I told you Benimaru is very suitable to be the person in charge of the general affairs unit!"
"Hmm! A Chen's judgment is indeed never wrong!"
"Hahaha! That's right, I am that excellent!"
"Ah!!! A Chen, you're too narcissistic!"
"Hmph hmph!"
The next day · Town Outskirts
Zhong Chen looked at Rimuru, who was planning to name the 150,000 Orcs, and silently expressed deep sympathy for a certain power bank.
"I hope you can inherit the will of Starved Krut, the Pighead Demon Lord. Let [Kurut] be your name!"
The Pighead Tribe Leader, no, he should be called Kurut now, Kurut said gratefully to Rimuru:
"Yes! Thank you! Lord Rimuru!"
Kurut, who had just finished speaking, was enveloped in a golden light.
"You are called…"