Great Jura Forest – One Week Later
One week had passed since Rimuru named Benimaru and the other Ogres. In that short time, they had adapted surprisingly well to Dimensional City's culture—its technology, its training programs, and its coexistence ideology.
But peace never lasted long in the Jura Forest.
Swish!
A rippling distortion formed in the air of the conference room.
A moment later, a man in a blue bodysuit appeared, kneeling on one knee.
Souei.
"Lord Takumi. Lord Rimuru. I have located a massive Orc force—approximately 200,000 strong. Their main army is advancing north along the Great River."
He continued calmly:
"And judging by their formation and separated units, their convergence point will be the Wetlands to the east."
Rimuru set down his teacup.
"Two hundred thousand? That's… absurd."
Takumi didn't react—he already knew the cause, but he wanted the room to think.
Rimuru shifted his gaze.
"Takumi, what do you think?"
Takumi shook his head lightly.
"You all speak first."
The room quieted.
Theories and Deductions
Kajin stroked his beard.
"Orcs are low-intelligence monsters. Their organization shouldn't be this coordinated unless someone is manipulating them behind the scenes."
Kurobee nodded.
"A mastermind…?"
Rimuru frowned thoughtfully.
"Like… a Demon Lord?"
He turned toward Shizu.
"Shizu, do you think Demon Lord Leon could be involved?"
Shizu shook her head gently.
"No… Leon wouldn't be interested in something like this."
Rimuru sighed.
"Then how did 200,000 Orcs gather?"
Shizu lowered her eyes.
"It's likely… an Orc Lord has appeared."
The room stiffened.
Takumi smirked internally.
As expected of the Flame Queen. Sharp as ever.
Benimaru spoke seriously.
"Only an Orc Lord can unite such numbers. Miss Shizu's deduction is extremely credible."
Rimuru nodded slowly.
"I see…"
A gentle voice then entered the conversation.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, seated gracefully, raised his hands slightly.
"In that case, we should prepare for war. The Demon Slayer Corps may not all be in the Security Forces yet… but they can be mobilized anytime."
Takumi nodded.
He had personally strengthened the Pillars—now B+ rank each—and even normal Demon Slayers had reached stable D-rank.
Dimensional City's current military power was impressive:
SS-Rank: Takumi (Herrscher of Finality)
Special A-Rank: Rimuru, Shizu, Izayoi Sakuya
A-Rank: Benimaru, Shuna, Souei, Hakurou, etc.
B-Rank: Pillars, Rigurd, Gobuta, main elites
C-Rank: Security Forces
D-Rank: Goblins & basic Demon Slayer members
Even without Takumi, the city could stop most armies.
With Takumi… they could change the world.
Rigurd slammed his hand on the table.
"My Goblins are ready to fight anytime, Lord Rimuru! Lord Takumi! We will give our lives!"
Rimuru panicked.
"W-Wait, Rigurd! Calm down! We're not sending anyone yet!"
Rigurd sat down quickly.
"Yes! Lord Rimuru!"
Rimuru sighed in relief.
Too loyal is also a problem…
Takumi Senses a Guest
Just as Rimuru was going to continue—
Takumi raised a hand.
"Rimuru. Wait. We have a guest."
"A guest?"
A gentle breeze flowed into the room.
Leaves—emerald green—floated in a spiral.
Mana pressure filled the air.
They gathered… forming a silhouette.
And then—
In the center of the conference table appeared a woman.
Long light-green hair.
A body wrapped in translucent, dark-green garments.
Her eyes glowed with ancient wisdom.
Benimaru immediately stood.
"A Dryad!"
Everyone except Takumi rose from their seats.
Even Shizu looked stunned.
Dryads—the rulers and guardians of the Jura Forest.
Beings that rarely appeared before mortals.
The woman bowed gracefully.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Rimuru. And Lord Takumi—the one blessed with Finality."
Several people gasped.
Rimuru whispered:
"Finality…?"
Takumi's brow rose.
She can see my Herrscher core? Interesting.
The Dryad continued.
"I am Treyni, guardian of the Great Forest. I come with a request—no, a plea."
She spread her slender hands.
"The Orc Lord you fear… has already evolved."
The room froze.
Takumi's eyes narrowed.
"You mean…?"
Treyni nodded gravely.
"Yes. A true disaster has risen."
Her voice trembled.
"An Orc Disaster."
Silence.
Even Rimuru looked shaken.
"And worse…" Treyni continued.
"He marches with 200,000 starving Orcs whose hunger knows no end… cursed by the unique skill ."
The air thickened.
Rimuru swallowed.
"This is… worse than I expected."
Treyni bowed deeply.
"That is why I am here. I beg of you…"
She looked directly at Takumi.
"…Dimensional City is the only power capable of stopping the Orc Disaster."
She lowered herself on one knee.
"Please… save the Jura Forest."
Rimuru looked at Takumi.
Takumi stretched lazily.
"Well… Rimuru?"
Rimuru grinned.
"Heh. We can't ignore this. And besides…"
She pointed at Takumi.
"With this monster on our side, we can't lose."
Takumi shrugged, smiling.
"Alright… Dimensional City will act."
Treyni looked relieved beyond measure.
"Thank you… truly."
Takumi stood up, golden patterns forming in his eyes.
"Rimuru. Prepare the troops."
Rimuru nodded.
"Right!"
Takumi turned toward the window.
"This time… we'll fight properly."
He activated the Civilization System.
A massive holographic map appeared over the table.
[New City Quest: Operation Wetland Salvation]
Objective: Defeat the Orc Disaster.
Rewards: Dimensional Territory Expansion +20%, Unique Tech Unlock (???), Civilization System Upgrade.
Takumi grinned.
"Everyone. Prepare for war."
The room erupted into motion.
A new chapter in the rise of Dimensional City had begun.