Chapter 62: The Village is Getting Bigger
As the feast continued into the night, laughter and chatter filled the air. Rimuru, sitting at the center of the gathering, felt a deep sense of satisfaction seeing both the Hobgoblins and Ogres mingling and enjoying themselves.
Plates piled with food were passed around, and barrels of drink were emptied quickly. The village was alive with celebration.
After eating his fill, Rimuru stood up and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone! It's time for something important. Tonight, I will name the rest of the Ogres who have joined us.
The Ogres all looked at him with a mix of anticipation and gratitude.
Rimuru first turned to the young female Ogre with pink hair, who had a gentle demeanor and a natural grace about her. "From this day forward, your name will be Shuna.
Your focus will be on cooking, making clothing, and taking care of the village's domestic needs. I trust you to bring elegance and order to what we do."
Shuna bowed deeply, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "Thank you, Rimuru-sama. I will do my best to meet your expectations."
Next, Rimuru turned to the older, experienced-looking Ogre who exuded calm and discipline. "You," Rimuru said, "are Hakuro. I can tell you're a master swordsman, and your skills will be vital for this village.
From now on, you'll train our soldiers and help us build an army worthy of defending what we're creating."
Hakuro straightened his posture and gave a respectful bow. "It will be an honor, Rimuru-sama. I will ensure our warriors are prepared for any challenge."
Then, Rimuru's gaze shifted to the tall female Ogre with striking purple hair and a confident stance—Shion. "Shion," Rimuru began, "you've got a lot of energy and determination. I've decided you'll be like a captain among the soldiers.
I know you wanted to be a cook, but…" Rimuru hesitated, remembering the questionable food she served earlier, "…we'll save that for later. For now, I'll rely on your strength and leadership."
Shion grinned widely, placing a hand over her heart. "I'll serve you with all my might, Rimuru-sama. And don't worry—I'll still cook for you someday!" Rimuru chuckled nervously at the thought.
Rimuru then turned to Benimaru, the chief's son, who had proven himself as a natural leader. "Benimaru, you will be the general of the army. I trust you to lead our forces and protect this village with everything you've got."
Benimaru's fiery red eyes burned with determination. He knelt before Rimuru and said, "I won't let you down, Rimuru-sama. You have my absolute loyalty."
Next, Rimuru addressed the mysterious, silent Ogre who had been watching everything with sharp eyes—Souei. "Souei, you'll be the leader of our spies. Your stealth and precision will be invaluable for gathering information and handling delicate tasks."
Souei bowed his head slightly. "Understood, Rimuru-sama. I will ensure that no threat goes unnoticed."
Finally, Rimuru looked at Souei's older brother, who had a strong, steady presence. "And you… your name will be Kurobe. With your skills, you'll assist with blacksmithing and crafting weapons and tools for the village. I'm counting on you to make sure we're always equipped."
Kurobe nodded with a grin. "Leave it to me, Rimuru-sama. I'll forge the best weapons and tools you've ever seen."
With the naming complete, Rimuru felt a surge of pride as he looked at the newly evolved Kijin, each now glowing with vibrant colors and even stronger presences. They knelt together, united in their loyalty.
Madox, now even more regal in appearance, stood and spoke on behalf of the group. "Rimuru-sama, we cannot thank you enough for what you've done. You've given us new strength, new purpose, and a place to call home. From this day forward, we pledge our lives to you."
Rimuru smiled warmly. "Thank you, all of you. But remember—this is just the beginning. We're building something incredible here, and it's going to take all of us working together. Now, let's enjoy the rest of the night. Tomorrow, the real work begins."
The Kijin, Hobgoblins, and Tempest Wolves cheered as the celebration resumed, stronger than ever. Rimuru leaned back, sipping his drink as he watched the harmony between his people.
He felt a sense of fulfillment and excitement for the future. With his growing village, he was confident they could face anything that came their way.
As the night deepened, the village of Tempest finally settled into a calm silence. The sounds of laughter and celebration from earlier faded, replaced by the occasional rustle of leaves and the faint hum of the nighttime forest.
Guards patrolled the outskirts of the village, their senses sharp and their newfound strength reassuring them of their ability to protect their home.
Inside his small, modest house at the center of the village, Rimuru sat cross-legged on a simple mat, his eyes closed. In the quiet of the night, he focused inward, meditating to better control the immense energy coursing through him. His aura, though immense, was perfectly contained, a testament to his growing mastery over his power.
"Great Sage," Rimuru murmured, his voice soft and steady, "show me the flow of my magicules. I want to understand how to refine it further."
In response, the calm and analytical voice of Great Sage resonated in his mind. "Displaying internal magicule flow. Initiating advanced energy control simulation for optimization."
Before his mind's eye, a vivid visualization of his internal energy appeared. Streams of glowing blue magicules flowed like rivers through an intricate network, branching out and converging in perfect harmony.
He watched as Great Sage guided him through techniques to stabilize surges and redirect excess energy into storage.
"Interesting…" Rimuru thought, his lips curling into a small smile. "This kind of control could be useful in battles. If I can fine-tune this, I might be able to conserve even more energy when using large-scale abilities."
"Affirmative," Great Sage replied. "Efficient energy management will increase the duration and frequency of skill usage. Continued practice is recommended."
As he meditated, Rimuru expanded his awareness outward, surveying the village. Through his perception, he could sense the steady breathing of the villagers as they slept peacefully in their new homes.
"Any threats nearby?" Rimuru asked, maintaining his meditative state.
"Negative," Great Sage replied. "No hostile presences detected within a 5-kilometer radius. The guards are maintaining a vigilant perimeter."
Rimuru exhaled softly, feeling a sense of relief. "Good. I want everyone to feel safe here, no matter what."
As he continued to meditate, his thoughts wandered to the challenges ahead. The trip to Dwargon to recruit the Dwarves was next on his list, and he knew it wouldn't be as simple as walking in and asking for help. The Dwarves were a proud and skilled people, and earning their trust would require strategy.