68 Compatriot

After engaging in conversation with them for a while, my suspicions were confirmed once again.

They proved to be exceptionally foolish.

These three were pure idiots.

Of course, Shizu was an exception.

I mean, honestly, who in their right mind ventures into the Great Forest of Jura without a sufficiently strong party?

Perhaps that's asking too much from them, right? After all, you wouldn't find any formidable individuals or a party casually strolling around here and there waiting to be called.

But what about adequate gear befitting such an environment? This is arguably one of the most dangerous places in the world.

Still no?

That is understandable as well; good gear is expensive, quite befitting of its cost.

So, what about a well-thought-out plan or strategy to avoid encountering one monster after another and ensure they can compensate for the aforementioned liabilities?

This is a must for anyone out there, Right?

Apparently, that was too much to ask as well.

Because, from what I gathered, they were blindly following Shizu's suggested route, which miraculously steered them away from most monsters, allowing them to reach this remote part of the forest.

I can bet a thousand bucks right now that Shizu was doing her very best, using all her energy to avoid monsters, leading to her exhausted state.

We were near the town, so it was undeniably deep within the heart of the Jura Forest.

Having journeyed this far, it was evident that Shizu had expended all her energy, leading them to now face formidable monsters one after another. I don't even want to imagine their current state if Shizu wasn't with them.

*Sigh~*

Now what?

Should I abandon them here? At their current state, they wouldn't survive a few minutes in this forest, let alone find their way out.

I also want to converse with her though.

So, let's proceed with that.

"Well, if you guys want, I can treat you to some humble food to fill your stomach."

I spin around and start walking away from them.

""""Huh?""""

The three idiots immediately cock their heads in confusion, and finally, the female poses her question as the representative.

"Do you live around here, Mr. Slime?"

Hoh! Maybe she wasn't an idiot after all i.e. if she can deduce that much. 

"That's right. I just moved into the neighborhood. In fact, we're building the neighborhood right now."

But as we know by now, they were idiots. So, they couldn't help but disappoint me further. 

I mean, at this point, I think it's there specialty, because they were making my simple gesture of goodwill into something evil, sinister and suspicious.

*mistrusted stares~*

"A town full of monsters...!?"

"Very suspicious, indeed."

"Well, the slime doesn't seem evil or anything but..."

Wha...

Really?

By the way, this blondie was really pushing his luck, huh?

How was I, a cute and adorable (Self-proclaimed) slime, suspicious in any way?

<... <em>Scoff> 

What? Do you have a problem with that, Great Sage?

<Answer: Not at all.>

I heard you scoffing at me, Y'know.

<You are just imagining it.>

Sigh~

I can never win against you, now can I?

Anyhow.

They are wary of me. I mean, of course, they are.

I may have been offering out of goodwill and some other things, but not everyone would do the same. Nothing is free in this world, after all.

I would've been more concerned if they had accepted my offer without batting an eye. So, it's good that they were not that much of idiots. They were idiots nonetheless, but still, you get what I mean, right?

Now then, what to do?

Oh, that's it!!!

I should show them how innocent and harmless I am by using that 'world-famous' joke.

"My name's Rimuru. 'I'm not a Bad Slime, you know!'"

"Bffttt..."

!!??

Huh? Did she laugh? Did she get that joke?

But how...

I was just trying to gauge their reaction and wasn't expecting anyone to get the joke itself but she not only understood it but was laughing as well.

As I was suddenly showered by questions due to the unexpected situation, the person in question starts walking towards me.

"What's up, Shizu?"

The blondie questions her.

"Oh, it's nothing. Anyway..."

After coming close enough, she casually lifts me up from the ground and hugs me near her chest, saying to the others.

"We should take him up on his offer. I am quite certain this slime can be trusted."

Wow, it's so soft.

<...hah >

Ahem!

Focus, focus.

I couldn't really keep up with this ultra-fast progression from one thing to another.

I mean, as I expected, something is amiss, but I didn't want to rush and ask her questions.

First, she not only understood my joke but also laughed, which was quite adorable, and after that, I was picked up and pushed against her bosom, which again is very soft and firm.

Nevertheless, she was moving too fast. Not literally, but...

"Is the town this way?"

"Uh? U-umm. Y-yeah."

She was already heading in the direction of our developing town, leaving the idiots behind, with me still in her arms.

I asked just in case she was uncomfortable with me in her arms, but the reply I got was totally unexpected.

"You know, I can walk on my own."

"Tell me, Mr. Slime. What country are you from?"

I was confused, yet I replied to her question.

"It's not really worthy of being called a country. In fact, the town doesn't even have a name yet."

But it seems that wasn't the answer she was looking for because her next question left me in shock. This also explained why she decided to leave her companions a little distance away from us, as they were tottering at a distance.

"No, not your town. That quote came from a video game, didn't it?"

!?

What? How did she...

"I don't know it myself, but I heard it from a fellow countryman."

"Fellow countryman...?"

I couldn't help but mutter these lines. This also ensured the fact she came from another world, and there is another person who told her about the Game but there were many things that didn't fit, per se.

Such as, Who wouldn't know about video games in my world? So, How could've she heard it from another person if she came from my world? There was another thing bugging my mind but we'll get there later.

It seems I was quiet for a while because she questioned me once again.

"So, where's your real hometown, Mr. Slime?"

I pondered for a while before giving an honest reply.

".....Japan."

"Äha!! I knew it!!"

Her words were very chirpy and sounded very happy. I turned around to look at her. And at that moment,

"Just like me. I'm glad I met you."

She uttered those words while lifting her mask, revealing a smile so beautiful and radiant I couldn't help but stare at her unconsciously.

Like I said before, she could neutralize a few beings just with those smiles.

Nevertheless, I was glad I met her as well.