Chapter 22

Rimuru explained the situation about what happened with Shizu. Ellen and her group were radiating with sadness hearing the story and her final fate, but at least they were able to get closure, which some people aren't lucky to get. Ellen and her group got together and thanked Shizu for everything she did for them for the short time she was with them, with Rimru acting on her behalf for them.

It was a nice moment between them, but I sort of felt a little out of place since I wasn't really with them the whole time they were here, especially with Shizu. Rimuru told them to stay for a few more days so they could get better gear since what they had was "complete trash" as Rimuru said. 

His words, not mine. Even though it is kind of true, what can I say though, the truth hurts most of the time. 

So they stayed for a couple more days until Kaijin finally made all the gear for them. They went from looking like cosplay wannabe adventures to looking like proper fully equipped adventures.

Ellen got a new robe and staff and finally looked like a proper mage. Kaval got his new-looking dark blue metal armor and Gido got some new leather armor that was lined with direwolf fur.

They're getting closer to step one of adventuring. Looking cool.

Do the direwolfs shed that much fur or do they allow themselves to get their fur cut off a little bit? I don't really think it matters. I don't see them making a fuss or getting angry or anything like that. So, there's no point in thinking about it.

We said goodbye to them and we were finally free to address other issues. Mainly the ogres for now and then the orcs. They've been hanging out and about and they were looking well. Some have helped in making some new homes for themselves.

It looks like there won't be a problem actually. They've looked to have sorted it out themselves. The chief must have been able to convince his son to accept it. 

I don't know, but I assume he must have been given a good ol talkin to. That always worked on me from my dad, so who's to say it won't work with him? 

It might be good, but I know what to do to finally seal the deal and really get them loyal to us. Let RImuru give them some names and then they'll get really happy and then they'll fully embrace living here.

/\\//\\//\

I was making my way to where Rimuru was. He was getting better really fast and he was no longer sort of projecting his sadness. 

"Hey, RImuru, how are you feeling right now?"

"Oh, Artoria! It's nice to see you here. I'm feeling good right now, just thinking about what to do in the future. I'm worried about those orcs you mentioned. What are we supposed to do against all of them?"

"Rimuru, did you forget that we have some new residents who are kind of strong? And trust me when I say this. When you name them…it's going to get VERY fun." I started smiling and imagining a few hundred kijin wreaking absolute mayhem on the orc army. 

"Uh, Artoria, you seem a little scary with that smile. Also didn't you say not to name them for now?"

"Ah, sorry about that, I got a little carried away thinking of something that wasn't possible right now. Just name a few of them for now and trust me when I say that we'll be set for the upcoming battle. We won't even have to fight ourselves."

"That's kind of reassuring coming from you. You make it sound easy."

"It kind of is that easy, I'm just telling you to name them. From then on, just send them out there and let them do what they're best at."

"Could a few named ogres really take on that many orcs though?"

"Rimuru. You have no idea the power that is available at your disposal. Not only the ogres but you yourself as well. Have more confidence and stop underestimating yourself. I've told you this before."

"Yeah, but being a leader is hard. I feel like I'm going to make many mistakes."

"Rimuru that is only natural. In fact, it's best you make mistakes right now this early on. And remember this Rimuru, it's smart to learn from your mistakes, but it's smarter to learn form the mistakes of others. Be aware of the people around you and pay attention to them."

RImuru was just staring at me as if he was starstruck from meeting a famous celebrity or idol or something. 

"Again, I don't understand why you're not the leader. You know what, if you don't want to be leader I'll make you my wiseman! Or would it be wisewoman?"

"Rimuru, that is just some common sense I told you. Nothing really that 'deep'".

"That doesn't sound like any common sense I've heard!"

"What kind of people did you surround yourself with then?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Anyway, come on cheer up. You're not in this alone. You just got a human form right? Why not celebrate or something?"

"I'll think about it."

/\\//\\//\

Rimuru was going around the village just checking things out. It has been a few days since his talk with Artoria, and things have been going pretty well so far. The ogres were being amicable and it basically confirmed at this point that they were going to live in the village now.

The chief's son was looking a little "off" to put it like that. He was following his dad around the village looking like a brand-new person. He was putting in effort to live here and he was acting more humble than usual, but there was still a little pride in there.

'What happened to him for this drastic change?'

Rimuru went up to the father and son trying to look for answers about this.

"Hey, ogre chief, I don't want to pry into your personal life, but this like a big change for your son."

"Oh Rimuru, it's good to see you! You don't have to worry about prying into our personal life. I'm feeling very confident that soon, something will happen with my daughter that will expand the family."

"I haven't seen her, is there something going on?"

"Heh, she says she's still shy and nervous about going around the village, but I know that's not the real reason. I'm her father, I know what she's really thinking."

The chief just stood there thinking a little too hard about the future. He was smiling blissfully as if he was having wonderful thoughts.

"Uh, you good there?"

"Yes. Yes, I am. Anyway about my son, why don't you tell him son?"

His son just looked away, clearly embarrassed, if it wasn't for his red skin, you would've been able to see his face that was red in embarrassment. 

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Well, since he doesn't want to, I'll tell you. It was kind of simple really, me and his mother 'encouraged' him to change for the better. Just some tough love."

'Poor him. Don't know how ogres parent their children, but I think I'd rather not find out if it was able to change his son like that.' 

"Well, I wanted to tell you that I'm planning something to celebrate. Since you've lost your home, I plan to have a little feast soon to get the mood in the village up and also to talk with you a little bit."

"That sounds like a good idea, count us in!" The chief was excited and he looked like a different person. Someone who doesn't seem like the leader of the ogres. Just someone relaxing without having to be serious. 

"Alright, let me tell someone real quick. RIGURD!" RImuru shouted out for RIgurd and almost immediately you could see a hobgoblin in the distance speeding to him. 

"I'm here Lord Rimuru. What do request of me?"

"Rigurd, I want you to tell the hunting groups to get as much food as possible. We are going to have a massive feast tonight! I'll be eating with you all since I can taste food now."

"Really? I mean, of course, it will be done." Rigurd was about to leave before Rimuru told him one more thing.

"Wait! Ranga!" At his call, Ranga came out from Rimuru's shadow.

"What do you need Master?"

"Ranga, I want you to accompany the hunting groups to help and protect them. THe orcs are out there and I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"I'll be happy to do that! You can trust me!"

Rigurd and Ranga went off to tell all the hunting groups about the feast.

"Well, I'll be off then ogre chief, get ready for the feast tonight!."

"What's this about a feast I'm hearing about?"

Rimuru, the ogre chief, and his son were shocked and surprised about the voice they heard from out of nowhere. RImuru was perhaps the most shocked since he couldn't even sense her presence at any moment.

"Atoria!? Where did you come from!?"

"I've been here this whole time. I don't know why you're looking so confused."

"What? But I didn't even hear you or anything!"

"Well, RImuru, it sounds like you need to up you skills then. Anyway, since there's going to be a feast I need to get something ready."

/\\//\\//\

"Kaijin. I need you to make me something." I was back at Kaijins place and what I needed him to make me wasn't something hard. I just needed him to make me a grill grate.

"Miss Pendgradon, what is it this time?"

"I need you to make this. It shouldn't take too long. It's something very simple. I need it ready by tonight." I handed him a drawing of what I wanted. It was just a rectangle with vertical lines going across it with some gaps. 

"Is this all?"

"Yup, make it out of metal. It is very important to me."

"I can get this done in the time you gave me. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you Kaijin. I appreciate your hard work for this village."

"It's no problem. I've come to appreciate this new life here."

"That's good to hear. I'll see you later."

/\\//\\//\

(Nighttime.)

It was time for the feast and Kaijin came running to me with my grill grate in hand. He handed it to me and I took it in my hands. 

"Thank you Kaijin. Get a good rest and enjoy the feast."

"With pleasure Miss Pendragon." Kaijin met up with his brothers to prepare for the feast.

I looked at the grate in front of me, smiling. 'Let's see if I still got it.'

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(Authors Note)

Quick Question: If Goku, Kirby, Garfield, Luffy, and Artoria were in an eating contest who would win?

Me personally, I got Kirby winning.

Feel free to argue as much as y'all want.