12 Chapter 12- Lizardman Annoyance

 After a short walk back to the village, at first glance someone wouldn't have noticed something was off. But for me, it becomes obvious. As I walk around, I notice there are a little too many goblins in the village. I mutter, "Is there more?"

{Confirmed- A higher number of goblins have been sensed in the area}

 I stop to think about this. Come to think of it, there were a group of two of goblins that moved into the village in the original. I guess it's not too weird. With that over with, I head off to look for Rimuru with [Sage's Link]. When I find him, I realize something. With the way his magicule signature is bouncing around, its clear he's fighting someone. Although, it doesn't seem too serious. He's probably sparring with someone. I head off.

 Landing nearby, I can't even walk in to see what's going on before I hear the voice of Rigurd yell out, "Lord Mikaeru! You're back!"

 I turn around and say, "Oh, hey Rigurd. It's been some time since I've been here, eh? Yeah, now that I'm done with my project I figured it's about time I get back. Figured the village could need some help with the whole, orc situation and all."

 He bursts into tears, "Such generosity! We deeply appreciate your consideration my lord!"

 I deadpan. All I said was I'd help out. It's not like I'm sacrificing something to help you all. "Uh, yeah. Anyways, I'm going to go talk to Rimuru for a bit. I have a skill that can sense where he is so you don't need to guide me alright. See you later."

 "Understood, Lord Mikaeru!"

 As I jump off, I think about these recent events. Their treating me just like they did Rimuru. It's kind of surreal going from reading about these characters to interacting with them. As I turn a corner to look at Rimuru, I make out that turns out Rimuru isn't fighting one person, but 4. I look on as Hakurou, Souei, Benimaru and Shion all attack Rimuru simultaneously. Although even then, the fight doesn't seem very even. Rimuru seemingly effortlessly flies across the battlefield as everyone else but Hakurou strains themselves to keep up. Watching from a distance, the fight seemingly reaches its climax as Benimaru is the last one standing apart from Hakurou who stands by to watch, pushing himself to his limits before finally collapsing. As it ends, I walk in. "You guys practicing? Kind of cool I guess."

 My sudden appearance catches Rimuru off guard as he exclaims, "Mikaeru. You're back!"

 Smiling, I respond, "Yeah. I turn to the kijin in the floor, "You really did a number on them."

 Benimaru and Souei lay on some nearby rocks with Shion laying on the floor next to them. Meanwhile, Hakurou stands behind all of them with his back to a tree, seemingly relaxing himself after a hard fought spar with Rimuru. I chuckle at how nonchalant Hakurou is and comment, "You really are amazing aren't you, Hakurou?"

 He looks at me and smirks. He bows, "I appreciate your praise Lorm Mikaeru."(Somehow this became a joke in the previous Twin Slime Draft so I'll keep it in. You're all to blame for this.)

 I look back at Benimaru, Souei and Shion. Pulling out some full potions from my [Stomach], I throw them all to the group of three. I smirk and tell them, "Can't let Rimuru have all the fun. You three, up for a round with me? There hasn't been much action lately, well, outside of our last round." I look at Hakurou, "Last time we fought you were all still ogres. You all up for a rematch?"

 Hakurou smirks, "I too was wondering how we would fair against you now, Lord Mikaeru. It would be my honor to spar with you." The other three immediately accept after that.

 As the four prepare, I get ready as well. Last time I used [Genius] which made countering their attacks mind numbingly easy. I won't use it here. Combined with [Great Sage] the two make me way to fast at data comprehension. Even Hakurou looks like he's going in slow motion under those conditions.

 Let's make this a bit more even. Fully deactivating [Genius] the fight begins as the four charge at me. The result, the fight remains one sided. While I'm weaker than Rimuru because I lack [Degenerate], I do still have access to most of his tools. Even Veldora thanks to [Sage's Link]. If Rimuru can take them all on, so can I. Simple as that. It is a bit more pitched than before at least which is good.

 As I weave through the attacks of the four kijins and counter attack with calculated widespread skills to make the melees less cluttered, I take a look at Rimuru with [Magic Sense]. He looks really impressed, almost surprised. I smirk a bit at this. To my surprise, Hakurou immediately sees this and takes advantage. Before long I watch as a flash of steel crosses my vision and touches my eyelashes. Immediately at that moment [Genius] activate once again in self defense. [Zero Time], one of its subskills, activates, freezing time for me.

 Staring at the blades, edge. [Great Sage] activates.

{Notice- Optimal defense has been calculated.

Deploying optimal defense.}

 Wind from [Controlled Airflow] hits me from the side knocking me out of the path of the blade just in time to see as Souei jumps in. I duck under his stroke, putting me in range for Benimaru's upward strike. I jump up only to run into Shion's downwards wack from her greatsword. I raise both arms and activate [Thick Skinned] and [Body Armor ] to block as the attack sends me to the ground. I don't even realize as Hakurou jumps up and sends dozens of slashes my way. I dodge a few but am ultimately cut by quite a few. Before I land, I reform my body and return to my complete human shape on the ground. I look up silently for a few seconds before letting out a small chuckle, "He. Holy shit!"

 Hakurou lands nearby and sheathes his blade. He silently turns to me and comments, "It seems we are the winners of this spar."

 I get up and sigh, "Yeah. I guess so." I turn back to my slime form, reabsorb my clothes, fix them and return to my human form. "Got too cocky."

 Hakurou nods, "Impressive. You are quick to pick up on your shortcomings."

 I sigh, "Really? It was kind of obvious to me."

 "You would be surprised." He looks at Benimaru, "I have trained many in the art of combat. Over those years I have noticed ego is one of my student's largest shortcomings. Even among the best, not many are quick to accept their weaknesses."

 "Warriors pride or something, right?"

 Hakurou nods, "It is something like that."

 I smile at them, "Right." Standing up I tell them, "You all really have improved." The four gratefully accept the compliment as I make a few more full potions and hand one to each of them.

 Rimuru walks up to me. "So, looks like you aren't perfect after all."

 I ask him, "What? You think I though I was. Is that the air you got from me?"

 Rimuru grins, "Maybe."

 I sigh, "I get it." I ask him, "So, anything new on the whole orc situation?"

 Rimuru tells me, "Not much yet."

 "Alright. Tell me when something happens."

 Rimuru understands, "I got it."

 As this happens I think about something else I came to do. Oh, right. I say, "Sorry for leaving so soon. Just remembered I have something to do."

 Rimuru tells me, "Go ahead."

 I turn and manifest my phoenix wings, then jumó off, flapping away. Scanning the area, I quickly locate a certain makeshift forgery on the outskirts of the village. It's about time I make myself a sword. Over the past few days I've been making use of swords I made on the fly. I think it's about time I make my own specialized sword. Landing outside the entrance, I walk in to find Kaijin and Kurobe hard at work at the forge.

 Kaijin is the first to notice me although even then, he doesn't raise his head away from his work. "Lord Mikaeru. What brings you around here?"

 "Nothing much. Just thought I'd make myself a new sword." I ask, "Mind if I use some of your tools? I know how to make equipment."

 He chuckles, "You twins are just full of surprises aren't ya? Of course you can!" He finally stops hammering away and looks at me, "But, if you really need a sword, why not simply get us to make it?" I look at Kurobe silently listening in.

 "There's not much reason. I just want to make it myself, you know."

 Kaijin looks at me and give a nod of understanding. "I see. Go ahead."

 "Thanks." With that I get ready to make myself a new sword. Before I begin, I take my time to analyze Kaijin and Kurobe's work with [Magic Sense] then I go around to gather some good materials. The process takes a few days as I gather some very specific magic ores. By the end of the process though, I end up with a brand new magisteel broadsword complete with a handmade scabbard. The end result ends up nearly as good as even the best Kaijin and Kurobe made. I look at it, "I'd say this'll do. At least for now." I place it back in its scabbard hanging at my side.

 As I silently appreciate my work, suddenly I am cut off. By a loud yell. "What the?" I walk out an and hear it again. This time, clearer. "Damn it." I recognize that voice, "It's Gabil."

 I never liked him very much. He's a bit too loud for my tastes. Pretty obvious that I'm on the more serious side after all. I just don't mesh very well with him. To make it worse, he's already threatening people as well. I immediately run over to the sight of the confrontation. At the same time, Ranryo pops out of my shadow as well. I look at Rimuru in his slime form enjoying Shion's...equipment. I ignore his happy jiggle, "What's going on?"

 I'm informed, "These lizardmen told us to become their subordinates for their protection for some reason. We told them to leave, but then they just started threatening us."

 I look around the area. Everyone looks furious. Benimaru in particular looks like he's prepared to commit war crimes on the lizardmen. I silently watch on as the conversation devolves with the tone deaf lizardmen failing to notice they are playing with death by angering the kijin in front of them and treating Ranga like an ignorant pet. Eventually this goes even further, with Ranryo joining in. As I watch this clown show the walking accidental comedic genius that is Gobta walks in to complete the lineup. I sigh, "Yo, Gobta. Do me a favor and fight that lizardman. If you refuse I'll tear your arms off."

 Gobta jumps, "W-what!?"

 I chuckle, "I was just joking." I think. I pick him up and throw him at Gabil as he's getting ragdolled by Ranryo and Ranga who started playing tug of war with him in rage. Gobta lands on Gabil and gets up after a few seconds. He's pushed off by Gabil's subordinates as they try to wake him up.

 Rimuru comments, "Will he be okay?"

 I tell him, "Don't worry. Gobta will be fine."

 "He wasn't who I was worried about."

 Gabil gets up and immediately yells, "How uncalled for! Is this how you treat us after we generously offer you our help!?"

 I tell him, "We don't need your help."

 Gabil yells, "How dare you! Who are you supposed to be anyway!?"

 He devolves into his delusions again. "Yeah, let's get this over with. Come on Gobta! Chop, chop. Knock his teeth out!"

 Gobta, completely caught off guard by the sudden violent turn of events just yells, "What!?"

 I tell everyone, "So, thoughts on getting Gobta to humiliate him?"

 The group look at each other and tell me that they agree with this course of action. "Alright then." I yell out, "Gobta! If you win I'll get Kaijin and Kurobe to make you a new weapon!"

 He asks, "Really?"

 "Yeah! Now beat the shit out of him!"

 Rimuru mutters, "You're a little too excited for this, Mikaeru." The rest of this encounter goes as it did in canon with Gobta knocking out Gabil in one clean hit to the back of his head followed by his yes men swearing revenge and running away.

 There, Now that that's over with...Rimuru cuts me off with an offer, "Oh, Mikaeru! I just remembered something! Shion offered to make you some food a few hours ago! Want to try it!? It's good!" Shion above him suddenly smiles in excitement.

 Oh, so this is how we're playing this. I smile with a demonic look only comparable to Shuna's. You asked for it. "Sure! Why not!?" Rimuru jumps with a bit of excitement. "Let's eat together! You are my brother after all!" I look at him with a cruel smile, "Wouldn't want you to miss out, you know."

 Rimuru yells in a panic, "No! No! Don't worry about it! It's really no..."

 I kindly say, "No, no. I insist."

 "No...really I..."

 Before he can try to escape again, Shion cuts him off as she jumps for joy. "Really!? I'll go prepare some food right now! Get ready you two!" She hands Rimuru to Benimaru who looks like he's about to throw up and runs off into the town.

{Notice- Unique Skill [Sage's Link] has been activated.}

 I speak in his mind through [Sage's Link]'s soul corridor, "That's what you get Rimuru. You're not going to trick me that easily. That's a life or death situation you just threw me into."

 "Eh!? You knew."

 "Of course I knew. I'm not an idiot."

{Notice- Unique Skill [Sage's Link] has been deactivated.}

 Rimuru slumps down after our short talk as he mentally prepares himself for the food. Well, I guess it can't even be called food. More like poison.

 A few hours later Benimaru, Rimuru and I wait for Shion's cooking to finish.

 Benimaru asks in a wild panicked voice, "Uh, how did I get sucked into this!?" Benimaru ended up getting caught up in this by happening to be the guy holding Rimuru as he walked into the death trap that is the room soon to host Shion's cooking.

 I pity him as I say, "I guess you were standing a bit too close I guess."

 Soon Shion arrives with the plates full of acidic mush. The smell. Oh, my fucking god! The smell. A flash of light cuts me off for a bit. It's awful! I can't even describe how bad it smells. Worse still, the food itself is worse. It looks like it might jump at me and grab me like a fucking facehugger! I was curious at first but now I deeply regret my decisions!

 Benimaru and Rimuru shakily grab a spoon and pick up part of the food. The metal spoon they are holding begins to melt as the food sits there. My god! I look down at my plate. Welp, here goes nothing.

 Are you ready to see me again, giant glowing light blue figure? A white flash appears in my vision again, blinding me a bit. "Augh!"

 Shion worriedly asks, "Are you okay, Lord Mikaeru?"

 "I'm fine. Just a little pain I guess." Rimuru looks a little confused as he knows both of us can't feel pain. He then looks at the food and looks at me like I'm trying to manipulate her. He probably thinks I'm trying to get out of this.

 "Oh, in that case then eating might help! Go ahead!" Rimuru stops looking at me with anger and instead looks at me in pity. He probably thinks my imaginary plot backfired. I look at Shion after she suggests this though. No Shion. No it won't. It'll only make it much worse. My hand shakes as I grab the spoon, pick up some food and get ready to eat it. Almost crying I mutter, "Please, god, help me!" There's no use, I have to eat it.

 As I put the food in my mouth I feel as the slime that composes the inside of my mouth begins to break down into a full on liquid. It's literally melting the inside of my mouth. I feel like I'm choking even though I don't need to breathe!

{Emergency- Looking for optimal solutions!

Solution found! Deploying optimal solution!}

 [Great Sage] manipulates my body to make a hole appear from my mouth straight down to the floor. This causes the food to fall to the floor where it starts eating through it. Before any gas can alert them of what happened [Great Sage] manipulates my body again to cover it up. I sigh before I start to pretend to "eat" the "food" when in reality it's falling straight to the floor. As I finish, [Great Sage] covers the hole in the floor with wood as my body goes back to normal. Luckily no one noticed. Sadly, Rimuru didn't figure this out so I watch him suffer.

 Recently, I started thinking of him more as my brother so watching him do this is actually a little hard. I'm quickly snapped out of my sadness when Shion asks if I want seconds which I quickly deny. She looks sad but I don't care.

 After Rimuru finishes his last bite, everyone is finished. I look at the aftermath. Benimaru looks like he dropped dead and Rimuru can barely hold his human form together. After a little bit he finally collapses and melts on the ground. He ends up looking like melted ice cream on the floor.

 Seeing how I'm the only one that made it out without collapsing Shion asks, "So how was it!?" She give me the most innocent smile I've ever seen.

 "Uh, haha, it was great!" Sorry Rimuru but I can't tell her the truth.