Expansion and Security

Alaric had spent the last 2 hours getting to know the 5 newcomers. Mike had actually been a part of the village hunting team for Ryder Village, his grudge with the Ryder family was deep, as they took and sold more than half of the hunting team's gains.

Mike's wife, who was also named Cicely, was actually a tailor! She tailored the clothes for most people inside of the Ryder Village, using pelts and wool that Mike had embezzled. Alaric found Cicely to be an extremely useful addition, he had simply been discarding the pelts of his hunts before now.

The two kids were named Bonnie and Clyde respectively, Bonnie was soon to turn 15 and could awaken in about 3 years. Clyde was still a young boy, only 8 years old.

The old man, Clarus, used to be the Ryder Village's teacher and storyteller. He had a useful specialist-type talent that allowed his words to have a stronger impression on others, called "Memorable Speech." Although he hadn't awakened, his ability was just as perfect as Cini's in the passing down of knowledge.

Currently, Alaric was drawing out plans, and figuring out what to do with them. He could have Cicely use her talents to prepare for the winter, but Alaric was hoping that he could direct all 5 of them into doing something useful for his Ryder Village annexation plan.

They were all resting after a long journey, Alaric directly gave them access to the barren, fully furnished houses around the village.

"Actually, Clarus has an incredibly useful ability for the cause. He can act as an envoy, a messenger, and a preacher. He can more easily bring people onto our side, and intimidate the enemy."

Although, in order to do such a thing, Clarus would need a bodyguard... and a more refined appearance. As of right now, his long grey hair was ragged, and there were plenty of bald spots. He also had dark eyebags, because of his many nights studying slimes sleeplessly.

Alaric somewhat expected that Clarus would be able to invoke a weak hypnotic effect upon others with his ability, should he become rank-1.

'But what's stopping him? Talent? Talent is only an issue without resources... it makes sense, the Ryder Family definitely limits the number of soul shards going into the village.' Alaric thought.

Immediately, Alaric decided to invest soul shards into Clarus. His ability was of utmost importance, and Clarus had to be groomed into an exceptional wielder.

The two children, Bonnie and Clyde, could help with miscellaneous tasks such as carrying smaller objects around. He would give them their own time, but right now, everyone had to contribute. Of course, Alaric was certain that the two younger ones would be happy to help.

"And Mike... he was a hunter. Extremely useful, he is a warrior! Although he isn't one of the awakened warriors of the Ryder hunting team, he is still a warrior. I finally have someone that I can send out to do more dangerous tasks!"

Alaric wasn't a coward, but it was simply more convenient for him to stay at home base for now. Yes, he definitely wasn't a coward.

'The village chief doesn't run into danger's way, the manager doesn't do a janitor's job! Plus, Grander is still waiting for me to enter that forest again. No way!'

Alaric looked to the door, where the room slime, Wurst, was guarding. For a moment, he wondered where Gunnar and Sonic were, but pushed it to the back of his mind.

'Worries create distractions. Distractions are detrimental on a deadline.'

Knowing this, Alaric forced himself to exit his home. Actually, after working constantly for a few days now, he was exhausted. But until he annexed Ryder Village, and obtained the gold, he wouldn't let up.

"This is a type of bravery too!"

After stretching a bit, Alaric was prepared to go and meditate, but suddenly a voice appeared inside of the back of his mind, 'Kra!'

'It's Gunnar!' Alaric turned his head to the village gates and saw the giant slime rushing over. Of course, not even 4 seconds later, Gunnar arrived in front of him.

Attached to Gunnar... was Pamela?

"Pamela? You're here? Have you already completed the task I set for you?" Alaric said. He doubted that the slow Pamela could send messages to every villager in such a short time frame.

It had only been a single day!

Pamela quickly detached from Gunnar's body, turning into the word, "Complete."

Alaric assumed that Pamela found some sort of quicker way to do things, and didn't question it further. He was happy that his main weapon and main transportation were both back and safe.

"That's great! I guess I should prepare for a few more guests... with Ryder Village's population of 30, it'd be great to receive even 10 people!"

'Kra!'

Alaric looked at Gunnar, "I guess you waited for Pamela outside of Ryder Village because you both found a way to handle things faster?"

Gunnar answered the affirmative, solving Alaric's doubts. He didn't expect these two slimes to be able to work together and to have such strong intelligence.

Tomorrow, he would be receiving a new wave of villagers. With more people, he could develop the village into a better situation, very quickly. With a stable base of operations, his lord-type talent would be able to thrive!

'I'm aiming for the coexistence of humans and slimes!' Alaric thought.

After all, with human ingenuity and the absolute convenience that each slime evolution had brought him thus far, survival would never be an issue.

"Pamela, please become a ring once again. Gunnar, you shall guard the village gates for this period of time. Should someone come near, call me telepathically. Wurst, continue guarding me. I am going to meditate, and become a peak rank-1 existence!"

Alaric made his way towards the center of the village, he had found it most comfortable to cultivate on Chief Forger's stage.

He grabbed a few soul shards, and thought, 'With this... no being below rank 4 will be able to stop me!'