Story 7 The Red Priest and Blue Slime Chapter 20

With Gabiru gone, the important personnel of the village had come together as Souei told us the news his scouting clones had discovered. "Two hundred thousand... Thats a lot of orcs." I said with a frown as something niggled at my mind.

'In canon, how many orcs even survived the battle and joined with Rimuru's village?' I thought before reengaging with the conversation as Soeui pointed on the map of the Jura Forest how the snaking line of orcs was pushing into the marshlands where the Lizardmen lived.

I then added on. "It would be for the best that we bring about an alpha strike upon them within the marshlands as no matter the magnitude of the battle, it won't spill out and end up burning down the rest of the forest." And then I finished off with. "We need to kill the Orc Lord, which will break the Orc Lord's skill that's keeping the army together and slaved to his hunger." 

Everyone nodded while Rimuru muttered. "Could we set up traps or something?" And in doing so she looked to me as the registered Magician and more magically focused person but I shook my head with a wry smile. 

"I could set up traps... But any traps we can make wouldn't make a major difference to such a spread-apart army." Its not like the orcs were marching in orderly lines. They were a long snaking line of bodied in thick armor pushing through the area of least resistance and eating every living creature they came across.

But as we discussed measures we could take to deal with the Orc's Souei flinched and spoke out. "My lord, a Dryad has appeared before one of my clones and wishes to speak with you and Lady Rimuru." 

There was some rapid discussion about that as the dryads of the forest apparently were famous for being utterly unseen and keeping out of the various factions of the forests business and literally haven't been seen for several decades. And the last time they were found it was to tell everyone to hide due to a calamity coming through the forest.

I nodded while Rimuru muttered about hoping it wasn't another weirdo, I said. "Go ahead and invite her Soeui." 

And the moment I said that. A burst of green light formed atop the large wooden table that was in the middle our meeting room and I flinched at the realization that the Dyrad was obviously listening in on every damned word we said. 'Shit... Does she know about the potions?' I thought.

From the wood came a green pillar that formed the body of the Dryad and as she retook human form my lips twitched seeing the elegant beauty that was akin to Shuna in style. But she spoke quickly as the Kijin rallied around Rimuru and me in defense of the intruder.

"Please forgive me for the unannounced intrusion Lords of these Maijin." She spoke softly while bowing her head in apology. "My name is Treyni and I am the dryad who met with your subordinate's clone."

While I studied the Dryad I realized it wasn't actually her physical form here as her lower legs were a mirage so it was instead of her taking form and teleporting here basically using the wood as a conduit. She was instead projecting her presence here.

My study of the Dryad however was cut off as Rimuru started speaking. "Uhm Treyni huh? Well, what can we do for you?" She asked with some respect for the caretaker of the forest who obviously was a rather powerful being even if obviously not interested in conflict.

Treyni took a breath and looked between me and Rimuru and I had a... Bad idea of what was going to happen to say the least as Treyni spoke. "I have two favors I wish to ask... Lord Barris, your potions I am afraid to say have leaked into the adventure's guild due to the actions of certain factions taking an interest after King Gazel Dwargo lost a sample of your potion of regeneration."

My face was stone as I folded my arms over my chest and replied bluntly. "What do you want... And were you involved in the theft of my potions?" 

Treyni elegantly popped her hand into the top of her dress and pulled out from between her voluptuous cleavage a vial with lightly glowing green fluid that made my eye twitch seeing my potion in her hands. "I was not involved in the theft of your potions. However Hero King Gazel Dwargo after realizing the value of your potions attempted to have his spies return the amount but two separate parties have gotten involved and their spies have been the ones stealing your potion." She then gently laid the vial on the table as she finished. "I swear on my name that I haven't stolen any potions from your stock."

Shuna then whispered into my ear. "She is telling the truth. Swearing on your name and lying is basically spitting in the face of the World's Will and really bad things will happen to someone breaks such an oath."

I nodded and then with some care took the vial while Shion grumbled very quietly something about secondhand touches. But as I took the vial Treyni continued. "Lord Barris, your potion is rather valuable to me and other dryads even after we gain the regeneration skill within the potion. As the potion will strengthen our tree roots and fill the ground with the greatest of nutrients so that we will not need to change our host trees."

I took a breath and then finished. "So you wish to trade for more potions?" At her nod, I shook my head slightly and at her frown, I clarified. "Maybe in time... But for now, disregarding thieves that I will need to watch out for, I have this grand battle coming and all the people taking part need the skill, I don't have the facilities nor materials to mass produce the potions frankly."

Treyni bowed her head towards me in acceptance at my explanation before turning to Rimuru and speaking. "And for my second favor, I wish of you. Lady Rimuru to defeat the Orc Lord!"

Rimuru then wisely asked Treyni why she had to do it and why couldn't Tryeni herself do it or even another faction. Treyni answered frankly.

"Because the Dryad settlement has no hope of killing the Orc Lord who is highly resistant to magic, immune to poison, pain, and other things. Truthfully... You are one of the strongest beings within the forest as of now Rimuru Tempest, as before. No one of great power dared to claim the Jura Forest with it being the home of where Veldora the Storm Tempest was sealed."

I then looked down at the map and grimaced as I added on. "By tomorrow night, the Lizardman will be fighting the first waves of Orcs... So if we are to fight we will need to get moving as soon as possible."