“Those single-celled morons…!”
I grumbled as I hurried through the forest.
The adventurers weren’t following, but I couldn’t afford to waste too much time.
“I told you not to mess with humans…!”
If they were attacking humans with the stones I taught them to throw, it was my job to stop them, even if it meant hitting them.
Besides, this was also for the sake of the slimes.
Slime subjugation didn’t yield much profit, so when I was with the group, humans didn’t pursue us deeply.
That’s why I made sure we always escaped, and we never had any casualties because of it.
We had become a large group for slimes, but we managed to avoid being discovered.
“And yet…!”
I recalled what had happened earlier.
Judging from the adventurers’ conversation, Sura-ta and the others had been spotted.
I didn’t know how dangerous stone-throwing slimes were considered.
But from the way the adventurers spoke, they were at least somewhat wary.
And if they were deemed a threat worthy of extermination, they would follow the stone-throwing slimes, find their nest, and attack.
“At least, when Surao left the nest, they should have been safe…”
I didn’t know when Surao had left the nest.
They couldn’t have been searching since yesterday, right…?
“…But if they were attacked when I arrived, whose side would I take…?”
Suddenly, that question arose.
I wanted to protect my former companions, but I also understood the humans’ feelings.
When those two clashed, which side should I take?
“…………”
I didn’t have an answer. But my feet didn’t stop either.
I just kept running through the forest on impulse, and finally, I entered a familiar area.
With my 〖Sense of Direction〗, I had a rough idea of the slime nest’s location.
And once I got close, I could find my way to the nest with my sense of the land.
“If I go southeast from this rock…”
I ran for a while, relying on my memory.
I finally reached the nostalgic slime village.
“Wha… what is this…?”
However, the scene that unfolded before me was…
◆ ◆ ◆
–Half a day ago.
“Damn it!”
” ” “!” ” “
A man’s angry voice echoed in a corner of Wooton.
Those nearby flinched.
“That slime, if I see it again, I’ll skewer it…!”
The man’s name was Jaskal.
He had been defeated by Kouya and carried back to town by his subordinates, and had just woken up.
” ” “…………” ” “
Jaskal’s subordinates, who had carried him, remained silent and cowered, trying not to become the target of his anger.
Everyone knew of his ferocity, and they knew that if they carelessly approached him when he was in a bad mood, they would be the target of his anger.
“Oh, Jaskal-dono, you’ve returned! So, were you able to subjugate the Jewel Slime?”
Just then, a sacrifice arrived at the perfect time.
A plump young man, with a fawning smile, approached while trying to curry favor.
“So, um, about the Todororyu Spear (Moldbreaker) I lent you, I’d like it back soon… well, if the subjugation isn’t complete yet, I wouldn’t mind lending it to you for a while longer, but it’s been a family heirloom since my great-grandfather’s time, and my father is getting impatient about when it will be returned… um, Jaskal-dono?”
The young man asked anxiously, seeing Jaskal looking down and silent.
Then, he noticed Jaskal’s fist trembling and realized his mistake.
“Ah, no, that’s…”
Thud.
His fist slammed into the wall of a house. Cracks spread like a spiderweb.
“…It’s because of that spear.”
“H-huh…?”
“I lost to that thing because that spear was weak!”
A roar echoed, and the young man took a step back.
But Jaskal took two steps forward, closing the distance. He looked down at the young man.
“You dare give me a defective product!”
“A-ah, um, if I may, it wasn’t me who gave it to you, Jaskal-dono forcibly took it from me–”
“Shut up!”
He grabbed the young man by the collar, lifting him into the air.
The young man kicked his legs, but with a height difference of more than twenty centimeters, his feet couldn’t touch the ground.
“Tell your old man that the slime ate that spear!”
“T-that’s absurd!”
“Absurd or not, that’s what happened! What’s taken is taken! Don’t bother me any further!”
He glared at him from close range and then threw the young man away.
He landed on his rear and stood up while backing away.
“Guh… I won’t forgive you this time! I’m going to report you to the guards!”
Leaving those parting words, the young man went somewhere.
Jaskal sneered inwardly as he watched him go.
The guards of Wooton were not very competent. Especially since this was just a case of robbery.
If there was clear evidence, that would be one thing, but if there was only the victim’s testimony, it would be easy to get away with it by handing over a little bribe.
The young man must have known that, but he had no other choice, as he had neither money, status, nor power.
Jaskal, feeling satisfied at the sight of the miserable weakling, turned to his subordinates behind him and said.
“Listen up, you guys, we’re going to look for that Jewel Slime again tomorrow. I wasn’t in good shape today, but next time I’ll bring my usual weapon, and I definitely won’t lose.”
” ” “Understood, sir!” ” “
The subordinates nodded, relieved that Jaskal’s mood had improved.
Then, one of the subordinates hesitantly raised his hand.
“U-um…”
“What is it?”
“This time, the Jewel Slime was in the south, further than the area other adventurers were searching, wasn’t it? I think we should report that to the guild…”
“Why should I tell the others?”
“To wear down the opponent. The opponent who drew with Jaskal-san wouldn’t lose to other adventurers, but if they fight many times, even a Jewel Slime will get tired.”
Jaskal snorted at the suggestion.
“Are you saying I’m going to lose?”
“N-no, that’s not it. It’s just that the opponent who defeated Jaskal-san, even if it was a fluke, it would be easier if they were a little tired. I don’t think Jaskal-san will lose, but you’re tired because of that bum’s spear. To fight fairly under the same conditions, the Jewel Slime should also be worn down.”
“Hmm, that makes sense. Alright, I’ll report it to the guild.”
Watching Jaskal head to the guild, the man who made the suggestion was relieved that he had managed to talk him into it.
To be honest, he didn’t care about the Jewel Slime.
He just didn’t want to be dragged into escort duty every day, so he wanted to spread the information to all the adventurers and increase the probability of it being subjugated.
But he was afraid of what would happen if he did it without permission, so he manipulated Jaskal into spreading the information himself.
Now, Jaskal, unaware of all that, had arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.
He ignored the line and approached the reception counter as if it were his own.
“J-Jaskal-san… what brings you here today…?”
“I have something to discuss with the Guild Master. Let me through.”
Jaskal said that to the receptionist and jumped over the counter, heading to the back.
His arrogance was nothing new, so no one reprimanded him.
There used to be people who did, but they were all silenced physically.
Jaskal went up the stairs. The Guild Master’s office was on the second floor.
The office was right near the stairs, and he could hear the conversation inside through the half-open door.
“–I see. So, those slimes have their nest north of the White Marsh’s tomb.”
“Yes. They seem to be hiding in a rocky area that’s hard for adventurers to spot. A rare species has also been confirmed, so it’s likely that the rumored Jewel Slime is also from there.”
“So, how is it? Do you think you can subjugate them on your own?”
“Of course. Our party alone can easily annihilate that small group. If you give us permission, we’ll attack tomorrow night.”
“I see. Then I entrust it to you, ‘The White Shroud of Mist’–“
Hearing that, Jaskal quietly left the scene.
His lips curled up naturally as he thought about what was to come.
(Kukuku, who would have thought I’d get to hear the Jewel Slime’s nest location?)
In his mind, he vividly pictured a future where he would raid the nest and massacre the Jewel Slime’s companions.
If it was there, he would kill it along with the others, and if it was out hunting, he could ambush it in the nest.
(I need more manpower to make sure no one survives. It will take time to gather all my subordinates… but I can make it if I start now.)
Fortunately, the party from earlier said they would attack tomorrow night. There was plenty of time.
While dwelling on the fulfillment of his revenge, Jaskal began preparations for the assault.