Chapter 110 - Foreboding

A/N:
Random thought — how many of you would actually read Blood Vows?

I've mentioned this before, but just to clarify: the one-shot that gets the most reads and comments will be turned into a full story, which I'll start posting after this one is complete. Blood Vows would be that "cool-down" story — something to give me a break before I return to revise this one.

If it doesn't get much attention or interest, I might speed through it — maybe around 15–20 chapters, max. But if a lot of people like it, I would maybe double that. That said, it won't be as long as this story no matter what. Blood Vows is more like a breather for me to clear my head.

Still, I want to give it a satisfying, open-ended conclusion — whether it's short or long.

Let me know your thoughts — I'd really like to hear what you all think.

...

"Ignore them," Rimuru said, shaking his head, choosing to let the matter settle on its own.

The group simply nodded, turning away from the growing destruction in the forest.

"Is it really okay, Rimuru-sama? Aren't they going to destroy the forest?" one of them asked, concern in their voice.

"Yeah, they won't go overboard." Rimuru smiled reassuringly, though his eyes flickered toward the horizon just as another large explosion rocked the landscape, setting a few trees on fire.

"I think..." Rimuru sighed, thinking for a moment. "I'll have their chase move to the sky." He spoke aloud, then turned his head slightly, communicating his thoughts silently to Veldora and Velgrynd.

As the guildmaster and the trio of adventurers watched, the sound of the distant city grew louder and louder. The noise was like the bustling streets of a crowded city—far more than they had ever expected from the infamous forest of monsters.

Finally, as they reached the edge of the city, all five of them stopped, staring in awe at the sight before them.

The city stretched out in front of them, with buildings averaging three stories high. Their design was far more advanced than anything in Ingrassia's capital. The structures looked solid and well-built, with wide streets between them.

At the center of it all stood a massive castle, its towering spires rising above the rest of the city. Even from their position, far from the middle, the castle was clearly visible, dominating the skyline with its sheer size and grandeur.

"Wow..." one of them breathed, eyes wide.

"Hey, hey, has this always been here?" Cabal said, his voice filled with astonishment. "Or do we assume the monsters built this in a month?"

"Oh, we did build it in a month," Rimuru answered casually.

The group turned their attention to him, disbelief spreading across their faces.

"A month..." one of them muttered.

"That's... no way..." another said, shaking their head in utter disbelief.

"How am I supposed to report this back home without causing an international incident?" Fuze teared up, imagining the chaos he'd have to explain back in his homeland. Part of him even dreaded returning, though his loyalty and love for his nation kept him from considering fleeing for good.

"Let's go," Rimuru said, forcing them out of their trance as he continued walking. As they passed through the streets, they noticed the residents of the city staring at them.

More specifically, they were staring at Rimuru, offering their respect and bowing their heads as he passed by. Fuze watched with a slight sense of fear, observing the various monsters being so subservient to one being.

"Hey..." Ellen whispered to Fuze. "Those are Kijins, aren't they, Guildmaster?"

"Five of them in one place..." Cabal's tone was filled with astonishment as the five Kijins walked casually through the streets, giving them only a quick glance before returning to their own business.

"Hobgoblins, Orcs, Ogres, Kijins, and we even met a Fair Oni and a Dryad," Gido recounted, his eyes scanning the monsters around them.

"There, a group of Lizardmen, as well as a couple of Lycanthropes here and there, if you look closely," Cabal added, pointing toward the reptilian monsters who seemed to be guarding someone important.

"Rimuru-sama has a lot of monsters under him," Shizu observed, walking beside Rimuru. "Is every one of them working for you, Rimuru-sama?"

Rimuru nodded. "Yeah, though this isn't everyone yet. The monsters of the forest are actually sending representatives of their races to talk with me about how things will change from now on. The Bovoid and Equinoid just left earlier to explain to their settlements what we discussed. Some Kobolds and Halflings are setting up stalls and calling their companions to join them. I believe some Rabbitmen came in earlier as well to greet me."

He began listing the monsters. Before meeting with Shizu's group, he had the Dryads call in the races he'd gathered in the forest to start discussing the city. The migration of 30-50% of their numbers to the capital and the planned expansion to other cities in certain areas.

He hadn't asked for their support earlier because it would have just made things too crowded to get any work done. Hobgoblins and Orcs were enough for the basic tasks, while the Ogres and Kijins handled the more intricate and heavier duties.

Lizardmen had little experience in constructing cities, as they lived in caves. The Bovoid and Equinoid would only argue and waste time. The Kobolds, Halflings, and Rabbitmen were not the most physically gifted races for such tasks.

As they finally entered the building and sat down in his office, Fuze began explaining the situation in the Western nations after the goblins had started to move.

"Rumors have started spreading that you're plotting to invade the West—that's why you're amassing every monster you can to prepare," Fuze said. He hesitated, knowing he couldn't speak as bluntly as he wanted in front of the Lord of the Forest.

Shizu finished for him. "That's what they're saying, Rimuru-sama."

Rimuru nodded, understanding why they'd think that. "That's understandable. From their perspective, my movements would seem suspicious. But frankly... they can think what they want. I'll just do whatever I want."

"D-do you have any interest in the West, Lord Rimuru?" Fuze asked, taking a risk to find the answer to a question many in the West were eager to know.

Rimuru shook his head. "No, not really." He frowned slightly at the thought. "That would be such a hassle to govern. The forest is already very large. And with the demon lords already terrorizing that area, I don't want to get in the middle of it."

"Is that so..." Fuze muttered, relieved at the answer.

"Yeah," Rimuru replied, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "I enjoy annoying Guy, but this would turn into a genuine fight, and that's just wasteful and unnecessary."

"....Guy?" Ellen repeated.

Gido placed a hand on his chin, thinking as well. "Where have I heard that before...?"

"Guy... no, it couldn't be, right?" Cabal joked, as if he were starting to realize where this was going.

"But he said 'demon lords terrorizing the West'," Ellen, who had figured it out as well, stiffened. Her eyes widened, and a bead of sweat slowly trickled down her temple as she wiped her brow, her hand trembling slightly. "Could it be...?"

"Lord Rimuru, is this Guy you're talking about..." Fuze trailed off, his voice faltering. His face grew pale, and he avoided making eye contact, his fingers fidgeted nervously.

Rimuru chuckled lightly, his lips curling into a sly grin. "Guy Crimson. Demon Lord Guy Crimson, from the Frozen Continent, north of here." His laughter deepened as he watched the group's reactions, their eyes wide with disbelief. The tension in the room was palpable, and Rimuru couldn't help but enjoy it.

Shizu, who had remained unusually calm, leaned back in her chair with a composed expression. "I've met him once before," she said, her voice steady. "Though 'met' is a strong word... more like I saw him when he visited Leon's old castle." She sighed, the memory not stirring any strong emotions in her, unlike the others in the room.

The conversation shifted as they discussed what needed to be said and what required confirmation.

By the next morning, Rimuru handed Fuze a recording of his message. Fuze took it, his fingers brushing the surface of the device before he placed it carefully into his bag. He nodded in acknowledgment, though his mind seemed elsewhere, still trying to process everything that had just been revealed.

"I'll have someone escort you on the way back," Rimuru gestured smoothly, and a hobgoblin appeared at the door, bowing low. The hobgoblin's movements were quick and efficient as it prepared to bring their escort.

Shizu scratched her cheek and shrugged casually. "I'll stay here for a bit," she said, her expression softening. "I have some private matters to finish here." Her gaze shifted briefly, as if distracted by something only she could see.

"Of course, take care, Shizu-san," Ellen replied, offering a warm smile. Cabal and Gido both nodded in agreement.

Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the room. The hobgoblin entered once again, this time with the escorts. "Rimuru-sama, the escorts are here. Also, the lizardmen are waiting for you in the throne room."

Rimuru nodded, his expression turning serious. "I'll come right now." He then turned to Fuze, a playful gleam in his eye. "Fuze, make sure to send my message properly." His smile remained, but the subtle shift in his gaze made it clear he wasn't joking. Fuze, however, misread the tone and stiffened, his heart racing as he took the smile as a subtle threat.

"I'll stake my life on guarding this!" Fuze exclaimed; his voice filled with a sudden, frantic determination. He held the recording tightly, pressing it to his chest as though it were a priceless treasure, before hurriedly placing it into his bag.

Fuze went out first with the trio, while Shizu decided to stay a few more days to discuss something, as she put it. They were escorted by Hakuro and Trya near the edge of the borders of the forest and Blumund.

Fuze held his bag carefully, the message from Rimuru safely tucked inside. He clutched it tightly, swearing to protect it with his life if necessary. His hand was sweaty, his eyes bloodshot as they traveled, the weight of his responsibility bearing down on him.

Meanwhile, Ellen, Gido, and Cabal were talking with Hakuro and Trya. Since the Fair Oni and Dryad had been made aware that they were guests and not to be harmed, they made sure to apologize for their actions, lowering their guard and vigilance around the four of them.

"So, you mean the reason why magical beasts rarely leave the forest anymore is because you've been hunting them down?" Ellen reiterated Hakuro's words, still amazed.

While it was true that they had seen very few monsters inside the forest earlier, the fact that they were being hunted down to prevent them from leaving the forest was something they had not expected.

"Yes," Hakuro confirmed, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Rimuru-sama specifically ordered us to take action. As you know, most monsters never bothered to learn how to control their auras. Excessive magicules can cause magical beasts to spawn all over the forest. In fact, several goblin settlements over the past hundreds of years have been destroyed by them. Many other monster villages have suffered similar damage as well."

"Even if we destroyed all the magical beasts in the forest today, they'd be replenished by tomorrow morning. That's how dense the forest is with magicules," Trya added, explaining further the complexities of the forest.

"Do you guys just hunt them down? I mean, they make for good materials," Cabal asked, intrigued. Magical beast armor was well-known for its durability and versatility in terms of magical conductivity, often used to make magical armors with special effects.

"We do collect them," Hakuro replied. "The meat and flesh are used for food, and the bones, hides, and shells are used for materials. We mainly use them for general items, like miscellaneous housewares and clothing."

Ellen and the others were shocked. "You mean, not for weapons and armor?"

"Hohoho," Hakuro laughed heartily. "We do make them, but if you look at us..." He gestured to himself and Trya. "We don't have any real urgency for weapons, as we can handle most problems with what we already have."

"I guess that's true," Ellen said, nodding slowly, her brow furrowing in understanding.

A few more minutes of casual chatting and walking passed before they finally arrived at the edge of the forest after two days of travel.

"Only two? How did we get here so fast?" Ellen exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise.

"We went through a shortcut," Trya explained with a smile. "And the common span of travel known by humans assumes that there are monsters and that people travel more slowly."

The two groups exchanged their goodbyes. Fuze bowed gratefully to their escort, and he, along with the trio, went on their way to report what they had learned.

When they arrived back at home, Fuze quickly had them write their report in a separate room while he contacted his old friend. "Baron Veryard, I need you to do me a favor and set up a meeting with the king," Fuze requested, his tone urgent.

He spoke into a crystal ball, and from the other side, a different man dressed in noble attire looked back at him, worry clear on his face. "Fuze, while I'm happy you're safe and eager to report... have you slept?"

Fuze shook his head, his expression serious. "No, no, this is far more important than sleep. Tell His Majesty the King that I have a message from the Lord of the Forest, and it needs to be spread to every western nation."

"Wha—what? Lord... do you mean the Demon of the Forest? You managed to meet him and survive?" Veryard's voice was filled with shock. If he hadn't already been sitting, his legs would have given way beneath him. "And you say you have a recording of his will? I understand. I'll have His Majesty arrange the meeting as soon as possible."

"Thank you, my friend," Fuze said, letting out a sigh of relief as he slumped back into his chair.

"While you wait for my reply, get some rest," Veryard said before cutting off the communication.

Fuze, exhausted, fell asleep peacefully at his desk. A few hours later, he was abruptly woken by Veryard's voice.

In the recording, Rimuru was sitting at his desk in his office, his posture unnervingly straight, fingers interlaced in front of him.

"Leaders of the Western Nations, I am Rimuru, or as you know me, the Demon of the Forest. From what I've been informed, it seems you all are in a state of chaos, noticing the movements of the monsters at your borders."

He paused, taking a slow, deliberate breath, his eyes closing for a moment. When they snapped open again, they locked onto the camera with terrifying precision. Half of those watching would swear that he was staring directly at them—that it wasn't just a recording, but that he was piercing through the screen, looking deep into their very souls, as if he could see every fear, every hesitation.

"I have no interest in the West. That territory is under the watch of the Demon Lords. Demon Lord Guy rules the North, Demon Lord Dagruel controls the far West, and not to mention Demon Lord Valentine, who lurks somewhere within the Western nations themselves." He flashed a chilling grin, raising three fingers slowly. "You already have your hands full with them."

Rimuru leaned back slightly in his chair, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he continued.

"I am very happy with my forest; it is bountiful enough to satisfy me. My monsters are moving toward the center because I wish to build a nation of my own. But do not mistake that for aggression toward you. You are not worth it. It's not about attacking you—it's about organizing my subordinates and transforming the hundreds of settlements in the forest into cities that are far easier to govern."

With a fluid motion, Rimuru stood up from behind his desk, his movements deliberate and calm. Stepping forward, he grabbed the crystal ball that was recording everything. He held it up, positioning it so that only his face filled the screen. The smile faded, his expression turning colder than before.

"Stop sending unwanted visitors into my forest. Anyone who dares step in uninvited will never leave. And if you continue this foolishness, I will ensure that none of you ever leave. I will make you disappear without a trace, as if you were never even there. Understand this: I am not attacking you not because I fear you. I am not attacking you because it would be a waste of time and resources."

His voice dropped lower, the threat in it unmistakable.

"Do you understand, humans?"

The recording stopped.

In the following month that message was spread to every nation in the West. Whether they bordered the forest or not did not matter. Every Royal Family and the leaders of the nations received and watched the recording.

The people along the border both sighed in relief and quivered in fear. They made sure that entering the border would forever be off-limits to everyone. However, not everyone along the border took such precautions.

The Kingdom of Falmuth, much like those farther from the border, took the recording as an insult to their pride and egos.

"Hah! Does that demon think he's better than me?" King Edmaris of Falmuth cursed, scowling as he finished watching the recording.

"I believe it is best to take caution, My Lord," Razen, the court mage of Falmuth, advised, his voice low and respectful. "Whether the statement is mere boastfulness or grounded in truth is of no importance. We should still take precautions given the many monsters living in the forest."

"But that's not what intrigues me," King Edmaris replied, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Did you hear what that demon said?"

"Which part, Milord?" Folgen, the commander of the knights, inquired, his tone respectful but curious.

"'It is bountiful enough to satisfy me,' was it?" King Edmaris smirked, his thoughts spiraling with ideas. "If even an old demon like him is satisfied with the 'bounty' of the forest—despite the hundreds of monster settlements—imagine what that quantity of resources could do for our kingdom."

"Ah, yes, yes, very sharp, My Lord," Archbishop Reyheim nodded in agreement, his voice a little too enthusiastic. "I'm sure such insightful thoughts are spreading across the nations."

"Oh? Is that so, Archbishop?" King Edmaris raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the archbishop's comment. "Do you have any information you could share?"

The archbishop stood from his seat, his robes rustling as he did so. "Many of the Western nations have taken great offense at the demon's words. And even more have had the same thoughts as you, My Lord. With the majority of the bordering nations fearing the demon's wrath, Falmuth would undoubtedly be the center and forefront of everything."

The king wore a wide smile— a greedy smile. "Then, shall we arrange a meeting with the council?"

A few days later, Hinata, already having her previous position in the old timeline, looked at the letter in her hand. It was an invitation to attend the meeting of the Council of the West. It outlined the plan regarding the Demon of the Forest recording and what was to be done with the forest.

She sighed, already hearing rumors and movements from her informants. "These idiots..."

A/N: Obligatory stupid Falmuth. This won't end like in the same for them though...

Sad fact that maybe some might care. I didn't manage to world build the entire forest, monsters, system etc in the future chapters. I am already way pass the point where I can insert those slice of life esque or world building chapters. 

I think I was blinded by the need to follow the storyline I made without adding new stuff in between. Things like Falmuth, council, mariabell are all still there, but the normal everyday stuff are a no.