Shortly after we started moving, I decided to strike up a small conversation with the black-haired ogre to pass the time and try to keep her from thinking too much about the tragedy she had just experienced.
So it wouldn’t be uncomfortable, I decided to travel a bit slower but make the experience more pleasant with my wind manipulation.
“So, do you know any of those who managed to escape?” I asked the girl.
—Yes, I know everyone, sir.
In my village, there weren’t many of us, so we all knew each other.
—I see.
So, another reason to reunite with them, I suppose.
Tell me, if it’s not a problem, would you mind telling me what you did in your village?
—It’s no problem, sir.
We ogres are a sort of mercenary; we make a living carrying out jobs commissioned by other races.
I used to do that sometimes with the purple-haired girl you saved.
—Oh!
So you know how to fight?
—Of course.
My specialty is lightning and fire magic and hand-to-hand combat.
—That sounds impressive.
I’m sure you could give me some tips on hand-to-hand combat.
Although my appearance might suggest otherwise, I have actually fought hand-to-hand combat very rarely and have never had the opportunity to practice this art, so I am a novice — i said while I laughed lightly.
—Sir, you are undoubtedly very strong.
You were able to help us and escape from the orcs without any problem.
You don’t need to be so humble.
—Come on, don’t call me sir, there’s no need to be so formal; beside, I’ve already told you my name, haven’t I?
—Yes, Kaelion-sama.
After that, we traveled in comfortable silence for a long time.
When we were about 3 km from the village, I could start to hear battle sounds that I identified as Rimuru’s fight with the ogres.
After all, I could sense Rimuru’s aura and he shouldn’t be fighting anyone other than the ogres.
Deciding that there was no advantage in letting the battle continue, I grabbed the girl more firmly and warned her directly:
—Get ready, it looks like someone is fighting up ahead, I’m going to speed up.
“I understand, I’m ready now.” Whenever you wish —the girl told me after holding into me tightly.
I immediately increased the speed to more than double the previous one in an instant, making the trees and vegetation around us appear as blurs.
It didn’t take us much more than a minute to reach the battlefield, which seemed to be a small clearing in the forest. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
When we finally arrived, it seemed that Rimuru had just finished showing off his “Dark Flame” and “Black Thunder,” just like in the original story.
Just when Shuna was about to stop her brother from continuing the fight, I jumped between the two groups and asked a question simply because I felt like it:
—What is supposed to be happening here?
“Kael, you’re back!” Rimuru said to me cheerfully.
—Of course, I told you it would only be a few days.
Anyway, I leave you alone for just a few days and you already get into trouble.
“Hey, I haven’t done anything, this isn’t my fault,” he told me indignantly.
Before we could continue with our little monolog, the crimson-haired ogre interrupted our conversation:
—You!
You are the one who helped us, what are you doing here?
Turning toward the group of ogres, which included a bound purple-haired woman, an incapacitated giant, and a blue-haired one lying on the ground, I responded to them in a simple and straightforward manner:
—Well, I was just returning to my village, but it turns out I felt my friend’s presence fighting someone, so I decided to come and take a look —I said while pointing to Rimuru at the part of “my friend”.
Upon hearing me, the group seemed surprised for a moment and then remorseful.
“Brother, it’s obvious that this guy wasn’t responsible for the catastrophe in our village.” Someone with his power wouldn’t need to use such dirty tricks —said the ogre princess.
With a sigh, I let the girl I was carrying on my back down and approached the future Shion to untie her, while at the same time throwing a potion to the blue-haired one.
—You know, generally it’s better to talk things out before starting a direct fight; but well, I understand how you feel right now, so don’t worry.
“Sir, it may not be the most appropriate time, but we are deeply grateful for your help,” it was Shuna this time who addressed me directly.
Before I could say anything, she continued—: It seems that you also rescued another one of our companions —she said while watching the ogre girl I had saved hugging the recently freed Shion—.
I don’t know if there’s anything we could do to repay all the help you have given us —concluded the pink-haired princess.
“Don’t worry, there’s no need for thanks.” Anyway, my job was to investigate the presence I had felt in that area.
It was simply a coincidence that I came across your village —I lied quickly.
“Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re still alive thanks to you,” said the red-haired ogre.
—Kaelion…
that’s my name.
You don’t need to be so formal —I said to them with a sincere smile.
“Hey, I don’t know what is supposed to have happened, but it would be better if we keep talking in the village, it will be more pleasant for everyone,” said Rimuru.
—You’re right —I replied—.
Come on, follow us.
You must be hungry, you’ll surely like our food —I said, looking at the group of ogres.
Kaelion, we cannot continue receiving your help in this manner, it is not honorable —said the ogre prince.”
“Don’t be stubborn.” Come on, I’m sure your friend has things to tell you —I said, pointing to the black-haired girl who was happily talking with her purple-haired friend.
After they finally agreed to come with us and the future Shion was the one carrying the white-haired ogre this time, we set off toward the village after both the ogres, the wolves and goblins got up from the ground.
The way back was relatively calm.
To a greater extent, it was the ogres expressing how happy they were that the black-haired girl was also alive, and she saying that it was all thanks to me, which in turn made the group thank me again.
“It seems like you’ve had quite a busy adventure,” Rimuru said to me, laughing.
—You wouldn’t know how much —I said.
Anyway, by the time we reached the village, night was already falling.
It seems that Rimuru told Rigurd to prepare some kind of banquet to celebrate that he could now taste food; quite convenient that we arrived with the ogres today.
But well, in the original story, the same thing happened, so I can’t be surprised.
The small party passed quickly and in a joyful manner.
The ogre princess helped prepare the food with herbs she had gathered herself, causing the goblins and her to get along quickly.
Thank God, they listened to Rimuru’s advice and used fruits to add more flavor to the meat; I can see that they are really interested in the food.
I guess that’s why they wanted to learn everything possible from the pink-haired girl.
For our part, we simply dedicated ourselves to enjoying the food and watching some goblins danced and enjoyed the small party.
There was a moment when I was even chatting with the ogre I rescued after bringing her some food, as she couldn’t move properly at the time.
Although the conversation barely lasted a few sentences.
It was really her thanking me for everything as she had done five hundred times before.
I suppose that even if I tell them it’s not necessary, their pride won’t let it go.
Of course, we didn’t forget that there were important things to discuss, but we decided to postpone it for the moment.
Seeing that the ogres were exhausted and it would be better for them to rest, we didn’t think it was right to have a meeting that same day.
In the end, we left them some tents to rest and agreed to discuss things tomorrow with more calm.
From my point of view, I would say that nothing has deviated from the original story so far.
But with everything I’ve done, I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened.
I guess those will be problems for my future self.
Tomorrow would be a busy day, especially for Rimuru, who would go back into energy-saving mode after naming the ogres; although I’m still not sure how the situation will unfold in the end, after all, this time I have been a major variable.
I hope everything ends well, I sighed.
With that last thought, I fell asleep after a peculiar and mentally exhausting day.