Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 10

The Fang Wolf family.

The rulers of the eastern plains.

The cause of many headaches among the traders from Eastern Empire and other countries bordering the Jura Forest.

Each is a C rank monster, and could easily devour a negligent adventurer.

However, they were mostly feared as a pack.

When gathered, they move like a single entity, capable of organized attack.

And, as a pack... they are often evaluated as a B rank.

The eastern plains are located adjacent to Empire's wheat fields.

As it is the Empire's primary food source, it boasts of impenetrable defense.

Thus, although the Fang Wolves are rather cunning and possess excellent abilities, breaking through the defense would be exceedingly difficult.

Furthermore, even if they did break through, they would only earn the Empire's wrath, and would probably be hunted into extinction.

The pack leader understood that much.

The many decades spent skirmishing with and learning from the ever-expanding empire instilled that ominous premonition in them.

As long as they preyed only upon small-time merchants, the empire wouldn't get serious.

However, if they even once decided to intrude upon the wheat fields, the empire will bare its fangs.

As a result, he had prevented many mishaps from beginning true incidents.

Those were the thoughts that filled the pack leader's head.

However, will this not stop his species evolution? So his instincts screamed.

Currently, the pack did not lack provision.

If people were attacked and eaten, they were more of a snack.

That's because humans aren't born with a lot of inherent magical energy.

For the Fang Wolves, a meal was nothing more than absorbing magical energy.

Fight strong monsters or slaughter many humans, and evolve into a calamity class monster.

But as things stand, neither method seemed very plausible.

The Empire was simply far too strong.

However, should they simply continue attacking merchants, their goal will be but a dream within a dream.

But they have heard of a paradise for powerful monsters"a forest set on blessed lands far in the south.

However, to reach those lands, they'd have to traverse the Jura Forest.

The inhabitants of which aren't anything special.

The many times they hunted those of them that ventured into the plains proved this point.

In that case, why have they not invaded the forest yet?

"Storm Dragon Veldora"

The existence of that dragon is the reason.

Even while he was sealed away, the ominous energy he emitted was enough to frighten them into submission.

They were convinced that the forest's inhabitants received Veldora's protection.

And that is why the can live inside that fiendish aura.

Had they believed otherwise, they would surely go mad.

Until now, they lived with these shameful thoughts, and held back their urge to invade... Yes! Until now!

The Pack Leaders looks into the forest with his blood red, sharp eyes.

That despised, evil dragon's presence had vanished.

Now, they could freely ravage through the forest, and become its supreme rulers! Oh, the very thought whet his appetite.

And so, he howled the order to advance!

.

Having become the guardian, I contemplated the next step.

Personally, even with that title, I think their treatment of me is too grandiose.

In any case, I gathered and studied the goblins' fighters.

... They are practically falling apart.

Doesn't seem like I can depend on them during combat.

Also, the remaining goblins, kids and elderly, came to observe our preparation.

No reinforcement from other tribes, either.

As things stand, it's a small miracle that the chief hasn't lost his mind yet.

Because even if they run away, they'd just die from hunger or thirst...

And, the goblins whom I gathered are staring me as if at a deity...

What a heavy burden I took up.

Feels especially so since I just wanted to lead a carefree life away from responsibility.

ŒDo you all understand the situation?

Not the kind of atmosphere to make a joke, and I don't have any good words of encouragement, so I went straight to the point.

ŒYes! This shall become the fight to decide whether we live or die! We have already said our prayers!

The goblin leader was the first to reply.

The rest nodded in approval.

And while there are some with trembling knees, that's only to be expected. Heart might be willing, but the flesh is weak"something like that.

ŒDon't get so worked up"relax. Even those eager may face defeat. Just focus on doing your best!

Tried saying something cool.

I, at least, felt better, so maybe it'll have some effect.

In any case, should we begin?

Failure will most likely result in the goblins' certain demise.

But still, I chose to be "Going My Way" about this. (TL Note: reference to a 1944 film)

Ahead, with arrogance! That's my choice.

Alright! "Put your spirit into it!" That is the first order I gave them.

And from then on, many more orders will follow.

Those words announced that the moment has come!

.

And the sun had set.

The Fang Wolves' pack leader awoke.

That night was a full moon. The perfect witness to their battle.

He slowly awoke his flesh, and gazed over his dominion.

The pack, seeing their leader like that, bated their breath.

How tensely they await.

So thought the leader.

Tonight, they will crush that goblin village, and so take the first step into the Jura forest.

Afterwards, hunt the nearby monsters, as to prove themselves as the forest's rulers.

And someday soon, continue southward in search of greater power.

We have the power to accomplish this, they thought.

Our claws rip through the flesh of any beast, and our fangs piece any armor.

*Uoooooooooooon!!!*

The pack leader howled!

The time to trample their foes had come.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

A few days ago, a brother he had sent on reconnaissance had brought back bewildering information.

A small monster releasing monstrous energy.

That monster's demonic aura far surpassed that of the leader.

There could be no such thing. So concluded the leader.

He had not perceived such a threat, and all the monsters he met were weak.

There had been nothing to call resistance as of yet.

Only that one time, ten or so goblins had murdered a few of their brethren, but never again.

Chances are, the scout was far too excited to see rationally.

Thinking that, the boss only looked ahead.

And in front of him, lay the village.

It was just were the scouts reported.

Using the wounded goblin, they had marked this village. So now, they can hardly offer proper resistance.

The leader was a cunning wolf. He wouldn't let his guard down.

However, the village was not as expected.

As if it belonged to humans... it was fenced.

They had dismantled every house and erected a wall.

And, in the middle of the entrance ahead, stood a single slime.

How ingenious!

So laughed the leader.

They left an opening to defend against our numbers! Were his thoughts.

After all, they were slow-witted, trash of a monster.

That wall will quickly topple before our claw and fang!

We shall show them our might! With these thoughts, he ordered the attack.

And as one, ten fang wolves assaulted the walls.

They truly were a single being.

That was their true worth"their unity in combat.

Movement made possible through telepathic communication. A form of communication many times faster than words.

The first attack should have destroyed the walls.

Surely, the leader imagined, the goblins will soon realize the futility of their plan and panic. Instead, it was the leader who let out a voice of surprise.

The attack squad was repelled! And, there was something rolling on the ground while splashing blood among them, too.

What had happened?

Without a hint of panic, he sought answers.

The slime had not moved.

Did he do something?

And then, the closest of his subordinates,

(It's the one from that day! The one that possessed an aura stronger than our lord!)

So he reported.

How foolish! He thought while looking at the slime.

They would sometimes be born in the plains.

You'd exaggerate if you called them monsters; a pitiful existence.

To be surpass myself in demonic aura... impossible!

But then,

ŒAlriiight! Stop right there. If you withdraw now, I will not pursue. Depart at once!

Is what the slime declared.

The Fang Wolves' leader was a crafty and cunning monster.

Having lived many years and experienced many things, he'd never neglect making a plan.

He was cool-headed and possessed courage tested through many battles.

His many experiences, and the information he collected, all rejected the presence of a being stronger than him among the goblins.