Chapter 10

Today marks thirty-three Del. With today’s, it exceeds a hundred Del in total.

I check the reward for today’s goblin extermination.

Then I head to the inn where Rune is waiting.

Rune and I defeated thirty goblins today.

We didn’t hold back.

However, we couldn’t find any goblins like on the first day.

Perhaps it’s because the number of goblins has decreased thanks to our efforts and those of other adventurers.

Rune and I have slain over two hundred goblins in the week since the first day.

It’s a good thing, but since we need to find other ways to earn money, it’s a bit of a mixed feeling.

But goblins reproduce quickly.

If this area around Elpen is important, more goblins might be replenished.

Worrying about such things that adventurers don’t need to think about might be because I used to be an emperor.

I open the door to one of the rooms in the inn I borrowed from the guild.

There, Rune, who had dispelled the [Mimicry], and the small blue slimes were waiting.

"Master Rudis, welcome back!"

"“Master Rudis! Welcome back!”"

The slimes chime in with Rune’s first words.

"Yeah, I’m back."

I answer and place the bag with the reward on the table.

Then I sit down deeply on the bed.

"Did everyone behave well?"

"“Yes, Master Rudis!”"

The slimes all answer energetically.

Their wiggling blue jelly-like bodies are somehow soothing.

"I’m counting on you all... everyone."

I stumble a bit on my words.

Thinking about it, these guys don’t have names.

Should I name them?

But since they all look the same, it would be hard to remember their names even if I did.

While I’m thinking about this, Rune speaks up.

"Master Rudis, I’ve made these guys master the language and writing of the Vestburk Kingdom. They can read and write perfectly!"

"Really, they’ve already learned? Even you, Rune?"

"Yes! Now I don’t need to use [Magic Language] anymore."

"I see. Impressive."

Rune and the slimes don’t need sleep.

They probably spent the whole night memorizing the words and writing that were [Magic Language]d into their brains.

I’ve learned some writing, but I haven’t actually written anything.

In that sense, they are truly monsters.

"Also, I’ve improved the [Mimicry] effect a bit more. It’s not as good as mine, but the time and accuracy have improved significantly. Especially this one, which I first created through division."

"Hmm... It seems their magic power has increased as well."

I confirm with [Detection] that the slimes’ magic power has increased.

Among them, the one Rune mentioned has more magic power than the others.

On the day I went goblin hunting with the senior adventurer, Rune was training the slimes.

As the slimes’ magic power increases, my magic power also increases due to the Imperial Seal’s effect.

So, it’s very helpful.

Rune continues.

"That’s right! So, let’s show the effect right away. Master Rudis, please send the information of a random human to the slimes with [Thought]. They’ve never seen a human before."

"Oh, right. Then, let’s start with the one with the most magic power."

I think of the information of a human I know and try to use [Thought].

But Rune interrupts.

"Please choose someone you like! Like Lady Serene!"

Right. It would be better if they had a look I prefer...

"Hmm... Why Serene?!"

I send the information of the person in my mind to the slime with [Thought].

"Received! I’ll transform right away!"

The slime that received [Thought] quickly changes its shape.

"Oh, this is... Indeed, it’s Lady Serene from the magic academy."

In front of me stands the woman Rune mentioned, Serene.

Her hair, a transparent blue like the sea, is cut to her shoulders.

Her large, clear blue eyes match her hair.

Her attire is the magic academy’s robe, based on the information in my head.

What does Rune mean by "indeed"?

Rune continues.

"Then, shall we name her Serene?"

Why "indeed"...

"No... Let’s name her Marina based on her hair color."

"Ah, I see! It’s about the sea! Her hair is beautiful!"

What do you mean, "I see"...

I’m completely seen through by Rune.

Rune probably knows my preferences, as she transformed into Cecil’s form.

We’ve known each other since childhood.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Rune knows everything about me.

Rune says to Marina.

"Then, Marina, from now on, Marina is your name. Be honored to have been named by Master Rudis."

"Yes, Mom! Thank you, Master Rudis!"

The slime named Marina bows.

I nod and answer.

"Hmm. I count on you to serve me well."

I replied formally, but standing in front of a former classmate, I feel a bit embarrassed.

"Then, let’s move on to the next one. They still have less magic power and lower accuracy..."

Just as Rune said that,

"Rudis! Rune! If you’re here, come to the first floor of the guild!"

Eris, the senior adventurer, knocked on the door and called out.

"Yes, we’re coming right away!"

What’s going on? I responded.

Rune uses [Mimicry] and heads to the first floor of the guild with me.

I order Marina and the others to wait here.

The first floor of the guild had a serious atmosphere.

All the adventurers were looking at the men in blue surcoats, who looked like knights.

Among the knight-like men, a particularly large one spoke.

"It seems everyone has gathered... I will now convey the order of Duke Elpen!"

It seems these knights are from Duke Elpen, the lord of the region.

"Our Duke Elpen requests the support of adventurers against the incoming goblin horde! Adventurers, you will stand with us in battle!"

This must be the request from the lord that the receptionist mentioned...

The goblins are finally launching a large-scale offensive.

Rune and I decided to participate in this battle.

The goblin invasion came quickly.

The next morning, we were stationed at the northern wall of Elpen.

The goblins are coming from the north.

We adventurers are supposed to defend it along with the soldiers...

"Eris, there are few soldiers on this side of the wall."

I called out to Eris, the senior adventurer.

There are at most a hundred soldiers in this area of the northern wall.

In such a large city, it’s hard to believe there are so few soldiers.

"That’s right, Rudis. This is your first time, isn’t it? We adventurers are just reserve forces. The main force is over there..."

Eris pointed to the main street of Elpen.

On the main street, a group of soldiers was marching towards the north gate.

Dozens of mounted knights led the way, followed by hundreds of foot soldiers.

I couldn’t help but ask Noll, the nearby mage.

"Are they going to attack?"

"Yes."

"Does that mean the goblins have some kind of siege weapon?"

"Siege weapon? Like something that throws rocks? I’ve never heard of goblins using such things."

"Then why..."

It’s foolish. With the walls, we should just defend.

Without siege weapons, it would minimize casualties.

This time, Eris, who was next to me, answered.

"Unlike us, this is the only time knights can earn glory."

"I see. But with the walls..."

"Goblins are no match. I think it will be an easy win, though."

"...I see."

The scale of the enemy is unknown. But isn’t this too careless?

Eris continued.

"So, we adventurers are here for rear support. Well, we get ten Del just for watching, so it’s easy."

Is that how it works?

Not only Eris and the adventurers, but the knights and soldiers trying to pass through the gate also had confident faces.

It’s proof that everyone thinks it will be an easy win.

However, I couldn’t shake off a feeling of unease.