Rimuru, satisfied with the joy and energy in the village after the naming ceremony, decided it was time to set some rules to ensure harmony and growth. He stood in front of everyone, his commanding presence silencing the cheers and excitement.
"All right, everyone, settle down," Rimuru said, his voice firm yet kind. "Now that you've all been named and gotten stronger, there are some rules we need to establish. These rules will help us grow as a community and survive in this world."
The Goblins and direwolves listened intently as Rimuru laid out the rules:
Goblins and direwolves will work in pairs. "Each Goblin will partner with a direwolf. You'll help protect and support each other. This way, we can ensure both strength and cooperation."
No belittling other races. "Just because you've grown stronger after being named doesn't mean you should look down on others who aren't as strong. Arrogance will only bring trouble."
No fighting among each other. "If you have issues, bring them to me, or we'll resolve them as a family. Fighting among ourselves weakens us as a whole."
No attacking humans unless they attack first. "I won't tolerate senseless violence. You are allowed to protect yourselves, but remember, in this world, survival of the fittest is key. Keep training and helping each other grow stronger."
The crowd nodded in agreement, their newfound respect for Rimuru evident in their eyes.
Rimuru then turned to the elder Goblin, who now stood taller and more regal as Rigurd. "Rigurd, as of today, you will be the Goblin King. You'll oversee the village and help me manage its affairs."
Rigurd's eyes widened, and tears began to stream down his face as he knelt before Rimuru. "Thank you, great one! I will dedicate my life to serving you and this village!"
Rimuru smiled. "I'm counting on you, Rigurd."
He then turned to Ranga, who stood proud among the direwolves. "Ranga, you will be my pet and personal companion. You'll always stay by my side unless I tell you otherwise."
Ranga, overwhelmed with joy, let out a powerful howl and wagged his tail excitedly. "It will be my honor, master!"
Rimuru addressed the rest of the group. "Now, we need to rebuild this village. It's in rough shape, and we'll need proper housing, defenses, and facilities to thrive. We'll need workers, soldiers, chefs, and more to form a proper community."
Rigurd stepped forward hesitantly. "Great one, while we're willing to work hard, we have no knowledge of construction. In the past, we traded with a country called Dwargon, home to skilled Dwarves. They could help us rebuild."
Rimuru nodded. "Dwargon, huh? Sounds promising. I'll visit and hire some Dwarves soon. For now, we'll make do with what we have."
He then motioned for Rigurd and three other Goblins to approach him. As they knelt before him, Rimuru placed his hand on Rigurd's head. Using the Skill Transfer ability granted by Great Sage, he transferred basic construction knowledge directly into Rigurd's mind. Rigurd's eyes widened in shock as the information flooded his brain.
"This... this is amazing! Great one, I now understand how to build sturdy homes and structures!" Rigurd exclaimed.
Rimuru grinned. "Good. Use that knowledge to guide the others."
He repeated the process with the other three Goblins, who were equally astonished and grateful.
"Now," Rimuru said, addressing the crowd, "use the knowledge I've given you to start rebuilding this village. It won't be easy, but together, we can make this place a home worth protecting."
The Goblins and direwolves roared their agreement, filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Under Rigurd's direction, the village quickly became a hive of activity, with everyone working tirelessly to improve their lives. Rimuru watched from a distance, a small smile on his face.
As Rimuru watched the Goblins and direwolves working tirelessly, he leaned back against a tree, satisfied with the progress they were making. However, his mind wandered to the next step: dealing with the Ogres. He called out to Great Sage for guidance.
"Say, Great Sage, about the Ogres you mentioned earlier... They're supposed to be strong, right? How do you suggest I approach them to get them to submit and join us?"
Great Sage responded in its calm, mechanical tone:
"The Ogres are indeed a powerful and intelligent race. However, they are highly prideful and unlikely to submit willingly without reason. Multiple approaches are possible, depending on the desired outcome."
Rimuru rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, let's hear it. What are my options?"
"Option one: Engage in a display of dominance through combat. If you can defeat their strongest warriors or leader without harming them excessively, they may acknowledge you as their superior. This method is common among monster races that value strength."
Rimuru sighed. "I figured that'd be one of the options. But fighting them might make them resent me later, don't you think?"
"Correct. While this method ensures submission, it may not foster loyalty unless handled delicately."
"Hmm, alright. What's the next option?"
"Option two: Offer them a mutually beneficial alliance. The Ogres value strength, but they also respect intellect and generosity. Demonstrating your ability to provide protection, resources, or solutions to their current struggles may persuade them to follow you willingly."
"That sounds a bit more reasonable," Rimuru said. "But what kind of problems would they have that I could help with?"
"Analysis suggests that the Ogres are likely embroiled in conflicts with other races vying for dominance in the Jura Forest. Additionally, they may suffer from a lack of resources, injuries, or dwindling numbers. Offering aid in these areas could win their favor."
Rimuru nodded, his interest piqued. "I like this one. Anything else?"
"Option three: Combine the first two approaches. Initiate contact with a demonstration of your abilities, such as using non-lethal force to neutralize hostility, then immediately offer assistance or a proposal of alliance. This method balances respect for their pride with an appeal to their needs."
"Hmm, a mix of strength and diplomacy," Rimuru mused. "I like that. It shows them I'm not someone to mess with, but also that I'm not just a brute."
"Correct. This approach has the highest probability of success in establishing both submission and loyalty."
Rimuru smiled. "You're pretty good at this, Great Sage. Anything else I should know about the Ogres before I go meet them?"
"Ogres are highly intelligent and deeply value honor and family. They often rally around a central leader or clan head. Impressing or defeating their leader in a manner that preserves their dignity will earn you their respect.
"It would also be advantageous to showcase your ability to grant names. This act would demonstrate your power and further encourage their loyalty, as named monsters gain significant strength."
Rimuru smirked. "Ah, so the naming trick could come in handy again. Good to know. Alright, Great Sage, I think I've got a plan. I'll approach them cautiously but firmly. Show them what I'm capable of without going overboard, then offer my help and a place in the village. Sound good?"
"Affirmative. This plan has a high probability of success. Proceed with caution, as Ogres are formidable opponents, and their trust is not easily earned."
Rimuru stood up, stretching as he looked out at the bustling Goblins and direwolves. "Alright then, time to prep for a little field trip. Let's see if I can convince the Ogres to join the family."