"We've arrived. The Ogre Village lies just ahead."
Kouga and Argenta gazed forward.
Ogre children were darting and tumbling about, while the adults honed their fighting skills or headed out for the hunt. The village thrummed with raw, primal energy.
Suddenly, a specific Ogre spotted the two strangers standing near the edge of their domain.
"Hey, everyone! Outsiders by the village fence! Quick, alert the Chief!"
A ripple of commotion spread through the tribe—some were consumed by curiosity, others by sharp suspicion.
Out of the chaos, a rather imposing Ogre woman, marked by a single horn on her forehead and a cascade of voluminous purple hair, strode directly towards them. Her broad chest seemed to push through the air itself.
"You two," she challenged, her voice a low growl of excitement. "What brings you to our village? Are you looking for a fight?"
One of the quieter, dark-blue-haired Ogre men watching the scene simply let out a long, slow sigh. Here we go again, the sigh seemed to say.
Kouga felt something in his own heart soften at the sight of the fiery young woman addressing them. Such unbridled spirit. A charming kind of recklessness.
"We've merely come to visit, little lady. Could you point us toward your Chief?"
Hearing the man's smooth words, the Ogre woman's energy spiked. A wild grin stretched across her face. She hefted the spiked mace she carried and declared:
"Before that, let's have a round! I can sense your strength—it's like a mountain! Maybe even stronger than the Chief or those old fogeys!"
Bump
With blinding speed, the Ogre launched her attack, aiming the heavy mace straight at Kouga.
Argenta, standing beside him, spoke coolly.
"Kouga, the child is certainly bold. Should I teach her a lesson in manners?"
Gently patting Argenta's small, slender shoulder, Kouga smiled.
"No need, Argenta. I know their kind; they usually lead with their fists." A baptism by combat, it seems. A perfectly Ogre way to greet guests.
Kouga simply crossed his arms over his chest, a faint, almost amused smile playing on his lips as he watched the incoming strike.
DONG!
A dull sound, like a hammer striking an anvil of pure iron, echoed across the clearing. Kouga remained utterly still, allowing the strike to land squarely on his body. Yet, it left absolutely nothing behind—not a scratch, not even a faint bruise. The skin of his forearms hadn't even dimpled.
"I—Impossible!" the Ogre woman gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"My turn now, wouldn't you say, Miss?" Kouga's smile widened just a fraction.
But that small smile carried a vastly different meaning in the Ogre's eyes. She felt a sudden, profound sense of danger—a primal alarm bell—that caused her to instantly pull back, sinking into a defensive stance.
"What's wrong?" Kouga asked innocently.
He merely curled his middle finger against his thumb, as if preparing to snap something small. The next moment, a sudden, powerful gust of wind erupted following the simple snap of his fingers, forcing the Ogre woman to brace herself and fight just to hold her ground against the invisible impact.
The newly arrived Ogre Chief, along with his children and the village elders, were utterly stunned by the scene playing out before them. Only one white-haired old Ogre seemed to find the man sparring with one of their own vaguely familiar.
"What horrifying strength!" exclaimed the Ogre man with fiery red hair and two horns jutting from his forehead. His bulky figure was accentuated by the samurai-style armor he wore. This was the Chief's son and the tribe's next successor.
His sister, a pink-haired Ogre girl with twin white horns, was equally astonished, covering her mouth with the sleeve of her kimono.
"To defeat her that easily? Who in the world is he?" He moves like water, yet strikes like thunder.
The Chief suddenly stepped forward, his tone urgent and pleading.
"Stop this! I humbly beg your pardon, Your Excellency, for the recklessness of one of our own."
Hearing the voice, Kouga turned his head towards the speaker.
"Are you the current leader of this tribe? Where is that guy? You bear a strong resemblance to him; are you his son?"
The Chief looked startled and replied:
"No, Your Excellency. If you speak of the one you knew, that was my father. He passed away a long time ago."
"I see. My deepest apologies then," Kouga said, bowing politely.
Suddenly, the old Ogre man approached the group and spoke with a tone of keen curiosity.
"Forgive me for interrupting, but Your Excellency… you seem very familiar to me."
Kouga turned, then his eyes widened in surprise, a joyful expression spreading across his face.
"Hahaha, Senior Brother! It's me. I go by the name of Kouga now."
"Hoho, no wonder you looked so familiar! And the sword you carry reminded me of someone. I simply thought it was a coincidence. How have you been all this time?"
"Ah, it's been a bit of a winding road. Somehow, I managed to acquire a name," Kouga replied, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
As if remembering a crucial detail, Kouga suddenly reached out and wrapped an arm around Argenta's waist, pulling her close from the side.
"Kyaa! What are you doing!" she shrieked, a mix of surprise and indignation coloring her voice.
Kouga merely grimaced, then announced:
"Allow me to introduce you. This is Argenta. My beloved." There, that should shut him up about swords.
"Hohoho! So you finally found a partner, did you! I thought you only had room for that sword in your head!" the old Ogre teased, a twinkle in his eyes.
Kouga blushed slightly, a rare sight.
Argenta gently extricated herself from Kouga's grasp, then offered a polite and graceful address.
"My name is Argenta. I hope to be of assistance to your tribe," she said, managing to smooth out her ruffled dignity.
"Hohoho, then please take good care of this boy for me, young lady."
"So, that Old Man knows him? It is highly impolite to continue speaking outside like this. Father, perhaps we should invite our two guests to speak inside," said the Ogre Chief's son. Though he would later be named by Rimuru, he already displayed the sharp instincts of a future leader.
"You are absolutely correct. Your Excellency, if you would be so kind, we can talk in the chamber I have prepared," the Ogre Chief said respectfully.
"Very well. I also have something important I wish to convey," Kouga replied, taking Argenta's hand before following them inside.
The Meeting Chamber
Everyone was seated formally upon the tatami mats.
The Chief initiated the conversation.
"May I ask who Your Excellency is, and what message you wish to deliver?"
Kouga took a slow sip of the tea offered by the Chief's daughter.
"Delicious tea, young lady. You have a considerable talent," he complimented.
"Thank you, Your Excellency," she replied with a graceful smile.
Kouga then met the Chief's gaze directly.
"I am Kouga. I was once the Chief of this tribe, but that was a very, very long time ago. Your father was my friend."
The news sent a shockwave through the room, sparing only the old Ogre.
"So, you were my grandfather's friend?" the Chief's son asked, his voice thick with surprise.
"You may call me 'Grandfather,' if you like. It would ease the responsibility I feel for handing over the duties of the chieftainship to your grandfather." Kouga paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle.
"I have not come here to reclaim that position," he assured them immediately.
"I am now sworn into the service of a Master, a vow I have taken for the rest of my life."
Every person in the chamber leaned forward, focused and curious about what he would say next.
Kouga took another sip of his tea, the warmth a slight comfort against the heavy words he was about to speak.
"You must leave this forest immediately, even if only temporarily. Alternatively, you could follow me. I will try to plead with my Master to accept your entire tribe under his protection."
"Is something grave about to happen, Kouga?" the old Ogre asked, his eyes sharp with concern.
"Yes, Senior Brother. I have a terrible premonition. And scouts loyal to my Master have detected an abnormal anomaly within this very forest. You must have some information regarding the Orc armies, correct?" He paused, his expression turning serious.
"There is a hand pulling the strings behind the scenes, manipulating all of this. I don't know who they are, but I can only warn you. My Master has been kind enough to grant me the freedom to act on my own accord, but I cannot assist you in battle should anything break out. For my Master's commands are absolute."
Kouga took another measured sip of his tea.
A heavy silence descended upon the room, thick enough to choke on.
"With the deepest respect, Kouga-dono, I simply cannot do that," the Chief finally spoke, his tone firm yet regretful.
"Forcing the tribe to abandon their ancestral land based merely on assumption would only spread chaos. They will not listen to warnings without proof. And concerning the Orc army, we Ogres are confident we can annihilate them all if they dare attack."
Kouga gently set down his teacup and let out a soft sigh, a sound laced with frustration at this typical Ogre stubbornness. Though he had once shared their defiance, his many experiences since then had taught him the harsh difference between bravery and blind pride.
"Perhaps we should at least consider Kouga's counsel, Chief?" the old Ogre suggested cautiously.
"No, Master Swordsman. I cannot," the Chief insisted, his resolve unshakeable.
Kouga rose to his feet, adjusting the katana at his hip, and sighed again, this one heavier than the last.
"I see. In that case, I must take my leave. Senior Brother, I bid you farewell."
"Yes, and my apologies, Kouga. After you've come all this way," the old Ogre replied, his voice filled with regret.
Kouga waved a dismissive hand.
"It is nothing, Senior Brother. I had anticipated this outcome long ago." A fool's errand, perhaps. But one I had to attempt.
With his back facing the gathering, Kouga gave one final wave as he walked toward the door.
"If the chance arises, let us speak again."
The old Ogre could only shake his head and let out a weary sigh.
Argenta, who had been unnervingly silent throughout the entire discussion, suddenly stood up and swiftly followed Kouga out.
Just before reaching the doorway, she stopped, her voice cutting through the air with a chilling finality.
"You thankless people! Do you have any idea the turmoil Kouga felt upon receiving that information? He was worried sick about you all, and selfishly went straight to our great Master with his plea! Kouga is deeply ashamed for acting so presumptuously, and traveled all this distance just for your sake—"
Argenta broke off, her words dissolving into a rush of exasperation as she ran after him.
"Wait up, you stupid Kouga!"
Kouga, who had already put a considerable distance between himself and the village, let out a deep sigh and cast one last look back at the Ogre settlement.
"I hope this premonition of mine proves to be nothing but foolish worry."
"Wait up, you stupid Kouga!"
Kouga's face softened into a gentle smile as he turned and spoke.
"Alright, alright, Argenta."
"Why didn't you wait for me!" Argenta huffed, her face twisted in a pout of annoyance.
Suddenly, Kouga pulled her into a tight, warm embrace.
"Perhaps my only true happiness is being able to always be with you and serve Lucien-sama. I truly don't care about anything else." Let the world burn, as long as I have this.
Being embraced so suddenly caused Argenta's face to flush crimson. She struggled for a brief moment before processing his words. Her thoughts—always a frantic tangle of loyalty and irritation—were instantly stilled. She relaxed into his arms, returning the hug. Her mind was now calm and blissfully happy.
"Is that true?" she murmured.
Argenta tilted her head up, meeting Kouga's soft gaze. He leaned his face forward and, without warning, pressed his lips gently against hers.
Her mind immediately went blank, as if struck by lightning—a searing, beautiful shock. Argenta instinctively struggled for a second before softening, accepting the kiss wholeheartedly, pouring all her surging emotions into the moment. Why do I feel so ridiculously happy? Argenta wondered, drowning in the unexpected tenderness.