Chapter 7: Logistics of the Long Road
"Well," I transmit to Rimuru as we head toward the gate, my internal Deadpool doing a victory lap. "We went in for a blacksmith and came out with a whole engineering department. Not a bad day's work, Boss."
Rimuru is currently leading the pack, looking like a very happy blue bouncy ball. Behind him, Kaijin and his brothers are carrying their life's work in heavy sacks, looking back at the stone gates of their home with a mix of regret and resolve.
"I still can't believe we got kicked out," Kaijin mutters, though he brightens when he looks at Rimuru. "But a promise is a promise. We'll build you the greatest city the Forest of Jura has ever seen."
"I'd settle for a city with a decent drainage system and a master suite," I pulse, settling into the wooden cart as the Direwolves we left at the entrance trot over to meet us.
Notice. Ranga and the Direwolf pack have maintained their position as instructed. Loyalty levels: Optimal. Efficiency: High.
The lead wolf—Ranga—kneels before Rimuru. I look at the fur. It's dusty. It's coarse. It's probably crawling with fantasy-world fleas.
Azathoth, if I am forced to ride on a wolf, I want a localized barrier between my membrane and that pelt. I will not be 'The Slime with Mange'.
Suggestion: Use [Luxury Manifestation] to create a silk-lined saddle. Cost: 0.1% Magicule reserve.
Approved. Do it quietly. I don't need the Goblins thinking I'm high-maintenance—even if I am.
[Luxury Manifestation]
A thin, barely visible layer of shimmering fabric manifests over Ranga's back where I plan to sit. To anyone else, it just looks like the wolf has particularly shiny fur. To me, it's the difference between a first-class flight and a subway floor.
"All right, everyone! Let's head home!" Rimuru shouts.
The journey back is a logistical nightmare. Kaijin and the brothers aren't exactly built for long-distance sprinting, and the Forest of Jura isn't known for its paved highways.
"Boss," I pulse via [Thought Transmission] as we cross into the treeline. "We are currently moving at a pace that is hemorrhaging time. At this rate, the Goblins will have evolved into a different species before we arrive. We need to utilize the wolves for transport."
"Good point, Shinji!" Rimuru turns back. "Hey guys, hop on the wolves! They don't mind!"
Watching a burly blacksmith try to mount a giant wolf is the kind of slapstick comedy I usually charge a ticket fee for. Myrd, the silent one, actually handles it with surprising grace. Garm and Dold look like they're expecting to be eaten.
As we move deeper into the forest, the light dims. The canopy is thick, and the air is heavy with the smell of damp earth and rotting vegetation.
Warning. Multiple high-level magicule signatures detected ahead. Direction: 12 o'clock. Species: Unknown, but hostile intent is rising.
Analysis. The aura is consistent with a large predatory pack. Likely the remnants of the Direwolf faction or local rivals.
Great. More 'market competition'.
"Rimuru," I transmit, my internal persona sharpening. "We have company. And they don't look like they're here to offer us a trade agreement."
The bushes ahead explode. A dozen wolves—not ours, but wild, scruffy things—circle our group. They aren't as large as Ranga, but they look hungry enough to try their luck.
Ranga growls, his shadow lengthening. Rimuru stops.
"Wait! We don't have to fight!" Rimuru tries his usual 'let's-be-pals' routine.
The lead wild wolf snaps at the air, its eyes red with feral desperation.
[Transaction Domain]
I don't wait for the negotiations to fail. I expand the aura, creating a twenty-foot radius of absolute, crushing stillness around our cart. The wild wolves yelp as the 'fee' for their aggression hits them—a sudden, agonizing drain on their stamina that makes their legs buckle.
"You are trespassing on a high-value transit route," I pulse, the words cold enough to frost the nearby leaves. "The toll for passage is your immediate retreat. If you stay, I will begin 'liquidating' your pack."
The wild wolves whimper, their instincts finally overriding their hunger. They turn and bolt into the darkness.
"Whoa," Garm gasps from the back of his wolf. "That slime... he didn't even move."
"He's a bit of a shark," Rimuru laughs nervously, though I can tell he's glad he didn't have to use [Predator] on a bunch of strays.
"I am a realist, Rimuru," I pulse, settling back into my silk-lined spot. "Now, let's keep moving. I'm beginning to miss the soot of the forge. At least that was a dry heat."
Current Magicule Reserves: 98.8%. Location: Jura Forest, Mid-Transit. Status: Moving toward Goblin Village. Assets: Protected.
Chapter End.