Rimuru's Restart: That Time I Travelled Back in Time

Chapter 12: Shizu's Empowerment

Shuna didn't forget. She even handed me my blue jacket. The first one that I have wore, It really takes me back.

It was the evening, two days before the Lizardmen's regime change, which we planned to prevent.

"Great Rimuru, we are ready to depart," Benimaru reported, still steeled in his role as my right-hand man in this timeline.

As I looked behind him, I couldn't help but notice the improvements in our forces.

The frontier garrison division of the Goblin Riders, led by Gobta, stood ready. With their newly crafted equipment, their numbers had swelled to 200. Recruiting the Dwarves earlier had certainly been the right call.

Not only that, but we were now using stronger metals. Kaijin and Kurobee really outdid themselves this time. One thing that stands out to me is that it's been over a decade since I last went through this struggle. Fighting the same foes again feels strange. But I have someone who knows every detail of it, so if worse comes to worst, I can just ask Ciel-sensei to formulate the optimal plan.

In front of our 200-strong goblin garrison, the elites had gathered. With their newly crafted gear and garments, the results of their intense training were clear—they were now far more capable in combat.

Shizu-san, Benimaru, Hakurou, Shion, and Souei would join us later.

With Gobta's army, including myself, we would be marching into the marshlands to stop the Lizardmen's revolt.

We couldn't allocate all our forces to the front lines. So, we divided our population into two groups: Gobta's frontline brigade and Rigur's defensive brigade. Both groups numbered around 200.

Their elites would protect our quarters:

Rigurd, Kaijin, Kurobee, the Garm brothers, Vesta, and Shuna.

"I'll leave everything to you, Rigurd. If something bad happens to us, don't hesitate to direct the population and find somewhere safe for them to resettle."

"Understood, Great Rimuru. Please leave the village to us. If it's you and the others, I have no doubt you'll return victorious."

"Vesta..."

As I called his name, he already understood what I meant.

"I hope for your safe return, Sir Rimuru. Rest assured, if anything goes wrong, I'll testify to the events and use the relationship we've built with King Gazel to seek possible reinforcements."

Vesta's integrity was invaluable. Thanks to him, the town's technological advancements—everything from appliances to the battle gear we'd be using—had vastly improved. With a former minister on our side, we could also certify these affairs with other nations, potentially securing reinforcements if needed.

With all preparations complete, it was time to depart. Shuna and the others gave us a heartwarming farewell, wishing us to return safely. In turn, I felt that the best way to honor their words was to return home safe and sound, with everyone.

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We depart with Ranga and his pack as our conveyance. Unlike what I am used to which Tempest becoming a super country, it took me back when this vicinity is completely covered with woods. Our pathway was already monitored and under the surveillance of Souei, therefore I don't think any unknown mob monster will attack us at any point, I am truly engraved by Souei's espionage knacks. And so, by keeping in touch using {Telepathy} we had ridden a safe path thanks to Souei.

Kinda messing around with Shizu-san's aptitude for flames and using it as a source of brilliance. Shizu-san fired a beam of light upward the sky, when it reaches a specific altitude, it exploded producing a flare like a firecracker. The luminosity it emitted, gave light to a large portion of the Jura Forest. It also serves as a signal for Souei to regroup with us— and as we anticipated, just seconds prior we fired the signal flare. We halted our marching at once, we felt Souei from afar.