TTIGRAAS: Predator

Chapter 35

Since I've killed Geld, I've felt... empty. No... that emptiness has been there since I discovered that my friends were dead, I'd just filled it with anger, but now that that's gone...

All I want is to see my kids again.

The hole left in my life by the passing of the ogres ached, but just thinking about those five children seemed to fill that hole, if just a little.

But then I remembered.

Oh... yeah. They're upset with me.

I'd almost forgotten with how much had happened over the last few days. I was going to explain how Shizu-san died to them in the morning, but then I was sent off to deal with the Orc Lord. Then, in the heat of desire for vengeance, I massacred the majority of an army and–

Why do I feel so casual about that? I wondered in horror. I had killed tens of thousands but it felt roughly the same as if I stepped on a June beetle, it was the loss of a beautiful creature, but I wasn't shaken.

The lack of remorse in my heart was disturbing considering what I'd done.

No. I have no reason to doubt myself now. I just did what had to be done. Outside of Geld, it wasn't even personal.

"Wait one moment, Lord Rimuru," Treyni said, following me right after I stepped out.

"Stop calling me that, it's creepy." I scowled, turning around to face her. I'd barely tolerated the title during that fancy Naming thing she all but forced me to do, but now...

With a heavy sigh, I asked, "What is it?"

"A guardian should stay in his domain to guard, should he not?" Treyni asked as she glided in front of me.

This woman and her manipulating tone–I hate it.

"You can call me that if you want, but I really don't need the extra responsibility," I growled irritably as I tried to sidestep her, but she continued to block me. "I have other obligations."

"But what about that which you swore to Lord Veldora? Did you not agree to watch over the forest in his absence?" Sheesh, Treyni was really pushing it here.

This again... I really need to learn how to hide Thought Communications from nosy eavesdroppers like her.

"You said if I named the leaders I could go, so I'm going." I glared at her and tried to step past, but Treyni caught me by the arm.

"You ought to at least stay long enough to make sure there are no more problems." Treyni pushed further, still holding me.

This was all just too much trouble.

"I dunno," I shook my head. "I... I'm sure things will be fine without me for a bit. What could I even do? I'm just a slime, and–"

"Rimuru Tempest," there she goes, with my full name again. What's up with that? "Stay just for a little while, please."

I wasn't sure if it was the request, her domineering tone, or my arm still being held hostage by her hand, but... I caved.

"Fine," I grumbled, shaking off her now-loosened grasp and running my hand through my hair. "I'll stick around a while longer."

Treyni smiled at her victory but I tried not to let it get to me.

I'll just ensure that the survivors can live good lives. No more consuming the forest or starting wars for them.

That was what mattered; preventing something like this from ever happening again. Under Treyni's management, I was sure that the surviving orcs could become something much better than the ravenous mass of mindless soldiers they had been while under the effect of the skill [Starved].