Tensura: The Odyssey

Chapter 4: Settling In

The gentle breeze of the forest swirled around me as Treyni stood before me, her semi-transparent form gleaming in the soft daylight. Her ethereal presence brought with it a sense of calm but also an undeniable weight of responsibility. The chirping of birds and rustling leaves filled the air, a stark contrast to the dark, damp cave I had just left behind.

Treyni, a Dryad-the supposed 'Overseer' Veldora had mentioned-watched me closely. Her blue eyes, warm and wise, held an unspoken understanding of the world around us. The long, flowing strands of her green hair danced gently with the wind, framing her serene expression. She had introduced herself formally, but her aura was far more welcoming than I expected for someone with such a serious role.

"So... you're the one who's going to guide me through this forest, huh?" I asked, trying to break the ice, though my voice had a touch of uncertainty.

Treyni smiled softly. "Indeed, Rimuru-sama. I have been overseeing the Jura Forest for centuries, and while Veldora-sama's presence kept things in check, his sudden disappearance has left many... troubled."

Not unexpected. I already figured that monsters would be in disarray since Veldora's presence kept them under an iron fist. "So, without Veldora, monsters are starting to act out?"

Treyni's expression shifted, the warmth in her gaze dimming slightly as she glanced toward the vast expanse of trees. "Veldora-sama was not just feared, Rimuru-sama. He was revered. To many of the monsters in this forest, he was a god. Now that he's... gone, the delicate balance is unraveling."

Her words carried a weight I didn't need [Great Sage] to understand. Veldora wasn't just a deterrent-he was a symbol of power. The monsters didn't just fear him, they respected him. And now, without that guiding force...

"More than that," Treyni continued, her tone growing more serious, "the monsters are on edge, in disarray. Veldora-sama's aura acted as a deterrent to anyone seeking power here. Now that it's vanished, many creatures are becoming more aggressive, ambitious. A Majin has recently appeared, going around naming other monsters. Each one grows stronger, smarter, and more dangerous. They are no longer content with merely surviving. They seek power, control, and-" her voice trailed off momentarily before she continued, darker, "-there are whispers of an elusive group working alongside this Majin, further escalating the situation."

Majin?

<<Majin, also known as Magic-Born, is a general term for intelligent monsters. They may be born naturally, the result of mutation, or evolved from other intelligent non-magical beings due to exposure to high levels of magicules.>>

I see.

The weight of her words pressed down on me. Not only do I have to manage a forest filled with powerful, restless monsters, but there's also a Majin and some shadowy group stirring up trouble. I'd expected things to be chaotic after Veldora's disappearance, but outsiders meddling this soon?

I let out a sigh, glancing around the forest. "So, it sounds like things are spiraling out of control. "What about you, Treyni? How have you been handling all of this?"

She hesitated, then her gaze softened, showing a mix of weariness and determination. "I've been focusing all my efforts on maintaining order among the monsters, to prevent them from falling into chaos due to Veldora-sama's disappearance. The increased intelligence and ambitions of the named monsters, along with their agitation, have been my primary concern. This has left me unable to focus on the external forces-such as the Majin and his allies-who are exploiting the situation. Their covert actions are hard to track, and with my attention spread thin, it has been... difficult."

Her explanation made sense. She wasn't neglecting the problem, but rather, the complexities of the situation were overwhelming, especially with so many moving parts. It gave me a clearer picture of why things had escalated as they had.