Tensura: The Abyss Demon

Chapter 52

Rimuru's POV:

The battle was over and the reward I reaped from it made it all was worthwhile.

Unique skill [Gluttony]. I obtained it after the merger of unique skills [Devourer] and [Starved].

The new sub-skills I obtained from the merger were;

Corrosion: Corrodes whatever the user touches by adding the abnormal condition of decomposition.

Provide: The user can grant an ability to the subordinates under the user's influence or linked to the user's soul. It can only provide skills that the target is compatible with.

Receive: It is possible to acquire skills from the subordinates under the user's influence. The original owner of the received skill will not lose the skill. Magic and knowledge cannot be transferred.

I had to say, this was some damn sweet stuff.

Anyways, the day after Geld's death, representatives from all the races were gathered inside a temporary tent pitched in the central part of the marshes.

On my end, I was with the Kijins. Ranga was in my shadow as per usual.

Treyni was here to represent the immobile Treants.

From the Lizardmen, we had the chief, the head of chief's guard and her assistant. Gabiru was somewhere in a cell on charges of treason.

The Goblins were represented by each chiefs of the assorted villages, somewhat huddled at the far corner of the table as they marveled at all the high level monsters surrounding them.

Finally, from the Orcs, there was the sole surviving Orc general, along with sixteen chiefs from their tribal federation. The moods was understandably gloomy among them, given how they were the main catalyst of all this.

The Lizardmen, Orcs and Goblins seemed uncomfortable, they all were trembling in my presence. Not to put them in such a situation, I quickly sorted things out.

After careful consideration and analysis of all the information I had, I made my decision.

"I'll start by saying this: I don't intend to charge the Orcs with any crimes." The Orcs looked at me surprised as I said such. "The cause of all this was starvation due to a famine. Anyone of any race might have made the same choices under those conditions."

I watched the reactions of everyone present, then continued "I've taken all of the Orcs' sins upon myself. If you have any complaints, let me hear it." My voiced boomed.

Shivering, the Orc general bowed "P..please wait my lord.....we are at fault...."

"That is my final decision." I shut him up. "There is one immutable rule shared amongst all monsters: survival of the fittest. The strong dominate while the weak are devoured." I said.

"I know you've lost loved ones and probably have complaints, but there's nothing you can do now. You just have to move on." I added.

"Right. If it happens again, we will not disgrace ourselves a second time." Benimaru chimed in and the Kijins nodded in agreement.

That's the spirit. In a world such as this, if you get carried away mourning your losses, you will get swept away before you know it.

"Uuhhmm......my lord?" The Lizardmen chief had something to say.

"Yes?" I urged him to speak.
They can't seem to speak without my permission, which makes things very stiff.

"My lord, what will be done with the Orcs?" He asked.