Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

Tanaka bounced through the main street of the settlement.

The five Ogres followed.

The Hammer Ogre kept looking around with growing interest, the Princess was asking questions every few seconds, the Swordsman observed everything carefully, the Warrior Woman made any passing goblin cower in fear, and the Prince... well, the Prince was walking. Tanaka looked back at the Prince. ”You’re quiet.” The Prince glanced at him, eyes on his face. ”I am observing.” ”Observing what?”

Tanaka asked. ”Everything.”

He replied. Tanaka chuckled. ”Good enough.” He bounced ahead towards a district. ”There is a place you’ll likely find yourself spending a lot of time.”

Tanaka said to the hammer ogre. The Hammer Ogre’s ears perked up. ”A forge?” ”Several, in fact.” ”How many?” The Ogre grinned. ”A lot.” ”That’s splendid.” He gestured enthusiastically. ”Take me there!”

Tanaka laughed. ”You haven’t seen the rest of the settlement yet.” ”I don’t need to.” The Princess sighed. ”Of course he doesn’t.” They entered the district, and the sound of hammers hitting metal greeted them. The Hammer Ogre halted, eyes wide. Goblins worked at the forges, and Kobolds carried metal ingots from one to the others. Weapons and various tools littered the tables along the walls. Then the Hammer Ogre saw Eldrin. The old goblin was inspecting a fresh blade. ”You’re the lead blacksmith?” The Ogre asked, walking up to him. ”I am.” Eldrin replied.

The large ogre picked up a hammer that rested on a nearby table. ”What is this?” ”A forging hammer.” ”Too light.” The Hammer Ogre stated. Eldrin raised an eyebrow. ”Too light for what?” ”For serious work.” The Ogre replied. Eldrin chuckled. ”Then perhaps you’d enjoy showing me what you consider to be serious work?” Tanaka looked on as the Hammer Ogre’s smile grew impossibly large. ”Gladly.” Tanaka watched the two walk off towards an empty forge. ”He’s found a friend.” ”Probably.” The Princess crossed her arms. ”Those two will never leave that forge.” Tanaka chuckled. ”I think you’re right.”

The next to find their thing was the Princess. She was instantly fascinated when Tanaka led her to the Herbal Gardens. Rows upon rows of plants lined the meticulously kept beds. The Rabbit Leader greeted them as they arrived. ”Welcome.” She said. The Princess knelt beside one of the beds, curiosity sparking in her violet eyes. ”What is this plant?” ”A healing herb.” The Rabbit Leader replied. ”How long does it take to mature?” She asked. ”About three months.” She answered. ”Does mana enriched soil affect it in any way?” The Princess questioned. The Rabbit Leader blinked. ”Yes, actually.”

”What about cultivation methods?” The Rabbit Leader blinked again. ”That’s still being tested.” The Princess’ eyes gleamed with interest. ”You’ve been experimenting?” The Rabbit Leader smiled. ”Of course.” The Princess stood. ”I would like to see your findings.” The Rabbit Leader paused. ”Why?” ”Because I have experience with magical plants.” The Princess stated. The Rabbit Leader simply stared at her for a long moment before smiling. ”Then perhaps you can help.” Tanaka watched as the two shook hands. He suspected there was going to be some rivalry soon enough.

Tanaka finally found the Swordsman near the practice grounds. The Ogre was teaching a group of goblin warriors. ”Your stance is too wide.” He instructed. The goblin immediately adjusted. ”Your sword is too low.” Another correction, and the goblin raised his weapon. ”Again.” Tanaka let out a soft chuckle as the goblin launched himself at the Swordsman, who easily parried the attack. ”Better.” Tanaka turned to the Ogre. ”You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” The sword ogre glanced at him. ”They need training.” ”Fair enough.” The Swordsman looked over at the larger practice grounds. ”I would like to train your warriors.” Tanaka nodded. ”I’d be happy to have you.”

The warrior ogre found the wolves. Several of them immediately surrounded her, growling. Beta Wolf was nowhere to be seen. Tanaka scanned the area. ”Where’s Beta?” A goblin nearby gestured towards a building. ”He suddenly had some business to attend to.” Tanaka chuckled. The warrior ogre cracked her knuckles. ”Come.” The wolves all looked at each other uncertainly before attacking at the same time. One went for her front while another came at her back. Two more flanked her sides. The Warrior Woman dodged the first wolf and grabbed the nearest one by the scruff, throwing it off to the side. As the second lunged at her, she sidestepped, causing the wolf to crash into another. The Warrior Woman smiled.

”Again.”

The wolves growled, circling her once more. They attacked again, but the Warrior Woman was ready. She dodged, twisted, and tossed several of them aside. Eventually all of the wolves had tired themselves out, and the Warrior Woman gave them a small smile. ”You rely too much on numbers.” One of the wolves lowered it’s head. Tanaka glanced at the building where Beta Wolf had supposedly gone. ”Smart choice.”

Tanaka later on gathered the five Ogres with the rest of the settlements leaders. Alpha Wolf, Eldrin, the Kobold Leader, Moss Turtle Leader, the Rabbit Leader, and Little Slime all watched the five Ogres with wary eyes. They were still cautious. Tanaka saw this and gave a small nod. ”These five will be staying with us.” The Kobold Leader looked at the Prince. ”Are you sure about this?” The Prince gave a calm nod. ”We have accepted Tanaka as our leader.” The leaders exchanged glances. Alpha Wolf narrowed his eyes at the Prince. ”You lost to him.”

The Prince met his gaze evenly. ”I did.” ”And you’re alright with that?” The Wolf growled. ”I gave my word.” Alpha Wolf stared at him for several seconds before he gave a slow nod. ”I respect that.” The tension in the air did not dissipate, however. The Warrior Ogre gave Alpha Wolf a look. The Wolf gave her one in return. Neither moved. Tanaka silently bounced between them for several seconds before he spoke. ”Please don’t fight.” ”We weren’t going to.” Alpha Wolf said dryly. The Warrior Woman gave him a small smile. ”Of course not.” Alpha Wolf immediately looked away, and Tanaka had to stifle a laugh. Little Slime bounced over to the Ogres.

Boing!

The Hammer Ogre looked down at him. ”You.”

Little Slime bounced again.

Boing!

The Ogre frowned. ”What do you want?”

Boing!

Little Slime bumped against the Ogre’s leg. ”Are you trying to make friends with me?” The Hammer Ogre asked.

Boing!

”Stop acting like Tanaka.” Tanaka laughed. ”He’s always like that.” The Hammer Ogre rubbed his temples. ”That’s a headache.” Little Slime bounced happily. The Princess smiled. ”I think he likes you.” ”I noticed.” Little Slime bounced again. The Hammer Ogre sighed. ”Fine.” He lifted one finger, and Little Slime bounced against it. The Ogre stared at him. ”.You’re strange.” The Prince was still, standing beside Tanaka, observing the settlement. ”You built all of this before the others arrived?”

Tanaka shook his head. ”Not really.” He gestured towards some older slimes working near the Crystal Tree. ”Ask them.” One of the slimes came over to the Prince. He linked his consciousness to the Prince’s. The Prince’s eyes widened. Little Slime and Tanaka looked at him curiously, but he merely listened. The slime spoke in his mind,

Before Tanaka became our leader, there was almost nothing.

The Prince listened intently.

We were Lesser Slimes.

Weak.

The hunters killed our elder.

Tanaka evolved.

He became a Greater slime.

Yet, He didn’t leave us.

He protected us.

He helped us survive.

From that day forward, we followed him.

The Prince turned to look at Tanaka. The slime was happily bouncing next to Little Slime. The older slime spoke again. Before there were goblins, wolves, kobolds, rabbits, or moss turtles... There was Tanaka. The Prince said nothing for a long moment. The Warrior Woman also listened through the network, as well as the Swordsman. Even the Hammer Ogre stopped making jokes. The Princess looked at Tanaka with new eyes. The Prince finally knew. The settlement isn’t because of you choosing strong subordinates, his subordinates were chosen because Tanaka was willing to fight for them. That was different.

The earth shuddered. Tanaka halted, and Alpha Wolf tensed. The sword ogre immediately went to his sword. The Princess turned towards the main gate. The Hammer Ogre smiled. ”It looks like they’re here.” Tanaka bounced towards the main gate, the others following behind him. Beyond the gate, hundreds of Ogres stood waiting. Their massive figures stood like statues beneath the trees. There were two hundred of them. The main gate opened, and the Prince stepped forward. The two hundred Ogres immediately took notice of him and his expression changed.

”Prince!” One of them exclaimed. ”He’s alive!” Another shouted. The Prince raised his hand, and the chatter ceased. He looked over at Tanaka before turning his gaze to his people. ”I challenged him.” The Ogres all listened. ”I lost,” The Prince said simply. Various murmurs echoed through the Ogres. The Prince continued. ”All five of us fought him.” The Hammer Ogre crossed his arms. ”He beat us.” The sword ogre gave a slow nod. The warrior ogre smiled, and the Princess stood calmly beside the others. The two hundred Ogres all stared at them for a long moment before one of them stepped forward.

”Our prince lost, to a slime.” He said, eyes fixed on Tanaka. The Prince gave a small nod. ”Yes, I did.” The Ogre looked over at Tanaka once more before dropping his weapon. ”We acknowledge your victory, Lord Tanaka.” Another Ogre did the same, followed by another, and another. Soon enough, the entire group was lowering their weapons. The Prince turned to Tanaka. ”I gave my word.” He knelt to one knee. ”We pledge our loyalty.” Tanaka nearly stopped dead in his tracks. ”Wait.” The Hammer Ogre also knelt. ”We pledge our loyalty.” The sword ogre did the same, as did the Princess, the warrior ogre, and finally, the two hundred Ogres. The area was completely silent. Two hundred Ogres all kneeling before a little slime. Tanaka turned to look at the others.

”Uh...”

Little slime bounced next to him.

Boing.

Tanaka glanced around at the others. The wolves, goblins, kobolds, rabbits, moss turtles, slimes, five Ogres... And the two hundred other Ogres. All connected by something that began with a nameless Lesser slime.

Tanaka slowly smiled. He looked up at the sky. ”Welp...”

He bounced once. ”I think we deserve a name after all.” The settlement erupted in cheers. And for the first time, Tanaka seriously considered choosing a name for his growing home.