The group slowly walked out of the meeting room, heading toward the village entrance, led by Rigurd.
"Lord Gabiru, they're coming out."
"Oh? Really? Then what are we waiting for? Quickly, get into formation! We absolutely cannot let Lord Gabiru lose face!"
Gabiru snapped out of his distraction, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from the village's strange, towering buildings.
Seeing Granstar and his group approaching, the Lizardman squad quickly straightened up, ready to perform the move they had practiced countless times.
Gabiru took a deep breath, then stepped onto the back of a kneeling Lizardman soldier and launched himself high into the air. He performed a flawless 360-degree spin mid-flight and landed with a dramatically stylish flourish.
"Gabiru! Gabiru!"
"Lord Gabiru is so handsome!"
"Lord Gabiru is invincible!"
A chorus of Lizardman soldiers shouted fanatically behind him, turning the whole spectacle into something like a full-blown performance. The scene was eye-catching—flamboyant, theatrical, and completely over-the-top.
Watching from the sidelines, Rimuru couldn't help but frown.
"Uh… what exactly is this charade?" he muttered.
After all, he had come to meet a Lizardman envoy, not watch some bizarre parade. Confusion welled up in his heart.
Granstar's mouth twitched several times. The behavior of the group before him was simply too ridiculous.
The others walking beside him exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. Are these really the Lizardmen we've heard about? Why are they all like this?
And then, Gabiru said something that made everyone's blood boil.
"I am Gabiru of the Lizardmen! Quickly become my subordinates! You should feel incredibly honored!"
Benimaru's fists clenched, his eyes flaring with fury. The sentiment a subordinate should die for his lord probably captured his thoughts perfectly at that moment.
Luckily, Granstar placed a calming hand on Benimaru's shoulder and gently shook his head, signaling him to hold back.
Benimaru took a deep breath, regaining a measure of composure, though his piercing gaze remained locked on Gabiru.
"Listen well, all of you! Burn this great man's image into your minds! He is the mighty warrior destined to become the next leader of the Lizardmen! His noble status is unparalleled!"
Right on cue, the Lizardman soldiers behind him shouted in perfect unison, their voices echoing powerfully.
Become subordinates? Feel honored? What an entrance. Who does he think he is?
Rimuru openly frowned, unable to hide his contempt any longer.
Granstar, meanwhile, was already using magic to gauge the arrogant figure's power.
Hmm. B+ rank… that's impressive. He's strong enough to be considered valuable stockpile material, he thought coldly.
Gabiru lifted his chin, speaking with pride.
"You must have heard about the Orc army invading the Great Jura Forest. Therefore, becoming my subordinates is the wisest choice. I, Lord Gabiru, shall protect you—yes, you weaklings—from the coming threat."
When Gabiru emphasized "you weaklings," he opened one eye and swept his gaze across the crowd, scrutinizing each person carefully.
Wait, why are there Ogres here?
Why does that one have such a cold and terrifying aura?
His gaze shifted again.
Whoa… that guy's huge!
Hold on, where are the Goblins? And why isn't there a single weak aura around? Everyone here feels… incredibly strong!
"Um… let me rephrase that a bit…"
Gabiru quickly retreated to the Lizardman ranks, dragging a few of his underlings over for a huddle.
"Did we come to the wrong place? Why are there Ogres here? And did you see that green-skinned monster with all those muscles...?"
"Lord Gabiru, I double-checked. This is the right place. Apparently, the master here is a slime and a small elf."
"A slime and a small elf?"
Gabiru's confidence returned in an instant.
Meanwhile, Rimuru was holding a private conversation via [Telepathy], his face full of irritation.
[Granstar, this Lizardman envoy is way too annoying. I seriously want to beat him up!]
[Haha, let's hear what they have to say first. The alliance talks are still important.]
Rimuru sighed. Granstar was right. With the Orc army on the move, forming an alliance with the Lizardmen could prove valuable.
Still, this envoy… his brain...
As the saying goes, the most terrifying thing isn't a godlike enemy—it's a piglike teammate.
Gabiru suddenly stepped forward again, clearing his throat.
"Ahem. I heard there's someone here who's tamed Tempest Wolves. Call him out! I've decided to take him in… as my subordinate."
Gabiru leapt forward again, shouting arrogantly and even hooking his fingers at them in provocation.
Such a death wish!
Rimuru couldn't stand it anymore and summoned Ranga.
"He seems to have something to say to you. Go listen!"
"Yes, Master!"
A snow-white wolf leapt from Rimuru's shadow, transforming mid-air into a massive, majestic beast.
With just a few strides, Ranga stood before Gabiru, his heterochromatic eyes locked on the lizardman.
"By Master's order, I am here to accompany you."
[Intimidation] activated.
The Lizardman soldiers who had been shouting moments before now collapsed to the ground, paralyzed by the oppressive aura.
But Gabiru stood frozen in place before Ranga, unmoving—like time itself had stopped for him.
Rimuru watched him curiously.
Did he get scared stiff?
After a long pause, Gabiru's eyes lit up as he gazed at Ranga.
"You must be the chief of the Tempest Wolf tribe. Magnificent snow-white fur, piercing gaze, a truly noble figure... but…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"To hear that your master is merely a slime... how disappointing. You've clearly been deceived!"
"Very well, allow me to free you from the despicable villain who manipulates you!"
He spoke with composed arrogance, as if he were doing Ranga a favor.
Ranga bared his fangs, his eyes narrowing with a surge of killing intent.
"Ha? I'm the villain?"
Rimuru stared at Gabiru with wide, innocent eyes—like he was watching a worm try to challenge a hawk.
If you don't know how to talk, better to say less. Now you've done it.
"A mere lizard dares insult my master..."
Ranga truly wanted to strike him down right there. But he remembered the rule set by Lord Rimuru and Lord Granstar:
Never abuse the weak just because you are strong.
Just then—
"Hey! What are you guys doing?"
A voice rang out from the side.
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