Arthur half-squatted, hesitated, and extended his iron finger sleeve to gently poke his sovereign's springy belly.
"Your Majesty, there seems to be something sprouting inside your body."
"Sprouting?"
At Arthur's reminder, Chen Yu finally noticed that inside his transparent gel body—at some unknown time—a tender green sprout had appeared. It floated quietly in the center of his body, swaying slightly with his movements.
He tried bouncing a few times to let gastric acid touch the green shoot, but the acid passed straight through it as if it were merely an illusion.
Could it be the seed he swallowed earlier that's sprouted?
What a strange Magic Organ.
Monsters having no proper name was one thing, but even their derived talents were this odd.
After probing a few more times and confirming the sprout posed no harm, he temporarily set the matter aside, mentally noting the goblin shaman's strange-seed discovery.
The Glimmerlings diligently cleaned the battlefield, then carefully lined up the collected Magic Organs to feed him.
"Chew chew chew..."
As Devour Digestion proceeded, talent-upgrade notifications kept popping up, and one new talent caught his attention.
[Devour Digestion Lv.7 triggered — Recorded complete features of Magic Vine, gained talent: Promote Growth Lv.4]
Chen Yu curiously extended a tiny gel hand to touch a nearby wildgrass. Under the flow of mana, the grass's roots quickly thickened, its leaves shot out new shoots at high speed, and in the blink of an eye it had grown taller than him.
Accelerate plant growth?
This talent was interesting.
From what he knew of monster talents, most talents couldn't conjure matter out of nothing, nor make material vanish into thin air.
Produced matter was almost always composed of mana combined with existing material.
It followed the alchemical law of equivalent exchange.
The essence of "Promote Growth" should be using mana as a catalyst to accelerate a plant's absorption of soil fertility.
It still consumed fertility, but with mana catalysis, the fertility consumed would be less than what natural growth would use.
Like the "Crop Creation" techniques some churches in the White Horse Kingdom used, which could drain a field's fertility before winter to produce large yields, helping the kingdom's people survive the harsh Winter Years.
Paired with that was "Soil Enrichment" — during fallow Winter Years, the church would capture monsters as fertilizer, and priests would cast Soil Enrichment to prepare the soil for spring planting.
Thanks to this soil-fertility cycle, human kingdoms could endure brutal Winters.
But Winter lengths were unpredictable, so food supply remained a concern and grain prices stayed high even within human realms.
His territory didn't have a priest who knew Soil Enrichment, but fortunately he had just digested and acquired Soil Improvement.
If combined with Promote Growth, perhaps he could build a fertility cycle in his territory and finally solve the food problem.
More than that, Chen Yu cared about another possibility — cultivating spirit herbs.
Spiritual energy was a blessing;
it helped mortals begin cultivation and granted cultivators incredible powers.
By the same logic, it should also promote the growth of medicinal herbs.
But the reality in Xu Xuan Heaven was the opposite: the better the quality of a spirit herb, the slower it grew;
cycles were so long that cultivators could hardly wait.
Ordinary rice that produced two harvests a year might become spirit rice and only yield once a year;
immortal rice might take decades to mature once, making it hard for ordinary cultivators to taste.
And it's not simply supplying enough mana that turns herbs into spirit herbs—this required long iterative cycles, with each growth taking longer, before spirit herbs could be cultivated in Zeyarila.
Now with Promote Growth and Soil Improvement, he seemed to see hope for rapidly cultivating spirit herbs.
"Your Majesty, the battlefield has been cleaned. No goblins were found;
they must have retreated early." Arthur returned from the treeline, followed by the elven unit.
Chen Yu came to his senses, popped out from the Glimmerlings' cluster, and lightly landed on Arthur's shoulder.
"Then forget it."
He said it, but inwardly he was still thinking of the mysterious seed the goblin shaman had left behind.
If that giant man-eating flower had been summoned by the goblins, they must have had many such seeds.
He wondered what strange talents would come from devouring them all.
At that moment Eserin stepped forward and performed an elven salute toward Chen Yu perched on Arthur's shoulder.
"Thank you, Lord Slime, for your assistance. As a gesture, Lady Viola has decided to supply your territory with this month's grain free of charge."
Chen Yu swayed his body slightly;
bubbles of thought floated in his head as he considered.
Grain?
Grain was important, but he cared more about the land itself.
Rootwhisper Forest had fertile soil, and the elves were skilled in agriculture. Hiddenly, their grain yields were probably enormous—enough for them to confidently survive Winters while selling surplus grain for needed goods.
This place was essentially a natural granary tucked among the mountains.
If he could use this land's grain to fully fund training the Magical Creature Army, the army's size might multiply many times over.
He was definitely tempted.
But as allies, deeper cooperation was possible.
He conveyed his idea to Arthur.
Arthur worked his jaw, turning his sovereign's intent into a steady phrase.
"His Majesty means that, since the Slime Kingdom and your domain share common enemies and this cooperation has increased mutual understanding, perhaps we can explore deeper collaboration."
Eserin did not answer immediately;
decisions at that level exceeded her authority.
After a long silence, she spoke: "Lady Viola invites the two of you to the Heart of the Ancient Tree for a detailed discussion. Please follow me."
Guided by Eserin, they moved deeper into the core of Rootwhisper Forest and arrived before the magnificent ancient tree.
Inside the treehouse, Viola's figure condensed and appeared, sitting on a vine swing opposite them, her tiny feet swaying.
"Welcome back, my reliable ally. I hear our little lord has big ideas?"
Arthur nodded in response. "His Majesty believes that, since we have common enemies and have established initial trust, we might seek a deeper alliance."
Viola swung her feet with interest. "Like what?"
"Forming an offensive-defensive alliance."
"In the future, the kingdom will provide military support to your domain to jointly face goblins, the undead, and other threats."
"In return, we hope your domain can provide more stable grain support to the kingdom."
"An offensive-defensive alliance?" Surprise flashed in Eserin's eyes as she looked at the green Slime.
This proposal went beyond simple trade;
it implied a closer bond and showed considerable ambition and scope.
Can a mere slime really have thought this up?
"Mm... Eserin, what do you think?" Viola pretended to ponder, then tossed the question to Eserin.
Eserin felt a headache immediately. "Lady Viola, such a major decision should be made by your wisdom. My experience is far from sufficient..."
Viola waved her feet unconcernedly. "My wisdom tells me this should be decided by you, Eserin. I trust your judgment."
Eserin inhaled deeply;
she knew her liege wanted to be lazy again.
She gathered her thoughts, faced Arthur and Chen Yu, and regained her usual calm, pragmatic tone.
"The alliance proposed by Lord Slime does have long-term benefits for both sides."
"But, if I may be frank, our understanding of the Slime Kingdom is limited. Before making a formal alliance decision, we'd like to send an envoy to the Eastern Swamp for several days of inspection."
"Only by seeing with our own eyes can we judge. What does Lord Slime think?"
An inspection? Fine—this would let them see the Slime Kingdom's development potential for themselves.
Besides, they couldn't understand the core cultivation secrets anyway, so he didn't worry about leaks.
Through Arthur, he agreed readily.
Half an hour later the negotiation ended and a preliminary agreement was reached.
Some Poison-stinger Wasps and Slime Artillery would remain to garrison the dryad lands, with food and lodging provided;
spoils and Magic Organs collected would belong to the Slime territory.
The dryad domain would dispatch an envoy team led by Eserin to formally visit the Slime Kingdom during the fallow period three days from now.
The result of that visit would determine whether the two domains could deepen cooperation.
Before leaving the dryad lands, Viola detained Chen Yu—she seemed to have something more to say.
Eserin understood and stepped out with Arthur, leaving the two rulers alone to talk.
A vine reached over and linked to Chen Yu.
"Miss Viola, is there something else?"
"It's not a question. It's about that little green sprout in your belly;
I have a few things to remind you." Viola still swung lazily, but her small face grew more serious.
"Do you know what it is?" Chen Yu asked.
"Hmm, I can vaguely guess, but I can't explain in detail. I can only tell you that the seed is connected to the goblins' worshipped deity 'Plague' Grolush, and it's not solely related to Him."
"Involving a deity?" If Chen Yu had a heart, he felt it would be pounding.
Viola giggled and covered her mouth. "Scared you, huh? Making you, a tiny slime, act all solemn every day."
Chen Yu was speechless and was about to turn and leave, but Viola manipulated a vine to hold him back.
"Okay, no more jokes. Although the seed is related to a deity, it won't attract His notice. In other words, it's quite difficult for a goblin god to take a direct interest in a single slime;
I sense this deity isn't that bored."
"The seed actually originated from a tree."
"A tree? What kind of tree?"
Viola tilted her head to think. "Hmm, roughly speaking, it was a magnificent alchemical work, created by a genius alchemist. Many gods coveted it and gnawed at it;
its authority was stripped and scattered, and Grolush managed to pick up quite a few pieces."
"I don't know why it chose a slime as a host. Even the marsh lord most closely connected to slimes, Putu, should have no relation to this tree."
Chen Yu thought maybe the seed didn't choose him;
rather, because he devoured and digested the seed, he acquired the seed's talent.
No wonder this monster had no name—so it was an alchemical artifact.
But if many gods had vied to gnaw at it, the tree's essence must have been extraordinarily desirable.
Viola tried to look stern. "In any case, don't reveal it to anyone, not even the ancient tree council's elves."
"Be careful or you could be taken to be made into an alchemical item. I'm not kidding—that serious."
Chen Yu curiously asked, "Then why tell me?"
Viola chuckled. "The ancient tree council is the oldest elven organization, farther south on the continent. Those old antiques are many;
they're nearly as old as I am and are all conservatives, gloomy and stale, and they drove away many young elves."
"I'm not of the same ilk as those stubborn old things. Viola, I, am a forest sage who keeps up with the times."
Chen Yu sized her up.
Well, he had to admit those antiques did have some mysterious sage aura.
"I'll remember. Thank you."
After farewell, Chen Yu and Arthur led part of the Magical Creature Army out of Rootwhisper Forest and set off for the swamp fortress.
...
Riftrock Pass, outer quarry camp.
This camp faced the fortress gate;
a large quarry sat beside it.
The clang of quarrying echoed through the canyon. Ragged slaves, like the walking dead, numbly hauled heavy stone to repair the pass after the magical tide's damage.
"Move faster!"
When a slave slowed, a goblin overseer lashed with a toxin-coated whip without mercy, leaving bloody welts and muffled groans.
A dust-covered mercenary squad pushed through the busy throng, paying no heed to the scene;
they were clearly used to it.
The man at the head, Rex, tilted his head to examine the fortress above, more damaged from the last attack, and clicked his tongue.
"Looks like the magical tide really isn't far off;
spatial rifts are already forming."
He sounded regretful. "Poor goblin allies, their home keeps suffering."
Rex and the others were mercenaries from Blacktooth.
He had once been captain of a private guard for a wealthy Misty Bay Harbor Trade Alliance merchant. During an escort of large funds, greed drove him to stage an "accident" to get the merchant's money.
After fleeing Misty Bay Harbor, he joined the notorious Blacktooth mercenaries and, through ruthlessness and cunning, rose quickly to squad leader.
"Human, spare me your ridiculous false pity."
A booming voice sounded as Hammerbone carried his spiked maul over.
He was still in a bad mood. Whenever he recalled being made a fool by a tiny slime in the quarry, he felt a choking heat in his chest, an anger that wouldn't release.
For a bugbear who revered absolute strength, this was an unshakable humiliation.
Rex turned, wearing a professional smile for Hammerbone, and spread his hands.
"Alright, big guy, relax. I know there may have been a small misunderstanding between us, but that won't affect the efficient cooperation between our legion and the Blacktooth mercenaries, right?"
Hammerbone frowned, swatting away buzzing insects with his fan-like hand.
"Cut the crap! What are you waiting around for? Nothing's happening after so long. Did you Blacktooth people take a deposit and do nothing? Pocket the reward from Lord Splitfang?"
Seeing the giant about to explode, Rex cursed inwardly at "mindless fool" but quickly forced on a placating grin.
"Hey, brother, don't say that. Our Blacktooth mercenaries are the most reputable—when we take money we get the job done. Besides, our client is a mighty and honorable bugbear warrior like you;
how could we be negligent?"
Hammerbone's anger eased slightly at the blatant flattery and he snorted. "Then why haven't you acted? The Eastern Swamp is right there."
Rex looked helpless. "The target is labeled A-rank, not some low-level monster you can just stomp. It can't be solved that easily;
we need a careful plan."
He paused, growing sour. "Also, just yesterday one of our temporary depots was hit;
we lost a batch of crucial supplies."
"Our action will have to be postponed, at least until the new supplies reach the Outpost Ruins."
"But more importantly, I think you, Lord Hammerbone, should be concerned about the accuracy of your intelligence."
"Intelligence? What intelligence problem?" Hammerbone's narrow eyes squinted as he stared at Rex.
Rex spoke measuredly. "According to our scouts who probed the Eastern Swamp, the intelligence you provided about the 'Magic Crystal Cannon' appears... seriously distorted."
"That thing might be able to fire more than four times."
"Bullshit!"
Hammerbone cut him off roughly, his voice making a nearby slave stagger.
"Impossible. I saw it with my own eyes. After firing four times it must be replaced with that glowing stone. No mistake."
Rex kept smiling. "I'm not questioning your report, Lord Hammerbone, just..."
Their argument halted as a high-pitched cheer approached from afar.
"Lord Hammerbone! Lord Hammerbone! Great news! Terrific news!"
The goblin shaman who had been sent to the dryad lands to spread the pestilence wind came trotting back on a panting burrow lizard, face beaming with boastful delight.
"I gathered intelligence on the Eastern Swamp."
Hammerbone grabbed him off the lizard and suspiciously asked, "Weren't you supposed to be over at the dryad lands? How do you have slime news?"
The goblin shaman waved his arms and hurriedly explained.
"Lord Hammerbone, I didn't lie. I went to the dryad lands and almost ruined those Forest Fields."
"But the damned monsters of the Eastern Swamp suddenly appeared and teamed up with the dryads."
Seeing Hammerbone's face darken, he hurried to the point: "But I risked my life to collect their core secret intelligence!"
"What secret intelligence? Speak." Hammerbone impatiently pushed.
The goblin shaman puffed up proudly.
"The cannons, those slime-operated cannons—they can fire far more than four times."
"I saw them fire continuously, smashing the big guys I summoned. They fired six or seven times, maybe more!"
He spoke breathlessly, oblivious to Hammerbone's face turning ashen, especially under Rex's half-smiling gaze.
"See, Lord Hammerbone," Rex said lightly, "I told you our intelligence isn't usually that far off."
"Hmph!"
Hammerbone felt his face burn as if slapped;
humiliated and enraged, he turned his fury on the chattering shaman.
"Say the rest in one go!"
The goblin shaman cowered and felt wronged—why would reporting good news anger his lord? Still, he timidly continued:
"And... and... those slimes are just a decoy pushed out by the Eastern Swamp to draw attention."
"The real marsh lord is a powerful Death Knight. Very, very strong, I'm certain."
He rubbed his hands, forcing a fawning smile.
"Lord Hammerbone, when you report to Lord Splitfang, could I... get some share of the credit?"
Those words were enough to set Hammerbone off completely.
"Shut your stinking mouth!"
He roared, flinging the goblin shaman to the ground like trash.
"Daring to pass false intel to deceive me—getting off without a punch was lenient. Want credit? Get out."
He remembered clearly being shamed by a little green slime.
If, per this idiotic shaman, the slimes were only a decoy and the lord was a Death Knight, that would mean Hammerbone, a mighty bugbear warrior, hadn't even met the lord yet was fooled by a tiny stand-in.
That was intolerable—worse than being defeated by a slime.
If this reached his clan, he'd be ridiculed by all bugbears.
He turned and brusquely waved Rex away like a fly.
"Hmph. You can leave. Our legion's intelligence is fine. Your scouts must have been mistaken, or this idiot is babbling."
Saying that, he hoisted his spiked maul and strode off, leaving the goblin shaman stunned on the ground.
The shaman painfully picked himself up, rubbing his sore backside with a face full of grievance and confusion.
"I... I'm telling the truth..."
Rex watched Hammerbone's departing back, shook his head, and said nothing more, signaling his men to leave.
Once they were a fair distance from the camp, a subordinate slipped up and whispered, "Boss, who do you think is telling the truth?"
Rex snorted and asked, "Do you really believe the marsh lord is a slime?"
The men exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Impossible. Ridiculous.
"Exactly."
Rex grinned. "I think the big lug took a heavy blow last time and got his head scrambled, so now he's spreading bad intel."
He sobered and his gaze sharpened.
"Either way, when our new batch of magic scrolls arrives, we move as planned."
"Keep an eye on that 'Death Knight' the shaman mentioned. Whether he's the lord or not, anyone who can command so many monsters is a tough one."
"Everyone, stay alert."
"Yes, boss!"