A long table stood at the center of the cave.
The Lizardman Chief sat at the head, while Rimuru's faction and Chishiya's group sat on opposite sides.
"Ahem…"
Gabiru stood up, cleared his throat dramatically, and struck a pose with his hands on his hips.
"Since we're allies now, the first thing we need to decide is who's in charge."
"As the only named warrior among the Lizardmen, I, Lord Gabiru, will reluctantly accept this position."
"I trust no one here objects, right?"
"Yes, that's right!"
His followers chimed in immediately.
"With Lord Gabiru's brilliant leadership, we'll crush the Orc Tribe for sure!"
Shion's mouth twitched. She clenched her fists on instinct.
Who does this guy think he is?!
The Lizardman Chief barked, "Gabiru! That's enough!"
Gabiru turned back.
"Father, this is our Lizardman territory."
"Do you want a slime… or a bunch of losers making the calls?"
Crack!
The sharp sound of a teacup being crushed.
Benimaru's eyelids twitched as his hand moved toward his katana.
A vein bulged on Shion's forehead.
Ranga bared his fangs, his face turning grim.
Chishiya casually sipped his tea.
Looks like someone's about to get his skull introduced to the floor.
The Lizardman Chief yelled, "Gabiru! What are you doing?!"
Gabiru replied confidently, "Father, have you forgotten the pride of the Lizardmen?"
"A powerful enemy is at our doorstep, and we're supposed to entrust our future to outsiders?"
---
Treyni calmly set her teacup down.
"Then what does Lord Gabiru propose?"
Gabiru grinned. "Simple."
"Settle it with strength."
"Each group sends a representative. Whoever wins, leads the alliance."
Treyni pondered for a moment.
Well, technically, there's nothing wrong with that.
And an alliance does need a clear leader.
"What do you two think?" she asked, glancing at Chishiya and Rimuru.
Chishiya answered first, voice flat. "Fine by me."
Rimuru nodded in agreement.
Gabiru laughed proudly, hands on hips.
"Hahaha, excellent! Then I, Gabiru, will represent the Lizardmen!"
"You all can send someone too!"
"Let me show you what real strength looks like!"
Crack…
Shion snapped the armrest clean off her chair.
She turned toward Chishiya with a disturbingly forced smile.
"Chishiya-sama, can I kill this guy?"
---
Central Lake
Thick fog hovered over the wetlands.
The shallows were filled with reeds swaying in the breeze.
At the center clearing, a crowd of Lizardmen had gathered.
"Gabiru! Gabiru!…"
Almost every young Lizardman was chanting in support of him.
"Heh…"
Gabiru stood in the clearing, brandishing his trident and striking flashy poses like he was at an idol concert.
This guy was weirdly popular…
Meanwhile.
Benimaru stepped forward. "Chishiya-sama, allow me to fight."
"No, Chishiya-sama!" Shion interjected. "Let me do it!"
"I promise I'll win!!!"
She looked at him with sparkly eyes, practically begging.
Chishiya said plainly, "Shion, sit this one out."
"What?!"
Shion glared at Gabiru, who was still flexing nearby.
She looked ready to jump down there and punch his lights out.
Chishiya added, "Because you might accidentally kill him."
"The next opponent will be tougher. I'm counting on you for that one."
He turned to look at Ranga.
Rimuru would probably pick him.
Shion wasn't a Oni in name only.
In the anime, she could already handle Demon Lord Clayman at this point.
And she still didn't know how to hold back.
If she fought Gabiru seriously, there might be no Gabiru left.
Benimaru, on the other hand, could handle it cleanly.
---
Treyni stepped into the center of the field as the official referee.
"Everyone, remember that our true enemy is the Orc Lord."
"Please restrain yourselves accordingly."
Gabiru waved her off. "No worries, Miss Treyni, I'll go easy."
"Hey, Ogre Tribe. Let me show you the true marksmanship of the Lizardmen!"
Benimaru rested his hand on his katana and ignored him.
On the sidelines, Rimuru leaned toward the Great Sage.
"Great Sage, explain this guy to me."
[Notice:]
[Target: Oni Clan. Demon Lord species. Evolved from a rare unique-class demon.]
"What's a Demon Lord species?"
[Notice:]
[It refers to beings with the potential to become Demon Lords.]
'Wait… so he's even stronger than the Orc Lord?!'
[Notification:]
[Correct.]
Rimuru turned to glance at Chishiya.
Even his subordinates are on this level…
So cool…
He really hoped they wouldn't become enemies in the future…
Just then, the boy in question met Rimuru's gaze and gave a casual wave.
Rimuru smiled in return.
…What a friendly guy.
It would be nice if they could be friends.
Meanwhile, Chishiya rubbed his chin and turned away.
It's over. I've been single for so long, even a slime is starting to look cute…
---
"Gabiru!"
"Gabiru!"
"Come on, Lord Gabiru! Crush them!"
"Show them the power of the Lizardmen!"
The Lizardman Chief looked on, not too concerned.
His son might be immature…
But he was, without a doubt, the strongest warrior among the Lizardmen.
Even if he lost, it would be a thrilling match.
---
"Gabiru!"
"Gabiru!"
The crowd was still chanting as Treyni raised her hand.
Benimaru sighed.
"Can we start now?"
Treyni nodded. "You may begin."
Gabiru twirled his trident with flair. "Hehe~."
"Ogre Clan, can you hear the cheers behind me?"
"This is our territory!"
"Now take this!"
"Whirlpool Spear—!"
His trident spun as water spiraled around it, shooting straight at Benimaru.
"Feel that?! That's the power of the wetlands!"
"No one's ever blocked this move of mine!"
Shing—!
Right after launching the attack—
The smug grin on Gabiru's face froze.
Wait…
Where did he go?
Benimaru was gone.
"Wha—?!"
The Lizardman Chief shot up from his seat.
"What just happened?!"
The crowd blinked in confusion.
"When did he vanish?!"
"Where did he go?!"
"Wait! Over there—!!!"
Before anyone could react, Benimaru had reappeared behind Gabiru and smacked the back of his neck with the flat of his blade.
Gabiru's eyes rolled back.
He crumpled like a sack of wet rice and hit the ground, unconscious.
Treyni stepped over and checked him.
Then raised her hand.
"The match is over!"
"The winner is the representative of the Ogre Tribe—Benimaru!"
(To be continued.)
***
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