I'm Veldora, So What?

(3rd POV)

"I assume you'll be there in case any... unforeseen consequences happen?" Gelmud asked.

"Of course! That's what you're paying us for, ain't that right?" the clown-faced man responded jovially.

"And I'm paying quite a bit! Also, don't forget that our benefactor won't tolerate failure!" Gelmud responded.

"Don't worry about a thing Gelly~ We have everything under control! We'll knock the socks off those Ogres and get right back to the rest of the group!" The Clown-faced man stated, punching the air for emphasis.

Gelmud nodded before freezing in place. "What is that!?!" He pointed and the clown-faced man froze.

The wind swirled in front of them while a soft green light began to glow. A second later, Trya appeared before the two, smiling softly.

"This is bad! That's a Dryad! One of the caretakers of the Forest!" The Clown-Masked Man said, slightly backing away.

"What!?!" Gelmud proclaimed in shock.

Trya waited a moment, allowing the two in front of her to absor the shock at seeing her for a moment before she spoke. "I am Trya. under normal circumstances, my sisters and I would be dealing with you malefactors who threaten the forest... however, things have changed." Trya explained.

"C-changed?" Gelmud asked curiously.

Trya nodded. "Yes. Lord Veldora has identified multiple powerful Majin within the Great Forest of Jura at the moment and has decided to create a contest between them. The winner will be granted the title of 'Ruler of Monsters' and will become the administrator of the Forest under Lord Veldora's protection, a position equivalent to a Demon Lord." Trya explained turning to the Orcs behind her eating a dead monster.

Trya showed a disgusted face for a moment before turning back. You're Orc Lord is one such contender, with Champions coming from many of the other forest races, it is sure to become an... interesting competition." She finished.

Both Gelmud and the Clown-faced man were still hesitant, but the clown was first to ask. "Where and when?" He simply asked, showing a more serious tone than previously.

Trya pointed in the direction of the Sealing Cave. "There. Lord Veldora said the first trial is to reach his previous place of sealing. The magicule density is enough to kill any who are too weak for the position anyway, as anyone who couldn't withstand the magicules in there would be too weak for it anyway." She declared.

"I see..." The Clown-faced man said, thinking quickly.

"The time is one week from today at sunset." Trya declared before vanishing.

"Allow us caretakers to inform you, that any who attempt to interfere with Champions on their way to the trial will be dealt with by us!" Trya's voice carried across the wind.

Gelmud gripped his cane tighter. "Damn it! Who do they think they are!?! What kind of completion is this!?!"

The Clownfaced man, much calmer than the raging Gelmud, simply stared at the direction of the Sealing Cave. he narrowed his eyes and saw the powerful fluctuations of magicules that terminated from it that were not there when they checked the forest earlier. It was intense too, something only a True Dragon could give off. there was no doubt that Veldora had been revived and was now awaiting what was effectively a puppet to run things in the forest for him.

'This doesn't feel right. Veldora shouldn't be patient or smart enough to create a contest like this... something or someone is working with him. Clayman's not going to like this.' Laplace thought.

...

All across the forest, various powerful monsters and individuals were receiving the same news, delivered by different Dryads, which led to the shock of many. In the Gozu and Mezu tribes, the war which lasted over a century came to a screeching halt as champions from each tribe were chosen. The Elves in their village, afraid of the prospect of a hostile power gaining dominion over them, decided to send their village's strongest warrior. In what remained of the Goblin Confederation that didn't join Rimuru's faction, the strongest goblin was chosen to represent them. At Lake Siss, the Lizardman Chieftan was forced to allow Gabil to go, as the strongest and only named among his kin.

The forest, which had been only slightly disturbed until now by the invasion of the Orcs, became a frenzy of activity as monsters from across the Forest prepared not just for the contest, but the journey itself.

(Veldora POV)

"You really went all out on this, huh?" Luminous asked me while lounging over top of me as I sat on my new crystal throne in my female form.

[Something like this but in Veldora's Cave]

"Of course. Those who fail and don't catch my interest become powerful subordinates of Rimuru, those who fail and do catch my interest become my servants, and Rimuru finally has to take his place as a True Demon Lord and I can stop worrying about some random murder hobo coming and killing him." I explained.

Luminous rolled her red and blue eyes and took another bite out of the apple she was eating. "Plus you get to put off killing all those Orcs, right?." she said between chews.

I nodded. "Plus I get to get out of killing all those orcs," I confirmed.

Luminous shrugged. "Whatever. I doubt he'll be stronger than Hinata even after evolving... so ~bite~ mot a ig eal." Luminous had finished the apple, chewing the last bits and burning the remaining core to ash with magic as she did so. "When are we doing this upgrade for me?" Luminous asked.

I smiled and got closer to her face. "Right now, kitten," I said, trying not to cringe as I took Luminous' lips with my own.

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I broke the kiss. Luminous was looking at me with wide eyes in shock. "Wow! So that's what that feels like."

I smirked. "What~ never been kissed that passionately before?" I asked.

Luminous shook her head. "No I have, Beastmen girls are great kissers, I was talking about having an Ultimate Skill. I feel so much stronger!" She declared.

"You kissed a Beasman girl?" I asked.

"I feel like I can do so much more... also, did you concentrate all of my abilities into this Skill? Plus I have some new stuff!" Luminous rambled.

"Was it a dog beastgirl? A cat?" I asked.

"I wonder what the extent of my manipulation is now?" Luminous pondered as she touched my chest.

I jumped in my seat, almost knocking her off as my body spasmed, and I felt like I was cumming but in my soul somehow. A moment later, it was gone.

"The hell was that?" I asked, through ragged breaths.

Luminous smiled. "I tried sending pleasure signals directly to your soul. How did it feel?" She said smugly.

I wasn't going to let her get away with humiliating me like that so I grinned. "I don't recall, how about you try it!" I said, replicating the same thing she did to me on her.

"Kyyaaa!!!!" Luminous moaned loudly and erotically for a moment.

"H-How did... *huff* did you do that?" She asked through labored breaths.

I smiled. "Let's just say, my Ultimate Skill is all about finding out how things work, and when you are me, once you know how it works, you can replicate it... to a certain extent." I boasted.

Luminous looked up at me and smiled lustfully, biting the bottom of her lip. "Wanna try that again?... in bed?" she asked, whispering the last bit as she leaned close to my ear.

I didn't have one in this form, but I had a raging boner.

...

(Clayman POV)

"Competition, you say?" I asked, confused as I turned to look at Laplace.

"Yeah, it doesn't make any sense. Veldora isn't known for this kind of thing. He's barely more intelligent than a rampaging monster." Laplace admitted.

"Obviously. Then it seems we are not the only players in this game for control over the forest and the creation of a new Demon Lord." I mused, more to myself than Laplace.

"Does this change our plans?" Laplace asked.

I closed my eyes and thought for a moment before shaking my head. "No, it actually accelerates them and makes them easier. I doubt anyone in that forest is stronger than the Orc Lord, but..."

Laplace grinned. "You're going to tip the scales in your favor regardless, aren't you?" He asked.

I smiled lightly. "Of course." I then turned to Eva, my Dark Elf maid. "Call Mjurran and Ninehead here."

Eva bowed and retreated to complete the task. Laplace watching her do so. "Are you sure about this? You'll be exposing your hand and if you lose them they will be hard to replace."

Laplace made a good point, but who would possibly anger a Demon Lord such as myself by interfering when I have so obviously committed so many resources to this project? The other Demon Lords would back down. Karrion and Frey were obviously not responsible, since they were a part of the puppet Demon Lord's plan from the beginning and Milim was too stupid to be the one behind this, so it was likely the work of another Majin or some powerful Human Country which caused this shift. If it was a human country then they'd back off once the top subordinates of a Demon Lord began placing their fingers on the scales. If it was a Majin, then my subordinates would be enough to deal with them.

"Well, regardless, we'll stay in the Jura Forest to collect information for you since yer still paying. If things go sideways, we'll fix it." Laplace stated.

I thought for a moment, then considered if this was a move by the Eastern Empire. It would make sense for them to try and control Veldora, especially since Kanzas...

"No. Don't bother, Gelmud will be enough." I said, almost shocking myself with how I spoke before completely finishing my thought.

"Are you sure?" Laplace asked, challenging me.

I grit my teeth momentarily before pushing down the anger. "Yes, I'm sure. For now, withdraw. Gelmud will be enough. We can't have the alliance exposed." I stated firmly.

Laplace shrugged his shoulders. "Alright then. You're a smart guy, so I guess you're probably right. Good luck with your plan." Laplace said as he disappeared.

I looked back at where Laplace sat just a moment ago and furrowed my brow. 'Was this really the right call? This plan has some holes in it too... no but if its the Eastern Empire then I can't risk them.' I thought to myself.

A knock at the door stirred me from my contemplation. "Enter," I commanded.

A second later, Mjurran, holding Ninehead entered. I smiled. "Mjurran, it is good to see you. I have an assignment for you." I stated.

Mjurran tensed before claiming herself. "W-What is it, Lord Clayman?" She asked.

I turned to the window in the room and began looking out it. "In the Great Forest of Jura, there will soon be a... competition, yes, that's right. A competition for the affection of Lord Veldora. The winner will be made into the Forest's administrator, effectively a position equivalent to a Demon Lord." I explained.

Mjurran shivered at the thought for a moment. "D-do you wish for me to win this competition?" She asked.

"No, I already have a puppet in place to be the winner. Instead, you will be there to help tip the scales in their favor... in exchange." I turned to Mjurran and held up my hand, summoning the glass vial that contained her heart. I watched as realization dawned on her face. "You shall have this back."

Mjurran looked at me for a moment, studying me, seeing if this was a trap. It was, but I didn't let it show on my face. thus, Mjurran nodded in agreement. I smiled as I turned to Ninehead.

I reinforced my control over it with [Manipulator], forcing it to obey me and sending the beats a signal to follow Mjurran's commands and protect her during her assignment. I also sent it a secret command to injure or Kill Mjurran once the Orc Lord was in a winning position so that it could feed off of Mjurran and gain strength. Not only that but with Mjurran already under [Manipulator]'s control, if the Orc Lord devoured her, then it was likely that it would be effected by [Manipulator] and become my puppet anyway.

I smirked. 'I can't wait.' I thought.

...

(Goblin Priestess POV)

"Are you sure, Chiefs?" I asked in hesitation.

"We are sure. You are the strongest among us. If we do the sacred ritual, then you will become strong enough to win the competition!" The Chief of the Northern Village stated.

I nodded but lowered my head to look at the object in the center of the room where a fat red mushroom with softly glowing multicolored spots dotted across its head lay on an ornate tray. It was large, bigger than my head, and its aura was ominous. As expected for a plant soaked in Lord Veldora's Magicules.

The Chief of the Southern Village, noticing my gaze, then spoke. "We were concerned about the movements of the Orc Army. If they had come any closer, we would have had you consume this and fight them. It would have been a hopeless battle, yes, but perhaps with your death you could have diverted their army away from the Villages, but now, you have the chance to eat it and become ruler of the forest!" They explained.

"The legendary protector of the Goblin Confederation. It is spoken about only in legends... The Red Cap!" The Western Village Chief explained.

I looked around the room at my fellow Goblins. These were my family and friends. I had to do this, as the warrior priestess of the Goblin Confederation, it was my duty to become the Red Cap in our time of need. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, steadying my soul, before opening them and looking at the assembled Chiefs and Elders of the Goblin Confederation.

"I will do it! I will become the Red Cap!" I stated, stepping forward and picking up the mushroom.

"""May the Great Dragon protect!!!""" They all chanted as I took my first bite.

...Power...

That's all I felt as I continued to ravenously consume the mushroom in my hands. My body overflowed with energy. I felt myself growing taller as my body burned and energy coursed through every fiber of my being. From my peripheral vision, I could see my long grey hair being magically dyed red as my green skin added into the same peach color as humans had for only a moment before it darkened and became a light brown.

Still despite the changes and power overflowing from my body, I continued to eat. bite after bite of the mushroom until nothing remained but the crumbs in my fingers, which I ravenously licked clean.

A moment later, and it was done. I stood, towering over the other Goblins who ow looked at me with awe. I flexed my newly toned muscles and began inspecting my body when I heard it.

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I closed my eyes, dwelling on all of the new powers and abilities I received from the mushroom.

I smiled. There was no way I was going down now!

(A/N: My explanation for why the 'Red Cap' didn't exist in the canon is that it did, but the Orcs overwhelmed and ate them before Gabil could recruit them.)