That time I got reincarnated as the Monster King

"That's quite a selfish request for someone who appeared out of nowhere, Treyni the Dryad," Benimaru said coldly, facing the serene figure before him. His crimson eyes narrowed with suspicion, his stance alert but composed.

"Why have you come here?" he demanded. "There are races far stronger than the goblins, and more established settlements worthy of your attention."

Treyni, unfazed by the accusation, met his gaze with a calm, knowing smile. "Indeed," she said softly. "If the Ogres' homeland had remained at full strength, perhaps I would have sought them out instead."

Her voice, like the rustling of leaves in the wind, carried an ethereal grace. She folded her hands before her, then turned her gaze toward me.

"However," she continued, "even if I had taken that path, I could not have ignored the presence of this individual."

I narrowed my eyes at her, my expression unreadable.

"The Dryads alone cannot stop the Orc Lord if he marches upon your settlement," Treyni said matter-of-factly. "This is why I have come—to seek the aid of someone powerful. Someone who can face a threat of this magnitude."

She plucked a chip from the bowl on the meeting table and took a bite, as if discussing a simple matter. "The Dryads are connected to the forest. We see all. We know all. And I assure you—the Orc Lord is real."

The room fell into a tense silence.

"If a Dryad acknowledges it..." Elder Rigurd began, his voice uncertain.

"...then it must be true," Kaijin finished grimly, his expression darkening.

The implications hung over us like a storm cloud.

"Let us continue the conference," I said, breaking the silence with a firm tone.

Everyone resumed their seats, though now a new weight pressed upon the room. Treyni took her place among us, folding herself into the meeting with an elegance only spirits of nature could command.

"Back to the matter at hand," I began, my voice calm but sharp, "does anyone have any thoughts on the Orcs' objective?"

Shuna leaned forward slightly, placing her delicate hands on the table. "One possibility comes to mind," she said thoughtfully.

"Go ahead," I nodded.

"Souei, did you investigate the perimeter of our village?"

"I did," Souei replied with a curt nod, his tone as quiet and sharp as ever.

"Judging by your expression, I take it you found nothing?" Shuna asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"Correct," Souei confirmed. "Not a single trace—neither of our kin nor of the Orcs."

"Not a single what?" I asked.

"Corpse," he said.

Benimaru leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "That was one of our greatest puzzles. We couldn't understand how an army of two hundred thousand was sustaining itself."

I looked to him, realization dawning. "You're implying they're feeding on...?"

"The unique skill… Starved," Treyni interjected, her serene expression shadowed with dread as she lifted her teacup and took a sip.

"Starved," she repeated. "It is a dreadful ability possessed by the Orc Lord—a calamity born to bring ruin. Its influence extends to all under his command, compelling them to devour everything in sight—land, flesh, bone… even magic."

She paused as the weight of her words settled on the room.

"And through this devouring, they not only sustain themselves, but also inherit the strengths and abilities of their victims. This is their sustenance, their power."

"In return," she continued, her voice now quiet and solemn, "they are cursed with an unending hunger. Their entire existence becomes a march of gluttony and destruction. That is the will of their king."

The room fell into contemplative silence. All eyes turned to me, waiting.

I slowly exhaled. "I understand," I said, voice firm.

"We possess Tempest Wolves, Kijin, and Hobgoblins. To the Orcs, we are more than enemies—we are prey. Each of us, a meal of power waiting to be consumed."

Benimaru let out a quiet chuckle. "Aren't you forgetting the most desirable dish of all?"

He glanced at me with faint amusement. "We've got the strongest being in this entire region, after all."

I raised a brow. "Who, me? I'm not human. I don't know who you're implying. I'm just a monster… one that other monsters follow."

I grabbed a chip from the bowl and bit down, nonchalant.

Treyni smiled gently. "We have also confirmed that a certain Majin is responsible for orchestrating the Orc Lord's appearance."

Her tone shifted, and her smile faded. "This Majin is no ordinary being. He is a subordinate to a Demon Lord—a name I believe you would be wise not to overlook."

She stood gracefully and extended her hand toward me.

"Honored Arceus Velgriath," she said with utmost sincerity, "I once more beseech you to stand against the Orc Lord. As the one who accepted the Storm Dragon Veldora, subdued the Direwolves, and earned the loyalty of the Kijin… there is no one more suited for this task than you."

"Of course he is!" Shion exclaimed, leaping to her feet and wrapping me in a suffocating embrace. "That Orc Lord doesn't stand a chance against Great Arceus!"

As Shion let go, I placed my palm flat against the table and rose to my feet.

"I understand," I said with conviction. "I'll defeat this Demon Lord—and the Orc Lord he commands."

"Let's show them the strength of Tempest!" Elder Rigurd declared, rising with passion.

"We believe in you," Kaijin added. "And we'll stand with you."

As the room calmed, I nodded. "I'll consider the alliance with the Lizardmen… though I'm not fond of the idea. That man—Gabiru—he doesn't inspire confidence."

"Great Arceus, if I may," Souei said. "Would you allow me to speak directly with the Lizardmen Chieftain?"

"Please do," I replied. "We'll join forces with them and strike the Orcs together."

A unanimous cheer resounded through the room. War was no longer a possibility—it was a certainty.

---

Meanwhile, under the pale glow of the moonlight…

Gabiru groaned awake, his scales dusted with dirt.

"Sir Gabiru!" a green-scaled Lizardman ran up in relief.

"W-Where are we?" Gabiru asked, slowly rising and recalling the moment of his defeat.

"That boy with the dopey face… he knocked me down!" Gabiru seethed. "They clearly tricked us!"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"It's obvious!" Gabiru announced. "That boy must be the real master of the village! A clever trick to deceive us!"

The other Lizardmen nodded in support, murmuring admiration for their leader's "brilliant deduction."

"Such cunning… truly the wisdom of the weak!" Gabiru boasted, chest puffed out.

"You're amazing, Lord Gabiru!" one soldier cried.

"A true mountain among men!" said another.

A sudden clap echoed in the shadows.

"Marvelous deduction!" came a cheerful, mocking voice.

They turned to see a stranger—black-skinned, with a clown's painted face and a theatrical grin.

"Wh-Who goes there!?" Gabiru barked.

The figure bowed with a flourish. "The name's Laplace. I serve Lord Gelmud, and I've come to deliver a message."

"Lord Gelmud?!" Gabiru's eyes sparkled with misplaced reverence. "What message does our noble patron send?"

Laplace twirled once, arms spread. "It seems the Orc army is, in fact, being led by an Orc Lord."

Gasps erupted among the Lizardmen.

"The current chieftain is wise, sure… but let's face it, he's getting old," Laplace said with a sly grin. "This task may be… above his pay grade, so to speak."

Gabiru's eyes sharpened. "I had intended to take the chieftain's place after we repelled the Orcs… but waiting may be a mistake."

"Exactly!" Laplace laughed.

Gabiru turned to his warriors. "We ride! Back to the marshlands!"

He paused to glance at Laplace. "Forgive our hasty departure—"

"Think nothing of it," Laplace said, waving dismissively. "Just be sure to do your very best, Sir Gabiru."

As the Lizardmen vanished into the night, Laplace remained in the dark forest, chuckling to himself.

"Yes… do your best indeed," he whispered, a wicked smile dancing on his lips.