Teaching Rimuru a Lesson

At that moment, a sound suddenly came from outside the door.

The old goblin came in carrying two bowls of what looked like vegetable soup.

"Sorry to have kept you two lords waiting. This is the food we prepared for you. We have nothing else to offer you, and we are deeply sorry."

The old goblin spoke in his aged voice.

Mo Li looked at the two cups of something that seemed like both vegetable soup and tea, feeling doubtful. Could this really be drunk?

Though he thought so, he could not say it aloud. After all, it was a gesture of goodwill.

Rimuru, on the other hand, had no such reservations. She picked it up and drank it.

After finishing it, she even smacked her lips.

Watching her carefree expression gave Mo Li a headache. It seemed he would need to properly teach Rimuru a few lessons in the future. Otherwise, she might help count someone's money even after being sold by them.

Since Rimuru had already drunk it, Mo Li no longer hesitated. He picked up the bowl of vegetable soup and drank it under everyone's expectant gazes.

Mo Li savored it carefully.

It was a little bitter, but it also carried the fragrance and freshness of vegetables.

Overall, it tasted quite good.

After finishing it, Mo Li said nothing more and went straight to the point.

"We've eaten and drunk. What exactly is the trouble you mentioned? Explain it in detail so I'll know how to help you."

Mo Li spoke to the old goblin.

Upon hearing Mo Li's words, the old goblin dropped to his knees with a thud, pleading in his voice.

"Please, my lords, help us."

Seeing this, Mo Li hurriedly helped him up.

"Don't kneel at every turn. Explain things properly first."

"Yes, explain it properly."

Rimuru echoed from the side.

The old goblin looked at Mo Li and Rimuru and said tremblingly,

"Do you two lords know why monsters have been so active lately, and why human adventurers have been appearing so frequently?"

"Why?"

Rimuru asked curiously.

Mo Li already understood. At that moment, he seemed to think of something and took two steps back.

"It is because Lord Storm Dragon, whom we worship, has disappeared. Lord Storm Dragon had always protected this land, but around two weeks ago, his presence suddenly vanished. All the monsters began to riot, fighting one another for territory and waging war. Many human adventurers also came here to hunt monsters because of this. Our Goblin tribe was caught up in it as well. The Direwolf Tribe invaded our territory. There were dozens of them, perhaps even a hundred. They wanted to fight us for the right to live on this land. Because the gap in our strength was too great, we have already lost many tribesmen. Even our tribe's only Named Goblin Warrior died in the war. Now, including the females, our village has only a little over fifty people capable of fighting, while the Direwolf Tribe has suffered almost no losses. That is why I beg for your help."

The old goblin explained it to Rimuru.

Rimuru felt somewhat embarrassed after hearing the old goblin's words. She had not expected this matter to be related to her, and related quite significantly at that. After all, Veldora was currently inside her Stomach. It could be said that if not for her, the Jura Great Forest would not have fallen into this situation. How should she resolve this?

Just then, Rimuru noticed Mo Li leisurely sitting off to the side.

Seeing this made Rimuru a little angry. I'm racking my brains over a solution here, while you're sitting there all relaxed. She immediately rushed toward Mo Li.

"Ari, help me think of something too."

Seeing Rimuru's troubled expression, Mo Li found it rather amusing.

"Solving this isn't difficult."

"Ari, you already have a solution?"

Rimuru asked in surprise.

"I had one long ago."

Mo Li replied leisurely.

"You had one long ago? What do you mean?"

Rimuru was a little confused. She always felt as if she and Mo Li were never on the same wavelength.

Seeing Rimuru's innocent, clueless look, Mo Li had no choice but to explain.

"Actually, I heard these goblins discussing it on the way here. You were dozing off the whole time, so you simply didn't notice."

"Then why didn't you remind me, Ari? You let me agonize over it for so long."

Rimuru complained to Mo Li.

"Because you're too lazy. You're either sleeping or eating, and you rely on me too much. That isn't a good thing. That's why I didn't remind you. I wanted you to solve this problem yourself."

Mo Li lectured Rimuru.

In the original story, Cute King Rimuru was an independent and decisive person, broad-minded and tolerant, both strong and gentle, and highly responsible. Mo Li did not want his own presence to turn Cute King into someone useless. After all, his original intention had been to help and support Cute King, then eventually live a leisurely life like Old Master Zhong. He did not want to keep working forever as some model employee.

Hearing Mo Li's words, Rimuru felt a little ashamed. It really did seem to be that way. Ever since meeting Mo Li, whenever something happened, she would ask him about it and had never solved anything independently. No, this time I must accomplish this through my own ability. I can't disappoint Ari.

"Alright, I understand. Leave this matter to me, Ari. I definitely won't disappoint you."

Rimuru said with determination.

Seeing Rimuru's expression, Mo Li could not help feeling somewhat gratified.

"Good. Then I'll wait and see. Don't disappoint me."

"We do have the ability to help you, but we have a condition."

Rimuru said to the old goblin.

Hearing that Rimuru could help them, the old goblin's eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly said,

"What condition? As long as it is something we can do, we will never refuse."

"I want your entire village to submit to us and offer your loyalty to Mo Li and me."

After careful consideration, Rimuru stated her condition.

Upon hearing Rimuru's words, the old village chief hurriedly said,

"We all agree! As long as you are willing to protect us, our entire village is willing to offer you our loyalty!"

The village chief was so excited he nearly jumped up. How could he possibly refuse such a wonderful offer? What kind of condition was this? It was clearly a good thing. After all, a race protected by the strong and one without the strong's protection lived in entirely different circumstances.

Moreover, Rimuru's strength looked to be at least B-rank. And with Mo Li as well—judging by Rimuru's attitude toward him, Mo Li might even be stronger than Rimuru. What did being stronger than B-rank mean? A-rank was an existence he did not even dare imagine. Normally, experts of that level would not even spare them a glance. Now that such good fortune had come knocking, how could he possibly refuse?