That Time I Got Reincarneted as Slime

Chapter 33 - Audience

The Lizardmen's Head nodded once in response to the report on the progress of battle.Since meeting Souei four days had passed.Tomorrow they would be reinforced. With no great casualties thus far, they'll most likely see the sun rise again.Orc's attacks have intensified to the extreme.Depending only on their resources, the passageways are overflowing with orcs. Orcs were affected little by the labyrinth, and merely swarmed through it.By placing traps along the passageways, they managed to decrease their numbers–if slightly.But still, thanks to the labyrinth the lizardmen were able to avoid any real losses. The labyrinth diverges many times, andemergency escape passageways are still usable.They've been alternating the squads that fight the orcs most often, and quickly reinforce teams that have engaged the enemy.Since this battle is under his direct command, he has no intention of becoming conceited.Because the reinforcements are coming, because there is hope, everyone is somehow struggling by.In reality, those who have fought the orcs were surprised by their strength.These orcs were worlds stronger than the usual.Right now, a single orc can challenge up to three lizardmen.Moreover, their power seems to be increasing.This is, of course, the result of the Orc Lord's command.The Head also strictly ordered that those injured must immediately switch with out. Since, should the injury result in death, the orcs will become stronger.Carefully, and without error thus far, they have been maintaining the defense line.And only a day left.When the reinforcements arrive, they'll probably be able to make use of the terrain to crush every orc.At the very least, they could at least alternate with the members stationed at the most important defense points.Thus filling his head with wishful thinking, the Head relaxed a bit.That's when it came.The news of Gabil's return....Gabil was indignant.What's with this! The prideful Lizardmen were cowardly hiding in holes from some lowly pigs! He was going blind from anger.However, all would soon be fine. He had returned, and, like a proper Lizardman, would fight with pride.With that thought, he headed to the Head.「Well done, Gabil. I presume you've been able to obtain the goblin's support?」「Ay! We've been joined by 7,000 warriors.」「Is that so... with this, we'll somehow make it.」「In that case, let's engage the enemy at once!」After reporting thus to the Head, he prepared himself for batle.Now that he had returned, he could not permit the orcs' selfish actions. Surely the head had been waiting for him to return.However,「Hmm? No, the time hasn't come yet. While you weren't here, we had been offered an alliance. They will be arriving tomorrow. And then, after holding a strategy meeting, we will be striking against the orcs!」Completely out of the blue. Such unthinkable things the head had said."What? The head was not waiting for me?"That thought let to dissatisfaction, which further worsened Gabil's mood.To depend on some unknown reinforcement against some lowly orcs...「Head, if you send me out, I'll quickly crush the orcs. Order me to go!」His indignation growing, he was hoping to vent it on the enemies. However,「No. We shall fight tomorrow! You must be tired, so rest up.」Completely ignored.Gabil's mind went blank in anger. Completely ignoring him, and depending on some strangers! Unforgivable.「Head, no, father! Stop this foolishness! You seem to have gone senile, you just don't see the truth.」「What was that? Gabil, what are you planning!」Up until now, he was holding back in respect of his father.In fact, there were many admirable qualities that he possessed. So Gabil was obedient.However, he refused to recognize Gabil, and that Gabil could not forgive.His time had finally come, that's all.So nodding once, he shot his subordinates the signal.「Father, your time has come to an end. From now on, I am the new Lizardmen's Head!」Gabil loudly declared.At this declaration, the goblins noisily ran into the Head's chamber.Armed with stone spears, they surrounded the Head and his guards.Gabil's subordinates, the handpicked elite, also readied themselves behind the goblins.「Gabil, what is the meaning of this?!」Unable to understand the situation, the Head raised apanicked voice. How unusual.However, that only pleased Gabil's superiority complex.「Father, good work up until now! Leave the rest to me, and enjoy your retirement!」

His subordinates then disarmed the Head and his guards.And then, Gabil took the head's, no, his father's spear into his hands. The spear, a magic item called the Water Vortex Spear, is the symbol of the Lizardmen themselves.An item with overflowing magical power. Held by the strongest lizardman. A weapon that was most fitting for Gabil.And looking at his father and the guards,「Leave the rest to me! You'll probably be restrained until the war is over, but bear with it, okay?」So he called out.「Wait, Gabil! Stop this selfishness! At least, wait until tomorrow!!!」Ignoring his father's pleas,「What an eyesore. Take him away!」So he ordered.Of course, he had no intentions of having him killed. He needed him out of the way, though.Gabil needed to personally beat the head.Of course, as a new hero who'd stand atop of all the lizardmen, such an event was necessary.Surely then his father would recognize his strength and praise him.The mere thought made him giddy.The new head, taking along his goblins, proceeded to take command over the lizardmen. They will soon hear about the usurpation anyways.And once they acknowledge him, they will set off to fight.Gabil could not imagine the possibility of defeat.His father's warning were completely wasted on him.From the beginning, Gabil's followers were cheering on, demanding the opening act of the play.The ones he found in the prison were the same.Drunk on their praise, Gabil enjoyed sitting on the throne.His time had finally arrived.He had completely ignored the trivial things like an orc invasion..What a...The Head was tormented by regret.Don't be hasty! So he was told many times before. And this was the situation he had found himself in.He was certain in his control over his brethren.But to have been betrayed by his own son...This is very bad.If this goes on, the lizardmen will attack without waiting, and will meet certain demise.Making up his mind, he looked at the Guard Captain.He is another one of his sons, Gabil's brother.Guard Captain noticed the Head's signal and nodded.「Go!」The moment the Head screamed that word, the Guard Captain broke free of the restraints and took off running.They needed to let their ally know about this situation.That messenger, Souei did not hide his aura.So, surely upon getting out of the labyrinth, he would know where to go.Betting on that fleeting possibility, the Head sent his son out.He had thought about restraining Gabil's subordinates. However, he did not have the heart to hurt his brethren, so decided to simply escape.The Head, intending to take responsibility, stayed in prison.And prayed that his son may make it out safely.Only 5 days.That promise he could not keep, and now lamented his failure.And hoped that his failure did not result in them beingabandoned.Surely he was offered an alliance because of some value they had seen in the lizardmen. Perhaps now they had lost what little value they had.Gabil was probably busy making his debut.In that case, no one will be sent to replace the tunnel defense squads.With reinforcements, the orcs will gradually grow stronger, and the defense teams will be eventually overrun.The women and civilians we had gathered in the center of the labyrinth will then be defenseless.Should that happen... but, grieving won't stop this.We will defend them to the end.That was the Head's decision.To buy even a bit more time. That was the only thing he could do.