The gathering of tribal elders took place quite quickly and without unnecessary problems. Everything went too smoothly. I expected that they would create problems, but I only had to talk to a couple of elders, as more than half agreed, and the rest said that they would send only a part.

But even so, about 3,000 people were willing to go immediately, a practical third of the entire race. They will gather on my order alone, but it will be problematic to feed so many hungry mouths.

After discussing everything with the elders, I went back to discuss everything with Sean and Andre, after all, they have more experience in this matter than I do. Andre, as the most knowledgeable person in this matter, after listening to everything, said

- That's quite problematic. -He said with a strong frown

"What exactly?"

- First of all, are they predators? What do they eat? This is quite an important question. If it turns out that they only eat meat, then I'm sorry, we will not be able to feed them quickly. Even if we settle them all over our territories. There is also a question of their benefits. They can fight well together with the tsaescis, but tactics need to be worked out. In this case, you need to take into account their physique. If it turns out that water is harmful to them and they dissolve in it, then their benefits will be protective at best. The question of their use outside of war is also raised, where they can represent help, given that they are slimes that even simple dishes cannot be made without someone else's help. Still…

"That's enough. I realized there are a lot of problems," I said, feeling a slight headache.

It seems it was not worth acting hastily. Now they are waiting for me, if it turns out that I cannot redirect them, then in the future it will become even more difficult to get their loyalty.

- We could contact the Alliance and try to negotiate with them, but I can't guarantee that they will accept them.

Andre seemed desperate to find a solution to this problem. We sat in silence for the next few minutes, but suddenly Andre stood up and said enthusiastically

- I thought of it! Maybe we should try them out? If they fail the test, we will tell them to stay in the swamp and gain strength.

"How exactly?" Sean asked, curious

- Technically, we are still at war with the Brenga, so we have the right to attack them.

"Didn't we sign the peace then? "I asked

"We signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Elvengal, not with the Empire of Brenga. They don't act first, so as not to *humiliate* themselves. We will hold a small army, about 500 soldiers. They will be responsible for security, in case of an attack by magicians, we hope that you will take care of this, except you, no one is capable of it yet.

"Of course. But what if they don't dare to attack first?"

- Then you will attack first. They have to blame themselves in that

"Alright, so what kind of challenge they'll be had to complete?

- Hm... let the try to defeat the empire's army when they do not have the support of magicians. If they can't even do that, I'm afraid they won't be of much use. If they can get through this, I will do everything I can to solve all these problems, even if I have to buy them food through the store. -Andre said, hitting his chest.

"If there is nothing else, then gather your strength. We'll move out tomorrow."

...

Since the morning, Heron has been tense. As a high-ranking military mage of empires, he was often in difficult situations, but today was the most miserable day for him. The monster that once destroyed their army had crossed the borders of empires with an army. The emperor immediately ordered him and the general to take 4,000 troops to determine his intentions.

When Heron heard this, he almost laughed, to determine. Not to destroy, not to punish, not to drive away in the end, but to determine intentions. It sounded as if the emperor had no hopes for them. Although this is not surprising considering that even a small group of dragonoids were able to gain suppress hundreds, after the appearance of this monster, they as if become the monsters themselves.

- What do you think awaits us? -The General asked me nervously. Although it cannot be said that he worries in vain, given what happened to his predecessor after contact with him.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

- Let's pray that this is just the king's campaign with the protection of the escort. Considering its size, it takes a lot of people to carry its body.

- I hope that's the reason. -The General said with a little laugh, trying to relax his nerves.

...

At the moment when their army finally caught up with the dragon, they noticed that skirmishes were already taking place there. Heron immediately frowned, it wasn't a monster fighting with the army of dragonoids, but a horde of slimes. It is impossible to distinguish one from the other by eye, they're as if fused into one big slime.

The General and Heron exchanged nervous glances.

- What should we do?

-...-

-…-

They both stood in silence, not knowing how to react, suddenly a man on a horse ran up to us and said

- I knew that the emperor would send forces! Quickly, it is necessary to get rid of that monsters! I am the heir of the Marquis of Bundlusch, and this creature must be destroyed for the sake of the security of the Empire. Our army is in a hard situation, but I'm sure with you we have a chance.

They exchanged another glance with each other, they nodded Heron looked at him and said

- Are you tired of living? Should I fire you the f... -

-Enough Heron, enough. -General interrupted - I'm sorry Marquis. But as a General, I have to punish you

-What? Are you out of mind?

-First, you dare to call his Majesty a monster. Though we're not in good relationships with them, you still have to respect him. Secondly, you dared to attack his escort

-What?! That's, that's he's the one who dared to attack us with his monster army first. I'm just protecting the safety of the empire

-Heron, write everything I said down, please. That's third, you dare to Slander the king. Fourth, you dare to cover your dirty deeds by the name of the Empire

-What are you telling? Are you under mind control?

-Please give me your weapon, you are under arrest

-Oh no! I do not agree with it

-Contesting the Decision of the higher one. Fifth. Oh... Daring to raise a weapon toward the General, you're certainly trying to destabilize the Empire's army, also, unjustified aggression toward the noble. Heron, take him down

-As you wish -Heron looked at the Marquis as if he's a lamb.

…

After talking to the elders again, I told them about my desire to test them. They agreed to send their best warriors, and 1000 volunteers were recruited. Some elders went with me. Among them was Shang Gu. He bowed weakly and asked

-Master, are you sure you can suppress the spells?"

"Of course." Hearing this, Shak Un began to tremble less

- I am very glad to hear that. The fact is that fire spells are very dangerous for us. Because of him, our slime evaporates quickly.

"What about water spells?"

- They are not a problem for us. We can at least live in the water, although we will swim slowly, and in the ocean, the young have a fairly high chance of drowning. The worst thing is that we die of hunger at the bottom, if we don't find food, of course.

"Hmm... I think it can be used. I'll introduce you to my servants later. They understand more about these matters than I do. I hope you can solve problems together."

- That would be very good.

Gradually we crossed the swamp, I can't say what they see, but I can assume from their trembling that they are worried.

After 2 hours, we were met by a human army. A man on horseback stepped forward and shouted

- Magicians! Fire!

A lot of fire spells flew towards Liquid Death. I lazily stopped the spells and directed them back towards the mages. Aren't they combining spells to make it harder for me to deflect, or to hit as many targets as possible?

"You got 560 XP"

Not bad, though not enough.

- This is an attack on the lands of empires! The one who calls himself the king. Take your monsters back to the shit-pit they belong

What an idiot.

"You should retreat now, otherwise, I'll order all the nearby cities to be looted before we leave."

- The Emperor will not leave it so easily. Attack!

The soldiers rushed at my army. Looking at the slimes, I said

"Attack"

- Attack!

- Yeah!

Slimes fearlessly rushed at the enemy. Swords and spears hit them, but they did not cause any damage to them without hitting the cores. They jumped on the enemy and you can see how the enemy melted inside. I don't envy them.

While I was admiring this case. Their commander retreated to the army that was nearby. Are they planning something?

After a few minutes, my expectations were not met. The army raised a white flag and began to retreat, two went in my direction, also raising a white flag. Considering that I would get too little experience from them, I decided to talk to them. Anyway, the swamp is more attractive for farming than human settlements, if it's not a mass massacre of course

- Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Heron, the Imperial Envoy. We came here to ask you why you crossed the borders of our empire?

"It's simple, I'm going to move my servants closer to me. However, as you can see, I had no intention of attacking first. They started it themselves, which made me very angry. The only thing that will calm me now is the destruction of the Marquis' lands. You can be so kind and tell me what belongs to him and what does not belong to him. You can evacuate the cities, I want to level the cities to the ground, those who do not run away will have only themselves to blame."

Hearing my words, Heron and the man next to him turned pale. I understand that this is a senseless massacre from their point of view. And I won't get much experience. However, you can not give the little things to get conceited. If I am forced to fight with people later on about all sorts of little things, there may not be enough time. It's better to scare them harder. It is desirable that they only think about how to have more buffer between me and others. Also, given the whole situation, in my opinion, humanity in this world has no future, and I definitely will not give it to them, not for nothing. I'm sure I can exchange their race for the other's loyalty

-Y-Your Majesty, can't you please be merciful. Show some mercy

"Would you have shown mercy to the Dragonoids if I hadn't come?" My words made him tremble, "Don't you think it's a small price to calm my anger? I'll give you half a day. It all depends on you"

- W-we understand.