Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

The Syrathen Empire had existed for centuries. It stretched from the rolling plains, jagged mountains, winding rivers, fertile farmlands, and vast forests. Countless villages had dotted its territory, their inhabitants relying on the roadways the Empire provided. Merchants had traversed the vast expanse of Syrathen, bringing goods between the settlements and the great cities. Adventurers searched the land for monster cores and materials, rare artifacts, and forgotten ruins. Soldiers patrolled the Empire’s borders, ensuring its safety. And at the heart of it all was Sylvane, the great imperial capital.

The largest and most influential city in Syrathen. The political, economic, military, and royal center of the Empire. But Sylvane was not the only city in the Empire. Twelve great cities dotted the country.

They were; Qalith. Zephara. Fenmere. Sylvane. Solmere. Thornvale. Tidefall. Orovel. Nisera. Rosen. Sahrim and Veyloth. Besides the capital and the other great cities, the Empire contained innumerable smaller settlements. But these cities formed the backbone of the Syrathen.

And one of them had recently become the focus of the Empire’s attention. A mystery that had taken a year to unravel.

The Imperial Council chamber was filled with people. Representatives of the Adventurer’s Guild sat alongside officers and soldiers. Scholars had taken their places along the eastern wall. Merchants and officials had been invited as well.

At the center of the room was a large map.

It displayed the eastern lands of the Empire.

Markings outlined the borders of Rosen City. Beyond it was an immense region of green. The Great Verdant Forest.

An old expanse that predated the Syrathen Empire itself. A place whose true edges were unknown, despite the many adventurers who had scoured it.

The monsters that dwelled within ranged from manageable foes to fearsome beasts that devoured everything in their path, and beyond. Places deeper within the woods were said to be inaccessible to all but the most skilled explorers. The Adventurer’s Guild representative placed several documents onto the table. ”We must discuss Rosen.” A military commander frowned. ”The wyvern attack?” ”Indeed.” ”An entire year ago?” Several people exchanged glances. One noble arched an eyebrow. ”If this has been an issue for a year, then why bring it up now?”

The Guild representative glanced toward the Intelligence Bureau. ”We have received several recent reports linking the attack to other incidents.” The room fell silent. The representative cleared his throat before opening the first document. ”The Battle of Rosen...” He began.

A year ago, Rosen City had been attacked by a group of Greater Wyverns. The creatures had left the city in ruins, with many adventurers injured and several buildings destroyed. However, Rosen had been defended, and the attackers repelled. During the battle, a Monster Lord had appeared. The Guild representative opened the next page. ”His name was Zarathiel.”

There was a murmur at the name.

A Wyvern Lord. One of the strongest known species of Wyverns. A being of legend, said to have ascended beyond his natural limits. The military commander crossed his arms.

”And you believe he attacked Rosen?” The representative gave a grim nod. ”But that was not the most surprising development.” He set another report on the table. ”During the battle, Zarathiel used an unusual ability. An ability that caused nearly everyone present to kneel before him.” A scholar raised an incredulous brow. ”Nearly everyone?” The Guild representative gave a solemn nod. ”There was one exception.” The room was silent as he spoke the name. ”Tanaka...” The name had stirred speculation in Rosen for the past year. But the Empire had only limited knowledge of the mysterious figure.

Some believed him to be an adventurer.

Others thought he was a Beast Tamer. A few even whispered that he was a monster himself, in disguise. The Guild representative continued. ”According to the few who saw him, Zarathiel confronted Tanaka directly.” ”And what did Tanaka say?”

”He claimed to be a Beast Tamer, according to the eyewitnesses.” Several people exchanged skeptical looks. ”However,” the Guild representative continued, ”Zarathiel did not believe him. Neither did most of those present.” The military commander frowned. ”And what happened next?” The Guild representative fixed a serious look on the noble. ”Tanaka used a skill.” ”What skill?” He studied the report before giving an answer. ”Devour.” A scholar scoffed. ”Devour? That’s the name you’ve written down.” The representative gave a slow nod.

”What did it do?” The scholar asked. ”It consumed a Greater Wyvern.” There was a stunned silence. ”Completely?” ’Yes.” The scholar studied the report with growing confusion. ”That’s impossible.” Another scholar shook his head. ”Not impossible, precisely, but certainly unlikely.” The first scholar turned to the second. ”There’s a difference?” ”A rather large one, actually.”

The Intelligence Bureau representative cleared his throat. ”Regardless of how unlikely the claim is, the witnesses all agree.” Tanaka had devoured the Greater Wyvern. It was an impossibility. But the witnesses’ words were undisputed. A discussion erupted at once. Some claimed that Tanaka had possessed an extremely rare Absorption skill. Others believed he had been an unusual monster, capable of transforming into a human. Meanwhile, one scholar believed Tanaka to be the result of an illicit experiment. However, an Intelligence Bureau investigator finally spoke. ”There is another possibility.” Everyone turned to him. ”Some witnesses claimed that Tanaka was not a human at all, but a slime.” The room fell utterly silent. Then the laughter began. ”A slime? Slimes are the weakest of monsters!”

”No slime could possibly have bested a Wyvern Lord!”

The investigator held up his hands in a gesture of peace. ”I understand why the claim sounds absurd. Which is why it has been labeled a rumor.” A scholar folded his arms. ”Could a slime have transformed into a Monster Lord?” Nobody answered. ”Could one have taken on a human form?” Again, nobody responded. The investigator glanced around the room. ”Nobody knows what Tanaka actually was.” That statement silenced the room. And so the laughter died out. A senior Intelligence Bureau officer stood, gesturing toward the map. ”There is one other detail.” He pointed toward the Great Verdant Forest. ”These reports.”

The officer set several additional documents on the table, alongside the Rosen reports.

The earliest ones had been dismissed as unrelated events. Incidents that had occurred independently of one another.

Mysterious disappearances of hunting parties. Strange sightings of monsters.

Reports of smoke rising from the forest.

Clearings said to have appeared overnight. Massive structures of wood. The military commander frowned. ”How long ago were these?” ”Several months.” ”Before or after the incident in Rosen?” ”Both.” That response earned several surprised looks. The commander continued. ”At first, the reports were regarded as unrelated.

Matters of simple monster activity.

Then the details began to coincide.”

The officer gestured toward several locations on the map. The military commander frowned. ”Monster settlements?” ”We are unsure. Isolated sightings have been reported in the past. Hunting parties disappearing without a sound. Crops vanishing from local farms.

Strange markings appearing on tree bark.”

He paused before adding, ”However, the most recent reports suggest something more.” Several people frowned. ”Such as?”

The officer hesitated before speaking.

”Scouts have seen goblins, kobolds, wolves, rabbits, slimes, and several other species working together. It appears to be an organized settlement of some kind.”

A murmur of surprise spread through the room. The military commander stared at the map. What was the monsters plan?

Did they seek to conquer the lands of men?

Did they wish to expand their domain?

Were they preparing for an invasion of the Empire itself?

The commander frowned. ”Are they hostile?” ”We do not know.” ”Do they have a leader?” ”We do not know.” ”Do they pose a threat to our cities?” ”We do not know.”

The commander slammed his palm against the table. ’Then what do you know?” The officer exhaled sharply. ”Something is happening within the Great Verdant Forest.” And with that statement, another mystery was born. The next question was simple enough. ”If this has been happening for months, then why are we only hearing about it now?” It was the same noble who had spoken earlier. The Intelligence Bureau representative answered. The reports had been scattered. Isolated incidents that local branches of the Adventurer’s Guild had dismissed. Some scouts had failed to return. Others had been unable to confirm the rumors. Several reports had contradicted one another. And finally, after the battle at Rosen, the sightings of Tanaka had been added to the mix. Meaning that, despite the potential significance of the events, the Empire had little concrete information regarding the subject. The noble frowned.

A scholar sighed. ”So, in essence, we had been watching the same mystery unfold for a year... he trailed off. ”...without realizing it?” The Intelligence Bureau officer gave a solemn nod. The military commander studied the map. ”And what of Tanaka?”. None present wished to say it aloud.

Could he have been responsible for the strange sightings within the Great Verdant Forest? Had the two mysteries been connected all along? There was no evidence to suggest so. But there was also no reason to dismiss the possibility entirely. The Imperial Council continued their deliberation for hours. Some proposed sending an expedition to the Great Verdant Forest. Others suggested reinforcing Rosen City. A handful of representatives argued in favor of the settlement’s destruction before it could grow too powerful.

The Intelligence Bureau, however, opposed any immediate military action. ”We do not know if they are hostile.” ”These are monsters, after all.” ”So what if they are unusually intelligent?” The room fell silent. The military commander gave a tired sigh.

”Rosen has been dealing with monsters for centuries. This is not an unexpected occurrence. It is different, yes... which is precisely why we must learn more about the situation before deciding what to do next.”

He gestured toward the Great Verdant Forest. ”Monsters working together.

He sighed and continued. ”Building structures. Farming. Organizing themselves.

It is unlike anything we have seen before.

It could very well be the birth of something truly extraordinary.” The scholar gave a slow nod. ”It may well be the dawn of something unprecedented, indeed.”

And so, the council reached its decision.

No military expedition would be launched at the Great Verdant Forest yet. The Adventurer’s Guild and the Intelligence Bureau would conduct further surveillance of the region, watching the developments with careful eyes. The Empire would learn more before making any rash decisions.

And so, for now, they would wait. The Empire had more immediate concerns to address. Across several of Syrathen’s borders, demonic activity had surged to unprecedented levels. Numerous villages had been plagued by the demons. Several military outposts had been abandoned or overrun. The Empire’s generals had requested reinforcements. Trade routes had to be secured. Compared to the very real threat of an invasion of demonic hordes, the strange sightings within the Great Verdant Forest were little more than a curiosity.