A/N: Short side-chapter.
.~.~.~.
The rain was heavy in this part of the forest. The anime doesn't show it very well, but Jura is massive. If I had to guess, it was about the size of the Great Amazon Rainforest back on Earth. There were multiple climate zones that overlaped and while the Western Region was rather dry, the South-Eastern Region, where I was now, was experiencing a rainstorm.
I sighed. "Thank goodness barriers prevent getting wet in the rain," I muttered as I looked down at the dozen bodies of the Ogres lying in the mud. Nearby, dozens of humans went back and forth, collecting the injured and dying. They placed them on their wooden carts and began hauling them through one of the roads leading to Raja that skimmed the edge of the Forest of Jura.
I descended and followed the injured in stealth, hiding my presence so as not be noticed. I covertly used magic to ensure that while their injuries would remain severe and life-threatening, they wouldn't die before receiving any treatment.
I followed the convoy as it passed into the Kingdom and into the castle, bringing the Ogres to the medical ward. The queen, whom I knew was named Towa, sat beside them as the doctor tended to the dying alongside the other nurses.
I took a seat nearby and removed my stealth, although I did keep my aura suppressed.
"What should we do? There is no way he will survive this?" The doctor said.
"S-save him! Please!" One of the other Ogres begged.
Towa closed her eyes. She knew that the only way to do so would be to name him, but he was an Ogre. She didn't have the magicules. She had a pained look on her face as she prepared to use her own lifeforce, the power of the crown, and the souls of the others to do it.
"If you want to name him, I'll grant you the magicules." I stated, immediately drawing everyone's attention to me.
"Who are you!?! Identify yourself!" One of the Majin guards yelled while drawing his weapon and moving to stand between the queen and me.
I smirked at that. It was so cute, as though he could possibly even slow me down. "Who I am is not important. What I offer is..." I said, unleashing a fraction of my Aura. "the power to save them."
Immediately, the room went silent, and people began to shiver. Towa, however, true to her status as a Queen, didn't react, only studying me for a moment. "What do you ask for?"
"M-my queen!?!" One of the advisors was shocked.
I raised my hand. "Three things, though they are all rather small. I have a question, a request, and a favor."
Towa narrowed her eyes slightly at me. "What are these?"
I smirked. "The request is that you name the leader here, but not the others. I will provide you with the magicules necessary and I will also heal the others." I stated.
Towa nodded. "Very well. What of the favor?"
"Keep them here. Hire them, lock them up, put them to work, I don't care, but I need them HERE at least for now." I answered.
Towa nodded, not asking why. I smirked at that. "Tell them their village is fine, I saved it earlier today if they get rowdy," to which Towa nodded.
I stood up and walked past Towa to the Ogre who was breaths away from death and held my hand up. I used the same advanced nameless healing magic I used to save the other Ogre on him. His wound immediately closed up, and his labored breathing subsided into smooth, unconscious breaths.
"Oh my!" One of the nurses gasped in surprise.
I winked at her and continued walking and casting heal on all of them, finally coming to their leader. The Guard still stood beside the Queen in a ready position, but it was pretty clear now that I wouldn't hurt her.
Towa nodded, and I placed my hand towards her. Towa's crown began to glow softly as it absorbed my magicules. It was FAR less efficient than when Rimuru and I did the same thing, but it wasn't like it was sucking me dry or anything.
"Hiiro." Towa declared as the Ogre in front of her began to glow softly before sighing in relief as the pain faded and he began his evolutionary slumber.
Towa let out a sigh and slumped forward a bit, but caught herself. She then turned towards me. "A-and your question?" She asked.
I smiled more gently. "I shall ask it tomorrow. Get some rest. My magicules are not easy for anyone to handle, magical crown or not." I stated as I turned to walk away.
"Wait... we shall prepare a room for you," Towa said.
I shook my head. "No need. I'll be headed back now." I said as I walked into the courtyard.
Towa and her entourage followed me as I walked into the middle of the rainstorm.
I gave them a smile before transforming into my Dragon Form and beating my wings once, then twice, and then taking off into the air, disappearing into the clouds of the night.
I smiled to myself. I didn't need to save Hiiro's companions, but the stronger Tempest becomes, the better. Especially since I'll probably be leaving Tempest for at least a little while. I plan to use Raja, in addition to Blumund, to aid Tempest in human relations and maybe have Towa teach Rimuru about how to be a proper Royal, but to do that, I'll need to get Raja into my debt, which will be easy enough