The Red Priest and Blue Slime Chapter 36

I made good one on my word in going after his fucking sword in return for his people blowing up my lab. As even as we spared, I went directly for Gazel's heavily enchanted sword.

Smashing my ever-shifting spear and halberd of solid Yatagarusu's flames into his sword while I carefully dodged his retaliatory swipes and stabs with his sword.

"You are allowing anger to cloud your blade work, Jake Barris," Gazel spoke as he smashed my spear to the side and stepped in to elbow me in the chest sending me skidding back.

In return, I exploded my flames under my heel to send me straight back into the fight with my spear slamming into the sword that he held in front of his chest to guard himself.

And then I retorted. "Anger has its place even on the battlefield." And just as his brow furrowed to deny my words I silenced him by headbutting him directly in the fucking mouth.

I could feel how his teeth cut into my forehead but I didn't give a shit as I used his momentary stun to kick him hard in the back of his right leg with my foot covered in my flames before backstepping as I met his retaliatory swipes of his sword with my spear.

But as he went to step forward on the leg I kicked I pressed forward as he staggered ever so slightly as the flames had burnt his leg more than he expected allowing me a slight upper hand in the duel of blades allowing me to push him back with my spear's superior range.

"Hngh... Not bad, I am going to speed up now." He warned me and just as he moved and I barely registered his movement as he brought his sword to cut me deeply across the chest.

Purple-black flames exploded violently from my form as I self-destructed pushing Gazel back with him snarling as his life force flared powerfully to keep my supernatural flames from burning him at coming into close contact with me.

"When I asked for a spar, I imagined much more sword or spear play Jake." He said with annoyance.

I smiled and retorted calmly. "My spear work is an extension of my Skill, so long as I have my magic my blade will never dull, never break, and I can control it better than any sword made by another's hand." 

King Gazel Dwargo visibly chewed on my words before taking a breath and shaking his head. "I see... That is the type of person you are." 

He looked over to his subordinates and held up his hand. I then loosened up my stance as I saw them also standing down and relaxing... However, I was a bit irritated at how I didn't manage to destroy Gazel's sword.

'Though it's certain that sword is going to need a good bit of work with how I made parts of it red hot.' I mused as I saw Gazel pop his neck to the side and approach me as Rimuru and the rest of the Oni's did the same.

"Well. I hope you liked what you saw Gazel." Hakuro spoke with a slight huff with Gazel snorting and saying with some amused annoyance.

"Bah, if I had magic like that during training, you would beat me upside the head if I tried to make unreliable magic conjurations like that." 

And Hakuro with no shame said bluntly. "It's only unreliable when he loses... I for one rather not get my beard burnt off after cutting through his spear and it explodes like a high-grade spell he is utterly immune to." 

Both Gazel and Hakuro looked at me in 'disgust' with Rimuru giggling as I shook my head and took a breath before I laid a hand over my heart and said more calmly.

"Well, with the spar out of the way. King Gazel, how about we give you a tour of our growing capital? Plus I imagine your armies pegasi would enjoy some fresh water and oats gathered from the Dryads." 

The Half-Saint blinked at my welcoming words before slowly nodding and saying more formally. "Then I King Gazell Dwargo and my retinue will be guests in your care then."

That meant that formally King Gazell Dwargo had named me a peer who could host him with honor... And that also meant that I was responsible for hosting him and his troops with the respect they deserved.

But with the help of the dryad's food wasn't that much of an issue. And... Due to Rimuru being a complete weeb, we had several bath houses and several other very japenese cultural places that she insisted on being built.

So with Rimuru, Benimaru, Shuna and Shion at my side our party along with Gazel and one of his advisors followed us to the bathhouse... But not to take a bath but instead use the teahouse attached to it as a venue.

Once our tea and snacks were put down for us to consume at our leisure. We got down some actual diplomacy.

"Jake, I am... Sorry for how our prior interactions have gone. My head scientist has overstepped and I have punished him for his dealings that sent Kaijin and his crew your way." King Gazel spoke honestly.

And I gently took a sip of my tea as Gazel took a breath and continued. "As for your elixirs... I am sorry that our actions have impeded your progress, I was rightfully worried about the cost in using your skill-granting elixirs but I hope we can move past my mistakes." 

Honestly, the fact that he admitted his wrongdoing. As a king was a large thing, he admitted he made a mistake and was contrite about it. But I wasn't a charity.

So I simply nodded and said. "I understand, I forgive your mistake." 

With that said I shifted and spoke. "Now, more onto the pressing bits. The Armed Kingdom of Dwargo is an underground nation. So I am wondering if you would be open to trade along the lines of foodstuffs and of course my elixirs and Rimuru's high-grade healing potions." 

Gazel brushed his hand across his chin and spoke slowly. "Hmm. The food of course will be welcomed as with the large amount of merchant's and inhabitants of my underground kingdom, there will always be room for more food."

His eyes tightened on me as he carefully put his hands together on the table and he spoke cautiously. "As for the potions and skill-granting elixirs... How much will that cost us is the question?"