— Rimuru POV —
By the time the preparations settled, the light was already starting to fade.
The village had changed. Not stronger, but more organized. The goblins moved with purpose now, repeating what we had shown them, adjusting positions, keeping distance.
It was not perfect.
But it was better.
Still, it did not fix everything.
I slid across the ground and stopped near one of the huts. A goblin was sitting against the wall, one arm held tightly to its side. Its breathing was uneven, slower than it should have been.
"You are not fighting like that," I said.
The goblin looked at me, uncertain.
"It is fine. We will fight."
"Yeah, no. That is not happening."
I paused for a second.
Then it clicked.
"Wait. I already have something for this."
Rei glanced at me.
"Explain."
"Potions. I can make them."
[Great Sage: Synthesis possible.]
I focused.
The process felt natural, like something I had done before without thinking. A small vial formed within my body, clear liquid catching the fading light.
I pushed it outward.
"Drink this."
The goblin hesitated, then obeyed.
The effect was immediate.
The wound closed. The breathing steadied. The tension in its body disappeared almost at once.
"That is efficient," Rei said.
"Yeah, that is the point."
The goblin looked down at itself, then back at me, confused.
Then it lowered itself deeply.
"Great one."
"Do not overdo it," I said.
I looked around.
There were more.
Not as severe, but enough to matter.
"We can fix most of this," I said.
Rei studied the group briefly.
"Then prioritize those who can still fight."
"Already doing that."
We moved.
One by one, the injured goblins recovered. Their posture straightened, their movement steadied. Not just surviving.
Ready.
But not everything could be fixed completely.
One goblin still struggled to stand even after the potion.
I stopped.
"That one is worse."
Rei stepped forward.
"Residual damage."
"Yeah. I cannot fully fix that."
"Then I will handle it."
He crouched slightly and placed his hand near the injured area.
This time, I watched closely.
The change was subtle.
Not like anything I had done.
Controlled.
A faint layer of light formed around his hand. It did not spread. It stayed focused exactly where it was needed.
The goblin tensed for a moment.
Then relaxed.
"That is different," I said.
"It is not healing," Rei replied. "It stabilizes what remains."
"So mine restores. Yours adjusts."
"Something like that."
The goblin stood more steadily now. Not fully restored, but no longer struggling.
"That is useful," I said.
"It reduces failure points."
"You really do not change how you talk."
"No."
"Fair enough."
We continued without saying more.
Between the two of us, it was enough.
By the time we finished, the village felt different again.
Still weak.
Still exposed.
But no longer on the edge of collapse.
The goblins stood straighter. Moved faster. Looked at us differently.
Not just fear.
Trust.
The sun dipped lower. The light faded.
The air shifted.
"It is getting close," I said.
Rei nodded slightly.
"Yes."
I looked toward the forest. The same direction. The same pressure.
"You ready?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
I steadied myself, focusing forward.
"Good."
Because this time, we were not reacting.
We were waiting.