Chapter 3

Toward Rebuilding

The explanation to King Gazel was also troubling me, but I had a meeting with Masayuki and others today. I focused my attention on that, and fired myself up. I would first meet up with Testarossa.

I had calmed down a bit. Today would be a high priority meeting, so only a carefully selected group of people would gather in the conference room. From our side were Benimaru and Rigurd. Also Shion, Diablo, and now Testarossa. On Masayuki’s side would be Velgrynd, Calgurio and Minits, plus Bernie and Jiwu. In the lounge-like waiting room, all the members of our group were already there. It was short notice, but no one complained about it. Shuna had also volunteered to serve us, so we were fully prepared. As for the policies, well…

We don’t want to rule the Empire. Michael and Feldway, the major war criminals, were still missing, and Lieutenant Kondou, the man who had planned the whole thing, was dead. Even Kondou was suspected to have been thought-induced by Michael’s control, so I didn’t intend to hold him responsible even after his death. At the time, it seemed that the emperor’s flagship had been boarded by the Empire’s major leaders, with the current surviving chief executive of the Empire as Velgrynd, who held the position of Marshal. She herself had no territorial ambitions, so the topic would probably focus on the end of the war, war reparations, and post-war reconstruction.

At any rate, letting the 700,000 Imperial soldiers fill the labor force, and how to allocate the labor force was also a problem. It would be necessary to appoint skilled personnel as supervisors, and to decide on a well-balanced group so as to avoid an imbalance in skills. Just as I was thinking ahead…

Blue hair fluttered as a stunningly beautiful woman arrived. It was Velgrynd. Her gaze pierced straight through me.

Ouch, ouch, ouch.

I didn’t have a stomach, but my stomach still hurt.

“You wanted to see me?”

I needed to keep my dignity intact in front of everyone. I was wishing someone would praise me for the fact that my voice was not shaking.

“May I have a moment of your time?”

There was still time until the meeting started. I nodded, and Velgrynd and I agreed to speak alone before the meeting.

“How is Veldora?”

“Well, he’s fine.”

“I see, that’s good to hear.”

With a gentle smile, Velgrynd asked for Veldora’s well-being. When I replied that he was fine, she seemed relieved. Looking at Velgrynd’s smile, my heart ached a little. It was because Veldora was still afraid to deal with his sister, Velgrynd. I had asked him if he wanted to see her, but he had replied, ‘I have many things to do, and I’m very busy…’ pushing it off in a weak voice. It’s shameful, but I was not in a position to laugh at him either. Because, really, this is very awkward…

In Veldora’s case, I’m sure he was embarrassed, so I decided to leave it alone for a little longer.

“So, what’s up?”

This time, I started things off. My heart was pounding.

“I wanted to thank you.”

…Thank me?

That’s a bit…

“Why are you looking so pale? Are you expecting me to summon you to the back of the school?”

“How do you know all that stuff?!”

I shouted, and Velgrynd chuckled.

“The journey to find my beloved Rudra was more exciting than I ever imagined.”

From the sound of it, the journey had been grueling, but from the perspective of Velgrynd, who carried a purpose, it had been a hopeful one. That was why she could say with a smile that she enjoyed it.

“I crossed numerous worlds, spent many years, and pursued that one person. One of the worlds I went to was the one you once lived in.”

“Eh, seriously?!”

“Seriously.”

So that’s why her tone of voice felt more casual. She was wearing an Imperial uniform right now, but when she first appeared in the labyrinth, she had been wearing a shirt and jeans. Even just looking at the recorded footage, the sight of her in such a state, defeating her enemies with a single blow, was breathtaking. From the point of view of those who witnessed it and those who were attacked, it did seem out of touch with reality. However, the fact that she passed through the world I was in meant that there was a way to return from this world to the other side. Well, as for me, I’m dead, so there was no point in going back… Wait, wait, wait? In the first place, Velgrynd seemed to have jumped not only through dimensions but also time. If we analyze this, then perhaps…

«Understood. I will begin the analysis.»

Oh, Ciel is so reliable! Maybe it was just that they discovered a new hobby, but it was really the kind of thing to leave to Ciel. Either way, it’s wonderful to have hope. I’m sure there were otherworlders here who would like to go back if they could. If it’s possible, I’d like to make such a future a reality. Well, I would do my best to make that happen.

“Masayuki is the reincarnation of Rudra, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is. And I’m pretty sure he’s almost a complete soul.”

Velgrynd muttered to herself, ‘All that’s left is the memory.’

Um, but Masayuki was still Masayuki, wasn’t he? Because he was still in that lackadaisical state, I felt a little more relieved. I felt sorry to Velgrynd, but to me, Masayuki was not Rudra.

“Well, how should I put it…”

I couldn’t say “that’s great” or “that’s a shame” so I faked it.

Velgrynd wasn’t angry, and nodded lightly. I was a little surprised that she was more subdued than I expected.

“Ufufu, you seem curious. I, too, have had various experiences, more intense than the years I spent by Rudra’s side, like a long and short dreams. So I am grateful to you. Thanks you, Rimuru.”

Velgrynd thanked me with a heart-stopping, dazzling smile. Her domineering aura that brought others down to their knees, was nowhere to be found, replaced with a feeling of peace and tranquility. It was hard to believe that this was the same person.

“It’s good, right?”

“Yes. So, Rimuru. I swear to you that as long as Masayuki has no intention, I will not make an enemy of you. So, please do not betray Masayuki.”

It was a vow I could not have wished for. Besides, there was no need for her to specifically explain about Masayuki. I had no intention of betraying him.

“All right. I swear, by my name, and by the name of my companions, I will not betray Masayuki. Sometimes there may be a lie of a quarrel, but that kind of thing—”

Velgrynd’s gaze became cold and frightening.

“…I understand. I swear I’ll try not to lie to him or fight with him unless necessary.”

I didn’t understand. Why did I have to swear? It seems that sometimes I am too honest, so I’ve reflected a little.

Velgrynd’s words of gratitude had eased my tension. Even if there was a good reason for, I had certainly done something wrong, so it was natural to feel relieved that I was not being resented for it. Just when I was thinking that I could now face the meeting in a good mood, someone came rushing into the waiting room. It was Vesta.

“Hey, what’s with all the panic?”

“It’s not the time for such things, Rimuru-sama! I just received an urgent message from my home, and it seems that King Gazel is on his way here!”

By ‘his home,’ he probably meant from one of the family members who remained in the Dwarven Kingdom. Vesta was still a former minister of the great kingdom of Dwargon. He was a duke, a nobleman of high rank second only to the royal family. That was probably why he had been jealous of Kaijin, a commoner…

Although Vesta was expelled from Dwargon, it did not appear that his relationship with his family had been severed. It appears that Vesta had been keeping in touch with the duke family. The reason was that Vesta was still the head of the duke’s household. I was also surprised when I was told this. The punishment given by King Gazel did not include taking away or demoting his title. It was only punishment for Vesta himself, and no blame was placed on his family. Moreover, no successor to Vesta was named, so there was no change in the head of the family. The wise King Gazel must have intended to reinstate Vesta as a minister in the future. That’s why he didn’t punish him excessively and instead asked for him to reflect on his actions. Another reason seems to be that he was afraid of the reaction of his family members. If the Vesta Duchy were really serious, they were capable of starting a civil war in Dwargon, and Gazel probably wanted to avoid unnecessary conflicts. After all, Vesta, who was no longer jealous, was a good man and well-liked by his own people. His influence was so great that he was punished with a spoonful of punishment that would not cause dissatisfaction. That’s why the Vesta family was still alive and well, and it seems that they still had contacts in the royal court. But I still didn’t understand.

“Uh, why? Didn’t you tell him I was going to explain everything later?”

“Yes, that’s correct, but apparently His Majesty Gazel doesn’t trust me…”

“No, no, no. That can’t be true, can it?”

“I can’t be sure about that. I have done a lot of things myself, such as negotiating the price of potions, pulling out technicians other than pharmacists, and securing human resources by mobilizing the entire Duchy. Even if I’m suspected of being on your side, there’s no way for me to refute it. In the first place, I am now prepared to devote myself to this country until I die.”

In other words, it was not a matter of trust, but Vesta was just doing whatever he wanted. I originally thought he was a decent and serious man, but he was indeed a former minister. As a politician, he seemed to really understand the ins-and-outs. Oops, this was not the time to be impressed. If King Gazel was coming, then it would not be a good idea to start talks with the Empire right now. It would be rude to keep him waiting. That said, it seems even more rude to come here without prior negotiation, so what should I do in such a case?

“It’s King Gazel who’s being rude, isn’t it?”

Leaving aside the Vesta thing, it seemed like I didn’t have to give up anything.

“You’re right. If you enter a country without a notice, you can’t argue with that even if you’re attacked. So I’m guessing we will be contacted once he’s at the border.”

Vesta said that King Gazel would never lose his manners. As if to prove his point, a flustered messenger rushed into the room.

“I’m sorry to be rude, but I have an emergency report! We have just received a request for permission to enter from His Majesty Gazel of the Armed Nation of Dwargon—Five people in total. How should I proceed?”

There was no reason to refuse, but permission could not be so easily given—So that was why the ministerial staff had come to ask for my approval. I think it was the most appropriate thing to do in this time of emergency. Even I would be upset if it were the other way around, so I think it was the right thing to do. It probably should have gone through the executives, but I’d let it slide this time. Shuna thoughtfully handed over a glass of water. I spoke to the staff member who was drinking it gratefully.

“I’ll talk to him.”

Then he prepared a magic tool for communication and started the liaison.

As a result, it turned into an urgent meeting with King Gazel. That was why I personally came to pick him up. Diablo and Shion were escorting me, but this was business as usual.

“Fufufu. Thank you, Rimuru.”

“You knew this would happen, didn’t you?”

Even with the Pegasus, it would have taken a day to get from Dwargon to the Capital Rimuru. But now, since magic circles had been set up in both capitals, it was possible to travel back and forth by magic in an instant. That’s why I guessed that the reason he came all the way to the border was to summon me.

“Hahaha, so you noticed?”

It wasn’t funny, but it wasn’t a big deal.

“I’m just glad that Velgrynd can be so accommodating.”

“That’s the thing. You’re not planning to join forces with the Empire, are you?”

So that was what Gazel was worried about, after all.

“It depends on the discussion, but that’s the general idea.”

“Hmm, wait a minute. I’d like to hear your thoughts on the matter.”

There was no reason to refuse, so we went to a coffee shop near the border. The clerk hurriedly prepared a seat for me. Moreover, the customers, who appeared to be adventurers, read the situation and left their seats. I felt bad, so I announced that I would take care of the bills here. Everyone was very happy, so I was sure they’d be fine. There were roughly 30 minutes left until the scheduled meeting time. We could be on the move instantaneously, so I was planning to listen to him until the last minute. Before that, I would start with what I had to say.

“As for leaving you to clean up after the war…”

“That’s fine. Our soldiers are still struggling to work at full capacity…but that’s only possible because we survived. I’m grateful. There is no one who would hold a grudge against you.”

That was good to hear. I was a little worried about that, because even at barbecues, people who skipped on cleaning up were always resented. Well, it was a tough fight. I was so happy to have made it through that I couldn’t even think about the chores.

“So, what did you want to ask?”

I was planning to organize my thoughts depending on the flow of the conversation. I’m sure there were things I couldn’t answer if asked now.

“I want to hear it clearly from you. You have no ambition to join forces with the Empire and attack me in Dwargon, do you?”

What is this old man even talking about?

There’s no way I would go through that much trouble. There was no reason to, and above all, there was no benefit. On top of that, we would lose the trust of the Western Nations if we did so. It was a completely impossible option.

“No. The trust we’ve worked so hard to accumulate would be lost in an instant. And on top of losing a reliable backer, we would be burdened with unnecessary hard work. Asking me such a question…how stupid do you think I am?”

I replied with a look of annoyance, and Gazel began to laugh, looking sincerely relieved.

Hey, come on, you weren’t actually worried about that, were you?

“My apologies, Your Majesty Rimuru. These allegations were all my own proposition. Therefore, I take full responsibility for offending you. I hope you will be so kind as to forgive me.”

Dolph-san must have noticed my annoyance, and expressed his apologies. I asked him to explain in detail what he meant. To put it simply, if the Empire and Tempest were to join forces, Dwargon would be sandwiched between the two powers. In this case, resorting to force would be suicidal, and a decline in diplomatic power would be inevitable. If a country declared that they would not listen to the arguments of an opponent they did not fear, that country would be forced to accept unfavorable conditions in future negotiations. He had been afraid of this, and wanted to confirm it in advance.

“Huh? But that’s not something Dwargon could stop either way, is it? Although I have no intention of starting a war, I think it’s a good idea to join forces with the Empire.”

“That’s right. In the end, it all comes down to what you wish. Although Dwargon is a great power, we do not have the strength to compete with the True Dragons Velgrynd and Veldora. Dolph’s worries are meaningless, but as a king, I cannot simply admit it.”

Gazel said this to me with a serious expression on his face. As a king responsible to his people, he must always be prepared for any eventuality. Only this time, it was pointless to worry. However, there was also no guarantee that we would not start a war. Even if we did not start one, the situation would be the same if the Empire did. Assuming that the Empire and Tempest had formed an alliance, whose side would Tempest really be on if the Empire tried to attack Dwargon? If I were to be asked that, I would be at a loss.

“Rimuru, do you understand? You chose to join forces with the Empire to keep your country from going to war. That is all well and good, but it didn’t consider the situation in Dwargon. Of course, I’m not saying that that’s a bad thing, because you’re only responsible for your own people. However, on my side, I cannot easily allow it.”

Yes, I was convinced. Indeed, even if Tempest had an alliance with both Dwargon and the Eastern Empire, it did not mean that any relationship was formed between Dwargon and the Eastern Empire. If these two countries were to go to war, our own movements would be restricted. But wait?

“But because we have ‘mutual military cooperation’ in the event of national crisis—”

“Well, there’s no set deadline for that, is there?”

“Eh?”

“There’s no such thing as a permanent agreement. All of them are temporary agreements that can only provide temporary peace of mind. In fact, you could even argue that having an agreement with a fixed term is safer.”

Just as I was wondering about what he meant, Ciel secretly coached me.

There were two types of agreements—those with no fixed term and those with a fixed term. Assuming that one side wanted to break the agreement, which one would be more difficult? If there was no deadline, one could ask the other to break the agreement at any time. On the other hand, if there was a fixed term, things could be considered safe while the agreement was in place. It went without saying that it would be more credible to terminate the agreement and then launch a war, rather than a breaking the agreement and invading in a breach of trust. Of course, this was only an appeal to other nations, and if they had territorial ambitions like the empire, it’s possible that they would not care at all. It was clearly out of the question to break a fixed term agreement without permission. Both parties were obliged to abide by the agreement when it was renewed. If I did such a thing, I would lose the trust of the Western Nations. It would be a major deviation from my strategy, so it would be better to lay down realistic and reliable rules.

“I see. So even if we’re allied with the Empire, there’s still a chance that the agreement could be abandoned. That’s why you came all the way out here.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“Yeah, that’s definitely something to worry about. Understood! Well then, even if we decide to form an alliance with the Empire, we’ll discuss the details of the terms carefully.”

When I said that, Dolph-san and the others looked relieved.

“Look at that. I told you that you were worrying too much!”

The words came abruptly from King Gazel. Where had all his kingly responsibility gone now?

“Rimuru-sama, it’s almost time!”

Shion reminded me, looking at her watch. It was one of the watches I had made with Kaijin as a hobby. I gave it to her as a gift, thinking it’s necessary for a secretary to wear one. She was delighted upon receiving it. It was a good memory for all of us, as it gave Shion another job to do.

“Let’s go.”

“Kufufufu. Then I will open the portal.”

Thus ended the spur-of-the-moment meeting. We walked out of the coffee shop and returned to the conference room.

Ten o’clock in the morning. Everyone had all gathered in the conference room. The participants were seated at a partially round table with a gap. Or rather, the table was shaped like the ‘C’ in an eye test.

«This design, known as the ‘Landolt Ring,’ was invented by the Swiss ophthalmologist, Edmund Landolt, in 1888…»

It’s great to be so detailed, but I don’t want to get into all that right now, so please just explain the key points. One could go in and out through the gap in the table, making it easy to serve tea and materials to each person. In addition, a huge screen was installed at the end of the gap section so that everyone in the meeting could watch from any angle without having their view blocked.

Since the meeting was to be held by the three major powers, it was decided that such a shape would be more suitable than simply facing each other. The gap section was located on the southern side. My group was seated on the northern side. I was in the true north seat, while Benimaru was in the northeast seat, and Rigurd was in the northwest seat. Shion and Diablo were standing behind me, as usual, without sitting down.

On the Eastern side sat the Imperials. Masayuki was seated due east, and Velgrynd was seated to his right in the east-northeast seat. His southern flank was occupied by General Calgurio and Major General Minits. Jiwu and Bernie were not seated, but stood behind Masayuki. It was good to see that the two were in charge of the escort. It also meant that they had smoothly reconciled.

On the Western side of the table was Gazel and his group, who had joined in urgently. Gazel was in the seat due west. The northwest seat was occupied by Dolph, the Commander of the Pegasus Knights, and the southwest seat was occupied by Jaine, the court mage (archwizard). Anrietta, the Head of the Night Assassins, and Vaughn, the Admiral Paladin, did not take their seats, but stood and acted as guards.

And so, just like this, the three forces faced each other. I looked around just in time to see Masayuki, who’s eyes seemed to be wandering around. His expression was exhausted, as if to eloquently say, ‘Why am I in this situation?’ But rest assured. I felt the same way. Because of this sense of closeness, I wanted to help him if anything happened.

The moderator of the meeting, Testarossa, stood up and drew everyone’s attention. She stepped to the center of the room and began the introductory remarks.

“Now, the time has come. It looks like everyone is here, so I would like to begin the meeting.”

After a bow, Testarossa returned to the southern side. There were chairs put there for her sit and rest when it was not her turn. I had asked her in advance to help me if there was trouble, so I was sure Testarossa would live up to my expectations.

“First of all, I would like to explain the purpose of this meeting. Because this is a high priority meeting without prior consultation, there may cases where unwanted remarks are made. In such a case, I would please ask you to remain calm and listen to the other side’s arguments first, rather than becoming belligerent.”

At this time, Testarossa paused and looked at each of the participants to see their reactions. As the representative of my country in the Western States Council, Testarossa was very familiar with these situations. Hoping that this would go on smoothly until the end of the meeting, I continued to watch Testarossa with that desire.

“Let us begin by confirming the final objectives of this meeting. With the Imperial side, we would like to conclude an agreement to end the war. And with the Dwargon side, we would like to conclude a new treaty based on our future relationships with the Empire. Is that correct?”

“No objections.”

Masayuki looked as if he wanted to say something, but Velgrynd answered before he could.

“Yes, I have no objection.”

At the same time, Gazel nodded gravely.

I was a little late in response, but I didn’t panic and opened my mouth.

“Since that’s the case, let’s examine the status quo first—that all right with you guys?”

My tone of speech was a little odd, but who cares? I checked the reactions of both sides, while maintaining a natural expression. Masayuki was looking at me with respect.

Fufu, what a cute guy. That’s right, I think I’m really amazing too. Because the people gathered here now are very important people from very important countries. In my previous life, I had never been to an event where one could meet a member of Parliament, let alone the prime minister. At most, I only met the staff from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism when they came to inspect the site. It was not really a kind of entertainment, but just a tour of the site. Back then, I had been nervous just to make small talk about something other than my work. And now, I’m the king. I was deeply moved just at the thought.

“Since there seems to be no objection, I will leave it to Testarossa to explain. My remarks will follow later. If there are any questions or doubts, I will accept them and correct any mistakes. Now then, please explain.”

The meeting proceeded as planned. After asking for no interruptions, I left it to Testarossa who took over. She said this would help the conversation to proceed smoothly. King Gazel, who is my equal, Emperor Masayuki, and Velgrynd, the plenipotentiary agent, were also allowed to speak. Anyone else, however, would be punished for insulting the king’s words. I felt a little indifferent about this, but if it would make thing easier, I had no complaints. Testarossa began the explanation.

With a few falsehoods mixed in, she described the battle on the airship that Gazel and the others may not have known about. Then I tried to tell them that Emperor Rudra had actually been taken over by the conscious will of a Skill. And before that, just as I had won the battle with Velgrynd…

“Wait.”

Gazel objected first.

“Huh? If you want to speak, please do so afterwards…”

“That’s not the point!!”

Did I do something strange?

“Um, King Gazel, is there something wrong?”

I couldn’t help but become meek and ask. Gazel stared at me while holding his head. Without saying a word, he then turned his gaze to Velgrynd and opened his mouth solemnly.

“I know it’s rude. But will Velgrynd-sama tolerate what King Rimuru has just said?”

Quite unusually, Gazel was speaking with honorifics. And he was even calling Velgrynd with ‘-sama.’ This seemed to be an attitude unbecoming of a king of a great nation. As I watched the situation unfold, Velgrynd flashed a smile without getting angry.

“No problem, King of the Dwarves. You are very shrewd and thoughtful, a much better king than Rimuru over there. Rudra thinks very highly of you and had been talking about taking you under his wing ever since you became a Sword Saint. So I am also well aware of you and do not dislike you. No need to be so formal, just take it easy.”

“Y-Yes! But no, you who are the guardian deity of the Empire, and one of the most powerful True Dragons, in public—”

“You don’t need to worry about it. I won’t do anything about it. You’re Rimuru’s friend, aren’t you? In that case, I won’t fight. After all, what Rimuru said earlier was true. I was defeated by him.”

Well, that was surprising. I was expecting Velgrynd to be like Veldora and claim that she hadn’t lost to save face. But instead, she gracefully and easily admitted her defeat. I was surprised by this, but the others seemed more than just surprised.

“Geeee-eh?! Wh—Velgrynd-sama was defeated?!”

“I can’t believe it. The myth of the unbeatable…”

The Imperial congregation, who had been cultivated under Velgrynd’s domination, had abandoned their previous silence and were now in turmoil.

“Wha—?!”

“H-Hey, are you serious?! You defeated that god-like existence who was undefeatable no matter the circumstance? I can’t believe it, but if she admits it, then I guess it means you’re not lying…”

Dolph-san was in a daze, and Vaughn-san couldn’t seem to accept the reality. Anrietta-san was smiling at them and King Gazel for some reason.

“Fufufu, I feel so refreshed because I don’t have to report this time. If I had reported this story, people would have suspected that I was mentally ill.”

Isn’t that disrespectful? Well, I wasn’t going to stop her because it was a story from another country, and it felt like now was not the time to get into it. As I was observing from a distance, Jaine-san called out to Gazel, who was contemplating with his head in his hands.

“Gazel-boy, and you guys too, all of you need to calm down. I’m not even surprised anymore. I already got tired and surprised by the primordials, and by the time I saw the evolution festival, I understood that it was foolish to keep being shocked.”

It seemed Grandma Jaine had been enlightened. That’s why she alone was able to get through this time calmly. The people on Dwargon’s side came to their senses with those words. They were embarrassed and straightened their posture one by one. By the way, the reaction from our side was…

“What?! So Rimuru-sama has triumphed in the face of Velgrynd-sama. Are we having a feast tonight?”

Rigurd really did find every opportunity to party. You didn’t doubt my victory from the start, did you?

“Well, I thought that was the case. Or rather, I was watching it.”

This guy, Benimaru, actually said he was spying on me. Although it seems that someone overheard you.

“Benimaru, what do you mean? No way… You didn’t watch Rimuru-sama fight with such majesty all by yourself, did you?”

“N-No, it’s not like that. It was my duty to confirm the status of the battle, so, just a little…”

He seemed to be desperately trying to think of an excuse, but that was one of Benimaru’s weaknesses. Diablo, on the other hand…

“Kufufufu. Oh, Shion, did you not see it? I’m sorry to hear that. It’s quite a shame that you were unable to witness such a magnificent battle!”

Do not agitate her! Do not agitate her!! Was nobody better than this guy at harassing people? Testarossa was sighing in amazement, estimating that nobody could be as troublesome than Diablo.

“Everyone, please remain calm.”

Testarossa was dumbfounded, but she had not forgotten her role. She saw the time for everyone to gradually quiet down, and raised her voice to calm the situation. If she had been one step behind, Shion and Diablo might have started a fight.

Good job, I silently praised her.

Now that everyone had regained their composure, the meeting continued. Testarossa, the moderator, signaled me to continue, so I did.

“—Well, as mentioned previously, I defeated Velgrynd-san and then questioned her about the situation in detail, at which point I discovered discrepancies in the story. It seemed to me that Emperor Rudra was not entirely himself, so I observed Velgrynd-san until I learned the terrible truth. I won’t go into too many details, but it turns out that her thoughts were being ‘dominated.’ And the culprit was indeed Michael, the conscious will of Emperor Rudra’s Skill!”

I put on a smug look with all my might. Now came the good part. I grinned and was about to continue—

“Wait.”

Oh no, someone was talking again. Moreover, it was still Gazel this time.

“Well, I’ll deal with your questions later, so—”

As if to interrupt my words, or perhaps to calm himself down, Gazel let out a big sigh. Then, with his eyes fixed on me, he opened his mouth gravely.

“Listen, Rimuru. It’s true that this attitude of mine is inappropriate, but, well, this is really not the time to worry about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“How can you leave out so many details?! A vicious Skill that can dominate even Velgrynd-sama!—how can that even exist?! And what was it you just said?! The will of a Skill?? I’ve never heard of such a thing! Jaine, do you know anything about this?”

“…I… No, I’ve never heard of it either.”

Gazel was desperately trying to keep his composure, but he still couldn’t hide his exuberance. When asked by Gazel, Jaine-san’s response was sluggish, as if she was thinking too much about something. That said, it was strange that no one was complaining about Gazel’s attitude. Velgrynd herself was smiling and seemed to be enjoying the situation. It seemed that as long as Masayuki was around, nothing else was needed or interested her. As for Masayuki, he seemed to have already given up on understanding the situation. He was sitting in his chair in a very dignified manner, as if it was none of his business. By doing so, he seems to have been misunderstood by Calgurio and the rest of the empire, and in doing so had further increased his own reputation. But I guess he himself did not realize it…

About that, let’s just tell say ‘don’t mind.’ Benimaru and the others were also very interested. If I didn’t want to say it, they wouldn’t have pursued it, but in their hearts, they most likely still wanted to hear about it from me anyway. That was probably why Testarossa did not stop Gazel either. However, she seemed to have sensed her lapse in judgment and was trying to manage the situation as if nothing had happened.

“Everyone, please remain calm. Regarding King Gazel’s questions…”

Although I was impressed at how quickly she recovered, trying to remedy this situation was going to be difficult. I mean, I could just let it go, but I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to explain.

“Okay. I’ll explain.”

“Rimuru-sama, is that all right with you?”

“Yes. There are only a few important people from each country here anyway. I don’t think they’ll reveal the secret lightly, and even if they did, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

That’s right. There was no particular problem about revealing the existence of the Manas. The only secret that I had to strictly keep was the existence of Ciel.

“I’m sorry, Rimuru. I appreciate you for doing this.”

Gazel bowed to me, expressing his gratitude. His tone had returned to that of a senior brother, as if he had given up trying to fix things. I felt much better and went straight into my explanation.

Then I explained that as a result of Emperor Rudra’s exhaustion, the Ultimate Skill ‘Justice KingMichael’ that he had once possessed, had developed an ego, and had become the ‘Manas’ Michael. I disclosed its heinous powers to the best of my knowledge.

“Ultimate Skill…? So you’re saying that powers of the unique level will not work on someone who possesses it…”

“Strictly speaking, no. Skills vary in strength depending on the strength of one’s will, so even at the unique level, there are skills that reach the ultimate level, though those are usually few and far between. In addition, special techniques (Arts), which reflect the strength of will, may result in attacks that can reach the ultimate level. In my opinion, I think Gazel King could do it.”

“Is that so…”

“Also, magic is the same. Magic is both a Skill and an Art, so depending on the strength of the user’s will, they may be able to defeat even the Ultimate Skill holders. Jiwu and Bernie should understand what I’m saying, right?”

Those two had been defeated by Diablo, so they should be able to understand what I was talking about. When I asked them, they both nodded emphatically. As for Diablo, he had a sickeningly intoxicated expression on his face, so I didn’t know what he was thinking. He definitely wasn’t thinking anything good, and though I was tempted to say something to him, he was standing quietly for now, so I decided to just ignore it.

Shion then muttered, “Then I guess I should acquire an Ultimate Skill as well…”

You know, it’s because it’s not easy so easy to get that it’s called the ultimate, right? But for some reason, I had the feeling that Shion could do it. That seemed a little scary, so I stopped thinking about it.

“Well, that’s pretty much how it is. Michael has special powers that allow him to have absolute control over the Angelic System of Skills. That is why Velgrynd-san couldn’t resist, and was at his mercy without even realizing it. It seems that Lieutenant Kondou was also under the control of his Skill, though in the end, he broke free from the spell and entrusted his will to our Carrera.”

“What, even that information-feeding monster was…”

“I can’t believe it, but I’m not so foolish as to doubt His Majesty Rimuru.”

“I see, so then Damrada-sama…”

“Yeah. I think he might have noticed that something was wrong with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Though not enough to interrupt what I was saying, there was a commotion from the Imperial side. This was an act that should not have been done, but it was too late to care about it now, so I would just ignore it and continue.

“As for Michael’s purpose, this is also known. It is to resurrect his true master and creator, Veldanava.”

“ “ “Nonsense!!” ” ”

The shouts overlapped, and it was difficult to tell who was speaking. No, actually I knew, but it wouldn’t have helped to point it out.

“Knowing that it was all due to Michael’s domination, I do not intend to hold the Imperial side responsible for the war. If they wish to continue to wage war against us in the future—”

I broke off at this point and glanced at Masayuki and the others.

Masayuki remained completely unfazed. He was completely oblivious to the situation, to the point of being admirable. Calgurio and Minits were smiling bitterly. There was no way they could win, and there was also no reason to fight anymore. They understood that, which was why they were reacting this way. Looks like things seemed okay.

“—It does not seem to me that you have any such intention. I have also made peace with Velgrynd-san, so now it is necessary to establish a new leader now that Michael, who was playing as Rudra, has gone into hiding. That’s what the meeting for today was about, so can you shed some light on that?”

I asked, dropping the topic to Masayuki and the others. In order to have a common understanding of the current situation, we needed to know what the future of the empire would be. That was what Gazel and the others were most concerned about, so I thought we should discuss it here, without hiding anything.

However, this was also a gamble. Normally, when you hold a meeting like this, you are supposed to confirm not only your own ideas but also the opinions of the other side beforehand. Since we did not do so, we could not predict what kind of conclusion we would reach. I was told that this was normally not allowed to be done in discussions between countries. Testarossa, however, did not stop me. She laughed and said that it would not be a problem, so I stopped caring and went ahead with my honest talk. The result was—

“Minits.”

“Yes! I, Minits, would humbly like to take this opportunity to explain. The current state of the Empire is that we have lost over two-thirds of our forces, and further war is impossible. We are willing to accept full and unconditional surrender, but there is one problem, and that is the absence of a supreme commander. As His Majesty Rimuru has just pointed out, the most important thing is to find a new leader. So today is the perfect opportunity to ask for the approval of our new Emperor.”

Minits said this without hesitation, bowed, and then looked at me and Gazel in turn.

“Hmm, so that’s how it was. Rimuru, I take it that my arrival today was exactly as you planned?”

Huh? Of course not.

“You got me. This isn’t about the Empire and Tempest joining forces, it’s about Tempest backing the new Emperor and building a solid foundation for the Empire. In that case, of course—”

“Well, needless to say, Dwargon will be joining, so I guess I can expect something in return, can’t I?”

Whoa, whoa, whoa. How did we go from talking about acknowledging the new Emperor to talking about building a foundation or some nonsense?

“King Gazel’s words are very encouraging. Naturally, in return, we would like to live up to your expectations as much as possible within the limits of what is acceptable to both countries, so please rest assured.”

Minits—no, let’s call him Minits-san. Unlike when he’s fighting, he has the mannerisms of an effective politician. He’s just as graceful, but he seems to be able to do everything with ease. I, on the other hand, am struggling to comprehend the situation. Nobody could see it because I wasn’t sweating, but inwardly I was in a panic. Well, now that Gazel seems to have agreed, I was next. Benimaru and Rigurd glanced at me, so I nodded back, and opened my mouth.

“I also agree. And I promise to do my best to provide full support depending on the situation.”

I would just go with the flow. I was finally catching up to the situation. I had intended to help Masayuki from the beginning, but if I thought about it carefully, that would mean supporting him as a nation. If we could build a better relationship in the future by selling favors here, we would never have to go to war with them again. Well, even if things didn’t go that well, we should be okay for the time being. All the rest can just be left to future generations, so the most important thing was the ‘now.’

“Thank you very much. I’m sure that His Majesty the Emperor will be pleased to hear that.”

Minits-san bowed once again. You don’t have to be so formal. Just get on with it.

“So, the new emperor is Masayuki-kun, right? Ah, then is it bad to call you that?”

“King Rimuru…”

“Oh, it’s no problem at all. In fact, can I still call you Rimuru-san?”

Ah, Masayuki, a friend of my heart!

“Of course, Masayuki-kun! It’s so hard to understand what kinds of words to use in these situations, isn’t it?”

“Rimuru-san! I haven’t been able to relax until just now—Rimuru-san has never been as reliable as he is now!! These past few days, I’ve been feeling so suffocated…”

Yes, I understand. You’ve been struggling all alone without help, haven’t you? Velgrynd doesn’t give a damn about the feelings of her subordinates. She probably wouldn’t understand why you were so worried about such trivial things. The Empire’s leaders must have been occupied with their own affairs. They must have been so busy with their own problems that they had no time to think about Masayuki’s situation. That’s probably why he wanted to talk to me, but it was a mistake to let Shion send the message. In fact, I really would have preferred to have had a private meeting with him to figure out what to do. I felt that way, and I’m sure Masayuki felt the same way too. But now that this all happened, it couldn’t be helped anymore. I don’t know anything about etiquette, so I’m just going to continue with what I want.

“May I have all your attention, please?”

Before anyone else could say anything, it was Testarossa who spoke up.

“Our king, Rimuru-sama, would prefer the meeting to be more relaxed and casual. We may all have our own positions, but I’m sure we can understand each other’s perspectives, so can we please agree continue the meeting more informally?”

Testarossa looked at everyone present with a smile as she said so. Nothing could be more reliable than that! Masayuki looked happy too. Gazel chuckled, and did not argue. Now that the kings had given their approval, there would be no objections from the subordinates. That was the end of the formal discussion, and now the real talks began.

“Geez, that really saved me. I was thinking of keeping silent the entire time.”

“Yeah, I wanted to do that too, actually.”

“Idiots. What is the leader of a country to do with that?”

“Fufufufu, Gazel-boy says that, but he used to be the same way. Dignity and formality are things that can be mended over time with practice and experience.”

“Jaine, you don’t have to bring that up here.”

The tension disappeared in an instant, and it only took a moment to relax. It was probably because Masayuki had been appointed Emperor and we had already decided to back him up. All that was left was to work out the details, so there was no need for formal conversation. So, in a casual manner, I asked the question that had been bothering me the most.

“By the way, it’s fine for Masayuki to become Emperor, but will the Imperial people accept it? We’re fine with it, but what about the people? Or are they subjects? Anyway, if the people don’t agree, it’s no good, right?”

Hearing that, Masayuki nodded his head in agreement more enthusiastically than I would have liked.

“Of course! It’s completely ridiculous, isn’t it?!”

“Ahem! Your Majesty, please calm down a little.”

Calgurio admonished him, but Masayuki seemed to have no intention of letting the question go unanswered. It was Gazel who came to his rescue.

“In the first place, what are you going to do about the bloodline issue? He does not share a single drop of blood with Emperor Rudra, right? If you do not protect the royal line, the nobles will not be satisfied.”

That question was answered by Velgrynd.

“No problem. It is written in the imperial code that ‘The person recognized by Velgrynd, the guardian dragon of the empire, is both Rudra and the Emperor.’ Although many might think of this as a formality, it is the truth and the most important sentence.”

Minits-san came forward to endorse that statement.

“Yes. His Majesty Rudra has always reincarnated as the wife’s first son, but in the long history of the empire, there have been arrogant people who have sought to replace their successors. The one who saw through them and punished them was the Marshal here, Velgrynd-sama.”

Of course it was bound to be exposed. Anyone who understood how Rudra’s reincarnation worked could easily tell the difference between the real one and an impostor. I don’t even want to imagine how those people were punished. Even if I don’t bother to ask, I’m sure it was horrible.

“Well, His Majesty Rudra inherited the ego. Even if Velgrynd-sama hadn’t pointed it out, it would have revealed itself when he grew up…”

I see, so once they’ve grown to the point where they’re self-aware, it is easy to identify them.

“So, what about calling Masayuki an illegitimate child?”

“That’s impossible, Rimuru-sama. The Senate has Rudra’s records. Not only his blood type, but even his DNA. The mother can be faked, but it would be impossible to claim Masayuki-sama as the son of His Majesty Rudra.”

Oops, so then the Empire’s technology had advanced that far? I had thought it was a good idea, but Minits-san rejected it.

“Even so, I didn’t realize that DNA testing existed in this world…”

“What is DNA?”

“That’s…”

Since Gazel asked me, I would clarify. Next to him, Calgurio and the others were chatting.

“I hear it’s a big deal because there were no precise ways to test it back then.”

“That’s true. Every time I was asked to make a decision, it was a pain in the ass.”

Well, wouldn’t that be even worse? Now that the real person was gone, there was only Masayuki—the reincarnated one who had lost his memory. It was difficult to prove that the ‘soul’ is real, so in other words, there was no way for others to recognize Masayuki as the true Emperor.

“In that case, wouldn’t it be easier for Masayuki to just imitate Rudra, since they have the same face?”

We could use the emperor’s privilege to cover up the inspection. Then we could find the opportunity to replace Rudra’s records and be done with it.

“Rejected.”

I thought this was a good idea, but Velgrynd rejected it.

“May I ask why?”

“You haven’t forgotten Michael’s power, have you? Michael’s energy comes from the loyalty of his subjects and followers of Rudra. So, wouldn’t it be better to pretend that Emperor Rudra is dead and take away that power?”

Oops? Of course, I remembered that…

«Correct. It is pointless to just pretend he’s dead, but if there is a new target of loyalty, Michael’s power can be blocked. However, Michael might have anticipated this and changed the target of his power from Rudra to someone else.»

Well, he had already said something about killing all the subjects. If he was going to do that, then he would surely use someone I couldn’t touch as an energy source. Or someone incredibly powerful.

“I’m sure Michael would have taken countermeasures, but it’s safer to do it than to not. That way, we won’t have to deal with the subjects.”

“I’m sure you’re right, so let’s not worry about the details. Just announce that Masayuki is Rudra in my name. That way, no one will be able to resist.”

Velgrynd was very confident. But then again, that was to be expected. After all, she was the Scorch Dragon, the guardian dragon of the empire. Besides, it made sense in light of the Imperial Code, which stated that the person approved by Velgrynd would become Emperor Rudra. The approach would be tough, but as long as it was Velgrynd’s true statement, it couldn’t be ignored.

“Is that okay with you, Masayuki-kun?”

“Shouldn’t it be fine?”

“…Well, how should I put it…”

I felt that there shouldn’t be a problem, but I would have to go with the flow.

“If you don’t like it Masayuki, then there’s no need to push yourself, okay?”

Wow, Velgrynd’s smile was so gentle—gentle to the point of being scary. That description was a contradiction in terms, but it’s what I really felt.

“…I’ll do it. I’m being hailed as a hero anyway, so one more title won’t matter.”

Masayuki declared; his eyes vacant as if he had reached enlightenment. Minits-san, Calgurio and the others were happy to hear this. They seemed to think that a new symbol and leader was absolutely necessary for the future survival of the Empire. I, too, think Masayuki is the right man for the job, and with his Skill, he would be able to gain the absolute support of the people.

“So then, the way forward is to install Masayuki as the new Emperor and move to solidify the claim, right?”

When I confirmed this, everyone other than Masayuki sharply nodded their heads in agreement. Masayuki nodded reluctantly in agreement. Masayuki, despite his appearance, was a responsible person. Once he took on the task, I knew he would carry it through to the end.

“Understood. Then we will announce our approval. I will also promise to immediately release the Imperial officers currently held as prisoners of war in our country. We will not hold them responsible, but we will still withhold compensation. What do you think? We can discuss compensations at a later date, after Masayuki has ascended to the throne as the new Emperor.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Thank you for your generosity. I’m grateful.”

Just when I thought everyone had approved, Gazel had something more to say.

“I have no objection to this approach either, but I do have one question. Masayuki-dono, you may be a Hero, but you are about to become an Emperor. So I would like to ask you, what principles do you intend to use to unite your people—your subjects?”

Gazel stared at Masayuki with a piercing gaze that seemed to see through everything. Masayuki flinched at the aura, but looked at me as if troubled, then opened his mouth.

“…Uhh…hmm? Creating a world where people can live with laughter…something like that, right?”

I laughed when I heard that. Because he was thinking the same way I did.

“Yeah, that’s the most important thing!”

“That’s right! I knew Rimuru-san would say that!!”

“Of course, Masayuki-kun. Alas, when I told this to Rudra, he only made fun of me for being young and naive, and I was worried that I had been mistaken. But now I can rest assured. It looks like I was right the whole time.”

“Great! I’ve never been good at politics either, so I wasn’t confident about anything. But now, I can be an emperor with pride.”

“Right. Let’s do our best together!”

“Yes, I look forward to working with you!!”

With that, Masayuki and I laughed loudly together. There were different reactions to those who were watching us. Diablo and Shion had a look of intoxication. Velgrynd smiled kindly. Calgurio and Minits were smiling half-heartedly. Gazel looked up helplessly at the sky.

“That’s enough!”

“Fufufu, I understand your concern, Gazel, but these people have no ambitions. But they’re amateurs, that’s for sure, so you’ll just have to guide them, and make sure they stay on the right path.”

“I know. I’m just thinking about how difficult it will be to guild these people who talk about politics with such naive idealism.”

Gazel gave another big sigh after saying that. After all, Gazel was always worried about us like this.

“Well, don’t worry so much, I’m studying too, so it’ll be fine!”

Not only Gazel, but also Vesta and El-tan were teaching me, so I would probably be fine.

“…Really?”

It was just in my spare time, but it was still true. If he was still worried about this, then I would reassure him a little more.

“In the first place, I’m not planning to get too involved in politics. Masayuki, you should just let Minits-san and the others handle the actual work.”

“You’re right! That’s actually what I was planning to do, but I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. Now I feel much better about it.”

Masayuki and I laughed together once again.

“…Well, do whatever you want. You’re not alone. You can take responsibility and grow with your comrades. If possible, I will help you too.”

Gazel still had his head in his hands, but he was finally convinced. No, he may not have been fully convinced, but he was still willing to support us in the long run. And so the meeting proceeded.

“As for me, I have no objection to the approach decided at this meeting. If the eastern lands are stabilized, our country will also be at peace. I will help with the reconstruction near the border as much as I can.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you, King Gazel.”

And just like that, things worked out beautifully.

—From this day on, history books of future generations would record this day as the appearance of the savior Emperor MasayukiRudra Nam Ul Nasca—

And thus, the plan had been set. At this point, we would take a break and have lunch. Because the atmosphere was already relaxed, the meal proceeded in a friendly manner. Today’s lunch was kaiseki cuisine. Although we were in the middle of a break, we were still in the middle of a meeting, so we chose a menu that could properly entertain the dignitaries. Shuna had prepared it with great care.

Everyone used chopsticks. Gazel had mastered it a long time now, and the chopstick culture was widespread in the empire, making us feel at ease to prepare the food Japanese style.

“As always, the food here is delicious.”

“It makes me want to drink.”

“Be more restrained, Vaughn! Even if it’s informal, we still have an important meeting to attend.”

“You’re such a serious man, Dolph. Rimuru-sama?”

“Yeah. I’d like some sake too, but…”

I nodded and glanced at Shuna. She gave a smiling face. Yup, it’s impossible.

“We’ll have to hold back for now and do our best for the rest of the meeting. Vaughn-san, you should learn from Dolph-san and be more serious!”

“Hahaha, that’s harsh. Then can I count on you for this evening?”

“Hey…”

“Of course you can, right Benimaru?”

“Yeah. Let’s take out our secret stash of black liquor and have a party!”

“Oh, that sounds good! Benimaru-dono has good taste too.”

“Hahaha, I heard that demons are famous for their love of alcohol.”

“What? Shuna drinks alcohol too?”

Benimaru said something surprising while I was casually ignoring the gossip. To my surprise, he said that Shuna drank alcohol. The truth is…

“Brother, I only try it occasionally. Please do not lump me in with Shion.”

Oh, so she does drink. I had thought Shuna was underage, but I guess age didn’t matter to a monster.

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry.”

“Shuna-sama! I don’t drink that much either!”

That’s a lie. As far as I know, Shion and Alvis are the best drinkers in the world. Benimaru also knew about this, so he smiled bitterly at it. I didn’t imagine Benimaru to be a drinker, but I guess Alvis was his wife too. In that case, he might have been drinking with his wife, turning him into a strong drinker. Once you get used to it, it becomes something you start to enjoy. Just do it in moderation. Don’t just drink alcohol to get drunk. I thought I should remind myself and others to enjoy in moderation.

The luncheon would have continued as light and pleasant, but suddenly, someone burst into tears. All eyes were drawn to the person, wondering what was going on. It was Calgurio.

“What’s wrong, sir? Is the food not to your liking?”

Shuna, who had rushed over to Calgurio, asked while comforting him. Calgurio opened his mouth to reply.

“No, please excuse me. I just remembered something. I know it might be ridiculous for a military man to say this, but I sacrificed many men because of my foolish plan. Yet I am savoring this delicious meal knowing they will never return. I’m sorry, it was my fault… Farage, Gaster, and Zamud… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”

This guy is a crying drunk, isn’t he? I hadn’t served him any alcohol, but it seems that he got drunk from just the atmosphere. Still, I guess this was a good time.

“Testarossa.”

“Yes. I’ve already sent word to Moss and summoned those men.”

As expected of her. Before I could even give the order, Testarossa had already read my intentions and acted upon them. Then, in less than five minutes, dozens of men had showed up to the venue.

“Your Majesty Rimuru, Zamud is here upon hearing your call!”

The people who came were the same people that Calgurio had just mentioned, including Major General Zamud and his subordinates. They seemed to have come running as fast as they could, their faces bright red with sweat. Despite this, they desperately struggled to formulate their words in order to greet me. Zamud and these people had actually died once. They were aboard the emperor’s flagship airship, and were caught up in Testarossa’s nuclear magic: ‘Death Streak,’ which wiped out their bodies along with their lives. However, the amazing thing about Testarossa was that she remembered that I had received a plea from Calgurio for Zamud and the others’ lives, so she recovered their souls before the magic took effect.

“It all became possible because Rimuru-sama allowed me to evolve”—She was so humble saying such things, but from my point of view, I was just grateful for her memory. And so, I took the souls of Zamud and the others from Testarossa and had them dwell in an Emulated Soul, establishing them in artificial human bodies (homunculi).

“You—aren’t you Zamud?! I heard Velgrynd-sama say that you were all dead, but you’re still alive!”

“It’s true though. I really doubt they could have survived the ‘Death Streak,’ so was it Testarossa who saved him?”

“That’s right, Velgrynd-sama. Rimuru-sama is a compassionate man.”

“Yeah, I have no doubt about that.”

“Very wise.”

Ufufufu, Ohohoho—The two were talking while smiling at one another.

I felt a little scared, so I gently took my eyes off the scene. Zamud and the others had joined Calgurio and were congratulating each other on their safety. As for Farage-san, it’s unfortunate, but I wasn’t all-powerful either, so I hoped they would forgive me. And if they felt sorry for the death of someone close, then please don’t ever engage in such a foolish act of war again. A defensive war may be unavoidable, but a war of aggression is the essence of foolishness.

I understand that the world was not just a pretty place, but I still couldn’t help thinking so. Those in power should consider whether or not war was really necessary, putting their own families on the scale. I hoped that they would aim to eradicate barren conflict through dialogue as much as possible. This I did not say aloud, but prayed for it in my heart.

After the lunch break, the meeting resumed at 3 in the afternoon. In the morning session, the general plan had been decided. The afternoon session was scheduled to reconfirm them and discuss the sharing of responsibilities.

“Now then, allow me to reconfirm. First, the Armed Nation of Dwargon.”

Testarossa began the session. Then, she listed the topics in need of confirmation. The first step was for Tempest and Dwargon to jointly approve the accession of the new Emperor. Then, in the name of the new Emperor Masayuki, they would declare the end of the war and establish the Tripartite Alliance. In this way, a framework different from that of the Western States Council would be created.

Dwargon’s role was to rebuild the area near the border together with the Empire, including the roads and buildings in the vicinity. To a lesser extent, this also included providing relief to the victims involved in the war. Trust would come after trust was earned.

With that momentum, the construction of the railroad to the Imperial Capital would begin. We decided to accomplish this difficult task while rebuilding the road that the Magic Tank Division of the Empire had cut in the foothills of the Canaat Mountains. A team of leaders from our country would also be dispatched to work with the dwarf engineers to complete the project.

When the magitrain came through, logistics would be streamlined, and people would be able to come and go as they pleased. We would be entering into a new era of development. When I dream of that day, I can’t stop from feeling excited. Once again, I confirmed my preference to make constructive plans. So, what are the roles of our Jura Tempest Federation?

Our main responsibility was to provide full support to Masayuki. We would send Testarossa to set up an embassy in the Empire. The goal was to dispel the old mindset of the empire and make it feel as if a new era had arrived. The subjects of the Empire had never been defeated in war before. They had never apologized to another nation for their mistakes, even when they were hurt by Veldora. Perhaps this speaks to Rudra’s greatness, but that was also a reason why the subjects of the Empire might not be able to accept this defeat.

Those who had lost loved ones would understand the pain. However, it was likely that those who were just sitting on their laurels at home would demand another war from a safe position. They would focus only on the benefits to be gained and be insensitive to the pain of others. It is highly likely that they would not be pleased with Masayuki’s opposition to war. With Velgrynd around, there was no point in directly interfering, but…they might interfere behind the scenes while showing reverence on the outside, which would be a very troublesome thing. It was up to Minits to persuade the nobles, and Calgurio would be in charge of the military. However, I was worried that the two of them were not strong enough to deal with the cunning old underbelly of society.

Velgrynd had casually suggested, ‘Why don’t I just kill them all?’ but we could not let her do such a thing. In an empire of dwindling talent, there was no way they could afford to reduce the number of human resources any further. We would have to use such troublesome people to our advantage. The road ahead was a difficult, thorny path, but I had come to the conclusion in the last few days that we had no choice but to try. That is where Testarossa comes in.

With the help of Moss, our agent with a hell of an ear, we could sweep away the schemes of the malicious in one fell swoop. Even those who are troublesome when swarmed together may become cooperative if we threate—er, no, persuade them by grasping their individual weaknesses. The Western States Council was now settled to the point where Cien alone could handle it, so it was decided that Testarossa would be transferred. It was also decided that Venom would continue to accompany Masayuki as his bodyguard.

“I’ll be borrowing some of your family members, is that okay?”

“Kufufufu, no problem. If it is for the good of Rimuru-sama, please do not hesitate to use them.”

I had nothing to say about this. As for Diablo, it was too tiring to dig into it.

Unlike the morning discussion, the afternoon was livelier. After the problems that the Imperial side had put together were disclosed, everyone discussed them to come up with countermeasures. It was a very meaningful time.

“We, as members of the Empire, will never forget the kindness you have shown us.”

“Hey now, we are still in the planning stages. We’re just starting to make things happen. If you want to thank me, wait until the project is completed.”

“Hahaha, the project, huh? I’m no match for Your Majesty Rimuru…that this national challenge can be described in one word.”

Minits-san was smiling. But there was a gleam in his eyes, and my words seemed to have ignited his will to fight. I’m glad that he was motivated. In this way, we reached an agreement on the plan, but there was still a problem that we should not forget. It was Gazel who mentioned it.

“So, Rimuru. Let me ask you the most important question. Can you win?”

It was true…Michael and Feldway, and their men…there was a threatening enemy out there, watching us with an eagle eye.

“Honestly, I can’t guarantee that I’m going to win, but I’m definitely not going to lose.”

“Well, it’s you after all, so no matter what method is used, I’m sure you’ll do whatever it takes to turn those words into something real.”

“Even overestimated.”

“Hmph! To be honest, when I saw Velgrynd-sama’s strength, I was prepared for defeat and death. I knew she was strong, but I didn’t expect her to be that powerful.”

Vaughn and Dolph-san nodded in agreement at Gazel’s frank confession. Well, I thought it was over too when I saw Testarossa and the others collapse. After that, because I was so angry, I got over my fear—or rather, I felt like it was over before I realized it, and thinking back on it now, I wonder how I even managed to win.

But well, I have Ciel now. And Veldora and Diablo and the others. It was reassuring to know that I’m not alone.

“I never thought I’d lose to a slime either, but now I’m grateful. I don’t think that even Velzard-nee can beat Rimuru.”

Velgrynd, not offended by Gazel’s words, said this quite matter-of-factly. I doubted that I could defeat Velzard-san, who had beaten Veldora one-sidedly, but I was pretty sure that Velgrynd was speaking from the heart.

“I’m also embarrassed by your high opinion of me.”

“Don’t be modest. Your victory over me was not by luck, but by sheer strength. Moreover, you won overwhelmingly, so what are you talking about?”

Velgrynd was not ashamed of her defeat, because it was in the past for her. I think she had overcome it now and accepted it honestly. It was people like that who scared me the most, and I secretly raised my alert level on Velgrynd. From here, it was time to talk seriously about my own thoughts.

“The reality is that we don’t know what the enemy’s true strength is, and we cannot predict how they’ll react. Regardless of their purpose, I’m curious about their aim, or rather, what kind of methods they will use.”

As I said this, I projected several people onto a giant screen.

“These are the enemies that invaded the labyrinth this time. Their existence values are roughly equivalent to three million, which is a high level of strength even compared to the leaders of our country. They’re such a nasty opponent that I think it’s best to avoid fighting them one-on-one.”

After I said that, I disclosed all of the information I knew. Then, as if to add to my story, Velgrynd said.

“I eliminated this one, but I have a word of advice. These people are the ones who used to help Brother Veldanava in ancient times, and they are as nasty as the primordials. Their bodies are currently still sealed, and all those who appeared in the labyrinth were just a weakened ‘Split Body.’ They can’t be defeated by ordinary means, so you’d better be on your guard.”

Hearing that put one at a loss for words. Because Velgrynd, the one who said such a thing, had already destroyed one of them so easily.

«That is the effect of the ‘Dimension Leap’ in Velgrynd’s power. Velgrynd herself can only leap towards the mark of Rudra’s soul fragment, but she should have no problems firing her technique towards the mark.»

I see… In other words, Velgrynd traced the connection between Cornu’s ‘Split Body’ and his main body, and destroyed both of them together.

«That’s right. If it is a ‘Spacetime Continuous Attack’ that can transcend time and space, then there is no way to escape it, even if the being is a ‘Parallel Existence.’»

Seriously, that’s messed up. I mean, Velgrynd was just too good. I didn’t know how much experience she had accumulated, but she was now perfectly in control of her own powers. She was already powerful before, but now she had become even stronger. Veldora was so happy to learn ‘Parallel Existence,’ but this turned out to be completely pointless. I wonder if Veldora knew about this… I felt a little sorry for him.

I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know how to react. The Imperials and Gazel’s group were also pondering carefully over Velgrynd’s words. The Empire still had a trump card with Velgrynd. They could rely on her, but the problem was Dwargon.

“We can’t win, huh?”

“That’s right. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do.”

“Vaughn!”

“But it’s true. There’s no point in trying to look good, so why don’t we just have an honest discussion and think about countermeasures?”

“Uh, no, you’re right, but…but…”

“Vaughn is right. We can’t win against them anyway, but we should still have a plan for when we do encounter them. So, Your Majesty Rimuru, based on the goals of you, Michael, and the Phantom King, do you think Dwargon will also be involved?”

Hmm, it’s unlikely, right?

“It probably doesn’t matter. It’s not that it’s safe, it’s just that it’s a lower a priority.”

“Hmm. So because the enemy’s goal is to resurrect their God Veldanava, they don’t care about Dwargon anyway, correct?”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I suppose.”

“It’s okay. As a warrior, I am unhappy, but as a king, I am relieved.”

Gazel finished and smiled bitterly.

“So, by that measure, is the enemy serious?”

“Kufufufufu. Do they think that by harnessing the power of Veldora-sama and Velzard-sama, the resurrection of Veldanava-sama will be accomplished? All I can say is that it’s a stupid idea.”

“In the first place, Veldanava-sama is immortal. To resurrect him through human power is beyond foolishness.”

Diablo scoffed, and Benimaru was indignant. It is a mystery as to why Veldanava has not been resurrected, but it is still true that the True Dragon race is immortal. I also agreed with the opinion that we should just leave it alone, left unspeakable.

“But if that’s the case, won’t the Dragon Princess be targeted as well?”

Calgurio pointed out sharply. Indeed, Milim had inherited Veldanava’s power, so it would not be surprising if she was targeted. This question was answered by Velgrynd.

“That possibility cannot be denied, but to mess with my brother’s beloved would be to put the cart before the horse. It’s possible for them to simply want to take his power, but if they sincerely wish for his resurrection, then I’d like to think they wouldn’t do anything that would offend him.”

Well, Milim was strong, and she didn’t seem to have an Ultimate Skill of the Angelic System. Plus with Karion-san and Frey-san having awakened, I didn’t think we would need to worry too much about her. Since Velgrynd thought things were okay, it would probably be enough just to warn them. However, there was something else that bothered me.

“In that way, doesn’t it sound like Veldanava was unconcerned about his siblings?”

“You’re pretty rude.”

Velgrynd looked at me, seemingly more speechless than annoyed.

“Uh, I’m sorry. I’m an honest person, so I just…”

“Well, it’s fine.”

Lucky. Velgrynd’s generosity saved my life. I would reflect on this and be careful on what I said in the future.

“It doesn’t matter. A True Dragon thinks differently than the rest of those who have an end in sight. The same goes for Velzard-nee, who has destroyed Veldora over and over again in the name of education. So, perhaps they are planning to wait for the resurrection of Brother Veldanava before releasing our power.”

Yes, that made sense. They think he’ll be resurrected after he’s eaten, just like I did. In doing so, the memories would be inherited, so whether or not the personality would change was simply not a matter of concern.

“In other words, Milim-sama is not indestructible because she is not a True Dragon species. If you kill Milim-sama, you will incur the wrath of the resurrected Veldanava-sama.”

Testarossa summed up what Velgrynd had said. Perhaps, I think that’s the right way to look at it.

“All right, then, let’s just warn Milim, too.”

I said as such, and Velgrynd nodded. Then she turned to Masayuki, who was sitting next to her.

“You look like someone else, but…Masayuki, you’re definitely a target, so you have to be very careful, okay?”

“Eh?! They’re not giving up yet?”

“Your Majesty… Unlike here in the labyrinth, you can’t come back from the dead in the Empire! You must be more aware of this and take better care of yourself.”

“We will do everything in our power to protect Your Majesty, but the other party is still our opponent. Your Majesty yourself must be more aware of this.”

“O-Okay…uh, I mean, I understand.”

Masayuki’s lame-ass reply brought the afternoon’s discussions to an end.

Dinner was sumptuous. It was a full course meal of Italian cuisine. We started with a soup of beets—rather, a vegetable similar to beets—followed by gizzard confit. After zeppolines, we were served couscous with various vegetables and a lightly roasted medium-fatty Spearhead Armored Fish. Everything was absolutely divine, but it didn’t stop there. Savory panna cotta with prawn, battleship fish involtini, and spaghetti with fortress crabs were added to the superb menu. As I took a break with the mushroom risotto, the seafood soup arrived.

The soup, from which the extracts of all the seafood of the day had been extracted, was a wonderful dish that changed flavor with each sip. The soup was made by simmering various soups for more than half a day and mixing them together. It was no exaggeration to say that this dish was made by the thoughtfulness of the chefs, and it was a hidden masterpiece that could be eaten only once a year.

And finally, the main dish of the day. It was a veal deer fillet steak. I cut it gently with a knife and placed it in my mouth. The tender meat melted before I could even finish biting into it.

Delicious. Seriously, it’s so delicious!

As soon as we finished eating, Benimaru and I gave each other a high five. There was no need to exchange words, and that was enough. Normally, we would have a lively conversation during the meal, but everyone was quiet today. I felt that this was a sign of satisfaction. When the white wine yogurt was served for dessert, everyone finally started to talk about their impressions.

“What is this deliciousness?! As an imperial aristocrat myself, I was proud to have tasted countless gourmet foods, but this is truly something else!!”

“I understand. Even as a prisoner of war, I always looked forward to eating here, and I’ve never felt more blissful than I do today. Thank you, Your Majesty Rimuru!”

“To be honest, if I can eat like this, I’d be happy to be Emperor.”

“I’ve also learned how to cook, but this is impossible for me. There’s nothing wasted, and the food has been thoughtfully prepared with the eater in mind.”

The Imperials were raving about it. Dwargon’s side was not to be outdone.

“Rimuru, it seems that your cooking has improved here. Shuna-dono, was it? I’d like to invite you to my country to teach us a few recipes.”

“That’s true. I prefer drinking to eating, but this is different. The portions small enough that it makes you want to eat more. It’s all very well-thought-out.”

“No, I don’t think it’s calculated, but I agree that I wanted to eat more of each dish.”

“Hah! It was so delicious, I almost left for the next world.”

“What do you mean, Jaine-dono? You’re the one who’s eating everything.”

“What are you talking about, Anrietta? You’re eating the same amount of food as I am!”

“What? Even if you notice something like that, it’s good manners not to point it out!”

Basically, it seems that people were satisfied as long as the drinks are good, so I wanted to make them happy with the food as well. Thanks to Shuna and the others, I was able to achieve that goal this time. Incidentally, Shion and Diablo were in normal operation even in such a situation. Diablo was serving us, pouring us drinks, and Shion was standing upright as a guard. But I know. Shuna told me secretly that Shion was always eating and drinking in the name of poison testing. This time, she even took another bite to eat, so I didn’t have to worry that she might get hungry.

We took a moment of relaxation after dinner. The location changed to the common room, and we all enjoyed chatting over a cup of coffee. While we were chatting about the food and other small talk, Gazel suddenly spoke to me.

“By the way, Rimuru, there’s something that’s been bothering me.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“It’s something you did.”

“Um…what…??”

“Benimaru-dono and the other executives there—you’re the one who made them evolve, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

Ah, that’s a sign towards being reprimanded. I wish he’d stop saying things out of the blue like that. I don’t think I’ll get hit, but at least give me some time to think of an excuse beforehand. I was prepared, but Gazel smiled and continued.

“Don’t be so nervous. I’m not angry. I paled when Jaine told me about it, but now I understand that it was necessary.”

“Yes, I suppose it was.”

Phew.

I was relieved that he didn’t seem upset.

“But explaining it to the rest of the world will be tricky, won’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“What—you haven’t thought of that? The Western Nations, the Western Holy Church, Sarion, and the rest of the human world must have been paying attention to this war. Even if we declare the end of the war, we still need to explain the process.”

“I was just going to fake it, but…”

They wouldn’t believe me even if I explained things seriously, but as long as I shut up and didn’t say anything, nobody would know that my friends had evolved into awakened demon lords. I thought I could get away with it as long as the deception went well.

“Well, that should be fine for the West. Blumund and others might have doubts, but the rest of the world is too peaceful. Some of them may be suspicious, but they won’t be able to stand up to Tempest, who is becoming an ally. You won’t be bullish, right?”

“In that case, there nothing wrong—”

“—However! ‘That woman’ can’t be fooled. She will definitely demand a formal explanation. What are you going to do?”

Uh, ‘that woman?’ Ah, he meant her!

“Oh, you mean El-tan? That’s okay. I already told her.”

Elmesia-san was also worried about the war, and she and Myourmiles-kun and I had talked about it. In the worst case, she said they were considering accepting refugees. The three of us, Myourmiles and Elmesia-san and I, had a means of emergency communication as the conspiracy trio known as the ‘three drunk sages.’ It was a high-performance magic tool, compact and foldable. Put quite simply, it was a cell phone.

Inspired by Clayman’s Skill, it used long distance radio signals and geomagnetism for encrypted communication, and was capable of making long distance calls without being interrupted by magic. However, because the materials used were all rare, the price per unit was incredibly high. Since they could not be distributed even to the executives, one could understand just how valuable these were. With this, I was able to communicate directly with Elmesia-san. So, before the party started, I sent a message to her saying, ‘We won,’ along with a victory report. El-tan’s reply was, ‘Ok, I’m relieved. I’ll listen to you properly next time, so I’ll come over to play again, haha.’ So, there was nothing for Gazel to worry about. And yet…

“El-tan?!”

Gazel shouted at the top of his lungs. And now he was staring at me with a look of disbelief.

Huh?

“Was there anything surprising in what I just said?”

“Don’t be stupid! How did you get so close to that Emperor?!”

Oh, that. Well, I’m pretty good at that kind of thing. No matter how difficult someone is, you can always start with a conversation. And the most important thing is to have a good understanding of what the other person wants to say. In the past, when I was working as a supervisor at a construction site, there were nearby residents who always made absurd complaints. However, by listening to them calmly, the problems were able to be solved surprisingly easily.

Of course, there are also times when there is nothing one can do. In those cases, just listening is good enough. Always keep listening. By doing so, the other person will feel closer to you, convinced that you can understand them, and gradually accept you. That, or you can just bide your time and wait for the problem to be solved.

In this case, there’s no need to do anything in particular, just listen to the complaints and keep the conversation going. This makes the other person feel more intimate, and it’s overall a similar process. In this way, what was most important in my outlook of life was the way I treated others, and the way I communicated with them. I had felt the same way when meeting Elmesia-san, and before I knew it, we had become friends. Could it have been the alcohol?

I’ve forgotten about that kind of thing. Forgetting things that aren’t beneficial to you is a good way to live. Of course, it’s also very important to reflect on your mistakes so that you don’t make them again. It’s a difficult thing to do, and I’m still learning.

“Well, how I did it is a secret, but we’re good friends now, anyway.”

I’m not stupid enough to tell him about my drunken mistakes at the bar. That’s what I said, but it seems that Gazel was not convinced.

“Rimuru, the Emperor of Sarion is a difficult person to meet, and waiting for an audience normally takes several months. Even if I apply from Dwargon, it takes half a year. That woman has a long lifespan, so a month is like a day in her eyes…and yet you’re acting like it’s easy to contact her?!”

“Uh.”

“Yes, that’s right, Your Majesty Rimuru! Sarion is also very important to our Empire. I did not expect this level of a connection…”

Even Calgurio and the others joined in on the conversation. When I asked them about it in detail, they told me that the Empire considered Sarion to be its greatest threat. It was speculated that they had a number of magical weapons that were yet to be seen, and that they had intended to save attacking Sarion for last. Listening to Calgurio and Minits-san’s explanation, Gazel nodded in agreement.

Even in the Western Nations, there were many nations that recognized Sarion’s complexion, however, it was natural for them to react that way because Sarion was considered a military power that could swallow up the Western economic zone all on its own. And the ease with which I was able to have a direct conversation with the leader of such a great power without an appointment…even if I didn’t know much about it, it really was a bit hard to believe. But that said, it was all true.

“A-Ahahaha, well, you know, this? I guess I was lucky.”

“Hmm, it is only natural for Rimuru-sama.”

“That’s right! Rather, it is the other party who should be grateful for their luck!”

Diablo and Shion praised me from the sidelines, but I wished they would keep their mouths shut. Seeing Gazel sigh deeply made me think it even more so. However, Minits-san unexpectedly seemed to agree with Shion and the others.

“Well, if she saw through His Majesty Rimuru’s true value, then indeed the emperor’s reaction is understandable.”

Calgurio nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. That fearsome Celestial Empress would be able to pull off something like that without a second thought. Our empire has always thought that the country’s magical warriors would not move out. If that had been the emperor’s intention, she would have targeted our home country while Rimuru and the others were at a disadvantage. It was a close call.”

He was much more wary of Sarion than I thought he would be. I was quite relieved that we were getting along well because I hadn’t expected Sarion to be such a dangerous country. El-tan had invited me to come visit next time, so I would be sure to pay her a visit and learn more about things then.

“I’m sure this information was also kept secret, but how far did the Intelligence Bureau get—”

“No. Unfortunately, I hadn’t heard of this either. Well, it’s still a long time ago for me, so perhaps I just forgot.”

Velgrynd was happily denying Minits-san’s statement. She seemed to be very vindictive, and I was pretty sure she remembered everything, even if it was a long time ago.

“Oh, is there something you want to say to me?”

“N-No, it’s nothing…”

Scary, it’s like she read my mind. This kind of person is dangerous, so I would try not to offend them. Even so, I was shocked that they were so surprised by my connection with Elmesia-san. This was… I guess it was best to keep the fact that Myourmiles-kun was also a comrade a secret between us. With everything from the ‘Three Drunk Sages’ going on, it would be better to be careful about letting things slip. I made a secret vow to do so, and the night continued on.

The next morning, Gazel and his group left. Calgurio and the rest of their group, in accordance with the agreed plan, began to prepare for their return. The work was still in progress, but the construction would be handed over to Adalmann’s men. There were some who wanted to stay in the country, but they were persuaded to give priority to the stability of the empire first before thinking about immigration. In less than a week, the preparations were completed, and they were scheduled to depart.

In this way, the remaining problems were identified, countermeasures were devised, and the status quo was confirmed. There were no problems on the Imperial side. We would just have to wait for word from Testarossa, taking a wait-and-see approach, until the situation changed.

The Dwarven Kingdom was a bit worried. If a seraph-level enemy appeared, Gazel and the others would have a difficult time. However, the city of Dwargon, which was like a natural fortress, was equipped with multiple magical defenses. It wouldn’t be easy to break through them, so they could just contact us whenever something happened. I had also given Gazel a cell phone, so he could use it in the case of an emergency.

And one more thing. I decided to send Agera over to Gazel’s side. Gazel had told me that he wanted to re-train himself. Agera had also asked to go out for a while to calm his mind. He said he had a lot to worry about and mull over.

Carrera had no hesitation in saying that Agera could do as he pleased. As for me, knowing Agera’s situation, I was at a loss as to how to respond. I accepted the suggestion, thinking that time was of the essence here. With this, even Dwargon could withstand an endurance battle. Of course, it would be best if nothing went wrong, but if something did happen, they could still manage.

The Kingdom of Farmenas, where Youm and the others were, had also been dealt with. Diablo sent Gadra to explain the situation. He hadn’t had a private meeting with me, so he had left two days ago. Gadra also had a role as a guardian of the labyrinth, but there was no Demon Colossus.

There was not even a remnant of the wreckage, so we had to build it from scratch. The researchers seemed to have rejoiced because there were some new functions they were excited to try. It was not easy on my wallet to pay for the materials, but I asked them to make a satisfactory product since the government treasury would be paying for it this time. Since there was still some time before the completion of the project, it was agreed that he would stay in Farmenas for the time being.

As for the Kingdom of Blumund and the Western Nations…

Cien was there, and I also sent Zonda for support. The demons are basically capable of ‘Spatial Transportation,’ so they should be able to handle most situations. To be honest, I didn’t think it made strategic sense to target us from these locations, so I didn’t plan to take any further measures. I didn’t think so, but if the enemy ever committed an act of human genocide, Guy wouldn’t stand for it.

He wouldn’t want the human race to perish, so he would be sure to take action. And then there was Luminas. If the situation was not serious enough for Guy to make a move, Luminas and the Holy Knight Order would take care of the situation.

The ‘Three Drunk Sages’ had been informed of the situation, so Glenda and the others would be working behind the scenes. Depending on the situation, we decided that we could do something by stalling for time. Incidentally, I had also given Glenda a cell phone. It wasn’t for personal use, but just as a means of communication between the Three Drunk Sages and us. Because of this phone, we could respond immediately if something happened. So it was just a matter of settling down and waiting for word from the Western Nations.

And now…

The question that remained was whether or not there would be any unintended traitors.

«Regarding that, it is probably useless to think about it—»

No, no, it’s not useless. There is a big difference between being prepared and not being prepared in the case of an emergency. And so, while in the office, I began to think about the things that mattered most, while looking over the reports of the damage in each area. I told Gazel and the others to watch out for anyone who had awakened an Angelic Ultimate Skill, but…he had looked at me with a face that seemed to have lost its expression. Then, quietly, he said—

‘Listen, Rimuru. In the first place, the Ultimate Skill is a secret. It is only a tradition that mentions that one was acquired by Gran Dwargo-sama, the first Hero King of the dwarves, yet it is so important that its authenticity is unknown. Not many people know if it was true, not even Vaughn and Dolph! And yet, you…don’t talk to me like it’s just normal to have them!’

—Yeah. In the end, I was scolded, but I was told that this was the common sense of the world. In other words, the number of people who even knew about the existence of Ultimate Skills was extremely small. The reality is that there was currently no way to find out if anyone possessed an angelic type among them. It was too much to worry about, so I decided to ignore it.

Or at least I did. When I calmed down and reconsidered the situation, I realized that there were some people who were unexpectedly close to me. At the very least, Guy and Luminas were certain to have one. Leon’s strength was also extraordinary, so I think he might have one as well. I didn’t know about Dagruel, but even Dino had one, so I think it was better to assume that he had one. Oh, speaking of Dagruel…

I recall that Luminas, from what she had heard about the future from Chloe, said that Dagruel would take advantage of the Empire to start a war. However, that didn’t seem to be the case this time. Was there a reason for this, or was he being influenced by someone? If it was Michael’s doing, then we could take countermeasures. I think we needed to have a proper discussion about this. What about Milim?

Maybe it’s just that I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was something. I’m sure Milim would tell me what was going on, and I’m also curious about Karion and Frey-san’s conditions. I should go and talk to them. Just as I was thinking about all this…

‘’Can you hear me? We are having a Walpurgis right now. I know it’s sudden, but I need everyone to attend. That is all.”

Suddenly, a voice echoed in my head. Rather…this was—

I turned my gaze to my fingertips and saw a ring shining at the base of my right pinky finger. It was a ring I had forgotten I was even wearing. It was the demon lord’s ring that I had received when I became a demon lord. That is to say, the voice coming out belonged to Guy. I hadn’t used it at all until now, so I must have forgotten that it had such a function. No, this was not the time to be thinking about these things.

“Shion, go get Shuna.”

“Yes!”

I looked at Diablo as Shion ran off happily.

“It’s Guy. It seems that we’ll be holding a Walpurgis right now.”

“Oh, it’s not like Guy to do things without prior notice. It’s a bit incomprehensible that Guy personally contacted someone in the first place.”

That’s what bothered me, too. Guy was a prideful man who was always calm in his way. It was to the point that even his men were not allowed to talk to him… I had a bad feeling about this.

“I was told that you wanted to see me. I am here.”

“Rimuru, it’s a big deal! Something definitely must have happened if Guy actually contacted us himself!!”

Shuna entered the room, but Ramiris, who hadn’t even been called, also came along. Not only Beretta, but Treyni-san was there with her as well. Come to think of it, she was also a demon lord, so it was only natural that Ramiris had a demon lord’s ring as well. Ramiris told me that it was rare for Guy to organize Walpurgis. There seemed to have been a time in the past when Ramiris, Milim, and Guy were the only three demon lords, but nothing of the sort had happened in over a thousand years. Well, since it was all happening right now, it was definitely an emergency.

“This is what I wanted to talk about, Shuna. I don’t have time to explain in detail, but I will be taking Shion and Diablo with me to Walpurgis. Tell Benimaru to take care of things while I’m gone.”

Shuna nodded wisely as I said this.

“Understood. Good luck, Rimuru-sama!”

I nodded and got ready. Then I waited quietly for the pickup. Soon, the blue-haired Raine, dressed in a dark red maid’s uniform, jumped through space to reveal herself. Ramiris had given her permission to enter the labyrinth, but her sudden appearance was still unsettling. However, right now was not the time to worry about that. Because Raine was covered with wounds. At this point, I realized that my bad premonition had come true.

“Raine-chan, are you okay?”

“What the hell…?”

Ramiris and I asked in surprise, but Raine quietly shook her head.

“Don’t worry about me. I will explain everything to you once we’re all together, so please move along for now.”

I had no words to reply after hearing that. I did as I was told, and Raine led me away. Upon arriving at our destination, we would be confronted with new problems.

Chapter 3Toward RebuildingThe explanation to KingGazelwas also troubling me, but I had a meeting withMasayukiand others today. I focused my attention on that, and fired myself up. I would first meet up withTestarossa.I had calmed down a bit. Today would be a high priority meeting, so only a carefully selected group of people would gather in the conference room. From our side wereBenimaruand Rigurd. AlsoShion,Diablo, and nowTestarossa. OnMasayuki's side would beVelgrynd,CalgurioandMinits, plusBernieandJiwu. In the lounge-like waiting room, all the members of our group were already there. It was short notice, but no one complained about it.Shunahad also volunteered to serve us, so we were fully prepared. As for the policies, wellWe don't want to rule the Empire.MichaelandFeldway, the major war criminals, were still missing, and LieutenantKondou, the man who had planned the whole thing, was dead. EvenKondouwas suspected to have been thought-induced byMichael's control, so I didn't intend to hold him responsible even after his death. At the time, it seemed that the emperor's flagship had been boarded by the Empire's major leaders, with the current surviving chief executive of the Empire asVelgrynd, who held the position of Marshal. She herself had no territorial ambitions, so the topic would probably focus on the end of the war, war reparations, and post-war reconstruction.At any rate, letting the 700,000 Imperial soldiers fill the labor force, and how to allocate the labor force was also a problem. It would be necessary to appoint skilled personnel as supervisors, and to decide on a well-balanced group so as to avoid an imbalance in skills. Just as I was thinking aheadBlue hair fluttered as a stunningly beautiful woman arrived. It wasVelgrynd. Her gaze pierced straight through me.Ouch, ouch, ouch.I didn't have a stomach, but my stomach still hurt.You wanted to see me?I needed to keep my dignity intact in front of everyone. I was wishing someone would praise me for the fact that my voice was not shaking.May I have a moment of your time?There was still time until the meeting started. I nodded, andVelgryndand I agreed to speak alone before the meeting.How is Veldora?Well, he's fine.I see, that's good to hear.With a gentle smile,Velgryndasked for Veldora's well-being. When I replied that he was fine, she seemed relieved. Looking atVelgrynd's smile, my heart ached a little. It was because Veldora was still afraid to deal with his sister,Velgrynd. I had asked him if he wanted to see her, but he had replied, I have many things to do, and I'm very busy' pushing it off in a weak voice. It's shameful, but I was not in a position to laugh at him either. Because, really, this is very awkwardIn Veldora's case, I'm sure he was embarrassed, so I decided to leave it alone for a little longer.So, what's up?This time, I started things off. My heart was pounding.I wanted to thank you.Thank me?That's a bitWhy are you looking so pale? Are you expecting me to summon you to the back of the school?How do you know all that stuff?!I shouted, andVelgryndchuckled.The journey to find my belovedRudrawas more exciting than I ever imagined.From the sound of it, the journey had been grueling, but from the perspective ofVelgrynd, who carried a purpose, it had been a hopeful one. That was why she could say with a smile that she enjoyed it.I crossed numerous worlds, spent many years, and pursued that one person. One of the worlds I went to was the one you once lived in.Eh, seriously?!Seriously.So that's why her tone of voice felt more casual. She was wearing an Imperial uniform right now, but when she first appeared in the labyrinth, she had been wearing a shirt and jeans. Even just looking at the recorded footage, the sight of her in such a state, defeating her enemies with a single blow, was breathtaking. From the point of view of those who witnessed it and those who were attacked, it did seem out of touch with reality. However, the fact that she passed through the world I was in meant that there was a way to return from this world to the other side. Well, as for me, I'm dead, so there was no point in going back Wait, wait, wait? In the first place,Velgryndseemed to have jumped not only through dimensions but also time. If we analyze this, then perhapsUnderstood. I will begin the analysis.Oh,Cielis so reliable! Maybe it was just that they discovered a new hobby, but it was really the kind of thing to leave toCiel. Either way, it's wonderful to have hope. I'm sure there were otherworlders here who would like to go back if they could. If it's possible, I'd like to make such a future a reality. Well, I would do my best to make that happen.Masayukiis the reincarnation ofRudra, isn't he?Yes, he is. And I'm pretty sure he's almost a complete soul.Velgryndmuttered to herself, All that's left is the memory.'Um, butMasayukiwas stillMasayuki, wasn't he? Because he was still in that lackadaisical state, I felt a little more relieved. I felt sorry toVelgrynd, but to me,Masayukiwas notRudra.Well, how should I put itI couldn't say that's great or that's a shame so I faked it.Velgryndwasn't angry, and nodded lightly. I was a little surprised that she was more subdued than I expected.Ufufu, you seem curious. I, too, have had various experiences, more intense than the years I spent byRudra's side, like a long and short dreams. So I am grateful to you. Thanks you,Rimuru.Velgryndthanked me with a heart-stopping, dazzling smile. Her domineering aura that brought others down to their knees, was nowhere to be found, replaced with a feeling of peace and tranquility. It was hard to believe that this was the same person.It's good, right?Yes. So,Rimuru. I swear to you that as long asMasayukihas no intention, I will not make an enemy of you. So, please do not betrayMasayuki.It was a vow I could not have wished for. Besides, there was no need for her to specifically explain aboutMasayuki. I had no intention of betraying him.All right. I swear, by my name, and by the name of my companions, I will not betrayMasayuki. Sometimes there may be a lie of a quarrel, but that kind of thingVelgrynd's gaze became cold and frightening.I understand. I swear I'll try not to lie to him or fight with him unless necessary.I didn't understand. Why did I have to swear? It seems that sometimes I am too honest, so I've reflected a little.Velgrynd's words of gratitude had eased my tension. Even if there was a good reason for, I had certainly done something wrong, so it was natural to feel relieved that I was not being resented for it. Just when I was thinking that I could now face the meeting in a good mood, someone came rushing into the waiting room. It was Vesta.Hey, what's with all the panic?It's not the time for such things,Rimuru-sama! I just received an urgent message from my home, and it seems that KingGazelis on his way here!By his home,' he probably meant from one of the family members who remained in the Dwarven Kingdom. Vesta was still a former minister of the great kingdom of Dwargon. He was a duke, a nobleman of high rank second only to the royal family. That was probably why he had been jealous of Kaijin, a commonerAlthough Vesta was expelled from Dwargon, it did not appear that his relationship with his family had been severed. It appears that Vesta had been keeping in touch with the duke family. The reason was that Vesta was still the head of the duke's household. I was also surprised when I was told this. The punishment given by KingGazeldid not include taking away or demoting his title. It was only punishment for Vesta himself, and no blame was placed on his family. Moreover, no successor to Vesta was named, so there was no change in the head of the family. The wise KingGazelmust have intended to reinstate Vesta as a minister in the future. That's why he didn't punish him excessively and instead asked for him to reflect on his actions. Another reason seems to be that he was afraid of the reaction of his family members. If the Vesta Duchy were really serious, they were capable of starting a civil war in Dwargon, andGazelprobably wanted to avoid unnecessary conflicts. After all, Vesta, who was no longer jealous, was a good man and well-liked by his own people. His influence was so great that he was punished with a spoonful of punishment that would not cause dissatisfaction. That's why the Vesta family was still alive and well, and it seems that they still had contacts in the royal court. But I still didn't understand.Uh, why? Didn't you tell him I was going to explain everything later?Yes, that's correct, but apparently His MajestyGazeldoesn't trust meNo, no, no. That can't be true, can it?I can't be sure about that. I have done a lot of things myself, such as negotiating the price of potions, pulling out technicians other than pharmacists, and securing human resources by mobilizing the entire Duchy. Even if I'm suspected of being on your side, there's no way for me to refute it. In the first place, I am now prepared to devote myself to this country until I die.In other words, it was not a matter of trust, but Vesta was just doing whatever he wanted. I originally thought he was a decent and serious man, but he was indeed a former minister. As a politician, he seemed to really understand the ins-and-outs. Oops, this was not the time to be impressed. If KingGazelwas coming, then it would not be a good idea to start talks with the Empire right now. It would be rude to keep him waiting. That said, it seems even more rude to come here without prior negotiation, so what should I do in such a case?It's KingGazelwho's being rude, isn't it?Leaving aside the Vesta thing, it seemed like I didn't have to give up anything.You're right. If you enter a country without a notice, you can't argue with that even if you're attacked. So I'm guessing we will be contacted once he's at the border.Vesta said that KingGazelwould never lose his manners. As if to prove his point, a flustered messenger rushed into the room.I'm sorry to be rude, but I have an emergency report! We have just received a request for permission to enter from His MajestyGazelof the Armed Nation of DwargonFive people in total. How should I proceed?There was no reason to refuse, but permission could not be so easily givenSo that was why the ministerial staff had come to ask for my approval. I think it was the most appropriate thing to do in this time of emergency. Even I would be upset if it were the other way around, so I think it was the right thing to do. It probably should have gone through the executives, but I'd let it slide this time.Shunathoughtfully handed over a glass of water. I spoke to the staff member who was drinking it gratefully.I'll talk to him.Then he prepared a magic tool for communication and started the liaison.As a result, it turned into an urgent meeting with KingGazel. That was why I personally came to pick him up.DiabloandShionwere escorting me, but this was business as usual.Fufufu. Thank you,Rimuru.You knew this would happen, didn't you?Even with the Pegasus, it would have taken a day to get from Dwargon to the CapitalRimuru. But now, since magic circles had been set up in both capitals, it was possible to travel back and forth by magic in an instant. That's why I guessed that the reason he came all the way to the border was to summon me.Hahaha, so you noticed?It wasn't funny, but it wasn't a big deal.I'm just glad thatVelgryndcan be so accommodating.That's the thing. You're not planning to join forces with the Empire, are you?So that was whatGazelwas worried about, after all.It depends on the discussion, but that's the general idea.Hmm, wait a minute. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter.There was no reason to refuse, so we went to a coffee shop near the border. The clerk hurriedly prepared a seat for me. Moreover, the customers, who appeared to be adventurers, read the situation and left their seats. I felt bad, so I announced that I would take care of the bills here. Everyone was very happy, so I was sure they'd be fine. There were roughly 30 minutes left until the scheduled meeting time. We could be on the move instantaneously, so I was planning to listen to him until the last minute. Before that, I would start with what I had to say.As for leaving you to clean up after the warThat's fine. Our soldiers are still struggling to work at full capacitybut that's only possible because we survived. I'm grateful. There is no one who would hold a grudge against you.That was good to hear. I was a little worried about that, because even at barbecues, people who skipped on cleaning up were always resented. Well, it was a tough fight. I was so happy to have made it through that I couldn't even think about the chores.So, what did you want to ask?I was planning to organize my thoughts depending on the flow of the conversation. I'm sure there were things I couldn't answer if asked now.I want to hear it clearly from you. You have no ambition to join forces with the Empire and attack me in Dwargon, do you?What is this old man even talking about?There's no way I would go through that much trouble. There was no reason to, and above all, there was no benefit. On top of that, we would lose the trust of the Western Nations if we did so. It was a completely impossible option.No. The trust we've worked so hard to accumulate would be lost in an instant. And on top of losing a reliable backer, we would be burdened with unnecessary hard work. Asking me such a questionhow stupid do you think I am?I replied with a look of annoyance, andGazelbegan to laugh, looking sincerely relieved.Hey, come on, you weren't actually worried about that, were you?My apologies, Your MajestyRimuru. These allegations were all my own proposition. Therefore, I take full responsibility for offending you. I hope you will be so kind as to forgive me.Dolph-san must have noticed my annoyance, and expressed his apologies. I asked him to explain in detail what he meant. To put it simply, if the Empire and Tempest were to join forces, Dwargon would be sandwiched between the two powers. In this case, resorting to force would be suicidal, and a decline in diplomatic power would be inevitable. If a country declared that they would not listen to the arguments of an opponent they did not fear, that country would be forced to accept unfavorable conditions in future negotiations. He had been afraid of this, and wanted to confirm it in advance.Huh? But that's not something Dwargon could stop either way, is it? Although I have no intention of starting a war, I think it's a good idea to join forces with the Empire.That's right. In the end, it all comes down to what you wish. Although Dwargon is a great power, we do not have the strength to compete with the True DragonsVelgryndand Veldora.Dolph's worries are meaningless, but as a king, I cannot simply admit it.Gazelsaid this to me with a serious expression on his face. As a king responsible to his people, he must always be prepared for any eventuality. Only this time, it was pointless to worry. However, there was also no guarantee that we would not start a war. Even if we did not start one, the situation would be the same if the Empire did. Assuming that the Empire and Tempest had formed an alliance, whose side would Tempest really be on if the Empire tried to attack Dwargon? If I were to be asked that, I would be at a loss.Rimuru, do you understand? You chose to join forces with the Empire to keep your country from going to war. That is all well and good, but it didn't consider the situation in Dwargon. Of course, I'm not saying that that's a bad thing, because you're only responsible for your own people. However, on my side, I cannot easily allow it.Yes, I was convinced. Indeed, even if Tempest had an alliance with both Dwargon and the Eastern Empire, it did not mean that any relationship was formed between Dwargon and the Eastern Empire. If these two countries were to go to war, our own movements would be restricted. But wait?But because we have mutual military cooperation' in the event of national crisisWell, there's no set deadline for that, is there?Eh?There's no such thing as a permanent agreement. All of them are temporary agreements that can only provide temporary peace of mind. In fact, you could even argue that having an agreement with a fixed term is safer.Just as I was wondering about what he meant,Cielsecretly coached me.There were two types of agreementsthose with no fixed term and those with a fixed term. Assuming that one side wanted to break the agreement, which one would be more difficult? If there was no deadline, one could ask the other to break the agreement at any time. On the other hand, if there was a fixed term, things could be considered safe while the agreement was in place. It went without saying that it would be more credible to terminate the agreement and then launch a war, rather than a breaking the agreement and invading in a breach of trust. Of course, this was only an appeal to other nations, and if they had territorial ambitions like the empire, it's possible that they would not care at all. It was clearly out of the question to break a fixed term agreement without permission. Both parties were obliged to abide by the agreement when it was renewed. If I did such a thing, I would lose the trust of the Western Nations. It would be a major deviation from my strategy, so it would be better to lay down realistic and reliable rules.I see. So even if we're allied with the Empire, there's still a chance that the agreement could be abandoned. That's why you came all the way out here.I'm glad you understand.Yeah, that's definitely something to worry about. Understood! Well then, even if we decide to form an alliance with the Empire, we'll discuss the details of the terms carefully.When I said that,Dolph-san and the others looked relieved.Look at that. I told you that you were worrying too much!The words came abruptly from KingGazel. Where had all his kingly responsibility gone now?Rimuru-sama, it's almost time!Shionreminded me, looking at her watch. It was one of the watches I had made with Kaijin as a hobby. I gave it to her as a gift, thinking it's necessary for a secretary to wear one. She was delighted upon receiving it. It was a good memory for all of us, as it gaveShionanother job to do.Let's go.Kufufufu. Then I will open the portal.Thus ended the spur-of-the-moment meeting. We walked out of the coffee shop and returned to the conference room.Ten o'clock in the morning. Everyone had all gathered in the conference room. The participants were seated at a partially round table with a gap. Or rather, the table was shaped like the C' in an eye test.This design, known as the Landolt Ring,' was invented by the Swiss ophthalmologist, Edmund Landolt, in 1888It's great to be so detailed, but I don't want to get into all that right now, so please just explain the key points. One could go in and out through the gap in the table, making it easy to serve tea and materials to each person. In addition, a huge screen was installed at the end of the gap section so that everyone in the meeting could watch from any angle without having their view blocked.Since the meeting was to be held by the three major powers, it was decided that such a shape would be more suitable than simply facing each other. The gap section was located on the southern side. My group was seated on the northern side. I was in the true north seat, whileBenimaruwas in the northeast seat, and Rigurd was in the northwest seat.ShionandDiablowere standing behind me, as usual, without sitting down.On the Eastern side sat the Imperials.Masayukiwas seated due east, andVelgryndwas seated to his right in the east-northeast seat. His southern flank was occupied by GeneralCalgurioand Major GeneralMinits.JiwuandBerniewere not seated, but stood behindMasayuki. It was good to see that the two were in charge of the escort. It also meant that they had smoothly reconciled.On the Western side of the table wasGazeland his group, who had joined in urgently.Gazelwas in the seat due west. The northwest seat was occupied byDolph, the Commander of the Pegasus Knights, and the southwest seat was occupied byJaine, the court mage archwizard.Anrietta, the Head of the Night Assassins, andVaughn, the Admiral Paladin, did not take their seats, but stood and acted as guards.And so, just like this, the three forces faced each other. I looked around just in time to seeMasayuki, who's eyes seemed to be wandering around. His expression was exhausted, as if to eloquently say, Why am I in this situation?' But rest assured. I felt the same way. Because of this sense of closeness, I wanted to help him if anything happened.The moderator of the meeting,Testarossa, stood up and drew everyone's attention. She stepped to the center of the room and began the introductory remarks.Now, the time has come. It looks like everyone is here, so I would like to begin the meeting.After a bow,Testarossareturned to the southern side. There were chairs put there for her sit and rest when it was not her turn. I had asked her in advance to help me if there was trouble, so I was sureTestarossawould live up to my expectations.First of all, I would like to explain the purpose of this meeting. Because this is a high priority meeting without prior consultation, there may cases where unwanted remarks are made. In such a case, I would please ask you to remain calm and listen to the other side's arguments first, rather than becoming belligerent.At this time,Testarossapaused and looked at each of the participants to see their reactions. As the representative of my country in the Western States Council,Testarossawas very familiar with these situations. Hoping that this would go on smoothly until the end of the meeting, I continued to watchTestarossawith that desire.Let us begin by confirming the final objectives of this meeting. With the Imperial side, we would like to conclude an agreement to end the war. And with the Dwargon side, we would like to conclude a new treaty based on our future relationships with the Empire. Is that correct?No objections.Masayukilooked as if he wanted to say something, butVelgryndanswered before he could.Yes, I have no objection.At the same time,Gazelnodded gravely.I was a little late in response, but I didn't panic and opened my mouth.Since that's the case, let's examine the status quo firstthat all right with you guys?My tone of speech was a little odd, but who cares?I checked the reactions of both sides, while maintaining a natural expression.Masayukiwas looking at me with respect.Fufu, what a cute guy. That's right, I think I'm really amazing too. Because the people gathered here now are very important people from very important countries. In my previous life, I had never been to an event where one could meet a member of Parliament, let alone the prime minister. At most, I only met the staff from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism when they came to inspect the site. It was not really a kind of entertainment, but just a tour of the site. Back then, I had been nervous just to make small talk about something other than my work. And now, I'm the king. I was deeply moved just at the thought.Since there seems to be no objection, I will leave it toTestarossato explain. My remarks will follow later. If there are any questions or doubts, I will accept them and correct any mistakes. Now then, please explain.The meeting proceeded as planned. After asking for no interruptions, I left it toTestarossawho took over. She said this would help the conversation to proceed smoothly. KingGazel, who is my equal, EmperorMasayuki, andVelgrynd, the plenipotentiary agent, were also allowed to speak. Anyone else, however, would be punished for insulting the king's words. I felt a little indifferent about this, but if it would make thing easier, I had no complaints.Testarossabegan the explanation.With a few falsehoods mixed in, she described the battle on the airship thatGazeland the others may not have known about. Then I tried to tell them that EmperorRudrahad actually been taken over by the conscious will of a Skill. And before that, just as I had won the battle withVelgryndWait.Gazelobjected first.Huh? If you want to speak, please do so afterwardsThat's not the point!!Did I do something strange?Um, KingGazel, is there something wrong?I couldn't help but become meek and ask.Gazelstared at me while holding his head. Without saying a word, he then turned his gaze toVelgryndand opened his mouth solemnly.I know it's rude. But willVelgrynd-sama tolerate what KingRimuruhas just said?Quite unusually,Gazelwas speaking with honorifics. And he was even callingVelgryndwith -sama.' This seemed to be an attitude unbecoming of a king of a great nation. As I watched the situation unfold,Velgryndflashed a smile without getting angry.No problem, King of the Dwarves. You are very shrewd and thoughtful, a much better king thanRimuruover there.Rudrathinks very highly of you and had been talking about taking you under his wing ever since you became a Sword Saint. So I am also well aware of you and do not dislike you. No need to be so formal, just take it easy.Y-Yes! But no, you who are the guardian deity of the Empire, and one of the most powerful True Dragons, in publicYou don't need to worry about it. I won't do anything about it. You'reRimuru's friend, aren't you? In that case, I won't fight. After all, whatRimurusaid earlier was true. I was defeated by him.Well, that was surprising. I was expectingVelgryndto be like Veldora and claim that she hadn't lost to save face. But instead, she gracefully and easily admitted her defeat. I was surprised by this, but the others seemed more than just surprised.Geeee-eh?! WhVelgrynd-sama was defeated?!I can't believe it. The myth of the unbeatableThe Imperial congregation, who had been cultivated underVelgrynd's domination, had abandoned their previous silence and were now in turmoil.Wha?!H-Hey, are you serious?! You defeated that god-like existence who was undefeatable no matter the circumstance? I can't believe it, but if she admits it, then I guess it means you're not lyingDolph-san was in a daze, andVaughn-san couldn't seem to accept the reality.Anrietta-san was smiling at them and KingGazelfor some reason.Fufufu, I feel so refreshed because I don't have to report this time. If I had reported this story, people would have suspected that I was mentally ill.Isn't that disrespectful? Well, I wasn't going to stop her because it was a story from another country, and it felt like now was not the time to get into it. As I was observing from a distance,Jaine-san called out toGazel, who was contemplating with his head in his hands.Gazel-boy, and you guys too, all of you need to calm down. I'm not even surprised anymore. I already got tired and surprised by theprimordials, and by the time I saw the evolution festival, I understood that it was foolish to keep being shocked.It seemed GrandmaJainehad been enlightened. That's why she alone was able to get through this time calmly. The people on Dwargon's side came to their senses with those words. They were embarrassed and straightened their posture one by one. By the way, the reaction from our side wasWhat?! SoRimuru-sama has triumphed in the face ofVelgrynd-sama. Are we having a feast tonight?Rigurd really did find every opportunity to party. You didn't doubt my victory from the start, did you?Well, I thought that was the case. Or rather, I was watching it.This guy,Benimaru, actually said he was spying on me. Although it seems that someone overheard you.Benimaru, what do you mean? No way You didn't watchRimuru-sama fight with such majesty all by yourself, did you?N-No, it's not like that. It was my duty to confirm the status of the battle, so, just a littleHe seemed to be desperately trying to think of an excuse, but that was one ofBenimaru's weaknesses.Diablo, on the other handKufufufu. Oh,Shion, did you not see it? I'm sorry to hear that. It's quite a shame that you were unable to witness such a magnificent battle!Do not agitate her! Do not agitate her!! Was nobody better than this guy at harassing people?Testarossawas sighing in amazement, estimating that nobody could be as troublesome thanDiablo.Everyone, please remain calm.Testarossawas dumbfounded, but she had not forgotten her role. She saw the time for everyone to gradually quiet down, and raised her voice to calm the situation. If she had been one step behind,ShionandDiablomight have started a fight.Good job, I silently praised her.Now that everyone had regained their composure, the meeting continued.Testarossa, the moderator, signaled me to continue, so I did.Well, as mentioned previously, I defeatedVelgrynd-san and then questioned her about the situation in detail, at which point I discovered discrepancies in the story. It seemed to me that EmperorRudrawas not entirely himself, so I observedVelgrynd-san until I learned the terrible truth. I won't go into too many details, but it turns out that her thoughts were being dominated.' And the culprit was indeedMichael, the conscious will of EmperorRudra's Skill!I put on a smug look with all my might. Now came the good part. I grinned and was about to continueWait.Oh no, someone was talking again. Moreover, it was stillGazelthis time.Well, I'll deal with your questions later, soAs if to interrupt my words, or perhaps to calm himself down,Gazellet out a big sigh. Then, with his eyes fixed on me, he opened his mouth gravely.Listen,Rimuru. It's true that this attitude of mine is inappropriate, but, well, this is really not the time to worry about that.What do you mean?How can you leave out so many details?! A vicious Skill that can dominate evenVelgrynd-sama!how can that even exist?! And what was it you just said?! The will of a Skill?? I've never heard of such a thing!Jaine, do you know anything about this?I No, I've never heard of it either.Gazelwas desperately trying to keep his composure, but he still couldn't hide his exuberance. When asked byGazel,Jaine-san's response was sluggish, as if she was thinking too much about something. That said, it was strange that no one was complaining aboutGazel's attitude.Velgryndherself was smiling and seemed to be enjoying the situation. It seemed that as long asMasayukiwas around, nothing else was needed or interested her. As forMasayuki, he seemed to have already given up on understanding the situation. He was sitting in his chair in a very dignified manner, as if it was none of his business. By doing so, he seems to have been misunderstood byCalgurioand the rest of the empire, and in doing so had further increased his own reputation. But I guess he himself did not realize itAbout that, let's just tell say don't mind.'Benimaruand the others were also very interested. If I didn't want to say it, they wouldn't have pursued it, but in their hearts, they most likely still wanted to hear about it from me anyway. That was probably whyTestarossadid not stopGazeleither. However, she seemed to have sensed her lapse in judgment and was trying to manage the situation as if nothing had happened.Everyone, please remain calm. Regarding KingGazel's questionsAlthough I was impressed at how quickly she recovered, trying to remedy this situation was going to be difficult. I mean, I could just let it go, but I decided that it wouldn't hurt to explain.Okay. I'll explain.Rimuru-sama, is that all right with you?Yes. There are only a few important people from each country here anyway. I don't think they'll reveal the secret lightly, and even if they did, it wouldn't be a big deal.That's right. There was no particular problem about revealing the existence of the Manas. The only secret that I had to strictly keep was the existence ofCiel.I'm sorry,Rimuru. I appreciate you for doing this.Gazelbowed to me, expressing his gratitude. His tone had returned to that of a senior brother, as if he had given up trying to fix things. I felt much better and went straight into my explanation.Then I explained that as a result of EmperorRudra's exhaustion, the Ultimate Skill Justice KingMichael' that he had once possessed, had developed an ego, and had become the Manas'Michael. I disclosed its heinous powers to the best of my knowledge.Ultimate Skill? So you're saying that powers of the unique level will not work on someone who possesses itStrictly speaking, no. Skills vary in strength depending on the strength of one's will, so even at the unique level, there are skills that reach the ultimate level, though those are usually few and far between. In addition, special techniques Arts, which reflect the strength of will, may result in attacks that can reach the ultimate level. In my opinion, I thinkGazelKing could do it.Is that soAlso, magic is the same. Magic is both a Skill and an Art, so depending on the strength of the user's will, they may be able to defeat even the Ultimate Skill holders.JiwuandBernieshould understand what I'm saying, right?Those two had been defeated byDiablo, so they should be able to understand what I was talking about. When I asked them, they both nodded emphatically. As forDiablo, he had a sickeningly intoxicated expression on his face, so I didn't know what he was thinking. He definitely wasn't thinking anything good, and though I was tempted to say something to him, he was standing quietly for now, so I decided to just ignore it.Shionthen muttered, Then I guess I should acquire an Ultimate Skill as wellYou know, it's because it's not easy so easy to get that it's called the ultimate, right? But for some reason, I had the feeling thatShioncould do it. That seemed a little scary, so I stopped thinking about it.Well, that's pretty much how it is.Michaelhas special powers that allow him to have absolute control over the Angelic System of Skills. That is whyVelgrynd-san couldn't resist, and was at his mercy without even realizing it. It seems that LieutenantKondouwas also under the control of his Skill, though in the end, he broke free from the spell and entrusted his will to ourCarrera.What, even that information-feedingmonsterwasI can't believe it, but I'm not so foolish as to doubt His MajestyRimuru.I see, so then Damrada-samaYeah. I think he might have noticed that something was wrong with His Majesty the Emperor.Though not enough to interrupt what I was saying, there was a commotion from the Imperial side. This was an act that should not have been done, but it was too late to care about it now, so I would just ignore it and continue.As forMichael's purpose, this is also known. It is to resurrect his true master and creator, Veldanava. Nonsense!! The shouts overlapped, and it was difficult to tell who was speaking. No, actually I knew, but it wouldn't have helped to point it out.Knowing that it was all due toMichael's domination, I do not intend to hold the Imperial side responsible for the war. If they wish to continue to wage war against us in the futureI broke off at this point and glanced atMasayukiand the others.Masayukiremained completely unfazed. He was completely oblivious to the situation, to the point of being admirable.CalgurioandMinitswere smiling bitterly. There was no way they could win, and there was also no reason to fight anymore. They understood that, which was why they were reacting this way. Looks like things seemed okay.It does not seem to me that you have any such intention. I have also made peace withVelgrynd-san, so now it is necessary to establish a new leader now thatMichael, who was playing asRudra, has gone into hiding. That's what the meeting for today was about, so can you shed some light on that?I asked, dropping the topic toMasayukiand the others. In order to have a common understanding of the current situation, we needed to know what the future of the empire would be. That was whatGazeland the others were most concerned about, so I thought we should discuss it here, without hiding anything.However, this was also a gamble. Normally, when you hold a meeting like this, you are supposed to confirm not only your own ideas but also the opinions of the other side beforehand. Since we did not do so, we could not predict what kind of conclusion we would reach. I was told that this was normally not allowed to be done in discussions between countries.Testarossa, however, did not stop me. She laughed and said that it would not be a problem, so I stopped caring and went ahead with my honest talk. The result wasMinits.Yes! I,Minits, would humbly like to take this opportunity to explain. The current state of the Empire is that we have lost over two-thirds of our forces, and further war is impossible. We are willing to accept full and unconditional surrender, but there is one problem, and that is the absence of a supreme commander. As His MajestyRimuruhas just pointed out, the most important thing is to find a new leader. So today is the perfect opportunity to ask for the approval of our new Emperor.Minitssaid this without hesitation, bowed, and then looked at me andGazelin turn.Hmm, so that's how it was.Rimuru, I take it that my arrival today was exactly as you planned?Huh? Of course not.You got me. This isn't about the Empire and Tempest joining forces, it's about Tempest backing the new Emperor and building a solid foundation for the Empire. In that case, of courseWell, needless to say, Dwargon will be joining, so I guess I can expect something in return, can't I?Whoa, whoa, whoa. How did we go from talking about acknowledging the new Emperor to talking about building a foundation or some nonsense?KingGazel's words are very encouraging. Naturally, in return, we would like to live up to your expectations as much as possible within the limits of what is acceptable to both countries, so please rest assured.Minitsno, let's call himMinits-san. Unlike when he's fighting, he has the mannerisms of an effective politician. He's just as graceful, but he seems to be able to do everything with ease. I, on the other hand, am struggling to comprehend the situation. Nobody could see it because I wasn't sweating, but inwardly I was in a panic. Well, now thatGazelseems to have agreed, I was next.Benimaruand Rigurd glanced at me, so I nodded back, and opened my mouth.I also agree. And I promise to do my best to provide full support depending on the situation.I would just go with the flow. I was finally catching up to the situation. I had intended to helpMasayukifrom the beginning, but if I thought about it carefully, that would mean supporting him as a nation. If we could build a better relationship in the future by selling favors here, we would never have to go to war with them again. Well, even if things didn't go that well, we should be okay for the time being. All the rest can just be left to future generations, so the most important thing was the now.'Thank you very much. I'm sure that His Majesty the Emperor will be pleased to hear that.Minits-san bowed once again. You don't have to be so formal. Just get on with it.So, the new emperor isMasayuki-kun, right? Ah, then is it bad to call you that?KingRimuruOh, it's no problem at all. In fact, can I still call youRimuru-san?Ah,Masayuki, a friend of my heart!Of course,Masayuki-kun! It's so hard to understand what kinds of words to use in these situations, isn't it?Rimuru-san! I haven't been able to relax until just nowRimuru-san has never been as reliable as he is now!! These past few days, I've been feeling so suffocatedYes, I understand. You've been struggling all alone without help, haven't you?Velgrynddoesn't give a damn about the feelings of her subordinates. She probably wouldn't understand why you were so worried about such trivial things. The Empire's leaders must have been occupied with their own affairs. They must have been so busy with their own problems that they had no time to think aboutMasayuki's situation. That's probably why he wanted to talk to me, but it was a mistake to letShionsend the message. In fact, I really would have preferred to have had a private meeting with him to figure out what to do. I felt that way, and I'm sureMasayukifelt the same way too. But now that this all happened, it couldn't be helped anymore. I don't know anything about etiquette, so I'm just going to continue with what I want.May I have all your attention, please?Before anyone else could say anything, it wasTestarossawho spoke up.Our king,Rimuru-sama, would prefer the meeting to be more relaxed and casual. We may all have our own positions, but I'm sure we can understand each other's perspectives, so can we please agree continue the meeting more informally?Testarossalooked at everyone present with a smile as she said so. Nothing could be more reliable than that!Masayukilooked happy too.Gazelchuckled, and did not argue. Now that the kings had given their approval, there would be no objections from the subordinates. That was the end of the formal discussion, and now the real talks began.Geez, that really saved me. I was thinking of keeping silent the entire time.Yeah, I wanted to do that too, actually.Idiots. What is the leader of a country to do with that?Fufufufu,Gazel-boy says that, but he used to be the same way. Dignity and formality are things that can be mended over time with practice and experience.Jaine, you don't have to bring that up here.The tension disappeared in an instant, and it only took a moment to relax. It was probably becauseMasayukihad been appointed Emperor and we had already decided to back him up. All that was left was to work out the details, so there was no need for formal conversation. So, in a casual manner, I asked the question that had been bothering me the most.By the way, it's fine forMasayukito become Emperor, but will the Imperial people accept it? We're fine with it, but what about the people? Or are they subjects? Anyway, if the people don't agree, it's no good, right?Hearing that,Masayukinodded his head in agreement more enthusiastically than I would have liked.Of course! It's completely ridiculous, isn't it?!Ahem! Your Majesty, please calm down a little.Calgurioadmonished him, butMasayukiseemed to have no intention of letting the question go unanswered. It wasGazelwho came to his rescue.In the first place, what are you going to do about the bloodline issue? He does not share a single drop of blood with EmperorRudra, right? If you do not protect the royal line, the nobles will not be satisfied.That question was answered byVelgrynd.No problem. It is written in the imperial code that The person recognized byVelgrynd, the guardian dragon of the empire, is bothRudraand the Emperor.' Although many might think of this as a formality, it is the truth and the most important sentence.Minits-san came forward to endorse that statement.Yes. His MajestyRudrahas always reincarnated as the wife's first son, but in the long history of the empire, there have been arrogant people who have sought to replace their successors. The one who saw through them and punished them was the Marshal here,Velgrynd-sama.Of course it was bound to be exposed. Anyone who understood howRudra's reincarnation worked could easily tell the difference between the real one and an impostor. I don't even want to imagine how those people were punished. Even if I don't bother to ask, I'm sure it was horrible.Well, His MajestyRudrainherited the ego. Even ifVelgrynd-sama hadn't pointed it out, it would have revealed itself when he grew upI see, so once they've grown to the point where they're self-aware, it is easy to identify them.So, what about callingMasayukian illegitimate child?That's impossible,Rimuru-sama. The Senate hasRudra's records. Not only his blood type, but even his DNA. The mother can be faked, but it would be impossible to claimMasayuki-sama as the son of His MajestyRudra.Oops, so then the Empire's technology had advanced that far? I had thought it was a good idea, butMinits-san rejected it.Even so, I didn't realize that DNA testing existed in this worldWhat is DNA?That'sSinceGazelasked me, I would clarify. Next to him,Calgurioand the others were chatting.I hear it's a big deal because there were no precise ways to test it back then.That's true. Every time I was asked to make a decision, it was a pain in the ass.Well, wouldn't that be even worse? Now that the real person was gone, there was onlyMasayukithe reincarnated one who had lost his memory. It was difficult to prove that the soul' is real, so in other words, there was no way for others to recognizeMasayukias the true Emperor.In that case, wouldn't it be easier forMasayukito just imitateRudra, since they have the same face?We could use the emperor's privilege to cover up the inspection. Then we could find the opportunity to replaceRudra's records and be done with it.Rejected.I thought this was a good idea, butVelgryndrejected it.May I ask why?You haven't forgottenMichael's power, have you?Michael's energy comes from the loyalty of his subjects and followers ofRudra. So, wouldn't it be better to pretend that EmperorRudrais dead and take away that power?Oops? Of course, I remembered thatCorrect. It is pointless to just pretend he's dead, but if there is a new target of loyalty,Michael's power can be blocked. However,Michaelmight have anticipated this and changed the target of his power fromRudrato someone else.Well, he had already said something about killing all the subjects. If he was going to do that, then he would surely use someone I couldn't touch as an energy source. Or someone incredibly powerful.I'm sureMichaelwould have taken countermeasures, but it's safer to do it than to not. That way, we won't have to deal with the subjects.I'm sure you're right, so let's not worry about the details. Just announce thatMasayukiisRudrain my name. That way, no one will be able to resist.Velgryndwas very confident. But then again, that was to be expected. After all, she was theScorch Dragon, the guardian dragon of the empire. Besides, it made sense in light of the Imperial Code, which stated that the person approved byVelgryndwould become EmperorRudra. The approach would be tough, but as long as it wasVelgrynd's true statement, it couldn't be ignored.Is that okay with you,Masayuki-kun?Shouldn't it be fine?Well, how should I put itI felt that there shouldn't be a problem, but I would have to go with the flow.If you don't like itMasayuki, then there's no need to push yourself, okay?Wow,Velgrynd's smile was so gentlegentle to the point of being scary. That description was a contradiction in terms, but it's what I really felt.I'll do it. I'm being hailed as a hero anyway, so one more title won't matter.Masayukideclared; his eyes vacant as if he had reached enlightenment.Minits-san,Calgurioand the others were happy to hear this. They seemed to think that a new symbol and leader was absolutely necessary for the future survival of the Empire. I, too, thinkMasayukiis the right man for the job, and with his Skill, he would be able to gain the absolute support of the people.So then, the way forward is to installMasayukias the new Emperor and move to solidify the claim, right?When I confirmed this, everyone other thanMasayukisharply nodded their heads in agreement.Masayukinodded reluctantly in agreement.Masayuki, despite his appearance, was a responsible person. Once he took on the task, I knew he would carry it through to the end.Understood. Then we will announce our approval. I will also promise to immediately release the Imperial officers currently held as prisoners of war in our country. We will not hold them responsible, but we will still withhold compensation. What do you think? We can discuss compensations at a later date, afterMasayukihas ascended to the throne as the new Emperor.Thank you very much.Thank you for your generosity. I'm grateful.Just when I thought everyone had approved,Gazelhad something more to say.I have no objection to this approach either, but I do have one question.Masayuki-dono, you may be aHero, but you are about to become an Emperor. So I would like to ask you, what principles do you intend to use to unite your peopleyour subjects?Gazelstared atMasayukiwith a piercing gaze that seemed to see through everything.Masayukiflinched at the aura, but looked at me as if troubled, then opened his mouth.Uhhhmm? Creating a world where people can live with laughtersomething like that, right?I laughed when I heard that. Because he was thinking the same way I did.Yeah, that's the most important thing!That's right! I knewRimuru-san would say that!!Of course,Masayuki-kun. Alas, when I told this toRudra, he only made fun of me for being young and naive, and I was worried that I had been mistaken. But now I can rest assured. It looks like I was right the whole time.Great! I've never been good at politics either, so I wasn't confident about anything. But now, I can be an emperor with pride.Right. Let's do our best together!Yes, I look forward to working with you!!With that,Masayukiand I laughed loudly together. There were different reactions to those who were watching us.DiabloandShionhad a look of intoxication.Velgryndsmiled kindly.CalgurioandMinitswere smiling half-heartedly.Gazellooked up helplessly at the sky.That's enough!Fufufu, I understand your concern,Gazel, but these people have no ambitions. But they're amateurs, that's for sure, so you'll just have to guide them, and make sure they stay on the right path.I know. I'm just thinking about how difficult it will be to guild these people who talk about politics with such naive idealism.Gazelgave another big sigh after saying that. After all,Gazelwas always worried about us like this.Well, don't worry so much, I'm studying too, so it'll be fine!Not onlyGazel, but also Vesta and El-tanwere teaching me, so I would probably be fine.Really?It was just in my spare time, but it was still true. If he was still worried about this, then I would reassure him a little more.In the first place, I'm not planning to get too involved in politics.Masayuki, you should just letMinits-san and the others handle the actual work.You're right! That's actually what I was planning to do, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea. Now I feel much better about it.Masayukiand I laughed together once again.Well, do whatever you want. You're not alone. You can take responsibility and grow with your comrades. If possible, I will help you too.Gazelstill had his head in his hands, but he was finally convinced. No, he may not have been fully convinced, but he was still willing to support us in the long run. And so the meeting proceeded.As for me, I have no objection to the approach decided at this meeting. If the eastern lands are stabilized, our country will also be at peace. I will help with the reconstruction near the border as much as I can.Thank you!Thank you, KingGazel.And just like that, things worked out beautifully.From this day on, history books of future generations would record this day as the appearance of the savior EmperorMasayukiRudraNam Ul NascaAnd thus, the plan had been set. At this point, we would take a break and have lunch. Because the atmosphere was already relaxed, the meal proceeded in a friendly manner. Today's lunch was kaiseki cuisine.Although we were in the middle of a break, we were still in the middle of a meeting, so we chose a menu that could properly entertain the dignitaries.Shunahad prepared it with great care.Everyone used chopsticks.Gazelhad mastered it a long time now, and the chopstick culture was widespread in the empire, making us feel at ease to prepare the food Japanese style.As always, the food here is delicious.It makes me want to drink.Be more restrained,Vaughn! Even if it's informal, we still have an important meeting to attend.You're such a serious man,Dolph.Rimuru-sama?Yeah. I'd like some sake too, butI nodded and glanced atShuna. She gave a smiling face. Yup, it's impossible.We'll have to hold back for now and do our best for the rest of the meeting.Vaughn-san, you should learn fromDolph-san and be more serious!Hahaha, that's harsh. Then can I count on you for this evening?HeyOf course you can, rightBenimaru?Yeah. Let's take out our secret stash of black liquor and have a party!Oh, that sounds good!Benimaru-dono has good taste too.Hahaha, I heard thatdemonsare famous for their love of alcohol.What?Shunadrinks alcohol too?Benimarusaid something surprising while I was casually ignoring the gossip. To my surprise, he said thatShunadrank alcohol. The truth isBrother, I only try it occasionally. Please do not lump me in withShion.Oh, so she does drink. I had thoughtShunawas underage, but I guess age didn't matter to amonster.Hahaha, sorry, sorry.Shuna-sama! I don't drink that much either!That's a lie. As far as I know,ShionandAlvisare the best drinkers in the world.Benimarualso knew about this, so he smiled bitterly at it. I didn't imagineBenimaruto be a drinker, but I guessAlviswas his wife too. In that case, he might have been drinking with his wife, turning him into a strong drinker. Once you get used to it, it becomes something you start to enjoy. Just do it in moderation. Don't just drink alcohol to get drunk. I thought I should remind myself and others to enjoy in moderation.The luncheon would have continued as light and pleasant, but suddenly, someone burst into tears. All eyes were drawn to the person, wondering what was going on. It wasCalgurio.What's wrong, sir? Is the food not to your liking?Shuna, who had rushed over toCalgurio, asked while comforting him.Calgurioopened his mouth to reply.No, please excuse me. I just remembered something. I know it might be ridiculous for a military man to say this, but I sacrificed many men because of my foolish plan. Yet I am savoring this delicious meal knowing they will never return. I'm sorry, it was my faultFarage, Gaster, and Zamud I'm sorry I'm so sorry.This guy is a crying drunk, isn't he? I hadn't served him any alcohol, but it seems that he got drunk from just the atmosphere. Still, I guess this was a good time.Testarossa.Yes. I've already sent word toMossand summoned those men.As expected of her. Before I could even give the order,Testarossahad already read my intentions and acted upon them. Then, in less than five minutes, dozens of men had showed up to the venue.Your MajestyRimuru, Zamud is here upon hearing your call!The people who came were the same people thatCalguriohad just mentioned, including Major General Zamud and his subordinates. They seemed to have come running as fast as they could, their faces bright red with sweat. Despite this, they desperately struggled to formulate their words in order to greet me. Zamud and these people had actually died once. They were aboard the emperor's flagship airship, and were caught up inTestarossa's nuclear magic: Death Streak,' which wiped out their bodies along with their lives. However, the amazing thing aboutTestarossawas that she remembered that I had received a plea fromCalguriofor Zamud and the others' lives, so she recovered their souls before the magic took effect.It all became possible becauseRimuru-sama allowed me to evolveShe was so humble saying such things, but from my point of view, I was just grateful for her memory. And so, I took the souls of Zamud and the others fromTestarossaand had them dwell in an Emulated Soul, establishing them in artificial human bodies homunculi.Youaren't you Zamud?! I heardVelgrynd-sama say that you were all dead, but you're still alive!It's true though. I really doubt they could have survived the Death Streak,' so was itTestarossawho saved him?That's right,Velgrynd-sama.Rimuru-sama is a compassionate man.Yeah, I have no doubt about that.Very wise.Ufufufu, OhohohoThe two were talking while smiling at one another.I felt a little scared, so I gently took my eyes off the scene. Zamud and the others had joinedCalgurioand were congratulating each other on their safety. As forFarage-san, it's unfortunate, but I wasn't all-powerful either, so I hoped they would forgive me. And if they felt sorry for the death of someone close, then please don't ever engage in such a foolish act of war again. A defensive war may be unavoidable, but a war of aggression is the essence of foolishness.I understand that the world was not just a pretty place, but I still couldn't help thinking so. Those in power should consider whether or not war was really necessary, putting their own families on the scale. I hoped that they would aim to eradicate barren conflict through dialogue as much as possible. This I did not say aloud, but prayed for it in my heart.After the lunch break, the meeting resumed at 3 in the afternoon. In the morning session, the general plan had been decided. The afternoon session was scheduled to reconfirm them and discuss the sharing of responsibilities.Now then, allow me to reconfirm. First, the Armed Nation of Dwargon.Testarossabegan the session. Then, she listed the topics in need of confirmation. The first step was for Tempest and Dwargon to jointly approve the accession of the new Emperor. Then, in the name of the new EmperorMasayuki, they would declare the end of the war and establish the Tripartite Alliance. In this way, a framework different from that of the Western States Council would be created.Dwargon's role was to rebuild the area near the border together with the Empire, including the roads and buildings in the vicinity. To a lesser extent, this also included providing relief to the victims involved in the war. Trust would come after trust was earned.With that momentum, the construction of the railroad to the Imperial Capital would begin. We decided to accomplish this difficult task while rebuilding the road that theMagic Tank Divisionof the Empire had cut in the foothills of the Canaat Mountains. A team of leaders from our country would also be dispatched to work with thedwarfengineers to complete the project.When themagitraincame through, logistics would be streamlined, and people would be able to come and go as they pleased. We would be entering into a new era of development. When I dream of that day, I can't stop from feeling excited. Once again, I confirmed my preference to make constructive plans. So, what are the roles of our Jura Tempest Federation?Our main responsibility was to provide full support toMasayuki. We would sendTestarossato set up an embassy in the Empire. The goal was to dispel the old mindset of the empire and make it feel as if a new era had arrived. The subjects of the Empire had never been defeated in war before. They had never apologized to another nation for their mistakes, even when they were hurt by Veldora. Perhaps this speaks toRudra's greatness, but that was also a reason why the subjects of the Empire might not be able to accept this defeat.Those who had lost loved ones would understand the pain. However, it was likely that those who were just sitting on their laurels at home would demand another war from a safe position. They would focus only on the benefits to be gained and be insensitive to the pain of others. It is highly likely that they would not be pleased withMasayuki's opposition to war. WithVelgryndaround, there was no point in directly interfering, butthey might interfere behind the scenes while showing reverence on the outside, which would be a very troublesome thing. It was up toMinitsto persuade the nobles, andCalguriowould be in charge of the military. However, I was worried that the two of them were not strong enough to deal with the cunning old underbelly of society.Velgryndhad casually suggested, Why don't I just kill them all?' but we could not let her do such a thing. In an empire of dwindling talent, there was no way they could afford to reduce the number of human resources any further. We would have to use such troublesome people to our advantage. The road ahead was a difficult, thorny path, but I had come to the conclusion in the last few days that we had no choice but to try. That is whereTestarossacomes in.With the help ofMoss, our agent with a hell of an ear, we could sweep away the schemes of the malicious in one fell swoop. Even those who are troublesome when swarmed together may become cooperative if we threateer, no, persuade them by grasping their individual weaknesses. The Western States Council was now settled to the point whereCienalone could handle it, so it was decided thatTestarossawould be transferred. It was also decided thatVenomwould continue to accompanyMasayukias his bodyguard.I'll be borrowing some of your family members, is that okay?Kufufufu, no problem. If it is for the good ofRimuru-sama, please do not hesitate to use them.I had nothing to say about this. As forDiablo, it was too tiring to dig into it.Unlike the morning discussion, the afternoon was livelier. After the problems that the Imperial side had put together were disclosed, everyone discussed them to come up with countermeasures. It was a very meaningful time.We, as members of the Empire, will never forget the kindness you have shown us.Hey now, we are still in the planning stages. We're just starting to make things happen. If you want to thank me, wait until the project is completed.Hahaha, the project, huh? I'm no match for Your MajestyRimuruthat this national challenge can be described in one word.Minits-san was smiling. But there was a gleam in his eyes, and my words seemed to have ignited his will to fight. I'm glad that he was motivated. In this way, we reached an agreement on the plan, but there was still a problem that we should not forget. It wasGazelwho mentioned it.So,Rimuru. Let me ask you the most important question. Can you win?It was trueMichaelandFeldway, and their menthere was a threatening enemy out there, watching us with an eagle eye.Honestly, I can't guarantee that I'm going to win, but I'm definitely not going to lose.Well, it's you after all, so no matter what method is used, I'm sure you'll do whatever it takes to turn those words into something real.Even overestimated.Hmph! To be honest, when I sawVelgrynd-sama's strength, I was prepared for defeat and death. I knew she was strong, but I didn't expect her to be that powerful.VaughnandDolph-san nodded in agreement atGazel's frank confession. Well, I thought it was over too when I sawTestarossaand the others collapse. After that, because I was so angry, I got over my fearor rather, I felt like it was over before I realized it, and thinking back on it now, I wonder how I even managed to win.But well, I haveCielnow. And Veldora andDiabloand the others. It was reassuring to know that I'm not alone.I never thought I'd lose to a slime either, but now I'm grateful. I don't think that even Velzard-nee can beatRimuru.Velgrynd, not offended byGazel's words, said this quite matter-of-factly. I doubted that I could defeat Velzard-san, who had beaten Veldora one-sidedly, but I was pretty sure thatVelgryndwas speaking from the heart.I'm also embarrassed by your high opinion of me.Don't be modest. Your victory over me was not by luck, but by sheer strength. Moreover, you won overwhelmingly, so what are you talking about?Velgryndwas not ashamed of her defeat, because it was in the past for her. I think she had overcome it now and accepted it honestly. It was people like that who scared me the most, and I secretly raised my alert level onVelgrynd. From here, it was time to talk seriously about my own thoughts.The reality is that we don't know what the enemy's true strength is, and we cannot predict how they'll react. Regardless of their purpose, I'm curious about their aim, or rather, what kind of methods they will use.As I said this, I projected several people onto a giant screen.These are the enemies that invaded the labyrinth this time. Their existence values are roughly equivalent to three million, which is a high level of strength even compared to the leaders of our country. They're such a nasty opponent that I think it's best to avoid fighting them one-on-one.After I said that, I disclosed all of the information I knew. Then, as if to add to my story,Velgryndsaid.I eliminated this one, but I have a word of advice. These people are the ones who used to help Brother Veldanava in ancient times, and they are as nasty as theprimordials. Their bodies are currently still sealed, and all those who appeared in the labyrinth were just a weakened Split Body.' They can't be defeated by ordinary means, so you'd better be on your guard.Hearing that put one at a loss for words. BecauseVelgrynd, the one who said such a thing, had already destroyed one of them so easily.That is the effect of the Dimension Leap' inVelgrynd's power.Velgryndherself can only leap towards the mark ofRudra's soul fragment, but she should have no problems firing her technique towards the mark.I see In other words,Velgryndtraced the connection betweenCornu's Split Body' and his main body, and destroyed both of them together.That's right. If it is a Spacetime Continuous Attack' that can transcend time and space, then there is no way to escape it, even if the being is a Parallel Existence.'Seriously, that's messed up. I mean,Velgryndwas just too good. I didn't know how much experience she had accumulated, but she was now perfectly in control of her own powers. She was already powerful before, but now she had become even stronger. Veldora was so happy to learn Parallel Existence,' but this turned out to be completely pointless. I wonder if Veldora knew about this I felt a little sorry for him.I wasn't the only one who didn't know how to react. The Imperials andGazel's group were also pondering carefully overVelgrynd's words. The Empire still had a trump card withVelgrynd. They could rely on her, but the problem was Dwargon.We can't win, huh?That's right. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do.Vaughn!But it's true. There's no point in trying to look good, so why don't we just have an honest discussion and think about countermeasures?Uh, no, you're right, butbutVaughnis right. We can't win against them anyway, but we should still have a plan for when we do encounter them. So, Your MajestyRimuru, based on the goals of you,Michael, and the Phantom King, do you think Dwargon will also be involved?Hmm, it's unlikely, right?It probably doesn't matter. It's not that it's safe, it's just that it's a lower a priority.Hmm. So because the enemy's goal is to resurrect their God Veldanava, they don't care about Dwargon anyway, correct?I don't mean to be rude, but I suppose.It's okay. As a warrior, I am unhappy, but as a king, I am relieved.Gazelfinished and smiled bitterly.So, by that measure, is the enemy serious?Kufufufufu. Do they think that by harnessing the power of Veldora-sama and Velzard-sama, the resurrection of Veldanava-sama will be accomplished? All I can say is that it's a stupid idea.In the first place, Veldanava-sama is immortal. To resurrect him through human power is beyond foolishness.Diabloscoffed, andBenimaruwas indignant. It is a mystery as to why Veldanava has not been resurrected, but it is still true that the True Dragon race is immortal. I also agreed with the opinion that we should just leave it alone, left unspeakable.But if that's the case, won't the Dragon Princess be targeted as well?Calguriopointed out sharply. Indeed, Milim had inherited Veldanava's power, so it would not be surprising if she was targeted. This question was answered byVelgrynd.That possibility cannot be denied, but to mess with my brother's beloved would be to put the cart before the horse. It's possible for them to simply want to take his power, but if they sincerely wish for his resurrection, then I'd like to think they wouldn't do anything that would offend him.Well, Milim was strong, and she didn't seem to have an Ultimate Skill of the Angelic System. Plus withKarion-san and Frey-san having awakened, I didn't think we would need to worry too much about her. SinceVelgryndthought things were okay, it would probably be enough just to warn them. However, there was something else that bothered me.In that way, doesn't it sound like Veldanava was unconcerned about his siblings?You're pretty rude.Velgryndlooked at me, seemingly more speechless than annoyed.Uh, I'm sorry. I'm an honest person, so I justWell, it's fine.Lucky.Velgrynd's generosity saved my life. I would reflect on this and be careful on what I said in the future.It doesn't matter. A True Dragon thinks differently than the rest of those who have an end in sight. The same goes for Velzard-nee, who has destroyed Veldora over and over again in the name of education. So, perhaps they are planning to wait for the resurrection of Brother Veldanava before releasing our power.Yes, that made sense. They think he'll be resurrected after he's eaten, just like I did. In doing so, the memories would be inherited, so whether or not the personality would change was simply not a matter of concern.In other words, Milim-sama is not indestructible because she is not a True Dragon species. If you kill Milim-sama, you will incur the wrath of the resurrected Veldanava-sama.Testarossasummed up whatVelgryndhad said. Perhaps, I think that's the right way to look at it.All right, then, let's just warn Milim, too.I said as such, andVelgryndnodded. Then she turned toMasayuki, who was sitting next to her.You look like someone else, butMasayuki, you're definitely a target, so you have to be very careful, okay?Eh?! They're not giving up yet?Your Majesty Unlike here in the labyrinth, you can't come back from the dead in the Empire! You must be more aware of this and take better care of yourself.We will do everything in our power to protect Your Majesty, but the other party is still our opponent. Your Majesty yourself must be more aware of this.O-Okayuh, I mean, I understand.Masayuki's lame-ass reply brought the afternoon's discussions to an end.Dinner was sumptuous. It was a full course meal of Italian cuisine. We started with a soup of beetsrather, a vegetable similar to beetsfollowed by gizzard confit. After zeppolines, we were served couscous with various vegetables and a lightly roasted medium-fatty Spearhead Armored Fish. Everything was absolutely divine, but it didn't stop there. Savory panna cotta with prawn, battleship fish involtini, and spaghetti with fortress crabs were added to the superb menu. As I took a break with the mushroom risotto, the seafood soup arrived.The soup, from which the extracts of all the seafood of the day had been extracted, was a wonderful dish that changed flavor with each sip. The soup was made by simmering various soups for more than half a day and mixing them together. It was no exaggeration to say that this dish was made by the thoughtfulness of the chefs, and it was a hidden masterpiece that could be eaten only once a year.And finally, the main dish of the day. It was a veal deer fillet steak. I cut it gently with a knife and placed it in my mouth. The tender meat melted before I could even finish biting into it.Delicious. Seriously, it's so delicious!As soon as we finished eating,Benimaruand I gave each other a high five. There was no need to exchange words, and that was enough. Normally, we would have a lively conversation during the meal, but everyone was quiet today. I felt that this was a sign of satisfaction. When the white wine yogurt was served for dessert, everyone finally started to talk about their impressions.What is this deliciousness?! As an imperial aristocrat myself, I was proud to have tasted countless gourmet foods, but this is truly something else!!I understand. Even as a prisoner of war, I always looked forward to eating here, and I've never felt more blissful than I do today. Thank you, Your MajestyRimuru!To be honest, if I can eat like this, I'd be happy to be Emperor.I've also learned how to cook, but this is impossible for me. There's nothing wasted, and the food has been thoughtfully prepared with the eater in mind.The Imperials were raving about it. Dwargon's side was not to be outdone.Rimuru, it seems that your cooking has improved here.Shuna-dono, was it? I'd like to invite you to my country to teach us a few recipes.That's true. I prefer drinking to eating, but this is different. The portions small enough that it makes you want to eat more. It's all very well-thought-out.No, I don't think it's calculated, but I agree that I wanted to eat more of each dish.Hah! It was so delicious, I almost left for the next world.What do you mean,Jaine-dono? You're the one who's eating everything.What are you talking about,Anrietta? You're eating the same amount of food as I am!What? Even if you notice something like that, it's good manners not to point it out!Basically, it seems that people were satisfied as long as the drinks are good, so I wanted to make them happy with the food as well. Thanks toShunaand the others, I was able to achieve that goal this time. Incidentally,ShionandDiablowere in normal operation even in such a situation.Diablowas serving us, pouring us drinks, andShionwas standing upright as a guard. But I know.Shunatold me secretly thatShionwas always eating and drinking in the name of poison testing. This time, she even took another bite to eat, so I didn't have to worry that she might get hungry.We took a moment of relaxation after dinner. The location changed to the common room, and we all enjoyed chatting over a cup of coffee. While we were chatting about the food and other small talk,Gazelsuddenly spoke to me.By the way,Rimuru, there's something that's been bothering me.Yes, what is it?It's something you did.Umwhat??Benimaru-dono and the other executives thereyou're the one who made them evolve, right?Ah, yes.Ah, that's a sign towards being reprimanded. I wish he'd stop saying things out of the blue like that. I don't think I'll get hit, but at least give me some time to think of an excuse beforehand. I was prepared, butGazelsmiled and continued.Don't be so nervous. I'm not angry. I paled whenJainetold me about it, but now I understand that it was necessary.Yes, I suppose it was.Phew.I was relieved that he didn't seem upset.But explaining it to the rest of the world will be tricky, won't it?What do you mean?Whatyou haven't thought of that? The Western Nations, theWestern Holy Church,Sarion, and the rest of the human world must have been paying attention to this war. Even if we declare the end of the war, we still need to explain the process.I was just going to fake it, butThey wouldn't believe me even if I explained things seriously, but as long as I shut up and didn't say anything, nobody would know that my friends had evolved into awakeneddemon lords. I thought I could get away with it as long as the deception went well.Well, that should be fine for the West. Blumund and others might have doubts, but the rest of the world is too peaceful. Some of them may be suspicious, but they won't be able to stand up to Tempest, who is becoming an ally. You won't be bullish, right?In that case, there nothing wrongHowever! That woman' can't be fooled. She will definitely demand a formal explanation. What are you going to do?Uh, that woman?' Ah, he meant her!Oh, you mean El-tan? That's okay. I already told her.Elmesia-san was also worried about the war, and she andMyourmiles-kunand I had talked about it. In the worst case, she said they were considering accepting refugees. The three of us,Myourmilesand Elmesia-san and I, had a means of emergency communication as the conspiracy trio known as the three drunk sages.' It was a high-performance magic tool, compact and foldable. Put quite simply, it was a cell phone.Inspired by Clayman's Skill, it used long distance radio signals and geomagnetism for encrypted communication, and was capable of making long distance calls without being interrupted by magic. However, because the materials used were all rare, the price per unit was incredibly high. Since they could not be distributed even to the executives, one could understand just how valuable these were. With this, I was able to communicate directly with Elmesia-san. So, before the party started, I sent a message to her saying, We won,' along with a victory report. El-tan's reply was, Ok, I'm relieved. I'll listen to you properly next time, so I'll come over to play again, haha.' So, there was nothing forGazelto worry about. And yetEl-tan?!Gazelshouted at the top of his lungs. And now he was staring at me with a look of disbelief.Huh?Was there anything surprising in what I just said?Don't be stupid! How did you get so close to that Emperor?!Oh, that. Well, I'm pretty good at that kind of thing. No matter how difficult someone is, you can always start with a conversation. And the most important thing is to have a good understanding of what the other person wants to say. In the past, when I was working as a supervisor at a construction site, there were nearby residents who always made absurd complaints. However, by listening to them calmly, the problems were able to be solved surprisingly easily.Of course, there are also times when there is nothing one can do. In those cases, just listening is good enough. Always keep listening. By doing so, the other person will feel closer to you, convinced that you can understand them, and gradually accept you. That, or you can just bide your time and wait for the problem to be solved.In this case, there's no need to do anything in particular, just listen to the complaints and keep the conversation going. This makes the other person feel more intimate, and it's overall a similar process. In this way, what was most important in my outlook of life was the way I treated others, and the way I communicated with them. I had felt the same way when meeting Elmesia-san, and before I knew it, we had become friends. Could it have been the alcohol?I've forgotten about that kind of thing. Forgetting things that aren't beneficial to you is a good way to live. Of course, it's also very important to reflect on your mistakes so that you don't make them again. It's a difficult thing to do, and I'm still learning.Well, how I did it is a secret, but we're good friends now, anyway.I'm not stupid enough to tell him about my drunken mistakes at the bar. That's what I said, but it seems thatGazelwas not convinced.Rimuru, the Emperor ofSarionis a difficult person to meet, and waiting for an audience normally takes several months. Even if I apply from Dwargon, it takes half a year. That woman has a long lifespan, so a month is like a day in her eyesand yet you're acting like it's easy to contact her?!Uh.Yes, that's right, Your MajestyRimuru!Sarionis also very important to our Empire. I did not expect this level of a connectionEvenCalgurioand the others joined in on the conversation. When I asked them about it in detail, they told me that the Empire consideredSarionto be its greatest threat. It was speculated that they had a number of magical weapons that were yet to be seen, and that they had intended to save attackingSarionfor last. Listening toCalgurioandMinits-san's explanation,Gazelnodded in agreement.Even in the Western Nations, there were many nations that recognizedSarion's complexion, however, it was natural for them to react that way becauseSarionwas considered a military power that could swallow up the Western economic zone all on its own. And the ease with which I was able to have a direct conversation with the leader of such a great power without an appointmenteven if I didn't know much about it, it really was a bit hard to believe. But that said, it was all true.A-Ahahaha, well, you know, this? I guess I was lucky.Hmm, it is only natural forRimuru-sama.That's right! Rather, it is the other party who should be grateful for their luck!DiabloandShionpraised me from the sidelines, but I wished they would keep their mouths shut. SeeingGazelsigh deeply made me think it even more so. However,Minits-san unexpectedly seemed to agree withShionand the others.Well, if she saw through His MajestyRimuru's true value, then indeed the emperor's reaction is understandable.Calgurionodded in agreement.That's right. That fearsome Celestial Empress would be able to pull off something like that without a second thought. Our empire has always thought that the country's magical warriors would not move out. If that had been the emperor's intention, she would have targeted our home country whileRimuruand the others were at a disadvantage. It was a close call.He was much more wary ofSarionthan I thought he would be. I was quite relieved that we were getting along well because I hadn't expectedSarionto be such a dangerous country. El-tan had invited me to come visit next time, so I would be sure to pay her a visit and learn more about things then.I'm sure this information was also kept secret, but how far did the Intelligence Bureau getNo. Unfortunately, I hadn't heard of this either. Well, it's still a long time ago for me, so perhaps I just forgot.Velgryndwas happily denyingMinits-san's statement. She seemed to be very vindictive, and I was pretty sure she remembered everything, even if it was a long time ago.Oh, is there something you want to say to me?N-No, it's nothingScary, it's like she read my mind. This kind of person is dangerous, so I would try not to offend them. Even so, I was shocked that they were so surprised by my connection with Elmesia-san. This was I guess it was best to keep the fact thatMyourmiles-kunwas also a comrade a secret between us. With everything from the Three Drunk Sages' going on, it would be better to be careful about letting things slip. I made a secret vow to do so, and the night continued on.The next morning,Gazeland his group left.Calgurioand the rest of their group, in accordance with the agreed plan, began to prepare for their return. The work was still in progress, but the construction would be handed over toAdalmann's men. There were some who wanted to stay in the country, but they were persuaded to give priority to the stability of the empire first before thinking about immigration. In less than a week, the preparations were completed, and they were scheduled to depart.In this way, the remaining problems were identified, countermeasures were devised, and the status quo was confirmed. There were no problems on the Imperial side. We would just have to wait for word fromTestarossa, taking a wait-and-see approach, until the situation changed.The Dwarven Kingdom was a bit worried. If a seraph-level enemy appeared,Gazeland the others would have a difficult time. However, the city of Dwargon, which was like a natural fortress, was equipped with multiple magical defenses. It wouldn't be easy to break through them, so they could just contact us whenever something happened. I had also givenGazela cell phone, so he could use it in the case of an emergency.And one more thing. I decided to sendAgeraover toGazel's side.Gazelhad told me that he wanted to re-train himself.Agerahad also asked to go out for a while to calm his mind. He said he had a lot to worry about and mull over.Carrerahad no hesitation in saying thatAgeracould do as he pleased. As for me, knowingAgera's situation, I was at a loss as to how to respond. I accepted the suggestion, thinking that time was of the essence here. With this, even Dwargon could withstand an endurance battle. Of course, it would be best if nothing went wrong, but if something did happen, they could still manage.The Kingdom ofFarmenas, whereYoumand the others were, had also been dealt with.DiablosentGadrato explain the situation. He hadn't had a private meeting with me, so he had left two days ago.Gadraalso had a role as a guardian of the labyrinth, but there was noDemonColossus.There was not even a remnant of the wreckage, so we had to build it from scratch. The researchers seemed to have rejoiced because there were some new functions they were excited to try. It was not easy on my wallet to pay for the materials, but I asked them to make a satisfactory product since the government treasury would be paying for it this time. Since there was still some time before the completion of the project, it was agreed that he would stay inFarmenasfor the time being.As for the Kingdom of Blumund and the Western NationsCienwas there, and I also sentZondafor support. Thedemonsare basically capable of Spatial Transportation,' so they should be able to handle most situations. To be honest, I didn't think it made strategic sense to target us from these locations, so I didn't plan to take any further measures. I didn't think so, but if the enemy ever committed an act of human genocide,Guywouldn't stand for it.He wouldn't want the human race to perish, so he would be sure to take action. And then there wasLuminas. If the situation was not serious enough forGuyto make a move,Luminasand theHoly Knight Orderwould take care of the situation.The Three Drunk Sages' had been informed of the situation, so Glenda and the others would be working behind the scenes. Depending on the situation, we decided that we could do something by stalling for time. Incidentally, I had also given Glenda a cell phone. It wasn't for personal use, but just as a means of communication between theThree Drunk Sagesand us. Because of this phone, we could respond immediately if something happened. So it was just a matter of settling down and waiting for word from the Western Nations.And nowThe question that remained was whether or not there would be any unintended traitors.Regarding that, it is probably useless to think about itNo, no, it's not useless. There is a big difference between being prepared and not being prepared in the case of an emergency. And so, while in the office, I began to think about the things that mattered most, while looking over the reports of the damage in each area. I toldGazeland the others to watch out for anyone who had awakened an Angelic Ultimate Skill, buthe had looked at me with a face that seemed to have lost its expression. Then, quietly, he saidListen,Rimuru. In the first place, the Ultimate Skill is a secret. It is only a tradition that mentions that one was acquired byGranDwargo-sama, the firstHeroKing of the dwarves, yet it is so important that its authenticity is unknown. Not many people know if it was true, not evenVaughnandDolph! And yet, youdon't talk to me like it's just normal to have them!'Yeah. In the end, I was scolded, but I was told that this was the common sense of the world. In other words, the number of people who even knew about the existence of Ultimate Skills was extremely small. The reality is that there was currently no way to find out if anyone possessed an angelic type among them. It was too much to worry about, so I decided to ignore it.Or at least I did. When I calmed down and reconsidered the situation, I realized that there were some people who were unexpectedly close to me. At the very least,GuyandLuminaswere certain to have one.Leon's strength was also extraordinary, so I think he might have one as well. I didn't know aboutDagruel, but evenDinohad one, so I think it was better to assume that he had one. Oh, speaking ofDagruelI recall thatLuminas, from what she had heard about the future from Chloe, said thatDagruelwould take advantage of the Empire to start a war. However, that didn't seem to be the case this time. Was there a reason for this, or was he being influenced by someone? If it wasMichael's doing, then we could take countermeasures. I think we needed to have a proper discussion about this. What about Milim?Maybe it's just that I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was something. I'm sure Milim would tell me what was going on, and I'm also curious aboutKarionand Frey-san's conditions. I should go and talk to them. Just as I was thinking about all this'Can you hear me? We are having a Walpurgis right now. I know it's sudden, but I need everyone to attend. That is all.Suddenly, a voice echoed in my head. Ratherthis wasI turned my gaze to my fingertips and saw a ring shining at the base of my right pinky finger. It was a ring I had forgotten I was even wearing. It was thedemon lord's ring that I had received when I became ademon lord. That is to say, the voice coming out belonged toGuy. I hadn't used it at all until now, so I must have forgotten that it had such a function. No, this was not the time to be thinking about these things.Shion, go getShuna.Yes!I looked atDiabloasShionran off happily.It'sGuy. It seems that we'll be holding a Walpurgis right now.Oh, it's not likeGuyto do things without prior notice. It's a bit incomprehensible thatGuypersonally contacted someone in the first place.That's what bothered me, too.Guywas a prideful man who was always calm in his way. It was to the point that even his men were not allowed to talk to him I had a bad feeling about this.I was told that you wanted to see me. I am here.Rimuru, it's a big deal! Something definitely must have happened ifGuyactually contacted us himself!!Shunaentered the room, but Ramiris, who hadn't even been called, also came along. Not only Beretta, butTreyni-san was there with her as well. Come to think of it, she was also ademon lord, so it was only natural that Ramiris had ademon lord's ring as well. Ramiris told me that it was rare forGuyto organize Walpurgis. There seemed to have been a time in the past when Ramiris, Milim, andGuywere the only threedemon lords, but nothing of the sort had happened in over a thousand years. Well, since it was all happening right now, it was definitely an emergency.This is what I wanted to talk about,Shuna. I don't have time to explain in detail, but I will be takingShionandDiablowith me to Walpurgis. TellBenimaruto take care of things while I'm gone.Shunanodded wisely as I said this.Understood. Good luck,Rimuru-sama!I nodded and got ready. Then I waited quietly for the pickup. Soon, the blue-hairedRaine, dressed in a dark red maid's uniform, jumped through space to reveal herself. Ramiris had given her permission to enter the labyrinth, but her sudden appearance was still unsettling. However, right now was not the time to worry about that. BecauseRainewas covered with wounds. At this point, I realized that my bad premonition had come true.Raine-chan, are you okay?What the hell?Ramiris and I asked in surprise, butRainequietly shook her head.Don't worry about me. I will explain everything to you once we're all together, so please move along for now.I had no words to reply after hearing that. I did as I was told, andRaineled me away. Upon arriving at our destination, we would be confronted with new problems.