(Three things before the chap. First. can you guess what the title is a reference to?
Second, one thing that will happen in this chapter may be confusing for those who are anime only. I will do a side chapter next chapter that will go more in-depth about it. It would have broken the flow of the chapter and it would be better to focus on it for a full chapter. Plus it would have made this one extremely long.
The last thing is that I am feeling a bit sick. I've had a small headache all day. It isn't too bad at the moment but letting you all know just in case. I will still try to post tomorrow but can't make any promises at the moment, will have to see how I feel tomorrow.)
Some time had passed since I had brought the Jesters to my side. Kagali had returned to the guild administration and was planning to move the headquarters to Tempest after the news of the disappearance of Yuuki was no longer the focus of attention. The story that had been told is that he had left for a walk at night to clear his mind and never came back. The entire kingdom of Englisia had gone on a wild hunt but they were unable to find traces of him.
The most important thing was that the festival would be held tomorrow. Many people from across the world had come in the curiosity of the new Empire that had come out of nowhere. Mostly because they wanted to see what a monster kingdom would look like.
During the days leading up to it, many people had come to visit.
Luminous and Hinata had dropped by. Hinata stepped forward and spoke first.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding. Luminous has informed me that I was wrong to attack you." She said with a short bow and a serious expression before stepping back next to Luminous. Short and to the point.
"You don't have to worry about that, it's in the past. Good to see you are doing good. There is going to be a big feast soon so I hope you are hungry. We have built a lot of commodities from our old world so you should try them out." I said.
No grudges were held because after all if I had wanted to I could have dodged the ambush. Plus I had gained Plunderer and knowledge of holy magic from it so in truth I had gained a lot from a mild inconvenience.
Luminous however was in a really good mood. And she pulled Hinata's shirt and said. "You gotta relax a little. Don't you think it is a beautiful day? Come on, we are here to celebrate. We have something big that will happen soon. We gotta set up a celebration of our own after this one ends." She said with a bright smile before giving me a smile and saying with mental communication.
<
Since they wanted to take a look around Tempest I assigned them a guide to show them around and they left.
...
A beautiful elven woman had just arrived at the outdoor meeting room we had. She was wearing clothing that didn't fit this world. Clothing that had been made here. She was wearing a pair of tight jeans. A white loose shirt with a grey jacket on top with a slime logo on the back and a metal slime as a zipper. And on her face are a pair of blueish sunglasses. A small bird made from paint was flying around her, one of Gutmut's creations. And on her hands was a plate with one of Shuna's signature desserts. This was Elmesia, the Queen of Sarion.
Erald was walking behind her carrying tons of bags, and even though there were other servants he was the only one forced to carry everything. It looked like Emelsia had gone on a shopping spree before coming to visit me.
"Nice to meet you, I am Elmesia, the queen of Sarion. I came to visit you here as thanks for the invitation to the festival. I quite like the city you have built. It has a lot of new things I have never seen before. I visited the art district and met up with one of the artists and he gave me this cute little birdie. You have quite the sense of naming eh? Though I guess Gutmut really likes his name."
Here she was, the feared and respected queen Elmesia, casually chatting. It raised a couple of flags in my brain. But after seeing what happened next I began to get a clear image in my head.
"Queen Elmesia…" It was Erald speaking, he wanted to tell her not to act so casually but couldn't get the words out.
Judging by the slight smirk that appeared on her face this was her way of punishing Erald. Something like revealing her casual self and going shopping using her real body was causing severe psychic damage to him.
"Miss Elmesia, it is nice to meet you. I am glad you are enjoying my country." I said. It was hard to decide on a tone for speaking with her. So I just continued to speak formally.
"You can just call me Elmesia, it is easier that way. After taking a look at your city there are many things I want to suggest. We made a formal agreement but we never discussed the terms. And after using some of the infrastructures you have here in Tempest I want to see if we can come to add some things during the meeting where we put our alliance on paper. I think adding bathrooms would improve Sarion a lot.
I don't usually have free time so I want to continue to look through your city. I know how time-consuming planning events like this is so I will take my leave. The reason I dropped by was that I wanted to meet the person responsible for creating this country with my own eyes. And I had heard a lot from you from Erald.
Just send a letter with a time that is convenient and we can make arrangements for the meeting."
She prepared to leave after the short meeting before turning around and acting as if she had just remembered something.
"Oh yeah, I would like to meet the person who made this dessert if you could. I want to pay my compliments to the chef."
With those words, the short meeting with the Queen of the Elves ended.
...
The last person to visit the country earlier was Masayuki. I had sent Souei to pick him up and bring him here safely. Everywhere the man walked caused a commotion, so it was easier to just bring him directly than let him try to find his way here.
His teammates tried to start a fight with me but they were stopped by Masayuki who said he just wanted to talk with me. They tried to object but he had made his decision final and had entered a private room to talk.
The moment he walked into the room he slumped on one of the couches.
"Looks like you are pretty exhausted. Tired of being a hero?" I asked.
He gave me a strange look before going quiet for a few moments. Standing up and drawing his sword. "What do you think when I do this?" He asked with hope in his voice.
"Err, just you holding a sword I guess? I mean your posture could use some work. If you slouch like that you are going to lose your balance pretty easily."
He dropped his sword on the ground and exclaimed."YOU- You are treating me normally."
"Yeah, I know you are a hero, and no offense, but I don't see anything that special about you. The main reason I invited you was because some of the kids here in Tempest are fans of you. In fact, they are also otherworlders like us."
"Yes! Finally! Ever since I came to this world I have not been able to have a proper conversation with anyone. Even the smallest things I say will be misunderstood and people would act like I just told them the secrets of the universe. You have no clue how stressful it can all be." He said before stopping to ask. "Wait, you said that you also just kind of happened to become a demon lord. And you are not affected by my skill. And now I hear the news that you declared yourself an emperor. Could it be that you are also like me? Am I going to end up as the leader of an empire by a misunderstanding? I don't want to end up like that." He said, the joy of finally having a normal conversation quickly replaced by horror.
"No, I don't think you are going to have to worry about that. I wanted to create a kingdom, but ended up with an empire. Wanna talk? You look like you probably need someone to talk to. I have some time before I need to leave."
And so began Masayuki's rant. He talked about what had happened since he had come to this world. How every time he talked to anyone they would begin to act like he was the messiah. How every time He tried to rest he ended up fighting a crime syndicate, or in some other heroic situation.
"I haven't even gotten a first kiss yet. Every time I approach a girl I get creeped out. I would feel like a creep since they are under the effect of my skill. I can't even turn the damned thing off." He said as he finally finished speaking.
"You know, I could deactivate your skill permanently if you wanted to. It's a final choice, you won't be able to turn it back on. If you choose yes you are free to stay in my country. We have a couple of spare houses at the moment. You would be able to have a normal life. People won't forget about the "Light speed hero" but at least you will be able to be back to normal. We have plenty of jobs available, so you can pretty much do whatever you want.
The country is safe, most of its residents are good people. And just as a little secret, technology is advancing pretty quickly. I bet in a few years we will be up to the modern standards of our world."
The real reason I had sent the invitation was finally out. Masayuki wasn't a bad person, he was a bit of a coward and was treated like a hero, but if it came to it he would not turn his backs on his friends. If he wanted to continue being a hero I could copy his skill and convince him to join Tempest and improve the opinions of the rest of the world towards my empire.
I also couldn't take it forcefully. With his luck, who knew what would happen if I tried to.
Masayuki laid down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. "I want to accept your offer. I won't deny that I have had some fun adventuring and being a hero. But I don't want to be a hero. I just want to live a normal life…
I want to know if the friends I have made are real or if they only follow me because of my skill…
I want to be able to meet people and have normal conversations again…
I want to get a girlfriend…"
Masayuki stood up and reached out his hand for a handshake.
"I want to be normal."
Standing up as well I reached out and shook his hand.
"Welcome to Tempest."
[Plunderer has been activated.
The unique skill Chosen hero has been willingly surrendered.
Chosen Hero has been acquired.
Report. Uriel, Lord of Vows is reacting to the skill]
A slight burning feeling spread through my entire body and soul.
[It appears that the skill Uriel, lord of vows has a deep connection to the skill chosen hero.
Uriel's influence is causing the skill to attempt to evolve.
Evolution has failed, all requirements set by the previous true owner of the skill have not been fulfilled.
Checking The requirements…
One of the requirements has been fulfilled. 'The courage not to run' to protect your allies and face danger for them. Due to fulfilling the requirement the sub-skill spirit guidance has been acquired.
Warning! Space-time ripples are beginning to form in the area around you… Wait… The danger has disappeared.
The strength of your soul has increased…
This…
I apologize, further analysis is required.
Please allow me to put the skill chosen hero in quarantine to analyze it. It is reacting strangely.
It must be done right now!]
In the end, it appeared that Raphael herself had panicked a little. So I had given her the freedom to take the best course of action.
The burning feeling had disappeared and left no trace.
'What the hell just happened?'
"Err, Mister Demon Lord, Are you ok? Did it work?" Said Masayuki as he gave me a worried look.
"Yeah, I am ok. And it worked." I said as I felt Raphael working hard on the background.