Third POV:
One day in the Labyrinth, Rimuru got a call from Beretta. The Demon asked for his help in a panicked tone, with loud noises in the background. It surprised the slime, what the hell Ramiris did to make the poor Demon being so overwhelmed?
Until the Walpurgis, the Labyrinth and Ramiris presences are secret, so only a handful of executives know of it. It allows the pixie and Rimuru to conduct research and prepare their future plans in peace. It also appears to be a good place to chill, almost unbothered, unless Ramiris's experiments start to explode at your face. Ranga learned the hard way to not touch suspicious objects just to see what it does, and his fur reeked of rust for a time.
Arriving at her lab, Rimuru was greeted by a fortress, made of an amalgamation of blankets and pillows. A high-pitched crazy voice coming from inside. Beretta is talking at a small opening on a wall, his hands wandering as he didn't know how to proceed in such a case.
-"Lady Ramiris, please. This is going too far. They're not real, they can't hurt you."
-"Don't try to fool me! I'm prepared for a siege, I got a knife and cyanide. They won't have me alive, those bastards!"
-"...Dafuq?" Rimuru blatantly stated his confusion at this ridiculous situation.
He looked around, to see what she did before it came to this. His gaze came into contact with an opened book lying on the floor. When he picked it, he stared at its content, understanding on the spot why she's acting like a veteran with PTSD.
"Yeah, sure. It's kinda impressive for a first timer, but..." He turned to where Ramiris's hiding, and continued with a blank tone. "When you're such a long lived Spirit Queen and Demon Lord, why does the Eclipse freak you so much? I assume this world had its share of horrific moments."
-"Go fuck yourself Rimuru." Ramiris screeched and went frantic, throwing all the 'weapons' she could gather before. "You can't understand how broken my mind is right now, I'm so defiled. Death to Griffith!"
Rimuru began to ponder if he should restrict the access of some manga and novels, in case Ramiris threatened to throw a tantrum again. He then noticed Kumara who's reading a huge book, unfazed by the ruckus. She didn't even react when Rimuru approached to see what it was.
When he recognized the cover of the Lord of the Rings, he left, proud of her and her superior taste in High-Fantasy. He took a volume of Kingdom and installed his butt in a comfy sofa, while Beretta still tried to calm an unleashed Ramiris.
-"Hah! You're weak Ramiris, to get so distressed over a fiction." Veldora mocked her from the Stomach, while he's trying his hands at making takoyaki. The Dragon took an interest in cooking, and decided to test oriental recipes to be complementary to Rimuru when he got out. Scylla is looking full of wonder at her dad's skills, and attired by the appetizing smell.
-"Say the guy who hid under the bed and refused to sleep without light for three days." Ifrit said sharply, not an ounce of pity in his voice toward his oversized roommate.
Veldora froze a little, ashamed of this memory, before returning to his cooking, silent. He didn't even dare to complain about Ifrit's more provocative temperament.
In Ingrassia, our dear Chairman Yuuki also is engrossed in his precious manga. He has years of content to catch up plus some interesting foreign works (like a fun parodic LN isekai named Isekaira, where two thugs reincarnated in a wonderful fantasy world and started a weed buisness) and use most of his free time on it. So much in fact, he sometimes forgot his meetings with the Moderate Troop, to Kagali's displeasure. She snapped once she caught him reading on his work time, letting paperwork pile-up.
When she seemed to be pouring tea for him, she 'accidentally' missed the cup and Yuuki got his precious volume drenched. He cried in despair, as it's akin to sacrilege to damage his newfound treasure.
-"Da hell? Why, Kagali?"
-"Do. Your. Job. Properly. Or I'll continue with the rest, are we good, Chairman?"
She gave him a fierce gaze which made the poor boy flinch. He returned at his paperwork while thinking like a classic Japanese anime guy: 'man, girls are scary.'
***
A fog of nervousness covers Tempest today, most of the executives are preparing themselves in case something goes wrong. It's a normal reaction, as today Beastmaster Carrion is visiting them officially. As to why he is coming, we must rewind a little...
Eurazania, Carrion's throne room
-"So, care to explain why you are returning all battered-up, Phobio?" pressed Carrion, sitting in his throne, his smile hiding his annoyance at what seems to be a dumb mistake of his subordinate.
-"I got ejected from the Monster's country," Phobio said meekly, ashamed of tarnishing the reputation of the Beastkeeters. " I have no excuses for my blunder, and I'm ready for any punishment you deem fitting."
-"According to one of your soldiers, you got defeated... By a fox kid. You, you lost to a kid. I can't believe you became such a wimp." Suphia scorned him, ready to further beat his ass.
-"Hey, how was I supposed to know a kid could be so damn strong? Her kick even outclassed yours."
-"A fox kid? Care to develop about her, like her appearance?" asked Carrion, suspicious of her potential identity, as he knew no child Beastmen could overpower so easily one of his trusted mens.
-"Well, she's like a normal fox kid, except for all her tails." Phobio massaged his jaw where she hit him, knocking him out immediately.
-"...I get it." Carrion rose, a concerned look painting his face, who wasn't unnoticed by the Beastkeeters. "Suphia, prepare you tigers. We'll go there as an official delegation. Yes, I'm coming too. Be prepared to leave tomorrow."
Carrion left the room, and the trio took some time to process what it meant. Their master rarely visits officially, and it's only when he wants to personally ascertain the strength of someone.
-"Could it be?" Albis realized why Carrion showed concern, and turned to Phobio. "If that's the case, then you're lucky to still be alive. Especially if she isn't the strongest there."
The leopard only gave back an oblivious stare.
Returning to the present, Eurazania's delegation got spotted outside the South gate. Rimuru, Shion, Kumara and Benimaru are waiting for them to announce themselves. Mithra returned to Hell for her usual recovery.
The Beastkeeters showed up, opening the path for Carrion. The Demon Lord gave a quick look at Kumara, his hypothesis now confirmed, before staring at Rimuru. He felt the power of the... girl? Doesn't matter, a strong one is a strong one. He got excited as Gelmud's crystal ball couldn't show it properly, but 'she' seemed to be around his own level.
-"Are you the head of this place? I'm Carrion, ruler of Eurazania, and I came to test your strength."
-"Straight to the point, not that I dislike it. I'm Rimuru, guardian of the forest, and ruler of Tempest. Bring it on." Rimuru ordered the others to stay back, and raised his guard.
The battle lasted only a few minutes, none of the two went all-out. Carrion only wanted to get an insight of the newcomer's potential. As for Rimuru, he simply searched to gain his opponent's respect.
Still, the intensity of this fight showed the others, Beastkeeters and Tempestians alike how outclassed they are. Kumara didn't feel lacking in raw power, but she knew her skills are still too rough compared to these two.
After a last exchange, the fighters relaxed, and Carrion bursted in a loud laugh.
-"Yeah, no wonder Phobio couldn't stand a chance. Between a Ninetails and a majin strong enough to be called a Demon Lord... This place isn't to be underestimated. Alright, by the name of Beastmaster Carrion, I declare this country worthy to be our equal."
-"Thanks for your understanding, we will welcome you wholeheartedly. A feast will be prepared to celebrate the opening of the relationship between our nations." Rimuru gave a Thought Communication to Souei, asking him to spread the word. "And I'm happy to see you're way smarter than a certain leopard, right?"
Phobio flinched, remembering his intimidating presence last time. When he fainted after getting pummeled by a pissed-off Kumara -be careful when you're telling someone to get his ass wiped by its mom-, they brought him to Rimuru. The slime's aura forced the leopard into submission, who got launched outside the city by the skin of the butt.
He hid behind Suphia just in case, who teased him for his wariness. Outside of it, the rest of the day passed without problems. The delegation appreciated their stay, the feast and drank like there's no tomorrow.
After 2 days, they returned to Eurazania, satisfied with the outcome of their trip. A few treaties were already prepared, and Tempest got a hand on several high quality alcohol. The Tempestians were hyped-up, while Rimuru still ruminates about his inability to get drunk. He even exuded a dark aura when he saw the Beastmens falling one after the other like drunkards. At least he got Carrion's sympathy for that.
***
In the Labyrinth, Rimuru and Ramiris are working on golems, made to be possessed by the Demons. Of course, the pixie isn't aware of the true scale of the project. She has no memories of the day the Primordials were summoned, and Rimuru prefers it remain like that for now.
She understood one of them will be for Mithra. As for the others, she believed when Rimuru said it was for a few Demons who worked with her before, like Beretta. The said Demon was quick on the update, and seconded the story without fault. He knew it's best to preserve his master's sanity after all.
For the materials they got magisteel, but Rimuru wanted to wait to have something better before completing the bodies. On how he'll get better metal, let's see a certain Dragon...
In Rimuru's Stomach
-"WOOOOOOOOHHHHHH! Maximum output, let's gooooo!" Veldora is yelling like a shonen protagonist who got a power-up. Except he didn't get one. He's concentrating his aura while sitting on a pile of magisteel ingots to evolve them.
-"Can't you do it quietly? Miss Scylla could wake up with such ruckus." Ifrit wanted to create a soundproof barrier to protect the kid from the noise, but couldn't. He doesn't know how to create those for now, that's not in his current abilities.
-"Oh, sorry. I'll do it in my head then." The big dumbass ceased his noises, knowing it would come bite him if Scylla's sleep got disturbed. 'I will complete this task too. Creating dragotite can only be done by me, and I don't want to disappoint my sworn friends. Here I come. WOOOOOOOHHH!'
-'...It's me, or I can still hear him?'
Back to reality
-"Sup, guys, I see you're progressing." Mithra greeted the two researchers, and observed the bodies in construction. "Can't wait to finally be free of those 'come and go' sessions."
-"I suppose you're not here only for that, I know you too well." Rimuru glared, anticipating a request from the old hag. "Just say it."
-"Heh, you're getting more and more cocky, but nevermind." Mithra rubbed her hands, a greedy smirk and golden lights in her eyes. "It's about your little project with the Labyrinth-"
-"Hell nah. You're out for it." Rimuru cut her without any mercy, rejecting her participation immediately. "If I let you come close, you'll find a way to divert the income into your pockets. So don't you dare, and get out."
-"...Fuck, this shitty brat..." Mithra left the room, pouting and shooting a rock to signify her dissatisfaction. "If that's how you want to play, I'll find my own idea. Just you wait."
Ramiris, who witnessed the scene, silently praised Rimuru. Now she'll have a true job, no need for a thief to tag along. It wouldn't be good if she worked for naught, she has to taunt Dino after all.
***
Once, in the Demon Realm
-"Yo, I have a surprise for you." Mithra showed a few packages she brought for her new rest in Hell. "More exactly, it's from Rimuru, so don't be suspicious."
-"From our Lord? Gimme, what's this?" Noir, true to himself, jumped on the table to get his as fast as possible. The Demonesses looked away, ashamed to be part of the same race as him.
-'Will I be able to refrain from killing him if he becomes too weird?' Mithra too is grossed out by Noir's antics, even after all those years.
The four of them took their packages and opened them. The room got embalmed by the delicious meals who made the Primordials salivating. Each dish was prepared accounting for their personal preferences.
-"Oooooooh, such beauty. It would be a shame to destroy it by eating it." Noir got ready to display it in his castle as a piece of art.
-"Just eat it, dammit. If Rimuru sees you, he'll get disappointed by your behavior. What's the point if you won't touch it?"
-"Hm-hm. Of course, I shall indulge myself." Noir took a bite, and began to cry as if he had an epiphany. "It must be the taste of paradise. I'm not worthy of such kindness."
-"A Demon dreaming about Heavens, we saw everything. But you're right, I never tasted anything close to that." Blanc kept her manners unlike Noir, and yet all could see how elated she was, humming like a young girl. "Everything will appear insipid in comparison."
-"So true... Oh, Mithra. While I'm at it..." Violet took a flask filled with an ominous liquid, and gave it to the old hag. "Here's the poison you requested. I won't ask you why you needed one anyways."
-"Thanks. Now, I'll return to my quarters so, savor it."
While she left, Lycaon stepped out of her shadow to say something.
-"Is there a problem?" asked Blanc who took a sip of wine.
-"She'll never confess it, but she's the one who asked boss Rimuru for those specific gifts. Maybe as a way to express her friendship... Don't misunderstand, he also wanted to give you something but didn't know what. Please, don't repeat it, or I'm good for a reeducation." He left before Mithra could ask him why he took so much time.
-"Heh, I knew she's a softy deep inside." Jaune said with a mouthful of meat. Magic Sense really is helpful, as one would have only heard muffled gibberish as she talked.
While eating, they took some time to appreciate what Mithra did for them. They could count on one hand the times she made good surprises like that... And not the other kind, like the hill on Violet's castle the first time.
Halfway on her plate, Jaune took a pause, and began to think. The others looked at her, as it's unusual for the nuclear girl to stay so calm while eating.
-"Hey guys. Have you ever asked yourselves, how was their past life? Or it's me?"
-"What's with that question?" Violet couldn't hide her surprise, as she barely recalled Jaune having such complex thoughts (in her opinion). "But yeah. I'm intrigued too."
-"I concur. It's hard to believe humans could reach such heights outside of this world, and they did." Blanc began to lose herself in her thoughts.
-"...I wonder what kind of hardship they faced to become like that. I can't help but be curious about the old hag and our future Lord. It must've been so exciting..." Jaune stated what all of them wondered, before finishing her meal.
The only one who didn't say anything, Noir, got on his side too bewildered by his own plate. Lost in his fantasies, he barely heard what the others said, while his heart got purified.
***
-"Hey Rimuru, I need your opinion on this." Mithra showed him the flask she got from Violet last time. "Can you give it a taste?"
-"Yeah sure." He took the bottle without paying attention, as he's engrossed in some work.
After taking a sip of the suspicious liquid, he stopped all movements. For a whole minute, he froze, unsure of the signals his sense of taste conveyed. Then, he turned slowly toward Mithra, who could see the shock written on his face. His mouth opened and closed in quick succession, searching for how to pronounce words.
-"W-where did you find this? You're not pulling a prank aren't you?"
-"Seems good enough. It's Violet's work." Mithra leans on the wall, arms folded, satisfied with the result. "The brat once created a living poison who allowed some wicked flowers to bloom, and lost it without knowing how. I assume it rings a bell?"
She almost hadn't the time to finish her sentence when Rimuru drank in one go the rest of the poison. He let out a sigh of contentment, before starting to laugh erratically, a mad glow tainting his eyes.
-"Fuckin' finally, I'll live without regrets. If Violet was here I would kiss her as a thanks."
-'[...An actually effective poison detected. Are you kidding me? Nevermind, beginning of the elimination procedure.]'
-'Hehehehehehe... Too bad, partner. You have no power on it.'
-'[??? Unexpected critical error. Impossible to purge the poison. What's happening?]'
-'Here it is, that sensation I couldn't hope to ever feel again. And due to Poison Heal's way of running, it's impossible to block it. So, stop hurting yourself lil' Sage, and let me profit.'
-'[...If you say so... Yet, be prepared for a ride into Hell once it's finished. I'll be waiting.]'
-'Oh, shut your trap. Contrary to others I won't feel any hangovers, and while I'm at it, let us party how we want. I swear one day I'll put you into a clone and make you test it, so you'll stop bothering us.'
[Great Sage] went silent, half vexed and half afraid of Rimuru. She knows he'll be capable of putting his 'threat' into execution, and doesn't want to risk it. On her side, Mithra is laughing internally, knowing Violet will get appointed as something like 'Rimuru's personal brewer'. As for him, he's reminiscing on the first time he tasted this sweet Hell hidden in the clothes of paradise...
Well, until he fell head first on the floor, snoring louder than a herd of Dragons. After all those years, he lost his build-up tolerance to instant black-out. He'll have to take it easy for a while before returning to his glorious days.
The lost world, 152 years before D-Day
It's night, and our trio is resting in the woods after a harsh training. Invidia and Alestar got all battered-up by Oryos, the Insectar isn't giving them an easy time. Invidia entered her tent and went to sleep without changing clothes, too tired to bother with it. As for Alestar, he needed to take a stroll before doing the same, while the ant warrior took the first turn of watch.
After a few minutes, he got uneasy as the human didn't return. He woke up Invidia, who wasn't in a too deep slumber, and they searched for him. It's when Oryos remembered a little detail about this very forest they panicked. Here, not too far from their camp, lies a source of a special poison. It's clearly magical, and the most lethal ever discovered. So much in fact a simple drop on a limb forces you to cut it before it spreads and corrodes your entire being.
Almost nothing lives near it, only a peculiar kind of lilac-colored flower does. Normally, no one would be dumb to come close, even in the night. The poisonous lake signal its presence by glowing with a bright purple light. But as Alestar is half-asleep from its training, and reckless enough to try getting a resistance to it...
While coming close to the lake, they could hear deranged laughs. Fearing for the worst, they bursted out of the forest... Only to see Alestar, sitting near them, his hand soaked in poison, and completely euphoric.
They were flabbergasted, this absolute dumbass really did it. And they were more so surprised to see the only effect it has on him is akin to a buttload of pure alcohol. Yeah, they know a normal human would have died eons ago from such a quantity of alcohol, but Alestar isn't what we could call 'normal' anymore.
-"Oooooyooooo, g-guys *hiccup*. I f-f... foun' the secret of the universe."
-"...Okay, for the sake of our reputation, let's say we don't know this individual." Seeing he's going 'alright', Invidia decided she had enough of such stupidity, and went back to sleep. Everything a few kilometers around could hear her make a scandal about the worst lack of braincells of all times.
-"Hey, tell her to keep quiet... I can't smell gravity with such noises."
-"Smell gravity? Wow, that's a mysterious superpower." Oryos learned the past years to never use those two as a representation of humanity. So, he decided to consider this as another classic oddity of theirs. "What else can you do?"
-"I can hear colors. And I didn't know they would be soooooo talkative. A new world opened to meeeeee."
We should let him live his delusions in peace, and keep the flow of our story. Starting from this point, the Poison Heal got engraved in his soul. As for the lake, it will soon be classified as a protected area under Alestar's direct supervision.