Mithra's POV:
Unhand me, gorilla. Lemme kick his ass." Lulu's struggling to break free from my grasp, as I stopped her before she could attack Veldora. "I'll take revenge for Night Rose."
-"Easy, what if you definitely blow your cover by using all of your strength?" I'm forcing her to stay still, now I have become stronger than her. "Don't forget we also have guests from the outside."
Lulu waited outside the cave, having felt his aura and Hinata accompanied her. That girl froze when she saw him, the 'evil' Dragon her goddess feared and hated for so long. Yet, her attention diverged from him, to a small girl who shouldn't be here.
-"Say, big sis. Did my dad do something bad to you?" Scylla pulled Lulu's sleeve, and gave her the puppy-eyes treatment. "If he says he's sorry for being a meanie, will you forgive him?"
-"Hnngh… So cute. Is she really Charybdis? I can't believe his 'daughter' is such a lovely girl." Lulu stopped making a fuss and sighed. She gave a side glare to Veldora, who's looking away while scratching his head. "I can let him go for today, but this big oaf has to make amends."
I released her and we returned to the Administrative Office. In the cave, Veldora managed to reduce his aura quite effectively so he won't bother anyone. While we were away, Gazel, Fuze, Youm, Myulan, the Beastkeeters and two unknown elves who're disguising themselves arrived. Noir and the girls already left for the Labyrinth to get their bodies.
Weird, Gazel and the elf guy seem to be sweating while looking at the other elf. It's surprising to see even the Dwarf King acting so meekly, so she must be important. I never went to this side of the continent, so I'm lacking in knowledge about the big ears. That aside, I'll keep in mind that face Gazel made. It's funny to see big guys like him being shy.
-"Okay, greetings for those who arrived and all. Tell us everything, starting from the more urgent points." It's a blunt way to say it, I know. But it's not the time for me to let Rimuru use big words and waste our time with formalities. I saw him facepalming but I ignored it.
-"Hehe, you're as sharp as the rumors says." The elf girl removed her hood and approached us, I can tell she's a big shot from the elegance and aura she exudes. It's a little like Blanc, but less strict on her manners. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Elmesia El Ru Sarion, Empress of the Sorcerer Dynasty. I came to see the ones who will shake the world in the upcoming days. Normally, I wouldn't leave my country unannounced, but I couldn't wait after learning about my relatives' trips here."
She gave a quick glance to Lulu, who rolled her eyes. Except me and Rimuru, no one seems to have noticed.
-"And yet you did leave, without telling a word even to your guards. Do you actually enjoy seeing me suffer?" The other elf swayed while walking, he threatened to collapse at any moment from stress. "Why did my daughter have to take a liking on a country ruled by two new Demon Lords?"
-"You're talking about Ellen I suppose." Rimuru shoved me out of the way, and mentally warned me not to say another word as I'm too rude. Jerk, I will remember it. "I welcome you, Empress. I'm sorry we're not able to give you the best treatment right now, due to reasons you certainly know about."
-"Don't worry, I'm here on a whim, so I prefer if you keep it as it is. I simply want to start good relationships with promising actors of the world' stage while I can do it in peace. Now we've met, I'll let the others talk, and wait for an occasion to continue our discussion." She returned to her chair and picked some sweets. Her ears flapped with contentment when she took a bite.
I could hear Lulu grumbling something while the Beastkeeters moved forward. They told us Milim declared war on them and Carrion ordered his people to escape toward the forest. It must be Clayman's last scheme before Walpurgis, but targeting Eurazania now isn't his greatest move. And since Milim got the courtesy of warning them while acting, it will be a piece of cake to help them.
Phobio told us Frey appeared suddenly to attack Carrion too, after he got injured by Milim's move. Yeah, just injured. The girl remembered to not go overboard, as Rimuru threatened to ban sweets for her if she created too much mess.
As for the harpy, she must have realized something's wrong. Milim told us about her, they're close enough to know each other well. That bird is cunning and weary of Clayman too, she's probably working on her side against him.
Once they finished, it was Ramiris' turn. The Walpurgis will be held in three days, and we each have the right to bring two subordinates. Well, we already know who we'll be taking in this fun mess.
Gazel was the last to talk. He came to see how we were doing, how considerate. He's a great guy, worrying over his 'junior' and me. But he'll realize soon I'm the one who'll protect his muscled body, and not the other way around. He acted dumb about my flirting last time in Dwargon, but I know how to take my time…
Ah yes, he got curious over the big tanned guy he never saw before, aka Veldora. When he introduced himself, or should I say, boasted about his great self, the poor Fuze died from shock. Ah no, he's still alive. It's hard to tell with all this foam… We would've had at least a casualty if my 'colleagues' didn't leave and we had to introduce them right away.
Soon, the meeting ended, and we discussed our plan. The executives returned to their jobs and prepared the attack on Clayman's forces. Youm and Myulan took some time for themselves, before we sent them to Falmuth, to play their future role. That guy embarrassed Rimuru with his display of gratitude, for having saved the woman he loves. Myulan used a spell to mute him, as she couldn't bear it anymore.
Lulu stayed with Elmesia while Rimuru, Veldora and I went to the Labyrinth. Scylla got sleepy and Shuna looked after her. Kumara asked us to meet her in the garden once we've finished, and I'm sure she looked at Rimuru with that cheeky grin she does when she plans to tease someone.
The four demons already fused with their bodies once we arrived. Seems it's a perfect fit for everyone, as Rimuru engraved magical circuits resonating with their magicule wavelengths, like he did for mine.
-"It's time for me to fulfill the last part of my promise. Your names." Rimuru was amused at their excitement. They forgot how to act like proper Primordials and resembled children who're anticipating praise from their parents. Are those guys seriously as old as time itself?
I began to transfer my magicules to Rimuru for the joint naming, surprisingly they accepted the gift… While reminding me again it's Rimuru they follow. Sigh I know guys, you told me countless times before.
"From left to right: Ultima, Diablo, Testarossa, Carrera."
And it's done, our last assets began glowing while our magicules are swirling around them. It's good we're two, and that powerful, as they took a good chunk of our reserves. Once it finished, they radiated with bliss and respect for Rimuru, and renewed their loyalty to him.
Diablo also changed clothes during the process, he's now like a butler, while the girls kept theirs. Testa has a green dress which gives her royalty vibes, Ultima kept her purple dress with the hoodie and Carrera resembles a college delinquent.
-"Good job you two, as expected of my sworn friends." Veldora talked, rubbing his hands and not hiding he got an ulterior motive. "I see there's one more body. Rimuru, do you think-"
-"Ifrit will get it, yes. I won't let him rot in my Stomach alone, he's too useful as a babysitter."
Veldora laughed, praising Rimuru and not understanding he was a target of that statement alongside Scylla.
Once Ifrit possessed the last body and was named Charys by Veldora, we returned to meet with Kumara before doing anything else. The demons left to visit the city before starting their jobs. On her side, Ramiris began the production of more bone golems for those four' subordinates.
She became white as a corpse when she remembered them, but Rimuru managed to appease her quickly, with Veldora's help. A boastful and chaotic True Dragon is a good way to make someone immune to the terror of tame Primordials.
The garden became quiet as no one's here, outside of Kumara and us. And when I saw why she called us here, I understood why she expected to tease Rimuru.
Rimuru's POV:
-"How do I look? This is the result of my Gift."
-"...Wow, Kumara? Is that you?" I struggle to find my words, as I didn't think she'll change so much in such a short time.
The child Kumara who couldn't grow due to her lack of control over her strength is no more. In front of me stands a full-grown adult, a stunning woman with beautiful fluffy tails and ears. And she's a little taller than me now, even if my evolution made me gain some height.
"Heh, it seems you like my new form." She grabbed me to go for a hug, her voice changed to a cheeky tone. "And now, it's my turn to give you headpats."
-'...Soft. Wait, what am I thinking?' I tried to escape, flustered to feel the skin of a girl.
-'Ehhhh, someone is trying to act like a pure boy, I see.' Ciel gave me another blow, she recovered her sense of humor and sarcasm I see.
-"Yeah, go for it Kumara. Assert your dominance." That old hag decided to make me sink even further, feasting on my embarrassment.
Seeing I'm alone in this predicament, I let go and accept my fate. After a while, I surprised myself by thinking it's not bad to be the one spoiled for once. I still managed to recover a semblance of lucidity and dignity to say a few words.
-"You became a fine woman. I'm sure your mother would be proud of you if she could see you."
-"...Thanks, Rimuru. It means a lot to me." She hardened her grip, this time she needed a hug herself.
Mithra also embraced Kumara, and went to headpat her. The fox girl is still smaller than our favorite old hag. It's rare when Mithra goes for headpats, as Kumara doesn't let her do it often. But this time, she wholly accepted it, making a demoness heart's melt from joy.
***
In a few minutes, we'll be invited to where the Walpurgis will take place. Those past three days were rich, between our talk with the outsiders and learning about our subordinates' new powers.
We discussed with Elmesia about a possible treaty between our nations. Afterward she had a word with Lulu about the feud between the Church and the Demi-Humans. When this arc is over, we plan to use Veldora's name and put the blame of the massacre on him. We'll complete that with Mithra's influence as the Demon of Honor in the Western Nations and an official visit from Hinata for peace. We'll use this opportunity to spread the news that monsters too can use Holy magic, forcing humans to view us in a new light. Shuna will have a role to play in it as the Oni priestess.
Yes, Oni. Some of our subordinates evolved again, got new Skills or both. It's the case for almost all the strongest executives, and a few special cases.
Kumara finally gained her full form, plus a Unique Skill. Now she's definitely stronger than someone like Carrion. I can say she's around my level before evolution in raw power.
Shion took an other evolutionary path than the classical Onis. She's now an Abyss Oni, according to Ciel it's a form who derived from the Wicked Oni and took more of the Dark element. With proper training she could use magics usually belonging to demons. And I won't ask if the Voice of the World is mocking her efforts with the name of her Skill: [Cook], or if it's a true recognition.
It's something similar for Lycaon. He evolved into a Wolftergeist, a variant specialized in stealth maneuvers and Spiritual magic. His new Skill makes him ideal for assassination work.
Gobta is a weird case. He hasn't evolved past Hobgoblin, but he got a Unique Skill too, named [Sage]. Also, I found a strange structure in his soul, it's like a latent power he has to nurture to gain another boost. We'll keep an eye on him, and making him go through harder torture- I mean, training sessions to unleash his potential.
I transported our army to meet with the Beastmen refugees, and a few elites who're targeting his castle while he's out. Now, we're in my office to wait for one of Guy's maids to pick us. Lulu returned with Hinata to Ruberios two days ago, I'll get to see her acting as a maid in a while.
On top of Mithra and I are present: Ramiris, who's going with Treyni and Beretta; the Primordials, Shion, Kumara and Veldora. All of us will be coming. Charys is taking care of Scylla in another room.
-"So, Kumara and Testarossa will accompany me, Shion and Carrera will go with Mithra. Ultima and Diablo will follow Veldora to get inside. We're good?"
-"We have nothing to add. We'll comply with your orders. without fault." Diablo said, bowing and hiding his tears. The devil girls are laughing behind his back.
To know who they will follow, they used the short straw method. As the winner, Testa decided to come with me, and Carrera won the second round. She shrugged, saying 'at least I'm not one of you losers' to Diablo and Ultima. Ultima didn't respond to this provocation as she's too busy smiling at Diablo's despair.
Veldora isn't a Demon Lord, but it's obvious no one will eject a True Dragon for such a stupid reason. And we wanted all of them to come with us. Shion and Kumara for obvious reasons. And the Primordials… to flex.
That's important, it's our first meeting with all the Demon Lords, meaning it's our first meeting with the red-head. He may be the mediator, but it's clear he's not taking his job as seriously as he should, because of his game with Rudra. So, we'll make him understand that his 'balance' got torn to pieces. It will be glorious.
For the forest' defenses, we don't need to be overly cautious as I can feel better than ever if an intruder comes. My barrier' strength skyrocketed thanks to [Hades], I'll have to upgrade it and give it more functionalities. Ranga, Lycaon and a few others will help the city guards and the other tribes to keep an eye on the surroundings. As those we named all got a power boost, it's enough for tonight.
Suddenly, we sensed a gate opening in the room. I must say, Guy got cliched overlords' tastes with that decoration… Seriously, Guy? He thought it resembled the sound his victims made while dying. For me, it's the name of the drunkard fishermen of your usual town on the coast.
When the door opened, a maid with blue-hair greeted us… Well, she barely said a word before freezing and dropping her jaw, as she noticed her 'siblings' in the room. Those four smirked and waved at her, enjoying her disbelief.
-"Hi, Rain. I thought it was Mizery' turn to pick me." Ramiris greeted the poor maid, who remembered she had a job to do.
-"Hello, lady Ramiris. Mizery is busy dealing with Dino, we must be sure he'll be here today." She replied with professionalism, but hiding with difficulty her wariness about this absurd sight. "I-I also came to invite the ones named Rimuru and Mithra."
-"Sup, so you're the lazy one of the Primordials as I heard. You seem to be a funny one." The old hag greeting was merciless, I could hear something break inside Rain's soul.
She couldn't reply, and I saw her eyes getting humid. I remember hearing somewhere she can be a crybaby if we mock her too hard. Nevermind, it's time to move forward.
Veldora wanted to lead the way and announce our arrival. He boasted about a perfect line he found to make it dramatic, but stopped right before entering the gate. He stayed like an idiot right in the middle of the path, and began to sweat harder than the flow of Niagara Falls.
-"Oh, sorry guys. I just remembered I have a special mission waiting for me, so if you could excuse me…" His awkward smile couldn't hide his fear, he's too easy to read with his shaking legs.
-"Velzard is here, huh? Well, desperate times require radical solutions." Of course, her psychopathic older sister is the only thing in the world who could put him in such a state.
I grabbed Veldora's left arm and legs, while Mithra grabbed the right side. No need to say anything, in times like this we can understand each other by instinct. We lifted him, and he stuttered some kind of begging, but to no avail.
-"Sorry, pal. This is for your own good too, it's best to confront her now rather than later. What do you think will happen if you flee and she gets harsher next time?" Mithra stated a truth, and yet she found his despair funny to witness. I concur, it's something to have a member of the strongest species chickening out like a rabbit.
Without delay, we yeeted him through the gate. He cried with all his might while flying, and we heard him crash and break something on the other side. What a way to start our entrance. Rain went to crouch on a corner and started to mutter 'Lord Guy won't like this, I'm too young to die.'
We followed Veldora and entered what seemed to be a pocket dimension. I see this is a way for Guy to display his might to everyone, as expected of the owner of [Lucifer]. Veldora landed on the chair next to the red-head which broke on impact. The owner of this place is ogling at him, not expecting such an outlandish way of traveling.
I see Guy is leaking his aura in a random fashion to deceive those who try to read his true power. Lulu uses the same method and warned us tag along as it's less conspicuous than completely erasing our aura.
He noticed our arrival and turned toward us. When his gaze landed on his colleagues Primordials, his prideful attitude cracked and he got stuck, dumbfounded. He rubbed his eyes a few times, asking himself if his senses didn't pull a trick on him, before looking again.
-'Here's the face I waited for. Ciel, save it so I can let Veldanava see it once he comes back.'
-'No problem Mast- Rimuru, I'm creating a folder for future occasions.'
Hmmm, she's getting better at saying my name without stuttering. It took a few hours and the threat of an order to call me 'piece of shit' before she agreed to do it.
Guy slowly realized the harsh truth, his balance got fucked up by two newbies he never heard of before. His skin, unsure of if it should turn livid or full red of anger, compromised by choosing a cartoony pink. He pointed at his old friend now named Diablo, then at the girls.
-"W-a-do-here?" His speech, completely broken by the surge of emotions, amused everyone. It's a given when the infamous most prideful of all looks like his world got shattered.
-"Oh, he's so pleased to see us after such a long time he forgot how to talk." Ultima didn't miss the occasion to taunt him a little.
-"He might be a brute outside, but it's to better hide this little tender heart beating in his chest." Testa created a combo while faking a blush and an embarrassed pose, before laughing.
-"You might be right Testa, he's such a sweet and innocent guy he said 'I want a doll here'. Too bad he's too shy to say it prop- pffft". Carrera couldn't finish as she bursted into a mad wheeze, resting on the wall to not fall. I like their energy, it will liven up Tempest's atmosphere even more.
-"Please girls, don't go too hard on Rouge or he'll flee in his boyfriend' bed to get pampered… Oh right, Leon's rejecting you." Diablo went to the other side of the table and passed his arm around Guy's shoulders. The red-head looked like he's living a nightmare awake when Diablo got close.
Behind us I see Rain arriving, still shaken. When she saw her boss' face, she ran away to another door, leaving behind her maid's mannerism for good. Ramiris, true to herself, flew straight to Guy's face and greeted him without accounting for his internal turmoil.
Veldora finally recovered and came back to us. He accepted his fate now he's sure Velzard saw him, and knowing the girl she won't let him go if he tried to flee. Beretta and Treyni took place behind Ramiris' chair, sweatdropping as it's just the beginning of the show.
-"Hey, the newbies. Care to explain why the remaining Primordials are following you? And why does a lowly spawn act like she's their boss?" Guy recollected himself, enough at least to repair his image a little. His aura intensified as he spoke, making Kumara and Shion raise their guard.
-"As much as I hate to acknowledge it, she defeated us in Hell. We're not following her though, our lord is the great Rimuru who's proven to be the greatest, beautiful, sublime-" Oh crap, he's doing it.
-"Okay, I get it." Guy interrupted Diablo before he started ranting about me, thanks for the save. He sighed and massaged his temple. "Tch, we'll talk about it later. I can't deal with you right now even if I wanted to, due to someone. Try to show me what you got when the stage is ready, you two. Maybe I'll let you off the hook for today if you impress me."
Roger that, with what we planned, you'll forget to be mad again. Diablo returned to our side, and we sat down with Mithra. Guy snapped his fingers and the broken chair repaired itself.
Not too long after, a gate on our left opened. The one called Mizery brought a tall, bulky dude that I suppose to be Dagruel. Behind them, a yawning guy in a tracksuit walks like a slug. He's pressed to go faster by winged girls, a tall, muscular one and a smol bean. From their appearance, they must be Dino, Gracia and Pico.
I'm kinda disappointed at Dino's look. I knew he's a sleepyhead, he always was, but here we could mistake him for a hobo. When I heard he avenged Veldaddy' death, and became a Fallen with Pico and Gracia, I expected more. And here he is, being a freeloader at Dagruel's place, when the poor dude got his hands full with the fate of his race.
Wait, I can't call him 'Veldaddy' anymore, now Veldora have Scylla. Not a problem, I have more in reserve.
They all harbored shocked expressions when they saw the four, except Dino who sat on his chair and went to sleep immediately. Mizery proceeded to keep a straight face and go search for the next Demon Lord without making a fuss, albeit rushing a little.
It's when Rain returned that Dino awoke suddenly. He frowned at our side, letting the information sink in his mind. When his slowpoke' brain processed it, he shrugged before going back to his slumber.
Following Rain, it's Lulu's faction. The one called Roy is her placeholder, and I see her behind, dressed as a…
-'You like what you see?' Ciel noticed my interest and decided to manifest.
-'Hey, the Vampire queen as a maid, you don't see that everyday. It suits her, imagine if they got a statue of her as she's now, in Ruberios.'
-'Don't try anything funny, or you'll be in a round of trouble if she finds out.' She kept a neutral tone, and I heard a click once she finished talking. 'For now, I saved a picture. I admit she looks good in this.'
-'Heh, I see you're a woman of culture as well. No wonder, as we've been together for so long.'
-'Since this dress piqued your interest, should I try wearing one once we're back in Tempest?'
-'...You don't have to feel pressured to do it, okay? Don't consider all my rambling as orders, please. Wait, that's not the time. Forget it.'
-'As you wish Ma-Rimuru.'
Lulu played her role perfectly, she didn't even show her hostility toward Veldora. Talking about him, I'm not sure if anyone recognized that goofball except Guy. He's not showing his aura, and he's acting too meekly, unfitting of the chaotic Storm Dragon.
Now, it's a blond guy who arrived from a gate behind us. The most British of all Demon Lords, Leon Cromwell. Just for that I'll take my time to annoy him later, in a friendly manner of course.
When he saw Carrera, he instinctively went for his sword, anticipating another bombing session. One day we should team-up to pull a good prank on him. Maybe I'll invite Shizu to get revenge on him too, he deserves it. He may not be a bad guy per se, but he has to pay the price of his disastrous communication skills… I think Chloe won't mind if we stay reasonable.
-"Easy there, Leon. I won't roast your ass, I'm over this." Carrera raised her hands as a sign of good will. "Deliver my goodbye to your country, I'll miss my VIP public."
-"It was only a game for you? You managed to be a bigger pain in the ass than a flirtatious Guy."
-"Hey, you're hurting my feelings, Leon. They're genuine y'know? I can even become a girl if you wish." Guy faked sadness, he forgot his bitterness toward us now his crush is present. He winked at Leon, adopting a suggestive pose.
-"You're similar to Shizu. How is she?" Leon totally ignored the lobster who expressed his indignation in the background. He's blunter than I expected.
-"Quite well, but not thanks to you. Ifrit went rogue because you didn't give him any proper order to help her."
-"Mmmh, I suppose she resents me. Tell her she's welcome to yell at me if she desires." He ended our conversation as fast as he started it and sat next to me, and didn't pay attention to our side anymore.
Next is Frey, and the lion-head behind her is Carrion. He can't be serious, pay more attention to your disguise. Will someone get fooled by this? Nevermind, him being here is proof Frey acted on her side to help Milim.
-"Yeah, another sexy girl with that Gracia." The old hag whispered, she's leering at the harpy' curves with contempt.
-"Hey, stay focused on our goal. Don't go freak them out with your fantasies."
Thankfully she didn't talk loud enough for anyone except our side to hear it. Shion blushed a little and the four rolled their eyes, now used to her antics.
-"I know. Don't worry I won't go after them, and anyways I'm not in the mood for girls yet."
-'...M-Rimuru, I don't have to be on guard if she decides to go for girls, right?' Ciel seemed to see Mithra as a possible threat for her integrity.
-'You can be at ease, you're too small for her liking. Even Testa would barely be in her strike zone.'
-'...'
-'Hmm, Ciel? Are you alright?'
-'...I don't know if I should be relieved or not.'
Wait, is she pouting? She gained full consciousness only a few days ago and she can already show this kind of emotions? I mustn't underestimate a girl' feeling toward her own body.
I decided to stay quiet and not risk worsening her mood with a poor choice of words. Frey sat down and finally, the 'star' of this event arrived.
Clayman, accompanied by a dark elf, an automaton and Milim, who trained her pokerface since last time. The clown seemed too occupied barking at his subordinate to pay us attention. Milim went to her chair next to Guy, who grinned when she approached. So he knew. That's why she didn't go directly to Jistav that time.
Rain and Mizery took their place behind Guy. Veldora kept quiet, he stiffened like a statue to not give any ammunition for her sister to use. Now, it's time for us to show this clown he never had a chance, and everyone what they can expect of us with the best show they ever witnessed.