Bael Pov.
I silently sipped the tea served to me by Shuna.
'Hmn, this tea is good. But not better then the one Deudenia has.'
As I compared the beverage of Tensura with Mine, I pretended to not notice the wary glances the Monsters stole at me, even Rimuru was more guarded against me rather than at Milim, who was the one to Fight them.
"Hmm~~! This Cake is Delicious!! I want more!!" The tension was broken by Milim who asked for more Cakes from Shuna.
I sometimes wonder if she is truly oblivious or just acting. If it is the later ,then Milim is quite a menace.
"Sure Milim sama." Shuna smiled as she doned her responsible housewife personality.
"So, why are you guys here?" Rimuru finally asked as he looked at us, especially me.
"Didn't I tell you? We are here to just say hello." Milim said as she looked at Rimuru in confusion as to how this guy could forget what happened an hour ago.
"I am sorry to intervene, but for two of the most powerful Demon Lords coming here, this is clearly no simple matter. We hope that you please clarify." Treyni who was also present in the room asked me. She had a frown over her face as she looked at me, the one responsible for partly sealing Veldora, her Lord.
I could guess where her confidence to speak comes from. She knows that we know she is a subject of Veldora and most importantly a Subordinate of Ramiris. Besides, I myself am a true dragon so we are sort of connected, via Veldora, even if this relationship is like a rival sort of way.
"Well, what Milim said is partially true. We came here to say hello. And also to see who could have defeated the Puppet." I said as I put down the finished tea.
"Then, were you the ones behind this Orc Lord Incident?" Rimuru asked with a frown as the rest got ready for a fight.
"Hm? When did I need a worm to destroy a Ecosystem?" I smiled as I release a fraction of my Demon Lord's Haki.
"Rimuru Sama!" Benimaru yelled as they formed a protective shield around Rimuru.
Cold sweat forming on their faces as I saw their legs trembling, as if they could collapse any second.
"Those goblins outside have fainted, Good. Then time for you guys." I said as I increased the Haki a Little bit more, causing the Top power of Tempest to fall too.
Except for Rimuru, Me and Milim, everyone present in Tempest had fainted. I did a two way haki release so that I didn't harm the weaker monsters with the strong Haki influx, just using the bare minimum tomput them to sleep.
After asking Gabriel to erect a barrier around Tempest, I approached Rimuru who stepped back a little.
"Milim?"
"Yes?"
"Medusa told me that she prepared some special deserts for you today." I coaxed her.
"Ohh! *Ahem!* Rimuru! I have some important business to attend, so I will see you next time.. see ya!!" Milim yelled as she zoomed past the window as Gabriel hastily opened a hole in the barrier to let her out.
"Now then, you wanted to know my real reason for coming here right?" I said as my eyes glowed.
"Um...yeah.." scared Rimuru affirmed.
"What do you know about me?" I asked.
"You, are Bael a Demon Lord. The emperor of the Empire of Orion and the one responsible for the deaths of Millions." Rimuru answered.
"Hm, you did your homework. Anyways, you definitely asked your Skill about me right." I smiled.
"You!" Stunned, Rimuru uttered. Rimuru was damn sure that no one knows about Great Sage.
"Rimuru Tempest, a reincarnated soul who was lucky enough to encounter Veldora and become his sworn brother. Tell me, what do you wish to do with this village of yours?" I continued as the shock in Rimuru's face continue to increase.
"....and what do you aim to do with my wishes?" Rimuru asked a question instead.
"Based on you answer, your fate will be decided. If I am not satisfied with your answer the this village and you will be history." I said as I used Despair Aura on him, putting him under immense pressure as metamorphical sweat dripped all over him.
"So I hope you give me a suitable answer." I asked as I lifted the aura. I already knew his answer but I wanted to hear it from him.
"My only wish is...to live a carefree life, to enjoy the company of the friends I have made on the way and to find people like me." Rimuru said as he looked at me directly, determination flashing on his eyes.
"...You pass." I said as Rimuru dropped on the ground due to exhaustion.
"Hahahahah!" I couldn't help but laugh at his predicament. What I just did was a simple prank, no harm really.
"You are quite naive Rimuru." I said as I controlled my laughter.
"Huh?" Confused He looked at me.
"Your dreams, is quite unique and simple. But with the attitude you have right now, it simply won't be enough to ensure the peace you desire." I said as my smile faded away, with him listening intently.
"Have you ever thought, that the humans won't be too kind to this congregation of monsters? They will definitely act on this and when that happens, your precious friends will be sure to suffer."
"I will be there to protect them." Rimuru tried to come up with an argument but before he could continue I intervened.
"What If you were trapped somewhere else? You yourself best know the minds of Humans. They are cunning, and merciless when they want to be. Not to mention the other malicious races. What garantee can you provide that none of them will attack your people when you are away?" I further spoke as Rimuru stood in silence.
"Do you know what is the only solution to this?" I asked as Rimuru looked at me, as if asking me to continue.
"Have you ever taken human life?" I smiled as realisation struck him.
"But there should be another way, killing humans .." he struggled to speak.
"I know that as a reincarnator, you yourself was a human and is conflicted on this. But let me tell you, this is a completely different world, for you to have peace, you need to have the strength to back you up, so that no one will try to scheme against you." I said solemnly.
"Then, how do I gain the strength?" He asked.
"You have to become a Demon Lord. Ask your great sage, it will know how."
As I spoke, Rimuru who initially had a resolved expression quickly showed a face of reluctance and hesitation.
"What? Afraid of taking a few lives?" I asked.
"But, killing 10 thousand humans..."Rimuru said as he looked at me.
"Hhmph, If you are so conflicted on this then you are free to refrain from this. But rest assured, one day you will surely remember my words. Anyways, I have a request from you." I said.
"What?"
"The memories of everyone in Tempest will be a little different from when they were awake, they won't ever remember that they were visited by two demon lords. Don't let it slip that I visited you. So be mindful that only Milim came, okay?"
"Uh...sure." Unsure of what to say Rimuru agreed.
"Alright! Have fun with your small nation, rest assured, I have no real hostility towards you.
If you are able to become Milim's friend and Veldora's brother then you are my friend too."
I smiled as I teleported form the Forest to my Castle.
★★★★★★