After finally confirming their alliance, they had to spend hours working on the terms of the alliance. They all focused on getting the best they could for their country without showing weakness or offending one another.
It was strange how easily the aura of the room changed. The tension would momentarily ease between each agreement, giving way to moments of casual conversation that felt almost surreal given the stakes involved.
For Gazel, the experience was nothing short of exhausting. He had always known that dealing with Elmesia would be challenging; the Empress of Sarion was a masterful negotiator, her cunning matched only by her experience. That was without even accounting for the fact that he had grown up being teased by her.
He felt as if he had been trapped between two conniving snakes. He had finally figured out why he sometimes felt uncomfortable when dealing with Rimuru, and the reason was simple. He was just like Elmesia. He had gone from dealing with one nightmare to dealing with two.
If anything, dealing with Rimuru was far more exhausting than dealing with Elmesia. He knew Elmesia would never seriously screw him over, and even with her strength, he felt confident he could protect his country.
Rimuru was an Awakened Demon Lord with a True Dragon, two other Demon Lords as his spouses, and countless named monsters, and he could possibly see the future. Who knows what other secrets he was holding? At this point, he wouldn't even be surprised if he pulled out a Primordial Demon from nowhere. Though he probably shouldn't jinx himself by thinking about it.
If Rimuru had been a simple-minded man, Gazel would have probably been able to take him under his wing and have an unstoppable ally. Yet things weren't so simple.
Elmesia, for her part, was both frustrated and exhilarated. She could usually play with other people's minds and reach an agreement that mainly benefited Sarion in the end. Most people were shortsighted, thinking only a few years ahead, while she planned for decades, even centuries.
It had become almost too easy, to the point where she often delegated such tasks to Erald while she lazed around.
But now she had met her match in Rimuru. He was a leader who could see the long game, who could anticipate moves that most wouldn't even consider. It was a rare challenge, and she found herself enjoying the back-and-forth, the thrill of matching wits with someone who wasn't easily outmaneuvered.
He even brought cakes and treats in the middle of the negotiations to try to get her in a good mood. While it worked, she also knew better than to let it affect her negotiations.
However, one thing that unsettled her was that even though she could see him thinking ahead, he was still willing to sacrifice benefits for short-term gains especially for the first five years of their agreement. If it had been any other ruler, she would have thought them to be shortsighted, but she knew better than to label Rimuru anything other than her match.
There was something that she was missing, and though she could use that flaw to push for more benefits, she trusted her gut. She felt that things would only turn out for the worse if she pushed her luck.
Halfway through the meeting, Ellen, who had been quietly and awkwardly sitting on the side, was quietly pulled aside by her father. It was clear that she felt out of place in the high-stakes environment, and while Rimuru had appreciated her presence at first, she had already done her part by smoothing things out at first.
Had Ellen not been in the room, Elmesia might have pulled out all of her manipulation techniques from the very beginning. So in a way, she had served as a temporary shackle to hold back Elmesia's strongest negotiation tactics.
In the end, after hours of negotiation, eating, and some drinking, they had finally reached a complete agreement. For Sarion's part, it was the following:
1.) A pact of Nonaggression:
Both nations agree to refrain from military aggression or hostile actions towards each other. Agreeing that any conflicts would be solved through diplomatic channels, with mediation by a third party if necessary.
In addition, they would respect their territories, agreeing not to try to expand into each other's land. A provision mainly added because of Frey.
2.) A Road Construction Agreement between Tempest and Sarion:
Tempest will lead the construction and initial maintenance of the road, with Sarion providing logistical support and partial funding. In return, Tempest will receive priority access to Sarion's markets with reduced taxes, while both nations will share the toll and fee revenues from the road, which will be considered neutral territory.
Tempest would have the larger share of the tolls and fees collected for the first ten years as compensation for building the road.
3.) Trading Agreement on Food, Materials, and Clothing:
Tempest will supply Sarion with high-quality food products, while Sarion will provide rare materials and luxury goods. The trade will be governed by fair pricing and overseen by a joint trade council to ensure both nations benefit equally from the agreement.
Those covered all of the major bases, and since Dwargon already had a similar agreement, they didn't need to be included in it. Though they were a major part of the following agreements:
1.) Knowledge and Technology Sharing Agreement for Labyrinth Development:
The three nations will collaborate on research and development in the Labyrinth, with Tempest providing its researchers and unique monster abilities, while Sarion and Dwargon contribute their advanced technologies. Knowledge sharing will be gradual, with a joint research committee ensuring fair benefits and protecting intellectual property.
2.) Cultural Exchange and Mutual Recognition Agreement:
A cultural exchange program will be established, including student exchanges, joint festivals, and an annual cultural summit hosted alternately in Tempest, Dwargon, and Sarion, to promote mutual understanding and strengthen ties between their nations.
Stretching even though he didn't need to, Rimuru sighed.
"Is that it? Did we forget anything?" Rimuru asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion from the endless back-and-forth with Gazel and Elmesia.
Elmisia offered a faint smile as she signaled for one of the maids to bring another cup of mead.
"No, I think we've covered everything. Though I do think we should have added a couple of barrels of this into the agreement." Her tone was light, a playful glint in her eyes as she raised her cup.
"I'll let Apito know even an Empress likes her honey." Rimuru chuckled, turning to Gazel. "How come it was easier when it was just the two of us? I kind of miss those good ol' days."
Gazel, who seemed to have sighed more times than he could count during the meeting, took a long swig of his beer before responding.
"You should have asked Shuna to help you with it. She seems to like it. If anything, she enjoys the political games. You should have seen her when she came to Dwargon. I had to reprimand a good amount of my officials after getting played by her and revealing a bit too much."
Rimuru smiled at the thought, shaking his head with a mixture of pride and amusement.
"Ah, she's busy at the moment dealing with Jistav. However, she should be back soon. She wouldn't mind going to Dwargon for another vacation." Rimuru mused
"Vacation…" Gazel muttered, shaking his head. "I really want to fight you right now— I mean, exchange knowledge of the sword… two sword brothers sharing tips."
Elmesia couldn't contain her laughter, a melodic sound that filled the room, lightening the mood even further.
"Now I really want to meet this 'Miss Shuna.'" She said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Wasn't she the one who made those special Rimuru pillows?"
"Yeah, she was. She likes sewing and…" Rimuru began, absentmindedly answering before suddenly stopping. "How do you know about the special Rimuru pillows?"
Elmesia smiled, a picture of innocence that was entirely unconvincing.
"Elyun told me about them. I was quite curious if I could get one or two for myself." She replied, her tone teasing as she enjoyed watching Rimuru's reaction.
"Rimuru pillows?" Gazel asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion, only to be waved off by both Elmesia and Rimuru in unison.
After a few more minutes of idle chatter, Rimuru concluded the meeting. Elmesia would be taking a tour of the city with Ellen in the morning. Meanwhile, Gazel would be returning to Dwargon, entirely exhausted from all the meetings.
As the others began to make their way out, Gazel lingered behind for a moment, finishing the last of his beer. Once it was just the two of them, he turned to Rimuru.
"Do you actually want to have that sword spar?" He asked. "I wouldn't mind stretching a bit, working out all the stress."
"I would, but I really ought to start working on planning a date with Frey. Otherwise, I'll get in trouble." Rimuru answered with a chuckle. "But let's reschedule it for later. I've been meaning to try out a few different fighting styles, and other than Hakuro, you're the best person to practice with."
"Ah, girl trouble." Gazel sighed, shaking his head with a knowing smile as he stood up.
"I can send Hakuro over to Dwargon for a week or two if you want. I'm sure he wouldn't mind spending some time with his old student." Rimuru suggested, Gazel's tired expression instantly lighting up.
"That wouldn't be too bad." Gazel answered with a smile, giving one final nod before stepping out.
— — —
A few days passed after the negotiations with Elmesia and Gazel.
He had a lot of work to do. With the addition of the Labyrinth, Jistav, and Falmuth, everything changed. He had to manage all of the kingdoms properly and find the most efficient way to use all of his territory.
Raphael had done most, if not all, of the heavy work for him, but he wanted to hear feedback from his representatives before taking any action. As careful as Raphael was, there was also the chance she would overlook something for being minor or unlikely to happen.
Plus, the simple addition of hearing other's opinions might be enough for Raphael to spark up an entirely new and better plan.
However, Shuna had extended her stay in Jistav a few more days to finish putting everything in its place. And though he could teleport her to Tempest for the meeting, he would rather not put too much on her plate and let her finish what she was working on first.
She was an incredibly hard worker, so if he wasn't careful she would begin to overwork herself in an effort to help him.
Collapsing onto his bed, Rimuru stared at the ceiling briefly.
"How come I am doing so much work… wasn't I supposed to just delegate and enjoy the happy life? Now I have to prepare for a war, and I don't even know with whom." Rimuru sighed, closing his eyes for a few moments.
[Notice. The currently assigned representatives are at full capacity. Several others have been chosen and are going through their respective training. However, to ensure full efficiency…]
"I know…" Rimuru cut in with a chuckle as he opened his eyes. "I was just complaining because I am stressed."
Pushing himself up, Rimuru walked over to the window, gazing out at all of the people moving below.
"Even if it is a pain... it's kinda fun, isn't it, Raph?"
[...] Raphael paused briefly as if seriously considering the question. Or as if trying to understand the concept of fun.
[Agreed.]
Rimuru couldn't help but smile at the simple yet sincere answer. She also had her own strange quirks, but the more he interacted with her, the more he felt he was talking to a real person.
Finally, he turned to the mirror.
He had dressed in a nice suit, and though he was looking forward to the date, he also felt somewhat uncomfortable. The thought of leaving to have "fun" after seeing that future felt somewhat wrong.
[Reminder—]
"You really ought to let me sulk sometimes, Raph." Rimuru joked, immediately feeling what she was about to say. However, he shook his head after a few moments. "Thanks."
Glancing at one of Shuna's bracelets, his smile widened. The two of them spent a good amount of time together when working, but they sometimes got carried away. He would have to make sure to spend a few extra days with her once she came back.
Adjusting his collar one final time, he took in a deep breath. If he was being honest, he hadn't really felt that connection with Frey before. They shared a few moments here and there, like when they had exchanged feathers. But in the end, it was only momentary.
Frey was extremely attractive, that much he couldn't deny. But ever since he had married Shuna, and gotten closer to her, he felt different. Strangely, the only times he really felt truly attracted to Frey was during those brief moments where they connected with each other.
That was the very reason he hadn't really done anything physical with her, even though they were technically married. He even defined their relationship as engaged from time to time because of how unsure he felt with her.
Which is what had made Frey mad at him the last time they had seen each other.
With a thought, he activated Uriel and teleported directly to Fulbrosia.
He appeared in a large chamber where Frey's throne was perched. Frey was already there, sitting casually on her throne, dressed in a flowing blue dress that accentuated her elegance and beauty.
She was glancing outside her window, looking down at the construction of a new tower Tempest was building, one that would set her throne higher than any other in the world. Higher than the Divine Tree in Sarion.
Rimuru was left speechless as he saw her, yet he also noticed the subtle boredom and nerves as she tapped her finer on her throne.
Frey turned to look at him after he appeared, her eyes sweeping over his appearance with a critical but playful gaze. Her previous nervousness instantly vanishing.
"Hmm." She mused, tilting her head slightly as she appraised him. "Not bad, but it could be better."
Rimuru rolled his eyes with a smirk. In response, he unfurled his wings, letting them spread out behind him in a display he knew she couldn't resist. As expected, Frey's lips curled into a genuine smile, her eyes lighting up with delight.
"There they are." She laughed.
Rimuru stepped forward, extending his hand to help her up from her throne.
"Be honest." He teased. "You only like me for my wings."
Frey rolled her eyes in return, her smile becoming warmer.
"It's a good perk, what can I say?" Her voice was light and teasing, but there was an undeniable affection in her tone as she reached out to gently caress the feathers of his wings, her fingers moving with a practiced affectionate touch. As she caressed the feathers, the conflicted expression appeared again, if only for a brief moment.
"Actually, there's something I wanted to try during our 'date.' A way to rekindle the flames." She said, putting on a playful tone.
Rimuru raised an eyebrow because of her choice of words.
"Oh, really? The flames are already so dim?" He asked.
Frey pretended to look indignant, a fake pout on her face.
"Not quite. Just a way to remember our first meeting. I want a rematch. There is something I want to test."
Remembering their first match, Rimuru chuckled. It felt like an eternity ago. Their first meeting had been a trick from Frey because of the strange "Sky and Storm" prophecy. A lot has changed since then.
He wasn't quite sure what she wanted to test, but his best guess was that she wanted to try going all out since her last battle was her defeat against Milim.
"We can have a rematch. But, in that case, we're a tad overdressed, don't you think?" Rimuru asked
Frey's smile widened, her eyes glinting with excitement. But she remained composed, gracefully extending her hand toward him.
"Don't worry, I brought a change of clothes. Now, where are we going?" She asked, her voice soft but filled with anticipation.
Rimuru took her hand and gave it a kiss.
"Your favorite place. As high as we can go."
With a thought, he activated Uriel once more, and in an instant, they were transported far above the world into the stratosphere. He could have taken them higher, into the reaches of space, but he preferred to be cautious. Even with Uriel's power over space, he wasn't keen on the idea of accidentally drifting into the void.
A transparent barrier formed around them, a 20-foot dome that would allow Rimuru to control the temperature and atmosphere. Although both of them could survive without air, Rimuru had filled the space with oxygen he had stored in his stomach, making the experience feel more natural.
As they arrived, Frey's eyes widened in awe. The view was breathtaking—the world spread out beneath them like a vast tapestry, with clouds swirling below and continents stretching out as far as the eye could see. The vastness of the sky, the closeness of the stars, and the sheer height at which they stood took her breath away.
Frey's wings, usually held with commanding strength, relaxed slightly. Her entire demeanor softened as she stepped forward.
"This... is beautiful..." She whispered, her voice filled with wonder and reverence as she brought a hand to her chest.
For a moment, she was lost in the majesty of it all. Far above the earth, even higher than the heavens, she felt at home. The height, the view, the feeling of being above everything. It was exactly what she craved as the Sky Queen.
Rimuru couldn't help but smile as he saw her eyes practically sparkle. Her wings even fluttered slightly from time to time as she took in the view. It was strange, but this was the first time he had seen her truly happy. Truly free.
She looked beautiful.
Stepping next to her, Rimuru looked down at the world, too. It was calming. Out here, there was no kingdom to manage, no wars to prepare for, and no ticking time bombs, even if it was all just an illusion.
Frey turned to him, her eyes shimmering with a mix of gratitude and something deeper, affection that had taken root and grown quietly over time.
"It's perfect." She said, her voice barely more than a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might disrupt the moment they were sharing. "I could stay here forever."
Rimuru didn't respond with words. Instead, he unfurled one of his wings, the soft feathers brushing against her skin as he wrapped it around her, drawing her closer.
The warmth of his embrace seemed to dissolve the last remnants of tension in her, and she leaned into him, her head finding its place against his shoulder. They slowly sank to the ground of the barrier, their legs folding beneath them as they sat side by side, wrapped in each other's presence. The world around them faded, leaving only the two of them in this shared, quiet moment.
Frey chuckled softly, the sound light and tinged with a sense of wonder.
"This is so weird…" She whispered, her voice carrying the warmth of her smile. "I—I feel weird."
Rimuru turned to her, curiosity sparking in his eyes as he noticed the incredulous expression on her face. She seemed to be searching for the right words, something that could convey the complexity of what she was feeling.
"When I first met you." She began, struggling to find the words. "I saw you as a simple duty. You were the child of the storm, and it was my duty to be with you." She paused, her hand moving to her chest as if to physically pull the words from within her. "But it was fun, you know? You were fun. Charybdis, watching you carefully plan everything, Falmuth, Jistav… Even seeing you deal with Clayman, it was all so… interesting."
She turned her gaze to the world below them, a small smile playing on her lips as she allowed herself to be vulnerable, perhaps for the first time in a long while.
"I won't lie, I enjoyed it. But there were things… things that were just a matter of jealousy for me. Like when I tried to capture Eurazania for you. I wanted to prove my worth, to show you that I was more than just an ally. Even though we exchanged our feathers, I still felt the distance between us. It was… annoying."
Rimuru smiled, a soft, understanding smile as he looked up at the stars before turning his gaze back to her.
"If I'm being honest," he began, his voice gentle yet filled with sincerity, "I pushed you away, and that's on me. Everything moved so quickly, that I was still adapting to this world. It's hard to care for more than one person at a time. One relationship happened out of nowhere, right when I was still getting used to being in this world, and the other… well, the other happened after enough time of just messing around during training. And even that one is not as close."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head as if to clear away the thoughts that threatened to distract him.
"I also found you fun. We're both the type to make plans, to mess with others in our own way. But at the same time, I saw you more as an ally than a partner."
Frey's expression became slightly complicated as she heard him, and she turned to look down at the planet below them.
"It's not quite what I wanted to hear…" Frey finally said, her voice laced with a soft chuckle. "I wanted to hear how you were so intimidated by me that you didn't know how to move forward. Or how you were so busy with your Prophet stuff that you just couldn't make it work. But… you know, I appreciate you telling me the truth. Deep down, I guess I always knew things were that way."
She leaned her head back on Rimuru's shoulder, her breath escaping in a long, slow sigh. For someone like Frey, who had always prided herself on her strength and independence, this moment of honesty was both liberating and terrifying
"I never thought I would feel like this." She confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I guess that's fate, isn't it? Angry, happy, sad, in love… It's kind of hard not to when you match pretty well with someone. When he builds you a tower to fill your deepest wish. When you see him play with the Puppeteer Demon Lord in the palm of his hand." A small, wistful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she turned her gaze back to him. "It makes it even harder when you're married to them."
Rimuru let out an apologetic smile as he brought her closer with his wing.
"You know… I can't help but wonder. Do we end up together in every timeline? What happened in the one I showed you? Did we make it in that one? Did you…" He mused, the questions hanging in the air between them.
"I'm sorry." He added after a moment, his voice filled with genuine regret.
"For what?" Frey asked, her head still leaning on his shoulder.
"For taking so long." Rimuru answered. "It wasn't until after Walpurgis that I finally realized how much I cared for you. How much you meant to me. You know, I may look like I have everything figured out. Jistav, Falmuth… If I am being honest I am kind of just scrapping by on bluffing skills along. I am kind of figuring it out as I go."
"You were vulnerable," Frey muttered, her voice laced with a hint of self-reproach. "If anything, I should be ashamed of it. I'm supposed to be the Queen of the Harpies, but that was the only way I could get you."
Shaking his head, Rimuru reached out to grab her hand.
"No… that isn't it." Rimuru answered, getting lost in thought. "I've got a pretty clear head right now. And I still feel this way."
Frey didn't answer, leaving a moment of silence before Rimuru spoke up.
"The sky and the storm…" Rimuru muttered, the smile on his face becoming playful. "I challenge you to a Skybound Trial."
Frey raised an eyebrow in confusion before her expression suddenly turned into a genuine smile.
"Ah, Skybound Trial?" Frey asked before her tone turned mischievous. "I'll have you know we Harpies take it quite seriously."
"Well, I am quite serious this time." Rimuru answered, causing her wings to flutter slightly as she leaned in closer.
"I accept." She said softly.
— — —
Special Thanks to my Beta Readers/Editors: The one, the only, the amazing @Basilisk, And @Kiyan Tribe (FF.net/AO3/QQ/WN) | kiyan_tribe( Discord)
Go Check out Basilisk's great story "I'm a Daemon, so what?"
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~A/N~
Lemme know what you think of the chap. One of my regrets is how fast the Shuna thing went, and there wasn't much of a window to romance Frey in the past. I am still working on fixing and improving the Shuna romance with small interactions (and Shion lol; she deserves more love.)
But I really liked how this chap turned out. Also, Frey lewd next chap lol, I was debating whether or not to split it, but you all have had enough cliff hangers. So next chap is like 7k words.
Also, funnily enough, the song I was spamming while listening to this chap was "Like a Prayer" from Madonna. Same with the next chap.