As she strolled through the bustling streets of Lune, the capital of the Holy Empire of Lubelius, Hinata Sakaguchi couldn't help but notice the joy on people's faces. From the laughter of children to the contentment of adults, everyone seemed to be living a life of bliss. They all thrived under the benevolent rule of Luminous, who ensured they lacked nothing.
When she first stumbled upon Luminism, its ideals and the country it governed fascinated her. She yearned for a world devoid of conflicts, a world where no child would ever be abandoned by their parents.
She was admiring the streets while her mind wandered when one of the Cardinals of the church approached her with a smile. Cardinal Nikolaus Septus, a man who worshiped her like a god.
"Lady Hinata, it appears that Miss Shizu has returned to Englassia." He reported with a smile. He knew how much Hinata cared about Shizu, so he had personally assigned a few members of the church in Englassia to keep track of her comings and goings.
The last time Shizu left, they all knew she was heading on one last trip before her death, and she had even said so in her letter to Hinata. A letter that had caused Hinata to go extra hard on her training that day.
Even though Hinata never showed it, Shizu was one of the few people she truly cared about in this world. When she was first dragged to the Cardinal World, she was colder than she was now. Her time spent in Lubelius had made her less angry than she used to be in the past.
She was afraid of getting too close to someone and then being abandoned, so she pushed Shizue away.
"I see… Is she still preparing to die?" Hinata asked, her eyes slightly narrowed.
She wanted to visit her, but at the same time, she didn't want to see her mentor die. She had even asked Luminous for help, but with Shizu's condition, there wasn't much she could do.
The best Luminous would be able to do would be to prolong her life with her Kiss of Love, but knowing Shizu, that would have only been more akin to torture. Unless she dealt with Ifrit, she would continue to be in a constant fight.
"No, actually, from the reports, she actually appears to have recovered. She is no longer wearing her mask." Nikolaus reported, a soft smile on his face as he saw her open her eyes in surprise.
"What?" Hinata asked with genuine surprise. "Did she somehow find a cure?"
"We are still working on getting that information. However, from the reports, she came with a young man who was wearing her mask. He might be another stray otherworlder, so there is a chance that the Unique Skill he awakened when he came to this world helped him save her."
Hinata nodded, getting lost in thought. It made sense. When one was brought into this world, they generally awakened a Unique Skill as long as they were at least in their teenage years. Younger otherworlders would be unable to awaken a Skill due to not having a fully developed mind and will.
"And here is the funny part. Apparently, he also became a teacher for the otherworlder kids. They seem to like him based on what the priest said. He has seen them going out on field trips in Englassia."
Hinata smiled slightly, looking up at Nikolaus before asking.
"Has Shizu asked for me at all?" She wasn't quite sure why she was asking, but the question left her mouth before she could even realize it.
Nikolaus smiled before shaking his head.
"No, we haven't received any letters yet. However, I am sure Shizu would appreciate the surprise if you went to visit her. I am sure she just doesn't want to bother you. I've only met her briefly during one of my missions in the past, but she seems like the type who would appreciate it."
Hinata went silent for a moment, causing Nikolaus to chuckle.
"I have a carriage ready if you want it. I can deal with your knights for some time. If you don't go now, you will be dragged into the whole issue that's coming up with the Jura Forest. Falmuth is requesting knights and paladins to help with dealing with the monsters, and who knows how long that will take?"
Hinata smiled slightly, nodding as she began to walk away in the direction of the carriages.
"Thanks." Was all she said as she left, though for Nikolaus, those words were as if the sweetest of angels had thanked him. Sadly for him, Hinata was long gone by the time he snapped out of it.
— — —
Mjurran was welcomed by Tempest in a way she had never expected. Instead of the resistance she anticipated, they greeted her with open arms. She was quickly assigned as a magic teacher and adapted to the role with surprising ease.
She noticed the Majins listening to her intently, eager to learn everything they could. If she was honest, she enjoyed her time as a teacher—it was a refreshing break from her usual undercover operations. Though she still had to sneak around and spy on Tempest to satisfy Clayman, she found the city less dangerous and impressive than she had hoped.
Rumors circulated about the incredible strength of Tempest's inhabitants, but she learned it came from a strange drug that temporarily boosted their power at the cost of damaging their organs and magicules, requiring months to recover. The drug was made from an extract of a bizarre plant found in the cave where Veldora had been imprisoned.
While she hadn't seen the plant up close, she had glimpsed it being carried around in secrecy. Its appearance, bathed in residual magicules, was unlike any plant she had ever seen.
Though the information sounded suspicious, she believed that plants who had been soaking in that high a concentration of magicules could have a chance to mutate. She had spent enough years researching and seeking knowledge to know at least that much.
"So that's the secret of their strength? A drug? How predictable…." Clayman had laughed when he heard her report. "They must have used most of their strength during their fight with Charybdis, didn't they?"
"Yes," Mjurran replied. "Even the crimson-haired Kijin, Benimaru, hasn't shown flames as strong as that day. He's now at the level of just a strong Majin. Yamza should easily handle him."
She wasn't entirely wrong, but Benimaru had been practicing the new Sun Breathing dance using only the magicules in the air. His flames, while powerful, were now more controlled, focusing on precision rather than sheer destruction.
As Mjurran continued to give her report to Clayman, the wheels began to move in his mind.
"What about the slime? What has he been up to?" He asked.
"He's been buried under a mountain of paperwork. Every time I check, he's surrounded by piles of documents and plans. It seems they're planning to expand Tempest even more," Mjurran said, remembering the sight of Rimuru's focused expression amidst the chaos of blueprints.
Clayman's lips curled into a sinister smile as he heard her.
"Good. Let him drown in his duties while we prepare our next move."
— — —
Deep within the tunnels that Marie's workers had built, Rimuru stood in a hidden room designed specifically for his experiments. The only way in was through a teleportation circle inside Antoinette's chamber, which meant any intruder would have to kill all of the countless fighter ants protecting her.
Ramiris was still in the process of setting up her Labyrinth, each floor taking about a day to create. Until it was ready, the training rooms and experimental labs would remain on hold from being moved.
Everything had been moving just as he had hoped. Shizue was watching over the kids, which allowed him to fully focus on dealing with the coming war.
To him, war was messy. He didn't enjoy senseless killing. Yet, he also knew he had to set an example. He was sure countless people would be opposed to a Kingdom of Monsters and Majin, and if he didn't awaken as a Demon Lord, it would only mean that he would be weaker when the time came.
He also needed to Awaken in order to gain the Energy necessary to evolve his Skills, so if he didn't Awaken, it would take a hundred years to release Veldora, according to Sage's analysis. He knew he was growing, and if he had Veldora by his side, it would make the countries around him think twice before attacking.
So, for the sake of his people, for the sake of his future, he would become the monster of Falmuth. He would make sure the world knew he was not someone to be messed with.
Taking out the two other bodies he had created, Rimuru carefully raised his arms and asked Sage to summon a Greater Daemon again. He wasn't sure if what he had done so far was enough to catch Noir's attention, but it was worth the try. Having someone of his caliber on his side would help him turn an already relatively simple war into child's play.
The room lit up with a purple glow as the summoning circle materialized. A wave of magicules surged, and two Daemons appeared.
One was a refined man in a regal outfit, dark hair adorned with streaks of crimson and yellow. He bowed deeply upon arrival, a soft smile gracing his lips.
Beside him stood a stunning woman with pure white hair and pale skin. She opened her eyes to reveal enchanting crimson eyes. Dressed in an elegant white gown, she moved gracefully, curtsying with practiced ease and a radiant smile.
Rimuru couldn't help but smile as he saw the Daemon he had been looking for, barely acknowledging the white-haired lady next to him.
"My Lord, it is an honor to be summoned by you," Noir said, his golden eyes, surrounded by black sclera, meeting Rimuru's gaze. He glanced briefly at the female Daemon but remained silent.
Blanc, for her part, released her magicules in an attempt to intimidate Rimuru. Curiosity had gotten the better of her, prompting her to follow Noir when he was summoned. However, much to her amusement, she had simply gotten ignored.
Since losing her first friend, Blanc had practically given up on incarnating in the Cardinal World. Her interest had waned after the Lake Shore Dyed Red incident. However, she still kept tabs on her fellow primordials, and her encounters with Noir had piqued her interest in the person who had caught his attention.
Initially, she had come just to observe, indifferent to whatever Rimuru had to offer. Her plan was to watch and then return to her territory. But she found herself smiling as Rimuru ignored her attempts at intimidation.
The most she had gotten was his side glance before he placed all of his attention on Noir.
"Kufufufu. You appeared to have been expecting me. Am I to presume that you have even foreseen my arrival?" Noir asked, his eyes filled with pure amusement.
Rimuru nodded, prompting Noir to chuckle again.
"As expected of Lord Rimuru."
Rimuru then turned his attention to the white-haired Daemon.
[Notice. Her strength level is unreadable, just like Noir's. It is recommended that the white-haired Daemon be treated with caution.]
Blanc smiled as Rimuru finally acknowledged her. She didn't fully grasp what Noir saw in him, but she had to admit that Rimuru was intriguing. He had ignored her intimidation, only acknowledging her after interacting with Noir. Even though it appeared to be their first meeting, both of them acted as if they knew each other well.
Used to being feared, Blanc was surprised to see Rimuru looking at her with curiosity rather than fear.
"I am also at your service, my Lord. I hope you choose me over him. I can be far more useful. I guarantee it." Blanc's smile widened as she saw Noir's eyebrow twitch.
"My Lord, do not let this Daemon confuse you—" Noir began, but Rimuru raised a hand, silencing the argument before it started.
"I have two bodies, so I can take both of you in. They should adapt perfectly to you. As long as you agree to serve me, I will give you the bodies," Rimuru offered, presenting the bodies.
Noir stepped forward, eyes gleaming with excitement as he examined one of the bodies. Blanc followed, her eyes widening slightly as she saw them for the first time.
"Five years… I will serve my Lord for five years in exchange for this body," Noir said, looking up at Rimuru with a curious gaze. His primary goal was still tied to the mask. This was a temporary distraction, a puzzle he believed was connected to the mask.
"One year, I will serve my Lord for one year in exchange for this body," Blanc offered, considering it more than generous. Noir's offer of five years suggested he found this entertaining, and she wasn't willing to commit to Rimuru for longer than a year if that was the case.
Blanc found Rimuru somewhat intriguing but not commanding enough to submit to fully. His magicule count nearly rivaled a True Demon Lord's, which was impressive, but she had seen anomalies like him before.
Rimuru raised an eyebrow in surprise. Noir should have been almost obsessive with him, but now he seemed simply amused. It threw a wrench in his plans, but that was when Sage spoke up, drawing him into Thought Acceleration.
'Sage?' Rimuru asked, searching for an explanation.
[Apologies. A fact has been overlooked during the preparation process. The mask is the object of Noir's attention. It is believed that the breaking of said mask fully drew Noir in.]
[Processing power has been split into far too many segments. Change processing power to focus full attention on the Falmuth War and the Jistav Invasion?]
[Yes / No]
Even though Sage's voice sounded as cold as usual, he could almost swear that he could hear a hint of frustration in it. However, that was probably just his imagination.
Sage had been managing everything in the background, from experiments to city planning, supply management, future strategies, and maintaining a constant watch with universal sense.
Though Rimuru was the face and ruler of Tempest, he relied heavily on Sage for decision-making. Sage was a workaholic who took on every new task Rimuru suggested, managing experiments with metals and plants, city planning, and providing support to anyone in need.
He even began to wonder if he had been overworking Sage this whole time.
Even though most of the work was also divided between the countless citizens like Shuna, Rigurd, Kaijin, and Kurobe, to name a few, Sage was overlooking everything to make sure everything would go according to plan, offering support to anyone who needed it at Rimuru's request. Still, perhaps he had been leaving Sage without any room to spare.
[Negative. Great Sage's capacities have been adapting and improving in efficiency thanks to the constant information.]
Rimuru chuckled internally, shaking his head.
'No, for now, put a temporary break on all other tasks. Focus fully on this war. I need you at your best. We are in this together, and I trust you the most. So, from now on, inform me when your processing capabilities are near their max.'
[Understood.]
[Notice. It is believed that the white-haired Daemon next to Noir is another Primordial, the Primordial of white, Blanc, also known as Testarossa. From the small excerpt of data found in your memory, not much is known other than their political prowess.]
With this new information, Rimuru turned to look at the white-haired Daemon again. He couldn't fully trust the two of them, so he decided to turn this into a formal contract.
Using Sage, he made two pieces of paper appear in his hand, each detailing the terms. Sage carefully wrote them to ensure the Primordials would accept the deal.
He didn't have enough magicules right now to name both of them safely, and he didn't want to power them up too much if he couldn't guarantee that they would serve him from now on. Especially since he didn't have enough information about Blanc to trust her fully.
He didn't want a Primordial being set loose and attacking Tempest because he overlooked something.
So, as the two of them read the contracts, they both smiled.
"Kufufufu, as expected of Lord Rimuru. I wouldn't expect anything less from you." Noir commented as he signed the contract.
Blanc hesitated, having only recently learned about Rimuru. She hadn't had the chance to fully understand him or learn about him. However, she nodded, deciding to play along. One year was not much for someone who had lived as long as her. So she, too, signed the contract.
With the contract signed, the two Primordials possessed the bodies that had been offered to them.
— — —
Special Thanks to my Beta Readers/Editors: The one, the only, the amazing @Basilisk, the Aussie @LuluViBritania (FF.N, SB, WN and QQ)/-LuluViB|99th Britannian Emperor(Discord) and @Kiyan Tribe (FF.net/AO3/QQ/WN) | kiyan_tribe( Discord)
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