Carrion was currently outside of his palace, his fists clenched and unclenched in a rhythmic pattern, a physical manifestation of his mental preparation. He was nervous, but his face betrayed only determination, a testament to the gravity of the impending battle.
His Kingdom, which usually had countless Lycanthropes wandering the street, was now completely empty. If it wasn't for the fact that Milim had given him a warning of ten days, then he couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to his people.
They were now fleeing as far as they could, which left a bad taste in his mouth, as a King, he should be able to protect them. But now, all of them were left to escape by themselves.
Rimuru's words echoed in his mind. "Not even the mountains will survive."
"The complete destruction of my Kingdom..." Carrion muttered, his voice a low growl. He had once believed in his strength, in his ability to withstand Milim's fury. But now, the truth was painfully clear.
Since Milim's visit, his Extra Skill: Danger Sense
had been going crazy, constantly warning him. It made him uneasy, but as the King of Eurazania, running away wasn't an option. He'd rather die than show cowardice.
He had been preparing the past few days, but there wasn't much he could do now but wait, he had a responsibility to his people, and he would do all he could to fulfil it.
When he first became the Beast King, he was far more uncaring about his role, he simply wished for a good fight, but as time went on the responsibility began to weigh on him, he realized that he had people that relied on him, that looked up to him.
He couldn't afford to let those people down, and if he would have to die, then so be it.
His instincts suddenly screamed at him that he was in danger, so readying himself, he turned around to see an obsidian mirror appear in the air, from which an elegant woman stepped out—a woman he knew all too well.
"Frey," Carrion said, hiding his surprise. Her wings had changed, and her eyes had a new, almost magical glow. Her skin looked smoother, and her hair looked softer. She looked more beautiful and stronger than ever, it was as if all the little imperfections in her being were completely erased. She looked absolutely… divine.
"Carrion, fancy seeing you here," Frey said with a smile, spreading her wings. "I hear you've angered our little Destroyer. I thought you'd know better. Sounds like you need some help."
Carrion narrowed his eyes.
"What brings you here, Frey? Are you here to try to enjoy the mess I'm in? I know you are the reason my requests for help were denied. I don't know what you are planning, but if you think I will surrender my Kingdom to you so easily, you should think again." He spoke with some anger, though he held back from attacking her directly.
Right now, the person he was angriest with was her. He could only assume that Milim's actions were somehow related to her and Clayman.
Frey laughed softly as she heard him, her voice becoming warmer as she continued.
"Enjoy? No, I'm here to offer a solution."
Carrion tightened his fists.
"And what's that?"
Frey stepped closer, moving gracefully.
"Join forces with Rimuru. With his power and resources, Eurazania can be saved. In return, you submit to his rule. It's a small price to pay for the survival of your Kingdom, but I can promise that you will be treated fairly."
Carrion made his spear appear in his hand before aiming it at Frey.
"Frey, we have both had our disagreements in the past. But you should know me well enough to know that I would never submit to anyone who I can beat. I have seen Rimuru firsthand. He isn't a match for me." He was already in a bad mood, and Frey only made him angrier the longer she spoke.
Frey's beautiful laughter echoed in the empty streets.
"Oh, Carrion, you don't know how funny you sound right now. Rimuru is stronger than me… and I am stronger than you." Frey spoke as she began to casually walk in the empty streets, turning to look at the gigantic palace in the distance.
As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she began to release her magicules, activating Demon Lord's Haki to pressure Carrion. Smiling as she saw him tense up in surprise.
"Pride won't save your people, Carrion. Think of them, not just yourself. Rimuru's offer is generous and the only way to ensure your Kingdom's future. Clayman is on his way to try to kill all of your citizens as they escape. Even if they are strong, they will be surrounded. Helpless."
Frey knew Carrion well enough to know just exactly what buttons to push, and using her Universal Sense, she could see his anger about to boil over. If she was being honest with herself, she had nothing against Carrion.
They had known each other for countless years, and their relationship had always been friendly. But she had made a promise, and she would make sure she kept it. She would not disappoint Rimuru, no matter what she had to do.
Though if anything, she was giving Carrion a favor. Joining Tempest was practically a guaranteed ticket to success.
"Carrion, would you believe me if I told you that you will die without my help? That the only way to save Eurazania is through Rimuru?"
Carrion stood still, looking at Frey's smile with focused eyes, his body tensing as he suddenly shot in her direction. He could feel her power from the Haki she was using to pressure him, but the simple thought of accepting without a fight was enough to make him want to bash his head against a wall.
He moved to punch her, but to his surprise, he saw her wings flap slightly before she suddenly vanished. Her speed, compared to before, was almost impossible to follow in his eyes. His instincts still carried him as he turned to block before he jumped back. Yet even then, he still felt a slash on his chest.
As he landed, Carrion's expression turned into one of absolute shock as he reached to touch the blood dripping from his chest.
"How?" Carrion muttered, turning to look as Frey flicked the blood off from the wing she had used to cut him.
"Carrion, do you really want to fight this out? Milim is coming soon. I doubt you want to be all out of energy for when she comes. It would probably be smarter to settle this after, don't you agree?"
Carrion looked at Frey in silence, clenching his fists.
"Agreed."
— — —
As Veldora raised another glass of wine, he continued to celebrate. He was slightly drunk at the moment since he had suppressed his Poison Nullification, but he was enjoying finally being free after hundreds of years.
"Bro, this thing is awesome. I can't believe how handy having a human body is. Never in my life have I gotten to eat such delicious things. This is even better than destroying a Kingdom." He shouted as he raised a glass before moving to Shuna.
"Shuna, if anyone ever annoys you, just let me know. I don't want anyone messing with my sister-in-law. All I ask is that you bake me some more treats in exchange." Veldora said before bursting out in laughter. "I'll look at 'em the wrong way, and then they'll die. That's how cool I am."
Shuna only smiled politely as she nodded her head.
"I will keep your offer in mind, Sir Veldora." She answered, causing him to shake his head immediately.
"No, no, no. Just Veldora. We are family over here. We all carry the Tempest name!"
As Rimuru looked at the two of them interacting, he felt Ramiris poke her head out of his hair.
"Huh, Veldora is less scary than I remember him. I used to have an entrance in the forest for my labyrinth, and I saw him massacre an entire army. He looks… nicer now." Ramiris muttered as she finally fluttered out of her safe place. Flying and landing on Rimuru's shoulder.
The two of them sat down, looking as Shion grabbed onto a gigantic wine barrel and began a drinking competition with Veldora. As the two of them saw Shion collapse and fall asleep, Ramiris suddenly remembered.
"Hey, didn't you ask me something during the Harvest Festival? Something about being a Hero." She asked, casually kicking her legs,
"Ah, that. Yes." Rimuru answered with a smile, reaching for her with his finger to gently tap her head. "In front of you is the first True Demon Lord with the potential to become a True Hero."
Hearing him, Ramiris instantly jumped.
"For real? That's impossible!" She exclaimed as she suddenly fluttered up in front of him, looking at him in his eyes before gently laying her forehead to his.
[Notice. The Hero's Egg inside of you is reacting to the presence of the Fairy Queen Ramiris.]
After a moment, Ramiris suddenly fluttered backward in surprise.
"What?! How!?" She asked, her eyes sparkling as she began to flutter around him in circles.
Seeing her, he couldn't help but laugh slightly as he reached out his hand for her to sit in, an offer which she took after a few more circles around him.
"Well. It's hard to explain, but let's just say it took a lot of effort." Rimuru answered, laughing as he saw her pouting.
"That's not an answer!" She complained.
"Well. How about you explain why you are the one who decides who becomes a Hero or not? I didn't know it before, but if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to get this far. What other secrets are you hiding?" He asked, his voice turning playful as he leaned in and whispered. "Don't tell me that I am married to the most important fairy in the world?"
Hearing his question, Ramiris let out a goofy smile.
"Well, I mean… when you put it like that…" She began giving out a few boxing punches. "I told you before, but back when I was at full power, I could have womped Veldora if I wanted to. Give him the old one-two combo."
Then, a nostalgic smile appeared on her face.
"Oh, you should have seen my Labyrinth back then… It was a world of its own… my own small world. A whole world for me and my spirits."
She let out a sigh as she dropped onto Rimuru's hand.
"I hadn't thought about it in a long time…. I had given up on ever being able to make it again. But I guess I finally have a chance." She looked lost in thought for a moment before suddenly jumping up. "Alright, enough about that. You wanted to hear how amazing I was, right?"
The small party continued for a few more hours until Veldora eventually passed out on one of the couches. Ramiris had also decided to fall asleep, using Rimuru's hair as a blanket. As everyone went silent and began to pick up, Shuna approached with a smile.
"I'm glad Veldora seems to have enjoyed himself. I can only imagine what being trapped for hundreds of years would feel like."
"Thanks for organizing all of this." Rimuru said as he wrapped his arm around her. "How do you think Noir and Blanc are doing in Falmuth? I'm honestly not sure that Souka will be enough to stop them if they were to push things too far."
Shuna chuckled slightly as she heard him, leaning her head on his body.
"You know… I have a feeling that everything will work out just fine. I saw Noir and Blanc after the Festival, and they were different. I think they can be trusted now. Even with Frey heading to Carrion's territory, I'm also sure she won't fail." She answered, giggling slightly as she added. "Maybe I'm a prophet too now because I am sure we will make it through anything together."
[...]
'Hm?'
Rimuru asked as he felt Raphael stir slightly, but he didn't get any answer.
— — —
Clayman sat in his usual room, drinking some of his wine. However, the usual sweetness was gone.
Looking out the window, his face didn't show emotion as his leg subconsciously bounced on the ground. Yet, as he was lost in thought, a smile crept into his face.
"Laplace. You're here sooner than I expected you." Clayman said as he turned to look at Laplace, who was sitting on a couch next to him, looking up at the ceiling.
"Well, our Lord was worried about you. He… well, maybe I should go by "She" now since she is in that body now…" Laplace began, getting slightly distracted before turning to Clayman and making another orb of domination appear in his hand.
"Kagali was worried about you since you said Milim was resisting with just one. She rushed to make this one, so she is exhausted right now. You had better give her a proper thanks once you have completed your plan. You don't know how hard she pushed herself."
Clayman laughed as he grabbed the small purple orb, lifting it up to reflect the sunlight.
"Don't worry. In just a few days, I will be strong enough to help our Lord regain their position. Everything is going as I planned, though sadly, we had a loss. Mjurran got caught." Clayman muttered, placing the orb into one of his pockets.
Laplace looked at Clayman incredulously.
"You call that going as planned?"
Clayman only smirked as he answered.
"Well, that loss was within my expectations. She was becoming attached to Tempest, so she might have turned on me. If anything, maybe I should thank the slime for once. He finally gave me a proper excuse to justify my actions in Walpurgis."
Laplace, who was usually playful, couldn't help but fully drop the act.
"Boss is worried about him, and after talking to Tear and Footman, I believe he is not someone to be underestimated. The Slime was practically able to take down Charybdis by himself. He has organized his own city, which is filled with named Monsters. Boss was able to see through his acting, he's-" Laplace began only to be cut off by Clayman.
"That's enough Laplace. I know you are worried. I was created by our Lord specifically for this purpose. If you think I haven't been taking the proper precautions, then you are wrong. Falmuth is currently on its way to weaken Tempest." Clayman began, his expression turning into a mixture of anger and annoyance.
Standing up from his seat, he looked down at Laplace.
"I don't expect Falmuth to win. I know their strength. Using the drug they grow in Veldora's cave, I don't doubt they will be able to kill everyone there. But the price they pay for that strength will turn them into sheep ready to be executed for our Lord. Falmuth's role is to weaken Tempest."
Walking to the window, he looked at the forest in the far distance.
"With Milim under my full control, Eurazania will be destroyed. And then, Fulbrosia will be too." He began, clenching his fist slightly.
"Dino won't do anything. He will simply sleep his way through the meetings. Dagruel has enough problems with his kingdom, so he will also not care. Ramiris is a joke. Leon is far too self-absorbed to care, and if everything goes well, we can finally get revenge on him for his crimes against our Lord. If your mission succeeds, then Valentine will be too busy with the church to do anything."
Smiling, Clayman couldn't help but laugh.
"Think of all the resources we spent trying to create one Demon Lord. But soon, we will have almost all of the Ten Great Demon Lords under our influence. With Milim, we can work our way one by one, starting with Ramiris. The only real threat is the Lord of Darkness, Guy Crimson."
The room went silent for a few moments before Laplace burst into laughter. The sound echoed as Clayman's expression turned cold.
Laplace laughed for an uncomfortable amount of time until, eventually, he stood up, wiping an imaginary tear from his face.
"Clayman… I will trust you because I know you… You are not the type to get carried away so easily. So maybe I am just not smart enough to understand you. Just know that we will be waiting for you. But promise me one thing, Clayman."
"What is it?" Clayman asked, his expression still cold as he looked at Laplace, who walked until they were face to face.
"Promise me you will ask for help and that if the situation calls for it, that you will back down. As long as we are alive, we can rebuild."
Clayman's cold expression broke, allowing a gentle smile to grow on his face.
"You didn't used to be such a paranoid man, Laplace. Don't worry about me, just wait and see. Everything will change soon."
Laplace nodded his head. Smiling behind his mask as he took a couple of playful steps backward.
"Oh? I'm the paranoid one? I wonder if Tear and Footman would agree with that? Weren't you the one who kept so many secrets from his own servants just in case one betrayed you? I swear, poor Mjurran could have been so useful to us if you had let her in slightly. I honestly liked her. She was a hard worker." Laplace teased him slightly as he grabbed one of his most valuable wine bottles off the shelf and began to toss it in the air.
Clayman smiled as he saw Laplace finally relax, feeling the anxiety inside of his heart lower slightly.
"Ah, man, you've been really drinking lately." Laplace joked as he made the bottle disappear. "I'm taking a few, just looking out for you." He added, giving a salute as he vanished.
As he appeared far into the forest, Laplace couldn't help but sigh. He popped the cork off from one of the wine bottles and tilted his mask slightly to take a drink.
— — —
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