[Generating a list of names utilizing previous records of the Demon Lord Council found in history books and your preferences…]
[Hydra, Nine's Own Goal, Nine Nightmares, Nava Ratna, Nine Pillars, Nonagram….] Raphael continued to list names without stopping.
'Raph, just give me a simple one. A one-word name meaning nine…' Rimuru asked as his eyes swept across the room, noting the Demon Lords' unblinking stares.
[Understood.]
Clearing his throat, Rimuru echoed the name Raphael had suggested.
"How about Ennead?" He asked.
A moment of silence hung in the air until Leon nodded, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
"Ah, the Ennead, meaning a group of nine. Wasn't it used by the nine gods who formed Egypt's main pantheon. It is a surprisingly fitting name since we are, in fact, a group of nine."
The Demon Lords all exchanged a glance with each other before nodding in agreement.
"Settled, Ennead it is." Guy raised his glass in a toast.
"Man, that was easy. Are we done here, then? I wouldn't mind going back and lazing around."
"See! I told ya, you should all take a walk around Tempest someday. Meet some people. They all got some cool names. Some I don't quite get, but they are references to otherworlder stuff." Milim's voice was bright, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She turned to Leon. "Yo Leon, you collect otherworlders, right? I bet you would get them."
Leon gave a simple nod, his expression unreadable.
As Walpurgis broke into conversations, Guy leaned over to Mizeri, whispering something. She nodded and cleared her throat, gathering everyone's attention.
"With all of our matters dealt with, I will now call for the end of Walpurgis. From now on, we shall be known as The Ennead." She called out. "The nine members are as follows…"
With a polite bow towards Guy, she continued.
"The Lord of Darkness, Guy Crimson. The Destroyer, Milim Nava. Labyrinth Master, Ramiris. The Earthquake, Dagruel. The Bloody Lord, Roy Valentine. The Sleeping Ruler, Dino. The Sky Queen, Frey. The Platinum Saber, Leon Cromwell. And our new member…" Mizeri's eyes locked onto Rimuru.
"The Emperor, Rimuru Tempest."
Rimuru's eyes widened slightly as he heard the title that they had given him. He had expected to receive the title of newbie, at least for now. His best guess was that he had left a pretty strong impression with how much territory he already had.
Tempest might not have reached the level of a fully grown kingdom yet, but looking at Fulbrosia and now Jistav, he was a bonafide Emperor.
After a moment, Mizeri finished, addressing the entire room.
"This concludes this Walpurgis. You may stay for the food if you wish, otherwise, we thank you for coming."
As Mizeri finished speaking, a blue-haired maid entered, pushing a cart brimming with plates. With expert precision, she began serving.
Dino, Dagruel and Leon stood up, nodding to the group before wandering away. Milim quickly scurried over to Rimuru, her pout exaggerated.
"Rimuru…" She muttered while trying to look as cute and as sad as possible.
"Just forgive her and get it done with." Frey sighed, her gaze softening at Milim's expression. "It's not her fault I wasn't strong enough to fight back."
Milim immediately brightened as she heard Frey, only for Rimuru's next words to feel like a slap to the face.
"No." His voice was firm, eyes locking with Milim's. "Listen, Milim, I appreciate you wanting to help. I really do. But it was war. You could have at least asked me or given me a heads-up. This time, it was fine since I had almost everything under my control. But what if next time it isn't?"
This was the end of his knowledge. Everything from here on would be new to him, and it would make all of his moves more dangerous. From the sounds of it, the Unique Skill Prophet hadn't given much to Raphael when it came to information.
If he was being honest, he wasn't really angry at all. But he had to teach Milim some responsibility for the future.
Milim's expression changed a few times before finally settling on a determined one.
"Alright. I get it. Next time, it won't happen." Milim said, stopping for a few moments before asking. "So… are we good now?"
Chuckling slightly, Rimuru nodded.
"Aye."
Smiling, Milim jumped to hug Rimuru.
"But you won't be getting any sweets for a while. Oh, and you also don't get to hold me while I am in my slime form for a while. Gotta make the lesson stick, don't I?"
"Wait, what?" She asked, jumping back before turning and jumping on Frey. "Frey, you forgive me, right? Can you tell him to take it back? It's too much!"
Frey smiled slightly as she shook her head, causing Milim to jump over to Ramiris to ask her for help next, to which the small Fairy Queen began to run away.
As the two of them began to run around the room, the butler next to Valentine began to move directly towards Rimuru.
"Lord Tempest." The butler addressed, giving a perfect bow. "Our Lord would like a private meeting with you. I understand you are probably dealing with the aftermath of a war, so if you require a reschedule, don't hesitate to ask."
Rimuru raised an eyebrow as he heard the invitation, turning to look at Luminous, who met his gaze.
"Is there a reason?" Rimuru asked.
"Yes, it is to deliver a message."
Before accepting, he reached out to Shuna and Benimaru for a final report and confirmation that everything had gone according to plan.
— — —
Once Shuna broke the curse binding Adalmann, all of the skeletons around him collapsed to the ground, motionless. Even Albert, who had been in the middle of an intense battle with a sweating Hakuro, froze instantly, his sword poised mid-strike.
"I'm— we are free?" Adalmann's voice trembled with disbelief, as if the invisible chains that had held him captive for centuries had suddenly shattered. "How? It was impossible— I tried so hard, and in the end, it never worked."
He stood there, speechless, as he felt true control over his body for the first time since his death. The skeletons and zombies around him were similarly stunned, staring at their bony hands in awe and confusion.
"I will tell you if you swear your allegiance to Tempest." Shuna's gentle smile never wavered, her Diplomatic Charm radiating warmth and sincerity.
When Rimuru had briefed them on his 'foreseen' plans, he had shown particular interest in Adalmann. A former archbishop of Luminous, an undead Wight King, Adalmann had been protecting Jistav for nearly a thousand years.
Rimuru saw not only the vast knowledge Adalmann possessed but also the immense potential he held once freed. Which is why he had spent as much time as he could with Shuna teaching her how to dismantle curses.
Though their supply of curses was limited at first, Raphael was allowed to go wild and used the limited amount of knowledge she had to create more and more complex curses. Adalmann's curse was elaborate, yet she could see a clear path to dismantle it once she was able to get near.
Noticing Adalmann's speechless expression, Shuna's smile grew warmer as she chuckled.
"I practiced dismantling curses, specifically to free you and your people." She answered. "We knew that you were trapped, so one of our goals was to free you."
Adalmann, still reeling from the shock, fell to his knees before Shuna, gazing up at her radiant smile. The remnants of Shuna's Black Lightning assault had dispersed, and the clouds parted, revealing a night sky glittering with stars.
"You… learned just to save me?"
The words sounded strange, but he couldn't help but believe them as he heard them. He could feel a strange warmth inside of his hollow chest.
"Yes." Shuna replied simply.
Adalmann went silent, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. His faith in Luminous had withered along with his skin after the church had condemned him to die. No matter how fervently he prayed, no matter how desperately he begged, his pleas had always gone unanswered.
He had spent a thousand years in servitude, a thousand years a prisoner in his own body.
He prayed and prayed, yet in the end, no one answered.
The flames in his eyes began to burn brighter as he looked at Shuna with newfound hope and reverence.
"Are you… a Goddess?" He asked, the words leaving his mouth without him realizing it.
Shuna's smile widened, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the stars above.
"No, Adalmann. I am a Queen, but I am not a God."
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Adalmann seemed to grapple with the revelation, his skeletal form trembling slightly. His eyes, once dull with the weight of centuries of servitude, now gleamed with renewed intensity.
"I see… I understand now… this whole time… so it was like this…" Adalmann muttered, his voice growing stronger with each word. His eyes burned brighter as he lowered himself, bowing so deeply that his head touched the ground. "I, Adalmann, pledge my undying loyalty to you, Lady Shuna."
The other undead, inspired by their leader's vow, fell to their knees. The once-oppressive air of the battlefield transformed into one of solemn reverence.
Shuna felt as if there was something wrong with his answer, yet she nonetheless accepted it.
"Welcome to Tempest, Adalmann." Shuna spoke gently, smiling one last time before taking a deep breath and focusing on the mission at hand. Her demeanor changed from that of a kind girl to that of a ruler.
"Lead us to Amrita." She ordered.
Adalmann shot to his feet as he heard her, his eyes burning brightly.
"Follow me."
As they approached Clayman's castle, the imposing structure loomed over them, a testament to his once unchallenged rule. The castle was a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with towering spires and intricate carvings that spoke of both luxury and power.
Yet, they moved past it, weaving around the mountain onto a side path that led to a pair of gigantic metal doors that hid the underground capital of Jistav, Amrita.
Jistav was a peculiar kingdom, centered in the middle of the Marshlands. Above ground, the only significant structure was the towering castle, surrounded by a few scattered villages.
The weather was often unpredictable, and the outskirts were once shrouded in the protective fog created by the Curse Lord, Kazalim. Life above ground would have been harsh and unwelcoming, but the true heart of Jistav lay hidden beneath the mountain, behind the massive gates they now faced.
The Amethyst Guards moved with practiced precision, opening the colossal doors to reveal a breathtaking underground city.
Amrita sprawled out before them, its streets bustling with Dark Elves, Demi-humans, and a few Majin going about their lives. The buildings and houses, carved from various types of stone, were intricately designed, showcasing the architectural prowess of Jistav's inhabitants.
As they began their march, Shuna moved through the streets of Amrita with her army arrayed in perfect formation behind her. The rhythmic clinking of armor and the steady thud of boots against cobblestone echoed through the eerily silent streets.
The Dark Elves had spent their entire lives under Clayman's protection, and the only people in Amrita at the moment were the civilians who couldn't fight. Though Clayman had stopped taking care of them around a decade ago, they had still been kept safe from the simple fact that the city was placed directly under his castle.
Some cowered in their homes, peeking through windows and cracked doors. Some stood frozen in the streets, their eyes wide with fear and confusion, but there was nowhere for them to flee.
The Tempest army marched under the proud banner of their nation: a silvery blue flag emblazoned with a golden dragon at its center, fluttering defiantly. Reaching a spot in which she could reach as many people as possible, she began.
"People of Jistav, hear me!" Shuna's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Clayman has fallen. From now on, Jistav is a part of Tempest."
Countless whispers and panicked murmurs began to sound from across the city, but Shuna remained focused as the people behind her raised the flags and banners.
"Please do not panic. We have no intention of harming any of you." Shuna began, taking in a deep breath as she prepared to address the city.
"Clayman had abandoned you, forgotten about the people living under his very castle. Though he once cared for and protected the city, he became obsessed with his pursuit of power." Shuna continued, capturing the attention of the citizens.
"He did the one thing a ruler never should. He forgot about his citizens, the one thing that matters."
Confused looks began to spread through the crowd, whispers of doubt and curiosity mingling as a few of the more courageous stepped out from their hiding places. Shuna's Diplomatic Charm radiated from her, a gentle aura that drew people closer, easing their fear.
Shuna's eyes scanned the crowd, her heart aching for the people who had suffered under Clayman's neglect. She could see the toll it had taken on them: the weary faces, the cautious glances, the hesitant steps.
"I can see your fear, your uncertainty." Shuna continued, her voice becoming even warmer. "But there is no need to be afraid anymore…"
— — —
Picking himself up from the ground, Benimaru spat some blood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The sting of his wounds barely registered as he reached out to help Luchia stand up. Benimaru raised his sword before his eyes widened as he turned around.
Turning back for a moment, he gave Middray a bow.
"I thank you for the lesson, Sir Middray." With a small smile, he pulled out a potion from his coat and half of it, his injuries instantly healing as he did. "But it seems duty calls once again."
Middray smiled as he heard Benimaru placing his hands behind his back.
"Is it that time already? That's a shame, but I look forward to our next meeting."
Luchia caught the other half of the potion and drank it down in one go as she looked at the smiling Middray.
"Don't worry, hatchling, I won't forget my promise. Controlling the flow of energy is dangerous when you are inexperienced. As long as you come to me, I will teach you." Middray added.
Luchia's face became complicated for a few moments before she nodded.
"Thank you, Sir Middray."
With a powerful flap of her wings, she took to the air, twisting gracefully before heading towards Albis. Her silhouette cut through the sky like a swift shadow.
Benimaru lingered for a moment, his eyes locked on Middray's completely unharmed appearance. With a final nod of acknowledgment, he vanished.
Clayman's army had been entirely overwhelmed from all sides. The reinforcements and traps they had planned had all been captured and disarmed by Mamoru, while the main army had quickly become disorganized and uncontrolled from the disappearance of their commanders, leading to a swift capture.
Benimaru and Luchia both appeared next to Suphia and Albis, who stood over Yamza's broken yet still living body.
"You let him live?" Benimaru asked. Though they didn't want to cripple Jistav, they also had to ensure a swift victory without any deaths on their side. It was left to each person's own discretion.
"He surrendered." Albis answered. "I thought about killing him a few times, but after breaking a few more bones, I reconsidered."
She pulled out a small orb before tossing it to Benimaru.
"We were also able to stop him from using this, just like you had warned."
Benimaru snatched the orb out of the air, examining it closely. The fragment of Charybdis pulsed with residual energy, and it could be used to awaken the monster once more. It would need weeks, if not more, to grow to full power once again. But the simple fact that a calamity class monster could be spawned so easily was problematic.
"How do you think he managed to get it?" Albis asked.
"I don't know… Though I do wonder how many more he has hidden away." Benimaru answered as he placed the small orb into his coat. "Good job, both of you."
"How was your fight?" Suphia asked.
Benimaru's expression became complicated as he heard the question.
"He was stronger than we could have expected, but he had no intention of killing us."
Turning around to inspect the aftermath of the war, he couldn't help but nod in approval.
Not a single one of Tempest's citizens had fallen. Thanks to their coordination and focus, even the amount of potions they had used was low. Though the death toll on Jistav's part was higher than he would have hoped, they would still have a satisfying number of prisoners.
After looking around the battlefield for a few moments, his eyes narrowed.
"Souka." He called out, and in an instant she emerged from the shadows.
"Yes, Sir Benimaru?"
"Did you happen to spot the pair of clowns at all during the battle?" Benimaru asked.
"Yes, one of our spies spotted them watching the fight from a distance. However, since we are in strict orders of not engaging with them, we were not able to get close enough to discover why they didn't attack." Souka reported. "It wasn't long after you began your fight that they left."
— — —
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