"The issues with the war have been settled. I can go to your meeting." Rimuru answered.
Gunther, the butler, bowed before exchanging a glance with Roy, who stood up and began to walk away.
"Follow me, Lord Rimuru. I shall lead you there."
Rimuru looked at Frey, who had overheard the request, as he stood up.
"I'll be gone for some time. Don't let Ramiris get bullied too much." Rimuru joked as he glanced at her, still playing around with Milim.
Frey rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless.
"I would never." She answered, taking a sip of her tea as she did.
Shizue and Shion stayed behind at Rimuru's orders. Shizue had hoped to speak with Leon for longer, but he had left when the meeting ended. As for Shion, she was still rearing for a fight but just had to sit and wait. She knew that Rimuru had planned on dealing with Clayman as fast as possible, but she was still disappointed she hadn't had the chance to showcase her strength.
Since neither had much to do, they turned to look at the small fox hiding underneath one of the serving tables. It was Nine-Head, one of Clayman's strongest fighters. Raphael had broken the binding curse that would have made her attack Rimuru along with Viola, and knowing that everyone here was stronger than her, she made the smartest choice and hid.
Her stealthy escape had gone uncared for since everyone was far busier and interested in the discussions. Yet Rimuru's guards finally remembered, moving to the serving table and pulling the curtain aside.
"Hello, little one." Shizue whispered, trying to sound as friendly as she could as she reached out her palm.
On the other hand, Rimuru followed Roy through the elegant halls of the building where Walpurgis was held.
Rimuru had to admit that this strange pocket Dimension was impeccably built. In theory, through Uriel's Spatial Domination, he might be able to build something similar to this. His Stomach would make the perfect storage for the Dimension.
But in the end, he already had Ramiris' Labyrinth. That place was full of potential, and with the pure battery that was Veldora, time was their only limiter.
Finally arriving at a distant location, Luminous snapped her fingers.
The next moment, they appeared on a small stone gazebo decorated with a few small couches. The gazebo was surrounded by a massive garden that seemed to spread for miles, covered to the brim with countless crimson flowers.
The flowers relaxed the area as they gently moved with the wind. The full moon above is coating the entire area with silvery light.
Luminous turned to look at the flowers, going silent for a few moments before she spoke.
"We could have teleported closer to the banquet. But I would rather avoid any other prying eyes following us here. Dagruel has made his distaste for me clear." Luminous announced, making smalltalk.
A gentle breeze passed through the area, carrying the sweet scent of the flowers as Luminous silently took in the scene.
"Rimuru Tempest, The Emperor." Luminous continued, turning to look at him. "Though rumors say you went by the Prophet for some time. Why did you forsake that title?" She asked with curiosity and nothing more.
Rimuru looked at her. It seemed she wasn't bothering to hide her identity, so she waved her hand, ordering Gunther and Roy away. They both bowed to her before vanishing.
Rimuru's eyes followed the two as they vanished. Each of them were quite powerful, Roy held his position as a Demon Lord for a reason. In legends it was even said he and the Curse Lord Kazalim had fought, that made him Demon Lord Class individual and he was but a minion to the True Demon Lord in front of him.
And that was not mentioning the peaceful-looking old man who styled himself as Luminous' butler. Gunther may have been concealing his strength masterfully, but not much could be hidden from Raphael's prying eyes. He knew that the old butler had at least double the total energy as Roy himself did, making him far stronger than all of Tempest's forces bar Veldora. Frey could likely take him with her newly developed Ultimate Skill, but he felt that it was not wise to underestimate someone with so much experience.
Luminous seemed to be an ally, but would not be able to protect his burgeoning Kingdom by blindly trusting others, he had to plan for the worst while hoping for the best, in this case that was analyzing Luminous Valentine's threat level.
He focused back on Luminous as he answered her question.
"It's hard to be known as "The Prophet" when the future always changes." Rimuru answered, unsure as to what she was searching for. "My 'visions' have run their course. So, if you expected answers, then I am sorry to disappoint you, Luminous. Perhaps I will be able to look into the future again, but not for now."
Even though he had the Unique Skill Prophet, from what he knew, it was just a vague collection of memories from the Time Spirit. Enough to put Raphael on guard, but not enough for a full-blown analysis of the future.
Her expression didn't change as she stared at him for a few moments. With the flick of her hand, a small letter appeared. Sealed with a crimson wax seal that remained unopened.
"Countless years ago, I was tasked with giving you this." Luminous spoke, her eyes showing a hint of anticipation.
Rimuru couldn't help but frown slightly as he grabbed the letter, feeling the slight resistance from Luminous as she held onto it. Looking up at her, he noticed a slightly wronged look, the deadpan expression breaking for a moment.
It was a curious expression, but one that didn't last long as she finally let go of the letter. Looking back at the field as if she hadn't acted strangely.
The letter still had the seal on it, and by how aged the paper looked, it had been written a long, long time ago.
Breaking open the letter, he saw a surprisingly short yet striking message.
"The road to Englassia is filled with danger. When the time comes for diplomacy, remember those words. I wish I could help you and explain more. But until we meet again, this is all I should say.
Thank you for everything, and know that I will look after you.
Love, H. C."
The handwriting was beautiful, as if they had written the letter countless times before it was perfect.
Rimuru felt a strange sense of nostalgia as he read the letter, and as confused as it left him, he couldn't help but think back to his visit to Fulbrosia. A Hero had appeared and saved the former Queen, leaving for them a message so that they would one day ally with him.
He had left the questions to the back of his head since he had such limited information. But now, it was as if that strange Hero was trying to reach out again.
"Do you know who left this?" Rimuru asked, looking at Luminous, who had returned to her perfect poker face.
"No, someone appeared a long time ago. After they helped me, I owed them a favor, and the only thing they asked was to give you this letter. They didn't explain anything else." Luminous answered.
'Raph, is she telling the truth?'
[Answer. Inconclusive. The data required to run a full behavior analysis is incomplete. There is a chance that this is simply a well-practiced lie. An answer with over 75% confidence rating cannot be given.]
'So I can't tell if she is being honest then.'
He was sure someone as old as Luminous could lie perfectly without getting caught. The difference in experience between the two of them was clear, but he could always rely on his beloved partner who rested in his soul.
[....]
He ignored Raphae's weirdness as Luminous looked at Rimuru for a few more moments before gracefully moving to take a seat. With a delicate wave of her hand, a small, ornate teapot materialized on the table, steam gently rising from its spout.
"Care for some tea?" Luminous asked, her voice smooth and inviting. She served herself a cup, the rich aroma of the brew filling the air, and placed another cup in front of Rimuru.
Rimuru hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust his gut and sitting down in front of her. Lifting the cup to toast before taking a sip, his eyes widened as he tasted the familiar flavors of one of Tempest's most popular teas.
"The Emperor." Luminous began, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Quite an interesting title Guy decided to give you. How did you get that monstrous Daemon to get so interested in you? He hasn't shown such emotions ever before, as far as I remember, at least not within the Council. Though you are objectively handsome, Guy usually goes for the pretty boy type, like Leon."
"To be honest, I have no idea." Rimuru answered. "I wish I had left less of an impression, since I am sure he will only bring trouble."
Luminous nodded, hearing the answer, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"You have no idea how right you are. Not many can survive the attention of the Lord of Darkness, though I have a feeling you will manage." Luminous said as she hid her smirk behind her teacup.
Thanks to a combination of the gentle breeze and the flowers, even the casual conversation felt quite cozy. Luminous appeared to be relaxing as she closed her eyes and drank the tea.
"I am curious… why become a goddess?" Rimuru asked. He had his own religion brewing due to a few zealous citizens. But he wasn't stopping it since he wanted to experiment with Holy Magic in the future.
"For my people." Luminous answered as her eyes fluttered open. "I created a religion, and now all Vampires have a reliable source of food for the rest of their lives. By now, it is pretty self-sustaining, so I don't even have to bother with it. It's not like the Humans under me have been wronged either. It all works out rather well."
Placing the cup down, she looked at him directly in the eyes.
"Why? Are you interested in learning? What do you have to offer?" As she asked the question, she revealed a smile, showcasing her fangs.
It was clearly a test. In fact, he felt as if she had been testing him since the moment he began to follow her. Yet even then, she kept subtly tapping on her teacup or turning to look at the flowers. She probably had a lot on her mind, and as many questions as he had, he would have to wait.
Closing his eyes and drinking the tea, he called out to Raphael. Enjoying the sweet taste, he felt the world slow down as Thought Acceleration activated.
'Raph, what do you think?'
[Answer. Obtaining the use of Holy Magic would drastically increase the strength of Tempest as a whole. Holy Magic is the natural enemy of Majin and Monsters. By having a reliable source of it, researchers can begin to develop countermeasures. Analysis on becoming a true figure of faith has already begun, however it is underdetermined the amount of time it will take to complete the analysis.]
'You know, I actually have a plan in mind. It would boost not only our influence, but Luminous' as well.' Rimuru suggested. He had dismissed it before because of how low the chances for a meeting like this were, but fate seemed to have pulled the strings for them.
[Notice. The chances of Luminous rejecting your offer are quite high. A counteroffer could be suggested using your plan as a base…] Raphael began, creating a few variations and echoing them inside his head.
'You're no fun, Raph.' Rimuru joked as he heard the changes she had made. 'You took off the best parts.'
[...]
'Alright, alright.' He relented, allowing the world to return to normal.
"Let's start with a warning." Rimuru began. "You asked me about being a Prophet, and while things have changed, I still have a warning. Someone is planning on invading your land tonight, using Walpurgis as a cover to get Roy out of the way."
Luminous' eyes widened, her pupils dilating slightly as she processed his words. She narrowed her eyes, a flicker of anger flashing across her otherwise calm demeanor.
"You're right." Luminous spoke after a few moments, her voice controlled but with a hint of tension. "Hinata spotted an intruder around an hour ago. However, he vanished before she had a chance to eliminate him."
The notion of a spy got her on edge, causing her to lean forward, her gaze sharp and piercing.
"What did he find?" She demanded, her tone laced with a barely restrained anger.
"Is Roy still alive?" Rimuru asked, his question causing her to pause and think. She nodded slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
"Yes, he is." she confirmed.
"In that case, he shouldn't have found anything. In the future I saw, Roy left after Clayman died, which caused him to cross paths with him and, in turn, get himself killed. I am not quite sure how it happens, but in the end, they end up discovering your true identity as a Demon Lord."
Luminous relaxed a little, her anger subsiding as she processed Rimuru's words. She took another sip from her tea, her mind working through the implications.
"I see…" She muttered, her eyes narrowing in thought. After a few moments, she looked back at Rimuru. "What else do you know about them?"
"Not much, and what I do know, I need to verify." Rimuru replied. "However, one thing I do know for sure is that he worked with Clayman. He was also a member of the so-called Moderate Harlequin Alliance."
Luminous nodded, absorbing the information with a thoughtful expression.
"Is that everything?" She asked, her tone softer but still probing.
"For the most part," Rimuru answered, a charming smile appearing on his face. "How about it? Is that enough for the trade?"
Luminous shook her head, a slight smile tugging at her lips despite her refusal.
"No, I would have discovered that information anyway when I returned. Is that really the best you can offer?"
"How about a chance to increase your influence?" Rimuru offered, causing her to raise an eyebrow. "While Luminism is the main religion of the West, there are still a few countries that aren't quite so… devoted."
Luminous smiled, clearly intrigued by the potential opportunity. She leaned back, her eyes never leaving Rimuru.
"What sort of plan do you have in mind?" She asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I doubt you are offering to introduce Luminism to Tempest."
"Not exactly. But imagine this: the big bad Demon Lord Rimuru rises. He destroyed Falmuth's army without mercy. He is hungry for power, attacking even his fellow Demon Lord Clayman." Rimuru began, using illusion magic to create vivid images to accompany his words. The projection of a fearsome Rimuru, surrounded by the chaos of battle, filled the space, causing Luminous' smile to widen.
"Oh, no." She answered, playing along. "Truly an vile Demon Lord who served to only bring disorder to the Western Nations, someone will need to stop him."
As Luminous suggested, the image shifted to depict one of her grand churches.
"The goddess Luminous sends her own Paladins to deal with the threat. Yet it's too much. The evil Demon Lord is too dangerous!. He's being praised by his own people as if he were a god. Not only that but a monster capable of Holy Magic? Something must be wrong!"
The illusion morphed once more, now showing a cartoonish Luminous and Rimuru shaking hands.
"Then Luminous arrives and stops this monster. The goddess of light versus the Demon Lord. In the end, they form an accord of peace. To prevent the countless deaths that would happen from war, they formed an alliance."
Luminous held back her chuckle as she saw the two chibi forms of each other giving thumbs up and walking away together.
"In the end, goddess Luminous becomes the pillar of humanity. She alone came down from the heavens to save them." Rimuru concluded with a playful glint in his eyes.
He knew he had to set himself up for the wars to come, and though this might seem like playing around, it was giving himself a chance to strengthen everyone with Holy Magic, and, in turn, get all of humanity as his ally for the future.
Ironically, he didn't even have to be actually evil for the plan to work. He just had to spread some news around, and humanity would do the rest for him. He could simply focus on building up his empire as the tension grew.
If Luminous became the savior of humanity, she would be one of, if not the most influential people in the world. With a simple divine command, she could announce their friendship and alliance as a means to protect the world. And seeing how he "stopped" his conquering, the world would become even more devoted to her.
Attacking him would be seen as an attack on the very church. To go against Luminous' orders would be seen as pure heresy.
He knew he didn't have that sort of relationship with Luminous to ask her to do things so easily, but he hoped that their time during the fake war would be enough to earn her friendship.
And even if things started to go unlike he planned, Raphael would be on guard for any suspicious moves. If Luminous tried to rebel against him and use her new influence to attack him, he would deal with her.
Raphael could see through her true strength level at the moment, and he was confident he could defeat her. Even then, he would be careful, attacking along with Frey and maybe even Milim next to him if necessary.
[Report. Though the plan requires further analysis, there is an 86.6845% chance of things going in your favor.]
[Zero hostility was detected from Luminous throughout the entire interaction. And though further analysis is required, there is a high chance she had hoped to form an alliance with you from the start.]
It was all a gamble, but he had a good feeling about it. He would also make sure to make contingency plans along the way.
He didn't particularly care for his reputation with the Humans either. He simply wished to live in Tempest in peace and live his life. Of course, he knew such a thing would be difficult due to the nature of this world, but perhaps this would be a step in the right direction.
"Oh really? And what about you? What do you get from being painted as the enemy of Humanity?" She asked, the amusement clear on her face.
"I also get to become more influential. But what I really get… is peace. With our combined power, we will be able to dissuade anyone from attacking." Rimuru answered as he leaned forward. "All I want right now is to build up my kingdom and make it a place my family and I can enjoy. I don't really care much for the whole conquering business."
He served both of them more tea and took a sip, enjoying the sweet flavors before continuing.
"We can work the proper terms of the alliance later, but after we show the world we are no longer fighting, we'll be set. In the end, no one will mess with either of us; we both get to live in peace for the rest of our lives." Rimuru finished, causing Luminous to chuckle.
"You make it sound easy." Luminous said, her smile becoming softer as she took another sip of her drink.
— — —
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