The sun was setting over the city of Rimuru, bathing it in a soft golden glow. The laughter and conversations of the inhabitants filled the air, creating a sense of peace that seemed almost surreal to Rimuru, considering everything he knew about the future.
After spending some time with his friends, he withdrew to a quieter place to reflect. Sitting under a tree, Rimuru pondered his next steps.
He felt something strange about his total power, as if the temporal reset had influenced him in some way. "Ciel-san, analyze my total power and abilities," he requested, concern evident in his voice.
<<...As a matter of fact, an analysis has already been done, and as Master suspects, certain changes have occurred after the Reset...>>
"Hey!? That's very important information, why didn't you tell me sooner?!" Rimuru exclaimed, surprised.
Ciel was silent for a moment, feeling guilty for letting it slip. <>
Rimuru sighed, accustomed to such attitudes from Ciel. "All right, just show me my current stats."
Ciel immediately displayed the information to Rimuru.
_____________________
Name: Rimuru Tempest
Ep: 10,850,123
Race: Supreme Chaos Spirit: Ultimate Slime
Grace: Rimuru's Compassion
Title: Chaos Creator
Magic: True Dragon Magic; Greater Spirit Summoning; Other.
Manas: Ciel
Intrinsic Skills: Dragon Spirit Haki; Universal Perception; Universal Shapeshift.
Ultimate Skills:
• Void God Azazoth: Soul Consumption; Turn Null; Imaginary Space; Spacetime Domination; True Dragon Release [Scorch and Storm]; Multidimensional Barrier; True Dragon Core Transformation [Scorch and Storm].
• Fertility King Shub-Niggurath: Skill Creation; Skill Duplication; Skill Gifting; Skill Storage.
Resistance: Physical Attack Nullification; Natural Effects Nullification; Abnormal Condition Nullification; Spiritual Attack Nullification; Holy-Demonic Attack Resistance.
_____________________
Rimuru noticed that his main abilities had been retained, but his overall strength had diminished. The angelic abilities he had acquired from Michael were gone, and he was no longer a digital life form. His level of existence was the same as when he evolved into the Ultimate Slime, with a body comparable to that of a true dragon.
"This is a problem," Rimuru murmured, worried about the possibility of the great war arising at any moment.
<
Rimuru felt more at ease. "You're my lifesaver, Ciel. Where exactly are we in time? It's been a few years, so I don't remember clearly."
Rimuru pondered and replied, "So we're dealing with the Seven Luminaries, guided by Granbell and his not-so-pleasant granddaughter."
Recalling Granbell, how intelligent and manipulative he was, Rimuru thought it could be tricky.
"Should I try talking to Hinata or Ruminas? They turned out to be great allies by the end of that whole tension... But we're not close at this point, so it wouldn't work."
As he thought of the different ways he could handle the situation, Rimuru noticed his loyal servant Diablo approaching. He had that usual happy look on his face whenever he was near Rimuru, his eyes shining with adoration.
"Rimuru-sama," Diablo said, bowing elegantly, "I brought your tea and some snacks."
Rimuru smiled and thanked him. "Thank you, Diablo. Always so thoughtful."
Diablo tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Kufufufu, there's no need to thank me, Rimuru-sama. I'm just doing my job, and it makes me very happy."
Then, with a more serious tone, Diablo asked, "By the way, Rimuru-sama, I've noticed that you seem restless since this morning. Is there anything I, Diablo, can do to help?"
Though he didn't often admit it, Rimuru liked Diablo for being quick to notice things. Secretly, he considered him his most reliable subordinate, even believing that Diablo was stronger than him, which is why he never understood why Diablo served him so fervently.
Still, Rimuru decided it wasn't the time to share information about what might happen; he simply said, "Yes, something is happening. It's not important for now, but when the time comes, I hope you'll handle this problem, Diablo."
Diablo was overwhelmed with happiness, almost fainting. "You can always count on me, Rimuru-sama. I won't let you down."
Rimuru smiled in response and invited Diablo to sit by his side to enjoy the food and drink together.
As they ate, Rimuru realized something and asked Diablo, "Shouldn't you be in Farmus, conquering the kingdom for Youm?"
"Kufufufu, all the preparations have been made. The kingdom will be conquered soon. In the meantime, I'm handling more important tasks."
"What tasks?" Rimuru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Serving Rimuru-sama, of course," Diablo replied without hesitation.
Rimuru was hit by a sense of déjà vu, feeling that he had had a similar conversation before. "This guy really considers serving me tea more important than conquering an entire kingdom?" he thought, complaining internally. But he was already used to Diablo and his eccentric ways.
Regarding Diablo's mission in Farmus, Rimuru decided to give some relevant information at that moment. "By the way, I've been investigating and discovered the authors behind all this commotion."
"Please tell me, Rimuru-sama, who are the fools daring to disturb your peace?!" Diablo asked with a look that made it clear he would punish the culprits in the worst way possible.
"Have you heard of the Rosso family, or rather, their elder Granbell?" Rimuru asked.
"Granbell? Yes, I remember meeting a hero by that name a long time ago. He was quite strong for a human and used unpredictable tactics in battle."
"Yes, that sounds like Granbell." Rimuru affirmed. "Well, there's no way I can explain everything, so pay attention to this summary."
Rimuru began telling Diablo about Granbell and the Rosso family, how they controlled the Western Nations from the shadows, manipulating the economy and even religion in the name of the God Luminas. Rimuru said that this conflict with the Church and the Kingdom of Farmus arose because the Rossos identified Tempest as a potential threat to their massive control over the Western Nations. After providing more details on the matter, Rimuru said to Diablo.
"You might face the Seven Luminaries in your conquest of Farmus. They are also followers of Granbell."
Diablo listened carefully, connecting the dots and grasping almost everything. He was stunned for a moment, but then his face turned into an expression of fierce determination. "Granbell and his followers... so these are the fools trying to ruin Rimuru-sama's plans. I'll take care of these bastards as soon as possible." His eyes gleamed with a terrifying light as he spoke, clearly angry.
Rimuru placed a hand on Diablo's shoulder. "Relax for now and only deal with the situation in the Kingdom of Farmus. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention just yet."
Diablo calmed down, but his determination remained intact. "Kufufufu, you can count on me, my master. As expected from Rimuru-sama for realizing all this so quickly."
Rimuru wasn't sure if he should accept this recognition or not, but he just let it slide. He then asked, "Aren't you being careless? The Seven Luminaries are among the strongest followers of the God Ruminas."
With a confident smile, Diablo said, "Kufufufufufufu... Don't worry, Rimuru-sama. I'm stronger than the God Ruminas."
A bold statement, but Rimuru knew that Diablo was more than capable of delivering on his promise. "I'm counting on you, Diablo." As he noticed the sun setting, Rimuru seemed cheerful and said,
"Rigurd said it's banquet night, let's head back and celebrate with the others."
Upon returning, Rimuru's capital was buzzing with excitement, as was typical of banquet nights.
The city was decorated with bright lanterns, and the streets were full of life with the inhabitants of Tempest celebrating joyfully. The delicious aromas of food filled the air, and laughter echoed from all corners.
Rimuru walked through the city center with Diablo by his side, watching with a smile as his friends and subordinates enjoyed the festivities. He felt a wave of gratitude for having managed to create such a vibrant and lively place.
Reaching the banquet center, Rimuru sat at the main table, surrounded by his closest friends. Shion brought a tray with a variety of drinks, offering Rimuru a glass. "Here you go, Rimuru-sama! I hope you like it."
"Thank you, Shion," Rimuru replied with a smile, accepting the drink.
Benimaru, seated next to Rimuru, raised his glass. "A toast to Tempest, our thriving nation, but most importantly, a toast to our leader, Rimuru-sama!"
Everyone raised their glasses, toasting in unison. "To Tempest! To Rimuru-sama!"
As the party continued, Rimuru enjoyed himself alongside everyone, feeling momentarily relieved from the burdens he carried.
He knew that battles and challenges were still to come, but that night, he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the company of those he considered his family.
Meanwhile, Rimuru was unaware of the commotion his presence had caused in the outside world.
On the frozen continent, a red-haired demon lord sat on his throne, sipping a glass of wine.
After sensing a powerful presence suddenly emerge in the Great Jura Forest, the demon glanced at the girl beside him and asked, "Hey Velzard, isn't that bastard brother of yours that just woke up?"
Without answering, the girl expanded her universal perception and probed the presence with her special eye. "It's not the boy. It's a different presence, strong but very well controlled. What a shame, I was looking forward to disciplining him a bit."
Wherever Veldora was at that exact moment, he felt a chill that made him instinctively raise all his defenses. His intuition was on another level.
The red-haired demon, Guy Crimson, became thoughtful. "So, what presence is this? Should I go take a look at that forest?"
What will become of Rimuru if the answer to that question is yes?!...
Milim, who was far from Tempest at the time, felt the same and rushed as fast as she could towards Tempest.
"Maybe Rimuru is in trouble. I have to go help him. It's my duty as his best friend Wahahahaha..."
In the palace of the Eastern Empire, a very beautiful woman wearing a traditional Chinese dress also took notice of the presence.
"Was that just now Veldora? No, it felt a little different."
She said as she walked through a crypt beneath the palace, where her greatest treasure was kept—the slumbering body of her beloved, under the influence of a special seal.
"It doesn't matter who it is, soon they will be just another pawn under his dominion."
Her conviction in saying this was unwavering, and she added, "I will do the impossible to make that happen. But until then, rest in peace, my love."
The one responsible for all this commotion was oblivious to it, enjoying himself without worrying about tomorrow's problems.
"Another drink, Shion Hahaha..."
...
.....