The rebuilding of the capital—now formally named Tempest—was proceeding swiftly, but Arthur's immense, newly amplified power (Ultimate Skill: Magicule Breeder Reactor) was a beacon in the spiritual world.
It was only a matter of time before the most sensitive beings took notice.
Arthur and Rimuru were in the main hall discussing Yuuki Kagurazaka's suspicious nature when a terrifying pressure slammed into the Federation's defenses.
The entire city trembled, and even Benimaru and Shion, patrolling the perimeter, sent panicked telepathic reports.
"Arthur-sama! An overwhelming magical signal! She's here!"
Shuna cried out, clutching her head as the sheer magical force buffeted the command center.
Arthur recognized the power instantly—it was pure, raw, childlike, and world-endingly dangerous. Demon Lord Milim Nava had arrived.
Arthur stepped outside, his own power momentarily flaring to meet the incoming presence, creating a silent, localized dimensional stabilization field around the city.
Milim arrived with a joyous, earth-shattering BOOM! She was small, pink-haired, and radiating apocalyptic power.
Her eyes, however, weren't fixed on the new Demon Slime, Rimuru. They were locked onto Arthur.
"Oho! So you are the source of that enormous, delicious aura!"
Milim declared, landing directly in front of Arthur, ignoring a terrified Rimuru who had rushed out behind him.
"You are not a Demon Lord, but your power is vast! It feels like... a Great Dragon! A very handsome one! I am Milim Nava, and I have come to make you my friend!"
Arthur sighed. This was exactly why he preferred to be a shadowy presence.
"I am Arthur Leywin Stark, Protector of this Federation,"
Arthur replied, his voice calm and firm, never betraying his high alert status.
"And while I appreciate the enthusiasm, we are not looking for new allies through forced friendship."
Milim pouted, crossing her arms.
"Hmph! You look strong enough to fight! If you won't be my friend, then I'll destroy your city and fight you until you submit!"
Rimuru quickly stepped forward, placing herself between Milim and the target of the Demon Lord's attention.
"Wait! We are willing to talk! How about we discuss this over a meal? I can offer you the finest honey from the Jura Forest!"
Arthur watched the interaction with grim amusement.
He knew Milim's childlike nature was a massive vulnerability, and he coached Rimuru telepathically on the best strategies to employ.
The confrontation ended as expected: Milim's immediate friendship with Rimuru was secured with food, gossip, and the promise of more fun.
The Demon Lord would now be a chaotic, but powerful, ally—one who recognized Arthur's supreme status and power above all others in the Federation.
With Milim temporarily neutralized by snacks and friendship, the Federation could focus on the intellectual threat.
Arthur's knowledge of Yuuki Kagurazaka was validated when reports began filtering in from the Kingdom of Blumund, indicating highly organized bandit activity focused on key trade routes—routes that led directly to Tempest.
Arthur gathered Rimuru and Benimaru for a strategy session.
"This is not random banditry,"
Arthur explained, pointing to the patterns on the map.
"This is a probe, orchestrated by Yuuki. He is testing the limits of our influence and attempting to destabilize our economy before we can secure human trade."
Rimuru, having learned from Arthur's tactical foresight, agreed.
"He's trying to cut us off and see if we send Arthur to fight. If we do, he knows he can exploit the gap."
Arthur directed Benimaru to lead an independent, highly visible counter-bandit operation to eliminate the threats, using it as a training exercise for the newly armed forces.
Crucially, Arthur gave Shuna the task of tracking the magical signature of the bandit leaders.
Shuna's refined magic eventually traced the money and the orders back to a shadowy organization associated with the Free Guild's outer network—a direct connection to Yuuki.
The threat was identified and contained without Arthur or Rimuru needing to leave the city, cementing their status as capable leaders even against hidden human enemies.
The diplomatic success with Milim and the public military display against the bandits drew the ire of the final faction: the Western Holy Church.
A few weeks later, a high-level invasion force—a covert unit of the Temple Knights—breached the Jura Forest, led by a powerful and zealous figure, aiming to assassinate the "Demon Slime."
Arthur immediately activated his Magicule Breeder Reactor, broadcasting a massive, non-threatening, but overwhelming aura throughout the entire forest—a subtle flex that warned both friend and foe of his ultimate power.
"They are here,"
Arthur informed Rimuru.
"And they are strong. I will not let them touch the city."
Arthur met the assault team on the outskirts, his purpose simple: deterrence.
He didn't kill them. Instead, he used his advanced Reality Blending and Dragonic Canon to put on a terrifying, non-lethal demonstration, shattering the landscape around them and proving that their weapons were utterly useless against him.
He spoke one sentence, his voice echoing through the air:
"This territory is under the protection of a True Dragon. Retreat now, or face consequences that will compromise your entire continent."
The message was clear, the power was undeniable, and the Temple Knights retreated, their mission a failure, leaving behind terrifying reports of the "Cosmic Dragon" that guarded the Demon Slime's city.
The trifecta of threats was managed.
Milim was a friend, Yuuki was a neutralized threat, and the Church was deterred.
Rimuru's Federation was safe, and Arthur's power was the unquestioned guarantee of that safety.
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