Holy Empire of Lubelius
Within the Inner Sanctuary of the Sacred Mountain, the god of Lubelius, Luminous Valentine, lounged upon her throne while viciously attacking the strawberry cake in her hands. Even without knowing the reason, anyone who took a single glance at her would immediately realize that the Queen of Vampires was in an absolutely terrible mood. And honestly, how could she not be? The humiliation she had suffered only a short while ago was still fresh in her mind, replaying itself again and again like a bitter memory that refused to fade, no matter how many sweets she devoured in an attempt to bury it.
It had all started when she decided to satisfy a bit of curiosity and take a casual trip to see what kind of city of monsters the man held in such high regard by her old friend had built within the Jura Forest. When she arrived, what she saw left her completely dumbfounded. She could hardly believe her eyes. In the middle of one of the most dangerous forests in the world stood a city that was not only more structurally impressive but also far more lively than her own Holy Empire, a fact that wounded her pride far more than she cared to admit.
To be fair, Luminous knew she had little right to complain. She rarely involved herself in the day-to-day governance or development of Lubelius, preferring to leave such matters to her subordinates while she focused on things she found far more interesting. Even so, that realization did absolutely nothing to ease the jealousy bubbling inside her as she looked upon the progress those monsters had achieved in just a few short months. If anything, it only made her more irritated, to the point where it almost made her want to march back home and smack her own subordinates for slacking off all these years.
More importantly, the faint sound of melodious music drifting through the city and the scent of absolutely delicious sweets only made her even more frustrated. More than once, she found herself grumbling about why her own people could not create something equally wonderful before she remembered the answer. The citizens of Lubelius were intentionally kept ignorant of many of the realities, luxuries, and advancements that existed beyond their borders. Their worldview was carefully restricted to keep their expectations small and their desires modest. A population that knew less wanted less, and a population that wanted less was easier to satisfy. In turn, they remained more grateful for what they had, and that gratitude naturally strengthened their faith in her.
Then, just as she had confirmed that her old friend's praise had not been exaggerated and was preparing to leave, she was suddenly spotted by someone. That someone turned out to be the little rabbit girl she had once found amusing enough to name on a whim, the very same rabbit girl whose connection to her had mysteriously disappeared a few months ago. More importantly, that same girl had now grown the audacity to confront her, demand answers, and even threaten her.
Of course, as the queen who cried herself with haughtiness and arrogance, Luminous's first reaction to being provoked was to respond with provocation of her own. After all, not even in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that the little rabbit girl she remembered would grow stronger than her own subordinates, Louis and Roy, in the span of just six months.
Unfortunately for her, reality did not seem particularly interested in respecting common sense. Framea had not only surpassed the vampire twins in strength, but in terms of raw power, she had even surpassed Luminous herself. The realization had left the ancient vampire completely stunned, a rare sight for the usually composed goth-styled teen woman.
Still, despite possessing greater power and even holding a slight advantage in speed, Framea had failed to land a single clean hit on Luminous. That was thanks to the countless years of combat experience Luminous had accumulated over her long life, as well as centuries spent living beside a neighbor like Dagruel. Despite projecting a calm and quiet personality, the giant king had always been a potential threat to her Holy Nation. The constant possibility of conflict had kept her on edge for centuries, never allowing her to grow complacent or let her skills dull.
But then, just as Luminous's confidence had started to return, Framea pulled yet another ridiculous trick out of her sleeve and proceeded to absolutely wreck the vampire queen with a full fifty kicks. Fifty. Even now, thinking about it made her eye twitch. While she would rather die than admit it publicly, even Luminous had to acknowledge that every single one of those kicks had hurt like a bitch and forced her to experience a level of pain she had not felt in a very, very long time.
But alas, despite being repeatedly kicked around, Luminous had still managed to come out on top in the end, thanks to her superior battle IQ and her Unique Skill, Lust. Unfortunately, before she could even gloat about her victory, that man appeared. A very, very dangerous man. The moment he stepped onto the scene, any satisfaction she had felt from her hard-earned victory evaporated almost instantly.
Just thinking about Rimuru and their brief encounter sent an uncomfortable chill crawling down Luminous's spine, causing her eyes to narrow as she aggressively shoved another bite of strawberry cake into her mouth. 'Rimuru... who the hell are you really?' she wondered, gripping the fork in her hand a little tighter. 'Why the hell do you know so much about me and my skill? Why don't you match the guy from the stories she told me about at all? None of this makes any sense, damn it!' The more she dwelled on those questions, the more frustrated she became, and the more frustrated she became, the more cake she stuffed into her mouth.
What made the situation even worse was that she could not simply pick a fight with him. For one, Rimuru was absurdly stronger than her. In all her twenty thousand years of existence, her honed instincts had never reacted to anyone the way they reacted to him. Not even Guy Crimson had ever triggered such an overwhelming sense of danger in her. The second reason was arguably even more troublesome. Even if Rimuru were not overwhelmingly powerful, Luminous still would not want to stand against him because doing so would inevitably provoke her old friend, a woman capable of facing a threat like Storm Dragon Veldora on her own and still coming out on top.
Now, if anyone wondered why Luminous was so certain that her old friend would never take her side, or at the very least show some sympathy for her predicament, the Queen of Vampires would simply tell them to look into her eyes whenever Rimuru's name was mentioned. The look of absolute obsession and near-fanatical devotion that appeared there every time he came up sent chills down Luminous's spine and made one thing painfully clear that if she ever dared to harm him, she would be the one standing on the chopping block.
'Still, I can only hope he doesn't reveal my secret to the world,' Luminous sighed as she sank deeper into her throne. At the moment, there was very little else she could do. Any thoughts of subduing Rimuru by force were completely out of the question. The gap between them was simply too vast. That left her with only one option: placing her trust in his goodwill and hoping he had no interest in exposing her secret. Unfortunately, it was also the option she hated the most. After all, relying on the mercy of someone else was never a position Luminous Valentine, the proud queen of vampires, ever enjoyed finding herself in.
Just then, Luminous's increasingly unpleasant train of thought was interrupted as the massive doors to the sanctuary slowly swung open. Two of her subordinates entered the room and immediately dropped to one knee before her.
The first was Louis Valentin, a tall and handsome man with blond hair and regal attire who carried himself with the grace, dignity, and composure befitting one of Luminous's oldest and most loyal servants. To the public, Louis played the role of the Holy Emperor of Lubelius, the beloved ruler who guided the nation with wisdom and virtue. Meanwhile, his younger twin brother, Roy Valentin, played the role of the feared Demon Lord who stood in opposition to him. Together, the twins maintained a carefully crafted illusion that had endured for centuries, one that united the people of Lubelius under Louis's leadership while concealing the existence of the nation's true ruler. Every aspect of that deception ultimately served a single purpose: ensuring the worship of Luminous and cultivating a prosperous, protected human population that could provide a stable and sustainable source of blood for vampire-kind.
The woman accompanying Louis was none other than Hinata Sakaguchi. With her short black hair, striking violet eyes, and calm, disciplined demeanor, she carried herself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior, fully living up to her fearsome reputation. Clad in the armor of a Holy Knight, with the Legend-grade rapier Moonlight hanging at her hip, she presented an imposing figure. As the Chief of the Holy Knight Order and the leader of the Ten Great Saints, she stood at the very pinnacle of Lubelius's military power. There was no question that she was the strongest warrior in the nation. More importantly, she was one of the few individuals whom Luminous genuinely trusted, a trust evident in the fact that Hinata was aware of the true identity of the god worshipped throughout Lubelius.
"Lady Luminous," they greeted in unison, lowering their heads respectfully.
"Louis, Hinata," Luminous acknowledged with a casual nod, setting aside what remained of her unfortunate strawberry cake. "So, what brings the two of you here at such an inconvenient time?" she asked with a faint note of annoyance creeping into her voice.
"My apologies for the interruption, Lady Luminous, but there are two matters that require your immediate attention," Louis replied before reaching into his robes and pulling out a thick roll of paper, which he then respectfully handed to her. "The first concerns this new newspaper, The Black Quill, which has recently begun circulating throughout our borders."
Luminous unrolled the paper and quickly scanned its contents. After a few moments, she lowered the newspaper and shot both of her subordinates a thoroughly unimpressed look. "And what exactly is supposed to be the problem?" she asked flatly. "It's not as though this Black Quill is spreading forbidden knowledge or doing anything outrageous enough to justify the two of you getting so worked up over it. Besides, newspapers already exist in this world, don't they?"
"Lady Luminous, this thing may not be doing anything as outrageous as openly spreading forbidden knowledge, but the effect it could have on our Empire might as well be equivalent to that," Louis said with a grave expression. "And you are correct that this form of media already exists and is fairly common in nations such as Ingracia and Sarion. However, we have never permitted anything like it within our own borders. As you know, the information available to the public has always been carefully monitored and controlled. Yet somehow, this newspaper continues to find its way past our safeguards and into the hands of our citizens despite our best efforts to prevent its spread."
"Not only that, but this thing," Hinata added, frowning at the copy of The Black Quill in Luminous's hand, "could prove extremely dangerous if left unchecked. It contains news from all over the world, exposing our citizens to the freedoms, opportunities, and advancements enjoyed by other nations. For generations, we've carefully cultivated the image of Lubelius as humanity's greatest sanctuary. A nation blessed by Lady Luminous, the safest, most prosperous, and most enlightened country in the world."
"However, if people continue reading stories about thriving foreign cities and prosperous nations, they may begin to question that belief," she continued. "Once people start comparing their lives to those beyond our borders, dissatisfaction and greed will inevitably follow. They'll begin wanting things they never even knew existed, and when those desires go unmet, resentment will take root. People may start asking why other nations enjoy luxuries, opportunities, and freedoms that they themselves do not. And once those questions begin, it becomes much harder to control what comes next. If that happens, the image we've spent centuries building of Lubelius as the paradise of humanity could slowly begin to crumble in the hearts of our people."
"Moreover, town criers have been appearing all across the nation, stopping in public squares, marketplaces, and busy streets to read the news aloud for anyone willing to listen. With many of our citizens having very few sources of entertainment, they quickly gather around these criers and eagerly hang on every word. By the time someone from the Crusaders arrives to apprehend them, it is already too late. The crowd has heard everything, and the crier is nowhere to be found. Somehow, despite months of investigations and repeated attempts to capture them, we have never managed to catch a single one. No one knows how they do it, but they always seem to vanish into thin air," Hinata continued, her expression growing increasingly furious. "And I refuse to believe that's a coincidence. This sudden surge of town criers is clearly part of a larger operation devised by whoever is behind this damned Black Quill. I think we've tolerated this long enough. It's high time I personally investigated the matter, tracked down whoever is responsible, and eradicated this newspaper at its source."
"Well, if the two of you think it's that serious, then go ahead and..." Luminous began, prepared to give her verdict on the matter. But before she could even finish her sentence, an arrow made up of black flames suddenly phased through the sanctuary window and in less than an instant, it crossed the entire room and embedded itself into the wall right beside her head, leaving the vampire queen completely shell-shocked.
"Lady Luminous!" Louis and Hinata shouted simultaneously as they rushed toward the throne. However, before either of them could move any closer, Luminous raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
"I am fine. It didn't hit me," Luminous said, maintaining a calm exterior while internally she was on the verge of fainting. The arrow had moved so fast that even her heightened senses had failed to detect its approach until it was already embedded beside her. "Besides, I don't think it was meant to hit me in the first place," she added after a moment, shifting her gaze toward the arrow still crackling with black flames beside her head. Only then did she notice a small note tied neatly to the shaft. Narrowing her eyes, she carefully reached out and untied the message. The instant the note came free, the arrow lost its form and the black flames unraveled into countless glowing embers that drifted through the air before fading away into nothingness, leaving not the slightest trace behind.
"What a bizarre way to deliver a message," Luminous muttered under her breath before unfolding the letter. However, the moment her eyes landed on its contents, they widened once again. The sudden change in her expression immediately caught the attention of Louis and Hinata, neither of whom failed to notice her reaction.
"Lady Luminous, what's the matter?" Hinata asked. Like Louis standing beside her, she was furious that someone had the audacity to fire such an arrow into the Inner Sanctuary itself, yet neither of them received an answer.
Because at that moment, the goddess of Lubelius was far too distracted by the very first line written on the paper, which read, 'Yo, Luminous, goddess with a maid fetish. It's Rimuru here. You missed me, didn't you?'
******
An hour ago in Tempest
After giving Framea enough nightmare fuel to keep her awake for the next few weeks, Rimuru left his house and headed straight toward the residence that had been assigned to one of Tempest's guests. Before long, he arrived at the house and knocked on the front door. A few moments later, the door opened to reveal Towa, who immediately beamed when she saw who was standing at the door.
"Rimuru-sama, please come in," Towa said, inviting him inside and guiding him toward the sofa in the living room, where Amanda, the newly appointed court magician of Raja, and another young woman whom Rimuru did not recognize but who bore a striking resemblance to Amanda, immediately rose to their feet upon seeing him, while the unfamiliar woman looked particularly nervous in the presence of Tempest's ruler.
Taking a seat on the sofa, Rimuru casually gestured for everyone else to sit down as well. Once everyone had settled, he turned his attention back toward Towa. "So, you wanted to speak with me?" he asked, leaning back against the couch.
"Yes, there are two matters I'd like to discuss with you," Towa began, fidgeting with her fingers. "The first concerns the Astoria Kingdom. Queen Astoria has expressed interest in becoming your vessel as well. However, since I don't have the authority to make a decision on something of that magnitude, I thought it would be best to hear your opinion first."
"Hmm, well, aside from seeing the benefits Raja has gained from its relationship with Tempest, is there any particular reason she's trying to make such a decision so quickly?" Rimuru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Actually, Queen Astoria is under a tremendous amount of stress right now," Towa replied with a sympathetic sigh. "After the stunt their previous king pulled, the public's opinion of the crown has completely collapsed. The recent negotiations with us and the subsequent release of their soldiers did help improve morale somewhat, but the idiot king who led the army into Raja invested far too heavily in the military. As a result, Queen Astoria is now trying to run the entire nation on little more than scraps," she explained before pulling out a scroll and handing it to Rimuru. "That's why she's chosen to seek asylum for her nation under Tempest's protection and asked me to convey this request directly to you. She believes that without outside support, Astoria may not survive the coming years. In short, she wants the Astoria Kingdom to be taken under your protection."
Rimuru accepted the scroll and began reading through its contents. By the time he reached the end, he lowered the scroll slightly and let out an amused snort. "So, let me get this straight. Queen Astoria wants a powerful backer who can help stabilize her collapsing nation before the populace snaps and decides to execute both her and her remaining son. Is that about right?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Indeed, Rimuru-sama," Towa replied with an awkward smile as she scratched her cheek. "The tension between the palace and the people has become so severe that Queen Astoria has already begun preparing contingency plans in case the situation spirals completely out of control. In fact, if I had been unable to vouch for her to you, or if you had chosen to reject her request, she was fully prepared to abandon the kingdom altogether." Towa's expression softened with sympathy as she continued. "Her plan was to take her son, gather whatever attendants and retainers she could still trust, and flee as far away as possible before the unrest reached its breaking point," she explained, shaking her head. "She doesn't have any illusions about her chances if the people decide to revolt. The previous king's actions left behind far too much resentment, and she's painfully aware that she may end up paying the price for mistakes she never even made."
"Well, I have to admit, that's some impressively strong survival instinct," Rimuru whistled, genuinely impressed by Queen Astoria's willingness to abandon everything in order to stay alive. "Honestly, I can't even blame her. Getting executed by an angry mob sounds like a pretty terrible retirement plan." He gave the scroll one final glance before rolling it back up. "Oh well, it looks like she'll have to cancel her grand escape plan because, fortunately for her, I don't mind taking another nation under my wing," he added before contacting Shuna through Thought Communication.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and the sweet, kind-looking kijin girl stepped into the room. "Rimuru-sama, you called for me?" she asked, bowing her head respectfully as she approached the group.
"Shuna, come sit down and take a look at this," Rimuru said, patting the empty spot beside him before handing her Queen Astoria's scroll. "Tell me what you think."
Shuna smiled warmly and accepted the scroll before taking the offered seat beside him. She spent the next minute carefully reading through its contents before looking up at Rimuru with a thoughtful expression. "Rimuru-sama, if you decide to grant this request, I believe it would be a natural outcome for us. From a purely economic and strategic perspective, Astoria does not offer any particularly valuable resources, unique industries, or critical locations that would significantly strengthen Tempest in the short term. However, I believe there are other advantages worth considering," she said calmly, folding her hands in her lap. "On one hand, we would not gain any particularly valuable resources or strategic locations by taking Astoria as a vassal state. On the other hand, having another fully established nation under our banner would give us more room and a bigger sample base to test future innovations, policies, and projects on a larger scale. So while the benefits may not be immediately profitable, having Astoria under our protection could prove quite useful in the future."
"Good. That's a well-reasoned answer, exactly what I've come to expect from you," Rimuru said with an approving smile before gently patting her head. A faint blush immediately appeared on Shuna's cheeks, though the smile on her face only grew brighter. "And that's precisely why I'm giving this project to you." The moment those words left his mouth, Shuna's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she turned her head toward him. "Shuna, you have six months to revitalize the Kingdom of Astoria and raise its social and cultural standards to the same level as Raja."
"Of course, you'll have access to all of Tempest's resources," he continued. "That includes Ultima and Diablo. Those two have more than enough tools at their disposal to help steer public opinion in whatever direction you need. I'll also grant you the Teleportation skill so you can travel freely between the two nations whenever necessary. As for your subordinates for the mission, you're free to choose them yourself. Build whatever team you think is necessary." Leaning forward slightly, he looked directly at her. "So, are you willing to take on this project?"
"Of course, Rimuru-sama," Shuna replied immediately without the slightest trace of hesitation in her voice. "If you've chosen to entrust this responsibility to me, then that means you can already see me succeeding. And if that's the case, how could I possibly allow your judgment to be proven wrong?" she said with a small but confident smile.
"Good. That's exactly the answer I expected from you," Rimuru said with a satisfied nod before patting her head once more while Shuna made no effort to hide the joy on her face. "Well, now that that's settled, go and enjoy the celebration. Starting tomorrow, you're going to have a lot of work on your hands."
Shuna bowed her head once again before excusing herself and leaving the house. She understood perfectly well that Rimuru likely had other matters to discuss with Towa, matters that did not require her presence or input. As such, she left without another word, already preparing herself for the enormous undertaking that awaited her.
Once Shuna was gone, Rimuru turned his attention back toward Towa. "Now then, with that taken care of, what was the other thing you wanted to discuss?" he asked.
"Well, about that..." Towa began as her previously warm smile became noticeably strained. She then hesitated for a moment before slowly turning toward Amanda Spellweaver, who had spent the entire conversation quietly observing from the sidelines. "Amanda, I think it would be better if you handled this one yourself," she said, causing the court magician to visibly stiffen as everyone's attention shifted toward her.
Amanda nodded before turning toward Rimuru. However, the moment her eyes met his, her body stiffened. The casual and approachable ruler she had seen moments earlier was nowhere to be found. Instead, she found herself facing an indifferent gaze that silently waited for her to speak. So gathering what little courage she could muster, Amanda forced herself to open her mouth. "Lord Rimuru, would it be alright if I made a request of you?" she asked carefully.
"A request, you say?" Rimuru tilted his head slightly as he gazed coldly at her. "You certainly have a lot of courage to ask that after everything your son tried to do to me and the person I care about most in this world," he said as he leaned back against the couch. "Conspiring against me was one thing, but involving my wife and unborn child in his disgusting scheme was something else entirely." He clicked his tongue in obvious disgust. "After all that, you should just be grateful that your nation is still standing. And even that is only because of the goodwill Towa has earned from me."
Amanda's heart sank at his words, and she found herself cursing her disgusting son once again. The shame and frustration she felt toward him only grew as she lowered her head, preparing to apologize. However, before she could get a word out, Rimuru spoke once more. "That said, I consider myself a reasonable man and don't believe the sins of one person should automatically condemn their entire family. So, Amanda Spellweaver, despite your son's actions, I am willing to hear your request."
Amanda nearly broke down in tears upon hearing that, but somehow managed to hold herself together. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she bowed her head and said, "Lord Rimuru, thank you for your generosity. I will never forget the kindness you have shown to my family and me." She waited until Rimuru gave a small gesture for her to continue before speaking again. "Lord Rimuru, my request is that my daughter be allowed to relocate here to Tempest for a few years and study advanced magic under one of your subordinates, something that I know I simply cannot teach her myself."
"Learning magic, huh?" Rimuru mused as his gaze shifted toward the red-haired girl standing quietly behind her mother. Dressed in a mage's robe and clutching her staff with both hands, she looked noticeably tense the moment his attention settled on her. "That doesn't sound like too much trouble. Still, if she's the one who wants to study magic, shouldn't she be the one making the request?"
Amanda immediately understood what he meant and gently nudged her daughter forward, silently urging her to introduce herself. "H-Hello, Lord Rimuru. My name is Aurelia Spellweaver. It is a great honor to meet you," the red-haired girl said. Her voice stumbled at first, but she managed to steady herself as she continued. "And, as my mother mentioned, I would like to ask for an opportunity to study magic under one of your subordinates." She bowed respectfully after finishing her introduction, gripping her staff so tightly that her knuckles turned white as she struggled to keep her trembling hands under control.
"Well, as I said, your request isn't particularly troublesome," Rimuru replied. "But I would still like to understand your reasons." As he spoke, he released the faintest trace of his aura, pressing it on the mother and daughter standing before him. "I would like to know why you aren't satisfied with the knowledge your mother and your nation already possess? Why are you seeking greater power in the first place?" he asked, locking eyes with Aurelia, who was already trembling beneath the weight of his presence.
"Because... because..." Aurelia stammered as Rimuru's aura bore down on her. For a brief moment, she felt as though she might collapse beneath that overwhelming pressure. But then the memories of her family's humiliation resurfaced, and she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand firm. "Because I want to become strong enough to protect Raja and Queen Towa!" she suddenly blurted out, her voice ringing through the room far louder than she had intended. However, it seemed neither she noticed her outburst, nor did Rimuru mind her raised voice.
"When I first learned what my stupid brother had done, I was so ashamed and so terrified of what it would mean for my family," Aurelia continued, her fists trembling at her sides as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. "And I was right. No matter what Queen Towa said or how hard she tried to defend us, people still looked at every member of the Spellweaver family like we were trash. Like we were traitors." Her voice quivered as painful memories resurfaced. "It didn't matter how many years my father devoted to serving Raja. It didn't matter how much my mother sacrificed for the kingdom. It was as if all of it had been wiped away overnight because of my brother's actions," she added as tears began streaming down her face, but she pressed on regardless.
"But I refuse to accept that!" Aurelia declared, wiping at her eyes with the back of her sleeve before lifting her head once more. Despite the tears staining her face, there was a fierce determination burning in her eyes. "I won't let my stupid brother's actions define our entire family! I refuse to spend the rest of my life apologizing for something I didn't do!" Her voice grew stronger with every word. "I'll become an even greater mage than my brother, my mother, or even my father ever were. I'll restore the honor of the Spellweaver name with my own hands. I'll wash away every bit of shame he brought upon us, and I'll become the greatest court mage Raja has ever seen!"
Her declaration caused Amanda to tremble with emotion as tears threatened to spill from her own eyes. As a mother, hearing her daughter speak with such strength and determination filled her with indescribable pride. Beside her, Towa wore a gentle smile, deeply moved by the young girl's unwavering resolve as well.
"You have admirable resolve. That's something worthy of praise," Rimuru said as he rose from the couch, walked over to Aurelia, and stopped directly in front of her. "I will grant your request, but..." His voice remained calm, yet the atmosphere in the room suddenly grew noticeably colder. The friendly and approachable man from earlier seemed to vanish as his gaze locked onto hers. "Keep in mind that Towa is one of my wife's closest friends and someone I hold in very high regard. So if you ever even think about betraying her or seeking revenge on behalf of your brother, the consequences will be far beyond anything you can imagine."
Faced with Rimuru's threatening words, Amanda felt her heart tremble, and her face turn pale while part of her was already regretting bringing her daughter here in the first place. Aurelia, however, was a different story. Despite standing directly before Rimuru and bearing the full weight of his gaze, she remained firm, showing not the slightest trace of fear.
"Lord Rimuru, you needn't worry," Aurelia declared firmly. "I have no intention of ever walking the same path as my shameless brother. The damage he caused to my family, my nation, and Queen Towa is something I can never forgive." She straightened her posture and met his gaze head-on. "And if I ever knowingly or unknowingly betray the trust Lady Towa has placed in me, then I am willing to stake both my magic and my life on it. Should such a thing ever happen, I am willing to forfeit my life on the spot."
Amanda's expression became even more horrified upon hearing those words, and she instinctively reached out to grip Aurelia's shoulder. Fortunately, Rimuru's next response immediately eased much of the tension in the room. "There is no need to make such a drastic vow," he said with a faint smile as he retracted his aura, allowing everyone present to breathe a little easier. He then placed a hand on Aurelia's shoulder and gave it a gentle pat. "For now, your sincerity and determination are enough. I'll take you at your word and place my trust in you."
"Thank you, Lord Rimuru," Aurelia said with a bright, heartfelt smile. The tension that had been weighing on her shoulders moments ago seemed to vanish completely now that her request had been accepted. She then turned toward Towa and bowed her head just as respectfully. "And thank you, Lady Towa. Without your support and willingness to speak on my behalf, I never would have been given an opportunity like this. I truly don't know how to repay you."
"There's no need to thank me, Aurelia. We grew up together, and while our positions in society may place us on different levels now, I've never really cared about things like that. To me, you've always been one of my very few close friends," Towa replied with a gentle smile, placing a comforting hand on the younger girl's shoulder, causing Aurelia's eyes to widen slightly at those words before a warm, heartfelt smile spread across her face.
Meanwhile, Amanda couldn't help lowering her head in shame. Once again, her heart was filled with grief as thoughts of her disappointing son resurfaced. For what felt like the hundredth time, she found herself wondering where she had failed as a parent. How had the bright-eyed, kind-hearted boy she once knew fallen so deeply into greed and depravity that he was willing to hurt someone as kind and gentle as Towa, and even go so far as to be willing to endanger an unborn child in pursuit of his ambitions.
"Don't worry, Towa," Aurelia said, addressing her by name just as she had when they were children. "I promise that one day I'll become one of the strongest pillars of Raja, someone you can always rely on!" she declared as a confident smile spread across her face.
******
After chatting with Towa and Aurelia for a little while longer, Rimuru took his leave and teleported away from the guest house. The scenery around him shifted in an instant, and a moment later, he reappeared inside his office, where the Primordial Black was already waiting for him, kneeling before his desk patiently awaiting Rimuru's arrival.
"So, Diablo, you wanted to consult me about something?" Rimuru asked as he settled into his chair and gestured for Diablo to rise.
"Indeed, Rimuru-sama. Though I am deeply ashamed to admit it, a certain matter has placed me in a rather difficult position," Diablo replied, lowering his head. "Even so, there was no need for Rimuru-sama to concern himself with my failures so quickly, especially at such an inconvenient time."
"Nah, it's better to deal with problems when they first appear rather than letting them fester and grow into even bigger headaches later," Rimuru said, dismissively waving a hand.
The moment those words left his mouth, Diablo's eyes lit up as though he had just received a divine revelation. He placed a hand over his chest, his expression overflowing with emotion as tears of joy began streaming down his face. Then, as if someone had flipped a switch inside his head, the tears vanished instantly, and with startling speed, he produced a notepad from seemingly nowhere and began furiously scribbling down every word Rimuru had just said
Meanwhile, having long since grown accustomed to Diablo's antics, Rimuru simply ignored the spectacle and continued. "Besides, since I'm already out and about, I might as well get all the work out of the way before heading back home to my lovely wife." A fond smile spread across his face at the thought of Shizu. No matter how busy or exhausting his day had been, his favorite moment was always returning home and being greeted by her warm smile. "So stop wasting my time and get to the point."
Rimuru's words pulled Diablo back from his own little world, and his demeanor shifted once again. The emotional fanatic vanished, replaced by the calm and composed executive as he began speaking."Rimuru-sama, this issue concerns Project False Utopia," he said. "According to the plan, the Black Quill has successfully begun circulating throughout the Holy Empire of Lubelius. While the operation proceeded smoothly during its initial stages and achieved all expected results, I believe we have now pushed matters far enough that the Empire may soon resort to more drastic measures."
"So... it's finally reached that point, huh?" Rimuru muttered as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest while he reflected on Project False Utopia.
To put it simply, False Utopia was a long-term operation aimed specifically at the Holy Empire of Lubelius. Of all the nations in the West, Rimuru considered Lubelius the most difficult to truly conquer. It wasn't because of its military strength or economic influence, but because of its people. For centuries, they had been raised on anti-monster doctrine preached in the name of Luminism, taught from birth to fear and distrust anything that wasn't human. They genuinely believed they lived in the safest and most prosperous nation in the world, sheltered beneath the benevolent protection of the Goddess Luminous.
But Rimuru knew the truth behind this so-called goddess and the paradise she had built for humanity. In reality, Lubelius was, in some ways, little more than a food farm for vampires. Then again, calling it a food farm was a bit of an exaggeration. The relationship between the humans and vampires of the nation was closer to a strange form of symbiosis. The people of Lubelius, completely unaware of the truth, enjoyed the safety and stability provided by Luminous's protection, sheltered from the countless dangers lurking beyond their borders, and in return, the vampires relied on human blood for nourishment.
As bad as that sounded, the reality wasn't quite so simple. Luminous kept the vampires in check, preventing them from turning humanity into an all-you-can-eat buffet while also giving her people a beacon of hope in a world filled with genuine monsters. It was also the very reason someone like Granbell, despite his massive hard-on for human supremacy, had been willing to maintain a working alliance with a Demon Lord for centuries.
Still, that partnership came with its own consequences. For centuries, Granbell had used the Church's influence to spread his ideology throughout the Holy Empire, poisoning people's minds against the very idea of monsters. That was why Rimuru had taken the initiative and created the Black Quill. Its purpose was to slowly chip away at centuries of indoctrination and show the people how the rest of the world was moving forward while they remained stagnant. One article at a time, it undermined their unquestioning gratitude toward Luminous and sowed seeds of dissatisfaction, gradually eroding the foundations of the beliefs they had inherited for generations.
But now came the next problem. Here in the Cardinal World, concepts such as freedom of speech or the right to life didn't exist, let alone more advanced rights like freedom of the press, the right to receive information, or the public's right to know. So even if Rimuru gave the demons of the Black lineage the means to evade Lubelius's enforcement efforts, that didn't mean the Holy Empire couldn't take action on its own side. After all, they didn't need to catch the people behind the Black Quill to suppress its influence.
All Luminous had to do was appear as a goddess and issue a single decree, declaring the Black Quill an evil influence and forbidding any interaction with it. It wouldn't take long before the very same people who had become hooked on it were the ones driving away these "evilbringers" with scorn and hostility. Forget Luminous. Even Hinata commanded enough respect and reverence among the people of Lubelius that a single word from her would be enough to turn public opinion against the Black Quill and ruin the entire plan.
That was why, now that Diablo had successfully completed the first phase of the operation, it was time for Rimuru to make his move. Fortunately, of all days, Luminous had chosen to visit Tempest today, sparing him the trouble of making a trip to Lubelius and introducing himself in person.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it," Rimuru said as he rose from his seat. A moment later, he teleported away once more, reappearing atop the hill overlooking the town.
Rimuru paused for a moment to admire the view of Rimuru City spread out beneath him before conjuring a ball of black flames in his hand and casually tossing it from one hand to the other. Then he stopped and muttered, "Quartz Quartz," causing the mass of black fire to twist and reshape itself into a sinister-looking bow. Reaching toward the riser, he drew back two fingers as though pulling an invisible string, and an arrow formed along with the motion. By the time his fingers reached the bowstring, a folded note had already materialized and attached itself neatly to the shaft of the newly created arrow.
'Ciel, I want to create a skill,' Rimuru said internally to his partner.
"Strange. Why do I suddenly feel the urge to annoy a gloomy teacher?" Rimuru chuckled to himself before drawing back the string. As if responding to his intent, the black flames that formed both the bow and arrow began to roar and surge with power. "Now then, let's test this new skill, shall we?" he said with a grin, having already found his vict... target, before releasing the string.
Meanwhile, outside a tavern in Rimuru City, a crowd had gathered, laughing and pointing up at the roof where Gobata stood swaying unsteadily with a bottle of alcohol clutched in one hand and his face bright red from drink. "I am Gobata, the strongest warrior under Rimuru-sama!" he declared proudly, waving the bottle around as if it were a sword. "And guess what? Even Hakurou isn't a match for me! Hahahaha!" Throwing his head back, he burst into loud, drunken laughter while the crowd below cheered him on and laughed at his antics.
However, before he could continue his boastful speech, he spotted an arrow made of black flames hurtling toward him at terrifying speed. "What!?" Gobata's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as his drunken haze vanished in an instant. "No! I won't die like this! I, the great Gobata, will survive!" he yelled. Then, without a second thought, he jumped. Not to the side where any sane person would have gone, but straight forward, directly into the arrow's path.
The next moment, the arrow reached him, and the instant it made contact, it passed harmlessly through his body as though he weren't even there, continuing on toward its true target. Gobata's eyes widened as he realized what had happened, but he didn't have time to celebrate his miraculous survival. A heartbeat later, gravity reminded him of its existence. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" he screamed as he plummeted toward the ground and crashed straight through the tavern's wooden staircase, leaving a massive hole in the middle as splinters flew everywhere.
The onlookers who had been watching Gobata make a fool of himself were still gathered around, though now they stood surrounding the tavern's shattered staircase and staring into the hole in stunned silence. Then, without warning, a skinny green hand shot up from the darkness below. A moment later, Gobata launched himself out of the hole and landed on his feet. "Hahaha! I told you! The strongest subordinate of Rimuru-sama!" he declared once again, proudly puffing out his chest. This time, however, his boast was met with genuine cheers and applause from the crowd.
But just as Gobata was basking in the crowd's admiration, the cheers suddenly came to an abrupt stop. It took him a moment to notice, but when he did, he tilted his head in confusion and glanced around for an explanation. Then he heard a voice from directly behind him.
"I heard you've become the strongest, Gobata..."
The moment he heard that voice, Gobata froze solid. Cold sweat immediately began pouring down his body as a sense of dread settled deep in his stomach. Slowly, almost mechanically, he turned around and found Hakurou standing there with his usual gentle, grandfatherly smile. "H-Hakurou... when did you get here?" Gobata asked, stumbling over his words as he instinctively took a cautious step backward, already preparing to make a run for it.
"Oh, I've been drinking inside since the very beginning," Hakurou replied as he took a step forward. "And I heard every one of your brave words as well." His smile remained as warm and grandfatherly as ever, but a terrifying aura suddenly radiated from his body. "It's a shame I failed to recognize your talent sooner. Since that's the case, I'll have to start paying special attention to you from now on."
Before Gobata could make his escape, Hakurou's hand shot out and seized him by the collar the instant he turned to run. "And since we're already here, why don't we begin immediately? Don't you agree, strongest warrior of Rimuru-sama?" he asked kindly as he dragged the horrified goblin toward the training grounds. The crowd instinctively parted before them, creating a clear path through the sea of onlookers. As Gobata was hauled away to his doom, everyone silently offered prayers for his well-being.
That night, the cries of an unfortunate soul echoed throughout Rimuru City. Through his noble sacrifice, he taught the world an important lesson: it doesn't matter whether you're human or monster, alcohol and stupidity are enemies of all.
To be continued...