Chapter 57: The Double-Entry Defense
"Gentlemen, please ignore the interruption. It's just a minor market correction," I state, my porcelain-pale hand steady as I set the crystal glass back onto the manifested oak table. "Shall we continue with the magisteel contract?"
The Sarion merchants are frozen. Between the terrified messenger from Blumund, the dark aura of the Primordial Diablo looming nearby, and my own icy composure, they look like they've walked into a high-stakes gambling den rather than a trade negotiation.
Notice. [Analytical Appraisal] suggests the Sarion delegates are at 92% stress capacity. Their internal magicule circulation is fluctuating. Probability of them signing the contract without further haggling: 98.7%.
Good. Let's close the deal before the Paladins ruin the atmosphere entirely. My internal monologue is currently picturing Hinata Sakaguchi's face when she realizes she's attempting to audit a True Dragon-named entity. I hope she brought enough holy water to cover her losses.
"We... we find the terms acceptable, Master Shinji," the lead elf stammers, his eyes darting toward the horizon where the messenger came from. "We shall finalize the logistics once... once the current 'correction' is finalized."
"Wise choice," I respond. I snap my fingers.
[Body Double]
From my mirror-black shadow, a second humanoid form rises. It is an identical copy of my spirit vessel, draped in the same obsidian-silk suit. The Kijin and merchants gasp—creating a clone that maintains this level of spiritual density usually requires an immense expenditure of magicules, but with my link to the Storm Dragon, the cost is a rounding error.
"My double will handle the contract finalization and the grand tour," I say, my physical form turning toward the city's inner sanctum. "I have a board meeting with Lord Rimuru. We have a 'crusade' to prepare for, and I intend to make the opening bell quite loud."
[Shadow Step]
I emerge in the war room. Rimuru is already there, his face set in a grim line as he listens to Fuze's report. Shion is vibrating with rage, her hand white-knuckled on the hilt of her blade. Benimaru and Souei stand like statues of obsidian, their evolved auras crackling.
"Shinji," Rimuru says, his golden eyes flicking to me. "You heard? Hinata is coming. And the Seven Luminaries are moving behind the scenes. They've convinced the Western Nations that we're the ultimate threat to humanity."
"They're not wrong, Rimuru," I say, my voice smooth and clinical. "We are a threat to the current market. We offer better quality of life, better security, and better logic than their 'Holy' system. A crusade is just their way of trying to avoid a total bankruptcy of faith."
"I don't want a war," Rimuru sighs. "I just want to talk to her. Maybe we can reach an agreement."
"Talking is for those with equal leverage," I pulse, my [Dragon Spirit Haki] flaring, causing the maps on the table to curl. "Hinata is a sunk cost. She's already decided we're monsters. If we want a seat at the table of the Western Nations, we don't negotiate with words. We negotiate with a demonstration of power so absolute that even their 'God' reconsiders the investment."
"So, what's the plan?" Benimaru asks, his eyes burning with tactical hunger.
"Simple," I say, pointing to the western border on the map. "Rimuru, you handle Hinata. Show her that your 'soul' is far more valuable than her dogma. I will take the Kijin and intercept the Luminaries. They think they're the ones conducting the audit. I'm going to show them what a total liquidation looks like."
Notice. [Universal Perception] has detected the leading edge of the Holy Knight vanguard. They have crossed the 10-kilometer perimeter. Hinata Sakaguchi is confirmed to be traveling alone, ahead of the main force.
Azathoth, prep the [God's Wrath] arrays. I want them calibrated to 15% output—enough to erase their armor, but leaving their souls intact for 'reprogramming' if necessary. Let's see how 'Holy' they feel when the sun itself turns against them.
"Rimuru," I say, adjusting my obsidian gloves. "Go meet your Saint. I'll handle the 'Luminaries'. I've been looking for a reason to test my new [Total Liquidation Logic], and these ancient relics seem like the perfect test subjects."
Current Magicule Reserves: Infinite (Linked). Location: War Room, Tempest. Status: Combat Deployment: Active. Target: Seven Luminaries. Soul Capacity: 38%.
Chapter End.