Chapter 26 - A new threat?

When I reached Tempest I felt the presence of the Demoness trio and Diablo. So they finished their job, that was fast I didn't think they will crush Clayman's army that fast. Is Clayman's army that weak? Or is my army that strong. Fufufu either way we win and that's what matters the most.

When I reach the gate the Demoness Trio, Diablo and Rigurd were waiting for me in front of the gate. They bowed their head and get into one knee as they saw me.

""We humbly welcome Rimuru-Sama""

"Ah! Thank you"

"Whahaha. I'm back"

I and Veldora replied to them as Benimaru silently followed us. Seeing Rigurd standing side by side with the Demons my respect for him increases. He is giving the new air of authority and I like the new Rigurd.

"Thanks, Rigurd. I'm loving this new air of authority you're giving out"

"I'm not worthy of Rimuru-Sama praise"

I just praise him wholeheartedly and he looked embarrassed after hearing the praise. The Demoness trio looked jealous but didn't show it.

"I'm sure Rimuru-Sama is tired. I asked Haruna to make a meal for all of us. We can talk once Rimuru-Sama is refreshed"

"Thank you Rigurd"

"So I had him lead me through town"

Everyone we passed by was all smiles, ready to go into full-on party mode at the drop of a hat, but Geld and his team still weren't back from their mission. The full celebration could wait until later. For now, I could rest in the knowledge that one little problem, at least, was solved.

But I'm more concerned about the person who was manipulating Clayman. But I will think about it later.

Thus, I decided to sink into my hot-spring bath, enjoy the food Haruna prepared for me, give myself a mental recharge, and then listen to Diablo's report. The battle with Clayman ended in total victory for me, and that just left the establishment of Youm's new kingdom and Western Holy Church to deal with.

There would be new negotiations to consider shortly with the Beast Kingdom of Eurazania, with the Winged Nation of Fulbrosia, with the Dragon Faithful who worshipped Milim-but those all looked bound to end on friendly terms, so there was no need to fret much about them now.

"So, what have you been up to? I asked you to destroy the Kingdom of Farms and install Youm as its new king. If you abandoned that job and came back here, should I assume that to mean you need more resources?"

I asked Diablo as I enjoyed some post-dinner hot chocolate.

I was back in slime form for the first time in a while as I'm seating on a sofa in my office. If Diablo needed help, I figured someone like Souei could provide it. We had some leeway again for a change; no need to make Diablo fend for himself.

"No, no Rimuru-Sama the resources you gave me is more than enough"

"So why did you come back"

...

On that day, the world knew true terror once more. Veldora, the Storm Dragon, was reborn.

It had been formally revealed by the Western Holy Church, not long after the Guild announced the most recent missive from the demon lords. They had gone from ten to eight, forming an Octagram, and this alone was enough to spread chaos worldwide. It wasn't long before the kings of all nations were faced with vast, headache-inducing changes in the world situation changes that would continue for days on end.

The Western Holy Church itself was experiencing unrest like none in recent memory.

Several days after Hinata Sakaguchi's encounter with Rimuru, contact with Archbishop Reyhiem was cut off as he accompanied his kingdom's military deployment. He was required to submit regular reports, and if those reports were missing, something must have been going wrong with the Tempest invasion.

Hinata already understood that they got annihilated by Rimuru.

It was a city enveloped in a calming light, a holy metropolis protected by a divine barrier.

This barrier had been the subject of research over many years, adjusted and perfected until it boasted the highest level of protection in the land. It prevented all outside enemies from invading, dutifully fulfilling that obligation for the past thousand years.

It was, in a way, the personification of the prayers of everyone who lived inside it. It could even block out the sun itself, automatically adjusting the light levels inside the bubble as needed-brighter by day, dimmer by night. The temperature inside was kept at a near-constant all year, producing cooler summers and warmer winters, while the compartmentalized farmlands inside could produce seasonal crops at almost any time.

It was a utopia, one whose residents never had to worry about starvation. Every child received a level of compulsory education, and every adult was provided with a job. Its society had achieved complete harmony, its paradise monitored by the law and order that ruled over it.

This was Lune, the Holy City, capital of the Holy Empire of Lubelius.

The day after the last Walpurgis, Hinata was walking the path toward its main cathedral. The surrounding air was pleasantly warm, tempered by the solemnity of the atmosphere. This land was a bountiful one. No one starved; there were no beggars on the side of the streets. Everyone was provided with a suitable role, carrying it out to the fullest. They all awoke to the same bells and slept at the same time. And all was managed in perfect harmony, guaranteeing the happiness of every citizen that lived and breathed inside.

Hinata hurriedly entered the secret passage as she enter the church and she appeared in a secret room. Isolated from the outside world is the chamber where the "God" Luminus live.

As Hinata enters the room she saw Louis is already present in the room. The tension inside the room is very high. She didn't dare to ask what happened as she greeted the Vampire that is lying on the sofa while holding a glass of wine in her hands.

"Greetings Luminus-Sama"

"Ahh. Hinata-Chan"

Hinata respectfully bowed as she greeted her.

"Luminus-Sama what happened in the Walpurgis"

Luminus's eyes twitched as she remember Veldora.

"Rimuru declares himself as Demon Lord he also killed Clayman. Not only that the Damn Lizard has also been freed"

A chill run through Luminus's back, her soul shuddered as she remembered the power that Veldora has shown in Walpurgis.

Hinata's eyes wide open in surprise as she heard what Luminus said. Veldora has been freed which means the news that Veldora has been revived is real.

"I would like to defeat Veldora for you," Hinata offered.

"Hinata," Luminus coldly replied.

"You have grown stronger, yes, much stronger than when you fought me. You are well past the Seven Days and on your way to equaling my level. But you will never be able to defeat Veldora."

"She is right, Hinata. That is how fearsome a presence the dragon is. A true Catastrophe."

Louis, who was there for that dragon's previous rampages, agreed readily with Luminus.

"He is that powerful? But didn't the Hero seal him away?"

If a human did it once before, Hinata reasoned, it could always happen again. Luminus and Louis immediately brushed it off.

"Look, Hinata. That dragon is a form of natural energy in itself. Perhaps you could use magic to quell a raging gale, yes, but that dragon has its own free will. It cannot be cut with a sword or affected by magic. When he flies into a rage, the shock waves will ravage the earth, far more so than any of our puny magic."

The thought seemed to genuinely dismay Luminus. Louis nodded in agreement, his face pale as if he had just recalled an ugly memory.

'....and seeing him fight against Milim, I don't think Chloe can stop him anymore.'

"But the real threat is Demon Lord Rimuru...

I can't see through him, but his power is no joke. I'm not sure but I have a feeling that he has 'that' ability."

Luminus said with a pale face. Rimuru has left a deep impression on her.

"He didn't even afraid to confront Guy just because he was a little irritated...

Not to mention the result of their confrontation"

The voice of Luminus started to shutter at the end of her sentence.

They all are monsters.

"I wasn't able to gauge his power but even his subordinate is on the same level as you and I'm pretty sure he wasn't his strongest subordinate"

"The red hair oni. I feel a dangerous aura from him" Luminus thought to herself silently.

Hinata is troubled after hearing her words. Rimuru's subordinates are at least equal to her. Doesn't that mean there is a chance that there are people under Rimuru stronger than her? Even someone like Demon Lord Guy is wary of him.

Hinata's soul shuddered as she collected her thoughts and now she is glad that Rimuru didn't kill her. But what should they do with Rimuru?

"Let Rimuru serve as a propaganda heel, much like how Roy acted like a demon lord"

Louis said. But as Hinata expected, Luminus was less than enthusiastic.

"He declares that he'll give the humans all the protection they want. Because he needs their help. He said it himself. 'Anyone who gets in the way of that, whether a hero or a demon lord of the Holy Church, is my enemy."

Louis became silent as he heard Luminus's words. Making Rimuru the enemy is equal to suicide.

"Don't do anything for now... Church will release the news of Veldora's resurrection only..."

With that, their meeting ends.

......

In the far north the world of silver. A sliver hair beautiful girl can be seen lying in the bed, her eyes were a little swollen with a hint of red. Tightly clutching into her pillow she gritted her teeth in anger as the tears started to flow from her lake-like eyes.

An alluring beauty, bewitching enough to captive even the hearts of «God»

"That bastard!! I knew he was just playing with me..."

Velzard flared up as she realise that Rimuru has stopped time as soon as she left the conference room.

"Humph. I will make sure to capture him next time! Then I will lock him inside the «Crystal Guard» and torture him until he begs me for forgiveness..."

Her eyes glitter with a vicious look, and a sadistic grin appeared on her beautiful face.

The look and the face quite didn't match each other.

"—Then I will... No! No! I don't think I can lock him in, «Crystal Guard» he will eat it with his skill. Tch, what should I do... Argh. Am I even enough powerful to capture him in the first place?"

The sadistic look disappeared as soon as it appeared and a troubled expression make its way.

"He looked very weak but... That bastard! He stopped the time the moment I leave the conference room... I'm sure he is just using another body or something. The last time he fooled me with a human body"

Velzard finds herself in a dilemma. Should I ask for Guy's opinion? No, he is useless.

"Should I destroy his country... But he spends two whole years making that country. What will I do if he became angry..?

The anger that she was feeling a while ago slowly started to replace with fear and uncertainty.

"What if he started to hate me even more... He already hates me a lot. Enough that he didn't even talk with me in the last 2000 years. "

The tears again threatened to fall from her eyes. The memories of the past started to flow inside her head.

"How foolish I was in the past..."

Her voice sounded very sad. Her throat started to hurt as she talk.

"Why should I 'do that' that day..? Only if I had listened to him that day..."

The bridge that was holding her tears broke as the tears started to flow from her eyes... again.

"Satoru... How pathetic of me, I didn't have enough courage to ask him for forgiveness...

I'm sorry please forgive me... I wish I could tell you that I'm sorry."

"Will you forgive me... like you always used to... or will you continue to hate me?"

Her eyes flashed with sadness as she remembered the memories that she shared with Rimuru.

"Did I even deserve to ask for your forgiveness in the first place...

That's something only you can answer. Will you answer me if I ask you...

Will you... Satoru, no.

... Rimuru."