How to Teach a King a Lesson

As Rimuru and Gazel squared off, the air grew tense with anticipation. Treyni, the Dryad, materialized between them, her graceful presence commanding the attention of all present. Her voice, calm yet firm, cut through the tension.

"I will act as the judge for this duel," Treyni announced, her piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd to ensure there would be no interruptions.

Gazel smirked, gripping his sword tightly as he took his stance. Rimuru, on the other hand, stood relaxed, his katana still sheathed. This immediately caused murmurs among Gazel's soldiers.

"Is he mocking our king?" one guard whispered, clenching his fists.

"He didn't even draw his sword! How arrogant!" another muttered, visibly annoyed.

On the other side, Shion smirked, leaning toward Benimaru. "I almost feel bad for Gazel. He doesn't know what he's up against."

Benimaru chuckled. "He'll find out soon enough. Rimuru-sama doesn't need to unsheathe his sword to win this."

Treyni raised her hand. "The duel begins... now!"

As soon as the signal was given, both combatants disappeared from sight, moving at speeds too fast for most to follow. The sound of clashing swords echoed across the field as sparks flew from their weapons. Rimuru, still using his sheathed katana, was effortlessly parrying Gazel's strikes with a calm precision that made the movements look almost effortless.

Gazel's attacks came in strong and relentless, each strike calculated and imbued with the power of his Haze Style Swordsmanship. His swordsmanship was a work of art, and his strikes were sharp enough to sever steel. But Rimuru danced around him with an almost mocking grace, using minimal effort to deflect every blow.

"You're holding back, Gazel," Rimuru said casually, sidestepping a powerful downward slash and countering with a swift strike to Gazel's side, using the hilt of his sword. The blow sent Gazel skidding back, though Rimuru had pulled his strength to avoid hurting him too much. "Come on, you said you wanted to test me. Is this all you've got?"

Gazel gritted his teeth. He's toying with me, he thought, frustration bubbling up. He knew Rimuru was strong, but this level of mastery was beyond anything he had imagined.

Among the spectators, Gazel's soldiers were stunned.

"H-How is he moving like that?" one stammered.

"He's reading every one of His Majesty's moves like it's child's play," another said in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Rimuru's generals were impressed but unsurprised.

"Rimuru-sama's technique is flawless," Souei remarked. "Even King Gazel can't compete."

Shion nodded. "It's like watching a master artist at work."

Gazel decided to stop holding back. He took a deep breath, adjusting his stance. "Enough games, Rimuru! Let's settle this seriously." His aura flared, and he began using his most advanced Haze Style techniques. His movements became faster and more unpredictable, striking from angles that even seasoned warriors would struggle to counter.

But Rimuru smirked. "Oh, Haze Style? I'm familiar with that. Let me show you how it's really done."

To everyone's shock, Rimuru flawlessly mirrored Gazel's techniques, not only matching them but improving upon them. Where Gazel's strikes had power and precision, Rimuru's carried an elegance and fluidity that made it seem as though he had perfected the art centuries ago.

Gazel's eyes widened as Rimuru effortlessly countered his strongest techniques, turning them against him. Every time Gazel attacked, Rimuru was a step ahead, delivering calculated blows with his sheathed katana that left the Dwarven King struggling to keep up.

"How… how do you know these moves?" Gazel demanded between breaths, sweat dripping down his face.

Rimuru smiled. "I've seen a lot of sword styles, and yours isn't bad. But you still have a lot to learn."

Gazel's guards were speechless. "He's completely outclassing His Majesty…" one murmured.

Even Gazel's personal knights, known for their unwavering loyalty, couldn't hide their disbelief. "Who is this slime—no, this Demon Lord? He's a monster…"

Rimuru decided it was time to end the duel. As Gazel launched one final, desperate attack, pouring all his strength into a downward strike, Rimuru vanished from his line of sight. In the blink of an eye, Rimuru reappeared behind him, his katana drawn and its blade resting lightly against Gazel's neck.

The crowd fell silent as Treyni stepped forward, her voice cutting through the stillness. "The duel is over. The winner is Rimuru Tempest."

Gazel froze, sweat dripping from his forehead as he realized how close he had been to losing his life. Slowly, Rimuru sheathed his katana and extended a hand toward the defeated king.

"You're not bad, Gazel," Rimuru said with a smile. "You've got skill, but you rely too much on brute strength. Swordsmanship isn't just about power—it's about finesse."

Gazel hesitated for a moment before taking Rimuru's hand. The Dwarven King stood, his pride wounded but his respect for Rimuru growing. "You're stronger than I imagined, Rimuru Tempest. I underestimated you."

"Glad you realized that," Rimuru replied, his tone light but firm. "But don't think you can just barge into my village and make demands. If you want to talk, we'll talk as equals."

Gazel nodded, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Fair enough. I came here to see what kind of leader you are, and I have my answer. You're no tyrant, Rimuru. You're someone worth allying with."

As the tension eased, Rimuru's generals approached, their expressions a mix of pride and amusement.

"Nice moves, Rimuru-sama," Benimaru said with a smirk.

"You made it look easy," Shion added, puffing out her chest.

Rimuru sighed. "It wasn't about showing off. I just wanted to make sure Gazel knew who he was dealing with."

Treyni stepped forward, her serene smile returning. "This duel has brought clarity and understanding. I suggest we continue this discussion over a proper meal."

Rimuru nodded, turning to Gazel. "You heard the lady. Let's head back to the village and talk. Maybe over some of Shuna's cooking."

Gazel chuckled, finally relaxing. "I'd like that. Lead the way, Rimuru Tempest."

With that, the group returned to the village, the tension replaced with a newfound respect and the potential for a powerful alliance.