Feldway’s Silent Conquest

The war against Falmuth had ended, and Tempest had emerged victorious. However, the world was still in turmoil over the news that Rimuru Tempest had ascended to the rank of a True Demon Lord. This was a significant shift in power, one that could not be ignored by the rulers of the surrounding nations.

One such ruler was Gazel Dwargo, the indomitable King of Dwargon. As a seasoned warrior and ruler, he understood that maintaining relations with Tempest was not only beneficial but also necessary for the balance of power in the region. Thus, he decided to personally visit Rimuru, seeking to reaffirm their alliance and gain insight into Tempest's future.

When King Gazel arrived in Tempest, he was received with great respect. The meeting was set in one of Rimuru's grand halls, where a large round table had been prepared. Seated around it were Rimuru and his closest generals, including Benimaru, Shion, Hakuro, Souei, and a few others. Also present was Youm, the former mercenary whom Rimuru had taken under his wing.

The atmosphere was relaxed yet filled with anticipation. As drinks were poured and small pleasantries exchanged, the conversation was about to begin—when suddenly, King Gazel's sharp instincts kicked in. His warrior's intuition picked up on something.

His golden eyes flickered toward a particular spot outside, beyond the open windows of the hall. A slight rustling of leaves caught his attention. A normal person might have ignored it, but Gazel was not a normal person. He had sensed it the moment he arrived—someone was hiding nearby, observing their meeting.

Setting down his cup, he spoke, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

"So, Erald... why are you hiding behind the bushes?"

A tense silence followed his words. The people at the table turned their attention to where Gazel's gaze was directed.

Then, after a brief pause, the figure stepped forward.

Erald Grimwald, the Prime Minister of Dwargon, emerged from the shadows with a resigned sigh. His elegant robes rustled as he walked forward, his expression a mix of mild embarrassment and irritation.

"As expected of you, my king. Nothing gets past your eyes." Erald adjusted his glasses and gave a respectful bow before turning his sharp gaze toward Rimuru. "Apologies for my intrusion, Demon Lord Rimuru. I had no ill intentions—I merely wished to observe the proceedings without interfering."

Rimuru blinked in mild surprise but quickly relaxed. "Ah, no worries. But seriously, why the sneaky act? You could've just walked in with King Gazel."

Erald pushed up his glasses, his sharp gaze unwavering. "It is my duty to ensure my king's safety. Given your recent… ascension, I had to see for myself whether you remained the same person we initially allied with."

Gazel let out a deep chuckle. "You always overthink things, Erald."

Rimuru grinned. "So? What's your verdict?"

Erald studied him for a moment before sighing. "You may have become a Demon Lord, but it appears you are still you."

Shion, who had been watching with amusement, crossed her arms. "Of course he's still the same! Did you think our Lord would suddenly become some tyrant?"

Erald gave her a knowing glance. "One does not simply ignore the transformation of a person who has gained such immense power. I had to be sure."

Benimaru smirked. "Well, now that you're here, you might as well take a seat."

Gazel nodded, gesturing toward an empty chair. "Indeed, Erald. Since you were so interested, why not join the discussion officially?"

Erald let out another sigh but ultimately took the offered seat, resigning himself to the fact that he had been caught.

Rimuru chuckled. "Alright then, let's get started. What brings you to Tempest, King Gazel?"

With that, the meeting between the leaders of Tempest and Dwargon began in earnest.

----_____-----

While all of that was going on, a far greater danger lurked in the shadows—one that no one, not even the Demon Lords or True Dragons, was fully aware of.

Feldway, the former servant of Veldanava, had already infiltrated the heart of the Eastern Empire.

Feldway had not only been working in the shadows for centuries but had embedded himself within the highest ranks of the Eastern Empire's military. As a top-ranking officer, he had access to the two most important figures in the empire:

Rudra Nam Ul Nasca, the Emperor of the Eastern Empire.

Velgrynd, the Scorching Dragon, and the guardian of Rudra.

Feldway's ultimate goal was to resurrect Veldanava, and for that, he needed the factors of the True Dragons—the essences that embodied their divine existence. Velzard, Velgrynd, and Veldora all carried a portion of Veldanava's power, and Feldway had already positioned himself close enough to two of them.

To ensure his success, he began weaving layers of manipulation around Rudra. Using ancient angelic magic, Feldway was preparing an advanced spell that would give him full control over the Emperor's will. Once Rudra was fully under his influence, he could command the Empire's vast military and use it as his personal weapon—a tool to crush any opposition, especially Tempest.

Feldway was not working alone. Among his most valuable assets was Dino, the Fallen Angel—a former Celestial who had once served Veldanava but had since joined the Demon Lord Council, pretending to be a lazy and indifferent slacker.

However, Dino was no fool. He sensed Feldway's ambitions, yet he continued playing along, knowing that refusing Feldway outright could mean death. He remained stationed in Draguel's domain, where he acted as a sleeper agent, waiting for the moment to strike.

Feldway, of course, knew of Dino's hesitation, but it didn't matter—as long as Dino could still be useful.

Unlike the others, I had already seen the signs. My network of spies, spread across the Cardinal World, had gathered enough evidence to confirm my worst fears:

Feldway had infiltrated the Eastern Empire at the highest levels.

He was preparing Rudra to be a puppet ruler for his ultimate plan.

He would inevitably target Tempest—especially now that Veldora was there.

Veldora, as one of the True Dragons, was an essential piece in Feldway's plan. Even if Veldora himself was unaware of it, his existence alone made him a prime target for Feldway's ambitions.

With Rudra soon to fall under Feldway's control, it was only a matter of time before the Eastern Empire launched a full-scale invasion of Tempest.

Feldway's plan was moving forward flawlessly, and unless something was done to counter him, the world would soon be caught in a war far greater than anything seen before.

A war where the fate of existence itself hung in the balance.