It had been nearly two months since the alliance eting between Maple Tree, Dwargon, and Tempest.
Since then, construction of the MagiTrain had begun within Dwargon’s territory, while Tempest had already started laying down roads leading to Maple Tree. Progress was steady, and diplomatic relations between the three nations had never been stronger.
As a result, Rimuru found himself unusually busy during the first month. Between supervising infrastructure projects, drafting policies, and managing affairs back in Tempest, his days had been anything but quiet.
Which was why he gratefully took the chance to enjoy a brief vacation, visiting the children he had taken under his wing. The familiar atmosphere brought a warmth he hadn't felt in a while.
He spent his days spoiling them, sharing manga, eating out, playing gas. He didn’t even complain when he had to pause his vacation briefly to sign a treaty with the Kingdom of Blumund. Seeing the kids argue playfully among themselves reminded him of the simpler joys in life.
Today marked the final day of his break.
“Alright everyone, settle down,” Rimuru said with a soft chuckle. “It’s too early in the morning to be yelling like this.”
“But Teach,” Kenya muttered, puffing his cheeks. “We were planning how to stop you from leaving. We ca up with the perfect plan.”
“Oh? And what’s that?” Rimuru asked, amused. “Yuuki’s going to be here soon, so you’ll have to make it quick.”
Kenya grinned confidently. “All we have to do is beat you in a fight, then you’ll have to do what we say!”
Rimuru laughed. “You still think you can beat ? Did you forget how swole I am? You’ve got a loooong way to go before you catch up to this level of awesoness.”
“Indeed,” Ranga added, appearing at Rimuru’s side. His tail wagged lazily. “For now, focus on your studies. It’s the best way to grow stronger.”
“But it’s not fair, Teach!” Kenya whined.
Rimuru was about to respond when sothing tugged at his consciousness. A ssage from Soei.
‘Soei, what is it?’
(Falmuth is on the move. The knights they’ve gathered are headed toward the Forest of Jura.)
‘I see. So they're finally making their play. Good thing I had you watching them. Kaede warned . Gazel ntioned it too during our eting, and Monmir also brought it up last night. Seems we're all in agreent, Falmuth’s intentions aren’t good.’
(That’s correct. From what we’ve intercepted, they plan to cause a disturbance, then accuse us of attacking them, framing Tempest as a threat to humanity.)
Rimuru’s eyes narrowed, though he maintained a calm exterior as Ryota and Kenya continued chasing each other nearby.
‘How large is their force?’
(Roughly a hundred n.)
‘Tch… So they’re underestimating us. Is Benimaru aware?’
(Yes. I’ve already inford him and preparations are underway.)
Soei paused for a mont before continuing.
(However… the ones leading this operation aren’t just soldiers. They’re otherworlders.)
‘Otherworlders?’ Rimuru’s brow furrowed.
(Three of them. They’re advancing ahead of the main force.)
‘So people just like Kaede. Troubling. Is sothing wrong, Soei?’
(One of them contacted monts ago.)
‘Wait, he saw you? Through your concealnt?’
(Yes. He saw through my technique easily… and overpowered . However, he didn’t harm . Instead, he requested to speak with you directly.)
‘Speak with ?’ Rimuru frowned. ‘What’s his angle?’
Before Soei could answer...
(Am I speaking with Rimuru Tempest?)
Rimuru’s breath caught in his throat.
Notice: ntal connection has been hijacked by an external force.
‘Who is this?’
(You may call Kanade. Who I am is unimportant. All you need to know is this: if you don’t return to Tempest within the next hour… there will be nothing left but ashes.)
The temperature in the room rose subtly, just enough to be noticed by soone attuned to magic. The children didn’t react, too absorbed in their chatter and excitent. But Chloe paused mid-step, sensing sothing. She glanced at Rimuru with a worried look.
He t her gaze and smiled reassuringly. She gave a small smile in return, then rejoined the others.
Rimuru’s voice dropped to a low murmur. “Who the hell is this guy? Are the others already in danger?”
(Your subordinate already inford you of the hundred knights marching toward Tempest, accompanied by three otherworlders. What he didn’t ntion… is that three Holy Saints have begun leading a crusader army toward your city as well.)
Rimuru’s eyes widened. Holy Saints? That was bad. Really bad.
‘Three of them?' He clenched his fists as he turned to the children.
“Sorry, guys,” Rimuru said gently. “Sothing urgent ca up. I’ll have to leave earlier than planned.”
“What? No!” Chloe cried out, tears springing to her eyes as she ran forward and wrapped her arms around him. “Please don’t go,” she whispered into his cloak.
“Chloe!” Kenya shouted, running after her. “We promised we wouldn’t cry!” Despite his words, tears stread freely down his cheeks. The rest of the children followed suit, surrounding Rimuru in a tearful huddle.
Rimuru sighed and reached into his coat, pulling out a mask. It was the one he had inherited from Shizu, the only woman he had ever loved. A piece of his heart.
He knelt and placed it gently into Chloe’s hands. “Take care of this for , okay?”
“That’s not fair, Teach!” Kenya protested, sniffing. “Why does she get a gift?!”
Rimuru chuckled and pulled out sothing else, stylish academy robes tailored for each of them. “Don’t worry, I got you all sothing.”
The children gasped in delight, their grief montarily forgotten as they admired the robes. Rimuru gave them a final wave, then turned away, suppressing the growing weight in his chest.
He leapt onto Ranga’s back, wind rushing past as they raced away from the city.
‘Sorry about the delay,’ Rimuru sent through the link. ‘But tell , why would the Holy Church send Saints after us? Tempest has no quarrel with them.’
(From what I’ve heard, the Holy Church has already declared both Tempest and Maple Tree enemies of humanity. One Saint I could handle. Two… maybe. But three? I’d be overwheld. If you’re as strong as I believe, we stand a chance together.)
‘Why help us at all?’
(Besides it being the right thing to do? Let’s just say… I want your help eting a certain soone.)
Rimuru exhaled slowly. ‘Fine. We’ll talk more face to face. I’ll accept your help.’
(Fair enough. You might want to hurry though, my main body is still stalling the others.)
‘Understood. I’ll be there soon.’
He opened another connection. ‘Soei.’
(Yes, Lord Rimuru?)
‘Escort Kanade to et with Benimaru. I’m en route.’
(Unde###ood L##d Ri#######)
‘Soei? Soei!!’ Rimuru’s expression hardened. ‘What the hell is going on?!’
He pulled on Ranga’s fur. “Ranga! That’s enough. We’re far enough, no one should notice. I’m using [Spatial Movent].”
Ranga slowed and stopped.
Rimuru activated the spell.
Nothing happened.
Notice: You have been enclosed within a wide-range barrier. All spatial interference permitting entry or exit has been sealed. [Spatial Movent] cannot be used.
“For real?” Rimuru muttered, leaping off Ranga’s back. His expression turned sharp. “Ranga, return to my shadow.”
“Understood,” Ranga replied, vanishing into his master’s silhouette.
Rimuru drew his blade, aura flaring with restrained fury.
“I don’t have ti for this… not while everyone’s in danger.”
Far off, within the trees, a white-clad figure took a step forward, slow, deliberate.
And Rimuru prepared himself.
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