While new arrivals were making their way toward Tempest, Vertis was enjoying a stroll and a bit of hunting, accompanied by one of his naless subordinate monsters.
Since the monster accompanying Vertis took the form of a giant snake, he simply called it Serpent for convenience.
Spotting its prey with vertically slit pupils, Serpent silently glided across the ground, its long body flowing like water before suddenly coiling around the target and squeezing with imnse force.
Crunch...
Once it had constricted the prey until its bones were nearly pulverized—making it easier to digest—it opened its massive maw and swallowed the creature whole.
While Serpent filled its belly, I perched on a rock, reflecting on the conversation I'd had with Rimuru before we set out.
"Vertis isn't an awakened demon lord?"
I had shaken my head in response to Rimuru's question. Hero and Demon Lord. In this world, those two titles are not to be spoken of lightly. To claim such a title is to invite the weight of causality; thus, even those possessing power far beyond the requirents of a Demon Lord rarely claim the title casually.
Of course, I had successfully beco an awakened demon lord long ago, but I refrained from claiming the title to avoid being entangled in such causality. In truth, Guy, Milim, and Ramiris only held the title naturally because the humans of the world had co to call them that.
I could feel a gaze watching us from sowhere, but since they made no move and seed only interested in surveillance, I decided to ignore them. When I had asked Milim about it, she ntioned they were soone's subordinates...
After finishing our hunt, we headed to the eting room where we usually gathered, only to find it already filled with guests.
Standing before Rimuru were Kaval's trio, Shizu, and a few n I had never seen before.
"Guests?"
"Yeah."
Rimuru answered briefly before turning back to the visitors.
The man with a prominent scar over his right eye was nad Hughes, the Guild Master of the Blue Moon Kingdom.
Beside him was a black-haired man with one eye covered, who introduced himself as Youm, the leader of an investigation team dispatched from the Marquisate of Falmuth. Next to him was a man in robes wearing glasses who exuded an intellectual aura; he was Roml, the team's strategist and mage.
Rimuru, still in his sli form, greeted them with his usual friendliness. The newcors seed visibly shaken that a sli could speak, but they quickly regained their composure.
Hughes explained that they had co regarding the subjugation of the Orc Lord and to et the monster known as Rimuru who had defeated it.
"If the one who defeated the Orc Lord is a monster, then from a human perspective, we cannot simply conclude that the threat has vanished."
"So, your goal is the sa as the Hero King Gazel Dwargo's?"
"The Dwarf King? He was here?"
"Yeah. He said he wanted to size up. We've already ford a pact with Dwargon."
Hughes looked skeptical at the ntion of a pact. However, when Rimuru ntioned that the forr minister Vesta and the legendary blacksmith Kaijin were also present in the room, Hughes was so utterly shocked he practically turned to stone.
Next, we listened to the account from Youm and Roml regarding their journey from the Kingdom of Falmuth.
However, Youm seed more bothered by the fact that a sli was acting as the leader.
Well, to an outsider, it's only natural to find it strange that a low-ranking monster like a sli is in charge. But those who judge by appearances alone usually end up learning a painful lesson. Rimuru, however, jumped in surprise when Youm suddenly slamd the table, instinctively shrinking back. Seeing this, Shion exploded.
"How dare you be so rude to Rimuru-sama!!"
"Shut up! Pipe down, you chesty woman!!"
Driven to a frenzy by Youm's crude remark, Shion brought the scabbard of her greatsword crashing down on Youm's head. Fortunately, thanks to a healing potion from Rimuru, he suffered no lasting damage. Since both parties were at fault, we let the matter drop.
"Wahahaha! Such a lack of patience! The one-horn is far too impulsive!"
At Milim's laughter, I shot her a look.
...Isn't it a bit ironic for you to be the one saying that?
Once the situation finally settled, Roml, the strategist, began to explain. He revealed that information leaked from the Blue Moon had prompted the guild in the Marquisate of Needle to act. In the process they had cobbled together a crude investigation team consisting entirely of violent criminals from a correctional. Youm was their leader, and Roml had been attached to the group as a monitor.
Falmuth, huh... I should have handled that place long ago. I suppose my influence didn't reach the outermost provinces?
I had established a policy where the funds earned through the casinos were to be sent in regular installnts to the nobles of each region...
Perhaps that Count Needle Myagim simply pocketed all the money for himself.
"Having heard your story... why didn't you just run away?"
"Why, you ask?"
At my question, Youm leaned back and propped both legs up on the table in a haughty posture.
"If we don't get the intel on the Orc Lord, the people living in the cities will be in danger."
"...Oh?"
I was genuinely surprised. His tone and attitude were arrogant to the extre, but his words betrayed a sincere concern for others. Is this what they call a 'tsundere'?
Furthermore, seeing how those rough thugs followed him without a single complaint, he clearly possessed a natural charisma. He wasn't actually arrogant; he was just playing the part.
This guy is actually quite impressive.
As I was eyeing Youm with interest, I realized Rimuru was thinking the exact sa thing.
"Youm, was it? Tell ... would you be interested in becoming a hero?"
Youm stared at Rimuru with a blank expression, completely bewildered. Seeing that he couldn't grasp the situation, I stepped in to explain.
"It's simple. We're proposing a little piece of theater. The goal is to signal to the humans that we have no intention of harming them. The narrative will be that the nation of monsters provided weapons, armor, and logistical support to ensure that you and your companions could defeat the Orc Lord. Rimuru wants to maintain peace with humanity, after all."
Youm remained skeptical, which was only natural.
Thus, the 'Youm Heroization Plan' was born. Upon hearing the proposal, Hughes added that the Blue Moon Kingdom would be happy to cooperate. He also gave Youm a stern warning: every single monster in this nation was a 'Nad' monster, and the massive creatures—far stronger than the Night Spiders they had encountered—all answered to my command.
"Well, whether you accept or not is entirely your choice. I won't force you. But make no mistake—you would be a hero."
After listening to us, Youm asked to walk around the town to clear his head and organize his thoughts. anwhile, Roml was instructed to return to his country and file a false report stating that the team had perished.
"Hmm..."
I watched Youm leave the room. Milim, noticing my lingering gaze, spoke up.
"What's this? Are you worried about that guy?"
"No, not at all. I suppose I'm just... glad to see that humans like him still exist."
Whether one likes it or not, living for a long ti ans witnessing the ugliest depths of human nature and countless forms of malice. Those in power often drown in their own arrogance, lusting after wealth and pleasure while trampling over others. Sotis, it becos impossible to tell who the real monsters are.
Of course, I know there are good people as well, but the nobles in the capital regions—who never have to fear the threat of monsters—are often nothing more than monsters in human skin, driven only by greed and lust.
Because of that, I've developed a habit of staring whenever I encounter soone with a truly kind heart.
Eventually, after touring the town, Youm returned and declared that he would trust us and join the plan.
"I'm glad you've accepted. I'll be counting on you, Youm-kun."
As the sli before him suddenly transford into a beautiful woman, Youm rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but the vision remained.
With that, the Youm Heroization Plan was officially set in motion. Naturally, transforming a thug into a fitting hero required extensive preparation. First impressions were the baseline, but character, conduct, and strength were equally vital.
Kurobe and the cyclopes of my own city forged new weapons and armor for Youm's group. They were provided with communication crystals and horses, and every mber underwent rigorous training under Hakurou. They also learned flexible thinking and situational judgnt from my subordinates. Finally, they were taught the mindset of a true hero by Shizu, who had once held the title herself.
"I feel bad for putting you through this after you were so surprised," I told her.
"Don't be. If it's a request from my boyfriend, this is the least I can do, right?"
"Boyfriend... well, I suppose that's accurate."
Shizu's words might sound sudden, but the explanation was simple: Shizu and I were dating.
Having spent so much ti together, we had naturally fallen for one another.
As ti passed, Youm and his companions beca entirely different people. From their physical appearance to the way they carried themselves, the transformation was so complete it was hard to believe they were the sa individuals.
The group that had been little more than a band of delinquents a few weeks prior had been reborn as n worthy of the title 'Hero.'
At this point, anyone would believe they were the ones who defeated the Orc Lord.
"Well then, boss... Rimuru-sama. We're heading out."
With those words, Youm set off on his journey. Truly, life with Rimuru is never boring.
But while we celebrated this success, another threat was already drawing near.
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