Demon Lord’s Gambit Arc
131. Demon Lord Leon
While looking at Rimuru that sat in front of him, Leon recalled the old days.
Even though it belonged to the weakest race the slimes, it evolved into a demon lord with a vast magic capacity.
And he was someone who knew this girl, whom Leon was looking for.
Although a visitor from Earth, he came as a “reincarnator” with the memories of his previous life—an unbelievable occurrence. Moreover, he reincarnated as a monster.
But doesn’t this all appear as if it were all connected, as if someone was leading it?
This all just may be pre-established harmony.
TN Note: Pre-established harmony is the idea that while substances only affect themselves, god programmed the way they interact and harmonize with each other…just look it up.
However, Leon disregarded the idea and began talking about the girl Chloe.
Rather than being summoned, the cause of this was being caught in the accidental occurrence of a dimensional distortion.
Despite the relative peace which the world had finally welcome, Leon was thrown into it.
However, there was someone who he had to protect. There was a young girl who fell along with him. That girl, was Chloe O’Bell.
That’s why Leon, even as his body was being destroyed by rampaging magic, he forcefully suppressed the destruction with his willpower.
With a strong will and feelings, a boy who was less than 10 had managed to control the magic that dwelt within him. As a result, he had obtained the unique skill “Guardian”.
From his desires to protect the girl younger than he, the power to protect has awakened within him.
Even at a young age, Leon had the qualities of a Hero.
「It’s alright. Because I will protect Chloe」
Leon cheered up the young girl, who was crying endlessly, with a smile
And so, Leon began the journey to search for Chloe.
Perhaps, she had returned back to their original world. So he considered.
In that case, all he had to do was to summon her here again.
With his exceptional intelligence, Leon learned magic at an absurd pace. All to summon a single girl, and to protect her.
However, his attempts ended in failure.
Yet he did not give up and continued his research.
He learned from the fairies the method to be certified a hero, but they were so useless that it merely infuriated him.
Having reached the pinnacle of human wisdom, he left into domains of the demon lords.
Thus, he continued living while destroying high ranking devils and taking their wisdom for his own.
As time went by, the number of subordinates under Leon gradually grew in size, and he even came to own a small territory.
Before long, that name came to be associated with the name of a Demon Lord, but Leon paid it no mind. That sort of thing didn’t matter to him.
And for the first time, an existence that could be called a threat attacked Leon.
“Curse lord” Kazalim, was offended by Leon’s nickname of demon lord, and paid a visit to purge him.
Superficial attacks will not work on Kazalim, king of the undead. With Leon’s abilities specializing in defense, he couldn’t inflict a fatal strike on Kazalim.
With both sides lacking a decisive factor, the battle that unfolded extended for several days.
His egg hatched.
Absorbing his pure feelings within the inner soul of Leon, the “Hero’s egg” had hatched.
He who reigns as the demon lord, he who is the true hero. And that, is Leon Cromwell.
An ability which draws purest energy possible from power, magic, aura, and skill.
For Kazalim who uses complex skills this was the worst possible match-up.
With cursed blood of hex and blood, rotten flesh of sludge and microorganisms, bones of magic water.
Without being able to put up any resistance, the “Curse lord” Kazalim has been destroyed before Leon.
In the castle where Kazalim resides, an experimentation facility was established.
When Chloe was successfully summoned, he needed to give her a place to live. So Leon thought, and decided to get his own territory.
Extreme magic was used without holding back to reform the very ecology itself.
And thus, the golden town El・Dorado was completed. However, Leon has conducted research exclusively in Kazarim’s residence in the demon continent until…
Her condition could be understood with a simple glance.
Due to his failed summoning, this girl’s body may soon collapse under the rampaging magic.
However, age wise it was a success. Which pleased him. Furthermore, if it wasn’t for his summon, this girl would have burned to death.
Leon was slightly troubled. Calling this helping would be presumptuous. After all she was summoned for his own convenience.
And so he thought.
And that’s why,
「Although I thought you were trash, you seem compatible with fire.」
After saying so, the “Flame Giant” Ifrit was summoned, and possessed the young girl. The high ranking spirit stolen from Ramiris’s dungeon now proved useful.
After that all depends on the girl’s luck.
In addition, Leon could not afford to get involved with the girl.
Leon had thoroughly considered this, and he had no reason to carry the heavy burden of the young girl’s fate.
And thus, the weaver of fate had spun yet another pattern.
Before Leo, a young boy has appeared.
The young leader of the Freedom Association has told Leon that his organization would be useful to him.
Confidently, he boasted he could help Leon find the girl he seeks.
Either way, he would not be harmed if Yuuki had failed.
After deciding to giving it a try due to no potential loss, the characteristics of Chloe was conveyed, and the proposal was accepted.
Kagurazaka Yuuki had successfully summoned
He had succeeded.
Not from another world, but rather from when Chloe and Leon first came to this world.
In other words, if he hasn’t relied on Yuuki, fate might have turned out differently.
Trapped in the laws of the perfect world, Chloe had awakened her own ultimate skill whilst repelling all external interferences.
However, that was something that already could not be determined.
Because the problem now was what to do in the future.
Leon’s story finished.
Or rather, the fact that Leon has been trying to summon Chloe was unexpected.
And so, he decided ――Even though he wouldn’t say it―― to leave Shizu san in the care of the hero who came, and said he would withdraw.
Although there’s no way Leon could have known, this was all a pre-established harmony created by Chloe’s ability.
My encounters and farewells with Chloe, as well as Yuuki’s actions.
Leon had believed the words I said, and shared information that would only be known to Leon.
After the last of the cold tea was drunk,
「In other words, Chloe’s currently under the control of Yuuki.
Ruminas and I had tried to subjugate Yuuki, but unfortunately he was one step ahead and he escaped.
Our objective is also to free Chloe, do you think it is possible for us to cooperate?」
I got to the point.
I thought about asking Demon Lord Leon to join forces against Yuuki, or so I did but,
「Hmph, I don’t particularly mind cooperating.
However, if there were any hindrances isn’t it natural that they be eradicated?
And, how do I even know you’ll be at all useful in this?」
It seems we must first have a proper grasp of each other’s abilities.
TN Note: he meant Shizu san’s will to give Leon a beating. Chapter 25ish.
「Okay! I understand.
Unlike Ramiris, my punch isn’t all talk!」
「Fufu, come at me」
We laughed at each other, and stood simultaneously.
Lead by Leon we ventured into the palace. Sculptures and corridors of good taste from his hobbies decorated the halls, while glass walls allowed overviewing the view outside.
This is a fantastically elaborate palace. Of course I don’t say so and quietly follow behind Leon.
We arrived to the training grounds.
With this in place, a bit of violence wouldn’t be a problem.
So I thought as we entered unto the grounds.
「Ah……」
Inside, Shion had an uncomfortable look on her face.
And that person over there that looks like a dust cloth rag constantly twitching and convulsing seems to be the silver knight Alrose.
I sudden felt cold sweat running down my spine.
「I-it’s n-not what you think!
However, while he was evading with teleport, I felt a tingling feeling and attacked……
What the hell was that, I too am deeply troubled about this!!」
Is that meant to be an excuse?
I quickly took out a full potion, and sprinkled it over Silver knight Alrose.
Afterwards, I had Alrose drink another bottle after he was finally conscious enough to drink.
「T-that w-was my defeat. I did not expect Shion-dono to be so skillful……
I am sorely lacking in training……」
Apparently, he seems fine.
Now that’s relieved, there’s the problem child Shion.
「Oi, Shion……」
When I called, Shion instantly shrank and sat in Seiza.
「Did you properly understand our purpose for coming here?」
「Ay, of course. We’re here to… “forge fwiendly relations with Demon Lord Leon” right?」[1]
Does she really understand? For some reason, I have a budding suspicion otherwise.
We came here to negotiate, and yet you beat the other party’s comrade black and blue, what were you thinking. No, you probably weren’t thinking of anything.
I don’t think it was the wrong choice leaving the competent Diablo behind in the Ingrasia kingdom, but that left me with no choice but to bring Shion.
I think I lucked out considering the fact the other party was still alive.
「Ah, Leon. My apologies, my subordinate seems to have beaten up your subordinate……」
I apologized evasively,
「No, that was simply my subordinate acting immaturely. No need to worry.
However……that really killed the mood.」
Yeah, it did.
I originally intended to serve Leon a single strike, but this really killed that intense mood we’ve built up.
「I’m, not in the mood to fight. Let’s save this for another day.」
「Ah, thank you.」
Even, huh…
It seems, he’s the kind of person whose actions don’t always match what he speaks.
However……if that’s the case, this concluded without a fight because of Shion’s… efforts.
So if this is the birth of our friendship, things have ended pretty well, actually.
In the end, we were able to exchange useful information, and gave our consent for future cooperation.
Even so, I think I will still proceed with Shizu san’s promise.
The invitation was sudden, but I’m glad I accepted.
Achieving one of my purposes, I returned to my own country satisfied.
For Rimiru, this talk is a day’s work over.
Rather, the girl he has been searching for years, Chloe has been found. He began taking action as soon as he could.
And so, to reclaim Chloe, the demon lord Leon moves out.
The day when these two forces clash draws near.
And that battle means that the fight between two bearers of Ultimate skills will occur anew.
——————-
[1] Shion is basically quoting what Rimuru said but in a way that would suggest she has no idea what she’s saying.