I, the one who had sprouted
They fled with all their might.
Something unbelievable has happened right in front of their very eyes, and that was what their brain commanded instinctively.
As if it were a demon lord, the moment that monster noticed the presence of the living, all the men simultaneously fled for the sake of their own survival.
They calculated that this will raise their chances of survival, even by a little.
They haven’t heard that such a monster was here.
Their hearts haven’t shattered solely due to the fear towards their owner, Sakaguchi Hinata, whom they serve.
This was something obvious.
They are strong individuals themselves. And in terms of battle prowess, they can rival even a holy knight.
This had created absolute horror within them.
They can’t possibly think of any dissatisfaction.
TN Comment: A masochistic army?
Unbeknownst to them however, this fear served to be in their favor as it was thanks to this that they were able to survive.
Their desire to inform Hinata about this has desperately spurred their feet into action.
They believed that if it’s Hinata, she can beat that monster.
However, the hopes of those men are going to be shattered. Because in the eyes of their pursuers, they are naught but simple prey.
Pathetic prey kept alive for the sake of recognition.
Without a sound, the devil gave chase to the prey.
A superb feast was given earlier, I am very satisfied.
This hunt will serve as an excellent after-meal exercise.
「Kufufufu. This is great isn’t it? Please entertain me~」
He mutters so with a twisted expression.
Already, two of his subordinates were let loose, there is no escape for the prey.
They suddenly appeared in front of them using spatial transportation.
Remembering the symbol of fear which was Hinata, they desperately held on to a thin margin of their mind.
However, the pride in working for the church has allowed Blood Shadow to regain his confidence.
It was a greater devil.
He can win against one in a 1 vs 1 situation, there’s no way they could lose in a 3 vs 2.
「Tch! He summoned a difficult one! 」
「Yes that’s true. Rampaging to that degree is bound to consume magical energy, that’s what I heard. 」
While they were conversing with one another, the greater devil took up a defensive posture.
The beautiful devil calmly walking up from behind is one of them.
「Kufufufu. Has this chase scene ended? Well then, please allow me to capture them. If they were to resist, please do whatever you want. However, no killing please, since we don’t want to end their suffering, do pay attention. 」
With a twisted smile, the beauty whose gender is indeterminable had spoken.
With no strength left to complain, he didn’t even had the slightest intention to resist. Shattering in an instant, his spirit had broken.
「*Weird squealing noises*……」
TN Note: this actually translated to something, but it’s actually just gibberish in the end.
No words formed due to their dread.
The three men instantly recognized something the moment they witnessed this.
The greater devil, is only one of many substitutes working. The devil before their eyes is in a different league of its own.
Its existence can be called as such: Arch Demon.
A resident in the spirit world as well as to the physical world where humans reside, it is an existence above devils.
Essentially, they are on the same level as spirits.
However, there are also those who gain a physical body in the physical world.
The demon lord was certain that there are remnants of recollections of formerly being an Arch Demon.
Unofficially confirmed and only existing in a few records, they are half-legendary monsters.
And their powers, remained as demon lords of legends.
In both name and reality, it is said to be the strongest of the demon lords.
Naturally, he hasn’t heard of this. However, the miasma enveloping his body isn’t something easily dissipated.
There’s no means of victory. Far from that, it is impossible to escape.
Against this kind of monster, even 100 greater devils is a far better opponent.
Looking at their state contently, the Demon had a deeply distorted smile on its face.
One of them was appointed to lock up the men who were caught.
Right in front of Benimaru’s eyes, Rimuru’s body has undergone irregular and strange changes away from his slime form.
However, this time it was suspicious blinking colours like red, blue, yellow, green and purple. There was also a variety of black and white.
People had begun to worry how long had passed.
《Warning. The individual: Rimuru Tempest’s Demon lord evolution has been completed. Moving on, the blessing of all affiliated monsters shall commence》
The “Voice of the world” echoed.
It would seem that the Rimuru’s evolution was a success, thought Benimaru.
Thus they fell asleep unable to resist the urge.
At that time, Rimuru’s body emitted dazzling rays of light.
Removing its familiar mask, it was Rimuru.
It was tragic that this being has no gender.
TN: Benimaru, ruining the moment.
《WARNING. Leave the rest to me, please go to sleep 》
A voice resonated softly within his head.
Benimaru, guided by the voice, was led to an irresistible slumber.
Only Myulan was awake, looking around, taking in the unbelievable scene.
Therefore, the only person who’s still awake here is Myulan.
Slowly, it began opening its arms.
Long hair flowed towards its back, and angelic wings sprouted, basking the surroundings with dazzling light.
《WARNING. The Wisdom Lord (Raphael) has commanded. The Gluttonous King (Beelzebub) shall devour all magical energy within the barrier》
By his command, the Gluttonous King began.
However, this time there was a reason for the activation of this ability.
Within the city of tempest, all the magical energy was absorbed, rendering it into a void space.
It’s as if there was nothing at all.
Raphael walks up to Shion where she originally laid.
Carefully. In order to fulfill the lord’s desire.
Myulan watched the figure with astonishment.
It’s unlikely.
If the command was issued beforehand that would have been understandable, but such was not the case this time.
Rather, it was closer to that of a spirit than a monster.
However, Myulan simply watched on without interfering.
In response to Benimaru’s request, Youmu was waiting at the exit of the city.
With the Escaping King of Farmas and the Blood Shadow Captured, they had been asked to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t escape.
So, even if Grucius were to be within the city, Ranga is still outside.
The King is confirmed to be in custody, tied up by the subordinates and then transported into the building.
TN Note: In case you don’t understand why Gurcius was outside earlier, but inside the town now, it’s because he received the package known as Blood Shadow and the King of Farmas, and is now supervising them within a structure in the town.
Due to the thick concentration of Magical energy, conditions outside the house are bad. However, due to various reasons it’s still too early to kill him.
And so, Ranga went to sleep with that information in mind.
It also seems that he was lured into an irresistible deep sleep.
While watching him,
「But, to actually become a demon lord, I thought it was just a legend……」
Grucius muttered this while releasing a sigh of admiration.
In regards to such a matter, Youmu heard nothing, not even a rumor.
Rimuru Danna, a demon lord. He looked back emotionally.
「But, I have the feeling that even if danna becomes a demon lord, nothing will change. 」
He was deep in thought without muttering a word.
Grucius nodded with a laugh.
「That’s for certain.」
The two said and hoped that no change will occur in Rimuru.
To think that the other was thinking the exact same thing, the pair were pleased. Great minds really do think alike.
「Shion, I hope she resurrects……」
「There’s probably nothing to be worried about. Do you know that monsters, unlike humans, are very stubborn creatures? 」
Saying this, Grucius laughed.
This was a carefree idea to have, and Grucius seemed so.
「Hey you, so which demon lord did you serve? Can you tell me? 」
He asked regarding something that bothered him,
「Oh! You noticed.
At first I was troubled about how it was ridiculously easy to deceive you lot.
But actually, I……」
Then, under the command of the demon lord Karion, I was ordered to act as I see fit.
Youmu nodded,
「Glad to help you, and I’ll be relying on you」
And they firmly shook hands with each other.
From here on after, the pair will be supporting Youmu.
The duo had a chat,
「Oya, are you here to deliver something? 」
A voice sounded out.
In Youmu’s eyes, the greater devil displayed dignity.
All the hairs on his body stood up on end as he felt the magical energy of the opponent.
「Oyoy, this is the first time I’ve met you. Are you an Arch Demon? What are you doing here? 」
Grucius is still a young devil, he has no experience in conversing with a demon lord as a partner.
He didn’t even know about Milim, he’s lacking in information about the world.
That’s why, this was actually the first time he had met an Arch Demon. Yet the danger can be felt with a single glance.
「Kufufu. There’s no need to be on edge.
Those two left behind over there are but part of my chores.
For Rimuru sama, I solely wish to show him my usefulness. 」
What came out was a lovely and friendly voice.
No magic was detected in this, it’s very likely he had the combat abilities of a majin.
That’s what he thought, but he said nothing.
The King of Farmas was taken by his subordinates.
While they were having such a conversation, the barrier suddenly dissipated.
Grucius and Youmu looked at each other, and started sprinting towards the town square.
With an understanding of spatial transfer, this was something trivial.
With his spatial transfer, he was the first to find Rimuru, and approached.
Beautiful, he obediently embraced this impression. He wanted to witness this scene with rapture, but he couldn’t do so any longer.
He silently approached to avoid causing disturbance, and kneeled.
「I have returned, my master. 」
He called out whilst paying close attention to make sure he doesn’t disturb the master.
He should have probably waited until the end of the ceremony, he was worried.
「Pardon me for my rudeness, however, it may appear that there isn’t enough energy」
What the Demon is witnessing is the ceremony most likely called 〈arcane soul recall〉.
If it fails, the person may become someone completely different, or even a monster.
Of course in order to actually use it a large amount of energy would actually be needed, and the amount of energy needed to control it was unimaginable.
Therefore only the most skilled with soul manipulation within the demon clan would see this through.
《Yes. The insufficiency of energy for the purpose of completely revival was confirmed. Thus, a certain amount of life force will be consumed as substitute. 》
These words had caused the Demon to panic.
「Please wait a moment Rimuru sama! To use your own life force as a substitute…
Please use these one’s instead! 」
Having find joy in this idea, the Demon had proposed such a thing to Rimuru
The greater devils walked up from behind, and knelt in front of him.
「For me, there is no greater joy than to be of assistance to you. 」
「……」
Rimuru, no Raphael, observed the demon with two shining red eyes.
No emotions reflect in those beautiful eyes,
《Understood. The amount of energy is confirmed to be sufficient in covering up the remaining portion.》
Then, he was devoured by the Gluttonous King (Beelzebub) without resistance.
Then, he was converted to pure energy.
He was useful to his lord, his wish fulfilled. The energy was shining with a joyous colour.
TN Note: The ones devoured are his subordinates, not the Arch Demon himself.
「Oh……! I’m envious of you lot. However, as expect of my lord. As compared to when I saw you earlier, you have underwent growth! 」
He looked at the evolution of the lord with aspiring eyes.
To be reborn as a demon lord, to serve a beautiful master, that was the wish of the Demon.
TN comment: “It is unfortunate, but it has no gender.”
–Benimaru
To that end, it could be said he has proven useful.
He would do anything within his power to prove his worth.
《The required amount of energy has been confirmed. Now, the < Arcane Soul Recall > shall commence.》
Confirming that the amount of energy is sufficient, the Demon was still.
Right before the eyes of the Demon, the < Arcane Soul Recall > has successfully completed.
This, was the soul acting as the core, and the Astral body forming the outer defense.
The success rates are lower than 3.14%. However, this probability was calculated prior to the evolution to a demon lord.
Rimuru’s wish has taken form, and this blessing was bestowed.
It is an ability that will allow the soul to return safely from the dead for an unlimited amount of times.
ED: You serious.
With her soul and body establishing a connection once more, Shion’s core had begun beating once more.
No, It was a miracle that happened precisely right when the soul was about to disappear. Rimuru’s and everyone else’s prayers were not in vain.
This was a result obtained through calculations and probabilities, just that.
Even so… in the depths of this emotionless mind, is an ego tucked into a corner.
Doubting his own existence, a small glimmer of a thought was subtly born, unbeknownst to the Wisdom Lord (Raphael)
“I think, therefore I am”
TN Note: look up Descartes.
ED: “People don’t think the universe be like it is, but it do.” –Black Science Man
This will become a proposition for the Wisdom Lord (Raphael) in the future.
Their souls began to restore, and energy-filled astral bodies appeared once more.
The miracle, unknown to those within the city of monsters, was secretly granted by him.
Myulan gazed at the scene without making a sound as she was completely mesmerized by the ritual.
Regarding an unbelievable high level Arcane magic, she had managed to witness a glimpse of it from the vessel of the demon lord Rimuru.
Even Clayman was dissatisfying. Then, she sworn that she was lucky and thankful to have gained recognition.
She had decided to lead Youmu so that Rimuru will never treat him as an enemy.
Without uttering a word, the Demon dreamily looked at Rimuru and began considering.
A skill gaining his own ego, that’s something unheard of. In order to fulfill the wish of its master, a skill acting of its own accords, that is something unprecedented.
Seemingly, that possibly was discarded.
Then such a thing…please give it to your subordinates by all means. Thus, a new determination was rekindled.
After a while, the footsteps of two individuals could be heard.
The panicking Youmu rushed over when he noticed Shion breathing like someone asleep.
「Oy, Shion san and the rest, have they been successfully revived? 」
Regarding this question, Myulan was troubled for a moment,
「Yes. According to the sharing of gifts during the evolution, they seemed to be successfully revived. Now if only their memories are intact, then we’re all good. 」
And then, they’ll be alright, right. She muttered something that Youmu couldn’t hear.
When doing so, the town folks began waking up one after the other.
The city named tempest was in a festive mood, and they were all wrapped up in joy.
Those who know that the resurrection was bought about not by a miracle, but through an ability (Raphael), numbered only two.
And in the shadows, the ego of the skill the Wisdom Lord (Raphael) has sprouted, was an event no one knew about.