Letter of Invitation
Templars, defeated!
Every country bordering the Jura Forest soon heard these news.
Moreover, countries that had relations with Tempest could hardly believe that their intelligence gathering teams were negligent.
Which is why he had ordered a victory that produced the fewest casualties.
After all, the fact that none of the knights were killed only proved their hypotheses.
For example, in the Dwarf Kingdom–military nation Dwargon.
They were analyzing a recorded image, while scrutinizing every bit of data they could acquire. With every minister having access to the said information.
The results were rather surprising.
However, Demon Lord Rimuru had intercepted this plan, and his response left the knights completely defeated.
Certainly no less terrifying than his ability to strategize!
However, was it as they said? The Dwarf King looked over the data, and his sight fell upon a bizarre pattern of movements displayed by the combatants.
Such a thought came to his mind. Actually, that’s the only possibility he could have imagined.
If so, he was actually constantly staying aware of Hinata’s plans while modifying the strategy to sway the battle in his favor.
Unfortunately, since the recording magic is rather limited, the dwarfs could only lament the lack of a comprehensive report.
Nor could it analyze the skills used; at most, it helped identify the winner.
Thus he scrutinized it again.
The result was a total war across all fronts and a complete victory for Tempest.
Considering that these knights were at least of captain class, it is best to assume that Monster Country Tempest easily surpasses the military might of Dwargon.
He was truly glad that Demon Lord Rimuru was an idealistic monster who sought friendship with the humans.
(Besides, he’s growing too fast!)
He had thought Rimuru to be full of potential when they had first met, but he had never considered that he could progress this far.
For better or worse, this demon lord was interesting.
Moreover, thanks to his “World Traveler” ideals, he has been developing some interesting contraptions.
His movements have thus produced some interesting results.
So Gazelle decided.
Of course, they will probably become more and more militaristic in the future… but Oh well!
(At this point, we have no choice but to trust Demon Lord Rimuru!)
This could be interpreted as seeking to coexist with the humans.
And yet he had let them live. Completely unharmed.
This is causing quite a division among the ministers: some calling him a danger, others rejecting that notion.
But there’s only one decision.
The conference room was completely silent, with every gaze focused on the king.
「That demon lord seeks to coexist with humans, so, as much as possible, we will support him. That is the official position of military nation Dwargon!」
The dwarf king’s declaration reverberated through the hall.
Thus the policy was decided. The specific measures would now be drafted by excellent individuals.
But, the Dwarf King had no regrets.
And then another report was brought to the king.
「Your Majesty, Rigurdo-dono has sent an announcement.
Well, this might be a political farce, however. They are simply trying to appeal to countries they are friendly with.
「Oh, about that! Bester also mentioned something!
Probably a show to go along with the announcement.」
Speaking of,
There is limited number of seats, and the city is bound to be crowded that day, so they have asked to promptly answer them.」
Bester’s question was brought up along with this report.
(Actually, what the hell is that stupid demon lord planning hosting a tournament now of all time…)
Hence amusing.
He could not break his facade before the ministers.
Stifling the joy with a hint of anger, he announced his decision.
「We will attend the ceremony and the tournament」
He said.
With the meeting decided, they quickly started to prepare for the journey.
Sorcerer Dynasty Sarion, the Emperor’s Castle.
Keeping up the garden provided numerous benefits for the dynasty to say nothing of income made from it.
The entire garden was maintained without a penny from the taxes.
One was Duke Elalude.
And a being who was sitting across from him.
Empress Elumeshia Elure Sarion herself.
Asking the empress how old she is, is considered a taboo.
Long pointed ears easily distinguish her from anyone else. The glance of her slanted, jade eyes pierce into the very soul of the person before her.
Duke Elalude was once entranced by the beauty she embodied, but was able to regain his mind after considering his wife’s and daughter’s wrath.
The one so gracefully sitting upon the cushion across from him,
「Your Majesty, regarding the monster country I have reported on previously, we have received an announcement.」
He said and taking out a letter from his breast pocket handed it to the Empress.
He knew all to well that the Empress hated to have people learn things before her.
(Having become a demon lord is great and all, but why announce it?)
The letter was addressed to Duke Elalude. Normally, there was no need to let the Empress know about it.
And that means that any number of guests are invited.
After all…
Here’s what she said.
「You bastard, how dare you leave your lord’s side! I can’t believe that such an interesting slime exists until I see it personally. Moreover, to witness a birth of a demon lord, which even I have never seen? I’m so jeal… Ummm, it’s ridiculous! To have missed such a wonderf… I mean, you don’t even know the danger you were facing! What a fool!」
And she became depressed.
She appears as a cold hearted individual to the other ministers, and is even feared as the Doll Empress.
So he perfectly understood how angry she would have been had he gone off by himself this time.
They even claimed to conduct a Tournament at this occasion.
Currently, due to her sulking, he has yet to establish technological cooperation with that country.
There’s another important point.
He had worried about how they will fare against them, but, surprisingly, they didn’t just completely defeat them all, they also released every knight.
They could perhaps be countries that try to appear weak with only the leaders aware of the true strength.
Well, since this allows Sarion to measure their strength, it is crucial that they participate.
And he was certain that he himself would have to solve all of them.
Elalude gulped in anticipation.
「Your Majesty, how shall we respond?」
He hesitantly asked.
With a wide smile on her face,
「How indeed…」
She was just putting on airs.
And hearing an expected response, Duke Elalude would spend the next days without any sleep, busy with preparations.
In the small country Brumund’s trading house, Myormiles was getting tired of the person talking to him.
Those coming for money, those coming with a new business opportunity.
Among all these fools there maybe someone with a legitimate proposal.
While thinking this, he dismissed the swindler before him and called forth the new guest.
But Myormiles would not be deceived.
He probably came with another idea and is seeking money.
So rudeness towards a true noble could be fatal. Which makes this job all the harder.
And he was right.
In short, I’ll open a new store using my slaves, so give me money! He said.
Research the market and the buyers, consider the location, and pay for the girls’ children.
Opening a brothel also requires one to consider the chance for disease to spread.
So this is not something he could accept.
「My, what a discerning eye you have, Kazak-sama.
Human slave trade has been forbidden and opening a store with illegal slaves would be…」
So, you know? Oh and this is a secret… but those slaves are elves」
He said in a haughty manner.
As a merchant, he can’t show a customer displeasure. Even a novice merchant knows that.
And the moment he began to say something,
「Yo! How have you been, Myormiles-kun!」
The door burst open and in walked a person while greeting him.
Who can’t possible be here…
「Eh? Could it be, Rimuru-danna?」
A profoundly surprised voice escaped his lips.
And he is not wearing a mask? So he was this cute without it?!
And then he heard,
「Please wait! Master is currently with a guest!」
A panicking attendant attempted to stop him.
What a failure. But chances are, he wouldn’t have been able to stop him anyways.
So Myormiles could hardly get angry at the attendant.
「Ah, sorry. You were with a guest, huh. Well then, I’ll wait in your store!」
And flashing an insincere smile, Rimuru added『Pardon my rudeness… nah, my bad!』
Afterwards, Myormiles ended the discussion with Count Kazak, and cleared his schedule for the rest of the day.
What was more important?
He was certainly a person who could find ore within a stone.
A short acquaintanceship but large profit? That didn’t matter.
He had intended to visit himself when things calmed down.
So he could hardly take any action until he was sure of the changes.
So meeting with this person was by far the most important thing he had to do.
Remembering every strategy he knows, and hiding the pure joy that was filling his heart, Myormiles rushed to his store.
And thus, Myormiles tedious days would come to an end.