Time passed like drifting clouds.
The sun hung lazily in the sky. Steam rose from the hot springs, curling into the air like whispers of forgotten dreams.
I was enjoying a peaceful soak, letting my mind wander through endless data streams and half-forgotten memories. Lira and Sara were exploring the city.
And Rimuru occasionally stopped by—usually to talk about trade or political developments—but sometimes just to relax and decompress.
He hadn't asked for help when Charibdys was revived. I didn't expect him to.
He needed to grow.
So I watched from afar.
Let him learn.
Then—
I sighed, leaning back against the stone wall of the spring.
'Defend yourselves if you're bothered,' I replied lazily. 'Don't engage too much—kill two or three at most.'
There was a long pause.
"...This is my fault."
Eve materialized beside me, raising an eyebrow. "You never taught them what it means to take a life."
"Exactly," I muttered, rising from the water. With a flick of my will, I dressed myself in clean robes. "They've trained for years. But they've never crossed that line."
Lira and Sara stood frozen, confusion and fear warring on their faces.
"Lira... what do we do?" Sara asked, gripping the strap of her satchel tightly.
"I don't know," Lira whispered. "Papa said to kill two or three at most... but I don't know if I can."
"Not to worry," I said, stepping out from behind the trees. "I'm here now."
They both turned sharply.
"Papa!"
"Father!"
Their voices overlapped in perfect relief, eyes lighting up like stars in the night.
I gave them a small smile. "Oh, Falmuth is attacking Tempest—I predicted as much."
Sara narrowed her eyes. "You knew something like this was going to happen? Why didn't you warn Rimuru—or his people?"
"Because Rimuru needs this," I said simply. "If he wants to grow, he has to face hardship head-on. Just like you two."
I stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their heads.
"Now go. Each of you must kill two knights. That's your test."
"But Papa—" Lira started, clearly shaken.
I didn't let her finish.
"You need to understand what it means to be a Demon Lord... and a Hero. Now go."
They hesitated only a second longer before regaining their composure. They nodded to each other, determination slowly replacing fear.
Then they vanished in a blur.
With <
Rimuru was fighting Hinata.
They moved like lightning, striking with precision and intent.
I exhaled softly.
"He'll survive."
Just then, a shout pierced the serenity.
"Die, you heretic!"
A mounted knight charged, sword raised high, eyes wild with religious fervor.
He swung for my head—aiming to split it open.
CLANG!
His blade shattered against my skull like glass.
Shards of steel rained down—and one piece embedded itself between his eyes.
He blinked once.
Twice.
Then collapsed in a heap.
I looked down at the corpse with mild amusement.
"You should have thought better than to antagonize me."
With a casual breath, I blew toward the body.
It disintegrated instantly—flesh, armor, and all—turning to ash that scattered with the wind.
"Alright," I said, stretching lazily as I stepped onto the marble path. "Well, I guess I'll go to the hot springs. What about you two?"
I glanced over my shoulder at Lira and Sara.
Lira nodded slowly, hands clenched behind her back. Her usual smile was gone. "...Yeah. Let's go to the springs."
Sara walked beside her, silent but observant—her blue eyes reflecting the weight of what had just happened.
I stopped mid-step, turning to face them fully. My expression softened—but only slightly.
"Don't worry about it," I said gently. "It was your first kill. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
They both looked up at me—Lira still uncertain, Sara quietly listening.
"In any world... in any universe..." I let my voice carry, steady and firm. "There exists one rule above all others."
I paused, letting the silence stretch like a bowstring before releasing it.
"Kill or be killed."
The words settled between us like mist—soft, cold, inevitable.
Lira swallowed hard. "But it didn't feel right..."
"It never does," I admitted. "Not the first time. Not even the hundredth, if you're human enough to care."
Sara spoke softly. "Then how do we live with it?"
I gave her a small, knowing smile. "By remembering why you did it. Not for fun. Not for power. But because you had no other choice."
I placed a hand on each of their heads, ruffling Lira's hair and brushing a loose strand from Sara's face.
"You're not monsters. You're rulers. And rulers don't fight for glory—they fight to protect what matters."
They looked at each other, then back at me.
And slowly, they began to nod.
Lira took a deep breath. "Okay… okay, Papa."
Sara squared her shoulders. "We'll keep moving forward."
I smiled.
"That's all I ever wanted to hear."
And together, we walked toward the hot springs—one step closer to who they would become.
"But Papa," Lira said, glancing at me as we strolled along the stone path. "What skill did you use on that knight?"
I smirked slightly, hands in my pockets. "Oh, that was [Existence Erasure] . Pretty neat, right?"
They both stiffened.
Even Sara took a sharp breath at the name.
It wasn't just a powerful skill—it was absolute . No trace, no soul left behind. Just... gone.
Lira shivered. "That was terrifying."
Sara nodded quietly. "But it makes sense now… why no one dares challenge you directly."
I glanced at them both, then softened my tone.
"Yeah. But people get used to it. Eventually."
They looked at each other—then back at me—with something like understanding.
Back in Tempest, the wind howled through the broken streets like a mourning spirit.
The city had been struck hard.
Falmuth's crusade had torn through the outer districts, leaving destruction in its wake.
As Rimuru returned, stepping cautiously through the wreckage, his eyes widened at the sight before him.
Bodies lay scattered.
His people.
His friends.
He clenched his fists, heart hammering in his chest.
Then—
He saw her.
Shion.
Slumped against the road, motionless.
"Shion…" His voice cracked.
Something inside him snapped.
A pulse.
No—a wave.
The air itself bent under the pressure of his aura, bending trees, cracking roads, and sending birds fleeing from the sky.
He let it all go.
Back at the springs, I felt the shift in the atmosphere before either girl could say anything.
Lira looked up from her phone, brow furrowed.
"Oh. It seems Rimuru has come back."
"Indeed," I said simply.
I gave a small nod.
"He needed this."
Sara frowned. "Needed this? His people are dead. Shion is—"
She stopped herself, swallowing hard.
I turned to face them both, expression unreadable.
"Power isn't born from victory. It's forged in pain. In loss. In rage."
I looked out toward the horizon.
"That's how heroes and demon lords are made."
Lira tightened her fists. "So… do we help him now?"
"Not yet," I said, folding my arms. "Let him burn through the anger first. Then we'll see if he can rise from the ashes."
Sara looked down. "Do you think he'll survive it?"
I smiled faintly.
"I know he will."
Because I'd seen worse.
Because I'd been worse.
And because sometimes, the only way forward…
Was through fire.
"So that's the plan, huh? " I said, leaning back in my chair at the far end of the long conference table.
Rimuru stood confidently, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Yes. I will face the 20,000 Falmoth troops alone. "
I let out a low whistle. "Alright. Want some help? I could send word out—call in some reinforcements, supplies, whatever you need. "
He gave a small smile, shaking his head slightly. "Thanks, but no. I've made up my mind. I need to do this on my own. Still… some food wouldn't hurt, if you're offering. "
I nodded, already pulling a sleek black device from my pocket. "Consider it done. I'll notify them immediately. "
Rimuru blinked, his gaze snapping to the object in my hand. "Is that… a phone?! "
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. What about it? "
His eyes widened, his usual calm slipping for just a moment. "How advanced is your country really?! "
I smirked, tapping the screen sending a messages. "You'll see. "
And so, Rimuru and the others assigned to eliminate the threat set out to do their work. After Rimuru finished off the 20,000 Falmuth troops, the Harvest Festival had begun.
He successfully evolved into a full-fledged Demon Lord , and with that transformation came the revival of the fallen citizens of Tempest.
It had been seven days since his evolution, and today, we were gathered in a meeting to decide how we should move forward.
In a wide circle sat all the key figures — Gazel, Elalude, Fuse, and me. Seated behind me, quietly observing like they always did, were my two daughters.
I leaned back, folding my hands in front of me, listening quietly to their talks.
"Rimuru, mind if I ask who this person is?" said Gazel, gesturing toward me.
I got up from my seat and gave a slight nod.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Gazel Dwargo of the Armed Nation of Dwargo. I am the King of Eden. You may refer to me as the Progenitor ."
With that, I sat back down.
"Eden... So the stories about an advanced nation existing were true after all," he said.
"Yes," I replied. "And today is the day we officially announce it. We are about to form diplomatic relations with Tempest."
Rimuru tilted his head slightly. "Announcing it officially? What do you have in mind?"
"Well, for starters, in about three hours, food supplies will arrive along with some ministers and diplomats who will officially begin the negotiations between our nations."
"Three hours? Are they teleporting here or arriving by carriage?" Rimuru asked.
I smiled. "Rimuru, you saw me pull out a phone a week ago, didn't you? Do you really think I'd travel by carriage?"
A ripple of energy pulsed through the room — subtle, but enough to make everyone pause. The air shimmered like heat rising off stone, and then, without warning, a soft pop echoed from the courtyard outside.
"Speaking of..." I said, standing smoothly. "Let's take this outside. They're early."
We stepped out into the courtyard.
"When you said they're early, what did you mean?" Elalude asked, arms crossed as she looked at me curiously.
I tilted my head toward the sky, pointing beyond the mountain ridge. "Look over there."
One by one, dark shapes emerged from behind the peaks—rotor blades slicing through the air with a steady thump-thump . Helicopters. Dozens of them. Then hundreds. Escorted by twenty sleek fighter jets and four massive cargo planes flying in tight formation, their silhouettes blotting out the sun.
"What the hell, dude," Rimuru yelled, eyes wide. "I knew to expect something big, but this is like an invasion!"
I chuckled, lips curling into a calm smile. "Oh, Rimuru… If it were an invasion, you wouldn't have seen it coming at all. It would've been over in an instant."
A chill ran through the gathered officials and leaders. Even Gazel took a subtle step back. Except for Veldora, who was still seated on a nearby bench, completely unfazed—flipping through his manga like none of this was unusual at all.
"Man, these pages are getting good," he muttered under his breath.
The helicopters and jets passed above us one by one, casting long shadows across the courtyard as they roared through the sky. One of them descended slowly, its blades slicing through the air with a steady thump-thump , kicking up gusts of wind that sent dust and leaves swirling.
It landed with a soft thud. The rotors slowed, their noise fading into the background until only the faint hum of cooling metal remained. The side door slid open with a hiss.
Four figures stepped out—one in front, clearly the leader, dressed in a sharp black suit with golden trim, the insignia of Eden gleaming on his chest. Three others followed, each carrying briefcases—diplomats, advisors, and logistics officers ready for the first official mission outside our borders.
They approached with purpose. Then, as one, they knelt before me.
"Your Majesty," the lead minister said, voice clear and respectful. "We arrived earlier than expected. Apologies—we were… overly eager about this first diplomatic mission."
I crossed my arms, lips curling into a small smile. "It's alright. Enthusiasm isn't a crime. In fact, I prefer it."
The minister rose first, followed by the others. He adjusted his glasses, already pulling up a digital display. "Our preliminary reports show Tempest is in excellent condition. We've prepared three different negotiation frameworks based on your previous directives."
Rimuru raised an eyebrow, glancing between us. "You mean he actually reads reports on other nations?"
I smirked. "Of course. I don't just rule Eden—I make sure it stays ahead of the curve."
Gazel stepped forward, eyes scanning the technology the diplomats carried. "So this is what you meant by being advanced."
Before I could answer, the minister cleared his throat. "If I may suggest, Your Majesty, we begin preparations for the official announcement. The people are waiting."
I nodded. "Do it."
The hover-cranes began unloading crates filled with food and even some carefully chosen gifts—meant to impress.
"Now it's getting dark," I said, glancing at the fading sky. "I suggest you go rest up a bit. We'll start the talks tomorrow." I turned slightly, eyeing the soldiers still standing by the helicopters. "What about the military? Are they staying over?"
The lead minister shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. They'll drop off the remaining cargo and then return."
"Alright then," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "You're free to go. I still have a meeting to attend to."
With that, the diplomats were escorted toward their temporary lodgings, leaving only the key figures and my daughters behind.
We returned to the conference room after watching the diplomats leave. The atmosphere was noticeably different now—more formal, more curious.
Gazel sat with arms folded, still glancing toward the place where the helicopter had landed. "I've seen a lot in my time… but that? That was something else."
Elalude nodded beside him. "You're not exaggerating."
Rimuru took his seat, eyes flicking between me and my daughters before settling on me. "Alright, Progenitor. I think we all want to know what comes next."
I leaned back, fingers laced behind my head. "Straight to business, huh? I like that."
I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a small, pyramid-shaped device—sleek, black, humming faintly with energy. I set it in the center of the room.
With a soft chime, the device activated. A holographic display bloomed outward, showing economic charts, trade routes, and growth projections layered in glowing data streams.
Elalude blinked at the sudden burst of advanced tech. "Um… what is this, Sir Progenitor?"
"This," I said, tapping a command, "is economic growth projection." The screen shifted, displaying Tempest's economy over time. "Currently, Tempest sits at a GDP of 83 billion EC —our standard currency. If you forge an economic alliance with Dwargon, Blumind,Tempest and Eden, that number will skyrocket to 100 billion EC within the first year."
Gazel narrowed his eyes. "That much? Just from an alliance?"
I smirked. "You haven't seen the full picture yet." I switched tabs again, bringing up Eden's own economic overview. "For reference, this is Eden's current GDP: 124 trillion EC."
The room went dead silent.
"T-trillion?" Elalude repeated, voice cracking slightly.
I nodded casually. "Yes. And if we integrate our economies properly, not only will Tempest grow faster, but so will the entire region. Trade efficiency increases, production scales, innovation accelerates…"
Lira leaned forward with a grin. "In short, you'll all get super rich ."
Sara sighed beside her. "She means it'll improve quality of life across the board."
Rimuru stared at the screen for a long moment. His eyes flicked between the numbers, charts, and projections like he was trying to find some trick or exaggeration buried in the data.
Then he exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "This is insane… How advanced is your country anyway?"
Everyone turned toward him, some curious, others wary.
"What do you mean?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly struggling to wrap his head around it. "I don't know… everything? The tech, the economy, the way you just drop numbers like they're nothing…"
He paused, then gestured vaguely at the holographic display still floating. "But seriously—what even is the exchange rate of EC? Because if we're going to talk trade, I need to understand what we're dealing with."
I leaned forward slightly, folding my hands. "In terms of gold, it's about 3 EC for one gram. And as for standard earth currency, 1 EC equals roughly 20 USD."
There was a beat of silence.
Then—
"Wait," Gazel said slowly, eyes narrowing. "You're telling me your currency is worth more than gold?"
I gave a small, knowing smile. "That's not just a currency. That's a measure of value backed by technology, stability, and centuries of controlled economic growth."
Lira smirked from behind me. "And that's why Papa doesn't let me carry real money. I'd bankrupt a kingdom within a week."
Sara nodded. "We use credit chips for daily transactions. Physical EC only exists in high-level diplomatic or interdimensional trade."
Rimuru blinked. "…Interdimensional?"
I shrugged. "It comes up."
Another silence followed, heavier this time—as if the weight of Eden's existence had finally settled over the room.
Then Rimuru chuckled, rubbing his temples. "Alright, alright… I think I need something to drink before my brain explodes."
I laughed. "Good idea. Let's take a break. We'll pick this up after dinner."
As we were all preparing to head out for dinner, a loud thud echoed through the hall.
Everyone looked up toward the glass ceiling—where a small figure was now plastered against it.
"Ramiris!" Rimuru exclaimed in surprise.
The tiny pixie peeled herself off the glass and fluttered down, landing with her usual dramatic flair. She pointed a tiny finger at Rimuru and shouted, "Tempest is doomed to fall!"
There was a brief silence as everyone exchanged glances.
When no one reacted with the panic she expected, Ramiris blinked. "Wait… why aren't you surprised?!"
Fuze sighed. "We've had our share of surprises for the day already."
Rimuru folded his arms, giving her a calm but curious look. "And why exactly is Tempest doomed to fall?"
Ramiris puffed up her chest dramatically. "Because Walpurgis is happening on the next full moon—and the topic of discussion is Tempest , and how you conspired with Carion!"
A beat passed.
"Walpurgis…" I mused aloud, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. "Oh yeah. It is that time of year again, isn't it?"
Ramiris blinked. "Wait—you knew when Walpurgis would be held?"
I shrugged casually. "Well, kind of. I forgot about the deal I made a while back, but yeah… it's definitely happening."
Rimuru narrowed his eyes slightly. "You mean to tell me… you forgot about something like that?"
I gave him a small smirk. "Even kings have off days."
Behind me, Lira groaned. "Papa, you're the worst at keeping track of important stuff."
Sara simply shook her head. "This is going to get complicated, isn't it?"
I chuckled. "Probably. But hey—if nothing gets complicated, where's the fun in that?"
Ramiris hovered midair, visibly frustrated. "Hello?! We're talking about an international crisis here! Why isn't anyone panicking?!"
I waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. Walpurgis is just politics dressed up as drama. Besides… I think it's time I paid Guy a visit again."
The room fell silent.
Rimuru tilted his head. "You know Guy Crimson?"
I grinned. "Oh, we go way back. But never mind that—Rimuru, what are you going to do?"
He blinked, then tilted his head slightly. "What am I going to do…?"
"You've got to attend this Walpurgis when they're out to kill you for false accusations," I said casually.
"Wait false accusations? " Ramiris blinked in surprise.
"Yeah," I said, leaning back with a smirk. "Clayman probably told you all how Rimuru and Carion conspired to awaken as true demon lords—and how Rimuru killed one of his own servants."
The room fell silent. Everyone stared at me, stunned.
Ramiris was the first to react, eyes wide. "Wait… how do you know about that?! "
I paused for a beat—then gave a small shrug. "Oops. I said more than I needed to."
The tension from Ramiris' dramatic entrance slowly faded as we made our way back to the dining hall. The smell of roasted meat and spiced wine filled the air—Rimuru had spared no expense for this dinner.
As we took our seats again, I leaned back, arms behind my head. "So… Walpurgis is happening soon. You going, Rimuru?"
He was quiet for a moment, eyes flicking between me and his advisors. Then he nodded. "Yeah. I have to go. If they're planning on accusing me of conspiring with Carion, I need to be there to clear my name."
Ramiris floated beside him, still pouting. "You could just run away and hide forever, you know."
He gave her a flat look. "That wouldn't solve anything."
Lira grinned, already chewing on a piece of bread. "Ooooh, does that mean Papa gets to crash Walpurgis too? That sounds like fun."
I smirked. "Depends. Do they allow uninvited guests?"
Sara sighed, placing her hands on the table. "Knowing you, you'll end up stealing the spotlight anyway."
Gazel cleared his throat, drawing attention back to the main matter at hand. "Before we get ahead of ourselves, we still have the issue of the economic alliance to settle."
Rimuru turned to me, expression serious but not unfriendly. "Progenitor… if what you said about Eden's GDP is true, then this alliance would benefit all of us."
Fuze remembering the data on the holographic display. "Even with a small integration, Tempest's economy would grow significantly. Trade routes, new technology, better infrastructure…"
Elalude nodded slowly. "And if we coordinate with Dwargon and Blumind, we could stabilize regional commerce in ways we never thought possible."
Gazel crossed his arms. "But it means trusting Eden."
I met his gaze evenly. "Trust isn't built overnight. But I'm not here to take over or dominate. I'm offering an opportunity—one that doesn't come often."
There was silence for a moment.
Then Rimuru stood, raising his glass. "To the future. To cooperation. And to building something greater than any one nation."
One by one, the others raised their glasses.
"To the future," Gazel echoed.
"To peace," Elalude added.
"And prosperity," Fuze finished.
We clinked our glasses together, sealing the agreement—not with signatures or contracts, but with shared intent.
As the meal continued, laughter returned, and plans began forming around how to introduce Eden to the world stage without causing mass panic.