W-What did you say???!! Is that how I should react?
Lamiris, pointing at me and immediately flying over.
Behind her, Beretta politely closed the door.
It feels like she has become more considerate somehow.
I could feel that I was being manipulated by Lamiris.
In Lamiris' eyes, a figure in elegant attire stood in the way. It was Diablo.
He had been quietly observing the situation of the meeting from the back, but it seemed he had no intention of forgiving the intruder's reckless actions.
Lamiris, who was easily captured.
Struggling,
"Hey, stop! What are you doing?!!!"
she said.
She's a cheerful one. It's delightful that she shows not a trace of the dignity of a Demon Lord.
"Lord Rimuru, we have caught a suspicious person. What would you like to do with her?
She's making a fuss, saying the village will be destroyed. How should we deal with her?"
Diablo asked me politely.
"Eeeek! I can't escape with my full magical power?!
This, this guy! He's not just any guy?
What, what is this! What did I do?!"
She's still noisy.
Frankly, I think it's impossible to escape from Diablo, who has more magical power than Lamiris.
Is she still a Demon Lord?
The fact that being a Demon Lord isn't that impressive is probably thanks to this girl.
"Lord Rimuru, do you know this fairy?"
Hugues asked.
Ah, the meeting has been interrupted. It would have been better if this guy had come in a bit later.
He still can't read the atmosphere.
"Aah, she's a fairy named Lamiris, and I know her.
First, she's a Demon Lord? Despite looking like this......"
"What! What do you mean by 'looking like this'!
Even though I look like this, I'm revered as the strongest among the Ten Demon Lords!
I'm the 'Labyrinth Fairy (Maze Fairy)' Lamiris!"
She leans back, caught by Diablo, as if to say, "How about that!"
She doesn't seem to realize that she has no dignity at all.
"Eh? A Demon Lord......?"
"Hmm, with that?"
The reactions of everyone at the meeting didn't show much surprise.
"Eh?
......Eeeeh?
Why? Shouldn't you be more surprised?
I'm a Demon Lord! Why such a nonchalant reaction?"
No, no.
Even if you're a Demon Lord, you're the one who's caught.
I think everyone is just speechless, don't you?
I thought,
"No, but Lord Rimuru is also a Demon Lord, and it's understandable that his acquaintance is also a Demon Lord......"
"Rather, we were so shocked by the news of Veldora's resurrection that we can't be surprised by anything less......"
People agreed with such statements.
Indeed, when you put it that way, it makes sense.
On the contrary,
"Huh? Veldora's resurrection?
You guys are being fooled!
I sent Veldora flying with one punch!
He was nothing. Well, his era is over.
If you're going to be afraid, from now on, be afraid of me!"
She laughs loudly.
Truly, the saying "all talk and no action" fits her well.
I took Lamiris from Diablo and brought her to Veldora.
"Veldora, sorry, can you deal with this kid for a bit?
Since she's a Demon Lord, she won't die or anything."
"Hmm? I'm busy solving a great puzzle right now."
"Aah, that's Yasu. The puzzle is solved.
So, I'll leave it to you."
Saying that, he returned to his seat.
Veldora, with wide eyes, seemed to be shocked, as if to say, "Eh? Why did you tell me the culprit first!"
Lamiris, seeing Veldora, fainted and became quiet.
With two troublemakers quiet, we decided to wrap up the meeting.
......
......
...
In conclusion, with the liberation of the king, Mura Houhou and Helman Viscount will take responsibility.
Depending on their response, Yowm will rise up.
The Dwarf Kingdom, taking this opportunity of Tempest's victory, declared that they will officially establish diplomatic relations.
As the founder of the Magic City Sariom, they issued a statement recognizing Tempest as a country.
Depending on the situation of Tempest's road construction, they will consider establishing diplomatic relations.
This is possible because these two countries are not under the influence of the Western Holy Church.
The problem is the Kingdom of Brumund.
"Clearly, the benefits of breaking ties with the Church are greater.
However, the Council will not remain silent......"
This seems to be the biggest obstacle.
But, either way, it will come to a head.
"Anyway, we will persuade the upper echelons. Depending on the persuasion, we will consider establishing diplomatic relations.
Will you accept it?"
I confirmed again.
That's a given.
If they act based on their interests, Tempest, which is recognized by the two major powers, the armed nation Dwaragon and the founder of the Magic City Sariom, will be a country worth establishing diplomatic relations with.
However, compared to the relationships with the countries participating in the Council, it's unclear which way the balance will tip.
I can provide an answer.
Actually, maintaining ties with the Council is beneficial in the short term.
But within ten years, we will be able to enjoy equal or greater benefits, and after about twenty years, it will completely reverse.
This is based on the complete prediction data of the King of Wisdom (Raphael).
However, I won't say that.
The result is the outcome of the actions you choose.
And for us, the problem is the Western Holy Church.
Since the Western Holy Church does not recognize the country of monsters, a conflict with the Holy Papal State Rubelios is inevitable.
And that is a big problem.
We need to prove our usefulness and cooperation.
Not everything can be resolved easily.
Everything depends on the actions you take from now on.
Each country, based on their own thoughts, negotiated, and the meeting concluded.
This sudden meeting will be called a turning point in history.
However, we naturally didn't realize that fact at the time.
??????????????????????????
After the meeting ended and we were tidying up,
I felt like I had forgotten something......
"Y-You! What's going on? What is this all about?!"
A noisy voice came.
I remembered. It was this girl.
She's about to cry if I don't pay attention to her.
I have no choice.
Lamiris, who fainted after seeing Veldora, woke up and became interested in a manga, not noticing the end of the meeting and teaming up with Veldora.
She probably realized her purpose when everyone started moving.
She was quite calm, but she probably exaggerated a minor thing.
Even the representatives of the various countries, who were preparing to leave, stopped at Lamiris' words.
Remembering Lamiris' existence, everyone returned to their seats.
Satisfied with this, Lamiris puffed out her nonexistent chest and nodded exaggeratedly.
And,
"I'll say it again! This country (Tempest) will be destroyed!!!"
she said.
"W-What did you say???!!!?" (Reading a book)
Instead of agreeing, I asked,
"Hmm! Well, I don't wish for that.
That's why I came to tell you. Be grateful!"
she started to impose a favor.
Since it would take a while to deal with her, I decided to move the conversation forward.
"So, why will it be destroyed?"
At that, she became serious and looked around at the representatives of the various countries.
After a moment's thought,
"Well, it's not entirely unrelated to humans, so let's hear it together.
The Demon Lord Kreeman proposed a Demon Lord's Banquet (Walpurgis). Two Demon Lords, Frey and Mirim, agreed.
Since it's a proposal by a coalition of three Demon Lords, it has been approved.
You should have received a notice as well.
The topic of this banquet is 'Revenge for the one who killed Demon Lord Carion.'
And......
The culprit is said to be 'Rimuru, who falsely claims to be a Demon Lord.'
You......claimed to be a Demon Lord?"
she asked in a serious manner uncharacteristic of her.
The people in the meeting room were shaken by her words. It seemed to be quite an important topic.
More importantly, who is Demon Lord Carion? I don't remember fighting anyone like that.
"I did claim to be a Demon Lord, but I don't know anything about killing Demon Lord Carion...."
"Wait a minute!!! Is it true that Lord Carion was killed?!"
Guris, interrupting my words, shouted.
Hmm? Was this guy one of Demon Lord Carion's subordinates?
"O Great Demon Lord Lamiris, can you tell me if Lord Carion was really eliminated?"
"Hey, wait! Don't interrupt me suddenly!?
Well, anyway.
It seems true that Rimuru didn't kill him, so there must be a mastermind.
This is the turn of the great detective Lamiris.
In such a case, the person who started talking is suspicious!
So......the culprit is decided to be Demon Lord Kreeman!"
Lamiris, completely ignoring Guris' question, developed her theory.
Sadly, her theory matched the prediction and answer given by Raphael.
In this case, she was just repeating the theory from the manga she had just read.
"Hey, I agree with that, but answer Guris' question.
Was Demon Lord Carion eliminated?"
The meeting room fell silent, waiting for Lamiris' answer.
For the representatives of the major powers, the elimination of one of the Demon Lords is a big issue.
It could cause a collapse in the balance of power among the Demon Lords.
However, Lamiris was indifferent to this.
Without any thought,
"Eh? I don't know. I just heard that the banquet is about this topic and that I should attend."
she answered calmly.
After all, she's just a child. It's good enough that she came to tell us.
"So, why did you come to tell us?"
"Hmm? Well, actually, I'm worried about what will happen to Beretta if you die.
So, I decided to become your ally and came here.
So, I'm going to create an entrance to the labyrinth here. Is that okay?"
"Wait, why are you jumping to conclusions! What's an entrance to the labyrinth?
I'm glad you came to tell us, but that's a different story!
And don't casually say Beretta is yours?"
"Eh???, It's fine. Don't worry about the details, don't worry about the details!
More importantly, Beretta wants to say hello. Hey, come over here!"
Lamiris, ignoring people's words, only said what she wanted to say.
She had the attitude that the conversation was over.
She was really an incredibly free fairy.
......
......
...
Anyway, the meeting was adjourned.
It seemed impossible to get any more information from Lamiris.
I promised the representatives of the various countries that I would inform them if I got any new information, and they understood.
Thus, the participants in the meeting prepared to leave and departed.
However, the Dwarf King only cut off the magic circuit of the crystal ball.
Hugues said he would stay overnight at the inn and then return home.
Erald Duke also said he wanted to talk to his daughter (Eren) and would return after a few days.
Although it was a sudden meeting, quite important people gathered.
In the end, it became a bit silly with the participation of a whimsical fairy, but I think it was a significant achievement.
Thus, the sudden meeting concluded.
??????????????????????????
Now, changing the scene, the officers gathered.
Yowm, Mura, and Guris, three people, also participated.
In a small conference room, everyone took their seats.
According to Hugues, the Demon Lord's Banquet (Walpurgis) means that all Demon Lords gather.
It seems that the approval of three or more Demon Lords is required, and once it is activated, it has considerable coercive power.
It is said that non-participation requires considerable resolve and is one of the few treaties that can bind the free-spirited Demon Lords.
Most importantly, there are few records of its activation, and even fewer in human documents.
Still, the name became known because the Great War of the Holy Beasts broke out at the timing of the previous Walpurgis activation.
It's a story from over a thousand years ago, but it's said that great disasters and calamities spread.
The Demon Lord's Banquet, which brings chaos and destruction to the world, is known with such a perception.
"If the target this time is Lord Rimuru, it's better to be prepared.
In the worst case, you'll have eight Demon Lords as enemies.
Of course, that's if we believe the words of Demon Lord Lamiris, but......"
Hugues said, showing concern for me.
Well, we'll deal with it somehow, I said to reassure Hugues.
I would like to see how the Demon Lords react.
So, we held a strategy meeting.
"Anyway, it feels like we're just having meetings one after another, but please bear with it.
The topic this time is the 'Demon Lord's Banquet (Walpurgis).'
According to Lamiris, I'm the target.
What do you think we should do?"
As usual, I decided to listen to everyone's opinions.
"Me!" Sion raised her hand energetically and looked at me.
When I called on her,
"How about we cut down all the Demon Lords?"
I was at fault for asking a fool.
The veins on my temples are about to pop. This has happened before, hasn't it?
"Sion, how do you plan to cut them down? You, say something realistic?"
At my words, Sion shrank and bowed her head.
"But, it's worrying that even Demon Lord Mirim's name is on the proposal.
There's definitely a smell of a plot."
Soue said accurately.
He had such an opinion.
"That's right. It's hard to imagine that Lady Mirim would betray Lord Rimuru.
There's no evidence, just a feeling, but I trust my instincts."
Benimaru said.
Indeed, there's no evidence, but that's how it is.
Actually, I didn't feel like I would be betrayed by Mirim.
Raphael's answer was that there's not enough data, so it's impossible unless there's a change in circumstances.
I trust Mirim.
"Kukukuku. No matter what, if we have to fight the Demon Lords, it's a good story to crush them.
After all, Lord Rimuru alone is enough to handle a Demon Lord!"
Sion, agreeing with the idea,
"That's right! As a newcomer, you have potential.
You've said exactly what I wanted to say!"
agreed loudly.
Why is it like this?
Looking around, it seems that most people agree with Veldora.
The cautious ones are only Gabiru and Geld, right?
Everyone seemed to be more eager to kill than to fight.
When did we become such a combat-oriented group?
"Wait, wait, calm down, Sion.
Don't get ready to go, Benimaru and Soue!"
Really.
It seems we're not in a normal flow.
Moreover, Lamiris seems to be caught up in the atmosphere.
"What? Why are there such strong magical auras here!?
If you stay like this, Beretta will be mine!"
she started to say.
She's a troublesome one. She doesn't seem to give up.
Moreover, noticing that my comrades are strong, she got caught up in the atmosphere.
It's an astonishing level of adaptability (or rather, audacity).
"Can you believe it? I can't believe that Lord Carion was eliminated.
Can you take me to that Walpurgis?"
Guris said.
Hmm, maybe it's okay.
"Participants are limited to the Demon Lords themselves and 2-3 of their closest subordinates.
If an irrelevant person goes, they will die."
Lamiris answered.
I asked Lamiris about something I suddenly thought of.
"Hey, did they tell them I'm participating?"
Everyone's eyes focused on my face.
If I'm targeted anyway, it might be better to approach them.
If it's a test run of the new barrier, I'm confident that I can escape in the worst-case scenario.
It's easier to take the initiative than to wait and see.
Most importantly, I don't want to cause damage to this village again.
If they lay a hand on my comrades, I want them to be prepared.
Ah, it seems I've been infected with muscle brain.