As I devoured Clayman, the Demon King Gigas rose up with red hair. Then, he said,
"Excellent. I recognize you as a Demon King from today. Is there anyone who objects?"
No one spoke against it. It seems I have been recognized as a Demon King. I can breathe a sigh of relief. In fact, I had thought that turning the Demon King Luna into an enemy and fighting here would be suicidal.
"I believed that Rimuru was a guy who would do what he had to do! If you do well, I might even recognize you as my disciple!"
"Ah, that's fine, go find a disciple elsewhere."
"Why!! It would be great, honestly, to have you as a disciple!!!"
Lamiris complained. In response,
"Hmph! Rimuru is my friend, so I don't want to be close to you."
"Eh!? That's a lie, Rimuru! Rimuru, that's a lie, right?"
"Hahaha! You're an outcast, Lamiris!"
"What? Hmph!"
With that, Lamiris kicked at Mirim's face, but Mirim easily dodged it. Observing the two, Gigas said,
"Hmph. I don't want to recognize it, but I have no choice. I haven't forgotten the wish of the four dragons there. But for now, I'll recognize it. If you survive the next battle, I'll face you!"
Gigas glared with a fierce look, and I thought this cute girl would be the biggest obstacle, but it seems I was mistaken.
"We recognize it, don't we, Dalgur (Uncle)?"
"Hmm, that's right. I had no objections from the beginning."
Dino and Dalgur also recognized me. It must have been a big help to have talked to them first. They were good guys, trying to support me.
"Hmph, I don't care who becomes a Demon King. Do as you please."
That was Leon. As always, he's a cold guy.
Now, there are two left. Thinking about it, I looked at Frey and Carion, and Frey, receiving my gaze, seemed to be sizing me up.
"Is it okay? Since we're in the middle of a banquet, it's a good time. I have a request rather than a proposal."
That's what he said. The butler of Lumina put the table I had overturned back in its original place. Although it was badly broken, it wasn't in my line of sight. I would lose if I focused on it. I wouldn't pay for such an expensive table.
The Demon Kings sat at the table. Two maids prepared tea for them.
Now that things had calmed down, Frey started talking again.
"First, I have no objections to recognizing the slime (Rimuru) as a Demon King. What I want to propose is unrelated to that.
...No, it's not unrelated. Watching the battle just now, I'm convinced. I'm too weak as a Demon King. Against Clayman, I could barely hold my own. If we fought in the sky, I might have an advantage, but... excuses don't work against a Demon King.
I've decided to become Mirim's subordinate. Mirim is in a precarious position, so I can't leave her. I may be weak as a Demon King, but I have my own strengths as a force.
What do you think, will you accept my proposal?"
Frey looked back and forth between Rimuru and Gigas. He doesn't look as weak as he claims...
Rather, Clayman seemed more like a strategist and a child. This Frey has a more chilling presence, not showing his cards.
Well, women are typically scary, so he's even more chilling.
Before Mirim could respond,
"Wait a moment. If that's the case, I also have something to say.
I can't fight Mirim one-on-one. I'm thinking of joining her ranks.
If the opponent is a hero, it's a different story, but it's ridiculous for Jinja to keep calling himself a Demon King, isn't it?
For that reason, I will become Mirim's subordinate from today. Please take care of me, Leader!"
Frey spoke without even checking the other's intentions.
Mirim doesn't have any subordinates, so there's no one to object. But is it okay for two Demon Kings to become subordinates?
"Wait a moment, Carion! The one-on-one was Clayman's fault!
I was being manipulated. I didn't know, okay?"
That's a stretch.
Such excuses won't work, I thought, and so did Mirim.
The other Demon Kings also looked at him with a "don't say such nonsense" expression.
"You, stop being so casual. Just now, you said,
'I couldn't control you, could I?'
'I can also remove such control, you know.'"
Mirim imitated his voice perfectly. He's surprisingly talented.
"Hmm! That, that's..."
"Well, I don't care what happens to the musclehead. I'm fine, Mirim?"
"That, that's not the point! If I become a subordinate, I can't talk to you casually anymore?
We can't plot evil things together anymore!?"
Mirim shook his head.
"No, we can always be together, and we might even have more fun together."
He started to coax her. Look, this is the side that makes you never let your guard down.
Carion, on the other hand,
"First of all, you destroyed our country!
You have an obligation to support us."
He started to confuse Mirim with complicated words.
He's more of a strategist than I thought.
Mirim, not knowing what was happening, was about to roll her eyes.
And finally,
"Ugh!!! Fine, do as you please!"
She gave up, smoke coming out of her head like a volcano erupting.
Typical Mirim.
She seems smart, but she's not good at thinking.
"Hahaha. Isn't that great! From today, Frey and Carion are no longer Demon Kings.
Serve under Mirim."
Gigas declared with a laugh. No one objected. Of course, I had no objections either.
Thus, my ascension as a Demon King was officially recognized.
At the same time, three Demon Kings were removed from their ranks. One was given eternal death, and two became direct subordinates of Demon King Mirim.
The Ten Demon Kings have now become the Eight Demon Kings.
"So, we're not the Ten Demon Kings anymore."
At my nonchalant muttering, the Demon Kings flinched.
"It's a problem. We need to come up with a new title for the sake of authority."
That was Dalgur.
Eh? Is it that important?
"Fortunately, it's during the Falpurgis. All the Demon Kings are gathered here, and good ideas will come up."
Lumina nodded seriously.
Oh, the title doesn't really matter.
Humans would give us names anyway.
"Didn't it take about three months to decide on the title 'Ten Demon Kings' last time?
I'm too old for that. I don't have the energy to think."
No, no. You weren't thinking at all to begin with.
Don't talk like you've been working hard all this time!
Besides, why did it take three months to decide on a title?
But, he seems to be serious... Are Demon Kings really that idle...
I heard that during the three months of thinking, humans had already settled on the term 'Ten Demon Kings.'
In the end, they decided to use it, but they didn't really accept it.
"Calm down, everyone. This is the time to show cooperation that we don't usually see!"
Gigas said.
"Eh? Eight..."
He started to say, but was silenced by an unspoken pressure.
Then, flustered,
"Right. Gigas said something good just now! Everyone, let's do our best!"
Lamiris corrected himself.
It seems he doesn't accept the Eight Demon Kings.
But, cooperation is meaningless,
"Hahaha! You guys, leave it to me!"
"I'm not interested. I'll leave it to you."
Quickly, those without a hint of cooperation interfered.
Typical Demon Kings.
I thought cooperation would be impossible, and it seems it really is.
Just as the atmosphere was getting awkward,
"Oh, by the way, my friend Rimuru has a special ability!"
Veldora, who had been bored behind me, said.
Tch. If he's going to say something like that, he might as well read a manga.
Today, he seemed to be reading the atmosphere and didn't read indifferently after being scolded.
However, someone agreed with Veldora.
"Oh, by the way, I gave simple names to my subordinates!"
It was Lamiris.
They're not your subordinates, but now isn't the time to say that.
But this guy... He's trying to make it a fait accompli.
If I don't put a stop to it soon, I might not be able to do anything about it.
Well, it doesn't matter... It's up to Beretta's will.
Looking around, I saw the Demon Kings' expectant gazes focused on me.
Oh no... The encirclement is already complete.
They exchanged glances, and Gigas said,
"Today, newly recognized as a Demon King, Rimuru.
I want to give you a great privilege.
That is! The right to name our new title!
This is a great honor, and you will naturally accept it, right?"
Is this a sly voice?
Since I didn't respond either way,
"More importantly, you're the reason the number of members has decreased.
Take responsibility and come up with a name!"
He suddenly revealed his true nature and spoke in a threatening tone.
He must really find it annoying.
Whatever. I gave up and said,
"Fine. Really, don't complain, okay?"
The Demon Kings smiled as if it was a done deal. Some even received more tea and relaxed. It was completely someone else's business.
Well, I can leave these guys alone.
Eight Demon Kings, or the Eight Demon Kings, but it doesn't feel quite right.
Just now, when Lamiris was about to say, "Is the Eight Demon Kings okay?" he was silenced by the oppressive gazes around him. I can't forget that.
Rejected.
If that happens...
"How about the Eight-Star Demon Kings? I got the idea from the Octagram (八芒星)."
After saying that, a moment of silence followed.
The Demon Kings closed their eyes and savored the words.
Then, they all opened their eyes at once and said,
"Decided. Excellent."
"With this, we can win. A new era is dawning!"
"Of course! I believed Rimuru could do it!"
"Of course! Hahaha!"
"Hmph. Whatever. I'll give you a little credit."
"Just a moment! That's amazing. What was the last three months for?"
"..."
There were no objections.
Thank goodness.
If there were objections, I would have made that guy come up with a name.
But, I also want to ask. What did you do for those three months...
Thus... From this day forward, the Demon Kings are called the Eight-Star Demon Kings (Octagram) and are revered.
The Eight-Star Demon Kings (八星魔王).
The Demon Race... "Dark Emperor (ロードオブダークネス)" Grimjow.
The Fairy Race... "Labyrinth Fairy (ラビリンス)" Lamiris.
The Dragon Race... "Tyrant of Destruction (デストロイ)" Mirim Nava.
The Giant Race... "Wrath of the Earth (アースクエイク)" Dalgur.
The Vampire... "Queen of Succubi (クイーンオブナイトメア)" Lumina Valentine.
The Fallen Angel Race... "Sleeping Ruler (スリーピングルラー)" Dino.
The Former Human... "Blond Demon" Leon Cromwell.
And me,
The Yokai Race... "New Star (ニュービ)" Rimuru Tempest.
I also want a cool "nickname."
Something that stimulates the middle school spirit.
Well, someone will probably think of something soon.
With my recognition as a Demon King, the distribution of territories was carried out.
Currently, my territory is the entire Jura Great Forest.
It was an unprecedented favor.
Frey and Carion's, as well as Clayman's, territories were integrated and placed under Mirim's rule.
Most importantly, the rule is in name only.
The management of the territory will be done by Carion, Frey, and Mirim's people.
There are Demon Kings without territories, wanderers, and those who hide their territories, so no one knows where they all live.
However, the Demon Kings are given rings, which allow communication through them.
I also received one.
The Demon King's Ring (デモンリング). It not only has a communication function but can also call a summoning gate for the transfer system.
Of course, this means I can freely come to this hall...
That means, I could have come here without anyone having to meet me, right...?
No, I shouldn't think about it. It feels like it would be tiring to bring up the topic.
Thus, the series of events initiated by Clayman's plan came to an end, and I was recognized as a new Demon King.
The existence of Clayman's master, the mastermind, is concerning, but for now, the problem on the demon side has been resolved.
And, I have ascended as a Demon King.
??????????????????????????
Gigas observed the Demon Kings and smiled.
Now, with their new title, the Demon Kings have gained new power.
The Eight-Star Demon Kings.
I think it's a great name as a symbol of the new Demon Kings.
The distribution of power has stabilized, and a balance has been achieved.
This battle has given them the confidence that they can take the upper hand.
Even if they win or lose, it doesn't make much difference, but since it's a rare opportunity, they want to win.
Although that's the level of awareness...
According to what I heard from Dino, the eastern empire is gradually building up its forces.
Once destroyed by Veldora, the army has been reorganized and reborn stronger.
And, I think there is the existence of the "Blazing Dragon Belgrend" behind the eastern empire.
If the empire moves, the "Dragon Race" might also start to act.
It's getting interesting.
Placing pieces on the stage of the world and competing for dominance in the battle (game).
The participants stake everything they have in this battle.
A pastime that occurs once every 500 years.
This battle is worth looking forward to.
The ultimate ability I possess, "Pride of the King (ルシファル)."
The ultimate ability Mirim possesses, "Wrath of the King (サタナエル)."
And.
The ability the new Demon King Rimuru possesses is the ultimate ability "Gluttony of the King (ベルゼビュート)."
Three ultimate abilities, considered the strongest among ultimate abilities, have gathered.
I didn't expect them to be on the strong side, but it's a pleasant surprise.
Moreover...
Dino has "Sloth (怠惰)."
Lumina has "Lust (色欲)."
I predict that the awakening of these ultimate abilities is not far off.
And, what I look forward to...
Sion, who already had Demon King-level combat power, but I expect even greater growth from her.
And the sprout of "Envy (嫉妬)" I saw.
I confirmed it in Frey, Carion, and Sion at the same time.
I can't predict who will sprout, but whoever awakens, it will be a joy.
I hope, however, that they don't collapse, consumed by envy.
If they can't handle envy properly, awakening is just a dream within a dream.
Gigas, thinking about the future, indulged in imagination for a while.
---
Status
Name: Rimuru = Tempest
Race: Demon Slime (魔粘性精神体 デモンスライム)
Blessing: Herald of the Storm
Title: "Demon King"
Magic: <Magic Power Manipulation> <Upper Elemental Summoning> <Upper Demon Summoning>