Having been recognized by the Demon Kings, I returned to the land of the monsters (Tempest).
No matter how the journey there went, the return was instantaneous through spatial transfer.
When I returned, the country was gone! But it wasn’t completely destroyed, and everyone seemed healthy, which put my mind at ease.
It seemed that they had been maintaining the defensive posture according to my orders, with each unit.
It felt more sophisticated and contributed to the safety of the surroundings.
I suddenly thought that this country might be superior to the nearby countries in terms of military defense.
After all, even a simple soldier is mostly equivalent to a B-rank.
The monsters and demons around here don’t even approach.
The area around this country has become extremely stable, but I was worried that the monsters that have left might cause trouble elsewhere.
It might be a good idea to investigate the nearby areas.
While thinking about this, I led Veldora and Shion into the village.
As I entered the village, the residents and patrolling soldiers knelt on the side of the road, forming a path.
Perhaps they had been practicing this while I was in Falgrasis; their movements were well-coordinated.
I wondered what they were doing, and then the officers came from the end of the line.
And,
"Congratulations on your recognition as a Demon King this time!
Most of all, thank you for returning safely!"
Rigld spoke on behalf of everyone.
I ended up in a rather embarrassing situation.
Every time, things get more and more exaggerated. Honestly, I’m happy, but I feel more embarrassed.
And, as usual, it turned into a banquet. This month, it’s almost like we’re having a banquet every day. We’ve been holding events every week.
Well, whatever.
The owner of this place (me, of course) has officially become a Demon King.
I can understand the desire to celebrate. From a human perspective, it would be the complete opposite.
In any case, before returning to my long-missed home, it turned into a banquet.
The day after returning to the village, I quickly held a meeting with the officers.
At the meeting, I ordered Souei to investigate the movements of the monsters around the village.
Souei agreed, saying, "It might not be necessary to worry so much."
What does it mean that there’s no need to worry? Does it mean that coexistence is possible?
If coexistence is possible, that would be good.
It’s good to exclude mindless monsters. After all, this country has a large number of powerful monsters, so the rate of demon generation is also high.
The problem is that even weak demons are a threat to humans, so it’s necessary to consider excluding such monsters.
Regarding my concerns,
"Then, how about setting up a large magic barrier along the road?"
Vester suggested, pushing the idea forward.
"Master, it’s complete. The prototype magic device for activating the barrier, you know!"
Kajin said with a smile.
Really?
Uncles, you’re amazing.
I knew you were secretly developing something, but it seems you were frustrated that it didn’t help during the previous barrier incident.
However, to complete a prototype in less than a month, could it be a miracle?
Kajin and Vester, along with Gabil, have been developing various things.
Kajin, who now leaves the forge to Kurobe, is dedicating himself to research.
Well, since he’s also in charge of the overall development of Tempest, he can’t just focus on research.
According to what I heard, this area has a high concentration of mana. After all, it’s a place where a significant amount of mana is scattered.
Even in ordinary caves, a large number of B+ rank monsters emerge, making the mana concentration quite high. From this, it can be inferred that this country is at an abnormal level.
For this reason, it seems they have already analyzed the structure by which the monsters absorb the ambient mana to create "mana stones."
By lowering the ambient mana concentration, a large number of "mana stones" can be obtained.
If the mana concentration decreases, the generation rate of monsters and demons will also decrease, so there won’t be a problem with large-scale outbreaks.
It’s truly an excellent invention.
It seems to be a necessary structure to match the characteristics of this country.
Furthermore, the development has progressed, and they have discovered methods to use the created "mana stones" as fuel and to process them into mana stones.
The mana stones I bought in large quantities from the Kingdom of Iglesia have been very useful.
Well, to efficiently process them into mana stones, a large device is needed, as I heard before. It seems to be a very difficult task.
The method has been clarified, but it will take time to put it into practical use.
On the other hand, using the "mana stones" directly as fuel was surprisingly simple.
Unlike mana stones, there’s no need to further condense and purify the mana, which is why it’s simple.
So, what they developed this time is a stone plate with a magic barrier engraved on a steel plate.
This stone plate has the function of concentrating mana from artificial "mana stones" to supply magic power to the barrier.
The size is a square with a side of 1 meter, and it’s about 50 cm thick, quite large.
It’s also quite heavy, so moving it will be a big task.
However, once installed, it can maintain the barrier by absorbing ambient mana, providing a semi-permanent power source.
The type of barrier can be changed by altering the magic barrier engraved on the steel plate, making it very convenient to use.
This portable magic barrier activation device, named "Barrier Army," can be installed every 10 kilometers along the road to ensure safety in the surrounding area.
The most difficult part was adjusting the activation range of the barrier to follow the road.
The creation of this device involved the collective wisdom of the entire production team, including Vester, Kajin, Shuna, and Kurobe.
It wasn’t created in just a month but was the culmination of the skills they’ve developed so far.
I was a bit moved.
I quickly gave permission, and the installation project on the road was added to the schedule.
I also changed the order to Souei to include the investigation of the effects of this device.
Thus, I proceeded to develop Tempest into a key point for trade.
Next, I received a report on recent developments.
Actually, I should have received the report first, but I inadvertently mentioned what came to mind, so the order was a bit mixed up.
I want to be a bit more composed in the future.
There have been no changes in the surrounding situation, and no country has shown any significant movements.
I have a grasp on the situation of Yowm and his party. The liberated king seems to be acting according to our will.
Without experience as a noble, I think it’s too much to expect Yowm to negotiate with nobles. So, if the king follows my will, it might be interesting to use him as a companion.
If he becomes a companion, Yowm’s help will certainly be useful.
While receiving the report, I made a mental note of it.
With the officer meeting, the report on recent developments was concluded.
Since all my worries were resolved by everyone’s hidden efforts, I asked if there were any other issues.
"Although it’s not a major problem, I want to inform our kin about Rimuru’s recognition as a Demon King.
Would it be okay to visit each village for the first time in a while, as a practice for the transfer technique?"
Geld raised his hand and said.
Now that I think about it, he must have been concerned about the state of the villages in Hyoak, as we’ve been focusing on road construction recently.
Even though the food situation has improved, I had left it unattended after that.
I gave permission. Additionally,
"Right, right. I haven’t mentioned this, but my territory now includes the Jura Great Forest.
So, although I don’t think it will happen, if there’s an invasion, we need to intercept it.
And, how do we declare a territory? Can we just leave it as it is?"
At this, the officers looked at me.
Huh? Was there something wrong?
"So... the entire region, is it? Really?"
Rigld asked, sounding a bit surprised.
"Wow, really? This place was designated as a non-invasion zone.
The Treants are familiar and don’t move, so it should be fine, but...
The hidden village of the Elves is a problem."
Benimaru said.
"No, no, I don’t think it will be a problem on our side.
But, it will be a big problem for them.
After all, the rights to the forest’s resources now belong to Demon King Rimuru, as recognized by the Demon Kings.
This is a big deal.
Until now, the development of villages and the extraction of resources were done implicitly.
We did it without permission, as there was no need for it.
But from now on, anyone living in the forest will need permission from Demon King Rimuru.
Whether it’s the Elves in the hidden village or anyone else, it won’t change.
They will need to come to Demon King Rimuru for permission.
This is a big deal."
Kajin, who was very excited, said.
Now that I think about it, no permission was needed to live here until now.
"But, what about now? Will permission be required to live here?"
I asked,
"No, no, will they be protected by the Demon King or live independently without recognizing the Demon King?
The choice is theirs.
But, if they are invaded, they can’t complain.
At least, we would go to greet him. I’ll inform my father too!"
Gabil said, sounding a bit anxious.
It feels like something big is about to happen.
Beltra, who is usually calm, is one thing, but for some reason, I looked at the high-nosed Shion.
I thought I should inform her about such a big deal, but Shion wouldn’t have noticed.
Additionally, Shion, you didn’t really earn this territory through your efforts.
The capable and efficient secretary image doesn’t match her true nature, which is really scatterbrained.
It’s really a shame.
"Hmm! It’s only natural for Rimuru-sama!"
Shion said proudly, but it’s meaningless.
In summary, to receive the protection of a Demon King, it’s common to come and greet them.
From now on, we will investigate the Jura Great Forest to see how many intelligent species live there.
Despite the promising outlook for road construction, it seems the pace hasn’t changed.
Well, there’s still the road construction towards the Salion Kingdom of the Magic King, and there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Rigld said he would prepare the villagers for the visits of the various species that are expected to come.
Indeed, I thought that becoming a Demon King would bring some troublesome matters, and it did.
As I was about to end the officer meeting, I remembered something I had forgotten.
Right, have I received a response from Hinata yet?
"By the way, did the messenger sent to the Western Holy Church arrive safely?
Has the response not come yet?"
To this question,
"Hehehehehe. My master, of course, it was sent safely."
"However, the security around the village is tight, and no suspicious person has been seen.
The response has not come yet."
Diablo guaranteed the delivery, and Benimaru confirmed that the response had not arrived.
This means they might still be reviewing it.
I don’t really want to fight with Hinata, but it’s up to the other party.
I don’t think I would lose now, but I mustn’t be complacent.
Honestly, I think it’s unlikely, but it would be nice if they apologized.
I just want to focus on the country’s development.
Thus, I confirmed the issues as usual, even after becoming a Demon King, and the officer meeting ended.
??????????????????????????
In a very deep place in the land of Eternal Night, a silver-haired beautiful girl quietly approaches a tomb chamber.
Her name is Lumine Valentine.
She is the ruler of this land of Eternal Night and is known as the "Queen of Succubi" and a "Demon King."
Inside the chamber, sealed by Lumine’s immense magic power, lies a coffin of holy power (ice) where the girl Lumine loves is sleeping.
Only a limited number of people can enter this chamber, and there is no one who can remove Lumine’s magic barrier, it’s said.
Lumine suppresses the beating of her heart and enters the tomb, thinking of the girl she loves.
The moment she enters, she notices something unusual.
The quiet atmosphere is disturbed, and there is a human scent different from the girl Lumine loves.
Although it was faint, it couldn’t deceive her vampire nose.
However, more importantly...
The coffin of holy power (ice) that was hidden inside the chamber was missing.
Initially, she was confused and couldn’t accept the reality.
For a Demon King like Lumine, this was something that shouldn’t have happened.
But, her calm side reactivated, and she recognized the reality.
No matter how emotionally she didn’t want to accept it, her calm side brought in the reality.
The coffin of holy power had been stolen.
Eventually, following her surging emotions...
Lumine roared in anger and unleashed her hidden magic power.
In an instant, the chamber was destroyed, and the surroundings were filled with a chaotic whirlwind of magic power.
A space of death, where no one would dare to approach, was formed.
Separate from her emotional state, her calm side analyzed the situation.
The barrier on this tomb can only be removed by her.
Or, more accurately, only by those of the Demon King class.
This means the intruder had the power equivalent to a Demon King.
And, they knew about the coffin of holy power in this place.
This means they knew who was sleeping in the coffin.
Otherwise, there would be no reason to enter this place.
And, with Lumine present, it would be impossible to achieve their goal.
So, they must have been waiting for an opportunity, which means they knew about the Falgrasis.
It’s impossible to think that they secretly entered and found Lumine absent by chance.
Then... the culprit is...
Lumine thinks.
Excluding herself, there are seven Demon Kings, and two former Demon Kings.
Looking at each one’s personality and the current situation, she doesn’t think any of them are the culprit.
But.
"For a moment... I forgot one."
She mutters.
It’s a Demon King who is already dead.
His name is克莱曼 (Cleiman).
He was so insignificant that he almost disappeared from memory.
But, just before he died, what did he say?
Clearly... "The Curse King (カザリム, Kazarim) has been resurrected."
Not a current Demon King, but someone with power equivalent to a Demon King.
And, Kazarim could have known about the Falgrasis through Cleiman.
Rather, if Kazarim’s goal was the coffin of holy power...
"Did he order Cleiman to hold the Falgrasis and steal the coffin in the meantime...?"
The reason for holding the Falgrasis could have been anything.
If Cleiman was manipulated and the new Demon King was eliminated, that would be fine too.
If the true goal was achieved, the rest would be a bonus, wouldn’t it?
Lumine’s expression turns red with anger and humiliation.
She is almost certain that her deduction is correct.
The anger of losing the one she loves and the humiliation of being deceived as a Demon King.
She regrets not having subordinates to protect it, but even if she had, it might not have made a difference.
Either way...
"I will not forgive this, never forgive this. I will find you and tear you apart!"
In the dark underground chamber, the silver-haired beauty screams, continuing to unleash her wrath.
Her anger, incomparable to when her kingdom was turned to ashes by Veldora, shakes the heart of the Demon King.
And, this unquenchable desire brings a change to Lumine.
《Confirmed. Conditions met.
Unique Skill "Lustful One (ラスト, Rust)" has evolved into Ultimate Skill "King of Lust (アスモデウス, Asmodeus).》