Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (LN)

EPILOGUE

A NEW ARTIFICE

Several days had passed since Charybdiss defeat. The land of Tempest was calm once more. A lot had happened, certainly, but our nation was finally starting to get recognized, and I couldnt have been happier.

We were now on friendly relations with the Armed Nation of Dwargon and the kingdom of Blumund. The road between us and Dwargon would be opening up soon, and my official invitation had already arrived. I needed to make my report, but they were planning more to receive me as an official state guest.

Over in Blumund, Fuze was doing a lot for me by going around royal and noble circles and convincing them that given how this latest crisis had turned out, itd be much more to their advantage to work with us, not against us. Blumund wasnt a large nation, so noble circles didnt encompass that many people, as he said. None were putting up a lot of roadblocks against him, so I doubted I had much to worry about.

Oh, trust me, Ive got so much dirt on the nobles that the carrot-and-stick approachll work just fine with them, he had told me as he left. And given the sneer on his face, I felt safe in leaving all that to him.

Kabal and his cohorts seemed pretty intent on staying here, but they still had a job to carry outescorting Fuze back home.

Can we visit again?

Yeahhh, Im not sure I can live without Shunas cooking any longer.

You can say no all you want; well be back soon!

They very reluctantly left, taking Fuze along with them. I wasnt going to turn them away; they were more than welcome to return, and I set up bed space for them and everything.

And theres another nation I shouldnt be forgettingthe Beast Kingdom of Eurazania. If our talks went well there, thatd be one more nation to build formal ties with. We got put through the wringer, but we sure earned a lot from it. There was no telling how our discussions would turn out yet, but building a formal friendship with one of the bigger demon lords was a major coup. I wanted to see it succeed.

So we gained a lot, and if anything I, personally, gained just as much. The Charybdis-specific skills Magic Interference and Gravity Flight, for one. That, and Resist Magic, the ultimate ace in the hole against any magic thrown at me. I was having the Great Sage analyze all these to the hilt, so I was sure itd be connecting them to other skills before too long.

That was one other reason why I asked Milim to keep Phobio alive. I mean, I did want to wrest Charybdis away from him, but itd also be nice, I figured, if I earned a few new skills as a side effect. With all the trouble he put me through, I felt I deserved to reward myself a little.

So what were we doing now?

Thus! Swishh! Thwam! Bash!

I think the ambient noise speaks well enough for itself.

Benimaru, Soei, Shion, and I were being pummeled.

Wah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Save your breath!!

The woman laughing shrilly at us was, of course, the demon lord Milim. She was training us, which I thought appropriate given how unfairly strong she was. It was four of us against the one of her, but it was hopeless. The Dragons Eye from her saw completely through every trick and attack we attempted.

Thats Milim for you. Shes incredible, I thought, more intensely than ever before.

Milim was wearing a Dragon Knuckle around her fistthe weapon present I had promised her long ago. Such knuckles were originally meant for punching with your bare hands without hurting yourself, boosting the force of your strikes in the process. Not this onethis was the exact opposite. Put this on, and it restricted your punching power by around 90 percent. The magisteel at its core applied the Reduce Speed and Power Drain inscription magics to the wearer.

When I gave it to her, she peered at it with intense curiosity, then gladly accepted it. Shed been wearing it every moment sinceincluding during meals, which I had to warn her about, much to her whining chagrin. I was glad she liked it, but she had to learn the right time and place.

This Dragon Knuckle did a whole lot to save us all. Wed been engaging in mock battles every morning with Milim since that day; it had become a regular part of the routine. Her power was just ridiculous, her agility practically cheating, her stamina inexhaustible. Thank heavens she was on our side.

Only Hakuro could put up any real fight against her, which taught me all over again how important actual technique was, instead of relying on physical strength and skills. Of course, even with Hakuros technique, a Milim who took the fight seriously would offer him no chance.

Technique was important, but it wasnt enough. What I lacked most of all, however, was battle experience. These morning combat sessions were my attempt at playing catch-up.

Why was I going through this? Easy. Compared to my past lifemy past world, reallythere were far too many issues that were solved here by duking it out. The orc lord. Charybdis. I was on good terms with Carillon, but the other demon lords could be a different matter. Plus, I had that vendetta against Leon.

After meeting two demon lords in personMilim, then CarillonI realized there was no way I could take on one of them right now. So I was working hard, taking the steps I needed to improve on that.

I stayed busy otherwise, too. Training with Milim occupied my mornings; after lunch, I did my rounds in each section of the town. It was an orderly, scheduled life, and I stuck to it for many weeks.

Having a nice, nutritious meal after a training round was always pleasant, too. Fried chicken, steak, hamburger, croquettes. Fried shrimp, tooor at least, an animal that looked kind of like shrimp. It was called ebiira, as well, which was frighteningly close to ebi, the Japanese for shrimp. Funny coincidence.

We never had to worry about food getting contaminated, either. Shunas hygiene and disinfection habits were perfect, and besides, I could Analyze and Assess anything presented to me, so I knew my stuff was safe. I still wasnt exactly sure if monsters got food poisoning, but

All this variety to the menu was lifting Milim to ever-higher heights of ecstasy. Wah-ha-ha-ha-ha! How can cooking the same meat produce such amazing food?! That was her reaction to her very first steak.

Every day brought her new joy.

With the fried shrimp, she gobbled it all up instantly, not exchanging a word at the table. I suppose trying to recreate foods popular with kids paid off well, and Shuna was polishing her skills more than ever.

Glad Milims such a fan. Shes repaying me with her training, so Ill want her to stay in high spirits if I can.

So the days passed by, all of us growing even stronger than before.

Hakuros skill set was already complete, so he didnt grow as quickly, but everyone else? You could hardly recognize them. If Treyni decided to pop in right now, Benimaru or Soei could give her a serious run for her money.

I was growing, too.

Youve certainly improved, Rimuru! If you declared yourself a demon lord now, I sure wouldnt complain!

If Milim was putting it that way, I mustve been improving by leaps and bounds. I kept telling her I wasnt interested in the role, though. Plus, she whipped the four of us again today. Trying to join the Demon Lord Club right now would result in nothing but trouble for me.

By the way, why did you become a demon lord, Milim? I asked to change the subject.

Ooooooooooh Hmm. Im not sure? Something really bad happened, and it got me so angry that I became one?

Why are you asking me?

WellI dont remember. It was a super-long time ago, so I forgot!

Despite her cheerful reply, I wondered if maybe something bad had happened after all. Itd be rude to prod her any further about it.

All right. If you forgot, you dont have to try to remember it or anything.

I ended the conversation there.

Milim looked and acted like a child, but inside, she was a full-fledged demon lord. One of the oldest, in fact. Shed probably lived far longer than I could even comprehend. Maybe she didnt have any friends, thanks to her expansive life span separating her from her companions over time.

I decided to ask about something else I had wondered about.

Hey, so Do you have any, um, family, or people youre looking after? Youve been here this whole time, but are you sure you dont need to get in contact with anyone?

Mm. I have people who take care of me, but Im not worried about them. Im the strongest one out there, so itd be too intimidating for people if I showed them some care, even, you know? Thats why youre my only friend.

The sudden declaration made me pause a little. Maybe BFF, the way she defined it, meant a lot more to her emotionally than I had thought. Id better take that seriously and try to live up to it.

Yeah. Well, lets hope we keep it that way for a while, Milim.

I gave her a pat on the head. She just looked so childish, I couldnt help but feel like she was some family relative.

She gave me a happy smile.

You bet!

Several days later

Okay, Im off to work!

Milim made a sudden declaration.

Huh? Thats kind of sudden, Milim. Right now?

Mm? Well This isnt, like, the last time Ill see you or anything, so yeah, Im headin out!

With that, she changed back into the bikini-ish outfit shed first arrived in. She used Change Dress for the job, a bit of magic that was so helpful that I had her teach it to me. Its recommended to anyone with a lot of clothing, although you need to learn spatial magic first (for clothes storage), which actually makes it tough to learn.

In her original outfit, Milim turned to me and smiled. Ill be sure to tell the other demon lords not to lay a finger on this place, okay? Youve got nothing to worry about, Rimuru!

Oh? Great. So youre off to meet them?

Mm-hmm! Thats my job!

She puffed out her chest proudly.

There was apparently some kind of conference among her, Carillon, and the assorted other demon lords out there. The concept kind of scared mea secret tryst where the demon lords of the world wove their sinister conspiracies in private. The whole orc lord thing resulted from one of those meetings, so I felt I had a personal stake.

Buthey, if it means the other demon lords leave me alone, then great. Perfect.

The group Milim was affiliated with, by the way, reportedly didnt include Leon in its ranks. Leon was one of the newer demon lords, so Milim didnt know too much about him, either. Carillon didnt seem like such a bad guy, thoughwhat were the rest of them like? I was a tad worried, but it wasnt like Milim couldnt handle them. She was cunning, and she was on a whole different level from the demon lord pack.

I did warn her, at least, to watch out for other people trying to deceive her. Oh, you worry too much. Im really smart, Rimuru, so nobodys gonna trick me! she replied with a smile.

Yeah, its that confidence of yours that Im worried about

Well, Ill be back soon!

And she was offinto the air. So sudden, just like when she came. And in another moment, she was silently breaking the sound barrier (no shock wave, oddly) and falling out of sight. She said the site was pretty far-off, but at that speed, she didnt have long to travel.

Hmm? Did Lady Milim go somewhere?

Shion looked concerned. They had become rather good friends.

Yep. She said she had work.

Work?

She had promised to meet up with a few other demon lords.

Other demon lords? I hope they dont trick her

See? Thats what youd totally think. Shion had the exact same worry I did.

Well, she said shed be back once her work was done, so theres no point worrying much about her.

Quite true. Rather rude of us, Id say, worrying about someone so much stronger than any of us.

True

Im going to grow strongerand when she comes back, Im sure going to surprise her!

Better train harder than ever, then.

It didnt seem right, feeling all sad about someone like Milim, but losing her so suddenly like this did make one feel lonely. Thinking about it, she had really become a big part of this town. The way she could take over your mind like that She was one mysterious demon lord.

For now, though, lets focus on what the ogre mages want to be stronger. And lets see if we cant shock Milim when shes back.

So before long, I resumed my training under Hakuro, my mind refocused on my mission.

It was a broad, expansive, and decadently decorated room. The demon lord Clayman was taking a moment to drink some wine and take in the elegance. Across from him, Frey the Sky Queen was seated, looking out the window and acting depressed.

How did things turn out, then?

Apparently quite well, Frey. We took advantage of a servant of Carillon who was disgruntled about Milim to set Charybdis on her.

Clayman smiled broadly.

Milim defeated the beast, according to our observers. You have nothing to worry about now, yes?

Yes, everything went exactly as Clayman wishedincluding the results of the battle. Milim was clearly going to win; there was no doubt about that between the two demon lords.

But none of this angered Carillon himself at all?

Why would it? Theres no evidence linking any of this to me. If Carillons angry at anyone, its either Milim or that mystery pack of monsters. Or perhaps hell point it toward those jacks-of-all-trades that tricked that Phobio gentleman, but as long as he doesnt learn that I hired them, thats not a problem.

Another light chuckle.

The Moderate Jesters, his true friends, were a group shrouded in mystery. There was no way Claymans involvement with them could ever come out. Carillon had no way of contacting them, no way to figure out where they werehe couldnt touch them.

Still, though

Clayman recalled the final set of images Mjurran gave him.

Milim, pulverizing the all-powerful Charybdis in a single instant. Herand someone else.

This magic-born, though. The one who defeated Gelmud. It attempted to take on Charybdis solo. Very powerful, indeed; I can see why Milim is so preoccupied with it. If we arent careful, it may grow to become as strong as us demon lords.

Heh-heh! Thats a pretty funny thing for you to say, Clayman.

Frey didnt sound terribly interested. Instead, she changed the subject to the main issue at hand.

So about your compensation, then. What am I supposed to pay you?

She turned her eyes to Clayman. This was why the two of them were here today.

You dont have to be so wary of me, Frey. This time, if you could just listen to a request of mine, that is more than enough. I helped you out, and in exchange, you can do the equivalent.

All right Ill do that, if Im capable.

Thank you very much. I was sure you would say that. He gave a satisfied smile at the deal.

Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee. This should help make things go my way at the next demon lord summit. Itll also let me approach my other goalhmm? Wait a moment. If this goes well enough, I could even take control of Milim. Yes, with that certain item I was provided

Clayman almost found himself shaking at the thought. With Frey now on his side of the chessboard, the idea he had just come up with no longer seemed so impossible.

However, he said, stopping Frey as she tried to leave the room. this now means that the only thorn in your side at the moment is Milim alone. Having superiority in the air means nothing against her, doesnt it, Frey? I would be happy to discuss matters with you, so if its something I can help with, dont hesitate to mention it. You can contact me at any time.

Behind the friendly face, a new artifice was beginning to formulate itself. Frey didnt notice, or pretended not to if she did. Ill be glad to when the time comes, she said as she offered her good-byes and left Claymans castle.

Alone in his room, Clayman was deep in thought.

If I could obtain Milims power, there would be no need at all to incite the other demon lords. I will need to take the time to seriously consider this. And I hope youre looking forward to it, Milim

He removed a mask from his pocket and placed it against his face. He could feel his heart relaxing itself. To Clayman, he only felt like his true self with this mask on.

But still This mystery magic-born cannot be ignored, no. Wed best be careful with it, just like Laplace and Teare warned. I could assign Mjurran to infiltrate their base of operationsitd be a fine chance for her to restore her good name.

Mjurrans intel helped a lot more than he expected. He had thus decided to use her as much as possible, until there was nothing left.

Besides, this infiltration job was right up Mjurrans alley. If it went well and she curried their favor, great. If not, and Mjurran was rubbed out, Clayman had the perfect excuse to get personally involved. It would provide the best pawn to replace Mjurran with.

That mystery magic-born needed to be watched, but compared to bigger things on the horizon, it was still a small presence. He just had to wait, gather information, and use it when the time was right, just in case the monster interfered with the plan he was hatching.

He was not giving it his full attention, perhaps, but regardless, the demon lord Clayman was not watching Rimuru and his city.

An ashen sort of joy erupted across his heart, a smile running across Claymans face as he worked out his new artifice

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