ch17 < Development >

Rimuru, Gobta, Benimaru, and Shuna arrived at a plaza filled with corpses.

The air was thick with the stench of death, and a heavy silence hung over the scene.

Gobta found the dead Gobzo and cried out in anguish, his voice echoing through the empty plaza.

His tears fell onto Gobzo's cold face, mixing with the dirt and blood.

Benimaru lifted a blanket to reveal Shion's lifeless body, his hands trembling.

"She died protecting a child while weakened by a barrier," he explained, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Shuna added, her voice choked with emotion, "Gobzo died trying to protect me," but she trailed off, unable to continue in the presence of the silent Rimuru, whose eyes were fixed on Shion's still form.

A burst of magicules released from Rimuru, a manifestation of her uncontrollable grief and rage.

"Rimuru-sama!" Shuna and Benimaru cried out in unison, their concern palpable.

"I... I'm sorry... Please leave me be... for now..." Rimuru's voice cracked, barely able to hold back the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm his reasoning.

Without another word, they relented and started moving away, their footsteps echoing hollowly.

But Shuna suddenly returned and embraced Rimuru from behind, her warmth provide a small comfort.

"Please reach out anytime, and I will come to you at once," Shuna whispered softly before finally leaving, her own tears falling silently..

But she try to contain because of Rimuru.

When Rimuru was finally left in silence, his knees gave out. He pressed his hands to Shion face, trying to keep every emotion from pouring out all at once again.

<Notice. A very strong aura exerts pressure on a weakened monster.>

"Calm down... you have to calm down...

The pressure you let out will hurt the weakened ones more if you don't calm down..." Shizu muttered to rimuru in his consciousness..

Where did I go wrong?" he whispered to the empty air.

<Notice. Cannot calculate.>

"What should I have done?"

<Notice. Cannot comprehend.>

"Was it wrong... to have gotten involved with humans?"

< Not every humans are wrong dear. Shizu added >

<Notice. Cannot calculate. comprehend. answer.>

He held Shion's cold hand in both of his, lifting it to his chest as he sobbed silently, his heart breaking all over again.

<Because of Karna's intervention, Shuna and Shion are very close to Rimuru, as if they in a relationship.< p>

Rimuru and Shion even kissed on multiple occasions.>

"It's all my fault... I should've known better... I let my love for humanity harm my family...! It's all my...

Karna's POV

I sat down on the steps in front of the building, watching Rimuru in his grief.

The weight of my own guilt felt like a physical burden, pressing down on my chest.

It was my first time seeing Rimuru become that emotional... Of course, he would become like that...

The bonds Rimuru created here had grown too close to him, and the loss this time was too painful to bear, especially since he saw Shion as his fated one in such a state.

The sight of Rimuru crumbling under the weight of his sorrow was almost unbearable.

My heart beat violently with my own turbulent emotions—the guilt of making my brother experience such pain.

The world seemed to have lost its color, everything dulled by the overwhelming grief that permeated the air.

Rimuru pov

I felt my heart grow cold. Extreme sadness, regret, and wrath.

These feelings mixed inside of me, seeking an outlet.

Karna then approached Rimuru. Rimuru was absentmindedly looking at the ground.

"Self-blame binds the soul in a cycle of negativity." Karna said but there was no response.

"There is a technique which can revive dead if their souls are available" . Karna replied.

Karna saw rimuru trembling.

"I then explained a technique called the secret art of revival..

<The user returns the available and intact soul of a deceased target to its body, resurrecting>

According to law of words. A soul dissipate as their physical body dies but because of the barrier, their souls are still present in the surrounding area.

...

Karna pov

Rimuru then hugged me tightly, shaking slightly, and asked,

"What are the chances?" He asked.

"It's 60%, if I got enough magicules.

"Rimuru pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes with a mixture of hope and desperation

"Do you got enough". Rimuru asked.

No karna replied.

< he lied >

"What do I need to do to gather more magicules?"

"You need to became a demon lord. Through our soul link , I can get enough magicules for their resurrection." Karna replied, his voice steady..

Also

"If you become a Demon Lord, everyone connected to you will receive gifts. Then the chances of revival will increase.

Rimuru's determination was clear.

"I'll do whatever it takes. What about becoming a Demon Lord? You mentioned something about that at veldora cave.

Rimuru took a deep breath, considering the weight of the decision..

"How do I become a Demon Lord?"

"You need to absorb a massive amount of human souls and perform a specific ritual."

Karna said truthfully trying to see his determination..

< Solution. Master has already fulfilled the conditions for Demon Lord's Seed.

To fulfill the condition for evolving into the Demon Lord (for Seed to sprouts), it is necessary to sacrifice 10.000 Human beings (Souls).

Great Sage spoke to rimuru >

Rimuru nodded, resolute. "I'll do it. For them, for all my friends.

"I only need to dispose 10.000 trash soldiers, what an easy work. No ill kill all those people who harmed tempest. "

"I placed a reassuring hand on Rimuru's shoulder.

"I will help you in any way I can. Together, we can make this happen."

"Thank you, Karna," Rimuru said softly, determination and family emotions flashing in his eyes..

After our talk Ellen and her party come.

They request in providing help.

At meeting with youm and myurren

Myurren explain her story and how clayman had her heart. Now her life and death is manipulated by Clayman.

Rimuru then put pseudo heart in myurren. And we decided to make youm the new king of falmuth kindgom >

Souei give his report that about 20000 soldiers are marching towards Tempest including paladins from holy Church church.

Preparation for retaliation

At meeting chamber

Rimuru's POV

I explained that to revive everyone, I needed to become a Demon Lord, requiring the sacrifices (souls) of 10,000 people.

The first step is for my existence to be acknowledged by others.

By becoming a Demon Lord, I can restrain the actions of the other Demon Lords.

We will retaliate against our enemies and bless those who support us. I hope for future friendships, despite our differences.

Others reaction

"Hmm, quite a noble way of thinking," Karna said. "In the hearts of those who cultivate care and understanding, there is no room for hatred or division, only unity and peace."

"That is overly naive and idealistic," Kaijin said with a sigh. "However, I don't dislike it.

"Shuna smiled, giggling. "Even if it's idealistic, I believe Rimuru-sama can create such a world."

"In any case, we decided to follow you.

That's what it means to follow," Geld said sincerely.

"Making Rimuru-sama the king is my duty," Benimaru added.

"I am Rimuru and karna-sama's faithful shadow. I will perform any instruction I receive," Shouei said.

"We will establish a new country, aiming to change everyone's way of thinking," Youmu added.

Everyone, with their respective words, showed their approval. I felt the weight of their support.

"I understand. Please follow my own selfishness!" Rimuru replied.

To my words, everyone replied in unison, Rimuru-sama, we understand it is your selfishness."

I'm always with you brother. Karna replied.

"Everyone, thank you for everything," Rimuru replied..

His voice was filled with emotions.