A United Mission

Sitting through the tale which the elven princess insisted to speak about I expanded my senses through the forest, detecting hundreds of thousands of humans, all camped around the capital. Most were encamped in the direction of Falmuth, the king and his knights stationed within a large camp that had hundreds of barricades and fortifications, mainly made from woods and stone plinths sourced from the forest.

Rimuru was listening to Elyun who was now getting to the story of Milim and how she had once killed an entire city to ascend into True Demon Lord status, in an effort to revive her friend and what was her father's reincarnated form. To be honest, tying yourself to a weak and trivial form just so you could potentially come back to life, was incredibly stupid. Rimuru however was listening intently as he saw hundred of bodies lining the streets, cared for by families and nurses. Injured were numerous as soldiers took stray magics as people went to save civilians who had been caught out in mild outages of the shield.

My shield, i noted, was powerful but not impervious and was quite vulnerable to fire due to the surface I bound it to; trees. Fireballs were stopped but would, over sustained barrage, 'melt' the shield. Unfortunately there was no way to change the shield currently as my magic was mainly focussed on keeping it up and fighting powerful foes. Feeling the enemy camp I soon found the presence of hundreds of earth and light elementals. This magic was relatively powerful as hundreds of mages absorbed mana potions and other forms of Magicule recovery substances.

Elementals with gleaming silver armours moved out from the heart of their camp as the paladins of the Western Church simply camped off to the side. No paladins had stepped foot out of their camp thus far as all of the undead were vanquished. I would have liked to understand their purpose here but I did not want to poke a sleeping bear if I could manage otherwise. 

"Therefor, you could potentially bring them all back if you were able to recapture their souls and heal their bodies... During a Harvest Festival."

Rimuru quickly flicked his eyes to me and looked surprised.

"Yes, that is exactly why I have done what I have done... Now, are you going to step up and take your place?"

He was quiet for a few moments, scanning the dead and maimed around us. So quiet was his contemplation that one could hear the squirming squeak of Gazel's armour as he moved ever so slightly. The Dwarven king was utterly quiet, a frown resting upon his stalwart face whilst he awaited Rimuru's answer.

The cries of families and the moans of injured citizens created a din of sorrow amidst this meeting, Elyun looking between all of the figures with worry and concern speckling her visage. 

"Fine. I want to speak with everyone in the military and Government."

A small smile cracked my otherwise placid facial expression, the relief and also happiness showing in spades to everyone who cared to notice. I didn't even answer him and lead him towards the government building, where most staff would be at this time. Souei immediately started walking behind me, his foot steps silent and tumbling in shadow as his horn was longer than before. The proximity to me allowing the power I had gained to transmit to him in a small way. A fireball hit the shield as a massive great sword suddenly slammed into the square, Yuna holding it as she recoiled from her jump's kinetic energy.

"Don't miss me sis!"

She hoisted her sword and ran towards us all, Gazel tilting his head in mild confusion. Yuna didn't care however as she barrelled into me with her arms extended for a hug. Gazel was confused and so was I... I didn't know when we had become sisters but, I didn't wish to hurt her so I just took it. Picking me up she squeezed me tightly, in what some would consider and bear hug. Her abs were impressive to feel and witness but this wasn't exactly comfortable... Her attention was soon sapped away by Rimuru however, dropping me and launching at Rimuru. He attempted to dodge but failed badly as she seemingly gained monumental amount of speed, faster than she had ever shown before.

"Bro! You're back...! Glad you came back to be honest, its been rather serious and boring since you left last time."

The adorable slime, Rimuru, looked at me in pleading as his slime was squished by her breasts and the muscles that burst from her clothes. Continuing to walk I heard the 'cries' of Rimuru as he was held by Yuna along the whole trip, Gazel laughing at Rimuru's position and even giving him a small and dignified thumbs up.

It wasn't long however before we now stood inside the Government Building, specifically my office. Inside the newly renovated room were polished spruce furniture and crystalline fixtures. A chandelier adorned the roof of the room, the light being transmitted hazing with an aquamarine colouration. The new table was carved, lacquered and polished, all coalescing into a beautiful piece of artisanry that depicted Rimuru, myself and the original members of Tempest all in the midst of battle with the Orc Lord and Nazerick. To be honest it was rather gaudy for me, especially because I was a large part of the tables design, my lightning bolts leading into other conflicts that others were having in the art.

Shaking my head from such silly considerations I nodded towards all of the people at the table. Benimaru, Hakuro, Rigurd, Gabiru, Kaijin and Treyni were currently sat around the far end from the door. A map with figurines familiar to previous strategy sessions was splayed out over a section of the table, coffees and teas placed on coasters on the table. All of them looked tired, Treyni being a particular exception as she looked like her usual self. 

"It is good you are all here..." 

Rimuru, Gazel, Shion, Souei and Yuna stepped out behind me, their faces showing their surprise as they witnessed friends utterly tired. I ignored it though and slinked into the shadows, remerging onto my chair in a seated position. 

"Rimuru has something to discuss with us." 

Treyni was the first to turn to Rimuru as Benimaru was the next. Slowly they all turned to look at him, his expression not changing in any way. 

'He has finally accepted that this is reality and not just an anime or story.'

"I want to end this as quickly as possible!"

He began his speech, which would inevitably lead to him talking about attacking the enemy head on with some of our biggest players. That was when I felt a pulse from my eyes and my vision became black and white, patterns from a previous vision interlacing and shaking in my current sight...

...

A day later we had followed Rimuru's plan and witnesses the birth of Rimuru the Demon Lord, except, he was much more powerful... The force of 100,000 Souls brimming within his skills and unique abilities. Raphael was monstrously powerful and pretty much instantly became Ciel, a Manas. Gluttony was as powerful as a blackhole and when used could destroy all matter, or consume it, or create it... No longer was it just simply a skill to absorb power and isolate it, not it was a full on cataclysm. 

Under his black boot was the head of the king of Falmuth and by his side was Diablo. Behind both of them... The vision cut out.

...

My smile widened as Rimuru finished his speech.

"That is why we must divide into three teams and I will take on the king and his camp!"

Benimaru looked genuinely thrilled about the change of tactics, defending could only last so long. I knew that, but I was waiting for Rimuru. Now with him here and the assurance of my vision I could feel that even if the thing shown did not occur something good would.

"Great. Yuna will go with Rimuru to keep the mages and soldiers off of him. Yuna, however many you kill will be based off of your skill... You get me?"

"MHM! Totally! Leave it to me!"

Rimuru smiled at the 'escort' I sent with him, the woman slowly growing on him despite his better judgement. I couldn't read minds, no, I just knew what Rimuru was like. At this juncture there was not much for me to do. I had already gained my 1,000,000 Souls. Now, it was Rimuru and Yuna's time for action. This act was not one I could force upon them, such an evolution would no doubt be disgustingly powerless... No, if they were to do it of their own judgement, only then it could give them the best results. 

Souls were not just a simple thing to deal with. The only reason I could do what I was doing was because all of the people's souls I had collected were technically killed by me from my spell.

"Benimaru, you will take Geld and Gobta to go hunt down the three summons. Hakuro, if I could get you to take down the magical implements they have brought with them? They will soon try to bring up an anti-magic field."

They all nodded at my words as Rimuru grabbed them and talked to them independently about small details and communications. My job was done now... It was now up to them...

`Little missy? Is it a good time to have a chat?`

With those words rebounding inside my skull I was drawn into the pitch black and grey liminal space.

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