The Same Night, Minutes Before Clayman Revealed His Trump Card

"Rimuru...?" You muttered as your eyes suddenly turned bright blue and your power suddenly began leaking out, causing everyone to lose balance for a moment and stand in shock. "...You're angry?" You muttered before a growl escaped your throat and one of your eyes pulsed red.

"G-Great Y/N...?!" Benimaru could barely stay on his feet as your power further expanded, shocking everyone in the area.

"W-What's wrong...My Lord...?!" Mai pleaded to know what ailed you, but gasped in shock and worry as red sparks surged off your dorsal plates and they flashed red and blue while your body trembled seemingly with rage.

"Clayman..." You muttered as Benimaru was shocked when your dark blue aura suddenly shifted and a red violent aura mixed with the blue aura as your fangs were bared and one eye turned completely red with rage. "What have you done...?!" You growled as your power was too great for those around you to handle.

"Hahahaha...Yes, this is the way it should be. Let your anger take control. Don't pay any of these inferior lifeforms any mind. Take what you desire and destroy those who oppose your way of life!" Your alter ego's voice echoed in the back of your mind as his influence was pushing you further over the edge as your body trembled while black scales slowly began appearing around the edges of your face.

"Y/N..." You felt someone suddenly grab onto your right arm as you turned your head and looked down to see Mai clinging to you on her knees as your strength was nearly blowing her away. "Please...don't leave us again..." She said with a sad smile on her face as you realized with a shocked face that you were letting your anger take control once again.

In an instant, the violent red aura that swirled around you disappeared as your power calmed down to a warm and cool blue tone. Mai was able to relax as your hands and face returned to normal and you gently took hold of her hand to lift her off the floor. Mai stared up at you longingly as she gently caressed the side of your face that had a red eye, and gently glided her thumb under it as if she wiped it away and your eye returned to normal.

"I'm sorry..." You apologized while averting eye contact, but she just hugged you with a smile as she leaned her head against your chest.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Mai said as you were surprised, but couldn't help but feel warmth and joy from how Mai was with you.

"Ahem!" Yours and Mai's eyes shot open with embarrassment when you saw Riza staring at you two with her arms crossed and one of her brows raised.

"Oh, um...I'm okay, Riza. Mai was able to bring me back to my senses. Haha..." You laughed nervously as a pink hue was spreading across your cheeks.

"S-Sorry, I just got caught up in the moment and got worried about him...Ehehe..." Mai said while nervously rubbing her arms as she was slowly turning red in bashfulness.

"Jeez..." Riza sighed in exasperation while your other allies watched with awkward smiles on their faces. "Well, what happened? Why'd you suddenly get angry?" Riza asked as you seemed uneasy about something.

Play Song (Also Located In Header)
Title: [Solo-Leveling] SymphonicSuite-Lv.1
Link: 

https://youtu.be/68a2wAQK9CA

"It's Rimuru...I can feel him at his moment. He's angry." You said as they seemed concerned by this information.

"Do you have any idea as to why Great Rimuru would be angered?" Benimaru asked as you shook your head.

"I don't know..." You said as you turned back and looked to the moon above you with worry. "If only I could get to him--eh?" You suddenly grew confused when you saw a strange blue thread of energy attached to you and running to your heart.

"What is it?" Mai asked as you looked at her in confusion.

"You don't see this?" You said while gesturing to the thread as she looked where you were pointing with wonder.

"Is there something there?" Mai asked as you looked back down at the thread.

"What is this? This energy...it's almost familiar..." You thought as you closed your eyes and tried focusing in on this energy.

The harder you focused the more your energy leaked out, but at a calmer rate as a blue aura slowly formed around your body and you felt yourself becoming more attuned with whatever was at the other end of the thread. Your senses heightened beyond belief as you could see yourself traveling through different places in the world before you entered a void and saw a structure off in the distance of this void. Narrowing in on this structure in the vision you were seeing, you could see Rimuru, Iris, your mother, and all the other Demon Lords standing around Clayman who held a baby Ghidorah. After envisioning this sight for a few moments, you saw the thread lead back to Rimuru as the bond between you both suddenly strengthened on your end and you opened your eyes once more in shock of coming to a realization of a new power.

"My Lord?" Mai stood by your side with worry, but grew confused when you suddenly began chuckling.

"Hahaha...Ahahaha...!" You chuckled as she and the others looked at you with wonder while you lifted your head up to stare at the sky with an amazed look. "Ahahahahaha! So this is how it is? How amusing." You said as you finished laughing before suddenly patting Mai on the head.

"M-My Lord?" Mai said with a hint of surprise while blushing a bit as Lilia stared at her in frustration and grit her teeth at Mai.

"I'll be back." You said as they were surprised by what you meant as you turned towards them with a smile. "Benimaru, you handle the rest." You said as you began walking away from them as you stopped a few feet away in front of nothing and Benimaru stepped forward.

"Where are you going?" Benimaru asked as he stared at your back before gasping in shock when your power emerged once more in a terrifying manner, but what was more shocking was how under control you had it as your eyes glowed blue.

"I'm going to stand beside Rimuru, like I should've done in the first place. If I'm going to be revealed some time now or later..." You turned back slightly as you flashed Benimaru a confident and cocky smile. "...Better make it flashy, right?" You said as Benimaru was surprised by your demeanor, but couldn't help but grin in amusement as well.

"Yeah, that's right. Leave things here to me, Great Y/N!" Benimaru said as you nodded to him before turning back forward.

Raising your hand up, your claws came out and your dorsal plates flashed white while the aura around your body began to collect and pool into the palm of your hand. Staring at the thread that connected you and Rimuru to one another, you gathered a great amount of magicules in your claw as you activated spatial magic and with a violent slash in the air towards the thread, you grinned as you prepared yourself to make an epic entrance in front of the Demon Lords.

Walpurgis, Present Time

"CLAYMAN!!!!" Rimuru roared in anger as Clayman was about to swallow Iris's sister once more and leave with his hostage.

In the moment that Rimuru yelled out to Clayman with all his rage, there was a strange ripple in the dimension as a dark blue portal was suddenly torn in the middle of the hall, catching everyone off guard as blue sparks surged off of it. There was a strong gust of wind that blew through the hall as even the Demon Lords were wide-eyed from feeling a terrifying amount of power pour from the portal. It opened right next to Rimuru as and Iris looked at it in wonder as they felt a heavy pressure suddenly fall upon the hall. Clayman stared at the portal in shock as he felt something staring back at him from the darkness of the abyss before a pair of shining, terrifying blue eyes appeared and glared directly at him. The Deathman trembled where he stood as he felt killer instinct being directly aimed at him as if death had arrived just to claim him. Iris watched as someone suddenly placed a foot outside the portal as blue sparks of energy surged on the ground and everyone looked in awe when the figure fully exited the portal and revealed to be you as your eyes glowed blue and your dorsal plates pulsed dark blow. The moment you exited the portal, Clayman felt like he was about to be crushed by your aura as in his eyes, the Gojira Spirit appeared behind you and roared as he imagined that it was time for his death. Your face was stoic, but behind your glowing eyes, they could all see the rage that burned behind them as even your mother was left speechless from the power radiating off of you.

"It's alright now, Rimuru." You said as he stared up at your back in amazement. "Leave the rest to me." You said as you bathed everyone in your power as they stood staring at you in awe.

"Y/N...?" Rimuru muttered in awe as Iris stared at you in disbelief while you looked back at her.

"Y-You're..." Iris muttered as you smiled at her.

"Don't worry." You said with a reassuring tone as Iris had a shocked look appear in her eyes before tearing up as she felt reassurance while looking back at you.

"Yes..." Was all Iris said before her eyes closed and she seemingly passed onto the next life as you looked to Clayman's raised hand that held Iris's sister in her orb prison.

In unbelievable and unprecedented speed, you suddenly appeared behind Clayman as his hand was now suddenly open and hanging in the air with nothing in the palm of his hand. Clayman took a few moments to realize that something had changed as he looked at his hand and saw that he no longer possessed his hostage. Turning around in confusion, Clayman stared in disbelief as you raised your hand that bared claws and in your finger tips was the orb that the Ghidorah infant was trapped inside as you looked to Rimuru and he realized your intentions as he held out his hand and caught the orb that you tossed him.

"Free her." You said to him as he nodded instantly and looked down at the orb prison.

"Raphael-san!" Rimuru relied on his inner voice as the Appraisal was already complete and ready to dispel.

Within moments, the prison that housed Iris's sister began to glow before turning into a larger ball of light, and within moments, the infant Ghidorah was freed and appeared before everyone with the absence of shackles. Rimuru held her gently in his arms as she slept soundly and Clayman could barely get any air into his lungs due to the shock of not knowing what had happened.

"W-What was that...?" Clayman trembled before feeling his hand go numb as he looked towards it and saw it suddenly fall off and land on the ground as blue flames formed around the wound. "A-Ahh...AAgh...! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!" Clayman cried out in indescribable pain as you walked pass him, leaving him writhing and flailing on the ground as your flames continued to burn him.

"Y/N...How did you...?" Malenia muttered in wonder as you walked up to Iris's body and stared down at her. "What are you doing?" She asked before her eyes widened in shock when you slowly lifted your hand up in front of you as your power began to surge once more.

In the palm of your hand a blue flame formed before streams of magicules became visible and began gathering around the flame as it shined with golden particles and a hint of red fire began to mix with the blue. Everyone in the room watched in awe as they could feel this flame burn with unbelievable power and most of all, souls.

"You've been through so much since you've been born. Enslaved under a fool and powerless to do anything about it because of a loved one who was held hostage. However, that dark chapter of your life has passed and it's about time you begin a new chapter in your life." You spoke to Iris's body as your aura flowed like steam from your dorsal plates and slowly began covering the floor as it spread across Iris's body, making her glow blue with your aura as glitters of gold magicules were suddenly picked out of the air, which was her soul, as it was slowly being poured back into her. "Iris, you are a lot like me. One of the last survivors of your species who only wishes to protect that which you love. You're a warrior. Laying your life on the line to protect your sister and others should be your purpose in life. Do you really intend to let that potential go to waste in such a place as this? If you need someone whom you can dedicate yourself to, then serve me. Instead of dying here and leaving everything behind, defend me and my allies with this new life I grant you." You said as you let the flame fall towards her as it gently descended to her heart before entering inside of her as her soul had completely been returned into her body.

"Notice. It would seem that Y/N's energy has completely reconstituted and revived all vital organs within Iris's body and has managed to successfully returned the subject's soul back into it's vessel." Raphael informed the slime.

"Without a barrier?" Rimuru said in shock.

"Yes. It would seem that Y/N has absolute control over the manipulation of his own magicules and is capable of isolating magicules differing from his own within it. Additionally, a Demon Lord Seed has been detected within Iris and is beginning to sprout." Raphael informed as this was unbelievable news.

"Huh? Then Iris will..." Rimuru muttered in awe as he couldn't fathom what was coming next.

"Right. The subject Iris will begin her awakening into a True Demon Lord." Raphael said as all the Demon Lords watched with stoic faces, but on the inside, they were all shocked for the first time in a while.

Your aura slowly dissipated around you and the rest of its trail gathered around Iris as its light began changing from blue to gold. Feeling and hearing her heart begin to beat, you extended your hand out to her as you had one last thing to say to Iris to give her that last bit of encouragement she needed.

"Come forth and serve your new king." You said as Iris was enveloped in a bright glowing golden light and her body began slowly floating off the ground as she hovered in the air with all three of her heads hung down. "Arise, Iris." You spoke with a powerful voice as your speaking of her name overwrote its previous, inferior version and was the final touch she needed.

Within moments, a powerful wind blew out in all directions as Iris disappeared into an orb of glowing light. You stood firm as a grin slowly appeared on your face and golden bolts of energy shot out in all directions intermittently and most of those around you covered their eyes as the light grew brighter. Inside the orb, Iris's body slowly began changing form and became smaller in size while shifting into a humanoid shape as the side heads on her body disappeared and the middle one remained before changing into a humanoid form as well while a pair of golden horns extended out from the top of her forehead and grew up and towards the back of her head. Iris grew long blonde hair that reached down to the middle of her back as bubbles of golden light frothed on her back before exploding into a pair of golden wings. Starting from her feet, golden armor began to form as it slowly appeared and climbed up her body before she was covered in incredible, gold-plated armor that stopped at her neck with no obstacle that would interfere with her wings. The golden wings she dawned collapsed inward and closed up before changing and turning into golden cape with a blue underside appeared and attached at the back of her neck armor, and her eyes shot open, glowing blue as the light around her was absorbed into her body and she descended back down, releasing a small pulse of incredible power the moment her feet touched the ground. Malenia and the others stood in shock and silence as they bore witness to the birth of a True Demon Lord through your own hand as you and Iris stared at one another with stoic faces for a few moments. After looking at you for some time, Iris closed her eyes as she walked towards and pass you while her armor clanked against the ground before she turned around towards you on her heels before kneeling down before you and bowing her head.

"I await your orders, my Lord." Iris said as she swore her loyalty and entire being to serve you.

"Notice. The Ghidorah, Iris, has been revived and fully awakened into a True Demon Lord." Raphael announced her as Rimuru stared at you in awe.

"Incredible..." Rimuru muttered in awe before he felt the tiny Ghidorah he held in his arms begin to stir as she woke up and turned her heads around in wonder.

"Big Sister?" Iris's sister called out in wonder as she felt her presence as strong as ever as Iris lifted her head and looked to her younger sister with a longing stare.

"Go to her." You said to her as she looked at you in surprise while you smiled at her from where you stood. "You two are free. Such a feat should be celebrated with family." You said as Iris had tears well in her eyes briefly before she wiped them away and smiled joyfully at you before bowing her head.

"Right." Iris said before standing up as she walked over towards Rimuru and her sister as your slime friend met her halfway and Iris's sister stared at her in awe.

"Big Sister?" Iris's younger sister said in wonder as she stared up at her newly changed sister who smiled down at her.

"Yeah." Iris said as she took her sister into her arms as the small Ghidorah nuzzled gently into her sister's arms as she finally felt the warmth of her sister's touch for the first time.

"Y/N..." Your mother walked up as you turned towards her and she gently placed a hand on the side of your face. "You..." She muttered as you were perplexed by what she was going to say, but instead, your cheek was pinched as she yanked back on it hard with an angry look in her eye. "What the hell're ya doin' goin' around 'nd makin' Demon Lords for, huh?!" She yelled as everyone stared in awkwardness as your mother handled you with ease after such a dramatic display.

"OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! S-Stop! Mom! Stop pulling! You're gonna rip my face off!" You yelled in pain as she began pulling on your other cheek while Iris stared skeptically at you. "I-Iris...It's not what you think! I'm really cool, I swear!" You yelled before you and your mother began wrestling as a dust cloud formed around you two with how violent things were getting and Rimuru walked up next to Iris and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Well, you'll get used to seeing stuff like that while under him. Welcome aboard, Iris." Rimuru said with a smile while putting a hand out for her to shake as she awkwardly accepted.

"Y-Yes, Lord Rimuru." Iris said as your mother kicked you towards the two of them and you face planted at Iris's feet. "I swore my loyalty to him...?" Iris said with a troubled face as you stared up at her with tears streaming down your swollen cheeks.

"How mean...!" You cried out with tears before the sound of Clayman's cries brought their attention back towards him as he continued writhing on the ground while holding his enflamed wound.

"Well, back to business." Rimuru said as you stood up and shook your face quickly back to normal before you and him walked towards Clayman to deliver his execution while Rimuru stood in front of you and extended out his hand.

"This is the end, Clayman." You said as the Deathman turned towards you two with fear in his eyes.

"Don't! Hey! Stop!" Clayman pleaded for his life in a pathetic voice as Rimuru's hand stopped a few centimeters from his face as you two glared at him with cold eyes.

"Don't think your death will be painless. The brief moment you'll have before your soul dies will feel like an eternity." Rimuru muttered coldly as you summoned another blue flame in your hand as Clayman trembled in fear on his knees in front of you both.

"No! Don't! Don't do it! Spare me! Footman, help me... Tear...I can't die yet! Not here!" Clayman cried as he flopped backwards on the ground and tried crawling away. "H-Help me, Lord Kazalim!" Clayman cried out in terror for his master as you aimed your flame towards him.

"Nuclear Embrace." You shot the blue flame toward his back as Clayman cried out in terrible pain while his body was being burned and scorched.

"Beelzebub." Rimuru unleashed his ultimate skull as a dark smoke completely engulfed him with the flames as he would continue to burn even in death as the flames and his body were slowly disintegrating and mixing as one while being destroyed.

"Laplace...You were right. It appears I've gone a bit too far. " Clayman thought as his face was being rendered to ash while being swallowed into the void that lived within Rimuru. "I should have just laid low, as you told me to." He thought as his entire body was completely destroyed and swallowed up by Rimuru. "Truly, you are always right..." Were his final thoughts as he and the flames that would burn him for eternity were completely swallowed up and Clayman was no longer a part of this world as the only remnant of him was the broken mask that fell off before he died.

Rimuru clenched his fist as you two shared a nod with one another before Guy suddenly began clapping his hands at the amazing show he had just witnessed.

"Well done. As of this day, you are acknowledged as a Demon Lord. Are there any who object?" Guy asked in the case of Rimuru.

"I knew Rimuru could do it if anyone could! Ehe!" Ramiris said as she floated over to you both and you two stared at her in wonder. "I wouldn't mind calling you two my disciples if you want!" Ramiris offered as Rimuru quickly waved his hand.

"Oh, we're good on that. Get someone else to be your disciple." Rimuru denied with a smile as you nodded in agreement.

"Aw, why!? Can't you just agree to be my disciples?!" Ramiris pouted and whined as you two grew awkward faces as Milim popped in with a cute pose.

"Huhu! Rimuru and Y/N are already my besties! They don't wanna be friends with you!" Milim teased the pixie as she was overcome with shock.

"What?! Lies! Hey, Rimuru! She's lying, right?!" Ramiris said on the verge of tears as Milim laughed.

"Wahaha! You're not part of the group, Ramiris!" Milim said while playing with her toy gloves.

"What?!" Ramiris yelled as she flew over in front of Milim's face and tried kicking her. "Hup! Hup! And...hup!" Ramiris yelled while trying to kick Milim, but the Dragonoid dodged with a smile as she got around and grabbed her from behind before tickling her and making Ramiris cry out in laughter.

"Sounds fine to me." Deeno said with no real care for the topic.

"Hmph. I don't care who becomes a Demon Lord. He can do as he likes." Leon said as he was stood next to Guy.

"Hmph. Personally, it absolutely galls me to recognize a lowly slime as a Demon Lo--!" The Vampire, Valentine was about to voice his opinion, but was interrupted by a hearty laugh.

"GUAAHAHAHAHA!" Veldora suddenly laughed humorously as he floated himself over and unleashed some of his aura in front of the vampire. "You dare insult me, you buffoon?" He spoke down to the vampire before suddenly turning his head to Valentine's stoic maid. "Hey, Milis! Your attendant isn't very well-disciplined! Shall I educate him?" Veldora asked as you were confused and Rimuru was baffled.

"Huh? Why is Veldora talking to that maid like she's the one in charge of that Demon Lord?" You asked with a raised brow.

"Whoa, whoa! What is that old fart doing?!" Rimuru thought in confusion and shock.

"Whatever are you talking about? I am Demon Lord Valentine's loyal maid." The heterochromia maid said with a gentle, yet strict tone.

"Eh?" Veldora hummed and leaned his head towards her in confusion as his aura dissipated.

"Hey, stop! Valentine is disguised as a maid to hide her identity! Veldora, you can't say things like that!" Milim flew over and said out loud with an innocent smile as your mother walked over and nodded affirmatively in agreement.

"She just said it!" You and Rimuru thought in disbelief as the maid in question glared towards the three of them with an unnerving stare.

"Huh? Ah..." Milim realized what she had done as she nervously turned away while trying to whistle, only letting out strange noises of air.

"Tch. Blasted Evil Dragon and Chaotic Gojira. Have you two forgotten my name, as well?" The maid walked forward as she spoke in a greatly irritated tone.

"It's not Milis?" Veldora said in confusion as Milim tried floating away sneakily.

"I got no excuse, so yeah, I forgot your name." Your mother shrugged as you face-palmed at her brutish behavior.

"Um, Smith? Or was it Ills?" Veldora said as he tried remembering her name, but came up with even worse ones as she seemed to be getting angrier.

"You really are experts at being irritating." The maid said as her Demon Lord powers came forth and her clothing changed. "Enough! You will call me Valentine!" She proclaimed in annoyance as she dawned a new style of dress.

"Hey...Do you think she has a magical girl transformation? You know, where they go 'Henshin!' and stuff like that?" You whispered to Rimuru while doing strange poses as he punched you on the top of the head.

"Shut up!" Rimuru whispered back in annoyance as you stared at him like a sad puppy and your tail drooped while he turned back towards her in perplexment. "So...this maid was the actual Demon Lord?" He thought as the true Demon Lord turned towards her disguised servant.

"Roy, you may precede me in returning." This newly dressed Demon Lord ordered her subordinate as he came over to her.

"But, Lady Luminous..." The one named Roy spoke in unsureness as the one he called Luminous sighed in exasperation while placing her hands on her hips irritatingly.

"Now that my identity has been revealed to all these people, there is no point in concealing it any longer." Luminus said as she shot an annoyed glare towards Veldora.

"Well, it's not my fault. I didn't know. Also, it was 'Luminus'. Right, right." Veldora muttered as he floated away while scratching the side of his head.

"Also, there is one thing I am curious about. When Clayman looked at you, he froze, if only for an instant." Luminus said as this perplexed Roy. "He may have something to do with the insect who intruded in my domain recently. Return and tell them to strengthen the guard." Luminus ordered as Roy bowed his head.

"Understood." Roy said as he turned around to leave through the portal they entered, leaving his Demon Lord to handle things on her own.

"Oh, I knew the name 'Kazalim' sounded familar. He's the Demon Lord I killed." Leon said in a nonchalant tone as Milim flew over to him.

"You know him, Leon?!" Milim said in excitement.

"I'm more amazed that you don't know him." Rimuru thought in awe of Milim not knowing a fellow Demon Lord. "What does this Kazalim have to do with Clayman?" Rimuru asked in wonder.

"Kazalim is the Curse Lord." Carrion answered as he stood by you two.

"Curse Lord?" You said in wonder as Carrion turned to Milim.

"Milim. You and Kazalim recommended me as a Demon Lord, remember?" Carrion said as Milim activated her brain to try and remember such an event, really racking her brains as she shifted in strange positions in the air before it finally hit her. "Oh! That's who you meant! Ahehe! I do remember the Curse Lord! That's right! He was the Demon Lord you killed, Leon!" Milim said as you smiled awkwardly.

"He just said that..." You muttered in amazement of Milim's antics.

"Yes. If I recall, Kazalim was also a Deathman, just like Clayman. I'm sure they were connected somehow behind the scenes." Carrion explained as this was food for thought.

"If Kazalim was also a Deathman, is it possible he pretended to be killed by Leon and went to hide somewhere?" Rimuru surmised a possibility.

"That is possible. He was much sharper and more cautious than Clayman." Carrion said as Leon felt a bit insulted from the words being tossed around in front of him.

"I don't appreciate you saying it like I let him get away." Leon spoke up as you all looked to him in wonder. "All I did was defeat him and take his status for myself. Whether he's still alive or not is of no concern to me." Leon said.

"You know, that attitude of yours is probably why Clayman hated you." Carrion commented as Leon huffed in amusement at the claim.

"Hm. I don't care." Leon huffed without care of the topic.

"Some of Clayman's buddies were a group called the Moderate Harlequin Alliance. They implied that some of the people helping them were humans, so there's a chance that Kazalim came back and possessed a human as a disguise." Rimuru further reinforced the possibility as Guy seemed to like the way Rimuru thought.

"That may be correct. Leon's attacks destroy the mind as well as the body. It might even be worth commending Kazalim for surviving that. Besides, that was far too quick a resurrection." Guy explained as you got the gist of what he was implying.

"So you think he had aid from another individual or party?" You said in wonder while putting your hand to your chin in thought as behind you, Iris held her sister as the young Ghidorah tried reaching out for your tail with her heads as she giggled in amusement.

"That is what I mean." Guy confirmed as this was unsettling a little for you and Rimuru.

"Well, in any case, We'll assume Kazalim came back and remain vigilant. He'll probably have it in for us since we killed Clayman." Rimuru explained as you nodded in agreement, but suddenly Milim appeared behind you both and gave you two a firm punch in yours shoulders as you two lunged forward in shock.

"W-What was that for, Milim?" You asked in confusion while rubbing your shoulder.

"Ahaha! Rimuru, Y/N, you're a lot stronger than him now, so you have nothing to worry about!" Milim exclaimed as you two stared at one another nervously, knowing how such a saying could bring about bad karma.

"That kind of complacency is what leads to defeat!" Rimuru scolded Milim as she came up to you with stars in her eyes.

"Anyway, you look so cool, Y/N! Super cool!" Milim exclaimed while zooming around you as you awkwardly smiled.

"Thanks, Milim..." You said as she hopped on your back and began hitting you on the head with her dragon gloves as you moved around in annoyance while she clung and played with you while Rimuru was deep in thought.

"That's right. We can't get complacent. It'd be one thing if it was just me..." Rimuru thought as he looked up at you as Milim toyed with you and you just stood there taking it all. "...but I have friends I need to protect now." Rimuru thought as he still harbored feeling of putting your own safety before his own, still feeling it was his fault you went through all this in the first place since day one of reincarnating.

After a few minutes of cleaning things up and getting chairs arranged in order, a new table was summoned as you sat next to Rimuru and the maids were distributing cups of tea for everyone to enjoy. Shion stood next to Iris as she played with her younger sister and the humanoid Ghidorah allowed her to do so while Malenia and Veldora sat in boredom as no more exciting fights were going to break out from now on. With the issue of Clayman being resolved, Guy was the first to speak as he would be taking lead of this banquet from now on.

"Now, the topics of this meeting were to be Carrion's betrayal and the rise of Rimuru here, but those matters are taken care of. I would now like to bring up a new matter, being the topic of our guests Y/N here, who made a sudden appearance and achieved feats beyond our spectrum of thoughts." Guy said as he gestured to you with his wine glass as you smiled awkwardly.

"H-Hello..." You awkwardly waved as a few of the Demon Lords didn't give you a reaction at all. "Tough crowd, huh?" You muttered to Rimuru as he just shrugged his shoulders awkwardly at you.

"Y/N, do you intend on declaring yourself as a Demon Lord?" Guy asked you in curiosity.

"Hmm....I don't really have any interest in ruling as one." You said honestly as he stared across the table at you with his calm smile.

"Why not? Some of us would claim that what you did here today were close to that of an miracle created by a God. Shouldn't you be excited about having such power? Don't you wish to rule your own domain?" Guy asked as you shook your head.

"This power was just something I gained along the way of trying to live a comfy life with my people. I don't care too much for any such titles like a Demon Lord or God, and I already get enough from those who chose to follow under me and Rimuru. Now that he's been recognized as a Demon Lord, I feel like taking on a similar title would be too much of a hassle. So, while I think it is a nice position to have, I don't think it's the position for me." You explained to Guy as he raised his brow with interest.

"So you're intent on living a more modest life style rather than ruling as a Demon Lord?" Guy asked as you nodded and grinned.

"Yeah. Being a Demon Lord sounds like a lot of work, so I'll leave that to my buddy here!" You said while wrapping an arm around Rimuru as he glared at you.

"Huh?! So you're just going to shove all the work on me?" Rimuru complained.

"Sorry! Good luck!" You apologized while sticking your tongue out as Rimuru ground his teeth while glaring at you in annoyance.

"Hahahaha." Guy laughed as you two turned back towards him. "After seeing the things you accomplished today, I feel that answer fits you perfectly." He said as he glanced over at Iris behind you. "And you? You've been evolved into a True Demon Lord, do you intend on claiming such benefits that come with the title?" He asked as she finished handing her sister over to Shion who played with the little Ghidorah in her arms.

"I only wish to follow the path that my King intends on following." Iris answered as you slouched awkwardly.

"Um...Could you not use 'King' when referring to me?" You asked her.

"I understand, my Lord." Iris switched honorifics as you sighed and slouched in your chair, seeing you weren't going to escape any titles those who followed you would give to you.

"Okay. Then that settles that matter. However, I will grant you two the privilege of attending any meetings moving forward, seeing as you two are Demon Lords without doubt. Is that fair?" Guy asked as you two nodded at him. "Okay. Now that this matter has been settled, would anyone like to add anything else?" Guy asked around the room as there was silence for a few moments before Frey suddenly raised her hand.

"May I?" Frey asked as everyone's attention turned to her. "This is not so much a suggestion as a request, though." Frey asked as Guy swirled the wine in his glass around gently.

"Go ahead." Guy allowed her to speak what she wished.

"I've just decided that I'm going to serve Milim." Frey proclaimed as Milim stood up in surprise and shock.

"Huh?!" Milim gasped cutely in confusion.

"What?" Daggrull said in disbelief.

"Uh, wha?" Deeno was even awakened in surprise as he stared at Frey in awe as she flashed everyone a smile while waving.

"I therefore relinquish my status as Demon Lord." Frew declared as Guy seemed to have some qualms about this decision.

"Well, this is rather sudden." Guy said skeptically as Milim slammed her hands on the table in shock.

"Wait, Frey! This is the first I've heard of this!" Milim complained as Frey had a calm and collected look on her face.

"Yes, because I didn't tell you." Frey said before growing a gentle smile on her face. "Well, I have several reasons. But the top reason is that I believe I'm too weak to be a Demon Lord. Especially after witnessing the miracles conducted by Y/N and his power. Watching the battle today and Y/N create a new Demon Lord with his own hands convinced me of that. Had I been fighting Clayman, we would have been evenly matched at best. Against an awakened Clayman, I wouldn't have stood a chance." She said with a content face as the others stared at her with concern.

"But, Frey, aren't high-speed battles in the air your specialty? I see no reason for you to put yourself down so much." Daggrull said in defense of Frey's specialties and skills.

"If I were fighting someone in the air, I would have the advantage, but today I learned that simply having the advantage is not always enough." Frey said as she stared over at you and Rimuru with a content smile before glancing over at Iris. "Also, I think that advantage of mine was just taken by our newly reborn friend over here." She said as Iris awkwardly turned away as Frey stared at her with no envy or jealousy at the fact as she could sense how much more stronger Iris had become now over her. "And, Milim, you can't just continue to make selfish demands forever, right?" She said while glancing over at Milim as the Dragonoid stood awkwardly. "Shouldn't you start thinking about how to manage your own domain? Well? Will you accept my proposal?" She asked as Milim was unsure about all of this.

"B-But...It's not my style to have people under my rule..." Milim said as she leaned around with a bashful blush on her cheeks. "I'm not sure that's...w-well..." Milim was muttering nervously at the thought, but this time someone else interrupted.

"Wait just a minute." Carrion spoke up as he stood from his seat and garnered everyone's attention this time. "If that's what we're talking about, there's something I'd like to say, too. I also fought Milim one-on-one and lost. So I believe I should submit to her completely." Carrion admitted with a humble smile as this was beyond shocking to Milim.

"Huh?!" Milim gasped in disbelief and staggered back a step.

"Fufu~!" Ramiris cheered her on for being so popular at this moment as Carrion walked around Daggrull and towards the Dragonoid.

"On that note, I'm your subordinate as of today." Carrion said as he placed a hand on Milim's shoulder, making her flinch. "Countin' on ya, boss!" He shot her a toothy grin and thumbs up as she couldn't handle all of this.

"Wait a minute, Carrion! I only fought you because I was being controlled! I don't know a thing about it! Not a thing!" Milim waved her arms around and flailed in a panic as she didn't want such responsibility over those two.

"Didn't ya say the whole thing was an act to trick Clayman, meanin' you did everythin' on purpose?" Malenia called out as Milim gasped in despair.

"That's right! Don't play dumb! While Malenia went, 'Did you really think my daughter... Milim, could be controlled with such a dull piece of jewelry?', you stood right next to her with a big ol' smile while nodding along with her! We all saw you clearly!" Carrion said as he got her and Milim turned away nervously and awkwardly, knowing that was in fact true.

"...You called her your daughter?" You asked with a raised brow as you glanced at your mother.

"I-I was caught up in the moment while we were playing..." Malenia giggled awkwardly while scratching the back of her head.

"Well, I don't care about that musclebrain, but you'll accept me, won't you, Milim?" Frey said while standing from her chair as Carrion looked at her in irritation of the insult, while Milim looked at her nervously.

"A-Are you saying this to try to trick me or something?" Milim asked as Frey was confused by this.

"Trick you?" Frey said in wonder of what Milim meant.

"I mean, if you were my subordinate, you wouldn't talk to me as a friend anymore, would you?" Milim spoke of her worries of what she think would happen if she accepted her as an underling as she grew a sad look on her face. "And you wouldn't play with me or cook up naughty schemes with me anymore." She said with a sad tone as Frey shook her head while smiling.

"No, I'd be able to stay with you all the time, so we could do even more fun things together." Frey said as Milim was surprised at this revelation, feeling a bit more interested now.

"Besides..." Carrion spoke up as Milim turned to see him towering over her with a devious grin as his eyes burned with payback. "This is happening because you ruined our kingdom. You're obligated to take care of us now." Carrion said as Milim bit her lip nervously and went into a cold-sweat from the pressure Carrion was putting on her before she couldn't take it anymore blew up.

"UWAAAAAHHH!!! FINE!! JUST DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!!" Milim caved under the pressure as she rolled around and flailed on the floor like a child who lost an argument as Carrion and Frey were satisfied over the victory they claimed on Milim as they officially became her subordinates.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Guy asked Carrion with a small smile on his face.

"I did put a lot of thought into this. Of course, I'm not saying I'll no longer be the king of the Animal Kingdom. I just want to come up with a new order that puts her at the top. Whoa there..." Carrion finished as he caught a mentally exhausted Milim by her shoulders as she stumbled around mentally tired.

"I quite liked you, you know. I had high hopes that, given a few more centuries, you would awaken." Guy said as he took a brief sip of wine before turning back to Carrion. "Very well. As of this moment, Frey and Carrion are no longer Demon Lords. As you wish, the two of you are free to serve Milim." Guy ultimately accepted their request with a content smile on his face as the two of them smiled in satisfaction while Milim stood nervously with her ahoge twitching around before she slumped over in mental exhaustion.

"That means...the Ten Great Demon Lords are now the Eight Great Demon Lords, right?" Rimuru muttered as all the remaining official Demon Lords took notice of this issue as they seemed slightly embarrassed of this fact in their own way.

"Hey, you can't just say such a thing! Look at them!" You scolded Rimuru as he realized what he did.

"Ah, sorry!" Rimuru said as he stood up and bowed his head up and down repeatedly.

"How unfortunate. As a matter of dignity, we shall have to come up with a new name." Daggrull said as he wore an awkward smile on his face while avoiding eye contact.

"Fortunately for us, we are still in the midst of Walpurgis. All the Demon Lords are present, so I'm sure we can come up with some good insight." Luminus said while not showing any real care for such a thin.

"We went though hell over that last time. We had to hold Walpurgis over and over to decide a name." Deeno said as he remembered the frustrating times of the past as you and Rimuru were shocked of their past reasons for holding such a banquet.

"You hold Walpurgis over a mundane issue like that?" Rimuru said in disbelief. "Do Demon Lords have nothing better to do?" Rimuru thought in wonder as Veldora's ears perked up from hearing the topic as he paused playing with Iris's little sister.

"Oh? You're talking about naming? If that's the case, my friends Rimuru and Y/N are experts!" Veldora put you both on the spot as you snapped your neck back towards him.

"WAIT! VELDORA! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!" You screamed in shock.

"UWEH!?" Rimuru gasped nervously.

"That's right! Rimuru came up with my Beretta's name in no time!" Ramiris spoke of the time Rimuru successfully named the Greater Demon.

"It's true. Great Rimuru and Great Y/N are excellent at naming! Y/N gave the beautiful name of 'Mai' to one of my closest friends!" Shion said proudly as you gasped in despair.

"HEY!!!!" You and Rimuru yelled at them in disbelief of how much faith they had in you two in terms of coming up with names as Guy placed his glass down on the table.

"Rimuru, Y/N, you stand before us today as new Demon Lords." Guy spoke up as he stood from his seat and gestured towards you two elegantly with his hands. "I would like to grant you both this magnificent privilege." Guy said as you two instantly switched to your businessmen default replies to a scenario like this.

"Oh, we don't need it. Thanks anyway." You and Rimuru said with your hands raised as Guy held his kind smile at you both.

Without uttering a single word or loosening the kind smile he had on his face, Guy slowly raised his arm up and brought it down on the table, tapping it with a gentle chop technique that made a small noise through the hall. In an instant, all the other Demon Lords suddenly scooted their chairs away from the table as you two looked at them in confusion before a line suddenly appeared in the middle of the circular furniture and ended near you two, and within a second, the table split cleanly in half as you two gasped in shock while clinging to one another in fear. Rimuru was sat in your lap and you had your arms wrapped around him as you both stared at the table in shock of how clean the split was.

"But of course. I bestow upon you two the right to assign us our new name." Guy said as he walked down the path he created that isolated you two and him as he extended out his hands and got really close.

Both you and Rimuru grew extremely nervous when Guy suddenly placed a hand on your cheek and one on Rimuru's as he moved himself to sit on both yours and Rimuru's lap.

"This is a tremendous honor. You will accept it, of course, will you not?" Guy said while getting a gentle hold of Rimuru's chin and looking him closely eye to eye, making Rimuru extremely nervous with how intimate he was getting. "And may I remind you, it is because of you two that we have fewer Demon Lords now." He said as Guy traced his arm down your chest before he planted it firmly on your thigh, giving you a nice squeeze as you yelped from the touch and he leaned his head between you both to whisper into your ears. "You will, of course, assume the responsibility of coming up with a name for us, yes?" He whispered before suddenly biting Rimuru on the ear, making him squeak in shock as he did the same to you, making you tremble in disbelief as you two stared at him mortified.

"A-All right, all right, jeez...But don't blame us if you don't like it." Rimuru said as Guy released you both and stood up.

"Good." Guy said as he turned around and walked away, making you two sigh in relief that he was done with such bold acts before you two realized your position and Rimuru jumped back to his own seat and you two had bashful blushes on your faces as the other Demon Lords nodded in agreement and Guy took his seat with his drink.

"H-Hey, what do we do?" You leaned over and whispered to Rimuru with your hand cupped around your mouth.

"I don't know...Do you have any ideas?" Rimuru leaned over to you with a whisper as he did the same thing and cupped his hand around his mouth.

"Well, there's eight of you guys so it should probably have to do with that number. I don't know what goes good with eight though..." You admitted as Rimuru closed his eyes in thought before looking up at the starry ceiling above you two.

"Huh? Hey, do you remember what an eight-pointed star was?" Rimuru asked as you raised your brow.

"Huh? I failed astrology class that one semester we tried it in college, remember." You reminded him as he face palmed at your response.

"Let's see...If I remember, an eight-pointed star is an octagram, right?" Rimuru thought before he leaned closer to whisper in your ear.

The Demon Lords watched as you nodded to Rimuru as he closed his hands around your ear and continued whispering. You would do this a few more times before you and Rimuru looked at one another in agreement and gave one last nod before turning to them all.

"We've made a decision." You announced as the Demon Lords stared at you two expectedly.

"How about 'Octagram', meaning the Eight-Star Demon Lords?" Rimuru asked as there wasn't an immediate response as Guy put his free hand to his chin in wonder and the other Demon Lords took a moment to think it over.

"I LIKE IT!" Milim suddenly screamed out as you yelped in fear thinking they had attacked you two over disliking the name. "That's a win! It's the coming of a new age!" Milim yelled with a cheery smile.

"Hey, Milim! Don't just suddenly yell like that! I thought I was going to have a heart attack!" You yelled back at Milim as you were huffing panicked breaths and tried calming down.

"I knew it! I knew Rimuru and Y/N could do it if anyone could!" Ramiris sang yours and Rimuru's praises.

"Now I can see why Veldora recommended you two." Daggrull said as he wore an impressed smile on his face.

"Hm...I suppose it will do. I shall allow you a bit of recognition." Luminu said with as she was somewhat impressed herself at the name and smiled a little.

"Wow, that was quick. Why did we put ourselves through so much hell last time?" Deeno complained as he wished you two were there for the previous meetings for coming up with names.

"No complaints form me." Leon said with his stoic face as usual.

"Heh. Very well. 'Octagram: The Eight-Star Demon Lords' it is." Guy approved of the name as he stood up and all the other Demon Lords followed suit.

You walked around and stood behind Rimuru since you weren't included in this official count as Rimuru took his stand and joined the Demon Lord circle in celebrating the new name for themselves. Rain walked forward to make things official as she would take role once again, using this new title for everyone.

"Then I shall once again introduce Octagram, the Eight-Star Demon Lords." Rain announced as she began with the red Demon Lord himself, Guy. "Demon, the Lord of Darkness: Guy Crimson." Rain said before gesturing to the pixie in the room. "Pixie, the Labyrinth: Ramiris." She announced Ramiris before turning the energetic Dragonoid who wore her toy gloves with pride. "Dragonoid, the Destroyer: Milim Nava." She introduced Milim before turning to the tallest man in the room. "Giant, the Earthquake: Daggrull." She introduced the burly man before turning to the lolita-dressed vampire in the room. "Vampire, the Queen of Nightmares: Luminus Valentine." She introduced the intimidating woman before turning to the sleepy head amongst everyone. "Fallen, the Sleeping Ruler: Deeno." She called on the lazy lad before looking to the stoic one of the group. "Demonoid, the Platinum Saber: Leon Cromwell." She announced as there was one last person to call on as you smiled and looked at Rimuru. "Slime, the Newbie: Rimuru Tempest." She announced as all Demon Lords were present and accounted for in this new group of powerful beings. "This concludes the introductions." Rain ended as you were the first to applaud all of them.

"To Octagram! The Eight-Star Demon Lords!" You proclaimed them all as all the subordinates of the Demon Lords broke out in applause as well.

"Congratulations, Octagram." Treyni congratulated them.

"Congratulations." Berretta praised them.

"Congratulations, Great Rimuru!" Shion congratulated him as Ranga howled in glory of such a celebration.

"Now then, to commemorate such a occasion, I invite you all to take your seats, for a feast has been prepared." Guy said as the serious part of Walpurgis had finally come to an end, and it was time to enjoy a nice meal with your fellow Demon Lords, putting this entire war to and end as victory was claimed for you and Rimuru, and all of Tempest.