"What are you doing here, Milim?!" You and Rimuru said in unison as the Destroyer flashed you two a cheeky grin while placing her dragon-gloved hands on her hips.

"It seemed like you two were up to something interesting so I came to see! And you tried to leave me out?" Milim suddenly pouted while glaring at you both as she sped over to you two in an instant, making you two flinch when she was now a foot away. "You have some nerve, Rimuru! Y/N!" She said to you both.

"Hey, wait now..." You said in an awkward tone while gesturing for her to calm down.

"Look--!" Rimuru was about to explain things from yours and his perspective, but before he could, Veldora interrupted seeing that his brother's daughter had arrived.

"Milim, eh? Clearly, a child like you, can't yet to comprehend the sublime nature of the work we adults are doing. This is no game. Don't try to interfere!" Veldora boasted with a smug grin as Ramiris included herself in the conversation with a cheeky look on her face.

"What Master said! We're working here, and you just have nothing better to do, so you can scram!" Ramiris said as she floated closer towards Milim while shooing her away with her hand, but grunted and gasped in shock when Milim caught her with both her dragon-gloved hands.

"What 'something interesting' are you talking about?" Rimuru asked in confusion of what Milim was hinting at while Ramiris squirmed and struggled to break free. 

"We were working on a huge festival because of the letter you sent to us." You said as you pulled out the letter from your back pocket to remind her as she perked up and unintentionally let Ramiris slip away as she looked to you both with surprise.

"What? You didn't ignore my letter, then?" Milim said in surprise before your hand was placed on her head and she stared up at you while you smiled at her.

"Of course we wouldn't. This festival is gonna be such a big event and we're planning to invite other Demon Lords to it. There's no way we can meet things half-way on this project." You explained as Milim was staring at you both with the brightest smile on her face.

"Excuse me, Rimuru! Y/N! I'm a Demon Lord, too!" Ramiris suddenly interjected in frustration as you both looked towards her. "I'm part of Octagram just like you and Milim! No offense, Y/N." Ramiris calmed down for that last part as you just waved it off nonchalantly.

"Yeah, but you just moved in here before I had a chance to invite you." Rimuru explained why she didn't receive an invite, but this bit of information shocked the little Dragonoid next to you two.

"What?! What do you mean, she 'moved in'?! Don't tell me you're living with Rimuru and Y/N now, Ramiris!" Milim demanded answers from Ramiris with a fierce tone coming from her mouth as Rimuru let out a confused hum.

"That's right! I didn't even need an invitation! I've graduated from the solo life, and now I'm living with Rimuru and Y/N!" Ramiris acted the part of a cute and pure maiden with a bright smile on her face as this explanation shook Milim to the core with shock as Ramiris laughed like a princess and you noticed Milim's toy claws reaching out for you and Rimuru as she grabbed you both with one hand and violently shook you two.

"No fair! That's no fair! I want to live with you two, too!" Milim began having a temper tantrum as her flailing of your body made you froth at the mouth and fall unconscious while Rimuru was yelling from his brain being rattled.

"Hah! I'm working here, I'll have you know! I'm helping these two, so I'm not just some pesky visitor like you!" Ramiris was rubbing in all her new blessings from moving into Tempest as Milim stopped shaking you both to glare at Ramiris.

"Say what?! How dare you say something like that to me?!" Milim raged as she dropped you both and went after Ramiris, trying to catch her between her toy claws as Ramiris floated away and evaded multiple times.

"Atta girl, Milim! Don't take that kinda attitude layin' down!" Malenia cheered on Milim with a hearty laugh as Milim chased after Ramiris through the room.

"That is quite enough." Everyone heard, except you because you were unconscious, as they turned to see Shuna and Mai arrived as they carried a freshly baked cake and tea for everyone to snack on. "Anyone who's fighting..." Shuna trailed off.

"...Doesn't get a snack." Mai finished their warning as this shocked Ramiris, Milim, and Malenia before they all straightened themselves out with nervous smiles.

"W-We're the best of friends." Milim said while reaching her left toy claw across her body for Ramiris as the Pixie touched one of the claws with a nervous smile as well. "Right?" The two of them said in unison as they floated down and Malenia gently placed her hands on both their heads.

"I sure raised these two to be upstanding role models. As expected of my girls. Ahaha...haaa..." Malenia laughed nervously as Mai and Shuna gave them questioning looks with cute pouts as they ultimately collapsed to their knees before the two girls.

"Well done, you two." Rimuru said with a thumbs up as you were slung around his body letting out gurgle noises.

After waking you back up and having a nice quick snack break thanks to the baking skills of Shuna and Mai, you were all gathered around the table again with empty plates of cake and barren tea cups as all the snacks were swiftly finished. Milim was sat in Malenia's lap for some odd reason as she felt relaxed and nice in the motherly arms of the Gojira mother.

"Give me a job to do, too!" Milim asked excitedly while rocking back and forth in Malenia's lap while your mother just let her be while patting her on the head.

"Are your subordinates okay wit this, though? You got permission from Carrion-san and Frey-san, right?" Rimuru asked as her excited nature was quickly snuffed out and she flinched from the mention of those two while a nervous look filled her face.

"Yeah, well..." Milim said with a low tone while her little ahoge hair bounced nervously, signifying that she did no such thing. "I mean, I'm just so brilliant, you know? It's not like I ran away because I didn't want to study!" Milim said while wagging her toy claw around as you two were staring at her intensely with judging and questioning eyes.

"NO! I'M GONNA BE PART OF THIS, AND YOU TWO CAN'T STOP ME!" Milim whined while slamming her toy claws on the table.

"Okay. You're the one who'll get chewed out for it, so we'll put that aside." Rimuru said with a confident smile as he had waited for that moment, making Milim flinch as she realized she now had no choice but to take responsibility if she was caught. "Dragons! We need dragons! To go back on what you said earlier, you can capture some dragons and bring them here for us? Can you really do that?" He asked the trembling and nervous Milim who was sweating bullets from the possible trouble she would get in with Frey for sneaking away.

"Am I really gonna get chewed out?" Milim thought nervously as she was in a severe cold sweat before shaking her head frantically. "No, I can't help that! Danger is just part of being on an adventure, after all!" She resolved herself with a nervous smile as she chose to cast aside any worries of being in trouble for later as she sprung out of Malenia's lap with excitement. "Dragons, is it? I most certainly can capture them. In fact, why don't I go capture some myself?" Milim said with confidence while pounding her chest firmly with her toy claw.

"I'll tag along with her. We'll get those dragons in no time!" Malenia said as she and Milim shared a high five and smile with one another.

"Don't cause the dragons too much trouble." You warned them while finishing your last sip of tea.

"Yes, sir!" Milim and Malenia responded in unison as they were off to complete their task.

After managing to convince you and Rimuru to let her stay, Milim quickly got to work with your mother as they managed to capture and bring back the needed dragons in very short time. An Earth Dragon, Wind Dragon, Ice Dragon, and a Fire Dragon, these were the four dragons that they captured which would be enough to suffice for the Dungeon to have the elemental effects you and Rimuru desired. Once they were set loose to inhabit their own floors and with Veldora's magicules flooding the entire dungeon, monsters were quick to spawn and populate the various nooks and crannies of the structure, and the traps you all came up with were made with great progress. Milim was having fun testing some of the traps out with Ramiris and Malenia as she giggled while dodging the steel thread floor trap they were testing for one of the rooms before testing a toxic chest that didn't effect Milim, but left Ramiris nauseous for a while. After nearly finishing the dungeon and making sure that things in other parts of Tempest were moving along smoothly in time for the festival, Rimuru wanted to hold a meeting with everyone to discuss with all your subordinates about their own respective projects they've been working on. You all gathered in the meeting hall once again and took your places around the table as Rimuru kicked things off.

"Okay, let's have you all report on the progress of your respective projects." Rimuru said as he was sat next to you in his slime form and Rigurd was the first to raise his hand and speak.

"My Lords, there is one thing I would like to discuss." Rigurd brought up a point that was different from today's planned meeting, intriguing you both.

"What is it, Rigurd?" You asked as you looked at him with wonder.

"Representatives of all species living in the Great Forest of Jura have already begun to assemble in the city." Shuna informed you both as Rigurd followed on her statement.

"They wish to congratulate Great Rimuru on his appointment as Demon Lord...or perhaps to see your power for themselves. Their goal is to swear their loyalty to a Demon Lord and earn his protection. But if they determine that said Demon Lord lacks power, they will quickly bare their fangs and become an insurgent force. Until now, the Great Forest of Jura has been kept safe by the divine protection of Lord Veldora and Queen Malenia, and now a new Demon Lord has assumed control over their inviolable domain." Rigurd explained the reasoning for residents of the Forest gathering in Tempest at the current time.

"I get it. The new Demon Lord's a rookie, and they don't know what he's like. It makes sense that they'd feel uneasy about it." Rimuru said as you leaned forward with your elbows on the table as you propped up with your hands underneath your chin.

"Would they really amount retaliation against a Demon Lord? Especially one that's seemingly taken over Veldora and Mother's domain?" You said in wonder as Mai, who was sat next to Shuna, gently clapped her hands as you all turned to her as the pair of girls smiled.

"Which is why we were hoping you would agree to a formal audience for them." Mai said as Shuna nodded encouragingly.

"A formal audience?" You and Rimuru said in unison before Mai and Shuna suddenly stood from their seats and hovered over Rimuru.

Within moments, Rimuru was now sat in his slime form with an awkward and mortified expression on his body as he wore a tiny little crown and a royal cloak around his body, meanwhile you were biting your tongue and looking away to avoid laughing. Everyone else looked at him with amazement and pleased looks as Shion was the first to comment on his little look.

"It suits you, Great Rimuru!" Shion said ecstatically.

"The audience will be held over the next three days, starting this afternoon. Do give it your best!" Shuna informed him with a bright smile.

"Diablo and Hakurou have not returned yet from Falmuth, and they were terribly vexed that they would miss seeing you at your finest!" Gabiru informed Rimuru of the feelings of those who were not home at this current time as he looked towards the Dragonewt.

"Well, they have Youm's coronation to deal with." Rimuru sighed while remembering the hurdles that Youm and his party must be jumping through right now.

"Yeah, with the old 'Falmuth' being forgotten to the past, a whole new nation is about to debut to the world. They must have their plates full over there." You said while placing your hands on your hips and giving Rimuru a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry, you're not the only one who has it rough, partner." You teased.

"Shut up. You don't have to do this because you weren't announced as a Demon Lord, but one of us had to be announced as one." Rimuru said in a cute, annoyed tone. "It's embarrassing, but I'll have to do the best I can." Rimuru thought to himself as he dedicated himself to fulfilling this task.

After learning of the arriving residents of the Forest, your nation was quick to prepare a welcoming ceremony where a grand red carpet would be laid out for those who wished to see Rimuru and swear their loyalty to him. Members of the Red Numbers and Goblin Riders were in attendance to display a portion of Tempest's military force along with guard the ceremony, while your closest subordinates were stood on a large stage with and behind Rimuru in line while he rested on a podium to receive all the visitors during their turns. Rimuru had your high ranking subordinates dress in their black officer's uniforms and stand at attention while various kinds of races walked down the long red carpet to see Rimuru himself. You, however, stood in line with the rest of your friends behind Rimuru wearing a black officer's uniform to play yourself off as just another high ranking member of Tempest's forces, and not the other leader of the nation. While you were stood at attention, you noticed Mai sneaking glances at you every so often with a small pink hue on her face.

"Is something wrong?" You whispered to her as she was surprised you caught her.

"Ah! U-Um...No, it's nothing. I just thought..." Mai fidgeted around in her spot a little as her blush grew a bit darker and she slowly turned her gaze back towards you. "...I think you remarkable, my Lord." Mai whispered back as your face slowly turned deep crimson and the two of you averted your gazes from one another, meanwhile Rimuru was able to hear you both and your shenanigans.

"He gets to have fun while I have to sit here dressed like this...It's frustrating!" Rimuru thought in frustration as he faced forward towards the long line of envoys that came to visit him. "Yeah, definitely embarrassing..." Rimuru thought as he was very nervous facing so many people he's never met before as Rigurd stepped forward to address all visitors.

"The formal audience will hereby begin!" Rigurd announce as the first to walk up the steps towards Rimuru was surprisingly a familiar face as you and your slime brother were surprised to see Abiru, Gabiru's father.

"Hey, it's Abiru!" Rimuru said with an ecstatic tone upon seeing your old friend from the Lizardman village as he and his escorts knelt before Rimuru.

"It is delightful to see you again, Great Rimuru. I'm so happy--that is, I am utterly delighted to be present for this momentous occasion." Abiru said with a respectful tone as he lowered his head before Rimuru.

"There's no need to be so formal. You're a fellow leader in our federation! I look forward to our continued friendship." Rimuru reassured Abiru with a friendly tone.

"That simply would not do." Abiru said as he felt that he didn't deserve to speak on such familiar terms with Rimuru.

"No, really. Gabiru's been doing great work for me. I have him in charge of development now. Right, Gabiru?" Rimuru outed Gabiru for his accomplishments ever since he had moved to Tempest.

"Huh?!" Gabiru gasped in shock and his face slowly became bright red with bashfulness before he stood at attention. "Yes!" He exclaimed like a little girl as he trembled in front of his father.

"Heh. My foolish son..." Abiru couldn't help but be amused and proud of how far his son had come along in life, meanwhile Gabiru's faithful trio of friends were peering from the side in secrecy with tears in their eyes.

"Sir Gabiru..." Yashichi muttered with amazed tears.

"I'm so glad he forgave him!" Kakushin's voice trembled with joy.

"Indeed!" Skellow agreed as the three of them watched Gabiru with faithful adoration.

"If I may ask, Great Rimuru..." Abiru spoke up as Rimuru turned to him in wonder. "Where is Great Y/N? I noticed he isn't with you." Abiru said as you and Rimuru tensed up from this question.

"A-Ahhh, he's not feeling well right now so I'm taking over this task myself to let him rest! I'll let you two meet another time. Ahaha..." Rimuru nervously chuckled as you nervously averted your eyes from Abiru to try and not draw attention.

"I see. I hope to see him soon and a fast recovery. I wish to thank him, as well, for being so kind to us in the past and since then." Abiru said as Rimuru just chuckled awkwardly as their turn was over.

After greeting Abiru and along with numerous amounts of envoys, the ceremony carried on all the way until the sun began to set. With the day nearing its end now, your subordinates decided that it was time to put a hold on the ceremony until the next day. Rigurd walked up to address those still waiting as he was going to announce the final call for the next group to meet with Rimuru.

"This is the last group of the day." Rigurd announced as the next group to step up were surprisingly Dryads, Treyni's sisters to be exact.

"Trya-san and Doris-san? Long time no see! How've you been?" Rimuru asked them in a friendly tone, but their looks seemed a bit concerned or saddened.

"Great Rimuru..." Trya was the first to speak up.

"We have an important matter to discuss." Doris continued as Rimuru was left wondering about what was going on with them, ultimately leading to the ceremony's end as they led Rimuru and all of you back into the labyrinth.

Heading back to labyrinth, you and Rimuru found yourselves back in front of Ramiris who was being pampered by the Dryads as they fed her snacks and praised her, meanwhile Beretta was hard at work preparing traps on the side. You watched with a raised brow as Ramiris was basking in Treyni and her sister's radiance of love and adoration.

"Ah, Lady Ramiris, you are truly lovely!" Doris praised the Pixie Demon Lord.

"As beautiful as ever, and wit just as much dignity. You are indeed worthy to be our master." Trya said as this piqued and surprised Ramiris's interest.

"You hear that? Hey, you heard that, right?!" Ramiris asked as she put her small snacks down and floated up and towards you and Rimuru, who returned to his humanoid form since you were all in a more comfortable setting. "You see me a little differently now, don't ya?!" She asked with a radiant smile beaming from her face.

"What are you gonna do, Ramiris? It's not just these two. All the Treants want to serve you." Rimuru said as this surprised Ramiris beyond her expectations and she was beginning to feel conflicted now as she turned to Treyni and her sisters. 

"But..." Ramiris didn't know how to feel now that she had to consider the situations all the Treants were in now because of her.

"Why don't you just have them move into your labyrinth?" You asked as this wasn't something that came to mind for Ramiris as she turned towards you two.

"Really?!" Ramiris asked if it was really okay to do such a thing. "I'll be ready by tomorrow, then! Expanding the labyrinth was a cinch with Master's help, and I feel like my powers got stronger, too! We have some open floors, so maybe we could make a jungle floor!" Ramiris exclaimed with glee as she flew around the room in joy.

"But as denizens of the Great Forest of Jura, should they not fall under Great Rimuru and Great Y/N's jurisdiction?" Treyni asked in wonder of who would be in charge and responsible of the Treants.

"The inside of this labyrinth is under the rule of Ramiris, in short, extraterritorial. Under those circumstances, I don't think either of us mind to much about it." You said as you looked to Rimuru who gave you a nod of agreeance as the Dryads in front of you were surprised before they stood up suddenly with grateful smiles.

"We, the Treants and Dryads, wish to be under Lady Ramiris's patronage." Doris requested kindly.

"We realize it a selfish request, but could we have your permission?" Trya asked kindly and hopefully as Rimuru gave you a confirming nod.

"Sure. Do as you please." You said and confirmed their wishes as Ramiris smiled brightly upon hearing she would be gaining more new friends and followers who would devote themselves to her.

"Yay!!!!" Ramiris shined brightly with joy as the Dryads smiled along with her.

After granting them their desires, Ramiris and the Dryads left the labyrinth and you all followed them to the outskirts of the forest where they were going to depart to inform the Treants and Dryads of the upcoming change.

"With such a lovely paradise built just for us, I'm sure our people will live very happily here." Trya said with excitement for their new home.

"Please allow us to return this favor." Tryeni insisted on showing gratefulness to you both for allowing such a wish as you and Rimuru already had something in mind.

"Okay, then, can we ask the Dryads to help us manage the labyrinth?" Rimuru asked as the smiled brightly at the request.

"That will be easy!" Doris said joyfully.

"Great!" Rimuru said as the day came to a close and it was time for everyone to get some rest and prepare for tomorrow's ceremony.

Whilst they went on their way into the forest and you were all preparing to head back to town for some R&R, you stopped in your tracks when the feeling that someone was staring at the back of your head came up on you. Turning around and looking to the trees around you, your eyes scanned to and your nose took a breath of the air to see if there was anyone or anything around you all, but you found that there was now nothing and the feeling of being watched had disappeared. Whilst you were on edge, Mai had noticed your behavior and came back to check on you.

"My Lord?" Mai called out as you turned to her. "Is something bothering you?" She asked as you noticed Rimuru and the others had stopped as well in reaction to your sudden mood change.

"No..." You said to her as you turned your head to glance back at the forest one last time. "...It's nothing." You said with a dismissive wave of your tail as you turned back to Mai held out your hand with a smile. "Let's go." You said as she blushed from the offer to hold your hand, but gladly took it as you lead her back to the others. 

"Y/N-kun, how bold~" Rimuru teased as you walked by, but your tail did not miss the chance to thwonk him on the top of his head as he groaned with a sad look on his face.

After leaving the outskirts of the forest and heading back to town, around the area you were scouting, the ground suddenly shifted and something was moving underground. In another spot among the trees, a single, long, bright red eye slowly shined as a glint of something metal shone in the leaves before disappearing into the forest once again as the sun had finally set and everyone went to bed to prepare for the next day. Once the new day had arrived and the time was finally right, Rimuru and the rest of you were back at it once again to handle the second day of the audience ceremony as your slime brother took his place on the podium once again, donning his little crown and royal robe with an exhausted expression on his slime form. Whilst he was waiting for the next group to come forward though, something strange happened instead that none of you were expecting.

"Get your people out of here!" You heard a rough and aggressive tone talk as two sets of footsteps could be heard stomping up the stairs of the stage and towards Rimuru.

"I'm impressed your people brought your ugly faces before the king." A slightly calmer, but equally conflicting and assertive tone responded to the first as you and Rimuru watched two groups of different monster races march up towards the podium.

"Haaaaagh?!" The first voice responded in aggressive confusion.

"Aaaaanghh?!" The second sounded off with equal raspy tone as Rimuru and your comrades were met with the pair of a Bovoid on the right, and Equinoid on the left.

"The first one of the day and we're already off to a great start..." You thought with an awkward smile on your face as the horned Bovoid turned to Rimuru.

"Hey, Demon Lord!" The Bovoid called out as Rimuru turned to him. "We'll be a lot more useful to you in battle! With us Bovoids on your side,  you'll have total authority over the forest! If we wipe out those Equinoid weaklings, there'll be no species in this forest that can top us!" The Bovoid said as the Equinoid envoy couldn't let such an insult slip by as he glared at his hated rival.

"They do have a few A-ranks among them. In terms of pure combat strength, they might be the strongest in the Great Forest of Jura." Rimuru thought as the Equinoid wasn't going to take this slander sitting.

"Hah! You fool!" The Equinoid scoffed as the Bovoid turned to him with a confused and irritated look. "He's a Demon Lord. He has better judgement than that." He said with a confident smirk before turning towards Rimuru. "You need not hesitate! Join forces with us Equinoids! We'll slaughter not only these Bovoids, but everyone who defies you!" He said with a confident tone as the Bovoid was even further enraged by this statement.

"They resemble a Minotaur from Greek mythology and if you give it some thought, they'd be perfect picks to be Dungeon Bosses. Though..." Your thoughts trailed off as you saw them at each other's throats once more with hatred for one another. "...They're only here to see who gets favored by us and want to use that excuse to cut the other one down. If they don't cut this out, this whole ceremony might turn into a brawl..." You thought before putting a link through with Rimuru. "Hey, partner." You called as Rimuru flinched and glanced back at you. "Better do something about this. I can already smell blood in the air before they start throwing swings at one another." You urged Rimuru to stop them as he turned back to the pair.

"Okay, this is a job for my Demon Lord Presence." Rimuru responded to you as he let out his Demon Lord aura, shocking everyone in the area as the escorts of both the Bovoid and Equinoid envoys panicked and scurried away in fear for their lives, but surprisingly, both envoys weren't affected and still inching towards one another, raring for a fight. "Huh?" Rimuru hummed in awkward confusion as you were surprised as well.

"Wow. Even in the presence of Rimuru's aura, they weren't affected at all and didn't lose focus on one another." You thought with a slightly impressed tone towards them.

"You two! How dare you behavor so insolently in our king's presence?!" Rigurd stepped in with an aggressive tone as he smacked his fist against his palm, ready to dish out punishment. "I, Rigurd, will remind you of where you stand!" Rigurd said to them, but startlingly enough, both the Bovoid and Equinoid envoy stepped towards Rigurd, directing their aggression towards him now.

"Where does a civil official get off talking to us like that?" The Bovoid said in anger.

"Some flunky of the Demon Lord has no business mouthing off to us!" The Equinoid said while clenching his fist towards Rigurd.

"They aren't even noticing the Demon Lord Presence? These guys are so hot-headed, they have zero ability to read a room." Rimuru thought before something strange happened as you and Rimuru both sensed the barrier surrounding Tempest had been breached. "Shuna's barrier broke?" Rimuru was surprised as everyone else was quick to notice as well.

"Is this..." Souei trailed off as he looked to the sky.

"Oh, great. This could be a pain." Benimaru exasperated while Shion had a slightly excited and raring look on her face as everyone could sense an ominous aura flowing through the area. 

"Hmph. I see no problem." Shion said with a smirk on her face as Mai and Shuna walked over to Rimuru's side.

"I'm sensing immense energy." Shuna informed Rimuru.

"Do you think it could be a majin?" Mai asked in wonder.

"It's not the presence of someone who wants to be friends." Rimuru said before hearing strange noises coming from in front of him, and to everyone's surprise, the two hot headed envoys were now flush of color and sweating in terror.

"Wh-What incredible power..." The Equinoid said tiredly as if he had fought a greatly intense battle.

"H-Hey, Demon Lord! Is some other Demon Lord attacking?!" The Bovoid asked nervously as Rimuru didn't exactly know how to respond to him now that he was so timid, but decided to shake it off.

"Hey, let's go--!" Rimuru was about to lead everyone off to investigate, but you raised your hand to him.

"There's no need." You said as Rimuru was confused while you just smiled and looked up at the sky as dark clouds began forming in the air. "The issue is about to be taken care of." You said as everyone looked to the sky.

Play (Video Also Located In Chapter Header At the Top)
Title: Knife to the Throat - Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Link: 

https://youtu.be/WmXKXHQO5Tk

Within moments of the barrier being broken, dark storm clouds formed in the air above as flashed and cracks of thunder and lighting fired off one after the other in the air. Moment later, an even more powerful aura had spread out through the entire area before a bright flash of light appeared in the sky, shocking everyone and terrifying the Bovoid and Equinoid envoys. Three massive pillars of light struck down on Tempest before an orb of light flew through each pillar and dissipated the strikes before heading suddenly flying over to the arena and crashing down. Moments later, another strike of bright yellow lightning struck down inside the arena before the clouds dispersed and the overwhelming aura dissipated. Rimuru and the others were speechless of what happened, and as your slime buddy turned towards you, all you gave him was a smile and gestured him to lead the way as he hopped off his pedestal and lead all of you off to check out what was happening. After running ahead while everyone followed behind him, Rimuru ran through the arena and into the VIP balcony that was under construction as the sounds of flesh being smashed and stone being cracked echoed through the whole arena. Leaning against the edge of the balcony, Rimuru was beyond shocked when he saw Iris standing in the center of the arena surrounded in by clouds of dust. Iris's boots echoed with each step as she walked towards a large person's silhouette in the dust who was saw on their rear end and hand towards her.

"W-Wait! Just wait--!" A male's voice was cut off when Iris reached down and grabbed their ankle tightly, squeezing it and electrifying them as they yelled in pain.

Without uttering a single noise, Iris lifted a large man out of the smoke and began to swing him over her head and smash him into the stage floor behind her. Everyone had finally caught up with Rimuru and watched in shock as Iris manhandled this intruder with ease as she repeatedly smashed him against the ground over and over, leaving small craters within the ground. Everyone got a good look at the man as he had a rounder, but very bulky and strong body build with short blonde hair and three markings on his face. He wore a sleeveless training top with separate rolled arm sleeves and black pants that was held in place with a white cloth belt and wore yellowish-brown shoes. Whilst Iris had slammed the intruder into the ground for the 27th time, two silhouettes rushed out of the dust clouds behind her and two more men appeared trying to rush at her. They were of slimmer builds compared to the person being manhandled, but were well-built with one of them having short mostly blue hair on their head with only a little bit of blonde on the other side of his head. This intruder with mixed hair wore similar clothing to the other, except separately attached sleeves were rolled down. The third and final attacker instead chose to hang his training top around his waist and parade his nicely toned body, and instead of separate sleeves, he wore white gloves and a black bandana that kept his slightly long, complete head of blue hair up as the two new attackers both had similar marks on their faces.

"Let go of our bro!" The shirtless one yelled as they tried to attack at the same time, sending their fists towards Iris.

With barely any movement of her head, Iris glanced back at the two of them with an icy glare before she suddenly extended her wings out, smacking both of them and sending them flying. The duo slid back on their feet for a few moments before coming to a stop, but once they looked back in her direction, all they saw was their friend flying towards them as the larger built fellow crashed into the two and they were all knocked to the ground. Rimuru had his jaw open in awe of Iris's complete dominance over her opponent, despite being outnumbered. The larger ally of the two attackers had finally regained consciousness, but couldn't move as his body was completely numb from the bashing he took earlier, pinning his allies to the floor as they struggled to get up. Though, the chance to return to their feet was quickly snuffed out when the shadow of wings appeared over them and they saw Iris hovering in the air as she clenched her gauntlets closed and her wings charged with yellow sparks of energy. The three intruders were now sweating nervously and struggled to convey words, and their chance to negotiate was thrown to the wayside as Iris finished charging up and within moments, broke the sound barrier as she flew straight towards them with both her fists aimed forward. Following the barrier of sound being broken, there was a massive crash that sent a powerful shockwave through the entire area as Rimuru and the others covered themselves from its force and a massive dust cloud rose well into the air for anyone in the nearby area to see clearly. After a few moments of silence, the massive dust cloud was dispersed by Iris as she used her wings to blow it all away, revealing the unconscious and battered intruders below her feet.

"D-Don't you think that was a bit much...?" Rimuru said with a startled smile on his face.

"Not really. I think she did well for holding back so much." You said in amusement.

"That was her holding back?! Any normal person would be dust by now!" Rimuru exclaimed as Shion suddenly ran up to the ledge with a big smile.

"Iris!" Shion called out as Iris turned towards you all and stared at Shion.

"Senpai." Iris acknowledged the appearance of Shion and listened to her as Shion gave her a big thumbs up. "I left them alive, just like you said I should in certain scenarios!" Iris called back to Shion.

"Good job showing restraint! As expected of my student!" Shion said with a proud wink as Iris smiled at the praise and bowed her head to Shion.

"Huh? What's going on?" Rimuru asked with his jaw open in shock and confusion.

"Shion's been giving Iris lessons on showing restraint against enemies we need to take in alive. Apparently she's gotten better and Iris wanted to learn from her." You explained as Shion leaped from the stands and into the arena as she landed next to Iris and the two conversed with bright smiles.

"Really?" Rimuru asked in shock as you nodded and he turned around to Benimaru. "B-Benimaru-kun? Is Shion..." His question trailed off as Benimaru understood what was being asked.

"Yes, it is a surprise. She's gotten better at restraining herself." Benimaru said with a reassuring smile on his face.

"That's not the point here! All joking aside, if Iris as an awakened Demon Lord, comes to Shion for advice and calls her 'Senpai' and that's an example of restraint that she's taught her, then Shion's incredible! You think she's grown a little too much?" Rimuru said while leaning against the edge and staring at the two girls below as they took notice of his analyzing stare as Shion came to some form of conclusion as she seemed startled.

"I'm sorry! Was that not enough? Then I shall personally go a bit--!" Shion was about to deliver her own form of beat down on the seemingly lifeless, but Rimuru was not ready to see another bloodbath.

"No, no! That was enough!" Rimuru stopped her in a panic while waving his arms around in a panic.

After watching the lights get beaten out of the intruders, Iris healed them enough to regain consciousness and fix whatever internals were broken or damaged, but still they had a few bumps and scratches from the previous strikes they took. The fighting trio were sat on their rear ends in slightly less pain and discomfort as all of you had gone down to the fighting ring yourselves to hear their explanations for invading Tempest.

"If you've learned your lesson, don't cause trouble for us again. And remember, the other Demon Lords are even crazier, so don't do anything too reckless." Rimuru said in a scolding tone as the one with two hair colors spoke up with an impressed look on his face.

"We weren't expecting to run into the Golden one, but she's frighteningly incredible, like Dad described. If she's learning from the purple haired woman, then that means she's even stronger than Dad said, too." The intruder in the middle said as his other two allies looked to him.

"Bro, does that mean Demon Lord Rimuru and Demon Lord Y/N are..." The shirtless intruder trailed off as the multi-hair colored one looked to you and Rimuru.

"Yeah. They're even more amazing." The one in the middle said with an excited grin on his face.

"Huehehehe! I sure am hungry." The large one on the left said as their behavior differed from what Iris remembered.

"Hm?" Iris hummed as you turned to her.

"What is it?" You asked in wonder.

"They were not like this when I first encountered them. When they arrived, they were clearly intent on picking fights and working their way up to stronger opponents, causing serious trouble. However, now they're same tame and calm with clearly no intention of fighting, which I only got a hint of in town when I noticed they never killed anyone they made contact with." Iris explained her estranged reaction to their demeanors.

"So who put you guys up to this?" Rimuru asked them as they were quick to stand straight and present themselves the best that they could.

"Yes, sir! We are the sons of Demon Lord Daggrull. I'm the oldest, Daggra." The one in the middle explained and started introductions.

"I'm the second, Liura." The one with blue hair said ecstatically.

"I'm the youngest, Chonkra." The blonde colored brother said as there was definitely a hint of innocence in his smile, solidifying his younger stature.

"They're Daggrull's..." Rimuru wondered strangely as the Demon Lord of Giants wasn't his first choice in connecting these three back to someone among Octagram. "Wait, you admitted to that so easily. Was that a good idea?" Rimuru asked them.

"Yeah. Truth is, our dad ordered us to train under you." Daggra revealed their reasonings for coming to Tempest.

"We got just a little violent, and he was mad as hell." Liura gave another reason for them being sent to Tempest.

"Hehehehe! He ran us out." Chonkra laughed with a bright smile.

"Jeez, he can't get a handle on his kids, so he sent them here for us to take care of? We haven't even formally established ties with one another or become friends yet. How out of line can someone be?" You thought in exasperation while lightly face palming. "Well, it can't be too bad if it means he'll be indebted to us." You thought before realizing something. "Wait, you knew who I was?" You asked in wonder as Daggra nodded.

"Yeah. We also know about Demon Lord Iris over there. Your power is unbelievable!" Daggra said in amazement while clenching his fist in excitement while Iris was surprised, but just nodded and accepted his comment.

"Okay, fine. You guys will train under Shion from now on." Rimuru said as this was surprising to the purple haired Oni. "Shion, sorry to throw this headache at you..." Rimuru was about to apologize, but Shion suddenly smiled and trembled with excitement before hopping forward with her fist on her hips and a joyful blush from being given such a task.

"I am Shion, the one just now appointed by Great Rimuru! I will train even a bunch of weaklings like you into a powerful force of top-rate warriors! Just rest easy and follow me!" Shion proclaimed herself as their teacher as Iris stepped over next to her.

"If any of you start mouthing off against Senpai..." Iris started as she tightly clenched her fists as her eyes glowed and she glared at them. "You'll answer to me." She threatened, but the brothers were fine with all of that as they were on their knees respectfully ready to learn.

"Yes'm! Couldn't ask for more!" Daggra sounded off with full respect towards them.

"You got it! I'm gonna work my hardest under your instruction from now on!" Liura chanted with devotion of loyalty to his new teacher and senior.

"Same goes for me! But first, could you get me something to eat?" Chonkra asked innocently as his tummy rumbled.

"And from this day forward, we'll be calling you 'Big Sis' from now on!" Daggra addressed to Iris as she couldn't hide a curl in her lips as she liked the sound of that.

"Indeed! Make sure you all follow my instructions to the letter! Haaaahahahahaha!" Shion exclaimed and let out a hearty laugh as you and Rimuru turned around to leave.

"Are you sure about this?" Shuna asked as you and Rimuru walked pass your other subordinates.

"Let's let them do what they want." Rimuru explained as you nodded in agreement while taking Mai's hand and leading her away as all of you returned to the ceremony area where the envoys were waiting, but something had happened to them while you were all gone...

"W-We have awaited your return!" The Bovoid envoy suddenly prostrated himself on his hands and knees before Rimuru as he was sweating bullets from his face with an extremely nervous look in his eyes.

"We hereby swear our loyalty to Demon Lord Rimuru!" The Equinoid followed suit as he fell to a similar position in front of your slime buddy as their escorts did the same and they all swore themselves to him and Tempest.

"We do!" Their escorts sounded off in unison as Rimuru was bewildered by all of this.

"Huh?" Rimuru hummed in an awkward confusion.

"I guess they were watching that whole commotion." Shuna whispered with a slightly awkward smile to Rimuru as he caught on as to why the sudden behavior change.

"Ah..." Rimuru hummed as he just accepted them into your forces and proceeded with the ceremony all the way to sunset once again.

For the rest of the time the audience ceremony would take place that day, all meetings with different envoys went along smoothly and peacefully much to everyone's hopes. With only one group left to be seen that day, you all watched as a group of elves came forward and presented themselves gracefully while kneeling before Rimuru, with the male Elf envoy down on one knee and his head lowered to your slime partner.

"They say elves can live for 500 to 800 years, right? You may be an elder, but you just look like a young man." Rimuru muttered in moderate amazement of how the elves looked despite their age.

"It is an honor to meet you. We have come today to both congratulate and thank you." The Elf envoy informed Rimuru.

"Thank me? But I don't think I've met you guys before..." Rimuru said in confusion of why he was being given thanks.

"I refer to the Bovoids and the Equinoids. They have been at war for over a century, and the forest in which we reside has suffered for it. The animals and monsters of the forest have fled, and we cannot grow any produce. Some have even departed to work in Dwargon." The Elf explained the situation they were in when caught between a war of the Bovoids and Equinoids.

"Really?" Rimuru said with a sympathetic tone.

"We were left with no choice but to consider relocating, but despite how large the Great Forest of Jura is, finding a place to relocate to has not been so simple." The Elf envoy admitted.

"Hm, I see." Rimuru responded understandingly.

"So we had intended to petition you to do something about those hellions...But you passed your judgement before we could do so. Now, if we can just find a place to relocate to..." The Elf envoy trailed off with slightly more hope, but an idea suddenly came to Rimuru's mind after what he just heard.

"Hm? Wait a minute..." Rimuru trailed off as images of the 'Small World' created on a floor of the labyrinth owned by Ramiris began flashing in his mind, reminding him of the great living space that could be created for any individual group in need of shelter. "How many of you are there?" He asked the Elf Elder.

"Around 300." The Elf Elder responded.

"Elder, I have an idea as to where you can move to." Rimuru said with excitement as the Elder was beyond astonished by what he was hearing.

"O-Oh! Truly, Your Majesty Rimuru?!" The Elder said in awe.

"Yeah. We can take all of you." Rimuru reassured them as the Elder lowered his head once again in gratefulness.

"Thank you so much! Then, once I return to my brethren, I will bring them all back here." The Elder said as Rimuru had a few more ideas to ask of them.

"I'd like you to handle a few jobs for me, though." Rimuru asked as the Elder swiftly raised his head.

"But of course! If the powers that we elves possess can be of use to Your Majesty, we could know no greater joy!" The Elder said before speaking more somberly as he lowered his head a little. "Now, I only hope those who have left us will return soon..." He said with a sliver of hope as Rimuru seemed confused by what he was saying.

"Left you?" Rimuru asked.

"Yes. Some of our people departed to earn money, but never returned. We are a race that values solidarity. I find it hard to believe they would abandon their homeland." The Elder explained as Rimuru was unsure of what to say about their situation, but then he remembered a conversation he had with Mjöllmile when they were kickstarting the whole festival, and a conversation about slave traders capturing and taking elves as slaves. "Souei." Rimuru used Thought Communication to call on his blur haired Oni behind him. "Look into a guy called Viscount Kazak in Blumund." He asked of the shadow op leader.

"Understood." Souei accepted this mission with no hesitation as the audience ceremony that day came to a conclusion.

With the second day of the ceremony complete, there was only one day left and a small amount of envoys to meet with to conclude this entire ordeal as everyone got the rest they needed and the final day came. You met with Honda and Lilia and they accompanied you to the meeting hall where Rimuru and the others were waiting. After making it to the meeting room, you joined Rimuru at his side once more as he sat on his little chair seemingly exhausted as his little crown drooped to the side.

"Whew, day three. It's finally almost over...Geld, is Diablo back, too?" Rimuru asked in wonder.

"Yes. He received time off, so he will be able to see you in your finery." Geld informed him as Diablo who was off to the side where Rimuru couldn't initially see him, stepped forward with a longing smile and look in his eye as he bowed to both Rimuru and you.

"My Lords! As always, you two present yourselves with such dignity! I am so overjoyed to see you both again, I feel my chest is about to burst!" Diablo exclaimed as he felt overjoyed to be by yours and Rimuru's side once again.

"Hey, I'm just wearing an officer's uniform to blend in. I think all your amazement should go to my brother over here." You said with a modest tone while gently poking Rimuru's squishy body.

"Please do not say such nonsense, my Lord! The way you accentuate and elevate the clothes of those under you, the way you look so dignified and determined are all so marvelous! Though I mean no disdain to the others donning this attire, my Lord's ability to display himself in the attire of those under him is so avant-garde!" Diablo rebutted your modest tone as his explanations were enough to put a blush on your face and avoid eye contact with him.

"R-Really? I see. Thank you..." You said with a bashful tone as Lilia smiled in amusement while Honda let out a rough chuckle and smirked at your demeanor.

"We wanted to get your report on what's going on in Falmuth..." Rimuru trailed off as Diablo seemed bewildered by the change in Rimuru's tone and noticed he was more worried about something else. "But it looks like today's audience might be the toughest. I mean, it's with..." Rimuru trailed off as the scenery changed back to the ceremony stage where you were all gathered and watched as Benimaru and Mai led the final group to meet with you, and intense looking escort, and their envoy in the middle seemed sharp and fierce despite her physical stature. "...the Tengu clan." Rimuru said as probably one of the most important meetings for Tempest was about to commence.