Dino's Musings and Warning
Dino documented their stay in Tempest, while lazing on the couch in Rimuru's Office. She now has a government building that's finally functional.
And right now, she and her executives are discussing Anti-Human Tactics.
This was because while Rimuru prefers diplomacy and peaceful talks, there are those 'who are beyond reasoning and start trouble simply because they can if they know they can win'.
For humans regarding national alliances, its worth is the same as the piece of paper it's written on.
Worthless.
Sure, trading of goods is done but they would subtly send spies on each other to know their weaknesses. Then events will be staged as an excuse to wage war over the weaker nation and take it over to gain a bigger territory unless you expose the truth behind those staged events.
Humans hardly keep their word its hard to meet a human ruler who actually does, that a monster's word is worth more. Not that they'd admit it of course.
It's why so far, Rimuru only did business with Dwargon and has a good relationship with the dwarves, trading products and developments with each other. She didn't want to risk her people with human rulers unless she thoroughly vetted them first.
She was cautious, considering several races are following her and reliant on her for security. So should any invasions happen after they got enough notoriety, they are ready to slap back faces.
And she still names several Orc Knights, and...generous with magicule gifting.
Her followers are A and B-Class monsters, Dino noted. The only weak ones, are the children who remains nameless and unevolved to this day who are 'too young to handle that kinda power'.
'Man I'm pooped.' Rimuru was in her slime form, but melted into a puddle.
She works ten hours a day, and spends her free time hanging out with them and showing them around, while relaxing.
'Well what you get for being too nice.' Dino pointed out. Just by naming 81 knights a day, he and Milim grasped her energy levels that was indeed, worthy of her class.
'Well, its always best to prepare during calm, than cram like crazy when a storm is brewing.' said Rimuru. 'I'm not like a student who crams for exams two days before exam day. And my paperwork is almost gone along with the town being complete in two more weeks, so Hakurou's gonna be strict on me during the cold.'
'That had better be, it'll be tragic if a Seed like yourself wilted before you blossom into a true Demon Lord. If you bloom, you'll be the true eighth.' Dino snorted while munching on potato chips. After harvest and plowing days, everyone now keeps watch over their Food Preservation Factories as Rimuru made flour first and a substance called 'baking powder' for future making of bread come winter.
'Huh? But I was told there's ten?'
'Meh, three out of that ten are self-proclaimed Demon Lords because they're strong enough to back it up while owning a territory.' Dino snorted. 'However, they never reached Demon Lord Seed stage.' he told Rimuru. 'They're simply A+ class monsters who just happens to have territories and smart enough to survive being hazed.' he stated wryly. 'They're only allowed to claim themselves as such because they proved to live long. But the fact remains that they are not truly, a Demon Lord by evolving into one. Evolving into a Demon Lord and acknowledged by the world itself, is how we come to be.'
'I told her she can become one but she's too busy to aim for it.' Milim pouted.
'Again, I'm a busy office lady.' Rimuru deadpanned. 'In a few days I'll start training.'
'Well, she'll be one soon enough.' Dino patted Milim's head. 'She owns a territory and her evolution is near if conditions are met and triggered. That's after she learns how to fight, of course...'
xxx
Life in Tempest is carefree and relaxing, Dino thought.
Its also developed just enough not to piss off Angels who descend every five centuries for 'the culling'. It even doesn't unsettle his blood. But the designs of the town give a fantasy-feel to it, effectively mixing civilization with nature and the town of monsters are highly-reliant on Engraving Magic for life comforts instead of technology, being closer to nature and magic than tech like humans who are developing warfare technology just to keep up with monsters, and their life comforts are also technologically-based. The focus of Tempest was life comforts, and eating delicious food while doing a good delicate balance with nature...as Rimuru respects balance...and not setting off Dryads if she develops things that cause pollution.
This monster town also has an Angel's Seal of Approval, gained after seeing enough.
There are six colorful playgrounds. One playground per district so kids won't fight each other for turns. But there are always supervising adults incase of accidents. They have potions on hand.
The culture here is too peaceful. Rimuru's most basic, but strictest law was 'do not do unto others what you do not want done unto you'. This was to keep fights from breaking out. Second was 'do not attack humans' to avoid starting a war, but 'if they attack you first, kill them so they can't tattle back home and start said war.' until then, they are on a watch-and-see basis. last law was 'watch out for each other', meaning, they look after each other so adults and children are good friends with each other and protective.
Everyone here is dang friendly and accommodating.
Life was peaceful, Milim gets to taste normal life here since she wasn't treated as a Demon Lord, but rather, 'as a child who needs care'. Come to think of it, he too, was treated just like any other normal guy in the street!
No fear, no wariness, just...normal. Even though they're shocked at first when Rimuru announced what they are.
Wow.
He and Milim lived for so long as Demon Lords, but never as 'normal people'.
For him, its almost normal, until Benimaru, one of Rimuru's executives, constantly begs him for matches to improve his skills to serve Rimuru better. Shion, that busty lady caught on and started pestering him too.
They were motivated that if Rimuru evolves, they should be subordinates worthy of one.
Hoo, boy.
'Me three! You two are so unfair getting secret lessons, you cheaters!' Gabiru nagged at the two Kijin and they began bickering.
Dino really hoped the whole town won't bug him eventually...
xxx
Rimuru was undergoing the basics. Stances, forms and attacks with her real sword and performs to Hakurou's strict standards. Till she committed it to muscle memory.
'Whoa, what a pretty sword!' Milim gushed out at Rimuru's black and gold sword with a dark blue and black handle. 'What is that?'
'We call this alloy 'Kurobee's Child' for now.' Hakurou chuckled. 'Kurobee discovered this alloy during research. Its the highest form of 100% pure magisteel by mixing it with 100% pure gold. This is the finest of all unique-grade weapons that evolves the more it is exposed to our magicules. it has potential to become Legend-Class and further...if we live that long, that is.'
'Heee...'
'I keep mine unsheathed in my stomach so it'll grow in there faster!' Rimuru told her.
Soon, Milim joined in the training by occasionally making potshots at her...to Hakurou who also had to dodge said potshots...he really WILL die while Rimuru just splats harmlessly and regenerates back.
(He benefited from these potshots and simply accepted it as the strictest training of his life)
xxx
Winter came, even though it's not snowing yet.
But it got atrociously cold now.
Milim and Dino who was lounging around found a Kotatsu in the living room.
'...a table with a blanket?' both were perplexed.
They wondered why...until they discovered its cozy underneath and crawled under it...
...and got trapped.
For Japanese where heating technology is still...working its way out of the stone ages, the Kotatsu was a home staple. Once under it, nobody wants to leave unless absolutely necessary.
Two Demon Lords fell under 'the trap' now too.
'Uhhh guys? How'd you fit under there?' Rimuru sweatdropped as she came with breakfast on floating trays.
'Magic...' said Dino sleepily as the two were utterly comfortable under the Kotatsu.
'At least get out there so we can eat breakfast without it spilling.' Rimuru scolded. 'THEN you can bury yourself in there after until lunch time!'
That idea was VERY APPEALING.
xxx
The caves...
'Phew...these guys are growing well too.' Rimuru smiled as inside the cave, is lots and lots of Hipokute Flowers.
She had been siphoning magicules in the east on the sly, then 'exhales' everything in the caves to nourish these flowers.
It also comes with the consequence of spawning monsters. And to keep the Hunter Unit in shape now that they graduated, she has them work as a team to defeat said monsters and bring them home as meat for winter.
The potency of said magicules causes them to grow fast that every month, she processes them immediately in her stomach and stores the finished product in till she needs it again.
She did just that.
'Humm, security is less at winter time, but I better train first, so I'll skip out on Hipokute farming for now.'
xxx
Rimuru's Office...
'Ehhhh?! You found a vein?!' Rimuru's eyes shone in delight.
'Yes. We can finally open up those resorts!' said Dord.
Their area is an extinct volcanic area. But where there are volcanoes, there's always HOT SPRINGS.
'The digging will take years though, the rocks are too hard even for Orcs...' said Garm, scratching his head.
'No problem! Just keep making the pipes and leave the rest to us Shadow Steppers to do the connecting! Make sure the pipes are sturdy and damage proof before we apply the engraving!' Rimuru beamed happily before looking at Souei. 'Souei, we have to work on the piping to our public springs as soon as we get notified the pipes are done!'
'Hai.' Souei smiled softly at his lady's eagerness to have the public hot springs rolling.
The town is officially finished. Everyone can now live normal lives here.
The main issues now, was the public baths for workers. Hot springs.
A town or city can make people happy if conditions are met.
Well-Balanced Neighborhood Development, 'green places' such as parks and the like, a number of taverns and restaurants to meet and hang out in, large, smooth roads with sidewalks, and Arcades. Children have playgrounds to play in. And the streets have well-lit white street lamps. There's also enough inns and hotels for travelers...if they survive the forest, that is...and there's a newly-built comic book cafe. Story-telling picture books are there and everyone can come and read...IF you can read, that a school will be open come spring, so people can read those picture books.
They also planned enough annual events so its not always 'all work'.
'All work and no play will drive anyone crazy, so we gotta come up with these things!' Rimuru would tell the executives.
xxx
'Rimuru.' Dino approached Rimuru one night as he was dressed up to leave.
'What is it, Dino?' Rimuru asked the perpetually-lazy angel.
'There is something you have to know, if you love your town.' Dino told her grimly. 'Don't make the same foolish mistake humans do regarding development.'
'What do you mean?' Rimuru asked Dino anxiously as Dino looked at the heavens.
'...every five centuries, Angels descend onto this world, and cull civilizations that are too developed.' Dino told her as Rimuru stiffened. This is basically the same premise as GATE Jieitai to her. 'Your town is safe as long as you don't go too trigger-happy in development as you focus more on nature, magic and entertainment. Nothing wrong with that...nothing wrong with military as long as its not too developed. Towns like yours and your future projects, are spared and ignored.'
'You're an Angel yet you warned me.' Rimuru smiled wanly. Dino sensed her understandable worry and wariness, so he reassured her. It was also why he warned her in advance to begin with.
'This place makes Milim happy. That's enough for me.' Dino grinned. 'Its a place where she can be herself.' he said. 'So for your people's sake as well as hers, do not break taboo.' and he flew off.
'...this must mean we have a short time left before that happens...huh.' Rimuru got nervous. She sent a letter to Gazel, inquiring about this event.
xxx
Gazel got the letter courtesy of Ranga.
'Your majesty, Master sent you a letter and I'm instructed to await a reply.' said Ranga who is now the size of a puppy. In his mouth is a drawstring pouch.
'Mm. Settle down somewhere while I read this.' Gazel told Ranga who went to curl up at the couch. Because of Rimuru's very dangerous guests, his spies couldn't get anything for two seasons as they say they're not suicidal to spy while they're still there. So Gazel let them have a break as he wasn't about to lose his best spy unit either.
Rimuru has TWO Demon Lords for guests. Milim Nava and Dino. How that happened, was anyone's guess!
So he began reading the letter.
Greetings to his majesty,
I hope your days are as normal as being King in an office gets,
as my days after having two...unique guests shaved off my lifespan
out of inner nervousness while taking great care. I mean, who can
claim to have two Demon Lords for visitors and live to tell the tale?
I did my best to accommodate both but as days passed by, they're
actually chill guys, just hyper alert, as what you'd expect from beings
older than fossils. It also speaks well of how good they are as fighters,
not just being magicule powerhouses. I think, by treating them like a
normal person with well-balanced respect since they're still Demon
Lords, I earned my town good will.
I started training under Hakurou now that I mastered being in a
humanoid body and mature enough for grueling training. The catch?
Milim who got wind of it, occasionally throws rocks at me for what
she calls 'alertness training' but the thing is, Hakurou also has to
dodge since while I go splat from being hit without harming me much,
he really has to dodge or DIE for real so he too, 'gets schooled' by her.
Once I master swordsmanship, Milim said she'll grill me next as she
found me too interesting...and won't say why. Should I be relieved
or watch out for gray hairs in my mirror?
Milim says she'll still stick around, while Dino left just now. Apparently
he's the only Demon Lord without a territory nor a subordinate, and
enjoys mooching off his fellows. By the way, what he meant by that,
are those he acknowledged as TRUE Demon Lords.
In order of age and who became one first: Guy Crimson. Milim Nava.
Fairy Queen Ramiris. Great Titan Dagruel. Luminous Valentine though
she has her subordinate be her stand-in during meetings...and Dino
himself. The seventh was Leon Cromwell, a True Hero but chose to be
a Demon Lord instead for some reason. He was powerful enough to be
acknowledged as 'true' while remaining human, but thanks to his status,
he's as immortal and powerful as the other six, thus...honorary status?
True Heroes are as strong as Demon Lords, so...yeah. He can claim the
name.
The actual seventh was also another self-proclaimed one. Curse Lord
Kazaream. When Leon came and proclaimed himself as one, he attacked
Leon as Hazing is pretty much standards for those who DARE to call
themselves one. Survive the Hazing and you're acknowledged by others.
So Leon killed Kazaream and that was around 298 years ago.
The other three are Self-Proclaimed as they didn't undergo evolution
and still age, thus didn't have Dino's respect much, and its implied that
one wrong move, these guys will be killed. He doesn't mooch of them
and that's telling. So in reality, there's only six. Only seven out of
technicality. These other three are Harpy Queen Frey, Beast King Karion
and Puppet Master Clayman. Probably just Special A-Class Monsters
with enough smarts to survive The Hazing.
But when Dino left this night, he warned me not to be TOO developed or
we'll be killed by Angels when they descend every five centuries to wipe
out civilizations that are too developed, so that got me worried...and
perhaps, its a good thing my place is full of magic and nature that I got
a Safe Card from him as he never saw a single machine in my place.
Dino's an Angel after all...
How soon is the next Armageddon? He implied its soon by his parting
words. While we are safe, how about you?
- Rimuru
Gazel clenched the letter hard in his fist.
Try as he may to deny it, the next armageddon is coming within their lifetimes.
The Great Tenma War. An event every five centuries.
All human nations, as well as monster nations watch out for this in their lifetimes.
Indeed, overly-developed and cultured kingdoms are attacked without mercy, while others are spared.
They keep track of dates and timelines while researching weapons and magic in secret for the sake of survival, as well as planning hideouts for their citizens and storing enough food, water and medicine for when the time comes.
He sighed and sent Rimuru a reply. What she just dumped on him was too big, and her parting words in her letter just reminded him how urgent his Kingdom's situation is.
Nevermind the Eastern Empire, there's this, too.