What led to it

Next morning...

'Wake up kids! Breakfast!' Rimuru sent Thought Communication out to their heads, startling the children even though she gently called them. She then sent them directions on where the bathrooms are.

The toilets are functionable with flush, and a bidet!

And as it's spring, the water is thankfully-warm for face-washing. While there are toothbrushes made of unknown material, there's no toothpaste, but mouthwash instead. Thankfully there's soap and shampoo...

Upon coming down for breakfast, Rimuru was dressed in what you'd expect of a countrygirl's dress, and she was barefoot. Breakfast was a three pieces of sliced wholegrain bread and vegetable soup. There's a glass jar of jam and a flat wooden spoon for spreading said jam.

'Alright guys, dig in.' said Rimuru. 'Today is a free week. Well, we'll be here for a week due to stuff I must personally approve of. While I leave the governing to my subordinates, Security is my main job here. I keep danger out, and vet people who want to come live here as well as ensure everyone has a home, clothing, enough food and medicine.'

'What is there to do here, sensei?' Kenya asked Rimuru.

'Well, I created a lot of playgrounds for children, I set up a school, there's the Entertainment District where the games are though no videogames as this world's tech is way backwards...but I put in what I could remember. Like darts, billiards, I managed to make a magic version of Dance Revolution and other things...moreover, our style of fashion is different.' she said. 'I'm sick and tired of modern yet for comforts, I did tweaking here and there.'

'Heee...'

'Well, here's the thing fellas,' said Rimuru. 'As you just got infused with magic, you will still age normally...for three or four more years until your bodies get accustomed to magic that you will begin transitioning into a majin and age slowly like we all do here.' she told them. 'Human in body and appearance but thanks to spirit magic, you have Longevity. You're not like most mages here who need rituals to extend their lifespan and maintain said rituals, nope.' she tut-tutted. 'And your powers are that of B-Class Monsters, powers back at your unstable states are too much for children back then but now that it's stabilized...take great care not to show off and keep it a secret when we go back to school, alright?'

'Hai!'

'So what can we do?' Ryoma asked her.

'Welp, to maintain appearances, I will publicly teach you spells children your age are normally taught, along with some extras.' said Rimuru. 'And physical training too. We cannot let anyone know you have high-level spirits...or else.'

'Or else what?' Kenya frowned.

'Your summoners will take interest in you again and exploit you as the Weapon of War you're supposed to be.' the kids shuddered at the idea. 'You'll be forced to train till you can no longer stand. Take missions no sane man in this world will and nobody will care since you're not of this world, an expendable as far as they're concerned. You cannot disobey due to a Binding Curse. Those dangers.' the kids paled and pretty much huddled in dread.

'Hiiii!'

'So the story will be that because no high-level spirit came and only low-level ones came, not good enough to save your lives, Ramiris extracted your agitated magicules, leaving behind stable ones and reinforced stability herself. And I talked to your spirits during summoning to 'fake being low level' until we're out of Ingrassia for good as I told them how grave your situation is and they agreed. We also convinced the Spirit of Light to disguise himself as a low-level fire spirit. We must let that alibi be known. Lucky Beretta knows how to spin so well nobody will ever know we lied. So every after dinner I'll make you memorize our script. That way even if you go ad lib, our point remains the same.'

They had to ask Beretta for lying help as Ramiris and Rimuru SUCK as liars. And she had told them what she suspects of Yuuki so their alibi must be foolproof. The ones in most danger is Kenya and Chloe who have particularly powerful spirits, so they gotta be GOOD in lying.

'R-right...we gotta fake it then.' Ryota gulped.

'Let's keep at it and we're home free!' Kenya stammered. 'We have to fake it until the adoption goes through and we'll be free!'

'Yeah! Mission Fake It is ON!' Gale exclaimed.

They would rather be adopted by a fellow earthling than be in a military sweatshop!

'Welp, breakfast now kids, we all have a busy day...well, that'd be mostly me though...' said Rimuru gloomily. 'You kids will go to school for your safety, surrounded by our strong warriors. I built that school so they would get education.' she said. 'I signed you up for Math, Science, Arts and Crafts, and Physical Training, all of which are morning classes.' and she conjured schoolbags for them. 'Then after lunch, you're in the care of Grucius, a werewolf and Foss, a werefox. You'll meet them during lunchbreak.'

'K~!'

'Its just for one week, right?'

'Yes, and back to Ingrassia we go once my jobs here are over...'

xxx

Lunch Break at Cafeteria...

Grucius and Foss was roped in by Rimuru about taking care of five children who she would adopt once the paperwork and legalities pass through in Ingrassia...and of the grave situation the children are in so they had to pull off tricking a country to get the kids away, and they are forbidden to tell anyone for their safety. Only the Tempest Executives know and now, them. As far as everyone else is concerned, they are lost human children who were in a bad place at a bad time Rimuru rescued. The fewer who know the truth, the better.

'Talk about scummy?!' Foss burst out angrily for the kids' plight in Rimuru's Office as she gave the Lycanthropes the mission.

'I trust you two to be their bodyguards until my office time is over.' said Rimuru. 'Just for this week. The hard part will be in the coming days. I have to pull off the ultimate scam and we're home free.'

xxx

'Sooo what do you kids want to do?' Foss asked the little kids.

'What does sensei's town look like?' Chloe asked the weres as they left the school after lunch.

'We explored this town for days and given what Rimuru-sama did with it, it's a very peaceful, clean and beautiful town or city...it'll soon be one if more people joined us according to rumors.' said Grucius. 'Until then, the numbers of people here make it just a town.'

'Yeah, guests come and go, but not really citizens.' said Foss. 'We'll show ya the parts of this city! The residential areas, industrial, entertainment and commercial districts! There's color except for Industrial District. That's the only place with no trees or shrubs.'

'Yeah, trees here are tall and huge.' Alice marveled as the trees are all taller than any building, and all have thick canopies. 'How come?'

'Well, it's against Summer.' Grucius grinned. 'These huge trees are grown by Dryads on Rimuru-sama's request after buildings are built...like per building, there's a tree or two, always. So when summer comes, it's nice and cool as well as windy! The trees where people live are all fruit trees. The trees in Commercial and Entertainment Districts are all ornamental. They flower at the right season and they're all pink as you can see!'

For Ryota and Kenya, they recognize the flowers in the area as Sakura, a reminder of Japan. They were the kanzan kind.

'For now it's the pink kind here in Commercial. The nice-smelling orange one will come autumn at the Entertainment.' said Foss. 'The parks have the droopy purple ones. The shrubs bloom at summer to autumn and so would the Entertainment District where the orange ones are.'

'Heeee...'

xxx

Days passed that there are newcomers known to everyone.

More Hobgoblins by the hundreds, mouse-people who are extremely-cute, and Beastfolk who are way different from Lycanthropes looking a lot better.

And now, work on new homes are being underway, as well as the highway to Blumund is soon-to-be complete. Dwargon Highway was complete LONG AGO and it was wrecked and later rebuilt courtesy of the Charybdis Incident.

The purpose of the highways weren't just for trade between Dwargon and Tempest without Dwargon Merchants getting lost which was the original plan...the merchants had complained to Gazel about while they enjoyed No Toll Fees in Tempest, only charged for entering human nations, to get to western countries they dealt with what's normal: extortionate fees just to pass through.

Yet no charges in Tempest just for coming and going.

At first, Gazel could do nothing as he was the only ally of Tempest, so there was no reason for Tempest to open another highway until Blumund happened. They have to wait for the Blumund Highway to be finished to put an end to his country's merchant's woes regarding the extortionate toll fees of Falmuth. This was because Falmuth had the sole advantage of being a nation next to Dwargon, so Merchants can avoid Jura Forest where powerful monsters dwell.

It was completed in spring. Just in time for school to begin for monsters as Dwarven, Elven and Human Merchants are in town, resting after several long days' worth of journey from Dwargon, enjoying first-class hotels, delicious food, the Hot Spring Baths, and getting weapons and armor fixed...and looking forward to using the highway to Blumund to trade with the western nations.

The Adventurers and merchants' jaws dropped at the weapon prices.

'Are these really your prices?' the first to be asked was Kurobee.

'Yes. Magisteel is easy to come by for us so here in Tempest, it's cheap, though I rarely open as when I do, Dwargon would buy it off me.' said Kurobee. 'Our wares are certified legit and real deal by Dwargon Military you know. Prices rise based on Supply and Demand in Economics, so if 50% Magisteel weapons are worth more than a nobleman's house elsewhere because mining progress for Magisteel there sucks, here it's affordable for the masses, no? You'd best get one before the envoys come.'

'WE WANT IT KUROBEE-SAN!' But given their money, they can only afford the 20% wares even if it got extremely cheap. So Kurobee let them look at what kind they would want in his album Rimuru made for him.

Next door to the brothers?

Armor and Accessories are just as high-class. Thing is, being A-Class Armor needed to survive Jura Forest, they can only afford the Light Armor and Accessories, but they'll put in word for future customers who could possibly afford such high-class armor. It'll most likely be a family heirloom given the pricing...

And at the Medicine Shop usually headed by Haruna?

Only High Potions are on sale, as well as Buffing Potions.

'Buffing Potions?'

'Yes.' Haruna chirped. 'Strengthen Liquor to imitate the Skill Strengthen Body, Speed Liquor to increase one's speed and agility by a factor of three, Serenity Liquor to induce calm and peace so you won't panic and can think clearly in a bad situation, and Relaxing Liquor to heal sore muscles and fatigue. Only the Relaxing Liquor acts instantly, while the others have a duration of two hours per vial enough for a single gulp. As they are liquor, do NOT abuse them as it won't be funny to have strong and speedy drunks around. Just costs 20 silver each.'

Needless to say Haruna's stock of wares got taken entirely by the crates and got a massive fortune after that, making her report to Ririna via Thought Communication.

After time in Tempest, word about the town of friendly monsters spread through Blumund and how nice it is not to pay extortionate tariffs to Falmuth anymore just to get to Dwargon! That, and Tempest has interesting products for sale!

People got intrigued.

The shellfish are beautiful and savory. The Fish are very delicious. And the fruits are potent in flavor, thus 60% flavor 40% sweetness!

Ingredients can reach anywhere fresh, as Tempest People are very fond of Engraving Magic.

Over time, people have heard of Tempest and its reputation as a town of peaceful, hospitable monsters with top-rate hospitality and entertainment. The monsters were polite and friendly, they even saw a Dryad run a bar!

They've seen everything, except for it's guardian, Rimuru Tempest herself in her human form. The only form they've seen was her Slime Form which is literally, the business logo of Tempest but they've never seen her in person.

'...and that's because you're here.' said Yuuki wryly as rumors spread in the weeks Rimuru was here in Ingrassia. 'Look, I even got a Rimuru Fan from a merchant!' he said, showing the fan before fanning himself.

'That's my face to begin with.' Rimuru snorted, transforming into her slime form and back. 'Sigh, my people are just too attached.'

'With everything that's done, the Adoption Papers can finally be completed.' said Yuuki, showing Rimuru the papers. 'Well, the kids drew the good luck with Ramiris. Too bad they couldn't get High-Class Spirits.'

'Those guys have mood swings worse than ladies on a certain time of the month with no access to chocolate.' Rimuru snarked making Yuuki shudder. 'Not even Ramiris has control on who'd they like as partners so a compromise was thankfully available that still solves the problem. Well, do the kids have friends to say goodbye to?'

'Nah, according to the teachers they were alienated for being on Death Row.' said Yuuki. 'And those kids hated everyone here. I almost didn't get respect myself until Kenya and Ryota recognized me as fellow japanese.' he said. 'So I was the only one they're respectful to. Chloe was British, Gale is American and Alice is French.'

'Other than us, have you met other Summoneds?'

'Well, the only one who'd know is long dead.' said Yuuki wryly, looking up at the mannequin in his office. Shizu's outfit in a mannequin complete with mask(copy) that Rimuru gave him as a memento as she intended to give Hinata Shizu's sword if she ever meets her. But its not like she can march in Ruberios, can she? 'Looking for them? Fat chance, they're guarded tighter than a Vault of Annual Taxes to prevent escape till their next job by powerful wizards and who-knows-what-else.' he told her. 'You can't save everyone and everything. You can only get what's close by.'

'Sad truth. We watched enough movies that tell that lesson back home.' Rimuru sighed.

'Sooo the Merchants say you have a school so the kids are covered?'

'Yes. Built that during Autumn and Early Winter before blizzards hit. We take seasonal breaks if weather is unbearable after all...and curriculum is only based on what we need in this world given the Medieval Stasis going on.' said Rimuru. 'Even if you made Ingrassia fully-developed, without the right knowledge there's just no building computers, cars and trains is there?'

'Hahaha, if only we know how to make that!' Yuuki laughed dryly. 'If we could, where's the fuel or electric source? So I scrapped that idea long ago and just focused on things I can actually build. And suppose we could make a car, do we know how to drive?'

'Nope. Never bothered. Tokyo was overcrowded that my brother complains having to get up extra early to get a good parking space, so I never bothered with a car or a bike with my salary. Besides, walking and standing keeps us fit. And I can just imagine people of this world wondering, why clear land if you're not gonna use it as vacant land is better off for housing or farming or military training grounds. Would you deal with that sort of bitching from the people here?'

'Ehhhh noooo waaay...' Yuuki scoffed. 'Too much of a headache~' he's dealt with politics and only cunning wordplay got him by. And he often needs to de-stress after that. 'Anyways, it's almost time for the end-of-year exams, the Physical Exams.' he said, standing up. 'Wanna watch?'

'Yeah. I want to see how my rebellious kids are doing. After all in the time they were here until Shizu and I happened, they slacked off, right?' and they left the office.

xxx

School Grounds...

Rimuru was known as the new teacher of 'that class', known under the fake name Ciel Brunestud. Like hell she'll use her real name as the name Rimuru Tempest will soon become famous as the name of a Monster Nation's Leader, and her human name that her soul still recognizes might be a target of a curse. So nope.

The others wondered how long she'll last or how qualified was she for the job, given how she dressed.

She dresses like a married woman despite being physically young, favoring dresses, long skirts and never fails to wear a shawl on her person. Her hair is braided into a loose braid. Its no news to humans that magic users become Majin over time, so they handwaved away her blue hair and eye color, and figured that she dresses the way she does for a reason, and she wears a wedding ring.

Yuuki knows that ring is fake, just to deter suitors away though the older woman actually dreamed of a domestic life she never got in Earth and content with her personal playground.

Meanwhile, Rimuru got a report.

Rimuru-sama, for some reason thousands of human soldiers are headed towards Tempest. Clone-Souei told her through telepathy. Orders?

Tell everyone to subtly evacuate the non-fighters. Fighters remain in town and maintain the mask that life is as usual to drop their guard while we see their move. Rimuru instructed. How many and what type of Soldiers?

Knights, Mages, Swordsmen, Spearmen, and a King is personally leading the army. Direction: clearly at US.

Evacuate and Investigate. Gather their purpose and have Ranga and two wolves come to me incase I need to run back with the kids before they settle down and pitch camp. Knights are synonymous to the Church which means Holy Magic is inevitable, it's best we send out the wolves while we still can.

Yes.

If things go too shirty, tell the Dwarf Brothers Project Shooting Star Activate. I will rush home no matter what.

Yes!

xxx

'...those are orders.' Souei told the Executives.

'...Project Shooting Star?' Benimaru asked cluelessly as the brother trio grinned.

'Yes. It's in the event that when Rimuru-sama is away and stuff like this happens...she'll drop everything and come home as ultimate reinforcement.' Dord grinned. 'It's a huge signal that can be seen for miles in the western nations! However, the main kicker is that it contains a bit of Rimuru-sama's power so she would know it's activated.'

'Normally Rimiru-sama won't want to harm humans for diplomatic reasons, but the law applies.' said Benimaru coldly. 'If they strike at us...show no mercy. Our people will always come first as per her will.' he said as the executives looked determined. 'Send out two more wolves with a message to both Dwargon and Blumund. While we can handle this ourselves, its also important we inform allies. Dingo, Redford!' he called out as two more wolves appeared out of his shadow. 'Dingo, inform Dwargon and Redford will inform Fuze in Blumund!'

'Hang on Souei, what does this king look like?' Youm asked Souei who took out a scrying ball and showed a bearded old man he recognized. 'Falmuth! I can guess where this is going now! It's the highways you guys built!' he gasped. 'For millennia, Falmuth has the trading advantage to Dwargon so they could charge extortionate tarriffs before they allow trading and even then Merchant Taxes are stupidly high!'

'And because we built two highways for our allies' convenience, we removed the trading safety monopoly and the fact that we don't charge entry and exit toll fees so trading pathways go through us instead.' Shuna frowned. 'We're attacked because of the roads we built?'

'And the goods in this town.' said Youm darkly. 'They want their money back with souvenirs in the bargain. And if they have Knights, they must have cried foul to Ruberios. Given that their Credo is Slay all Monsters...yeah, Holy Magic is incoming.' he said anxiously.

'I'll deal with that if it comes to it.' said Shuna. 'I'll protect us with my own Holy Magic.'

'Alright, I will assign Youm's band and Grucius to protect Shuna! Shuna, stay in the Government Building while you work. Holy Field will soon come so you must counter it!' Benimaru barked out orders and Shuna, Youm and Grucius nodded. 'The Smithy Boys prepare the Project and launch at your own discretion! Gabiru and twenty Dragonewts will ensure you launch it! Rigurd, Melphy(the mouseman representative), Gaspar(Beastfolk Representative), evacuate the non-fighters! Immediately! As long as there's people, Tempest will live on!'

'Yes, sir!'

'The rest of us, bring our blades, take out your claws and we'll get to coat it red!' Benimaru roared.

'OUUUU!'

And they all moved out in determination.

They barely made it in time...before two barriers were launched that made them all weak.

They knew the humans activated first...!

'T-this is it...' Shion wheezed out weakly as they all dropped to their knees, severely-weakened.

'Jeez, this is really foul play on us.' Gobta complained.

'Don't worry, Shuna-hime will do something for sure.' Rigur swore. 'But damn, these fields suck!' he exclaimed. 'What twisted mind came up with this magic?'

(Elsewhere, Luminous sneezed)

And it gets worse from there...

xxx

At school, Rimuru has great trust in her people but the problem was Holy Magic and who casts who first that while she has a gentle smile as she watched her soon-to-be children perform, she was in emotional turmoil as she never expected invasion in her life.

And she never felt so alone when thanks to Holy Magic, she was cut off from EVERYONE. Links severed. It was jarring for her.

'Win! Kenya Misaki!' the principal declared Kenya's win in a swordfight.

'Way to go Kenya!' Ryota cheered as the teachers clapped.

'You've done well as a teacher.' Yuuki praised.

'Shizu laid the groundwork for swordsmanship. All they needed how is how to use her teachings well, and a few more magic spells from me. Educational Utilization Training it was.' said Rimuru cheerfully, concealing her inner turmoil well with much-needed-help from Great Sage as she can't reveal she's a mess. 'There's no way Kenya's performance will come from me in a mere month-and-some.'

'Yeah, this world isn't anime.' Yuuki sweatdropped. Unlike anime characters, in real life, you don't get strong in a few weeks! It takes YEARS!

(In other dimensions, Earthlings are watching Tensura on TV)

When the exams are over?

'Congratulations kids.' said Yuuki as the formalities are over. 'You'll get to go home with Rimuru now.'

'Yeah!' said Alice. 'Anywhere's better as long as sensei's with us!' she chimed.

'We'll be leaving soon, Yuuki.' said Rimuru. 'And if there's children forced into this situation like them, give me a call.' she said. 'Child Soldiers is illegal, no matter what happens. We'll rescue them.'

'Ou, you can count on me!' Yuuki grinned. Rimuru chuckled as the group left. "Not like you have a home to come to anyways~" he grinned darkly.

"He didn't mean it." Rimuru scowled as the doors closed, recalling Yuuki's smile. "I guess out of all children...only this five, I can save." she thought bitterly and prayed inwardly for others nobody will ever save.

'Do we have a carriage home sensei?' Chloe asked her.

'Something even better.' Rimuru told her. 'A really comfortable, fluffy ride. How's that?' she suggested.

'Huh?'

Outside School...

Rimuru summoned her wolves.

'Master, the situation...' Ranga began.

'I know. Souei filled me in with his clone.' said Rimuru grimly. 'Clara, Azul, use Shadow Step to travel to Tempest with the children. I will cast all barriers I have on them and keep them on your back with Sticky Thread. Ranga and I will follow on land and you'll have to explain to the kids. Ranga and I will assess the situation.'

'Yes, miss!'

'W-wait, what's going on?' Kenya stammered out as Rimuru used magic to put the kids on the wolves' backs and began casting barriers.

'Go!' and they were all gone.

xxx

'Go home, huh?' the blonde elf secretary snorted.

'Yeeeeah. Noooot happening.' Yuuki snorted. 'All according to plan. Its not easy arranging this, but we'll pull this off. Arranging a lot of meat he needs, he owes us big for this, so he better perform well after.' he told her. 'The final piece...is Rimuru herself, being a powerful soul.'

'Heheh, of course he would. He takes orders from us after all.'