It was later that day that Diablo returned to Rimuru's residence.
"By the way, I need to ask, Edelgard. Are you…feeling alright?" David asked.
"Why do you ask?" Edelgard asked.
"Well, we had conversations with Dimitri and Claude. But since we left Shanghai, you haven't really said much of anything." David said. "I mean, I know it's tough having the three of you sharing the same Emblem and all."
"Sorry to worry you, I was just thinking about something." Edelgard said. "Like Tiki, I don't have many memories before we were awakened by Alear. Until recently, she, Dimitri, Claude and myself were the guardians of another world. Before Theodore found us, it seems we were moved somehow."
"I see. It would make sense why scriptures never said anything about the Bracelets. But nonetheless, it doesn't change the fact that you are all stalwart allies to have." David said.
"Thank you for saying that, David. I'm sure the others will think the same way, once we retrieve them." Edelgard said.
"That said, I can just imagine the looks on your real selves' faces when we introduce you all." David said. "Their territories are allied with Jura, so they do assist Rimuru on occasion."
"So there are other versions of us? That's interesting. Although it's likely we won't run into each other, considering the situation here is peaceful and the problems in raja have been all but solved-" Edelgard started.
"David! David!" Glimmer called.
"Excuse me. Yes, Glimmer?" David asked.
"Trouble in Raja! Treyni just came by and informed us Queen Towa used the cursed Tiara a whole bunch!" Glimmer said.
"She what?!" David asked in shock.
"Yeah, for some reason, the lake got so contaminated with poison overnight that the air around it turned completely toxic. Towa had no choice but to use the tiara herself, but she overexerted herself and collapsed." Glimmer said.
"Not only that, but the neighboring nation's army is mobilizing." Rime said, materializing before them.
David sighed. "So much for a peaceful trip. Guess we are gonna end up on the battlefield no matter where we go."
"Indeed. No rest for the weary. We must reunite with the others." Edelgard said.
"Right." David said as he took Edelgard's bracelet and followed the others.
Everyone soon gathered at the garden.
"As you can tell, we don't know who's pulling the strings behind all this, and we might be facing a battle. But I intend to trust Towa and take Raja's side. I'd like all of you to help." Rimuru said.
"You even gotta ask? Of course we'll help." Connor said.
"There is Mr. Hiiro as well." Baril said.
"He already rushed back to Raja as soon as one of his men gave the news. So he's got a head start." Hilda said.
"He may be tough, but an enemy like this… We gotta go help him." Valfor said.
"Then start making preparations right away." Rimuru said.
"Right!" Everyone said as they headed out.
"Veldora?" Rimuru asked.
"Let me guess, you want me to stay behind?" the storm dragon guessed.
"Sorry, but you're the only one I trust to look after Tempest while we're gone." Rimiru said.
"I thought so." Veldora said, slamming his latest manga shut. "You can rest easy, knowing that I am on the job!"
"Yo, Rimuru!" a voice called as Ethox and the Fatebreakers appeared. "We heard all about what's goin' on in Raja. We're ready to go!"
"Sorry to drag you guys back here while you were keeping tabs on Diablo in Falmuth." Rimuru apologized.
"Hey, if anything, Diablo was the one who dragged us here." Kazuma replied. "We'll still help him out in Falmuth, but right now, it looks like he's got himself an idea."
"An idea, huh?" The Slime Demon Lord repeated, looking at Diablo.
"Yes my lord. I might know who created the curse poison in the tiara, and who drew the magic circle in the lake." Diablo replied. "If you will grant me permission, I will leave at once and personally negotiate to have the curse undone."
"Uh, permission granted! I'm counting on you!" Rimiru granted.
"Ah, such kind words!" Diablo said in admiration. "Please leave everything to me. I shall not disappoint you." he promised before he disappeared in a flash of black.
"Will he be fine on his own?" Alear asked Rimuru.
"Don't worry, I trust Diablo. If he knows something about what's going on in Raja and knows how to stop it, he'll find it." Rimiru said.
"Yeah, you always count on him to-wait, who are you?" Ethox asked, having just noticed Alear.
"Well now, I don't believe we've seen her before." Le Kraken said.
"Yeah, we sure haven't! What's with the hair?!" Nemo exclaimed. "It's like Pepsi's using it for free advertising!"
"...Pepsi?" Alear repeated, confused.
"Please forgive Nemo, it's likely you wouldn't understand what he says." Le Kraken said.
"It's alright, I'm still new to the worlds outside Elyos. You must be the Fatebreakers the others mentioned. It's nice to meet you. I'm the Divine Dragon, Alear."
"Oh, Divine Dragon! Cool!" Ethox smiled. "Nice to meet you too, Alear!" he said, hugging Alear, surprising her a bit.
"Sorry, he's a hugger." Ultra apologized.
"I didn't think there were other Divine Dragons like Tiki and Naga around." Ristarte said.
"You probably wouldn't have heard of her anyway, considering she's from an isolated continent." Rimuru said. "We'll tell you more later, right now we need to give aid to Raja."
Later that night…
They all departed towards Raja in order to aid it.
"This seems like too much of a coincidence. The queen immediately falls ill and Raja being targeted by its neighboring countries." Erza said.
"Yeah…and I'm starting to wonder if that doctor that was there was even treating her." Naofumi said.
"That would seem too obvious though." Yoko said.
"Yes, it would be too much of a coincidence. It would be more logical to say that whoever caused the lake to be poisoned in the first place didn't like Rimuru's work and decided to, as you would say, up the ante." Cheetah said.
"Speaking from experience, I'm assuming?" David asked.
"You know me so well." Cheetah said.
"But what kinda person would want to do this much damage to Raja?" Connor asked.
"Someone who's not even human. From the way Diablo seemed to recognize the magic circle, and the fact that things have been ramped up this much… I'd say that Demons are involved." Lysithea theorized.
"It would make a lot of sense if that's true." Sectonia said.
The group continued as Souei came to their side.
"So…what's the word?" Theo asked.
"The neighboring countries are after a large gold vein sitting under Raja, least that's what the spreading rumor said." Souei said.
"So that's it…" Theo said. "Diablo…you better hurry…"
In another location, a lone girl with pinkish hair sat at a table sipping tea with a butler standing nearby. However, it wasn't long before Diablo appeared.
"Nice to see you again, Violet." Diablo said.
"What an unexpected pleasure. Hello, Noir." the girl said.
"Actually, Noir is outdated. I insist you call me Diablo." Diablo said.
"You actually got named by someone? Who would do something so foolish and stupid?" Violet said.
"Now now. We both may be primordial demons, but I out of the two of us have been blessed with a name." Diablo said.
"Stop the bragging and just tell me what you want." Violet said.
"It's simple really. I have some questions to ask you, mainly regarding the Kingdom of Raja. We discovered a magic circle lurking at the bottom of a lake. Was that your doing?" Diablo asked.
"Why would I wanna poison some lake? Why do you care?" Violet asked.
"I am here to ask you to leave Raja alone." Diablo said.
"No deal." Violet said.
"Oh? And why not?" Diablo asked.
"I currently have a game going on." Violet said. "See, centuries ago, I visited Raja and met with one of its previous queens. They thought I was a goddess, hilarious right? And they asked for a way to save their people. I created a tiara that could perform miracles but would drain the user's life force in exchange and paint her skin the color of my magic. Soon after, we entered into a contract. I win if she or any of her descendants turn completely my color but they win if that doesn't happen."
"Ah I see. You're hoping to gain a vessel." Diablo realized.
"Yes. They've been doing the best to entertain me. One of her descendants might win, but that could still be entertaining. The current queen is named Towa. She's completely been taken to the poison. I should have a perfect host soon. Probably her heir or the heir of that heir." Violet said.
"So you managed to create a formal contract. It didn't seem that way to me." Diablo said. "I believe you recently had your minion create a problem that would force the queen to use the cursed tiara so that you could win."
"You dare to insult me?" Violet asked.
"Why do that when the truth hurts so much more?" Diablo said as Violet started throwing things at him that just passed through his body. "Now then…I ask you to leave Raja alone."
"And why would I do that?" Violet asked.
"Because I came to you and asked politely." Diablo said.
"Politely? That's not how I'm seeing it!" Violet said as the space surrounding them shattered and transformed to a ruined wasteland.
"Oh dear…I was hoping to avoid using brute force today. So terribly barbaric." Diablo said.
"We don't always get what we want. I think this goes without saying but…" Violet said, gathering her magic. "I always thought you were a total pain in the ass!" she said, firing it as Diablo countered.
"I assure you…the feeling is mutual." Diablo said.
Diablo and Violet engaged in a lightning fast battle all across the distorted space, seemingly evenly matched. All the while, the Hero Alliance was doing their best to quell the invasion of the neighboring kingdom. After a while, Violet quickly found herself losing steam.
"Hey… quick question, have you maybe gotten stronger?" the Primordial Purple panted in slight exhaustion.
"Fair question indeed. I've not used anymore power that you're capable of using." Diablo said.
"You're really pissing me off. Just cause you incarnated and have a dumb name now means you get to boss me around?" Violet asked.
"As I've once said…jealousy is an ugly color on you." Diablo smirked.
"Ugh, just die!" Violet declared, ensnaring Diablo in black webbing, crucifying him. "Hah, how do you like that? Nihilistic Banish is pretty impressive huh?"
However, Diablo easily broke out of it.
"What? How did you…" Violet said.
"Yes. I wanted to see your full power but it seems we've reached the end." Diablo said seeing small flames on Violet. "The temporary body you've created from magicules is starting to give out."
"This is just a minor setback…" Violet started before another demon appeared. "What the? You dare interfere?"
"Apologies, but this is over. Lord Noir- or I should say Lord Diablo, would you be so kind as to lay down your arms?" the demon asked.
"Hey, I can still fight!" Violet argued before another demon arrived.
"Pardon me, my lady but I have an update. It seems that Lacua has taken matters into his own hands." the other demons said.
"What?" Violet asked.
"Raja is being attacked by its neighbors, a conflict instigated by Lacua and he did something to the queen's body other than just the cursed poison." he said.
"That puts a black mark on our contract. It's no fun this way." Violet said.
"It seems, unfortunately, that the contract must be voided." the demon said.
"Ugh…it is what it is." Violet sighed.
"I take it we're done here?" Diablo asked.
"Yeah, looks so." Violet said as a door soon appeared as they headed for it. "By the way, tell me who named you."
"Someone most exalted. I'll regale with stories of Lord Rimuru and Mythos Hearts' exploits another time." Diablo said.
"Lord Rimuru and Mythos Hearts….see ya." Violet said as she and her two demons departed.
"How typical. Scampering off without taking responsibility. I suppose it now falls to everyone else to clean up her mess." Diablo said.