Chapter Summaries

Mo Li introduced Gui Zhong as one of his closest friends, then confirmed that she was the human incarnation of his Ultimate Skill and had been with him longer than anyone else. Rimuru was devastated when Veldora declared that she had lost to a newcomer under the law that childhood friends cannot beat newcomers.

• Gui Zhong challenged Rimuru and Milim to ask Mo Li whether she was truly his closest and most intimate companion.
• Mo Li introduced Gui Zhong and explained that she was the human incarnation of his Ultimate Skill [King of Games].
• Mo Li confirmed that Gui Zhong was one with him and had accompanied him longer than anyone else, prompting her to smugly cuddle against him.
• Veldora called Rimuru a childhood friend who had lost to a newcomer, and explained the manga trope to Velzard.
• Rimuru was heartbroken as the others listened to Veldora and looked at her with pity or contempt.

Guizhong defeated Rimuru and Milim by making them despair over whether Ari would favor her, and Milim burst into tears fearing Ari might dislike her. Mo Li comforted Milim, who secretly used her tears to win his attention, while Veldora persuaded Velzard not to intervene.

• Guizhong mocked Rimuru and Milim, leaving both convinced they could not compete for Ari's affection.
• Milim cried and begged Ari not to dislike her, stunning Guy, Velzard, Veldora, and the other Demon Lords.
• Velzard prepared to confront Guizhong, but Veldora stopped her and began sharing advice from his manga collection.
• Guizhong realized she had gone too far, apologized to Mo Li, and stood aside as he went to comfort Milim.
• Mo Li reassured Milim that he would not dislike her, and Milim clung to him while secretly giving Guizhong and Rimuru a smug look.

Milim used her tears to get Mo Li to comfort her, leaving Rimuru and Guizhong frustrated as the Demon Lords watched. Mo Li returned to his seat with Milim still clinging to him, while Guizhong stood behind his throne and watched Milim resentfully.

• Milim nestled into Mo Li's arms, and Mo Li comforted her, unaware she had acted sad to win his attention.
• Veldora praised Milim's victory, while Jue Tuo and Velzard remarked that Mo Li treated her like a daughter.
• Veldora questioned his manga-based theory that Milim liked Mo Li and decided he needed to study more manga.
• Mo Li tried to set Milim down, but she clung to his neck, so he let her stay in his arms.
• Mo Li silenced Guizhong and ended the quarrel, then returned to his seat with Milim while Rimuru and Guizhong watched them.

After Clayman's matter and the Demon Lords' other business were settled, Guy started the banquet. The Demon Lords relaxed over food and drink, while Ramiris went to Rimuru to ask about the handsome guy.

• Guy teased Mo Li about his performance and Milim clinging to him, while Milim ignored him and stayed in Mo Li's arms.
• Mo Li hinted that he would show Guy something even more interesting, leaving Guy eager to see it.
• Ramiris asked Guy to begin the banquet, and Guy ordered Raine and Misari to prepare it with the demon maids.
• The Demon Lords began feasting and socializing, with Leon, Luminas, Dagruel, Veldora, and Dino each occupied in their own way.
• Milim and Rimuru sampled the food, while Ramiris drifted over to Rimuru to ask about the handsome guy.

Ramiris asked Rimuru to introduce her to Ari, pretending her interest was only curiosity, while Toreni joined them to visit Morax. Rimuru brought Ramiris to Mo Li, where Ramiris blushed as she introduced herself, and Guy recognized her intentions.

• Ramiris nervously asked Rimuru about Ari, and Rimuru offered to introduce them.
• Ramiris eagerly set off with Rimuru, and Toreni joined them to visit Morax.
• Rimuru led Ramiris and Toreni to Mo Li, who was having tea with Guy.
• Rimuru introduced Ramiris to Ari, and Ramiris blushed while greeting him.
• Guy realized Ramiris's interest in Ari was more than simple curiosity.

Mo Li greeted Ramiris and thanked her for helping Rimuru, while Toreni also praised Rimuru for freeing Veldora. Guy and Guizhong privately suspected that Rimuru had brought potential rivals for Mo Li, and Guy decided to wait for an opportunity to pursue him.

• Mo Li recalled Ramiris’s history and immense authority, then greeted her and offered to help her if she ever needed anything.
• Ramiris blushed at Mo Li’s handsome appearance and modestly said she had not done much for Rimuru.
• Toreni thanked Rimuru for helping free Veldora, and Mo Li thanked Toreni for assisting Rimuru and the others.
• Guy watched Rimuru introduce Ramiris and Toreni, suspected she was creating rivals for Mo Li, and decided to wait for a chance to pursue him.
• Guizhong worried that Rimuru had brought another rival for Mo Li, but remained confident she would ultimately win.

Milim joined Mo Li on his lap while Rimuru and Ramiris grew jealous, and Guy learned that Mo Li was an excellent cook. Mo Li brought out leftover pastries for Milim and Rimuru, prompting Guy to ask for some too.

• Milim abandoned the food to sit on Mo Li's lap, and Mo Li let her stay as long as she behaved.
• Guizhong grew angry at Milim's closeness to Mo Li, while Guy decided Milim was no threat to his hopes with Mo Li.
• Ramiris and Rimuru joined the table, and Milim and Rimuru praised Mo Li's cooking and desserts to Guy.
• Mo Li took pastries from his Mortal Realm Pot and offered them to Milim and Rimuru, promising to make more in Tempest.
• Guy asked Mo Li for some pastries too.

Guy coveted the desserts Mo Li had made and negotiated with Rimuru to obtain one in exchange for a Mythical Grade weapon. Both Guy and Rimuru believed they had made an excellent bargain.

• Guy complained to Mo Li about the desserts, but Mo Li showed him that his Mortal Realm Pot was empty.
• Guizhong recognized the pastries as ones Ari had made and approached Mo Li, while Guy turned his attention to Rimuru and Milim.
• Guy decided to ask Rimuru for a dessert after giving up on taking one from Milim.
• Guy offered Rimuru a Mythical Grade weapon for her cake, and Rimuru accepted the trade.
• Guy and Rimuru each privately thought they had struck it rich with the exchange.

Rimuru learned that Guy’s shabby sword was genuinely Mythical Grade after trading him desserts for it, while Mo Li agreed to make Guizhong a future treat. As the banquet ended, Leon, Dagruel, Dino, and Luminas departed, with Luminas giving Mo Li a lingering look before leaving.

• Guy traded a worn, dusty Mythical Grade sword to Rimuru for Ari’s desserts, and Raphael confirmed the weapon’s rank despite its low quality.
• Mo Li told Guy the sword was barely Mythical Grade, then agreed to consider making Guizhong something delicious in the future.
• Leon invited Mo Li to visit the Golden Country before leaving the Demon Lord Banquet.
• Dagruel left with Veldora unconscious beneath his seat, and Dino followed him to keep mooching food and drinks.
• Luminas looked deeply at Mo Li before passing through the portal and leaving.

Mo Li and Rimuru prepared to leave the Demon Lord banquet and return to Tempest, while Milim objected to being sent back to the Dragon's Capital. After Guy gave Mo Li two Demon King's Rings, Mo Li led the group through a portal, leaving Guy behind.

• Mo Li told Guy he was leaving, and Guy invited him to visit the White Ice Palace and gave him two Demon King's Rings for Mo Li and Rimuru.
• Rimuru said the group needed to return to Tempest, but Milim argued that she wanted to stay with Ari and eat more of her cooking.
• Mo Li and Guy remarked on how difficult it was to manage Milim and Rimuru as the two girls continued arguing.
• Mo Li called for Gui Zhong and Azhdaha, who carried the still-sprawled Veldora over to join the group.
• Mo Li stopped the argument and led Rimuru, Milim, Ramiris, Veldora, Azhdaha, and the others through a portal to leave the venue.

Chii and Velzard discussed the Eastern Empire’s growing unrest and concluded that Rudra’s plans would force him into conflict with Rimuru, Mo Li, and Milim’s alliance. At Tempest, Rimuru, Milim, Veldora, and Azhdaha returned through a teleportation gate, followed by an unexpected figure.

• Chii and Velzard discussed the Eastern Empire’s preparations and Rudra’s delayed plan to control Veldora.
• Chii showed Velzard how Mo Li’s and Rimuru’s territories bordered the Eastern Empire and reasoned that they would ally with Milim against Rudra.
• Chii told Velzard that Mo Li had warned him the person on the Eastern Empire’s throne might not be Rudra, but Velzard insisted it was Rudra.
• Rimuru, Milim, Veldora, and Azhdaha arrived in Liyue City through a teleportation gate, and another unexpected figure emerged after them.

Mo Li returned to Tempest through the teleportation gate, stunning the monsters who had believed Lord Morax was dead. After proving his identity and reassuring Benimaru, Mo Li joined the celebration as Rigurd began preparing a grand banquet.

• Mo Li emerged from the teleportation gate, and Rigurd, Shuna, and the other monsters recognized Lord Morax and celebrated his return.
• Benimaru remained wary until Mo Li released his familiar golden magicules, confirming his identity.
• Benimaru knelt and apologized for Tempest’s losses, but Mo Li told him he had done well and had nothing to blame himself for.
• Mo Li promised to explain what had happened later, while the monsters said they cared only that he had returned safely.
• Rigurd hurried off to prepare a grand banquet, activating his Ultimate Skills [King of Feasts] and [King of Celebrations].

Milim announced that Mo Li had become a Demon Lord alongside Rimuru and chosen the title “Nine Heavens Governing the World,” prompting Tempest to celebrate with a grand banquet. At the banquet, Carrion and Freya revealed that they were no longer Demon Lords and had submitted to Milim and Mo Li, leaving the Three Beast Warriors and Tempest officials stunned.

• Milim announced that Mo Li and Rimuru had become Demon Lords and that Mo Li had chosen the title “Nine Heavens Governing the World.”
• Tempest’s monsters celebrated the news, and Rigurd organized a grand banquet in Liyue City.
• Sophia, Fabio, and Albis reunited with Carrion, who postponed explaining how he had survived and why Freya was with him.
• Milim invited Freya and Carrion to stay for the banquet, and Mo Li told Freya he had matters to discuss with her.
• At the banquet, Milim told the gathering that Carrion and Freya were no longer Demon Lords; Carrion confirmed that Milim was his boss and that Freya acknowledged Mo Li as hers.
• The Three Beast Warriors and Tempest officials reacted with shock to Carrion and Freya’s revelations.

Carrion and Freya confirmed that they had relinquished their Demon Lord seats after realizing how outmatched they were at the Demon Lord Banquet. Their revelations left Tempest's executives and the Three Beast Warriors stunned, especially when they learned that Rimuru and Morax were Awakened Demon Kings and Mo Li's strength surpassed that level.

• Carrion told the Three Beast Warriors and Tempest's executives that he and Freya had given up their Demon Lord seats and submitted to Milim and Morax, respectively.
• Freya confirmed Carrion's explanation, but Sophia, Fabio, Albis, and the others questioned why they believed they were not strong enough.
• Carrion explained that the Demon Lord Banquet had shown him how far weaker he was than the Awakened Demon Kings and other powerful Demon Lords.
• Carrion declared that anyone without the strength of an awakened True Demon King was not qualified to be a Demon Lord, and Freya confirmed that all nine Demon Lords had at least that level of power.
• The gathered monsters realized that Rimuru and Morax were Awakened Demon Kings, and Carrion said Mo Li's power likely far surpassed that of an ordinary Awakened Demon King.

Freya and Carrion’s claims about Morax’s immense strength shocked Tempest’s executives, and Gobta was repeatedly beaten for questioning them. Rigurd then told Freya and Carrion that Morax wanted to meet with them after the banquet, with Milim and Rimuru also attending, leaving them concerned that an important matter awaited.

• Carrion and Freya praised Morax’s strength, with Freya recalling that he had suppressed Dagruel and Luminas by himself.
• Sophia, Fabio, Albis, and Gobta reacted with disbelief, and the crowd dragged Gobta away and beat him for questioning Morax.
• Gobta tried to explain himself, but the monsters misunderstood him and beat him again while Old Man White refused to intervene.
• Rigurd told Freya and Carrion that Morax wanted to discuss important matters with them after the banquet, with Milim and Rimuru present.
• Freya and Carrion exchanged worried looks and concluded that the meeting must concern something major.

After the banquet, Shuna brought Freya and Carrion to Tempest’s hot springs before leading them to a reception room to meet Morax. Freya arrived with Rimuru and the others, and Morax greeted them as the meeting began.

• After the banquet, Freya and Carrion looked for the person who had summoned them, and Shuna led them to Tempest’s baths.
• Milim, Rimuru, and Ramiris welcomed Freya to the women’s hot spring, where they played and relaxed together.
• Freya asked Rimuru about Morax’s reason for summoning them, but Rimuru said Ari had not told her what the meeting was about.
• Freya, Rimuru, and the others left the bathhouse and met Carrion and the others outside.
• Shuna led the group to a reception room, where Freya opened the door and saw Morax being served tea by a light-gray-haired girl.

Mo Li hosted Freya and Carrion for tea, but his imposing presence left them anxious about why he had summoned them. He explained that he wanted to inform them of several matters and discuss plans for future development.

• Rimuru challenged Guizhong after learning she had joined Mo Li, but Mo Li ordered them both to stop.
• Mo Li served tea to Freya and Carrion, who drank it nervously and praised its flavor.
• Freya asked Mo Li why he had called them and admitted that his formal manner was putting them under pressure.
• Mo Li realized that his regal appearance intimidated them, apologized, and said he wanted to discuss future plans.

Mo Li warned Freya, Carion, Rimuru, Milim, and Ramiris that the Eastern Empire would soon launch an eastward expansion aimed at unifying the world. After he explained the Empire’s purpose and Rudra’s goal, the group realized they would likely be drawn into conflict with it.

• Mo Li invited Rimuru, Milim, and Ramiris to join his serious discussion with Freya and Carion.
• Mo Li warned the group that a war would soon sweep across the continent and asked what they knew about the Eastern Empire.
• Freya described the Empire’s strength and its founder, Rudra Nam Ul Ulmeria, while Mo Li revealed that it would expand east within one or two years.
• Mo Li explained that the Empire’s route and ambition to unify the world would bring it into conflict with the Dwarven Kingdom, the Jura Great Forest, or the Puppet Kingdom.
• Rimuru, Freya, and Carion reacted with shock as Mo Li explained Rudra’s goal, and Rimuru despaired at the prospect of facing the Empire.

Mo Li revealed that Rudra, the Eastern Empire’s Emperor and First Hero, was Milim’s uncle and had lived for over ten thousand years. He explained that an agreement prevented both Rudra and Guy from acting directly in the conflict, leaving the story with Milim reassured that they would not intervene themselves.

• Freya, Carrion, and Ramiris doubted that Rudra could unite the world, while Milim said she would oppose the Empire’s ambition.
• Mo Li told Milim that Rudra was her uncle because he had fallen in love with her mother, Lucia, after serving as Veldanava’s disciple.
• Freya and Carrion questioned how Rudra could still be alive after more than ten thousand years, and Mo Li confirmed he remained Emperor.
• Milim asked why Guy would not intervene, and Mo Li explained that an agreement bound both Guy and Rudra from acting directly.

Mo Li explained that Guy and Rudra had agreed to wage a contest through their followers rather than fight directly, and warned that the Eastern Empire threatened their territories. He proposed an alliance of five powers, which everyone accepted.

• Mo Li revealed that Guy and Rudra had made the world a chessboard and forbidden themselves from acting directly, leaving monsters and humans to fight in their place.
• Carrion and Freya reacted with displeasure at learning they might have been used as Guy's pieces, while Milim realized why Guy had recruited powerful Demon Lords.
• Rimuru asked Mo Li how they should respond to the Eastern Empire, and he proposed uniting their forces against it.
• Mo Li named Rimuru's Jura Great Forest, his Puppet Kingdom, Milim's Dragon's Capital, Carrion's Beast Kingdom, and Freya's Winged Nation as the five allied powers.
• Rimuru, Milim, Freya, and Carrion agreed to Mo Li's proposal, and the alliance passed unanimously.