Arc 40The Price of Hope

Feldway’s faction assessed the Demon Country Federation’s overwhelming strength and prepared to seek more power, while Obera considered betraying their plans. At a gathering of Demon Lords, Mo Li stopped Guy and Milim’s quarrel and revealed he could help Ramiris recover, though the solution would come at a price.

  • Feldway refused to abandon the resurrection plan and discussed using Archangel's Dominion to control holders of Virtue Series Ultimate Skills, while Obera secretly planned to join Milim Nava.
  • Feldway and Rudra considered targets for control and weighed deploying Zelanus, the Insect Race, and the Empire’s forces, while accepting that Dino could not be rescued from prison.
  • Rudra revealed Xiao’s strength and the Demon Country Federation’s formidable lineup, leading Zalario to judge that Feldway’s faction could not win a direct fight and that secrecy was its only advantage.
  • Rudra and Tatsuya Kondo accepted that war with the Demon Country Federation was unavoidable, while Feldway’s faction departed the Eastern Empire to pursue its plans.
  • At the banquet, Guy blamed Milim for the ancient battle, and their quarrel escalated until Mo Li’s table taps froze Guy, Milim, and Rimuru into silence.
  • Mo Li warned Guy not to test his limits again, then identified Dagruel and Ramiris as the true victims of the ancient battle and prompted the Demon Lords to consider Ramiris’s diminished state.
  • Guy and Milim asked Mo Li whether he could help Ramiris, and he said he had developed arts that could solve her problem, though it would take time and a price.
  • Ramiris threw herself into Mo Li’s arms and cried as he comforted her, while the Demon Lords watched with sympathy and hope for her recovery.
Chapters 976–1000 Vol. 10 Read

Ch. 976Feldway's Madness; The Origin of the Plan

Feldway refused to abandon the plan to resurrect Star King Dragon Veldanava, despite the enemy’s overwhelming strength and their failure to obtain the needed Dragon Factors and Ultimate Skills. Rudra agreed that they must continue, and the group considered gathering more combat strength through Archangel's Dominion.

  • Obera asked Feldway whether they should give up, and Feldway angrily declared that he would never abandon the plan.
  • Zalario recognized Feldway’s resolve and recalled how Veldanava’s death had driven Feldway close to taking his own life.
  • The narration explained that Michael and Feldway devised a resurrection scheme requiring the Dragon Factors of Velzard, Velgrend, and Veldora, along with the seven Virtue Series Ultimate Skills.
  • The group acknowledged that Veldora’s Dragon Factor remained out of reach, Velgrend had been sealed, and their forces were far weaker than the enemy’s.
  • Rudra agreed that they could not give up, and the group turned their thoughts to Archangel's Dominion as a way to gather more combat strength.

Ch. 977Obera's Little Scheme; 'Rudra's' Confidence

Feldway’s group considered using Archangel's Dominion to control Velzard and gain a powerful ally, while Obera secretly planned to defect to Milim Nava. 'Rudra' insisted that Rimuru escaped the skill only because of King of Wisdom, Raphael, and remained confident that it could not counter King of Justice.

  • The group recognized that they needed more combat power and proposed using Archangel's Dominion to control holders of Virtue Series Ultimate Skills.
  • Feldway suggested that they might control Velzard, whose Ultimate Skill authority came from King of Patience.
  • Obera questioned whether Archangel's Dominion could work after Rimuru had escaped it, while privately resolving to join Milim Nava and collect intelligence for her.
  • 'Rudra' identified Rimuru's Ultimate Skill as King of Wisdom, Raphael, and argued that it had only narrowly enabled her escape.
  • 'Rudra' declared that King of Wisdom could not develop a way to free all Virtue Series Ultimate Skill holders from King of Justice's control.

Ch. 978Rudra's Expectations; The Whereabouts of King of Vows

Rudra and Feldway recognized Rimuru’s King of Wisdom as a major threat and decided to find and control the unknown holders of the remaining Virtue-series skills. They planned to enlist the Insect Race as they raced to strengthen their forces, while the whereabouts of King of Vows remained unknown.

  • Feldway grew wary after Rudra explained that Rimuru’s King of Wisdom might find a way to counter Archangel’s Dominion.
  • Rudra identified the unknown holders of King of Purity, King of Hope, and King of Vows as their targets for control.
  • Rudra considered whether Morax might possess one of the remaining Virtue-series skills, but doubted Archangel’s Dominion could control him.
  • Rudra noted that Michael did not know where King of Vows had gone after returning to its true owner.
  • Feldway proposed making the Insect Race move and using Zelanus as the vanguard.

Ch. 979Insect Race; Dino in Prison

Feldway and "Rudra" decided to deploy Zelanus and the Insect Race against their enemies, while keeping Ivaraj as a last resort. Feldway then learned that Dino was probably imprisoned in the Demon Country Federation.

  • Feldway proposed sending Zelanus and the Insect Race into battle, offering them conquered territory in return.
  • "Rudra" agreed that the insects were useful chess pieces and said they could release Ivaraj if their plan failed.
  • Feldway asked where Dino was, explaining that they needed the powerful swordsman’s strength.
  • "Rudra" said Dino was probably sitting in prison in the Demon Country Federation, leaving Feldway shocked.

Ch. 980Dino Walks into the Tiger's Den; The Empire as a "Tool"

Feldway learned that Dino had been imprisoned in the Demon Country Federation and gave up on rescuing him. With their forces dwindling, Feldway asked Rudra how much of the Empire could still fight, and Rudra reported that its remaining high-end forces were deployable apart from Velgrend.

  • Rudra told Feldway that Dino had been driven from the Barren Land and was now imprisoned in the Great Underground Labyrinth, alongside Veldora and the Rock Dragon King.
  • Feldway concluded that rescuing Dino from the Demon Country Federation was impossible and decided to abandon him.
  • Feldway explained that he and Rudra had treated the Empire as a disposable tool, but their shortage of combat power made its forces necessary.
  • Rudra reported that the Empire's high-end combat power could still be deployed except for Velgrend, though one Royal Guard Knight had apparently died.

Ch. 981Wariness of Rudra; Xiao Draws Feldway's Attention

Rudra warned Feldway that the Empire still had powerful fighters but remained threatened by the possibility that the real Rudra could return. He revealed that Xiao had stopped Velgrend, drawing Feldway’s attention to a dangerous new enemy.

  • Rudra assessed the Empire’s surviving forces and privately resolved to eliminate Masayuki Honjo, whom he suspected was one of Rudra’s contingencies.
  • Feldway considered the Empire’s knights valuable and decided Rudra should use King of Justice’s King's Dominion to control them before deploying them.
  • Rudra warned Feldway about a monster from the Demon Country Federation who had stopped Velgrend during the battle in the Empire.
  • Rudra revealed that Black King and White Queen had become Demon Kings but had not stopped Velgrend; Xiao had done so, and Feldway became wary of him.

Ch. 982The Vast Gap in Combat Power; The Wariness Xiao Inspired

Rudra told Feldway that Xiao had stopped Velgrend, prompting concern among Feldway and the Three Demon Commanders. Although Xiao was not normally Calamity-class, Rudra warned that his full power made him just as dangerous, leaving Feldway uneasy.

  • Rudra told Feldway that the Black King and White Queen had become Demon Kings and that Xiao had stopped Velgrend.
  • Feldway worried that Xiao might be another Calamity-class opponent and reaffirmed his resolve to revive the great one.
  • Tatsuya Kondo recognized Xiao as the Great Sage of Demon Subjugation who had wounded the True Dragon Marshal and overwhelmed the Sequence Knights.
  • Rudra denied that Xiao was Calamity-class, easing Feldway's and the Three Demon Commanders' concerns while Obera privately wished he were an ally of that strength.
  • Rudra warned that Xiao's full power made him as dangerous as an ordinary Calamity-class being, though he could not maintain it for long.

Ch. 983Xiao the Prodigy; Feldway's Helplessness

Rudra warned Feldway that Xiao was a formidable spearman whose Ultimate Skill and Morax’s safeguard let him briefly reach Calamity-class strength and contend with Velgrend. Feldway learned that Xiao was Morax’s longtime disciple and sole successor, and was left shaken by the strength and protection Morax had given him.

  • Rudra explained that Xiao was powerful even in his normal state and could overwhelm the Emperor’s Royal Guard Knights with his spear.
  • Rudra warned Feldway that Xiao’s Ultimate Skill could raise him to Calamity-class strength, allowing him to hold off Velgrend.
  • Feldway realized that Xiao added another Calamity-class-level fighter to the Demon Country Federation’s already formidable forces.
  • Rudra revealed that Xiao was Morax’s disciple and sole successor, trained by him since before Morax became famous.
  • Rudra explained that Morax had left Xiao a safeguard that let him fight Velgrend, and Feldway marveled at how much Morax had provided for his successor.

Ch. 984Four Primordials; Feldway's Confusion

Rudra told Feldway that all four remaining Primordial Demons had appeared, joined the Demon Country Federation, and become Demon Kings. Feldway feared the Federation’s power and wondered why Guy had allowed it to grow so strong.

  • Rudra explained Xiao’s exceptional abilities and the many advantages Morax had given him, and Feldway acknowledged Morax’s investment in his successor.
  • Feldway asked Rudra about Diablo and Testarossa, whose status as Primordial Demons concerned him more than Xiao’s strength.
  • Rudra revealed that Diablo, Testarossa, Ultima, and Carrera had all joined the Demon Country Federation, received names and bodies from Rimuru and Morax, and become Demon Kings.
  • Feldway considered the Federation’s array of Calamity-class powers and doubted he could defeat it even by risking Ivaraj’s release.
  • Feldway questioned why Guy had permitted the Federation to become so powerful, but he could not believe Guy had been controlled or would willingly allow such an imbalance.

Ch. 985Zalario's Bottom Line; The Three Demon Commanders' Divergent Thoughts

Zalario assessed the Demon Country Federation’s overwhelming strength and concluded that a direct confrontation would fail, while remaining committed to reviving Lord Star King Dragon without destroying the world. Krin stayed indifferent and Obera secretly planned to betray Feldway and join Milim once she learned more of the plan.

  • Zalario judged that the Demon Country Federation’s power left Feldway’s faction unable to win a direct fight, even with its allies and Ivaraj.
  • Zalario decided that releasing Ivaraj would be futile and crossed his own bottom line of destroying the world, which he viewed as Lord Star King Dragon’s creation.
  • Zalario identified secrecy as the faction’s sole advantage because the enemy’s strength was known while their own remained hidden.
  • Krin reacted to the Demon Country Federation’s strength with little concern and continued to act indifferent.
  • Obera imagined joining Milim and planned to expose Feldway and Rudra’s scheme after she had learned its details.

Ch. 986Feldway's Plan; Rudra's Feelings

Feldway assessed his side’s severe disadvantage and planned to recruit Finn and Dagruel, control Virtue Series skill holders, and eventually confront the Demon Country Federation. After Feldway left, Rudra reflected on Rimuru’s hidden power and felt that the Demon Lord concealed far more than he understood.

  • Obera planned to uncover Feldway and Rudra’s strategy, betray them to the enemy, and join Milim’s side.
  • Feldway reviewed his limited top-tier fighters and considered recruiting Finn and Dagruel while seeking to control Virtue Series skill holders.
  • Feldway exchanged intelligence with Rudra, then left the Eastern Empire with Zalario and the other two Three Demon Commanders.
  • Rudra remembered Rimuru breaking free of Archangel’s Dominion and devouring Velgrend, and suspected Rimuru held secrets beyond King of Wisdom.

Ch. 987The Empire's Situation; Tatsuya Kondo's Resolve

Rudra considered the mysteries surrounding Rimuru and Morax, while Tatsuya Kondo recognized that the Emperor had allied the Empire with Feldway’s Demon Race against the Demon Country Federation and the Demon Lords. Despite the Empire’s catastrophic losses and Velgrend’s imprisonment, Tatsuya resolved to carry out the Emperor’s decision.

  • Rudra recalled Rimuru devouring Velgrend and becoming a True Dragon, and suspected Rimuru concealed secrets beyond his understanding.
  • Rudra reflected that Morax’s strength, aura, and unknown nature made him just as mysterious as Rimuru.
  • Tatsuya Kondo concluded that the Emperor and Feldway had made the Empire and the Demon Race allies against the Demon Country Federation and all Demon Lords.
  • Tatsuya noted that the Empire’s forces had been devastated and Velgrend remained imprisoned, but accepted that war was unavoidable.
  • Tatsuya resolved to obey the Emperor, even if the Empire had to sacrifice everything.

Ch. 988The Victim Guy; Raine Undermines Him

After Dagruel left the Demon Lord Banquet, Mo Li and Guy discussed the destruction of Dagruel’s territory during the battle with Milim. Raine undermined Guy by pointing out that he had also been a perpetrator and had ignored the damage, leaving Guy furious with his maid.

  • Dagruel nodded to Mo Li and left the banquet under Testarossa’s escort.
  • Guy complained that Dagruel did not know how to enjoy himself, and Mo Li blamed Guy for Dagruel’s behavior.
  • Guy argued that he had been a victim of the battle with Milim because he had been forced to stop her without destroying the world.
  • Raine agreed that Guy had been a victim but pointed out that he had also damaged Dagruel’s territory and failed to help afterward.
  • Guy grew furious at Raine for undermining him and vowed to make her pay.

Ch. 989Raine Never Learns; Guy Passes the Buck

Raine accidentally exposed Guy's shortcomings in front of the Demon Lords, and Misari rushed to contain the fallout. Guy then blamed Milim for the situation, leaving her furious and ready to attack him.

  • Raine blurted out Guy's shortcomings, and the Demon Lords stared at him in surprise.
  • Guy silently gave Raine a menacing look, while Misari covered Raine's mouth and dragged her behind Velzard.
  • Velzard thanked Misari for cleaning up Raine's mess and reflected on how much the White Ice Palace depended on her.
  • Guy told Mo Li that Milim bore the greatest responsibility, shifting the blame onto her.
  • Milim dropped her drumstick and threatened to beat Guy to death.

Ch. 990Milim's Fury; Guy's Point-Blank Ultimate Taunt

Guy blamed Milim and taunted her until she drew the Heavenly Demon, while Rimuru tried to keep her from starting a fight. Guy then leaned against Mo Li and asked Ari to protect him, leaving Milim and Rimuru stunned.

  • Guy blamed Milim, who dropped her chicken leg and drew the Heavenly Demon in fury.
  • Rimuru held Milim and urged her to calm down before she could damage Ari's demiplane or start a fight.
  • The Demon Lords and servants were alarmed, while Raine panicked and Misari froze her mouth shut with ice magic.
  • Guy continued taunting Milim and edged closer to Mo Li, asking Ari to protect him from her.
  • Milim fell silent at Guy's show of affection, and Rimuru fell silent with her.

Ch. 991Leon's Gratitude; Velzard's Jealousy

Guy teased Milim while clinging to Mo Li, prompting Rimuru to stop restraining Milim and urge her to attack. Leon resolved to repay Mo Li for keeping Guy occupied, while Velzard’s jealousy shifted from Rudra to Mo Li.

  • Guy taunted Milim and pressed against Mo Li, asking him to protect him from her.
  • Leon felt grateful to Mo Li for drawing Guy’s attention away from him and planned to find a way to repay him.
  • Velzard became captivated by Guy’s act and envied Mo Li for possessing the beauty, strength, and affection that Guy admired.
  • Rimuru let go of Milim and urged her to chop Guy into pieces.
  • Milim agreed and charged Guy with Heavenly Demon.

Ch. 992The Impression Guy Left on Everyone; Knocking Sounds

Guy provoked Milim from behind Mo Li while the Demon Lords reflected on how his once-terrifying reputation had given way to carefree mischief. Mo Li tapped the table to silence the gathering, leaving Guy, Milim, and Rimuru frozen.

  • Milim raised the Heavenly Demon and threatened Guy, who stayed behind Mo Li and taunted her.
  • The Demon Lords recalled Guy's history as the strongest Demon King and speculated that Morax had taken over his responsibilities.
  • Mo Li watched the quarrel and tapped the table to stop Milim from escalating the fight.
  • The knocks echoed through the venue, and Milim, Guy, and Rimuru stiffened and dared not move.

Ch. 993A Quiet Venue; Judgment from Mo Li

Mo Li stopped Milim and Guy from provoking a fight by tapping on the table, leaving the Demon Lords tense and obedient. After Milim and Rimuru promised to behave, Mo Li turned his attention to Guy and asked whether he had enjoyed himself.

  • Mo Li tapped the table, making Milim, Rimuru, and Guy freeze in fear.
  • Guy returned to his seat, and Milim put away her Heavenly Demon before Rimuru pulled her back to sit with him.
  • Ramiris squeezed between Milim and Rimuru while the Demon Lords sat silently under the oppressive atmosphere.
  • Mo Li stopped tapping, asked Milim and Rimuru if they were done fooling around, and they hurriedly promised to behave.
  • Mo Li asked Guy, “Was it fun?” and Guy froze.

Ch. 994The Two Little Ones' Fear; Mo Li's Blacklist

Mo Li confronted Guy for provoking him, while Rimuru, Milim, and Ramiris braced for the consequences. Guy apologized, and Mo Li warned him not to end up on either the Demon Country Federation's Blacklist or his own.

  • Mo Li asked Rimuru and Milim if they were done fooling around, and the two promised to stop.
  • Guy asked Mo Li what he would do if Guy said he had enjoyed himself, and Mo Li answered by coldly saying his name.
  • Rimuru, Milim, and Ramiris hid from the confrontation, while the other Demon Kings realized Mo Li was serious.
  • Guy recognized he had gone too far and apologized to Mo Li.
  • Mo Li warned Guy that it was his first and last chance, and that he did not want Guy on either blacklist.
  • Guy broke out in a cold sweat at the thought of being added to Mo Li's Blacklist.

Ch. 995Guy Crimson's Regret; Mo Li's Critique

Mo Li warned Guy against testing Ari's limits, and Guy vowed not to do so again. Mo Li then acknowledged that Guy and Milim had both been perpetrators and victims in the ancient battle, while naming Dagruel and Ramiris as its true victims.

  • Mo Li warned Guy that ending up on his Blacklist would bring serious consequences, and Guy promised never to test Ari's limits again.
  • Rimuru, Milim, Ramiris, and the other Demon Lords and attendants relaxed after Guy backed down and the threatened conflict passed.
  • Mo Li agreed that Guy and Milim had both been perpetrators and victims in the ancient battle, and said Milim's fault had been greater.
  • Milim showed shame as Mo Li said that Dagruel and Ramiris had been the battle's true victims.
  • The gathered Demon Lords turned toward Ramiris, making her uncomfortable.

Ch. 996Poor Ramiris; Milim and Guy's Guilt

Mo Li explained how Ramiris had sacrificed her power and former status to stop Milim from destroying the world, leaving Milim and Guy burdened with guilt. Guy suspected Mo Li might know how to heal Ramiris as he looked toward him for an answer.

  • Mo Li said Dagruel and Ramiris had been the true victims of the ancient battle, prompting the Demon Lords to look at Ramiris.
  • The Demon Lords reflected on how Ramiris had fallen from the powerful Elf Queen to a weakened Labyrinth Fairy, while still having saved the world by stopping Milim.
  • Milim felt guilty because Ramiris remained diminished even after Milim’s little dragon Velgaia had been resurrected.
  • Guy recalled that his Destructive Power had contributed to Ramiris’s fall and that his attempts to cure her had failed.
  • Guy wondered whether Mo Li had brought up Ramiris’s suffering because he knew how to ease or resolve her condition, and looked toward him.

Ch. 997Shizue's Question; Mo Li's Answer

Guy, Milim, and Rimuru hoped Mo Li could resolve the hidden danger that had kept Ramiris from returning to her former strength. Mo Li confirmed that he had a way, leaving everyone waiting to hear his answer.

  • Guy realized Mo Li might have a way to ease or solve the danger within Ramiris, and Milim and the other Demon Kings also turned their attention to him.
  • Rimuru asked Shizue whether she could solve Ramiris's problem, and Shizue judged it difficult because Ramiris's body had been contaminated for ten thousand years and her regression followed the world's laws.
  • Shizue said that she might solve the problem if given time, but Rimuru decided to hear Mo Li's proposal instead.
  • Guy asked Mo Li whether he could help Ramiris, and Milim grabbed Mo Li's arm and begged him to help their friend.
  • Ramiris reassured Guy and Milim that she was fine, and Mo Li calmly answered that he had a way.

Ch. 998The Problem with Ramiris; The Price

Mo Li said he could solve Ramiris’s transformation and degeneration, though doing so would cost him something. He assured everyone that the price was within what he could bear, leaving them with hope but still concerned for his safety.

  • Milim begged Mo Li to help Ramiris, and he calmly said he had a solution.
  • Ramiris, Milim, and Guy grew excited at the possibility of curing Ramiris’s condition.
  • Guy asked what price Mo Li would have to pay, and the hall fell silent as everyone considered the danger.
  • Rimuru moved beside Mo Li, unwilling to let him risk himself, while Milim struggled between her concern for Ramiris and her feelings for Mo Li.
  • Ramiris tried to dismiss the matter, but Mo Li said he would pay a price he could bear and told everyone not to worry.

Ch. 999The Problem with Ramiris; Mo Li's Constant Progress

Mo Li reassured Ramiris that he could solve the problem caused by her repeated reincarnations, though doing so would require time and a price he could bear. Ramiris eagerly sought confirmation, and Mo Li left her with hope that she could regain her former strength and form.

  • Milim, Guy, and Rimuru felt distressed as they watched Ramiris's suffering.
  • Mo Li said he could handle the cost of helping Ramiris and told everyone not to worry.
  • Ramiris teleported in front of Mo Li and urgently asked whether he was telling the truth.
  • Ramiris reflected on her Iterative Reincarnation, which left her weak for long periods and caused her memories to fade.
  • Mo Li explained that his growing power and mastery of martial arts and immortal techniques let him develop arts capable of solving Ramiris's problem, though it would take time.

Ch. 1000Ramiris Weeps Bitterly; Everyone's Congratulations

Mo Li promised that he could help Ramiris recover, and she broke down in tears as she recalled the sacrifice that had turned her from the Elf Queen into a Labyrinth Fairy. Rimuru, Milim, Guy, Dino, and the other Demon Lords let Mo Li comfort her and welcomed the prospect of her recovery.

  • Mo Li assured Ramiris that he could solve her problem, though doing so would require a price.
  • Ramiris threw herself into Mo Li's arms and cried as she remembered losing her power after stopping Milim and Guy from destroying the world.
  • Mo Li gently comforted Ramiris while Rimuru lowered her hand and allowed him to console her.
  • Milim, Guy, Dino, and the other Demon Lords watched Ramiris with sympathy and celebrated the hope that she could recover.
Arc 40 of 49