Traveler from Type-Moon, Demon Lord Rimuru!

"..."

"It should be the same for the White Winged Duke. While he wouldn't look down on you, he likely holds a certain..."

"What difference is there between negotiating with you and playing the lute to a cow?"

"That kind of thought."

"..." Hearing this, Altrouge narrowed her eyes dangerously, grinding her teeth with hidden resentment as she said, "He thinks I'm not a threat to him?!"

"Perhaps he simply believes you have no interest in contending with him to the end in this regard. To you, influence is not something particularly important or worth managing. Therefore, he sees no need to bring out the corresponding chips and sincerity, because... you haven't pushed him to that point." Rimuru leaned in close to her ear, chuckling softly, "But I believe your negotiation breakdown is only temporary. You should show your hand."

"For instance, set a fire in his backyard to give him a warning."

"You might just be doing it to vent, but in our eyes, this is also a signal: if you truly want to move against Austria, then you must pay a certain price or endure the wrath of another Dead Apostle Ancestor."

"Furthermore, you must provide a reason. Why? Why risk the scrutiny of both the Holy Church and the Mage's Association to care so much about this matter? What is your stance and your starting point?"

Rimuru's tone was light, like a creepy uncle luring a little girl with a lollipop, guiding her step by step.

And Altrouge quickly handed in her own answer: "Cornwall? My protection of Cornwall shows my will... the will to protect other Dead Apostles?"

"You've started to value influence, Your Highness." Rimuru nodded and smiled, "Once you demonstrate the corresponding strength and resolve, you gain the qualifications to enter the game. A player is unwilling to play against an opponent with no heart, but they will never refuse a challenge from anyone who plays seriously."

"But how do you know he understood your meaning, rather than just ordering tighter control over Austria out of genuine anger?!" Altrouge retorted.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Rimuru shook his head, "We've already played our card; it's just a matter of whether he picks it up. If he was truly just angry, then it only proves the White Winged Duke is nothing special and easier to handle. And if he is as I suspect, then a calculating old fox—once a partnership is formed—is actually good news for the other party."

"..." The anger on Altrouge's face had calmed. She looked into Rimuru's eyes for a long time before she let out a soft laugh: "Tch."

"You said so much, but in the end, it was just to persuade me to agree to negotiate with the White Winged Duke again, or even to cooperate."

"But as you said, my code of conduct might just be a choice between what I want and what I don't want."

"So now, I'm telling you that I hate that guy. What will you do?"

Hearing this, Rimuru shook his head gently, "There's nothing to be done then. I am only doing my best to make the optimal choices and actions."

"But Your Highness, have you ever thought about what the ultimate goal of the White Winged Duke's ambition is?"

"He is hostile toward the True Ancestors, yet he values the Dead Apostles. In my view, this is nothing more than a form of rebellion."

"The vampire species is already excellent enough as a biological entity, but even so, they still cannot stand on equal footing with humans. Even the Dead Apostle Ancestors, a group that could crush the Mage's Association and the Holy Church if they united, cannot even contend with declining organizations like the Wandering Sea or Yggdmillennia?"

"The White Winged Duke became a Dead Apostle willingly to study magic, and he was one of the three oldest who participated in the fight against the True Ancestors to liberate the Dead Apostles. But even so, even for the sake of exploring magic, he can no longer gain the recognition of the world—by what right?"

"By what right can the Dead Apostles not possess their own legitimate status and the right to enjoy the night?"

"Establishing a kingdom for the Dead Apostles and providing them shelter is his ambition, but for you, it is a choice with only benefits and no drawbacks. Because the de facto leader of the Dead Apostles, the successor of Brunestud, is you—the king of the kingdom must also be inherited by you."

"..." Altrouge looked at the eloquent Rimuru, suddenly lowering her gaze to reveal a cold sneer.

He appeared very calm and very logical, but for some reason.

A nameless fire still ignited in Altrouge's heart—she knew very well why she was angry, so—

"Bang!" She shattered the table beside her with a punch, cutting Rimuru's words short. She curled her lips, staring dangerously into Rimuru's eyes, and said word by word: "I admit, what you said is very correct, or rather... you are very good at stirring people's hearts."

"But from beginning to end, you have been planning all of this from the perspective of the Dead Apostles, from my perspective."

"Shouldn't your stance be that of a human?"

"I am merely fulfilling the duties of my position." Facing Altrouge's interrogation, Rimuru remained calm.

"You think I'll believe that?!" Looking at Rimuru's unruffled face, Altrouge took a deep breath, no longer able to hold back the coldness in her tone. In an instant, magic power gathered and erupted. With a bang, when the Black Knight and the White Beast appeared at the door in shock, they saw that Rimuru had once again unleashed magic power comparable to that of a True Ancestor, clashing with the Princess of the Black.

"I don't mind if you are dissatisfied with me or want to escape my grasp. I, Altrouge, wouldn't even mind being schemed against by my subordinates or used by you. I might even be happy, because it would mean I was of help to you."

Altrouge narrowed her eyes, her tone becoming even more dangerous: "But you shouldn't treat me like a dim-witted princess who doesn't understand anything, using methods to coax a child to fool me."

"I admit everything you said is correct, but as you said, I am not interested in these things."

"So, Rimuru, the human mage Rimuru Tempest, if you want me to continue helping you, or rather, using me to achieve your goals, do not fool me or lie to me."

"I want to hear your true reason, otherwise—"

"Otherwise?"

"Otherwise... I will kill you!" A flash of blood-red appeared in Altrouge's eyes as she said viciously: "And then... and then..."

"Resurrect me again?" Rimuru smiled. He suddenly stood on his toes to pat Altrouge's head. While she was stunned, he sighed and said softly: "You won't kill me, Altrouge."

"You value emotions too much."

"You are called a princess, and your personality is like a princess, not a queen. Even when facing the sister you are hostile toward, you cannot bring yourself to strike. Facing the White Winged Duke's offense, you ultimately only complained verbally. Facing the pleas of former subordinates, you also respond. Aside from the necessary cruelty, what you show is actually more of an unintentional kindness. For example, at the Einzbern castle, you told me the Church had arrived and let me retreat—that was just because you didn't want the remaining Dead Apostles to continue dying there, right?"

"Because my sensory ability... I consider it quite vast, vast enough that if I wanted to, I could cover all of Germany."

"And on the contrary, most of the hostility in your actions stems from liking and interest."

"You hunted me down to subdue me as a subordinate, and you incited me to deal with Merem Solomon because you wanted to taste the flavor of his blood."

"Even the reason you are angry is not because I have been using you until now, but because I tried to hide it despite your sincere treatment—"

"But I believe this is a very normal thing. You forced me to become your subordinate, and I gained the power to use you and your influence to achieve my goals. This is a very fair trade."

"However, the reason I unilaterally carried out this decision was not because I wanted to hide it from you, but because I felt it was equally beneficial to you. You have no reason to refuse."

"I thought you would have realized that."

"I can certainly imagine it." Hearing this, Altrouge ground her teeth and said bitterly, "After all, the script where the left and right arms are both power-hungry ministers, and you eventually conspire with one of them—the White Winged Duke—to usurp the throne, is just too common, isn't it?!"

"But Rimuru... reality is not a script. In the end, it is strength that does the talking—"

"I know, which is why I am so loyal to you, Your Highness."

"You ask for my true purpose and reason; it is simple, as you yourself said, didn't you? My essential identity is that of a human mage, Rimuru, and not the White Knight."

"Therefore, my ultimate goal is naturally for the sake of humanity."

"Altrouge, there are many reasons one could find to be loyal to you. For instance, you aren't skilled at managing power, which makes it convenient for me to intervene, or perhaps because you are powerful enough to protect me while I do whatever reckless things I please."

"But the most important reason remains this: you do not harbor hostility toward humanity."

"So, you have no need to worry about me usurping your power, nor do you need to struggle with whether or not you hate the White Winged Duke. After all... it is impossible for me and the White Winged Duke to truly walk the same path. On the contrary, once the threats of the Mage's Association and the Holy Church vanish, and the Kingdom of Dead Apostles is on the right track..."

"He and I will inevitably part ways, in a fight to the death."

"I will use your hands to eliminate the White Winged Duke, completely bring the Dead Apostles under control, and erase the threat they pose to humanity."

"I want to save humanity; that is my goal, Your Highness." Rimuru bowed his head slightly, leaning in to whisper in her ear: "After all, the best way to dismantle an enemy is not to destroy them, but to dismantle them from within, isn't it?"

As a businessman, Rimuru understood deeply... forcing a rival company into mutual destruction is never as comfortable as a hostile takeover, right?

"However, since you wish to be frank with me, I am also willing to explain. After all, I also want to sign a contract with you."

"A... a contract?" Altrouge was slightly stunned.

"Yes, a contract." Rimuru moved away from her ear, looking toward the morning light and the rising sun, and said earnestly: "I said I would not usurp your power because I will eventually leave—I do not belong to the Dead Apostles, nor do I even belong to humanity. Therefore, I hope you can agree to sign this contract."

"After I am gone, not only must you not strike at humanity, but you must also do everything in your power to preserve it—"

"You are certainly confident..." Hearing this, Altrouge raised an eyebrow and said: "You actually harbor the delusion of turning an existence whose original purpose was to eliminate humanity into a bodyguard for humans—?"

"If I have this idea, I will do everything in my power to see it through, Your Highness."

"Very interesting... but what if humans turn around and strike at us?" Altrouge said with an amused expression: "Peace is a two-way street, Rimuru."

"That depends on how the other 'me' performs, doesn't it?" Rimuru turned back and smiled gently.

At that moment, Altrouge fell silent.

Leaving this world—did that mean returning to the Reverse Side of the World?

Rimuru was a Phantasmal Species; it was almost inevitable that he would eventually leave human society. She knew this.

This guy... really has... terrifying ambition. No, "saving humanity"—that word is no longer enough to describe it. In human terms, has this guy before her already taken on a mission worthy of a saint?!

It is truly ridiculous, especially when one looks at his style of conduct, where not a single shadow of a saint can be seen.

But... Altrouge looked at Rimuru with an extremely complex expression, then changed the subject: "Then wait until you have actually done it before talking. If you can manage that, I am willing to sign such a contract with you—"

The White Knight is responsible for dismantling enemies, the mage is responsible for self-development; the idea of dominating both the black and white paths sounds cool, but both of them understood the difficulty involved.

"For a world you don't care about."

"It is for the people I do care about."

Nebula M78 756365104

PS: This chapter was originally supposed to be a conversation that occurred after unilaterally defying the Princess of the Black's orders to form an alliance with the White Winged Duke. However, considering that many people don't seem to be very interested in the Dead Apostles faction, I modified the outline and the development of the story.

Well, it can also be considered an explanation of why the protagonist is willing to join the Princess of the Black's subordinates. One reason is that he couldn't bear to keep hurting Liddell, and the other is that the appearance of the Princess of the Black gave Rimuru another possibility to see a way to change the world.

Rimuru is a hedonist, but he isn't the kind of selfish person who would disregard his family for his own sake. If that were the case, he wouldn't need to embark on a journey to find his way home, right? I read all your opinions, but honestly, since this account isn't verified, I can't reply... which is very frustrating.

I still hope everyone will read patiently and be tolerant of this little newbie, QAQ. Also, this is a crossover anime story, a crossover anime story! Speaking of which, which world do you want to see next? I need to write the outline in advance, w.

Chapter 043: Let's Open a Bank!! In That Kingdom!

The bloody air congealed in the sky. The suffocating atmosphere left the Black Knight and the White Beast watching the two of them in silence, unsure of what to do.

Compared to Altrouge's indulgence, the Black Knight Sturt had a very complex view of Rimuru. On one hand, he felt that this person's personality made it impossible for him to live under someone else's roof; Altrouge's indulgence would only be "raising a tiger that would eventually devour its master." Furthermore, his sharp-edged personality, which often clashed with the Princess of the Black, made Sturt feel that this person was prone to insubordination and lacked proper respect.

However, no matter how much he disliked him, he had to admit that at least after Rimuru inherited the position of the White Knight, the Princess of the Black—who had been uninterested in everything and acted without a goal—truly gained a bit more direction. Compared to the Princess of the Black, Rimuru's style of action was filled with layer upon layer of purpose.

As for the White Beast, it was the exact opposite. As a Phantasmal Species full of curiosity and instinctual behavior, the White Beast felt a sense of closeness to the aura on Rimuru, yet because the other party often reminded it of its former master, its attitude toward Rimuru could be described as fickle and erratic. It was a complex emotion filled with appreciation and closeness, yet simultaneously full of wariness and annoyance.

Of course... what the White Beast hated most was that the other party had given it a name without its consent.

Fou? What kind of ridiculous name is that!

The two who had finished arguing fell into silence. The Black Knight Sturt saw that there was no intention for them to fight, so he silently turned away, intending to leave and continue his vigil. Just as the White Beast saw him leaving and hurriedly tried to follow to escape the scene, it heard that bastard call out "Fou" while a pair of hands gently scooped it up and placed it into his arms.

"Fou, have you gotten fat again?" Rimuru held the creature up in front of him, looking at its dissatisfied expression as it kicked its four legs, and chuckled: "But you're even more comfortable to hold now."

"Fou! I told you, I am not called that damn name... and I am a dog, not a cat... you can't pet me, Fou..."

Although it said that, as Rimuru used his practiced massage techniques, Fou's resistance quickly grew weaker, its voice grew softer, and it lay comfortably in Rimuru's arms—"Ugh, if it weren't for the fact that I can't beat you... you would already be a dead man, Fou..."

As the Primate Murder, although rumored to be a monster of Gaia, Fou's combat power against non-humans was actually not that high. Of course, this is compared to the Dead Apostle Ancestors and top-tier mages; ordinary existences still couldn't defeat a natural monster like Fou.

"You... guy." Altrouge looked sullenly at Rimuru, who had already started playing with Fou as if he were petting a cat. She suddenly felt a wave of helplessness. Clearly, she was the one with more strength, and clearly, the other party relied on her for everything...

But even so, she always felt... why was it that she was the one being completely controlled?

If it weren't for the desperate resistance the other party had put up when she was interested in taking him as a subordinate, she would have suspected that their initial meeting had been calculated by him all along.

"When are you going to Germany to find the White Winged Duke?"

"Hmm? No rush." Hearing the question from the Princess of the Black, Rimuru smiled lightly as if nothing had happened, his voice as gentle and calm as ever: "Wait a little longer. Regardless of anything else, as the de facto leader, you don't need to be too proactive, Your Highness. Just wait quietly for the other party to speak first."

"..." Altrouge opened her mouth silently, then finally tossed her head in annoyance and said coldly: "You can go yourself when the time comes. I'd just be a spectator if I went anyway—"

"That won't do. Having you there versus not having you there are two completely different concepts—" Watching her continue to throw a tantrum, Rimuru stood up helplessly, handed over the groomed white beast, and said softly: "Alright, just think of it as providing shelter for the other Dead Apostles—"

"You're a human, doesn't it feel awkward for you to say such things?"

"Actually, if I wanted to become a Dead Apostle, it would be quite simple." Rimuru casually opened his hand, and a trace of vampire aura left behind by Brad slowly dissipated as he explained nonchalantly: "I can absorb any constitution and move in whatever direction I choose to pursue—"

"Then why do you care so much about your identity as a human?!"

"Don't you understand yet, Your Highness?" Rimuru shook his head and gave a brilliant smile.

"What influences my stance has never been some identity or responsibility, but simply the people I care about and myself."

"...Suit yourself." Altrouge looked at the pet in her arms. Seeing it suddenly emerge from Rimuru's embrace, blink its little eyes in confusion, and habitually search for his warmth again, she suddenly felt that this pet wasn't so appealing anymore... maybe she should just stew it.

With a thud, she dropped the bewildered Fou onto the floor. Altrouge stood up and walked to the door, but suddenly turned back to ask: "If I hadn't agreed in the beginning, would you have had a backup plan?"

"Of course not." Rimuru shook his head hurriedly.

The white beast on the floor, however, cast a light glance at Rimuru and leaped onto the top of his head.

"..." Hearing this, the Princess of the Black raised an eyebrow and walked back to her room without committing to an answer. Once only the man and the beast remained, the white beast slowly crawled onto Rimuru's shoulder: "Fou... you're lying."

"No, I'm really not." Rimuru smiled, refusing to admit it.

What he didn't say was that there truly was no backup plan, because it wasn't necessary—given the Princess of the Black's personality and pride, she would never back down in the face of a joint offensive from the Mage's Association and the Holy Church. And when that time came... under the pressure from all sides, Facing the White Winged Duke who would come knocking on his own, Rimuru might lose some bargaining chips, but the final outcome would remain unchanged—the scattered Dead Apostles were destined to be no match for the Church and the Mage's Association.

But as for this... perhaps it's better not to tell her... right?

Watching her retreating figure, Rimuru suddenly smiled softly.