Traveler Starting from Type-Moon, Demon Lord Rimuru!

As the sun shifted and stars moved, time flew by. While the White Knight Rimuru was busily and excitedly "plowing the fields," frantically digging for sword sheaths, in London—not too far from Cornwall—the magus Rimuru narrowed his eyes, looking thoughtfully outside the large lecture hall before putting away his textbook. "That is all for today's content. You may use the remaining time for self-study."

Having said that, he narrowed his eyes slightly, looked toward the doorway, and began to walk over step by step.

There, a figure stood straight in the corridor, eyes closed, waiting quietly for Rimuru's arrival.

"Greetings, Professor Kayneth." Rimuru raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "To see Professor Kayneth in the basic subjects... this is truly a surprise."

"Professor Rimuru—" Kayneth opened his eyes. Looking at the approaching Rimuru, his arrogant and sharp-featured face wore its usual polite smile. After a nod of acknowledgment, he glanced lightly behind the other man. "Haven't you also been visiting the Department of Spiritual Evocation quite frequently lately?"

"Oh? I have no choice."

"There is no end to the study of magecraft; I am merely forced by circumstance." Rimuru chuckled lightly. "Usually, it is I who encounters doubts and requires Professor Kayneth to enlighten me. Now, has the time finally come when you, too, have need of me?"

"..." Hearing this, Kayneth raised a hand to tap his chin. He glanced at the curious students nearby and pondered for a moment. "There are indeed some matters I would like to consult Professor Rimuru about."

With that, Professor Kayneth casually unfolded a medium. A mass of clear water flowed out from behind him, slowly condensing into a beautiful, crystalline flower.

It was one of Rimuru's most famous magecrafts: the Water Flower.

Seeing this, Rimuru raised an eyebrow, though he felt no surprise.

Due to the patent being made public, although this spell was recorded in magic crests as a legacy, other magi could acquire it through study after paying a hefty patent fee. Furthermore, Kayneth himself was a super-genius with dual attributes of wind and water, having reached near-perfection in fluid manipulation. Thus, it was only natural that he would master this technique.

"No matter how many times I see this spell cast, I believe your title as an 'Artistic Magus' is well-deserved."

"You flatter me." Rimuru looked up, meeting Kayneth's meaningful gaze. "If you have a question, why not ask it directly?"

"It is just a small, minor doubt. This spell does not seem to be the final, completed version; rather, it feels like a neutered version of some larger-scale magecraft... though I hope you don't find this presumptuous..." Kayneth chuckled and fell silent. After a long moment, he suddenly looked at Rimuru and asked softly, "I am very interested in researching it, but I fear that if I succeed, I might violate the taboo of infringing upon your magecraft patent—"

After speaking, those pale blue eyes stared almost fixedly into Rimuru's, as if trying to catch every flicker of emotion passing through them.

What is this? A probe from the Yuri Phis faction?

Or is it merely Kayneth's personal suspicion?

Rimuru had no issue with the fact that the man could speak so unreservedly about his ability to research it. After all, success was an inevitable outcome for someone like Kayneth. He felt no resentment toward this arrogance, as it was simply part of who Kayneth was.

However... Kayneth himself was an exceptionally brilliant genius within the Department of Spiritual Evocation. His choice to study there for this period of time had likely aroused some level of suspicion.

After a moment of contemplation, Rimuru chuckled and replied, "Professor Kayneth, you jest. This spell is, in fact, the most complete version. It simply contains more freedom for variation and adjustment. Any subsequent development would be nothing more than increasing the size to create attacks with greater range and power. I assume that besides myself, there are many magi who could easily achieve that, no?"

Suspecting me based on a single spell—that's not very becoming, is it? After all, there are plenty of magi capable of such things.

"Is that so?" Hearing this, Kayneth lowered his gaze and chuckled, suddenly shifting the topic. "I hear... Professor Rimuru has been selling off most of his assets recently?"

"Ah, that is hardly a secret." Rimuru countered, "Why? Is Professor Kayneth interested in them? Aside from the castle in Edinburgh, which has already been reserved by the Queen, I can decide to gift any of the others to you."

"That is not it." Having received Rimuru's affirmative answer, Kayneth hesitated slightly. He suddenly stopped walking, no longer accompanying Rimuru forward, and finally said, "Professor Rimuru."

"Yes?"

"If you have any troubles, please remember that you are also a member of Aristocraticism." Kayneth stood with his hands behind his back, posture upright, reminding him in the most tactful tone possible. "El-Melloi is willing to provide you with all manner of assistance."

"..." Rimuru's figure paused. He suddenly laughed, turned back, and said, "Is this considered a pre-emptive investment?"

"Merely a friendship between professors. After all, you are also Reines's future teacher." Kayneth raised an eyebrow. "Then, Professor Rimuru, let us part ways here. When you come to the Department of Spiritual Evocation next time, we can discuss this further."

With that, Kayneth turned and walked back in the direction they had come.

"It's hard to believe that Kayneth would actually think highly of me."

"It could also be a mission from Yuri Phis."

"That shouldn't be it." Rimuru watched the man's retreating back and shook his head slightly. "Yuri Phis's intention was likely just to have him probe me, but the offer of friendship must be his own idea... If it were Yuri Phis's intent, there would be no need for him to emphasize El-Melloi or specifically mention Reines..."

Although Kayneth was remembered for his arrogance, his pride, and the tragedy of being cuckolded, few knew that he was not the type of isolated, academic genius his personality suggested. Born into a minor, unremarkable family, beyond his absolute talent, his high emotional intelligence and political acumen were the primary reasons he stood out among all other geniuses to eventually become the successor of the El-Melloi faction—the powerful Lord Professor Kayneth.

Only then did Rimuru recall that his lounge was deep within the large lecture hall. This meant that Kayneth had been walking with him in the opposite direction of his own destination for quite some time, rather than stopping at the door to start the conversation. This natural and perfectly timed display of etiquette once again illustrated the man's way of handling affairs and his methods of building connections.

If one had to say, Kayneth was the type of person... even with that inherent arrogance and pride, one could never truly bring themselves to hate him.

"Still, an investment from the El-Melloi faction... I suppose I should refuse it." Rimuru lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. It wasn't that he was unwilling to accept the goodwill of the El-Melloi faction, but simply that explaining the purpose of these funds might become troublesome.

He had already amassed a fortune of at least several hundred million pounds, including Liddell's own private treasury.

He did not intend to use these assets for long-term investments in the future era of information explosion, but rather prioritized short-term gains—the kind that would surely yield results within four years.

And the reason?

Rimuru returned to his lounge, stretched, and looked toward the East. There, a giant beast made of steel was still roaring. No one would have guessed... that one day in the future, it would suddenly collapse.

It was currently 1987. There were four years left until 1991.

"Hmm... let's start by... opening a bank over there?"

Rimuru lowered his gaze to the two pound notes in his hand—the power of capital is amplified without limit; in that land of the proletariat, almost... no one could stand in its way.

However, his goal was ultimately not the wealth accumulated by that great empire over nearly a century, but the unique magecraft system, knowledge, talent, and even the talent reserves from the technological and mundane sectors that the empire had amassed in this world.

Knowing the plot of the future, he understood deeply that mystery would eventually decline. No matter how much traditional magi refused to admit it, in the future, ordinary people would be the masters of this world. Once increasingly powerful technology and weapons were developed, even magi could no longer continue to walk their path in isolation—

And to save the humans of this world, it would require the joint efforts of both sides, rather than... the conflict of mutual hostility.

But having said that, Rimuru didn't mind devouring the edible wealth while plundering talent and knowledge. After all... rather than letting it benefit other capitalists, it was better to let it benefit him, an existence that... once belonged to the red nation, right?

Still, it was probably best if the identity of the White Knight didn't have any intersection with my side—

"Whether it's connections or bribery, Achelotte, as international hot money, can provide me with no small amount of help." Rimuru said softly: "Compared to the United States, I believe that nation prefers British gentlemen... hmm... although they are much of a muchness..."

I'll have to trouble Liddell this time.

Tsk... eating off both sides... although it's a bit shameful... but...

It's delicious.

While the magi Rimuru was neglecting his proper work, pondering every day how to make money and go legit, the White Knight Rimuru in Cornwall finally had a breakthrough.

Today is the fourth day since Cornwall fell into a land of Dead Apostles, and also the day before the start of the Grand Resolution—

Rimuru, who was sighing and lamenting how he had become even more handsome, finally received one piece of good news and one piece of bad news.

The good news is that the scabbard has been found; the bad news is that Merem Solomon is currently seizing the scabbard—

"Look, you're going to have to fight him after all." Beside him, Altrouge shook her spoon, her crimson eyes flickering with the joy of seeing Rimuru suffer a setback: "That's what you get for not listening to my advice and taking him out early."

"That's not necessarily true." Hearing this, Rimuru pondered for a moment, chuckled, stood up, and said to the Duke of Cornwall who had come to report: "Let's go, lead the way."

"Last time we didn't even exchange greetings, this time, it's time for a proper talk."

The excavation site of the scabbard did not exceed Rimuru's expectations. It was located at the edge of Cornwall, one of the two ancient forests where the Einzbern family had submitted an archaeological application to the United Kingdom. Rumor had it that this was once an ancient battlefield.

However, the excavation of this land did not go smoothly at first. Instead, the progress over the three days was almost entirely fruitless, which even made Rimuru think his judgment had been wrong.

When the black mist represented by Rimuru spread across this land and appeared alongside the Princess of the Black, the scabbard had clearly changed hands. After all... ordinary Dead Apostles could not stop an existence among the Dead Apostle Ancestors.

The surrounding Dead Apostles and ghouls were trembling, yet they had to face the order to resist. Merem Solomon, not at all worried that this group might charge at any moment, stood there quietly, silently examining the scabbard in his hand—

It was only when the Dead Apostles spontaneously retreated to both sides, clearing a path, that he raised his eyes to meet the pair of golden pupils beneath Rimuru's mask—

Looking at the eerie patterns on the mask, he indifferently placed the scabbard against his chest: "A holy relic filled with the breath of history... is this what you wanted to obtain with such great fanfare?"

"What else?" Rimuru chuckled softly. Unfortunately, beneath the mask, Merem Solomon could not see his expression: "You've seen enough, can you return the scabbard to me now?"

"For the sake of us both being Dead Apostle Ancestors?"

"Return?!"

"Yes, return." Rimuru nodded and said: "After all, that is an heirloom belonging to my ancestors. Although I know you have a hobby of collecting antiques and treasures, it's a pity..."

He revealed a blood-red blade made of fresh blood in his hand and said: "That thing really has a very deep meaning to me."

"...Heh, is that so." Hearing this, Merem Solomon raised an eyebrow, and a cold sneer appeared on his seemingly youthful face: "Since that's the case, I wonder if the White Knight would... care to tell me—"

"Whose heirloom is this?"

"Don't you already have your own guesses?" Hearing that sneer, Rimuru shrugged as if helpless: "In this land, whose scabbard could match such gorgeous patterns, such majestic aura, and such an existence worthy of moving me?"

"As someone proficient in treasures and legends, you should also know the legends related to the scabbard on this land."

"..." Merem Solomon did not expect the other party to be so frank, so after hearing Rimuru's words, he was slightly stunned at first, then tilted his head and asked in confusion: "You couldn't possibly be a descendant of that King, could you?!"

His original sneer was clearly based on the certainty that the other party was spouting nonsense, but Rimuru's words made him slightly dazed while also starting to doubt... could it be... actually true?

But Rimuru didn't intend to continue chatting with him. He also shook his head: "Who knows? Anyway, I've already stated my reason. Whether you believe it or not isn't actually important... but I can tell you very clearly, Merem Solomon."

"I am determined to obtain that scabbard, at any cost!"

"So you really intend to... start a war with me?"

His tone became increasingly serious, and the aura on his body climbed steadily, causing Merem Solomon to frown slightly as he looked at the scabbard in his hand—

He truly didn't believe that the other party valued this scabbard so much because of some special significance, but... he had also tried; this scabbard seemed to be just an ordinary holy relic, an extremely ordinary holy relic belonging to that King.

There was no flow of magical energy, no hidden barriers, and certainly no hidden special treasures.

Then... why?

Clearly, when they first met, he could tell that the other party didn't want to fight him either.

He silently raised his eyelids and glanced at Altrouge, who was standing at the side with her arms crossed, quietly watching the show—indeed, with Altrouge present, he truly had no chance of winning.

However, if he sacrificed the Four Great Demonic Beasts to delay the Princess of the Black and her subordinates, it wasn't impossible for him to escape—it's just that the cost required for the rebirth of the Four Great Demonic Beasts would bring him great pain and consumption of magical energy, which was a rare and extravagant decision for him.

Thinking of this, he slowly took a step back—

"What are you thinking? Don't blame me for not warning you... Merem, allow me to call you that, Merem—" Rimuru looked at the other party's movements and suddenly spoke: "I can make your demonic beasts... disappear forever, you know."

"!!!" Merem Solomon was stunned, his body stiffening where he stood—indeed, he had previously had the feeling that the other party was extremely dangerous, as if they could kill his demonic beasts, but after thinking about it for a long time, he still felt that it should just be an illusion caused by not knowing the other party well enough—

But, when the other party also stated this in a certain tone, it meant that the other party might truly... have mastered the method or secret technique to kill his demonic beasts!

"Perhaps killing them all is a bit strenuous for me, but I think killing one or two is not a problem."

Rimuru's eyes shifted slightly, breaking their lock, and fixed a dangerous gaze upon Merem Solomon's left hand. He smiled with a look of extreme peril, saying, "Compared to other magical beasts, I believe that left hand must be quite important to you—"

"I can guarantee you this: if you intend to run away—I can ignore the other magical beasts, and I will kill the Rat King completely—"

Rimuru's voice was like a devil's whisper, causing Merem Solomon to suddenly lift his head and glare at Rimuru, gritting his teeth—"In that case, I will fight you to the death."

"If you want to take the scabbard, we are already at a point of no return, Merem."

Rimuru turned his head away dismissively and said softly, "I already said before that I will retrieve that scabbard at any cost. Even if you don't care about the Rat King and sacrifice them to escape back to the Burial Agency—"

"I, the White Knight Leviathan, will hunt you down relentlessly, until one of us is dead."

"...What a terrifying declaration..." Merem Solomon was silent for a moment before suddenly looking up and saying, "But this is my mission."

"Do you understand? Even if you take the scabbard, chasing me is useless, because the one who wants this scabbard and is stopping you is not me—"

"Then I will wipe out the Burial Agency—" Hearing this, Rimuru said without hesitation, "The only ones who could give you orders are the Burial Agency, right?"

"You bastard..." Hearing this, Merem Solomon's expression froze completely: "Do you know what you are saying?"

You have to realize, even the Princess of the Black, Altrouge, who is by your side, wouldn't dare say she could completely ignore the Burial Agency!!

"You can take it as a joke, but this is indeed what I wanted to say." Rimuru shook his head and continued, "And it is something I believe I will be capable of in the future."

"However, even if it truly comes to that, that is only if you can escape from here today." Rimuru reached out his hand, and a trace of blood-red light slowly emerged: "So, are you ready... to let your companions die?"

"I can even refrain from letting Her Highness intervene—how about I take on your four great magical beasts all by myself?"

Like hell that's a fair deal!

Hearing this, Merem Solomon's face grew even gloomier. The meaning behind the opponent's words wasn't so much a concession as it was a deliberate reminder—since the Princess of the Black killing your magical beasts allows them to be reborn, I will simply deal with your beasts alone. I'll kill as many as I can; killing one is no loss, and killing two is a massive profit!

It was a blatant threat!

It must be said that in the face of such relentless pressure and aggression, Merem Solomon... felt a bit of hesitation.

He had originally thought that since Rimuru hadn't attacked him from the start, he clearly had some reservations about him.