Traveler Starting from Type-Moon, Demon Lord Rimuru! Chapter 41

The two exchanged questions and answers at a rapid pace, but soon, Zelretch could no longer sit still.

"You have designs on the Mage's Association?"

"Didn't I say so from the very beginning?" Rimuru looked toward Zelretch and said softly, "What I desire most is precisely that neutral stance belonging to you, Lord Zelretch."

"Or rather, that stance of yours that remains unshakable between the Dead Apostles and the Mage's Association."

"Hey, hey, don't go dragging me into this."

As soon as the words fell, Zelretch paused slightly, then laughed: "It wouldn't be any fun if you started calculating me into your plans, and besides, I won't be cooperating."

"I have no intention of calculating you, my lord." Rimuru shook his head and said, "If I recall correctly, a month ago, after the great battle between the Princess and the White Winged Duke drew the intervention of the Mage's Association and the Church, it was you who stepped in to mediate, wasn't it?"

"Indeed."

"Therefore, if the conflict between the Dead Apostles and the Mage's Association escalates to a certain degree, for the sake of keeping the mysteries from being leaked..."

"...I think I understand." Zelretch narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "It is true that I would step in to mediate..."

"That is enough, my lord." Rimuru turned his head away: "When that time comes, what we need is precisely an absolutely neutral negotiation organizer."

"..." After a moment of silence, Rimuru, who had arrived at the center of the room at some point, asked indifferently: "Does anyone else have any questions? Everyone?"

"I do." A faint voice came from the side. Rimuru looked over upon hearing it, and it was actually the usually tipsy Water Demon Sumire, who had somehow regained her sobriety. She asked in a crisp, melodious voice: "Everything you have said is predicated on the assumption that we are willing to help you defend Cornwall."

"Even if you are confident in persuading the White Winged Duke, how do you intend to persuade the other Ancestors?"

When it comes down to it, the White Winged Duke is the King of the Dead Apostles, not the King of the Ancestors.

Even if the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors are divided into factions, their status is, in the true sense, equal—even the White Winged Duke is merely one of the three great Dead Apostles who once led the Ancestors in a rebellion against the True Ancestors.

At this point, Sumire looked seriously at Merem Solomon and the Black Winged Duke, saying: "Even if I count that you have already persuaded these two Ancestors, and add in the Black Knight and Primate Murder, you only have six people in total; that doesn't even exceed half, does it?"

"I am very willing to serve Princess Altrouge." Upon hearing this, Zepia laughed softly: "My life's wish is to pursue the path of magic, but experimenting with magecraft occasionally is also a good choice."

"Fine, seven." Sumire raised an eyebrow and continued: "Although I have to admit your rhetoric is quite charming, I don't think much of the feasibility of your plan... well, what if it fails..."

Water Demon Sumire, whose true form is said to be a type of aquatic blood-sucking creature capable of molting... Rimuru stared at her beautiful face and suddenly thought of a lamprey...

"I heard you are a pessimist?"

"Eh? Yes, so I cannot believe you will succeed, I'm sorry."

"Hmm... no need to apologize." Rimuru said speechlessly: "Since you are a pessimist, I never intended to persuade you in the first place."

"Eh? Could it be that I don't even have the value of being persuaded by you?" Upon hearing this, the tone that had been relatively normal for Sumire began to drop.

"No, it's just that I intend to persuade Rozay-en instead." Seeing the other party looking like she was about to cry, Rimuru quickly stepped back and explained, feeling speechless.

To tell the truth, in Rimuru's impression, there were only a few Ancestors worth him specifically preparing to persuade.

And pessimists like Sumire often lack independent ideas; in most cases, they prefer to follow the crowd or have another strong partner who can make decisions for them. Sumire's close friend is precisely the Ancestor who is a typical noble young lady, Rita Rozay-en.

And as for persuading Rozay-en, Rimuru was even more confident.

After all...

"Think about it, in the kingdom of the Dead Apostles, becoming a true member of the royal family, not needing to hide in a fake castle, being able to openly pursue the art you love, not to mention being able to keep humans you like as livestock, wantonly feeding on their blood, tormenting them, and playing with them..."

"..." Accompanied by the temptation Rimuru slowly unfolded, the eyes of Rita Rozay-en lit up, and she fell into deep thought—instantly causing Sumire to sigh helplessly.

Nero Chaos smiled and watched coldly from the sidelines, seeing Rimuru quickly walk toward his next target—

Fim.

"Lord Fim..."

"Shh." Before Rimuru could even speak, Fim hurriedly reached out to make a silencing gesture, then gently raised his wine glass and smiled: "There is no need for extra words, Lord Leviathan, I have no objections."

"Oh?"

"Regarding the specific discussions, I hope we can talk in private. Of course... I believe the White Knight will give me a satisfactory answer. After all, our previous transaction was very pleasant, wasn't it?"

Rimuru paused slightly, looking at this smiling, rotund Ancestor, and nodded thoughtfully.

"Then, I look forward to our exchange, my lord."

Sure enough, the other party had recognized him.

Rimuru turned around, his eyelids drooping slightly, thinking to himself... but the other party had no intention of exposing him. It seemed the other party wanted to cooperate with him in certain aspects, but... since the other party grasped his identity as Rimuru, it was clear they had gained an extra bargaining chip.

This was not favorable news for him.

On the other side, the White Winged Duke, lost in thought, watched as Rimuru began to frantically lobby them one by one. His eyelids twitched, and finally, he could no longer bear it: "That's enough, Leviathan!"

At this moment, he had no doubt that Rimuru had done his homework before coming; even Rozay-en's hobbies were things the other party could easily know and promise the benefits she wanted. If this continued, under the lure of profit, there would be nothing left to discuss.

However, what truly troubled him was that while Rimuru promised benefits to everyone else, using profit as his offensive, when it came to him, he not only launched a frantic psychological offensive but also wanted him to cough up a portion of his own interests as the price.

Clearly, this showed that the other party had him figured out, had figured out his need for the alliance of the two forces and his longing for the future of the Dead Apostles.

This made him very uncomfortable. On one hand, he was indeed tempted; on the other hand, he really did not want Rimuru to succeed because of this. After all, no matter how one looked at this deal, he was at a disadvantage.

No, perhaps not a disadvantage, but even in a win-win situation, perhaps he would profit, but it was clear that Rimuru and Altrouge would profit even more!!

The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

But unfortunately, what the other party said... made a lot of sense...

Something is wrong? If it feels wrong, then it's right.

Rimuru sneered inwardly, though his expression remained calm.

It should be settled, Rimuru thought. After all, when the White Winged Duke failed to find a counter-argument during the first round, Rimuru knew he would win.

Because, just as Rimuru had stated, whatever the White Winged Duke could do, Rimuru could do as well, meaning the White Winged Duke held no advantage. However, this in itself was a highly suggestive hint. If the White Winged Duke had ever experienced the dazzling linguistic traps of the twenty-first century, he would have realized it quickly, but unfortunately, he had not.

Up until now, he had only stopped Rimuru from continuing to entice Roa Valdamjong and the others in his faction, never once considering that what Rimuru could promise, he could promise as well.

Perhaps he hadn't done so at the start out of disdain, or perhaps he had simply forgotten.

But now, as this situation erupted and the Ancestors at the meeting began to lean heavily to one side, his already wavering resolve was shaken even further. The influence of the environment and the opinions of those around a person is immense, even if those people don't understand a thing.

It's like playing chess; when someone is chirping in your ear, even if you know they're a terrible player, when what they say happens to coincide with one of your own thoughts, you'll feel like they make a lot of sense, even if it's a blunder.

Finally, when the White Winged Duke's gaze swept over the crowd for the twelfth time, he sighed:

"It is getting late. If there are no other topics, let us take a break for now."

"Is the White Winged Duke planning to pause the negotiations?" Rimuru looked up and chuckled softly.

"I need to consider this." The White Winged Duke stood up and said indifferently: "In truth, I never intended to resubmit to Altrouge, nor is it possible for me to do so."

"But... I am quite interested in your plan. We can continue to discuss the matter of cooperation."

"There can only be one King of the Dead Apostles; that is a point we will not concede."

Rimuru chuckled lightly.

"...I can make concessions, but I will not pledge my loyalty to her again, Leviathan." The White Winged Duke stared intently at Rimuru and suddenly said: "Although I do not understand your methods, I know that the best way to make someone accept a condition is to first propose one that the other party cannot possibly accept."

"Negotiations have been like this since ancient times, but I do not like playing these games. Leviathan, my bottom line is that I can acknowledge Altrouge's status and qualifications, and that her authority is above mine, but."

"I will not become her follower, not ever."

"Tsk, in other words, even if we cooperate, you will still challenge her position in the future, right?" Rimuru understood the White Winged Duke's meaning and said in a low voice: "Are you making a temporary concession for the sake of the future of the Dead Apostles?"

"What a... righteous display. As expected of the White Winged Duke, even in retreat, you manage to accumulate political capital for yourself..."

"Leviathan!" The White Winged Duke turned back and glared angrily: "You had best not challenge my bottom line... I do this only for the sake of my dignity."

"Understood, understood--" Rimuru looked at the imposing aura of the man who commanded respect without effort, curled his lips, and said: "Then, I shall offer you a piece of advice as well."

"If you are still harboring the ambition to reach the pinnacle of the Dead Apostles, you had best refuse me."

"Because with me here, as long as Altrouge ascends to the throne."

"Then, the position she occupies can never be shaken."

"...Do not speak so definitively." The White Winged Duke was stunned by these words, then snorted coldly, turned, and walked out: "Then everyone, please enjoy yourselves and rest. All of Berlin is your guest room for tonight."

"Tsk." Watching the White Winged Duke walk out coldly, Altrouge suddenly laughed: "It looks like you really angered him."

But seeing the look Rimuru gave her, she quickly straightened her small face, puffed out her cheeks, and turned away.

The other Ancestors exchanged silent glances and, by tacit agreement, rose one after another to leave. Some intended to think things over carefully, while others planned to visit others to exchange thoughts.

But without exception, none of them took the initiative to approach Rimuru in full view of everyone.

The White Winged Duke's final words clearly indicated his intention to concede, prioritizing the chance to seize this opportunity for the rise of the Dead Apostles.

In this way... it meant that the world of the Dead Apostles.

Was about to be reshuffled.

No matter how little they cared about power, they had to pay attention and consider what they would do next.

Rimuru, however, looked at the sulking Altrouge with amusement and suddenly said softly and gently: "Look, I am not a liar."

"But I will fulfill everything I promised you."

"But you hid so much from me!!" Altrouge ground her teeth. This guy had planned all of this the moment he learned there was no scabbard at Einzbern, yet he had never told her.

"Deception and concealment are two different things." Rimuru shook his head: "Just like loyalty and promises."

"Altrouge, I have no loyalty to you, but as for the things I have promised..."

"I will see them through until the end."

Chapter 057, Alliance, the Beginning of Unification.

Rimuru had a habit of maintaining human routines, such as brushing his teeth, washing his face, and carefully scrubbing a face that would never actually collect any dust.

This was to ensure that in the event everything in this world dissipated like Kyōka Suigetsu, he would not be unaccustomed to modern society, and also to...

"To remind myself at all times that I am a human," Rimuru stood at the top of the castle, looking at the brilliant, swaying lights of Berlin, and said softly: "Including sleeping."

After saying this, Rimuru quietly closed his eyes and whispered: "My perception will monitor the surroundings 24 hours a day, so when you need me, just call me as always."

Hearing this, Altrouge looked with complex emotions at Rimuru, who had closed his eyes and entered a state of light sleep, snorted, turned around, and vanished into the night.

This wasn't the first or second time. Every time it reached the late hours, Rimuru would habitually enter a light sleep. Altrouge, who loved the night, had asked him more than once to change his schedule, but the answer she always received was that same line.

To remind himself that he was a human, a human! A human!!!!

What is so good about being a human?!

In the night, Altrouge suddenly kicked over a statue in the castle corridor, her mood growing increasingly irritable.

Behind them, Sturt silently lowered his head, locking eyes with the white beast's raised head, and both sighed helplessly.

Up on the castle, after Altrouge had left, Rimuru slightly opened his golden eyes and whispered, "She has already left."

"Impressive." Following Rimuru's soft words, a blurry phantom in the shadows slowly coalesced into a familiar, marveling, "Even Altrouge didn't notice; to think you could detect me."

"You didn't necessarily fool her." Hearing this, Rimuru turned his head to stare at the golem. Lacking any life force and aided by concealment magecraft, it was indeed difficult to detect, but trying to hide from Altrouge and Fou under the moonlight was another matter entirely.

"Fou can smell any abnormal magical energy; it has known you were there for a long time."

"Oh? By Fou, do you mean Primate Murder? Then why..."

"Because Her Highness and Fou both know that within my domain, no secret can be kept from me." Rimuru turned around to face the golem directly, his tone growing gentler without him even realizing it: "In such a situation, as long as I don't react, they won't interfere—"

Rimuru raised a hand and chuckled, "I think this should prove my standing with Her Highness."

"So, if the White Winged Duke sent you to win me over and betray Her Highness, our conversation can end here." Rimuru shook his head slightly and said, "What Altrouge can give me, the White Winged Duke cannot."

Rimuru's words caused the golem to fall silent for a moment before it suddenly said, "I thought you would guess that I was Fim."

It did not ask how Rimuru knew, because since the other party had already guessed, asking such a question would only make it look foolish; it would be meaningless, serving only to show weakness.

"Fim has no need to sneak around to find me." Rimuru countered, "If it isn't to win me over, what exactly does the White Winged Duke want you to discuss with me?"

"To discuss the matter of the scabbard..." Hearing this, the golem sighed. Just as it began to speak, it suddenly stopped abruptly. A moment later, the voice of the White Winged Duke emerged: "I want to sign an agreement with you, Leviathan."

"Oh? You've come yourself?" Rimuru lowered his eyes and jumped down from the castle spire. Since the other party was willing to show himself, Rimuru would no longer maintain a condescending posture: "I am actually more interested in the scabbard your subordinate just mentioned. What have you found out?"

"Nothing much, just some speculations and legends regarding it." The White Winged Duke said in a deep voice: "Leviathan, if you are willing to agree to my terms, I can give you an answer regarding our cooperation right now."

"What agreement? Let's hear it."

"After we unite, you must not exert influence over any Ancestor or the kin of Dead Apostles, nor may you develop kin of your own."

"What do you mean?" Hearing this, Rimuru narrowed his eyes beneath his mask: "You want me to relinquish my military power?"

"Military power? An ancient Eastern term, but if you want to put it that way, that is fine." The White Winged Duke said softly: "You may possess the right to command, but you may not hold any authority over the leadership, even during wartime."