(Since it's been so long since the last chapter I'll be posting a recap of the entire story soon. Similar to what I did with my P5 Story.)
— –Rimuru– —
The steps leading into Violet's palace were lined with intricate carvings, glowing faintly in the dim, otherworldly light of the Daemon Realm. It didn't take long before they were led into a grand hall where Violet herself awaited.
Unlike Diablo or Testarossa, Violet had chosen a far younger, almost childlike form. She was petite, with short, glossy purple hair and striking golden eyes that glimmered with cunning. Despite her youthful appearance, she carried herself with the grace and refinement one would expect of a Primordial. She sat at a table, sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup, exuding an air of nonchalance as they entered, pretending not to notice their presence.
"Diablo and Rimuru Tempest…" Violet's voice broke the silence after a few moments, smooth and polite, but her smile betrayed the subtle condescension beneath her words. "I'll be honest, I didn't expect our meeting to happen so soon. But I must say, I'm flattered you came all the way here to see me personally."
Her smile widened slightly, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. It was clear she viewed their initiative as a sign of weakness. In the intricate dance of politics and manipulation, making the first move often suggested desperation. Perhaps she thought this gave her the upper hand.
"Violet." Diablo said, his smile strained, though his golden eyes burned with restrained irritation. "I would advise you to show proper respect to my lord."
Violet chuckled softly, the sound light and dismissive.
"I did say I was flattered, didn't I?" She replied, her grin widening. After a moment, she waved a hand dismissively. "Please, take a seat. My servants will bring you something to drink."
Just from a glance, it was clear she was testing them, or to be more clear, testing him. Maybe she was trying to anger Rimuru, but he didn't let the casual smile on his face drop as he sat across from Violet.
His casual demeanor made it seem as though he were merely indulging her hospitality, though his eyes remained sharp, taking in every detail of her body language and expressions. Diablo, however, chose to remain standing behind him.
Violet's gaze flicked briefly to Diablo, her amusement growing for a split second at his choice to remain standing. Then, she turned her attention fully to Rimuru, her golden eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.
"So, tell me…" Violet began, leaning forward slightly, her smile now smaller but no less sly. "What brings a Demon Lord and a Primordial to my humble palace? Surely, this isn't just a social visit."
At her question, Rimuru leaned back and let out a soft smile.
"I thought it was about time we had a proper conversation." He said with a light yet firm tone. "You've been busy, after all, and some of your 'hobbies' seem to be spilling over into my soon-to-be territory."
Violet raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
Of all the ways he could address Violet, Rimuru chose to follow the advice Diablo had given him about her. To simply behave as casually as possible. If he went full diplomatic on her, it would only make things harder.
He had to amuse her and bait her into falling for their trap. He had to show weakness only to strike when she least expected it.
"Oh? I wasn't aware I was causing you any trouble. Please, do enlighten me." Violet replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned back in her chair.
"Do you want to play this game, Violet?" Rimuru asked with a soft chuckle, his tone both amused and sharp. "Raja is joining Tempest. I know Towa, or her descendants, were to become your vessel. However, now that they are under my rule, that will have to end."
"Hm… my vessel…" Violet echoed thoughtfully, her fingers idly twirling a strand of her short ponytail. "I did want to talk about that. You really went and messed with my toys. I had a contract, you know? It's not fair that you destroyed all my hard work."
"A contract?" Rimuru raised an eyebrow, though inwardly, he wasn't entirely surprised.
"Oh, you didn't know?" Violet chuckled, her golden eyes glinting. "Why do you think I gave them the tiara? Of course, there was a contract involved." Then, her voice became more playful as she finished. "You know us Daemons, we take our contracts very seriously."
Diablo's eyes widened slightly at her words, the annoyance in them quickly transforming into joy. Then, before Rimuru could answer, Diablo reached out through Thought Communication.
'My lord, may I speak on your behalf? I believe I can secure us some significant advantages. There's something Violet has yet to realize, and her disdain for me may facilitate her falling into my trap.'
'Oh?' Rimuru replied, intrigued. 'Go ahead.'
Diablo cleared his throat, stepping forward with a wide, calculated smile that immediately drew Violet's attention. Her confident expression faltered for a split second before she regained her composure, though her annoyance flickered through.
"What?" She asked, her voice sharp as she narrowed her eyes at Diablo.
"You're absolutely right, Violet." Diablo began smoothly, his tone polite yet laced with mockery. "We Daemons do cherish our contracts. If I may, could I examine the terms of the agreement you made with Raja?"
Violet rolled her eyes, her disdain evident.
"You think I would break my word? Don't be ridiculous." She shook her head, brushing off his request. "Never mind. If you must know, I'll tell you. A while back, I sensed some delectable emotions emanating from Raja. When I arrived, I met the queen. Her kingdom was in shambles, but what caught my interest was the moment she saw me—she called me a goddess."
Violet chuckled softly, shifting her posture to one of exaggerated gentleness. She brought her hands together in a prayer-like motion, mimicking the reverence she must have inspired in the queen.
"I told her I'd grant her a tiara powerful enough to save her kingdom, but it would come with a test of her resolve. The tiara was cursed, binding her bloodline to my poison. The terms were simple: if her bloodline succumbed to the poison, I would gain my vessel. But if they managed to retain even a shred of their humanity, they'd win and use my powers without consequence."
Diablo listened patiently, his expression neutral. But as she finished, a soft chuckle escaped him, his golden eyes gleaming with mockery.
"So that's how it is?" He said, his smile widening. "I must say, Violet, I'm disappointed. Forming a contract with a Human is one thing, but muddying the waters by poisoning Raja's lake to force the queen's hand? That's beneath you."
"Poison the lake?" Violet frowned, her playful demeanor cracking slightly. "Are you trying to insult me?"
"Oh, could it be?" Diablo asked, feigning shock as he pressed a hand to his chest in mock disbelief. "Violet, are you truly unaware?"
"The hell are you getting at?" Violet's noble composure slipped further as she clenched her fists, her golden eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I must say." Diablo continued with exaggerated disappointment. "I expected more from you, Violet. It's one thing to meddle with a contract, but to be so unaware of your servants' actions that you allowed them to break your word? That's inexcusable. You see, we discovered a magic circle beneath Raja's lake. It was releasing a constant stream of poison into the water—a deliberate act to push the queen into relying on your tiara. And there's no doubt in my mind that it was orchestrated by one of your subordinates."
At his words, Violet slammed the desk, standing up and facing Diablo with a frown.
"You think—"
"Why, of course." Diablo interrupted smoothly, his wide smile dripping with mock sympathy. "As embarrassing as this situation must be for you, Violet, I do believe there's hope yet. Not only am I willing to overlook your… unfortunate lack of control over your subordinates, but I'm also prepared to personally visit Jaune to tell her how much I admire you. I know you do enjoy feeling superior over her."
"Huh?" Violet's indignation gave way to suspicion as her eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"Why, it's simple." Diablo continued, his voice brimming with joy. "As you've already mentioned, we Daemons take our contracts very seriously. In exchange for my silence and goodwill, all I ask is that you join me as a fellow servant under Lord Rimuru. Doesn't that sound delightful, Violet?"
For a moment, Violet stared at him in disbelief. Then, a soft chuckle escaped her lips, which soon grew into a full-blown laugh that echoed through the chamber. Shaking her head, she turned her amused gaze toward Rimuru, who remained seated, casually sipping his tea as though he were an indifferent observer of the escalating tension.
"This again?" Violet asked, her tone laced with sarcasm. "There's no way I'm serving him. Actually, if anyone here should be embarrassed, it's you and Blanc."
"Oh?" Diablo's tone shifted instantly, his golden eyes flashing dangerously as his Daemon's Haki surged outward. The temperature in the room seemed to drop, the oppressive aura making even Violet step back instinctively. His expression turned vicious, his razor-sharp focus locked onto her. "And why is that?"
Violet had taken a step back at the sudden pressure, but her expression became firmer as she stood her ground.
"Serving someone is beneath you and Blanc. Even if he had the strength to back up his claim, we are Primordials. We are rulers, not to be ruled. Otherwise, we are going to end up like Bleu and Vert. Sure, he's strong—maybe even a little unique—but nothing I can't handle myself."
Diablo took a single step forward, his fingers elongating into sharp, blade-like claws. The tension thickened as he raised one hand, the tip of a blade hovering at Violet's neck. The smile on his face was gone, replaced by a frown of pure menace.
"Are you willing to bet your life on it?" Diablo asked, his voice low and deadly. "Let us make a contract. A fight between you and me. If you win, I will become your slave, bound to follow your orders for eternity. But if I win, you will join me as a fellow servant under Lord Rimuru."
"Come on, Diablo, are you serious? I've dealt with you enough to know when you are trying to trick me." Violet responded with a frown as she glanced back to Rimuru. "Plus, you have a name and a vessel. You are at an advantage."
"Scared? Violet, I expected better of you." Diablo taunted.
"Call it whatever you like. I am not falling for it." Violet answered back. "If I need to fight you to get you out of here, I will, but I am not making any deals." Then, a smile grew on her face as she finally turned to Rimuru. "Plus, I am not the one who needs to be quick. If you stay here too long, Raja will be attacked."
"So, you would break your contract and attack Raja directly?" Diablo asked with a frown.
"Well, Towa broke our contract first by healing the poison." Violet answered, the smile on her face not fading for a moment as she answered. "Plus, this isn't a test on Towa, it's not even a test for Raja. This is a test for Tempest. You come into my house and take away my toys. Whether or not my servants muddled the contract, it's only fair for me to retaliate."
"Then, how about we make a bet?" Rimuru asked with a smile as he picked up his cup of tea and drank. "My people versus yours."
Violet's eyes narrowed once again, she fell into silence for a moment as she shook her head with a smile.
"Hehehe… fine." She finally answered. "Your people versus mine. If they win, I will accept your challenge, Rimuru Tempest. If you can then beat me, I will serve you. However, Diablo cannot interfere."
"My Lord…." Diablo muttered with a pained expression, ready to step forward to intervene. "You shouldn't dirty your hands with someone like her. Allow me to fight in your behalf."
"Don't worry, Diablo." Rimuru answered, though Diablo's worried expression didn't vanish, which only helped Violet become more confident. "Now, what if I lose?"
"You will become my servant for eternity." Violet answered with a vicious smile. "I can't wait to see Blanc and Noir kneeling in front of me."
'Raph? Any final thoughts?'
[...]
[Analysis complete.]
[Proceed.]
"Deal." Rimuru answered as he extended his hand to shake hers. Something she did with a wide grin as her eyes began to glow with excitement.
Rimuru, for his part, simply smiled in return.
'She has fallen for our trick.' Diablo said through Thought Communication, his voice almost unable to hide his excitement. Though, externally, he still kept a somewhat conflicted look. 'Though, I do want to apologize for the inconvenience of having to fight her. I have failed you, Lord Rimuru.'
'You know her a bit too well, don't you?' Rimuru answered. 'As for the fight, perhaps it's for the best. I haven't gotten a chance to go all out in some time, and what better enemy to test out my strength against than a Primordial?'
Contracts were incredibly important for Daemons. But to Diablo and Rimuru, they were nothing but a convenient tool. According to Diablo and Raphael, while Violet was strong, he should be able to handle her. And, should the worst come to pass, he could simply projectile vomit Veldora in her direction. Their combined attacks should be overkill to force Violet to surrender.
One of the benefits of his Veldora, Lord of Storms Ultimate Skill was that he could simply call him over at will. And, since Veldora technically was his Skill, it wouldn't break any rules in their fight, which would mean gaining another Primordial under his name.
And well, as for the Daemons attacking Raja, he trusted Tempest's forces to be able to resist whatever Violet might throw at them. Or at the very least, he trusted Raphael's prediction of the battle outcome. In addition, his new department, specifically, would have its chance to shine in this battle.
— –Shuna– —
"Remind me to take an actual vacation next time." Shuna sighed, a faint smile curving her lips as she stood up.
Just now, she had received a message from her husband.
"Hm?" Towa replied, tilting her head with curiosity. "Is something wrong?" Her tone was gentle yet laced with concern, showcasing the sincerity that had always set her apart.
Since Rimuru and Diablo had departed, Shuna had immersed herself in preparations for Raja's integration. Among all the royals she'd encountered, Towa shone brightest in her eyes—kind, refreshingly forthright, and unburdened by the veils of pretense that so often obscured the truth. It was a welcome reprieve, especially after dealing with the game of chess that was dealing with Dwargon and Sarion.
Even Gazel Dwargo, one of their closest allies, had only proven his true loyalty once Tempest transformed into a force no longer to be ignored. What began as a respectful gesture toward his former teacher, Hakurou, had evolved into a genuine partnership, born of necessity and hardened by time.
"Towa, I need you to evacuate everyone inside the city right away." Shuna announced, her voice steady despite the urgency. "Violet will be sending her Daemons to attack Raja. If we manage to drive them back, she's promised not to interfere with your country any further."
"What!?" Towa shouted, standing up and almost kicking the chair she had just been sitting on to the floor.
"Don't worry." Shuna reassured her with a warm smile that belied the gravity of the situation. "Tempest will protect Raja. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must prepare for the coming fight. Oh, and could you warn the guards that I will be casting a spell in the city?"
As Towa began to call for the other nobles to prepare for the attack, Shuna made her way out of the castle.
"Yoru." Shuna called out.
In an instant, the shadow underneath her feet expanded before a slender woman emerged from within.
"Yes, my Lady?" Yoru answered with a bow.
"I need you to deliver a message for me. Find Ramiris and ask her to open a door here in Raja. We will need to transport some troops to this kingdom."
"Understood." Yoru answered quickly before giving Shuna one last bow and vanishing from sight.
— –Hinata– —
Guards ran across the kingdom, and alarms continued to blare as the citizens were escorted to their houses. There were some traces of panic in the air, yet Raja moved with surprising unity.
Perhaps it was the benefits of having a smaller kingdom, or perhaps it was their trust in Towa, but all of the citizens listened to her warning without hesitation.
Hinata, for her part, couldn't help but hold back her anger and frustration.
'Is this the dumbass Slime you yapped so much about?' She seethed silently, her mind a whirlwind of disbelief as her eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
Shizue had begged her to trust Rimuru, and in a moment of weakness, she had agreed. When she heard that Rimuru was heading to meet with Violet, she didn't fight back.
She really should have.
What kind of fool had bitten her and infected her with the dumbass virus? Even without the ability to transform into a Spiritual Being, she could have demanded to settle this in the Cardinal World instead.
"Fucking Shizue…" She cursed, shaking her head as the resolve to ignore her former teacher's next request settled inside of her heart. "No… fucking Slime…"
A Daemon attack was challenging enough on its own, one that Hinata could have managed. But Shuna's words had painted a grimmer picture—a massive assault, a final test for Tempest. This wasn't a mere skirmish; it was going to be a full-blown war.
Teleportation was ridiculously hard to set up, she didn't have the materials nor the time to set up a circle connecting Raja to another church. Even then, it would only create a bigger mess in the future.
Raja was now part of Tempest, the public enemy number one of the church. If she called them back right now, and they found out, who's to say the amount of shit that would follow. Especially given the fact that they are going to start a war between each other soon.
'Is Tempest going to be strong enough?' She couldn't help but wonder.
The guard, Shion, was incredibly strong, but strength only carried you so far when it came to protecting others. Just because you could cleave your way through an army didn't mean that you could do so while keeping those too weak to protect themselves safe.
'If I set a barrier around the kingdom, I will be stuck in place. And a kingdom this size…. I won't be able to set up anything strong enough to stop them for long. Which means they are going to be able to slip past my defenses…'
Inwardly, as cynical as it might sound, she was already calculating the strategic points to defend and the points she could afford to surrender to the attack.
It was a shame, since Raja was a beautiful kingdom, yet due to the sloppiness of her new ally, she was found inside a hole too deep to climb out of.
"You look tense." A soft voice rang out behind her, and Hinata struggled to contain the glare as she turned to look at the empress of Tempest.
"Rimuru has doomed this kingdom." Hinata answered without hesitation, almost itching to punch the Slime in the face. "When we first met, he promised me he would keep Humans safe. We haven't even started our collaboration, yet he has already broken that promise."
For a heartbeat, Hinata expected Shuna—someone she believed to be kind and to have a strong sense of duty—to share her indignation. Instead, all she received was a short, amused chuckle that resonated like ice against her skin.
'God, now I really want to punch her too.' Hinata thought bitterly.
This was precisely why she had cut herself off from people. They had a way of clouding your judgment, making you act on impulse. The more detached she remained, the clearer her thoughts became—cold and precise.
"Don't worry, we will be setting a barrier around Raja soon. Remember, Luminous also taught us the ways of Holy Magic. And though we haven't had long to familiarize ourselves with the spells, Tempest more than makes up for their lack of experience with abundant faith and coordination."
Maybe it wasn't too late to use her armor and barge into the Daemon Realm to try to reason with Violet. She would be on a timer, but looking at Shuna's relaxed expression, maybe she would have to risk it.
Just as she was about to ask how they would bring an army large enough to defend Raja, she heard a door open behind her, along with the sounds of heavy footsteps.
'Ah.' She finally thought as the answer appeared in her mind. 'Ramiris.'
Turning around, she saw a small, unassuming door that had appeared near them.
Luminous had regaled her with stories of the Fairy Queen in her prime, so knowing she could do something as simple as transporting an army in a matter of seconds was something she could accept.
However, that did bring another worry to her mind.
'Couldn't Rimuru use her to invade any kingdom in the world?' She mused bitterly. All Ramiris needed was a door, and the Labyrinth would gain yet another exit. With the element of surprise on their side, no kingdom would stand a chance against an ambush from Tempest.
Even Lubelius, with its formidable defenses, might not be enough to thwart such a large-scale assault at least not without using Luminous' Sanctuary. But her Sanctuary was overkill for practically every enemy.
Letting out a sigh, Hinata focused on the group leading the charge. Well-dressed Majin, all wearing clothing with the iconography of a small slime—the newly founded Holy Division of Tempest.
Leading them were a High Orc and an older Kijin woman.
"Mitsuha, Hamlet, go into the kingdom and prepare for casting the Holy Barrier. Make sure you are prepared since the barrier will need to be maintained for at least a day." Shuna ordered, and after receiving a round of nods, they began to march into the kingdom.
It was absurd.
In truth, Hinata found herself torn between anger, disbelief, and a reluctant spark of optimism. The situation was maddeningly complex.
"I can cast the barrier around the kingdom myself. If your people can sustain it, that would free me to take to the battlefield in defense of Raja," Hinata finally declared.
If they were to erect a barrier at all, perhaps it would be better if she handled it personally. After all, she trusted her own skills far more than those who had only just embarked on the path of Holy Magic. Yet Shuna merely shook her head in quiet amusement.
"Hinata, why don't you examine the barrier we create before deciding? I will agree to your request if it isn't up to your standards." Shuna answered.
Letting out another sigh, Hinata reluctantly relented. It was too early to become overly worked up; she needed to conserve her energy for the battles ahead.
Trailing behind Shuna, Hinata resolved to use her Mathematician Skill to contemplate every possible contingency.
It was almost depressing how quickly she was able to find an endless list of potential complications.
For instance, any Holy Barrier would inherently weaken not only Daemons caught within its bounds but also any Tempestian warriors who might rely on its protection. At least, given the fact that they were all Monsters and Majin. Should a Daemon manage to breach the barrier, Raja's army would find itself at a severe disadvantage. Sure, Raja had its own forces, but Hinata knew better than to trust the haphazard guards of a small kingdom.
"Relax, Hinata." Shuna said once more, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I understand your anger; trust me, I would be furious in your position. But if there's one thing you should know about us, it's that we will always protect our own. The circumstances may be awkward, but Raja is now a part of Tempest. You must trust Rimuru to choose what's best for it."
Hinata offered no verbal response, only meeting Shuna's sincere smile with a troubled, reflective gaze.
"You might not see it now, but by taking this battle on, Tempest and its allies will be far safer in the future. When a greater threat arises, we will be ready." Shuna continued, giving Hinata's shoulder a gentle tap before moving forward.
The streets were empty thanks to the evacuation, with the only exception being some random guards with hesitant and wary looks. Everything had happened so quickly that most of them probably weren't sure what was happening.
Yet, even through the confusion, they had faithfully followed their empress' orders, parting to allow the group of Majin to enter the heart of the kingdom.
At the center of the gathering stood Shuna, and around her, the Holy Division of Tempest swiftly arranged themselves into a perfect circle.
Shuna took a deep breath before exhaling, and as she did, Hinata's eyes couldn't help but widen in shock. From within Shuna, a group of Greater Elementals emerged. Fire, Earth, Water, Space, and finally, Wind. Yet, judging by the aura they were emitting, they weren't your average Greater Elemental Spirits.
They all must have received a name. Though, judging by Tempest's track record, maybe that shouldn't surprise her anymore.
After a brief pause, all of Tempest's Priests brought their hands together in a prayer-like gesture. As if it were a well-rehearsed routine, they began to cast a barrier.
No.
It wasn't simple coordination. Even amongst Majin and Monsters, this was too precise.
Only when she looked closer did she realize it, but Shuna was the one taking the lead. The moment she directed them, they all reacted in perfect synchronicity.
'A Skill, perhaps? Something like Thought Communication?'
Before Hinata could mull it over any longer, her attention was drawn to the sudden movement of the Elementals. Four of them dashed off in the cardinal directions while one soared straight upward.
"Holy-Elemental Barrier." The priests whispered softly as a bright, multicolored barrier emerged around the kingdom.
"Holy-Elemental…" Hinata echoed as she looked around in shock.
"Daemons are strong against Angels; Angels are strong against Elementals; and Elementals are strong against Daemons." Shuna said with a soft smile as she stepped away from the circle of priests. "True, that only works up to a certain level, but for the Daemons we are going to face, this should be enough. This is a modified version meant to protect specifically against Daemons."
Hinata let out a long sigh, probably the hundredth of the day, and simply nodded before turning to prepare for the battle ahead. Maybe she was worrying for nothing. If the barrier had any major flaws, she was confident she'd spot them immediately, and so far, there was nothing wrong.
Part of her hoped they had worked on this for a long time. And part of her was afraid that they had pulled it out of their asses last second.
"Shizue-sensei…. What the hell kind of place did you find?" Hinata couldn't help but mutter to herself.
— –Violet's Lieutenants– —
"A Holy Barrier?" A well-dressed Daemon remarked, his eyes fixed on the distant kingdom. With slicked-back purple hair and a lean, gentlemanly build, he carried the air of a composed middle-aged man.
"Do you really think it was Tempest?" another Daemon replied, his tone laced with disbelief. He was younger, with medium-length hair tied in a loose ponytail draping over his right shoulder. "According to our intel, Raja shouldn't have enough priests to muster a barrier of this caliber."
These two were among Violet's strongest, tasked with spearheading the impending Daemon assault. Even so, they hesitated. Sending their full forces against a kingdom shielded by Holy Magic was no trivial matter.
"If we falter in this battle, Violet will surely rain down her fury on us…" The younger Daemon sighed, his tone half-annoyed, half-amused. "But then again, capturing a few Tempestians might earn me some extra praise if I can mimic their cooking style."
The older Daemon gave his companion a sidelong glance before returning his gaze to the kingdom.
"Hm?" He murmured, surprised as he noticed a group of knights emerging from behind the barrier.
Before long, an entire army of Majin and Monsters rallied, surrounding Raja on all sides. Mounted warriors and fliers swarmed the skies, forming a formidable cordon around the kingdom.
At the head of this assembled force was an Oni woman. Clad in a simple yet elegant kimono, she exuded the grace of a queen. Her complete lack of any aura might have mistaken her for a mere human accessorized with horns had the Daemon not recognized her as the Empress of Tempest.
To her right stood a towering High Orc, his armor softly gleaming even as the night began to claim the sky. And on her left was another unmistakable figure, the Paladin Hinata Sakaguchi.
Even if he ignored Shuna's complete lack of aura, showcasing her control over her magicules, there was something else he couldn't overlook. The Empress of Tempest was looking directly at him.
Though they were miles apart and shrouded by several layers of concealing spells, it felt as if his eyes were locked onto hers. The older Daemon allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible grin as his heart skipped a beat.
"The Empress of Tempest." He mused softly. "Their barrier is meant to shield the kingdom, not their entire army."
"Huh?" The younger Daemon questioned, a note of confusion in his voice as he surveyed the distant battalion. "Are they that foolish? Are they really giving up their advantage like that?"
The older Daemon shook his head and chuckled quietly.
"No, it's not stupidity—it's strategy. Tempest isn't a country that throws away its battles lightly. I looked into it myself at Violet's behest. This… this is a challenge, a deliberate show of power. They are putting on a proper show for our Lady."
The Daemon looked on at Shuna for a few more moments before letting out a soft chuckle.
"I see…" he muttered, shaking his head. "We do not stand a chance against them."
"Huh?" The younger Daemon asked.
"Forget it, we must do our best either way." The older Daemon answered before taking one final look at Tempest's army and raising his voice to the Daemons gathered around hime. "It's time."
The countless Daemons behind him charged ahead at his command.
"Take on the Paladin. I will handle the Empress myself." The older Daemon ordered the younger one before vanishing from his place.
— –Shuna– —
Countless Daemons charged directly towards them, heedless of their own safety, after all, they were immortal. If they died, they would simply be reborn in the Daemon realm. And even if that weren't the case, she was sure that Violet had ordered them to fight until the end.
Tempest had formed a wall around Raja with their own army, and soon, the Daemons would clash with them. Those surging through the skies would be intercepted by the ranks of knights riding atop Griffins, while those charging through the ground would be blocked by the immovable wall that were the High Orcs.
For a moment, the battlefield was quiet, the only sounds coming from the charging Daemons. And then, as the first wave of Daemons clashed against the wall of High Orcs, all out war broke out.
Shuna had to hold back a chuckle as she saw the overconfident Daemons slam against the High Orcs, expecting to pierce through them only to be bounced off shields, snap their weapons against plated armor, and be promptly driven into the dirt by the sheer weight of the High Orcs' counterforce. One particularly eager Daemon had leapt high into the air, only to be swatted down like a fly—its body crumpling as it hit the ground with a sickening crunch. A few didn't rise again.
Some of the more savage Daemons clawed at the gaps in the High Orc's armors, but unbothered by the attack the wall of High Orcs began to push forward, taking more space for Tempest.
And then, after a few moments of gaining momentum by the push, the wall of High Orcs parted slightly, leaving a small gap between each of them.
Like a tide breaking to reveal the storm beneath, a wave of Tempestian warriors surged through the narrow opening, blades flashing in the sun. These weren't ordinary soldiers. These were Shion's personal trainees—handpicked, battle-hardened, and eager to draw blood. They moved like wolves through a flock, tearing into the disorganized ranks of Daemons with brutal precision.
As momentum built, the rest of Tempest's army poured into the fray. The clash became a storm. Steel met claw. Magic clashed in the air. Screams filled the sky.
"I kinda expected more from an army of Daemons." Shion sighed as she looked at the fight. "I was hoping I would get to stretch my muscles a little."
"No, this is to be expected." Shuna answered, though inwardly, she also felt somewhat disappointed. "The Daemons are nameless and without a vessel. They are limited in the strength they can showcase in our world."
"Hm." Hinata grunted next to her, her eyes narrowed as she watched the battle. "How did you get so much Mithril?"
"We made it." Shuna answered, glancing back at the ongoing battle. Or, more specifically, the weapons and armor their warriors were using. Mithril, a holy alloy made from Silver and Magisteel.
But even if they were using simple steel swords, the outcome wouldn't have changed much. All of their warriors had been taught how to infuse their magicules into their weapons, and with that skill, they would have been able to slice through the horde just as they were now.
Waves of Daemons would launch barrages of spells, but before the spells could reach Tempest's army, countless Harpies would take to the sky and intercept them with their own Magic Jamming Skills. Some Sirens and High Harpies, evolved from Frey's Harvest Festival, would even go as far as to fly directly into the Daemons to completely stop them from casting any spells.
Shuna had to suppress a sigh as the scene unfolded before her. It felt selfish, perhaps even childish, but deep down… she had wanted to impress him. Just a little. A dazzling display of power, the kind that would make her husband smile and say something silly—something only he could get away with. But with how the battle was progressing, showing off would be unnecessary.
No—worse than unnecessary. It would be overkill.
Maybe Daemons were weaker than they had expected. Her time with Diablo and Testarossa had raised their standards a bit much.
No, that wasn't it. Tempest had simply grown strong.
Now, it was just a matter of time until the battle ended—and that thought, at least, was comforting.
'You know…' Rimuru's voice echoed in her mind with that familiar, almost lazy warmth, catching her slightly off guard. 'The sooner we finish this battle, the sooner we can get back to our vacation.'
A soft smile curled at the corners of her lips as she rolled her eyes, her fingers brushing against the edge of her sleeve.
'You just want to see me go all out, don't you?' She replied with a trace of amusement. He knew her too well, he must have sensed she was about to back down.
'Show me yours and I'll show you mine?' Rimuru offered with a chuckle.
'Are you teasing me in the middle of a war?' Shuna asked with a soft smile.
'What? I'm talking about our battles.' Rimuru answered, pretending to be offended. 'Tsk, tsk, my wife sure is freaky.'
Despite herself, a tiny laugh slipped out. But her amusement faded as a flicker of danger stirred in her senses.
Her gaze snapped forward, sharp and clear.
She felt it before she saw it—and from the sudden tension in Shion's and Hinata's postures, they had sensed it too.
Without so much as a blink, she watched as a young Daemon erupted from the earth like a shadow breaking through the soil, his movements precise, his blade poised for a lethal strike—aimed straight for her.
However, he never reached her.
A thunderous crack rang out as Shion stepped forward, and her fist slammed into him mid-lunge, sending him skidding backward through the dirt. The strike had deformed the Daemon's face, leaving a clear indentation, but his regeneration kicked off, slowly fixing his appearance.
However, before the Daemon could recover, Hinata closed in. The Daemon however, jumped back just in time to avoid her attack. However, he only managed to get a few steps back before Hinata's blade had reached his throat.
Her sword pressed deeper, slicing the Daemon's skin just enough to draw a line of black-red blood. It hissed on contact with the blade's holy edge, refusing to clot.
"An Archdaemon." Hinata whispered her cold eyes staring down at him. "You must be one of Violet's lieutenants."
The Daemon froze, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender as a bemused smile touched his lips.
"As expected of a Paladin," he said, his voice smooth and laced with genuine admiration. "A blade imbued with anti-healing properties. Your reflexes are as sharp as the rumors claim."
The young Daemon spoke loudly, trying to draw their attention as another presence flickered into existence behind Shuna. This one was faster, quieter, with their blade already in motion.
But just like the first sneak attack, it didn't matter.
With fluid precision, Shion twisted, parrying the sneak attack with a practiced ease that left no room for error. Her counterstroke came a heartbeat later, slicing deep into the second Daemon's side. The wound, too, refused to close as Cook took effect.
The two Daemons staggered back, blood darkening the earth beneath their feet.
Before the situation could ignite into a full skirmish, the older one raised a hand and cleared his throat.
"Hold," he said calmly, voice cutting through the rising tension. "Please, allow me to introduce myself before this descends into chaos."
There was no arrogance in his stance—only dignity. His movements were elegant, almost courtly, as he bowed low with the grace of a man who had spent centuries perfecting the gesture.
"I am Violet's right hand and Intelligence Officer. I came here to issue a formal challenge to you, Empress of Tempest," he said, eyes fixed firmly on Shuna. "But… it seems that will no longer be possible."
Shuna tilted her head, a soft smile appearing on her face as she stared back at him. Her pose appeared relaxed, but she had secretly activated several layers of defensive magic around herself.
"And why is that?"
"Because I will die before I can reach you," the Daemon answered with an oddly amused smile. "It appears my information was… lacking. Even if my comrade were to stall Miss Sakaguchi, your Royal Knight would execute me before I took another step. I must confess—I am impressed. To hide such a powerful Majin in plain sight… you've outplayed me."
"Should I take this as your surrendering?" Shuna asked, however, she already expected his response.
"No. Our Lady has given us orders, and so we must follow them." The Daemon replied, shifting his gaze toward the battlefield. The battle raged on, Tempest's forces steadily pushing forward. "Perhaps if we were to fight in the Daemon realm…"
Then, turning his eyes back to Shuna, he placed a hand over his chest in a show of respect.
"Just like my fellow Daemons, I am honorbound to follow my Lady. I hope we will meet again under better circumstances, Empress of Tempest. In any case, I will not delay this any longer."
With those words, the older Daemon moved to clash with Shion, but before he could complete the swing, he was already dead.
Shion had severed him cleanly in half with a single stroke of her odachi. And with the power of Cook, the Daemon had no means of resisting. His body crumbled into ash before he could so much as react.
"Well… I guess we're doing it that way," the younger Daemon muttered with a resigned shrug, casting a sidelong glance at Hinata. "Man, Violet is gonna be pissed." His voice held a grim kind of humor, but his eyes stayed locked on hers—clear and fearless.
"Just… make it quick, yeah?" he asked, exhaling as he raised his blade.
He didn't beg. He didn't hesitate. And that, if nothing else, was worth a moment of respect. But, just like the older Daemon before him, he crumpled to the earth in moments. A blur of silver, a sharp intake of breath, and it was over.
Their deaths were clean.
The Daemons were not weak. They were starting to approach the level of a Demon Lord Seed, even if restricted by their lack of a vessel. But their opponents were Shion and Hinata, people who had surpassed that level long ago.
"Tch." Hinata clicked her tongue as she sheathed her sword and began walking towards the battlefield.
Shuna couldn't quite understand it, but the paladin looked oddly pissed off.
Shaking her head, Shuna decided to ignore her for now and focus on her own spell. Rimuru had personally asked her to go all out, so she would not disappoint.
Bringing her hands in a prayer-like motion, Shuna took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Gradually, the ringing clash of battle softened around her as time seemed to slow—a sign that her Thought Acceleration had kicked in.
Then, feeling deep inside of her soul, she felt focused on two sources of power. There, in the center of her being, she found it. One born of her love for Rimuru, and the other, from the unshakable belief her people held in her.
Her Holy Magic swelled in response.
She had faith in Rimuru, not as a god, but as her husband.
Even as a religion began to form around him, the way she saw him hadn't changed. However, that didn't stop her faith in him. The belief that he would always keep her and Tempest safe. The belief that he would always do what was best for all. That faith empowered her Holy magic much like Luminous would empower Hinata.
And then… there was the faith of Tempest.
She had never asked for it.
She had never claimed divinity, nor pretended to be anything other than who she was. But even still, the people saw her differently. Reverently.
Perhaps it began with Adalmann. The poor Wight had been broken, cast aside, clinging to purpose by a thread when she reached out to him. But in saving him, she had become something greater in his eyes: not just a Queen, not just Rimuru's wife, but a beacon. A divine presence.
Adalmann believed she was a goddess. And that belief, paired with his unshakable loyalty, had sparked a quiet wildfire.
A whisper of reverence became devotion. Devotion became belief.
And belief… belief had power.
Even if it was only a fraction compared to Rimuru's growing religion, it was enough. Enough to elevate her magic to levels even she hadn't predicted.
Her Queen's Grace Skill may have been the catalyst. Perhaps it unconsciously drew those feelings out. Or perhaps it merely amplified what was already there. Either way, the result was undeniable.
The faith of the people—their prayers, their admiration, their trust—wove itself into her very being. It saturated her magic, making it more potent than ever before.
She wasn't a god. She never would be.
But for this one moment, she would bring the wrath of one.
A combination of Earth, Water, and Holy Magic.
"Bloom." The command was soft, almost tender.
In the heart of the battlefield, the ground shimmered. A single golden leaf, delicate as silk, unfurled from the blood-soaked earth. It pulsed once with gentle light, then took root.
The soil split with a low hum. A tremor ran through the land, subtle but undeniable, as a tree of light began to grow. It rose slowly at first, branches winding toward the sky with graceful, natural motion, until it surged upward in a burst of divine radiance. In mere seconds, the golden tree had grown to nearly thirty feet tall. Its bark glowed with a warm, gentle luminescence, and its branches bent under the weight of a thousand shimmering leaves—each one radiating power.
It was beautiful. Radiant. And undeniably sacred.
The fighting stilled.
Daemons, mid-swing, hesitated. Tempestian warriors lowered their weapons, their eyes wide with awe. Almost no one could look away from the golden marvel blooming in the center of their battlefield.
And then, the leaves began to fall.
They floated down like snowflakes in spring—soft, slow, and impossibly bright. Golden lights filled the sky, a breathtaking cascade that blanketed the field in a warmth that felt like morning sunlight.
But it wasn't warmth that followed.
For a moment, they simply drifted, suspended in the air as though time itself held its breath.
Then Shuna opened her eyes.
Her arm rose with calm certainty, pointing straight at the Daemons. Her expression held no anger, no hatred—only the quiet, regal focus of someone who had already passed judgment.
The leaves responded instantly.
From their delicate descent, they froze—motionless in the air as if awaiting her signal.
Then they turned. Every single leaf shifted in the air, their tips angling like blades, gleaming with holy power. And without another word, without even a whisper, they fell.
Not like snow. Like daggers.
The golden leaves rained down upon the Daemons with frightening precision. Each one seeking out a target, piercing through magical defenses. The Daemons screamed as they were struck—not in pain, but in something far deeper. They weren't just being wounded; they were being purified.
Lesser Daemons were unable to put much of a resistance as they were purified to nothing but ashes from the barrage of leaves. They had been surrounded by the storm of falling leaves, and the Holy Magic inside of each leaf burned away at their defenses.
It would be one thing if this had been a skill or a regular spell, but this was their weakness. As spiritual lifeforms without a vessel, they couldn't avoid the Holy power of purification.
For a few minutes the leaves continued to fall until they had all been used up, and as the last of the leaves struck its target, the tree crumbled away into nothingness, leaving nothing behind.
The once brimming battlefield had been left mostly empty as only the Greater Daemons left behind. A portion had died, but out of those who survived, most of them were highly injured, with only the Daemons closest to becoming Archdaemons looking somewhat unharmed.
There were simply too many targets for her attack, leaving the damage it did spread out too thin for the higher level existences. However, she had accomplished her goal, with the Daemons remaining, her army could clean up those who survived.
— — —
Special Thanks to my Beta Readers/Editors: The one, the only, the amazing @Basilisk, and @Kiyan Tribe (FF.net/AO3/QQ/WN) | kiyan_tribe( Discord)
Go Check out Basilisk's great story "I'm a Daemon, so what?"
https://discord.gg/WTgN9J3YgK
~A/N~
Yo, long time no see! Finally getting around to posting and writing again lol, thanks to everyone who waited.
Honestly I wasn't sure how far to go with the Shuna glaze session, but I found a happy medium. Should have seen the first draft, she just straight up wiped the Daemons lol. Lesser Daemons are B+ ranked, Greater Daemons are A rank and Archdaemons are Special A to S rank.
Keeping in mind that the freaking Orc Disaster is Special A rank, it felt like too much to have Shuna just wipe. Especially considering that it's not one target, but an army.
Anyways, I'll try to get back to my regular schedule but it might take me sometime, so possible inconsistent uploads for a bit. Honestly I didn't get much (if any) writing done during the break cuz I had a lot of Irl stuff going on(bought a house y'all!!!), so what you see is what I have lol.
I'll give updates and stuff through the discord, but my current goal is to upload Sunday of next week with the finale of the Raja mini-arc. And then, I can move to the El Dorado mini-arc!
We'll be seeing two blondes in that arc, one fiery and the other one cold. Also, Shizue and Tesstarossa get their chance to shine.