King Gazel Dwargo's sharp eyes fixed on the party, quickly assessing the immense disparity in power.
He dismissed the flustered Minister Vesta with a wave of his hand, choosing instead to address the two foreign powers directly.
"Silence!"
Gazel's voice boomed, silencing the chamber.
"The charges of disturbing the peace stand. However, I recognize power when I see it. You, Slime-dono,"
He said, nodding to Rimuru's masked human form,
"And you, the mighty Dragon beside her. The Armed Nation of Dwargon will not enter an alliance with an unvetted power."
Gazel descended the steps from his throne, his own powerful aura—that of a hero and warrior—flaring slightly.
"To prove your sincerity, your strength, and your worth as an ally against the coming darkness, I demand a formal duel! Either you, Slime-dono, will face me, or your silent guardian will."
Rimuru's gaze snapped to Arthur, a flicker of concern crossing her features, though she quickly recovered.
"Arthur, he's serious. You're second only to Veldora—if you fight him, you might kill him accidentally!"
Veldora told her that Arthur could be very strong. So strong that he could wipe the whole nation or even the whole world. (Balance Breaker)
Arthur gave a subtle mental assurance.
"I know the limits of my strength, Rimuru. I will not break his kingdom, but I will break his pride just enough to secure the deal. Trust me."
Arthur stepped forward, his eyes locking with King Gazel.
"The challenge is accepted,"
Arthur stated, his voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable undercurrent of immense, limitless power.
"I will represent the alliance. Your Majesty, name the location."
The duel was moved outside the main hall to a large, reinforced courtyard, though most of the Dwarven guards remained wisely behind thick walls, peering through viewing slits. Rimuru, Kaijin, and his crew watched from a safe distance, well aware they were about to witness a collision of titans.
King Gazel took a powerful, ready stance, channeling vast quantities of magicules.
His intention was to test Arthur's raw fighting ability.
Arthur simply stood still.
"If you do not take this seriously, Dragon, I will strike you down!"
Gazel warned, his patience thinning.
"You may try,"
Arthur replied, a subtle, almost imperceptible shift occurring around him.
With a roar, King Gazel lunged, delivering a blindingly fast, Sword-King style strike aimed at Arthur's chest.
The attack was meant to cleave a mountain.
The sword never made contact.
Before the blade could touch his clothes, Arthur released a fraction of the raw, overwhelming magical pressure of his current state—the Adolescent Reality Blending Cosmic True Dragon.
He didn't need to use Dragonic Canon or Reality Blending.
He simply flexed his MAG and AGI stats, which were ranked SSS.
A wave of pure, concentrated, crushing Dragon's Aura exploded outward, but targeted only at Gazel. It was not a physical blast, but a pressure that warped the very will of the King.
Gazel was instantly driven to his knees, his sword clattering on the pavement.
Every muscle in his body seized up as his warrior's instinct screamed that he was facing a being whose power transcended his reality.
He couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't even force his eyes open against the sheer, crushing weight of Arthur's existence.
The Dragon's Aura was immediately retracted, lasting only a terrifying second.
Gazel collapsed onto his hands and knees, sweat pouring down his face, panting heavily.
The courtyard was undamaged, but the psychological and magical impact was absolute.
Arthur looked down at the King.
"The lesson here, Your Majesty, is not that you are weak, but that I am strong. Rimuru is under my protection, and our alliance is for the good of the entire forest."
King Gazel rose slowly, his dignity battered but his political mind crystal clear.
He didn't waste time with further threats or defiance.
"An overwhelming demonstration,"
Gazel conceded, retrieving his sword.
"I believe your intent. You clearly possess power far beyond what I can imagine."
He looked at Rimuru, now with a healthy dose of respect and caution.
"The alliance is struck. I will pardon Kaijin and his team and place them under your command. Furthermore, I will ensure that Dwargon provides your nation with the weapons, armor, and provisions necessary to face the Orc Disaster."
Arthur's power secured the deal instantly, bypassing days of negotiations.
The most powerful nation in the region was now an official, though wary, ally.
Rimuru, recovering quickly, bounced over to Arthur, radiating telepathic glee.
"See? I knew you'd handle it! Now no one will mess with me if they know I have you as my bodyguard!"
Arthur sighed but smiled inwardly. The mission was moving rapidly, and the cornerstone of Rimuru's nation was now laid.
The alliance is secured, and Rimuru has the weapons and personnel she needs.
[email protected]/phelio 120+ more chapters (50% discount)