The storm thickened overhead, lightning tearing across the sky as the battlefield reached a fever pitch.
Through the chaos, Aditya stepped forward, golden armor catching every flash of light. His eyes burned with determination as he raised his blade toward the enemy lines.
"Tempest—forward! Drive them back to the void they crawled from!"
At his signal, Ex-Tyrant roared, the ground trembling beneath its massive frame. Anub'arak surged ahead like a living fortress, his golden pincers cutting through war machines as if they were paper. The twin wolves lunged in unison, fangs snapping through enemy barriers while their howls shook the hearts of the invaders.
Behind them, the Tempest army advanced—ogres, kijin, goblins, dragonewt, and armored automatons—each fighting with the unshakable resolve of those defending their home.
Rimuru's voice cut through the clash of steel and roar of monsters.
"Squads Three to Seven—get the civilians out of here! No one gets left behind!"
At once, teams of Tempest soldiers peeled away from the frontlines, throwing up defensive barriers as they shepherded frightened bystanders toward safety.
In the shadows between collapsing camps, Robin moved like a phantom, his new Katen Kyokotsu powers letting him slip between light and darkness like water. One moment he was beside a terrified merchant, the next he was pulling them into the safety of an alley before vanishing again.
A blur of red and silver dropped from the rooftops—Ruby Rose, scythe flashing in tight arcs, cutting down enemy troops threatening to flank the evacuees. "Go! This way!" she shouted, vaulting over debris to cover Robin's escape route.
On the ridge above the battlefield, Milim's eyes sparkled with childlike excitement. She had seen plenty of powerful beings before, but never this many strange and glorious warriors fighting side by side.
"Ooooh, I've never seen THAT before! Or THAT! Or—wow, what even IS that one?!"
Among the crowd of visitors who had entered Tempest earlier, jaws dropped in disbelief. They had come expecting a peaceful city with odd customs and friendly merchants—yet here they were, watching an empire unleash an overwhelming force of monsters, heroes, and warriors that looked straight out of a hundred different legends.
Even the most battle-hardened among them stood frozen, the truth sinking in: Tempest was not a land to be underestimated.
The wind carried the acrid stench of burning metal across the shattered harbor. Wrecked ships bobbed in the black water, their broken masts jutting up like the bones of fallen giants.
From amidst the wreckage, he emerged—Doldrums.
A towering figure, muscles carved by a lifetime of war, each scar etched with a story of violence. His mere presence bent the air around him, as if gravity itself thickened in deference.
"Bunch of useless weaklings…" His voice rumbled like distant thunder, dripping with disdain. He tilted his head, eyes glinting with anticipation. "Let's see if the rumors are worth a damn. Show me—are you really the one he spoke of? The so-called great threat… the entity that might bring ruin to this world?"
Rimuru stood a few meters away, the shadow of her mask hiding her gaze. Her tone was calm, but the air between them tightened. "…What exactly do you mean by that?"
A slow grin spread across Doldrums' face. "You know? I was brought to this world—someone told me there was a being here who could give me the kind of fight I've been starving for. Truthfully... I couldn't care less about fate, world balance, or whatever nonsense that strange man preached."
Rimuru's brow arched slightly. "Are you reincarnator from Earth, perhaps? And who is this 'man' you're talking about?"
"Reincarnator?" Doldrums gave a short, mirthless laugh. "Hardly. I was summoned after finishing my last job in my original world."
There was a flicker of unease in the air. Rimuru could feel the bloodlust radiating from him, unnatural and suffocating. "And what kind of person were you… before this?"
He spread his arms slightly, as if presenting himself. "You won't know the name. But since it's worthless here, I'll tell you—think of it as my gift before I paint the ground with you and your people." His grin widened, predatory. "The world knew nothing of the Black Cipher, an elite unit of assassins working directly under the Illuminate Key Council—a shadow government of bankers, magnates, and political kingmakers whose claws dug into every continent. We were ghosts—handpicked from warzones, the criminal underworld, intelligence agencies. No families. No records. No past. We control or erase nations in silence." He chuckled, the sound low and cold. "The old fun days are gone… but this world? This world will do just fine."
Rimuru's eyes narrowed behind the mask. "…So, you're just another piece of scum who lived for nothing but slaughter. I definitely can't let you walk away—especially after hearing what you plan for my people."
Doldrums straightened, bloodlust surging like a black tide.
"Then… try and stop me."
•
New faces began to gather along the edge of the battlefield, drawn by the clash between Rimuru and Doldrums.
Kurumi's crimson eye gleamed with amusement beside Morgan, while a new set of spectators arrived—Kiyohime, Fatalis, Valiana, and Jeanne.
Kiyohime snapped open her ornate fan with a delicate snap.
"So… this is the power of the one Danna-sama calls the Empress. How impressive~"
Valiana cracked her knuckles, eyes bright with excitement. "Looks fun! Can I join in?" she asked with a smirk.
"Who's the man Rimuru-chan fighting now?" Fatalis, meanwhile, was… reading. Flipping through a well-worn copy of the Tensura novel, she muttered, 'I can't find him anywhere in the story… The Empire should be our enemy later, not now. Seems like we've completely shredded the original timeline so much that we're spawning new characters out of nowhere.'
Milim, overhearing, tilted her head. "His name's Doldrums. The new appointed general of the Eastern Empire. I didn't like him from the start—but I'll admit, his power's no joke. Strong enough to rival a Demon Lord. How they dug him up, I have no clue." Her gaze shifted to the Satria Family. "You guys are an interesting bunch… Where did you come from? I can't believe people like you have been running around this world without me knowing. But hey—makes things less boring, so I don't mind! Hehehe~"
Jeanne smiled warmly. "Blame a certain person—he's the storm who dragged us here. My name is Jeanne d'Arc. And yours, little one?"
Milim's expression twitched. "Who are you calling lit—Auu~ yes, right there…" The moment Jeanne's hand began gently patting her head, all indignation melted. The touch was so soft it stirred memories Milim didn't know she'd buried. "M-My name is Milim! Demon Lord of Wrath, Milim Nava! Tremble before me, human!"
Jeanne's lips curved into a serene smile. "Yes, yes… of course."
Kurumi let out a playful laugh. "My, my~ As expected of a Saint… To think she could tame the Demon Lord."
Morgan glanced toward her master. "What's our next move, master?"
Kurumi tilted her head, her smile deepening.
"I wonder~"
•
The wind howled outside Tempest's great wall, carrying with it the bitter stench of smoke, gunpowder, and dust.
The battlefield was cratered and broken, scorched by spells, steel, and cannon fire. One by one, Tempest's defenders gathered at the center—Rimuru, Fran, Benimaru, Shion, Geld, and Budi, who now stood in his newly evolved form, the Faceless Void, his very presence warping the air around him.
And facing them all—alone, unyielding—was Doldrums, the man known across the Eastern Empire as the Destroyer Heir. A mountain of scarred muscle and killing intent, he stood unmoving, his shadow stretching across the ruined ground like a black banner of war.
"I'll admit," Doldrums said, voice rumbling like distant thunder, "you're not as barbaric as I first thought. Technology on par or even beyond what the Empire could dream of… and warriors worth remembering. Impressive." His lips curved into a savage grin. "But still—you're nothing more than ants trying to topple a giant."
Benimaru gripped his sword tighter, the flames on his body flaring. Shion's knuckles cracked like war drums. Yet the man's oppressive aura seemed to press down harder the closer they stood.
Doldrums tilted his head toward Rimuru, his grin widening. "You there. Woman. Are you their leader?" His eyes narrowed, sharp and calculating. "After some thought… why waste this strength fighting me? With your knowledge, and my power, we could seize this world—and then go beyond. Even the universe itself could kneel before us." He spread his arms wide, as if already claiming the battlefield. "So? What do you say? Shall we start with names, before we carve our dominion into the stars?"
The air grew taut. Even the flames from Benimaru flickered, smothered by the sheer arrogance of his words.
Rimuru's mask gleamed faintly as she stepped forward, her gaze fixed firmly on the man before her. "…You want my name?" Her voice cut like tempered steel. "Then remember it well. I am Rimuru Tempest, Empress of this nation. And if you think I'd ever join hands with someone who threatens my people…" The wind snapped like a whip as her aura exploded outward. "…then you're already my enemy."
Doldrums threw back his head and laughed, the sound booming across the shattered harbor walls. "Good! That's the answer I wanted! Resistance—glorious resistance! My name is Doldrums MacArthur. Remember it well, Empress… for I'll be the one to remind you of your place. Submit to me like the obedient dog you are, you inferior low—"
"YOU TALK TOO MUCH!!!"
The battlefield thundered as Rimuru, Kurumi, and Fran struck in unison, their combined assault shattering the ground beneath them. Doldrums' body was hurled like a cannonball, smashing through broken trees before skidding across the forest floor.
He rose slowly, dust cascading off his body, lips curling into a wolfish grin. His scarred hand rubbed the back of his head where the blow had landed. "Ahhh… pitiful. So pitiful. You Asians can't stomach the truth—that you are always beneath us, Westerners. And yet, I was merciful enough to offer you a choice. Serve the greater good… serve me."
Kurumi's red eye gleamed dangerously as her clock hands spun in the shadows. "Fufufu… how amusing. You speak of superiority, yet your pride bends under the banner of another. Tell me, 'General'—doesn't it sting, being a dog of the Empire you serve right now?"
Doldrums' grin sharpened, his bloodlust rising like a tide. "Serve the Empire? Hardly. I merely wait. Waiting for the so-called 'Chosen Hero'—the one adored by that Dragon Lady—to crawl back into the world. When he does…" His eyes burned with madness. "…I'll prove to her—and to this world—who truly deserves to rule this Empire… and her."
The ground trembled as his aura spiked again, darker and more suffocating than before.
Rimuru, in her hybrid battle form, dashed forward in a blur, blade gleaming with divine light. Beside her, Fran's lips moved in sharp incantations, her greatsword erupting in roaring flames. Behind them, Kurumi's grand clock unfurled across the sky, gears churning as it unleashed a storm of spectral bullets.
The onslaught crashed down like a tidal wave—yet Doldrums did not flinch.
He strode forward, every spell and bullet ricocheting off his obsidian-plated armor. The sinister glow around it shimmered with a mocking defiance—armor designed to negate the very essence of supernatural power.
Rimuru and Fran slashed in tandem, their blades crossing toward his chest. For a heartbeat, it seemed they would land true—until Doldrums' massive hands shot out like vices.
"Too slow."
He seized both of them by the throat, muscles bulging, and with terrifying ease slammed them into the ground. The earth split as the two were driven deep into the rubble, the shockwave rattling the ruined battlefield.
Kurumi narrowed her crimson eye, her patience snapping. Shadows curled, and from them emerged the Spuit Lance, the cursed spear gifted by Satria.
"Disappear."
She lunged, thrusting the weapon with killing intent.
But Doldrums only grinned, his teeth bared like a beast's. His fist met the lance head-on with a thunderclap, and the backlash hurled Kurumi away. She shot across half the street before crashing through the skeletal remains of a building, debris collapsing around her.
"Weak…" His voice dripped contempt as he straightened, cracking his knuckles. "Very weak."
But before he could advance, the battlefield itself trembled. From behind him, a colossal mace wreathed in temporal distortion smashed down—Faceless Void's strike. At the same instant, Aditya's spear, blazing with condensed mana, pierced from the opposite side.
The combined impact detonated like a meteor strike, sending Doldrums hurtling through the air. His body plowed through stone and steel alike until he vanished into the far horizon, swallowed by smoke and destruction.
Dust and smoke still lingered in the air where Doldrums had been blasted away. The battlefield rumbled with distant clashes, but for a moment, silence pressed in around Rimuru and Fran.
Rimuru wiped the dust from her uniform, her hybrid form still glowing faintly. Inside her mind, the calm, analytical voice of Raphael, Ultimate Skill, resonated.
[Report. Current enemy possesses an artifact-class armor capable of negating high-level magical interference and spiritual energy constructs. Probability of victory through direct force: 33%. Recommendation—adaptation through skill fusion or counter-technique development.]
Rimuru exhaled slowly. "So brute force won't cut it, huh?"
[Correct. To secure victory, strategic coordination with allies is advised. Their collective strength can exploit the armor's limitations. Enemy resilience is extreme, but not absolute.]
Before Rimuru could reply, hurried footsteps approached. Benimaru and Shion emerged from the smoke, weapons drawn, their expressions fierce yet worried.
"Rimuru-sama!" Benimaru called, eyes scanning her for injuries. "Are you hurt? That monster—"
Shion clenched her fists, her aura trembling with rage. "If he laid a hand on you, I'll cut him into a thousand pieces, Rimuru-sama!"
Rimuru waved them down with a tired grin. "Relax, I'm not going down that easy."
Fran, who had already risen with her greatsword resting against the rubble, reached out her hand toward Rimuru. Her voice was quiet, but steady. "Rimuru-san… are you okay?"
Rimuru took the hand, pulling herself up. Her smile softened, carrying her usual warmth even through the grit and blood. "Yep. I'm far from done." Her aura pulsed again, steadier, stronger. She turned back toward the battlefield where the sounds of Tempest's army still echoed.
"It's not over," Rimuru said firmly, her eyes flashing with resolve. "We'd better get back out there—and help them finish this."
Benimaru smirked, flames gathering in his palm. "That's the Rimuru-sama I know."
Shion grinned ferociously, hefting her blade. "Then let's make him pay!"
Fran tightened her grip on her sword, standing at Rimuru's side. "Together, then."
And with that, the Empress of Tempest and her guardians stepped once more into the storm of war.
•
Morgan and the Satria family rushed across the torn battlefield, finding Kurumi amidst the shattered rubble.
"Master! Are you alright?" Morgan's voice trembled with both fury and worry. Her eyes burned as she glared at the distant figure of Doldrums. "That brute humiliated you… How dare he! I swear he'll pay for this!"
Kurumi brushed the dust from her dress, her wounds knitting back together in an instant as Alucard's power coursed through her veins. A sly smile curled across her lips. "Fufufu… relax, Morgan. He is strong, yes… annoyingly strong. And that racist mouth of his? Tch. To think there's someone even more irritating than my husband."
Kiyohime snapped her fan open, relief softening her eyes. "Ara~ You truly are fine, Kurumi-san. You had us worried for a moment."
"Thank God you're safe," Jeanne added, her hand over her heart. Her voice was calm, but her expression betrayed a trace of shame. "To hear such arrogance from a man who calls himself a leader… Now I understand why some despise my kind. To think someone like that exists, boasting of superiority."
Valiana cracked her knuckles with a sharp grin. "Tch, just say the word, and I'll smash his face in. Need our help, Kurumi?"
Kurumi dusted off the last of the rubble, her crimson eyes gleaming dangerously. "No… I, Rimuru-san, and Fran-chan will handle him. This is a trial meant for us to surpass." She glanced toward the outskirts of the fight, where Ruby and the little bat darted among shadows, helping civilians. "As for you girls—how about assisting the little bat and Ruby-chan? They're not ready to handle this scale of madness alone. I'd hate for them to get hurt because of our problem."
Kiyohime giggled behind her fan, her gaze sharpening with mischief. "My, how protective you've become. Very well… leave them to us. We'll keep your little friends safe."
Valiana smirked. "Heh. Sounds like fun. Don't you dare lose before we're done, Kurumi."
Jeanne gave a reassuring nod. "We'll handle it. Focus on your battle."
Kurumi's lips curved into a smile both elegant and wicked. "Of course. Just make sure you don't get bored without me."
•
"Damn these bastards…" Doldrums groaned after the crushing blow from Aditya and Faceless Void. Then, with a wide, mad grin, he raised his arms toward the heavens. "Give them HELL!!!"
Suddenly, The dark sky split open. From behind the storm clouds, a colossal shadow emerged — a fortress the size of a mountain, floating like a continent torn from the earth. Its engines thundered like chained gods, its belly split with burning light. Dozens—hundreds—of nuclear warheads unfolded from its steel womb, painting the skies in death.
"Behold, Tempest!" Doldrums roared, his voice rolling across the battlefield like thunder. "My Masterpiece! The judgment of the GOD! You are NOTHING before me!"
[Raphael: Master! Emergency! The structure is launching mass destruction weapons. According to your memories, they are classified as nuclear warheads. Immediate interception required.]
Rimuru's eyes widened, her chest burning with rage. "This… this BASTARD!" she snarled, her voice shaking the air. "HOW DARE YOU DROP SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON MY LAND?! On my people?! I WILL NEVER LET YOU TURN THIS NATION INTO ANOTHER HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI!"
Her form erupted in power. Wings of azure flame spread behind her, eyes blazing with wrath. With a thunderous leap, she pierced the sky like a comet, fists cracking the air. Each missile she struck detonated harmlessly in her wake, the shockwaves swallowed by her spiraling aura. Black fire coated her arms, and her hands became cannons of golden energy, tearing missiles apart before they could descend.
Yet the fortress pressed forward, its engines screaming. Doldrums's laughter boomed like a hymn of madness.
"Try as you might, Rimuru… YOU CANNOT DEFY THE JUDGMENT OF HEAVEN! GOD BLESS THE EASTERN EMPIRE!!!"
The sky became a storm of suns as warheads rained.
But Rimuru wasn't alone.
Benimaru raised his blade, his crimson hair blazing. "Hellflare, Grand Convergence!" A pillar of inferno erupted skyward, consuming clusters of warheads in a roaring firestorm.
Shion leapt high, muscles straining as she swung her greatsword with both hands. "This one's for Rimuru-sama!!!" Her blade cleaved through several missiles, slicing them in half before detonations could reach the ground.
Geld slammed his massive fists into the earth. "Stone Fortress!" Colossal walls of black rock surged upward, shielding fleeing civilians from fiery shrapnel.
Fran planted her flaming greatsword in the ground, chanting in fury. "Prominence Overdrive!" A radiant barrier spread outward, intercepting missiles like a burning dome.
High above, Kurumi's clock turned, her shadowy clones appearing across the battlefield. "Dance for me… Twilight Judgment!" Thousands of rifles roared at once, her barrage shredding missiles before they could descend.
From the mountainside, Aditya bellowed, spear in hand. "To arms!" He surged forward with the twin Norse wolves, their howls merging with the thunder. In sync, Ex-Tyrant's cannons hell fired upward, intercepting the nuclear barrage with disciplined precision.
Even Morgan and the Satria family unleashed their powers. Morgan summoning volleys of cursed lances that tore the sky, while Kiyohime's dragon flames spiraled upward, swallowing bombs like a maelstrom.
Above them, Robin darted between shadows cast by the explosions, his new powers flickering like ghostly fire. He slashed apart missile after missile, teleporting from shadow to shadow to intercept those slipping past Rimuru.
Ruby Rose, her silver eyes gleaming, spun Crescent Rose in a flurry of crimson petals, darted through the chaos, shadow and speed combined, guiding civilians away from collapsing structures.
Even Milim's eyes sparkled—not from her usual excitement, but from battle-born pride. "So many new powers! So many strong allies! Tempest really is the BEST!!!" She spread her arms, and with a childish grin, unleashed a blast of raw draconic energy that vaporized a chunk of the incoming bombardment.
The fortress's cannons screamed again, unleashing a hellstorm that could have leveled a continent. But from above, below, and all sides, the defenders of Tempest answered as one—fire, shadow, steel, magic, and pure willpower rising together to shield their home.
Doldrums laughed from the heart of his steel colossus, but there was a tremor in his voice now, the faintest crack of disbelief. "Impossible… you insects DARE to resist the judgement of the heavens?!"
And Rimuru, bathed in golden fire, wings of black flame spreading wide, snarled back, voice shaking the sky itself:
"THIS IS MY NATION! THIS IS TEMPEST! AND AS LONG AS WE STAND—NOTHING WILL EVER DESTROY IT!!!"
___
God of Hope: "Man… that brat is weird, no doubt about it. But I can't even deny it—his taste in women is top tier. Respect."
Pervert Sage: "Oi, gaki, you're not wrong. That Empress of his… she looks so gentle, like the perfect bride, but damn—did you see how terrifying she became when pushed? Hahaha! That's what I call a dangerous beauty! Truly, Satria-kun knows how to pick them."
King of Knights: "Such loyalty. Such discipline. Where in the world did he gather all of these… 'monsters'? No—these are no simple beasts. They fight with pride, with unity. The way they look at him… it's admiration, devotion, and even love. What has he done to inspire such fealty?"
Hero Hunter: "Tch. And where's that damn idiot anyway? Did he really just leave his woman and his army to handle everything for him? What kind of moron leader does that?!"
Esdeath: "Fufufu~ remember who we're talking about. He isn't abandoning them—he's testing them. Forcing them to break past their limits. That's the kind of man he is. A leader who nurtures strength through fire."
Kazuma-sama: "Or—and hear me out—he's just being a lazy bum again. Don't overthink it. With that guy, it could go either way. His 'intentions' are like a rolling dice. Infuriating."
Spider-Man: "Honestly, I'm leaning more on Esdeath's side. Big Bro Satria wouldn't throw them to the wolves. He trusts them, that's why he steps back. Especially his family—he'd never let them fight if he thought they couldn't handle it. He's crazy, but not that crazy."
White Lady: "Umazzing~! To think the group admin is this OP! If his personality wasn't… well… absurd, unpredictable, and very questionable sometimes—he'd probably be everyone's idol by now!"
Emilia: "Eheh, I think his quirks are part of his charm. That's what makes him different from everyone else. It's what makes him… special."
Hero Hunter: "Hmph! Special? Don't make me laugh. He's nothing but an idiot, a clown, a fool who hides behind theatrics. One day, I'll surpass him and kick him in the ass. Just you wait."
Esdeath: "Oh my, someone's jealous~."
Emilia: "Hehe, don't pout, Garou-kun. You may not admit it, but you're special in your own way too. A strong boy with a kind heart—just a little bad at showing it."
Hero Hunter: "W-WHAT?! I'm not some soft-hearted fool like you think, woman! Quit spouting nonsense!"
White Lady: "Geez~ you people in this group are so affectionate with each other… It's making me hungry and jealous at the same time. Somebody feed me!"
Spider-Man: "Hahaha, speak of hungry—want me to whip up a bento for you, Kumoko? You already know my cooking skills are A+."
White Lady: "REALLY?! YES, PLEASE! Bento from you is like the ultimate delicacy! Yey! Bento! Bento! Gimme, gimme, gimme!"
Kazuma-sama: "…Why… why is this group chat turning into a food fest and a flirting ground while I—the great Kazuma-sama—get nothing?! Seriously, is this some kind of curse?!"
______
High above Tempest, the colossal fortress loomed, its cannons glowing as they prepared to unleash another wave of destruction. Rimuru h hovered in the sky, still radiating fury, when Raphael's calm voice echoed within her mind.
[Raphael: Master. Direct destruction is possible, but inefficient. A superior method exists: infiltrate the fortress and disable its core systems from within. If its command matrix is compromised, the entire structure will collapse.]
Rimuru narrowed her eyes. "Infiltrate the battleship and Hack it from the inside, huh? But who's gonna do it? I'm too busy here."
Before she could respond, a figure stepped from the shadows nearby, his presence almost unnoticeable until he spoke.
"Let me do it. Charging head-on won't bring that monster down. But if someone can get inside… I can slip through its defenses, unseen, and shut down its systems."
Rimuru turned, intrigued. The young man's tone was confident but respectful, and there was a weight behind his words that hinted at experience.
"And who might you be?" Rimuru a asked, voice steady but curious.
The figure bowed slightly, shadows shifting around him like a living cloak. "Just call me Robin. Stealth and infiltration are what I do best. If you give me access—and cover—I'll make sure that the fortress never fires another shot."
For a moment, Rimuru studied him, gauging his intent. Then a small smile touched her lips. "Robin, huh? I like the sound of that plan. If you can really pull this off… I'll make sure you're rewarded. Generously."
Robin smirked faintly, eyes glinting beneath his hood. "I don't need much. Just make sure your people live to see tomorrow. That's reward enough."
[Raphael: Advisable course of action, Master. Coordination with Robin will maximize efficiency.]
Rimuru clenched her fist, her wrath tempered now with determination. "Alright then. Let's do this. I'll keep the skies busy… you go take down that fortress from the inside."
Robin slipped into the fortress like a whisper between heartbeats. His body dissolved into the shadows, weaving through cracks in the colossal hull, bypassing glowing wards and automated turrets. Where others would have triggered alarms, Robin was nothing—just a ripple of darkness moving from corner to corner.
Inside, the fortress was a labyrinth of steel arteries and humming reactors. Red eyes of sentry drones swept the halls, but their sensors caught only silence. Robin's presence was like smoke—seen too late, gone too quickly.
But the fortress was no ordinary machine. Its heart pulsed with an intelligence of its own. As he reached the inner decks, a chilling voice echoed through the steel corridors:
"Intruder detected. Shadow anomaly identified. Eliminating."
Panels slid open. Dozens of sentinel drones emerged, their eyes glowing crimson, plasma cannons charging with a high-pitched hum.
Robin grinned under his hood. "Tch… figured it wouldn't be that easy."
The drones fired in unison. The corridors lit up in a storm of lasers, but Robin melted into the walls, his body scattering into black mist. He reappeared behind the machines, his dagger of condensed shadow slicing through circuits like butter.
One drone fell. Two. Ten.
But then the guardian revealed itself—a humanoid construct plated in gleaming armor, easily three meters tall, a fusion of steel and sorcery. It wielded a halberd that crackled with lightning.
"I am the Warden of Doldrum's masterpiece. None shall corrupt this sanctum."
Robin clicked his tongue. "Big talk for a tin can. Let's dance."
The Warden lunged, halberd carving arcs of lightning across the corridor. Robin slipped between strikes, shadows stretching unnaturally to yank him out of the weapon's path. He struck back with phantom blades conjured from his own darkness, but the Warden's armor deflected the blows with sparks.
The battle became a deadly rhythm—steel against shadow, lightning against silence.
Finally, Robin feigned retreat, his form dispersing into the ceiling. The Warden followed, stabbing upward—only to realize too late that it had pierced nothing but an illusion.
Robin emerged from the Warden's own shadow, whispering in its ear:
"Checkmate."
His dagger plunged deep into the construct's core. Darkness surged inside it, corrupting its circuits until its body collapsed in a heap of smoking metal.
With the guardian gone, Robin pressed his palm against the pulsating control matrix. His shadows seeped into the system like poison, unraveling firewall after firewall until the mighty absolute barrier collapsed.
Robin smirked. "Your move, Empress."
•
Outside, Rimuru felt it—the massive "absolute barrier" that had been mocking her power shattered like glass. The fortress shuddered, its defenses crumbling, its belly exposed.
"Now!" Rimuru roared, her aura exploding in a storm of divine fury.
Tempest's warriors unleashed their power, tearing open the warship's armored hide. Fire and lightning poured out of its wounds, cascading like rivers of destruction. Doldrum's voice thundered across the sky, enraged and humiliated.
"HOW DARE YOU INSECTS BREACH MY MASTERPIECE?!"
But Rimuru was far from finished. She rose above the burning skies, her body blazing like a newborn star. Energy surged through her veins, her arms trembling with unrestrained wrath.
"This is my home. My people. And I WON'T LET YOU DESTROY IT!!!"
Rimuru's roar split the heavens as her fist blazed forward, wreathed in golden fire and black lightning. The blow tore through steel and sorcery alike, cleaving the floating fortress straight down its spine.
The colossus cracked, groaned, then collapsed in a cataclysm of light and flame. The heavens themselves screamed as the empire's pride plummeted in ruin, burning across the horizon like a dying sun.
Below, friend and foe alike stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. The fortress—Doldrum's ultimate masterpiece—reduced to nothing but fire and falling wreckage. And in the sky above, Rimuru Tempest burned with divine fury, the lone shield against annihilation.
Doldrum's voice rumbled through the smoke, guttural with fury.
"I… underestimated you. To think you could do this to my battleship… Enough warm-up."
The battlefield trembled as debris from the fallen colossus shuddered unnaturally, pulled into the air by invisible force. Engines, cannons, steel beams, and shattered walls twisted together like puppets bound to a monstrous will.
Flames and shadow molded into shape. Sparks burst like lightning veins across the growing mass. The air groaned under the weight of impossible power as the ruin reformed, piece by piece, into a towering mechanical titan.
From its chest burned a crimson core, pulsing with hatred. Its eyes ignited like dying stars as it let out a metallic roar that rattled the bones of every soldier on the field.
The shadow of the giant war machine over 1.000 meters tall swallowed the Jura Forest, plunging the battlefield into a false night.
And then, silence—just before the titan's first step cracked the earth beneath it.
Every warrior on the field felt it at once.
The real battle was about to begin.
To be continued...