Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki were left speechless after hearing Makoto's explanation.
"Waka, what's the difference between you and a creator god now?" Tomoe said.
"Tomoe, gods are just titles given by other beings. In my opinion, they're simply those with great power or those who hold a certain authority in the world," Makoto replied.
"If you want, Tomoe, we could go to a world where the power level is low and make you a god there," Makoto added jokingly.
"Please spare me, Waka, I was only joking," Tomoe said hurriedly.
"Ara, isn't that a good idea, Tomoe-san? That way you'd get free sake from your followers," Mio teased.
"Stop joking, Mio. Being Waka's servant is far more enjoyable than being a worshiped god," Tomoe said.
"Alright, let's stop the jokes here," Makoto said. "The day after tomorrow, once Charybdis is defeated, we'll begin our journey in this world."
"Finally, our journey begins, Waka-sama!" Mio said cheerfully.
"Waka-sama, is there anything we need to prepare?" Shiki asked.
"Hm, probably not, Shiki. If we need anything, I can just make it myself," Makoto replied.
"Understood, Waka-sama," Shiki said.
"Then this meeting is over. You may return to your rooms," Makoto concluded.
"Yes, Waka," Tomoe replied.
"Alright, Waka-sama," Mio said.
"Understood, Waka-sama," Shiki said, then stood up and left Makoto's room. Tomoe and Mio exchanged glances and nodded at each other.
"Waka, we're starting our journey the day after tomorrow. Isn't there something we should do tonight?" Tomoe asked as she loosened her clothes and approached Makoto.
"Why are you so aggressive tonight? Did you forget who begged me to stop just yesterday?" Makoto teased.
Tomoe's face turned red in embarrassment. "Who knows? After Waka evolved, your stamina became endless. But now it's different— with Mio's help, I'll definitely defeat you!" she said confidently.
Makoto could only shake his head. "Then prove it to me," he said.
Mio, standing beside Tomoe, smiled as she heard their exchange. Without hesitation, she slowly removed her kimono as well.
When morning came, Makoto woke up with Tomoe and Mio hugging both of his arms.
"Tomoe, Mio, wake up. The city will be busy preparing for battle today," Makoto said.
"Ugh, Waka, you really showed us no mercy last night," Tomoe complained.
"Weren't you enjoying it too, Tomoe? Who was it that kept saying 'again and again'?" Makoto replied.
"Waka-sama, I've prepared your clothes," Mio said as she approached him with his outfit.
"Thank you, Mio," Makoto replied.
After the three of them cleaned up and got ready, they went to have breakfast.
"Good morning, Waka-sama," Shiki greeted them in the lounge.
"Good morning, Shiki. Let's eat first," Makoto said.
After breakfast, Makoto went to see Rimuru.
"Good morning, Rimuru," Makoto said.
"Good morning, Makoto. You're up later than usual today," Rimuru replied.
"I was a bit busy last night, so I went to bed late," Makoto said casually.
"Oh, I see," Rimuru said.
"How are the preparations, Rimuru? Is there anything I can help with?" Makoto asked.
"Benimaru has prepared everything. As for help… could I ask you to protect the city in case something happens?" Rimuru said.
"Of course, Rimuru. I won't let this peaceful city be destroyed," Makoto replied.
"If you're protecting the city, I feel relieved," Rimuru said.
"Leave it to me. You can fight with all your strength," Makoto answered.
As noon approached, Rimuru and his followers gathered at a location far from the city to intercept Charybdis, which was drawing closer along with thirteen megalodons. Reinforcements from King Gazel Dwargo had also arrived—one hundred Pegasus Knights.
Makoto, Tomoe, Mio, Shiki, and Milim sat on a hill not far from the battlefield. Before long, Rimuru arrived with Shuna.
"Yo, Rimuru. Are you here to watch from the VIP seats?" Makoto said casually.
"Makoto, are you really treating this like a picnic?" Rimuru said flatly, glancing at the food and drinks Mio had prepared.
Beside Makoto sat Milim, happily munching on snacks.
"Rimuru, want to try some? They're really good," Milim said, pointing at the snacks.
"Oh, it looks like the battle has started," Makoto said.
A black fireball flew through the air, hit a megalodon, and caused a massive explosion. "Boom!" One megalodon was shot down.
"That attack was quite powerful. If I'm not mistaken, that was Benimaru's attack, right?" Tomoe said.
"Yes, Tomoe-sama. It's surprising they weren't completely incinerated by Onii-sama's attack," Shuna replied.
"Spread out and defeat them all as planned," Rimuru ordered telepathically.
Makoto watched as the Pegasus Knights used a formation to attack and surround a megalodon, restricting its movement. Nearby, Gobta's group was being chased by another megalodon. They tried to attack, but their strikes were far too weak to penetrate its defenses.
"Hakurou's training has paid off," Rimuru said as he watched Gobta's group.
"Nah, I want to play too," Milim said.
"Didn't I tell you not to interfere? You're just watching here with Makoto," Rimuru said firmly.
Milim grew excited as she looked at Charybdis. "It's my time to—"
"No," Rimuru interrupted.
Milim looked at him with pleading eyes.
"There's no point in begging," Rimuru replied.
They then saw Souei suddenly appear atop a megalodon, using his threads to control it. The controlled megalodon bit another megalodon beside it.
"Ooh, he's controlling one megalodon to defeat the others!" Milim said happily as she watched the two clash in the air.
"Anything's possible when you're that handsome, huh?" Rimuru said flatly.
"Waka-sama, I've never tried using threads to control monsters. Souei seems incredibly skilled, even thinking of using threads to control his enemy," Mio said.
"That's because you've only fought on instinct until now, Mio. This might be the perfect chance for you to develop your abilities," Makoto replied.
Then they saw Ranga running through the sky with Shion standing on his back.
"Since when can Ranga do that?" Rimuru asked.
As they neared a megalodon, Shion leapt from Ranga's back and split it in two. At the same time, Ranga fired black-and-white lightning at another nearby megalodon.
Seeing the megalodons fall one by one, Milim tugged at Rimuru's sleeve. "Me too! Me too!"
"I told you, no," Rimuru replied.
"Rimuru, you should get ready. Charybdis is beyond your followers' current capabilities," Makoto said.
"I know, Makoto. But I'll wait a bit longer—until they truly need help," Rimuru replied.
"Milim, come here. Mio made lots of delicious food for you. If Rimuru needs your help later, you can go then," Makoto said.
"Alright," Milim replied. After eating Mio's snacks, Milim, who had been a little sulky, became cheerful again.
Makoto continued watching the battle. "Ooh, Hakurou's swordsmanship is incredibly precise," he said as Hakurou sliced a megalodon into small pieces.
Soon, only the megalodon controlled by Souei remained. Without hesitation, Souei cut it into pieces and landed atop Charybdis.
"Now only Charybdis remains," Rimuru said.
"With their abilities, it should be fine," Benimaru said.
"But… it's huge," Rimuru muttered as he looked at Charybdis.
The entire force attacked Charybdis nonstop, but they couldn't injure it. Charybdis then sent its scales flying, attacking everyone around it. Souei, Shion, and Ranga—at the center of the assault—struggled against the barrage.
"It seems my time has come," Rimuru said as he moved toward them.
"Honestly, you're all reckless. At least try relying on me for things like this," Rimuru said.
"Rimuru-sama!" Shion exclaimed.
As Charybdis's attack came toward him, Rimuru raised his hand and activated his skill [Gluttony], devouring all the flying scales. In an instant, the sky—once filled with whirling scales—was clear.
Souei, Shion, and Ranga stared in shock.
"Leave the rest to me. Retreat and rest if you can," Rimuru said.
"We can still help," Souei replied.
"Don't be reckless. Look at that," Rimuru said, pointing at Charybdis. "Its scales are regenerating. If it attacks again, I don't know if I can protect you all. I'll handle it—follow Benimaru's orders."
"Good luck," Souei said.
"Be careful, Rimuru-sama," Shion added.
"My lord, I'll return to your side shortly," Ranga said.
"Rimuru-san's attack just now was similar to Mio-sama's," Shiki remarked.
"At its core, it's the same—both devour everything in front of them," Tomoe said.
"Waka-sama, here's the tea I just made," Mio said, completely ignoring the battle.
"Thank you, Mio," Makoto replied.
"Milim, this is chocolate milk I made for you," Mio said.
"Ooh, thank you, Mio!" Milim said happily as she drank it. "It's delicious!"
Makoto watched as Rimuru flew through the air, dodging Charybdis's attacks and counterattacking with black-and-white lightning. However, it wasn't very effective due to Charybdis's regeneration.
The battle continued until late afternoon. Milim, full from eating and drinking, fell asleep under a tree. From the sky, Rimuru saw his exhausted forces and Charybdis, which was only about thirty percent injured. As Rimuru searched for a solution, he suddenly heard Charybdis's voice and realized something.
Looking toward Milim, Rimuru saw her asleep under a tree, with Makoto casually playing cards with his followers nearby.
"Aren't they way too relaxed?" Rimuru muttered.
"Milim!" Rimuru called telepathically.
"Whoa! I wasn't asleep—I'm awake!" Milim replied.
"No matter how I look at it, you were definitely asleep," Rimuru said.
"I was just meditating. I was cheering all of you on," Milim said seriously.
"…Anyway, it looks like it really needs you," Rimuru said, pointing at Charybdis.
"What!?" Milim exclaimed excitedly. "That thing from before—Phobio—seems to be possessed by that creature."
"Yeah, I thought it came for me, which is why I told you to stay put, but…" Rimuru said.
"You mean I can fight it?" Milim asked eagerly.
Without hesitation, Milim flew toward Rimuru.
"Sorry for holding you back," Rimuru said.
"It's fine, don't worry," Milim replied.
"Oh, and Phobio is a subordinate of Demon Lord Carrion, right? If possible, I want him alive," Rimuru added.
"Hahaha, that's no problem! I'll practice holding back," Milim said confidently.
Rimuru then ordered all forces to retreat, leaving only Milim flying in the sky.
Seeing Milim step in, Makoto said, "Looks like the battle is over."
"Over? They haven't even fought yet, Waka," Tomoe said.
"Just watch. Milim will finish it quickly," Makoto replied.
Charybdis attacked Milim with its scales, but she easily handled them. Raising both hands, she focused her magic and fired it at Charybdis.
"BOOOOOM!"
A tremendous explosion erupted in the sky.
Watching the blast, Makoto said, "It seems Milim has learned how to hold back."
"Milim really is incredibly strong. Who would've thought such a cheerful girl possessed that much power?" Tomoe said.
"Let's head back to the city. We'll leave the rest to Rimuru," Makoto said as he turned and walked away.