Chapter 4: The Hostile Merger
"Let's begin the transaction," I announce. "Rimuru, eat the ore. I'll handle the specs."
Rimuru doesn't hesitate. He flows over the pile of unrefined magic-steel ore like a blue tidal wave, absorbing the jagged rocks in seconds.
Warning. High magicule fluctuation detected in proximity. Entity 'Rimuru' is initiating internal refinement.
Azathoth, don't just stand there with your clipboard. Assist his processing. I want these blades to have a finish so sharp they cut the customer's budget just by looking at them.
Notice. [Analytical Appraisal] is linking with neighboring entity's processing. Optimizing carbon-to-magic-steel ratios...
While Rimuru acts as the furnace, I act as the quality inspector. Every few seconds, Rimuru spits out a completed longsword, the magic-steel gleaming with a blue-tinted luster that makes Kaijin's jaw drop further toward the soot-covered floor.
"Impossible," Kaijin whispers, picking up the first blade. "The density... the magicule flow... it's perfect. No, it's better than perfect. This is 'A' grade work produced in seconds."
"I told you," I pulse, floating back to avoid a stray spark from the forge. "Miracles are just high-efficiency data management. Now, if we could hurry this up? The air quality in here is doing numbers on my 'complexion'."
Notice. Twenty units completed. Total time elapsed: 180 seconds. Efficiency rating: S.
Just as Rimuru finishes the final sword, the heavy reinforced doors of the forge are kicked open.
Enter the middle-management villain.
Minister Vesta struts in, flanked by guards. He's wearing a cape that costs more than a small village and a sneer that I'd personally like to tax out of existence. He looks at Kaijin, then at the pile of perfect swords, and his face turns a delightful shade of beet-purple.
"Kaijin!" Vesta bellows. "I heard you were consorting with monsters! These... these blobs! How dare you bring such filth into the King's service?"
Analysis. Target: Minister Vesta. Threat level: Negligible. Social influence: High. Personality: Insecure, prone to emotional outbursts. Suggestion: Do not engage in physical combat. Sub-optimal ROI.
I don't need Azathoth to tell me that. Vesta is the kind of man who lives and dies by the "Rules," and I am the man who wrote them.
"Filth?" I pulse, my voice turning into a freezing wind that fills the forge. "That is a bold descriptor for the individuals currently saving your career, Minister."
Vesta flinches, his eyes landing on me. "It speaks?! Guards, seize these—"
"I wouldn't," I interrupt, activating [Transaction Domain].
The temperature in the room doesn't change, but the weight of the air does. Vesta feels the invisible ledger of the world pressing down on him. Every step he tries to take toward us feels like he's wading through heavy debt.
"We are currently acting as 'Sub-Contractors' for a Royal Order," I broadcast, my internal monologue laughing at the look of pure panic on his face. "Interfering with the production of state-mandated armaments is, if I recall Dwargon law, a treasonous offense. Would you like to proceed with the arrest? I'd love to discuss your 'performance reviews' in front of King Gazel."
"You... you monster!" Vesta spat, though he was shaking. He grabbed a bottle of premium elven wine from a nearby table—presumably Kaijin's—and hurled it toward me.
It was a slow, clumsy throw.
[Capitalist's Inventory]
The bottle disappeared mid-air, swallowed by a ripple in space before it could even get close to my iridescent flank.
Item Acquired: Vintage Elven Wine (Grade B+). Value: 50 Gold. Logic: Civil forfeiture for attempted assault.
"Thank you for the tip," I pulse coldly. "But your credit has been declined. Kaijin, the twenty swords are ready. Deliver them. Rimuru, we're leaving. I need to find a place that serves something other than soot and ego."
Rimuru looks at Vesta, then back at me. "Uh, Shinji, maybe we should—"
"We are moving, Boss," I command. "Before I decide to 'appraise' the Minister's cape while he's still wearing it."
Notice. Magicule Reserves: 99.3%. Location: Exiting Kaijin's Forge. Status: Contract fulfilled. Morale: Irritated.