Chapter 27: The Inflation of Hostility
"Good," I reply, my obsidian surface shimmering as I turn back to the table. "Now, let's get back to the fruit. I'm particularly interested in your citrus yields."
Albis, the Golden Serpent, stares at the hole in the wall where her colleague recently existed, then back at me. Her serpentine eyes are wide, processing the fact that a dark, floating orb just treated a physical assault on its person as a line-item expense.
"Y-yes," she stammers, smoothing her skirt. "Our citrus is... quite robust."
The rest of the feast is a masterclass in awkward geopolitical posturing. Rimuru is busy trying to apologize for Milim—who is currently outside poked-testing Phobio's unconscious body with a stick—while I keep the conversation strictly focused on supply chains. By the time the Eurazania delegation departs, we have a tentative agreement for a trade corridor.
As their Pegasus Knights take to the sky, Albis looks down at the city one last time with a gaze that says she's going to have a very long, very loud conversation with Lord Carrion about "Unforeseen Variables."
"Well," Rimuru sighs, sliding into a chair. "That was a disaster. Phobio is going to hate us forever."
"He was a depreciating asset from the moment he opened his mouth, Rimuru," I pulse, floating back toward the center of the hall. "His absence from future negotiations will actually improve our efficiency. However, we have a new problem."
Warning. [Analytical Appraisal] is picking up a residue on the stone floor where Phobio stood. It is not beast-origin magicules. It is a lingering, high-density psychic 'scent' of a Majin.
Azathoth, give me a trace. Was someone coaching the cat-man to blow his top?
Analysis. Residual traces consistent with [Thought Communication] interference. A third party likely amplified Phobio's natural aggression to trigger a diplomatic collapse. Origin: Footman-class Majin.
Clown business. I can smell the greasepaint from here. Someone is trying to short-sell our stability.
The "Footman" Majin—a round, masked entity that looks like a circus nightmare—had been spotted lurking in the peripheral marshes earlier by the High Orc patrols. If he's whispering in the ears of Carrion's subordinates, the market is about to get very volatile.
"Lord Rimuru! Lord Shinji!" Souei suddenly materializes in the shadows of the hall. His expression is even colder than mine. "Emergency. The scouts in the southern skies have reported a mass of magicules so large it's distorting the local weather."
"Distorting the weather?" Rimuru jumps up. "Is it another Demon Lord?"
"No," Souei replies. "It's a monster. A calamity-class entity. The Sky-Queen, Charybdis."
Notice. [Charybdis] is a megalodon-class aerial entity born from Veldora's leaked magicules. It possesses [Magic Interference] and [High-Speed Regeneration]. It is currently being guided by a host body—likely the disgraced Beastketeer, Phobio.
Magic Interference? I think, my internal Deadpool doing a frantic math montage. That means our standard magical artillery is useless. We're looking at a physical-only engagement against a flying fortress that heals faster than we can dent it. The maintenance costs on this battle are going to be ruinous.
"It's headed straight for us," Souei continues. "Estimated arrival: 48 hours."
"Great," I pulse, my obsidian membrane tightening. "A flying ecological disaster is coming to liquidate our housing market. Rimuru, tell the Orcs to stop building and start digging bunkers. We need a physical-defense grid that can withstand aerial bombardment."
Notice. Sub-skill [Law Manipulation – Copy] is sensing the approach of the interference field. Suggestion: If User can copy the [Magic Interference] law, the ROI on internal protection against Majin-tier spells will increase by 700%.
Azathoth, that's a gamble. If I copy an interference field, do I end up interfering with my own systems?
Uncertain. Risk: Moderate. Reward: Absolute defense against standard magic.
"Rimuru," I transmit, my voice a dark, resonant frequency. "Tell Milim to stay out of this one. If she fights, the collateral damage will be higher than the threat itself. We handle this 'Charybdis' as an internal audit. I want to see if our new Alliance can handle a true physical stress test."
Current Magicule Reserves: 78.2%. Location: City of Tempest. Status: Charybdis approaching. Soul Capacity: 44%. Note: The 'Magic Interference' law is my next target.
Chapter End.