Chapter 49: The Road to the Board Meeting
"Tomorrow, we move," Rimuru's voice echoes, final and heavy, in the hushed council chamber.
The Kijin disperse with the mechanical efficiency of well-oiled gears. Shion, now radiating an aura that makes the air shimmer with physical pressure, lingers for a moment, her eyes fixed on the silver-white hair of my new humanoid form. She looks like she wants to say something—likely something about "loyalty" or "protection"—but my cold, sea-grey gaze sends a clear message: don't waste my billable hours on sentiment.
Notice. [Analytical Appraisal] has detected a massive shift in the city's internal magicule network. The 'Gift' integration is complete. The total 'Existence Value' of the Tempest military has increased by approximately 240%.
Good for them. But while they're celebrating their new muscles, I need to focus on the high-end hardware. Azathoth, verify the output of [Magic Aura] when channeled through the spirit vessel's conduits. I want our presence at Walpurgis to feel like an impending market crash.
Confirmed. Utilizing [Dragon Spirit Haki] as the core frequency. Notice: Channeling through the Spirit Vessel increases aura density by 15%. Suggestion: Maintain 'Low-Output' mode until the encounter with the 'True Demon Lords' to avoid premature provocation.
I stand and walk toward the forge. The humanoid body feels natural, but the physics of balance are still a minor drain on my [Parallel Processing]. I need to coordinate with the high-orcs for a final asset check before we leave the city vulnerable.
"Shinji," a smooth, silken voice calls from the shadows of the hallway.
I don't stop. I don't even turn. [Universal Perception] already has a 360-degree lock on the Primordial Black, Diablo. He's leaning against a pillar, his red-and-black eyes tracing the flow of magicules around my new skin.
"Diablo. I assume you're here to offer a 'consultation' that I didn't ask for," I say, my voice smooth and porcelain-cold.
"Kufufu. Merely an observation," Diablo purrs, pushing off the pillar to glide beside me. "Your soul... it has the scent of the void, yet it is wrapped in the logic of a merchant. It is a fascinating contradiction. I was wondering if you intended to use that new [Heartless One] skill on the 'Council of Clowns' we are about to meet."
"That skill is for liquidating insolvent assets, Diablo. If a Demon Lord begs for their life, they've already defaulted on their sovereignty. At that point, their soul is just unclaimed capital," I respond, pausing at the balcony overlooking the city. "And for the record, if you try to 'test' my defenses again like you did in the plaza, I will audit your existence until there's nothing left but a line item in my ledger."
Diablo bows low, his smile widening to a terrifying degree. "I would expect nothing less from the one who carries the name of the Storm Dragon. Master is truly blessed with such... expensive companions."
I leave the demon to his games and head to the wardrobe. If I'm going to meet the "Board of Directors" of the world, I refuse to look like a mid-level manager.
[Luxury Manifestation]
I focus my magicules. The spirit vessel's hands glow as I weave a coat of obsidian-black silk, lined with silver-thread runes that act as a focal point for my [Multilayer Barrier]. I manifest a pair of gloves made from the hide of a Greater Serpent I audited months ago.
Notice. [Raphael, Lord of Wisdom] has sent a final data packet via the Food Chain. Analyzing... Success. Acquired [Spatial Transfer Gate Creation] optimization. We can now manifest the gate with 0.02 seconds of latency.
That's what I like to hear. Efficiency over exposition.
The next morning, the plaza is silent. Rimuru stands at the center, clad in his new black-and-silver demonic attire. Shion stands behind him, holding her massive blade. I walk up, my silver-white hair catching the dawn light, my expression a mask of absolute risk mitigation.
"Ready, Shinji?" Rimuru asks. There's no hesitation in his eyes anymore. He's accepted the role. He's the CEO of a nation of monsters.
"The gate is prepped, the assets are secured, and the budget for 'Negotiation via Force' is unlimited," I state, my [Dragon Spirit Haki] flaring for a split second as I activate the [Spatial Transfer Gate].
A swirling vortex of dark energy tears open in the center of the plaza. Beyond it lies the space between dimensions—the path to the banquet hall of the Demon Lords.
"Let's go audit some gods," I pulse internally.
We step through. The world shifts. The air of the Jura Forest is replaced by an atmosphere so heavy with ancient, primordial power that it feels like standing at the bottom of an ocean of liquid mercury.
We emerge in a grand, circular hall of obsidian and gold. Large, ornate thrones are arranged in a circle, and the figures sitting in them... they aren't monsters. They are forces of nature.
My [Market Transparency] feed goes red immediately.
Warning: High-Tier Threat detected: Guy Crimson. Warning: High-Tier Threat detected: Milim Nava (Masked state). Warning: Unknown Variable detected: Ramiris.
I adjust my coat and stand at Rimuru's right hand. The "Board" is watching us. And I can already tell—some of these guys are looking for a merger, and others are looking for a total liquidation.
"Welcome," a voice booms, cold and ancient as the stars. "To Walpurgis."
Current Magicule Reserves: Infinite (Linked). Location: Walpurgis Banquet Hall. Status: Diplomatic Mission: Active. Strategic Goal: Expose Clayman. Soul Capacity: 38%.
Chapter End.