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"Salute!"
"Whoosh! *n"
As the motorcade pulled up to the venue entrance, two rows of Imperial Guard elites snapped their ceremonial rifles upward in unison, watching with solemn expressions as Kaito and the others stepped down from the carriage.
Inside, the venue was already packed. Every head turned toward the main entrance. Two guards pulled the doors open, and the officer on duty bellowed:
"All rise!!!"
The clatter of ten thousand people getting to their feet filled the hall. With only a handful of exceptions, every single person in the venue turned to face the entrance with a look of genuine respect.
"Oh my, so many people."
"Yes, Kai-chan, so many people!"
Kaito swept a quick glance across the hall. Tens of thousands. For Rimuru, this was her first time experiencing anything like it. The founding ceremony didn't really count — that had been more of a celebration than a formal assembly like this.
"Hahahaha! As expected, only an occasion like this can match my status!"
"Hehe, that's right!"
"Hmph. Meetings and stuff, I hate them already."
Unlike Veldora and Milim, who were buzzing with excitement, Ramiris drifted nearby looking thoroughly dejected.
"Alright, Ramiris." Kaito glanced at her with a sympathetic smile. "You're small. It's normal for people not to notice you in the carriage. Don't let it get to you."
"Wuwuwu..."
As they made their way to the front of the stage, Kaito took in the seating arrangement. At the very top sat a towering golden throne. Below it were four ornate chairs, three large and one notably smaller. Further down sat the true senior officials of the Jura Tempest Federation, organized neatly by department.
The military, led by Benimaru, occupied the right side of the hall. The administrative department, led by Kagaya and Rigurd, filled the left. In the center sat the Headmasters of Academy City, led by Shizu and Treyni. The placement alone made it clear just how high Academy City's standing was within the Federation.
Then Kaito looked up at the giant plaque mounted above the golden throne, and his shoulders started shaking. He lasted about two seconds before he lost it completely.
"Hahahaha! Rimuru, this is practically your official portrait! Hahahahaha!!!"
"Mmm, mmm, mmm... who on earth approved this..."
Rimuru stared at the plaque with a tight expression, muttering under her breath. Carved in gleaming gold letters were three characters: "Mascot."
"Right, come on — put this on and take your seat on the golden toilet — pfft — the golden throne!"
Kaito produced a magnificent pure gold crown and placed it carefully on Rimuru's head, then steered her firmly toward the throne despite her resistance. Once she was seated, he descended and settled into one of the chairs below. With the main party seated, the rest of the hall followed, and the guards quietly pulled the doors shut.
Around the perimeter of the venue, Royal Knights in black uniforms stood at precise intervals, hands clasped behind their backs. Outside, the Imperial Guard Legion had taken up their positions in full.
Kaito surveyed all of this and muttered quietly to himself: 'Isn't it a bit backwards having the Imperial Guard protect the people in here? Half this room could level a continent. If some poor idiot actually tried to attack this venue, the Guard would just be in the way when everyone inside started retaliating.'
Before he could follow that thought any further, Diablo stepped to the front of the stage.
"I will now introduce the main attendees of this conference."
"First: the founder of the Jura Tempest Federation, His Majesty the Emperor — Rimuru Tempest!"
Clap clap clap clap clap—
"Your Majesty the Emperor!"
"Rimuru-sama is invincible!"
"Mascot saikō!!!"
Thunderous applause and a storm of shouts of highly questionable content filled the hall the moment Diablo finished speaking.
"Next: the founder of the Jura Tempest Federation, pillar of the Empire, His Royal Highness Prince Kaito!"
"Oh oh oh oh! *n"
The applause surged even louder. Across every world watching the live broadcast, the reaction was the same.
"It's Kaito-sama!"
"Kaito-sama, I want to bear your children!"
"With Kaito-sama here, the Empire fears no one!"
As the noise settled, Diablo continued.
"The Guardian Deity of the Great Jura Forest, Supreme Advisor of the Empire — Lord Storm Dragon Veldora Tempest!"
"Hahaha! That's right, it's me!"
Veldora shot to his feet, proudly slapped his chest, and announced himself to the hall. Outside, watching the live feed, Enju and the other girls immediately pouted.
"Damn it, he gets to show off!"
"Exactly. Next time we see him, he's going to brag about this for ages."
That said, there was genuine pride in their eyes too. Veldora was their Vice President, after all.
"The Destroyer Tyrant, the Oldest Demon Lord, Supreme Advisor of the Empire — Lord Milim Nava!"
"Hehe, I am Demon Lord Milim! Wahahaha!"
Milim stood with a bright, guileless smile, flashed a peace sign at the crowd, and let loose her signature laugh.
"Hehe, Milim is still so lively."
"Lord Milim!!!"
"So cute!"
Inside and outside the venue alike, the sight of her drew nothing but fond, indulgent smiles.
"And finally: the Fairy Queen, Labyrinth Administrator, Oldest Demon Lord — Lord Ramiris!"
"Hehe! Everyone is welcome to come play in my labyrinth!"
Ramiris flew up with her hands on her hips and addressed the crowd at full volume.
"So tiny!"
"But also so cute!"
"Your Majesty the Queen!"
In the center section, Treyni sat beside Shizu watching Ramiris on stage with a quietly captivated expression.
Once Ramiris finished, Diablo cleared his throat. "Introductions complete. This conference will now officially begin." He paused. "First, Kaito-sama will address the assembly."
"Ha?! *n"
The entire hall reacted at once. If Kaito-sama gave a speech, this meeting wasn't ending until tomorrow.
"Ahem... Diablo, forget it. I'll pass. Next item, move on."
Realizing he had just been resoundingly pre-rejected by ten thousand people simultaneously, Kaito sat back with a slightly sheepish expression.
"Yes, Kaito-sama. Next: Commander-in-Chief Benimaru will present the military's discussion points for this conference."
Benimaru rose from his seat, walked to the stage microphone, and gave Diablo a brief nod before turning to address the room.
"Rimuru-sama, Kaito-sama — the military has two agenda items for this conference. The first concerns the reorganization of the entire army. The second is the matter of military expansion."