Chapter 186: The First Move

The timeline rewinds a bit.

Immediately after Rimuru departed to rescue Veldora, those who remained transitioned into an emergency state.

Under Benimaru's command, they entered a heightened alert posture, ready to respond to whatever might happen.

This was right after the Empire's invasion, so the transition was completed smoothly and without issue — at least for those not affected by their evolutions.

After confirming that his reorganization was complete, Benimaru held a discussion with Souei and Shion, the three of them meeting together.

Gabiru had retreated into a cave due to the effects of his evolution, while Geld had headed off to the Imperial Army command post to discuss military organization.

Those who remained were charged with defending the Monster Nation in Rimuru's absence.

The fact that Benimaru and Shion, who hadn't been affected by the evolutions, were acting as they normally did was only natural.

It was still hard to believe that the great True Dragon Veldora had fallen into enemy hands, but there was no need to worry about that particular matter — their master had already gone to deal with it.

After all, Benimaru and the others' master, Demon Lord Rimuru, was one of the strongest Demon Lords — an existence who possessed both terrifying insight and power beyond the norm.

In truth, it was far more likely that some problem would arise during Rimuru's absence.

"Benimaru... is it really okay? You know, like, your work as, um... you know."

"What are you talking about, Shion! This is an emergency — now isn't the time for that!"

Caught off guard by Shion's question, which had become painfully obvious thanks to her overthinking, Benimaru tried to deflect. But he couldn't pull it off, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

It had been acknowledged during the victory celebration that he had formed a soul bond with Momiji, and they had even celebrated it on the spot. But there were still various formalities that hadn't been completed.

Given that, Benimaru felt he needed to exercise some restraint before diving into those matters.

More importantly, ever since Guy's attack, through Veldora's rampage, to the current emergency, the situation had been rapidly escalating. There simply hadn't been any room to worry about such things.

He had only just now been able to find a moment of relative calm.

That said, demons had just been summoned via transfer and dispatched on a mission, so he still couldn't afford to let his guard down in case something happened.

While Benimaru's reasoning had some merit— "No, that's an important matter. Benimaru, with no one knowing how things will develop from here, I think it would be best to get it done as soon as possible."

Souei, who had been listening, urged Benimaru along.

It was easy to see that if left alone, Benimaru would come up with one excuse after another and keep pushing the matter off. Having known him for so long, Souei could read his best friend's thoughts like an open book.

"But you guys... Rimuru-sama has gone to the battlefield, and I'm the only one who—"

As Benimaru stubbornly argued back— "There shouldn't be a problem. Several of the Twelve Guardian Kings are on standby here. My subordinates have been complaining about not getting enough time to shine, and we can manage even with one person stepping out. Rather than that, shouldn't you go ahead and awaken as quickly as possible, so you'll be ready to be of use to Rimuru-sama?"

"I understand that, but... what about you? Why couldn't you evolve? Was there some reason?"

Shion piled on, turning the tables on him. The two glared at each other, and the atmosphere grew even more uncomfortable.

Souei let out a weary sigh.

"Benimaru, just leave this to us. For now, I've strengthened surveillance across all locations. If there's any sign of movement, we can respond immediately. You should go fulfill your role."

He gave the still-hesitant Benimaru a firm push.

After some further back-and-forth, Benimaru finally set off with Momiji, heading toward the village in another world where the elders of the Long-Nosed Tribe resided, to pay his respects.

The tipping point had been the report that Rimuru had released Veldora.

Souei and Shion exchanged looks and let out sighs of relief.

Ever since the days when they were the Ogre tribe, Benimaru had been their clan chief — a cherished presence among their companions.

And for Shion, despite being of a different race, it was the same.

Thus, with the two of them pushing him forward, Benimaru had finally made his decision.

But as if timing it perfectly with Benimaru's departure, a single man had begun to act.

And his actions would become the very first move toward the coming great battle.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — The jubilant atmosphere of the victory celebration had been completely transformed by the subsequent developments.

For Ramiris, who had returned to the deepest part of the labyrinth, it was no different.

The evolutions of the True Dragon Kings under her command had been completed without issue, and Ramiris had been in high spirits. But upon learning that her master Veldora had been captured, her buoyant mood vanished, replaced by a worried expression.

Ramiris wanted to enjoy every day, and she believed this place was a wonderful location that granted that wish.

Having spent an eternity in loneliness, using the company of spirits to fill the emptiness, this place had become something precious to her — something she never wanted to lose again.

That was precisely why it could be said that she was the most worried of all about Veldora's situation.

"Ugh! Master definitely let his guard down. There's no doubt about it. Honestly, seriously — there's just no helping him. If only he wouldn't let his guard down, Master would be invincible..."

In the lowest level, in the laboratory where she often spent time with Veldora, Ramiris muttered to herself.

She flitted about the room in circles, unable to settle down.

The one thing that finally calmed her was Shuna's report, which had come to inform her that Veldora had been safely released.

"Well, I always knew Master would be fine, you know! Rimuru went after him, so I wasn't worried about anything!"

She declared this boldly, then happily sipped her juice.

Shinji and the others accepted this with a resigned "Yes, yes, of course."

Standing behind Ramiris, Beretta continued to look after her restless master without having shown the slightest sign of agitation from the very start.

(If only she'd take a page from Beretta-san and calm down a little...)

Shinji had this thought about his employer, but he would never say it out loud. If he did, he'd only invite unnecessary wrath and risk a pay cut.

(Still, Shuna-san really is lovely, isn't she...)

Since thinking about his employer was pointless, Shinji quickly shifted his focus.

His bow as he left the room was graceful and without a flaw. Though her appearance seemed delicate, it was well known that she was terrifying when angered.

It wasn't just Shinji who admired Shuna — Mark, as well as their new assistants Michelle and Raymond, were all devoted to her.

After Shuna left, they looked at their employer, Ramiris.

They couldn't help but sigh.

"...Hey, Shinji. If you have something to say, I'm listening?"

"No, it's nothing, desu."

He hastily denied it. It must have shown on his face.

His teacher, Master Gadra, often scolded him with— "Your emotional control is still far too crude!"

And in moments like this, he could see the truth in that.

He really did seem to be lacking in emotional control — an essential skill for a magic user. He wished he could be more like the perpetually stoic Shin.

Well, comparing himself to Shuna would be rude.

It was like comparing an adult to a child — no, the gap was probably even wider than that.

Though Shuna still appeared as a young girl, her composure was that of a refined adult.

She had apparently lived for many years, and Ramiris was a child in both appearance and mind, no matter how you looked at it.

No contest there.

Somehow, Shinji found Ramiris endearing and thought he should be kinder to her.

But then, Shinji recalled the scenes from the victory celebration he had witnessed earlier.

The report that the being beyond the clouds — Veldora himself — had been captured had thrown everything into chaos, but even at the celebration itself, the surprises had been relentless and his mind hadn't been able to keep up.

Those demons who possessed power beyond imagination.

The Demon Lord Rimuru, to whom they pledged their allegiance.

As a fellow otherworlder, Shinji had somewhat prided himself on being among the upper echelons, but all such thoughts were blown away after witnessing that scene.

The military force that had trampled the Imperial Army — he realized that it didn't even amount to thirty percent of the Monster Nation's total strength.

And that was all before the victory celebration.

Now, under the banner of further evolution, the executive members were apparently beginning to evolve into Awakened Demon Lord-class beings.

Honestly, he didn't even understand what that meant.

He once again thanked Master Gadra from the bottom of his heart for having escaped from the Empire to the Monster Nation.

While everyone was relieved — Ramiris and Shinji and the others — upon learning of Veldora's safety, it happened.

"Hm? Dino-san? Where have you been? Come to think of it... Rimuru-sama was looking for you?"

"Oh, sorry, sorry. Just had some personal business to take care of. By the way, is Ramiris here?"

That conversation drifted over to them.

Dino, who had been absent, had returned, and Mark seemed to have noticed him.

"Ah, Dino! Hey, what have you been up to? Rimuru was angry and looking all over for you!"

Ramiris stopped drinking her juice, jumped up, and turned toward Dino.

And when Dino confirmed this— "What do you intend to do, Lord Dino?"

Beretta grabbed the hand that had been thrust out before Ramiris's eyes, reaching in from the side.

All in an instant.

Even Shinji and the others couldn't track the movement — Dino had moved at a speed beyond their perception, and Beretta had intercepted him.

Or at least, that was what they assumed, since the response had been so fast they could only fill in the gaps with imagination.

"...So, you're still here after all. Good grief, this place really is full of obstacles."

Dino let out an exasperated sigh, narrowing his eyes at Beretta.

It was only then that Shinji and the others finally grasped the gravity of the situation.

But Ramiris, still struggling to keep up— "...Huh? Wait, what?!"

She looked back and forth between Beretta and Dino, desperately trying to understand what was happening.

Shinji quickly moved, positioning himself to shield Ramiris, who stood behind Beretta.

Shin moved similarly, but Mark collapsed to the ground.

Dino had removed Mark as though he were simply in the way of reaching for Ramiris.

Mark, like Shinji, was one of Ramiris's subordinates. So even if he was killed, he could revive — but even so, watching a friend be killed was more than he could bear.

Shinji, burning with rage— "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"

He confronted Dino.

But Dino didn't so much as glance at Shinji or the others, his eyes fixed only on Ramiris— "'Administrator' Ramiris. The time has come.

You, who have lost your memory and been altered, are nothing but a blight upon that personage.

If I put you to rest now, this labyrinth will be sealed along with you.

The demons within this labyrinth are far too dangerous.

If you cannot be of use, then at least have the decency to die quietly and stop being an obstacle—"

He told Ramiris, in complete earnest.

But— "Hah?! Are you out of your mind?

Keep talking like that and I'll have Guy beat you black and blue!"

Ramiris's words dismissed everything he'd said.

Dino burst out laughing upon hearing that.

"Right? I knew you'd say that.

But the thing is... this is for real.

Reluctant as I am, I was also created as a 'Watcher.' Honestly, I'd rather not work at all. My ideal world is one where I don't have to. But oh well.

That's just how it is, so put up a good fight, won't you?

I can't slack off either, you see. There are other 'Watchers' above me.

So do your best and try to drive me off."

His expression shifted back to his usual easygoing, languid look as he waved his hand and rephrased his position.

But despite that casual attitude, the aura surrounding Dino had transformed into something far more refined and dangerous.

Only at this point did Ramiris finally seem to grasp the reality of the situation.

"Hey, you! You're actually serious about this!

That takes some nerve. Fine, I'll take you on.

I've got Dragon Kings under my command, you know!"

"Oh, those guys. I'd rather they not come out — they'd be quite troublesome, and I can't exactly kill them inside the labyrinth, can I?

So I put them to sleep.

Their evolutions weren't quite complete yet, so my ability happened to work. Lucky break.

I managed to eliminate the obstacles without any fuss.

Right now, the only ones active inside this labyrinth are us."

"Hah?! That's im—"

"That's right. With my Ultimate Skill, 'King of Sloth,' the entire labyrinth has been put to sleep!"

"That's enough! Finish him off, Beretta!"

For reasons unclear, Ramiris screamed those orders.

Dino, too— "Give it your best to survive and figure out a countermeasure!"

Saying that, he launched his attack on Beretta.

Without warning, the spacious laboratory transformed into a battlefield.

This Dino — he was freely spilling an awful lot of information about the inner workings, yet Shinji thought he remained as unreadable as ever.

Ramiris probably didn't have the capacity to think that deeply about all this, but there was really no need for Dino to say all of that.

From Dino's perspective, there was no need for a stalling tactic — if anything, time should have been precious to him.

One possibility was that he was letting information slip out of some lingering sense of camaraderie from when they were allies. But even that could be a deception, so it couldn't be trusted.

Another possibility was that he was confident he could wipe them all out, so it didn't matter.

But in that case, time should have been valuable, and there was no benefit to leaking information.

Really, he was the type who was unreliable as an ally but a headache as an enemy.

Setting aside Shinji's analysis, the battle between Dino and Beretta grew ever more intense.

This would serve as the prelude to the great battle.