"I should go and talk to that man… I need to determine whether he's a friend or a foe," Rimuru thought, his arms crossed and his foot tapping rhythmically against the ground. His brows furrowed as he struggled to comprehend Nirvakal's intentions. The man was clearly powerful, but his true motives remained a mystery.
After some thought, Rimuru decided to approach him directly—but not now. If Nirvakal wasn't an enemy, then recruiting someone of his caliber could be a great advantage. It wasn't often that he came across someone who might rival Benimaru, one of his strongest subordinates.
A glimmer of excitement flashed in Rimuru's eyes at the prospect of gaining such a strong ally, but he quickly suppressed the feeling. First, the tournament needed to conclude. After that, he would personally pay a visit to the mysterious warrior.
While Rimuru was thinking about how to deal with Nirvakal, his loyal subordinates were having the same thoughts. Benimaru, Shion, and Diablo were observing Nirvakal, and if he was deemed a threat to Rimuru or Tempest, they would take action.
Benimaru was conversing with Diablo and Shion through telepathy and said, *"That man's intentions and power level are not clear. Even I feel great pressure emanating from him. We need to be careful in how we deal with him. If he is not handled properly, he could be quite dangerous, and since his intentions are unknown, we should not make any reckless moves. We must observe him carefully, as Lord Rimuru has instructed. . . .hey! Are you two even listening to me?"*
He looked at them with concern, knowing all too well how crazy they could be when it came to Rimuru.
Shion, with a funny grin on her face and clear annoyance toward Nirvakal, slammed her fist into her palm and said, *"We are not going to do anything, as Lord Rimuru has ordered us to observe him and determine if his actions are suspicious or not. If they are, we ought to punish him accordingly. Don't you also agree, Second Secretary?"*
She grinned sarcastically at Diablo, who returned her look with a crazed smirk, showing his agreement.
*"Fufufu, I agree with you, First Secretary. We ought to punish anyone who dares to threaten Lord Rimuru."*
The two then started grinning like devoted fanatics while suggesting methods to punish Nirvakal if he was a threat.
Benimaru let out a sigh, rubbing his forehead. *"Haah... What am I going to do with these two?"
As the observation continued, the tournament also came to an end. Gobta, the small green Goblin known for being quite a trickster and somewhat lazy, unexpectedly won the seat of the Fourth Heavenly King. This happened despite him losing to the Light-Speed Hero, Masayuki, in the final round. Masayuki, however, chose to quit after defeating Gobta, who was blown out of the arena due to his inability to control his new skill.
Because of this, Gobta was declared the Fourth Heavenly King. Meanwhile, Masayuki did not fight against Rimuru, even though the tournament's prize allowed the winner to challenge him. Since he technically did not claim victory, he avoided the battle.
Rumors quickly spread among the spectators. Many said that Masayuki had won without even drawing his sword from its sheath once during the tournament. Others believed that the hero had chosen not to embarrass the Demon King in front of such a massive audience, showing pity by not challenging him.
However, what they didn't know was that the so-called hero, Masayuki—who had yellow hair and was just a normal high school boy transferred into this world—was not as brave or powerful as they thought. In reality, he was quite afraid of fighting and only kept getting caught up in troublesome situations. People started calling him a hero, despite him just wanting a quiet and safe life.
The only reason he had survived through all these troubles was his unique skill, The Chosen One, which granted him extreme luck. This skill was so powerful that it could even rival Ultimate Skills. Yet, ironically, it was also the very reason he kept getting entangled in problems. The Chosen One activated whenever Masayuki tried to move or do anything, and worst of all, he had no control over it.
And with many unexpected events, the tournament finally came to an end. The sun was setting, the air had turned cold, and people hurried back to their homes. The atmosphere was heavy—because the moment had arrived. The first-ever encounter between the Absolute Abyss and the Radiance was about to take place.
As the tournament concluded, Nirvakal decided to leave the colosseum, fully aware of what was about to happen. And just as he had expected, the moment he stepped outside, the butler Diablo was already waiting for him at the exit.
Nirvakal remained unbothered by Diablo's presence and continued walking. Just as he was about to pass him, Diablo spoke in a calm, gentle, and polite voice, characteristic of the gentleman he usually was with Nirvakal. Extending one arm forward, his palm facing upward, and placing his other hand behind his back, Diablo gave a slight bow to show respect.
"Apologies for the sudden intrusion, honored guest. If it is alright, may I have some of your time for a brief conversation?"
Nirvakal, as unbothered as always, stopped and decided to respond in his usual emotionless voice, "Speak."
Though Nirvakal's voice carried a commanding tone, Diablo didn't mind it and calmly said, "My name is Diablo, a name bestowed upon me by Lord Rimuru. I serve as his second secretary and butler. May I have the honor of knowing your name, our esteemed guest?
When Diablo asked this, Nirvakal had a thought, "How much time has passed since someone dared to ask my name?" As this thought crossed his mind, an image surfaced—a young man with glowing red eyes.
Snapping back to the present, Nirvakal decided to respond, his usual emotionless tone now carrying an added sense of superiority.
"You wish to know my name? I don't see the worth in telling you that. But since you have asked, let me tell you the name by which everyone calls me when I pass by—'Kaal.'"
While "Kaal" sounded like a strange and unfamiliar name to Diablo, its true meaning was beyond his comprehension. It was a name bestowed upon Nirvakal by deities and ancient entities—a name signifying absolute destruction, one even they could not escape. Wherever he passed, nothing remained—only devastation, annihilation, and a void that consumed all.
Upon hearing Nirvakal's name, a faint glint flickered in Diablo's eyes—one so subtle that even he was unaware of it.
Upon hearing Nirvakal's name, Diablo responded in his usual calm and polite tone, "Lord Kaal, I have a message from Lord Rimuru for you. He wishes to invite you to his office for a small chat, if that is acceptable to you?"
After saying that, Diablo stood straight, patiently waiting for Nirvakal's response.
Nirvakal, maintaining his usual tone, replied as if he was unaware of the situation, "Your lord wishes to have a chat with someone he has neither heard of nor seen before? What does he seek?"
Upon hearing Nirvakal's response, Diablo wondered whether he was merely pretending or if he truly had no knowledge of what had transpired in the Colosseum when they sensed his aura.
"In any case," Diablo thought, "if he is harmless, we must recruit him, as that is Lord Rimuru's order. Though his voice carries authority, I don't sense any killing intent or hostility from him."
Despite these thoughts swirling in his mind, Diablo remained calm on the outside. With a slight bow, he replied in a composed manner,
"That is something only Lord Rimuru can answer. I do not have the authority to speak on his behalf. But rest assured, we mean no harm. And it is not as if Lord Rimuru takes an interest in just anyone. Declining now would mean turning away from something far greater."
Upon hearing this, Nirvakal was somewhat impressed by Diablo's persistence, his unwavering loyalty, and the cunning way he framed the invitation—making rejection seem like turning away from something grand, even if it wasn't. It reminded Nirvakal of his right-hand man, Nyxir.
A familiar figure surfaced in his mind—someone who appeared to be in his twenties but was millions of years older. His mere presence was enough to instill terror, and his white eyes held a power capable of crushing multiple multiverses with just a glance.
For a brief moment, a faint feeling of familiarity flickered in Nirvakal's eyes, prompting him to turn toward Diablo. The instant Diablo noticed this, his own eyes flickered ever so slightly.
Yet, remaining as indifferent as ever, Nirvakal finally spoke in his usual tone,
"Since your lord is so eager to meet me, I will see for myself what he truly wants. Lead the way, and let's see what your lord truly desires."
Upon hearing Nirvakal's response, Diablo felt extremely pleased, his crimson eyes glimmering with anticipation at the thought of Rimuru praising him for his efforts. Without delay, he reported everything to Rimuru, who was equally pleased by the news and ordered Diablo to bring Nirvakal to his office with the utmost respect.
Acknowledging the order, Diablo gave Nirvakal a slight yet respectful bow and, in a calm and composed voice, said,
"I am extremely grateful for your positive response to Lord Rimuru's proposal to meet him. Once again, I reassure you that no harm will come to you. So, shall we proceed to where Lord Rimuru is waiting for us?"
Diablo spoke while looking intently at Nirvakal.
While his agreement to meet Rimuru seemed abrupt, Nirvakal had already predicted this course of events with his sheer intelligence—without even needing to use his eyes that could see the future. The main reason for his agreement, however, lay in Rimuru's absurd growth over the past years, the glimpses of the future he had foreseen, and his growing interest in Rimuru's evolution. Additionally, Diablo himself piqued Nirvakal's curiosity, as he bore striking similarities to his right-hand man, Nyxir.
Hearing Diablo's words, Nirvakal responded with his usual indifferent demeanor, "We shall."
Diablo, using his teleportation skill, attempted to transport Nirvakal directly to Rimuru's office. However, since others' skills did not work on Nirvakal without his consent, he discreetly used his own teleportation instead—making it seem as though Diablo's ability had functioned as intended.
Scene Transition: Tempest City Hall
The scene shifts to Tempest City Hall, situated at the heart of Rimuru City—the capital of the Jura Tempest Federation. Serving as the administrative center of Tempest, it is one of the city's most significant structures. The City Hall is positioned within a central plaza, surrounded by other key facilities such as:
Residential areas for high-ranking officials.
Military headquarters overseeing the nation's defenses.
Commerce and trade centers that manage economic growth.
The Tempest City Hall itself is a large, castle-like structure, embodying both practicality and elegance. Constructed using Dwarven craftsmanship and magic-enhanced materials, it is not only an architectural marvel but also an impenetrable fortress, resistant to external threats. The upper floors house Rimuru's office, offering a panoramic view of the city. Given its political and strategic importance, the building is heavily fortified with magical barriers and security measures. High-ranking figures such as Benimaru, Shuna, Diablo, and Shion frequently visit or remain nearby to ensure efficient governance.
Despite its imposing presence, the City Hall is also where Rimuru handles administrative work—or at least tries to before getting buried under endless paperwork, which his subordinates inevitably end up handling.
Inside the Conference Room
The tension in the air was palpable as Rimuru walked back and forth, his steps forming a straight line as he impatiently awaited Nirvakal's arrival.
Standing beside him were Benimaru and Shion, observing their lord's restless pacing. Attempting to ease his concerns, Benimaru spoke in his usual calm tone, offering a slight smile:
"Lord Rimuru, please don't be impatient. As Diablo said, everything is fine—he is bringing that man here without any issues. And even if any problems arise, knowing Diablo, he can handle them easily."
Despite his reassuring words, a trained eye could notice that Benimaru himself was slightly nervous. The subtle difference in his usual smile and the one he wore now—almost imperceptible—betrayed his own curiosity and unease. "What kind of man is he to make Lord Rimuru this anxious?" he wondered silently.
Shion, on the other hand, remained cheerful and energetic, dismissing any concerns with her usual confidence.
"Yes, Lord Rimuru, don't be impatient! Even though the second secretary isn't better than me, he's still quite capable. And if he does mess something up, I'll make sure to set him straight!"
She declared this proudly, flashing a big smile, using the opportunity to assert her superiority over Diablo. Her words weren't just to reassure Rimuru—they were also part of her ongoing competition with Diablo, as they both constantly vied to prove who was more devoted to Rimuru. Unlike Benimaru, Shion felt no nervousness at all, simply because she rarely overthought things—she acted first and analyzed later.
Hearing their words, Rimuru finally stopped pacing and sighed before sitting down on his chair. Placing his hands on his hips, he responded with an awkward smile:
"I get what you both are trying to say… but I just can't help feeling nervous. Opportunities like this don't come often—getting someone as strong as Benimaru as a subordinate would drastically improve Tempest's battle strength in a short time."
Excitement, anticipation, and nervousness were all visible on his face. Thoughts swirled in his mind—how should he approach Nirvakal? What should he say to persuade him to stay?
Both Benimaru and Shion nodded in agreement, acknowledging the weight of the situation.
The Conference Room
This scene was unfolding within the Grand Conference Room of Tempest City Hall—the very place where all critical discussions regarding the nation were held. The room contained a large, elongated table with multiple wooden chairs, where Rimuru's subordinates would gather, report issues, and discuss important matters.
At the head of the table was Rimuru's seat, distinct from the others. Designed like a royal throne, it offered far more comfort and elegance than the standard chairs, symbolizing his authority over Tempest.
As the anticipation built, everyone waited for Diablo's arrival with their esteemed guest—Nirvakal, the one shrouded in mystery.
The atmosphere in the room was suffocating. The tension had thickened to the point that it was almost tangible. Rimuru, Benimaru, and Shion could sense Diablo's aura as soon as he entered, but Nirvakal's presence remained undetectable. A chill ran down their spines, for they suspected that his unique skill was cloaking his presence—something that made them even more cautious.
Rimuru quickly fixed his clothes, his nerves showing despite his calm demeanor. Benimaru and Shion, too, straightened themselves, standing at attention beside Rimuru. The air crackled with pressure. Each of them braced for the moment they had been anticipating—the arrival of Nirvakal.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder and louder. Diablo's steps were measured, but Nirvakal's walked with an unbothered ease, his presence alone filling the room with an ominous energy. Every inch of the hall seemed to hum under the weight of his overwhelming aura, and it felt as though the very air around them was about to break.
The door to the conference room suddenly burst open with a sharp clack, and Diablo entered, followed by Nirvakal. The moment the door swung wide, the pressure peaked. The atmosphere felt like it could implode under the sheer gravity of Nirvakal's being. Rimuru's heart raced. It was as if time had stopped for a second, the reality of the situation settling in. The room fell into an eerie silence, and all eyes were now fixed on the figure who had just entered.
Nirvakal walked forward with the poise of a king, his effortless grace cutting through the tension. It was not just his physical presence that commanded attention, but the very essence of his being that left an imprint on everyone in the room. Even Benimaru and Shion, the most powerful of Rimuru's subordinates, couldn't help but feel a rush of sweat trickling down their backs as they looked at him. Their eyes widened as they registered the intensity of his presence—he was unlike anyone they had ever encountered.
The room felt like it was on the brink of collapse, the pressure rising to unbearable levels. The walls of the City Hall seemed to bend under the weight of Nirvakal's aura, and even the air itself seemed to tremble in response.
Finally, Rimuru, his nervousness barely masked by his usual calm demeanor, stood from his seat. His hand extended toward Nirvakal in a gesture of respect and diplomacy, and he spoke with a tone that was a mix of both calm authority and excitement:
"Welcome, Lord Kaal, to our nation, Tempest."
The words hung in the air, the anticipation thick enough to choke anyone standing too close. Every single person in the room held their breath, their eyes locked on the towering figure of Nirvakal, awaiting his response.
Would he take the extended hand of Rimuru? Would he recognize this gesture of respect, or would he do something unpredictable—something that none of them had prepared for?