When Rimuru heard the voice in his head telling him to accept the conditions,
he was utterly startled—because the voice belonged to none other than his ultimate skill, Raphael.
It was shocking beyond words for Rimuru to hear such a thing from Raphael—
the most calculative and knowledgeable existence he had ever known.
But today, for the first time ever...
that very being—Raphael—had told Rimuru to accept conditions so absurd,
conditions that could potentially bring harm to Tempest and its people.
And that,
that was why Rimuru was so deeply stunned by Raphael's words.
Rimuru, still in confusion, asked Raphael,
"Raphael-sensei, what happened? Why are you telling me to accept these absurd conditions—which could possibly harm Tempest and its people?"
A storm of thoughts surged through Rimuru's mind as he wondered why Raphael would say something like this without offering a proper reason.
As he thought about it, his eyes unknowingly focused on Nirvakal.
A sudden thought popped into his mind—
Could Nirvakal have done something to Raphael?
But he quickly discarded the idea.
After all, only Rimuru knew about Raphael's existence.
Not even the True Dragons could sense her—
so how could Nirvakal possibly be aware of her?
And even if by some miracle he did know...
what could he possibly do to her?
She was an Ultimate Skill—something far beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings.
Even if Nirvakal was unpredictable and unusual, Rimuru didn't believe he could do anything to Raphael.
That left him with only one logical conclusion—
Raphael must have sensed something of significant value, something neither he nor anyone else could perceive.
Because Rimuru knew—
every action Raphael took always carried meaning.
That's why, despite his shock, he didn't want to doubt her words.
So Rimuru decided to ask her directly.
Continuing from where he left off, Rimuru asked once more,
"...At least tell me why I should accept something this unreasonable."
Raphael couldn't possibly tell Rimuru about her and Nirvakal's conversation—
where she had sensed his overwhelming strength...
…the fact that he can listen and talk to her without Rimuru noticing...
...and it is still possible that he is currently listening to this conversation between them...
...and there's also a chance that he can harm Rimuru and the others if Raphael mentioned anything about their chat and his true power...
...which is dangerous… and even if these conditions are absurd, she can't possibly tell Rimuru to decline them, as it could also enrage Nirvakal and cause trouble for everyone...
…or…
…this could also be a test by Nirvakal, to see how Rimuru and others react—which is why there's even more reason not to decline...
…and the last possibility...
…that Nirvakal genuinely wants to join Tempest—which makes it even more important not to reject him.
Even if this is the most unlikely possibility, Raphael still didn't want to exclude it,
because rejecting him could possibly damage Tempest the most…
If Rimuru turned down Nirvakal's offer,
and he ended up joining another nation instead—
…it would be quite a great loss.
Due to all these reasons, not accepting Nirvakal's conditions is dangerous…
But Raphael couldn't possibly reveal all this to Rimuru.
So, she needed to come up with a convincing excuse—
Something believable, to make Rimuru accept these conditions…
Considering all this, Raphael replied—
"Answer – The reason why I told you to accept these conditions is because of this man's unusual actions."
Rimuru's eyes shifted toward Nirvakal, now filled with more curiosity after hearing Raphael's reply.
Rimuru, intrigued, asked back,
"I know his actions have been unusual, but how does that justify you telling me to accept these conditions? Be clear with your words."
Raphael replied,
"Answer – From the moment he supposedly accidentally exposed his power—where he, due to being unable to control his skill that hid his power, made us sense it—we were able to tell that he was as powerful as Benimaru. This made you intrigued by him, and you wanted this man to join Tempest. But don't you think there was something off about it?"
Upon hearing this, Rimuru became even more curious and asked,
"What was off about it?"
Raphael continued,
"Answer – In that whole colosseum, filled with many powerful beings..."
"...why was it only Master and the Heavenly Kings who could sense his power?"
"...why didn't the others notice it?"
"...why only us?"
"...and when he came into the City Hall..."
"...he stopped hiding his aura and fully released it..."
"...which made even you feel slightly suppressed..."
"This suggests that he already knew about us sensing his power, and it also implies that he isn't afraid of a true Demon Lord and his subordinates... which is quite unusual for someone supposedly at Benimaru's level."
"That means either he has powerful backing behind him..."
"...or..."
"...he still hasn't shown us his full power..."
"...and if we consider that all of his actions until now were intentional..."
"...that signals..."
"...that..."
Rimuru gulped nervously, hearing Raphael's analysis.
"...That?" he asked.
Raphael responded,
"That the whole situation we are currently in is fully set up by him..."
"...and he is fully in control of it."
"...And if he still hasn't shown his full capabilities..."
"...and if these absurd conditions are actually a test for us..."
"...then we must pass it for him to come into Tempest."
"...Then..."
"...rejecting them is more harmful than accepting them..."
"...as that may enrage him and turn him into our enemy."
"Which would be far more dangerous if this situation is truly orchestrated by him, and if he still hasn't revealed his true power..."
"Making someone this cunning, smart, and powerful our enemy rather than our ally—when we currently have a chance to ally with him—would be a grave mistake."
"We can add one condition from our side: that his actions must not harm Tempest and its people in any way..."
"...and we can also place people to observe him at all times, to ensure that he is not plotting anything or acting as a spy for someone else."
"This way, the risk will be outweighed by the potential benefit, if my analysis of him proves correct."
"I can only give suggestions... the final choice is Master's."
"If you decide to reject these conditions, then I will still help you achieve your dream—to build a kingdom where everyone can live together happily and enjoy their lives."
"And if that man truly becomes Tempest's enemy..."
"...then I will help you, with the best of my capabilities, to defeat him."
Rimuru was completely flabbergasted when he heard Raphael's explanation...
...he didn't have any words to say...
...he could only wonder and look at Nirvakal like he was someone out of this world...
"If what Raphael had said is true..."
"...then..."
"...it is truly dangerous to leave this man be..."
Rimuru was glancing at Nirvakal and wondering,
"...I had never thought that in my life..."
"...that..."
"...I would ever see someone who can totally outsmart all of my subordinates and make us dance in his palm..."
"...And the fact that he still hasn't shown his true capabilities is something truly terrifying..."
Rimuru looked at him and thought,
"...Now looking at him in this light, I still cannot predict the extent of his true power and cunningness..."
To Rimuru, it was something extraordinary. But...
To Nirvakal, it was nothing more than trapping some ants in a place—by making them feel like they were in control of everything.
But in truth, he was the one controlling them.
Rimuru, still lost in his thoughts, continued to look at Nirvakal.
"...I now truly understand why Raphael-sensei was telling me to accept these unreasonable conditions..."
"...Indeed..."
"...Now looking at it again, the benefits truly outweigh the risk but..."
"...I mustn't let my nation's people suffer because of my own greed... I need to make sure that..."
"...this man in front of me truly doesn't do any harm to my people..."
As Rimuru thought this...
His eyes emitted a faint glow, and he looked directly at Nirvakal...
He was about to speak—but before that, he remembered something, and in his mind, he said with gratitude and in an apologetic tone:
"Thank you, Raphael-sensei, for helping me out..."
With a slight pause, he continued,
"...and sorry for making you worry... now let me handle the rest of the things..."
Upon hearing this, Raphael remained silent. She didn't say anything.
And now, we see Rimuru looking intently at Nirvakal...
...his face full of confidence...
...a friendly smile on his lips and a hint of anticipation in his eyes...
...Everyone was looking at him...
...Rimuru could feel all their gazes focused on him...
And in his friendly and casual tone...
Rimuru said to Nirvakal while looking directly at him—
"Kaal, I accept all the conditions that you have mentioned..."
"...but..."
"... you would need to accept one of my conditions too..."
"... will you?"
Upon hearing Rimuru's response to Nirvakal's absurd conditions...
The room had...
...all its air sucked out...
...Many thoughts were swarming in everyone's mind and a look of confusion and shock was on some's face, except Nirvakal who was still as calm as a still sea with no ripples of emotions on his face...
...his eyes as emotionless as ever...
...because he had already predicted everything up to this point and...
...he was listening to every single word of Rimuru and Raphael's discussion, and to his surprise...
...Raphael was able to meet his expectations, which made Nirvakal more interested in the duo of Rimuru and Raphael...
...and other than that he had predicted everything, even what is going to happen in a few moments...
The room fell into a deep silence. Everyone had many thoughts, but no one dared to utter them from their mouth...
All eyes focused on Nirvakal...
No one even dared to breathe heavily or lightly... as it would break the silence...
...only waiting for the response of the man in black robes...
The silence finally broke when...
An emotionless, indifferent, commanding, and freezing cold voice was heard saying the words...
"Speak, what is it?"
It was none other than Nirvakal who broke the silence... by asking Rimuru about the condition he mentioned earlier...
Normally, Shion would have spoken something if someone dared to talk to Rimuru like this, but...
Now, even she felt that if she said something, it would not end well...
So she chose to remain silent...
Only looking at Rimuru...
Now all eyes were on Rimuru...
The air around him was suffocating and heavy...
His fist clenched slightly...
His lips still had that friendly smile...
His eyes didn't dare to blink at all...
As he said in his casual and friendly tone, with his lips lifted in a friendly smile...
"I have no problem accepting your first two conditions... as I am not a person who wants to control someone and want to investigate them without their permission, but..."
With a slight momentary pause...
Rimuru continued...
"I have a problem with your third condition... as it implies you can do whatever you want in Tempest, but we can't do anything to stop you..."
"...I hate to say it but..."
"...we have only just met... and I neither know anything about you nor your life until now..."
"...so even if you are really someone with no bad intention towards Tempest..."
"...I can't really agree with this condition... as it can also be used to harm Tempest and its people..."
"...which as Tempest's ruler and the one responsible for all of its people... I will not want something that can potentially harm them..."
"...that's why..."
"...you just need to promise that..."
"...any of your actions will not harm Tempest and its people in any way possible..."
"...if you can accept that, I have no problem agreeing to your conditions..."
After Rimuru's words left his mouth and resonated in the room...
The room suddenly felt like it was in a python's belly...
Pressuring the people inside from all sides...
People inside...
...not being able to breathe...
...not being able to speak...
But could only see with their eyes...
As every pair of eyes in the room was focused on Nirvakal...
Waiting for his reply with anticipation...
As Nirvakal decided to break the silence with his emotionless tone...
...he said...
"Is that it?"
To be continued...