Soon, the day of departure arrived.
Early that morning, Shion and Shuna led the preparations. Together with the others, they erected a high platform in the central square of the City of Emiya.
Below the platform, the square steadily filled.
Cadres of the Monster Federation stood shoulder to shoulder with ordinary citizens. All of them gathered toward the front, surrounding the platform, waiting for the arrival of their kings.
At the center of the crowd stood Benimaru, Rigur, and the rest of the delegation.
They were rigid.
Every one of them wore newly prepared attire-formal, dignified, and fitting for the occasion.
This was the speech arranged before Benimaru's mission.
As cheers erupted from the crowd, four figures slowly ascended the platform.
At its very center stood Rimuru and Emiya Shirou.
Shion and Shuna took their places on either side.
"Oh, it's Lord Rimuru!"
"And Lord Emiya, the one who pacified the forest!"
"Both lords are here together!"
The moment the two appeared, the plaza erupted.
Voices overlapped. Excited murmurs rippled endlessly through the crowd.
Rimuru and Emiya Shirou exchanged a glance.
Neither of them had expected this level of enthusiasm.
"Silence!"
Shion's voice thundered across the square.
The noise cut off instantly.
With the crowd quiet again, Rimuru coughed once and stepped forward.
"Everyone-work hard!"
That was it.
The words hung in the air.
"...That's all?"
Emiya Shirou's voice immediately echoed inside Rimuru's mind.
"Hey. This is a speech to the entire nation."
"What kind of speech ends with one line?"
"I'm not asking for an hour or two, but at least twenty minutes!"
"Twenty minutes?" Rimuru shot back internally. "I don't have that much to say!"
Even as he complained, he knew Emiya Shirou wasn't wrong.
He really had said too little.
"I may have spoken a bit briefly," Rimuru said aloud. "So... I'll add a little more."
After giving that warning, he continued.
He explained what they needed to be careful about when dealing with the other country.
Demon Lord Carrion was not only one of the Demon Lords, but also an avid martial artist.
With someone like that ruling a nation, it was questionable whether the country truly operated under the rule of law.
"Listen carefully," Rimuru said.
"That country is made up of demons who believe that might makes right."
"You must never allow yourselves to be underestimated."
"If you show weakness, they will lead you by the nose."
"You may not be able to win in a fight," he continued, voice steady, "but you must never lose in spirit."
"I, Shirou, and everyone here are backing you."
"Never forget that."
"Make your intentions clear to them."
He paused briefly, then went on.
"And if it truly comes to a fight-run back."
"Part of this mission is observation."
"We want to see whether there's room to build good relations in the future."
"If refusing to compromise leaves no possibility for interaction, then such a relationship isn't necessary."
"We want you to judge for yourselves whether a burden-free friendship is possible."
"I'm counting on all of you."
By the time Rimuru finished, the plaza erupted into cheers.
"Benimaru," Emiya Shirou called out, "don't restrain yourself too much once you're there."
"Act boldly. Do what you need to do."
"We're behind you."
"Remember that clearly."
"Yes, Lord Emiya!"
Benimaru immediately knelt, responding with solemn resolve.
"If possible," Emiya Shirou added lightly, "you could even spar with Demon Lord Carrion-"
"No. Absolutely not."
Rimuru cut him off without hesitation.
"Benimaru, no challenging Demon Lords. Understood?"
He shot Emiya Shirou a sharp glare before turning back.
"Don't worry, Lord Rimuru," Benimaru replied with a smile.
"I'm not that reckless."
"That's a Demon Lord, after all."
"You can tell just by looking at Lord Milim, can't you?"
"I won't be impulsive."
"That's good," Rimuru said.
He wasn't entirely convinced, but there was no better choice.
He could have sent Shion as well, but considering her personality, that idea had been dismissed immediately.
She was even more reckless than Benimaru.
"Then I'll leave it to you," Rimuru said. "Logically, I should go myself."
"No," Benimaru replied at once. "You should not step into a Demon Lord's territory until its safety is confirmed."
He intended to judge Carrion personally.
Not just Carrion.
He planned to assess every strong individual in the Beast Kingdom.
Only by doing so could he determine whether establishing diplomatic relations would truly benefit their country.
And more importantly-
He needed to see whether the other side harbored any hostile intent.
Because of that, Rimuru felt even more uneasy.
He worried that Benimaru, in the name of "confirmation," would deliberately provoke Carrion into a spar.
"Don't worry," Emiya Shirou said calmly.
"Demon Lord Carrion isn't on Milim's level."
"He, Clayman, and Frey are all new-generation Demon Lords."
"They aren't true Demon Lords."
"True Demon Lords?" Rimuru looked surprised. "You mean they haven't awakened?"
"That's right," Emiya Shirou said.
"Right now, their strength should be comparable to yours."
"The four of you are Demon Lord Seeds."
"Your strengths are roughly the same."
"Comparable to Lord Rimuru..." Benimaru nodded slowly.
"I see. I have a rough idea now."
Rimuru sighed and covered his face.
"Don't act recklessly, Benimaru."
Knowing he couldn't control him once he left, Rimuru had already lowered his standards.
"Don't worry, Lord Rimuru," Benimaru said again, smiling.
"Rigur," Rimuru continued, "you and the others must also do your best."
"Learn from their strengths."
"Understood, Lord Rimuru," Rigur replied.
His eyes shone brightly.
Seeing that boundless enthusiasm, Rimuru felt reassured.
"...Rigur has really grown into a capable talent."
Nearby, Rigurd was still openly crying tears of joy over Rigur's assignment.
Rimuru forced a smile, then turned to Ranga.
"Ranga, infiltrate Benimaru's shadow."
"I want you to stay hidden and secretly protect everyone."
"Understood. Leave it to me, Master."
Ranga vanished in a flash, sinking into Benimaru's shadow.
Benimaru immediately concealed his presence with demon energy, ensuring Ranga would remain undetected.
"Alright," Rimuru said.
"Let's give them a proper send-off."
At those words, Shuna subtly signaled to the side.
The waiting musical ensemble began to play.
The music was grand and powerful.
Under the gaze of the city's residents, the diplomatic delegation stepped forward.
Proud.
Steady.
Every step carried hope for the future.
It was hoped that through continued exchange, formal diplomatic relations could one day be established.
And so, the very first diplomatic mission set out on its journey.
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