"Wow, I already have a colleague this soon?"
Rimuru was surprised but stepped forward to chat with Treyni: "Hello, Treyni-senpai! I'm new here and still have a lot to learn. Please bear with me."
"No, the pleasure's mine!"
Treyni had a good impression of Rimuru.
"By the way, if I'm the Sage of State, then is Seitenshi also..."
"Yup."
Damien nodded, "Seitenshi manages the academy, serving as the Minister of Education and the Sage of Doctrine."
"Then there's Diablo, who'll be the Monster Kingdom's Minister of Foreign Affairs, so he's the Sage of Diplomacy."
"And Testarossa, who oversees the Monster Kingdom's laws and serves as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, making her the Sage of Judgment."
With that, the Monster Kingdom's initial cabinet was set: led by Rimuru as the Great Sage, supported by the four Sages... State, Doctrine, Diplomacy, and Judgment.
As for the other vassals, they belonged to the military, separate from civil administration.
Thus, the group chatted while using space-time magic to travel.
In just over ten minutes, they arrived at the Demon Capital, enveloped by the Eden Barrier.
Well, calling it a capital was generous... it was more like a small city.
No helping it; Damien's nation was just getting started.
Though he could use his authority to instantly replicate any structure from his mind...
This was everyone's home.
Damien felt that building it brick by brick would give them a greater sense of accomplishment.
"It's quite lively."
Velzard observed the bustling majins coming and going.
She didn't dislike the atmosphere.
"I'll introduce you to everyone first, then we'll have a welcome banquet."
It wasn't just to celebrate the addition of the two dragons and Rimuru; the successful awakening of everyone as Demon Lords was also cause for joy.
"Damien!"
"Master!"
Seeing Damien return, Snow Empress and Ogerpon were the first to greet him.
"Lord Damien~"
"Master!"
Then came Shion, Shuna, Artoria, and others.
In an instant, Damien was surrounded by women.
Watching this, Velzard felt a twinge of jealousy, worried her lil bro might be snatched away.
"Sorry for making you worry."
Damien introduced the two dragons and one slime to the group.
The majins' reactions mirrored the Dryad sisters'... shock at the inclusion of two Dragon Gods.
"These are your familiars, lil bro?"
Veldora crossed his arms, scanning the majins, pausing when he spotted Diablo and the other Primordial Daemons.
"No way, seriously?"
Veldora exclaimed: "Even you guys are here?"
"It's been a while, Sir Veldora, Miss Velzard."
Diablo bowed elegantly, and the other three Primordial Daemons also showed respect to the two powerhouses.
Afterward, Damien had the Oni host Veldora.
Both sides were boisterous, so they hit it off easily.
Sure enough, under Benimaru and Hakurou's warm hospitality, Veldora quickly got drunk, throwing an arm around Benimaru, calling him "Aniki."
You'd think they were the real brothers.
"That idiot..."
Velzard watched, exasperated.
"Your strength is said to rival our Lord's."
"Is that true?"
At that moment, Artoria and Snow Empress approached Velzard.
All three were battle maniacs... how could they pass up a worthy opponent?
"Oh?"
Velzard sized up the two women, smiling: "You're strong, both of you..."
"Want to spar?"
"Can't ask for more!"
Without hesitation, Artoria and Snow Empress prepared to face Velzard.
As for the venue...
Naturally, it was Damien's Void World.
Damien didn't stop them; he even activated a projection function, broadcasting the three women's battle above the plaza for everyone to watch.
"Wow, Lady Velzard, Artoria, and Snow Empress are amazing."
Shuna poured wine for Damien, occasionally glancing at the battle, her tone tinged with envy.
"You have a different path."
"No need to envy them."
Shuna's role was Damien's personal secretary.
Shion was similar, though she also served as his personal guard.
One civil, one martial, they were like Damien's left and right hands.
And, of course, they were his women.
No hints needed.
The two found an opportunity to slip into the castle with Damien, starting their little "game" for three.
"What do we do, what do we do?!"
Unlike the cheerful atmosphere around Damien...
Ellen and her two companions, teleported away by Damien, were panicking like ants on a hot pan.
"Miss Shizu was taken by that monster."
"It's all my fault..."
Ellen's tears fell like pearls.
Thinking of how Shizu not only saved them but also shielded them from danger...
They couldn't help her and even became hostages Damien used to threaten her.
The trio had tried re-entering the forest.
But ever since the Great Jura Forest's anomaly, a strange mist seemed to have a will of its own, actively expelling intruders.
Even rushing in blindly...
They'd find themselves back where they started.
Some had tried attacking the forest.
But the result was a swarm of roots and vines, like living pythons, assaulting the aggressors.
"Waaah~~"
Failing to enter the forest and watching Shizu be taken away, Ellen grew more guilt-ridden.
Overwhelmed with sadness, she could only cry.
She wanted to rush home and get her father's help.
But with such a long journey, who knew what would happen to Shizu by the time she returned with help?
By then, Shizu might already be molded into that monster's shape!
"Though I don't know what you're thinking..."
"It doesn't seem like anything good."
Suddenly, a gentle voice came from the forest.
Ellen turned, her teary eyes reflecting Shizu's figure.
"Miss Shizu!!"
"Waaah, you're okay, that's such a relief."
"I thought that bad guy was going to hurt you..."
Though they'd only just met, Ellen already saw Shizu as a steady, reliable big sister.
Seeing her safe return, Ellen couldn't hold back.
She threw herself into Shizu's arms, venting all her complaints about Damien.
***
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