The silence didn't last.
It shattered.
"What the hell are you thinking!?"
Rain's voice cut through the hall like a blade.
She stepped forward, eyes wide, not in fear, but disbelief.
"Are you actually insane!?" she snapped, pointing straight at Loki. "That's not some random Demon Lord you just challenged!"
Misery moved beside her, quieter, but far more intense.
"…You're picking a fight with Guy-sama."
Her gaze flicked to Guy for a split second.
Then back to Loki.
"…Do you even understand what that means?"
—
Luminous clicked her tongue, irritation plain.
"This is exactly why I dislike you."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Reckless. Arrogant. And completely lacking restraint."
Dagruel crossed his massive arms, frowning.
"…You've got guts."
A pause.
"…But this isn't a joke."
Leon didn't raise his voice.
He didn't need to.
"…You're provoking the one individual who has maintained the balance of this world for centuries."
His golden eyes locked onto Loki.
"…That's not ambition."
A beat.
"…That's suicide."
—
Loki listened.
Didn't interrupt.
Didn't react.
Just stood there.
Calm.
—
Then—
A step forward.
"He's not wrong, you know."
Ultima's voice was light.
Amused.
Dangerous.
She slipped in beside Loki, smiling at the others.
"But if you've got a problem…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"…you can take it up with us."
Testarossa followed.
Graceful.
Composed.
But her presence alone made the air heavier.
"…Questioning Loki-sama's decision is one thing."
She smiled.
Cold.
"But speaking as though he is beneath this challenge…"
A pause.
"…is something we will not tolerate."
The temperature dropped.
Not literally.
But it felt like it.
—
Rain's expression hardened.
"…You think this is about pride?"
Misery's eyes narrowed.
"…This is about reality."
Ultima's smile widened.
"Oh?"
Testarossa's gaze didn't waver.
"…Then perhaps your understanding of reality is lacking."
—
"Enough."
One word.
That was all it took.
The pressure vanished.
Instantly.
Completely.
Guy stood there, relaxed as ever.
But his presence—
Overrode everything.
—
He glanced at Rain and Misery.
"…You two done?"
Rain clicked her tongue.
"Tch—"
Misery exhaled softly.
"…This is a mistake."
Guy ignored that.
Instead—
He looked at them directly.
"…Do you think I'll lose?"
The question was simple.
Direct.
And absolute.
Rain didn't hesitate.
"…Of course not."
Misery shook her head.
"…Never."
Guy smiled.
"Then what's the problem?"
Silence.
Neither of them answered.
Because there was nothing to say.
—
Guy rolled his shoulders lightly.
Then turned his gaze.
"Dagruel."
The giant looked up.
"…What?"
Guy's grin returned.
"…We'll need a battlefield."
A pause.
"Your land."
Dagruel stared at him for a moment.
Then—
A slow grin spread across his face.
"…Heh."
"Fine."
His voice rumbled with interest now.
"…I'll allow it."
—
Guy nodded once.
Then looked back at Loki.
"…One month."
A beat.
His smile sharpened.
"In one month—"
The air grew heavy again.
"…we settle this."
Loki's grin matched his.
"Sounds good."
A pause.
Then—
"I can't wait."
And for the first time since the challenge was issued—
The excitement in the room wasn't hidden.
It was rising.
Then—
Guy clapped his hands once.
"Alright, that's enough of that."
Just like that—
The pressure broke.
Like it had never existed.
A grin spread across his face.
"…Food's ready."
A beat.
Then casually—
"Rain. Misery. Serve it."
—
"…Yes, Guy-sama."
Rain sighed, clearly still irritated, but she turned without argument.
Misery followed quietly.
Both of them disappearing to carry out the order.
—
Loki's eyes lit up instantly.
"…Food?"
No restraint.
No dignity.
Just genuine excitement.
He leaned forward slightly.
"Nice."
—
Ultima clasped her hands together.
"As expected of Loki-sama. Even in the face of battle, his composure is flawless."
Testarossa nodded, completely serious.
"To remain unfazed after challenging Guy Crimson himself…"
A soft smile.
"…Truly magnificent."
Loki blinked.
"…I'm just hungry."
They ignored that.
Completely.
—
Nearby—
Frey, now seated beside Milim, glanced toward Loki.
There was hesitation.
Respect.
Then she spoke.
"…Loki-sama."
Her tone was careful.
Measured.
"…May I ask something?"
Loki looked over.
"Go ahead."
Frey took a small breath.
"…How are you able to remain so calm?"
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Guy.
"…You're about to face what is widely considered the strongest being in the world."
A pause.
"…And yet you show no fear."
—
Before Loki could answer—
Testarossa spoke.
"Because he has no reason to."
Her voice was smooth.
Certain.
"…Guy Crimson is hardly worth that level of concern."
—
A beat.
Then—
"…I heard that."
Guy's voice cut in lazily.
Testarossa didn't even look at him.
"Then perhaps you should reflect on why such a statement feels accurate."
Guy's eye twitched slightly.
"…You're getting bold."
Testarossa smiled.
"I always have been."
—
Loki sighed lightly.
Then looked back at Frey.
"If you think Guy's the strongest…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…then I must be getting seriously underestimated."
A small grin followed.
Then, more casually—
"And stop talking like that."
Frey blinked.
"…Like what?"
"That respectful tone."
He scratched the back of his head slightly.
"…It's weird."
A pause.
"…You're like. An older sister type, you know?"
Another pause.
"…It makes me feel awkward."
—
Frey stared at him.
Then—
A soft smile formed.
"…I see."
She inclined her head slightly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
—
"HEY!"
Milim suddenly leaned forward, pouting.
"I'm the strongest, you know!"
Frey blinked.
Then gently patted her head.
"Yes, of course you are."
Milim froze.
Then beamed.
"That's right!"
—
Right on cue—
The doors opened.
Rain and Misery returned, followed by attendants carrying trays.
Plates.
Steam.
A rich aroma filled the hall instantly.
—
Dino sat up slightly.
"…Now this is worth waking up for."
Dagruel nodded.
"…Smells good."
Leon didn't comment.
But he started eating immediately.
Luminous took a bite.
Paused.
"…Acceptable."
Which, coming from her, was high praise.
—
Loki dug in without hesitation.
"…This is good."
No elegance.
Just honest appreciation.
—
Ramiris was halfway through stuffing her face when—
"Hey, Ramiris."
She froze.
Slowly turned.
"…What."
Loki smiled.
"Got a favor to ask."
Her eyes narrowed instantly.
"I swear if this is something annoying—"
She pointed dramatically.
"I will unleash my ultimate finishing move on you!"
Loki raised his hands.
"Alright, alright. My bad."
A pause.
"…Finish eating first."
—
Ramiris blinked.
Then puffed up proudly.
"Hmph. Good."
Satisfied.
She crossed her arms.
"…Fine. I'll hear you out."
—
Loki leaned slightly forward.
"There are some kids."
Ramiris tilted her head.
"…Kids?"
"They need spirit hosts."
A beat.
"Or they'll die."
Silence.
Then—
Ramiris straightened.
"…Oh."
Her expression shifted.
Slightly serious now.
"…That kind of thing?"
Loki nodded.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"…Can you help?"
—
Ramiris puffed up instantly.
"Of course I can!"
She placed her hands on her hips.
"Who do you think I am!?"
A grin.
"I'm the only one who can handle something like that properly!"
—
Loki smiled.
"Figured."
—
The atmosphere softened.
Just slightly.
War.
Power.
Titles.
All of it—
Set aside.
For now.
—
Five days later.
—
The Jura Forest.
Arashi.
Conference Room.
—
Rimuru sat at the head of the table.
Still not entirely used to it.
Still not entirely convinced any of this was real.
"…We actually did it."
His voice carried a mix of disbelief and relief.
"…We beat the Orc Disaster."
Around him—
Shion stood proudly at his side.
Benimaru crossed his arms, nodding.
"As expected of Rimuru-sama."
Shuna smiled warmly.
"You led us perfectly."
Souei remained silent, but his presence alone spoke volumes.
Hakuro stroked his beard.
"…A fine battle."
Kurobe nodded.
"…Indeed."
—
Rimuru scratched his cheek.
"Aha… well…"
'Okay, this is getting embarrassing…
They're praising me way too much…
I mean yeah, we won, but still—'
He cleared his throat.
Trying to regain control of the meeting.
"Anyway, moving forward—"
—
BANG.
The doors slammed open.
Everyone turned.
A Hobgoblin stood there.
Sweating.
Breathing hard.
"…Rimuru-sama!"
The room tensed instantly.
"…Trouble—"
A gulp.
"…is approaching the village!"
---
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