Demon Country Federation.
The Sealed Cave where the Storm Dragon was sealed.
White quietly followed behind Rimuru. Rimuru didn't speak, and he didn't ask anything either.
Although White's strength had soared, evolving into an Ogre Mage, his character had never changed.
Not only was he content to play a supporting role, but he also never held back when facing juniors, imparting all his knowledge to every race.
It must be said that White was truly a calm and highly respected elder.
Deep within the Sealed Cave.
Rimuru turned around, looked at White, and said, "White, what do you think of this upcoming war?"
Hearing Rimuru's words, White chuckled, "No problem. It's a challenge, but also a great opportunity. After this battle, Rimuru-sama's great name will surely spread throughout the entire continent, and the Demon Country Federation will become a great power standing at the pinnacle of the World!"
These were White's true feelings; Rimuru had brought too many surprises to the Demon Country Federation.
There was no need to mention the naming and weapons; just the recently completed spring-defense tower system filled White with anticipation.
As for failure, he hadn't even considered it!
With Rimuru as their strong support, the Demon Country Federation was this confident now.
Hearing White's words, Rimuru couldn't help but smile.
Indeed, great minds think alike!
Thinking of this upcoming war, Rimuru couldn't help but recall the founding war of his homeland in his previous life.
One battle defeated the united forces, securing at least thirty years of peace.
A certain island nation had looked down on his homeland for nearly a century, and even after being driven back to their homeland in disgrace during the invasion, they still disdained it.
But after that battle, they no longer dared to ignore the strength of his homeland, enacting laws that explicitly prohibited the use of the derogatory term "Shina."
Rimuru: "What if I don't plan to make a move in this battle?"
"This…"
White was puzzled, and the hand gripping his sword involuntarily tightened a bit.
Rimuru was the pillar of the Demon Country Federation; the main reason he was so confident in this battle was Rimuru-sama's unparalleled combat power.
If Rimuru-sama didn't make a move, then it would be difficult!
"For a country to last forever, the cultivation of talent is always paramount; it absolutely cannot rely solely on one person to support it. I can't be the Demon Country Federation's nanny forever; the future must still be handed over to you all!"
Hearing Rimuru's words, White couldn't help but frown. What did Rimuru-sama mean by that?
Why did it feel like she was leaving?
How strange!
White: "Rimuru-sama, please feel free to command me. This old man is willing to do his utmost to share your worries!"
"I was just saying it casually, White. You're thinking too much. Relax, relax, you're too serious!"
White breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more relaxed.
"White, you treat all races in the Demon Country Federation equally and impart all your knowledge without reservation. Your character is truly noble and ancient!"
Hearing Rimuru's words, White immediately beamed with joy, feeling quite pleased.
Rimuru's words truly hit him where it mattered!
For White, training the younger generation and making those youngsters undergo the same training he experienced in his youth was one of his few pleasures.
"Rimuru-sama, you flatter me, haha!"
Rimuru: "White, I will help you become an Awakened Demon Lord!"
Huh?
White was stunned.
Rimuru-sama just said she would help him become an Awakened Demon Lord?
Awakened?!
Even with White's composure, his state of mind was still somewhat shaken.
It was only after swearing allegiance to Rimuru that White gained a clear understanding of what an Awakened Demon Lord was.
Before that, even with White's knowledge, he only knew that a Demon Lord was a supreme being standing at the apex of monsters.
In some unsubstantiated rumors, there were also some tales about "True Demon Lords," but most were too absurd.
After swearing allegiance, under Rimuru's popularization of knowledge, they then learned that the legendary True Demon Lord's true title was Awakened Demon Lord.
To awaken was extremely difficult; sacrificing ten thousand human souls was merely a stepping stone!
And the possibility of failure was still very high!
After failure, there was a high probability of losing all reason and directly degenerating into a monster that only knew how to kill!
White had once heard Rimuru mention that Guy, who was seemingly ranked first among the Ten Great Demon Lords, had two attendants beside him, Misery and Rain, who had failed to awaken multiple times.
To this day, White has never forgotten Rimuru's evaluation of the Ten Great Demon Lords—Guy is Guy, Milim is Milim, and the other Demon Lords are the other Demon Lords!
One can imagine the greatness of Demon Lord Guy!
Even Guy, with his astonishing methods, still failed to enable Misery and Rain to awaken successfully.
For Demon Lords with long lifespans, obtaining tens of thousands of human souls was not too difficult.
Even if they feared slaughtering too many at once and provoking an Defeat (punitive expedition) by human heroes, they could adopt a relatively stable strategy.
Accumulating over decades, or even a hundred years, would always be enough.
But among the Ten Great Demon Lords, there were still only a handful of true Awakened Demon Lords.
The problem was self-evident!
White felt immense pressure, "Rimuru-sama, thank you for your generosity towards me, but ten thousand souls are not easy to come by, and to use them on this old man is truly…"
Hearing White's words, Rimuru couldn't help but be speechless.
Were ten thousand souls not easy for her to come by?
It was too easy!
Don't forget, Rimuru had devoured the laws of the Death Goddess!
After entering the Cardinal World, the Death Goddess's laws underwent some changes.
Or rather, without the Death Goddess's share, Rimuru was equivalent to the only Death law in this World, truly the Death Goddess.
As time passed, her Death laws had long extended from the Demon Country Federation to most of the World.
Currently, almost every moment, a large number of departed souls automatically flew towards her.
Rimuru: "Souls are not the problem. The key is to see White's determination and resolve. Among all the current high-ranking officials in the Demon Country Federation, only you have the broadest knowledge and the best heart. If even you cannot awaken successfully, then there's no need to mention Benimaru, Shion, and the others!"
"The challenges for the Demon Country Federation might increase in the future. White, do you dare to take this risk?"
White was still somewhat hesitant, but upon hearing Rimuru's words, his eyes immediately sharpened.
"To scout the path for the young master and princess? This is this old man's honor!"
Rimuru snapped her fingers and chuckled, "Good resolve!"
Is it really that difficult?
Of course not!
In fact, one of Rimuru's skills is called, and its effect is that with Rimuru as the apex, she can concentrate all the skills of the lower-ranking monsters she has named on herself.
Conversely, Rimuru can also bestow some of her abilities upon her subordinates.
Rimuru could completely impart her experience of evolving into an Awakened Demon Lord to White, allowing him to avoid detours.
The reason for making it so troublesome was human nature!
The strength gained through one's own efforts brings not only power but also self-respect!
For the Demon Country Federation to stand in this World, it couldn't always rely on her to be a nanny.
Recently, Rimuru had a faint premonition that her time remaining in this World might not be much.
She didn't know where this premonition came from, but at Rimuru's level, any small premonition could not be completely ignored.
Also, it's fun!
If those humans painstakingly fought their way to the Demon Country Federation, dismantled all the defense towers, and then suddenly discovered that White, who had been staying at home, had also awakened, what would those humans do and think?
Just thinking about it feels very interesting!
Doesn't it have a sense of déjà vu, like "magic is just a cover, the real purpose is to trick me into close combat"?
Rimuru's expression turned serious, and she said gravely, "White, are you ready?"
White was also unprecedentedly serious.
"Yes!"
"Very good, then let's begin!"
As Rimuru spoke, she took out ten thousand souls of sin, and at the same time, using her skill, she passed on the awakening ritual deduced by King of Wisdom Ciel to White.
Upon receiving the inheritance, White's magicules immediately began to surge, and his soul also entered a mysterious and unpredictable state.
The awakening ritual had begun!