Chapter 59: The Final Audit and the Settlement
I walk through the scorched grass of the clearing, my silver-white hair catching the last light of the sunset. Behind me, the canyon where the Seven Luminaries were liquidated remains silent—a bad debt finally erased from the world's ledger. In my hand, I manifest a clean, obsidian-silk handkerchief to wipe a speck of soot from my cuff.
Quality of life is returning to baseline, I think, my internal persona smoothing out its suit. Now, let's see if Rimuru has managed to close the deal with the Saint, or if I need to initiate a hostile takeover of this conversation.
In the center of the clearing, Rimuru stands with his sword sheathed. Opposite him, Hinata Sakaguchi—the Saint of the Western Holy Church—is kneeling, her [Moonlight] rapier shattered. She looks battered, her "Holy" certainty replaced by the hollow expression of a CEO who just watched their stock drop to zero in a single afternoon.
"The Luminaries are gone, Rimuru," I state, my voice smooth, porcelain-cold, and perfectly audible. "I've completed the liquidation. Their spiritual assets have been processed and archived. They won't be interfering with our 'negotiations' again."
Hinata looks up at me, her eyes widening as she senses the [Dragon Spirit Haki] radiating from my spirit-vessel. "The Luminaries... liquidated? By a single monster?"
"I prefer the term 'Executive Auditor'," I respond, stepping to Rimuru's side. "And you, Lady Hinata, are currently standing on a mountain of defaulted trust. You invaded our borders based on fraudulent intelligence provided by a clown and a group of relics. In any other market, this would be grounds for a total wipeout."
"Shinji, take it easy," Rimuru sighs, though he doesn't disagree. He looks at Hinata. "She was manipulated, just like we were. The Seven Luminaries wanted us to kill each other so they could maintain their monopoly on the Western Nations."
"Manipulation is not an excuse for poor risk management," I retort. I manifest a [Spatial Transfer Gate] and pull out a formal, black-sealed scroll. "However, Lord Rimuru is in a 'forgiving' mood. I, on the other hand, have prepared a settlement agreement."
I toss the scroll at Hinata's feet.
"This is the 'Tempest-Lubelius Non-Aggression and Trade Stabilization Treaty'. It includes:
Full diplomatic recognition of the Octagram's sovereignty.
Reparations for the damage caused during the 'Crusade' attempt.
Open trade routes between the Holy Empire and the Jura-Tempest Federation.
An immediate cease-and-desist on all 'Monster Subjugation' rhetoric."
Hinata picks up the scroll, her hands trembling slightly. "You want... trade? After everything we did?"
"Revenge has a terrible ROI, Lady Hinata," I say, my sea-grey eyes locking onto hers. "But a stable, growing market in the West? That's an investment worth making. If you sign, we move forward as partners. If you don't, I will personally audit the Holy City until not one stone remains atop another. Consider this your final notice."
Hinata looks at Rimuru, who gives her a small, awkward nod. She looks back at the treaty, then bites her lip. "I... I will speak with the Holy Emperor. But for now... the fighting stops."
"Excellent," I say, the [Transaction Domain] around the clearing dissipating. "Rigurd is already preparing for the 'Founder's Festival'. We'll expect a delegation from Lubelius. And please, do tell your knights to leave their 'Holy Silver' at the border. It's tacky."
Notice. [Analytical Appraisal] suggests the 'Conflict Risk' has dropped by 74%. Diplomacy is now the primary driver of growth. Notice: Preparation for the 'Tempest Founder's Festival' is at 15% completion.
"Let's go home, Rimuru," I say, turning back toward the city. "We have a festival to manage. And I believe I promised the Sarion delegation a tour of the new industrial district. Time is money, after all."
Current Magicule Reserves: Infinite (Linked). Location: Western Border -> Tempest. Status: Peace Treaty: Pending. Strategic Goal: Founder's Festival. Soul Capacity: 38%.
Chapter End.