Rimuru's residence looked remarkably similar to a traditional Japanese mansion.
After Gazel's sparring match—something that had been half a test from the start—came to an end, Rimuru invited Gazel and his knights into the village after he acknowledged his defeat. And, as always, she accepted Rigurdo's suggestion to hold a festival, so a modest celebration was soon prepared.
"...I see. So your real objective was to find out what actually happened with the subjugation of [Orc Lord]?"
"Mm. From the moment Lord Adelio appeared in person, I had already assumed the [Orc Lord] would soon be defeated. But once I heard reports that high-ranking monsters like your people had intervened, I could not simply overlook it as the king of a nation."
Gazel had never intended to be hostile toward Rimuru from the beginning, and the moment he heard that she was, like him, a disciple of Hakurou, the distance between them seemed to vanish. He readily explained the truth behind the matter.
"In the end, Lord Adelio, Lord Sword Demon, and even the [Dryad] have all acknowledged your rule. With that, [Dwargo] can make this proposal with peace of mind as well."
"Hm? A proposal... what kind?"
"It is simple. I am asking whether your faction and our [Dwargo] would be willing to form an alliance."
Gazel tipped back his cup in one go and flashed a hearty grin, his calm, gleaming eyes fixed on Rimuru as he continued.
"If you truly take this great forest into your hands, then someday it may become the center of the continent's trade routes and build wealth and power surpassing even [Dwargo]. And when that day comes, having a nation that supports you will prove useful in many ways."
In short, it meant an equal alliance between Rimuru's faction and [Dwargo].
"...Well, of course that's exactly what I'd want, but... are you sure? That would mean recognizing a group of monsters like us as a nation."
If [Dwargo] recognized the great forest as a country, most nations would likely follow its lead—but some forces would undoubtedly object fiercely.
Especially places like the [Western Holy Church], which still treated [Dwarf]s and [Elf]s as monsters, or [Falmuth], which would bitterly oppose a new trade route. Those might condemn the decision at a national level.
"It does not matter."
But Gazel did not care.
If he were the sort to fear nothing more than the [Western Holy Church] or [Falmuth], then he would have no right to bear the epithet Adventure King.
"I make this proposal because it benefits both sides. Worrying over such things would only be needless interference."
"...Huh."
Since the other side was willing to go that far, Rimuru had no reason to refuse. Before long, she nodded.
"All right. I'd be happy to accept that proposal."
**
Meanwhile, a short distance away from where Rimuru and Gazel sat, Ria, Shizue, and Adelio had gathered together. As they watched the two talk, they quietly spread a veil of aura around themselves.
"It looks like things worked out well, Adelio."
"Yeah. Gazel was never the type to hold prejudice against monsters in the first place, so he must have recognized Rimuru's worth."
Answering Shizue with a small nod, Adelio turned his gaze toward Ria, who was clinging close to him as always.
"Which means now, while Rimuru and Gazel are together, is the perfect time to reveal the truth. It might even be our last chance."
Then he gently stroked Ria's pure white hair as it spilled down like silk, met her eyes, and spoke in a serious voice.
"But unlike me, you don't have to reveal who you are yet. Maybe I'm not the one who should say this, but your identity would be far more likely to draw attention from a lot of people... no, from the [Eastern Empire]."
The identities Adelio was referring to—his own and Ria's—were, in other words, the right hand of a [Demon Lord] and a [Primordial Demons].
If they were going to reveal those truths, then today—the day a nation of monsters would be born—was the ideal moment.
If, before the leading figures of [Dwargo] gathered here, they revealed their true forms as demons and declared that, as a [Hero] born from monsters, they would build a nation alongside Rimuru that advocated harmony between humanity and monsters, it would certainly cause confusion—but it would also secure legitimate practical gains.
But Ria did not need to step forward in this matter.
Someday, the entire continent learning Adelio's true identity was unavoidable if he wanted to achieve harmony between humanity and monsters. But Ria could still hide who she was and remain known only as a great human-born mage.
At least, in the current state of affairs.
"At worst, I'd only end up being condemned by a few factions. But if it's you, the [Eastern Empire] might pursue you relentlessly. If things turn truly bad, the Double-O Number or the [Seven Angels of Origin] might even appear."
Even for Adelio and Ria, the military strength of the Double-O Number and the [Seven Angels of Origin] was not something to dismiss lightly.
He was confident they would never lose, no matter what happened—but whether they could win without taking any damage was another matter.
"So you should—"
"—Hehe."
Just then, as Adelio continued speaking, Ria—who had been listening quietly—let out a soft laugh.
"You looked so serious that I was getting worried, but this was all because you were worrying about me~?"
Just like when he had first met her in the form of a queen, Ria lifted a slender hand to Adelio's cheek. Whether her lover was flustered or not, she held his gaze on herself alone and smiled with quiet allure.
"Aren't you mistaking me for some delicate little girl? Even if I don't look it, from the moment you decided to hide your identity, I decided I'd act the same way you do."
Ria, one of the [Primordial Demons] who stood as part of the world's vast foundation, was a far stronger lover than Adelio gave her credit for.
Whether the opponent was not even a living concept, or whether it was something that could not be solved through force, she was a woman who had always overcome everything in her own way.
"I don't care if faceless strangers condemn me for being a demon, and I won't mind no matter how relentlessly the [Eastern Empire] chases me."
Because—
"You'll always be by my side."
—that was the kind of demon Blanc was.
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