"...Hah... So you used your authority and command as a [Hero] as your stake, and proposed a gamble against all of humanity."
A high-risk, high-return gamble where even the slightest failure would mean losing everything, literally.
Gazel clicked his tongue at Adelio, who had thrown away the entire legacy he had built over hundreds of years as a [Hero] in a single move. Seeing in him the image of his own grandfather, who had always chased a life of adventure, Gazel muttered under his breath that Adelio was still impossible to handle.
"Are you truly confident you can win this gamble? From what I hear, this sounds like a plan that has been in motion for centuries. If possible, I would like to hear what your basis for that confidence is."
Pushing worries like the [Primordial Demons] and [Demon Lord]s to the back of his mind for the moment, Gazel let out a deep sigh and asked Adelio the question.
If he had really planned even this situation for the sake of harmony between humans and monsters, then there had to be a reason.
"A reason, huh... It probably isn't anything as grand as you're imagining, but if you want to hear it, I'll tell you."
But while Adelio's plan was certainly a massive gamble that put both his and Ria's social lives on the line, that was only how it looked from a third party's perspective.
To Adelio and Ria, the two who had actually stepped onto the gambling table, this wager was far less grand than it appeared—just as its basis was far less grand.
Because they possessed the simplest winning hand in this world, one that no living being could deny—
"There was only one reason I believed the plan would succeed: the law of the jungle."
—overwhelming force.
"For monsters, the law of the jungle is the highest rule of all. And while it may be hard for humans who have never witnessed the power of the [Demon Lord]s to believe, realistically speaking, humanity wouldn't even need to face a [Catastrophe]-class threat. If just a few [Demon Lord]s personally took the field, more than half of humanity would be wiped out."
He said half, but in truth it would be worse than that. Adelio himself didn't even need mentioning, and if Dagruel, who commanded tens of thousands of [giants], or Dino, who could lead the fallen [Seven Angels of Origin], ever truly turned hostile toward humanity, mankind would undoubtedly be driven to extinction.
"In other words, the best means of communication was there from the beginning."
"......"
"...People don't usually call that communication, you know...?"
After hearing Adelio's answer, Gazel fell completely silent, his face ten times more troubled than before, while Rimuru cut in as if to say, "Is that really something someone aiming for harmony should be saying?"
Adelio gave her a faint smile, as though he had expected exactly that reaction from both Rimuru and Gazel, and opened his mouth again.
"I know. Of course that's only the last resort. There's another reason I was certain my plan would succeed."
As he said that, Adelio pulled out a banner he had carefully stored away in [subspace] long ago, bearing the crest of the Grimwald family. Pointing to the silver emblem of [Sarion]'s guardian dragon on the reverse side, he revealed the real basis for his confidence.
"The real reason is the support of [Sarion]'s [Heavenly Emperor] and [Thunder Emperor]... Ermesia and Sylvia."
The banner Adelio had just produced was the symbol of the [13 Royal Families], given directly to him by his two fiancées, Ermesia and Sylvia, who—aside from his disciples—were almost the only people on humanity's side who knew his true identity.
Originally, it was an item that could only be given to the imperial consort officially wed to the reigning emperor. But Ermesia and Sylvia had won the recognition of all [13 Royal Families] through physical persuasion, more or less, and presented it to Adelio as a gift.
"......Surely you don't mean that old mon— ahem, Lady Ermesia already knew your true identity?"
As a fellow royal, Gazel was the first to recognize the symbol of the [13 Royal Families], and he looked at Adelio with suspicious eyes.
Adelio nodded at that look and answered again.
"That's right. I told her myself about a hundred years ago."
Though admittedly, that had been half because of a threat over the fact that he had hidden it until then.
"...I see. If you have not only the achievements you've built up until now, but also the full backing of [Sarion], then there can hardly be any force in the West that would openly oppose you."
Perhaps because he now knew that [Sarion] supported Adelio even while fully aware of his identity, Gazel—who had been wondering whether it was truly safe to support Adelio so openly while the political situation remained relatively still—finally made up his mind.
"In that case, there should be no issue with [Dwargo] supporting Sir Adelio just as [Sarion] does. Wouldn't you agree?"
"...! Your Majesty...!!"
"......So that means we're continuing with the same policy as before?"
Dorph looked as though he was about to protest that Gazel's decision was too hasty, but Burn placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him, saying it would be better to continue with the same course they had followed until now.
"Since he is someone Her Majesty Ermesia trusts, as an [Elf], I believe this is a wise decision."
"...If that is His Majesty's will, then we can only follow it."
Henrietta, who was of [Elf] descent, slowly nodded and sided with Gazel. Zen cast an uneasy glance at the now-named Ria, but in the end, he too chose to follow the king's will.
"Mm. Then it's decided."
At last, Gazel nodded in satisfaction, turned his gaze away from his retainers, and looked toward Rimuru, who still had yet to give her opinion.
"Now that [Dwargo]'s position is settled, shouldn't your side state its opinion next?"
While Gazel had been listening to his retainers, Rimuru had been quietly sorting through her thoughts inwardly. At last, she swallowed a small breath and parted her lips.
"......As for us—"
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