Chapter 140: Chapter One Hundred And Forty

The last two days had been quite something, if you asked Hinata.

Spending that time beside her mentor again, the strongest Holy Knight found herself slowly relaxing within Tempest in ways she honestly hadn’t expected.

They visited restaurants together and ate food from Earth again for the first time in years.

They spent hours in Tempest’s massive hot springs. And for perhaps the first time in a very long while... Hinata simply rested.

Although Litus and Arnaud seemed convinced she was gathering intelligence throughout the city, Hinata honestly hadn’t been paying much attention to that at all.

She had simply been... happy.

Which was precisely why it irritated her so much that reality had to return eventually.

Hinata rubbed lightly at the edge of her nose before releasing a tired sigh.."You’re really not making this easy for anyone, Rimuru." she muttered. "Especially me."

Across from her, Rimuru laughed lightly while leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, I figured you’d say that." he admitted. "But honestly, what I want is simple. I just want everyone to get along."

His expression softened slightly. "I want to create the opposite of enemies."

"Yeah, well..." Hinata crossed one leg over the other slightly. "Trying to rush this now will make you anything but. This is practically begging for sanctions the size of a mountain."

Her eyes narrowed faintly. "Especially after the war. And especially after you became a Demon Lord."

Rimuru nodded slowly. "I thought about it a lot actually." he admitted. "And honestly? This is probably the best timing I’m ever going to get."

He shrugged lightly.."The cards are all on my table right now."

Hinata immediately gave him a flat look. "By ’cards on the table,’ you mean the fact that you just demonstrated to the entire continent how absurdly dangerous you are."

Rimuru winced slightly.

"You became a Demon Lord, wiped out an army nearly half a million strong, and then casually brought back the Storm Dragon."

Hinata rested her chin lightly against one hand. "And now immediately afterward, you’re asking to join the Council of the Western Nations."

Her eyes sharpened slightly. "From the outside, Rimuru, it looks less like diplomacy and more like a power play. You’re basically forcing yourself on them.’"

Hinata sighed quietly. "A play like this, when there’s no time for them to find any kind of leverage..."

"I’m not giving them leverage over me." he said simply.

Hinata immediately shook her head. "That’s not what I meant." She leaned back slightly afterward. "Look, I prefer honesty too. I’d rather people just say what they actually want instead of dancing around things."

A bitter smile touched her face briefly. "But the Council doesn’t work that way unfortunately."

"They like feeling as though they’re controlling negotiations."

"They want concessions. Influence. Something they can point at and say they gained."

Hinata’s eyes lowered slightly in thought. Honestly, the situation was already a disaster politically.

Tempest was too powerful. Too economically promising. Too militarily overwhelming. And worst of all... Far too popular.

That was the part most nations still hadn’t realized yet. It had taken less than two days of spending time here to fall in love with Tempest.

Once Tempest opened its borders to even more nations, it would quickly become a centralised location.

The more humanity saw Tempest functioning peacefully beside monsters, the harder it became to maintain old doctrines and fears.

Including those of the Holy Church. Hinata exhaled slowly. Luminous’ teachings depended heavily on monsters remaining enemies of humanity.

But Tempest was quietly destroying that image day by day simply by existing.

And if Tempest officially joined the Council...

Everything would change.

Rimuru nodded slowly. "I know what you mean." he admitted. "And trust me, I already know they’re going to spin this to make us look like the villains somehow."

Outside the large office windows, Tempest continued moving normally beneath the afternoon sunlight. Merchants crossed the streets below while citizens moved between districts without concern.

The peaceful atmosphere only made the political conversation feel stranger somehow.

Rimuru sighed lightly before leaning back further into his chair. "But honestly, I expected this much already." he admitted. "If dealing with annoying politicians is the price for keeping Tempest safe, then I’ll deal with it."

Hinata immediately frowned at that. "Don’t do that either," she said while pointing at him slightly, "the Council will take advantage of that quicker than you can imagine."

"They’ll smell blood in the water immediately." Hinata continued. "The moment they realize you’re willing to compromise for your people, they’ll keep pushing for more concessions."

Rimuru crossed his arms. "So what exactly am I supposed to do then?" he asked. "Give them leverage? Or not give them leverage?"

Hinata opened her mouth slightly. Then paused. A few seconds passed before she sighed quietly. "...That’s the problem." she admitted.

There really wasn’t a good answer.

If Rimuru compromised too much, the Council would slowly tighten control around Tempest.

But if he refused entirely, the western nations would only grow more fearful and hostile toward him.

And considering Tempest’s current military strength... Fear could very easily spiral into outright paranoia. One she would be called upon to deal with.

Rimuru laughed lightly after seeing her expression. "See? You don’t know either."

Hinata clicked her tongue slightly. "There is one option." she admitted after a moment.

"Let things settle first. The panic around Walpurgis, Falmuth, and Veldora’s return is still fresh. If you wait a year or two before making political moves, tensions might cool naturally."

Rimuru immediately smiled.

Hinata narrowed her eyes. "But, You’re not going to wait, are you?"

"Nope."

"I figured."

Silence settled briefly afterward.

Honestly, Hinata already knew the answer before she asked.

Eventually, Hinata exhaled softly before changing the subject.

"What about Maple Tree?"

Rimuru blinked once.

Hinata continued calmly.

"Glenda Atlee is working under them now, it seems. What with her showing up wearing their crest."

That immediately made Rimuru grimace slightly. "...Yeah."

Hinata noticed the reaction instantly. "So the rumors are true."

Rimuru sighed tiredly. "Things between Tempest and Maple Tree have been a little tense lately."

"A little?" Hinata repeated skeptically.

Rimuru laughed awkwardly. "Okay, maybe more than a little."

Hinata leaned slightly forward. "That’s concerning considering both of you are Demon Lord nations."

Especially because, from everything Hinata had learned recently, Maple Tree was fundamentally different from Tempest.

Tempest sought coexistence.

Maple Tree... did not.

At least not openly.

Rimuru rubbed his temple lightly. "It’s complicated."

Hinata immediately gave him an unimpressed look.

"Look, let’s just not talk about it, okay?" Rimuru groaned.

"So there’s nothing you can tell me about them?" Hinata asked.

Rimuru shook his head. "I’ve only been there once, and their security is ridiculous. Seriously, you think Tempest’s defenses are impressive? Maple Tree is on another level."

He leaned back slightly with a tired sigh.

"I still can’t tell what kind of nation they’re supposed to be. Half the place looks like fantasy, and the other half feels like science fiction. Their technology, abilities, infrastructure... it’s all strange. Ultimate Skills are honestly just unfair."

Hinata quietly listened.

For Rimuru, someone who already possessed both Veldora and Tempest’s military power, to openly admit another nation made him cautious said a lot.

"And besides," Rimuru continued, "just because I said things are tense doesn’t mean we’re enemies. Maple Tree is still one of Tempest’s closest allies, regardless of Kaede’s... questionable choice in friends."

Hinata gave him a flat look. "You mean Demon Lord Sally."

"Yeah. Her." Rimuru sighed. "Still, I’m not going to betray our alliance over personal grudges."

Hinata nodded slowly. "No, you’re right. I shouldn’t have asked like that."

Then her expression tightened slightly. "...I’m still going to have to deal with her eventually though."

Rimuru glanced toward her.

"Just having this constant feeling that she might come after me at any time isn’t exactly good for my health."

"I get it." Rimuru muttered. "Honestly, I wish we could just revive Pito the same way I brought back Shuna and Shizu."

Hinata shook her head immediately. "There’s no body left. We already cremated her."

Her eyes lowered slightly. "And Dead End Rainbow completely destroys the soul. There’s nothing left to restore."

A brief silence followed.

"For now though," Hinata eventually continued, "Kaede seems focused on stabilizing her nation. Becoming a Demon Lord changes everything. She suddenly has territory, citizens, administration, diplomacy..."

"...A mountain of work." Rimuru finished with a tired laugh. "We’re all busy these days, huh?"

Hinata quietly hummed in agreement.

Rimuru’s expression gradually became more thoughtful afterward.

Soei had recently informed him that there had been significant movement throughout the territory of Dhistav. Sally was moving quickly to stabilize the nation politically and economically before the western powers could take advantage of the chaos left behind by Clayman’s death.

And honestly... she was doing a surprisingly good job. She had already begun establishing new trade routes and reopening old diplomatic channels.

Apparently she had even reached out to the Kingdom of Blumund.

Rimuru only knew because Mjöllmile had quietly informed him through his merchant network.

That alone irritated him slightly.

Clayman’s territory should have collapsed into disorder after his death. Instead, Sally had stepped in and begun turning it into an actual political power.

Part of Rimuru still wanted revenge for everything connected to Clayman.

For Shuna’s death.

For the war.

For everything that happened during Walpurgis.

But attacking Sally now would create more problems than it solved. Especially with Kaede standing beside her.

So for the moment... Rimuru chose to wait.

"I wish I could stay with Shizu a little longer, but I have to return to Lubelius eventually." Hinata finally said quietly.

The two of them were walking through one of Tempest’s quieter streets now, away from the busy market districts.

Rimuru glanced at her briefly. "You’re not going to see the kids with her?"

Hinata’s expression stiffened slightly.

"Shizu will probably want to leave after seeing them." Rimuru continued more gently. "It might be the last time."

Hinata lowered her eyes for a moment before shaking her head faintly.

"...I don’t think I’d be able to handle it." she admitted honestly.

That answer surprised even herself a little.

But after spending the past two days with Shizu again, Hinata understood something very clearly now.

She had already started grieving again. And this time, she knew exactly when the goodbye was coming.

"I’m also not that familiar with the children." Hinata added after a brief silence. "I know their names. I’ve met them before. But that’s all."

Her voice softened slightly. "Usually, I just asked Yuuki about how they were doing."

At the mention of Yuuki, Rimuru’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

A faint frown crossed his face before disappearing just as quickly. "...I see." Rimuru replied casually.

Hinata noticed it immediately anyway.

Interesting.

"So things are complicated over there too, huh?" she asked quietly.

Rimuru scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Something like that."

He clearly didn’t want to elaborate further. Hinata decided not to push.

"Alright then." Rimuru said after a moment. "I’ll tell the kids you said hi."

Hinata nodded once. "...Thanks."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke again.

Then Hinata glanced toward the sky above Tempest’s streets.

Honestly...

Leaving this place felt strangely difficult now.

---

The chamber was silent save for the quiet crackling of the fireplace.

Maribel sat calmly across from her grandfather with one leg crossed elegantly over the other while several documents rested neatly across the table between them.

Granville Rozzo observed her quietly from his seat.

Even at his age, the old man still carried the pressure of someone accustomed to authority. His silver hair was combed neatly back while sharp eyes studied the young girl before him carefully.

To most people, Granville Rozzo appeared as nothing more than a wealthy and influential noble.

In reality, he stood at the very top of the Rozzo family. One of the true rulers of the western nations.

And currently, the head of the Five Elders themselves.

"...Things have become troublesome." Granville finally said.

Maribel smiled faintly. "That’s one way to describe it."

"The balance of power is shifting too quickly." Granville continued. "Three new Demon Lords appearing at once was already unprecedented enough. Now Veldora has returned."

His expression darkened slightly. "And now Tempest seeks entry into the Western Nations Council."

Maribel rested her chin lightly against her hand. "Rimuru Tempest is the largest immediate threat."

Granville nodded slowly. "Explain."

"The problem isn’t military power." Maribel stated calmly. "At least not primarily."

She gestured lightly toward one of the reports on the table. "Tempest’s military strength is terrifying, yes. But military force alone only creates temporary obedience. What makes Tempest dangerous is their growing infrastructure."

Granville’s eyes narrowed slightly in approval.

"Road systems. Trade routes. Monster-produced goods. Public services. Economic partnerships with Blumund and Dwargon." Maribel continued. "The moment Tempest enters the Council officially, smaller nations will begin gravitating toward them naturally."

"First it starts with protection, then trade, then stability."

"And eventually dependence."

Granville leaned back slightly. "You believe they intend economic expansion?"

"I think Rimuru himself fully realizes exactly what he’s building." Maribel admitted. "A play like this is something a mastermind would cook up. Something I would definitely do."

Her eyes sharpened slightly. "If Tempest becomes the center of western trade, then eventually the Council itself loses relevance."

"And the Rozzos along with it." Granville finished quietly.

Maribel nodded once. For several moments, the room remained quiet again.

"And the other Demon Lords?" Granville asked.

"Maple Tree is... difficult to predict." Maribel replied.

A faint irritation slipped into her voice.

"Kaede Honjou has little interest in politics. Which honestly makes her more troublesome than Rimuru in some ways."

Granville raised a brow slightly.

"She conquered six kingdoms almost effortlessly and then simply stopped." Maribel explained. "No expansion campaigns, or major diplomatic pushes. Even economic aggression."

Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. "She behaves more like someone playing with a nation than ruling one. A child."

Rimuru could be negotiated with. Tempest wanted coexistence. That made him understandable.

Kaede however seemed detached from the normal logic of power entirely.

"And Dhistav?" Granville asked next.

This time, Maribel smiled. "Sally is useful."

There was confidence in her voice now.

"A newly awakened Demon Lord. She is very ambitious."

"A fledgling." Her eyes gleamed faintly. "She inherited Clayman’s territory too suddenly. She’s still trying to stabilize her rule while learning how to govern at the same time."

Granville remained silent as Maribel continued.

"I’ve already begun influencing her."

That caused the old man’s eyes to sharpen slightly.

Maribel smiled wider. "Slowly, of course. Demon Lords are still spiritual lifeforms. Their resistance is monstrous compared to humans." she admitted. "But progress exists."

She sounded pleased with herself. "Honestly, Sally has become an excellent opportunity."

"A chance to properly study the psychology and structure of Demon Lords from the inside."

Her fingers rested lightly against her chest. "And now I know something important."

Granville watched her carefully.

"...They can be controlled."

The declaration hung heavily in the room.

Maribel’s smile deepened slightly. "Not easily. But they are not unreachable beings."

Her eyes narrowed with ambition. "If someone like Sally can be influenced, then Demon Lords are not gods."

"They are simply powerful creatures."

"And power," Maribel said calmly, "can always be dominated."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke again.

Then Granville finally sighed. "You’re becoming overconfident."

Maribel blinked once.

Granville’s gaze sharpened. "Do not mistake one inexperienced Demon Lord for the entirety of the Ten Great Demon Lords."

"Twelve Sovereigns now." Maribel corrected automatically.

"That changes nothing." Granville replied coldly. "Guy Crimson still exists. Milim Nava still exists. Veldora has returned."

The pressure in the room grew heavier.

Maribel’s smile faded slightly.

Granville continued. "You are brilliant, Maribel. Far beyond anyone else your age."

"But brilliance breeds arrogance."

His eyes narrowed. "And arrogance kills."

Maribel quietly lowered her gaze for a moment before nodding once. "...Understood."

The old man studied her silently for several seconds before speaking again.

"There is another matter you should avoid provoking unnecessarily."

Maribel already knew the answer before he said it. "...Hinata Sakaguchi." she muttered. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Granville nodded.

"Although, she is still very far from reaching it, she is still approaching the threshold."

Maribel’s expression hardened slightly.

A True Hero.

One of humanity’s ultimate evolutions.

The natural counterpart to Demon Lords themselves.

Now that, was something that Maribel wanted, and was willing to get through any means necessary.

"She’s still incomplete." Maribel said carefully.

"For now." Granville replied. "But Luminous has been nurturing her for years. If Hinata fully awakens as a Hero, even Demon Lords would be forced to acknowledge her."

His gaze became more serious.

"Do not involve her carelessly." he warned. "Especially not in whatever schemes you are planning around Tempest."

Maribel looked away slightly. "...You think she would side with Rimuru?"

"Luminous likes to think herself above ideology." Granville answered calmly. "And Tempest is rapidly becoming difficult to classify as an enemy."

That irritated Maribel more than she liked admitting. "Do not worry grandfather. I have total control of the situation."

---

Sally exhaled softly, her gaze resting on the small figure of Maribel Rozzo curled up in bed. The infiltration had been effortless, far too easy, in truth. Her unique abilities had made certain of that.

Unless Granville Rozzo himself took a personal interest in tracking her down, no one within the estate would even suspect an intruder had been present.

"Total control of the situation, huh..." she murmured under her breath. "You’re fortunate you’re still a child. Though some form of correction will be necessary."

With that, her presence faded, dissolving into nothingness as the construct she had been using withdrew and returned to its origin point in Dhistav.

Maribel remained asleep, completely undisturbed. In her mind, the conversation she believed she had shared with her grandfather had been nothing more than a carefully woven dream, subtle, precise, and indistinguishable from reality.

Yet she slept on without suspicion.

For she was the Lady of Phantom.