Gene!
He died.
I'm in the best shape ever!
That speed... Is that Scarlet, the Red Meteor?!
The Red Meteor
Blowing wind,
become a tornado and rend my foes asunder.
That incantation...
They say no one lays eyes on those flames and returns alive!
The Blue Reaper...
Blue Death!
Rage, winds!
Tornado Blade!
The Blue Reaper
Marja! Narja!
Damn it! They were after our rear guard all along?!
You'll pay for that!
What's that?!
Shit!
You're open.
Wide open!
You let your guard down, fools.
The Laughing Golden Skull
Heavy Armor of Purple Smoke
After we made it this far...
Do you think you can escape us?
Th-The rare items we busted our asses collecting...
Notice.
Combat concluded.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4
Episode 76: Invitation
All these small fry are not enough to satiate me!
You can say that again!
We're invincible! The strongest around!
Those wimps were no match for us!
Hey, now. Don't go getting cocky.
This is work, remember?
R-Right.
Of course I remember.
That said... how about one more hunt?
Hell yeah!
Ever since that whole thing with Team Green Fury,
we've spent our days hunting down challengers—
I mean, training hard.
Green Fury could always come back for revenge, after all.
With the excellent management of the dungeon,
the city is now full of life.
Masayuki is doing an amazing job advertising the dungeon for us.
He must've been blessed by the god of real-life luck,
because he found the full set of rare gear in no time.
His party is now riding on that momentum to take on floor 50.
And as a result of our edited broadcast
of the efforts put in by him and so many others,
dungeon challengers are way more fired up.
Some seek power.
Some seek fame.
And there are far more talented challengers than before.
And the ones who block their path... are us!
Look at that!
There they are!
The Dungeon Dominators!
The game should be just hard enough, y'know?
We're not just playing around! Honest!
It just doesn't feel like enough!
Aren't there any tougher opponents for us?
C'mon, don't rush things.
Once the dungeon's reputation spreads,
it'll get more and more tough challengers.
We must train more and grow stronger!
Great Rimuru, you've returned.
There's a guest here to see you.
I was just coming to get you.
A guest?
I see Lady Milim was with you.
That's perfect!
It is?
I've come to pay a visit, Great Rimuru.
Frey-san!
Um, what brings you here today?
Oh, it's nothing of great importance.
Why, Milim! So this is where you've been!
Come to think of it, I believe I assigned you some homework.
Have you finished it?
She's been skiving off her actual job to goof off with us?
Y-You have it all wrong!
There's a very good reason for this!
Oh?
The one I sent along to watch you seems to have gotten rolled up in something.
Can you give me a convincing reason for that?
W-Well... I was with Rimuru and the others...
Hey, come on! You should've told us you had work to do!
Sorry we dragged you along without realizing that.
If only you had told us!
I can't believe you guys!
Frey, it's not like that!
Please, just hear me out!
Oh, but of course I will.
You can take your time explaining back home.
Phew. We managed to stay out of trouble.
That was some fine teamwork!
The best ever, I'd say!
Yep!
Incidentally, Great Rimuru...
What have you been doing all this time, and where?
Well, research, of course! Research!
I've been observing the combat styles of dungeon challengers on-site!
On-site?
You mean...
you've just been horsing around in the dungeon?
Sh-She's sharp!
I think I'll go study magic in my room.
I think I'll join you.
Sorry, Milim.
Now I see how infuriating it is when your friends play dumb on you!
Notice.
Notice
There is no need to make excuses.
Excuses
No Need
Simply be open and unashamed, and problems will resolve themselves.
Open and Unashamed
Problems will resolve themselves.
Huh? What do you mean?
Great Rimuru!
Phew! So this is where you were!
Mjöllmile?
You've received a letter from the Council.
I believe it's a request for your attendance
at a meeting to decide Council membership.
I see. I figured I'd be getting one of these pretty soon.
What do you mean?
I suspected Green Fury was a team of scouts
sent by the Council to investigate us.
I've been investigating them, too.
Except Raphael-sensei did it all while we were playing around.
Research Subject 01 Green Fury Investigation Complete
Research Subject 02 The Council Investigation Complete
Research Subject 03 Engrassia Investigation Complete
All investigations complete.
I'm so sorry.
I was convinced you were just goofing off with Lady Milim.
It's all good. I can't blame you for thinking that.
I managed to get out of that thanks to good timing.
Still, even if I do have Raphael-sensei,
it's true that I got caught up in the fun and neglected my other duties.
I should really take things in moderation.
Wait, weren't you doing your investigations until just now?
Then what were you investigating after Green Fury left?
Great Rimuru?
R-Raphael-sensei?! The problem didn't resolve itself!
It is resolved if you reflect on your actions after being scolded.
Y-You gotta be kidding me...
For a civilization to develop,
it needs currency.
This has been true since the days when grains were used as money.
Over time, things like gold and silver took over,
and economics became dominated by the exchange of contracts and deeds.
Through the Council, the Western Nations also moved toward
becoming a banknote economy, utilizing the currency of each nation.
Most crucial to this change is
setting things up for exchange rates that fluctuate based on each nation's power,
and for us to be the ones making the rules.
Otherwise, we cannot assure our victory.
It is the Council and the Five Elders that determine each nation's power.
And the one who controls them...
is me.
At all times, the one in control is me.
The Council of the West
is a confederation of nations surrounding the Great Forest of Jura.
Kingdom of Engrassia: Council of the West Headquarters
The Council's goal is the prosperity
of humanity as a whole, whether their nation is great or small.
At the top of their agenda are anti-monster measures,
followed by measures against disasters such as drought and epidemics,
among many others.
And the current item on their agenda
is the pros and cons of allowing Tempest, a nation of monsters, to join them.
I feel Tempest can be trusted.
But if we anger their Demon Lord,
won't he sic the Storm Dragon on us?
No need to worry.
He's just borrowing the Storm Dragon's authority to bully others.
I'm sure the Demon Lord himself is not so powerful.
Then how do you explain his battle with Lady Hinata ending in a draw?
Can we really believe that story?
He's right.
Where'd that intel even come from?
I'm amazed they can talk like this while I'm sitting right here.
I came here because they invited me as someone acquainted with Demon Lord Rimuru,
but even I didn't expect a gathering of incompetents to be this unproductive.
This is nothing like the meeting I attended in Tempest...
though I suppose that was an exception.
Listen to me!
Demon Lord Rimuru declared the Great Forest of Jura to be his own domain!
Think carefully about what that means!
Indeed.
Ever since Tempest was founded,
damage caused by monsters has decreased in each of our home countries.
You can't be serious! You've all been deceived by the Demon Lord!
We're talking about the king of all monsters!
Well, someone who knows nothing of Demon Lord Rimuru's disposition
It'll be too late to act once he's bitten us!
could never determine whether or not he'll do good for humanity.
But even more troubling are the councilors from the larger nations.
Tempest's addition to the Council would be great for me, but...
Why don't we just allow it?
If they say they will join us, we should welcome them.
However...
perhaps we should request a gift in return.
Good idea.
Fighting them would just result in a repeat of Falmuth.
Still, we need them to remember their place.
We must know if they truly intend to uphold our international rules.
I don't foresee any problem there.
You've heard the rumors about Duke Muese's downfall, no?
Does it really matter what Demon Lord Rimuru may be planning?
All that really matters is whether or not we can use him.
Precisely.
Given the recent activities of the East,
we have no reason to deprive ourselves of the military might of a Demon Lord.
The East?!
You don't mean the Eastern Empire?!
Lord Rostia, is this true?
As I'm sure you're all aware,
the Eastern Empire—
the Nasca Namrium Ulmeria United Eastern Empire—
has mobilized its military.
Word has it they have begun enthusiastic military exercises.
The Empire?
But why now?
They are a military state that has greedily absorbed many other nations!
What will become of us if war breaks out?!
That's right!
If that happens...
Will there be a war?!
Calm down!
No one is saying the Empire will act immediately.
How can we be calm right now?!
Now that the Kingdom of Falmuth is gone,
small nations like ours stand no chance in a defensive battle!
Which is why we should use this opportunity to discuss our plan.
But...
Councilor Johann is absolutely right.
Just calm down a bit.
What's the point of a council if we're all just
throwing our own opinions at each other?
Thank you, Councilor Gaban.
Personally, I don't think the Empire will make their move any time soon.
The reason they haven't attacked yet
is because the Great Forest of Jura had its Storm Dragon.
And now the Storm Dragon is back, is he not?
Are you saying we should rely on the Evil Dragon?
Have you all forgotten
that the Storm Dragon is now Demon Lord Rimuru's loyal pet?
And now this most honorable personage seeks to join our Council.
What?!
He's tamed the Storm Dragon?!
Is that possible?
Councilor Gaban is right.
We should not be fighting when the threat of the Empire looms over us.
If Demon Lord Rimuru joins the Council,
the military he commands will save us!
True...
Our first priority should be to bring all western nations together.
Absolutely.
I'm in favor of allowing Tempest to join!
As am I!
He's right!
Let's bring Tempest into the fold!
Silence!
We will now vote on whether or not to admit Tempest into the Council.
Those in favor, please rise.
The majority stands in favor.
The Jura Tempest Federation is hereby recognized as our sworn ally.
A formal invitation will be sent to the Jura Tempest Federation.
Once Demon Lord Rimuru's intentions are known,
our next meeting will convene.
Dismissed!
In the end, they only invited me to find out whether they should fear Rimuru.
They could just ask me to make sure he doesn't go on a rampage or anything.
But using the Empire as an excuse...
What a farce that was.
I hope I never have to deal with nobles again.
Lady Hinata.
Ugh. The first prince of Engrassia.
He's the last noble I ever wanted to deal with.
You have business with me?
I would like a bit of your time.
Would you mind?
And what is it you wish to discuss with me?
The truth is, I have a favor to ask of you.
At the next meeting,
I would like to give Demon Lord Rimuru a little test.
He may be an immensely powerful Demon Lord,
but now that he's joining the Council,
he will need to accept the obligations that come with it.
We also need to find out just how well he will listen to what we say.
I see.
And that...
is where you come in.
As he is a Demon Lord,
we cannot have him going on a rampage.
So I want you...
to serve as my personal guard.
Why me?
What? Wh-Why?
W-Well, because I acknowledge your strength!
The strength of the greatest Holy Knight Captain in history,
the right hand of God and leader of the Master Rooks!
There are none who match you in all of the Western Nations!
There are even rumors that you tied with Demon Lord Rimuru!
So if you help me,
I will be able to expose Demon Lord Rimuru's true colors!
Does this guy even know what he's saying to me?
I would advise against that.
He is genuinely strong.
There is no guarantee I would win if I were to fight him again.
Not to mention the rumor that we tied was spread on purpose.
Lady Hinata.
Though you do sit before Prince Elric,
there is no need to be so modest.
I would even understand if you fell for his lovely mask—
I respectfully decline.
The Western Holy Church and the Holy Empire of Lubelius
both have a mutual non-aggression pact with Tempest.
Also, consider this a warning:
I advise you not to anger Demon Lord Rimuru.
What did you say?
A-Are you giving me orders?!
Also, if you wish to make a formal request, isn't a procedure to follow?
W-Well...
Please excuse me.
You will regret this, Lady Hinata!
Unfortunately for you, I trust Demon Lord Rimuru.
A sloppy plan meant only to piggyback on accidental circumstances
will amount to nothing.
Still...
What if someone out there planned that discussion and the meeting?
It couldn't be... could it?
Great Rimuru, shall we go now?
Yeah, we shall!
Great Rimuru!
Shion?
Why do I have to stay behind?!
You're taking Shuna and the others! It isn't fair!
Oh... Well, the thing is...
Shion, you will not merely stay behind!
Most of Tempest are out and about right now.
Which means...
the only one who can protect this place is you, my first secretary!
Will you do it?
Of course!
I don't think I can take her to a major human city just yet.
Okay, we're all here.
Take care of the place for me, Shion.
I will! Travel safely!
Let's go!
To the Council!
Next time, "The First Step."
The First Step