Kingdom of Engrassia
Welcome to Engrassia.
Thanks.
What's up?
When I see it this way, Tempest is quite large.
It sure is.
In terms of area, it's about the same as all the Western Nations combined.
If we're allowed to join them tomorrow, your ideal will be realized.
Yeah. The first step to our Monster-and-Man Cooperative Alliance.
It's time.
Tomorrow is the fateful meeting that will decide whether Tempest
joins the Council of the West.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4
Episode 77: The First Step
Huh...
Looks like it's as bustling as ever.
Welcome.
How absolutely adorable!
We're not here every day.
Go ahead and pick one you like.
Oh, may I?
Of course.
I'll buy it for you to thank you for all you do every day.
Thank you so much!
Which should I get?
You guys can pick something, too.
What? Me?
I'm fine with what I have.
Oh, just go for it.
You're only gonna stand out in those outfits, anyway.
Well, in that case...
I'm glad this made them happy.
They always works harder than anyone else.
We brought suits for them to wear to the meeting,
but they didn't have any casual, everyday wear.
Nothing wrong with a little reward now and then.
So if I curry enough favor, I won't get in trouble if something happens?
Did you say something, Benimaru-kun?
No, nothing.
What do you think?
That looks great!
It suits you, Shuna!
I'm happy to hear that!
The shrine maiden outfit is nice,
but casual wear is a new look for you! I like it!
I decided to try some on.
Is this about right?
Oh, sure. Looks good.
You weren't nearly as enthusiastic about ours!
Well, I mean, you took so long choosing...
I apologize.
I wasn't sure which would be best.
Whatever! You look good in anything!
Man, I hate hot guys!
Um... Great Rimuru, aren't you going to choose anything?
Huh? Oh, right...
Maybe I'll pick something, too.
Watch and learn, you two!
There's a failsafe trick to picking out clothes quickly and decisively!
Oh?
A failsafe trick?
Hey, you! What've you got that'll look good on me?
Make someone else pick?!
The harmony between bitter and sweet.
Coffee is definitely a grown-up drink.
What's grown-up about that?
It's more milk than coffee.
Sh-Shut up!
Who cares?! It's all about setting a mood!
Not so convincing from one dressed as a child.
Wha—
What the hell?! So these really are kids' clothes?!
That guy screwed me over!
Damn it!
It looks wonderful on you.
I thought you were quite pleased with it.
As did I.
Okay, fine!
Soundproof Barrier... up!
Anyway, sorry to drag you out here.
I wanted to talk to you before tomorrow's meeting.
Tempest's admission was approved at the special session.
It'll be made official after a formal Q&A with you tomorrow.
Bingo. Just like I suspected.
It's not set in stone yet.
They may ask questions to deliberately provoke you.
Do I look that hot-tempered to you?
It'll be fine.
Unlike you, I'm a grown-up with social skills.
What? If it's a fight you want, let's go.
Way to prove my point.
Oh, also...
It seems there are also a few fools who are plotting something.
Stay on your guard.
Those fools did something to you, huh?
Well, they put us up in a top-class hotel, too.
I do sense the ulterior motives.
I think Soei's already looked into that, though.
Yes. Regarding that, there's one thing I'd like to confirm.
There appears to be
some among the councilors who wish to use us for their own ends.
I heard them saying to each other...
Something about a defensive force against the Eastern Empire?
Yes.
So they want us to help them if the Empire attacks?
Is that it?
Yes.
Huh...
Well, I don't think we need to worry too much about the Empire.
Might I ask why?
It's simple.
The key is to think about it from the Empire's perspective.
In their minds,
there are three routes they could use to invade the Western Nations.
First is by sea, but there are huge monsters there.
Next is the mountain route over the Canaat Mountains, where Dwargon is,
but that's an ominous place known as the Dragon's Nest.
Lastly, there's the Great Forest of Jura, where we live.
As we all know, that's a Demon Lord's domain—namely, mine.
And Veldora has returned there now, too.
So the Empire can't afford to act carelessly.
Exactly.
True.
Still, it is a fact that the Empire has made unsettling movements.
I believe it is worth investigating.
I agree with Rimuru...
but you're right.
If you're so certain, I'll call for an investigation, as well.
Thank you.
Huh... They're both being so cautious.
Notice.
I surmise that there is no issue at present,
but it may be necessary to reconsider once there is new information.
Also, I have a suggestion.
Suggestion
Hinata-san! May I ask one more favor of you?
What now? And why so formal?
Well, I'd like you to investigate the interior of Dwargon, too.
Dwargon?
You mean the capital city built into a massive cave?
I see.
There's a chance Dwargon could serve as an invasion route, too.
You may seem absent-minded,
but you are not to be underestimated.
I know, right?
It was Raphael-sensei's idea, actually...
Great Rimuru.
Huh?
Oh...
There's one bit of information I want to share with all of you.
Do you remember the guy who kept criticizing us at the festival?
You mean Duke Muese?
Duke Muese... has been killed.
So he wouldn't talk, probably.
Whoever he worked for was obviously someone important in the Western Nations.
There's a good chance they're connected to the Council.
It is thought that he was killed using a long-range attack.
"It is thought"?
So even you didn't see it?
Right.
It happened suddenly while I was watching him.
I did hear something ricochet immediately afterward, but no more.
You heard something? After he died?
Yes.
And you detected no traces of magic or aura?
None at all.
The only thing I saw was the hole left in his forehead.
A hole in his forehead...
Was it a sniper?
Seems like it.
It's weird that you heard something after that, though...
What is a "sniper"?
Huh? Oh, that's right.
I've never actually seen a gun in this world.
They're weapons like this.
Oh...
So this is...
This looks like a weapon even I could use!
That is a scary thing to hear coming from you!
Thanks for the information.
See you at the meeting, okay?
Right. And do be careful.
Whatever you do, don't lose your temper.
You keep reminding me of that.
I know, I know!
Well, ready to head back to the hotel?
We need to rest up for tomorrow's meeting.
Right!
Look at that little one!
How cute!
Look at that little poncho!
But first, I'm gonna give that guy at the clothing shop a piece of my mind.
I will observe how Demon Lord Rimuru approaches the Council.
I will discern his method of ruling, safely and with certainty.
Then the approval was no more than bait?
Of course.
There's no way that would be approved.
Several steps have been taken.
There won't even be any need to send out Yuuki.
I'm sure Demon Lord Rimuru
will personally throw away his chance to coexist.
The Western Nations are not a monolith.
Engrassia, in particular,
has been frantically amassing strength to counter us Rozzos.
You mean King Aegil's Magic Inquisitors?
Already on top of it, eh?
Of course.
Do be careful, Maribel.
You are humanity's hope.
Demon Lord Rimuru has left his hotel.
He is on his way to the Council headquarters.
I see.
This is from my grandfather.
He sent it with the pastries.
He says he has high hopes for me.
Would you like to try one?
Yes, perhaps I will.
I need to write a good reply to Grandfather.
Right...
Johann?
You sure that was wise?
He's one of the Five Elders.
That's just fine for Johann.
And? Did you come all this way just to say hello?
I got the thing you wanted, Maribel.
I went all the way to the Dragon's Nest.
Did you? Most impressive, Yuuki.
No matter how powerful it is,
what's the use if you can't control it?
You can never have too many cards on hand.
We don't have much time left.
Humans... Demon Lords...
The rules of this world are simply unfair.
Isn't that exactly why you're going to become the world's ruler?
But I still need insurance.
That little brat.
I can't blow this.
This will be no ordinary meeting, I'm sure.
Yeah. We can't expect them to be friendly with us from the get-go.
Shall we?
Your Majesty Rimuru!
Great Rimuru!
Well, goodness me!
It's an honor to meet you!
Your country's festival was wonderful!
And the food was fantastic!
I do hope we can be good friends!
Huh? This is a warmer welcome than I expected...
Same here. We'll be holding more festivals in the future, so come on by!
Now, don't smother Lord Rimuru.
You folks from the smaller nations really ought to learn your place.
Indeed. You know nothing of decorum.
Who are these guys?
They are the councilors from the larger nations.
Huh... I heard all the councilors were equal.
Only on the surface, I guess.
Honestly...
There is simply no way to have
a constructive discussion with the likes of them.
What do you mean, "the likes of them"?
Oh, dear me!
Does a monster such as yourself
not understand such a roundabout turn of phrase?
Allow us to teach you how noblemen behave.
Th-These guys kinda piss me off.
Incidentally, your... "Magitrain," was it?
I hear you are constructing something most intriguing.
My nation would be happy to host it for you.
Well, um... we have to lay the rails in a certain order...
No need to worry about such trivial details.
Huh? But...
And you can give my country arms and weapons from yours.
You will remember to show us your gratitude, yes?
Now, now. It would be in poor taste to continue this here.
Nope. I'm not gonna get through to them.
I'll just have to use my most lethal technique...
I'll see what I can do!
Ah, reassuring words!
We look forward to it!
Should we just let them go?
I hate to simply leave garbage out in the open.
I mean, so do I...
You think Great Rimuru would be perturbed by the foolish drivel of such small fry?
Huh?!
That's right.
It's silly to expect Great Rimuru to give such rabble the time of day.
Th-That's right, Benimaru!
Those guys were nothing!
I see...
I still have much to learn.
Sorry about that, Benimaru.
You are His Majesty the Demon Lord Rimuru Tempest, correct?
I am Lester, chairman of the Council.
Right this way, please.
Thank you for going to the trouble.
Why did they seat me here?
Oh, I get it.
It's their safety measure against me.
Oh, there's Hinata.
The hour is upon us.
The meeting will commence.
Our agenda is the admission of Tempest into the Council of the West.
Our Council intends to accept your nation's membership.
However, we have a few conditions.
Let's hear them.
They named three conditions.
Number one: compliance with international law.
Any country joining them is obligated to do that,
so it's no problem.
Number two: the opening of our market.
That does pose a slight problem.
Since the concept of patenting isn't widespread in this world,
there's a chance our technology could be stolen.
No, having it stolen would be the least of our concerns.
Give my country priority in the laying of your rails!
What? Only my country is fit to be Tempest's sworn ally!
No, no! My country is better!
I refuse to be treated as a handyman under the guise of negotiation.
Wait a moment! If you're speaking of laying rails...
You be quiet!
Silence!
This is not the time for all of you to make your assertions!
That chairman's sure got it rough.
And the last condition:
supplying military forces.
I'll have to think it over, but frankly,
this one would be advantageous to us, too.
All member nations pay Tempest a defense fee
and depend on us to defend them.
In other words, we make money while gaining more influence.
If they're gonna be using us,
we need to profit from it, too.
These are the conditions for the admission of the Jura Tempest Federation.
Your Majesty Rimuru, do you have any objections?
Raphael-sensei.
Yes.
Please.
Of course.
Great Rimuru has put together his concerns and alternative suggestions.
If you would.
Th-Thank you.
He's written down every last word of my explanation?!
And even included corrections?!
I generally agree with your conditions.
All the things I wanted to add are written there.
If you'll accept those,
I'm certain my side will have no issues.
P-Please allow me a bit of time to review this...
Yes, of course.
Not like he gave us any time to think.
A full three hours later...
I apologize for the wait.
Written demands, huh?
Looks like the chairman isn't convinced.
I'll agree to negotiate, though.
I did come here to talk, after all.
For the coexistence of humans and monsters...
Why?
Are you guys...
Why?
...making light of me?
Why did this happen?!
Next time, "The Council of the West."
The Council of the West