"Salute!"
"Whoosh! *n"
As the motorcade arrived at the entrance of the venue, the Imperial Guard elites, lined up in two rows, raised their ceremonial rifles in unison.
They watched Zhong Chen and the others, who were dismounting from the carriage, with solemn expressions.
The venue was already packed with people, all eyes fixed on the direction of the main entrance.
As two guards pulled open the doors to the venue, an officer on duty standing to the side shouted loudly:
"All rise!!!"
Clatter... Everyone present stood up, and with the exception of a very few individuals, all looked towards the entrance with respect.
"Oh my, so many people."
"Yes, A Chen, so many people!"
Zhong Chen took a quick glance and realized that the number of people in the entire venue was astonishingly in the tens of thousands.
And it was Rimuru's first time experiencing such a scene. Uh... the founding ceremony didn't count; that scene was more like a celebration than a solemn meeting like this.
"Hahahaha, as expected, only an occasion like this can match my status!"
"Hehe, that's right!"
"Hmph, meetings and stuff, I hate them now!"
Unlike Veldora and Milim's excitement, Ramiris, who was flying nearby, looked downcast.
"Alright, Ramiris, it's because you're so small; it's normal for people not to notice you."
Zhong Chen saw that Ramiris was still unhappy because she was too small in the carriage and hadn't been noticed.
He spoke with a smile, trying to console her.
"Wuwuwu..."
As Zhong Chen and the others arrived at the front of the stage, a giant golden throne was placed at the very top.
Below it were four ornate chairs, three large and one small.
Further down were the true high-ranking officials of the Monster Country Federation, excluding these idle individuals.
They sat in different positions according to their respective departments.
The military, led by Benimaru, sat uniformly on the right side of the venue.
The administrative department, led by Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Rigurd, sat on the left side of the venue.
In the middle of the venue sat the many Headmasters of Academy City, led by Shizue and Toreini.
From this arrangement, one could see how high Academy City's status was within the Monster Country Federation!
Zhong Chen looked at the giant plaque above the golden throne, and his shoulders began to shake uncontrollably, finally unable to hold back his loud laughter.
"Hahahaha, Rimuru, this is practically your true likeness! Hahaha!!!"
"Mmm, mmm, mmm, who on earth did this..."
Rimuru pouted, looking at the three large characters written on the giant plaque, and muttered softly, clearly displeased.
On the plaque, the three characters for "Mascot" were carved in gold, sparkling under the lights.
"Oh, right, come, put this on and sit on the golden toilet...Pooh... golden throne!"
Zhong Chen took out a magnificent pure gold crown and gently placed it on Rimuru's head.
Then, he pushed the unwilling Rimuru onto the golden throne.
Afterward, he went and sat down in a chair below.
Seeing that Zhong Chen and the others had taken their seats, everyone present also sat down, and the guards gently closed the doors to the venue.
Around the venue, at regular intervals, stood members of the Royal Knights, dressed in black uniforms, standing ramrod straight with their hands behind their backs.
Outside the venue, the elites of the Imperial Guard also began to seriously stand guard.
After perceiving all this, Zhong Chen couldn't help but mutter softly:
"Is it a bit backward for the Imperial Guard to protect these guys inside?"
"If the enemy really charged in... then they would probably just... die more miserably..."
Just as Zhong Chen's thoughts were wandering, Diablo walked to the front of the stage and announced loudly:
"First, I will introduce the main attendees of this meeting."
"First, the founder of the Monster Country Federation, His Majesty the Emperor, Rimuru Tempest!"
Clap clap clap clap... "Your Majesty the Emperor!"
"Lord Rimuru is invincible!"
"Mascot Saikō!!!"
As Diablo finished speaking, thunderous applause and a flurry of shouts of unclear meaning erupted in the venue.
"Next, the founder of the Monster Country Federation, the pillar of the Empire, His Royal Highness Prince Zhong Chen!"
"Oh oh oh oh! *n"
When Zhong Chen was introduced, not only did the applause inside the venue grow more intense,
but even the national audience watching the live broadcast shouted out in excitement.
"It's Lord Zhong Chen!"
"Lord Zhong Chen, I want to bear your children!"
"With Lord Zhong Chen here, the Empire fears no one!"
As the applause died down, Diablo continued his introduction:
"The Guardian Deity of the Great Jura Forest, Supreme Advisor of the Empire, Lord Storm Dragon Veldora Tempest!"
"Hahaha, that's right, it's me!"
Veldora stood up, proudly patted his chest, and shouted loudly.
At this moment, Aihara Enju and the other young girls watching the live broadcast outside couldn't help but pout when they saw this scene.
"Damn it, he got to show off!"
"Exactly, next time we see him, he's definitely going to brag for ages."
Although the young girls said this, their eyes also showed pride. They were actually very happy for Veldora to receive such great attention.
After all, Veldora was their Vice President.
"This is the Destroyer Tyrant, the Oldest Demon Lord, Supreme Advisor of the Empire, Lord Milim Nava!"
"Hehe, I am Demon Lord Milim! Wahahaha!"
Milim, introduced with an innocent smile, stood up.
After making a peace sign to everyone, she let out her signature laugh.
"Hehe, Milim is still so lively."
"Lord Milim!!!"
"So cute!"
Both inside and outside the venue, seeing Milim's adorable appearance, everyone couldn't help but show a doting smile.
"Finally, the Fairy Queen, Labyrinth Administrator, Oldest Demon Lord, Lord Ramiris!"
"Hehe, everyone is welcome to come play in my labyrinth!"
Ramiris flew up, hands on her hips, and shouted loudly to everyone.
"So tiny!"
"But also so cute!"
"Your Majesty the Queen!"
Toreini, sitting next to Shizue, gazed at Ramiris on stage with a captivated expression.
After Ramiris finished her introduction, Diablo cleared his throat and announced loudly:
"The introductions are complete. The meeting will now officially begin. First, Lord Zhong Chen will speak!"
"Ha!!! *n"
Hearing Diablo's words, everyone present couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
What a joke, if Lord Zhong Chen speaks, won't this meeting last until tomorrow?!
"Ahem... Diablo, never mind, I won't say anything. Next item, next item..."
Realizing that he seemed to be universally disliked at the moment, Zhong Chen, who had been about to say a few words, couldn't help but speak sheepishly.
"Yes, Lord Zhong Chen!"
"Next, Supreme Commander Benimaru will present the issues the military needs to discuss at this meeting."
Hearing Diablo's words, Benimaru stood up from his seat, walked to the microphone on stage, and nodded to Diablo.
Then he began to speak:
"Lord Rimuru, Lord Zhong Chen, the military's agenda for this meeting has only two discussion points. One is regarding the reorganization of the entire army."
"The other is the issue of military expansion...