"War!!!"
Two middle schoolers, who had not experienced the harsh realities of society, shouted in unison.
"Yes, war. The enemy is very strong."
"I must go back. I cannot stand by and watch my country be destroyed!"
At this, Zhong Chen turned his head and quickly took out a bottle of eye drops, applying them to his eyes.
Then he turned back, and the eye drops began to stream down his cheeks.
"This… Teacher Zhong Chen, don't worry, I believe you will definitely win!"
"Right, Teacher Zhong Chen, you're so amazing, you even turned Saten-san into an angel. The enemy definitely won't be a match for you."
Hearing their words, Zhong Chen covered his face, deeply moved, and continued to shed eye drops.
"Wuwuwu, you guys…"
Swish… "Lord Chen, Supreme Commander Benimaru reports that the Army has completed its training."
"Also, Lord Rimuru asked me to relay a message to you."
"The exact words were: A Chen, come back quickly! A new family on Commercial Street dares not pay protection fees! Hurry back and deal with it!"
"What!!!"
Hearing the Royal Knights member's words, Zhong Chen shot up, standing, and shouted angrily:
"Who dares not pay protection fees, do they not know that Commercial Street is my territory!!!"
"Uh… I was just relaying a message for Lord Rimuru…"
"Ahem… I understand, you can go back now."
Zhong Chen looked at his trembling subordinate, quickly composed himself, and waved his hand, signaling that the other party could leave.
"Yes, I shall take my leave!"
After speaking, the Royal Knights member saluted with his right hand over his chest, then instantly disappeared.
Saten Ruiko and Haruue Erii, who had witnessed the entire process, stared with wide, astonished mouths.
"Teacher Zhong Chen, didn't you say 'war'? What's with the Commercial Street protection fees?"
Suddenly, Saten Ruiko seemed to discover something and leaned in to sniff Zhong Chen.
Then she immediately showed an indignant expression and loudly exclaimed:
"This is too much, Teacher Zhong Chen, it's eye drops!!!"
After hearing Saten Ruiko's words, Haruue Erii, who was beside her, also exclaimed in surprise:
"Eh? Teacher Zhong Chen's tears are eye drops?"
Discovering his trick had been exposed, Zhong Chen immediately smiled, explaining happily:
"Hahaha, I was just joking with you, but it's true that I have to leave."
"Of course, the war is also real, but my subordinates will handle all of that."
As Zhong Chen spoke, the laser pointer-like object reappeared in his hand.
"Ruiko, you are an angel now. Legally speaking, you now belong to the Monster Country Federation."
"Monster Country Federation? *2"
Saten Ruiko and Haruue Erii asked loudly, looking confused.
"Hehe, look here!"
"Swish…"
As a flash of light swept over them, the two girls looked at the smiling man before them with startled expressions.
Founder of the Monster Country Federation, Prince, Overlord of Commercial Street, Loser of the Pinball Arcade, Ruler of Multiple Worlds, Destroyer of Numerous Worlds.
Each of these titles made the two middle schoolers feel as if it were all so unreal.
How could someone with such an impossibly high status become their school teacher?
Uh… it seemed like some strange things had been mixed in, but never mind, it wasn't important.
"Teacher Zhong Chen is an unimaginably important figure!"
"Indeed, Haruue, stand up for a moment."
"What's wrong?"
Haruue Erii stood up, looking puzzled, while Saten Ruiko suddenly flipped up her skirt.
"Ah!"
"Saten-san!!!"
"Phew… seeing your stripes, Haruue, I finally feel a sense of reality."
Saten Ruiko said to the pouting Haruue with an expression that conveyed, 'This is reality.'
"M-m-m… Saten-san really doesn't consider the situation, Teacher Zhong Chen is still here!"
"Uh… I didn't see anything. Blue and white stripes or anything, I completely don't know!"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Chen quickly waved his hands, indicating he hadn't seen anything.
"Eh eh eh!!! You saw everything!"
"Saten-san, I'm going to fight you!"
"Eh? Haruue, don't suddenly pounce on me!"
Zhong Chen watched the two bickering, unable to help but nod in satisfaction.
Then he clasped his hands, like an old monk in meditation, and softly said:
"Thank you for the meal…"
Five minutes later, the two finally stopped their playful fighting, and seeing them no longer fooling around, Zhong Chen directly spoke, intending to take his leave.
"Ruiko, Haruue, I'm leaving now. If there's anything you truly can't handle, you can go find the school's new security guards."
"They are all my subordinates."
"Bye-bye!"
After speaking, without waiting for the two to reply, Zhong Chen's figure vanished on the spot.
"Teacher Zhong Chen… just left like that…"
Seeing Zhong Chen disappear, Saten Ruiko immediately felt a sense of loss.
"It's okay, Saten-san, Teacher Zhong Chen will come back. After all, you are now also part of the Monster Country Federation…"
"Mm-hmm, Haruue, you're right, Teacher Zhong Chen will definitely come back."
Whoosh… "Sakugawa Middle School first-year student, Saten Ruiko, the Chairwoman requests your presence!"
Just as the two were cheering up, a female voice suddenly sounded in their ears.
"Huh? *2"
...Monster Country Federation · Military Conference Hall
"All rise!"
Clatter… "Lord Rimuru, Lord Chen!"
Everyone in the conference hall looked solemnly at Zhong Chen and Rimuru, who walked in side by side.
As the two arrived and sat at the head table, Zhong Chen extended his right hand and pressed it down, signaling everyone present to sit.
Clatter… Receiving Zhong Chen's instruction, everyone immediately sat down.
"Lord Chen, currently the Imperial Army, Navy, Mobile Units, and World Defense Forces have all been recruited and trained."
"The Imperial Intelligence Bureau has sent back news that the Eastern Empire has also completed its mobilization and will soon move against our country."
Benimaru stood up with a serious expression and reported to Zhong Chen.
Zhong Chen listened, then nodded calmly, and continued to ask:
"Hmm, for this war, which units do you intend to deploy?"
"According to the General Staff's discussion, we have ultimately decided to deploy the First and Second Front Armies of the Army."
"From the Navy, the First Fleet will be deployed. From the Mobile Units, the First and Second Front Armies will be deployed."
"The total strength is 2.7 million."
"The Royal Knights will serve as the main force against the enemy's Imperial Knights."
"We plan to set the battlefield on the great plains at the border between the two countries, to prevent the flames of war from reaching our homeland."
"Lord Chen, His Majesty Rimuru, what do you two think?"
After listening to the report, Zhong Chen nodded gently, then looked at Rimuru, who was sitting beside him, and asked:
"What do you think?"
"I think there are no problems."
"Good, since you also think there are no problems, then announce it."
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, Rimuru nodded earnestly, then stood up and loudly declared:
"By the name of the Emperor of the Monster Country Federation, I declare!"
"Effective immediately, we enter a state of war with the Eastern Empire!"
"Benimaru is appointed as the Supreme Commander for this war, and Chief of Staff Tsuru as the Deputy Commander."
"Sakazuki will be the Commander of the frontline ground forces, and Azazel will be responsible for commanding the First Fleet."
"Rengoku Kyoujurou and Sengoku will be responsible for homeland security and defense."
"During the war, all intelligence from the Intelligence Bureau will prioritize military intelligence!"
"Diablo and Carrera (Primordial Yellow) will lead the Royal Knights, ready to sally forth at any moment."
"In this battle, we can only win, not lose. Do you all understand?!!!"
Everyone present, seeing Rimuru, who rarely showed such drive, quickly stood up and shouted in unison:
"Understood! His Majesty Rimuru!!!"