"Velgrynd, have you truly made up your mind?"
Rimuru returned to his villa and, looking at Velgrynd sitting on the sofa, asked with a serious expression.
"Yes, thank you for telling me about Rudra's reincarnated soul. No matter how far, I will find him."
"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything else."
"Thank you."
"Second sister, going to… another world… um… be… be careful."
Veldora leaned against the wall, scratching his cheek awkwardly as he spoke to his second sister.
"Veldora, since you're concerned about me, I won't beat you up this time."
"But thank you."
"Hahaha, this great me… Ow, ow, ow, that hurts!!!"
Hearing his second sister actually express thanks, Veldora burst into joyful laughter, but he didn't get to gloat for long.
A white-haired figure suddenly appeared behind Veldora and punched him on the head.
"You really can't go a day without a beating, can you?"
"B-B-Big… Sister!!!"
Compared to his doting second sister, Veldora was most afraid of his elder sister.
Because his elder sister would truly kill him.
"Velgrynd, be careful with everything."
Velgrynd showed a smile, nodded to Velgrynd, and said:
"Yes, don't worry, Big Sister."
"Then, everyone, I'm off. Once I find Masayuki Honjo (Rudra's reincarnation), I'll bring him back to see you all."
"Goodbye, everyone!"
Velgrynd glanced at everyone present, then turned around and disappeared from the hall.
"Alright, the show's over, I need to get back to work too."
"When will this work ever end?!"
Guy complained about his work with a helpless expression, then turned to Velgrynd and asked:
"Velgrynd, are you going back or staying here…?"
Hearing Guy's question, Velgrynd shook her head seriously and said:
"I'm staying here. That fellow Zhong Chen dumped everything on us to handle and ran off to another world to enjoy his leisure."
"Heh heh… there's no such thing as a free lunch."
After speaking, Velgrynd's face showed a cruel smile.
"Wow! A Chen looks like he's in big trouble!"
At this moment, Zhong Chen, who was teaching students with Kochou Shinobu, suddenly shivered and quickly looked left and right.
"Why do I suddenly feel a chill… It's truly that there are always treacherous commoners trying to harm His Majesty!"
… "President, the East… the Eastern Empire… has fallen!"
In the Free Guild President's office, Kagurazaka Yuuki was leaning back in his chair reading manga when a subordinate suddenly burst in and reported loudly.
Hearing his subordinate's report, Kagurazaka Yuuki's pupils constricted. He slowly put down the manga in his hand and asked the subordinate with a gloomy expression:
"You said the Eastern Empire has fallen? Weren't they currently at war with the Monster Country Federation?"
"The war has ended. I heard that the Eastern Empire's Emperor died unexpectedly, and then Kondo Tatsuya and others surrendered with the remaining army."
"Died unexpectedly?"
Kagurazaka Yuuki heard his subordinate say 'died unexpectedly,' but he didn't believe it for a hundred reasons. He knew better than anyone how strong Rudra was.
"It seems this world is truly about to change. Should I still proceed with my plan…?"
Sorcerous Dynasty Sarion
"Your Majesty, with the fall of the Eastern Empire, the Monster Country Federation will likely replace them as the strongest empire in the world."
In the imperial palace hall, a minister reported to Queen Elmesia on the throne with a worried expression.
"Heh heh, no need to worry. Rimuru is not a Guy who likes war."
Elmesia sat on the throne, lightly tapping her lips with her jade-like hand, and said to the many ministers below with a smile.
"But…"
"Even if we are vigilant and defend against the Monster Country Federation, can we defeat them?"
"This…"
"Besides, Rimuru is my good friend."
That's right, Elmesia met Rimuru at the founding celebration before.
And the two talked very happily. The two, along with Galud Myurmyle (that bearded merchant), were known as the Three Drunken Sages.
"Alright, since Your Majesty says so…"
Holy Empire Ruberios
"Hinata, in a few days, you'll accompany me to the Monster Country Federation. That damned Guy has finally shown his face."
Luminas thought of that damned evil dragon, and a cruel glint flashed in her heterochromatic eyes.
Hinata, standing below, heard this and responded with a serious expression, hand on her chest.
In her heart, however, she was thinking that she would finally be able to see Teacher Shizu again.
Other countries reacted differently to the news of the Eastern Empire's demise; some were happy, some were worried.
There were also those who thought of taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble, but no matter what they thought.
After the war with the Eastern Empire, the Monster Country Federation had become the world's recognized number one superpower.
Various countries successively sent delegations to the Monster Country Federation to investigate the Monster Country Federation's next move… "Lord Chen, that's the entire process."
A demon in a black uniform bowed respectfully and reported the latest situation to Zhong Chen.
"Good, I understand. You may return."
Zhong Chen, sitting in his chair, twirled the pen in his hand and said to the demon before him with a smile.
"Yes, Lord Chen!"
Upon hearing Zhong Chen's words, the Royal Knights member quickly saluted with his right hand over his chest.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he looked at Zhong Chen, appearing to hesitate to speak.
"Hm? Is there anything else?"
"Well… Lord Chen, your subordinate heard through the grapevine that Chairwoman Shizu asks Sakuya about your whereabouts every day."
"Also, it seems Lord Velgrynd also plans to come settle accounts with you…"
Upon hearing the other party's words, Zhong Chen instantly froze.
"Oh my goodness, I'm dead if I go back this time!!!"
"Good lad, what's your name?!"
Hearing Zhong Chen's question, the demon excitedly introduced himself:
"My name is Will, Squad Leader of the First Squad, Third Company of the Royal Knights."
"I'll remember you. I'll have Diablo promote you later!"
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Chen!!!"
PS: Will, readers who have been following should remember him; he appeared as a junior officer in the Third Company in the Pirate Arc.
After Will left, Zhong Chen thought for a moment and realized he couldn't stay in the A Certain Magical Index world anymore; it was too dangerous.
"Shinobu, let's go! Big brother will take you to a New World to have some fun!"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, Kochou Shinobu stared at Zhong Chen with a suspicious look and asked:
"Bad Guy, you're not trying to run away, are you?"
"What kind of talk is that? Who am I? The founder of the Monster Country Federation, the boss of the Commercial Street…"
"Stop, stop, stop. I'm tired of that introduction."
"Alright, I'm just going to the New World to hide. Just tell me if you're coming with me or not."
"Of course! Don't think you can shake me off! Hmph!"
"Then let's go!"
No sooner had Zhong Chen finished speaking than a white portal appeared beneath their feet. The next moment, the two were swallowed by the portal.
Swish… The Dimensional Gate had just disappeared when a white figure appeared there.
"Hmph… Am I too late? But do you think you can escape like this… Too naive…"