The days following the assassination attempt passed in tense silence. Though Tempest had returned to its usual bustle–markets alive, taverns filled with laugher, and trade caravans rolling through the gates–those closest to Rimuru could feel the shift.
The shadows had left their mark.
The Council in Tempest
In the great hall of Tempest, Rimuru sat upon his throne, dressed not in his royal armor but in his flowing ceremonial king's robes, embroidered with threads of gold and obsidian. His long hair shimmered like midnight, cascading to his mid-back, and his gentle smile masked the storm churning beneath the surface.
Around him stood the pillars of Tempest–Benimaru, Shuna, Shion, Souei, Diablo–and now, Luminous and Hinata.
Souei's report was as sharp as his gaze. "My lord, I traced the remnants of the assassin' movements. Their skills were enhanced by something unnatural. A cursed brand...not of any human nation."
"Demon worshippers?" Benimaru asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Luminous shook her head, her mismatched eyes glinting. "No. Older. I have seen fragments of this in the ancient past. A faction that thrives in the void between worlds.'
Hinata crossed her arms, armored gauntlets clinking. "Whoever they are, they've declared war. Testing Rimuru was their first move."
Rimuru leaned back, eyes narrowing. "So they want to play games in the shadows, huh? Fine. But I don't like being poked without knowing who's holding the stick."
Diablo stepped forward, bowing. "My lord, permit me to gather information. There are whispers in the abyss I can draw upon."
Rimuru waved him down. "Later. For now, we don't want to scare them off. If they're watching, let's show them what happens when they underestimate us."
A Walk Through the Kingdom
Later that day, Rimuru chose to walk Tempest's streets, accompanied by Luminous and Hinata. Children ran past, merchants bowed, and adventures whispered in awe as the trio strolled through the heart of the kingdom.
Rimuru chuckled. "I feel like I'm some kind of tourist attraction."
Hinata, walking with military poise, smirked. "Well, you are a demon lord wearing kingly robes with hair like spun starlight. What did you expect?"
Luminous, ever graceful, teased with a smirk of her own. "Careful, Hinata. You sound almost charmed."
Hinata flushed faintly but quickly turned away. "Don't twist my words."
Rimuru raised his hands in mock surrender, but the lighthearted moment shattered when the air shifted again.
The shadows returned.
The Second Strike
Unlike before, these assassins did not hide. They descended openly, clad in obsidian armor lined with crimson etchings, their blades infused with void energy that warped the space around them.
Rimuru's eyes glowed faintly, his Eyes of Infinity unraveling their forms. "Not human. Not demon. Something... in between."
Luminous hissed, her vampiric aura exploding outward like a crimson sun. "Parasites of the abyss. I will not allow them to set foot here."
Hinata drew Moonlight, its blade gleaming silver-white, and stepped in front of Rimuru. "Stay behind me–"
But Rimuru moved past her, his robe flowing like water. "Not this time, Hinata. I need to test something."
Rimuru Unleashed
One assassin lunged, blade thrusting toward Rimuru's chest. Rimuru raised his hand, summoning Aegis of Eternity, a barrier shimmering with multiversal energy. The blade struck, but instead of bouncing off, the weapon shattered, the impact reversed back into the attacker, breaking his arm.
Another came from behind, aiming for his neck. Rimuru's aura flared, Timeline Rewrite activating. For a moment, time itself bent backward–Rimuru stepped sideways before the assassin had even moved, watching the strike miss entirely.
"Okay," Rimuru muttered with a grin. "Ceil, you're really spoiling me with these upgrades."
⟪Affirmative. Master has yet to utilize even 1% of current capacity.⟫
"Not helping, Ceil!"
Luminous and Hinata in Motion
While Rimuru tested his new powers, Luminous wove spells with terrifying grace. Blood-formed glyphs bloomed in the air, summoning spears of light and shadow that pierced assassins cleanly through. Her heterochromatic eyes forced weaker enemies to their knees, their wills crushed beneath her divine authority.
Hinata's swordsmanship was storm. With each strike, Moonlight sang, unleashing crescent waves of silver energy that cleaved through armor and bone alike. She fought back-to-back with Rimuru, her eyes calculating every angle.
"You're enjoying this to much," Hinata muttered.
Rimuru smirked. "Can you blame me? These guys are perfect practice dummies."
The Revelation
The assassins fell one by one, but instead of leaving bodies, their corpses dissolved into black mist, returning to the void.
Rimuru's smile faded. "Souls recalled... someone's puppeteering them."
From the dissipating mist, a distorted voice echoed, chilling the courtyard. "You shine too brightly, Rimuru Tempest. Light must always cast shadows... and we are those shadows."
Luminous's fangs bared, her voice cold. "Show yourself, coward."
But the voice only laughed, fading with the mist. "Soon. When the stars align, your light will be consumed."
Silence returned, but it was heavy.
The Cliffhanger
Hinata sheathed Moonlight, her violet eyes narrowing. "This is no longer simple probing. They're declaring themselves."
Rimuru looked up at the sky, his gentle smile returning, though it didn't reach his yes. "Then let them come. Tempest will be ready."
Yet deep inside, he could feel it–this was only the beginning. The enemy wasn't testing his kingdom anymore. They were testing him.
And soon, the true storm would break.