Central Plaza, Duel Grounds
The atmosphere thickened as Rimuru and Gazel Dwargo faced one another. The wind carried faint traces of anticipation, swirling dust around the duel circle—an arena Takumi had reinforced minutes earlier using a mixture of Finality energy and magic-tech stabilizers.
Even Gazel had raised an eyebrow.
"This arena… its stability surpasses even Dwargon's royal coliseum."
Takumi smirked at the compliment.
Of course it does. It's built with Herrscher-level particle reinforcement. Even a Demon Lord would need effort to crack it.
Benimaru, Shion, Souei, Shuna, and the Demon Slayer Pillars stood in a semicircle. The Pegasus Knights held their breath, unable to measure the strength of the girl wielding her sword with both hands.
Rimuru exhaled slowly.
Calm.
But determined.
The Duel Begins
Toreini raised her hand.
"Let the duel—begin!"
Gazel moved first.
The Hero King vanished.
No, his speed simply broke the sound barrier. The shockwave burst outward, sending dust flying.
Rimuru raised her blade.
"Great Sage—assist!"
Her body reacted instantly. Rimuru parried the first strike.
Clang!!
Sparks rained.
Gazel's swordsmanship was sharp, refined, and devastating. Each swing carried the weight of a king who had survived countless life-and-death battles.
But Rimuru's body—supported by the Demon Lord Seed and guided by Great Sage—kept up.
Takumi watched with narrowed eyes.
Rimuru's growth speed is absurd. The Civilization System is picking up unprecedented energy fluctuations from her.
Gazel unleashed a storm of sword strikes.
Over ten slashes landed within a single second.
Yet Rimuru blocked each one.
The Pegasus Knights gasped.
"T-The king's full-speed assault is being… matched?!"
Benimaru chuckled proudly.
"That's Rimuru-sama for you."
Gazel jumped back and took a deep breath.
"Good! You blocked all of them. But…"
His sword ignited with golden aura.
"This next one carries the spirit of my title—Hero's Edge!"
Rimuru tightened her grip.
Rimuru's Determination
I won't lose. I can't lose. I must stand beside Takumi—never behind him.
Her aura surged.
Black Lightning crackled around her.
Blue energy flowed through her sword.
"Takumi… watch me."
She whispered.
Then—
She moved.
Rimuru disappeared.
In her place, a streak of electric-blue light cut forward.
BOOOM!
The clash sent shockwaves rippling across Dimensional City. Even the reinforced arena groaned under the pressure.
Takumi shielded Nezuko with a barrier.
Gazel's eyes widened.
"Well done!"
Their blades met mid-air.
Both held their ground.
Then—
Crack.
A thin fracture appeared on Rimuru's blade.
She gritted her teeth.
Gazel smiled.
"That settles it."
He stepped back and sheathed his sword.
"You pass. Your spirit, technique, and determination earn my respect."
Rimuru dropped to one knee, panting.
"But I didn't win yet…"
Gazel shook his head.
"In a real battle, surviving a Hero King's full assault is victory."
The King's Declaration
Toreini stepped forward and raised her voice.
"The duel ends! The witness acknowledges the victory of mutual recognition!"
The Pegasus Knights saluted.
Benimaru and Shion cheered.
Takumi walked to Rimuru and helped her stand.
"You did great. Better than I expected, honestly."
Rimuru blushed slightly.
"I… I wasn't going to lose. Not in front of you."
Takumi chuckled.
"Good job, Rimuru."
Gazel approached both of them.
"I have seen enough. Rimuru Tempest, Takumi… You two are leaders worthy of standing among kings."
He lifted his voice toward the sky.
"I, Gazel Dwargo, king of the Armed Nation Dwargon, hereby recognize the Dimensional City and the Jura Forest Alliance as equal partners!"
A wave of cheers erupted.
Rimuru blinked.
"Takumi… did we just get our first formal alliance?"
Takumi nodded.
"Yep. Our city just jumped an entire level in geopolitical influence."
The Civilization System chimed inside Takumi's mind.
[Diplomatic Milestone Achieved!]
[Reward: Blueprint — Dimensional Embassy Hub Lv.1]
[Additional Reward: Alliance Influence +10]
Takumi grinned.
Perfect. With this, Dimensional City's expansion will accelerate even further.
Private Meeting — A King and a Herrscher
Later, Gazel requested a private discussion.
Only Rimuru accompanied Takumi, with Shion and Souei standing guard outside.
Gazel spoke first.
"Takumi… you wield a power foreign to this world."
Takumi didn't deny it.
"My Herrscher abilities can reshape matter, space, and energy. I plan to use them to build a civilization capable of defending against any threat—even from other dimensions."
Gazel closed his eyes.
"So Kagaya was right… You are someone who sees farther than any of us."
Rimuru looked between them nervously.
Gazel opened his eyes.
"Takumi. I will speak bluntly. Your presence alone is equal to a natural disaster or a divine force."
Takumi smirked.
"Is that a compliment?"
"It is a warning."
The king stepped forward.
"But it is also acknowledgement. Your ambition… your city… your technology… all of it may one day surpass this world entirely."
He extended his hand.
"That is why I choose to ally with you now—before the world changes beyond recognition."
Takumi shook his hand.
"Then let's shape the future together."
Rimuru's Awakening
As they left the meeting chamber, Rimuru suddenly stumbled.
Takumi caught her.
"Rimuru? You okay?"
Her eyes glowed red briefly.
Great Sage spoke within her.
"Analysis Complete: Rimuru Tempest has reached the threshold for Demon Lord Awakening."
Takumi's eyes widened.
So the duel triggered her evolution.
Rimuru exhaled shakily.
"Takumi… I think I'm about to evolve."
Takumi smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Then evolve. I'll protect the city while you sleep."
Rimuru looked comforted.
"And when I wake up…"
Her voice softened.
"…I'll stand beside you as an equal."
Takumi nodded.
"I'll be waiting."