Chapter 35: Chains, Chuckles, and Courtroom Chaos
The cell was dimly lit, the stone walls damp and echoing with every sound. Drake lay flat on his back on the bench, tossing a coin into the air while Rimuru sat on a bucket, bouncing up and down like a bored kid at a train station.
"We should really stop making a habit of this," Drake muttered.
"At least this one has actual bars," Rimuru replied. "Last time we were in a broom closet with a lock."
"Improvement. Can't wait for the gift shop."
Myrd snored in the corner, one leg hanging through the cell bars.
"I think he's dreaming about hammers again," Rimuru whispered.
"Lucky bastard. I'm over here dreaming about not getting arrested."
Rimuru stretched his slime body like a taffy pull. "You think Gobta's okay?"
Drake chuckled. "He probably joined a traveling circus and is now their star act."
Just then, heavy boots clomped down the hallway. The familiar clink of keys followed. The door creaked open.
A guard stepped in. "You three. Up. You've got a hearing."
Drake blinked. "That fast? I was hoping for room service first."
Rimuru leapt off the bucket. "Let's go meet the judge! Maybe he likes slimes."
Myrd mumbled something unintelligible but followed.
They were led through a series of grand stone corridors, deeper into Dwargon's royal court chambers. The halls grew fancier—red carpets, gold trim, guards that didn't blink.
Drake raised a brow. "This seems a little... royal."
"Uh-oh," Rimuru muttered. "We're not getting regular jail time, are we?"
Drake glanced sideways. "You think they're sending us to 'Monster Court'?"
Rimuru brightened. "Is that a thing?!"
"Please shut up."
At last, they entered the main courtroom.
It was massive. Marble floors, high arched ceilings, an audience of stone-faced nobles and military types seated behind decorative rails. At the far end, raised on a platform, sat a single throne.
On it, in full regalia, was King Gazel Dwargo himself.
Rimuru's slime form nearly deflated.
Drake just sighed. "Of course it's the king. Why not."
The guards brought them to the center. The room quieted.
Gazel's voice boomed. "State your names and purpose."
Rimuru straightened up. "Rimuru Tempest, nation-building slime extraordinaire."
Drake stepped forward lazily. "Drake Tempest. Professional babysitter to him."
Myrd blinked. "I'm just here for the forge."
The room remained deadly still.
Gazel stared them down. "You have disrupted noble business, assaulted a government official, and caused a public scene in our capital."
Drake crossed his arms. "He insulted my brother, called us filth, and made fun of slime politics."
Rimuru whispered, "I take my slime politics very seriously."
Gazel didn't react for a moment. Then he leaned forward.
"Lord Vesta has... pressed charges."
Rimuru gulped. "Will there be punishment?"
"That depends," Gazel said. "On whether your actions were justified. And if your cause has merit."
Drake and Rimuru exchanged a glance.
Drake sighed. "Here we go again."
A tense silence fell after Drake's muttered words. Gazel remained quiet for a moment, then gave a sharp nod.
"After reviewing the incident and hearing from multiple witnesses," he said, voice steady but firm, "I have made my decision."
He turned his gaze toward Kaijin and his brothers.
"You three are hereby expelled from official royal service. Your actions may have violated protocol—but your integrity speaks for itself. You are free to pursue your own paths."
Kaijin bowed, solemn but not broken. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Gazel's eyes moved to Rimuru and Drake. "And as for you two..."
The room tensed.
"You are released without charge."
Rimuru blinked. "Wait, really?"
Drake narrowed his eyes. "No lecture? No punishment?"
Gazel shook his head, then motioned to a royal attendant. "Escort them out."
As Rimuru, Drake, and the dwarven brothers were led out, murmurs buzzed through the courtroom.
Later, in the royal chamber, one of Gazel's senior aides approached him.
"Your Majesty," the aide asked cautiously, "why did you let them go? That slime and that dragonoid... they could cause problems."
Gazel folded his arms, staring out a stained-glass window depicting ancient battles.
"Because I'd rather make friends with that slime... and that dragonoid."
He turned back, his voice resolute.
"The future is changing. And so must we."