I put all of my plans in their respective files with [Hermetic Reality] and get ready for a pretty vital part of the story to take place. Snapping my fingers I instantly teleport to Rimuru using [Tempest Link] to make it all the more easier thanks to the ability to see Rimuru through anything it kept from [Sage's Link]. When I arrive I look around.
I see a lot of the more important members of Tempest. People like Rigurd, Benimaru and Shuna but there are definitely some missing. Geld is the more obvious one but I guess it makes sense. Most of them are probably doing their assigned jobs. Well, Gobzi is definitely doing his. You could not pry him away from performing his duty if his life depended on it.
As they look at me, Rimuru walks over to me and pulls me outside. When we get there I ask, "Why'd you take me outside?"
"We need to talk in private."
Private? Wait, "Hey, Rimuru. If you wanted to talk in private, why did you cut off our [Tempest Link] conversation. You could not get more private than that, it's coded so only our respective [Great Sage] evolutions can decode our messages."
He realizes what I mean immediately. He realizes I'm going to make fun of him so he instantly tries to come up with an excuse, "I, uh, I just wanted to, uh, this was important so a face to face conversation would be better!"
I smile a little, "Yeah, yeah, so, what is this about?"
He calms down and explains, "So, I'm planning to announce that we are now the official rulers of the Jura Forest. And even though you don't follow this rule sometimes, I do. Because this is going to change Tempest forever, I can't do it without you so we are going to be together for this."
I found an error in what he said. "But wasn't the rule that we both have to agree to something first? You kinda forced this on me, you're not exactly following the rules either." He looks a little mad, "Alright fine, enough sarcasm. Are we really going to announce this?" I'm already on board but I gotta stay in character. This is what I would ask if I didn't know the future.
"Yes."
I get in a thoughtful position as I pretend to think, "In that case there will definitely be some setbacks."
He looks confused, "Eh? What do you mean?"
"You'll see for yourself. Don't worry, they won't be that big of a deal for now." I walk over to the door, "For now there aren't too many problems with your plan so I'll go with it."
Rimuru looks a little confused but isn't too worried. While of course he knows if I'm saying this then it definitely is worth knowing but if I'm not concerned then he knows neither should he, at least for now given that I always consider most possible events that could happen before they happen. When I walk in I walk past the other monsters who were patiently waiting for us to finish our private conversation. Sitting in the leading chair next to Rimuru's I get ready for Rimuru to give the new announcement. I know how they'll react so I get ready to give my response to their concerns.
As Rimuru makes it he doesn't sit down instead remaining standing to explain, "We have decided to finally make an official statement that we will now be the official rulers of the entire Forest of Jura. I don't think this will change much because it's been like this for a while, it just means if someone invades this territory we'd be fighting back under our names. I just wanted to make this clear before we do this."
The faces of the monsters contort into either that of worry, intrigue or concern. Some of them take it very well, however most have some follow up questions for Rimuru and I.
The first to respond is Rigurd who frantically asks, "Th-the whole forest!? Truly!?"
Rimuru, only half expecting this response from my little comment a few seconds ago jumps back a little saying, "Y-yeah?"
Benimaru responds next after thinking about what Rimuru had to say, "Are you serious?" He thinks again about what else this could possibly mean as he asks, "Including everything on the other side of the river?" He's talking about the Great Armeld River, a river that basically separates the two sides of the Jura Forest into two halves.
Rimuru, unsure of what Benimaru means asks, "Err, probably? Is that a problem?"
I finally jump in saying, "It's actually not that big of a problem, more of an inconvenience really. As I've said, it shouldn't be that bad. Let me explain." I stand up to get on eye level with Rimuru, "The territory on the other side of the Great Armeld River as it's called, isn't overseen by the Dryads like this side of the Great Forest of Jura is. As of right now we have only been recognized as the leaders of the area protected by the Dryads so suddenly being under our rule might prove a bit of a headache for the monsters there. Demon Lords are kind of a big deal, you know."
"Oh, I think I understand."
As Rimuru thinks this new development over Kaijin jumps in, "Well, if you ask me this is quite an astounding development. The Demon Lords have rights to the entire Jura Forest's resources now if I'm understanding this correctly. This now includes everything on the other side of the river. That's big news to say the least."
He's right. This also helps me quite a bit, "Yeah, pretty much. This'll also help me and the entire Ministry of Science and Infrastructure. With these untapped resources suddenly being opened up for us to see, our research will get easier. I'm sure Vesta would be excited about that."
Rimuru asks, "Wait. Does this mean there will be more people here?"
Shuna responds, "I think it does. Now that you two are recognized as Demon Lords, anyone who fails to pledge their allegiance could legally be considered a rebel of Tempest."
Rimuru definitely didn't think this far ahead because I see he's talking to [Raphael] through [Tempest Link]. He knows he's in too deep at this point though so in the end he says, "Well, why worry about that now? I mean if they are already residents of the forest…"
I nonchalantly interrupted, "No need to worry Rimuru. Remember how I said there's no real reason to worry about this and this is at most a minor inconvenience? From what we know about the law monsters follow, they would be really glad, no, ecstatic to gain the protection of a Demon Lord."
Rimuru comments, "Why are you always so calm. Even when we first met Veldora."
Oh, he's right. I had no reaction to seeing Veldora even though as far as he knows that was my first time seeing him. "That's just how I am."
Paying more attention to the discussions around us the monsters all agree with what we said. It seems the rule to follow the strong has been ingrained in monster culture so they have no doubt our proposal to give them our protection will get most of them on our side. Well, there are a few exceptions but I have a plan for all of them. They shouldn't be hard to handle. In fact, most of them will solve themselves. I don't even have to do any work here.
As Rimuru ponders what to do I decide to just give him the next course of action on a silver platter. "Hey Rimuru, I have an idea. Why not do a festival to announce this?"
"A festival?"
Rigurd immediately yells, "A festival!? What a magnificent idea! Truly ingenious Lord Migeru!" Calm down Rigurd. It technically isn't even my idea.
Rimuru thinks about my suggestion. Clearly more cautious than before thanks to his lack of information on the other monsters on the other side of the river.
Might as well get him to agree the easy way at this point. I lean closer and whisper, "There will be a hot spring and I'm planning to personally invite the Elf empress of Sorcerer Dynasty Sarion, Elmesia. Think about that for a little."
He immediately jumps up, "Let's do it!"
I laugh a little as I walk back and ask, "Alright then, any objections!?"
Their answer is universal, they are all in. In between this I hear Gabiru also say, "You can count on the support of the Lizardmen and Dragonewts, I've heard from Shion that my father Abiru is coming to pledge his loyalty to you."
I, of course, already knew this and I know it's time to tell him to apologize to his father. "So Abiru is coming? I appreciate it, that'll help a lot with the future. If a tribe as big as the Lizardmen are coming this is bound to push some other monster tribes to do the same." Gabiru nods pridefully, "I'll of course need you to apologize for your stupidity to him when this happens. It's about time you do this."
"Eh?"
"The reputation of the Lizardmen, well, now that I think about it, Dragonewt chief would be more accurate now…well, moving on, his reputation might suffer from having a banished son like you which is less than ideal so it'll be important you use this opportunity to apologize to him. Understood?"
He nervously responds, "Yes…Lord Migeru." He's definitely nervous about meeting with his father like this. The last time he formally met with his father was after the Orc War where he thought his father was going to kill him for his traitorous acts. He knows this is going to be a decently uncomfortable scenario.
"Good."
As we decide that the actual planning might be better to get together when Geld is here, we wrap up. Suddenly I hear Rimuru comment, "No fair using my weakness to convince me."
"Eh? Oh…" I laugh a little, "But it's so easy." He pouts a little. Time to make fun of him. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she ends up in the hot spring with you. Just don't make it too noticeable what you're looking at, she's really powerful and if in the worst case scenario a bunch of elf women come to capture you I'll make sure to save you, we both know you'll be completely helpless if that happens."
He goes a little red, "Hey!"
I break down laughing a little. The other monsters have left at this point so it's really just me and Rimuru in the room at this point. "I'm sorry-I'm sorry, I'll stop."
Rimuru crosses his arms and turns around. As he walks away a few feet he asks, "Are you really planning to invite her yourself?"
I get a little serious but not too much. I still have a little smirk on my face. "Yes, although honestly I'm probably one of the only people in this world with the willpower to face her alone without having met her before. Gazel has mentioned her before and not even he can stand up to her."
"Really?"
"Yup, apparently she's really intimidating."
He asks, "Then what makes you think you could?"
"Because, I know way more than I should." I point to my head, "I used a few skills to do some research on her and she's apparently childish at times. That's all I need to stand up to her."
Rimuru responds, "Okay then, I trust you."
"Really? That's all? You're just fine with this?"
"I can't stop you."
I shrug, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Just leave it to me, Rimuru." I walk away.
Man, things are just getting more and more complicated. There's no way Chloe won't try to see what's going on with my existence here. She definitely knows enough to realize I shouldn't be a part of this timeline by now. Ever since Chronoa appeared in the Dwelling of the Spirits I've known this is the first timeline with me in it. I'll definitely have to plan for that, she definitely can't ask me directly but prodding at me with minor suggestions will definitely happen.
On top of that the month until Myourmile is almost up as well. He should show up soon here. On top of that I need to contact Erald to get a meeting with Elmesia going. The mystery with Luminous knowing my identity is also still unsolved. And I still am yet to completely finish the C-Magicule Bomb. Not to mention Ramiris' Labyrinth.. Huh, looks like I'm starting to see what Rimuru has been dealing with.