The circular platform rose through the floor of the council chamber with a slow, grinding hum, bringing Rimuru and Guy Crimson back into the dim, towering hall of the Walpurgis Council.
Rimuru straightened his coat, using a quiet flow of magicules to smooth out the lingering damage to his human-shaped form. As the platform settled into place, Diablo and Shizue descended from the elevated gallery and moved to stand respectfully behind Rimuru. The ancient rulers waited around the grand circular table in heavy, expectant silence.
Guy swept his cloak behind him and took his seat at the head of the chamber. His crimson eyes scanned the gathered Demon Lords. Loki, Leon Cromwell, Luminous Valentine, Dagruel, Dino, Ramiris, and Milim Nava before settling on Rimuru.
"The test is concluded," Guy announced, his voice echoing off the high stone pillars. "Rimuru demonstrated both the capacity and the judgment required to hold power. Now, we vote."
Loki leaned back in his grand chair, twirling his heavy coin between his fingers before slapping it flat onto the stone table. "I'll save us the preamble. I vote yes. Rimuru proved he doesn't merely wield strength. He understands what stands behind it. He earned the seat."
The open declaration drew a quiet scoff from Leon, though the blonde Lord offered no counter. "Loki's theatrics aside, the Rimuru demonstrated restraint under extreme pressure," Leon said coldly, raising his hand. "A reckless tyrant is a nuisance to the balance. Rimuru Arashi is not reckless. I vote yes."
"He possesses remarkable composure for one so newly awakened," Luminous Valentine added, her heterochromatic eyes fixed on Rimuru. "And more importantly, he understands that governing requires complete control over one's own power. I see no reason to oppose his seat. Yes."
Dagruel nodded slowly, his massive frame shifting. "Strength tempered by purpose. He has my vote."
Dino lifted one lazy hand from his armrest without sitting upright. "He passed Guy's test. Making us argue longer won't change that. Yes."
Ramiris shot both hands high into the air, practically buzzing in her seat. "Obviously yes! He protected everybody, survived Guy, and even landed a punch! That has to count for something!"
Before the formal tally could close, Milim slammed both hands onto the table, launching herself out of her seat. "WAHAHAHA! Of course he passes! Rimuru is my best friend, and he punched Guy in the face! If anyone says no, I'll fight them right now!"
"Milim, sit down and behave," Frey sighed, pulling Milim back into her chair by the back of her cloak with a practiced tug.
Guy waited until Frey had pulled Milim back into her seat. "My judgment was already made in the arena. I vote yes." He turned his gaze toward the center of the room. "The vote is unanimous. By the authority of the Octagram, Rimuru Arashi is formally recognized as a Demon Lord."
"Hold on," Rimuru spoke up, stepping forward into the center of the hall.
The chamber fell silent. Even Loki paused his coin-spinning, watching Rimuru with a raised eyebrow.
Rimuru took a slow breath, privately absorbing the sheer contrast around the table. Milim's wild, unconditional enthusiasm felt as warm and chaotic as ever, but Leon's icy nod and Luminous's calculating stare were sharp reminders that this room ran on political coldness. They weren't accepting a friend; they were integrating a variable.
"I accept the recognition," Rimuru said, his voice firm and carrying across the grand stone chamber. "I accept responsibility for Arashi and for maintaining peace across the Great Jura Forest."
Rimuru took another step forward, meeting Guy's gaze directly.
"Furthermore, I accept this seat on one absolute condition," Rimuru declared. "My recognition as a Demon Lord cannot be used by human or monster powers to justify treating every monster nation as an automatic enemy. My sovereignty exists to protect my people and build diplomatic ties, not to grant human kingdoms a blanket excuse to wage war against monsters under the pretext of launching another purification campaign. If I sit at this table, it is as a ruler of a sovereign nation, not a living target for religious crusades."
Luminous's eyes flickered with a subtle, dangerous intensity, but she remained silent, acknowledging the sharp political line Rimuru had drawn.
Leon leaned back slightly, his cold voice cutting through the quiet. "A noble posture, candidate, or rather, Demon Lord Rimuru. But do not confuse this council's acceptance with human obedience. The Western Holy Church and the human rulers will not discard their fear or their doctrines simply because you hold a seat here. They will judge you by your strength to enforce that boundary, not by the words you speak in this chamber."
"I know," Rimuru answered without flinching. "And I intend to enforce it."
Guy let out a low, amused breath. "Sovereignty is defined by responsibility, Rimuru, not by species. If you can enforce that boundary against the human nations through strength and diplomacy, the council will not interfere. Your condition is accepted."
Behind Rimuru, Shizue closed her eyes, a soft, profound smile spreading across her face. 'Monsters gaining recognition through diplomacy and structure, rather than fear alone… You really are changing this world, Rimuru-san.'
Guy gestured toward the empty space beside Loki. The stone floor rippled upward, shaping itself into a ninth obsidian chair. "Take your seat, Demon Lord Rimuru."
Rimuru walked forward, feeling the heavy, undeniable weight of the moment pressing down on his shoulders with every step. This wasn't just a physical seat; it was a permanent shift in the world's power grid. He pulled out the heavy chair and sat down among the ancient rulers of the world.
Ramiris stared around the table, carefully counting the occupied chairs on her tiny fingers. Her excited smile slowly faltered.
"Wait..." Ramiris blinked, looking around the circle. "There are nine of us now. Octagram means eight!"
A subtle ripple of amusement and exasperation passed around the table. The ancient balance of the world had officially been expanded, and the physical reality of the ninth chair laid bare the fact that the political map had just been rewritten.
Guy closed his eyes, pressing two fingers firmly against his forehead. "We will address the name after our urgent agenda."
Loki's coin stopped dead between his knuckles as he smirked across the table. "I did warn you this would happen." He leaned toward Rimuru, his tone dropping into a quiet, genuine murmur. "Welcome to the table, little brother. Now the real work begins, because from this second on, every decision you make holds the weight of a nation."
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