One Week Later
"Thump, thump, thump!"
The knocking hammered through the quiet morning of Dimensional City's central district. Takumi, buried in blankets, groaned loudly and pretended he didn't hear it.
"Click…"
Sakuya stepped into the room. Her expression showed a familiar frustration—waking Takumi was always her most difficult daily mission.
But today, she wasn't alone.
A petite girl followed her, tiptoeing over to Takumi's bedside. She gently nudged him.
"Brother Takumi! Wake up… it's morning."
The soft, sweet voice drifted into his ears.
Takumi's eyes opened instantly.
"Nezuko?! Why are you here?!"
Nezuko smiled brightly.
"I came with Sister Shizue. She went to find Lord Rimuru, so I came to play with Brother Takumi!"
"Shizue? She's here? Why?"
Sakuya answered while handing him a warm towel.
"Miss Shizu came to discuss building a school with Lord Rimuru."
"A school? With Rimuru? Shouldn't she go to Kagaya for things like that?"
Sakuya's tone turned helpless.
"Mr. Kagaya is still in the Dwarf Kingdom managing the highway project. Lord Rigurd is out surveying ore deposits with Kurut. Benimaru, Kanae, and the other commanders are also occupied."
Translation: Only Rimuru and Takumi were free.
Takumi sighed.
"Well, why not ask me…?"
Then he remembered the rumors.
The whole town knew that Takumi was an expert loafer, and that Sakuya's hardest job was waking him. For important matters, people always went to Rimuru first.
He coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem. Nezuko, Sakuya, wait outside. I'll take you out after I get ready."
After washing up, Takumi walked out to the living room. Rimuru, Shizue (Rakasha), and Nezuko were enjoying pastries—Sakuya's handiwork.
"Takumi! Finally awake!" Rimuru waved.
Takumi sat. "So, about that school…?"
Rimuru shrugged. "Shizue and I agreed to use the west district as the school grounds. But don't ask me about the curriculum—I only approved the land."
Takumi rubbed his forehead.
In the original story, Rimuru was far more responsible… Now she's totally relying on me.
System, whose fault is that?
[Host, are you not aware? The problem is you.]
Right. As expected.
Shizue laughed softly.
"No need to worry. I already arranged the teachers. Hakurou will teach swordsmanship once a week. The Demon Slayer Corps' Pillars will rotate teaching combat courses. Shuna will cover magic, and the Treant Sisters will teach nature and spiritual control."
Rimuru and Takumi blushed.
"Please don't expose us like that… we'll lose face…"
Shizue smiled. "If anything comes up, I'll ask you two."
Takumi nodded bravely, "Leave it to us!"
Suddenly—
"Bang!!"
Gobuta burst into the room.
"Lord Rimuru! Lord Takumi! Many knights riding pegasi have arrived at the town's entrance! Benimaru and the others already rushed there!"
Rimuru stood up instantly.
Takumi's eyes narrowed.
Pegasus knights… Gazel Dwargo has arrived.
"Takumi! Let's go!"
"Yeah, let's see which VIP descended today."
Town Entrance — Arrival of the King
High above the entrance, dozens of pegasi circled majestically.
At their head rode a muscular dwarf with an unshakable aura.
Gazel Dwargo, King of the Armed Nation of Dwargon.
He looked down at the lively town—Dimensional City's outer ring, filled with magic-tech pillars, drones, and racial diversity.
"So this is the city of coexistence that Mr. Kagaya spoke of… A nation built by monsters and humans… but unlike any I've seen."
His eyes sharpened.
Beneath him, Benimaru, Shuna, Souei, and others stood ready.
Then Rimuru and Takumi arrived.
Gazel's gaze immediately shifted to Takumi.
"That man… His presence feels as vast as a dimensional abyss."
Souei flickered behind Takumi.
"They are waiting for your greeting, Lord Takumi."
Takumi sighed.
Why me? Rimuru's the leader…
Rimuru whispered, "Takumi, you're the founder of Dimensional City. It's your turn."
Takumi stepped forward.
"Welcome to Dimensional City, King Dwargo."
Gazel narrowed his eyes. "Dimensional… City. A bold name."
"It is a city that will one day connect dimensions and realms." Takumi said confidently.
That statement alone shocked the surrounding knights.
Gazel dismounted, landing heavily but firmly.
"Takumi… you aim for a nation beyond the world's boundaries?"
Takumi smiled faintly.
"With technology, magic, and unity—why not?"
Behind him, holographic drones activated, projecting a 3D map of the city.
Rimuru whispered, "You're using holo-projectors again!"
Takumi ignored her.
The map displayed future expansion zones, dimensional gates, resource districts, and the soon-to-be Dimensional Academy.
Gazel was speechless.
"This… This technology… Not even the Dwarves possess anything remotely close."
Takumi's eyes glowed faintly—the Herrscher of Finality reacting to his growing ambition.
"Dimensional City will become a beacon of civilization in this world. We welcome Dwargon's friendship."
Gazel fell silent for a long moment.
Then—
"Hahahahaha! Excellent! Rimuru, Takumi—your city has potential worthy of alliance."
He knelt slightly, performing a warrior's salute.
Rimuru blinked. "The king is surprisingly friendly today…"
Takumi's System chimed:
[New Quest: Diplomatic Foundation]
[Reward: Blueprint — Dimensional Embassy Hub]
Takumi grinned.
Perfect timing.
Tour of the City
Takumi led Gazel through the central districts.
Gazel marveled at:
floating transport platforms,
mana-purification towers,
elemental reactors,
automated forges powered by spirit stones,
and construction golems operated by Orc Labor Corps.
"This efficiency… it surpasses modern civilization."
Takumi nodded.
"Dimensional City was designed to evolve endlessly."
"Evolve?" Gazel repeated.
Takumi's voice turned serious.
"There will come a day when threats from other worlds appear. To protect the Jura Alliance, a single world-level defense is insufficient."
Gazel felt a chill.
"You see that far ahead…?"
Takumi's golden Herrscher eyes flickered.
"I must."
The King's Decision
After the tour, Gazel spoke solemnly.
"Takumi. Rimuru. I, Gazel Dwargo, recognize Dimensional City as a rising superpower."
Benimaru and the others widened their eyes.
Gazel continued:
"You will reshape the world. And Dwargon will not be left behind. From today onward, I propose a mutual technological and diplomatic alliance."
Rimuru gasped.
Takumi smiled calmly.
"Dimensional City accepts."
Gazel added deeply:
"And Takumi… I wish to speak privately with you. Your power… is beyond what nations should hold."
Takumi's aura surged momentarily.
"Then let us talk, King Dwargo."