03x16 - (D) Benimaru's Ordeal

[bunniefuu]

♪

[RIMURU]
When they said "Tengu,"

I was imagining something
a little more like this.

♪

"Tengu" is written with the
kanji for "heaven" and "dog,"

so I thought they'd be a hybrid
race born of angels and wolves.

[RAPHAEL]
Notice, strictly speaking,

they are not a hybrid race.

A Tengu is the incarnation
of an angel in a wolf's body.

[RIMURU]
Gotcha, then an incarnate race.

[RAPHAEL]
Notice.

Strictly speaking,
they are not a race at all.

Tengu are created
when a singular angel

incarnates
into an individual host.

[RIMURU]
The girl in front of me

is the daughter
of the Tengu elder, Kaede,

a woman revered
as "the God of the Mountain."

Good day,
Great Demon Lord Rimuru.

My name is Momiji,
and I have come to you

in the Tengu leader's stead.

It is a great pleasure
to meet you.

[sighs]

[wind howling]

[RIMURU]
Soon after we established peace

with Hinata and her crew,
I sent a team with Benimaru

up to the Tengu village
in the Kusha Mountains,

hoping for their permission
to build a road

through the mountain
to Thalion.

Huh.

[BENIMARU]
That must be it.

[wind howling]

With that barrier,
I'd say it's likely.

-[MALE TENGU WARRIOR A] Halt.
-[both gasp]

[BENIMARU]
This one seems skilled.

Beyond this point lies
the Tengu's hidden village.

Speak your purpose.

I have come as an envoy
for the Demon Lord

known as Rimuru.

Hmm.

The two of you
in front may pass.

[footsteps]

[clanging]

[footsteps]

[clanging]

[both gasp]

[wind rustling]

[BENIMARU]
Goodness.

No wonder this village
is impossible to find.

It's in a pocket dimension.

Stay close behind me.

♪

[BENIMARU]
We cannot let our guard down.

They are at least as capable
as Carrion, if not more so.

Out with it, envoy.

What business have you with us?

Do you endeavor
to seize control of this land?

[sighs]

We have no such intentions.

We only seek permission
to pass through

the Kusha Mountains safely.

[BENIMARU] Though, if possible,
we would like permission

to build a tunnel
through them as well.

[MOMIJI]
Hmph.

No territorial ambitions,
you say.

If you were merely
passing through,

you need no permission,
but speak more on this tunnel.

I do not have all the details,
but I'm told it will involve

digging a hole
through the mountains

to lead to the other side.

Hmm.
Hold on.

You can't be serious.

You want to dig
through the mountains?

The plans I saw
indicated as much.

But that is unrelated to the
route we're traveling today.

Ideally, we would leave here
with a potential travel route

in mind for the future.

But if you are opposed,
we won't force the issue.

Digging a hole through
our sacred mountains?

Is that really acceptable?

You must take us for fools.

Even if the slime did
become a Demon Lord,

we planned to let him do
as he pleased,

so long as he left
our people alone.

[MOMIJI] We were even
willing to overlook you

bringing that snake
who reeks of beast in here.

[gasps]

But if you're also going to
belittle our sacred mountains,

there is but
one course of action.

By "snake who reeks of beast,"
are you referring to me?

Albis, don't.

[grunts]

A worthless parlor trick.

You realize I'm the daughter
of the Tengu elder?

Your status moves
have no effect on me.

[gasps]

♪

[grunting]

♪

Finished already?

I suppose the
Three Beastketeers aren't so

legendary after all.

You have quite the ego for
someone of such small stature.

I went easy on you because
we were trying to negotiate,

but perhaps there's
no further need for talk.

[MOMIJI] "Went easy?"
Hmph, that's my line.

The last thing I want is a dead
messenger girl in my garden.

[BENIMARU]
Well, this went downhill fast.

♪

[metal creaking]

[gasps]

That's enough of that.

I apologize for stirring up
any unpleasant feelings,

but I cannot allow you
to k*ll my companion.

S-Sir Benimaru!
Are you implying that I'd lose?

I am.

Had I not stopped her just now,

she would have
sliced you in half.

That's a lie,
I was being careful!

It's clear you haven't mastered
full control of your aura.

There was far too much
strength in that swing.

What?
But, I...

[ALBIS]
No, that can't be right.

[KAEDE]
What seems to be the problem?

Oh, good morning, mother!

Sir Benimaru, my name is Kaede.

[KAEDE] I apologize for the
actions of my foolish daughter.

My lady, you needn't
put yourself out,

we only wanted
to pay our respects.

[chuckles]

It's no trouble at all,
young man.

I must say,
I was very impressed

with your swordsmanship.

[KAEDE]
Haze style?

How?

No, I shouldn't be surprised.

[BENIMARU] Lady Momiji's dance
resembled movements of my own.

It must be the same.

That's correct.

I learned the Haze style,
as well, long ago.

My master was a man
named Byakuya Araki.

[gasping]

♪

[KAEDE]
Some three centuries ago

I was living
in the Ogre Village,

working eagerly
to polish my sword skills.

My master, Byakuya,
had a grandson.

Who was my senior disciple.

[wood clanking]

[gasps]

[thuds]

What talent he had.

He was a true child
of the sword.

♪

[giggles]

Master Araki
was so proud of him.

He used to say,
"nothing vexes me more

than being unable
to give you a name."

But our master was human.

If he named a member of a
monster race too carelessly,

he could have lost his life.

Byakuya eventually
passed of old age,

and the grandson he left behind
became known

as the "Sword Savant."

That so?

♪

[KAEDE] After a time,
the two of us fell in love,

and were wed.

♪

Wait, hold on just a moment.

Could you be talking
about Hakuro?

Oh, Hakuro, you say?

I see.

So, the Sword Savant
finally earned a name.

My, what a surprise.

To think he is still alive
after all of this time.

[chuckles]

Huh.

[BENIMARU]
Wait a minute...

does that mean
Hakuro is the father?

[clearing throat]

[KAEDE] But this has put
my heart at ease.

A man as fine as you,
raised by my beloved.

You'll make a perfect suitor
for my darling daughter.

[spitting]

Hey, Mom, you can't just...

Now, Master Benimaru,

I shall accept every aspect
of your previous proposal.

And the Tengu are willing
to affiliate ourselves

with Demon Lord Rimuru,
as well.

[KAEDE]
On the sole condition, however,

that you agree
to marry my daughter.

[clearing throat]

Wait a second!

It's all well and good that
you've approved of this man

for whatever reason,

but I haven't approved
of him yet, you know!

Really?

♪

[MOMIJI] While I agree
he does look strong enough.

I can't accept this.

I don't want him to be
with me because you said so.

He should fall
in love with me first,

and then we can get married!

"A good woman makes her man
fall in love every day!"

I mean, that's what
you always say, right?

[running footsteps]

[groans]

[wind rustling]

I'm sorry I can't yet
give you an answer.

Please allow me to return home

and consider your proposal
more carefully.

You may take all the time
you need to think it over.

Momiji is still only


But for the time being, I hope
for a favorable relationship

between my people
and Lord Rimuru.

For, despite my looks,
all that remains for me

is to await my death.

[sighing]

♪

[ALBIS] I didn't realize
Lady Kaede was so gravely ill.

She certainly
doesn't look it, does she?

I do not think it's an illness.

No?

[BENIMARU] She carried Momiji
in her womb for a long time,

imbuing her with her strength.

Chances are, once she gave
birth and named her,

it's likely she lost
all the magicules

which earned her that

"God of the Mountain" title
to begin with.

[ALBIS]
Oh.

I...
I see.

[birds chirping]

[KAEDE]
Darling.

That young man
is the last ray of hope

you could have granted me.

I have very high hopes
that he's just what

our naive little girl needs,
as she still has much to learn.

But, if he refuses, so be it.

You are with Demon Lord Rimuru
now, are you not?

I had thought that
you would pass before me.

How happy I am to be mistaken.

I wonder...

when you look upon your
daughter for the first time,

will you think just as fondly
on the past as I do?

[RIMURU]
And that brings us up to speed.

I'm Rimuru, and I just
became a Demon Lord.

I'm generally a pacifist,
but if any issues arise,

feel free to come to me.

That's generous of you,
but unnecessary.

When you were recognized
as the ruler of this forest,

I expected you to be
a good neighbor to us.

But, you will not interfere
in our affairs.

[GABIRU]
Not good.

[whimpering]

[RIMURU]
Oh, no, not again.

She's going to choose violence.

[deep breath]

Whew, guess she has gotten
better with self-restraint.

Still kinda scary, though.

Oh, ah...

[whimpering]

[RIMURU]
Looks like she is just barely

keeping it together, too.

Experienced or not, once any
leader is underestimated,

they're done for.

So, I know how she feels.

[RIMURU] All right, you've made
your position clear.

Now, pardon me for asking,
but do you recognize

the High Orcs who have already
migrated to the mountains?

We do, the Orcs
are no problem at all.

We stake no claim on the right

to harvest
the mountain's blessings.

They can do as they please
with any ore they find.

We simply detest interference,
that's all there is to it.

[RIMURU]
Then, why is she so wary of us?

You know, we really
don't have any intentions

of starting a fight
with the Tengu.

[MOMIJI]
You expect me to believe that?

[RIMURU] Yeah,
all Tempest wants is peace

with the other nations.

Is there something that's
made you think otherwise?

Our intel states Tempest
has aligned itself

with that scheming pest
known as Frey.

We aren't ignorant, you know.

Your allies
are all the proof we need.

-[RIMURU] Time out!
-Ah?

And what does that mean?

[RIMURU]
It means give me a moment

to consult with my people!

So, what we thinkin'?

[SOEI]
Former Demon Lord Frey's domain

is connected
to the Kusha Mountains.

With that kind of proximity,
I wouldn't be surprised to hear

there was some sort of friction
between her and the Tengu.

[RIMURU]
That's true.

It's possible
she's invaded them before.

You think?
What reason could she have?

Lady Frey
much prefers high places.

Maybe the Tengu's home base
was attractive to her.

[RIMURU] Nah, surely
she wouldn't invade them

just for that.

Besides, their hidden village
is in another dimension

or something, isn't it?

-It sure is.
-[all groaning]

[MOMIJI]
Um, excuse me!

Do you ignore all
of your important guests?

[GROUP]
Huh?

Listen, Demon Lord Frey

was after the Sorcerous
Dynasty of Thalion!

But to get to it, she had
planned to take command

over the entire Tengu village!

[RIMURU]
Wait, what?

Why would Frey
want to invade Thalion?

[MOMIJI] Thalion is home
to a city in the sky,

nestled in the canopy
of a giant tree.

And as the Sky Queen,
Frey was desperate

to make it her own.

[RIMURU]
Huh?

Geld was actually
right about that?

Apparently, Demon Lord Frey,
Thalion, and the Tengu village

were perpetually in some sort
of twisted three-way deadlock.

Then the battle between me
and Clayman broke out,

and boom, before you knew it,

both Carrion and Lady Frey
became subordinates

of Demon Lord Milim.

It was the birth
of a massive new power.

There was no way
for the Tengu to fight back

against that on their own,

so they've spent
every day since

arguing over
how they should proceed.

And then, Benimaru's team
showed up at their door.

Maybe it was a bad idea
to send Albis with him.

Momiji must have mistaken
the presence of a Beastkeeter

as an act of intimidation.

[RIMURU] Geld, have you spoken
to Lady Frey?

I have.
Briefly, anyway.

She said she was rather pleased
with your vision

for the new capital city.

[RIMURU]
I see.

In that case,
she's probably lost

all interest in Thalion, right?

I would assume so.

[RIMURU]
Well, there you have it.

Seems like the Tengu no longer
have a reason to worry.

You mean I had the wrong
impression all along?

[all chuckle]

♪

[RIMURU]
With all that cleared up,

our talks quickly
came to an end.

We agreed that
we'd be ready and willing

to come to each other's aid,
should the need ever arise.

Okay, I think we're done here.

My Lord,
you have made this negotiation

quite favorable for us.

Our people truly
appreciate your generosity.

[sighs]

[MALE TENGU WARRIOR A]
If I may, there is something

Lady Kaede wanted
me to give you.

A letter, addressed
to His Majesty Rimuru.

"Greetings and best regards.

I hope this pleasant
spring weather

finds you in good health
and even greater prosperity."

[SHUNA]
"Now, that's enough preamble.

You know not the joy I felt
when I heard that

you were alive and well
after all of these years,

my beloved."

[whimpers]

"Unfortunately
I cannot see you,

as I am confined to my sickbed,

so I've sent
our daughter in my place.

It seems
she's complicated things

with a slight misunderstanding,

but I request that you still
treat her favorably."

[RIMURU] Wait,
is this letter really for me?

It's clearly not, right?

"Additionally, she boasted that
she would make

Sir Benimaru
fall in love with her...

[screams]

...such that he will make
an agreeable--"

[MOMIJI]
P-please stop reading!

Oh, this must be a mistake.

Clearly my mother is too
careless for her own good.

[RIMURU]
Ah, I get it.

She must have put
the letter for Hakuro

in the same envelope
as the one for me.

[chuckles]

[HAKURO]
Ah, how very like her.

[all gasp]

[RIMURU]
Hakuro!

Seems I returned
from the Kingdom of Falmuth

not a moment too soon.

[sighs]

[gasps]

[groans]

Now then, let's see.

"Her strength is great but her
skills are still lacking,

as often is her patience.

But as my senior disciple,
and as the girl's father,

I beg Hakuro, the Sword Savant,
please teach her, train her,

and guide her to success.

To my beloved husband,
from Kaede."

[chuckles]

My goodness.

So that silly woman
still loves me, does she?

And now I get to meet the
daughter I never knew I had.

[chuckles]

How grateful I am
to have lived so long.

Are...are you
really my father?

[HAKURO]
Indeed.

How lovely it is to meet you.

My name is Hakuro.

[gasps]

[sobbing]

-It's really you!
-[laughs]

[HAKURO] I must warn you,
my training can be quite harsh.

I know!

Sweetie, you will overcome
my teachings,

all in order to win
the young master's heart!

-[MOMIJI] Right!
-[both gasping]

-[RIMURU] Say what?
-[GELD] What?

Hakuro, slow down a second!

I do have my own position
to consider, here!

Come again?

Do you perhaps take issue
with my lovely daughter?

No, that's not what
I'm saying, and you know it!

Besides, you never even knew
she'd been born!

Why start the doting
daddy act now?

I've always wanted
to be a father.

It's time I make up for all
those years I've missed.

[RIMURU] I'm glad
slimes can't get wrinkles.

-I see, no wonder.
-[gasping]

Hey, brother?

I have a message
from Lady Albis.

Well, let's hear it.

[clearing throat]

"Sir Benimaru.

I have made up my mind
once and for all.

[SHUNA] I intend to triumph
over Miss Momiji

and win the role
of your legal wife.

Should I fail, then I will
happily accept my role

as your concubine instead.

But I will not give up,
so please prepare yourself."

[RIMURU]
Uh, you gonna be okay, bro?

-[groaning]
-[RIMURU] He's dead!

I've never seen him like this.

To think he had
such a weakness.

[RIMURU]
Yeah.

It must be tough being
loved by so many ladies.

Lord Rimuru, are you
being serious right now?

I don't think you have
any room to say that.

[RIMURU]
What do you mean?

[chuckles]

I for one only have eyes
for Lord Rimuru.

Romance is
but a needless distraction.

[RIMURU]
Uh, no one asked you.

Benimaru is popular,
there's no denying it.

Apparently, one of my
sister's subordinates

has had her eyes on him lately,

but she'll have a tough time
getting past Lady Albis

and Miss Momiji.

[SOEI]
You mean Toka?

Though, it's not just her.

I suppose it could be
Saika as well.

Yes, that's right.

And speaking of, I heard
the two of them gave up on you

out of respect for Soka!

Don't be ridiculous.

Well, I'm just telling you
what I heard!

So, Benimaru has a harem?

[GABIRU]
Mm-hm.

[RIMURU] Come to think of it,
there's Albis,

the femme fatale.

Momiji, the cheeky, cute,
bubbly type.

Not to mention the other ladies
clamoring for his attention.

Aw, man, I'm so jealous!

His own harem!
How incredibly enviable!

Your jealousy
is a waste of breath.

Benimaru is a surprisingly
late bloomer,

dealing with women
is not his forte.

Under the tough-guy act, I'll
bet he's utterly bewildered.

Given how naturally
manly he is,

it makes sense he would
gain their admiration.

There is much
I could learn from him.

Come now, Geld,
you're fine just as you are!

[GABIRU]
Anyway, as I was saying,

Toka and Saika won't even
give me the time of day.

Sir Gabiru looks so strong
and manly up there, doesn't he?

So true, he is a man
among men, yup!

We'll follow you forever,
Sir Gabiru!

-Oh, yeah! Uh-huh!
-[ALL] Gabiru! Gabiru!

All my subordinates are men,
it's very disheartening.

I bet that makes it hard
to meet anyone new.

I know how that feels,
at least.

Actually, there are a bunch
of lady dwarf doctors

where I work,
I talk to them all the time.

Then what's the problem
with those ladies?

[RIMURU] What are these
dorks even talking about?

I wish I could tell you.

They all say stuff like,
"but being with a lizard

is impossible!"

-It sucks.
-Ah, that's too bad.

[RIMURU] That interspecies
hurdle is a high one.

[GABIRU] Nanso and Hokuso
invite Goblina's

out for dinner dates
all the time.

And do you know what?
They go!

They always go!

I just can't stand it anymore,

[voice breaking]
I'm so lonely!

Then, maybe you just
need some new moves?

Nonsense.

Simply stop trying
and let them come to you.

[RIMURU]
Soei, you genius!

Yeah, I think Soei's
got the right idea!

Either way, women
are actually easier to sway

than any of you might think.

Y-You mean that?

[GROUP]
Hmm?

Ahh?

[SOEI] Remember
that lady knight I fought?

[GOBTA]
Oh, yeah, I remember her!

Seriously?
What happened?

-[GELD] Details!
-[RIMURU] Yeah, bro, deets!

-[SHUNA] Ahem!
-[RIMURU] Ah.

All right, Lord Rimuru,
enough joking around.

We are talking about my
brother right now, remember?

[RIMURU]
Right.

So, Benimaru,
how do you feel about all this?

Well, honestly, it's too soon
to make a decision either way.

But I can say this,

one spouse is more than enough.

[gasps]

[RIMURU] I guess
that means no harem, then.

I understand!

Then I'll accept
Albis' challenge,

and whatever happens next,
may the best wife win!

[grunting]

Now, Shuna.

Lord Rimuru, is that agreeable?

[RIMURU]
I mean, why not?

I can't let them have
an actual one-on-one duel,

but competing to sway
the heart of the man they love

should be fine!

Understood, sir!

I'll take what you said
to heart!

[RIMURU]
Oh, uh...

I suddenly have a bad feeling
about this.

[nervous chuckle]

I hope you're ready, Shuna.

The same goes for you, Shion.

[RIMURU] I don't know
what I just walked into,

but maybe I should
get outta here!

[RIMURU] And as of that day
in the monster nation,

a bizarre new custom was born,

in which one strives to make
the one they love fall in kind.

It came to be known
as "Love and w*r."

[RAPHAEL] Next time,
"The Lightspeed Hero."