04x06 - The Council of the West

[bunniefuu]

The portrait in the mirror asks

"Who am I truly?"
as they're refraining

Even looking from the opposite angle

I am tormented by
an endless loop with no exit

Ah, but then I meet people

Looking at the smile
reflected in their eyes

I will come to recognize something
more precious than myself

Even if they laugh,
saying it's a pipe dream

It's the future I want
to achieve and protect

Justice and pseudo-justice,
a conflicting world

But I still want to love it

We're alike

But we're not the same

We're alive

For the unyielding dream

[That Time I Got Reincarnated
as a Slime Season 4]

[Episode 78: The Council of the West]

You punks.

Ya' messin' with me or what?

Y'all aware that you're demanding these
from a Demon Lord, right?

This preposterous list of demands.

The demands the council presented
were absolutely outrageous.

One, Tempest is to extend
the magic train line

to the Kingdom of Engrassia,

and is also to bear all construction
costs associated with it.

Two, Tempest is to provide high-quality
military equipment.

The purpose is to bolster the military
capabilities of Western nations,

and this will involve seeking
cooperation from Tempest.

Three, Tempest is to admit the treasure
found in its dungeon as humanity's.

Which means involving the Council
in its management.

Four, Tempest, upon becoming
a member of the Council,

is to pay a fixed annual fee.

Additionally, regarding the election
of council members,

for safety reasons,
only humans shall be eligible.

Isn't this tantamount to saying you want
to enslave me and my people?

Y-Your Majesty Rimuru.

Such was never our intention.

That's right!

We were so eager to deepen
our bonds with your country,

we just couldn't help ourselves to…

To what?

To belittle our country?

Oh, no. What have I done?!

Ugh, I'm such an idiot!

All the connections I've built up
with humans over the years…

Notice.

No problem.

I've confirmed the presence of a mental
interference affecting this area.

Mental interference?

Which means…

Someone is trying to…

…manipulate the direction of this
meeting by using the councillor?

Yes.

However, due to your
surge of anger,

a crack has appeared
in the spell that had been cast.

Would you like to have it removed?

My answer to that is, of course…

A yes.

Of course His Majesty Rimuru
would be furious!

Of course he would!

Who did something
this inconsiderate?!

Yeah, who did this?!

None of these were discussed
in our previous meeting!

They have finally come to their senses.

No way… Is it mind control?

Nah, it's not that powerful.

It was probably just a mental interference
that narrowed their field of vision.

But who did this?

Yuuki would… not do this.

He wouldn't use a method that
leaves any evidence behind.

Which means, one of those seemingly
laid-back blokes set this up.

Despite knowing how furious
a Demon Lord is,

they're acting as if they're
holding a trump card.

Master Rimuru.

Some armed individuals
are approaching the venue.

Please excuse me.

What is going on?!
We're in the middle of a council meeting!

Here they come in droves again.
I think I'm seeing a few familiar faces…

Your Highness Prince Elrick,
who are these gentlemen?

I called them here.

I'm teaching those outlaws a lesson.

Have you gone insane, Lord Gaban?!

What's the meaning of this?!

Is this some scheme
by the Kingdom of Engrassia?

Lord Gaban, I've heard
nothing about this!

Relax.

Deep down, everyone here fears
the Demon Lord Rimuru.

Tell me if I'm wrong!

That is more than enough reason…

…to defeat and conquer the
Demon Lord Rimuru right here and now.

Once we're done with him,

we'll have one of the Octagram
and the Veldora himself as our pawns!

That doesn't justify any of this!

Your Majesty Rimuru!

This has to be some kind of mistake!
The Council is against this!

Your Highness.

What kind of sick joke is this?

You disappointed me, Hinata.

You, a humanity's guardian, cower before
the Demon Lord and abandon your duty.

What did you say?

Had you cooperated, I would've
treated you with the utmost courtesy.

Allow me to introduce.

The formidable mercenary, Lord Guy,

along with the leader and members

of his famous mercenary group,
the Apostles of Vert.

I see.

So he's the boss of
Team Green Fury, huh?

Standing before you is Engrassia's
mightiest man and my proud knight.

He's Reiner, the Grand Master of
the Royal Knights of Engrassia!

I gathered the best of the best
to defeat the Demon Lord.

So don't get so carried away
thinking that you're the strongest.

Now, you sit tight as you watch
his defeat from the sidelines.

This is so you won't trouble the Western
Holy Church, and, by extension, Lubelius.

I can't allow that.

I am here as an outside witness.

I might overlook it
if this were the council's will,

but I am not in a position to tolerate
the misconduct of a single individual.

I don't give a damn whether you're
the head of Holy Knights or whatever.

Not only you couldn't even beat that
pathetic Demon Lord over there,

now you're also licking each
other's wounds? Ridiculous.

You are just a wimp who ran away
while wetting your pants.

Councilors!

Now is the time
to make your stance clear!

Will you be the hero
who defeats the Demon Lord,

or will you become
the enemy of humanity?

Those of you present here
will make the right choice!

I, Elrick von Engrassia,
have faith in you all!

Now, now.

All these farces,
yet we're still deciding by a vote?

Well, of course.

This is the council.

Not that it is necessary, to begin with.

Well then, let's have a vote.

We shall defeat the Demon Lord
here and now and rule over him.

Those in favor, rise!

I want everyone to think carefully about
Lord Gaban's words once more.

He's awfully full of himself.
Don't tell me…

Yes.

There's proof of bribery
and the like found by Soei…

…while he was investigating
the internal affairs of various countries.

I knew it.

Bribing councilors from other countries
is a major international issue…

…and I believe we have the proof
inside my stomach.

Yes.

Then, once we expose that,
it'll all be over.

Notice.

We don't have to do that.

Even without presenting evidence,
you have already won, Master.

Let us all become the heroes
who will defeat the Demon Lord!

Oh, I see now.

The decision has been made!

Since the majority has been reached,
this agenda is hereby approved!

This is Orb of Domination,
which allows you to control monsters.

Hmm? Isn't that the one
that was used on Milim…

…when she pretended to be controlled
during Walpurgis?

Yes.

Real as it may seem,

it is impossible to control Master
with the Orb of Domination.

Demon Lord Rimuru.

Just put on this orb without a fight,
then we won't have to use force.

Isn't accepting reality without putting up
a futile struggle what makes a true king?

I'll return those words right
back to you, Your Highness.

Shouldn't you be the one to face reality?

What are you…

Wha…

This isn't what we agreed on…!

What's wrong, everyone…?!

How entertaining!

I suppose they thought they could win
through bribery and mental interference,

but the councilors they were
working with came to their senses

and realized how foolish they'd been.

Are you lot betraying me?!

What His Highness said!

Break your promise,
and our country will withdraw its aid…

Care to clarify what that means?

W-Well, Chairman, this is, um…

Flood prevention projects
in the Kingdom of Raibach.

The Kingdom of Carnada is said
to be promised food aid,

and various other forms of support.

Y-You… How do you…

However, if you don't follow their orders,
the project gets canceled…

That's a pretty nasty way
to coerce people.

How do you know about that?!

My men did some digging.

I was worried you might
deny the accusation, but…

You somehow admitted it yourself.

What's the meaning of this?
- What, a bribe?!

Inconceivable!

Cut the crap!

You have nothing to
give up for, Lord Elrick.

All will be taken care of as long as
I defeat the Demon Lord.

Reiner!

Indeed, we still have you
as our trump card!

Lord Elrick, per our contract, we're only
serving you as your bodyguards.

Cowards can only get in the way.

Oh?

Vert seems to have
no relation to this matter.

Looks like they aren't
exactly united after all.

You lot… Keep this
act up and I will…

Are they planning
to take drastic measures?

I suppose I wouldn't mind
dealing with them, though.

Notice.

Master, if you respond directly,
it will indubitably drop your standing.

Thought so.

I'll take care of this one, Rimuru.

You sure?

As an outside witness, I can't just
overlook such an outrageous act.

Besides…

This guy went out
of his way to insult me.

How laughable.

If you're willing to be my girl right now,
I might just pamper you a little.

Nope, he's done for.

Hey now, Lord Reiner.
Isn't that a bit tacky?

But I'm also interested
in the Demon Lord.

I'm really looking forward to
what we can do after we conquer him.

Eek?!

Is that old fart into me or something?!
Gosh, what a freak…

I went out of my way to warn you,
but I never thought you'd be this stupid.

You seem pretty full of yourself now
that you've been hailed as a saint.

But I, the strongest knight
in the Kingdom of Engrassia,

am going to tear your mask off!

Well then, I suppose I'll take on
the Demon Lord myself.

Yeah, but don't k*ll him, okay?

Who knows whether the Demon Lord can
survive my newly acquired holy sword!

If he wants to fight me,
he'll have to clear the dungeon first.

I guess I'll let Benimaru handle this.

Benimaー

I've been holding back this whole time.

But you all are being far too rude
to Master Rimuru.

Huh?

Just how much do you underestimate
us humans, Demon Lord Rimuru?!

Have you no shame to
hide behind a frail woman?

I was actually about to…

Silence.

Someone like you isn't even worth
Master Rimuru or my brother's time.

I'll show no mercy, even if I'm up
against women or children.

Master Rimuru,
if something happens, I'll…

Yeah.

But, I think it'll be okay.

It looks like Shuna's done analyzing him.

Huh, looks like the fight over
there's gonna be dull as hell.

Well, I guess this one is, too,

seeing it'll be over
in the blink of an eye!

Whoa!

Come on, get up.

Aren't you the strongest in the
Kingdom of Engrassia?

W-What's the matter
with you, my knight?!

Saint Hinata shouldn't
even be a match for you!

I can't. I have no chance!
There's no way I'm gonna win!

Take this!

Impossible.

You felt like it was worthy of
calling it the Holy Sword.

It is just a piece of trash.

Monsters like you have no right
to look down on me!

Wow, I didn't expect Shuna to be
pretty good at hand-to-hand combat, too…

Yes.

She's been training in
martial arts under Hakuro.

Dammit!

Dear God, I send my prayers unto thee.

Mine humble soul yearns
for spirits' might.

H-Hey!

That spell…
It can't be…

Grant this mine humble suit.

Wait!

This is… Not this magic!

O all things, come to an end.

Stop!

Disintegration.

Ah…

Oh, man…

She's gone and done it.

Oh, he's alive.

Oh my, I guess I really shouldn't be
using magic that I'm still practicing.

Looks like it didn't work out
because I'm still lacking in skill.

She sure has the nerve to say that,
albeit demonstrating perfect control.

I-Impossible…

So, um…

Your Highness… Elrick, was it?

Do you still want to continue?

Uh… no…

Well, how shall I make
him pay for this?

Notice.

Detecting murderous intent
from a long distance.

The target is
the individual named Elrick.

Must be the culprit.

A handgun? No way you could hit
anything from that distance.

Notice. She's using
a type of Spatial Movement.

It's Spatial Connection!

Beelzebub!

Your Highness Elrick,
are you all right?!

He's unharmed. It's impressive
how fast he reacted just in time.

You can say that again.

He's really something else.

Are you saying something this tiny
could k*ll a person?

That's a b*llet.
You need a device to fire it.

But why are they targeting
His Highness Elrick?

They must have been planning
to frame the Demon Lord Rimuru.

Were Prince Elrick
to be k*lled in that situation,

he would be the prime suspect.

I guess those idiots were used
as expendable pawns.

Will my life be constantly targeted?

Well, I think you'll be fine.

Those schemes have
already been thwarted.

H-However!

I still have value as the next king…

Why would the Kingdom of Engrassia
be so lenient as to let a prince

who pulled such a foolish
stunt rise to the top?

Becoming king is not
all life is about, anyway.

Once you've atoned
for what happened here,

maybe it's time to take
a fresh look at your own life?

I thought a Demon Lord would be
a more terrifying and malevolent being.

I'm more of a peace-seeking one, honestly.

I was a fool to let myself be fooled.

You'd better take responsibility, Gaban.

Now then, what on earth
are you talking about?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Weren't you the one
who proposed this plan?!

Is that so? What proof do you have?

This is tricky. How am I
going to get him to talk?

His Majesty Aegil has arrived!

Everyone, please remain in your places!

F-Father…

I suppose it's the king's turn
to make an entrance, huh?

O Demon Lord of Tempest.

It seems my son has
brought you dire trouble.

Dire it really was, but we've cleared up
the misunderstanding.

I see.

I wish to express my apologies and
gratitude not as a king, but as a father.

You're forgiven,
but there won't be a next time.

Understood.

I, too, wish to build
a good relationship.

I kindly ask your cooperation.

That goes for me too.

Father…

Enough. You shall receive
a proper re-education.

Sir.

I understand.

As for you, Gaban.

I have a matter to ask you,

yet it seems you don't intend
to speak the truth.

I-It is never my intention
to do that…

I'll entrust your fate
to those Inquisitors of Magic.

P-Please spare me!
I'll tell you everything!

I beg you, have mercy!

P-Please, have mercy on me!

Is this also Maribel's plan…?

I don't know.

What is on her mind?

Have mercy on me!

And so, the instigators of
the disturbance were arrested.

The meeting then resumed, and the
three proposals were formally accepted.

Tempest is to be recognized
as a sovereign state.

The Council is to formally admit Tempest.

The Council's police force is
to be transferred into Tempest.

These were approved unanimously.

And this time,
I've realized something important.

I'm not cut out to play mind games
with these councilors.

I'll leave that sort of thing to
Ms. Raphael from now on.

Roger.

How can this be?! Why hasn't
Prince Elrick's presence vanished?

I need one more shot.

No, it's useless.

Did I underestimate
that devil's master, then?

That, you did.

You're severely underestimating
Master Rimuru.

You moron.

You failed the assassination
yet you stayed at the scene?

What keeps me alive

Is an endless longing

Once upon a time, life was
the light that nourished the vast earth

Then why do we fight?
The heavens must be fools

Will this chaotic justice
someday threaten my light as well?

The world's ideals
can never become one

Ah, defend, steal,
and win our way through

We'll just keep repeating it, won't we?

The life of the powerless is
counting down like an hourglass

Awaken your instinct to the angry voice,
follow where it leads

I am the apex, shaking the land

Be greedy, longing

Next time: The True Mastermind.