02x16 - (D) The Congress Dances

[bunniefuu]

[RIMURU] Diplomatic relations

were established

between Tempest and the

Sorcerous Dynasty of Thalion.

Altogether, Tempest now had

three human nations as allies,

including Blumund and Dwargon.

With that,

our meeting between

the humans and monsters ended.

Or so I thought, anyway.

Oh, that's right.

Ramiris still hasn't told me

why she came here.

[gasps]

Hang on a sec...

[RIMURU] Isn't that

the new golem I made for her

to replace the one I destroyed?

[BERETTA] Allow me

to congratulate you

on your recent evolution

to Demon Lord.

Thanks. I'm glad to see

you're doing well.

[BERETTA]

Ha, ha. Thank you for saying so.

[RIMURU] Mm. Be sure to do

whatever Ramiris asks of you,

unless it's impossible,

of course.

[BERETTA]

You can count on me.

I will live up to

your expectations.

[RIMURU] I wanted to ask,

why'd you guys come here today?

[BERETTA]

Uh.

Lady Ramiris.

We have no time to waste

on such frivolous things.

You must inform Lord Rimuru

of the situation immediately.

Shut up, Beretta.

Can't you see that

I'm busy at the moment?

[BERETTA] Please remember

our purpose for coming here.

Who cares?

Look, I've just had a meeting

with my destiny, okay?

I simply have to know who

the heroine is going to choose!

This odd-looking bundle

of parchments called manga

is amazing!

Hey, Ramiris!

If you don't want me to spoil

who she finally ends up with,

then you'd better tell me

why you're here now!

[RAMIRIS]

Right!

[RAMIRIS]

Ahem!

[inhales]

In that case, I'll say it again.

[RIMURU]

Huh...?

Your country, Tempest,

is doomed to fall!

That's it! Are you surprised?

[RIMURU] Not really--

you've said it twice.

Anyway, fortunately for you

and your country's people,

I don't want Tempest to perish!

That's why I came all the way

out here to warn you!

You're welcome, by the way.

Why is Tempest doomed, though?

It's important not to panic!

Right. Just calm down

and I'll tell you the story.

I didn't think I was panicking.

[RAMIRIS] On Demon Lord

Clayman's proposal--

Aw, man, that dude?

--it seems Walpurgis

has been set in motion!

Cool. But I don't

know what that is.

It's the Demon Lords'

banquet, duh!

An incredibly special event

that all Demon Lords attend!

It's called Walpurgis.

Ah, yes, according to something

I've read in ancient literature,

when they assemble,

a great w*r will ensue. Right?

A w*r?

Yes, that's what

I've heard, anyway.

The day the Demon Lords

gather was named "Walpurgis"

by the Western Holy Church.

So, Walpurgis is when

Demon Lords get together

to start a w*r?

What? Of course not!

Besides, I've got much more

important matters to attend to

then starting some stupid w*r.

[RIMURU]

Like hang out in a maze all day.

Believe it or not,

Walpurgis has been held

on several different occasions.

Basically, it's where all

the Demon Lords get together

to drink tea while

discussing urgent reports

and amusing topics.

So, It's very rarely

anything as dramatic as

starting a "great w*r."

Okay, so then how would this

tea party doom Tempest to fall?

You're still not getting it!

The problem isn't

Walpurgis itself, dummy.

It's what they'll be discussing!

Which is?

Listen up.

In order to even hold Walpurgis,

it has to be approved

by at least three Demon Lords.

And the ones who gave Clayman

the approval this time...

...were Frey and Milim Nava.

Milim, huh?

And Frey...

[BOTH growls]

[RAMIRIS] The topic will be

the birth of a new power

in the Great Forest of Jura!

One whose leader proclaims

himself to be a Demon Lord!

Be honest with me--

Did you really make

that claim, Rimuru?

It's true,

and I have no regrets.

Knowing you,

that's not surprising.

Well, it's probably going

to bring you a lot of trouble,

but with the power you possess,

I suppose you'll be okay.

[GROUP grunts]

[RIMURU]

So, what's Clayman's goal?

He wants to punish me

or something?

[RAMIRIS]

I believe so.

In this business, it's an

unspoken rule that you're free

to punish whoever you want.

[RIMURU]

Sure, "business."

Normally, Clayman would

handle that himself,

but instead,

he asked for Walpurgis.

Because of Demon Lord

Carrion's betrayal.

[GROUP gasps]

What are you saying?!

Who are those people...?

The Three Beastketeers

who serve Carrion.

[GROUP growls]

Oh? Well, snarling at the

messenger won't do you any good.

Just what betrayal does he claim

Lord Carrion has committed?

He broke the non-aggression pact

with the Great Forest of Jura.

From what I heard, he then

informed you that the majin

known as Mjurran worked

for Demon Lord Clayman, right?

[RIMURU] Let me guess,

after he told me that,

I k*lled Mjurran, huh?

[gasps]

[RIMURU]

Gotcha.

Is Clayman hoping to take over

the Forest of Jura?

Come on!

How can you be so calm

when this is such a big deal?

Carrion was apparently

obliterated by Milim.

And now Clayman has

ordered all of the majin

under his control to deploy!

Seriously? Sounds like he's

already making his move, then.

Damn that Clayman.

The dude's even more cunning

than I first thought.

[RAMIRIS] Exactly!

That's why I keep asking you

how you can be so calm!

[grunts, pants]

Would you relax?

There's no need to panic, mostly

because I didn't k*ll Mjurran.

What does that mean?

For starters, it means

Clayman is selling you

a big pack of lies.

Okay, can you prove that?

--[RIMURU chuckles]

--[RAMIRIS] Hmm?

[RAMIRIS]

Hmm?

Hi. Um, Demon Lord Ramiris?

The majin that he

allegedly m*rder*d is me.

Huh?

I'm the majin known as Mjurran.

[RAMIRIS]

Huh...?

Hmm... Hmm?

Ah! Hmm... Mm...!

[groans]

Ah!

I get it now! So Clayman

is actually the bad guy!

[laughs]

Clayman! You thought

you could fool me, eh?

I'm the Great Detective Ramiris!

There's no way

you could ever fool me!

I'm the Queen of Spirits,

and despite my youthful looks,

I possess the wisdom

of many long years!

Just like a grandmother.

This is the part where you say

I'm too cute to be a grandma!

[RIMURU] Glad to see

that Ramiris has been

enjoying our manga.

Hey, Ramiris. There's something

I'd like to ask you.

[RAMIRIS]

Hmm? Yes, what is it?

You can ask Great Detective

Ramiris anything you want.

It seems Clayman took the bait

I offered by "k*lling" Mjurran,

and now he's making

his big move.

But what do you think

the other Demon Lords will do?

[ERALD, GAZEL]

Hmm?

[GROUP sighs]

Huh? How should I know?

They were just like, "This

is why we're having Walpurgis,

so you better show up,"

or something like that.

Okay, then, when is Walpurgis?

Do you at least know when

they're having the meeting?

[RAMIRIS]

Let's see... One, two...

In three days, on the night

of the new moon.

That's pretty soon.

[RIMURU] It'd be tough

to take out Clayman

with only three days to do it.

So, in that case, I guess the

battle would have to take place

after Walpurgis.

[RIMURU] Why did you come

to tell me about this?

Because if you end up dead...

...who knows what'll happen

to my sweet Beretta?

[BERETTA] I appreciate

your concern for me.

Look, the point is, I'm here

because I've made up my mind

to take your side

in this battle!

So, I'm sure you don't mind

if I make a new entrance

to my Labyrinth here, do you?

Yes, I do mind!

Wha--?! It's not a big deal, no

need to sweat the small stuff.

I will absolutely sweat them,

and so should you!

[RAMIRIS]

Fine, I'll keep reading.

Hey!

[RIMURU] It looked as if our

meeting wasn't gonna be over

anytime soon, so we decided to

take a break for a little while.

[RAMIRIS giggling]

Cut it out, that tickles!

Enough! I can do

it myself, 'kay?

Lady Ramiris.

There's no need to be shy.

Yes. Please allow

my sister and I

to wash you--it'd be an honor!

[RAMIRIS giggling]

[TREYNI]

Do you itch anywhere, my lady?

[TRYA]

Come now, it's my turn!

[RIMURU]

I didn't know Trya was here.

Sounds like they're having

a lot of fun over there.

I should've gone over

to that side...

Ah...

I have to admit,

this is pretty amazing.

Yep. Absolutely perfect.

[RIMURU groans]

[GAZEL] Wait... Can you feel

that in a homunculus body?

[ERALD chuckles]

Hey, Eren! How's the water

feel over there?

[thunk]

[gasping]

[RIMURU groans]

[ERALD]

Aw... She's being shy.

Uh By the way, Master Rimuru.

[RIMURU]

What's up, my guy?

I wanted to propose building a

road that would directly connect

Tempest to my nation.

It'd certainly make travel

between the two much easier.

Do you have any thoughts?

[RIMURU] Yeah, I'm thinking

it sounds like you want us

to build the road.

Come now, Erald.

Don't you think you're asking

a little too much of Rimuru?

[RIMURU] Pretty rich coming

from the guy who sat back

while we did all the work on

the road to the Dwarven Kingdom.

You don't have

any room to talk here!

Only Master Rimuru

can say stuff like that!

[RIMURU]

Well said, my man!

[RIMURU]

You know what?

I totally agree

with the road thing.

We're willing to handle all

of the construction and stuff.

However...

However?

[RIMURU] I'd prefer that my

people handle guarding the road

and running any

lodging along it.

Those things both take money, so

naturally we'd need to collect

a toll to cover the expenses.

A fair point. I would say

that's a reasonable demand.

Although I do have

one small counter proposal.

We'd like the right to negotiate

the amount of the toll

every few years.

[RIMURU]

Sounds good! It's a deal, then.

It is?

My goodness.

You really do ask too much.

Once again, you really don't

have any room to talk here!

Well. That settles it.

[RIMURU sighs]

[TRYA giggles]

[TREYNI giggling]

[RAMIRIS sighs]

Huh?

[BERETTA]

Hmm?

Question, do you rust...?

We all here?

[RAMIRIS]

Hey! What's the big idea?

What the heck is

this all about, anyway?

Wait, what do you mean?

Uh, I'm talking about how these

girls are fawning over me

like crazy! They both adore me!

[RIMURU]

Isn't that a good thing?

[BOTH giggle]

It is a good thing.

In fact, it's incredible!

My mind's made up!

I've decided that I'm going

to start living here!

Hate to break it to you,

but I did not agree to that.

Also, Treyni and her sisters

are already super busy

being the Great Forest

of Jura's caretakers.

None of them actually live here.

Meaning they can't spend

all their time coddling you.

You're so stingy!

Ugh! If something bad happened,

then I, the great Ramiris,

would help them,

so there's no need to be

such a stick in the mud!

Hey now...

Lord Rimuru.

My sisters and I would be happy

to look after Lady Ramiris.

Yes, please consider her

proposal favorably.

[TREYNI, TRYA]

Please give her your permission.

Ah...

Okay, then. I'll think about it.

Really?! Yay, thank you!

I just knew you'd understand!

[RIMURU]

All right, let's dig in already!

We'll talk while we eat.

--Here.

--[TREYNI giggling]

Oh my. It's good.

Yes, truly exquisite.

[VELDORA]

Heh!

Don't mind if I do!

With this meeting dragging on,

I'm sure you're all tired,

but try to bear with it

a bit longer, okay?

By the way, Shion, I know

you've been interrogating

the w*r prisoners--

Did you get any information?

[SHION giggles]

Of course, I did, Lord Rimuru.

Ah?

[BOTH grunt]

[RIMURU]

Uh...?

Uh... Interrogation?

Questioning? Who knows?

Whatever happened with them,

it did make them talk.

Yes. That's true.

But it wasn't like any

interrogation I've ever seen.

Or a questioning--

I'm actually not all that

sure what to call it.

[RIMURU groans]

Right. First, uh,

Ed-something? Edmond?

Do you mean King Edmaris?

Yes. It seems King Edmaris

came into contact

with a traveling merchant.

The merchant apparently

brought silk goods

and other various items

from our country into his,

which piqued the king's greed.

After that, the king feared

the primary source of goods

in circulation would shift

from Falmuth to here,

which supposedly led

to the recent incident.

So, do we have any idea

who the merchant was?

Were they chartered

or something?

That, I don't know.

I apologize, my lord.

No worries. So, anyone connected

to the Western Holy Church?

Oh, yes! I managed to find out

who the mastermind was!

What was his name...?

Uh, the ringleader is...

Nickel... spoon...?

According to the info we got

from Archbishop Reyhiem,

the church's ringleader is known

as Cardinal Nikolaus Spertus.

That's right!

From what we were

able to gather,

the cardinal's original plan

was to subjugate this nation

as one who is hostile

to their god.

Yep, that's what he told us!

I get it now. Archbishop Reyhiem

just wanted the glory

of defeating a godless enemy,

probably in hopes of earning

a more favorable reputation

with the higher ups.

But since he didn't achieve

that, there still might be a way

to negotiate with

the Western Holy Church

so we're not branded as enemies.

Right. I'd be happy to

handle that task myself.

Well, in that case,

the Armed Nation of Dwargon

will help by making

a grand declaration

of our trade with Tempest.

[ERALD] And,.. Thalion

will officially announce

its establishment of diplomatic

relations with this nation.

If other nations begin to show

more interest in this country,

then the Western Holy Church

will have little to no choice

but to tread carefully.

Sweet. I'm counting on you.

Just leave everything to us.

[VELDORA slurping]

Aw, yeah! Thank you

for the amazing meal!

[RIMURU] Okay. So, we're

going to say Youm rescued

those three w*r prisoners, and

we'll arrange for them to have

what looks like

a triumphant return.

Wait. There's King Edmaris,

that Archbishop Reyhiem...

Who is the third prisoner?

Oh, it was the man who was

passed out from pure terror.

It was the last man

left alive, is that right?

That sounds like it

would have to be Folgen,

the renowned captain

of the knights.

You were the one who

captured him, Diablo.

Do you remember what

the dude was like?

Also, is he somebody you

think would be fine to let go?

He's an utter weakling.

I doubt he'll

cause any problems.

Though I must admit, he did

seem to be relatively skilled

with magic for a human.

A magic user, you say?

Well, in that case, he probably

isn't Folgen after all.

What was his name?

It's Ramen.

Ramen, huh?

Come to think of it,

it's been forever

since I had a good

bowl of ramen.

How odd. Was there a magic user

in Falmuth named Ramen?

Now that I think on it,

Falmuth did have a majin

named Razen who used magic.

[SHION]

Huh...?

So, it's the champion Razen, eh?

He is a majin who

must be taken seriously.

Huh?

He has quite the reputation.

He's known as the guardian

of Falmuth and the Wise Majin.

Huh?!

Ah, yes, the man

who mastered magic!

Truth is, I've always wanted to

go head-to-head with the guy!

Well, I feel quite confident

that I could b*at him

in close combat. But he's

definitely not the kind of human

you can let your

guard down around.

[RIMURU]

Hmm... Hey, are you positive

this guy's name is Ramen?

Oh, uh. Yes?

Let's see, he's a young man...

It was him! He was one of the

travelers who att*cked the city!

No way he's the powerful

magic user they say!

[RIMURU]

What's going on here?

[RAPHAEL] Notice.

Using a secret soul magic ritual

can allow one to possess

another person's body.

[RIMURU] I'm starting to

think his name isn't Ramen.

[MJURRAN]

E-Excuse me...

[gasps]

They're right.

His name is Razen.

[RIMURU]

I knew it!

[gasps]

[DIABLO chuckles]

Hold on just a moment, did you

seriously manage to capture

the champion who protected

the Kingdom of Falmuth

for centuries?

He was a human whose skill

as a wizard rivaled my own.

I dare say he might have been

even more extraordinary.

[RIMURU gasps]

[RIMURU] And yet,

Diablo managed to use the guy

as his personal punching bag.

[RIMURU]

Okay, Youm?

Yeah?

Here's what we'll do.

We'll "free" the prisoners.

And then you're going to

escort them back to Falmuth

to get our grand plan rolling.

Diablo will go with you.

[DIABLO gasps]

[SHION]

Hmph!

It's the best option

if we're going to start a w*r

against Clayman.

Since Veldora is going to stay

behind and protect the town,

I wasn't sure who I was going

to send to back up Youm's group.

You're the perfect candidate!

I'm counting on you.

Right. It would be

my pleasure, Lord Rimuru.

Look, this mission

could take a few years.

Don't rush things.

Not a problem, sir.

I shall handle this task

well before the allotted time.

That's some real confidence in

our ability to topple a nation.

[RIMURU] But, that's also why I

know I can trust him with this.

Now, in regards to the whole

w*r against Clayman issue.

Ramiris here was kind enough

to warn me that, apparently,

I've become his primary target.

[RAMIRIS gasps]

Ahem-hem!

[BOTH] You're so

kind-hearted, Lady Ramiris!

[RAMIRIS chuckles]

[VELDORA]

Hmm?

Soei.

[SOEI]

Yes?

[RIMURU] Give me a report on

what Clayman's army is doing.

Right. I will show you.

[gasping]

[SOEI] His army numbers

about , .

They are currently

organizing within

Demon Lord Milim's territory.

Thirty thousand?

That's manageable enough.

[SOEI] In my scouting,

I discovered that Clayman

doesn't appear to be

leading the army himself.

Oh?

It's a man in the army.

The one who possesses

the most magicules.

[RIMURU]

So that's their commander, huh?

[MJURRAN]

The Middle Finger, Yamza.

Say what now?

Oh. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.

The strongest of Clayman's

many subordinates are known as

the Five Fingers.

The Middle Finger, Yamza.

The Index Finger, Adalman.

The Thumb is Nine Head.

The Pinky Finger, Pirone.

And I was... the Ring Finger.

[RIMURU sighs]

[MJURRAN] You see, Yamza

received a magic sword

with hidden ice

powers from Clayman.

He's known as the

Magic Swordsman of Ice.

[RIMURU]

The Magic Swordsman of Ice, huh?

[MJURRAN]

He's cruel and he plays dirty.

He's practically

a master of immorality.

And his skills

are the real deal.

Since Yamza swore his loyalty

to Clayman of his own free will,

he and I didn't exactly

get along that well.

He's the strongest

of the Five Fingers.

That's good to know.

But fortunately, I don't

think we'll have too much

to fear from him.

Clayman is the prudent type.

I'm almost positive he already

knows that the Animal Kingdom's

Warrior Brigade is

staying here in our city.

Given that, an army

of , is way too weak.

It does seem quite strange.

Yeah. I have to agree.

Perhaps we're mistaken, then.

And Clayman's

target isn't our city.

[gasping]

Interesting.

That's a possibility.

I was convinced he was

coming after Tempest,

but maybe he's not.

So, what could he be after?

The Animal Kingdom...?

[gasps]

Are you saying Clayman's

after Eurazania?

Why though?

The capital's destroyed.

The only people left

are the refugees

in surrounding

towns and villages.

What would be

the purpose of that?

[RIMURU]

Hmm...

[RAPHAEL] Answer:

One can speculate that

Demon Lord Clayman's

ultimate goal is to awaken

as a True Demon Lord.

[RIMURU gasps]

[RAPHAEL] I do not believe this

town factors into his plan.

However, his methods are

immature, as they require him

to destroy the remaining life

in Eurazania based on

an inaccurate inference.

[RIMURU]

Most likely...

...Clayman wants to m*ssacre

the remaining refugees.

Then he'd be able to awaken

as a True Demon Lord.

[gasps]

--[growls]

--[snarls]

[gasping]

[RIMURU]

Mm...

That would make sense.

Clayman must know

the Three Beastketeers

and Carrion's main army are

taking refuge here in Tempest.

That gives him the perfect

chance to overrun

the Animal Kingdom.

Based on the

information we have,

Clayman's army will likely reach

Eurazania within two days.

Damn it all! We'll never

get back there in time!

[PHOBIO snarls]

Guess he got a step ahead of us.

Damn that Clayman...

[RAPHAEL]

Next time, "The Eve of Battle."