03x01 - (D) Demons and Strategies

[bunniefuu]

♪

[RIMURU] Walpuris ended up
being pretty eventful.

I took out Clayman,

was formally recognized
as a Demon Lord.

And became part of Octagram,
the Eight Pointed Star.

-[gurgling]
-[chuckles]

[chuckles]

♪

-Huh.
-Huh.

[LEON] If there's nothing else,
I'll take my leave.

[RIMURU] Demon Lords
Leon and Valentine

left pretty much as soon
as the meeting was over.

Afterward,
Guy hosted a dinner party

for everyone who stayed behind.

[MIZERI] This is stewed
black-furred tiger.

-Please, enjoy.
-Hm?

[chomps] Tasty!

The meat is so tender
it melts in my mouth

and the sauce is perfect!

-Hey, Raphael!
-[RAPHAEL] Understood.

-Analyzing the recipe.
-Huh.

[RIMURU] Seems Demon Lords
aren't too concerned

-with table manners.
-Aah!

Huh. Hey, Milim!
That's alcohol, isn't it?

[laughs] So what if it is?

It's my reward for pretending
to be controlled by that jerk.

It's a shame we couldn't
get Clayman to reveal

who was pulling the strings.

Things might've been different

if you ended your ruse
a little sooner.

[MILIM] Maybe!

But there's no way I'd pass up
on a chance to fight my bestie!

Stop! You're not ready
for this stuff.

Give it back, you meanie!
[grunts]

Despite how I look,
I'm the oldest...

[GUY] This really
is exceptional brandy.

Do I detect the taste of grapes
from Eurazania?

[RIMURU] I'm surprised
you could tell.

Thanks to their fruit imports,

we're now able
to make it consistently.

Well, in that case, I'll drink
to my heart's content! [laughs]

[RIMURU] You need to learn
some restraint too!

-[coughs] This is strong.
-Hm? [laughs]

Wow, you're
really pathetic, Deeno!

Let me show you
how it's done! [gulps]

This is good stuff.

It's a real shame.

I bet Valentine
would've enjoyed this.

Valentine, huh?

I actually wanted
to ask her some questions.

Oh, well!

[RAPHAEL] Notice.
Analysis complete.

It is now possible to recreate
the following courses.

I've managed to acquire

some of the best recipes
in the world.

All in all,
not a bad Walpurgis.

Bye!

And now,
I've returned to Tempest.

[indistinct chatter]

Come to our grand opening!

[kids laughing]

[ALL] Huh?

Whoa! [laughing]

Huh?

What's this all about?

Wait, have you guys
been practicing this

in your free time or something?

[RIGURD] Lord Rimuru,
you're back!

We've been awaiting
your return. How are you?

[DIABLO] Please accept
my sincerest congratulations

on your succession to Octagram.

Oh, uh, thanks a lot.

But more than that,

I'm so incredibly happy
to see you're unharmed.

Hey, wait a sec.

What are you
doing here, Diablo?

Now, now.

You must be tired
from traveling.

You should go and rest,
Lord Rimuru, we can talk later.

[birds chirping]

-[knocking on door]
-Pardon me.

Huh? Come on in.

[door opens]

[door closes]

♪

Oh! This matcha pudding
looks great!

Thanks.

I'm still not as good
as Princess Shuna,

but my cooking's
gotten a lot better!

Oh! I assume you brought
some for me, too?

But of course I did,
Lord Veldora!

This is for you as well.

The first of your
promised portions,

per our agreement.

[laughing]

Most excellent.

I can respect somebody
who pays their debts.

Diablo, are you not
going to have any?

This is my payment to him
in return for some information.

You needn't worry
about me, my lord.

Information? Huh?

[gasps]

I did find it kinda weird

that Diablo knew
about everything

that went down at Walpurgis.

How many desserts did it take?

One? Two? Three?

-[gasps]
-So, three.

Hold on a second.

I don't get it,
you don't even need

to eat in the first place,
right?

So what?
Don't be ridiculous, Rimuru!

It's not a matter of whether
or not I need to eat!

I'm the Storm Dragon Veldora
and I will eat what I want!

Besides, you're one to talk,

it's not like you need
to eat either!

-[Rimuru gasps]
-[chuckles]

[chomps]

[Rimuru sighs]

I presume you served
Lord Rimuru

to the best of your abilities.

Why of course I did.

And I proved that Lord Rimuru
doesn't need you

as long as I'm by his side.

Anyway, enough about me,

what happened to the task
Lord Rimuru left in your care?

[laughing]

I completed it to perfection.

That's great and all,

but how did you time
your return to match mine?

As I was attending
to other matters,

Lord Veldora contacted me

and advised I come back
to Tempest.

[groans]

Oh, gee, would ya look
at the time,

-I gotta go.
-[Rimuru grunts]

-[gasps]
-Come on now buddy.

What's the big hurry?

Uh, wait, you'll see it
my way if you--

Like hell I will!

Don't butt into
other people's work!

No pudding for you!

Haruna, Veldora is officially
banned from snacks for a while.

[VELDORA] What! Come on!

That's cruel
and unusual punishment!

What's the point anymore?

Anyway,
I appreciate your concern,

but should you even be here?

Is everything going well
in Falmuth?

[scoffs] I knew
it was too much for you,

you're better off serving tea.

Allow me to take care
of this matter, my lord!

Hm?

There will be no need for that.

I have an informant on it,
as my eyes and ears.

Everything's proceeding
as planned.

Oh, is that so.

Yes. For starters,

I restored all of them
back to their original forms.

Since it was inconvenient
to leave them

as lumps of flesh.

[RIMURU] Lumps of flesh?

Oh, yeah, that's right.

My goodness.

Miss Shion's dumped
quite the mess in my lap.

[crackling]

[DIABLO] What a hassle.

It seems even healing magic

doesn't affect you
in this state.

I've never seen
anything like it.

What sort of skill
bends all the rules

-to this extent?
-[thuds]

[gasps]

This requires drastic measures.

Do try to endure it.

[Reyheim screams]

Well, that doesn't sound good.

You think they're gonna make it
to Falmuth in one piece?

Not sure you could say they're
in one piece to begin with.

[laughing] Incredible.

Thank you for your mercy,
Lord Diablo!

-[DIABLO] Be quiet, trash.
-[cloth flutters]

All right, who's next?

[SHOGO [RAZEN]] Please.

Restore the king
back to his original form.

Ah, yes.

I had nearly forgotten that
you were one of the prisoners.

Ramen.

I mean, your name
is Razen, correct?

I hope you understand
what you're asking for.

Just so you know,
requesting a favor from me

comes at a very high price.

[SHOGO [RAZEN]] That's right.

I recognize him.

He's Noir, one of the seven
Primordial Demons.

But what's even
more terrifying...

is that somehow, someone got

such a powerful
being to serve them.

Shion, do not overdo it.

[SHOGO [RAZEN]] A Demon Lord
possessing a hidden power

that surpasses even
the bounds of imagination.

It was in that moment
I realized,

the Kingdom of Falmuth

had awakened
a sleeping beast in Tempest.

[gasps]

[growling]

[SHOGO [RAZEN]] Take me, no.

I beg you to accept me
as your lowest-ranked servant!

I will devote
every aspect of my life

to you from now on.

And in exchange for that,

please show King Edmaris mercy!

If that is what you wish.

Although, I won't tolerate
further disrespect

toward Lord Rimuru.

If I detect any malice,

the king won't be
the only one to perish.

I will ensure every speck
of life is eradicated

from the land of Falmuth.

Understood.

I accept your conditions,
my loyalty is yours.

[gasps] I agree, too!

Please, I am the Archbishop
of the Western Holy Church!

Surely, I can be of use to you!

[EDOMALIS] An esteemed mage
who served the royal family

has for the first time
turned his back

on the Kingdom of Falmuth.

You sullied our Lord's hands
with human blood!

The only atonement
for your crimes is death!

[RIMURU] What's done is done,

this is now a fate
we all must bear.

[EDOMALIS]
There's no other option.

I'm sure Razen's decision
is the right one.

-I, too...
-Hm.

as the last surviving king
of Falmuth.

I swear to cooperate.

I will carry out any command
you give me, Lord Diablo.

So please, heal me.

[chuckles] You needn't worry.

As long as you obey,

I'll make sure
you're treated well.

[chuckles]

One's word can be broken,
but with my unique skill,

Tempter, preventing betrayal
becomes a simple matter.

Diablo! Is everything okay?

The prisoners
are still alive, right?

No need to worry, Sir Youm.

The capital of Falmuth
draws near.

Are you ready
to fulfil your role?

Our Lord has big plans for you.

Uh, sure.

[cart wheels rattling]

♪

[indistinct chatter]

It doesn't matter
what magic we try,

he won't return
to his original form.

Please, tell us.

What is the meaning
of all this, Shogo?

Where are the others
who were with you?

And what happened
to the royal army?

Calm down.
I'll explain everything.

I'm actually Razen.

I had to cooperate
with the champion

to make my escape.

What? How can this be?

You're telling us
you aren't Shogo?

What's more, you're saying
the Falmuth army was destroyed?

Not only did you fail
to subjugate the monsters,

you had the nerve
to return home in disgrace?

[indistinct chatter]

Quiet down.

Gentlemen, why don't
we give Sir Razen

a moment to explain himself?

Hm.

[MALE NOBLE B]
All of them went missing?

How is that possible?

[SHOGO [RAZEN]] It's the truth.

As our forces did battle
with the monsters,

the resulting commotion
awakened a dragon.

But how can that be?

The Western Holy Church
confirmed

that the dragon
had been destroyed!

Although the dragon
was eliminated,

the issue is
with the dragon factor.

Because of it, the creature
will just be reborn elsewhere.

There's no way we could've
known it would be that soon,

or that its resurrection
would take place

so close to the b*ttlefield.

As soon as Veldora returned,

all our knights
along with the monsters

in the area disappeared.

Only we three made it out.

-Impossible!
-It can't be.

-[door creaking]
-Huh.

Apologies for the delay.

♪

Things took longer
than expected.

But him and I talked it out.

Who do you think you are?

How dare you barge
into this meeting?

Please calm yourself,
Lord Carlos.

I invited them.

We're alive,
thanks to their efforts.

Are you saying
that they saved you

from the dragon's wrath?

What exactly
do you mean by that?

[REYHEIM] Please allow me
to answer that, gentlemen.

[CARLOS] The archbishop!

[footfall]

When the two armies
clashed on the b*ttlefield,

the fighting that broke out
was brutal and intense.

The forces of Falmuth
had the advantage in numbers,

but we were fighting
on the monster's territory,

and many a good men
lost his life.

The chaos that ensued
must have been the key

to the dragon's resurrection.

With the sudden appearance
of the Storm Dragon,

the entire b*ttlefield froze.

Friend and foe alike
faced certain death

-within its presence.
-[trembles]

In that moment,

a figure stood between us
and the dragon!

That person was the leader
of the nation of monsters.

Rimuru Tempest.

Both the Archbishop and I,

we were prepared
to die right then.

But to our surprise,

Lord Rimuru convinced
Veldora to let us live.

[muffled giggling]

He was able
to converse with it?

But just being in the vicinity
of the Evil Dragon's magicules

means instant death
for nearly all living things!

And he truly survived this?

I'm sure you're
aware of it by now,

but the leader
of the monster nation,

Lord Rimuru, is the ruler
of the Great Forest of Jura.

You're saying...

it wasn't just
a self-appointed title?

I can assure you
it's the truth!

I personally saw
the monster city!

Believe me. It was truly worthy
of being a nation's capital!

Even the Dryads,

guardians of
the Great Forest of Jura,

serve Lord Rimuru
of their own accord!

I watched as he negotiated
with Veldora through them,

and convinced the Storm Dragon
to spare us.

Dryads you say?

According to our records,

they protect the land
in which Veldora rest.

And you're saying they heed
this monster's command?

If this Rimuru can negotiate
with the Evil Dragon,

I think it would be
wise for us

to try to avoid making him
our enemy at all costs.

Now, now!

Before you get worked up,
there's no need to worry!

When I defeated the Orc Lord,
I ended up working closely

with Lord Rimuru
and his people.

He's friendlier
than you'd expect,

and they want to live
in harmony with humans.

I see.

In that case,
you can serve as our mediator

and pass along any demands
we have for him.

I'll let you know the exact
details at a later time,

for now, you can wait outside.

Hang on just a minute there.

He's friendly
in normal circumstances,

but not right now.

And I'm pretty sure you can
guess why that might be.

What did you say?

You heard me.

You're the ones who declared
w*r on his people, are you not?

That was a mistake.

A number
of Rimuru's friends died

because of your actions.

Safe to say he's not
too happy with you.

You'd better watch
your tongue, commoner!

You're only useful because
you know this Rimuru fellow!

Know your place,

it's your duty
to mediate for us

with that disgusting slime!

Please, Lord Carlos,
mind your words!

It's fine.

I can see you don't get it.

You sent Otherworlders
to cause havoc in his own home

without sending messengers
or even declaring w*r first.

I went out there
to try to make peace with him,

but when I heard what you did,
I couldn't believe it.

Still though.

I was born right here
in the Kingdom of Falmuth,

and I didn't want to see
my homeland destroyed,

so I pleaded with Lord Rimuru
to make some sort of deal.

A commoner like yourself
has no right

to question
it's leaders authority!

Curse you!

I told you to stand down!

You insufferable moron!

[screaming]

You know not of what happened.

So shut your mouth!

[all gasp]

♪

Listen to me very carefully.

What Sir Youm has said is true.

We were utterly defeated.

Only Archbishop Reyhiem
and myself survived.

King Edmaris
was transformed into that

after accidentally
coming into contact

with the Storm Dragon's
magicules.

Then we were captured,

until Sir Youm came along,

and convinced them to free us.

We must do something.

The kingdom of Falmuth
can't be felled

by a nation monsters.

And what is it
you would have us do?

Do you intend for us
to make an enemy

of the Storm Dragon itself?

No. That's not what I...

I propose we at least
hear out this offer.

What do you say?

-[Diablo chuckles]
-Hm?

[DIABLO] You've made
a wise decision.

And now, as promised,

I'll free your king from this
cursed form he's trapped in.

-Who are you?
-Get back!

I do apologize,

-but you were all wide open.
-[both gasp]

[DIABLO] My name is Diablo.

And it is my distinct honor

to serve Lord Rimuru
as his ever loyal butler.

♪

-Aw!
-Your Majesty!

Wait. What did you do?

I used a full potion,
a specialty of our nation.

It's the best
healing medicine there is.

I do hope
you're feeling better.

[groaning] I am, yes.

You have my thanks.

Now, King of Falmuth.

I've been charged
to pass along a message

for you from Lord Rimuru.

Speak freely,

messenger
of the nation of monsters.

-[all gasp]
-[DIABLO] Very well then.

"Exactly one week
from today,

representatives
from both our nations

will meet here
to discuss peace.

You must decide,
on one of three options."

Three options?

[DIABLO] "The first, your king
abdicates the throne

and pays reparations to us.

The second,
you surrender to our nation

and become a vassal state.

And the third,

we continue
the w*r you started."

But that's not.

[DIABLO] "There will be
no compromises.

Please have your answer
ready by the time

our representatives
meet in one week."

Wait a moment!

That's not nearly enough time!

Quiet, you cur.

I tire of listening
to you speak.

He's right though!

We have to summon
nobles from all over.

I already told you to be quiet.

[all gasp]

What you want means
absolutely nothing

to Lord Rimuru.

Do you understand?

I'll only warn you once,

don't even think
about trying anything.

You will not be permitted
to delay your answer.

If you don't give
an answer in one week,

we'll assume you intend
to continue the w*r.

Is that clear?

Now then.

I'll leave you all to carefully
consider your options.

[both sigh]

I chose a tactic I thought
would throw them

off their balance.

[RIMURU] You really
showed them that?

Yes. I determined that,

to strike fear in their hearts,
t'was the best way.

-[chuckles]
-[RIMURU] Uh, that wasn't

a compliment, Shion.

[DIABLO] As for our terms
for the Kingdom of Falmuth.

For option one,
I set reparations

at , stellar gold coins.

[spits] Wait did he
just say ,?

How much even is that?

[RAPHAEL] Expressed in terms
of the Japanese yen,

the approximate value
is one trillion.

Hey, uh, don't you think that
number is a bit unreasonable?

It won't be a problem.

Even though I gave them
three options,

there's only one choice
they can make.

Their army has been destroyed,

which means it's impossible
for them to continue the w*r.

It's obvious that their nobles

will strongly oppose Falmuth
becoming a vassal state.

Which means they'll choose
the first option, reparations.

But of course,
they'll make every effort

to negotiate the price.

Guess that makes sense,

so they'll ask
to lower the amount,

or to pay in installments.

As long as we hold firm,
the Kingdom of Falmuth

will have no choice
but to accept it.

Judging from the state
of their country,

they'll likely force
all responsibility

for their failure
upon a third party.

So what will happen afterward?

They'll pay of course.

I'm sure of it,

we'll collect at least


How do you know that?

[DIABLO] It's simple.

Stellar gold coins
are so valuable,

they're difficult to use.

So it's unlikely anyone
would accept them as payment.

Hard to use, huh?

S'pose we'll have no choice
but to save 'em too.

So, what else do you have
up your sleeve?

[laughs]

Choosing the first option

means that they'll have
to pay us reparations,

and the king will have
to abdicate his throne.

But without his position,

Edmaris will lose
his influence.

And then be forced
to take responsibility

for losing the w*r.

[RIMURU] So he is gonna
be the scapegoat

you were talking about.

The dude definitely
deserves it.

[DIABLO] Without his
royal knights to protect him,

attempting to oppose the nobles
would only spell death

for someone
in Edmaris's situation.

He'll have no choice
but to do as they say.

Of course, that's how things
will appear on the surface

but behind the scenes.

Since the king's faction
has no military,

the nobles will win.

So, in order to avoid that.

[RAPHAEL] Answer.

The optimal method
is to absorb Youm's faction,

and maintain
a cooperative partnership.

By doing so.

He'll forge an alliance
with Youm.

Meaning King Edmaris would have
to become an ally of Tempest.

Precisely. Very impressive.

I see, so we'd just need

to lend Youm
some of our forces.

Right!

I expect Razen
to contact me soon

to arrange the particulars.

Will it be enough
for us to win?

[RIMURU] How can we be sure
that Falmuth's next king

won't form an alliance
with their neighbors?

[DIABLO] We've already
taken care of it.

Sir Fuze and King Gazel
are using their influence

to put pressure
on the other nearby nations.

So the chances of Falmuth

forming other alliances
is very low.

But if they do,

I'll make sure to resolve
any issues personally.

You needn't worry.

Cool, sounds good.

Let me know if anything
comes up, okay?

I will.

Please leave everything to me.

I won't disappoint.

[chuckles]

[RAPHAEL] Next time,
"The Saint's Intentions."