04x01 - New Days

[bunniefuu]

[Tempest - Central City of Rimuru]

Not here...

Oh...

Did either of you see Master Rimuru?

Master Rimuru?

Regrettably, I haven't seen him
a single time today...

I see...

Master Rimuru...

Where are you?

Up, hup, hop,

whoop!

Haah...

Well, it's really getting bigger, huh?

The Founding Ceremony

of our Monster Federation, Tempest,
was a tremendous success.

It started as a small goblin village.

From there, we grew steadily,
one step at a time,

from a village to a town
and our group grew larger as well.

Several urban development
projects are underway,

including the dungeon
where testing has begun.

I hope to continue fostering a relationship
of mutual coexistence and prosperity

where humans and monsters
can live together in harmony.

Yes!

My goal is Monster-and-Man
Cooperative Alliance!

Hup,

hop!

I'll be counting on you
from now on, partner.

Got it.

You can count on me, Master.

Yeah!

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

[Episode 73: The New Days]

Hop, hop, yeah!

You really helped me out yesterday.

No worries, you scratch my back,
I scratch yours.

Cool! So, shall we go out
for drinks sometime?

Gotcha!

Oh?

Ah, Master Rimuru!

Hey!

Good morning, Master Rimuru.

Morning.

Good day to you, Master Rimuru.

Good day to you too.

It's Master Rimuru!

Hello!

Wait for me!

Hey, be careful, okay?

Okay!

Master Rimuru!

Here's fresh from the grill!
Please take it with you!

Huh? Are you sure?!

Smells good!

Master Rimuru, did you come out to
see how things are in town today?

Yeah...

After all, inspections are
an important part of the job.

As expected of Master Rimuru!

All right, starting this afternoon...

Master Rimuru!

Here's lunch,
please share it with everyone.

Oh!

Thank you as always.

[Magic Train: Station Construction Site]

Fwaah!

I guess we're gonna build
a station here, huh?

Man!
That's what you call a man's dream!

It looks like a potential site for the
Eurazania station has been decided, too.

Yeah!

It seems to be attached to the first floor
of the new castle under construction.

Geld and the others
are doing their best.

Tempest, and Eurazania,
as well as other countries...

Eventually, it'll all be connected
by the Magic Train, won't it?

Not only the outer areas, but the town's
construction is going smoothly, too.

The completion of the new
parliament building is also near.

Ah, that ridiculously
extravagant thing, huh...

Yes!

We must spread the word about
Master Rimuru's greatness far and wide!

W-Well...

It's a good thing that
the town is developing...

Speaking of it, I hear the dungeon
is constantly being developed too.

Ah!

Yes, you're right!
I'm glad you brought it up!

We moved Gabiru and the others'
research facility out of the cave,

and even set up the Elves' Tavern,

on the 95th underground floor
exclusively for special members!

Mwah!

What the hell is this dungeon?!

Enemies are all over the place,
and I can't even get any rare gear!

You don't intend to
let us clear it, do you?!

Like I said...

Shut up!

That's just a scam!

All you did was rip us off
with the admission fee!

Tch, that's why monsters are...

Say what?!

Calm down.

What's wrong? Is there a ruckus?

Huh?!

Huh?

The heck's up with him?

What's up?

Did something happen?

Master Rimuru.

It's an issue with
the Dungeon Challengers.

They're complaining they can't
even reach the second floor

despite trying over and over...

It happens a lot these days...

Is that so?

Sorry for dragging you into this.

It's fine, he's just nitpicking.

It's pathetic to sulk
after being defeated.

That said, if this keeps up, it'll
start to affect our operations...

We'll have to discuss this.

Elementalists are special wizards
who command spirits.

A distinctive trait
of their magical skills...

Does anyone know?

Me!
- Me!

Here! Me!

I know!

Here! Here!

Mr. Rimuru?

Why are you here?

Well, of course, I'm here for...

What on earth are you doing here?

W-Well... I'm here to inspect...

Get out!

Hwah! Ugh!

Hiek!

Are you... okay?

Too bad.

I would have liked to be taught
by Ms. Hinata, too, you know.

Those kids are really obedient and listen
to what Ms. Hinata says, aren't they?

I really appreciate how
she found time in her busy schedule.

Hinata's an expert at handling spirits,
so she'd be the perfect teacher for them.

I never thought she'd
actually agree to do it, though.

Those kids really seem to be
having a great time every day

since they transferred
to the school in Tempest.

They quickly got along
with everyone in the class.

You're right.

What's more,

now that I'm certain Yuki is guilty,

I can't possibly leave them in the
care of the Kingdom of Engrassia.

What's this smell?

This is what
it feels like to be unwell...

It's really fascinating.

Fascinating, my a*s.

You think you're fit to be
Master Rimuru's second secretary

with a pitiful state like that?!

Rather than that,

are you seriously intent on serving this?

So what?

Hmm?

What are you making?

Oh my, Master Rimuru!

Actually,
I had a rather valuable experience...

Hmm?

Speaking of which,

Lady Shuna has been searching
for you, Master Rimuru,

but I assume you've already met...

Master Rimuru!

I'm glad...

So you are here, after all.

Did something happen?

It's a new type of snack!

Oooh! That looks yummy!

I want you to be the first
to try this, Master Rimuru...

That's why I've been
searching for you.

Oh, Shuna...

[Kingdom of Engrassia]

Now then, what should we do?

It seems like Demon Lord Rimuru
totally suspects me now, huh?

Huh?

If possible, I'd really like to avoid
becoming enemies with that slime...

Uh-oh... I guess it was a bad idea
to go poking at him, wasn't it?

Didn't Hinata stir up

the Seven Days Clergy to urge them to
take down the Demon Lord Rimuru?

Isn't that what got you exposed?

Surely you didn't leave
any evidence behind, did you, boss?

Well, I suppose I did everything
through Damrada...

But since I knew the relationship
between Ms. Shizu and that slime,

I couldn't deny my dealings
with the merchant from the East...

After all, even the paper
I use is made by the Empire,

and it would be unrealistic for
a guild with so many adventurers

to claim that "we have
no dealings with them"...

From their end, all the circumstantial
evidence is pretty much in place.

Then, should we revise the plan?

Since you're under suspicion, you can't
just keep things as they are, can you?

That's not true.

I think it's fine
to keep things as they are.

However...

We just need to make them think,
"There's no need to be hostile now."

People tend to change their perspective
depending on the situation.

Since their dungeon management team even
reached out to us asking for our help.

Huh?

Apparently, they want the guild to
promote it, including the reward system.

Seriously, that's way too suspicious!

It's definitely a trap!

Well, I wonder.

It seemed like a proposal based purely
on a cost-benefit approach though...

Well, let's keep an eye on the situation
while taking the necessary steps.

For the sake of our ambitions, too.

If that's what you want.

I haven't given up on
Western domination just yet.

Yummmy!

What's this?!

What the hell is this?!

It's actually making me tear up!

Once again your skills
have been improved, Shuna...

Um... about the meeting...

Ah...

That being said,

now that the dungeon test has concluded,

it's time for our
first operations meeting...

Honestly, it's a total disaster!

I reaffirmed this after
receiving complaints in the city,

but the challengers'
clearing level is way too low!

Without any countermeasures, they get
completely lost on the first floor.

Blinded by greed,

they get taken down
by even F-rank monsters in a flash.

Some of them even end up giving up
because they're so hungry...

At this rate, I doubt if any challengers
will even make it to the 10th floor!

Frankly, it's a crisis for
the dungeon management!

What?! Then my turn will be...!

Our masterpiece is...!

I guess it's partly because
there are still a lot of beginners...

Yeah.

I think some hints on how
to clear it might be helpful...

Um...
- Hm?

In that case, how about holding
a course on strategies?

A course?

What's that?

Ah, sorry for butting in.

It just seemed like a topic I could
help with, so I couldn't resist.

No, no, feel free to say anything.

What kind of courses, for example?

It's like a tutorial in a video game.

It lets you experience combat and
traps, just like an obstacle course.

That's a good idea!
Anything else?

What else...

It would be nice to have inns
and restaurants on each floor.

I'm struggling because there aren't
any restrooms in the dungeon.

That's true...

Oh, and things like
disposable save points, too.

Oh, I see.

Also, how about item drops
from the monsters you defeat?

Oh! That sounds interesting!

In that case,
I think I can pull it off!

Alright, then, you're hired!

I guess I was a bit too harsh.

Hats off to Masayuki, our observer.

No, it's really nothing at all...

What are you talking about?

Since we're both big gamers,
I'm glad you came.

Huh?

Lad, no, did you say
your name was Masayuki?

You've got some
real potential, you know.

T-Thank you very much...

That's right!

As expected of
an otherworlder like Rimuru!

Um...

Oh, come to think of it, I hadn't
introduced them yet, had I?

This is my best friend, Veldora.

He's in charge of the 100th floor.

Right, you can count on me.

Veldora?!

This is Ramiris.

The fairy who created this dungeon
and one of the Octagram.

Nice to meet you, Masayuki!

Octagram?!

H-Haha...

The Storm Dragon and
the Demon Lord...

If it's you,
I might even let you be my underling!

Lady Ramiris,
Lord Masayuki is being troubled!

Well, I guess that's how it goes.

Sorry about that.

Master Rimuru.
- Hmm?

Thanks to Lord Masayuki, we've come up
with some excellent improvements.

But... might I make
one more suggestion of my own?

Oh?

A challenge from the Demon Lord Rimuru!

I just got some amazing news!

Anyone who clears
the 50th floor of the dungeon

will receive one stellar gold coin
as a monthly bonus!

There are also rewards
for defeating each boss monster!

And what's more!

Anyone who clears the very bottom
floor will receive 100 stellars!

Check this out! It's said
you can get 100 stellars!

Do you really think
you can make it through?

That's quite a splurge, isn't it?

Tempest, huh...?

Let's go to Tempest!

I'm raring to go!

Oh, there's definitely a buzz about it.


the bottom floor conqueror...

So you were serious, after all.

After all, the target is a noble who acts
as a sponsor and commands adventurers.

We can't exactly cut corners here...

Besides,

it's "that" Lord Veldora who's
protecting the bottom floor.

Khahaha!

There is surely no one who can defeat me,
a being of the great dragon race!

So there's absolutely zero chance.

Yes, yes, you're absolutely right.

Hehehe!

And so,
I'm counting on you too, Masayuki!

Me?!

We really need Team Lightspeed to be
our poster child and make a big splash.

The Hero's promotional power
is truly immense, after all!

And I must say,

seeing Lord Masayuki's exploits
with my own eyes is a real treat.

Hihihihi!

Ahaha...

Okay...

Bye-bye!

Yeah!

See you tomorrow!

Oh? The tavern's sales are up.

If the dungeon gets more lively, it should
have a positive effect on the town, too.

Right.

I suppose everything went exactly
as you planned, Master Rimuru.

Um, as for the other sales...

Hm?

Did you switch the tea leaves?
It tastes different from usual.

I-I-I'm so sorry!

I'll replace it right away!

Huh?

Ah!

Could it be you who made it, Shion?

Master Rimuru, I have confirmed
that it is safe to consume.

It's delicious!

You did a great job, Shion.

Yes! Thank you so much!

I'll go make you another cup!

Yeah!

Then, I'd better be going too...

Diablo,

come to think of it, I never gave you
a reward after we dealt with Falmuth.

Rather than rewards,

my only wish is to be of service
to you, Master Rimuru.

Even if you say that...

Well, I suppose

I would like to have a subordinate
whom I can leave menial tasks to.

Ah, it's kind of a bummer when a powerful
demon has to serve tea, isn't it?

No, not at all!

Taking care of Master Rimuru
is my most important duty!

What I mean is,

as for trivial matters
like destroying human nations,

if you arrange for subordinates
to handle them in my place,

I will always be
by your side, Master Rimuru.

Oh... Mhm.

If you will allow it, I was thinking of
trying to recruit an old acquaintance.

In that case, I would like you to prepare
a physical vessel for them to inhabit.

Is a doll like the one
I gave Beretta okay?

Yes.

I won't let them make any complaints.

Got it.

I'll get everything ready, so just make
sure you don't get hurt on your way back.

I understand.

It breaks my heart, but please allow me
to step away from your side for a while.

Okay, okay...

Well then, I'll take my leave.

And now...

Souei.

Sir!

Has anything unusual happened
around Duke Muese?

No.

There hasn't been any movement so far.

I see.

Keep an eye on him and
figure out who's behind this.

Understood.

Phew...

[Kingdom of Seltrozzo]

We're just one step away from complete
domination over the Western nations.

We've been working toward the Rozzo
family's reign for a long time now...

And yet...

Tempest...

It's a terrifying country.

It wouldn't be a problem for you.

There's no need to worry.

Of course.

It's only natural, Grandfather.

It's the lifelong dream of you,

the former hero and the great
ancestor of us all in Rozzo.

I swore to help make it come true.

Mariabel,

you're my only hope.

It is absolutely not the Demon Lord
who will rule the human world.

It is what we,

as human beings, should be doing.

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 Evolving Labyrinth."