The grand spectacle of the tournament had been unfolding smoothly—until it wasn't.

A sudden, deafening explosion erupted in the heart of Tempest, sending shockwaves across the entire city. The festival atmosphere shattered instantly, replaced by the sounds of screams, crumbling buildings, and the clash of steel. Panic spread like wildfire as people—both humans and monsters—ran in all directions, seeking shelter.

I watched through the projection, my eyes narrowing as the scene unfolded. Flames licked the sky, thick smoke rising from multiple points across the city. The once-organized streets of Tempest had turned into a battlefield.

Down in the coliseum, Rimuru had already moved. His calm yet sharp voice rang through the chaos, commanding his generals into action.

Rimuru: "Benimaru! Shion! Control the damage! Protect the civilians first!"

Benimaru, standing amidst the panicked crowd, gave a swift nod, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield.

Benimaru: "Understood, Rimuru-sama! Alright, spread out! Prioritize evacuation and put out those fires before they spread further!"

Shion, already gripping her greatsword, looked absolutely furious.

Shion: "Who dares attack Tempest during our festival?! They must have a death wish!"

She leaped forward, cutting through falling debris with a single swing as she rushed toward the attackers.

All around the city, shadowy figures emerged—some clad in dark robes, others in high-ranking military gear from unknown factions. Their movements were precise, their attacks coordinated. This wasn't a mere act of terrorism—it was an orchestrated assault on Tempest itself.

The attackers were well-prepared. Their strategy was precise, striking multiple locations across Tempest at the same time to create confusion and divert Tempest's forces. Explosions erupted across the city, sending civilians into a frenzy of panic. The once lively streets were now filled with smoke, fire, and screams.

Inside the grand arena, where Rimuru's tournament and event had gathered leaders, nobles, and royals from across the Cardinal World, the chaos was instantaneous.

One of the leaders slammed his fist against the table, his voice laced with panic.

"What is the meaning of this?! I thought Tempest was the safest city in the world!"

Another one can be heard, "Stay together! The enemy wants us scattered."

"An attack of this scale… someone has been planning this for a long time."

Amidst the confusion, Tempest's defenders sprang into action.

Benimaru's voice boomed over the battlefield as he issued commands. "Shion, clear the marketplace! Souei, find out where they came from! Hakuro, secure the foreign leaders!"

Shion cracked her knuckles, a manic grin on her face. "Finally, some action! I was getting bored." She vanished in a blur, her greatsword carving through the enemy ranks like a tempest.

Souei's shadowy form disappeared into the smoke, his scouts swiftly relaying information. Hakuro stood firm, his blade gleaming under the fire-lit sky, shepherding the VIPs to safety.

Meanwhile, I reached out to Diablo through Thought Communication.

Me: "Diablo, get all civilians out of here. Teleport them to Tempest's underground shelter."

Diablo's voice came back, eerily calm despite the chaos.

Diablo: "Ah, my lord, I was just about to act. I do love when you give me permission to indulge."

A dark mist spread throughout the city, engulfing thousands of civilians in an instant. Their terrified screams turned into gasps of shock as they suddenly found themselves teleported into a massive underground sanctuary.

In the shelter, leaders and nobles stood in stunned silence.

"Teleportation of this scale… Impossible."

"Rimuru… no, this nation… it's far beyond our understanding."

A calm, authoritative voice echoed through the chamber, filling the air with an almost divine presence.

Mysterious Voice (Me, concealing my identity):
"You are safe. The threat has been neutralized. Now, I will return each of you to your respective nations. Remain calm, and do not be afraid."

A hushed silence filled the massive underground shelter. The gathered kings, queens, nobles, and leaders exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions shifting from fear to awe.

King Gazel Dwargo narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard. "Teleportation of this magnitude... Even for a Demon Lord, this is beyond comprehension."

Elmesia, the Empress of Sarion, smirked, crossing her arms. "Impressive. Whoever you are, you just proved that Tempest isn't just strong—it's untouchable."

"If Tempest can protect this many people instantly... this nation may be the safest place in the world."

Duke Grenwald muttered under his breath, his face pale. "This level of magic… no human nation can match this power."

The merchants and nobles who had been skeptical of Tempest now stood speechless, their fear replaced with admiration and even reverence.

I let the silence linger for a moment before continuing.

Mysterious Voice (Me):
"Now, I will return each of you to your respective nations. Stand still."

A golden glow filled the chamber, and one by one, the rulers and dignitaries vanished in brilliant flashes of light.

King Gazel Dwargo disappeared first, returning to the Dwarven Kingdom of Dwargon.
Empress Elmesia followed, sent back to Sarion.

The Blumund nobles were next, blinking out of sight as they were transported home.

The leaders of the Western Council, one by one, were teleported back to their respective nations.
Even the skeptical nobles of Siltrosso were sent home, still in shock at what they had just witnessed.
The once crowded shelter gradually emptied, leaving only silence in its wake.

I leaned back, observing the final teleportation with a smirk.

None of them knew the truth.

They all believed Rimuru was responsible for this act of salvation.

And that was exactly how I wanted it.

The air in Tempest was still heavy with tension. The smoke from the explosions lingered, and the remains of the attackers were being cleared by Rimuru's generals. Despite the swift response, the attack had shaken everyone.

Rimuru stood at the center, his arms crossed, deep in thought. His eyes scanned the surroundings, ensuring no other threats remained. Benimaru, Shion, and Souei were giving orders, securing the city and tending to the civilians.

Just then, Luminous Valentine, who had remained in Tempest for the event, suddenly received a message. Her eyes widened in absolute shock.

Luminous (muttering): "No... this can't be..."

Rimuru immediately turned to her.
Rimuru: "Luminous? What is it?"

Without hesitation, she turned to him, her expression unreadable—cold yet burning with rage.

Luminous: "Ruberios is under attack."

Before Rimuru could respond, Luminous vanished in an instant, leaving only a trace of silver light behind.

I leaned back in my chair, watching through the projection with narrowed eyes.

"So that's how it is…"

The attack on Tempest wasn't just an assault—it was a diversion. The real battle was happening elsewhere.

Within moments, shadows shifted behind me. Three cloaked figures emerged from the darkness, my spies stationed in Ruberios.

They knelt before me.

Spy 1 (breathing heavily): "My Lord… it's as you suspected."

Spy 2: "The real target was never Tempest… It was Ruberios."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting.

Spy 3: "They're after Chloe's body. The one Luminous has hidden."

My fingers tapped against the armrest, my mind calculating everything at lightning speed.

"They want to steal Chloe's body... that means the enemy knows about its significance."

The room was silent, the air heavy with realization. Everything suddenly clicked.

This was never about Tempest.

This was a grand orchestration of deception.

I exhaled sharply before activating Thought Communication.

Their figures appeared in my mind's eye, standing amidst the ruins of Tempest's battlefield. Diablo stood with his usual sinister smirk, his crimson eyes glimmering with amusement, while Velzard, Testarossa, Ultima, and Carrera—my Eminence in the Shadow—stood at his side, their expressions cold and merciless after eliminating the last remnants of the enemy forces.

Me (commanding, voice sharp as a dagger):
"The real attack was never here. The enemy used this chaos as a smokescreen. The true target is Ruberios. Luminous just confirmed it—her territory is under siege, and they are after Chloe's body. You know what to do."

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, Diablo chuckled. A low, eerie sound that sent shivers through the link.

Diablo (grinning): "Oh my… how delightful. A mere distraction? And they think they can slip past us?"

Testarossa closed her eyes, a sadistic smile forming on her lips.

Testarossa: "How bold. But also… how foolish."

Ultima cracked her knuckles, eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

Ultima: "So we get to kill more of them? Hah! Now this is getting interesting!"

Carrera, ever the battle-maniac, chuckled darkly.

Carrera: "Tch. I was just getting warmed up. Time to wipe them out for real."

Velzard, standing tall and composed, simply sighed.

Velzard: "Hmph. They will learn why crossing us is the last mistake they'll ever make."

Diablo placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly, his eerie smirk never leaving.

Diablo: "Understood, my Lord. We shall move immediately. And rest assured... none of them will leave Ruberios alive."

With that, the Thought Communication link severed.

In an instant, Diablo and the Eminence in the Shadow vanished into the darkness, their presence disappearing completely.

The hunt had begun.

And Ruberios' attackers... had no idea that death was already upon them.