Days had passed since Rimuru Tempest began his evolution into a True Demon Lord.

During that time, Tempest had been eerily quiet—the entire city had been holding its breath, waiting for their ruler to awaken. Those connected to him, who had also fallen into deep slumber, began stirring one by one. Their bodies had changed, their auras had strengthened, and new powers had been granted to them.

But Diablo remained still.

For days, he had stood watching over Rimuru, unwavering, like a knight standing before a sacred altar. Even as the world outside continued to shift and react to the events of Falmuth's downfall, his only concern was Rimuru's awakening.

And then—

A surge of power rippled through the air, spreading across Tempest.

The once-dormant slime quivered—his core pulsing with an otherworldly radiance. Then, slowly, Rimuru's golden eyes opened.

Diablo, upon witnessing this, smiled with deep satisfaction, bowing slightly. "Welcome back, Rimuru-sama."

Rimuru blinked, momentarily disoriented, before scanning his surroundings. His aura had become immeasurably vast, carrying a pressure that was far beyond what it once was. His evolution was complete.

As he shifted into his human form, he stretched his arms and let out a small sigh. "Looks like I was out for a while…" His voice was smoother, his presence even more commanding than before.

Before Diablo could respond, the doors of the chamber burst open, and in rushed Benimaru, Shion, Shuna, and the rest of his loyal followers, their eyes wide with joy and relief.

"Rimuru-sama! You're awake!"

Their voices overlapped as they expressed their excitement. Rimuru, now fully awake, smiled as he observed his subordinates—each of them had grown stronger, their evolutions evident.

"Looks like everyone got a power-up, huh?" Rimuru chuckled, noting the changes in his allies.

Benimaru clenched his fist, feeling the immense power coursing through him. "Yes… We all received incredible abilities. It's thanks to you, Rimuru-sama."

Shion, overwhelmed with emotion, attempted to hug Rimuru, but he instinctively dodged, knowing her strength had likely increased.

While Tempest celebrated Rimuru's ascension, I observed the world's response from the City of Eternal Night.

Reports from my spies and informants flooded in, detailing the reactions of every kingdom, empire, and powerful faction.

The Western Holy Church was in complete chaos.

Rimuru becoming a True Demon Lord sent shockwaves through their ranks. They had long preached that monsters were evil, that Demon Lords were calamities, yet here was Rimuru—beloved by his people, a protector of his nation, and now one of the most powerful entities in existence.

Many high-ranking members of the Church debated whether they should continue their hostility toward Rimuru or attempt diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Luminous Valentine, the True Vampire and ruler of Ruberios, had a much different reaction.

"Fufu… how amusing." She smirked upon hearing the news, her ruby eyes gleaming. "A freshly ascended Demon Lord? How adorable. I suppose Hinata failed to kill him."

Her interest in Rimuru had been piqued.

King Gazel Dwargo of the Dwarven Kingdom took the news in stride.

When he received reports of the Falmuth invasion and subsequent annihilation, he merely nodded in approval.

"They reaped what they sowed," he muttered, taking a sip of his drink. "And now Rimuru has fully stepped into the realm of the Demon Lords… Interesting. I'll have to pay him a visit soon."

Despite the chaos in the Western Church, the Dwarven Kingdom remained neutral—not seeing Rimuru as a threat but rather an ally worth keeping close.

The smaller human nations were terrified.

News of Falmuth's army being massacred in an instant spread like wildfire.

Rumors painted Rimuru as a merciless monster, while others depicted him as a god of vengeance, punishing those who threatened his home.

Engrassia, one of the more influential human nations, immediately reinforced its defenses and sent diplomats to reevaluate their stance on Tempest.

The Eastern Empire, a rising power known for its military might, took a keen interest in Rimuru's evolution.

The Emperor himself reportedly laughed, saying, "A new Demon Lord, huh? He might be worth fighting someday."

Unlike the Western nations, who reacted with fear, the Eastern Empire saw Rimuru's ascension as a challenge—one they would eventually have to confront.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Clayman—one of the weaker Demon Lords—was gritting his teeth in frustration.

"Damn it… This wasn't supposed to happen!"

He had orchestrated Falmuth's attack with the hope of crippling Rimuru, but instead, it had led to his evolution into a True Demon Lord.

Realizing that Rimuru was now far beyond his reach, Clayman began plotting his next move, knowing that the Walpurgis, the Demon Lords' gathering, was inevitable.

I leaned back, absorbing all the information.

"So, the world is in chaos…" I murmured, my voice carrying a note of amusement.

Velzard, standing beside me, chuckled. "Of course it is. Rimuru didn't just evolve—he changed the balance of power in the Cardinal World."

Testarossa smirked. "Fear, admiration, anger… every faction is reacting differently. It's fascinating."

Ultima giggled, "I wonder how many fools will try to test his power now~"

Carrera cracked her knuckles. "If they do, they'll regret it."

I nodded, watching the world shift in real-time.

Rimuru's evolution had set a new era into motion.

And now, it was only a matter of time before the Demon Lords convened at Walpurgis… where the next great battle of politics, power, and ambition would begin.
----____-----

The morning sun cast its golden glow over Tempest, painting the sky in hues of orange and blue. Rimuru, still in his slime form, sat comfortably atop Ranga, perched on a hill overlooking his thriving city. A cool breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the sounds of a bustling town—his people going about their day, stronger and more united than ever.

As he admired the view, a presence suddenly appeared behind him, smooth and elegant, yet carrying an overwhelming sense of power.

Rimuru turned slightly, his golden eyes narrowing as he sensed no hostility.

It was Diablo.

The mysterious demon, clad in his signature black and red suit, stood there with a composed smile, his crimson eyes filled with amusement.

Rimuru, still trying to make sense of everything that had happened since his evolution, tilted his slime body slightly. "Oh, right... You. Who are you again?"

Diablo's smile widened, as if entertained by Rimuru's casual attitude. He placed a hand on his chest and bowed gracefully.

"I am a demon you summoned me before your evolution, my Lord, to protect you while you slept."

Rimuru blinked, his mind rewinding back to that moment.

"Oh, yeah! Now I remember!" He bounced slightly in excitement.

But before he could say anything else, a voice echoed in his mind—clear, refined, and vastly more intelligent than before.

"Diablo is a Primordial Demon. He is among the strongest demons in existence. Considering his overwhelming power, it is advisable to keep him as a subordinate. Naming him would solidify his loyalty."

Rimuru paused, realizing that his old skill, Great Sage, had evolved into something far more advanced.

Rimuru's golden eyes widened slightly at the revelation.

A Primordial Demon?!

He had heard stories about them—the ancient, color-coded demons that existed since time immemorial, beings far beyond normal demons or even high-ranking Archdemons. The fact that he had summoned one without even realizing it made him sweat internally.

But more than that…

Why would such a powerful entity serve him so willingly?

Rimuru turned his attention back to Diablo, who was watching him with a knowing smile, as if he already knew what was going on inside Rimuru's mind.

"Hey, demon," Rimuru began. "Would you like to work for me?"

Diablo's expression softened, but instead of instantly accepting, he shook his head.

"I'm afraid I must decline, Rimuru-sama."

Rimuru blinked in genuine surprise. "Huh? Why not?"

Diablo placed a hand behind his back, his gaze sharp yet respectful. "I already have a master."

For the first time, Rimuru felt a sense of unease.

A master?

A Primordial Demon like Diablo, one of the oldest and most powerful demons in existence, already had a master?

That implied that whoever this person was… they were beyond even Diablo.

Rimuru's curiosity spiked, but at the same time, there was an undercurrent of wariness.

"Who's your master?" Rimuru asked cautiously.

Diablo's smile never wavered, but his answer was firm and unwavering. "I cannot disclose that information."

A beat of silence passed between them.

Rimuru could feel that Diablo wasn't lying—his words held absolute loyalty to this mysterious master.

Who could possibly command someone like this demon?

The thought sent a small chill down Rimuru's non-existent spine.

For now, he chose not to press further. Instead, he sighed, feeling a little disappointed.

"I see... well, I still owe you for looking after me while I was out. Let me repay you somehow."

Diablo, however, shook his head once more.

"There is no need for that, Rimuru-sama. My task is complete."

He bowed deeply, his golden buttons gleaming in the sunlight, before turning to leave.

Rimuru, still conflicted, watched as the demon who had loyally protected him prepared to walk away, likely never to return.

And for some reason…

That thought didn't sit right with him.