Rimuru sat in a serene private chamber high within the central palace, the room bathed in soft azure light filtering through enchanted crystal windows that overlooked the bustling capital below. The space was intimate yet grand—floating cushions arranged in a loose circle, a low table laden with steaming tea and delicate Tempest pastries, and walls adorned with subtle magical runes that ensured absolute privacy.
Present were the true upper echelon of the federation: Benimaru and Diablo stood at relaxed attention near the entrance, Souei blended into the shadows, Testarossa lounged gracefully with a knowing smile, and Shuna sat nearby with her usual gentle composure, occasionally refreshing the tea with precise holy magic. Rigurd had briefly stepped out to handle minor administrative matters.
Across from Rimuru sat Beerus, lazily sprawled on an oversized cushion with his tail flicking idly, and Wanda Maximoff, her crimson cloak draped elegantly as scarlet wisps of chaos energy danced faintly around her fingers. Zairis observed quietly from the side, arms crossed, his presence calm but watchful.
Rimuru leaned forward slightly, his expression focused. "Wanda, I need more on this Phantom Sovereign. Anything you can share—its nature, how it senses, what it truly hungers for. The more I understand, the better we can prepare."
Wanda nodded, extending a hand. "Direct feed, then. Brace yourself."
A thread of crimson chaos magic bridged the space between them, carrying a surge of raw information—flashes of that towering, void-faced figure with its phasing translucent armor, the way reality itself seemed to hesitate in its presence, the echoing chorus-voice that warped perception. Rimuru absorbed it silently, his eyes narrowing as Raphael processed the data in real time.
"Warning, Master," Raphael's calm, mechanical voice echoed only in Rimuru's mind. "Once the visual and conceptual imprint is fully integrated, the Phantom Sovereign will register your existence—and by extension, every soul and entity tied to you. The trail will wind back through your subordinates, your federation, and ultimately to you. Even with Lady Wanda's power assisting in masking your signature, the risk remains extremely high. Detection could trigger immediate interest."
Rimuru's expression grew serious. He held the connection for several long seconds before gently withdrawing. "I see… It's worse than I imagined. That thing isn't just strong—it's a conceptual predator."
Wanda lowered her hand, the crimson thread fading. "Exactly. It doesn't simply destroy. It consumes divinity, edits reality to suit its hunger. We barely slipped away last time."
Rimuru glanced between Wanda and Beerus, weighing his words carefully. "Then we may need to do more than hide. I've been thinking… Would you two be willing to help me relocate or shield my entire universe? Perhaps establish some kind of permanent connection between our realms—a hub that blends your Destruction authority with my own control over this world. If we mix our protective powers, it could amplify the masking effect massively, enough to blind the Sovereign from us entirely, at least for now."
Beerus cracked one eye open, suddenly more attentive. "Hmph. Not a bad idea, slime lord. A shared hub could work—pooling my Destruction energy with your demon slime-god authority and Wanda's chaos magic. It'd create a layered defense far stronger than anything solo. But don't get cocky. That thing is young. It's growing at a ridiculous rate. What we're facing now is nothing compared to what it'll become in even a short time."
Wanda leaned back, her gaze steady. "He's right. One Sovereign appeared mere months after the Cycle collapsed—when eons used to separate them. We'll need more than a simple shield. A true alliance of Apex Gods. A network of high-ranking deities, each capable of sustaining and protecting their own universes. That's the bare minimum to form any meaningful front against it. Anything less, and we're just buying time until it devours us one by one."
Rimuru nodded slowly, the weight of the situation settling in. "A final frontier, then. Gods strong enough to stand as pillars. We'd have to recruit carefully—only those who can hold their own."
Beerus smirked faintly, sitting up a bit straighter. "Speaking of which… there's another Destroyer God who's probably reached my level by now. Gohan. Kid's got ridiculous potential. We just need to locate him. He's out there somewhere in a specific direction through the Abyss. Problem is, we'd have to skirt around the Phantom's growing influence. That detour could take a very long time. But it doesn't have to interrupt anything here in Tempest. You lot can keep going about your business—festivals, training, whatever. This part only really needs the three of us: me, Wanda, and you, Rimuru. We're the only ones with the raw power to make any real moves without getting swatted."
Zairis added quietly from the side, "And even then, caution is paramount. The Sovereign's reach is expanding faster than expected."
Rimuru raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "Gohan…? Wait, you mean Goku's son?"
Beerus blinked, looking momentarily surprised, then his expression shifted into mild annoyance as realization dawned. "Hmph… now that you mention it, I really shouldn't be surprised." He reached into his robe and casually pulled out the Dragon Ball Z manga volume he had been flipping through earlier — the one covering the Buu Saga up to the early Battle of Gods arc. He tapped the cover with a claw. "I only started reading this 'Battle of Gods' part. In the version I read, Goku was the one who became Super Saiyan God. But back home… it looks like things diverged. Instead of Goku, I made Gohan take that path. Ended up in an entirely different Omniverse with its own set of Multiverses. That's how the kid climbed all the way to Destroyer God status."
Rimuru's eyes widened in genuine surprise, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Seriously…? An alternate universe where Gohan became the one to reach that level?" He let out a small sigh, rubbing his temple. "That's… actually kind of frustrating. I couldn't read that timeline at all from my side. The barriers between those realities must have been even thicker than I thought."
Beerus shrugged lazily, placing the manga back in his robe. "Different Omniverse, different rules. Doesn't matter now. We still need to find him."
Rimuru considered this, then glanced at his subordinates. "We do have some powerful individuals who could contribute in supporting roles—perhaps stabilizing the hub once it's formed, or helping maintain the network from this side. Testarossa and Diablo have unique skills in spatial manipulation and loyalty enforcement. Benimaru's tactical insight could help with defense layering. Even Shuna's holy magic might anchor protective wards across realities."
A quiet ripple of pride moved through the upper echelon.
Diablo's dangerous smile softened into something almost reverent. 'To think Lord Rimuru would entrust us with supporting such a monumental alliance… stabilizing realities themselves. My loyalty has never felt more justified.'
Testarossa's eyes gleamed with elegant satisfaction, her posture straightening imperceptibly. 'Spatial manipulation on a multiversal scale. How delightful. I will not disappoint.'
Benimaru felt a surge of fierce loyalty warm his chest, his usual stoic expression cracking into the faintest hint of a proud smile. Tactical insight for defense layering across realities… 'Lord Rimuru believes my strategies could matter on that level. I'll sharpen every plan until it's flawless.'
Shuna clasped her hands together, a gentle flush of happiness coloring her cheeks even as she maintained her composed demeanor. 'My holy magic… anchoring wards across entire realities? Lord Rimuru truly believes in what I can offer. I'll prepare my strongest spells without fail.'
None of them voiced their thoughts aloud — they didn't need to. The subtle shift in their auras, the renewed determination in their eyes, spoke volumes. Being acknowledged as capable of contributing to something this vast, even if not as the core pillars, filled them with quiet, profound pride. Their master continued to place faith in them on a scale far beyond their world, and they would prove worthy of it.
Wanda's lips curved in a small, approving smile as she observed the reactions. "Useful. Every pillar helps, as long as the core remains Apex Gods."
The conversation flowed onward with a growing sense of shared purpose, the group exchanging ideas on how such an alliance might function — potential conduits, layered destruction-chaos barriers, and contingency plans should the Sovereign sense even a whisper of their activities.
Beerus leaned forward slightly, his usual lazy demeanor sharpening into something more serious. "We should also prepare a contingency. Something like a fake mirror reality — a decoy layer that perfectly reflects our combined universes. If that Phantom tries to devour us, it'll bounce right off the mirror and waste its time on an illusion. That momentary distraction should give us enough of a window to activate a mass spatial teleportation spell. One strong enough to shift entire collections of universes at once."
He turned his head and looked directly at Testarossa, his golden eyes locking onto hers with uncharacteristic gravity. "Testarossa. Can you set it up? The spell will need to be anchored and sustained by the Apex Gods serving as the pillars. It has to be flawless."
For the briefest instant, even the confident demon felt a flicker of doubt — the sheer scale of what Beerus was asking was immense, bordering on the impossible. But then her gaze shifted to Rimuru. One single glance at her master was all it took. Absolute confidence flooded back into her, her lips curving into a elegant, assured smile.
"Of course, Lord Beerus," Testarossa replied smoothly, bowing her head with perfect poise. "I will prepare the mass teleportation array spell without fail. You may leave the technical construction to me."
Rimuru gave a small nod of approval, the pride in his subordinates' eyes deepening even further at the trust being placed in them.
Just as Rimuru was about to speak again, a polite knock sounded at the chamber door. A high-level Tempest official— one of Rigurd's senior aides—entered and bowed deeply.
"Lord Rimuru, forgive the interruption. The delegation from the Holy Empire has grown… insistent. Their leader requests an immediate audience, citing important trade and border matters. They await in the antechamber."
Rimuru sighed softly, waving a hand. "Tell them I am currently occupied with extremely important guests. This takes absolute priority. They can wait, or reschedule for tomorrow."
The official hesitated, then bowed again and withdrew. Moments later, raised voices echoed from the corridor outside— the delegation leader, a pompous noble in ornate robes, clearly fuming at being sidelined.
"This is unacceptable!" the count's voice carried through the door. "We are representatives of the Holy Empire, not common petitioners to be ignored while that slime entertains barbarians! We demand entry now!"
The doors burst open as the count and two of his armored guards attempted to barge in, faces flushed with indignation.
Beerus's eyes snapped open, irritation flashing across his feline features.
"Who dares interrupt Gods?" he said flatly, voice carrying absolute disdain.
A fraction of his divine aura of Destruction flared outward—far stronger than before. The pressure exploded beyond the chamber walls in an instant, rolling across the entire capital like an invisible tidal wave of annihilation.
The count and his guards froze mid-step, eyes widening in pure terror as their bodies locked rigid, knees buckling. Several Tempest officials in the outer hall dropped to the floor, stunned and gasping. Even Benimaru, Diablo, Souei, Testarossa, and Shuna felt the edges of the pressure, their expressions tightening as they fought to remain upright. The air itself seemed to thicken with the threat of annihilation.
Throughout Tempest, the effect was immediate and city-wide. Citizens in the streets suddenly stumbled or dropped to their knees as an overwhelming sense of dread washed over them. Conversations died mid-sentence. Children froze in place. Merchants' hands trembled on their wares. Airships hovering above wobbled slightly in the sky. Even the most powerful awakened monsters and soldiers felt their instincts scream danger, a primal fear that something far beyond mortal comprehension had just awakened its displeasure. The joyful atmosphere of the capital turned deathly still for several long heartbeats, every soul instinctively understanding that a true God of Destruction had briefly directed his attention toward their world.
Rimuru and Wanda remained largely unaffected—Rimuru's own god-like nature and Wanda's chaos-destroyer synergy shielding them—though Rimuru did blink in surprise at the intensity.
Zairis stepped forward calmly, placing a hand on Beerus's shoulder. "Lord Beerus… tone it down, if you would. Whis specifically asked that we remain cordial during our stay. These mortals are guests of the federation, annoying as they may be."
Beerus grunted, retracting his aura with a lazy flick of his tail. The pressure vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the delegation sprawled on the floor, trembling and pale, while the upper echelon slowly straightened, exchanging wary glances.
Inside the chamber, Diablo's crimson eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, dangerous smile playing on his lips. This was the true weight of a God of Destruction… 'Even I felt my existence flicker for a moment. Lord Rimuru truly keeps the most fascinating company.'
Testarossa tilted her head gracefully, composure returning instantly, though a spark of analytical interest lingered in her gaze. 'Fascinating. The raw conceptual pressure… It bypassed most defenses as if they were paper. I wonder how long even my barriers would last against the full force...if at all'
Benimaru's hand instinctively rested on his sword hilt before relaxing. That power… It was like staring into an abyss that could erase everything in an instant. 'And yet Lord Rimuru sits there unfazed. Truly, our master moves in realms we can only glimpse.'
Shuna clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her gentle aura flickering as she exhaled softly. 'How terrifying… Yet Lord Rimuru remains so calm. I must ensure the healing wards across the city are reinforced later.'
Elsewhere in Tempest, Goku, still near the tournament plaza with a half-eaten dragon skewer in hand, suddenly stiffened, his carefree grin freezing. "Whoa… that felt like the whole world was about to disappear. Lord Beerus really doesn't hold back when he's annoyed."
Vegeta crossed his arms tighter, a cold sweat breaking on his brow despite his pride. "Tch… His destruction ki is on another level. Pathetic that these mortals would provoke it."
Whis sighed elegantly, tapping his staff once against the ground. "My, my… I asked Lord Beerus so nicely to remain cordial. It seems some requests simply don't stick."
Gobta stood frozen mid-bounce, eyes wide as dinner plates, his little body locked rigid. "H-Huuuuh?! What was THAT?! I felt like my soul was gonna get crushed!!"
Gabiru's dramatic pose collapsed instantly; he dropped to one knee, cape limp, face pale. "T-This magnificence… even the great Gabiru felt… insignificant…!"
Hakuro and Geld, standing far across the city near the training grounds, both broke into a strange cold sweat simultaneously. Hakuro's hand trembled faintly on his katana as he murmured, "Even at this distance… it felt as though the sky itself was moments from collapsing. That power is beyond anything I've ever sensed."
Geld's massive frame remained rooted, but his voice came out low and strained. "Like standing before an erupting volcano that decided you were unworthy to exist… And we weren't even near the palace."
Back in the chamber, the count wheezed on the floor, his fine robes darkened at the crotch where he had lost control in sheer terror. The God of Destruction had clearly aimed the bulk of that annihilating presence directly at the pompous mortal who dared barge in with such hubris.
Beerus glanced down at the pathetic sight and said casually to Rimuru, "He has a heart of steel, this one. No mortal has ever had the guts to barge in on a Destroyer's private time, regardless of what it is. Quite the bold fool."
Rimuru chuckled lightly, the sound warm and easy as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Haha, well… I'm more like a father to the nation, I suppose. So many don't really fear me the way they probably should. They see me as approachable, someone who built this place with them. Well, besides my enemies—they cower in fear and never attack head-on anymore, at least not directly."
Rimuru then turned toward one of Rigurd's senior officials who had remained just inside the doorway, still visibly shaken. "You there. Escort the delegation out safely and make a public announcement across the capital immediately. Tell everyone that everything is fine — it was merely a brief experimental spike in magical energy that I suppressed right away. It will not occur again. Make sure the message is calm and reassuring. We don't need any unnecessary panic."
The official bowed deeply, voice steady despite his pallor. "At once, Lord Rimuru."
Before the doors could fully close, Rimuru's gaze shifted sharply to the still-trembling count on the floor. His usually kind eyes narrowed into a cold, authoritative glare that carried the unmistakable weight of a True Demon Lord — a silent but unmistakable reminder of exactly where the man stood in the hierarchy.
"Next time you barge in like that," Rimuru said, his voice calm yet laced with steel, "you might not make it out. This guest is no barbarian. He is a God of Destruction. Remember your place."
The count's face drained of what little color remained, his body shaking violently as the full implication sank in. He could only nod weakly, too terrified to speak.
The official quickly helped the delegation to their feet and ushered them out, the heavy chamber doors finally sealing shut behind them with a soft click.
The serious discussion paused naturally as Rimuru leaned back on his cushion, a more relaxed smile spreading across his face.
He turned to Beerus and Wanda with a light, inviting tone. "We can continue planning the alliance later. For now, let's talk about something more immediate and fun. The large tournament we're setting up — would you prefer a high viewing seat above the general crowds, or something closer to the action?"
Beerus's ears perked up immediately, a spark of interest cutting through his usual laziness. "Hmph. High viewing seat, obviously. I want to be seen, but not mixed in with the rabble below. Somewhere elevated, with a clear view and enough space to be comfortable. No crowding."
Wanda gave a small nod, her crimson cloak shifting slightly. "I agree. Elevated is better. It keeps things… dignified."
Rimuru chuckled. "Then that settles it. You, me, and Wanda will share the central VIP box at the highest level. It'll be positioned perfectly for the best view while staying clearly above everyone else."
"Goku, Vegeta, Whis, and Zairis will have seats in the same box — on the sides closer to you two. Only the absolute top command of Tempest will be allowed in that area. My inner circle — Benimaru, Diablo, Souei, Testarossa, Shuna, and a few others — will have their own designated spaces right next to mine. Veldora will be there too, of course, but since he'll be participating, we'll make sure his seat has easy access so he can jump straight down to the arena platform when it's his turn."
Rimuru's expression grew a touch more serious as he continued. "We'll set up the highest-level barriers possible around the arena — reinforced with clarifying magic so everyone can actually see the fights clearly, no matter how fast they move. We can also project large viewing screens across the stadium and throughout Tempest for those who can't attend in person. The coliseum will be built on the mountain just thirty minutes from the capital. It should be large enough to hold nearly half of Tempest's population."
Before anyone else could respond, Whis interjected smoothly, a serene smile on his face as he twirled his staff lightly.
"If I may, Lord Rimuru — creating perfect observation barriers and large-scale viewing arrays is something of a specialty of mine. Angel attendants like myself are quite accustomed to ensuring even the most chaotic battles can be viewed with absolute clarity, no matter the speed or power involved. No matter what power is tossed around in that arena, I can contain it fairly easily."
The words were spoken with absolute calm and unshakable confidence, as if containing the destructive forces of gods was no more difficult than adjusting the temperature of a room.
Rimuru paused, clearly surprised and impressed. He hadn't realized the full extent of what the angelic attendants were capable of.
Whis continued modestly, "It comes with attending a God of Destruction, after all. One must ensure the viewing experience remains impeccable."
Zairis gave a quiet nod from the side. "I'll assist as well. Between the two of us, the stadium can be constructed and fully prepared very quickly."
Rimuru's smile widened with genuine appreciation. "That would be perfect. Thank you both."
The atmosphere in the chamber lightened considerably, the conversation shifting smoothly into excited anticipation for the grand tournament that would soon grace the federation.
Beerus stretched lazily, already imagining the spectacle. "Good. As long as there's plenty of food and I get a proper view without idiots blocking it, I'm satisfied."
Rimuru grinned, the excitement for the upcoming tournament clear in his eyes. "Then it's decided. We'll make it grand — a proper welcome worthy of our VVIP guests. The whole federation will remember this."
The atmosphere in the chamber lightened considerably, shifting from the heavy weight of Phantom Sovereign threats to the anticipation of a grand, celebratory event that would showcase Tempest's power and hospitality at its finest.