DID YOU KNOW? YOU CAN NOW READ THREE TO SIX CHAPTERS AHEAD. CHECK MY PROFILE FOR THE LINK.
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Tempest had grown since Kaede had last seen it, which, admittedly, hadn't been very long ago.
Three months, to be exact.
Just three months, and somehow Tempest had nearly doubled in size and scale. The city had expanded outward, with new buildings, roads, and districts filling what had once been empty stretches of land. Even from the designated guest room, Kaede could see the signs of how rapidly the nation had developed.
Kaede stood by the large window, looking out over the city with an expression of genuine amazement.
"Wow, the orcs are almost as diligent as the Antari." She almost whistled at the sight before her. "I should buy Geld a drink."
"Of course, Tempest has nothing on Maple Tree, Mother." Hanae stood behind her seated mother, carefully braiding one side of Kaede's dark hair. The Dryad's fingers moved with practiced ease, gently weaving the strands together.
"Naturally. Although, she's not without her merits. Rimuru Tempest is a good ruler, after all." Standing behind Kaede, braiding the other side of her dark hair, was Hachi.
The Antari and the Dryad looked remarkably similar when standing beside one another, though the differences between them were still obvious. Hachi possessed the distinctive antennae of her race, while Hanae had the vines and leaves that naturally formed a delicate halo around her head.
"Obviously." Kaede said without hesitation. "He's my junior after all. I'd say that makes me a good senior."
Hanae shook her head with an amused smile as she continued working on her mother's hair.
The door to the guest room suddenly opened, and Sera stepped inside carrying a tray filled with refreshments.
Kaede turned her head slightly. "Hey, Sera. How did it go? Did they like the recipes?"
Sera's face immediately lit up with amusement.
"Oh, their reactions were..." She paused dramatically, setting the tray down on the nearby table. "Satisfying, to say the least."
Kaede raised an eyebrow. "That good?"
Sera giggled. "My Lady, the Holy Culinary Grail quite literally blew their minds."
Hachi stopped braiding for a moment.
Hanae looked over curiously.
Sera continued, clearly enjoying the memory. "I think Lady Shuna's hair actually glowed for a moment when she tasted the dish."
Kaede stared at Sera for several seconds before slowly looking toward Hanae and Hachi.
"Is that normal?"
Hanae shrugged. "I don't think so."
Hachi shook her head. "Definitely not."
Sera smiled proudly. "Then I believe the recipe was a success."
"My food gives buffs now. Damn, yeah, that's a success." Kaede puffed out her chest proudly, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. "Now I just have to make sure Rimuru doesn't try to steal the Grail."
Hanae giggled while Hachi simply shook her head.
They continued talking like that for a few more minutes, occasionally drifting from food to the changes in Tempest and then back to the various recipes Kaede had been experimenting with.
Nearly an hour passed as they waited for the arrival of Tempest's second visitors of the day.
The Demon Lord Luminous Valentine.
And Hinata Sakaguchi.
Kaede's expression became noticeably more subdued when she finally caught sight of the approaching delegation through the window.
"Looks like that's them." Kaede sighed, her voice carrying a reluctant edge as she watched the group approach the designated reception area.
Behind her, Hachi's hand slowly came to rest against the window sill.
Her fingers tightened around the edge.
"At last..." Hachi's voice was quiet, but there was a distinct hardness behind it. "A face to the name of the one responsible."
Kaede glanced over her shoulder.
Hachi's usual cheerful expression was nowhere to be found. Her antennae twitched slightly as she stared toward the distant figure of Hinata, her eyes filled with an emotion that Kaede knew all too well.
"Settle down, Hachi." Kaede's voice remained gentle, though there was a firm undertone to it. "I brought you with me specifically to stop me from going off the rails."
Hachi blinked before looking toward her mother.
"Of your three sisters, you're the calmest and most friendly." Kaede smiled. "So I figured you'd be the safest person to have around."
Behind them, Sera's expression immediately became awkward. 'I probably shouldn't mention the bandits, then.'
She glanced at Hachi. 'Of course, it warms my heart to know my Lady thinks the best of all of us.'
Sera's eyes shifted toward Hanae. '...Still, Lady Hachi, like her sisters, Lady Crimara and Lady Aurina, is a battle maniac.'
Hachi's fingers slowly relaxed from the window sill.
"Good girl."
Hachi smiled innocently.
Sera immediately looked away. 'I'm definitely not saying anything.'
Hanae stepped closer and gently placed her hand over Kaede's. "Shall we go meet the other guests, mother?"
Kaede looked at her daughter, then toward the door. She sighed. There was no point delaying it any longer. "You're milking this for all it's worth, aren't you?" Kaede giggled.
Hanae's smile widened. "Perhaps."
Kaede shook her head, amused despite herself. "Alright, alright." She stood from her seat and adjusted her clothing before giving her daughters one last glance. "Lead the way, daughter."
Hanae opened the door, and the four of them stepped into the hallway.
Kaede walked at the front, with Hanae beside her while Hachi and Sera followed behind.
She could already feel the presence of the approaching delegation.
Powerful.
Very powerful.
They reached the reception hall only moments later.
The doors opened, and Kaede immediately saw them. At the far end of the hall stood a group of people dressed in the colours of Lubelius.
At the forefront was a woman with long silver hair. Unlike the rest of her entourage, she wores a dark frilled dress.
Luminous Valentine.
The Twilight Demon Lord smiled the moment her heterochromatic eyes landed on Kaede. "Kaede."
Kaede stopped. "Luminous."
For several seconds, neither woman moved.
Then Luminous smiled wider. "It's been a while."
"Not long enough, apparently." Kaede muttered.
Hanae coughed.
Kaede glanced at her daughter. "...I said that quietly."
"You did not."
Luminous giggled. "She's right. You didn't.
Beside her, Hinata Sakaguchi remained completely still. Her eyes were fixed on Kaede. Then they moved toward Hachi. Then Hanae.
The Holy Knight's expression changed slightly.
Hinata's gaze returned to Kaede. "You are the ruler of Maple Tree."
Kaede smiled politely. "And you're Hinata Sakaguchi."
Hachi stepped forward. "You're the one who killed Pito."
The atmosphere instantly changed. Hinata's eyes widened slightly. Luminous's smile disappeared.
Hanae immediately placed a hand on Hachi's shoulder. "Lady Hachi."
"I know." Hachi reluctantly said.
Kaede stepped forward. Her expression remained perfectly calm. "Hachi."
The Antari clenched her fists. Then she stepped back. "...Of course."
Hinata stared at Kaede. There was no anger in Kaede's expression. No killing intent. Nothing.
And somehow, that made Hinata more cautious.
"My apologies." Hinata bowed her head slightly. "I understand your feelings."
Kaede's smile remained. "Do you?"
Hinata looked up.
Kaede's eyes were cold. "You don't need to apologize." She walked past her. "Just don't give me a reason to regret accepting this invitation."
Hinata remained silent.
Luminous watched Kaede pass with a faint smile returning to her lips. "Interesting."
Kaede stopped. "What?"
"You're much calmer than I expected."
"Well, I'm trying not to cause a diplomatic incident."
Luminous laughed. "How considerate."
Kaede walked toward her. "So, are we going to stand here staring at each other all day?"
"Of course not." Luminous extended her hand. "Shall we?"
Kaede looked at the offered hand. Then she smiled. "Sure." She took it.
Kaede's hand met Luminous's, and for a brief moment, the two Demon Lords simply regarded one another.
Behind her stood the remaining Great Saints, their expressions considerably more restrained than those of their leader. There were only nine of them now, Glenda Atlee having already abandoned Lubelius and joined Maple Tree.
Hinata had insisted that they accompany her for this very reason.
They deserved to know the truth about the being they worshipped, and more importantly, they deserved the freedom to decide for themselves whether they still wished to serve her.
They had all chosen to remain.
Now, however, several of them were seeing Luminous Valentine for the first time.
Kaede's gaze briefly swept across the group before settling on Hinata.
The Holy Knight remained silent, her eyes meeting Kaede's without hesitation. The tension returned almost immediately.
Hachi's expression hardened.
Hinata noticed.
So did Luminous.
Before either of them could say anything, a gentle voice interrupted them.
"Lady Hinata."
Everyone turned.
Shuna approached from the opposite end of the hall, wearing her usual graceful smile. She stopped before Luminous and bowed.
"Welcome to Tempest. It is an honour to receive you and your entourage."
Hinata smiled warmly. "Thank you, Lady Shuna."
Shuna's gaze finally settled on Kaede.."Lady Kaede."
Kaede smiled. "Hey, Shuna."
"I trust everything went well?"
Kaede glanced toward Hinata.."Define well."
Shuna's smile remained perfectly composed.."I see." She wisely decided not to ask further. "If everyone is ready, Lord Rimuru is waiting for us at the pavilion."
Kaede nodded. "Lead the way."
The group followed Shuna through the halls of Tempest and out into the gardens.
The moment they stepped outside, the atmosphere changed.
The sounds of the city faded behind them, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds.
Ahead stood the diplomatic pavilion, surrounded by carefully maintained gardens and enormous trees.
Its open sides were supported by rows of elegant columns, several of which were covered in flowering vines. Above the broad, tiered roof sat the large blue-green glass dome, its surface reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
Kaede's eyes moved across the structure. "Rimuru certainly has good taste."
They climbed the short staircase leading to the pavilion.
As Kaede stepped onto the raised platform, she immediately noticed the various seats that had been arranged throughout the open structure.
And, unsurprisingly, Rimuru was nowhere to be seen.
She continued into the pavilion.
Luminous and Hinata followed, with the Great Saints entering behind them.
Hanae, Hachi, and Sera took their places with Kaede's entourage.
Shuna gestured toward the prepared seating. "Please, everyone. Make yourselves comfortable."
One by one, the guests took their seats.
Luminous settled gracefully into hers, her silver hair falling over her shoulders.
Hinata sat nearby, with the remaining Great Saints taking their places around her.
Kaede sat opposite them, with Hanae and Hachi standing close behind her.
Sera remained slightly to the side, ready to attend to Kaede whenever necessary.
Shuna stood near the entrance for a moment, ensuring that everyone had arrived. Finally, she turned toward the empty space at the front of the pavilion. "Lord Rimuru."
A familiar blue slime slowly emerged from behind one of the nearby pillars, his movements noticeably cautious as he finally revealed himself to the gathered guests. Despite his attempt to appear as though nothing unusual had happened, the fact that he had been hiding behind a pillar was hardly subtle.
Behind him stood his own entourage, each reacting to their lord's rather questionable entrance in their own way.
Benimaru looked thoroughly ashamed, his expression carrying the unmistakable embarrassment of someone who had been forced to witness his lord behaving in such a ridiculous manner. He quietly lowered his gaze, apparently deciding that pretending none of this had happened was the best course of action.
Shion, on the other hand, wore a broad grin, seemingly finding the entire situation far more amusing than she should have.
Souei remained as stoic as ever, his expression giving away absolutely nothing as he silently observed the gathered guests.
Hakurou simply chuckled beneath his breath, clearly entertained by his lord's antics.
Kaede stared at him. "...You were actually hiding behind a pillar."
Rimuru looked away. "I was giving everyone time to settle in."
Kaede sighed. "Sure you were."
Rimuru quietly moved into position. "Now that everyone is here, we can finally begin."
Kaede leaned back slightly. "About time."
"Not without me, you're not. Muahahahaha!"
A booming voice suddenly rang through the pavilion, causing several of the guests to turn toward the source.
A muscular, tanned man wearing nothing but a cape came flying into the open structure, his hands planted firmly on his hips as his cape billowed dramatically behind him.
Veldora's thunderous laughter continued to echo through the pavilion as he descended, landing in what he clearly believed was a dazzling and truly magnificent pose.
He straightened proudly, his chest puffed out as he looked over the gathered guests.
"For I, Veldora the Storm Dragon, have arrived!"
Luminous's eye twitched. "Hah!?"