"Yare yare, even as an Awakened Demon Lord, fighting Hinata was still this much of a struggle. It seems I'll have to have Hakurou give him extra training when we get back."
Draco sat in the void, conducting a post-battle summary.
As for their conversation, he had heard it too. Yuuki had already caused the two to become suspicious, but without substantial evidence, they decided to wait and see.
Draco curled his lips; it wouldn't be long before this mastermind would be finished.
What was Draco doing all this for now? It was precisely to lure this rat out.
Without going down to disturb their conversation, Draco put away his seeds and drinks and continued toward the Holy Empire of Lubelius.
An hour later... "Let's leave it at that for now. Before then, I will try my best to delay for time."
Hinata had already finished exchanging information with Rimuru. After scrutinizing many things, the truth had surfaced.
Someone was definitely playing tricks behind the scenes regarding the Kingdom of Farmus, wanting to use the Western Holy Church to deal with the Jura Tempest Federation.
However, even though she knew the truth, Hinata would still send troops to the Jura Tempest Federation.
Because she believed her God could not be wrong.
Goddess Luminas had not ordered her to deploy troops because she received a plea for help from the Western Nations, but because of another secret letter.
Having been by Luminus's side for so long, she more or less knew who had sent this secret letter.
Since Goddess Luminas had agreed, it meant that everything was within the plan. As the Right Hand of God, she would naturally follow God's will and fulfill the duties God had bestowed upon her.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Rimuru began to feel anxious; he had no idea how complex the relationships involved in this matter were.
He only knew that his Jura Tempest Federation was once again in a state of crisis.
After saying goodbye, Rimuru returned to the school to prepare to bid farewell to the children.
Hinata had promised to try and delay the pace of the Holy Knights, allowing Rimuru time to find a way to break the deadlock, so he had to return quickly to think of countermeasures.
The two bid each other a hurried farewell. Hinata did not return to the city to confront Yuuki; she would not do something so stupid as to expose her thoughts. Instead, she headed directly toward where the Holy Knights were, trying to slow down the army's march... At the city gate, Rimuru waved goodbye to the children.
As he was leaving, Chloe cried and hugged Rimuru, not wanting her favorite teacher to leave.
"Be good, Chloe. Here, this is for you. Don't cry anymore."
Rimuru gave Shizu's mask to Chloe and then stroked her hair.
"Ah~ I want one too!"
Seeing this, Alice, Kenya, and the others all clamored for Teacher Rimuru to give them one too.
"Hehe, it's mine now."
Chloe, whose eyes had been misty with tears, immediately showed a happy smile and quietly held the mask in her arms.
At this point, the Anti-Magic Mask, with its infinite depth of time, once again began its thousand-year cycle of reincarnation.
"Ah~ that's cheating!"
"Wow, I'm so envious."
"Alright, alright, you all have gifts too."
Rimuru took out exquisite school uniforms made from the silk of Hell Moths and handed them to everyone.
"Whoa~ so cool!"
Ryota praised as he looked at Kenya, who had put on the school uniform.
"Heehee, Ryota's not bad either."
Finally, after comforting the children, Rimuru waved goodbye to everyone.
Because of the teleportation formation, Rimuru could actually come over at any time, so there wasn't much to be sentimental about... Shortly after Rimuru and Hinata left.
Free Guild Headquarters.
Laplace's figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the room.
"Yare yare, Laplace, it seems this trip wasn't very smooth."
Yuuki elegantly poured a cup of black tea and pushed it in front of Laplace.
Beside him, a blonde member of the Long-eared Race in a black suit placed a plate of cookies on the table and then stood silently to the side.
"So, did you discover any information?" Yuuki asked.
"About that..."
"The security was too tight, ehe, I couldn't get it done."
Laplace, dressed like a clown, shook his head and sighed.
"That's a real shame," Yuuki said with a shrug.
"There must be at least some slightly valuable clues."
Yuuki stared at Laplace with a half-smile.
"What? You saw through me. This is information I worked hard for; I wanted to sell it for a good price."
Laplace had a dejected look on his face.
"Haha, who told you to always be such a liar?"
Yuuki picked up a manga book nearby and flipped through a few pages casually.
"You're really too much, as expected of an eccentric with twisted ambitions."
"I'm honored to receive such praise, but the commission fee won't change."
"Yare yare, how cold-hearted."
"Don't say that. The reward we agreed on before is already prepared~"
Hearing this, Laplace's eyes immediately lit up. "Really?!"
"It's true. Your President's soul has been extracted from within me and successfully anchored to a Homunculus."
Laplace was instantly beyond excited.
"Our President has finally been resurrected!!"
"Where is he? Let me see!"
Yuuki waved his hand, "Don't be so impatient, she's been in the room all along."
"Huh?"
"Uh... you don't mean this beauty, do you?!"
Laplace looked at the slender blonde Long-eared Race girl standing silently to the side, his eyes full of suspicion.
"..."
After getting Yuuki's silent confirmation... "Pfft~ Hahaha~~~~"
Laplace clutched his stomach, suddenly bursting into loud, comical laughter.
"What kind of look is this? It's quite unique."
"Have you changed your taste? Ke-hahahaha~~"
The delicate and charming-looking girl rubbed the back of her head and shouted shyly.
"You're so noisy, Laplace."
"Is this how you treat your old master, Demon Lord Kazalim, after two hundred years? Where are your manners?"
Laplace suppressed his laughter, snapped his legs together, and gave a clown's bow.
"Welcome back, President Kazarim."
"All members of the Neutral Clowns—Footman, Tia, and myself, along with Clayman—have been waiting for your return."
At this moment, Yuuki suddenly interrupted.
"I hate to break up your heartwarming reunion, but Demon Lord Kazalim's resurrection isn't fully complete yet."
"Indeed."
Kazarim looked at her slender, delicate hands and continued.
"My current strength is far from my peak. Leon Cromwell, damn him!!"
Thinking back to two hundred years ago when she led an army of two hundred thousand to attack El Dorado, only to be wiped out by Leon alone, the hatred in Kazarim's heart surged once more.
However, thinking about how she had returned to a female body, her mood improved significantly.
Yes, before becoming Demon Lord Kazalim, she was originally female, and her identity was that of a beautiful Elf princess.
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