The Only Blossoming Flower

Chapter 10: The Ball Dance

The Tournament’s semi-finals round was finished by around 5:37 PM, as the late night Ballroom event starts at around 10 PM. That hour was enough for those who were attending the ball to dress up and enhance their looks for a dance like regular prom events in high school. As me and Shion left the colosseum for me to prepare myself in my personal dressing room, a hard knock came banging at the door of my dressing room which was pretty close to the stationed Hotel built for guests to stay in during the festival, it wasn't so forceful but the pace was certainly rapid. It seemed this person or who I already recognized as Mjormilles was in a rush to inform of something he probably discovered. From what I can observe from the knocking alone, he either met someone powerful like Guy who came up to him to deliver a message or perhaps there was an urgent oversight about the Festival’s financial budget and the merchants we loaned from are furious with the late payment, he is my Financial Administrator after all. I would reckon the second option as the both of us hasn't paid those Western merchants, we haven't found a solution to our problem of our heightened currency that would suffice for all the payments but since the money we have is in Stella coins, we can't really pay them with the currency's overvalue.
   Though my back was currently quite exposed as I was undressing myself at the moment inside of my room with Shion just inside as my escort. I put my white collar shirt back on as I wouldn't want my financial administrator seeing me nearly half naked.
   “I’ll get it, Lord Rimuru!” Shiom shouted outside the room as I could a few creaks of her heels making footsteps towards the door. “What is it-! Oh Mjormilles, it's you?” She muttered, leaning on the doorway, crossing her arms.
   “L-Lord Rimuru..? Is he here?” He asked kindly, sending a nervous smile as he slightly trembled.
  “I am.” I went out of my dressing room, my clothes slightly disheveled, I felt rather embarrassed at my state as I looked as if I hooked up with someone and had to stop midway.
  “Ah! Lord Rimuru! Lady Elmesia requests for you, she says that it's something urgent she wishes to discuss before the ball starts.”
   Elmesia? Ah yes… I almost had forgotten that she wished to speak with me in a convenient space when we first interacted. However, I was planning to give her a chat after the festival. Why so soon?
   But if it's Empress Elmesia, then I better fix my unbuttoned shirt, shouldn't I? But seriously, why now of all times? especially at a time like this when I’m in the middle of getting my fashion extravaganza prepared? Even as a man, I do have my own set of priorities outside of diplomatic speech. However, if it leads to an opportunity for an alliance, then that would be a great deal in the end. Having allies as the ruler of a thriving nation is definitely useful, I would be able to expand the distance of my Magitrain in the process as well if I speak well with the Empress and apologize too. Unfortunately, someone like Elmesia is someone I cannot deny despite my busy schedule. If she wishes to speak with me now, I have no choice but to comply. She is one of the people I have met that I wish not to reckon disputes with.
   “Bring her to the 3G guest room, I’ll be there for the quick chat she so desires. Speak my words to her nicely, alright? I'm not really in the mood right now, but don't mention that.” I bluntly replied as I gave my order to Mjormilles with a nearly wavered smile.
   Thankfully, it's only 7:45 PM, so I still have time to dress before the ball.

—

   Just as requested by the Empress Elmesia, a short little “chat” with the king of Tempest was given to her with the allotted time of only 35 minutes maximum. Inside a separate room of the same quality within the Government Building, the room had two couches in front of the large window on opposite sides with a fireplace flickering on one side. One in which Elmesia sat on with her signature cunning grin, but Rimuru felt somewhat eerie with the mood she's implying to have at this very moment. She could be disappointed with her time needing to be controlled after forgetting what she requested, or something else has been bothering her ever since. An aromatic tea of the best quality was served to both of the rulers, in an elegant gesture, she sipped on the brewed tea with dignified posture, only natural for one of her status. Rimuru on the other side, with his two secretaries, Diablo and Shion standing behind the couch with a steady and unmoving stance. He had his tea sit on his lap, with his hand holding tight on the handle to avoid spilling the precious taste of even a single drop. Internally, her constant expression of a smile was unreadable as it was clear that there was something behind it, maybe even anger. He was contemplating Elmesia’s odd polite demand, why would she request for what she called a simple “chat” at this very moment when a Ball was to be on show? Not only that, but she described her concerns as “urgent”, surely something within the festival has been peaking her nerves for a while.
   “Apologies for the late appointment that you happen to have organized instead, I truly and deeply so. However, if I may, why did you choose this moment?” Rimuru broke the awkward silence with a polite smile. Intending to get her reasons without a fight, as what he heard from Gazel. It was to be wary of her despite how elegant and welcoming she may seem.
   “Ah, yes, Sir Rimuru. Apologies for the sudden appointment, I request for a short ample of your time to listen to… a few concerns I bear. In which I wish you to explain kindly. In return, I shall help you with your financial currency and offer you an alliance.” Elmesia replied with a cold glare, maintaining her smile, but now, it seemed to waver for a second.
   “U-uh… If I may ask, how do you know about the financial currency problem?” He questioned back, knowing no one else outside Tempest’s Government officials, Mjormilles, and Gazel knew about the hidden problems escalating within the making of the Festival.
   “Gazzie has an unintentionally big mouth.”
   “Ahh…” Rimuru sighed, knowing that the hard truth wasn't a lie. But that was part of Gazel’s person, sometimes not even he himself could control, yet of course those childish weaknesses were just something shown to close friends. In this case, Elmesia and Gazel were friends for years as the only rulers of the Central World, that was until Rimuru brought birth to Tempest.
   He sighed deeply under his breath, “I shall, please, tell me what exactly are you concerned about?” Rimuru held his tongue, making sure it was as politely as possible, as it was a fact that he didn't want to mess with people of a higher level without a good reason. Especially now that it was clarified that she does indeed hold a concern.
   “Demon Lord Guy Crimson. Why exactly is he here with Demon Lord Milim acting as a servant?” She sternly confessed her bother.
   Rimuru felt rather surprised, yet he was also understanding of her situation. He really should’ve thought his decisions thoroughly before inviting someone like Guy two weeks before the festival, and how it would affect the attendants. That's why his identity was hidden quietly under Milim’s set of subordinates, portraying as her butler with the rest of Milim’s other subordinates. However, from what he said, this identity was hidden well, unless you have great detection abilities of high caliber, you can find a certain demonic presence leaking. But this leak was purposely made by Guy, of course as a demon lord, he still had a pride in him that wanted to declare his position as a demon lord, that was just how Guy is. Which was one of the reasons why Luminous was also able to discover this breach in his illusion, but it seemed that Elmesia knew this much earlier than she did. Rimuru thought of how to make his reply, his silence being a confession to Elmesia.
   “Guy… is here of his own accord. I wasn't entirely agreeing to it, but he insisted on it which is why we had a deal. So he's having his own fun under Milim’s set of subordinates.” It was half a lie, yet half true as well. For Elmesia, Rimuru couldn't tell the entire reason why he's here, as it may offend the demon lord in some way, even without his presence, it is still the thought of insult that he must avoid at all costs. It was clear that Guy took a certain interest in him, Rimuru knew that well, he wasn't that blind. But it's something he shouldn't be taking advantage of, it is the inside respect that he should keep, whether without or with him in the room.
   “Will you be able to control him if he somehow decides to wreck your festival?”
   “Honestly speaking, no, if Guy wants to do that, I have no power to control his urges. But I can assure you one thing, Guy wouldn't do that even if he wanted to.” Rimuru gave a blunt yet understandable honest answer, it wasn't arguable. If Guy wanted to kill, he would and could easily, but that was the answer. Guy hasn't killed because he doesn't want to, the reason was that simple. He's been following Rimuru around every chance he got, it was as if he was the only reason he insisted on being in the festival in the first place.
   “Now, how can you be so sure of that?” Elmesia crooked a brow, crossing her arms as she emitted her ‘Heroic Energy’ gradually. Emphasizing her confusion and worry. In her perspective, Guy Crimson is nothing but a killing machine that only desires for blood, that was how he was represented ever since his first appearance in the Material World. He is a monster, who cares for no one else's words but his own. A true demon from hell that only yearns for its own entertainment despite the destruction it would bring to the world he lives in.
   “Sigh, I mean, when's the last time he ever appeared at a festival? Or when has he killed someone plainly for fun? That was 20 000 years ago as far as I know. Guy isn't a reckless lad.” Rimuru sipped on his tea, bringing his tone with a casually said reason. As if he never feared Guy at all. It was something Rimuru couldn't explain no matter how he thought of it, he felt as if he knew Guy longer than he knew of.
   Unexpectedly, instead of a deeper frown from the elven Empress, she sighed heavily, her gaze from Rimuru now falling on Diablo. “Before I consider my pact with you. I would also like to question, how are you going to deal with the demon behind you?” Elmesia lightly swayed her silver hair, an unwavering frown on her face. “That incredibly dangerous “primordial”?”
   “You mean Diablo?” Rimuru ... scratched the back of his head, taking a glance at the butler-attired demon, standing stiffly with his arms behind his back remaining expressionless, though it did have a hint of feigned obliviousness. “He's doing a great job with his work. Honestly he’s almost perfect with it. So what's the problem?” His head tilting to the side in confusion, he didn't understand what the term ‘Primordial’ meant.
   “Apologies, allow me to rephrase. If he also went berserk, how would you control your servant?” Clearly she was serious about her words, but Rimuru couldn't take it too seriously as she implies it to be. Why is she so wary about demons all of a sudden? Guy was an understandable case, but Diablo? That's where the questions come in. Rimuru knew they both had quite the history with each other from how they interacted, but he didn't know how Diablo being under his wing would make Elmesia feel wary of him. Unfortunately, as oblivious the man is with the situation. He replied just as casually to calm her nerves, besides, he’s been dealing with the same kind of problem children like Shion, who, as a secretary, is only talented with battles, that would exclude her other talent with the violin though.
   “Well… I would stop it before it would even happen. That's the only thing I can do, right?” Rimuru smiled tenderly, as if brushing the thought kindly, knowing how that possibility would come is inevitable, and even if it did, he would do exactly as he said. It's similar to disciplining children like Milim on a smaller scale.
   Elmesia consumed the “Heroic Energy” she earlier released, signifying her relief from his response. But still rather confused. “Huh? You’d really be able to stop him?”
   “I mean… He does everything I tell him to, even sometimes without my command, so if he goes out of control, it'd be handled with mere verbalization.”
   Her stern and stoic expression entered into a big chuckle as she bursted out laughing hysterically. She gripped on her chest, trying to control her amusement and maintain her solemn picture. “Ah! Ha HA Ha Ha!! You're a much bigger piece of work than what Erald described!” She chuckled, “All right then, I understand your position in a much clearer view now. I’ll ask Erald outside to handle the papers for our alliance.”
   “I truly appreciate your aid for us.”
   “Yes, I feel truly the same as well- oh, and I almost forgot.” She perked up as she searched into the hidden pockets in her dress. She grabbed out a purse, it looked like any regular purse, yet this one seemed quite special of its kind. “In exchange for the ten Stella coins.” She spoke as she dropped all the golden dwarven coins out of her purse, the small bag containing more than its size as the pure gold coins made loud clangs on the table. “...I give you a thousand gold dwarven coins. It's all I have at the moment, but do you need more?” She asked, “No, no, it's fine. It's actually more than enough.” Rimuru smiled awkwardly, as he gestured for Shion to give her the trade of his currency.