Snowbound Flames

Chapter 21: The Imperial Visit

The early morning sun cast a warm glow over Tempest, where the bustling preparations for the Founder's Festival were already in full swing. Stalls were being set up, decorations hung, and the streets hummed with activity as residents worked tirelessly to ensure everything was perfect. The festival was shaping up to be one of Tempest's grandest events yet, and Rimuru felt a mix of excitement and responsibility as she observed the progress.

Rimuru strolled through the streets with Guy Crimson at her side, his ever-composed demeanor a contrast to the lively chaos around them. Despite his usual aloofness, he seemed to take in the sights with quiet interest.

"The people of Tempest seem to be in high spirits," Guy remarked, his red eyes scanning the scene.

"They are," Rimuru replied, her tone light. "This festival means a lot to everyone. It's a chance to celebrate how far we've come and what we've achieved together."

"And for you to drown in paperwork afterward," Guy added with a smirk.

Rimuru groaned. "Don't remind me. Speaking of which, I should probably get back to my office. There's still a mountain of documents waiting for me."

With that, the two of them headed back to Rimuru's office in the main building. As they entered, the comfortable silence between them resumed. Rimuru settled at her desk, immediately diving into her paperwork, while Guy took a seat on the nearby couch, casually flipping through a thick book he had brought with him.

For hours, the only sounds in the room were the scratching of Rimuru's pen and the occasional rustle of pages as Guy read. The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted when the door to the office opened abruptly. One of Rimuru's subordinates entered, bowing deeply before speaking.

"Apologies for the interruption, Lord Rimuru. Empress Elmesia El Ru Thalion and Erald have arrived at the gates and are requesting an audience with you."

Rimuru's pen paused mid-stroke. She exchanged a glance with Guy, whose expression was calm but curious.

"Elmesia?" Rimuru repeated, leaning back in her chair. "I wasn't expecting her to show up personally. What's the occasion?"

"Erald probably reported the alliance," Guy said, closing his book. "Looks like she wanted to see things for herself."

Rimuru sighed. "Well, I suppose I can't blame her. Let's go greet them."

Rimuru and Guy made their way to the main hall, where Empress Elmesia and Erald waited. Elmesia's regal presence was undeniable, her long pale blue-silver hair cascading over her shoulders, and her sharp, discerning gaze taking in every detail of her surroundings. Erald stood beside her, his posture relaxed but respectful, as though accustomed to her intensity.

"Welcome to Tempest, Your Majesty," Rimuru greeted with a polite smile.

Elmesia inclined her head, her expression unreadable. "Lord Rimuru. It seems Erald has been busy during his time here."

"I'd say so," Rimuru replied, gesturing for them to sit. "Shall we discuss the alliance?"

The group settled around a large table, with Rimuru and Guy sitting across from Elmesia and Erald. The conversation quickly turned to the details of the agreement between Tempest and Sarion. Rimuru presented the signed documents, outlining the terms of their cooperation, trade agreements, and mutual defense pact.

Elmesia listened intently, her sharp mind picking up on every nuance. She asked a series of probing questions, testing the strength of the agreement and Rimuru's commitment to it. Rimuru answered each one with confidence, her diplomatic skills on full display.

Erald occasionally chimed in to clarify points or provide additional context, but for the most part, he let Rimuru and Elmesia handle the discussion. Guy, meanwhile, remained silent, observing the exchange with his usual air of detached interest.

By the time the conversation concluded, Elmesia's expression had softened slightly. She leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing at her lips.

"I must admit," she said, "I was skeptical when Erald first told me about this alliance. But now that I've seen the terms and spoken with you, Lord Rimuru, I'm convinced. You've handled this with great care."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rimuru said with a nod. "I'm glad we could come to an understanding."

Elmesia stood, signaling the end of the formalities. "I'll return to Sarion to finalize things on my end. But before I go..."

She turned to Rimuru, her gaze sharp and probing once more. "There's something I've been curious about."

"Oh?" Rimuru asked, tilting her head.

"Your relationship with him," Elmesia said bluntly, her words causing a moment of silence to settle over the room.

Rimuru blinked, caught off guard by the question. She glanced at Guy, who appeared utterly unbothered, as if he had been expecting it.

"We're allies," Rimuru replied after a moment. "Close allies, I suppose. Why do you ask?"

Elmesia's smile turned knowing. "It's rare to see someone like Guy so invested in anything outside of his own interests. I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to your connection."

Rimuru felt her cheeks heat slightly but maintained her composure. "We've been working together on a lot of things lately. That's all."

Elmesia raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, she shifted her attention to a different topic.

"One more thing," she said. "If Diablo, your most loyal subordinate, were to betray you, what would you do?"

The question hung heavily in the air, and all eyes turned to Rimuru. Diablo's loyalty was unquestionable, but the hypothetical scenario was a test of Rimuru's resolve as a leader.

"I trust Diablo," Rimuru said firmly. "But if he ever did betray me, I would deal with it accordingly. My duty as a leader comes first, no matter how difficult the decision might be."

Elmesia seemed satisfied with the answer. She nodded and turned to leave, with Erald following closely behind.

"Thank you for your time, Lord Rimuru," she said. "I look forward to seeing how our alliance progresses."

As the doors closed behind them, Rimuru let out a quiet sigh of relief. She turned to Guy, who was watching her with an amused expression.

"Well, that was intense," Rimuru said, slumping into her chair.

Guy smirked. "You handled it well. Elmesia is no easy opponent in a battle of wits."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Rimuru replied with a tired smile.

The two sat in silence for a moment before Rimuru spoke again.

"Do you think I gave the right answers?"

"You did," Guy said simply. "But that last question about Diablo... it was a good reminder of how much trust you place in your subordinates."

Rimuru nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Trust is the foundation of everything we've built here in Tempest. Without it, none of this would be possible."

Guy leaned back in his chair, his gaze softening slightly. "And that's what makes you a leader worth following."

Rimuru felt a warmth in her chest at his words but quickly pushed it aside. There was still work to be done, and the Founder's Festival was fast approaching.

For now, she would focus on the tasks at hand, knowing that her allies and friends would always be by her side.