Snowbound Flames

Chapter 22: Dagruel's Troublesome Trio

The early morning in Tempest was serene, the sun casting its gentle light over the bustling city as preparations for the Founder's Festival continued. Rimuru and Guy sat comfortably in her office, enjoying a quiet breakfast. Rimuru was halfway through her second cup of tea, relishing the calm moment, when the door suddenly burst open with enough force to rattle the windows.

Benimaru stood in the doorway, his expression a mix of exasperation and urgency.

"Lord Rimuru!" he said breathlessly. "There are three troublemakers in Tempest. They've already started a fight with Shion, Diablo, and Hakurou!"

Rimuru blinked, her peaceful morning shattered. "What? Who are they?"

"I'm not sure," Benimaru admitted. "But they're strong, and they're not listening to reason."

Guy, who had been calmly sipping his tea, set the cup down with a raised brow. "Three troublemakers, you say? This should be interesting."

Without further ado, the three of them hurried to the scene of the commotion. The clash of steel and bursts of magic filled the air as they approached the battle arena. A crowd had already gathered, watching the chaotic fight unfold.

When Rimuru and Guy arrived, they immediately recognized the combatants. Shion was holding her ground against three young giants, each bearing a striking resemblance to Dagruel, the Demon Lord of Strength.

Guy's lips curled into a smirk as he muttered, "Why are Dagruel's kids here?"

The three giants, sensing the presence of the newcomers, abruptly stopped their fight. Their eyes widened as they caught sight of Guy, and without hesitation, they dropped to their knees and bowed deeply.

"Lord Guy Crimson!" one of them exclaimed. "We didn't know you were here!"

The crowd murmured in surprise, and Rimuru crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "So you're Dagruel's kids, huh? Care to explain why you're causing trouble in my city?"

The tallest of the three, who seemed to be the leader, scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Our father sent us here to learn from you, Lord Rimuru. We... might've gotten a bit carried away."

"Carried away?" Rimuru repeated incredulously. She gestured to the destroyed training equipment and scorched arena. "This doesn't look like a little mistake!"

Before the giants could respond, Shion stepped forward, her sword resting on her shoulder. Despite her usual cheerfulness, her expression was stern. "Lord Rimuru, allow me to handle this. They need to be taught a lesson."

The three giants paled but didn't protest. Rimuru exchanged a glance with Guy, who shrugged.

"Fine," Rimuru said. "Shion, take them on at The Battle Arena. Show them what happens when you mess with Tempest."

The fight resumed, but this time, it was Shion against all three of Dagruel's sons. The crowd watched in awe as Shion effortlessly parried their attacks, her movements a blend of power and grace. Despite their size and strength, the giants struggled to keep up, and one by one, they were forced to concede.

When the dust settled, Shion stood victorious, a triumphant smile on her face. Rimuru stepped forward, addressing the defeated trio.

"You've got potential," she said, "but you lack discipline. From now on, Shion will be your trainer. You'll listen to her, and you'll follow the rules of Tempest. Got it?"

The three giants nodded vigorously, their earlier bravado replaced with newfound respect.

Later that day, Rimuru and Guy prepared to leave for Dagruel's domain. Though the situation had been resolved in Tempest, Rimuru felt it was important to discuss the matter directly with their father.

The journey was swift, thanks to Guy's magic, and they soon arrived at Dagruel's fortress. The towering Demon Lord greeted them with his usual stoic expression, though a flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw Rimuru with Guy.

"To what do I owe this visit?" Dagruel asked, his deep voice resonating through the hall.

Rimuru wasted no time. "We came to talk about your kids. You sent them to Tempest, but they caused quite a bit of trouble before we even knew they were there."

Dagruel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Those boys... I sent them to learn discipline and gain experience, not to wreak havoc. My apologies for their behavior."

"They've been dealt with," Guy interjected, his tone nonchalant. "But Rimuru thought it'd be best to hear your side of things."

Dagruel studied the two of them, his gaze lingering on Guy before shifting to Rimuru. A subtle smirk formed on his lips. "I see now. You care about this new Demon Lord quite a bit, don't you, Guy?"

The question caught Rimuru off guard, and she felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She glanced at Guy, who didn't seem fazed in the slightest.

"She's an interesting one," Guy admitted, his tone casual. "And her potential is worth protecting."

Dagruel chuckled, his deep laughter echoing through the hall. "Fair enough. Rimuru, you've proven yourself capable time and time again. If anyone can handle those boys, it's you."

With the matter settled, Rimuru and Guy returned to Tempest. The journey back was quiet, though Rimuru couldn't shake the lingering embarrassment from Dagruel's comment.

By the time they returned to Tempest, the sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the city. The atmosphere was calm, a stark contrast to the morning's chaos.

Dinner was a lively affair, with Shion proudly recounting her victory over Dagruel's sons and the rest of the subordinates congratulating her. Rimuru couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie among her people.

After dinner, Rimuru and Guy decided to visit the hot springs to unwind. The soothing warmth of the water helped ease the tension of the day, and for a while, they simply enjoyed the peaceful silence.

As they left the hot springs, Rimuru felt a sense of contentment wash over her. Despite the challenges and surprises, Tempest was thriving, and she knew she could rely on the people around her.

Back in her room, she settled into bed, her thoughts drifting to the events of the day. Guy's words from earlier echoed in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for Tempest—and for the connection she was beginning to feel with the enigmatic Demon Lord by her side.