Snowbound Flames

Chapter 33: The Hero, The Demon Lord And A Sunset

The battle tournament had concluded, leaving the crowd in high spirits as they filled the newly constructed battle arena with applause and cheers. Rimuru stood atop the stage, flanked by Guy Crimson, the First Seat of the Octagram, who radiated an air of calm authority. The awards ceremony was in full swing, with Soka energetically narrating the event and the crowd hanging onto every word.

"And now," Soka's voice boomed through the arena, "the moment you've all been waiting for! Let's give it up for our winners!"

The cheers grew deafening as Rimuru stepped forward to address the winners. She cleared her throat, amplifying her voice with a slight touch of magic.

"First place, Gobta!" Rimuru announced, gesturing to the diminutive hobgoblin who stood awkwardly at the center of the stage, basking in the roaring applause. Despite his win, Gobta seemed slightly terrified, especially as Milim zipped over, clapping with a suspiciously gleeful grin.

"Second place, Masayuki!" Rimuru continued, offering the LightSpeed Hero a nod of approval. Masayuki, with his usual charisma, smiled and waved to the crowd, but his movements seemed slightly stiff.

"Third place..." Rimuru paused for dramatic effect, "Lion Mask!"

Carrion, who was trying to maintain his mysterious alter ego, offered a small bow to the crowd, the remnants of his shattered mask held carefully in his hand.

The remaining positions were announced, with Boyix taking fourth, Equix fifth, Geld sixth, Jinrai seventh, and Gaiye eighth. Each participant received their awards in turn, presented by Rimuru and Guy. The crowd was ecstatic, chanting names and titles as the winners departed the stage.

Finally, Soka handed Rimuru the mic.

"Today marks a monumental day for Tempest," Rimuru began, her voice resonating across the arena. "Not only have we seen incredible talent and strength, but we've also found our fourth member of the Big Four: Gobta!"

The audience erupted into cheers, though a few surprised murmurs filtered through. Gobta himself looked as if he couldn't decide whether to celebrate or faint. Rimuru smirked. "Gobta, do your best to make Tempest proud."

Milim, however, wasn't having it. She stomped onto the stage, her hands on her hips. "Wait just a second!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. The crowd quieted instantly. "That was no battle, Gobta! I'm not satisfied at all! You call that a fight?!"

Before anyone could react, Milim grabbed Gobta by the collar, lifting him effortlessly. "I'm taking you to the dungeon for real training!" she declared. "And you!" She pointed at Ranga, who had been quietly lurking in Rimuru's shadow. She yanked him out by the horn, ignoring his indignant yelp. "You're coming too! You both need it."

Rimuru sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Milim, don't overdo it—"

"Don't worry, they've got resurrection bracelets!" Milim chirped. "They'll survive!"

The crowd cheered at Milim's confidence, while Gobta and Ranga shared a look of mutual despair.

Later that afternoon, Rimuru and Guy sat in her private meeting room, waiting for Masayuki to arrive. Shuna had prepared a small feast of Japanese dishes, their delicate aroma filling the room. Guy leaned back in his chair, sipping tea, while Rimuru fidgeted slightly, reviewing the plan in her mind.

When Masayuki entered, he looked more nervous than usual, though he hid it well. He bowed politely. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Of course," Rimuru said with a smile. "Come, sit. Let's eat while we talk."

Masayuki hesitated for a moment before joining them. As Shuna served the dishes, his eyes widened. "Is this... Japanese food?"

Rimuru nodded. "I thought it might make you feel at home. We're both from the same place, after all."