The Reincarnations of Veldanava

The End Justifies the Means

Ultima arrived at Tempest with the guests. She brought Towa and Hiiro to Rimuru while Damrada separated from them to find a place to sell the gems first. He truly was a man who committed to the acquiring of wealth.

Rimuru was at his desk with Towa sitting across from him, and Hiiro stood beside her. Ultima sat separately from them since she wasn't part of the conversation in the first place.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Demon Lord Rimuru. I've heard good things about you from Ultima-san."

"I hope she didn't oversell me; my subordinates tend to do that a lot."

And when it came to exaggerating Rimuru's greatness, the Daemons were the worst offenders. Even the Ogres and Goblins, who sometimes prayed to Rimuru, weren't as bad as them.

'Honestly, sometimes their devotion scares me.' People often thought that Daemons and Angels were polar opposite, but Rimuru could confirm that they acted so much alike. When they chose a master, they would worship the ground that person walked on. 'I appreciate it, but they still have no reason to go that far!'

"From what I see, you're just like how Ultima-san told me."

"What did she tell you...?"

"She said you're a kind and generous man. I can recognize it on your subjects' faces; they really appreciate having you as the leader."

Getting praised so directly from someone who wasn't his subordinate was still a new experience for him. Rimuru's actions always got interpreted as something absurd or malicious first.

'Even Gazel or Fuze don't praise me like that... Is she brainwashed by Ultima?'

«I cannot detect any use of mind control or manipulation.»

'It's genuine then?'

Rimuru was more than glad to have his and everyone's hard work being recognized by a fellow ruler like Towa. He smiled happily; the right mood was set for a conversation which would prove to be prosperous in the future.

"First and foremost, I want to apologize about Ultima's past actions. I've heard from other of my subordinates that the tiara caused much suffering for you and your ancestors."

"You don't need to apologize for anything, Demon Lord Rimuru."

Towa explained to Rimuru, "It's true that the tiara cursed the royal bloodline for centuries; however, the Kingdom of Raja wouldn't exist today if not for it."

Raja used to survive off of its gold mines, and the tiara was the only way they could deal with the toxin.

The toxin was a real problem back when the mines were active, but its effect was gone when the gold depleted and the mining stopped. Ultima's subordinates only tried to imitate the old problem with their magic to pressure Towa into using the tiara.

Ultima's plan was only to give them a power that came with a price, and see how it developed; nonetheless, it was still a cruel game even if it wasn't rigged.

"Well, it is still the work of my rowdy subordinate. I feel like I need to make amends somehow. Is there anything you want?"

The problem had been solved, but he decided to show them sincerity. After all, centuries of suffering was no joke.

"Is it really okay for me to demand anything?"

"Of course! I can give you anything you desire. I am a Demon Lord after all," Rimuru said proudly.

Towa and Hiiro gave each other an understanding nod.

She told Rimuru that Raja was facing a food crisis.