The Reincarnations of Veldanava

The Festival Eve Party

The Demon Lords, the dominators of this world, had arrived. When everyone finally digested that announcement, the air of uncertainty thickened in the ballroom. Humans, who were the invited aristocrats and bureaucrats from various Western nations, had anxiety written all over their faces.

Rimuru underestimated just how fearsome the Demon Lord title held, and didn't inform the guests that other Demon Lords would be invited as well.

"T-The Octagram... He can't be serious, right? Did Demon Lord Rimuru try to doom us all?"

"This is ridiculous! They shouldn't gather in one place unless it is the Demon Lords' Banquet, Walpurgis..."

"Right? Please tell me it's a joke. I just want this to be a poorly executed joke instead of the alternative..."

The Demon Lord Council was infamous among Humans. This could be blamed on a certain red-haired Daemon who always sent his subordinates to invade the North side of the Magic Continent.

Though the Guardian of the West, Razul, always repelled those Daemons before they could cause a long-lasting problem, the implication was crystal clear: the Lord of Darkness wanted to slaughter mankind.

The silence was loud in the ballroom as the doors swung open. The Demon Lord was led in by the Goblina who was trained by Shuna to handle this sort of situation.

The first to arrive was a blue-haired man whose imposing and barbaric appearance belied his true calm and composed personality. "Thank you for having us here, Rimuru."

"Good to have you here as well, Ea—we mean, Demon Lord Dagruel." Rael had a bad habit of calling people by their titles. On its own it did no harm, but in an event like this, a little miscalculation could invalid this disguise in an instant.

Rael was fearless just like every Manas; he would fight True Demon Lords or even True Dragons if that was a direct order from his master. Disappointing Rimuru was the only thing that installed fear within him, and Rael would not allow that to happen.

He memorized the names of every guest for this event. He might have the shell of Wisdom King Raphael as his component, but that didn't make the process easier at all.

"We hope you find enjoyment in this festival of ours."

Rael shook hands with Dagruel. He didn't come up with that reply on his own; it came from the script Ciel made for him.

That woman would do anything to ensure that her date with Rimuru went without a problem. And hypothetically, if Rael fumbled this event and got exposed, those two would have to halt their date to fix the problem, something that was unacceptable by Ciel's standard.

Dagruel also brought his three sons. "I hope you don't mind them. They'll not cause trouble, I promise."

"That's fine."

His three sons: Dagura, Liura and Dabura bowed for Rael. They were told by their father that Demon Lord Rimuru was an unnatural force, one that rivaled the likes of Guy Crimson.

Though they were bitter that Rimuru killed Clayman and took his position in the Demon Lord Council, they still recognized Rimuru's strength.

Dagruel and his children went to the low table prepared for him.

§

The next guests were "Sleeping Ruler" Dino and his attendants.

"Yo, Rimuru!"

"Hi."

"Hey! What is with that cold response? Can't you be more enthusiastic to see me?" Dino wasn't as intimidating as Dagruel; in fact, he was the opposite.