Having absorbed Velgrynd, the reconstruction began.

And then, leaving a busily working on something Raphael-san alone, I teleported onto the lone floating Airship.

It had already reached its maximum speed, cruising at speeds beyond that of sound.

Although I could catch up, theres also the issue with the Rat.

I thought it best to deal with problems swiftly.

Considering the fierce battle that had just taken place aboard this vessel, its a miracle it could still fly in its sorry state.

The Demons who had made it in before me had knelt down, welcoming me.

Any remnants of battle couldnt be seen at a glance. The damages sustained had been beautifully healed, showing their usual, beautiful splendor.

However, looking through a highly proficient appraising eye, Their Power(Existance level) had undergone great change.

Perhaps an after-effect of completing a forced evolution, the slight magic turbulence they had was now in perfect control.

It would seem that they understood something from this battle. This is a good thing.

Above all everyones all right, I felt relieved.

Good work! Its great that everyones all right.

My word! Were unworthy of such words.

We, as commanded by Rimuru sama, have survived and acquired strength!

The demons that brought up these words bowed their heads in unison.

Eh? Although I did say dont die, I didnt tell them to survive to the very edge though?

To survive and become stronger, what are they, some battle race?!

I was shocked that they thought of me as a master who would give that kind of ridiculous command.

Ah, Yeah. In any case, above all, Im glad youre all safe

The Demons looked happy from receiving my compliments.

Oh well, whatever.

I should probably pay more attention from here on out, but we were in fact currently in an emergency situation. I decided to reflect on it later.

I changed my mindset, and proceeded to confirmed the situation.

Whats the current situation of the Rat?

Kufufufufu. It seems the Rat has just arrived at the transfer device.

Hmm.

If I wanted to stop it, now would be the time.

I considered killing the Rat then and there, and extracting his memory.

However, individuals surpassing A rank have high resistances, and taking memories protected by the soul seemed difficult.

And as for those in possession of Ultimate Skills, itd fail without a doubt.

The Rat had only been sneaking around, but according to Diablo a strong power was sensed from it.

This was evident from the fact he managed to steal a portion of Military Uniforms abilities. (EN: refers to Kondo. Rimuru refers to him as this.)

If you wanted to steal an ability (Skill) in the truest sense of the word, the other partys soul would be essential. Without that, if you only stole it from devouring a portion of the flesh, only be an inferior variant could be deconstructed

Even so to be able to break through a section of the Spatial Interference Barrier set up by the 600 Greater Demons, he, without a doubt, wielded some sort of troublesome ability.

As initially planned, the strategy was to lure out the puppeteer behind the scenes with the Emperor as bait.

Thus uproot the evil at its roots.

The promise to release Emperor Rudra must, of course, definitely be achieved.

I shouldnt have to worry about him escaping right?

Kufufufu. There is no problem!

Good.

Ive established my objective, and gave the command.

Lets clean this mess up quickly.

The Rat, taking the form of the man Gradim, Vega, pretended to protect Emperor Rudra while he activated the transfer device.

Nodding towards the small number of Elite Mages and Major General Xamd staying behind to guard,

Ill be going on ahead. You guys quickly make your escape too!

Leaving behind these insincere words, Vega transferred, and escaped.

Naturally, He brought along Emperor Rudra.

After arriving at the transfer facility room within the deepest part of the Imperial palace of the Capital, Vega destroyed the transfer device.

The thin, shining and mysterious magic formation was blown to pieces from the shockwaves from Vegas power.

With this, connection between the Airships transfer devices and the Imperial Capital had been severed. The demons would no longer be able to pursue Vega.

Those who stayed behind would be massacred, but that was something Vega wouldnt know to care about.

Vega took a breath, and a fearless, broad grin surfaced.

Vega had immense self-confidence in his powers.

However, he considered the Demons from earlier. The one who insta-killed Beast King Gradim, and the ones who fought with Kondo and Damrada; They were genuine monsters.

Beast King Gradim was a strong individual who surpassed the average Demon Lords.

However, Vega didnt think hed lose to him, and if they actually fought, he was confident in his chances of winning.

However, those monsters easily surpassed Vega who had reached the upper limits of human strength as a Sage.

(Fuck em! Just fuck em to to bits. Yours truly will get much stronger. Just you watch!)

Although his head was fuming to the point he felt welled up with seething wrath, having suppressed his anger, he had brought the Emperor to the designated location as initially commanded.

You sure took your time, Vega. Is Emperor Rudra alright?

On the throne;

A chair that only the Emperor was permitted to sit on, a young boy sat on it with a relaxed look.

He called out to Vega, who had just arrived, with a light-hearted tone.

Black hair and Black eyes, a native Japanese look

He was someone who should have been exterminated by Kondo, Kagurazaka Yuuki. (TN: Thats one F***er I didnt miss.) (EN: I dont get the Yuuki hate, hes an awesome villain~)

And standing behind him was a stoic faced beauty.

But contrary to her appearance, she was the strongest Hero, Chloe Obell.

Chloe was probably unwilling, as she unresponsively stood there with an uninterested look.

Acting per her contract, she left an impression of indifference.

Hes okay. Although his head had a few screws loose.

However, that Demon Lord Rimuru sure is a monster. That guy shut me down big time.

By the way, are things all right here?

The coup dtat was suppressed or something, I heard from Gradim and the others?

So youre alright?

Do I look like Im alright?

I was in some serious shit over here you know?

Id requested Chloe here to resurrect me on the off chance I died.

Thanks to that I barely made it alive, but I actually did die.

Well, thanks to that, the remaining Wishes (Commands) left on Chloe has dropped to one

Its all that Kondo and Damradas fault.

Be it Damrada or Kondo, them hiding their true strength was seriously annoying.

Yuuki explained to Vega with exaggerated gestures.

While he continued on with his tale, suddenly, he fixated his gaze on Vega,

Ah~man, Vega. Dude, youre being tracked arent you?

While letting out a sigh, he lamented.

And then, holding his hand over Vegas back,

Eraser Shot!

With a single hit, he eliminated Mosss clone who was performing reconnaissance on Vega.

The tiny fist-sized demon, forcefully split in half, was destroyed without being able to resist.

That was a close one. A little more and they would have arrived at this place in hot pursuit.

Or rather, It seems Rimuru-sans subordinates are all horrifyingly excellent for no apparent reason.

We got careless for a bit there didnt we? Vega, get your act together.

Y-yeah. I got careless there, my bad

Yuuki shrugged his shoulders.

Vega also looked as if he was scowling. However, in reality he wasnt reflecting at all.

In fact, he didnt notice it at the time since he was so wrapped up, but he felt his pride was trampled all over, he was furious to his very core. There was no room for reflecting.

Quite the annoyance, it seems one must not be careless with Rimurus subordinates.

Yuuki moved to a different location.

Bringing Vega and Chloe along, he moved with transfer magic.

At the Capitals outskirts, this was where corpses were organized.

The location where Velgrynd entrapped and delivered pain to the Mixed Corps in the Crimson Purge, this was where the corpses of the elites directly under Yuuki lay.

The fires of purgatory that wouldnt clear up no matter what, after some time, had began to weaken, and had just finally extinguished.

Naturally, they looked like how they were moments before death, it looked as if they hardly managed to perform their duty

The royal knights No.11 and below that remained in the imperial capital, had been prepared as the raw materials for Armageddon (summoning the Angel Army).

If it is merely summoned, an Angel isnt a threat. Their average combat potential was only around a B+ rank.

Although, generally since summoned greater demons were A- rank, they were sufficiently threatening to a human country.

Although theyd fall short against an elite Demon Lord, a force of over 1,000,000 B+ ranks would be more than sufficient.

But, thats only considering the case of facing a human nation.

While there was no problem against an older Demon Lord class, the current members of Octogram were on a completely different scale in terms of quality.

Therefore this time, for the first time, Yuuki decided to try and incarnate the Angels using Emperor Rudra.

Up until now, this execution was a taboo, but considering the fact hed lost half his mind at this point, he could be tempted put Justice King Michaels proposal was into action.

The living and the dead, in order to determine the difference, both have been prepared.

This place also clicked well with Yuukis objectives.

it served the purpose of cutting off pursuers, and as they had erased that tracking clone, now they felt safer.

Vega comprehended Yuukis actions, and just as he was thinking that,

What is this place? What happened to the battle?

Emperor Rudra, who was in a dazed state up until now, opened his mouth.

While he was only half conscious, it seemed that he would be awaken before long.

Although a bit earlier than planned, Yuuki decided to move his plan to the next phase.

Yuuki gave Vega a wink, as he and Chloe hid themselves.

Seeing that, Vega understood Yuukis intentions.

This was one of several pre-determined patterns.

Understanding this he quickly kneeled, and faced the emperor.

While accidents piled up, this was still within expectations.

Without any changes theyll be using the special Skill of Emperor Rudras Ultimate Skill Justice King Michael, and use Armageddon.

This was Vegas predetermined role.

Yuuki was relieved that Vega understood.

(That guy, I was anxious that hed forget since hes an idiot after all )

Contrary to his beliefs, Vega too had been equipped with the thing called brains.

Albeit boastful of his strength, when he thought about it he only recalled a few individuals whose strength exceeded Vegas. (TN: I could think of a few, like Rimurus entire entourage. )

In any case, he heaved a sigh of seeing that the strategy was going well.

Vega, didnt actually listened to Yuukis speculations in detail.

However, by using the Emperors ability, their current goals would be accomplished.

In regards to Vegas role in the series of battles of the coup dtat, it was the actualization of their ultimate goal, making Emperor Rudra successfully use Armageddon.

Well, that was originally Yuukis role, but since the coup dtat plans went awry, the baton was passed onto Vega midway.

If Yuuki died, then Vega would be the one to execute it.

In the original plan, theyd finish subjugating Ruminas, and execute it before the final clash with Guy, but due to several unforeseen incidents, the plan was pushed forward.

Your Majesty, youre alright! This Gradim was so worried!

While acting as Gradim, Vega explained the situation to the Emperor.

The army was wiped out, Kondo, Damrada and the other Royal Knights are expected to be annihilated as well.

While Velgrynd stalled for time, he somehow escaped with the Emperor; he recited the thought out scenario.

What did you say!? Are you saying Damrada and Velgrynd are still fighting?

Yes, your Majesty! Kondo-dono as well as Damrada-dono are currently engaged in a fight to the death

Is that so. Then, before its too late, we must rescue them.

Ill summon the angels. Make the preparations!!

But, your Majesty!!

Without letting it show, a smile surfaced on the face under that helmet.

Although he wondered would the Emperor would actually perform the angel summoning, it looked like things were going well.

Just a little more, and its over he thought, a natural smile broke through his faade.

But, that though was simply too nave.

Oh my? That would be troublesome. Besides, theres no need to rescue them.

After all, those two are already dead.

A beautiful voice resounded in Vegas ears.

It cant be! Vega thought as he tried to deny the notion that just came to mind.

But, as if ridiculing his actions,

Hey, you. You dare ruin Yours trulys fun?

Your life isnt enough to make up for this

So kindly cry out in pain and agony to sooth my heart.

As if out of nowhere, somebody suddenly appeared behind his back.

And then, he notice the feeling of a muzzle thrust towards his head.

Despite there being a helmet over his head, for some reason he clearly felt it.

W-wait!

Repent as youre trapped in fear! Resentment Fear (Cursed Prison of Resentment and Fear)

With even his soul devoured, he faced endless torture by the ghoul horde.

The pinnacle of anti-individual mind break magic, a synthesis of Extinction King Abaddon, and a Necrosis bullet, was shot.

The pistol, large and crude in the hands of a lady, was fired.

Being an enlarged variant of the one Kondo once held, its expected power would also increase.

The effects of the magic sealed within the bullets shot from the large pistol was released in the interior of Vegas skull.

With a single hit, Vegas flesh was corroded by the curse; His soul, becoming prisoner to endless agony.

Uo

Not given a chance to explain himself, he was shot without hesitation

As expect of Carrera.

Another name on the ranking of individuals to never, ever, anger.

Or rather, putting the gentlemanly Diablo aside, the ones like Testarossa and Carrera are pretty scary huh.

In that aspect, Im so glad Ultima was calm and collected.

Its hard to believe shes a Demon.

Shes been called Ojou-sama by her subordinates, her main aide was her butler too, she looks to have obviously been raised well.

She probably has all lot of influence.

Speaking of which, she might even be the Demon Kings daughter.

(TN: the raw also uses here, but since this ones obviously not referring to the Demon Nobles or the Octagram members, I translated it as demon king instead to avoid confusion.)

This is no good.

Looking at Carrera hunting the Rat without hesitation, I began to wander away in though.

They had requested to allow them to end the Emperor and the Rat, and Id given them permission, but the result was this.

But well, the remaining one would be the one that bit the Emperor bait huh.

Ultima was fired up about killing the emperor, and came over to me, wishing to do it.

So I decided to hand it to her.

and Thus, my opponent would be the mastermind.

Oy, stop hiding and come out. Youre there arent you? Yuuki!

I asked facing the darkness,

Good grief, was I exposed? Cant expect less of Rimuru-san.

Yuuki said as he came out.

Just like how he was back in the Royal Capital, with a nonchalant look, and a light-hearted feel as if he was meeting an old friend.

But I cant leave him alone. Hes too dangerous.

I guess. Its good that youre doing well.

By the way, any last words before you die?

Ahahahaha. Straight to the point eh, Rimuru san. But you think I die so easily?

No I dont, but youve gone overboard.

But, if you dont do anymore than this, we could settle with just sealing you

So what do you say? Your freedom will be restricted, but its better than dying right?

Nave, still too nave. You havent changed at all, still a goodie too-shoes

But, its best you stop thinking youve won!

it was impossible as expected huh.

I thought it was impossible right from the start.

However, theres the matter of freeing Chloe, and him making some strange Wish (Command) of her would only cause the situation to take a turn for the worse.

I wanted to try managing the situation in order to ensure this doesnt happen, but I guess it was impossible.

We faced each other, and quietly prepared ourselves.