"So, what about you guys?"

Chishiya glanced at Youm and the others.

In the original story, didn't they just have a business relationship with the Kingdom of Falmuth?

In the anime, Falmuth was portrayed as a major commercial power.

Chishiya absentmindedly fiddled with his fingers.

In the later plot…

They took advantage of Rimuru's absence and teamed up with the Western Holy Church to launch an invasion, killed Shion along with many other monsters.

Rimuru rushed back, furious.

He wiped out over 20,000 enemy troops in one move with [Megiddo], used their souls to complete his awakening into a Demon Lord, and then resurrected Shion and the others.

"..."

Youm flinched slightly when Chishiya suddenly addressed him.

Before arriving…

He had no idea this place was such a hotspot…

Kingdom of Blumund, even Demon Lord Carrion had sent an envoy…

The Free Guild branch chief was here…

And Carrion's three beast warriors too…

For a group of mercenaries, the pressure was unreal.

"We were hired by the Kingdom of Falmuth to scout the area."

Youm wiped the sweat forming on his forehead.

Chishiya nodded and set his cup down.

Falmuth, huh? Let's put that aside for now.

Unlike Rimuru, I'm not exactly known for being merciful.

If those nobles want to stir up trouble, I won't hesitate to "escort" them out.

Conveniently, I'm still short 10,000 human souls for my awakening.

If they want to walk into my trap, well… that's their business.

For now, it's better to focus on the opportunities right in front of me.

Public relations.

Eventually, Lapris is going to become a commercial superpower.

A global trade hub.

Diplomatic relations, cooperation with other nations—it's all inevitable.

Right now…

This is a perfect chance to start laying the groundwork.

Chishiya clapped his hands and gave a perfect business smile.

"So, how are you finding things here?"

"Since you're visiting, let me do my part as host."

"We're holding a welcoming banquet tonight."

"Shion, tell Shuna to prep a few guest rooms for our honored guests."

"Stay as long as you like."

"Yes, Chishiya-sama."

Chishiya's hospitality was nothing short of flawless.

"Then we'd be rude to refuse, Chishiya-sama."

"We'll be looking forward to tonight's banquet."

Albis gave a slight bow and smiled gently at Chishiya.

"Shion, show the guests to their rooms."

After everyone left…

Vanir turned to Chishiya.

He'd rushed over from the shop as soon as he got the message.

"Oi, little devil, what'd you drag me out here for?"

"The store's been packed lately."

"Did you invent something interesting again?"

"I did."

Chishiya grinned.

"This invention will blow your mind."

He was planning to launch online shopping in this world. That's right.

Using mobile food trucks as the foundation.

---

That night's banquet was lively and extravagant.

Chishiya didn't cut corners.

As the saying goes:

Sincerity is a secret weapon.

If you want to work with others, step one is to show you're serious.

"Cheers!!!"

"Chishiya-san, I'll never get tired of drinking this wine!"

Rimuru's slime tentacles waved his wine glass around with enthusiasm.

He gulped it down heartily.

It had been ages since he'd had a drink this good.

Even with poison immunity making him immune to alcohol, the taste alone was divine.

"Yeah, yeah!"

"You get it!"

Aqua was red-faced and clearly drunk, hanging onto the slime like he was her best drinking buddy.

Nearby…

The Elyun trio were feasting like no tomorrow.

After nearly dying from Shion's "pie," they were reminded just how sweet life is.

Carpe diem.

"But…"

Elyun swallowed her food and looked at Rimuru.

"I didn't expect Rimuru-sama to be teaching here."

"That's pretty incredible."

"Hahaha, no, not really."

Rimuru scratched his head bashfully.

Honestly, he didn't do much.

Maybe it was because Chishiya was human.

They naturally trusted each other more.

So raising the civilization level was easier.

Writing basic culture textbooks?

With the Great Sage's help, that wasn't hard.

But recently, Chishiya had handed him some magic books.

Asked him to record basic skills for use as teaching materials in the academy.

He'd actually put in some serious effort there.

"Well."

Rimuru smiled. "Chishiya-san is someone you can trust."

"I hope you'll show him the proper respect."

---

On the other side…

Kazuma was playing rock-paper-scissors with Suphia.

"Ah???"

Suphia froze, the cat ears on her head twitching wildly.

"You've gotta be kidding me!"

"Why do you keep winning?!"

The beastkin girl looked completely baffled.

They'd played over 20 rounds. She lost every single one!

This was supernatural!

Kazuma: "I've never lost at rock-paper-scissors. Ever."

"Now drink."

He handed her a full glass and didn't wait for a reply.

A few steps away…

Fabio was squatting in front of Vanir, eyes sparkling.

Staring at the crystal ball with total awe.

"Vanir-sama, your divination is incredible!"

"Please, tell me how I can assist Lord Carrion!"

Seriously unbelievable.

The man had even predicted the fact that, as a kid, Fabio peeked on his big sister in the bath and got caught.

There was no way he could doubt him now.

A real-life ultra-rare legendary fortune teller!

Vanir smirked.

"I can tell you."

"But first, you must fulfill a request of mine."

"Name it."

Fabio nodded solemnly.

"Tell me the full story about the bath incident."

Fabio: "?"

"...Huh?"

---

Elsewhere at the banquet…

Chishiya, Youm, Fuze, and Albis were seated around a table.

Albis took a sip of her wine and glanced at her companions.

"Chishiya-sama, your team gets along well with ours."

"Those two are normally hard to deal with."

"I didn't think they'd behave themselves."

She looked around the banquet hall…

Not just that.

Aside from the human playing rock-paper-scissors…

The rest of them were all… terrifyingly powerful.

And that's excluding the demon races Lord Carrion had mentioned.

Albis narrowed her eyes.

Just how many monsters did this human have under his command?

Next to her…

Fuze spoke up.

"Chishiya-sama, I heard the Armed Nation has established diplomatic relations with you?"

"Mm."

"Then how about I help facilitate a similar arrangement between you and the Kingdom of Blumund?"

So fast?

Coming from the Free Guild branch head, that likely meant this was a done deal.

Chishiya replied, "Sounds like Fuze-san has a high opinion of us."

"Hahaha."

Fuze chuckled.

"I'm just going with my gut."

"Chishiya-sama isn't the kind of person who'd lead some evil force."

Are you kidding me?

This guy took down the Orc Lord and commands over 200,000 monsters.

Established relations with the great nation of Dwargon.

Even Demon Lord Carrion sent people to win him over.

Each of those things alone would send governments into a panic.

All three happening at once?!

And the mastermind behind it all…

Is just some twenty-something-year-old kid?

You'd have to be brain-dead not to see what needs to be done!

Establish diplomatic relations!

Blumund must establish diplomatic relations with this place!!!

Immediately!!!

(To be continued.)

***

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