★108
FESTIVAL EVE (EP 67)
RIMURU'S POV
"So, thank you all for attending our Festival Eve celebration. I'm Rimuru, and I just became a Demon Lord recently. But I'll spare you all the complicated story today and invite you all to enjoy our country's fine cuisine. I'm not good at long speeches, so… Let's just get right to it! Cheers!"
A simple toast ignited the celebration.
'Looks like our guests are satisfied, too. That's a relief.'
(From there on, a bunch of canon stuff happened as usual. I don't have to write everything word-for-word because it's irrelevant to the 'real' story.)
'The festival has begun, and a lot of people are marching in, from Elmesia to Milim and her subordinates. Yet, there's been no sign of sensei's arrival.
I've been seeing people from unregistered place, and all they had to say was they're from the island, and they'll be permitted in. I can't reject them, not knowing where they are. If they're with sensei, I'd let him down by doing that. I wonder if—'
"There's trouble!"
The doors slammed open so hard the walls trembled. A guard stumbled in, his face pale, his body drenched in cold sweat.
"What is it? Did something happen?"
Shion demanded, already reaching for her weapon.
"A large portal has appeared right above town!"
Silence fell like a blade.
"A—a portal?"
Someone whispered.
"Reporting!"
Another guard burst in behind him, voice cracking.
"Six individuals are descending from a staircase inside it heading straight for this hall!"
"Enemy attack!?"
"Is the barrier breached!?"
"No, it's worse!"
The guard shouted.
"Visitors identified them—It's the Misfit Scourge!"
Every drop of colour drained from every face. Even old veterans shook. A name spoken only in nightmares, and now it walked toward their front door.
"This—this is bad! This is very bad!"
"The Misfit Scourge's entourage is approaching the entrance now!!"
The panic was instant, louder and heavier than when Elmesia arrived, fiercer than when Milim crashed in like a storm. Hearts pounding as though the sky itself had split.
Meanwhile, I exhaled, long and relieved.
"Oh, they had me worried—"
I muttered.
"So that's what this was about."
Because I knew exactly who stepped through that portal and why the world itself trembled at his arrival.
"Don't keep a casual face! Do you know who the Misfit Scourge is? An otherworlder whose name brings dread when spoken!"
"You're still carefree and ignorant in the ways of this world."
Gazel complained, but it wasn't actually a big deal.
"Don't worry, I've been waiting for him."
I replied with a smile and stood up.
"Make way, make way! Clear the path for the Great One!"
A voice rang out from the hallway like a fanfare.
The doors burst open with dramatic force, and a boy clad in pristine white soared into the room, arms wide as he spun midair.
He landed with a flourish, still shouting praises to his lord with the zeal of a devout prophet. (Eto glazing himself, lol.)
"Looks like they've arrived."
"This is a rare moment. Consider it a magnificent privilege to witness this great light and be blessed by His Supreme Grace."
He added.
"Will you shut up?"
A calm but razor-sharp word rang out.
In the blink of an eye, the boy vanished. Six figures stepped into the room, and instantly, the entire atmosphere shifted. Their presence didn't just draw attention. It demanded it.
"Damn Eto. Popping up uninvited at the last minute."
The crimson-haired guy cursed.
"Don't blame him. He's just doing his job."
The young girl in a divine white dress replied.
"I sense Noir. I wonder what'll happen if Majo and Scarlet tagged along."
"They weren't prohibited from attending, so there's a possibility they're here."
The two exchange words. The person at the front said nothing, his gaze slowly taking in the people in the room.
"This is the Demon Lord, Asteri?"
"The Misfit Scourge in person?"
"The person who turned down two kingdoms in minutes."
"Bloody Alley."
The whispers hit like thunderclaps.
Faces went pale, and some stumbled back without realising it, their instincts screaming to flee. All eyes locked onto him, the weight of a million dead pressing down on the room. He didn't need an entourage. His presence alone was enough to silence breath and thought alike.
"Hmm, someone's quite the celebrity."
The elf in green said with a teasing grin.
"He always was from the very beginning."
Another added, her voice calm.
Asteri, however, remained silent, his expression unreadable amidst the growing tension.
'That's not 'girlfriend', this is 'girlfriends'. This guy just pulled up a harem and says he's envious of me? Envy my ass.'
"You made it, sensei. For a moment, I thought you'd forget about the festival."
I approached him, welcoming him.
"Sensei?"
The crowd began whispering to one another.
"They say the most important person comes late."
He replied, ignoring the whispers about him.
"We aren't too late, are we?"
He added.
"I won't say just in time, but you're not too late either. Please, follow me."
ASTERI'S POV
"I need this as much as you do. Lady Athena."
I called out, and she peeked out from behind me, my slime perched calmly on her shoulder. It's funny how it shrank further to fit right on her shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'm right here."
I said softly, extending my hand. Without a moment's hesitation, she took it, and together, we followed Rimuru. He led us to a six-man table.
"Is this part of your tradition, sitting on the floor?"
I asked.
"Yes. A zabuton is a Japanese floor cushion, typically rectangular, used for sitting on tatami mats."
I adjusted my cloak before taking a seat. I sat rather accurately for an ignorant being.
"Hmm, you know your way around, don't you?"
He questioned, and the others took their seats.
"For us, blending isn't that big of a deal."
"We got leaks too, so we took time to prepare."
Elfaria added.
"Lemme guess, you came in batches?"
He asked, taking a seat beside me.
"This is too small for a six-man table."
I murmured, and the furniture adjusted, and all eight of us (Rimuru and Athena included) were seated.
To my right seated rather close to me were Athena, Hinata, Elfaria, Atlas, Annie, Elaine, and Rimuru. The eight of us filled the table.
"That's right. A lot of people were happy and wanted to visit so I let them come."
"But you guys didn't use the portal."
"Shinn made another one for this specific occasion. Don't worry, it's safe."
"I trust your judgement."
"The meal is ready!"
The Princess, Shuna, marched in with her maids, and in less than a minute, a variety of dishes filled our table.
"The meal is ready!"
Princess Shuna's voice rang clear as she marched in.
Behind her was a line of neatly dressed maids followed in perfect formation, each carrying trays of steaming delicacies.
Within moments, the once-empty table transformed into a feast fit for Demon Lords and kings alike.
In less than a minute, the table before us was covered in a glorious banquet. Steam rose from thick cuts of meat, roasted to a bronze sheen and dripping with honey-spice glaze.
Tempest rice buns, soft and golden, were stacked neatly beside skewers of grilled fangwolf meat, still sizzling, the smell smoky and primal.
A bowl of Dryad salad glistened under the lights, each leaf hand-picked and dressed with dew-kissed herbs from the Jura Forest.
In front of us, a towering platter of roasted meats sat at the centre Crimson root stew, herb-buttered mushrooms, and glittering fruit tarts surrounded it, crafted like they belonged in a royal painting rather than a dinner table.
Even though I didn't need sustenance, something about this feast made it hard to look away. Not hunger… but nostalgia. This was warmth. This was what people fought to protect. And for a moment, even a Supreme Being could pretend to be human.
I leaned back slightly, taking it in not just the food but the atmosphere. Annie and Elfaria were already exchanging glances over the ogre-style barbecue, its scent thick with marinated spice.
Annie poked at the colourful rabbit fritters, curious as ever.
Even Elaine, stoic as she was, seemed—interested, watching a maid pour Blossom Nectar juice into tall crystal cups. Even my fellow Stars were nodding in approval.
And the little slime— well, it was vibrating. It bounced up and down on Athena's shoulder like this was its childhood home and the drink its long-lost inheritance.
Athena, the cold, silent blade was smiling.
'Damn you Rimuru. At this rate, you'll end up stealing everything from me.'
"Looks like someone's excited."
"Please enjoy your meal."
Shuna bowed before taking a leave.
"I must say, this looks very promising."
I murmured. Elfaria, the first, was swirling the blossom nectar in her cup before sipping.
"Sweet."
She said, voice low and composed.
"It's laced with magicule. This drink sings."
She leaned slightly toward me.
"Even you can hear it, can't you?"
I raised a brow but said nothing. Annie, of course, didn't wait. She was already on her third bite of the hobgoblin fritters, cheeks puffed like a chipmunk.
"They're crunchy outside, chewy inside! I could eat twenty of these!"
She looked around, then nudged Hinata.
"Here, try!"
Hinata took one fritter politely, eyeing it as though it were a trap.
"I don't usually eat fried food."
She said, then took a measured bite anyway. Her eyes blinked once.
"It's delicious."
I didn't move, nor did Atlas or Elaine.
Food was unnecessary. We hadn't needed to eat in months. We only do so to blend, and I doubt they usually eat on the second floor.
Elaine's expression was unreadable, her blonde hair shimmering under the lantern light.
"Smells decent. Though I doubt it'll do anything for me."
Atlas leaned back, letting the aroma pass over him like a breeze.
"It's not about need."
He said plainly.
"It's about presence. Culture. Look around us. People from different nations are here to experience this new otherworldly culture. It'll be worth it."
He glanced at Annie, who was already halfway through a crunchy fritter, face lit up like a child's.
"Mmm! Atlas, you have to try this one. It's magic!"
Atlas's lips curved into a smile. The moment he opened his eyes, Annie was offering a bite toward his lips. The whole table flinched, but Atlas didn't break a sweat. He leans in taking a bite as she pleases. After that, he picked up his spoon and began eating as if nothing had happened.
"Ok."
I murmured to myself.
'He's already beyond your league. You have to stay in control.'
Enta whispered like the devil he was, but I didn't pay attention to him. Elaine scoffed with mock disgust.
"Pathetic star."
But even she reached for a spoonful of stew.
"I suppose I'll humour the moment. For the Young Master and Rimuru."
Hinata is sat beside me, close but composed. Her fingers hovered over a plate of spice-rubbed meat before she glanced sideways.
"I know you don't need to eat. But I still want you to try something. You want to change. You take baby steps."
She spoke quietly.
'Baby steps? What the hell does that mean?'
Her hand crossed over over Athena and brushed mine
"You don't need to eat. But sometime—It's okay to want something."
Her words settled deep. She wasn't talking about food. Before I could reply, a soft tug on my sleeve, and I knew who that was, Athena.
She clung to me tighter, her voice a whisper.
"Can I—eat?"
Resting on her shoulder was the bundle of bouncing ethereal gel I made for her. It quivered excitedly, pulsing a glow in rhythm with the aroma around us.
"Oh please, you don't have to ask me."
I murmured, brushing my finger against her cheek.
"Eat whatever you like."
Her smile was so soft it nearly vanished in the lantern light, but it was there. And just like that, she leaned forward, scooping stew into a small bowl, offering the first bite to the slime. It squeaked in joy and practically leapt into the spoon.
I watched. No hunger stirred in me, but I felt something else, peace. Elaine was teasing Atlas again, who was being fed like a baby by the lady he loves.
Elfaria was offering Rimuru a fritter. Hinata pressed a warm cup into my hand. Athena had her head on me. The slime bounced, happy to be fed. To blend in, I reached out and began to eat also.
The table burst into a mix of laughs and quiet smirks. Even Athena gave a faint smile. They were relaxed. This is something I couldn't give my people because I didn't understand all of this. But now, I'm learning, and this will be better in the future.
With our plates empty and bellies full, we discuss random topics, keeping the table lively. Despite the discussion, I kept my eyes on my surroundings, Elfaria was spotted talking with Elmesia. She used to say her aunt is of royal blood, I wonder if she is the one.
Annie and Atlas sneaked out to do something lovey-dovey. Entares was right, but unlike Atlas, I have full control over my life, unlike him.
I can choose to stay here permanently but I can't say for him. Lord Taurus can get him back anytime, so his freedom is limited. Hinata took Athena to go get some fresh air, and all that was left on the table was me and Rimuru.
"I never thought this festival would be this amazing. It was better than the one I had when I became a Demon Lord."
"Another thing we have in common."
He smiled.
"So what are the plans for tomorrow?"
"There'll be an announcement tomorrow morning."
"About?"
"Tempest Opening Festival. Today is just a fraction of the real event."
"I see. I guess I'll be busy throughout this week."
"Hahah, looks like it."
"There are a lot of people here. In order not to take up room for distant travellers, I'll have my clones build a temporary hotel for us. That way, we won't take up all the space. Hey, if there is extra room, I'll let you know, and if anyone is interested, it's free to crash for the night."
"Synthetic and noble as ever. That's great. Now, come lemme introduce you to some people. It's part of the change. And yes, I won't take no as an answer."
I wasn't going to reject it, so I tagged along.
We moved around and eventually stumbled upon the Raja citizens. Of course, they were invited and due to some reasons, it's better if we come separately.
Slowly but surely, it was almost midnight and a lot of people went back to their hotels or inns. With the help of the clones, I relayed my message to my people. Some of them decided to stay while others went back to the isand.
We took the night here, and we are looking forward to the announcement tomorrow.
To be continued...