Chapter 24: The Supernova at the Gates
"You're making a mess of my new infrastructure, child," I pulse, my voice a cold, level vibration that refuses to acknowledge the crushing weight of her aura. "State your business, Demon Lord. And be prepared to pay for the property damage in either coin or labor. I don't care how many horns you have; the bill remains the same."
The silence that follows is more terrifying than the impact shockwave. Rimuru is vibrating like a tuning fork behind me, his blue body practically shrinking into the stone. The Kijin have their hands on their hilts, but they haven't moved—not out of discipline, but because the sheer magicule density radiating from the pink-haired girl has pinned their instincts to the floor.
Milim Nava blinks. Her large, blue eyes fixate on me—a dark, obsidian-polished sphere hovering defiantly at her eye level. Then, she tilts her head, a predatory curiosity replacing her initial boredom.
"A talking ball?" she chirps, her voice suddenly devoid of malice but dripping with an energy that makes my [Transaction Domain] groan under the strain. "And you aren't shaking! Usually, when I land, everyone starts crying or running away. You're weird!"
Warning. [Analytical Appraisal] is failing to provide a complete scan. Target magicule capacity is too vast for current resolution. Notice: Target is observing User with high interest. Suggestion: Avoid direct conflict. Survival probability in a physical exchange: 0.002%.
Azathoth, tell me something I don't know. My internal Deadpool is currently screaming that we've accidentally invited a nuclear reactor to a birthday party. If she sneezes, the City of Tempest becomes the Crater of Tempest.
"We don't 'shake,' Demon Lord," I pulse, maintaining my composure through sheer ROI-focused stubbornness. "It's bad for the brand. Now, answer the question. Why are you trespassing in a sovereign economic zone? If you're looking for the strongest, you're looking at a management team, not a gladiator pit."
"I was bored!" Milim laughs, jumping out of the crater and landing inches from my membrane. I can feel the heat radiating off her—not literal fire, but the friction of her power against the world. "I heard there was a bunch of strong monsters gathering here, so I came to see if it was worth a look. And I found two slimes! One blue and squishy, and one dark and... shiny!"
She pokes me.
It isn't a hard poke, but my [Enhanced Physical Constitution] and [Density Laws] scream as her finger makes contact. It feels like a tectonic plate just tapped me.
"Hey!" Rimuru finally finds his voice, jumping in front of me. "Stop poking Shinji! We're friendly! We have... uh... snacks! Do you like snacks?"
"Snacks?" Milim's eyes light up.
This is it. The pivot. In any hostile takeover, you find the target's primary craving and you weaponize it. She's a child with the power of a star. She doesn't want gold or land. She wants dopamine.
"Rimuru," I transmit, my internal persona working at light speed. "The honey. The high-viscosity, premium-grade nectar we harvested from the Steiner forest. It's our highest-value luxury export. Manifest it. Now."
"On it!" Rimuru wobbles.
[Luxury Manifestation]
Rimuru doesn't just manifest a jar; he manifests a crystal bowl filled with the amber, glowing liquid. I use my [Spatial Motion] to glide the bowl toward Milim, keeping it perfectly level.
"A peace offering," I pulse, my voice smooth and transactional. "A sample of our village's core assets. This is triple-filtered Steiner Honey. In the human markets, a spoonful of this costs a knight's monthly salary. Consider this an advance on your property damage fine."
Milim looks at the honey. She dips a finger in, licks it, and her entire aura... changes. The crushing weight of her magicules vanishes instantly, replaced by a radiant, terrifyingly pure joy.
"DELICIOUS!" she screams, her voice nearly shattering the nearby windows. "What is this?! It's better than anything the other Demon Lords have!"
Notice. Target hostility has dropped to 0%. Target interest in 'Partnership' has increased by 500%. Suggestion: Secure a long-term contract while the dopamine hit is active.
"It is a standard product of Tempest," I pulse, feeling the Soul Capacity load finally stabilize as the external pressure lifts. "If you enjoy it, we can discuss a recurring supply agreement. In exchange, of course, for a non-aggression pact and your status as a 'Special Consultant' for our security forces."
"Consultant? Does that mean I get to stay here and eat this every day?" Milim asks, her face covered in honey.
"It means you're part of the team," Rimuru says, looking relieved enough to melt.
Azathoth, give me a quick scan of her residue. While she was eating, I want to see if I can copy the frequency of her aura. I don't want the power—I just want the 'passcode' to her magicule signature.
[Law Manipulation – Copy]
Acquiring [Draconic Aura: Residual Frequency]... Success. Warning: Soul Capacity usage at 42%. Replicating even a trace of a Demon Lord's law is high-cost. Further replication of this target is currently blocked.
42%. I'm getting close to the red line. But having a Demon Lord's 'caller ID' in my system is a necessary insurance policy. If she ever gets moody again, I'll know before she even enters the atmosphere.
"Fine!" Milim cheers, wiping her mouth. "I'm Milim Nava, and I'm your new best friend! Don't you dare try to hide any more honey from me!"
I float back, my obsidian surface reflecting the sun.
"Rimuru," I transmit. "We just acquired the ultimate deterrent. But the maintenance cost on this asset is going to be astronomical. We need to increase honey production by 400% by next quarter, or she'll eat the city."
Current Magicule Reserves: 82.1%. Location: Central Plaza. Status: Milim Nava 'recruited'. Soul Capacity: 42%. ROI: Potentially infinite, if we don't blow up first.
Chapter End.