22. Newbie

The day had finally come. Rimuru was sitting at the roundtable, enjoying the last minutes before all the demon lords would arrive. He was joined by Rain and Ultima, who were mesmerized by the beauty of this place. To Rimuru, it looked like two Diablos going around praising every flower or stone lying around, but it didn't annoy him anymore as he had a long time to get used to it. He was nevertheless surprised by Ultima, who he didn't expect to be into that kind of things. In Tempest, her favorite place to be was usually the prison where she, according to her, interrogated the prisoners. As it seems, dark rooms with suffering people weren't her only favorites. Testarossa and Carrera would like this place more, as Testarossa enjoyed having tea in beautiful places, and surprisingly Carrera took a liking to gardening, in contrast to her explosive nature.

'I'll show them this place once they join us. I wonder how Luminas, Dagruel and Guy will react to this.'

"Rain, Ultima, it's time, go pick up the others, bring Guy first."

"As you wish, Rimuru-sama." The both answered in unison and Rain opened the good old Walpurgis portal, which didn't fit well with the ambiance.

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"What the hell is this Rimuru? Isn't this supposed to be a demon lord's meeting? You even picked an ominous sounding name for it and then turn the meeting point into a paradise? Where is the dark theme?!" Guy complained as soon as he walked in.

A tick mark appeared on Rimuru's forehead, and he had to give it all to not bash Guy's head in. He tried to calm down by repeating some breathing exercises, despite not needing to breathe at all, and calmed down.

"While I was busy preparing everything, you lazy otaku demon lazed around not doing anything helpful at all. So stop complaining and take your seat!"

"Tch, I'm not an otaku. I just like reading them from time to time."

"That's what we call an otaku, Guy"

"Whatever, shut up. Where are the others?"

"I thought I'll have them pick you up first, it would be weird if the leader would not be present when they arrive, wouldn't it?"

"Well, yes. Do you think it was a good idea to send her? Rain is well-mannered, but she..."

"She... Well... I mean, she promised... Why do you have to bring that up! You're raising flags right now! I think it should be...fine..."Rimuru finished his sentence, but deep inside he doubted the last part of what he said.

Two doors opened and Ultima and Rain along with Ramiris, Dagruel and Milim entered the dimension. While Dagruel seemed impressed, Ramiris was pretty excited. This theme fit her more as the queen of the spirits.

"Rimuru, you really overdid yourself again! This place is beautiful. You even have spirits here maintaining the... landscape?" Ramiris excited speech ended with a confused look.

Everyone looked at her, wondering what's wrong with her. Ramiris face paled more and more, and she looked at the spirits she just saw and then at Rimuru.

"Rimuru? What is going on?" Ramiris asked.

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"These spirits... They aren't or better said, never were bonded to me. They are like, newborn spirits completely independent of me. Don't tell me you.."

"W-well, let's talk about it later, shall we, Ramiris? It's rude to make everyone wait, right?" Rimuru, who realized what Ramiris was talking about, said in panic and interrupted her before she could spill the beans.

Ramiris still looked suspiciously at Rimuru but nevertheless took her place at the table, joined by Dagruel. Shortly after, a grumpy looking Luminas also arrived, accompanied by Gunther and Roy. She straight up went to her seat without greeting anyone or saying anything.

Guy raised an eyebrow at this rude behavior, but decided not to say anything. As every participant present, Guy rose from his chair and spoke up.

"Welcome to your first ever Walpurgis, Dagruel and Luminas Valentine. Normally, we would start by letting you fight one of the current demon lords to prove your strength, but I guess Rimuru personally inviting you means he saw you as worthy enough. We don't have to talk about your domains as you both already reign over your own territory, you can continue doing so. What's left is your titles, which Rimuru personally will provide you with and at the end, a banquet we prepared."

'Why is this Guy tackling everything at such a pace? He just concluded the Walpurgis in less than a minute.' Rimuru thought to himself, but then it doomed on him.

'Don't tell me he is rushing things off so that he can return to the palace lazing around?! This bastard!'

The tick mark on Rimurus forehead grew bigger, but he regained his composure, but promised himself to educate that demon later on."

"....Rimuru will now grant you your titles. Go ahead Rimuru." Meanwhile, Guy finished his speech.

"You..! Well, first of all I officially welcome you to our ranks, I hope we'll get along well. As you know, coming up with names is difficult, so to prevent humans from giving you boring names, I decided to give you cool sounding myself."

Luminas looked indifferently, but Dagruel seemed rather excited.

"Rimuru noda! I also want a title noda!" Milim butted in.

"Milim, you already have a title. Destroyer. That's your title, did you forget already?" Ramiris asked, and Milim, embarrassed and with red cheeks, sat back down."

"First Dagruel. I heard from your rampages years ago when Veldanava was still alive. It is said your rampage shook the continent itself. Hereby, your title shall be 'earthquake'." Rimuru exclaimed.

Dagruel looked proud at the praise as it came from a strong person as Rimuru, so he thanked him and sat back again.

"Luminas Valentine. As the newest member, you still have to prove yourself. I know that you are strong, but you have to earn your title in the future with feats. Till then, your title shall be 'newbie'." Rimuru exclaimed and tried to hold back a giggle.

Actually, he didn't intend to change it at all. She mocked and teased him when he was the 'newbie', never using his real name. Now he will do the same.

'Revenge is a dish best served cold' Rimuru thought to himself, but inside he could feel a dissappointed Ciel. She, like always, knew that there is no way to stop Rimuru from his pranks or his childish behavior from time to time.

While Rimuru managed to remain serious, someone failed miserably. Dagruel burst out laughing, seemingly enjoying this moment.

"N-newbie?! What kind of bullshit is this! I don't-" Luminas shouted, but was shutdown by Guy, much to the surprise of Rimuru.

"I don't have time for this, but Rimuru is right. You have to earn your title. So now that this is over, let's proceed to the banquet." Guy said indifferently.

Although Rimuru exactly knew why Guy intervened, nevertheless he had helped him. Luminas, who was denied by Guy, sat back at her chair and looked even grumpier than before.

"Where are Chloe and Hinata? I would rather visit them then participating in this banquet-" but she caught Guy's gaze "-i-if possible".

Rimuru thought for a bit, but remembered that Chloe and Hinata were in the imaginary space along with Ciel and Velgrynd, so it wouldn't be a good idea to send her there. Just as he was about to deny her request, Ciel interrupted him.

<< Master, send her in, it's not a problem at all. >>

>> Are you sure? She will find out about your identity. <<

<< No problem. It won't harm us in any way, and I'm going to make sure she keeps quiet about it >>

Rimuru shuddered a bit, as he knew exactly what always occurred when Ciel made sure something went according to her will.

"Alright, but not for too long. I'm going to send you there."

"Wher-" But before she could finish her question, she was transported into the imaginary space.

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The banquet lasted for two hours and everyone loved it, especially Milim, who looked like a hamster as she had stuffed her cheecks with all kinds of food. During the banquet, Rimuru felt Ciel using an enormous amount of magicules, again, but shrugged it off as that must mean Chloe was continuing her training. How wrong he was...

After two hours, Rimuru let Luminas out, but his worst fear came true. Luminas looked horrified, like as if she had faced a horrible beast. Rimuru, combining this with the high usage of magicules from Ciel, knew what happened.

>> Ciel, you- <<

<< It was necessary master >>

Although he wanted to question this further, he gave up, as it was simply impossible to argue against Ciel.

Although exasperated, Rimuru saw the demon lords off and plumbed back into his chair.

'Wasn't this supposed to be a peaceful get together?'