Prior to the battle
Kaijuno approached Rimuru with a question that he wished to confirm
Kaijuno: so Rimuru, I there's something I wanted knwo for sure. Who exactly gonna be the one to go against if a fight were to happen?
Rimuru: I figured it would be you. Aren't I the one who is kept a secret from them?
Kaijuno: I know but . . . could you fight her again
Rimuru: what?
Kaijuno: if she was the one to kicked your butt, I don't exactly want any part of that
Rimuru: So you want me to get my buttons kicked again?
Kaijuno: I mean you gotten stronger, so there a less likely chance this time . . . at least
Rimuru scratched their in ponder only to then hold out a fist
Rock paper scissors, best out of three. Whoever loses will have to fight Hinata
With Kaijuno's immediate agreement, the two engaged in casual matches of rock, paper, scissors
Kaijuno's scissors beats Rimuru's paper in the first round. Rimuru's paper beats Kaijuno's rock in the second round
For thr third and final round, the victorious one was
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Later on Kaijuno went to check up on some of the members that will be expected to participate in what's to come, Benjamin and Lavandra
Kaijuno: so is everything good? All your equipment on hand? Spare weapons? Nothing loose?
Benjamin: yes, yes Kaijuno-Sama. We have things sorted out and we're all set
Kaijuno: what about you Lavandra? Did you make sure your unit has potions in case of an emergency?
Lavandra: yes but we already have regeneration, I don't think it's really necessary
Kaijuno: It's better to have back up support for everyone. I'd rather be unnecessarily prepared in a war than open a risk for any casua-... for-for any bad luck!
Benjamin: Is this about what happened previously?
Kaijuno: ....I ..... I'd rather not... go over this now
Benjamin could sense Kaijuno's unease. He isn't dense enough to not notice how Kaijuno hadn't fully gotten over the events of the harvest even though they ended up with the best outcome. But before he could offer his reassurance, Lavandra beat him to it
Lavandra...Kaijuno-Sama
Kaijuno:?
Lavandra: We're all stronger than we were before. I want to have you to have faith in us like we are for our strength. We'll take them on for you, no problem!
Kaijuno: I....yeah, you are my subordinates. I'll be relying your guys this
Lavandra: Of course! You do have the strongest battle Maid and bodyguard on hand to use
Benjamin:(Strongest, but at such a price)
Kaijuno: ....um..Yeah! Obviously! I can see this being...a success! So go break a leg! Tear an ear off while you're at it
Both onis agreed in confidence before went off to his own matters
Kaijuno:(...maybe I should at least put a barrier around the battle just in case. At least one that humans can at least enter but not escape from. So it's definitely can't be seen as something sort of lack of faith right? Just, keeping the enemies from escaping! yeeeeeeeah....)
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*at the battle*
Kaijuno: Well look at that, I offered peace after everything and yet this is how you respond
Hinata: No! I only intended to speak in person. I wasn't trying to provoke you
Kaijuno: "wasn't trying" , yeah sure. Everyone over there are actually just having a picnic and chit chatting about the birds and the bees
Hinata: (Seriously why are those fools even here)
Hinata: I suppose claiming the statement wouldn't convince you
Kaijuno: No, but I'll at least offer you the opportunity to fix it. Since you're their leader, order them to withdraw at once
Arnaud: You expect us to do that! If we back out now, who knows what you monster will try to pull!
Hinata internally called her fellow saint an idiot, simply retreating for now would've been a more appropriate move in her eyes but Arnaud tempting for more conflict would only make their situation worst
Benjamin: Only Kaijuno-Sama and Hinata may speak in this. Everyone else has no place to so
Arnaud: Oh yeah? Like I'm gonna be bossed around by a mere maid!
Feeling taunted and belittled by someone who's strength he didn't acknowledge, Arnaud pursued a straight frontal attack. But much against his expectations, the pretty pink maid blocked his blade while remaining unfazed
Benjamin: I'm no "mere maid". I'll have you know I'm the Battle Maid Military General in service of Kaijuno-Sama
Arnuad: Well ain't that a shock. I was only trying to prove you but I didn't expect an ogre let alone a maid to actually block my attack
Benjamin: wrong again, me and my associate here have evolved beyond that of ogres. Now we are Mystic Onis, same goes the commander within the battlefield, although she is more wicked compared to us.
Arnuad: Onis!? But isn't that the type of race strong enough to be considered local deities!?
Benjamin:How about we take this matter away from our masters. I'll gladly show you what this maid can do
Arnaud: fine by me
Fritz tried to protest Arnaud's hasty choice only to be interupted by two members of Carrion's beastketeers, Suphia and Albis. It was surprising to see high ranking servants of another demon lord but it took little convincing to get Fritz along with Bacchus to face off against the two beastmen away from the higher ups
Leonardo just simply looked at Garde who took the hint and the two walked off, leaving Hinata and Kaijuno to themselves
Kaijuno: I suppose we know what's gonna happen now
Hinata: yep, I would've preferred it didn't have to be this way
Kaijuno: I suppose it makes "just the two of us"
Reading the room, both figures unscathed a single blade. Taking a stance ready for combat
Kaijuno: (Since I evolved into a demon lord, I should now have what it takes to kirb stomp Hinata)
Kaijuno only held this assumption for a limited time as he gotten a clear head of Hinata's strength as they clashed
Kaijuno:(Holy crap! She's still a difficult opponent!!? I would've thought by now I could handle her)
Hinata: (So this the power of a newly appointed demon lord. He's not as strong as Luminous-sama, but compared to his sister, he's in a whole other league. The gap is even more apparent since unlike Princess Rimuru, my Unique Skill Usurper can't appraise him. Is suppose there's no point in testing his strength)
Unexpectedly, Hinata dropped her sword which came across as questionable to Kaijuno
Kaijuno:(Did she just dropped her sword? Is this a sign of surrender?)
Hinata: (It would be risky if I don't use my full strength. Rarely I would resort to using my spirit armor but since my Usurper tactic is useless here, this is the biggest chance I have to victory)
Hinata: From now on, it's your raw strength versus my own, let's face eachother with all that we have
Kaijuno: Then I suppose I'll up the ante. Black Lighting Flames! I know my sword isn't as fancy as yours but I'm ready for what you have in store
Hinata: We'll see about that
Off in the distance, a hidden figure lies on a hammock with snacks to munch on
???:*munch* *munch* *munch* man that fight looks like a pain. I definitely don't envy their position right now. Hehe, although it is hilarious...Chill, I'm sure we can get it later if we asked. Plus it's the best seats in the house from a safe distance. Hmmmm, was the spatial barrier not good enough? Would a few more layer be excessive? ....better safe than sorry
Back to the battle
Hinata:(Now somethings up. I was corning him but now his movements are no longer hesitant. It's like he knows where my sword is going to strike. Is this a coincidence? No, he wouldn't need to bother pulling such a charade. It's horrifying to think, but it seems to be even more accurate than my own predictive calculation
Seems like everyone finished with their own fights. Given the pride wounded of my fellow saints, it's seems to be an overwhelming victory for Kaijuno's subordinates. Well most of the expressions of them are that of wounded pride, Garde is giving his opponent the expression of a pervert
And it seems that not only a squad of holy knight attacked, but they were led by Lennart and Lilith of all people. I'm gonna give them an earful after this. I suppose dragging this would be meaningless for everyone)
Hinata: Kaijuno!
Kaijuno: What?
Hinata: Let's finish this in the next attack. But I'll warn you, this a dangerous technique. Will you accept my proposal?
Kaijuno: Sure, but you have to promise to leave this country be from now on
Hinata: Well sure, I promise. Afterall I wanted to avoid conflict to begin with. It was only since you asked for a battle to which I obliged to
Kaijuno: wait what? You're saying I asked for a battle?
Hinata: Yeah? It was what you said on that message orb
Kaijuno:(That doesn't add up. I made sure he said it clearly that we can work things out peacefully. Even if it was in a stern tone, they shouldn't have misinterpret it as a challenge)
Hinata: Here I come! Melt Slash!
Kaijuno:(Woah! Woah! Woah! This looks a hell of a lot more dangerous attack!
Raphael! Do I got anything to use against this!?)
Raphael:(NOTICE! INDEFENSIBLE! UNAVOIDABLE! I recommend sacrificing Gluttonous King Beelzebub to offset her attack!)
Kaijuno:(Damn it! I don't want to resort to it, but I don't got time to ponder)
Once that slash has collided against it's target, a large explosion erupt where both stood. Once the dust had cleared, the head of the ten great saints is on her knees.
While the one who took the attack head on had their robe fly off from the impact, revealing their long sliver blue hair that was formerly covered by said robe
Hinata: You- You're... is that you Rimuru?
Rimuru: yep! Looks like my cover was blown. Literally!
Hinata: So all this time, you survived!? You were never dead!?
Rimuru: Well it's not like I wasn't close to death from our last encounter
The whiplash of this sudden came full force to Hinata who after an already eventful and chaotic day, couldn't help but laugh
Hinata:...pfft! hahaha! You're quite amazing. Not to go the extra mile as posing as a vengeful brother but to take that attack head on
Rimuru:(That's not something to be proud, what idiot would willingly defend against it head on. I even lost Gluttonous King Belezebub from it)
Raphael:(Notice,Gluttonous King Beelzebub has been restored via back up data)
Rimuru:( dot dot dot, SERIOUSLY!? I thought I lost that skill forever!....wait does that mean you intentionally set me up to take on that attack Raphael?)
Raphael(...)
Rimuru:(Oh now you're being silent about it)
Hinata: Well since I'm unable to fight anymore, it's considered to be my lost
Back off into the distance, the mysterious figure continued to view, now clapping in amusement as he was enjoying his snacks and drinks on a beach chair as if he was on a vacation. As it turns out they were the little bastard that Rimuru has disguised as
Kaijuno: Bravo! Bravo! What a jolly good show! Wouldn't you say oh so dear audience?
Yagami:(Notice, there is no audience besides yourself)
Kaijuno:(That's besides the point, the season 3 that I thought I would never get to see was handed down on a silver platter. And on recording too, gonna save that to the memory
*sigh* best part, nobody gotten killed. I guess this barrier really wasn't needed afterall)
Yagami:(Confirmed, it was unnecessary)
Kaijuno: (Yeah besides the disguise, it more or less went the same as in the source. Everyone basically got out of it perfectly.
Looks there was nothing I needed to do, yeah.... no reason why I was need.....well this arc was pretty minimal to begin with, I surely can bring in some benefits in the later ones
And besides! I don't technically need to be front in center. As much as I love to take advantage of my given role, it's rimuru who is the protagonist here, they do the cool main character thing and everyone smiles and..... appreciates them.....
Well this was their problem to begin with. It's not all bad taking a slothful approach when this isn't your responsibility in the first place. Not this time! Unlike the orc disaster nor charybdis, I can just try to lay back and rela-)
Before Kaijuno could finish his own internal thought, three cloaked figures suddenly appear near him, members of the seven Luninaries who's presence turn Kaijuno's thoughts into a jinx
Luminary #1: O' Demon Lord Kaijuno, this is our first time meeting
Kaijuno: . . . Huh?
Luminary #2: We are the ones called the Seven Luminaries
Kaijuno:.....Nope! Nada! Buzz off you old geezer. I couldn't care less, I'm not in the mood to deal with anything right now. Bye!
Kaijuno rolled over, facing away from the Luminaries and making it clear he wanted nothing to do with their agenda
Luminary #1: I'm afraid we can't-
Kaijuno: Bye!
Luminary #2: we're can't-
Kaijuno: Bye!
Luminary #1: We're trying to say is that-
Kaijuno: BYE! Which means, get off my lawn
Luminary #2: Will you pipe it down you brat! Weren't you ever taught to respect you're elders!
Kaijuno: I'm not gonna give out my respect to anyone like I'm some sort of charity, especially not for such a pathetic and desperate excuse of a reason
Luminary #2: (I swear I'm too old for this)
Luminary #1: We won't be leaving! We have come to dispose of Hin-
Kaijuno: Hinata who basically gotten your God's utmost attention and love which you need and desire to extend your life span. So you gave her that sword to set up her death and you came here personally to finish the job
It would be a heavy understatement that the Luminaries were shocked and taken aback at how Kaijuno suddenly knew their plan with now possible way to figure out in their minds
Luminary #2: Well it's not like it matters. As you can see, she is already on death's door
As it was pointed out, Hinata was now knocked out with a big hole in her chest while being held by Rimuru
Kaijuno:(Oh shoot! How did I miss the chest shot! Damn it!)
Luminary #1: So if you would kindly remove the spatial barrier and let us take her away we could avoid any more issues
Kaijuno:( Oh so it was the freaking barrier!)
Kaijuno: And if I don't?
Luminary #2: Well if you refuse to comply, Luberious will surely declare war on your nation
Kaijuno: for 1. You're on the other side of the continent, 2. Your best fighters already got their butt's whopped from us, 3. We're still riding on the high horse of beating Falmuth so best case scenerio the western council will be too bunched up to take immediate actions.
Oh! And the biggest point is that we're the one with the storm dragon that already ravaged your God's city like it was just another tuesday. So I don't think you're in any position to make demands
Luminary #1: How dare you!
Luminary #2: Fine! Have it your way then. As the protectors of humanity, we shall dispose of you from this world!
Luminaries: Double Bre-
Kaijuno:(Oh! That doesn't sound good. I can do something about this right?)
Yagami:(Affirmative, Monster King Gojira can devour the attack)
Kaijuno:(hm, could I just set up an anti magic barrier)
Yagami:(Answer, sure)
Once given the go ahead, he immediately set up an anti magic barrier surrounding the three of us. Which not only stopped their attempt to attack but since they flew up high in the air, they also fallen down to the ground quite violently. It was almost comical in a dark humor sense
They weren't dead but their old age definitely made it difficult to recover from the impact
Kaijuno:(So they really were relying solely on magic. Didn't seem like they had any significant skills on hand but you would've thought such old dudes had gotten some sort of Unique Skill, I guess there's Granbell but what are these guys excuses)
Kaijuno: Well while you're down for the count, Munch upon all! Gojira!
As easy as a bite size burger, the duo were chomped completely
Kaijuno: phew! So much hard today for everyone today. Well then to get back to my munchies and wait for everyone else to figure it-
Before he's gotten the chance to get back to his relaxation mood, a gigantic door appeared near me. Revealing two figures, Luminous Valentine and her servant Louis
With a confident stoic and confident tone, Luminous approached me
Luminous: It's been awhile Kaijuno Tempest
I slowly turned towards Luminous with my frustrations building up even more. I thought I could get back to my cozy audience seat but it seems I once again am gonna get dragged into the affair in spite of me wanting to take a back seat for this event
Fate likes to play in such frustrating ways