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"Since you're fine with it, Rimuru, let's carry on!"
Kaito, Benimaru, and the others spent the rest of the time working through the remaining commanding officers at each level and the full organizational structure of the troops. The discussion stretched on for half a day before everything was finally settled.
The final organization was as follows:
Commander-in-Chief: Benimaru
Chief Instructor: Hakurou
Kaito's Secretary: Kanae Kocho
Rimuru's Secretary: Shion
Chief of Logistics: Shuna
First Legion Commander: Benimaru
Deputy: Rigur
Total Strength: 15,000
Second Legion Commander: Rengoku Kyojuro
Deputy: Giyu Tomioka
Total Strength: 15,000
Third Legion Commander: Geld
Deputy: Gyomei Himejima
Total Strength: 15,000
Imperial Guard Corps Commander: Izayoi Sakuya
Deputy: Gobuta
Total Strength: 5,000
Total Army Strength: 50,000
Special Departments:
Covert Operations Unit Commander: Souei
Deputy: Souka
Total Strength: 2,000
City Wolf Rider Patrol Commander: Gobuta
Deputy: Gobuzo
Total Strength: 1,000
Kaito set down the final troop organization plan, which had taken the better part of a day to put together. He stretched and looked around at everyone.
"Finally done! I'm starving!"
"Haha, you all worked hard, right, Kai-chan?"
Rimuru, who had been reading manga for quite a while, heard that things were wrapped up and quickly set it down.
"Yes, they all worked hard. Meanwhile you just sat there reading manga!"
Kaito flicked her on the forehead.
"Ow! It's not like I could contribute anyway! Besides, I'm the ruler, and the ruler doesn't have to do anything!"
Rimuru rubbed her forehead and glared at him with a look that was trying very hard to be fierce.
"Alright, I was just teasing you!"
"Hmph!"
Kaito looked at her and suddenly remembered what he had originally set out to do that morning. Wasn't the whole point to make Rimuru an awakened Demon Lord? How had they ended up spending half a day on troop formations?
He quickly turned to everyone before they could leave.
"Wait, everyone stay for a moment. I almost forgot to tell you something important."
"Back in the children's world, I gathered a large number of souls. So I'm planning to let everyone power up!"
He glanced over at the demon slayer guys and added.
"Also, you guys don't have to worry. I looked into it, and since you've been in this world for a while now, you've been shaped by it enough that you can also use souls to increase your strength!"
Benimaru and the others exchanged surprised looks.
"Is that really true, Kaito-sama?"
"We knew you had a plan to help Rimuru-sama become an awakened Demon Lord, but it's been a month now. Honestly, we thought the plan had hit a wall!"
Kaito crossed his arms with the expression of someone who had never once doubted himself.
"Who do you think I am? If I made a plan, it's going to work out. Wahahaha!"
Everyone watched him laugh with his hands on his hips and simultaneously pressed their hands to their foreheads.
'There he goes again...'
"Ahem. Right, so I plan to have Rimuru awaken first. Those of you who were named by her should temporarily enter a deep sleep during the process."
"We'll split the power-up into two rounds. The first round is for the monsters, and the second is for the humans. Both sides will take turns standing guard. Any questions?"
"None!"
Nobody had any objections. They were all on the same side, so the order didn't matter. In this family, there was no infighting.
In the eyes of everyone present, there were two people at the very top, Kaito and Rimuru. As long as either of them stood, the whole faction would hold together.
"Then Kagaya, notify everyone from the former Demon Slayer Corps to put the city on full alert."
"All monsters should get to their positions. This power-up is going to cause quite a stir, so make sure to keep a close eye on the children who just arrived in this world. They'll need reassurance."
"Understood!"
"Alright then. Rimuru, let's head outside."
"Okay!"
Everyone made their way to the outer courtyard. Kaito summoned the Conqueror's Banner and drove it into the ground.
A shiver ran through the crowd as thick black smoke began curling off the banner.
"Rimuru, there's one more thing I nearly forgot."
"What is it?"
Kaito raised his right hand, and a small mountain of corpses materialized in front of everyone.
"Use these corpses as offerings and summon a demon."
Rimuru blinked.
"Why do I need to summon a demon?"
Kaito smiled in that infuriatingly mysterious way of his.
"Hehe, just trust me and do it. You won't regret it!"
Rimuru studied his face for a moment, then nodded and extended her right hand.
"[Demon Summoning]! The offerings are the corpses before me! I have prepared the bait! Come forth, demon, and serve me!"
As she chanted, a black-purple magic circle covered in complex runes spread across the ground beneath her feet. It flared with a blinding burst of purple light.
When the light faded, standing before them was a demon dressed in a sharp black suit, with a single vivid streak of red woven through his dark hair. A pair of demonic wings spread from his back, and everything about him radiated an air of mystery and quiet power.
The demon slowly opened his crimson eyes. A small smile curved at the corner of his mouth. He brought his right hand to his chest, gave a slight bow, and spoke.
"Ah, great summoner. It is my supreme honor to answer your call. Please, use me however you wish."
Rimuru stared at the demon, who was gazing at her with an almost fervent intensity, and quietly shuffled behind Kaito. Only her head peeked out from behind him.
"Um... do... do you not like me? Meow..."
The demon froze. He looked at her, half-hidden and making sounds like a lost kitten, and appeared to short-circuit entirely.
"Haha! Relax, Rimuru, he won't hurt you."
Kaito glanced at the demon.
"You, wait here for a moment. We'll get to your business shortly. There's something important to take care of first."
"Of course, my Lord. I shall wait right here."
"Alright, Rimuru, come out now."
With the demon standing patiently to the side, Rimuru finally stepped out from behind Kaito.
"Billions of souls, come forth!"
Kaito drew three hundred thousand souls from the Conqueror's Banner and guided them into Rimuru's body.
[Notification! The souls required for evolution have been fully gathered. Beginning evolution into a Demon Lord!]
The Great Sage's notification rang out clearly. Rimuru answered without hesitation.
[YES!]
In that instant, every single person in the city heard it, the Voice of the World.
[Notification! Individual: Rimuru Tempest is about to begin evolution into a Demon Lord!]
"This is..."
"The Voice of the World..."
"It has begun. This is wonderful, Rimuru-sama!"
[Upon completion of evolution, the monsters of this lineage will receive a blessing!]
Shuna smiled and brought her hands together over her chest, eyes bright.
"Rimuru-sama!"