That Time I Got Isekai’d Again and Befriended a Slime

If only Tanya's problems would limit themselves to her heart.

"War? Explain."

Benimaru grimaces at her tone. "It's not that. Not exactly."

"Benimaru." Ah, she's using that voice. Right to the point, then.

"It's Falmuth." In lieu of stalling, it's best to rip the bandage off right away. Benimaru schools his expression. "According to Souei's sources, the Kingdom of Falmuth is gathering its armies. For what purpose, we don't know."

"Tch. I should have been here sooner. I'd have spoken with Souei myself."

Tanya flat expression breaks into a frown, and she makes her way over to the table in the center of the room.

On top of it sits a crystal ball on a cushion, which acts as a longer-range communication device. Rimuru has visited a couple times since taking up teaching, but mostly his communication with Tempest has been through this method.

On the other side of the table, Rigurd leans forward, his hands pressed flat across the hardwood surface. Haruna had been here as well and would be returning soon.

"We don't know the purpose. That includes the target, as well?"

"Correct." Rigurd replies, pushing off the table and crossing his arms. The light fixture above them casts dark shadows across concerned expressions. "You arrived just after this, but we also received reports of armored human soldiers traveling through the Forest."

"Armored." Tanya looks up at him. "Affiliation?"

"None. As far as we're aware." Rigurd shakes his head. "Souei's group is looking into them as well."

"How many? What type of armor did they have? Weapons?"

"One hundred, steel and knight-like. Swords, spears, shields." Benimaru interjects, listing them off and counting each item on a finger. He seems to recognize the issue here as well.

It's too coincidental. Tanya stares at the crystal ball, as if it would reveal all the world's secrets to her. A ridiculous notion. She looks away. But it could be a coincidence, and that uncertainty leaves our hands tied right now. It's not like we can just attack a group of unaffiliated humans. The political implication aside, Rimuru's rules go against such a thing anyway.

"Have you contacted Rimuru yet? He should be returning soon."

"We were just about to." Benimaru says.

Rigurd agrees. "There shouldn't be an issue. As soon as Lord Rimuru returns, this will sort out without any trouble."

"I don't disagree with that." Tanya hesitates, thinking for a moment. "Okay. Let's-"

The door opens.

"Sorry to interrupt!" Haruna breathlessly steps into the room once more, a large rolled up paper in hand. "Here, the map you requested."

"Thank you." Rigurd acknowledges her with a smile, taking the map and quickly unrolling it across one side of the table. "I thought you might want this, Tanya."

Tanya blinks. She'd been about to ask for a map, actually.

"Good call." She walks around the table, sliding in next to him to glance over it.

It's a map of the continent, a copy of the even larger one they use in Executive meetings. Someone drew a little oval with eyes in the middle of the Great Jura Forest. Tanya ignores that, instead drawing her gaze higher and to the left.

Falmuth… who is Falmuth most likely to want war with? It's an exercise in futility, but I can name three potential targets: Siltrosso, Blumund, and the Jura Tempest Federation. Of the three, Siltrosso is the easiest target. It's small and would be a simple annexation. It's doubtful that any other nations would interfere, on either side. Ingrassia might, but so far they've had a relatively hands off approach when it doesn't involve monsters. How long that lasts…

She brings her fist up to cover her mouth, biting the tip of her thumb. Her gaze darts across the map, imagining battle lines, movement, geography and topography.

Siltrosso makes the most sense. But that assumes Falmuth's leaders are going to war with logic. Blumund would be a logical target for trade purposes, but again, I shouldn't approach this from my own mindset. Think of this in terms of a religious nation, with king and archbishop… I don't need to say their target, do I?

"We should assume that Tempest is their target and act accordingly." Tanya finally says, looking up. "I'd like to believe the nations of this world are run intelligently and with reason first and foremost, but experience has taught me that this is rarely the case. Benimaru, how ready are we for a full-scale conflict?"

"Well enough, but our primary concern shouldn't be threatening. Souei is seeking out more information as we speak." Benimaru deflects. "And we've done nothing to run afoul of them, have we? Hasty action now will only harm our standing."

"I'm not advocating hasty action. I'm saying we should be cautious. A wait-and-see approach is fine; there's still the chance Falmuth is trying to intimidate rather than actually fight. But if they do want to fight, Tempest needs to be prepared to win."

"Lord Rimuru wishes us to coexist with humans." Rigurd looks troubled, and Tanya understand why. "And we have. Blumund and Dwargon will speak for us if need be. Still, if it comes to war…"

"Rimuru isn't here right now." She reminds him matter-of-factly. "But he will, soon. We'll win." Tanya has no doubt in this. Rimuru alone would be enough; adding the Executives to the mix is just insult to injury. "But the ramifications of winning is another story. Imagine Ingrassia or Ruberios, and think of their response to our victory. You're right, Benimaru. It's important to be the attacked and not the attacker, as unfortunate as that is."

Accidentally sounding ready and willing for bloodshed is one of Tanya's most unfortunate traits. Benimaru and Rigurd exchange a glance when Tanya is not looking, much of their worry having faded at the strong front presented by their temporary leader.

Rimuru is strong enough to fix things, certainly. But with Tanya at the helm… they aren't exactly worse off.

Tempest will prevail, or survive, in the end. That much is certain.

The last thing I want, another continent-spanning war. How would the Demon Lords respond? Eurazania would back us, likely. Dwargon, Blumund… Milim. Guaranteed. With Milim there'd almost be no reason to fight. Her, Carrion, Rimuru… and myself, I suppose, though I'd rather fight as little as possible. Unless I'm desperately needed...

"And, with the uncertainty of those knights… it's possible that this armored contingent is a scouting group or a recon-in-force of theirs. They also might be from Ingrassia or one of the Western Nations." Benimaru mirrors Tanya's earlier thought process. She's almost proud. "Souei will have assigned someone to watch them. The best we can do now is wait for further information."

"War is far more about waiting than anything else. We'll need to up our defensive presence throughout the city. Walls… not enough time. Goblin riders, Youm's troupe… no, they're from Falmuth. But they hate Falmuth, so... don't tell them why." Tanya nods to herself. "Rigurd?"

"As you say. I'll be informing Rigur as soon as we're done here. The guards will be told to remain alert at all times. In fact," He turns to the room's nearly forgotten fourth occupant. "Haruna, would you mind doing so now?"

"Not at all, sir." Haruna nods her acquiescence, moving to leave immediately.

"Good." Tanya replies. "Benimaru?"

"I'll begin discreetly informing those directly under my command." Benimaru says. "I'll meet up with Hakurou as well. Rigurd, since Rigur is taken care of, will you speak with Kurobe, Kaijin and the others?"

"Consider it done."

"Excellent. I'll inform Shuna, Shion, then fly out and speak with Geld." Tanya lets a bit of relief flood her system. It's always nice to be part of an efficient command structure. "Be careful to not let this information spread too far. Panic is our enemy, as is letting any potential enemies know that they've tipped their hand. Keep it discrete."

There is a short pause.

"Are we forgetting someone?"

Benimaru looks like he wants to facepalm. "Lord Rimuru. We almost forgot Lord Rimuru."

Rigurd looks embarrassed. Tanya just rolls her eyes.

"Then let's contact him." She gestures at the crystal ball.

"Right." Rigurd rolls up the map and hands it to Tanya, who tucks it under her arm. Then, he stretches out his arm, holding his hand above the ball. "Allow me to establish-"

Just then, the ball flickers on of its own accord.

"What-?"

"-spond. Please respond!"

At the harried voice, Benimaru rushes around the table, nearly squishing Tanya against Rigurd's side.

"Oi."

"Sorry." Benimaru takes half a step away, still along the same side of the table, and leans forward. Aloud, he intones, "This is Benimaru. Albis, what's wrong?"

Right, Albis. Tanya recognizes her.

She's part of the main trio working for the Demon Lord Carrion. One of Phobio's coworkers, a snakeman. Another one of those from the Eurazania contingent all those months ago, though unlike Grucius she had returned to her nation.

"Eurazania bears an urgent message for the Executives of Tempest." Inside the ball, the image of Albis flickers. Her two-toned hair shifts, from black and gold to black and white.

Interference with the connection? It must be on their end. Are they under attack?

"Since it's urgent, Tempest will hear you out." Benimaru continues, unaware of Tanya's thought process. Though, he likely had thought the same.

"One week from now, Eurazania will be attacked by the Demon Lord Milim."

…what?

"What?!" The room's occupants exclaim simultaneously.

"Hold on." Tanya leans forward now, both hands slapping on the table. "Repeat that!"

"On behalf of Lord Carrion, we Three Beastketeers are requesting aid in the form of refugee acceptance." Albis acts as though there had not been a response. She is rushing her words, now. "I apologize if this is sudden, but there are no other options. Please accept the refugees of Eurazania into your nation."

"Albis, wait!" Benimaru leans forward again, unintentionally forcing Tanya and Rigurd away. "Hey! Wait a moment, how did this happen?? We need to know-"

"I say again, please- bzzrrt." With that, the transmission, and thus Albis's voice, cuts off.

Outside, a breeze rustles the leaves along nearby trees. The residents of Tempest go about their daily lives, entirely unaware of what has transpired in this room. Of the information, the intel three of their Executives now mulled over.

"…Just… I don't understand." Benimaru turns, expression utterly lost as he looks to the scowling Tanya and worried Rigurd. "Why would Lady Milim…?"

Why, indeed? Falmuth, those knights, and now Milim and Eurazania… just what game are the Demon Lords playing?

In this one, horrifying moment, Tanya is left with the incredibly disheartening feeling that she has all the pieces to a puzzle that can't be put together yet. Nothing quite fits. What reason does Milim have to attack Eurazania? What reason does Falmuth have to go to war?

It's an awfully unfortunate coincidence.

And don't think I've forgotten about you, Drake.

It's all about timing.

Timing… no, it's fine. As soon as Rimuru returns, there are no worries. He'll resume leadership then, and Tempest will be perfectly fine and dandy. I know this… and because I know this, we can deal with this calmly and rationally. Until then. Until…

-=-=-=-

"…everything goes boom! WAHAHAHAHAH!!!"

Standing alone on the castle ramparts, the Demon Lord Carrion grits his teeth. He puts on a tough front here and now, looking collected in front of his future opponent. Yet, a single bead of sweat dots his brow.

He can feel her aura. This isn't some flight of fancy.

"This idiot… what the hell is she thinking?" He murmurs, through sharp teeth and under his breath.

"All contracts are nullified! That's what I say! Prepare yourself, Carrion! In one week, Eurazania faces war!" Milim floats high above, proudly, with her usual outfit partially obscured by a flapping black cape. "You'll need that time to have a chance. I'm the sporting type!"

A phrase she'd learned from one of Tanya's sarcastic remarks, actually. A slight bleed through of her usual personality, and though Carrion isn't personal friends with her like Rimuru and Tanya, he recognizes that she is not acting entirely her usual self.

But there are bits and pieces, so…

"WAHAHAHAHAH!!!"

So, none of this makes any damn sense!!!

A vein on Carrion head threatens to burst, as Milim laughs so hard it echoes across the stone walls. Then, with a burst of magical energy, she spins and blasts away. The shockwave of her departure doesn't faze him, though the surface under his feet trembles

Instead, Carrion's frown only deepens.

No, seriously. What…

-=-=-=-

Present Day, Just Before Noon

City Outskirts

Kingdom of Ingrassia

…is going on here…?

Beside him, Mary's knuckles whiten along the handle of her sheathed katana.

"Hello." He calls, feigning nonchalance. "And you'd be?"

"I don't think we've met before."

A lone woman in white and black. Cold armor decorates her torso, forearms, and boots. In terms of power, she is not even close to Milim the Destroyer. Yet, she holds one thing that Milim utterly lacked.

"Though it matters little, as we'll be saying goodbye very soon."

Right, that's it. This feeling from her, it's…

Rimuru forces himself to smile.

…overwhelming maliciousness.

"Can I help you, Miss?"

~OPENING: DEMON LORD AWAKENING ARC~

-=-=-=-=-=-

Known Skills List

Tanya:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Flames of Babylon

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication

Unique Skill: Tetra Breaker

Mary:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra/Intrinsic Skill: Physical Enhancement

Unique Skill: Ability Severance