The euphoria of the Monster Summit had settled into the quiet hum of construction, with the High Orcs proving to be astonishingly skilled builders under Geld II.
Arthur and Rimuru were discussing the layout of the new capital when a familiar, internal signal resonated in Arthur's core—the Tower Dungeon was going to reward him.
But something bad would happen if he was here.
His level was going up and it might blow everything away.
Like when Veldora didn't suppress his mana in the past.
"My time here is temporarily up,"
Arthur stated, his expression serious as he faced Rimuru in the privacy of the newly established main residence.
"My mission is complete, and I must leave first."
Rimuru's restored female form stiffened, the news a harsh jolt after the intimacy and success of the past few weeks.
"You're leaving? But... the Federation is barely established, and you're our main defense!"
"I know,"
Arthur said, reaching out to gently cup her face.
"But this is crucial for the next plan. I will come back with greater power to support you."
Rimuru, recovering her composure, adopted a serious, sovereign demeanor.
"Will you be gone long?"
"I don't know,"
Arthur admitted.
"But I have prepared you for this. You have Benimaru, the Oni, the High Orcs, and the support of the Dryads. You have the political savvy and the leadership. You will be fine."
Shion and Shuna, who had been listening from outside, immediately entered, their faces etched with concern and a hint of jealousy directed at something that was taking their powerful protector.
"Arthur-sama!"
Shion protested, stepping forward with her fierce loyalty blazing.
"You cannot leave our Queen defenseless! I am strong, but the world holds greater evils. You promised to protect her!"
"I am strengthening my ability to keep that promise,"
Arthur corrected gently.
"Shion, your duty is now amplified: guard Rimuru with your life. Shuna, you must become her chief advisor and monitor all external threats."
Arthur then looked back at Rimuru, and their telepathic exchange became intensely private.
"Before I go, there is something we must discuss,"
Arthur transmitted.
"Shizuka Izawa. You absorbed her memories and her final wish. The children she left behind are in the Kingdom of Ingrassia. I trust you to take care of them. When I return, we will go together."
"I won't forget,"
Rimuru promised a rare emotional sincerity in her voice.
"Hurry back, Arthur. The Federation may be strong, but it's not the same without its Dragon."
With a final, meaningful embrace—a promise of return—Arthur stepped into a localized dimensional ripple, vanishing instantly.
He was gone, leaving a tangible void of power and protection in the burgeoning city.
'Magicule Breeder Reactor is far too dangerous when I have no control over it. I have to go to the dimension gap to train a little bit.'
It won't take too long as he had great teachers like Great Red and Ophis.
Not long after.
Arthur's return was as abrupt as his departure, marked by a silent, focused reappearance in the main hall.
He was subtly different: his power felt deeper, his posture more relaxed, and his MAG reserves felt truly limitless, thanks to the Ultimate Skill: Magicule Breeder Reactor he had successfully acquired.
The reunion was immediate.
Rimuru, who had been dealing with the tedious details of infrastructure, rushed to him.
She clung to him, not as a sovereign to a general, but as a partner to her strength.
Shion and Shuna, standing nearby, bowed in relief, their expressions confirming that the interim period had been stressful without his overwhelming authority.
"Welcome back,"
Rimuru messaged, stepping back, her eyes shining.
"Now, no more leaving! And the Federation is stable, thanks to Benimaru and the Oni. It's time for the promise."
Arthur, honoring his word, agreed.
Their destination was the Kingdom of Ingrassia, home to the Free Guild and the five children Shizuka had sworn to protect.
The security detail was minimal but powerful: Arthur, Rimuru (in her human form, masked, and disguised as a high-ranking adventurer/mage), and Shion (disguised as Rimuru's fiercely loyal, hulking knight).
The journey was a chance for their relationship to fully transition from wartime allies to deep, inseparable partners.
Rimuru relied on Arthur's knowledge of human customs and politics to navigate the human kingdoms, while Arthur relied on Rimuru's Great Sage to handle the daily logistics.
Their evenings were spent discussing complex politics and the strange nature of their intertwined destinies.
They successfully made it to Ingrassia and located the children: Gale, Alice, Kenya, Ryota, and Chloe.
Rimuru was overwhelmed by the reality of Shizuka's sacrifice.
The children were powerful, yet unstable Summoned beings whose life forces were rapidly diminishing due to their immense power.
The Guild, led by the charismatic Yuuki Kagurazaka, was aware of the danger but lacked the power to fix it.
"They're dying, Arthur,"
Rimuru whispered telepathically, tears welling up in her eyes (a sensation she had only gained after his recreation of her body).
"I can't just leave them."
Arthur placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"No, you can't. But you can fix it. You have their teacher's memories, and you have the power. This is the final test of your heart, Rimuru."
Rimuru, guided by Shizuka's memories and Arthur's stabilizing presence, used her incredible knowledge to devise a solution: each child needed a True Spirit—a powerful elemental being—to stabilize their immense magicule flow, or they would die within a year.
The emotional burden of the task, which involved dealing with fearful human authorities and the high-risk magic of spirit summoning, solidified Rimuru's purpose.
She was no longer just a monster leader; she was a protector of innocence.
Arthur, maintaining a low profile, used a fraction of his newly enhanced Magicule Breeder Reactor to subtly catalyze the spiritual summoning process when Rimuru began the ritual.
His power ensured the summoning was successful, pairing each child with a powerful, stable spirit (e.g., Ifrit for Chloe, Gnome for Ryota, etc.).
The children were saved. Rimuru fulfilled her promise to Shizuka, completing a major, emotional milestone in her journey.
She now had a renewed purpose—to create a world where these children, and all her citizens, could live without fear.
The only remaining question was Yuuki Kagurazaka, the smiling, seemingly helpful Grandmaster of the Free Guild.
Arthur, using his sharp analytical focus, detected an unsettling aura around Yuuki—a sophisticated, well-hidden malice that suggested he was more than just a powerful human administrator.
"We need to keep an eye on him, Rimuru,"
Arthur warned as they prepared to leave Ingrassia.
"He presents the most dangerous kind of threat: the kind that smiles."
Arthur knew about the canon but this world was kind of AU so he wasn't sure if Yuuki in this world was the same or not.
…
Here was Arthur current power
[Parameter]
* Name: Arthur Leywin Stark
* Alias: Adolescent Reality Blending Cosmic True Dragon
* Level: 8
* Pow: S-963
* End: A-874
* Dex: A-852
* AGI: S-905
* MAG: EX-9999
[Skill]
* Dragon Gods' partner
* Authority of Sloth
* Authority of Greed
* King
* Low Tier Godling
*Magicules Breeder Reactor (NEW!)
[Power]
* Dragonic Shot
* Dragonic Canon
* Dragonic Heal
* Dragonic Cure
* Dragonic Hand
* Dragon's Heart
* Dragon's Aura
* Super Focus
* Reality Blending (Partial Released)
* Soul Magic
...
Little Spoiler: Astraea Familia is in danger.
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