"Ah, I already have colleagues?"
Rimuru was quite surprised, but still stepped forward to greet Treyni.
"Hello, Treyni-senpai, I've just arrived and there's a lot I don't understand. Please bear with me."
"The pleasure is all mine."
Treyni had a favorable impression of Rimuru.
"By the way, if I'm the Sage of State Affairs, then Miss Seitenshi is also...?"
"Yes."
Rin nodded. "Seitenshi is responsible for managing the academy. While serving as the Minister of Education, she is also the Sage of Doctrine."
"And Diablo will be responsible for the Monster Nation's foreign affairs, so he's the Sage of Diplomacy."
"Testarossa is in charge of the Monster Nation's laws and presides as the Supreme Court's Justice, making her the Sage of Judgment."
At this point, the Monster Nation's initial cabinet lineup consisted of Rin as the Great Sage, supplemented by the four Sages: State Affairs, Doctrine, Diplomacy, and Judgment.
The other subordinates fell under the military and weren't part of internal affairs.
Thus, they continued chatting while traveling through spatial-temporal magic.
In just about ten minutes, they returned to the Monster Nation's capital, now enveloped by Eden.
Though called a capital, it was still just a small city.
There wasn't much choice. Rin's side had only just gotten started.
Even though Rin could use his authority to directly recreate buildings from his memory, this was everyone's home.
He felt that building it brick by brick would give everyone a greater sense of fulfillment.
"It looks lively."
Velzard looked at the bustling crowd of monsters moving about.
She didn't dislike this kind of atmosphere.
"I'll introduce you to everyone first, then we'll have a welcome banquet."
It wasn't just to welcome the addition of the two dragons and Rimuru. Everyone's successful awakening as Demon Lords was also worth celebrating.
"Rin!"
As Rin returned, Ice Empress and Ogerpon were the first to come greet him.
"Rin~"
"Master!"
Then came Shion, Shuna, Artoria, and the others.
For a moment, Rin was surrounded by women.
Watching the scene, Velzard felt a tinge of jealousy. She was worried that her little brother would be snatched away by them.
Rin introduced the newly joined two dragons and one Slime to everyone.
The monsters' reactions were nearly identical to the Treyni sisters. All of them were shocked by the addition of the two Dragon Gods.
"Are these your subordinates?" Veldora crossed his arms, eyes sweeping across the group of demons. His gaze stopped on Diablo and the other Primordials.
"Hey, hey, are you serious?"
Veldora asked in disbelief. "How did you guys end up here too?"
"Long time no see, Veldora-sama, Velzard-sama."
Diablo bowed gracefully to the two. The other three Primordials also showed due respect to the two powerful beings.
Afterward, Rin had the Oni entertain Veldora.
Both sides had bold personalities and got along easily.
As expected, under the enthusiastic hospitality of Akano and Benimaru, Veldora got drunk quickly and wrapped his arm around Akano, repeatedly calling him "Big Bro."
If someone didn't know better, they'd think they were real brothers.
"This idiot..."
Velzard looked on, speechless.
"Rin said your strength is no less than his."
At that moment, Artoria and Ice Empress walked over to Velzard.
All three were battle maniacs. How could they miss out on a worthy opponent?
"Oh?"
Velzard looked over the two women, smiling. "You two are pretty strong..."
"How about a spar?"
"Would love to!"
Without hesitation, Ice Empress and Artoria got ready for a match with Velzard.
As for the venue...
Naturally, it was Rin's Void Universe.
Rin had no intention of stopping them. He even activated the projection function, broadcasting the fierce battle between the three women in the sky above the plaza for everyone to watch.
"Amazing, Velzard-sama, Artoria, and Xue'er."
Shuna poured wine for Rin while occasionally glancing up at the battle. Her tone carried a hint of envy.
"The paths you walk are different."
"So, there's no need to envy them."
Shuna's job was Rin's personal secretary.
Shion was the same, but she also doubled as his personal bodyguard.
One civil, one martial, like Rin's left and right hands.
Of course, most importantly, they were Rin's women.
Rin didn't need to say a word.
The two found an opportunity to slip into the castle with him and began their usual little game of three.
"What to do, what to do, what to do?"
Unlike Rin's side, which was full of joy and laughter...
The three, Elyun and the others who were teleported away by Rin, were in a complete panic.
"Shizu-san was taken away by that monster."
"It's all my fault..."
Elyun's tears wouldn't stop falling.
She thought about how Shizue not only saved them, but also stepped in front of them the moment danger appeared.
Not only couldn't they help her, they even became tools used by Rin to threaten her.
The three had tried re-entering the Great Jura Forest.
But ever since its transformation, the strange mist that enveloped it seemed to possess its own will, actively pushing out anyone who entered.
No matter how blindly they charged in.
By the time they realized it, they would find themselves right back at the starting point.
It wasn't that no one had tried to invade the Great Forest.
But the result was always the same. Countless tree roots and vines, like giant pythons, would swarm the invaders.
They couldn't enter the Great Forest. They had to watch as Shizue was taken away. The more she thought about it, the more guilt Elyun felt.
Overwhelmed with sadness, she just cried harder.
She wanted to run straight home and beg her father for help.
But the journey was too long. Who knew what would happen to Shizue in the meantime?
By the time she brought help, Shizue might already have turned into that monster's shape!
"I don't know what you're imagining..."
"But I've got a feeling it's nothing good."
Suddenly, a gentle voice echoed from the depths of the Great Forest.
Elyun turned her head and saw Shizue standing there, her figure reflected in Elyun's tear-filled eyes.
"Shizu-san!!"
"Waaaaah you're okay..."
"I thought that bad guy was going to bully you, waaaah..."
Though they hadn't known each other long, Elyun already saw Shizue as a dependable big sister.
Now that Shizue had returned safe and sound, Elyun couldn't hold back anymore.
She threw herself into her arms, unleashing a wave of tears and grievances against Rin.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)