In the pavilion in the courtyard, where a gentle breeze blew, Zhong Chen and Benimaru sat facing each other.
"Why are you suddenly so interested in demons?"
Benimaru looked around and said, "Because I found that the demons Diablo brought from the Demon Realm are generally very strong!"
"So I was wondering if it's possible to recruit other Primordial Demons to increase our combat power!"
When Zhong Chen heard Benimaru's words, his eyes widened. Good heavens, he's still not satisfied with the current combat power of the Monster Country Federation.
It's not surprising that Zhong Chen thought this way; after all, he had thrown out millions of souls in the past week.
Now, only a million backup souls remained in his human emperor banner, but it must be said that investment ultimately yields returns.
The current combat power of the Monster Country Federation could no longer be described as terrifying; it could only be called invincible! Truly, genuinely invincible!
Excluding Zhong Chen's exceptional combat power, there were two SS-rank fighters: an SS-rank Rimuru and an SS-rank Diablo.
There were even more S-rank fighters. Benimaru, Hakurou, and Ranga had all reached S+ (Special S-rank) level.
Souei, Shion, Kurut, and Rengoku Kyoujurou, along with several other main pillars, all possessed S-rank strength.
Even the slightly weaker Shuna, Gobuta, Riguru, and Kanae Kocho had been elevated to S-rank.
Not to mention Izayoi Sakuya, who was rated S+ in the system but whose actual combat power Zhong Chen estimated could reach SS-.
As for A-rank combat power, it could only be described as 'as numerous as dogs.' All three hundred demons Diablo brought from the Demon Realm were Special A-rank fighters.
Originally, Rimuru wanted to name these three hundred people the Black Legion.
However, Zhong Chen, in a fit of chuunibyou, overruled all objections and bestowed upon them the title of Royal Knights.
These three hundred were specifically responsible for protecting Zhong Chen and Rimuru's villa, serving as the Imperial Guard of the Imperial Guard, with Diablo naturally as their commander.
And the entire Imperial Guard Corps, led by Izayoi Sakuya, also possessed A- to Special A+-rank combat power, thanks to Zhong Chen's biased assistance.
Incidentally, Kochou Shinobu, Tanjiro, and others are currently also in the 'as numerous as dogs' category.
The lowest-ranking soldiers in other units were B-, while squad leaders ranged from B to B+ in strength. C-rank individuals didn't even qualify to join the army.
It is no exaggeration to say that in the current Monster Country Federation, A-ranks are as numerous as dogs, and B-ranks are everywhere.
Even so, there were still some hidden combat powers that had not been counted.
For example, a certain school principal, some bees and beetles picked up by Rimuru, and a certain potato spirit—figures who would not act for the time being.
"Benimaru! I think you don't need to be so tense. Relax a bit. With our current strength, we have nothing to fear from anyone!"
Zhong Chen could feel that deep down, Benimaru seemed to have a kind of obsession, or in modern terms, he suffered from 'insufficient firepower phobia.'
It might be related to his helplessness when his village was destroyed years ago. Now, he was terrified of such a thing happening again to the Monster Country Federation.
So he always felt that their strength was insufficient.
"Yes, Lord Chen! Perhaps I was overthinking things!"
Zhong Chen watched Benimaru's furrowed brow gradually relax and then smiled, saying,
"That's right, you can't get stuck in a rut. Otherwise, where would I find such a dedicated General Commander of the army!"
"Haha! I've caused you trouble!"
Benimaru responded with a smile.
"By the way, Lord Chen! Just now, the patrol detected traces of the Great Storm Demon Beast. Do you need me to deal with it in advance?"
Hearing Benimaru's words, Zhong Chen felt as if he had forgotten something important.
"The Great Storm Demon Beast? That's the monster formed from the leaked magic power of the Storm Dragon in the original story! It seems to have A+ rank strength, right?"
"Such a small matter... Wait!"
"Holy crap!!! I finally know what I forgot!!!"
"Rimuru, you unreliable scoundrel! It's been a week, and you still haven't released Veldora!!!"
That's right! Zhong Chen and Rimuru had completely forgotten to release Storm Dragon Veldora during this time.
It was understandable that Zhong Chen forgot, as he had been busy boosting the strength of everyone in the city.
But Rimuru had completely forgotten because she and Milim were playing around every day, which is why Zhong Chen called her an unreliable scoundrel.
Thinking of this, Zhong Chen hurriedly stood up and said to Benimaru,
"Just send someone to deal with it! I suddenly remembered something and need to go back first!"
Seeing Zhong Chen stand up, Benimaru also quickly stood up and replied,
"Yes, Lord Chen!"
"Mhm!"
Zhong Chen nodded and then hurried towards the main hall.
Inside the house, Rimuru and Milim were happily enjoying the pudding personally made by Sakuya.
Chew chew chew... "As expected of Sakuya's handmade pudding, it's truly delicious!"
Hearing Rimuru's words, Milim also nodded in agreement:
"That's right, Sakuya's pudding is the most delicious in the world!"
Sakuya, who was serving the two, bowed slightly and said humbly,
"You flatter me, my Lords! It's just a small dessert!"
Diablo, standing by, looked envious. He also longed to receive praise from Lord Rimuru.
Perhaps I should ask Miss Sakuya for guidance later. If I can also make such delicious sweets, then Lord Rimuru will surely pat my head and praise me.
Ah... this is truly wonderful.
Just as Diablo was lost in fantasy, Zhong Chen pushed the door open and walked in.
Without saying a word, Zhong Chen rushed to Rimuru, snatched her pudding, and swallowed it in one bite.
"Ah ah ah!!! My pudding! You hateful A Chen!"
"Wahahaha! Rimuru, you couldn't protect your pudding, unlike me! *gulp*!"
After mocking Rimuru, Milim quickly shoved her own pudding into her mouth, afraid that Zhong Chen would snatch hers too.
After finishing the pudding, Zhong Chen wiped his mouth with a napkin from the table and said to Rimuru,
"Rimuru! Did you forget something important?"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, Rimuru looked puzzled. She thought carefully and found she hadn't forgotten anything, then asked,
"A Chen! I didn't forget anything!"
"No? Think back to where your name came from!"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, Rimuru lowered her head and mumbled,
"My name, my name was given to me by Veldora, why?"
"Wait... Veldora!!! 0 Д Q"
Zhong Chen heard Rimuru's shout and thought, 'You finally remembered him.'
Veldora: You finally remembered me! ╥ ﹏ ╥
"You finally understood! It's been a week, why haven't you quickly released him!"
Zhong Chen said to Rimuru with a 'I'm really defeated by you' expression.
"Hehe! I'll release him right away! A Chen, come with me!"
With that, Rimuru pulled Zhong Chen and disappeared from the hall. Milim, watching the two disappear, tilted her small head in confusion...