The clash between Shanks and Gazel served as the foundation for a level of respect that neither money nor ordinary treaties could buy. With the Hero King duly impressed (and slightly shaken), the focus shifted from a demonstration of power to political and magical consolidation.
After the silent duel in the square, the atmosphere in Tempest shifted from tension to reverent curiosity. Gazel Dwargo, flanked by Eryon and Rimuru, walked toward the government conference room. Shanks followed behind, laughing and chatting with Hakurou about "the weight of a blade," while Merlin floated calmly, observing the city's protection runes with a critical eye.
The Jura Alliance
Seated at the round table, the three leaders—or technically four, given Gazel's presence—defined the future of the forest.
"What happened today will not be recorded in Dwargon's official annals as a confrontation," Gazel began, his voice regaining its kingly authority. "But as a recognition. The Armed Kingdom of Dwargon officially recognizes the Tempest Federation and the Southern Archive as sovereign states and allies."
Rimuru smiled, relieved. "That takes a huge weight off my shoulders, Gazel."
"But make no mistake," the Hero King continued, looking seriously at Eryon. "Falmuth has sent distorted reports to the Western Church. They won't say they were defeated by a 'Neutral Archive.' They will claim the South harbors an 'Ice Witch' and a 'Warrior of Heretical Aura.' The Council of the West will act."
Eryon nodded. "That is why our alliance must be more than just military. We need an information network that the Church cannot intercept."
Merlin's Gift
Merlin, who had been merely listening until then, stepped forward. She spun her crystal orb, and three small silver rings, adorned with a pulsing purple crystal, materialized on the table.
"The communication technology of this world is... primitive," Merlin said with an enigmatic smile. "You rely on message crystals that can be blocked by anti-magic barriers or intercepted by spiritual spies."
Gazel took one of the rings, analyzing it with his master smith's gaze. "What is this? I don't feel an active mana core."
"Exactly," Merlin replied. "I call them 'Echoes of the Infinite.' They do not transmit mana. They transmit pure intent through a dimensional channel that I sustain from the Archive."
She looked at Eryon and then at Rimuru. "Even if the entire world is under a barrier of magical silence, these rings will allow the three leaders to communicate instantly. Furthermore, they possess a sub-function I call 『Forced Return』."
"Forced Return?" Rimuru asked.
"If any of you are in mortal danger and the ring detects a failure in your life force, it will open a one-way portal directly to the center of the Southern Archive," Merlin explained. "Where Esdeath will be waiting to... 'receive' whoever is pursuing you."
Gazel let out a short laugh and slipped the ring onto his finger. "A gift worthy of a mage who defies the laws. Dwargon accepts this bond."
The New Axis of the World
With the pact signed and the rings distributed, the meeting concluded. However, before departing, Eryon felt a vibration in his skill 『Elem of Saga』.
[Notice: Soul Bond established between the Guardians of the Archive and the Lineage of the Hero King.] [Evolution Detected: The structure of the Southern Archive is resonating with Dwargon's technical knowledge.]
Eryon looked at Merlin and realized she was already planning how to use dwarven metallurgy techniques to expand the library. The South was no longer just a clearing with a tower; it was becoming the intellectual heart of the continent.
"Eryon," Rimuru called as the others withdrew. "What do you intend to do next? The Archive is growing too fast."
Eryon looked at the sky, where the clouds still showed the scar left by Shanks' Haki. "I'll let Merlin and Shanks handle the diplomacy and organization for a while. I need to... adjust. My skill 「Arcana Customize」 is asking for something new. It's time to start customizing not just the world, but my own understanding of what it means to be a ruler."
Rimuru gave him a thumbs up. "We're in this together. Just don't bring in Madara or someone like that, please. My slime heart can't take it."
Eryon laughed, but deep down, the Saga was already showing him new paths—and none of them looked easy.
Shanks' journey to Dwargon was not a military march but a "leisurely excursion" that left the Eastern Empire's spies in a state of panic. King Gazel Dwargo, mounted on his Pegasus, looked sideways at the red-haired man who walked on foot, maintaining the pace without any apparent effort.
Upon arriving at the Armed Kingdom of Dwargon, the sight was breath-taking. A city carved into a mountain, pulsing with the sound of hammers and the heat of forges.
"Not bad, Hero King," Shanks commented, adjusting his cloak. "You can feel the history in every stone."
Gazel took Shanks directly to the most exclusive tavern in Dwargon, where only master smiths and the high military command were allowed. He wanted to test not just Shanks' strength, but his character.
"This is the 『Blood of the Mountain』," Gazel said, pouring a mug of a dark, dense liquid. "Many humans faint just from the smell."
Shanks let out a laugh and downed the mug in one go. Silence fell over the tavern as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "It's strong... but it lacks the taste of sea salt. Next time, Eryon will have to customize something for you to try!"
What followed was a festival that Dwargon had not seen in centuries. Shanks didn't just drink with the dwarves; he told stories of "distant seas" and "men with wills that shook the world." Gazel realized that Shanks' strength came from a freedom that he, as a king, could never have.
However, the moment of seriousness came late at night. A group of Dwargon's elite knights, spurred by curiosity, challenged Shanks to a test of strength. Shanks simply smiled and placed his hand on the ground. Without drawing his sword, he released a mere fraction of his presence. The air in the tavern grew heavy, and the glass mugs vibrated until they shattered.
"The world is too big to lock yourselves in these caves," Shanks said, with a gaze that made the war veterans recoil. "But I'm glad this place is allied with Eryon."
Gazel nodded, understanding the silent warning. Shanks was the bodyguard of peace, but also the reminder that the South was not a territory to be tested.
The First Artificial Inhabitant
Meanwhile, at the Southern Archive, the silence was broken only by Merlin's murmur and the constant glow of mana. Eryon was exhausted. He had spent the last few days isolated in the crystal tower, working on an idea the Saga had presented to him.
"Merlin and Esdeath are powerful, but they are archetypes," Eryon thought. "I need someone who genuinely belongs to this world. Someone who can learn, grow, and manage this place when I am not around."
He didn't use an anime model this time. He used 「Arcana Customize」 to fuse physical matter (clay enriched with dwarven magic crystals) and pure mana.
『Elem of Saga』 processed the creation:
[Project: Knowledge Management Homunculus.] [Structure: Adaptive Learning Matrix.] [Essence: Fragment of the Architect's will of preservation.]
Eryon shaped the body. It was not a weapon, nor a warrior. It had the appearance of a young woman with silver hair and gray eyes, dressed in attire reminiscent of a scholar's uniform.
"「Arcana Customize: Bind Soul」," Eryon whispered.
Mana flowed into the inert body. The young woman's chest began to rise and fall. Merlin, watching from the top of the stairs, smiled. "Oh? You finally decided to create something that doesn't just breathe power, Eryon-dono?"
The young woman's gray eyes opened. They lacked the ferocity of Esdeath or the eternal wisdom of Merlin. They held something rarer: pure potential.
"I am..." her voice was soft but steady.
"Your name is Lyra," Eryon said, feeling immense fatigue but deep satisfaction. "You are the first inhabitant of the Archive. Your role is to learn, organize, and protect the knowledge of this world."
Lyra tilted her head, processing the command. She looked at her hands, then at Eryon. "Understood, Master Eryon. The Archive is under my care."
『Notice from the Voice of the World』:
[Recognition confirmed.] [Individual: Lyra — Classification: Arcane Homunculus.] [Extra Skill: 『Total Memory』 and 『Records Analysis』 acquired.]
Eryon slumped to the floor. He had just taken the first step toward transforming his isolation into a true society. He no longer had just guardians; now, he had a people, even if it started with only one person.
Esdeath appeared in the shadows, observing the new inhabitant with a curious gaze. "She is weak," the general remarked.
"She is the future, Esdeath," Eryon replied. "Not everything is solved with ice."