"And that is essentially what is happening in the chat group," Testarossa concluded, having just finished reporting the situation to Rimuru.
Rimuru's expression remained grave as he consulted with his Ultimate Skill, Raphael, the Lord of Wisdom.
"Hah! What nonsense. I could handle a trivial matter like this myself without even bothering Lord Rimuru!" Diablo interjected, his voice dripping with blatant provocation.
"Diablo, overconfidence can be a double-edged sword. I am simply being cautious; that does not mean I am incapable of handling it alone." Testarossa's tone was sharp, refusing to back down.
"Enough! Diablo, you've been acting strange lately. Go and reflect on your attitude before you show your face to me again!" Rimuru snapped, his voice rising in anger.
Diablo froze. Tears of blood began to stream down his face, resembling a scene straight out of a gruesome horror movie. Despite the macabre display of grief, Diablo accepted the punishment and withdrew.
A moment after Diablo's departure, Rimuru looked directly at Testarossa.
"Testarossa, I'm giving you the authority to act, so long as it's for the sake of world security."
"I understand, Lord Rimuru. Thank you for your trust."
Rimuru nodded. "You may call upon anyone for assistance if needed—including Diablo."
"Again, thank you very much, Lord Rimuru."
"I should be the one thanking you. Thanks to your report, I can take preventative measures."
"...Why do you trust my story so easily, Lord Rimuru? Are you not afraid that I might be lying to you?"
Rimuru offered a faint smile.
"I trust you. Besides, I have my own ways of calculating the truth."
"Marvelous. As expected of Lord Rimuru... You might even be superior to Tatsuya Yotsuba."
...
In Orario, Ais had also finished reporting the chat group issues to Loki.
"Hmm, so that's how it is," Loki mused.
"What do you think? Should we form a special patrol unit?" Ais asked.
"That's not a call I can make alone. I'll have to speak with the other gods before making a decision."
"So, we're putting it off until tomorrow?"
Loki nodded, then turned to Ais with a mischievous grin. "Since it's already late, how about we sleep together—Gahk!"
Ais landed a sharp blow to Loki's stomach and promptly escorted the flat-chested goddess out of her room.
...
In Tengu City, a beautiful woman in a red gothic dress slipped through the shadows, coming to a halt on the roof of a building.
"Ara~ ara~ the first day of patrol ends without a hitch." Kurumi smiled sweetly, looking breathtakingly beautiful under the moonlight.
...
In Asora, Makoto had just finished his archery practice when he felt a strange disturbance in the surrounding atmosphere. It felt as though something was trying to force its way in, though the exact location was hard to pin down.
"Young Master!" A blue-haired female samurai rushed toward him.
"What is it, Tomoe?"
"Asora is under attack!"
"I felt it, but where? I can't track the coordinates!"
"Follow me!"
Tomoe grabbed Makoto's hand and pulled him along. They reached the edge of Asora, where a spatial crack had formed, growing wider by the second.
[Solo Mission released for Makoto! Stop the Black Spider's rampage and subdue her as a servant!]
"A mission? And what is this 'Black Spider'?"
Bang!
One of the cracks shattered, and a giant spider leg lunged violently toward Makoto.
Ding!
Reflexively, Makoto deployed a barrier. The Black Spider's leg recoiled, the creature seemingly shocked that her attack had been so easily deflected. Makoto immediately started a live streaming.
(Tatsuya Yotsuba, Time Eater, Sword Princess, and White have joined the live streaming!)
Makoto: I just got a mission to stop this Black Spider's rampage and turn her into a servant!
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Be careful. This Black Spider possesses the same strange element as the two male corpses I subdued yesterday.
Makoto: I figured as much. I can see it, though it feels very faint from here.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: You might be stronger than her, but a rampaging monster is never easy to handle.
Makoto: I know. She's completely out of her mind. Her body regenerates almost instantly after I hit her.
Testarossa: Your magic control is abysmal. It's no wonder your attacks lack the necessary punch.
Makoto: Now is not the time for a lecture!
Sword Princess: Don't get distracted! She's attacking!
As an adventurer, Ais never let her guard down, even when she wasn't the one fighting. Makoto leaped far back to evade the Black Spider's lunge.
"How am I supposed to calm this crazy thing down?!"
"Young Master! I know the way!" Tomoe shouted.
"Oh? What is it? Just say it!"
"Give the Black Spider your precious fluid! That will satisfy her hunger and allow her to think clearly again!"
Makoto fell silent, completely at a loss for words.
To be continued...