Chapter 12: Walpurgis — The Reunion of Primal Colors
The journey to the banquet space was silent. Rimuru and Silver sat within the luxurious carriage manifested by Silver's [Aura, Lord of Manifestation]. Across from them sat their two shadows: Diablo, the Primordial Black, and Vane, the Primordial Grey.
'Solomon,' Silver thought, adjusting the silver cuffs of his formal military-style coat. 'What's the status on the mental barriers?'
[Answer: Ultimate Skill [Solomon, Lord of Information] has established a localized "Truth Field." Any attempts at mental manipulation by Individual Clayman or other Demon Lords will be redirected and analyzed.]
"You seem tense, Silver-sama," Vane said, his grey eyes reflecting the shifting mana of the dimensional tunnel. "There is no need. If any of those 'Lords' show disrespect, Diablo and I shall erase the insult before they can blink."
"Kufufufu," Diablo chuckled, his golden-star pupils dancing. "Indeed. Though I suspect Guy Crimson will be... surprised to see you, Vane."
Silver looked at Vane. He still didn't know the full history of the Primordials, but he understood one thing: Vane was the "Observer" among the colors—the one who balanced the chaotic whims of Black and the absolute pride of Red.
The Entrance of the Twins
The doors to the grand hall swung open. The existing Demon Lords—Leon, Milim, Ramiris, Dagruel, Luminas, and the shivering Clayman—turned their heads.
Two identical figures walked in. One with blue-silver hair and a gentle yet firm aura; the other with metallic-chrome hair and a gaze as cold as a frozen star. Behind them, two attendants followed, their presence so heavy that the lower-ranked Majin in the room nearly collapsed.
"Hey! Rimuru! Silver!" Milim shouted, waving frantically, though her eyes looked pained.
Silver's eyes narrowed. He could see the faint, dissonant threads of Clayman's [Puppeteer] skill clinging to her.
'Solomon, can [Ahriman, Lord of Plunder] sever those threads without hurting her?'
[Answer: Affirmative. However, I suggest waiting for the opportune moment to "Plunder" Clayman's heart in front of the council.]
The Red and the Grey
At the head of the table sat Guy Crimson, the Lord of Darkness. His crimson eyes widened, then narrowed into a predatory grin as his gaze landed on the two servants.
"Well, well," Guy's voice rumbled, echoing through the chamber. "Noir? I heard you finally crawled out of your hole to serve a slime. But... Glaucus? You actually decided to take a physical form?"
The room went deathly silent. Even the older Demon Lords looked stunned. To have one Primordial as a servant was a miracle; to have two was an impossibility.
Vane stepped forward, his grey hair shimmering like a storm cloud. He gave a shallow, respectful bow—not to Guy, but to the room. "It has been a long time, Rouge. I found a master worth observing. Or rather, a master worth creating a world for."
"I see," Guy laughed, a sound like grinding stones. "So the Twins of the Forest have tamed the Black and the Grey. This Walpurgis just became much more interesting."
The Dismantling of a Clown
Clayman, desperate and sensing his influence slipping, slammed his hands on the table. "Enough of this! These two are mere upstarts! They claim the title of Demon Lord while breaking every law of the forest! They slaughtered the Falmuth army!"
Silver looked at Clayman. For the first time, he didn't use a telepathic message. He spoke aloud, his voice vibrating with the power of his [Magicule Generator].
"We slaughtered an army that came to kill our people," Silver said. "And you... you manipulated them to trigger a forced awakening. You struck our home while we were away."
"Proof! You have no proof!" Clayman shrieked.
Silver raised a hand. "[Ahriman, Lord of Plunder]."
He didn't move. He didn't strike. But suddenly, a ghostly image of a heart appeared in Silver's palm—a heart wrapped in purple, disgusting threads. It was the "Master Thread" Clayman used to control his subordinates.
"This is your proof," Silver said, his silver eyes flashing. "Solomon, play the recorded memories of the Falmuth king."
Using [Aura, Lord of Manifestation], Silver projected the memories of King Edmaris directly into the air for every Demon Lord to see. The plotting, the laughter, and Clayman's shadow behind every decision.
Clayman turned pale. "M-Milim! Kill them! I order you!"
Milim stepped forward, her fist raised—but before she could strike, Rimuru tapped her shoulder.
"You can stop acting now, Milim," Rimuru said with a smile. "Silver already 'Plundered' the curse threads five minutes ago."
Milim's expression shifted instantly from a blank stare to a wide, mischievous grin. "Gahahaha! Finally! That guy was so annoying! I thought I'd have to keep acting for another hour!"
The New Octagram
The battle that followed was less of a fight and more of an execution. While Rimuru dealt with Clayman's physical form, Silver stood back, ensuring no interference.
"Vane," Silver whispered.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Clayman is a waste of space. But his 'Soul'... it's a Demon Lord Seed, isn't it?"
"It is, Silver-sama."
"[Plunder] it. We'll use it to strengthen the city's barriers."
As Rimuru delivered the final blow to Clayman, Silver's skill reached out and stripped the very essence from the dying clown, leaving nothing for the cycle of reincarnation.
Guy Crimson stood up, clapping his hands. "A boring play, but a magnificent ending. You two... you've entertained me. The seat is yours. But the 'Ten Great Demon Lords' is a tacky name."
"How about the Octagram?" Rimuru suggested, looking at the eight remaining members.
Silver looked at Guy, then at Vane and Diablo standing behind them. He knew the "plot" had reached a turning point. The world now knew that the Jura Tempest Federation wasn't just a nation of monsters—it was a superpower led by twins who commanded the very colors of the void.
"Octagram it is," Silver said, his silver hair glowing in the dim light of the hall. "But let it be known: we don't care about your politics. Just stay out of our forest."
Guy Crimson grinned. "I think I like you, Silver. You're much more 'Red' than you look."
"And you," Vane whispered to Guy as they prepared to leave, "are much more 'Grey' than you'd like to admit."
[End of Chapter 12]