03x24 - (D) After the Festival

[bunniefuu]

You thought you could take
advantage of us, is that it?

Not at all!

Like I said,
we can pay right now

if you'd accept
non-dwarven currency!

Please, let's all calm down.

Though this is a nation
of monsters,

I'm sure they have every
intention of paying you back.

Mjollmile,
that is your intent, yes?

Of course, Duke Muese!
We always pay our debts!

If that's true,
then there's only one way

to put these merchants' minds
at ease.

By paying what you owe them
in dwarven gold coins.

[gasps]
But we can't!

-[door opens]
-[GROUP] Huh?

♪

[all gasping]

[grunting]

[footfall]

Sorry to keep
all of you waiting.

♪

It's a pleasure to meet you,
Your Majesty.

I am Meuse, a humble duke
from the Kingdom of Ghastone.

Nice to meet you, now what
seems to be the problem?

Unfortunately, all of these
merchants before you

sought out my help.

They claimed
you tried to cheat them.

We should have plenty
of funds set aside for them.

We do.

The problem is,
they say they'll only accept

dwarven currency.

As I am sure you are aware,

dwarven gold is the only
currency merchants can trust.

Tempest is a nation
of monsters.

And we upstanding merchants
only deal above the table.

[whimpering]

[MUESE] Your Majesty, I'd be
happy to lend my assistance

in resolving this matter.

In fact, it'd be an honor.

[smirks]

[GRANVILLE]
Listen well, Muese.

Your task is to get close
to Demon Lord Rimuru,

draw him into your debt,
and win his trust.

[MUESE]
Leave everything to me.

I will not let you down.

You're lucky they came to me.

As it happens, I currently
have a surplus of dwar--

There's no need for that.
Geld.

[thumping]

Here you go.

Since you insist on it,

I'll pay you
in dwarven gold coins.

♪

[gasps] H-Hold on a second,
is that truly dwarven gold?

What's this?

Did you just imply
it to be fake?

♪

I-I didn't mean to offend.
It's just...

If you don't believe me,
you can have them appraised.

Very well.

-You there!
-Sir!

Lord Rimuru,
these reporters have arrived

to write about
your negotiations

with the merchants.

Perfect timing.

As it just so happens,
we were about to test

the authenticity
of these coins!

[growling]

[camera shutters]

♪

Huh! They're genuine!

There's no doubt, these are
real dwarven gold coins!

[ALL]
Aww!

You can go ahead and pay them.

[coins jangling]

♪

[pencil scratching]

Uh, thank you so much,
Sir Mjollmile.

And with that, all festival
business has been paid for.

I hope this finally brings
this matter to a close.

[laughs]

Simply incredible,
Your Majesty!

The fact you were able to get

this much gold
so quickly is impressive.

Quite, and as long as you're
obeying international laws,

there's nothing
for us to complain about.

We look forward to doing
business with you again

in the future.

Yeah, I think we're gonna
pass on that.

After this, there won't
be a next time.

You're all done here.

[gasps]
W-what are you talking about?

This only happened
because you hadn't paid us.

But now you have,
so what's the problem?

"You can't trust
a nation of monsters."

Isn't that
what you were implying

at the beginning of this?

Clearly you
"upstanding" merchant's

think you're better
than my nation and its people.

[RIMURU] And therefore,
none of you will ever

be permitted to do business
in this country again.

Don't think you can get away
with this tyranny!

All these men did
was assert their own rights

as set by the council
under international law.

You still seem to be confused.

My nation hasn't
joined the council,

so why should we care?

[RIMURU] And if we can't join,
then that's fine by me.

You see, the thing is, I plan
to build a new economic hub

here in Tempest!

[ALL]
Oh!

[smirks]

We don't need to go out
of our way to join the council.

B-but you can't do that!

I know!
Why don't I serve as a mediator

between Tempest
and the council?

I think I'm gonna
pass on that, too.

Besides, you're about to lose
your standing, aren't you?

Huh?

[RIMURU]
Once those reporters go back

to their respective countries,

they'll write articles
about what's happened here.

About merchants who only accept
payment in dwarven gold coins.

And a high-ranking noble
who rallied them,

even though it was
none of his business.

Tell me, what do you suppose
all the people

reading these articles will
think about their behavior?

I... W-well.

Anyway, I got
better things to do.

You finish up.

Understood, My Lord.

Let's just talk about this!
Please, Your Majesty!

[door closes]

Now that our outstanding debts
have finally been settled,

I'd like to kindly ask you
all to leave at once.

[birds chirping]

[train chugging]

We were only able
to make it through this

thanks to your help.

Thank you, Elmesia.

I'm happy to have been
able to assist, Rimuru.

Although, I must say,
I wasn't expecting you

to reprimand those merchants
so harshly, My Lord.

[chuckles]
Pretty convincing, huh?

This was all a part
of His Majesty's grand plan!

What do you mean?

Manipulation is an artform.

Why would one paint
themselves as a villain,

when they could instead
be the hero?

[MJOLLMILE] And once
Lord Rimuru swooped in

-to pay those fools...
-[snickering]

...they all immediately tried
to backpedal,

but it was already too late!

You were right on the money.

Those idiots took the bait
and fell right into our trap!

[chuckles]

All that's left is to wait
for the mastermind to show.

Mastermind.
Wait, what?

Yeah, that Duke guy, Meuse,
was just an errand boy.

And now that
we've paid those merchants

who were causing problems
and ruined their little scheme,

his boss has no choice
but to get involved personally.

Hmm.

Anyway, with all of that
finally being settled,

let's have a meeting to share
thoughts on the festival!

Don't hold back,
say whatever's on your mind!

As the king
of an allied nation,

there's one thing
I'd like to say.

Rimuru, how long were you
hiding that from us?

Uh, wha...

[GAZEL]
The giant images of light

you placed over the arena.

[RIMURU] Oh, right!
Those are pretty handy, huh?

That's not an actual answer!

Those screens can share
detailed information

over long distances.

They could revolutionize w*r.

From the way intel is gathered

to the development
of new strategies!

Wait, are you serious?

If it's that big of a deal,
why didn't you say so sooner?

[GAZEL]
That's my line!

[groans]

Gazel,
there's no need to be upset.

It'll be okay.

By the way, El.

I saw some cool stuff
during the festival

we should bring back home!

I like the way you think!

Why don't we discuss it
at length later?

Hold on!

You're spoiling her,
Your Majesty!

And please don't assume you
can call the Heavenly Empress

"El," Eren!

Come now, Erald,
you nag too much.

Why do you always have
to be so dramatic, Dad?

-Right?
-Right?

[groans]

[ELMESIA]
Anyway, Rimuru.

If possible, we'd like to bring

some of your innovations
to Thalion.

Well, I don't mind,

but wouldn't transportation
be tough?

[ELMESIA]
I don't think so.

Not if we can simply have
this thing pass by my nation.

I see your point.

But unfortunately,
the Magitrain

isn't quite ready yet.

It's called a "Magitrain,"
is it?

I see.

It's powered
with a Spirit Magic Core,

a device that uses spirits
for energy.

We've built
a whole system around it

that gives us full control.

[RIMURU]
Pretty cool, right?

[scoffs]
You almost make it sound easy.

Well, easier said than done.

Which is why, it would be
awesome if you could have

one of your magic-science
specialists help us out.

How wonderful!

I hope you'll also
let us help fund it!

Right, Erald?

I'll make the arrangements.

How about that, Vesta,
looks like you're gonna be

part of a big joint
research project!

I never imagined something
like this to be possible.

Thalion's magic-science and
Dwargon's spirit engineering

coming together in Tempest.
Wow.

Just say the word
and we'll help how we can!

Cool, guess we'll start laying
tracks to Thalion first, then.

Meanwhile, we can keep up
the road construction,

though building a tunnel
will take some time.

-[MOMIJI] Hold on!
-[all gasping]

Lord Rimuru, are you saying
that this "tunnel"

is necessary
to carry out your plan?

Yes, eventually,

but first we need
to plan out the tracks.

And once complete,
you would need to dig

through our mountain?

That's right.

It would be ideal, but I'm not
gonna force you guys

to do anything
you don't want to.

[sighs]

Very well, then.

[MOMIJI] As long as it won't
harm our sacred mountains,

you may construct your tunnel.

For real?

For real, but the one I want
in charge of construction is...

Sir Benimaru.

-Sounds good to me!
-But, Lord Rimuru!

I don't even know the first
thing about construction!

[RIMURU]
Ooh, that's a good point.

I hate to refuse, but
Benimaru's my right-hand man.

Maybe he could observe
every now and then?

Sure, that's enough for me.

As long as he makes sure
to stop by the village

whenever he does.

[RIMURU] Something tells me
that's what she was aiming for

the whole time, Benimaru.

I agree.

Master...
I mean, Lord Rimuru.

I wanted to bring something up.

[RIMURU]
Sure, what is it, Youm?

Well, I don't wanna mess this
up by saying the wrong thing.

It might be best to have my
wife explain everything to you.

-Is that okay?
-Of course.

The floor is all yours.

We appreciate it, Your Majesty.

It's regarding
the road construction.

The route from Blumund
to Dwargon

passes through our country.

I was hoping that,
by completing the road,

we could take the first step
in forming a strong

human-monster alliance.

I see.
An alliance, huh?

♪

A human-monster alliance.

I like it!

That's the perfect way
to phrase

what we're trying to achieve!

We whole-heartedly
believe in your dream.

Youm and I will do
everything in our power

to help make it a reality.

Great, we can start with
agriculture, how's that going?

[MJURRAN] Don't worry,
we've already begun

cultivating the crops
you specified.

Oh, then how about keeping
the nobility in check?

Sir Diablo has been
helping us with that.

[MJURRAN] Thanks to him,
the nobles of Falmenace

have been cooperating.

Any problems
with keeping the peace?

Things have been
a lot more stable

since we restructured
the Knight's order.

And the people seem
to love their new king.

Our little kingdom is thriving.

Oh!

In that case, could you
round up all of your subjects

who are still looking for work?

[MJURRAN]
Oh, do you mind if I ask why?

The beastfolk who have been
studying under Geld

should be ready
to start surveying

the land relatively soon.

[RIMURU] I'd like to have your
subjects work alongside them.

Understood.

I'll divide them into groups
and appoint those

who can read and write
as managers.

[MJURRAN] I can't believe
this is happening.

The transportation network
we're creating,

it'll be a vital lifeline
for our human-monster alliance.

[RIMURU]
Yeah.

Cargo that took a week
to transport by carriage

will get to its destination
in less than three hours.

Huh?

[RIMURU]
On top of that, it can carry

over a hundred times
more cargo!

[chuckles]

We'll learn from your example,
Lord Rimuru.

That way we'll be ready
for the new age that's coming.

I don't mean to interrupt,
but would you mind

if Blumund lent a hand
building this alliance?

Why are you talking like that?
You good?

Just look at the people
present here.

I think anyone
would be nervous to speak.

Guess you have a point.
What's up?

It's actually about
the Magitrain.

My friend here wanted
to speak on it.

You can go on ahead.

I am a minister from Blumund.
My name is Veryard.

I'm grateful
for this opportunity

-to stand before you today.
-It's fine!

There's no need for all
the formalities, my guy.

Right.

[RIMURU]
So, what did you want to say?

Well, with all due respect.

The Magitrain
will revolutionize

the mass distribution of goods.

[VERYARD] If you build its hub
within the Kingdom of Blumund,

all sorts of cargo
from various other countries

will naturally
be brought there.

We'd be able to manage
the cargo by making note

of what other countries
are lacking,

and then, make
the appropriate arrangements.

Am I correct
in assuming that's a duty

you'd entrust to Blumund?

Based on the planned route,
it only makes sense.

Wow, you're sharp.

So, can Blumund handle it?

If not, I'd like to make use
of the location.

Surely, you jest.

We'll happily accept this task,

and build a distribution hub
worthy of the Magitrain.

Great, I'll be
counting on you, then.

Sir!

All right,
I think that settles us!

I still can't accept this!

What are you talking about?

It's the dungeon!
It's so boring down there!

We only made it
a floors deep,

so why is it taking
so long for anyone

to reach the final floor?

[VELDORA] I've even been
practicing my lines

to be ready
when challengers show up!

[RIMURU]
Take a chill pill, dude.

Our big reveal
during the festival

did its job promoting
the dungeon, just give it time.

Wait, what?

Showing off those images
of the dungeon

got the attention of a bunch
of other countries.

Of course, the allure
of treasure and unique weapons

played a huge part in that.

-[groans]
-And that's not all.

I'm thinking of introducing
a monetary prize

for those who clear it!

-Monetary?
-Monetary?

"Those strong enough to conquer
all floors

of the dungeon
will earn a massive reward!"

Once word gets out,
powerful adventurers

backed by nobles
will come from far and wide

to try their luck
in the labyrinth!

-Oh, great idea!
-Indeed!

Guildmaster Yuuki.

If possible, I was hoping
to have the guild

oversee the reward system
for conquering the dungeon.

Wait, why the guild?

Working directly with the guild

will bring in
even more adventurers.

And what's the real reason?

I can't get anything
past you, huh?

Truth be told, I wanted to use
the adventurer card system.

Oh, that makes
a little more sense.

But as much as I'd like to help
you guys out with the dungeon,

the guild can't afford it.

Don't worry.

I assure you, this arrangement
will benefit the guild as well.

Really?
How so?

[MJOLLMILE] Problem monsters
in the Great Forest of Jura

are now
Lord Rimuru's responsibility.

And as his borders solidify,

that territory
will be expanded.

Which means...

There will be far fewer
monster-hunting jobs.

Precisely.

But adventurers can still
defeat monsters in the dungeon,

which will make it possible
for them to routinely procure

all kinds of materials.

So, it'll be a new job
opportunity for adventurers

losing out on work.

Man, you guys
have thought of everything.

May I say something, too?

Uh, sure thing.

While it's true the dungeon
you've built is perfect

for honing one's skills,

if a fighter is never
at risk of death,

they can become careless,

which could cause problems
when they operate outside

the safety of your dungeon.

Yeah, you bring up
a good point.

I have a suggestion.

I'd like to send a priest
from the Western Holy Church

to Tempest, a high-ranking one.

[both gasping]

Are you certain
about this, Lady Hinata?

Wait, a priest?

You mean,
like a holy magic user?

Yes, and high-ranking priests
are powerful enough

to use divine miracles
that can regenerate lost limbs.

However...it's impossible

to grow without practice
and diligent study.

As things currently stand, the
Church's inherited knowledge

and hidden miracles
could end up

being buried and forgotten.

So, you want to send them here

so they can work on their
skills and gain experience?

And in exchange,
you'll be able to add a healer

who can make use of holy magic
to your ranks.

[gasps]

[RAPHAEL]
Notice.

In order to perfect the Skill

"The Secret
of Faith and Grace,"

analysis of hidden holy magics

will likely prove
extremely effective.

I can't think
of a reason to say no.

Let's do it then,
we'd be happy to have 'em!

In that case,
I've another request.

Could my Knights
make use of the dungeon

as part of their training?

Captain, please.

[HINATA] Is that acceptable,
Lord Veldora?

Or should I say,
Lord Pseudonym?

[VELDORA] [gasps]
Lord Pseudonym?

Never met him!

But he sounds like a guy
who cooks some mean yakisoba!

[laughs]

Try your best
to conquer my dungeon.

I'll be waiting
with bated breath

for the Holy Knights to finally
reach the th floor!

[laughs]

-Uh.
-Okay.

[chuckles]

[YUUKI]
Hey, Rimuru.

I gave your earlier proposal
a little bit more thought.

If we opened a branch here,
would you be able to provide

the building for us in Tempest?

For sure!
We can do that!

Sounds like my dungeon's about
to get a lot more exciting!

[laughs]

[RIMURU] All right,
I think that covers everything.

Before we call it, I wanna
talk about one last thing.

A group known
as the eastern merchants.

[all gasping]

[whimpering]
[crows cawing]

[MUESE]
It's over.

That's it,
there's nothing left for me.

Demon Lord Rimuru.

I should never have tried
to oppose someone like you!

[MARIBEL]
As expected, Duke Muese

failed us in Tempest.

Seems this task
was too much for him.

To think this happened
only because I thought

it a shame
to destroy his country.

It isn't your fault,
Grandfather.

[MARIBEL] I went there
and saw it, heard it,

and felt it in the air.

It was the nostalgic
scent of culture.

Which is exactly
why we will now destroy it,

before it can fester
any further.

♪

You need not worry.
I'm the embodiment of Greed.

I want it all,

so I will have it all,
no matter what.

[MARIBEL] Because this world
belongs to the Rozzos.

Yes, it does.

-Very well, then.
-[fire crackling]

[GRANVILLE] I'll leave
everything to you, Maribel.

[GAZEL]
The eastern merchants, eh?

Dwargon has allowed them
free passage

through our territory.

But we keep track of any
merchants who come and go

and watch them closely.

We rarely see them
in the Kingdom of Blumund.

As a relatively minor power,

they probably don't think

our country much
worth dealing with.

As the minister, should you
really be saying that?

[chuckles]

They haven't done
anything in Thalion, right?

Of course, they haven't!

We oversee all foreign articles
that come in.

What's more,
the thirteen royal families

aren't allowed
to take part in outside trade.

The country in the most danger
is probably mine.

But Razen
is checking out the ledgers,

just as Diablo
instructed us to.

He's going to see how far
their influence has reached,

and intends to cut out
the corruption at its root.

Hmm.

And the guild?

We have to allow each branch
to make its own decisions.

There are some that still
carry out business with them.

[YUUKI] Even as Guildmaster,
I don't have the authority

to end their dealings.

[RIMURU]
I suppose that's true.

[YUUKI] Either way, I'll send
a message back to HQ

and see what happens.

The Western Holy Church...

No, Lubelius,
has officially ceased

all dealings
with the eastern merchants.

Whoa, really?

They were trying
to manipulate us.

Specifically, the man
called "Damrada of Gold."

On the night of Walpurgis,
an intruder managed

to make their way
into Lubelius.

I just so happened to run
into them and chased them off.

But coincidentally,
I was supposed to meet

with Damrada that day.

I see.
It's likely they're connected.

Damrada and the infiltrator,
I mean.

♪

It would seem we'll have
to come up with some way

of counteracting the influence
of these eastern merchants.

I'll make sure Blumund
is keeping an eye out

for any movement
from them, as well.

[RIMURU] We'll discuss how
to handle them another time.

But for now, this meeting...
I mean, this festival is over!

I hope you all
rest well tonight!

Aw, but I don't want
to go home!

Then why don't you
sleep with me tonight!

[gasps]

[ERALD] Eren,
do you know what you're saying?

-[ELMESIA] Let's do it!
-[EREN] Yay!

[all laughing]

[ERALD]
This can't be happening.

[crickets chirping]

[RIMURU]
There's no doubt about it.

The guy Clayman
was talking about at Walpurgis

must have been Yuuki.

[laughs]

I believe
you're correct, Lord Rimuru.

The list of all the people
who knew about me and Shizu

is pretty small.

[RIMURU] And the eastern
merchants told Hinata

that I k*lled Shizu.

Also, Mjurran said
that she had never even heard

of the Moderate
Harlequin Alliance.

Even among Demon Lords,
Clayman was cautious.

I'm sure he went
to great lengths

to keep
the Harlequins a secret.

Though he never tried
to hide the fact

that he dealt
with the eastern merchants,

Mjurran saw them many times
while working for him.

So, you think the Harlequins
made contact with Clayman

while disguised
as the eastern merchants?

[RIMURU]
Yeah.

Apparently, Adalmann
saw them dressed up

in merchant's clothes, too.

The evidence we have
collected is overwhelming.

There can be no doubt that
those two groups are connected.

Which means, on the night
that Walpurgis took place,

the intruder who k*lled
Demon Lord Roy

-was very likely Laplace.
-Hm.

And just as Yuuki stated back
at the earlier meeting,

he's connected
to the eastern merchants.

I suppose he had
no choice but to admit it.

After all, the paper
they use at the guild

is imported from
the Eastern Empire.

But why would
he make Lord Rimuru

and Hinata fight?

What would he have
to gain from that?

I'm guessing
the holy church's influence

was getting in the
eastern merchants' way.

They likely wanted us to get
rid of each other for them.

And you're implying
it was Yuuki

who orchestrated these events?

That's unforgivable.

We could question him.
Shall we?

We don't have proof.

If we tip Yuuki off, then
we'll never know the truth.

And above all,
I can't say for certain

that I'm not mistaken
about this.

[RAPHAEL]
Answer.

I surmise the likelihood
of that is extremely low.

[RIMURU]
You surmise, huh?

Even so, it's still a guess.

We'll hold off on taking
any overt action for now.

Instead, we'll get ready.

Ready to face anyone
that stands in the way

of our human-monster alliance.

[GROUP]
Right!

♪

[RIMURU] And so,
our nation's Opening Festival

came to an end.

♪

Some of our guests
happily headed home.

♪

While others stayed in Tempest.

♪

But now...

our next battle
is about to begin.

♪

A single month
after the festival ended,

Tempest received
an official letter

from the Council of the West.