04x08 - The Groundwork of Greed

[bunniefuu]

The portrait in the mirror asks

"Who am I truly?"
as they're refraining

Even looking from the opposite angle

I am tormented by
an endless loop with no exit

Ah, but then I meet people

Looking at the smile
reflected in their eyes

I will come to recognize something
more precious than myself

Even if they laugh,
saying it's a pipe dream

It's the future I want
to achieve and protect

Justice and pseudo-justice,
a conflicting world

But I still want to love it

We're alike

But we're not the same

We're alive

For the unyielding dream

[That Time I Got Reincarnated
as a Slime Season 4]

The Grandmaster of the
Free Union, Yuuki Kagurazaka.

He is completely
under Maribel's control!

Maribel's right. Allying with the
Demon Lord is out of the question.

But then what other choice
do we have?

Rimuru's sway over human society
is growing day by day.

Lord Yohan, there is an
urgent matter to report.

Hm?

I received a magic call.

No way! That cunning vixen?!

Looks like Glenda's been captured
by Demon Lord Rimuru.

Can you check
her situation through Greed?

That's why I can't read her emotions.

What?

It's likely that Glenda was k*lled
by Demon Lord Rimuru.

Yuuki, have you seized any opportunity
to meet Demon Lord Rimuru?

Meeting him?

Let's see…

Our Kagali is going to explore
an ancient ruin called Amrita with Rimuru.

Amrita?

I've heard about it.

It's an ancient ruin
that lies beneath Jistav.

Apparently, it's modeled after the city
of Soma from an old super-magic nation.

According to Kagali, it seems to be fitted
with a magic-powered reactor as well…

Magic-powered reactor?

It's the power source
used to run the city of Soma.

The pinnacle of the Old World's
magical technology.

Were it let loose, it would probably
wipe out the entire surrounding area.

Yuuki, didn't you say you could defeat
Demon Lord Rimuru on your own?

You're not actually planning
to make your move there, are you?!

No, no. I suggest you refrain
from doing so.

I heard that Demon Lord Millim
is coming along on the mission too.

Two Demon Lords?!
That's too reckless!

No.

We will jump him there…

And destroy Demon Lord Millim
at the same time.

That's suicidal! Where on earth are we
supposed to find that kind of firepower?

From me giving this
my everything.

And I mean, everything.

I believe both of you understand
the weight of our current situation.

Which makes now the perfect time
to use that thing.

It's the thing that you got
from the dragon nest, Yuuki.

We can't use that.
I don't have any control over it.

Doesn't matter.

It was Demon Lord Milim's
to begin with.

We're merely giving it
back to her.

If things go south, humanity could
suffer catastrophic consequences!

So what?

Wait, you're right.

If that's the case, Demon Lord Millim
herself would probably step in…

It might be the perfect way to
split up the two Demon Lords…

Glad it didn't take you long to catch on.

And while she's distracted…

We'll take control of Rimuru.

But there's one thing that worries me.

Is it Storm Dragon?

Yeah, if we fail to subdue him
and end up k*lling Rimuru,

that evil dragon might just wipe out
humanity in the worst-case scenario…

You don't need to worry about that.

Just focus on defeating Demon Lord
Rimuru without any distractions.

If you say so,
I'll take your word for it.

Are you sure Yuuki
is being controlled?

Yeah…

Maribel said that right to his face.

Those under her control never realize
the truth, no matter what you tell them.

It seems Yuuki couldn't gain a unique
skill during the dimensional crossing,

so he wasn't able to defend himself…

But, if that's the case,
then Yuuki isn't guilty…

Come on, can't you, Demon Lord?!

I know other things too!
So, please hire me!

I beg of you!

Ugh!

Why don't we grab something
to eat for now?

So this is…

That's right. This is Tempest's
brand-new parliament building!

What a magnificent
building this is.

Tempest grew even bigger
after the Founding Ceremony,

so I just went and built it.

I've decided to hire Glenda for
Soei's special operations unit.

Troublesome as she is, with Soei
watching her, I can feel at ease.

Hey…
- Hm?

Are those per your request?

W-Well…

We must let everyone know
just how amazing Master Rimuru is.

I see.

Talk about lively.

This place smells good.

Once you've placed your order,

please bring this wooden token to the
counter to exchange it for your meal.

We also have three daily featured
dishes and a special menu.

Huh? Is that so?

They always just went ahead
and prepared it for me, though.

We always serve a special menu
for you, Master Rimuru.

That's the most popular dish.

You either save up loyalty points
to book it or get in line early to get it.

Oh…

Well, since we're at it,
why don't you pick the special too?

Huh? Is that okay?

It's a first-time service.

Consider it on me for Glenda, okay?

Yes!

If you say so…

Then, I'll order the special too.

Huh? Miss Hinata?

So yummy!

Still, that point system
is quite an idea.

Actually, the system
hasn't been set up yet,

so we haven't been
able to pay the salaries.

Oh, we also have the same
problem in Lubelius.

Really? Isn't it a country
with a long history?

It's a country that
upholds equality, after all.

Just like here, they
provide benefits in kind.

Does that apply to you, Hinata?

That's right.

Due to my position, I do manage a certain
amount of the national budget, though.

Huh?

It looked like you spent big at the
Founding Ceremony. Did you embezzle it?

I did not. The money I used was my own.
I earned it from slaying monsters.

Hmm?

Then, what's this? You have your own
money, yet you're making me treat you?

Details, details. I'm just trying to
keep costs down.

I don't get it…

I used to think money
was everything…

But I've since set aside
such a mindset.

From today onward,
I will live for the point!

Uh, sure. Do your best.

Well then, it's about time
you told me the rest of the intel.

I suppose so, yeah.
Let's start with the Council.

It's run by the Five Elders,
a group of influential figures.

Granville is, of course,
their head.

And the one who masterminded
this whole mess is Maribel.

That means even the ringleader, Gaban,
was being manipulated all along.

He's one of the Five Elders.

Including Yohan.

Hmm?

Isn't Yohan the gentleman
who was reprimanding Gaban?

Yeah, it seemed like the two of them
had conflicting opinions…

It's Maribel's way to pit people against
each other within the organization.

It wouldn't be a problem if Gaban
manages to subdue the Demon Lord.

Even if he fails, Yohan, who's been
pitted against him, will gain your trust

and have an easier time
currying your favor, right?

From their standpoint,
it's a fight for survival.

For Maribel, though, it's a setup where
either side winning works out just fine.

She's sneaky and never shows her face…

It makes me want to burn her to ashes.

I feel you,
but you can't do that.

And one more thing.

There's a group called Blood Shadow that
does the dirty work for the Rozzo family.

They're lurking everywhere,
so you'd better watch your back.

Phew…

That's all I know.

I see.

Seriously, though, why am I
being treated like such a threat?

I'm merely a harmless slime.

Huh?

What? Huh?!

Well, if you go around provoking people
like that, anyone would be hostile to you.

Huh?!

I thought you were
looking for a fight, too.

What?!

I thought the Council was the first
step toward building an economic zone.

Excuse me?!

My intelligence gathering
is part of that, right?

Sorry?!

Did you really do that
without realizing it?

N-No! I'm not exactly saying
that wasn't my intention,

but I figured peaceful negotiations
would suffice for the time being…

I rarely see anyone who's so naive
as to welcome newcomers,

who disrupt their own market.

I can't even refute her.

W-Well then, let's work hard to carry the
entire economy of the Western countries!

Sir!

It's rather lively over there.

Now, thanks to Glenda's information,
I can see the full picture of the enemy.

Soei, please investigate
the Rozzo family and the Five Elders.

Understood.

We should probably keep
an eye on Yuuki, too.

Yeah.

They might set traps via the guild.
Let's avoid them for a while.

What about the expedition to the ruin?

Huh?

Did you forget about it?

You were bragging to me that you're
going on an expedition to the ruins

with the guild's sub-master.

Ah! That's right…

Can't you just turn it down now?

The ruins are located in Jistav.

Since it's Millim's territory now,
I went ahead and asked her too…

An expedition to the ruins?!
I'm coming! I'm definitely coming!

You definitely can't brush that off!

But isn't that dangerous?

It's like going straight
into the enemy's trap.

Ugh…

Suggestion.

You can also deliberately
create an opening to lure them out.

That's it!

We'll use that trap against them instead.

I'll go ahead and lure the enemy out.

Then we'll be fully
prepared to strike back.

Is that okay?

Millim will be there, and I plan
to bring Shion along as an escort.

Besides,

there's someone who's grown stronger
from overcoming Millim's training!

Why don't you join us there
together, Mister Gobta?

Hell no! I don't want to go
anywhere with traps or enemies!

Well then, leave the city security to us.

I'll strengthen the barrier, too.

Leave the surveillance of
neighboring countries to us.

In Tempest, crucial matters
get decided in the blink of an eye.

If you're going to stay here,
you'd better get used to it.

Sure thing!

Well, I'm going home now.

Yeah, send my regards to Luminus.

You can be a bit careless sometimes,
so please be very careful.

Bye now.

Mind your own business!

She just can't be honest.

No, that's not the case.

Uh…

Anyway! The plan is set, now all that's
left is to get ready for the big day!

Wow.

Lookin' good.

Come in!

Did you summon me, Master Rimuru?

Yeah.

Here, for you.

These were souvenirs I bought
at Engrassia during the Council break.

I'm so happy!

I'll treasure it and display it forever!

I was thinking that we
might as well open it here.

Sure!

Wow…

Can I try it on?

Yeah, of course.

How do I look, Master Rimuru?

It looks great on you!

Thank you so much!

I then introduced Glenda to everyone.

She'll be monitored
closely from now on,

but I really hope she
can earn their trust.

The days leading up to
the ruin expedition,

flew by in a flash as I commissioned
Dord to make a handgun,

went over our strategy again

and bought a new set of exploration gear.

Everything's all set.

Yes!

Since we're going,
might as well go all out!

Right?

I'm not sure about
the half-sleeves and shorts,

but they suit you both,
so approved!

Sorry to keep you waiting.
Let's head out for the ruin expedition.

Denied! Go change into something
appropriate for the expedition!

Huh?

Yes…

Good grief…

By the way, Gobta,
did you bring that with you?

Of course!

This thing is so cool!

That heart-pounding impact
is the best, isn't it?

It was definitely worth giving it to you.

I knew you'd appreciate it.

I was surprised when he showed me
the prototype in just a few days.

To be honest, it's pretty useless to us
since we can use powerful magic, but…

That's not the point.

You know, this kind of thing
is just for the fun of it.

I've changed my clothes.

Huh?

That can't be your
exploration gear.

Lady Shuna said,
it's too late to buy it now…

Figures.

I'll be meeting up with
Demon Lord Rimuru later.

We plan to set off as soon as we've met.

I can't show myself, but please give
my regards to the rest of the team.

Got it, Boss.

But are you sure you'll be okay?

Demon Lord Millim is supposed to be
coming to the expedition as well.

Isn't she the one who
destroyed your hometown?

I'm okay.

I overcame that trauma
when I became the Demon Lord.

I'll activate Amrita's
defense mechanisms as planned.

If I just turn them on,
no one will suspect a thing.

I see.

In that case, I'm counting on you.

After all, this is also a chance to learn
more about Demon Lord Rimuru's abilities.

I'm amazed you've thought
that far ahead, Boss.

I want to do everything I can.

I have a big ambition, you see.

Yuuki Kagurazaka…

Can we trust him?

Don't worry, Grandfather.

With Yuuki's enormous desire,
Greed's control is absolute.

Demon Lord Rimuru, huh?

With the Seven Days Clergy destroyed
and Saint Hinata growing stronger,

Demon Lord Rimuru's rule is only
meant to become more unshakable…

We absolutely must
stop that from happening.

Don't we?

Are you sure you can control him?

I'll show you.

If push comes to shove,
I'll have him die.

Even if the Storm Dragon runs amok,
Demon Lord Luminus won't stand by idly.

Will the Western Nations be saved?

Go ahead and give it your all.

I'll be going now, Grandfather.

Go forth, Maribel.

For the sake…

…of humanity's future.

I've been waiting for you.

It's been a while. I'll be counting
on your help starting today.

Nice to meet you, I'm Millim!

Best regards!

The pleasure is all mine, Lady Millim.

Well then, let's head over to the plaza.

How is it?

I've found nothing.

Though…

Something about her is…

This will be the expedition team
that'll be joining us on this mission.

These are some of the most
outstanding individuals I have trained.

Pleasure to meet you all.

Likewise. We'll be in your care.

Good, now let's head over
to that carriage.

So, we'll take this route, then?

Yeah.

Sir Rimuru, where would you
prefer your luggage stored?

Shall we stack them together?

Oh, it's okay, I didn't
really bring much.

Huh?

Surely you jest. You can't be
exploring ruins in such tight clothing.

See! She's talking about your
short-sleeved shirt, Millim!

I-Is that so?!

My long sleeves suited better for…

They're the same!

From my perspective, you folks are
taking exploration way too lightly!

Well, don't sweat it.

I may not look like it, but I've got
plenty of experience with adventuring.

If you insist on that, then fine…

But please let me know right away
if you run into any trouble.

Now, let's head to the carriage.

We won't be riding the carriage.

Huh?

I'll connect us directly to the site.

Please go thorugh.

Jistav is just beyond this point.

You're kidding, right?

That's a two-month journey
by carriage, you know.

Demon Lord…

…is so amazing.

Oh, are they here to welcome us?

We've been waiting for you,

Master Rimuru, Lady Millim,
and all the members of the guild.

Welcome to Jistav.

What keeps me alive

Is an endless longing

Once upon a time, life was
the light that nourished the vast earth

Then why do we fight?
The heavens must be fools

Will this chaotic justice
someday threaten my light as well?

The world's ideals
can never become one

Ah, defend, steal,
and win our way through

We'll just keep repeating it, won't we?

The life of the powerless is
counting down like an hourglass

Awaken your instinct to the angry voice,
follow where it leads

I am the apex, shaking the land

Be greedy, longing

Next time: Ruin Expedition.