Chapter 166 (1/2)

Volume 2

Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (WN) Chapter 164

164. REWARDS AND EVOLUTION III

Well then, let us now get to Adalman’s team, the last of the Labyrinth group.

Adalman had large reserves of magic, but was weak against melee combat.

However, he was a genius who could use Holy-Demonic Reversal.

It was strange how he was so smart, considering he was missing a brain.

It was a power involving Mathematical Circuits imbued onto the soul.

Furthermore, wielding special Skills like ‘Perfect Memory’ and ‘Soul Think’, his existence came close to that of a Spiritual Form.

All ordinary physical attacks were nullified, and only Legendary-tier and above weapons could actually harm him.

It was similar to Hinata’s Spirit Armour, and against enemies donning Legendary-tier equipment, it did not provide much defence.

Albert had been pushed back by such enemies, so it was unreasonable to blame him.

His weapon being broken, compromising the vanguard, was one of the main reasons for their defeat.

“Having been defeated, I cannot possibly accept this reward…….”

Adalman stated in frustration.

No, he was worrying too much.

“Don’t say that. You’ve done well.

I’m saying this, so believe me won’t you?”

To begin with, I had not expected it, but Adalman had beaten Shinji’s team.

(TN: When they came as spies.)

He had obviously developed far more than I had anticipated.

His fight up with Krishna, one of the Emperor’s Personal Guard, was just a bad match up.

So I had already pardoned him, and was going to start the Ascension Ritual but……

“Even still Rimuru-sama, I cannot forgive myself.

For me to ascend to the Demon Lordship same as your highness……

I would gladly take the opportunity to become one, when I have earned it!”

He resisted my offer thus.

It was true that the Labyrinth was our last line of defence, and its defensive strength it was important.

At this point, rather than trying to protect the current capital city of Tempest, it was optimal to transfer all the important facilities into deep inside the Labyrinth.

The capital itself would then work as a place to host international dignitaries, becoming in effect, a vacation town.

On that note, the Labyrinth also had its Ten Lords.

And there was no problem with leaving its defence to Demon Lord-class individuals like Zegion or Kumara.

The Labyrinth I had built as a playground had turned into a fortress all of a sudden.

I wanted Adalman to attain Demon Lordship, but I shouldn’t ignore his personal wishes.

“I understand.

But I will hold great expectations of you.

When there is another chance, be sure to prove the worth of those expectations!”

“Of course! Your highness will surely observe my worth with your own eyes!!”

“Yes. I shall remember those words of yours.

So leaving aside your ascension to Demon Lord……

From today onwards, I bestow you with the title ‘Gehenna Lord’.

You shall work hard so as to live up to that name!”

“As you desire your highness!!”

Fu~.

(TN: *breathes out*)

Speaking with all this dignity really tires you out.

Anyway, Adalman was now also considered among my strongest subordinates, having received a ‘-Lord’ title.

From now on, his authority would increase. That is, if he was willing exercise that privilege.

(TN: Warning, character switching like crazy.)

Well then, Adalman wasn’t the only one who had been defeated.

Albert needed to get his get his broken equipment replaced.

He was able to use average weapons and armour with the skills of a master.

Were the Legendary-tier items taken from the Empire more suited to him?

-Was my train of thought.

Who would get to use the only God-tier set?

There was a reason why I didn’t give it to Gerudo.

His skills would be suited to Legendary-tier and advancing to God-tier would be a matter of time.

Skill wasn’t the only reason, but Gerudo probably wouldn’t be able to use the God-tier set to its full potential.

At a glance, Calgurio was not a weak man.

In fact, he even had Skills and was a decent fighter.

Even so, he never could bring out the potential of his God-tier set, and only used it as a high defense armour.

A God-tier armour chose its master.

I knew this sort of secret info after much analysis.

(TN: via Raphael-sensei I guess.)

Demonic Steel maturing over many years transforms into God Steel, becoming a ‘Tsukumogami’

(TN:  so to say. )

, and attains God-tier power.

Equipment crafted from such metals would be extremely underpowered in the hands of the unskilled.

For a short-lived human, gaining a mastery required for such treasures would be but a distant dream.

But even becoming a ghost with an unlimited lifespan, he was a soul who had not lost his talents as a Holy Knight.

Possibly being even better than Hakurou at swordsmanship, was Albert really not worthy of such equipment?

After all, most of the candidates to evolve into Demon Lordship had no need of new armours as they could make them on their own.

For example, Demons like Diablo could make their own clothes through a type of materialization power.

It was a very strong, perhaps even Legendary-tier attire.

But those clothes were only meant to be insurance.

It was a backup if the force field they put up was to be broken.

Honestly, I considered granting the armour to Benimaru or Souei, but that decision might be better considered after they were evolved.

In the first place, ‘Nullify Physical Attacks’ would cause most armours to be useless.

Furthermore, with time, it may be possible to improve Legendary-tier to God-tier, so it was alright not to worry about their gear right now.

Shion’s Ōdachi, the ‘Improved • Hercules’ Edge’, had somehow even turned into a weapon of Legendary-tier destructive power.

Kurobee’s armours could be good candidates for evolution.

And there was also a matter of compatibility with the armour.

Anyway, Wisdom Lord Raphael-san had already determined Albert to be worthy.

In that case, Albert’s reward would be the God-tier armour confiscated from Calgurio.

It was a Full-plate Armour that came with a Long Sword and Kite Shield in a set.

“Albert, your sword skills are truly masterful.

Continue helping Adalman with those unwavering hands!”

“Roger!!”

Speaking thus, I handed Albert his reward.

Having to receive it directly from my hands left him shaking with tension.

(TN: lolicon)

He worried way too much.

“Th-this is!!”

Recognizing the power of what he now held, Albert let out a voice of astonishment.

It was understandable.

These items were legacies from the age of gods, even their existence was debated.

For a knight, having permission to use them was the greatest honor.

“Can you make use of it?”

I won’t let him refuse.

Grasping the strength of my intensions,

“Yes sir! I will make the best use of it, to repay you for this honor!!”

Albert replied loudly.

In this way, I safely handed over the set to Albert, and he was easily recognized as the armour’s master.

But I had made one miscalculation.

The true power of the fully released God-tier armour was beyond my imagination.

Hey no one told me this! The analysis didn’t show this!!

Wisdom Lord Raphael, hmm? I finally understood the reason for my overreaction.

She knew didn’t she.

(TN: I call Raphael-san a she because of certain spoilers.)

That was why she advocated for Albert and not Benimaru.

‘Turn a body of flesh into that of a Spirit Form for a certain amount of time’

That was the hidden power of God-tier armour.

A Spirit Form, in other words, a God-like Being.

Veldora was like that, and speaking of which, I was too.

I didn’t pay much attention, but it was certainly a state close to being immortal.

Eternal youth was guaranteed, along with a strong degree of immortality.

I couldn’t die unless there was a Core Break or Energy Roast successfully performed on me.

Although temporary, to be able to grant an existence of that scale, this armour was fearsome.

But for this reason, it was not suited to half-Spirit Forms like Benimaru, and even less for true Spirit Forms like Demons.

The armour had gone to where it belonged.

Now, that was all of the Ten Lords done with, but we shouldn’t forget Adalman’s pet dragon.

That’s right, the Death Dragon also did well.

I wonder what could be a good reward.

I walked past the 4 Dragon Kings

(TN: The bosses of floors 96+)

and arrived at Death Dragon’s feet.

Sensing my arrival, the Death Dragon bowed its head nervously.

Its fearsome appearance aside, it was pretty cute to be honest.

“I want to give you something too. It is a ‘name’.

From today you are the ‘Gehennic Dragon King’ Wenti!”

I named it thus in front of everyone.