Whirlwind Begins Pt 2

She sounds sad, almost. And… tired. Mary looked down, Too familiar…

She looked back up, noting the look of bemusement on Degurechaff's face.

"Uh, are you…?"

"I'm okay!" Shuna wiped at her eyes. Her expression shifted then, a look of pure determination overtaking her features, "If you ever need someone to talk to, just ask! I don't mind at all! And I'm sure Lord Rimuru, or Hakurou, or even Milim wouldn't mind either."

"Uh." For a moment, Degurechaff seemed utterly lost. To her credit though, she recovered remarkably quickly. "I will take that into consideration. We can talk more after the next Executive meeting?"

Shuna nodded emphatically. "I'm looking forward to it!"

"Right…" Degurechaff looked Mary's way now, singling her out, "Sue. You're up."

-=-

"Huh?" Sue shot her a bewildered look.

Tanya sighed. "Do you think I brought you here to play audience? Get up; you need new clothes too, I'd imagine. Now's your chance to look through the pre-made stock. Shuna, would you…?"

"I'll help her find what she needs."

"Excellent. Then I will-"

"Wahahaha!" The door slammed open, as Milim rushed inside excitedly. "Whoa, look at all the cute clothes! Rimuru, this place is great!"

"Yeah yeah." Rimuru, in slime form, rolled into the open doorframe. "I'll leave her to you all for a while. Thanks in advance!"

With that flippant statement, he bounced away, giving them no chance to decline.

Bastard.

"…I will handle Milim, I suppose."

Of course, given how her lives had gone up to this point, Milim would probably end up being the least of her problems today.

-=-

Naturally.

"Well, this has turned into a fine mess." Tanya crossed her arms, looking down at the unconscious Beastketeer at her feet. She glanced to her left, where Milim and Mary stood. The former with a self-satisfied smirk on her face and the latter looking like death warmed over.

Understandable. Tanya had dumped Demon Lord babysitting duty on her, after all. Call it a practical lesson. She'd be fine after a trip – Sue's first, lucky her – to the hot springs.

But still…

Demon Lords. What is it with Demon Lords lately?

Let's back up some, shall we?

-=-

Approx. 5 Minutes Earlier

Central Plaza

Tempest, Jura Tempest Federation

Tanya stretched her arms above her head, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight on her exposed arms and face. It was quite warm out still, though fall temperatures were approaching quicker than expected. Even so, the slightly cooler breeze meant nothing to someone who'd spent the last several winters in Russy Federation territory.

It other words, it was the perfect day to be out and about. Hence the reason she'd been traversing the city for the past two hours. She'd even bought a couple meat skewers from a stall for lunch, in an effort to stay outside and enjoy the fine weather on her day off.

Tanya glanced back. She couldn't see them, but she imagined Milim was still dragging Mary Sue from stall to stall.

What a trooper, doing me such a favor... not that I gave her a choice. Eh, I'll ask Hakurou to give her the day off tomorrow. And the onsen later should help as well. Am I being petty?

She thought about it for a moment.

…Maybe a little. Still, the look on her face really was priceless, even if the bag of gold coins I shoved into Milim's hands wasn't. Not like I really need money around here, but still.

"Tanya, good afternoon!"

Tanya turned her head, seeing Rigurd jogging her way, hand raised in greeting.

"Ah, good afternoon Rigurd." Tanya reciprocated the gesture. "How did your meeting go?"

"As well as it could have, all things considered. They were more than willing to hear us out after Sir Benimaru demonstrated his strength." Rigurd fell in step beside her, "But you needn't worry about that. Today's your day off, after all. Don't let me drag you down with more work."

"I was the one who brought it up anyway, so it's fine." Tanya's waved him off. "I've been told I'm a workaholic anyhow. Is there anything you need help with? I'm free at the moment."

"Ah, well, I'm afraid I cannot ask for your help, even if there was extra work to go around."

"Hm?"

"You see…" Rigurd looked around nervously, before leaning in, "At lunch today, Lady Shuna threatened bodily harm on anyone who interrupted your relaxation."

Tanya blinked.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

It's only been a few hours since I saw her. She sweatdropped, noting the utter seriousness on Rigurd's face. That girl works fast. She really is like Visha.

"I can understand her concern though." Rigurd's brow furrowed. "You have bags under your eyes."

"So I've been told." Tanya rolled her eyes, "I'll be fine. I'm bringing Sue to the onsen later, so I'll rest some, then get an early night. Alright?"

The Hobgoblin nodded. "Well, alright then. By the way, have you seen-"

He paused, the both of them freezing in place.

"The alarm?" Tanya glanced around, noting the beginnings of a crowd a few blocks ahead. She pointed. "Rigurd."

Rigurd nodded. "I'll go ahead. Contact the others, please."

"I'll be right behind you." Tanya closed her eyes as Rigurd rushed ahead.

"Souei."

"Tanya?" He responded immediately. "Are you aware-"

"Yes, the alarm. It's near my location, so just follow my magic signature. Inform the others, I need to catch up with Rigurd."

"Understood. I'll send a body double to back you up."

She nodded, despite knowing he couldn't see it. "Right. Tanya, out."

Tanya sprinted off. After half a block, Souei's body double appeared from her shadow and fell into step beside her. She acknowledged it with a glance, continuing forward.

"Is there a reason you've come to Tempest today?" She could hear Rigurd boom up ahead.

He moves fast for such a big man.

Pushing past a few civilian stragglers, Tanya finally reached the center of the plaza.

"Nice place you've got here!"

She skid to a halt and took in the situation.

The one who had just spoke was one of three newcomers. Intruders.

They're monsters, clearly. Pointed ears, that one has horns… and tails? Some kind of beast people, then. One of Tempest's newer merchants came to mind, the little Kobold resembling a dog. Like Koby? These guys infinitely stronger than him, though. They aren't even trying to hide it.

"A fitting city for Demon Lord Carrion's rule, you think?"

More Demon Lords? Fuck, I hate stuck up, self-important types. Tanya narrowed her eyes. He's strong for sure. He's stronger than Benimaru just by magicule count. I bet Hakurou could take him, but I don't see the old man anywhere. Damnit. I might have to step in again. Always me, huh?

Rigurd chuckled at the frankly outrageous statement, considering who exactly had made this place her home. "Surely you jest-"

FWOOSH

It happened quicker than anyone could react.

In an instant, fire cloaked the beast monster's hand. He swiped upwards, striking Rigurd across the face.

Rigurd hit the ground hard.

"Souei." Tanya fought the irrational urge to rush to his side. Not when the threat was still active. "Get Rigurd."

"Right."

Tanya's expression turned carefully blank as she stepped forward, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

"It doesn't matter who you are, or who you serve. You're not welcome here." She finally said, coming to a stop a few meters away from the intruders.

The man looked at her once, before doing a double take.

"A human in a city of monsters?" He scoffed. "This doesn't concern you, weakling."

She let the insult slide off.

"It concerns me plenty. If you had any sense, you'd realize that." Tanya forcibly relaxed, an intentionally irritating half-smirk crossing her face. "The Demon Lord Carrion must be more foolish than expected, if he lets rabble like you run scouting expeditions. Really then, a second-rate fool like yourself must be a credit to his name."

You're the type of guy who's easy to anger, aren't you? Well, go on now. Get angry. Make this easier for me.

His expression turned furious. "What did you say?"

"I called you second-rate." Tanya looked away, seemingly unconcerned. "Just like your Demon Lord. Didn't you hear me?"

Too easy. She side eyed him. You remind me of the old Mary Sue. Far, far too easy to rile up. But at least she knows now not to fight me. You, however, don't have the luxury of that experience. Come on now…

"Don't you dare disrespect the name of Demon Lord Carrion!" The man snarled, his hand igniting once more. "I am a member of the Three Beastketeers! Phobio, the Black Leopard Fang! Remember who you insulted when you die!"

He lunged forward, quicker than most could follow.

Most.

Gotcha.

Tanya covered her own hand with mana, catching Phobio's palm strike by the wrist.

"Wha-?"

She brought her other hand up, fingers held in the shape of a pistol.

"Like I said: second-rate." A ball of magic appeared at the tip of her fingers.

Phobio tried to pull himself away, to no avail.

"Hey- Let go!"

"This armor of yours looks pretty tough." Her eyes shone vibrantly. The ball of mana began to spin, a quiet humming filling the air. "Let's do a live test, shall we?"

Phobio began to pull much more desperately, his fight of flight instincts having flipped entirely to the latter end.

This was a predator. On some instinctual level, he realized this.

Tanya did not let go. The ball grew slightly, the speed of its spin pulling it slightly in either direction.

Then, it stopped.

"Ah, but killing you would send the wrong message, I think."

"Huh?" Sweat poured down the man's face, his struggle momentarily pausing.

"We've drawn quite the crowd. I mean, there are kids watching. I'm not a monster, you know." The ball dissipated, the magic instead spreading over her hand. "Tempest is a peaceful nation. But we are not weak. Remember that."

TLE Level Two.

Tanya curled her finger back into a loose fist. Then, letting go of Phobio's, she thrust her own arm forward, her eyes flashing bright teal.

CRACK

"Gah!" The metal of Phobio' breastplate dented inwards, sending cracks across the rest of it's surface. He slid backwards, right back to his waiting companions who barely managed to catch him.

Tanya straightened up.

"Tell the Demon Lord Carrion to send a more intelligent monster next time. Tempest is always open to peace negotiations. We are not open to being conquered."

"You…" Phobio gripped at his chest, breath coming out in ragged spurts. "How are you… so…"

I didn't punch him that hard, did I? Tanya raised an eyebrow, clenching and unclenching her fist curiously. Ah, that's right. Idiot. Don't bring your anger to the battlefield.

The sound from behind drew Tanya from her thoughts.

"Oh, right. Her." She very carefully stepped to the side, putting up her active barrier for good measure.

"GRRRRR!" A massive aura sprung directly upward, narrowly avoiding the civilians around her.

Phobio's eyes went almost comically wide. "Demon Lord Milim!? What the hell is with this city?!"

"HOW DARE YOU FIGHT MY BESTIE'S FRIENDS!"

-=-

And now here we are.

"You alright, Sue?"

Mary just flipped her off, still hunched over and trying to catch her breath.

"Yeah, you're fine." Tanya glanced around. "Now where is- ah, finally."

Rimuru stepped forward, having just healed Rigurd.

"Rimuru, what's with you arriving on a delay?"

"I'll try not to make a habit of it." He replied, coming to a stop by Tanya's side. "So, what happened?"

"Rimuru!" Milim bounced between them, causing both reincarnates to take a step back. "This guy thought he could cause trouble, so I beat some sense into him!"

Rimuru leaned to the side. "Is he… you know, alive?"

Phobio twitched.

"Yeah, he's alive. Okay." He sighed.

"They claim to be subordinates to the Demon Lord Carrion." Tanya chimed in, crossing her arms. "This isn't the best look for us, it should go without saying."

The fact that she contributed to the bad impression notwithstanding.

Rimuru sighed again.

"…Milim, didn't you promise not to cause trouble?"

"Eh!? Well-"

Yeah, he can handle this.

Tanya stepped back, walking over to where Rigurd and the Kijin had gathered. Mary slowly followed behind her.

"We'll need to call a meeting." Tanya said as she drew close, "This is sure to cause some friction between the Demon Lords. We should have all hands on deck to talk things out and why do I feel like I'm in danger all of a sudden?"

Tanya looked around.

Where is that-

"The other Executives and Lord Rimuru can handle the meeting." Shuna smiled.

It was not a kind smile. The other monsters around the Kijin girl began to slowly edge away.

Ah. Right. This familiar pressure. Tanya felt a bead of sweat trickled down the back of her neck.

"You'll be just fine to continue enjoying your day off." She tilted her head, her poisonously sweet smile not reaching her eyes. "Get some rest, and let us handle it. Okay?"

Not dying today, thank you very much.

Tanya coughed into her fist. "Of course. You didn't let me finish, you know?"

"Oh?"

She's got that overprotective aura down pat. Sorry Visha, but I think you've been outdone in that regard.

"Like I was saying, we should have everyone there to talk things out. However, given that it is my day off, I will trust you all to handle things." Tanya knew when she was in a losing battle. still, she wanted to know- oh, that's a good idea, actually. "Sue will go with you."

"Huh?" Mary looked up.

Meanwhile, Shuna's aura of danger rapidly diminished.

Everyone around her breathed a sigh of relief, Tanya included.

"Oh, that's a great idea!" Shuna clapped her hands together, her smile genuine this time. "Maybe if she gets enough experience, you can have more time to rest."

That's the plan.

"Experience in what?" Mary asked. Neither responded to her.

"I certainly wouldn't mind more time off." Tanya let out an amused huff. "Ah, but after, would you mind showing her to the hot springs? She hasn't experienced the onsen yet. I had initially planned on taking her there myself, but, well…"

"No need to worry. I'll show her the way."

"Thank you Shuna. You're the best."

Shuna giggled. "I try."

Mary looked back and forth between the two, feeling beyond lost. Not really a new feeling anymore, admittedly, but the point stood.

"…What?"

-=-=-=-=-=-

Known Skills List

Tanya:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication

Unique Skill: Formulaic Casting

Unique Skill: Tetrabattery Limit Enhancement

Mary:

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Other Skills Unknown