Chapter 5 -> The Demon Lords meet Jiren the Gray - Walpurgis

<< Notice. Good job. >> -> [Wisdom King: Raphael]

<|< REDACTED >|> "Voice of the World".

<<< Hello master! How can I help you? >>> -> [Voice of Wisdom: Sophie]

' What?! ' -> used to symbolise thinking (used in convoluted sentences to help in understanding)

" Hello! " -> Speech.

* moments prior* -> Narrative use

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The Demon Lords in the meeting all focused on the sensations from the fight, quite frankly speechless, wondering what being can fight Milim on equal grounds and live to tell the tale.

Suddenly, a familiar primordial demon pops out from the portal with his hands cupped behind his head, as if he just entered his backyard, grinning like a maniac.

"We might just have another new Demon Lord, fellas", says Guy Crimson who was pretty certain about Jiren accepting the role.

"Wait, wait, wait that's way too fast. What happened?!", said a tiny pixie that went straight into Guy's chest, leading him to accept a few playful combos from Ramiris.

The answer was not needed, as they immediately felt it.

Rimuru Tempest, Milim Nava and a new gray humanoid arrive from the portal, who possesses similar height to Guy Crimson but leaves even Dagruel to shame with his muscular body that threatens to burst out of his clothes, but that's not what they paid the most attention to. The raw, unadulterated feeling of power just oozes off the guy, and if one used magic eyes to check him out, they would see an intense red aura swirling around him ready to crush anything. His stare seemingly boring into everyone's skulls as everyone without notice hears the Judgment Eye prompt.

Curiosity was starting to ease the tension that was there from feeling multiple bursts of power coming from the humanoid, and due to them being aware that Guy wouldn't let some homicidal maniac into their meeting room, they allowed the inspection due to lack of any vital information being leaked and no malicious intent found. Well, expect a few who got inspected anyway through forceful methods making them momentarily widen their eyes but immediately gain control of their emotions afterwards. Anyone who can fight Milim one on one certainly doesn't need such petty advantages to erase most of them. Well, expect Veldora who didn't even pay attention and kept reading his manga.

Shion, as a perfect secretary, noticed the discomfort Rimuru-sama had when near this new individual and was in position to pounce the moment she was ordered to. Stopping the moment the new individual gazed upon her making it seem like a massive phantom monster was behind him, making her shiver and stay down… for now….

Jiren, finishing his inspection of all Demon Lords and their attendants, staying more on Veldora than anyone else, finally states his name: "Jiren the Gray."

Making Valentin snort due to displeasure, "Hmph. Self-absorbed guy."

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"Now, now, let's continue where we left off at the part where Rimuru is now a Demon Lord. Do we have any objections?", Guy intervened and said as he sat down at his chair, signaling a maid to create a new chair for Jiren who also sat down.

Dino started to yawn as he agreed by saying "Well, it's fine by me."

Leon continued by coldly stating that he doesn't care who becomes a demon lord.

Frey and Carrion naturally did not have any objections, leaving one left in the room who sneered and lumbered up to his feet saying "Mmmm. Personally, I would never allow a low-born slime to ever become a demon lord, but..." prompting Veldora to respond by laughing loudly and saying:

"Are you insulting my friend, you lackey?", who then turned his attention to the maid next to Valentin and continued, "Come on, Milus, you really need to train your servants better. Want me to provide a little education?"

"What are you talking about?" Milus returned Veldora's gaze, her voice frigid and her expression icy, "I am simply a faithful attendant of Sir Valentin's"

"Heyyy, don't do that! Valentine's hiding the truth, Veldora. You can't say that!", interjected Milim, clearly screwing the situation up even more.

"Ah!"

Finally realizing her error, Milim began whistling a tune to divert everyone's attention away from her.

The actual Demon Lord Valentine, now visibly annoyed, had an expression that read ' I want to kill everyone here'.

She looked ready to fight the dragon pair, but upon seeing the entire room filled with equally strong or more individuals, particularly the new one who kept his eyes shut as if he didn't care about the whole situation, she decided against it.

"Tch. You annoying, villainous dragon, how long will you insist on meddling with me, you can't even remember my very name, your mere existence repulses me..." she huffed as her magical force had a massive outburst, changing her appearance with a more Gothic-style dress.

"You can leave ahead of me Roy", she ordered the ex-Valentine as she once again glared at Veldora who kept stammering how he "didn't know".

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The situation calms down again with Guy's two maids preparing beverages for everyone, the discussion continuing on the topic of Kazalim and Clayman, with Jiren meditating through it completely, seeing that the events are happening just as in the original.

When suddenly Guy claps his hands bringing the attention to himself.

"The main subject of this Council was Carrion's betrayal and the rise of Rimuru over there, but those issues have been settled. Carrion has betrayed no one, and Rimuru has demonstrated ample power to join our ranks. So now we have another new topic to discuss. Regarding Jiren over there. It was my suggestion for him to join our ranks, seeing that he can match Milim in combat without any difficulties.", says Guy, making everyone have some sort of reaction whether it be surprise, shock, tension or just being impressed.

"Jiren? What do you think about calling yourself a "Demon Lord" now after you've seen them?", continues Guy after waiting for a bit for the clamor to finish.

Jiren, finally opening his eyes, ready to announce his decision, gets interrupted by a small fairy who shouts "Wow! You are so pure! Are you sure you are not a True Hero yet? Elementals are practically flying at you!!!"

Guy Crimson upon hearing Ramiris's words, spit out the wine he just started drinking, now contemplating the possibility of the world creating a true hero to combat the new true demon lord in the form of Rimuru, and that was not good... True Heroes were mostly on Rudra's side.

Jiren, seemingly surprised for a moment wondering where the purity came from, but chalking it up for future thoughts, started to actively utilize his vision abilities, gazed at the air surrounding him, now seeing the massive clusterfest of spirits trying to lunge themselves into him, but bumping into an invisible barrier.

"I am not. These weak spiritual lifeforms cannot hope to break my effortless barrier, how do you expect any use of them?", a little less cold sounding, but still ruthless in word selection, Jiren replies to the little fairy who is the only one in the room who has positive karma.

"They're low ranked elementals! You can probably find a much higher ranked elemental that would aid you!", not budging, Ramiris replies, now practically flying into Jiren's face, creating a very comical situation of a small fairy trying to convince the monstrosity that is Jiren.

Jiren staring at the fairy for a tense few seconds, contemplating the benefits of doing so, although it clearly didn't look like that when those black eyes with gray scleras felt like death is gazing at you.

"Go on."

"I knew you would agree! We should go to the Dwelling of Spirits to have it done after the Walpurgis is done!", Ramiris cheerfully says as she flies around Jiren like an acrobat, giving everyone a visual feast before going back to her seat.

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"Guy Crimson.", Jiren says as he gazes at the primordial demon in front making everyone focus their undivided attention onto him,

"I will decline the invitation. Fight at my side if you must, Demon Lords.

But know that I do not need your help.

I acknowledge your ceasefire, however... everyone's actions have consequences.

The Judgment Eye which I possess has two particular functions out of many.

Measuring two metrics.

𝘓𝘝 (𝘓𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦).

A way of measuring someone's capacity or willingness to hurt others, not taking in account one's personal abilities, power or strength. The more you commit negative karmic acts, the easier it becomes to distance yourself. The more you distance yourself, the less you will hurt. The more easily you can bring yourself to hurt others.

𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵:

A way of measuring someone's preference towards the world. One axis being Lawful, Neutral, Chaotic. Second axis being Good, Neutral, Evil. Creating 9 combinations of unique frameworks for how someone would act in any given setting.

There exists a line that one should not cross when it comes to both of these measurements.

And if they do…"

Without much warning, Jiren's eyes suddenly gains irises alternating brightly burning colors of red, blue and yellow.

"𝚃 𝙷 𝙴 𝚈 𝚆 𝙾 𝚄 𝙻 𝙳 𝙱 𝙴 𝙿 𝚄 𝚁 𝙸 𝙵 𝙸 𝙴 𝙳 𝚆 𝙷 𝙴 𝚁 𝙴 𝚃 𝙷 𝙴 𝚈 𝚂 𝚃 𝙰 𝙽 𝙳. "

While everyone in the room, besides Ramiris, for the first time in this world is experiencing the effect of Karmic Retribution.

Some more than others, in the form of debilitating soul pain that ignores all resistances,

for some making them almost keel over,

some finding countermeasures but still receiving damage.

Veldora, in particular, ready to turn into his True Dragon form and disintegrate the bastard to oblivion...

when it all abruptly stops, and all pain disappears, like it was never there in the first place.

Jiren closes his eyes, turns his back and starts to leave with the final sentence of "I take my leave. Spirit Queen, I am waiting."

Veldora, although not turning into Dragon form, was still beyond enraged and went to attack Jiren before he passed through the portal, clearly not up to date with the latest news from Dragon Ball Super, or listening to his Ultimate skill for that matter, but regardless, unconsciously manipulated the chances from 0% to 100% using [Investigative King : Faust].

Somehow that did nothing considering the last thing he heard was a shout from Rimuru and a cold "Dragon. Sleep."

before experiencing an untold amount of pain near his neck and instantly passing out.

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Rimuru POV

I finally breathe out of relief as I am now a Demon Lord, although Jiren is still a threat... I wonder what he is planning now, he doesn't seem too aggressive now, ignoring the previous statement about me being evil... I am not, am I?

Valentin voicing his objection didn't phase me too much as the majority were accepting me, but Veldora apparently didn't take that into consideration as he attacked the "lackey".. Wasn't he the demon lord?

Oh, wait. Milim just kind of blew open the door on that...

I had a suspicion something was going on with him, but I suppose I was right. This young maid was the actual demon lord...

Yup. This was the real thing. The stand-in was remarkable but his "maid" was on another dimension.

We continue discussing Kazalim, and when all that's done and neat, now we get into the meat of the topic... Jiren.

Guy seemingly wants him to join the Demon Lords, and while I don't see it happening based on what I know about the dude, I don't want it to happen either because every time I stare at him, my spine starts crawling.

<<Suggestion. According to my analysis and assessment, the effect is from "Judgment Eye". Possibility - passive effect of "Karmic Retribution".

Remove?

Yes

No

>>

Please do!

<<Understand. Removed.>>

Phew. Good thing I can still rely on you, Raphael!

I swear I could hear Raphael snorting, but eh, could've been me.

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Out of nowhere Ramiris chimes in, and she mentions the possibility of True Hero and about the spirits plunging towards him.

<<Suggestion. Activate Magic Eyes>>

I listen and I do so and hooooooly... that's a lot of spirits, but they can't pass through the red barrier he has around him.

He seemingly berates the spirits, but I swear his tone is a little bit softer when talking to Ramiris, is that my illusion?

<<Understand. Jiren is slightly less cold towards Ramiris.

Possibility - His preliminary observation is based on his "Judgment Eye" ability; it is possible that Ramiris passes the intrinsic standards of the ability. >>

Wow, so Ramiris actually passes his standards? I thought she was just a NEET that robs you on every turn, but on second thought... yeah. she's definitely good, she's just mischievous…

Interesting, he might go through the same process the kids did, through contracting the elementals... I wonder what elemental he would get...

Jiren suddenly calls for Guy and declines his invitation, making me give an imaginary thumbs up. He coldly denies any help from demon lords, but apparently wouldn't infringe on the ceasefire unless...

Now, this part got me listening. Raphael, analyze everything he is going to say, full capacity!

<<Understood.>>

Level of Violence... A way of measuring someone's capacity to hurt others... distancing yourself... more easily to bring yourself to hurt others... what.

As I was seemingly frozen in time by the implication, suddenly I see Jiren's eye going anime mode, bringing me back out of my stupor as I suddenly feel my soul imploding from the inside out, feeling as if millions of needles are pricking the physical interpretation of my soul.

<<Warning. Receiving soul damage.. Thinking of countermeasures...

Deploying Uriel's Absolute Barrier... Damage 20% Damage 60% Destroyed.

Analyzing... Deploying again... Damage 10% Damage 40% Damage 90% Destroyed.

Analyzing... Deploying again... Damage 5% Damage 10% Damage nullified.

Activating Infinite Regeneration…

The individual Jiren Gray is utilizing Soul Manipulation.

Granted.

Activation of Infinite Regeneration halted.

All damage recovered.

>>

'Aaaaargh, that hurt like hell.' as I wobble for a bit, before getting my bearings, as I see everyone in a similar situation as me besides Ramiris who was just plain confused with Veldora actually falling on his knees?!

Oh wait no, he's going to attack him!!!!

"VELDORA, NO.", I shout as I see Veldora rushing towards him only for Jiren to straight up disappear even with all my senses, Raphael and thought acceleration on full blast, arrive behind him only to neck chop him with his hand covered in almost imperceptible red aura, instantly knocking Veldora out. Then proceeding to leave through the portal.

Did he just…. knock…. VELDORA OUT WITH ONE TAP?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<<Notice. The individual Jiren Gray has more than one ultimate skill.

Possibility: One that is comparable or greater to [Wisdom Lord: Raphael],

One that possesses abilities of penetrating barriers/resistances, judgment eye/karmic retribution, some type of law manipulation and other unidentified abilities >>

I am way too shocked right now to process any of that, HE JUST KNOCKED VELDORA OUT LIKE HE'S A MISBEHAVING CHILD IN FRONT OF AN ADULT.

A TRUE DRAGON.

WITH.

ONE.

TAP.

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The rest of the meeting went deathly serious, with every so often some glancing at me, wondering about the still unconscious Veldora who according to Raphael cannot be woken up by unnatural means or his soul would shatter, forcing him to reincarnate again, seemingly because the whole "karmic retribution" thingy is absolute and cannot be removed for now, and considering Veldora got hit by the full package… he's going to be out for a whiiiileee. I'm having Raphael fully analyze how it works so we can prepare any countermeasures or defense in case it happens again…

"Well done! From now on we are called the Octagram!", announces Guy as I remember all of the member's names, titles and races from the maid's previous announcement:

"Lord of Darkness" Guy Crimson (demon)

"Destroyer" Milim Nava (Dragonoid)

"Labyrinth Master" Ramiris (pixie)

"Earthquake" Dagruel (giant)

"Queen of Nightmares" Valentine (vampire)

"Sleeping Ruler" Dino (Fallen)

"Platinum Saber" Leon Cromwell (demonoid)

and… me.

"Newbie" Rimuru Tempest (slime)

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*sigh* This is going to be a long day.