The Greatest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Tensura

(Rimuru's POV)

I knew I had to handle this carefully. These weren't normal beings.

Their mere presence sent shivers down my spine, and if Great Sage couldn't analyze them, that meant they were on a level far beyond anything I've encountered before.

Fighting them would be pointless.

So, I made a decision.

"Why don't we continue this conversation inside?"

The man, their leader, smirked slightly, as if he had been expecting this. The four women with him exchanged amused glances but said nothing.

With a gesture, I led them toward the city, my generals flanking me cautiously.

I arranged for us to meet in one of Tempest's grand dining halls—a spacious, beautifully decorated chamber filled with intricate wooden carvings, elegant chandeliers, and a massive table fit for a royal banquet.

Shuna, always the perfect host, had already prepared a feast.

The table was filled with delicacies—perfectly cooked meats, fresh vegetables, exotic dishes infused with Tempest's signature flavors, and a variety of fine drinks and desserts.

The moment we sat down, my guests immediately took notice of the food.

The four women, who had remained mostly composed outside, suddenly brightened up, their eyes twinkling with curiosity and interest. They started sampling the dishes without hesitation.

I observed carefully.

"Mmm… this is good," one of the women said, savoring a sip of the fruit wine. Another elegantly picked up a piece of grilled meat, giving a satisfied nod.

Even their leader, who had been exuding an overwhelming presence before, seemed… relaxed. He sipped from his glass with a calm, almost approving smile.

Meanwhile, my generals were standing by—still tense, still cautious.

The contrast between my guests' casual enjoyment of the food and my generals' serious expressions was so stark that…

I heard a soft chuckle.

I turned my head—and it was him.

Their leader, the mysterious man who had arrived with an overwhelming presence, was watching the room with an amused expression.

"Relax, Rimuru. We're just here to visit, not to start a war."

The words should have been reassuring, but something about his tone made me feel that he could erase this entire city in an instant if he wanted to.

Still, I had no choice but to engage.

I leaned forward slightly and gave a polite nod.

"Well, I appreciate that. I'd be lying if I said your entrance wasn't a bit… overwhelming."

The man smirked.

"Ah, yes. I may have let a bit of my aura slip through. Can't blame me for wanting a 'guest of honor' treatment."

…That confirmed it.

He had done it on purpose.

This whole time, he had been toying with us.

I kept my expression calm.

"So then, honored guests…" I said, choosing my words carefully. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the man leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table, and with a smirk, he spoke:

"I was simply curious. You've built quite the impressive city here, Rimuru."

There was a hidden weight in his words, but I didn't let it show on my face.

"I appreciate the compliment," I replied smoothly. "Tempest is still growing, but we're proud of what we've accomplished."

One of the women, the one with the icy-blue hair who radiated a presence eerily similar to Veldora's, spoke up next.

"It's cute."

I blinked. "Cute?"

She smirked slightly, taking another sip of her drink. "Yes. A new nation, built in the middle of the Jura Forest, surrounded by potential enemies, yet thriving. It reminds me of a hatchling—small, yet determined to spread its wings."

That… wasn't exactly an insult. But it wasn't entirely a compliment either.

I glanced at my generals. Benimaru's grip tightened slightly. Shion looked like she wanted to say something but was holding herself back. Hakuro remained calm, but his eyes were sharp. Souei, as always, remained unreadable.

I had to keep the conversation going.

"I'd like to think we've already begun spreading our wings."

The man chuckled. "Oh, I have no doubt."

Then, he leaned back in his chair and smirked.

"Tell me, Rimuru… What would you do if the world decided your city had grown too much?"

The air grew heavier in an instant.

A subtle shift in tone.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. This was no longer just a casual conversation.

He was testing me.

I met his gaze and answered carefully.

"If the world decides that, then I will simply prove that Tempest deserves its place in it."

The room went quiet for a moment.

Then—

The man smiled.

A genuine, approving smile.

"Good answer."

And with that, the tension in the room lifted.

For the next hour, the conversation remained mostly light. They enjoyed the food, occasionally teasing my generals by casually dropping comments that confirmed they knew far more than they should.

I learned a few things about them as well.

They weren't just random travelers—they were beings with immense power and deep knowledge about the world.

Their leader had an unshakable confidence, the kind that only someone truly above all others could possess.

The four women weren't just his companions—they were monsters in their own right.

Eventually, as the meal came to an end, the man stood up.

"Well, this has been entertaining. I think we'll take a little tour of your city before we leave."

I nodded. "You're welcome to explore. Just… try not to scare the citizens too much."

The man smirked.

"No promises."

And with that, they left the dining hall.

As soon as they were gone, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Shion slammed her hands on the table.

"Rimuru Sama! Who the hell were those people?!"

I had no answer.

Because deep down…

I knew one thing.

Whoever they were, they weren't just powerful.

They were far beyond anything I had ever encountered before.

After the grand feast with Rimuru, we decided to explore Tempest—and I must admit, I was impressed.

For a city built in such a short time, it had flourished into a vibrant, living paradise.

The streets were lively, filled with diverse races mingling together—monsters, humans, demi-humans, and even spirits walked as one.

It was beautifully designed, blending modern architecture with a traditional charm that reminded me of Japan from my past world.

Small wooden lanterns lit up the streets as the sun began to set, and various shops and tea houses lined the roads, each more inviting than the last.

I could feel Souei watching us from a distance, but I paid him no mind—for now.

Velzard, Testarossa, Ultima, and Carrera were completely captivated by the marketplace.

We strolled through various clothing shops, where they tried on elegant kimonos, modern dresses, and battle-ready outfits.

Velzard, in a silken white kimono with silver embroidery, looked like a goddess among mortals—which she essentially was.

Testarossa, with her signature crimson elegance, chose a dress that perfectly accentuated her lethal beauty.

Ultima, excited as always, picked something playful yet dangerous—a mix of cute and deadly, just like her personality.

Carrera, ever the wildcard, went for something bold, exuding both power and allure.

As they paraded their outfits, each one more dazzling than the last, I couldn't help but smirk.

"Ladies, if you keep looking this perfect, you might just make this entire city fall in love with you."

Velzard chuckled, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "They should feel honored."

Ultima twirled in her outfit. "If we weren't in disguise, people would be worshipping us already."

Carrera grinned. "Maybe we should drop the illusion just to see their reaction?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Let's not traumatize the citizens."

After finishing our shopping, we moved to a bakery, where the scent of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air.

A young beastman girl greeted us cheerfully, unaware of how much danger she was actually in by serving us.

We sampled fluffy sweet buns, delicate fruit tarts, and the famous Tempest honey cakes.

Velzard, usually composed, closed her eyes in pure bliss as she bit into a cream-filled pastry.

"…This is divine," she whispered.

Carrera nodded while munching on a soft roll. "I see why Rimuru's people are so loyal. If I had this food every day, I wouldn't want to rebel either."

I smirked. "Maybe we should start an empire built on bakeries."

Testarossa giggled. "A dangerous idea. A nation ruled through sweet temptations?"

Ultima grinned. "We'd call it the 'Empire of Eternal Indulgence.'"

We all laughed, enjoying the simple pleasures of this moment.

Throughout all of this, I could feel Souei's presence lingering in the shadows.

He was exceptionally skilled, a true master of stealth and observation.

But against me?

He was nothing but an open book.

Just as he was perched on a rooftop, watching us from a distance, I decided to have some fun.

Without a sound, I vanished.

Not even a flicker of movement, not a ripple in space—just gone.

To Souei, I had been there one moment, and in the next, there was only empty air.

Then, before he could even register my disappearance, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder.

His body tensed.

Eyes widened.

For the first time, Souei—the shadow master, the silent specter—was genuinely caught off guard.

He jumped slightly, his instincts screaming at him that something unnatural had just happened.

His hand twitched toward his weapon, but before he could act, I calmly spoke—

"Relax, Souei. No need to be so tense. Just tell Rimuru—we've decided to extend our visit and stay for a few more days."

Then, in the same impossible manner, I vanished again.

No movement. No aura. No trace.

I was already back with my lovers, standing exactly where I had been before—as if I had never moved.

Souei slowly turned back, his sharp eyes scanning the area, searching for a clue—but there was none.

To his perspective, it was as if time itself had stopped.

One moment, I was with my group.

The next, I had somehow been behind him—without him seeing or sensing a thing.

And now?

Back where I was before, sipping a drink, as if I had never left.

His aura fluctuated slightly, a rare moment of uncertainty.

Then, without hesitation, he vanished into the shadows.

He was off to deliver my message.

I chuckled. "That was fun."

Velzard smirked. "You enjoy showing off a little too much."

Ultima giggled. "Did you see his reaction? Priceless."

Carrera grinned. "I bet he's still trying to process what just happened."

Testarossa elegantly sipped her tea. "Well, shall we continue enjoying our stay?"

I smiled, watching the lively streets of Tempest under the warm glow of lanterns.

"Of course. We still have a few more days to enjoy ourselves."