On the hill away from Tempest sits Harumi who hums lightly as she looks down at the two sleep kijin, their heads pillowed in her lap as they recover from not only their new gifts but the strengthening of their soulbond with her. 

She gently runs her fingers through their hair as she basks in the feeling of being in their presence again. Looking up she stares out at the expanse of her home happiness flooding her as she feels everyone who she resurrected begin to awaken. She feels one of the men start to stir and she looks back down and sees Souris eyes open.

 "Hello Souei" she murmurs softly, moving a piece of hair from his face.

Souei just stares up at her for a few moments before he jumps up and kneels in front of her, his hands cupping her face as he stares at her in shock. "Harumi you are here. My Luna moth is okay" Souei chokes out letting all the pent up fear that he had been suppressing finally come over him. 

Harumi smiles at him and cups his cheek in her hand caressing it with her thumb "Yes I'm here now" she tells him and relief floods through his eyes as he surges forward and kisses her.

He pulls back as he feels her aura and looks over her form "You evolved. How?" Souei asks her. 

"I'll tell you all about it later. For now will you sit with me and keep me company while we wait for Benimaru to awaken?" she asks and he nods sitting down next to her, his body keeping as close as possible to hers. They wait for a little while watching the clouds drift by until Harumi feels Benimaru start to move.

 She turns her attention to him and watches as his eyes too open. Unlike Souei who took time to process her appearance Benimaru instantly grabs her face in his hands and pulls her down so he can bury his face into her neck.

His breath tickles her neck as he lays a soft kisses there before he pulls back so he can look at her. "I'm so sorry, my little flame. I couldn't find you even though I told you I would always be able to" he chokes out and Harumi brushes away the tears that start to stream down his face. 

"It's alright Benimaru. I know you tried and for that I am grateful. It's okay though because I found you" she whispers and leans down placing her lips on his. 

Beniamru kisse back almost desperately as he tries to process that this is reality and not just a dream that his mind made up to cope with his loss. 

"I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere" she reassures him as she pulls back. Benimaru gets up and pulls her into a hug not yet ready to let her go, afraid that if he does she will disappear again. Harumi hugs him back savoring his presence and another form encloses her from behind as Souei hugs her back also not wanting her to be out his reach.

"I love you two. I'm sorry if I scared you" Harumi murmurs to them. 

Benimaru pulls back and places his hand back on her cheek letting her lean her face into it "It wasn't your fault, little flame. As long as you are here now and okay then everything is right in the world" Benimaru tells her smiling.

'Imouto?' an almost hesitant voice brushes across her consciousness and Harumi's eyes widen.

'Aniki? You're awake?' she asks in elation. 

'I am. Please come back to town. I need to see for myself that you are back and okay' Rimuru says with a tone of desperation. 

Harumi steps back looking at the two kijin "It seems our time alone is up. Rimuru wants us back. I should probably go ease his worries" Harumi says and holds out her hands to hem "Shall we?"

Benimaru and Souei take her hand and Souei uses his shadow travel to make them appear in the town. Harumi walks towards the center where she takes notice that everyone who she revived is standing and takes comfort that her fellow nymphs' sacrifice was not in vain. As she draws closer everyone notices her presence and watches in shock as she makes her way through the crowd.

"Its Harumi-Hime"

"She's back!"

"She evolved too?!"

As Harumi stops in front of Shion who holds Rimuru in her lap she smiles at her as Shion stares up at her with wide eyes. "It's good to see you came back alright Shion" Harumi tells her and Shion smiles widely at her, a blush on her cheeks as she looks up at her master's sister. 

Harumi turns her attention to her newly awakened brother who stares up at her frozen. Harumi kneels down before him and shoots him a smile as she holds out her arms inviting him to her 

"Hello aniki. I see you succeeded in becoming a demon lord."

Rimuru bounces out of Shion's hold and throws himself at her. Harumi giggles and catches him cuddling his small form to her chest. "I'm so sorry Imouto! I should have been here then this would have never happened" he sobs what happened finally setting in after an entire day of him working on autopilot. 

Harumi kisses him on the head, smoothing her hand over his form "Shhh Rimuru. It's alright. You can't always be here. You left me in charge and I did what I thought was right even though it resulted this way in the end. There was nothing that could be done to prevent this. The humans used the same strategy they used on the old nymphs. But now we don't have to worry about that anymore. They will never be able to do what they did to me again" Harumi murmurs, holding him tighter to her.

"I am so glad you are safe Imouto. And you look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you" Rimuru says and Harumi sets him down on the ground.

 "And you look just the same as I last saw you. Well besides the change in color that is" Harumi teases him by poking his silver and gold form while watching in amusement as an exclamation point appears over his head 

"Hey! Not everyone can get a huge appearance upgrade like you did!" he whines, making her laugh. Another presence makes itself known and Harumi turns towards it to see Kage walking in her direction.

Tears well up in her eyes as she stares at him, her eyes lingering on where his wing had been severed but is now completely whole. She smiles at him through the tears as he stops right in front of her.

 "Hey Kage" she whispers and goes back down to her knees to wrap her arms around his neck as shs sobs into his thick fur. 

"Harumi-hime. I am so glad to see you are safe. Forgive me for not being able to protect you" Kage rumbles wrapping a wing around her shaking form. 

"There's nothing to forgive Kage. I am just glad you are back. You have no idea how hard it was for me to see you like that" she chokes out fisting her hands into his coat as she clings to him 

"You are not allowed to die ever again. Do you hear me? That is an order that must never be broken."

Kage smiles at her order and lays his head against her "Understood, Harumi-Hime. It will not happen again. I promise."

Harumi, Rimuru, all three kijin and a few other advisors sit in Rimuru's office talking about rebuilding. "It shouldn't take too long. The damage was most prominent towards the center" Rigurd says, pointing it out on the map sitting on the table. 

"What about my home? Was it hit? I sent Phos there with some children. I hope it was mostly left intact so they could escape" Harumi worries, her lip between her teeth as she thinks about the little golbina girl and the fox lycanthrope. 

"Your house was actually left alone, Harumi-Hime. I received the lycan girl and the children in the caves so they got through alright" Souei tells her and she sags in relief.

"Harumi-Hime" Shion steps forward hesitantly with a pained look on her face as she gazes at the nymph girl. 

"Shion, what's wrong?" Harumi asks and gasps as the purple haired kijin woman throws herself at her and wraps her arms around her.

 "I'm so so so sorry!" Shion sobs, clenching her hands in Harumi's white robes. Harumi looks up at everyones confused gaze before she looks back down at the woman. 

"You remember, don't you?" Harumi asks, taking a deep breath.

 "I'm sorry, please forgive me. I tried to stop it but I couldn't. I just kept being pulled to you" she sniffles and sags into Harumi.

Harumi gently pets her head as she tries to comfort her "It's alright Shion. You couldn't have done anything to stop it. It's only natural that I take care of those I bonded with even in death. You did everything you were supposed to."

"But I hurt you. I should have never hurt you. Not you. Never you" Shion whispers ashamed.

Harumi pulls her back and grabs her face making her look up at her "Shion you did not hurt me. That was your hurt, it wasn't mine. The only people that hurt me were the humans who did that to you. I am sorry you have to remember it but I promise it will be alright. You won't have to feel that ever again."

"Harumi, what is she talking about?" Rimuru asks, still confused by Shion's outburst. Harumi looks up at everyone who eagerly awaits her answer and she swallows hard. 

"I am the last forest nymph of Tensura. Before my evolution when my ultimate skill Pneuma was still a unique skill called soulbond I was able to make soulbonds with those who were under my care and protection. This allows me to know where they are at all times, keep an eye on them and better protect them. But there is a price that has to be paid when you are in charge of safekeeping the souls of the living. What no one knows about the soulbond is that when someone under the protection of the soulbond dies the nymph in charge of their soul has to take care of that soul" Harumi says and dread fills Rimuru's face as he realizes where this is going.

"Normally it is bearable when it's only a few. But when it's hundreds at a time it's overwhelming. Excruciating even" Harumi whispers and brushes some hair out of Shions face. A hand lands on her shoulder and she looks at Benimaru who stares at her with an unreadable look upon his face. 

"Little flame, what happened?" he whispers the question.

"I felt every person under my soulbond's death. I felt their fear, their pain and their suffering. I felt all of it. As the nymph in charge of their safety I felt the last moments they were alive and then I felt their death" Harumi tells him as she stares into his wide eyes. 

The room erupts into gasps and Benimaru stumbles back in horror. "You felt all of the death that took place here?" Rimuru asks in a barely audible voice. 

"Every last one of them. Shion remembers her time as a soul. Not many are able to. Only the powerful ones that are deeply connected to their soul can remember their time as a spirit. I can only wonder who else remembers. It's not something that should be held onto. It can be very painful to remember that time."

"Harumi, how did you become a Demon lord? You didn't feed the seed the same way I did that I know for certain" Rimuru says and looks upon his sister curiously. 

Harumi sighs looking down at the map "You are right. When my body shut down after I dealt with the last soul I was pulled into the dimension of souls by one of the late guardian nymphs. He told me what happened to them and how the humans used the same method they used on me to destroy them back all those years ago. They brought me there to sacrifice their souls and the souls of the ones bound to them so I could become a Demon lord. It was their final wish. The last act they could perform to ensure the world's survival and the existence of the last nymph. So no. I didn't become a demon lord the same way you did aniki. But I became one all the same. And now I will never allow what happened today to happen ever again" Harumi says, her eyes alight with the fire of determination.

"Notice. The three beastmasters from Eurazania have arrived. Shall I let them in?" Castiel's voice sounds and startles everyone, making Harumi realize that he had spoken out loud to where everyone could hear him.

 Rimuru looks at his sister startled as he feels the familiarity of the voice even though it's quite different at the same time.

 "You may Castiel. Thank you" Harumi says and the door opens showing Albis, Suphia and Phobio as they enter the room.

"I'm sorry for what happened to your home. Did you get everyone out?" Harumi asks and the three startle as they stare in shock at the nymph. Phobio who had already met her gapes as he realizes that the young nymph he last saw had just been newly awakened as a demon lord and looked drastically different from how she was before. He shudders at the new intense power that rolls off her. 

The two others take note of her presence having only briefly seen her through the communication crystal and realize that she was completely different now. They also realize that Rimuru had also awakened as a Demon lord as he stands at Harumi's back, a concerned look on his face as the three beastketeers look worse for wear. 

"Queen Harumi. I am elated to see you well and newly awakened as a demon lord" Phobio says and kneels to her "This is Albis and Suphia my comrades. I am sorry to have come here unannounced but its of the utmost urgency that we speak to you and Rimuru-sama."

"It's alright, Phobio. I understand the situation. It's lovely to meet you two but I would still like to know if everyone got out alright" Harumi says her gaze set upon the two female beastkin.

 "Yes we evacuated all of the citizens. They are safe" Albis tells her bowing. "Good. That's good to hear. Come take a seat so we can discuss what happened" Harumi gestures over to the low sitting table and the three beastmen settle around the table. Harumi, Rimuru, Shion and Benimaru join them while everyone else leaves with a bow to the two leaders.

'Diablo would you bring in some tea for us? There should be some lavender tea in the next room along with some honey?' Harumi mindlinks and a wave of shock then elation makes its way through the bond. 

'Of course my mistress. I will be in momentarily' he responds giddily and she faintly hears glass clinking in the other room before the door opens and Diablo walks in setting down the china in front of each person. 

His sudden appearance startles each member besides Harumi for they had not known of his existence. Benimaru and the three beastkin sit on edge as he feels the dangerous aura from him and Rimuru stares in confusion.

'Harumi who is that?'

'You must not remember him. That is the demon you summoned when you started to evolve. You offered the bodies of the soulless to him as payment to find a man who was pretending to be dead and myself since you started the evolution before you could search for me. Sorry that I named him as he was your summon after all' Harumi apologies shooting her brother a sheepish smile.

'No worries imouto. I think I vaguely remember what happened now. I'm pretty sure I ordered him to protect you no matter what so that's kinda an order to serve you. Either way, you naming him saves me the trouble of doing so' Rimuru responds and takes a sip of his tea.

"Mistress, did you need anything else you needed from me?" Diablo asks as he bows from where he stands next to her. 

"You can start by not calling me mistress. It's a little odd if I am being honest. Harumi is fine" she tells him and he grins at her.

 "Very well Harumi-Hime" he says and she sighs rolling her eyes at him before noticing that there were only seven sets of china. 

"Did you not bring a set for you?"

"I did not. This is a meeting I just did what you asked Harumi-Hime" Diablo tells her and she gestures for him to sit down. 

"Join us" she says and he sits next to her. She waves her hand over the empty spot on the table in front of him and a tea cup starts to form from light taking on the same appearance as the others. The three beastkin look at her in shock unsure what to think about her powers and the fact she just commanded an archdemon like it was nothing. 

"Let's get started. Tell us what happened between Lord Milim and Lord Carrion" Harumi says, looking at the three.

Phobio goes over the battle between the two demon lords and recounts what he saw during the destruction of his home along with the death of Lord Carrion by Demon lord Frey. 

'Castiel will you check and see the state of the surrounding area? Check to see if everyone was indeed evacuated and if there is anything left alive near the city' Harumi commands as she thinks on what to do about this situation. '

Understood. Analyzing Eurazania through the eyes of the forest'

'I don't know much about the dealings of demon lords but this seems wrong. To have the two duke it out without provocation from each side seems suspicious. There must be something more going on here than we can see' Harumi thinks her eyes furrowed. 

'That may be the case Imouto. I too find it odd that Milim would attack Lord Carrion so suddenly. We will have to investigate further into the matter after we deal with things here' Rimuru agrees and she sighs her mind tired of everything that keeps happening without much of a reason.

'Notice. Analyzation of Eurazania complete. Everyone was successfully evacuated from the nation. The forest took some damage but the sacred mountain was decimated in the battle. The city is also completely destroyed. The damage on the forest surrounding the destruction is minimal and will not affect the native creature's recovery'  Castiel tells Harumi his findings and Rimuru mulls over the information.

'Harumi, who is that voice? It sounds a lot like great sage'

'Answer. I am Castiel, the lord of souls. I was once part of your great sage. Great sage split itself to be able to serve both its masters when it was unable to help Harumi-hime and you at the same time. I am the part that desires to serve Harumi-Hime whereas Raphael is the part that desires to serve you' Castiel tells him and Rimuru's eyes widen. '

So I can talk to Rapael the Lord of Wisdom and you Castiel the Lord of Souls and Harumi can do this as well?'

'Correct. Since you are still connected to Harumi, Castiel and myself are still connected as well. This split just allowed for both of you to utilize us at the same time where it wasn't possible before' Raphael chimes in.

'Wow that's kinda OP if you think about it' Rimuru says and Harumi giggles at him.

'If we are being honest we have been overpowered since we were reincarnated. It's not so out of the norm that we would become even more so after evolving.'

'True. You even more so. It seems you evolved way before I did which makes you older. Should I start calling you Onee-Chan now?' Rimuru teases and Harumi chokes on her tea, a blush appearing on her face catching the others' attention. 

"Aniki" Harumi whines and Rimuru laughs at her as he pats her head. 

"I'm just kidding Imouto" he says then turns to Rigurd who had returned to the room "We need to rearrange lodging and food for the refugees. Shion will you get Mjurran and bring her to me?" Rimuru asks, watching as Shion and Rigurd both bow and leave to carry out their tasks. 

"Phobio, if this demon lord Freya took him away then it's safe to assume that Lord Carrion must be alive. We will help you rescue him" Harumi tells the man and glances over at Rimuru 

'I also have a bone to pick with this Demon Lord Claymen. He seems to think I am a possession that can be owned.'

Rimuru is startled at her knowledge. He didn't think that she knew about Lord Claymens' deal with the humans that had captured her. But assuming that humans were the same here as they were on earth he can assume they must have spoken about the deal while she was captured by them. They must have not thought she would be able to escape and saw no harm in being loose lipped about their plans around her.

'You are not the only one, Imouto. We will deal with him eventually.'

"It doesn't sit right with me that Frey let Phobio go either. There's no way she overlooked his presence. Harpies are known for their keen eyesight" Suphia says, making Rimuru think about this. 

'Millim, Carrion and maybe Frey. What could this mean?'

'Whatever it is, we will have to deal with it accordingly. There is something so much bigger here at play and I fear the outcome if we don't face it soon' Harumi murmurs images of what happened that bloody day playing through her head.

"You summoned me, Lord Rimuru?" Mjurran asks as she enters the room behind Shion. 

"Yes. you had told me Lord Claymen was behind part of the attack here at Tempest. He had plotted to capture Harumi and cause destruction within my city. I know from what Milim had told me that he was in contact with Milim, Carrion and Frey so this brings me to my next question. Did he have any other plans that you know of?"

"Yes. Lord Claymen was planning on making contact with Demon Lord Milim. The impression I got was her declaration of war was outside his expectations and it irritated him" Mjurran tells him and Albis stands up quickly.

 
"Wait a minute are you saying that Demon Lord Claymen may have something to do with the destruction of Eurazania?"

Suphia slams her hands on the ground, her teeth gritted in rage "Suphia! If we attack we will do so together" Albis says to the enraged tiger lycanthrope.

"Hang on now. I want more information on this before we make a decision. What way did Demon Lord Frey fly off into?" Rimuru asks Phobio and he responds telling him that it was towards Milims domain.

"That would make sense if Frey and Milim were working together. But if Frey's destination was further up..." Harumi trails off and Rimuru points to a spot on the map beyond Milims domain. 

"Then she would be headed towards Puppet Nation Distave. The territory of Demon Lord Clayman" Mjurran voices her head bowed low as shock encloses the room.

(Posted: 10-25-2021)

(Pages: 7 | Words: 3984 | Lightly Edited)

Fun Facts:

Because of Castiel's ability to use the 'eyes of the forest' he can see anywhere that has nature at will. He can also see the past and present if the plant or animal had been around during that time or is currently seeing it.

Castiel can project his voice for everyone to hear or just a select few if he so desires. This helps if Harumi needs information relayed in an efficient manner.

Since Diablo was named by Harumi even though Rimuru summoned him originally he has become a servant to Harumi. Rimuru felt it was best to let her have him as a secretary since he already had Shion. This way he will still be at Rimuru's disposal but directly serves Harumi.

Even though Castiel is a split part of Raphael the voice he speaks in a more masculine tone despite sounding very similar to Raphael's own voice.