Read story The Slime and the Shield - Banquet

Banquet

Now as for the title and picture, I ran out of ideas and this was all I could find

Time passed Rimuru rendezvoused with Milim Veldora and the party of the Shield they also received class upgrades and after much insistent begging and nagging of Rimuru Milim and Veldora officially joined the party of the Shield the Queen called the 4 heroes to a banquet that was also a meeting for the 4 heroes Naofumi refused to participate unless Rimuru joined as well the rest of the party of the shield were in the dining hall

Melty: I honestly wasn't expecting to see you all again so soon but I'm glad you're all back

Filo: Me too

Veldora: Yes the time we spend together is quite enjoyable

Milim: Yeah haven't had this much fun in a while

Filo: Oh I have an idea let's go explore the castle later

Melty: Sure

Milim: Sounds like fun

While the rest of the party were happily conversing and enjoying each other's company Raphtalia could only stare at the two empty seats beside her

Filo: I'm hungry what's taking the masters so long

Veldora: Rimuru and his meetings I never understood how he could stand those they're so boring

Milim: Maybe we should go see him then

Raphtalia flashed back to something Rimuru said before they left for the meeting

Rimuru: Look Veldora and Milim are powerful and immature so please try to stop them from causing trouble

Raphtalia: Of course Master Rimuru you can count on me

Rimuru: I'm glad I can trust you when you get right down to it you're probably the most mature one in the party despite your age so I'm glad I can trust you

Raphtalia had a big smile and blushed at Rimuru's words

Raphtalia: Of course Master Rimuru you can count on me

end of flashback

Raphtalia: We shouldn't disturb them in the meantime let's go ahead and eat

Filo: Kay

Milim: Well I am curious as to how this world's food tastes

Veldora: I agree

Raphtalia: (Crisis averted I'm sure Master Rimuru and Master Naofumi will be proud of me)

Melty looked and noticed something peculiar the Black Numbers along with who she thought was Rimuru but looked more feminine were seemingly accompanying her older sister Meanwhile the four heroes and Rimuru were in a meeting room

Motoyasu: Hey how's whore doing

Rimuru: Still have some feelings for her despite everything now do we

Motoyasu: I'm just curious is all

Rimuru: Well from what I heard her treatment has been finished she should be ready to return to your party

Motoyasu had a slight smile at those words back at the dining hall Filo Milim and Veldora were happily partaking in their meal

Veldora: Not as good as the stuff Shuna cooks but it's still amazing

Milim: Yeah it's not bad

Filo: I've heard from Master's stories about Shuna I hope she'd cook lots of yummy food for me as well

Melty: How can you all possibly be thinking about other food while eating

Milim: Trust me you haven't had good food until you've had Shuna's

Suddenly a knight familiar knight of Itsuki's party slammed his drink down on their table

Mald: Ah look it's a filthy Demi so that's why my wine tastes bad I don't care if you are with the Shield hero you Demis gotta know your place

Veldora stood up but Raphtalia put her hand in front of him

Raphtalia: It's ok it's nothing I haven't heard before it doesn't bother me he's drunk just ignore him

Mald: You better not ignore me besides we've got Itsuki long as he's around we don't need any other heroes especially not a disgrace like the Shield or that blue-haired pansy you should tell those cowards they need to get lost because if they don't their gonna wind up getting themselves hurt got that

Milim was about to wind her fist back but before she could Raphtalia beat her to the punch and sent him flying to the wall

Raphtalia: Well would you look at that looks like someone got themselves hurt first (Forgive me Master Rimuru)

Mald got up but barely and prepared to retaliate in the end a riot ensued

Diablo: It seems Lady Raphtalia couldn't control herself in the end though I can't say I blame her if any of us were in her situation we may have done far worse

Melty: Forgive me for intruding but I merely wanted to see how my sister was doing

Bitch: Thank you for your concern about me dear sister

Melty was shocked she never heard her sister sound so genuine

Melty: Rimuru what did you do to her

Ciel: Forgive me but you have mistaken me for my Master I am Ciel

Melty: You look a lot like Rimuru but more feminine anyways what happened to her she's been gone for a while and now she's acting like this what's going on with her

Diablo: I wouldn't want to burden you with the details Lady Melty but to put it simply thanks to our Masters genius and his humble servants' participation your sister has changed her ways

Melty looked upon her sister and despite the fact she only saw her yesterday she seemed like a whole different person her eyes looked empty

Melty: I find that quite hard to believe despite it being quite right in front of me I suppose I should report this to mother

Meanwhile

Mirelia: I'd like to begin but although I heard you all reconciled none of you seem very happy to be here perhaps we should've had dinner before the conference

The Queen was correct though Naofumi did forgive them he didn't forget and the envy and jealousy that the other 3 had of Naofumi and Rimuru still stayed Naofumi sighed

Naofumi: Since we're all here anyway why don't we have a little heart to heart might as well get started

The Queen explained her wish for the heroes to continue working with Melromarc and the arrival of Cal Mira when Melty knocked and entered and whispered something to her mother

Mirelia: Is that so surely you jest

Melty: I'm afraid not

Mirelia: I see it seems that Malty sorry Bitch has returned from her punishment and has changed quite a lot

Naofumi: I didn't know you were done what did you put her through

Rimuru smiled a wicked smirk

Rimuru: I can tell you all now or I can tell you all later

Motoyasu: WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER

Rimuru: So you do still care after all what a simp

Motoyasu: DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT AND ANSWER ME

Rimuru: Fine but know you asked for it

Rimuru cast a magic projector that showed a video of only some of the torture he put her through everyone present watched in an unnerved horror

Melty: Rimuru don't you believe you went a bit too far

Rimuru: No no I don't after all I didn't kill her that was the deal anything short of death besides the process was successful her mind is broken she wouldn't dare even think of breaking the rules ever again besides this was the deal right your majesty

Mirelia was speechless as she had her fan over her mouth she knew that her daughter deserved the punishment and she did want her to change her ways but even she wonders at this moment if she made the right decision

Rimuru: After all a simple name change and revoke of status was nowhere near enough of a punishment for, Whore

Motoyasu jumped at Rimuru in an attempt to attack him but Rimuru merely slapped his spear to knock him off balance and flicked his forehead which sent him to the wall

Rimuru: Surely you at least know she had it coming, right Partner

Naofumi was poker-faced

Naofumi: Let's focus on the task at hand

Mirelia: While my daughter's foolishness has clearly played a significant part I believe the real reason you Heroes haven't leveled up faster is the animosity between you therefore I believe it would be prudent for you to clear the air if you can all share what you've learned with each other your trip to Cal Mira will be much more efficient

Rimuru: Just be honest Naofumi and I don't need a thing from the rest of you guys we're already above 100 we can handle the waves by ourselves

The three heroes were shocked at this information they couldn't believe it but when they looked closely they could see that Rimuru wasn't lying Naofumi was level 105 while Rimuru's level was indecipherable

Itsuki: How

Ren: That can't be

Mirelia: I see I suppose I was mistaken and I should rephrase the way they are now Naofumi and Rimuru will easily defeat the waves with no difficulty as for you 3 it is very likely you will not survive

Rimuru: She's got a point after all if Naofumi and I weren't there along with our party you 3 would've surely been killed by Glass she handed your asses to you

The 3 heroes were greatly annoyed but they knew it was true

Itsuki: Alright then let's start with Naofumi

Ren: Tell us how you got your hands on that cheat shield of yours

Motoyasu: I saw how you used that one with the blue face now tell us where you got it

Naofumi: Well when you get right down to it most of our power was given to us by Rimuru he trained Raphtalia and he gave both her and Filo a pretty high power boost he even made our equipment from scratch I'd say we'd be struggling a lot if it weren't for him

Meanwhile, the riot continued Milim threw a glass at Mald and kicked him while Veldora also kicked him continuously Raphtalia knew she started this and she'd probably get in trouble for it so after finishing her drink she joined in

Others tried to get them to stop but it was no use they were too powerful Filo was happily enjoying her meal not paying the conflict around her any mind

Meanwhile back with the Heroes

Rimuru: No need to flatter me partner you all had great potential

Motoyasu: So to put it simply Rimuru has been carrying you

Naofumi: I guess that's one way to put it

Ren: Then share your power with us as well Rimuru

Rimuru: No I don't think I will

Everyone was shocked at Rimuru's words

Itsuki: AND WHY NOT

Rimuru: Because I see no reason why I should

Motoyasu: Didn't you hear the Queen if we don't share with each other we'll all end up dead

Rimuru: Correction YOU will all end up dead Naofumi and I are all set besides along with more of my allies coming in we don't need the extra help there's likely nothing you 3 can offer me in return so it's pointless

Melty: Rimuru please reconsider

Rimuru: Sorry but I'm afraid not Melty this is my power and I choose what I'm going to do with it and when you get right down to it Naofumi and I don't owe this kingdom a damn thing we could leave anytime and don't think we'd care if a war was started because we left because that won't be our problem and even if it was I'd end it quick count yourselves lucky we still find you tolerable enough for now so we'll continue working with you but don't go thinking you can boss us around

Naofumi: I'm afraid you have a point Partner this meeting is pointless work things out amongst yourselves we don't need any of you we're out of here

Rimuru and Naofumi left the room and slammed the door

Naofumi: Ugh what a waste of time

Rimuru: Well I doubt it's a complete waste after all our dinner with our friends should still be-

As the duo turned the corner they were revealed to Veldora, Milim, and Raphtalia beating the life out of the other heroes' party members while a girl with green hair was hiding in a corner terrified and Filo was happily eating her meal

Rimuru: -Fun

Veldora: BWAHAHAHA THAT'S RIGHT I'M THE STORM DRAGON VELDORA THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CHALLENGE ME

Milim: UWAHAHAHA NO ONE INSULTS MY BESTIE RIMURU OR HIS FRIENDS AND SUBORDINATES

Raphtalia: I'll give you one last chance to take back what you said or I gouge out your tongue

Mald: GO AHEAD AND TRY IT YOU BITCH DO WHAT YOU WANT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT YOUR PRECIOUS MASTERS ARE WEAKLINGS

Raphtalia raised her sword about to strike the foolish knight down till Naofumi blocked her attack stopping her

Raphtalia: M-master Naofumi

Rimuru appeared behind Veldora and Milim they stopped in their tracks and were visibly terrified as they slowly turned around to see Rimuru with a menacing smile

Veldora: Hey Brother

Without another word, Rimuru grabbed them both by the ears and dragged them back to the table quite painfully as they repeatedly said "ow" the entire way, he let go of them when they reached their table and pointed to their seats

Rimuru: SIT

They both sat down without another word

Rimuru: If you're both lucky there's still some food left over and my evening isn't ruined