The World's Ego (Book 2)

Welcoming a New Era

Rimuru POV

After the night passed, the new morning dawn greeted all the citizens and guests alike for the second Tempest Founding Festival. We could call it a 'miracle' that we could push through all the difficulties we had in the past. Now, the world can move forward as it is supposed to.

Even if it's for the duration of this festival, I hope everyone can disregard the past and live in the present that the world is given. As for the future... I wish that it will be able to shine as brightly as today evermore.

 "Maybe we could call this the 'beginning of a new era'." Sakura stated as she gazed at the crowd outside the windows of the Central Office, "Still, it is a wonder to see things after everything that happened."

Mobius hummed in amusement, "Calling it a 'miracle' might not be a stretch."

"Then again..." Vill-V grinned toward me, "... Do you think we gave this world the push it needed in the end?"

"Of course we did!" I confirmed with a bright, jovial tone, "As they say, the end is a new beginning. Sure, there will still be things that cannot be changed, but at the very least, I think the Cardinal World has been given the salvation it needed."

"I'm not sure about the 'salvation' part yet..." Aponia muttered, "... I'm not saying that the world isn't saved, but there are more pressing political matters to handle now, even more than we have on record, especially regarding humankind."

I waved her concern off, "We can think about the hard parts next time. Right now, it's all about the celebrations. I don't want those matters to dampen the mood. We will think about those when we are free to."

"She's right." Eden agreed with my words, "If we let those trouble us too early, then we can't get into the festive mood, can we? So let's celebrate as much as we want first."

"It's almost time for the opening speech." Sakura reminded me, "Shall we go now? I will join Kalpas in the crowd."

"Yeah!" I stood from my seat, "I will be right outside with my executives in five minutes, so go ahead and join the crowd!"

I dismissed the Flame-chasers from my office, glancing out the window one more time before moving to the adjacent meeting room where my executives (minus the ones guarding the labyrinth) are gathered, ready to greet the new dawn and the beginning of the festival.

"This festival is our biggest one yet! Thanks to everyone's participation, we were able to make this happen!" I announced to the room, "So if we are going all-out, let's go for it all the way! Is everyone ready?"

"""Yes, ma'am!"""

Are you ready too, Ciel?

<Of course, Master!>

I perked up at their response, "... Then let's go! Our citizens and guests are waiting for us!"

Shion and Diablo flanked my sides once I said this, and the others trailed behind me when I began walking toward the Central Office doors. It was thanks to the efforts of everyone that the festival could be made possible, even when the Great Tenma War had just ended, they did everything they could to restore peace behind the scenes. I hope that, at the very least, this festival will become another memory they can cherish in the future. I took a deep breath and pushed open the doors, walking up the stage where Mollie and Rigurd were as I was handed the microphone. I gave the crowd a few seconds to settle down so that my executives could do their usual line-up below the stage.

Once it was time to give the speech, I held the microphone up, "Hi! I welcome everyone here to the second Tempest Founding Festival! As you might know by now, my name is Rimuru Tempest, the ruler of this nation. Thank you for taking your time to travel all the way here to celebrate with us, even as you are busy regaining your footing in your nations after the Great Tenma War. We faced a tough enemy this time, but with everyone's efforts, we were able to see a new tomorrow and a new dawn, like today. So, thank you as well for participating in the Great War and fighting together when the world needed it the most. It was truly a joyous sight to see all the nations banding together to fight against our adversary. This festival can be seen as a way to relax after all the turbulent and hectic days you have experienced this past year. Thus, without further ado, I announce the opening of the second Tempest Founding Festival! Let the festivities begin!"