The decision had been made. Stanley, the son of a powerful noble house, had chosen Rimuru City over his birthright. His loyalty was a testament to the future we were building, a future far removed from the dusty political games of old kingdoms. This was a moment that demanded recognition, not just from me, but from the nascent structure of our city-state. I immediately called Miles to my study.
"Miles," I began, looking at my Prime Minister, his face a constant reflection of the weight of our shared responsibilities. "Send word to all ministers. A council meeting, this evening. Inform Stanley as well."
Miles nodded, already turning to leave. "Is this about the delegates, Your Majesty?"
"Partially," I confirmed. "But there's a more pressing matter. One of recognition. One of reward."
Later that evening, the core council gathered in our meeting hall, a room carved into the stone beneath the growing outer wall, now lit by the steady, mana-infused glow lamps Johnson and Johny had perfected. The air was charged with anticipation. Stanley stood a little apart, his emerald eyes holding a quiet curiosity.
I stood before them, my gaze sweeping over the faces that represented the very heart of Rimuru City. My father, Kirito, sat beside Miles, observing with a quiet dignity. "Ministers, my trusted friends, family," I began, my voice steady. "Three years ago, Stanley joined us, a man rescued from the brink of death, a stranger in a ruined village. He became our Minister of Foreign Affairs, guiding us through treacherous diplomatic waters, providing invaluable counsel."
I turned directly to Stanley, whose expression remained composed, yet attentive. "Recently, Stanley was faced with a choice. His family, a powerful house from a distant continent, demanded his return. They offered him a life of privilege, of duty within their ancient traditions. He chose to stay. He chose Rimuru City. He chose this future, this dream we are building together."
A ripple of quiet appreciation went through the room. They knew the significance of Stanley's decision.
"Such loyalty, such conviction, demands more than mere gratitude," I declared, my voice resonating with authority. "Therefore, by my decree, Stanley, I bestow upon you the noble title of Marquis. You are no longer merely a minister; you are now a pillar of Rimuru City, your name etched into its very foundation. May your wisdom continue to guide our path to prosperity and peace."
Stanley's composure cracked for a moment. His eyes widened, a flash of genuine surprise, then a deep, heartfelt gratitude. He dropped to one knee, a gesture of respect that carried immense weight from a man of his background. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "I am honored. My life, my service, is yours. For Rimuru City."
A round of applause, subdued but sincere, filled the hall. Miles clapped him on the shoulder, a proud smile on his face. This was more than just a title; it was a solidification of our internal bonds, a declaration that in Rimuru City, loyalty and contribution earned their own nobility, irrespective of old world bloodlines.
The next day, the true test began. The arrival of the delegations from the Sunstone Confederacy, the Northern Wildholds, and the Riverland Commonwealth was a grand affair. Their representatives were formidable, dressed in finery that spoke of distant wealth and power. They had seen what we built, and they wanted a piece of it. I stood at the city's newly completed outer gates, flanked by Miles, Asuna, Stanley, and Feron, receiving them with a carefully orchestrated display of strength and newfound civility.
The delegates were visibly impressed by our Theodosian Walls, their eyes sweeping over the massive stone and the disciplined ranks of Asuna's defense forces. They commented on the prosperity of our fields, the quality of our mana-infused light, the sheer, undeniable efficiency of our city. Their initial inquiries were polite, diplomatic, but beneath the surface, I could sense their eagerness, their hunger for our innovations.
"Your Majesty," began Ambassador Lyra of the Sunstone Confederacy, a woman with sharp, intelligent eyes that missed nothing. "Your city has risen from the ashes with astonishing speed. We have heard whispers of your… unique methods." Her gaze flickered towards the subtle hum of a distant steam pump. "My Confederacy is keenly interested in fostering mutual prosperity. Alliances. Trade. Perhaps even… an exchange of knowledge."
Her words were measured, but her intent was clear. They wanted our technology. All of them did. I saw it in the avarice in the Riverland Commonwealth's trade envoy's eyes, in the fierce curiosity of the Northern Wildholds' grizzled representative. This was a pivotal moment.
I smiled, a slow, deliberate expression that contained both welcome and unwavering resolve. "Ambassador Lyra, representatives," I began, my voice clear and firm. "Rimuru City welcomes you. We seek not conflict, but cooperation. Indeed, we are building a new paradigm here. A free city, independent and strong, forging its own destiny."
I led them on a tour, a carefully curated display of our advancements. We showed them the efficiency of our steam-powered farming equipment, the glow of our mana-crystal lighting, the steady output of our mana stone refineries. Johnson and Johny, with Steve and Marlow subtly managing the narrative, answered their questions with technical precision, revealing just enough to impress, but never to fully explain.
The delegates were awestruck. They had never seen such advancements outside of ancient, forgotten texts. It was clear their spies hadn't fully grasped the scale of our innovation.
Back in the meeting hall, the true negotiations began. Stanley, our new Marquis of Foreign Affairs, expertly navigated the diplomatic dance. He emphasized Rimuru City's sovereignty, its unyielding independence, and its strategic importance.
"Rimuru City seeks alliances of mutual benefit," I stated, my gaze meeting each delegate's. "We are willing to share our knowledge, our technology, and our resources. But it will be at a price. Not merely gold, though fair trade is essential. We require formal recognition of Rimuru City as a sovereign city-state, independent of any existing kingdom. We require mutual defense pacts – an attack on Rimuru City is an attack on our allies. And we require exclusive trade agreements on our unique mana stone and special-grade materials, at fair but advantageous prices."
A murmur went through the delegates. These were significant demands. Recognition meant defying King Leo. Defense pacts meant risking war. Exclusive trade meant committing to a new power.
"Our technology," I continued, sensing their hesitation, "will remain exclusive to our allies. We will not sell blueprints to those who do not stand with us. This is the price of trust. This is the price of our future."
The negotiations stretched over days. Steve and Marlow subtly provided intelligence on the delegates' weaknesses, their true needs. Stanley, with his noble background, understood the intricacies of their demands and expectations. We pushed, we pulled, but I held firm on the core tenets. Finally, after intense deliberation, the Sunstone Confederacy, the Northern Wildholds, and the Riverland Commonwealth, awed by our technology and seeing the immense strategic advantage of an alliance, agreed.
Formal treaties were signed, recognizing Rimuru City's sovereignty, establishing mutual defense pacts, and opening exclusive trade routes. News of these groundbreaking alliances spread like wildfire, reaching King Leo Von Delgado within days. The King's rage, previously simmering, finally boiled over. He had ignored Rimuru City, seen it as a minor annoyance, a problem for his feudal lords. Now, it had not only declared independence but forged alliances with other kingdoms, circumventing his authority entirely. This was an intolerable act of defiance, a direct threat to his power. Word reached us from Lindsy's spies: King Leo was not sending agents or small legions anymore. He was mobilizing his entire royal army. The true war was no longer a distant threat. It was at our doorstep.