Tempest Chooses the Battlefield

Story sequence

Intelligence from Dwargon, merchants, and Souei confirms that the empire is moving west. Rimuru convenes allies and rejects a defense based on holding every kilometer of forest. Instead, he shapes enemy routes, evacuates vulnerable zones, and uses the labyrinth as a controlled kill-and-capture space.

Benimaru divides Tempest's forces into field armies, aerial units, intelligence teams, and labyrinth defenders. Geld's engineering corps prepares terrain and logistics. Gabil's flying corps gains modernized equipment, while Diablo and the demonesses remain strategic reserves.

Ramiris can rearrange floors and restore registered defenders, but invading soldiers have no such guarantee. Veldora's presence at the bottom tempts imperial commanders to send their strongest units exactly where Tempest has the greatest control.

Rimuru still prefers surrender over unnecessary destruction. The command structure includes methods for isolating units and reviving selected enemies later, anticipating that soldiers controlled by orders may have value after the regime changes.

Motivations

• Rimuru wants victory with minimal civilian loss and enough surviving imperial expertise to rebuild peace.
• Imperial planners want Veldora neutralized and Tempest's technology seized before the federation becomes impossible to contain.

Outcome

Tempest enters the war with layered defenses and delegated command rather than relying on Rimuru alone.

Consequences

• The labyrinth will expose the strength of guardians the outside world has never measured.
• Benimaru becomes a theater-level commander responsible for a national war.