Story sequence
Clayman claims to control Milim and directs her against Demon Lord Carrion. Milim performs the role of a dominated weapon so convincingly that most observers believe her personality has been suppressed.
Carrion and Frey cooperate in deception of their own. Civilians are evacuated before Milim's attack destroys the visible capital, while Carrion disappears under the alias Lion Mask. Clayman interprets the spectacle as proof that he has removed a rival.
Tempest shelters Eurazania's population and deploys Benimaru's forces against Clayman's domain. The operation is both humanitarian and strategic: protecting refugees denies Clayman hostages and gives Carrion's army time to reorganize.
Rimuru suspects the story surrounding Milim is incomplete but cannot rely on that hope. He prepares for Walpurgis while his commanders handle the battlefield outside the Demon Lords' meeting.
Motivations
- Milim wants to expose Clayman while preventing his network from escaping too early.
- Clayman seeks an awakened Demon Lord's status and believes controlling Milim will force the others to accept him.
Outcome
Eurazania's people survive, Clayman's territory is invaded, and the deception continues into Walpurgis.
Consequences
- Benimaru gains experience leading a national army independent of Rimuru.
- Carrion and Frey later step down from the formal Demon Lord council without becoming enemies of Tempest.
The apparent destruction is actually a contest of intelligence, evacuation planning, and political theater.