Finally the time has come for the group to answer king Alden question.

The grand hall was as imposing as ever, its high, vaulted ceilings echoing with the murmurs of the knights as the trio and Aeliana stand in front of the king and queen themself.

Yet while facing the king and queen of a natio, it's seem that Rimuru, Rory and Rudeus doesn't even have a bit of worry just anoyed, especially Rory who already getting tired of this play.

But opposite to the trio is Aeliana, who's expression was a bit nervous to said.

The heavy weight of expectation hung in the air as the King, with his usual smug composure, leaned forward slightly, eyes fixed on the trio and his daughter.

"So- have you all come to a decision yet?" he spoken up, no longer the fake warm smoothing voice the king voice is now much more colder and the question sound much more like a demain now.

Rory, her eyes narrowed slightly, glanced at her team and back at the old snakes infront of her.

Better than anyone else, she knew too well that the longer they play the role of the doctor guest, the more they will became their puppet.

But the moment when Rory about to opened her mouth to voice her answer, Rimuru raise his hand up interrupting her word.

Then he said a single word, a word that speak up for every single preson in his group

"No"

Rimuru declares, his voice calm but resolute and his golden eyes locking onto the king and queen like he is challenge them what they gonna do?

It wasn't like him to challenge the monarchy so directly, but here he was, doing exactly that. And it leave his teammates having their own reaction toward Rimuru declared.

Rory was shock to said the less,

Her eyes widened as she turned her head toward him, unable to hide her surprise. In her thoughts or atlest she from what she know, Rimuru ain't the preson who out right said something like that without the careful planning.

Aeliana? Well she was freaking put at the moment, looking back and forth at her parents, the guards who are all in as much as shock as her and Rory

Rudeus was a bit calmer about it, though yes he do supprise at Rimuru words but he can't help but chuck at the ironic of this situation as he thought Rimuru would negotiation then left in peace.

"There go our plans of taking thing slow" Rudeus mumble as he shake his head slowly.

he king and queen both stiffened at his words, their faces shifting from polite smiles to barely concealed annoyance. The queen's hand clenched slightly at the edge of her chair, and the king's eyes narrowed.

But Rimuru wasn't finished, before the King or the queen can say a single thing Rimuru continue with his words but this time his voice are much firmer

"If you think you can just wave a carrot in front of us and expect us to follow like obedient horse. Then you're sorely mistaken your hynes."

After the words was spoken up, the hall now not only cold but also silent as everyone watch in stunned from Rimuru's words reverberated through the grand hall.

Even Rory, who had always been the one to favor forceful solutions, was taken aback by his sudden outburst. She had expected him to hold back, to play it cool, but that isn't seem like the case right now and oh boy how it turn her interest on.

But it not done yet

Following the silence is an undeniable tension that fill the room up

As the king's eyes locked onto Rimuru, hos fury beginning to simmer under his cold gaze. "so that how you want huh-?" he growled then standing up from his throne and shout. "Fine! then let us show you how we deal with ungrateful brat like you!!"

His words which fill with furry echo along the hall as his hands clenched into fists. And the queen? She too, looked ready to explode with rage.

But unlike her husband, it look like her rage more calculated

As king Alden raise his hand up, all the guard who are present in the hall this very moment, start to lift up and point their weapon toward the group, a waiting for their king command to strike them.

And so, the trio standing there-Rimuru, defiant and unyielding, his eyes unwavering, as if daring them to make the first move;

Rory, still processing the action of his outburst but that ain't gonna make her lose her grip. Cause the moment that the guard raise their weapon up, a sadistic smile blooming on Rory lips as she twist her halberd and get into a stand ready for a fight

And Rudeus? He just standing there and silently observing, unsure of what exactly to make of it all. But he know one thing and that is not lowing his guard down this very moment.

Yet through all of this, one this is clear as day.

The game is about to change it play ground from talking to fighting.