When a God of Destruction Was Reincarnated in Tensura:

The days in Tempest were busier than ever, but the air felt lighter after Shizu and the kids returned from their trip. Shizu was glowing with happiness, the kids full of stories about their adventures. Chloe, however, seemed to have undergone a change. She had finally decided to remain in her adult form, a decision that raised quite a few questions among the other kids.

Rimuru, Shizu, and Chloe sat the children down for a light-hearted but honest conversation. Chloe explained that her adult form was a manifestation of her true self and her powers, and she wanted to embrace it fully. While the other kids were initially confused, they eventually accepted it, especially when Rimuru teased Chloe, saying, "She just doesn't want to lose her edge." That statement made Chloe blush furiously, especially since it hinted at her feelings for Rimuru.

Chloe, feeling competitive, finally decided she needed to step up her game. One evening, with her heart pounding, she mustered the courage to confess her love to Rimuru. The moment was filled with nervous energy, but when Rimuru looked at her with warmth and said, "I love you too, Chloe," her worries melted away. Chloe felt as though a weight had been lifted, and their bond deepened. Rimuru now had four wives—Shuna, Shion, Shizu, and Chloe—and to say his nights were eventful was an understatement. They were filled with laughter, teasing, and love, each of them vying for his attention in their own unique ways.

Meanwhile, the generals continued to grow stronger. With their newly evolved skills and Rimuru's guidance, they pushed their limits daily. Each of them was determined to protect Tempest and its people, knowing the stakes had never been higher. Zegion, Benimaru, Diablo, and the others trained relentlessly, mastering their powers and refining their techniques. Luna was instrumental in their progress, analyzing their performance and suggesting optimizations.

Rimuru also came up with a bold idea: he contacted the other Demon Lords and world leaders, offering to let their soldiers train in the Labyrinth. He explained that the Labyrinth could be modified to create stronger monsters, providing the perfect training ground for honing their skills in real combat.

The first to accept the offer was Luminous. She sent Hinata, the Ten Great Saints, and a contingent of her knights to Tempest. When they arrived, Rimuru personally greeted them and explained how the Labyrinth would work as a training ground. He ensured the difficulty of the floors was adjusted to suit the capabilities of the incoming trainees while still pushing them to their limits.

Every time Hinata crossed paths with Rimuru in Tempest, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, much to her frustration. She tried to maintain her usual composed demeanor, but her traitorous mind would flash back to the time Rimuru had humiliated her in their first battle. The memory of being utterly spanked like a child, despite her confidence in her skills, was something she couldn't forget.

She remembered every detail—the way Rimuru had countered her every move effortlessly, the look of calm confidence he wore as if their battle was a mere inconvenience to him. And then, there was the moment of humiliation when he pinned her down, proving beyond any doubt that she had no chance against him. That sting of defeat had been a tough pill to swallow for someone as proud as her.

But now, seeing Rimuru again in his newly evolved form, radiating even more power than before, made her heart flutter for reasons she didn't want to admit. How is it possible for him to become even more overwhelming? she thought, her gaze involuntarily lingering on him during meetings.

Rimuru, of course, was his usual cheerful and oblivious self, treating her like a close ally and occasionally teasing her in a way that left her flustered. During one such interaction, as Rimuru casually placed a hand on her shoulder and grinned, saying, "You're doing a great job, Hinata. I'm counting on you," her face turned bright red, and she quickly turned away, mumbling something about needing to oversee the knights' training.

Her knights had noticed her reactions as well. The ever-perceptive Fritz leaned over to Leonard one evening and whispered, "Don't you think Lady Hinata's been acting a little… odd around Rimuru lately?"

Leonard smirked knowingly. "Oh, I've noticed. She's blushing more than usual. You think—"

Fritz quickly silenced him with a glare. "Don't even say it! She'd have our heads if she heard us gossiping."

Meanwhile, Rimuru was entirely unaware of Hinata's inner turmoil. To him, she was a reliable ally and a strong leader, someone he respected deeply. He found it amusing to tease her occasionally, especially since she always reacted so stiffly. What he didn't realize was that her reactions weren't solely due to embarrassment—they were also fueled by conflicting emotions she was struggling to sort out herself.

Despite her lingering feelings of humiliation and admiration, Hinata threw herself into her duties, determined to grow stronger. She couldn't allow herself to be distracted, not with the threat of Artemis looming. But no matter how much she tried to focus, her mind would inevitably drift back to Rimuru, the man who had not only defeated her but had also become a beacon of hope for the entire world.

And every time she saw him, her cheeks would flush, her heart would race, and she would scold herself for being so easily shaken by someone she considered an ally… and maybe something more.

Soon after, other nations followed suit. The Kingdom of Dwargon sent its dwarven soldiers, eager to prove their mettle. Sarion dispatched a battalion of highly skilled elves, while Blumund and Falmuth also contributed their forces. Soldiers from across the world began arriving in Tempest, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and determination.

The Labyrinth became a hive of activity, with soldiers battling through its floors, learning from their mistakes, and growing stronger by the day. Rimuru occasionally stepped in to observe, offering advice or even sparring with the trainees to inspire them. His generals also played a crucial role, mentoring the incoming soldiers and showing them what true strength looked like.

Through it all, Rimuru remained the center of it all, a leader, a husband, and a friend to all those who had placed their trust in him. His resolve to protect everything he held dear burned brighter than ever, and he was determined to be ready for whatever came next.