When a God of Destruction Was Reincarnated in Tensura:

Back in the serene quiet of his own realm, Beerus sat at the pinnacle of his throne, a slight smirk playing at the edge of his lips. His golden eyes shone with the wisdom of countless ages, and the depth of his power and knowledge filled every corner of the universe. He had been watching, of course, as the Demon Lords deliberated over their monumental decision. He knew the weight of what they were considering—the choice to ascend, to gain powers that transcended their current limits. Ascension was no simple matter, and they had to understand the full depth of what it entailed.

He sat silently, his fingers steepled in front of his face as he considered the actions of each of them. Rimuru had already shown remarkable restraint, knowing that the path ahead would lead them into a realm that even the most powerful could not easily control. But that was exactly why he had chosen Rimuru as a leader of the Demon Lords. The young being had the wisdom to see beyond mere power—he understood what responsibility truly meant.

As Beerus continued watching, he felt the subtle pressure of those in his immediate presence. Whis floated by his side, his usual calm demeanor unchanged, while the wives of Beerus—Velzar, Erza, Zerna, Delta, Beta, and Sigma—hovered around, each of them curious, cautious, or even excited by the unfolding events in the Cardinal World.

"Lord Beerus," Whis began, his tone as casual as ever, though there was a clear note of curiosity in his voice. "You've been observing the Demon Lords quite intently. They are certainly considering a great deal. But the question remains… are you going to allow them to ascend?" His voice was laced with a subtle hint of amusement, yet it carried an air of respect.

Beerus let out a long sigh, his gaze never wavering from the scenes unfolding before him. His eyes glowed with the knowing of something far beyond their understanding. He was beyond all things. He had already anticipated their thoughts, their deliberations. After all, they were little more than fleeting shadows in comparison to him, and yet he found their struggles... amusing. But that did not mean he was dismissive of them.

"I am watching them," Beerus muttered, his voice almost contemplative. "Each of them is teetering on the edge, unsure of whether to take the leap. Some want power. Others want to protect their world. And some are just curious." He paused briefly, his expression unreadable. "But they're missing something. To ascend is not simply to gain power, nor is it merely to bring back the dead. It's a responsibility that will shape their very beings. I will allow them to ascend… if they prove worthy."

Whis nodded slowly, his calm gaze remaining on Beerus. He could sense the depth of his lord's contemplation. Ascension was a dangerous path, not to be taken lightly, but it was also one that Beerus had made available. And now it was up to the Demon Lords to demonstrate their strength and resolve.

"But, my lord," Zerna spoke up, her tone filled with a hint of concern. "Are they truly ready for such a monumental change? Even the most powerful of beings would falter if faced with such a responsibility. We know how destructive power can be, especially in the wrong hands."

Beerus gave a small, almost imperceptible smile at Zerna's concern. "The world is about balance, my dear. If they seek to ascend, they must understand what that truly means. They must be ready for the consequences—whether they succeed or fail."

Erza leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Do you believe they have what it takes to prove themselves? After all, these Demon Lords are not insignificant. They've already proven their strength in battle. Perhaps they are worthy?"

"Worthy?" Beerus repeated with a low chuckle. "They've proven they can fight, yes. But that is not enough. Worthiness is not a simple matter of strength. They must show the kind of wisdom, restraint, and dedication that only the strongest can possess. Without that, even ascension will bring them nothing but ruin."

The room fell into a brief silence as everyone considered his words. The Demon Lords were undoubtedly powerful, but that power alone was not enough. It was clear that Beerus held a deep understanding of the burdens that came with such power. To ascend meant far more than just enhancing one's abilities—it meant assuming an entirely different role in the grand scheme of things. A role that required an understanding of balance, life, death, creation, and destruction.

After a brief pause, Beta spoke, her voice filled with quiet reflection. "But what if they're not ready, my lord? What if their ascension brings about unforeseen consequences?"

Beerus' eyes glowed slightly, his calm expression betraying none of his true power. "That is a risk they must be willing to take if they truly seek to protect the Cardinal World. Ascension cannot come without sacrifice. It will challenge their very essence. If they succeed, they will reach a new tier of power, able to reshape the world in ways they would have never imagined possible. But if they fail… well, then they will be left to deal with the consequences. That is the price of seeking to transcend their limits."

Whis nodded. "So, you will give them the choice."

Beerus didn't answer immediately. He turned his gaze towards the infinite expanse of his realm. "Yes," he said softly, almost to himself. "The choice is theirs. And they will learn that sometimes the greatest power comes not from strength, but from understanding the true cost of their actions."

Meanwhile, in the Cardinal World, the Demon Lords were preparing for the Walpurgis—a sacred meeting where they would all make their decisions known. It had been a week since Rimuru had given them the chance to reflect on the path forward, and now the time had come for each of them to announce their choice.

Rimuru stood at the head of the gathering, his eyes scanning the room. He could feel the weight of the decisions that each of them would make. Some were eager, while others were hesitant. But there was no turning back now. They had all witnessed the destruction caused by Azazel, the Fallen Exarchs, and the chaos that followed. But even more than that, they understood the deeper implications of ascension.

As each of the Demon Lords stepped forward to make their decision, Rimuru could sense the gravity of their choices. Guy Crimson, the calculating and ever-cautious strategist, was the first to speak.

"I will ascend," he said, his voice cold but resolute. "For the sake of the Cardinal World and its future, I will do what is necessary. But know this—ascension is not a mere gift. It is a challenge, and it will require more than just strength. It will demand all of us."

Milim followed, her usual exuberance replaced by a solemnity that Rimuru had rarely seen in her. "I, too, will ascend. I will bring back the lost souls, and I will protect the Cardinal World with all my power. But… I will not do it for power's sake alone. I will do it to honor those who have fallen."

Luminous and Leon both nodded in agreement, their expressions thoughtful but firm. Draguel, with his usual determination, spoke last, his voice unwavering. "I will ascend. Not just for the world's future, but for the sake of those who need protecting. I will use my strength to defend, not just for personal gain."

Finally, Ramiris, ever the optimist, stepped forward, her usual bubbly nature still present despite the weight of the moment. "I... I will ascend too. I want to help! And I want to make sure everyone who's lost has a chance to return. I won't leave anyone behind!"

With their decisions made, Rimuru stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of the responsibility they had all chosen to bear. "Then it's settled. We will seek Beerus' permission. And we will prove ourselves worthy of the power we seek."

As Rimuru spoke those final words, the room fell into a tense silence. The path ahead was uncertain, and the stakes were higher than ever. Ascending would bring them closer to a power that could shape the very fabric of the universe—but it also meant they would be held to an entirely new standard. The future of the Cardinal World rested on their shoulders, and their decisions would determine not just their fates, but the fate of all those they had sworn to protect.