Not long after, several more figures entered through the large doors. Roger immediately sensed powerful auras from them—these had to be the demon lords Rimuru had mentioned.
"Long time no see, Rimuru-chan," said a handsome red-haired man. "Is there some important reason you've summoned us all?"
This was Guy Crimson, once known as one of the strongest demon lords and nicknamed the Dark Emperor. Alongside Ramiris and Milim, he was one of the oldest demon lords. Originally, he was the Primordial Red—a powerful primordial demon who had later ascended to the status of demon lord.
"If there's nothing urgent, I'd rather not waste my time," said another equally handsome man standing beside him, coldly.
This was Leon Cromwell, the Platinum Saber King and Guy's close friend. Once a hero qualified to be a true Hero, Leon defeated a demon lord but then became one himself. Honestly, was becoming a demon lord in this world really that casual? A hero who defeats an evil dragon becomes the next evil dragon?
Behind them, a beautiful silver-haired girl stood silently, glaring at Veldora, who sat beside Rimuru. Veldora returned the stare with equal intensity.
This girl was Luminus Valentine, a vampire and also a demon lord. She had fought Veldora in the past, and clearly, they still had unresolved tensions.
"There is, in fact, a very important matter," Rimuru began as the group took their seats. "Over the past few months, I traveled through the world of One Piece. What I saw there made me furious."
Though Rimuru's expression stayed calm, everyone present could hear the restrained anger in his voice.
"What could make even kind Rimuru this upset?" Guy asked with interest. Having known Rimuru for some time, he understood his temperament well. Even when burdened with the lion's share of national duties, Rimuru never showed true anger—just a few grumbles before diligently completing the work.
"It's the nobility in that world," Rimuru said, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "They are utterly intolerable."
He went on to describe everything he had seen—people captured and sold as slaves, nobles living in luxury while commoners starved, resorting to violence just to survive. Some even died on the streets from hunger. In the land where the Celestial Dragons lived, they would shoot and kill slaves on a whim. Rimuru even killed one of them after he tried to murder a pregnant woman for no reason at all.
If it weren't for the risk of plunging that world into chaos by toppling the World Government outright, Rimuru admitted he might've already destroyed them.
"Slavery, huh?" Guy and the other demon lords fell silent. For demonkind, freedom was sacred—something valued above life itself. They would serve a ruler, like they did with Rimuru, but never be enslaved. The word "slave" hit a raw nerve.
"To be criticized about our world by someone from another one... I honestly don't know what to say." Roger gave a bitter laugh. "And the worst part is—I can't refute any of it."
"Roger, none of this is your fault," Rimuru reassured him. Roger had started the Great Pirate Era hoping that pirates could shake the foundations of the oppressive world government.
"But I'm still from that world. They call the Pirate King the freest man alive, but in reality, that world is nothing more than a giant prison. There's no freedom!" Roger's anger flared before he calmed himself and looked Rimuru straight in the eye. "Rimuru, will you help us? I know I don't have the right to ask this, but on behalf of everyone who's ever been oppressed in that world, I'm begging you for help!"
He stood and bowed deeply.
If anyone could make toppling the World Government more than just a dream—it was them.
"H-Hey! Roger, don't do that!" Rimuru was flustered and quickly helped him back up. "That's the whole reason I called everyone here today! To help your world!"
"Really?!" Roger's eyes lit up with hope.
"Yes, really!" Rimuru sighed, a bit exasperated. "Can you let me finish before getting dramatic? Geez. Rushing won't get you anywhere!"
"Helping overthrow a world government, huh? Sounds like a fun way to kill time," Guy stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"This kind of nonsense again..." Leon muttered. "Well, I've got nothing better to do. Might as well help out. Just a so-called World Government."
(Was this guy secretly a tsundere or something?)
"All of us fully support Lord Rimuru's decision," said his subordinates unanimously.
Rimuru gave Leon a knowing smile, which made him visibly annoyed. What? Was it a crime for demon lords to be tsundere?
"Well then, let's begin the real discussion," Rimuru said, now fully in leader mode. "How do we bring down the World Government? Who handles what roles?"
As the room erupted into passionate strategy debates, Roger sat back and watched. His heart, long burdened with guilt and helplessness, felt just a little lighter. His eyes, once fierce and proud, began to shimmer with unshed tears.
"Thank you... all of you."