When a God of Destruction Was Reincarnated in Tensura:

The Keepers of the Cardinal World had come to terms with their divine nature—they could no longer rule as kings. As gods, their role was to watch over and guide, not directly govern.

For Rimuru, this meant choosing a new leader for Tempest—someone worthy to continue what he had built. But he couldn't simply appoint one.

Tempest was a nation of many races, warriors, and leaders, and the person to take his place had to prove they were the best choice.

Thus, Rimuru devised a plan:

The Trials of Succession.

It would be a series of tests to determine who among his most trusted generals—his strongest subordinates—was worthy to lead.

The participants were:

Benimaru – The Flame General, a strategic warlord with an indomitable will.

Diablo – The Primordial Demon, master of schemes and absolute loyalty.

Zegion – The Divine Guardian, a warrior beyond mortal comprehension.

Madox – The Titan of War, a general whose might and wisdom led armies.

Geld – The Indomitable Shield, a leader of the Orcs and a symbol of endurance.

Hakuro – The Sword Saint, a master of combat and discipline.

Gabiru – The Dragon King, a proud warrior of the Dragonewt race.

Rimuru gathered them all in the Great Hall of Tempest, the heart of the city. The generals stood before him, confused as to why they had been summoned so urgently.

Rimuru, standing with a divine glow, looked upon them with a solemn expression.

"I have made my decision… I will no longer rule Tempest."

The room fell silent.

Even though they had suspected something was coming, hearing those words directly shook them all.

Benimaru: "W-What?! Rimuru-sama, you're leaving us?"

Diablo: "If you desire it, I will bring ruin to anyone who questions your rule."

Geld: "Without you, what will happen to the people? Who will guide them?"

Zegion: "…I see. You intend to ascend beyond worldly matters."

Rimuru raised a hand, silencing them.

"I won't be leaving. But as a Keeper, I cannot rule as a king anymore. Tempest needs a new leader."

That was when he revealed the Trials.

"I will not simply name a ruler. You will have to prove yourselves. Each of you will undergo trials that will test your strength, wisdom, leadership, and ability to protect Tempest. Only the one who surpasses all others will take my place."

They were not given a choice. If they wanted to lead Tempest, they had to earn it.

The Five Trials of Leadership

Rimuru devised five trials, each designed to test the qualities of a true ruler.

Trial 1: Strength – The Test of Might

A ruler of Tempest must be strong, capable of defending the nation.

Each general would face a powerful opponent, a divine construct created by Rimuru himself—an entity that surpassed even the most powerful magic-born.

They had to defeat their opponent alone—no allies, no tricks.

Results:

Zegion won flawlessly, his power exceeding even Rimuru's expectations.

Benimaru succeeded, but barely, proving his resilience.

Diablo won, but had to use cunning, revealing his preference for strategy over brute strength.

Geld and Madox held their ground but failed, proving their endurance but lack of supreme might.

Hakuro fought valiantly but accepted defeat, stating that his era of leadership had passed.

Gabiru… was crushed.

Trial 2: Wisdom – The Test of Strategy

A ruler must not only be strong but intelligent and strategic.

Each general was given a hypothetical war scenario, where they had to defend Tempest from an invasion.

They had to make difficult decisions—sacrificing troops, choosing allies, and determining the best course of action.

Results:

Diablo excelled, manipulating enemies into destroying themselves.

Benimaru proved his tactical prowess, choosing direct but effective warfare.

Madox showed the best defensive strategies, ensuring minimal losses.

Zegion, while powerful, struggled with strategic warfare, proving his strength lay in battle, not politics.

Geld and Hakuro showcased wisdom, but their decisions were too conservative.

Gabiru… tried to make an inspiring speech. It failed.

Trial 3: Leadership – The Test of the People

A ruler must be beloved and respected.

Each general had to spend time among the people of Tempest, governing for a short period.

They had to handle disputes, make political decisions, and inspire the people.

Results:

Benimaru was the most loved, leading with charisma and decisiveness.

Diablo was feared but effective, using intimidation to keep order.

Geld was admired by the lower class, showing compassion for the weak.

Hakuro was respected but distant, maintaining a warrior's discipline.

Zegion, while admired, lacked the ability to connect with the common folk.

Gabiru… declared himself the "People's Champion" and held a festival in his honor.

Trial 4: Diplomacy – The Test of Allies

Tempest's leader must be able to forge alliances and negotiate peace.

Each general had to meet with other nations' leaders and try to secure a trade deal, alliance, or peace treaty.

Results:

Diablo easily manipulated negotiations, securing multiple agreements.

Benimaru earned alliances through strength and honor.

Geld forged deals through trust and reliability.

Hakuro and Madox struggled, being more suited for battle than politics.

Zegion… simply didn't talk much.

Gabiru tried to impress the Eastern Empire's envoy by performing a dragon dance. It did not go well.

Final Trial: The Keeper's Decision

The trials had tested them all, but the final choice was up to Rimuru.

He took all factors into account, looking at strength, wisdom, leadership, and the people's trust.

After much deliberation, Rimuru chose Benimaru.

"Benimaru, you are not the strongest."

"You are not the most cunning."

"But you are the one who the people trust."

Benimaru was stunned. He had struggled the most with the idea of ruling, but now, he accepted his destiny.

"I will protect Tempest in your place, Rimuru-sama. This, I swear."

Thus, Benimaru was crowned the new ruler of Tempest.

The other generals accepted the decision, though Diablo still vowed to serve Rimuru alone.

And with that, Tempest had a new leader—one who earned his place.

The Coronation of Benimaru: A New Era for Tempest

With the trials completed and the decision made, the time had come for Tempest to accept its new leader.

The city had been bustling with preparation for days. Banners of crimson and gold, representing Benimaru's lineage, adorned the streets. The people, though still in shock that Rimuru would step down, had accepted that a new ruler would take his place.

The news had spread far and wide—Tempest was about to witness the crowning of its second ruler.

A few days later...

The heart of Tempest—the Grand Plaza—had been transformed into a place of celebration and reverence.

A massive elevated platform had been constructed, draped in royal crimson with golden engravings. At the very top stood Rimuru, exuding a divine presence, watching over his people.

Benimaru stood at the base of the platform, clad in ceremonial armor of red and gold, a cape flowing behind him. His face, usually full of confidence, showed a mix of pride and nervousness.

The entire nation had gathered.

The Lizardmen, the Orcs, the Goblins, the Ogres, the Kijin, the High Orcs, Dragonewts, and Demons—all the races that made up Tempest stood together, watching in anticipation.

At the front of the crowd stood Rimuru's closest subordinates, who had served him from the very beginning:

Shuna, dressed in an elegant white and pink kimono, her eyes filled with warmth and pride for her brother.

Shion, standing tall in a formal battle uniform, trying her best not to cry.

Diablo, smiling with his usual sinister elegance but inwardly seething that someone else was taking Rimuru's place.

Zegion, standing silently, observing with respect.

Hakuro, his arms crossed, nodding approvingly at his student's ascension.

Geld, standing proudly among his Orc brethren, representing the will of his people.

Gabiru, unusually silent, perhaps finally understanding the weight of leadership.

Madox, the ever-stoic warrior, observing with deep respect and proud of his son.

At the center of it all, Rimuru stepped forward, raising a hand for silence.

The crowd immediately fell quiet.

Rimuru's Speech

"Citizens of Tempest! Today is a historic day!

For years, I have ruled this nation, watching it grow from a small village into the mighty kingdom it is today.

But the time has come for change. I have ascended beyond mortal leadership, and I can no longer rule as your king.

That is why today… we welcome our new ruler—Benimaru!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

Benimaru stepped forward, kneeling before Rimuru.

Rimuru's aura flared, and a radiant golden light engulfed him as he placed his hand on Benimaru's head.

"Benimaru, you have proven yourself through strength, wisdom, and leadership. From this day forward, you will lead Tempest in my place. Do you swear to uphold justice, protect your people, and ensure that Tempest prospers?"

Benimaru, eyes filled with determination, raised his head.

"I swear it, Rimuru-sama! With all my strength, I will protect this nation and lead it with honor!"

The moment the words left his lips, a surge of power erupted from the platform.

A golden crown of energy appeared above Benimaru's head, signifying his ascension as the new ruler.

Shion was openly crying, trying to hide it by rubbing her eyes aggressively.

Shuna simply smiled warmly, proud of her brother.

Diablo clapped, though his eyes glowed with barely contained jealousy.

(Internally: "Hmph. Only Rimuru-sama is worthy to rule, but… if this is his will, I shall accept it.")

The Orcs pounded their chests in unity, accepting their new leader with fierce loyalty.

Gabiru, for once, remained humble, nodding in respect.

The Lizardmen cheered, fully embracing the new king.

The people of Tempest erupted into cheers and shouts of loyalty to their new ruler.

The cheers settled as Benimaru stepped forward, now standing at the highest position in Tempest.

He looked out at the massive crowd, his heart pounding, but he took a deep breath and spoke.

"People of Tempest! I am honored to stand before you as your new leader!

Rimuru-sama has entrusted me with this duty, and I will not fail him—or any of you!

I swear upon my very soul that I will protect this nation!

We are strong! We are united! And together, we shall rise even higher!"

The crowd exploded with cheers, the energy of Tempest never stronger.

With the ceremony complete, the Grand Festival of Succession began.

Food stalls were set up throughout the city, serving exotic dishes from every race.

Warriors held tournaments, displaying their strength in friendly matches.

Musicians and dancers performed, filling the streets with joy.

Fireworks exploded into the sky, illuminating the night in brilliant colors.

As the festival continued, Rimuru sat at a high vantage point, watching it all.

Shizu, Chloe, and his other close companions joined him.

Chloe: "It feels strange… not seeing you as the ruler anymore."

Shizu: "But it's also beautiful. This is what leadership truly is—building something that lasts beyond yourself."

Rimuru smiled, sipping a drink.

"Yeah. It's finally their time."

Benimaru, now King of Tempest, stood in the center of it all, surrounded by his people, carrying the weight of leadership on his shoulders.

And though Rimuru had stepped down… his legacy would never fade.