WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 46 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
As Reincarnated as a Slime continues edging toward war, Rimuru Tempest has fully prepared for his fateful meeting with Demon Lord Clayman at Walpurgis, and has Shion, Ramiris and other allies to back him up. While Benimaru's army routes Clayman's own in Eurazania, Rimuru finally arrives at Walpurgis -- where his sinister adversary awaits.
In Episode 46's Demon Lord meeting, combat power and demon-level politics are everything, and Clayman enjoys a home-field advantage thanks to having more experience with the other Demon Lords than Rimuru. However, these Demon Lords also have a sense of honor, giving Rimuru a fighting chance to take Clayman down as their battle begins.
Rimuru takes his seat and once everyone is verbally introduced, Walpurgis officially begins. Demon Lord Clayman, the one who called for the meeting, begins by dishonestly painting Rimuru and Demon Lord Carrion as aggressors who provoked the Falmuth Kingdom for an excuse to wage war and collect enough souls to become a True Demon Lord. Clayman's speech includes pieces of the truth -- rearranged and twisted to fit his narrative -- and the other Demon Lords listen quietly. Rimuru speaks on his behalf and provides video evidence of Clayman's mistreatment of Yamza in the battle. He insists the Demon Lord is a liar, while Clayman appeals to his fellow Demon Lords to avoid this violent newcomer.
Boasting hard-won political experience as a national leader, Rimuru learns Demon Lord politics are similar to those of elves and humans: based on evidence, formal debate, international alliances, personal favors and more. He makes little headway against Clayman but the Demon Lords, who have a warrior-driven mentality, allow their members to settle debates with mortal combat when words fail. So Rimuru and Shion strike first, while Clayman musters his defenses.
Guy Crimson and the other Demon Lords make room, creating an energy barrier so the fight stays safely contained. Rimuru and Shion engage Clayman and his thrall minion, Milim Nava, but the latter cannot be defeated normally -- Rimuru must somehow free her from the mind-control necklace. This allows Milim and Clayman's other henchmen to press their advantage, and Rimuru feels time running out.
However, Rimuru's political connections built up earlier in Reincarnated as a Slime pay off here. Demon Lord Ramiris and Baretta speak on his behalf to Guy, who allows the latter to aid Rimuru. The odds begin to even out, but no other Demon Lords will help at this point. They have proved to be tough but fair with their politics as Guy sides with neither Rimuru nor Clayman, instead allowing the duel's eventual victor to be the righteous one.
The remaining Demon Lords remain neutral, suggesting they are cautious and self-serving beings who won't casually risk their lives or reputation for someone else's sake -- even if the other party owes them a favor afterward. As Rimuru hoped, the Demon Lords have a "solve your problems yourself" attitude, making his business with Clayman straightforward and personal. As Reincarnated as a Slime's first battle at Walpurgis heats up, Clayman has nowhere to hide.
