Rimuru's POV:
-"So, why did you suddenly come here? It's kinda unusual to be greeted by someone as strong as you."
Before doing anything, I should stay neutral. She's his daughter and I made a promise, but I mustn't approach her without being sure she has an 'idea'. After all, I know how dangerous and stupid Veldanava's ideas can be. Let's be safe and certain about her personality.
-"You're an interesting guy, y'know? Dealing with the Orc Lord that easily. I couldn't understand how you did it, so I wanted to see you by myself."
-"The Orc Lord, you know about it?"
-"Yeah, it was originally Clayman's plan to create a puppet Demon Lord. I thought I could get a toy to cure my boredom, but I found something better." She came closer, scrutinizing me from all angles. She doesn't plan to make me her toy, right?
-"So it was really Clayman," said Mithra, who for once read the room and stayed serious. "On our side, no one found it funny to get invaded."
-"Oh? I didn't see you that day... Weird, your aura is strangely weak, compared to your true strength."
-"You can tell? Even that lass behind you couldn't." Mithra pointed to a bush where Luminous was hiding."
-"Hey, why did you have to reveal my presence?"
-"You seriously thought you would remain unnoticed when this girl has such good instincts?" I almost forgot Mithra can say clever things.
-"Wahaha, so you're here too, Luminous? You underestimate me, after all this time." She turned back to me, a smile still plastered on her face. "Don't worry, I just planned to visit. It's exciting to see what you're doing in this forest, I had a quick look from above."
-"Haaaa... So, no funny idea, thanks Banana."
-"Who's Banana? Isn't that some fruit?" Milim took an interest in this word. Maybe because it's lunch time, I heard a growl coming from her stomach.
-"Nothing, really". I can't really tell her it's a silly nickname I gave her father. Weirdly, he didn't like any of them. "You look hungry. Do you want to eat with us? I can cook for one more person without a problem."
-"Ooooohh? I'll take your invitation, I'm curious about new kind of food." Her eyes are gleaming, she's salivating from the thought of food. It'll be easy if I can befriend her with that.
-"Before we go, you can call me Rimuru, and this old hag is Mithra. Is it good with you if we call you Milim?"
-"Okay, but only you two. The only others who call me Milim are the Demon Lords."
-"No problem. That makes us friends, doesn't it?" I said 'innocently', hoping it could make Milim open herself more easily to us. And looks like it worked, she's trying to hide it, but it's written on her face how she seems happy about it.
We returned to the guest house, accompanied by the pink haired overpowered girl. Luminous- no, Lulu told her to mind her words and not let slip her true identity to anyone for now. We told our subordinates there's no danger, and they're spreading the news of Milim's arrival as a guest everywhere. As for what happens at the dining room...
Milim's POV:
Wow, that's so cool. Rimuru and his friends managed to create a lively place in the span of a few weeks. It's rare for me to see a city in construction, I'm sure I'll find many entertaining things to do.
But before that, let's get food. I haven't smelled something this good since the last Walpurgis, I understand why even Lumi- Lulu wants to taste it, and she can be absurdly demanding at times.
But it seems I have to help Rimuru calm the child who waited for his return, as she's afraid of me... Well, that's kind of a normal reaction for people to have about me. It really surprised me when Rimuru and Mithra barely showed any sign of fear, as they talked with me almost like I was a normal girl... A Demon Lord girl, but still. It's so good to finally have someone outside the Demon Lords who talk with me like equals, and not put me on a pedestal.
-"Wahaha, don't worry little girl, I'm not here to do any harm. I'm just curious about this place, and I promised my new friends to behave."
-"Huh? Friends?" She turns toward Rimuru and Mithra with a puzzled expression, and they quietly nod. She's calming a little, but is still wary of me.
-"Ah, Kumara isn't really a little girl. She's more than 300 years old." Mithra revealed it to Lulu and me, and that's weird.
Now I look at her more closely, she's a Ninehead... No, a Ninetail, right? I wasn't pleased to hear they were exterminated. I visited them once a few centuries ago, they were a peaceful and cheery bunch.
And this girl, she has a child's body but I can see it. She should be an adult already, no one kept a child's body after their first century, it's just she can't materialize it. Maybe because she can't properly control her power, or maybe a mental trauma... It could be both actually.
-"So, you are Demon Lord Milim Nava?" asked the human girl who's sitting next to Kumara. She too looks composed while talking to me, but a different kind. As if she lived too many things to be easily surprised.
-"I really am. You should be proud to be in the same room as a Demon Lord, it doesn't happen to anyone y'know? Wahaha!"
-"*small laugh* I will. Pleased to meet you."
-"Lunch is ready," Rimuru's clone comes with a tray completely filled with plates.
Finally, a real meal. Those past days I was eating only raw vegetables to please my followers, especially Middray. Why can't he understand it's not a bad thing to cook?
As we look at what kind of dishes he prepared, I can hear everyone's stomach growling all their might. Even Lulu's, who's too focused on choosing what she will eat to show any embarrassment. Normally, she would never let herself do such things in public, I suppose there's a first to everything.
Soon, we were all served. The human girl chose a strange fish dish that reminded her of home as she said. Same for Rimuru and Mithra, who wanted to test new things. For Kumara, Lulu and me, it's an elaborate combination of several vegetables (cooked for once, yay! And no carrots, good!) that look like a painting, with a juicy steak and a glass of creamy sauce. I saw Lulu hesitating for a while, finally she chose the meat because the other dish looked too unusual for a first time.
-"How did you manage to get such fine meat and wine?" she asked, pouring herself a glass. "You can't possibly produce this in such a short time."
-"I traded them with Gazel when I visited Dwargon." Rimuru said between two mouths full of fish. "It's a good thing I had good quality ingredients for special events."
-"It's even better than what they served at that time." Kumara has stars in her eyes, this meat really is tasty. Guy's chef's have competition.
-"I wouldn't mind letting myself be a little loose here." Lulu drank her wine, she has lowered her Poison Resistance, I see. I secretly poured a glass for myself too, only in Walpurgis can I drink, and I don't think those two will let me if they saw it.
-"Do as you wish... I would love to be able to get drunk again."
-"You know you can lower your Poison Resistance if you have one," Lulu looked at Rimuru who got a jaded face.
-"Unfortunately, it's impossible for him," Mithra patted his shoulder, as if pitying him. "He has a tolerance called Poison Heal, and can't turn it down."
-"Oh? What's that? I've never heard of it before." A new kind of tolerance? He's full of surprises.
-"That's a special one only I managed to get. Basically, any poison I come into contact with will heal me. The only exception is the same poison that allowed me to get this tolerance. That's the only way for me to get drunk, and I don't think I'll ever find it anywhere."
-"Yes, it was a truly unique one. Magical, and that seemed to act like a living being. Only a true master at poison making could create something like that..." Mithra gradually lowered her tone, being barely audible at the end. She's making a weird face.
-"My condolences." Knowing Lulu, it was sincere, and came from the heart.
-"Thanks... And you don't need to hide Milim, I can see you." Rimuru gave me a side glance.
-"Ha!" Crap, he will take my glass, no?
-"...Heh, be at ease. You can drink one glass if you want."
-"Wait, really?"
-"Are you sure?" asked the human when looking at me. Don't tell me she thinks I'm a kid?
-"You're about twice and half our ages combined, so we can let some things slide." Mithra replied while chugging her own glass in one go.
-"... How old are you two?" Do they know how old I am, too?
-"223 for this kid and 426 for me, did I do the math right?" she asked Rimuru with a grin.
-"It's 393 for me, and I dare you to call me a kid again, old hag."
-"That's strange. I can understand for you, busted gorilla, but the world would have heard your name already if you're that old, Rimuru." Lulu is right, and yet we never got any clues about a powerful talking slime before.
-"I think we can tell you, as the whole forest knows already, and it doesn't mean anything to hide it from you." Rimuru got a serious face, and continued: "We're reincarnated, and ex-humans. While this old hag came here 170 years ago, I appeared only this year after an unwanted journey in the cycle of reincarnation. And if you ask why we seem to know each other so well, we're family."
Now that's another level. They're more unique than I could think of, and even Lulu couldn't hide her shock.
-"It's so weird to think we come from the same world with such an age gap." The human laughs, but looks kinda tired. I found it too strange, so I took a peek at her with my Skill.
-"Why does your spiritual body look so unstable?"
-"Hm, Milim. You know it's not really polite to peek at someone's status like that?" Eek, Rimuru said it so seriously, is he angry?
-"It's okay, I'm not embarrassed about it." The girl stopped him, not showing any disgust or anything. "I had a spirit before, but Rimuru separated us before it could take over my body. Since then, they've been doing their best to heal me."
-"And we're sorry to not be able to do it faster. We know a few tricks, but such a specific case isn't really our forte."
-"A spirit? Maybe you just need to find another spirit to help her. That's their job to control magicules and help humans to gain strength." I raised my fist, happy to have a solution. "I can take you to Ramiris to get a new one."
-"The Spirit Queen? You know where she lives?" Rimuru smiled, as expected of my friend, he knows how valuable this intel is. "Good for you Shizu, if we can have her help, you'll get a way to save your students too."
-"R-really? Y-you can't imagine how glad I'll be if it works." She started to cry silently. Apparently, saving those students is important for her. If they need spirits too, they should be summoned children.
We finished eating in a joyous atmosphere, and a pretty Kijin came to bring us desserts. There were multiple cakes, all looking delicious. We got a slice of each, accompanied by tea, and another weird drink I never saw.
-"What's this?" I'm quite curious about it, it smells good but looks bitter.
-"You can call it coffee. Not exactly the one we used to drink, but it does the job." Said Mithra who added some milk in it. "It's a good alternative for those who don't like this leaf juice. You can add sugar if it's too strong."
I took a cup, it's a little bitter and yet, I don't find it unpleasant. I added milk too to see how it changes, and it would be good once in a while.
After the desserts, Rimuru planned to introduce me to his subordinates. He plans to go visit Ramiris after, as Shizu's condition is stable there is no need to go in a hurry. Lulu said she will follow us to the central place, as she wants to visit too.
There, I can see a platform created while we had our lunch, with purple and red haired Kijins waiting for us. When we climbed the stairs, I saw many monsters waiting for us. Rimuru took a strange tool and talked in it.
-"Thanks for coming here. I have a special announcement to make. Today we received the visit of Demon Lord Milim Nava who wanted to greet us." He gave me the strange object, which serves as a voice strengthening device.
-"Hi, citizens of Tempest. I'm Milim Nava, and pleased to say I became friends with your two leaders." The crowd cheered as soon as I said it. "I can even say we're besties."
-"Wow, really? You didn't have anyone to call 'besties' until now?" Rimuru smiled and continued: "Well, I don't mind, and I think it's the same for the old hag."
-"Yay! Thanks, Rimuru. And starting from today, I'll live in this city too."
The cheers became louder, and I understood them. With me here, they won't have anything to fear anymore, not that they risked many things with those two as their leaders. Behind me, Lulu couldn't hide her surprise, and neither did Rimuru.
-"Hum, you're serious about that? Don't you have a place to return to?"
-"Oh don't worry about them. I'll just have to go back there once in a while to see how they're doing." I won't really miss living there, even if I'm still sorry for them. I won't abandon them as they sincerely like me, but this place is too good.
Rimuru also introduced Lulu as a relative to Demon Lord Valentine, who's journeying to find a tranquil place outside of quarrels with the Church, and asked his subordinates to treat us like top grade guests. I saw she tensed a little when he said out loud her 'name', but it's for her secret's sake.
Then they followed him, as he wanted to visit a workshop. He said he needed to thank the pretty Kijin named Shuna for her desserts, and he wants to give me new clothes. I told him I appreciate it, but I'm used to these, they're easy to move in and don't hinder my movements when I fight.
On the way, we ran into Mithra who finished healing Shizu, and the purple haired Kijin from before. They're tagging along, and One-horn is talking about how she couldn't finish her recipe because she was asked to gather people to prepare the platform. I see Mithra looking away, and Rimuru hides a thumbs up. I don't know why but I sense danger about this.
I thought about what kind of amusement I'll have, when I felt Mithra coming close.
-"Hey Milim, I have something to ask you, as it's bothering me."
-"Is there a problem?" I turn toward her.
-"You're sure you don't feel cold in this?"
-"Hyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaa!"
*Boooom*
W-what was that? She gave me the creeps. She touched my belly while asking me this, it was so weird. She was freezing to the touch, but not like aunty Velzard, it was almost threatening. So by reflex I punched her without enough restrain.
It's bad. She went flying to the other side of the road, and while I saw where she crashed, I couldn't see the body. One-horn went to search in the rubles of the wall and couldn't find anything. Did I disintegrate her? Oh no, how can I explain this to Rimuru?
-"...That's not what I had in mind when I told her to help me convince you to accept new clothes." He doesn't look angry, on the contrary he's smiling like he appreciated it. "Heh, nevermind. That punch was glorious, you did well Milim."
-"You don't know how good it felt, I own you one." Lulu too is smirking, then those two went for a high five.
-"But, I think I killed her."
-"Oh no, she just returned to Hell. She was bound to go back in a day or two, you just accelerated the process. She'll appear again after a few days of rest."
It reassured me, but that was mean. No need to go that far for clothes, I would have accepted as a bestie... But now, I have another reason to do what they want. I don't wanna risk another creepy session with her.
We entered the workshop, and Shuna welcomed us. We praised her desserts, and she made me try on a few dresses. I chose a white and blue one, I found it cute and still practical for moving. When I got out, I saw Rimuru in his slime form being held by One-horn, and he didn't look well...
Rimuru's POV:
...Heavy. They're too heavy. I understand why some people like them big, I can appreciate it sometimes, but this is overkill. I don't feel so good, it's like I'm trapped. I let her pick me in this form, because she needed to relieve her stress from seeing the old hag being smashed into oblivion, but I can't take it anymore. Somebody help, please.
-"Hey Shion, don't keep Great Rimuru all for yourself when no one is looking."
Ah, Shuna. Great, she will give me an excuse to get out... Why is she trying to pick me from Shion's hands? Don't tell me she got jealous? And they're starting to stretch me... Sorry, but I won't let myself become a plushie for you two. I let Kumara do it, but we're not starting a trend.
-"Alright, let's stop it now." I returned to my human form, these two gave me puppy eyes, but to no avail. "You're cute with that, Milim."
-"Really? Thanks." She went to hug me, and I'm grateful she's now decently dressed.
-"I agree. Let's be honest, it looked like you couldn't afford presentable clothes before." Yeah, that's kinda true Lulu, but not the biggest problem... But I feel I shouldn't say it if I want to avert a disaster.
-"Hey, that's harsh. And why didn't you say it sooner?"
-"Maybe because no one told you."
I feel this would go nowhere, so I asked Milim where Ramiris lives as a diversion. She proposed to show me the way, as it would be faster. That's good, if she's not too far from here, we can return tonight. I'll just have to pick up Shizu and teleport back.
Lulu returned to the house, looking over the girls, and promised to not try anything with Shizu. I still asked Shion to keep an eye on her just in case. It's not like I don't trust her, but according to Mithra she's known for being very horny. Thankfully she's not into kids, so no risk for Kumara... Yet. It won't be the same when she'll finally get her adult form. And while we departed, I could hear those two starting to argue again. I hope they won't go too far.
-"Hey, Kumara's got guts to provoke Lulu like that. She's not talking like a kid, but more mature."
Milim is right, as their bickering is similar to what high-school girls would do. It's just Kumara doesn't look like her actual age... And sometimes doesn't act like it either, she's alternating between a responsible young adult and a true child. Kinda like Milim, but less pure and naive.
It's puzzling when you see it the first time, and Hakurou was an ideal target for her. It's amusing to see how he's getting soft when kids are around, and she took him aback when she suddenly conversed with him like a lady. We laughed good that time.
So, we're flying toward Ramiris' place... And that's the definition of 'gotta go fast'. Thankfully Milim is holding me, as I would've been blasted away by her speed otherwise. Apparently, she doesn't use any teleportation as she finds it bothersome to do the calculation. I would say, it's not too bad when you can just fly that fast.
Haaaaaa... I never thought I'd really live to see today's events happen. It's as you said Nanava, fate really is whimsical.
*Flashback, a certain day in Alestar's life*
-"You look grimmer than usual, even as a ghost you're pitiful to look at." Alestar said to an ethereal form he's the only one to see.
-"I'm not in the mood today."
-"Wow, not a reply to my attack? What happened to you VeldOne?"
When he saw his hazy friend won't pick a fight about his silly nicknames, Alestar understood what's going on. After all, he has lived with the spirit of the Creator linked to his soul for a few years now. Veldanava rarely loses himself in his thoughts. It only occurs when he thinks about what he lost...
-"Thinking about your family?"
-"Yeah... I can't tell how much time passed since Lucia and I died, with how it's flow is broken in this forsaken world. But, deep down I know... My little girl, we left her for too long. I'm sure she can't remember us properly now."
Alestar knows how this is a touchy subject for his friend. As the Creator, and because he willingly broke the rule he placed upon himself, he figured one day, he would die as a punishment orchestrated by fate. He never let it bother him, as the Star King Dragon, he would have resurrected one day if he wanted.
But nothing went as he planned, and he got shackled to a forbidden dimension, while the remnants of his soul got dispersed to every corner of his creation. Originally, he didn't plan to return, as he wanted to let the world continue without him.
But by surviving as a ghost, thanks to a bigger piece of his soul; and being forced to watch since immemorial times the story of a cursed land, where despair lies everywhere, he thought differently. Now, he wants to go back. He wants to see his family again. But alas, he can't.
-"One day you'll reunite with them. That I can tell."
-"How can you be certain of it?"
-"Dunno. Maybe because I have faith in my friends and the old hag. With the power of us six combined, we should be able to break this curse one day. And if we can't, no one will ever replace us."
-"...Faith, huh? That's rich coming from you."
-"Touché."
Veldanava managed to regain some of his jolliness, thanks to Alestar's optimism. Maybe... Yeah, maybe, one day. But there's still another problem. Breaking the curse of this land and being able to travel to other worlds is a thing, but the Creator's situation is a headache in its own way.
-"But, it will be another gruesome task for me to resurrect. I barely have any power left, just enough for a few tricks."
-"... Don't tell me you seriously think I'll let you sort out a half baked plan alone?" Alestar asked deadpanned. "I'm stuck with you, and I'll be for a long time. So why wouldn't I give you a hand? We're friends, remember?"
-"Urgh. What kind of friend tries to bash my skull because of an idea?"
-"The one who needs to make you understand the dumbness of your 'ideas'."
-"...Say Alestar. If by misfortune I can't return-"
-"I'll find your daughter and take care of her, yeah. But, I will find a way to resurrect you if you're too dumb to figure it out yourself. No way am I gonna let you fade away, not when you have potentially centuries of birthday parties to catch up..."
At these words, Veldanava knew he could count on this human to keep his promise. He already did a few miracles, why would it stop now?
-"...And I have to resurrect Lucia too. She needs to punish her foolish husband who learned to measure the sizes of girls just by looking."
-"Yeah, don't forget her- Hey, wait! I told you it was just out of hellish boredom I did it."
-"Sure, that's a good excuse to give for your funeral."
-"Alestar!"