If this were her past life as a human, Rimuru would never have accepted such a relationship.
But the problem was, she was a Slime now.
Transformed into a Slime, she couldn't even imagine her future.
If she could become Damien's companion and adventure together in this otherworld, it didn't sound half bad.
"You possess remarkable Unique Skills."
Damien said, "As the leader of a faction, when I see talent, I can't help but want to recruit it."
"Oooh, like a company and its employees?"
That made sense to Rimuru. "I get it, I get it."
"Exactly."
Damien continued, "Also, I'm planning to establish a nation for monsters in this world. I hope you, Miss Slime, will join us."
"Can I?!"
Rimuru wasn't the type to refuse being under someone else.
In fact, rather than being the boss, she preferred having someone take the lead.
And Mr. Damien was so impressive!
They were both otherworlders, yet he was already building a nation.
'A nation!'
In her past life as an ordinary office worker, Rimuru couldn't fathom someone as grand as a king.
"Want to build a Monster Kingdom with me?"
Damien smiled. "I could even make you a high-ranking official."
"Yes!"
The prospect of a big position sparked her enthusiasm, and she latched onto Damien's coattails.
"Then…"
"Here's the contract's details."
With a wave, Damien produced a contract before Rimuru. "It's a bit lengthy, but take your time."
"Read it slowly. If you don't understand, ask the Great Sage."
"Ohh!"
"Um, please wait a moment."
Rimuru began reviewing the contract, with the Great Sage analyzing it alongside her.
Unlike Shizue, she wasn't in a rush.
She had plenty of time to consider.
Damien was the same.
He wanted to recruit Rimuru, but not through trickery.
If she was to work for him, he, as the boss, had to show sincerity.
'Great Sage, what do you think?'
Soon, Rimuru finished reading the contract.
It was nearly identical to Shizue's, with only minor differences.
Rimuru would gain various benefits from Damien.
The only restrictions were 'no actions that harm Damien' and 'no betrayal.'
Additionally, as a familiar, she couldn't leave.
Unlike the punitive contracts of Frey or Ice Empress, this non-slavery familiar contract had no harsh penalties.
At worst, she'd be expelled by Damien.
And she'd have to return all benefits received from him.
Of course, these didn't concern Rimuru, who was joining legitimately.
Until a familiar violated the contract's terms, Damien was equally bound not to harm them.
[Notice: The conditions are highly favorable. Signing is recommended.]
"Then it's fine!"
Rimuru trusted the Great Sage implicitly.
She also had her own take on the contract.
'Joining Damien's company as his employee.'
In corporate culture, wages followed a seniority-based system.
Salaries increased with years of service and age; the longer you stayed and the higher your education, the higher your pay.
Thus, once employees joined a company, they rarely left unless fired.
So, to Rimuru, the inability to leave was perfectly reasonable, and she could accept it.
As for not betraying or harming interests?
That was just common sense!
She wasn't some ungrateful wretch... how could she do such a thing?
"Then…"
"From today, I'm your employee, Mr. Damien!"
With that, Rimuru happily signed the contract. "Please guide me going forward!"
"And you too, Shizu-senpai, please guide me."
"Oh, likewise."
Shizue had been reviewing her own contract.
Seeing this, Rimuru realized Shizue was also Damien's employee.
Initially, Shizue expected her contract to be filled with unfair, exploitative clauses.
But in reality, she was a full-fledged employee like Rimuru.
Not only were there no traps, but the contract was packed with benefits, perks, and assurances that left Shizue dazzled.
If someone didn't know better, they'd think Damien wasn't a Demon Lord but a philanthropist!
'This treatment…'
Shizue thought, 'Isn't it a bit too good?'
If Damien could deliver, meeting him wasn't misfortune... it was the greatest opportunity of her life!
"Reincarnating in another world is like starting over."
Damien added, "Also, calling you Miss Slime all the time is a bit inconvenient."
"Mm-hmm."
Rimuru nodded in agreement. "And then?"
"How about I give you a new name?"
"Can you?"
Far from resisting, Rimuru was thrilled at the prospect of a new name from Damien.
"Rimuru!"
Damien declared, "From now on, you're Rimuru!"
"Woo~"
As Damien named her, a surge of magicules flooded into Rimuru's body.
The next moment, an onslaught of information from the Great Sage sent her consciousness reeling.
"My head… so dizzy…"
"My body feels bloated... what's happening?"
[Notice: Due to the individual named 'Damien' naming you, individual name 'Rimuru' is evolving into a Named Monster.]
Hearing she was evolving, Rimuru looked at Damien with gratitude.
She knew he must've been aware that naming would trigger her evolution.
Though she didn't know the conditions for naming, this time, Damien had truly taken care of her.
'I'll have to repay senpai properly…'
With that thought, Rimuru's consciousness grew hazier, finally sinking into darkness.
"Well, it'll take some time to adjust."
"Stay with me for now."
With a wave, Damien turned Rimuru's body into a liquid mass that slipped into his sleeve.
With Damien's current strength, Rimuru, after receiving a name and familiar conversion, would gain unimaginable benefits.
Breaking through to True Demon Lord status was impossible.
Lacking soul energy, even Rimuru couldn't ascend that far in one step.
But as a Demon Lord Seed, matching a True Demon Lord was well within reach.
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)