The journey back to Tempest was quieter than usual. Veldora, for once, didn't talk the whole way—probably because even he couldn't bring himself to disturb the sleeping child in Rimuru's arms.
The little girl's magicules pulfsed softly, synchronized with his own like a heartbeat. Her hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight—blue at the crown, fading gracefully to a pale violet at the tips.
Even after everything that had just happened—the evolution, the Walpurgis, the strange birth—Rimuru found himself staring down at her, oddly calm.
He had fought Wolves, Ogres, Orcs, Majin even a demon lord, each one an absurd being, but this... this tiny life born from his own magicules felt like something entirely different, uniquely special.
"Ufufufu~," Veldora finally broke the silence, walking beside him with his usual smug grin. "So, my dearest friend has gone and created an offspring! Truly, the lineage of dragons and slimes are unstoppable!"
Rimuru sighed. "What dragon lineage, she's my daughter not yours.."
"It's been only a couple of hours and your starting to be an oyabaka," Veldora teased, folding his arms dramatically. "Still, I must say, she looks rather—"
"Adorable?" Rimuru finished for him.
Veldora blinked. "I was going to say suspiciously like you, but yes, cute as well."
When they entered the city, the townsfolk immediately turned to look. Tempest had seen many bizarre things—monsters, dragons, even a walking skeletons—but seeing their ruler carrying a small child who looks like him was new.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Is that... a baby?"
"She looks just like Lord Rimuru!"
"Wait, did we just get a princess!?"
Rimuru tried not to blush. "Great, the rumors have already started..."
As soon as he stepped into the main hall, familiar voices greeted him.
"Rimuru-sama!" Shuna rushed forward, her usual grace replaced by wide-eyed shock when she noticed the small form in his arms. "W–Who is this child?"
Before Rimuru could answer, Shion leaned over his shoulder. "She's... she's adorable! Look at her cheeks! She looks just like Rimuru-sama but smaller! Like a plush version!"
Benimaru, standing behind them, blinked several times before muttering, "No way. You mean to tell me that's—"
Milim appeared out of nowhere, bouncing excitedly. "A baby Rimuru! I knew this day would come! I call dibs on training her!"
Rimuru groaned. "She's not a pet, Milim. And she's sleeping. Don't you dare wake her."
Milim immediately clapped both hands over her mouth, though the grin stayed plastered on her face.
Shuna's gaze softened. "She so precious... her hair color is unlike anything I've seen. Blue fading into purple... almost divine."
Even with her eyes closed, Milune's small face radiated warmth. Her lashes trembled slightly with each breath, and her expression was so serene that the room seemed to had gone and silenced itself.
Rimuru realized everyone was simply... staring.
Each of them—Goblins, Tempest Wolves, Oni, Dragon Newts, Highland Orcs, a Devil Lord, and these 2 dragons—looked utterly disarmed.
He couldn't blame them. Even his own heart gave a small pang every time he looked at her.
"Let's get her into something comfortable," Shuna said softly. "She deserves something more comfortable than those old wrappings."
"Of course," Rimuru agreed.
The group moved to Shuna's crafting hall. The gentle hum of looms and faint scent of thread filled the air. Shuna immediately began sorting fabrics, her eyes sparkling with drive.
Shion and Milim, of course, hovered right beside her.
"Frills! Definitely frills!" Milim declared.
"Ribbons," Shion countered. "She's too elegant for frills."
"I say both!"
"You'll overdo it again!"
Rimuru pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can we not turn this into a fashion war?"
But Shuna smiled softly, clearly enjoying the company. "I'll handle it. Please trust me, Rimuru-sama."
He did. He always did.
As Shuna worked, threads of magic intertwined with the silk, creating a soft, pale-blue dress that shimmered faintly under the light. It was simple yet fantastically enchanted, designed to adjust to Milune's energy naturally.
Rimuru leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching quietly as Shuna's hands moved as she dress Milune's small figure. There was something endearing about this scene.
Rimuru smiled faintly. "Perfect."
He reached out, brushing a strand of her soft hair away from her tiny face. Her name was already engraved in his mind—something that resonated with his soul the moment he first felt her presence.
"Milune," he murmured. "That's what she's called... or rather, what she already was. It feels just right."
And then, with quiet certainty, he added,
> "Milune Tempest."
The air around them changed instantly.
Magicules shimmered like ripples in water, coalescing around the child. The others gasped, stared and marvelled though they stepped back to prevent themselves from disturbing this scene, a radiant light enveloped Milune's body. Her form glowed softly, her tiny fingers curling as if grasping at an invisible object.
Rimuru didn't move. He knew this sensation well—the energy of a naming bond.
The light grew brighter, then faded gently like morning mist.
When it cleared, Milune's body had subtly changed. She had grown—her round face is more defined, her limbs longer, her features slightly older. From a small three-year-old to a child closer to five. Her aura felt calmer now, harmonized perfectly with his own.
"W-what just happened!?" Gabiru exclaimed.
"She evolved," Benimaru murmured, in disbelief.
Shuna, Shion, Milim and othe girls pressed their hands above their chest, clutching as if suffering from a heartattack "She's truly beautiful... So adorable"
> "Notice: Subject Milune has undergone natural evolution due to stable naming synchronization."
Rimuru heard Raphael's calm voice in his mind, but he didn't reply. His focus was on the faint stir of movement before him.
Milune's eyelashes fluttered open for the first time.
Everyone froze.
One eye gleamed gold like sunlight filtering through honey. The other glowed softly red, deep as a ruby.
The room fell silent.
Milune blinked slowly, her gaze drifting until it met Rimuru's. She tilted her head, confusion briefly flickering across her expression before she smiled—sleepy yet bright enough to light their hearts.
Then, in the faintest yawning voice, she whispered,
"…Papa."
Rimuru's heart skipped.
The others collectively melted. Shuna nearly dropped her sewing tools. Milim squealed quietly into her hands. Even Diablo is chuckling to himself, nodding his head. Shion was being held back by Benimaru and Souei from rushing to give Milune a hug.
Rimuru sighed softly and lifted Milune into his arms. Her small hands clutched at his collar, warm and delightful.
"Yes?" he said gently, smiling fondly at the bundle in his embrace. "I guess it's official now. Everyone, meet my daughter Milune Tempest"
Veldora crossed his arms proudly. "As expected of my sworn buddy! Even your offspring is unique!"
"Don't start," Rimuru muttered, though his tone lacked any real irritation.
Milune nestled against his chest, already dozing off again. Her magicules pulsed softly, merging perfectly with his own—two harmonized heartbeats.
For the first time since the chaos of Walpurgis, Rimuru felt at peace.
End of Chapter 3
Raphael's Analysis:
>"Report: Naming of "Milune Tempest" has been successfully completed."
>"Result: Subject has achieved stable existence through balanced integration of magicule origin and soul factor."
>"Additional Observation: Host exhibits elevated emotional resonance—classified as parental affection."
>"Conclusion: Unknown variable "attachment" detected. Hypothesis—beneficial."
Rimuru blinked.
"…Did you just analyze my feelings?"
>"Affirmative."
He sighed, smiling helplessly. "You really never change, Raphael."
>"Correction: Always Evolving."