Morning filtered through gauzy curtains, pale gold spilling across Rimuru's desk. The Demon Lord stirred from half-sleep, hair a mess, his senses already sweeping outward. Everything in Tempest pulsed with steady life: the hum of workshops, the faint chorus of birds beyond the city walls, the atmosphere of a nation at peace.
What broke the quiet wasn't noise—it was stillness.
The little bed beside his own was empty.
He blinked. A sliver of blue and violet shimmer caught his eye near the window. There she was—Milune—standing on tiptoe against the sill, sunlight crowning her hair. She looked smaller somehow, framed by the vast world outside, yet the aura around her pulsed soft and sure.
Rimuru rubbed his eyes. "You're up early."
Milune turned, red-and-gold eyes blinking at him, as if gauging whether she should smile yet. "The light's pretty," she said at last, voice soft but steady.
He smiled. "Yeah. Pretty."
He reached for Raphael instinctively. Hey, Great Sage—just checking, everything normal with her readings?
>[Affirmative. Subject's magicule flow is stable at 98.6 percent efficiency. Cognitive growth accelerating.]
Rimuru exhaled in relief—then nearly choked when Milune tilted her head and replied aloud, "That's… good, right?"
He froze. "…Wait. You heard that?"
Milune blinked, confused. "The voice that talks sometimes? It said something, so I answered."
Raphael's tone slid into both their minds at once:> [Clarification. The entity Milune possesses partial synchronization with my cognitive wavelength.]
Rimuru stared, half-laughing. "So you two can talk? Great. I've just been replaced as the smartest in the room."
Milune frowned faintly, unsure if that was praise or complaint. "It feels hazy, that voice. Not loud,it just… appears."
He sat beside her, looking out the window too. "That's Raphael. My partner. Guess you inherited a connection somehow."
>[Correction. The resonance formed due to shared origin and lineage.]
Rimuru sighed. "Yeah, yeah, lineage. Speaking of which—mind showing me her details?"
A translucent pane flickered before his eyes:
>" Lineage: Soul-Merged Magicule Offspring (Type Ω–Rei)
Alias: The Child of Dual Worlds
Potential Evolution: True Magicule Lord / Deus Magica Rei
Status: Stable"
Rimuru stared. "You're kidding me."
>[Negation.]
He whistled under his breath. "Guess I really outdid myself this time."
Milune peeked at the glowing text though she couldn't read all of it. "Is it… me?"
"Yeah." He tousled her hair gently. "Apparently you're something special. But don't let it go to your head, okay?"
She puffed her cheeks, clearly already planning to.
"Anyway," Rimuru said, standing. "Since you're awake, let's introduce you properly to everyone. You kinda slept through it last time."
Milune's eyes widened. "Everyone?"
"Yep. Don't worry—they're loud but they're all nice." He scooped her up before she could protest. "And yes, you can walk later. Right now, VIP delivery service."
Her giggle rang bright as they stepped into the hall.
The streets of Tempest glowed with morning bustle. Merchants hauled crates, goblins swept storefronts, children chased each other around fountains. Yet as soon as the citizens noticed Rimuru with the small figure in his arms, work slowed, chatter halted.
"Ohhh my—look at our young lady!" a blacksmith gasped.
"She's like a tiny Lord Rimuru!" someone else whispered.
"A goddess descended!" another cried dramatically.
Within seconds, half the district was craning to see. Milune blinked, unsure how to respond to the wave of admiration. Rimuru just kept walking, plastering on his best diplomatic smile while thinking, 'If one more person faints from cuteness overload, I'm installing a no-look policy.'
Milune leaned close. "They're… nice."
"They'll spoil you rotten if you let them," he muttered.
"Is that bad?"
"…Not exactly. Just don't ask them for sweets before lunch."
When they reached the central courtyard, familiar presences were already waiting.
Veldora's booming laughter shook the stones. "Rimuru! You finally brought my niece? Splendid! I thought, 'Ah, my oyabaka friend will surely hide his daughter ang keep her to himself!'"
"Oyabaka?" Rimuru muttered. "Where did you even got that terminology from and I'm not a foolish parent who will hide my child away ."
Milune peeked from behind his shoulder. The towering dragon-man bent down, golden eyes wide with delight. "Tiny, yet her spirit burns bright! Hahaha! What a marvelous cub!"
Milune squeaked at the volume, clinging tighter to Rimuru's sleeve.
"Easy, Veldora. You're scaring her," Rimuru said, half-amused.
"Hmph! Impossible. I am universally beloved!"
Behind him, Shion chuckled. "Milune~! You're even cuter awake! Come here, let this Shion hug you!"
Rimuru stepped back immediately. "Denied. Last time you hugged someone that hard, they needed resuscitation."
Shuna approached more gracefully, kneeling. "Welcome, little one. Your new dress suits you perfectly."
Milune tugged at the soft fabric—Shuna's handiwork of pale blue silk trimmed in lilac. "It's pretty… thank you."
"Oh heavens, she thanked me." Shuna pressed her hands to her chest, nearly fainting.
Benimaru, ever composed, bowed. "Lady Milune. The honor is ours."
Milune tilted her head. "Why 'lady'?"
"Because you are a precious treasure from our lord," he said simply.
Her cheeks flushed faint pink. Rimuru coughed to hide a smile.
A smooth voice drifted in next—Diablo, materializing like a shadow. "My lord, truly she reflects your grace. Permit me to serve her as I serve you."
Rimuru groaned. "Here we go."
Milune blinked. "You serve? Papa why is he serving you?"
The word Papa hit Rimuru like an arrow. Veldora doubled over laughing. "Papa! Oh, magnificent!"
Rimuru's face went redder than Benimaru's hair. "Well, it's just a play of words. He's working for me."
Before Rimuru could stop him, a pink blur descended from above.
"Rimuruuu!" Milim landed hard enough to rattle nearby windows, throwing her arms wide. "I came back because I heard that the cutest thing in the world born yesterday is finally awake! Where's the baby—"
Her eyes locked on Milune. Silence stretched for one single, dangerous heartbeat. Then—
"She's perfect!" Milim scooped her up, spinning in dizzy circles. "Look at those colors! Look at that face! I'm adopting her as my little sister forever!"
Rimuru pinched the bridge of his nose. "Milim, please put her down before you accidentally launch her into orbit."
Milune giggled breathlessly. "She's funny."
"See?" Milim grinned triumphantly. "She likes me already!"
Veldora puffed his chest. "Nonsense, child! She clearly prefers me."
"In your dreams, lizard," Milim shot back, completely forgetting she's also a dragon.
Shuna sighed, smoothing her dress. "At least they're getting along."
Souei's quiet chuckle came from behind them. "Relatively speaking." He materialized beside Rimuru, a calm shadow. "She's adapting quickly. Her aura stabilized overnight."
"Yeah," Rimuru murmured. "Raphael said the same."
Milune blinked at Souei, curiosity sparking. "You're so quiet yet fast. Like light."
Souei blinked once, faintly surprised. "Light?." Then, softer, "Usually, I'm referred to as a shadow. Yet here you are saying the opposite?"
"I can… see threads," she murmured, eyes unfocused for a moment. "Bright lines from Papa to everyone. Yours is a sparkling dark blue, like the night sky. So shiny"
The courtyard hushed. Even Milim stopped spinning.
Raphael's voice whispered into Rimuru's mind: [Observation. The subject's visual cognition extends to the flow of magicule bonds.]
Rimuru exhaled slowly. "So she really can see the links."
Benimaru rubbed his hair as usual. "That's a rare skill."
Milim, of course, struck a pose. "Ha! Even rarer Is her beauty! Little one, when you grow older, join my dragon faithful as a honorary princess!"
Rimuru groaned. "Milim, stop recruiting my kid."
Veldora snickered. "You're just jealous she likes her."
"She doesn't—!"
Milune giggled again, the sound cutting through their bickering like sunlight through clouds. Around her, the tension dissolved into laughter.
A few minutes later, more footsteps echoed across the marble. Ranga appeared, tail wagging furiously, lowering his massive head so his golden eyes met Milune's.
"Master! Is this the one born of your magicules?"
"Yeah. Meet Milune."
Ranga bowed deeply. "Then she is part of my pack as well. I shall protect her with my life."
Milune reached out without fear, pressing her small hand to his snout. A low rumble of joy vibrated through him. "You're fluffy," she whispered joyfully as she buried in his fur.
"She's just like you, master." Ranga barked as he was reminded of how Rimuru like to stroke his fur as well.
Rimuru smiled. "Haha, I Guess. Protect her well, Ranga."
"Understood, Master"
Hakurou approached next, leaning on his sword. "She carries tranquility beyond her years. Her gaze sees deeper than anyone."
Milune blinked up at him. "You look like you have many stories."
He chuckled softly. "Then I'll tell you one someday."
From above, a shimmer of light burst—Ramiris had arrived, wings flittering wildly. "Waaah! She's so cuuuute! Rimuru! You made a mini-you and didn't tell me?!"
"Ramiris, please—inside voice—"
"Unacceptable! I demand cuddle rights!"
Before Rimuru could protest, Milune giggled as the tiny fairy zipped circles around her. "She's bright and pretty," Milune observed solemnly.
Ramiris froze mid-air, clutching her heart. "Pretty! HA! She called me Pretty! I guarantee you have good taste. I already love her hehe."
Rimuru buried his face in his hand. "Tempest is doomed. No one's going to work today."
A dark ripple folded the air beside him—Diablo materialized, bowing elegantly. "My lord. I have completed the survey of the western district. Ah… and I see the young mistress graces us with her presence."
Rimuru twitched. "We're not using titles—"
But Diablo had already knelt before Milune, lowering his head. "Allow me to pledge my loyalty, Lady Milune. Your existence is the highest blessing upon our nation."
Milune blinked, unsure how to react. "Um… okay?"
Shion leaned toward Shuna. "He's already planning a shrine, isn't he?"
Shuna whispered back, "Two, probably."
By midday, the entire courtyard had turned into something between a festival and a family picnic. Tables appeared, food materialized—thanks to Shuna's quick orders—and laughter filled the air.
Milune sat between Rimuru and Milim, swinging her legs while nibbling on fruit pastries. Every few minutes someone new brought her something—souvenir trinkets, sweets, even handmade toys.
Rimuru leaned back, half amused, half overwhelmed. "I leave her alone for ten minutes and she's got an empire of fans."
Raphael answered tonelessly: [Analysis. Probability of over-pampering: 99.8 percent.]
"Yeah, no kidding."
He glanced at Milune. Despite the attention, she wasn't boastful. Her gaze wandered often toward the threads she alone could see—each one connecting her faintly to the people around them, pulsing softl.
When her eyes met his, she smiled—bright enough to enlighten the surroundings.
Rimuru felt something tighten in his chest, the overwhelming protectiveness that words couldn't quite name. Not responsibility. Not pride. Something deeper.
Later, as the sun slid low, the crowd began to disperse. Rigurd escorted the last group of goblin children home; Hakurou gathered training schedules; Shuna and Shion cleaned the tables while bickering over who baked better sweets.
Milim lay sprawled on the grass, hands behind her head, humming contentedly. "She's the best thing that's happened here in ages."
"Agreed," Veldora said grandly, sipping tea he'd 'borrowed.' "Even I feel calmer in her presence. Perhaps she'll surpass us all one day."
Rimuru chuckled, though the thought lingered. He could still see the status window burned into memory—
True Magicule Lord / Deus Magica Rei.
He didn't know what that meant yet. But he'd seen enough evolutions to recognize destiny when it stirred.
Milune yawned softly and leaned against him, eyes half-closing. "Papa?"
"Yeah?"
"This world… is very loud. But warm. I Like how it welcomes everyone."
He brushed a hand through her hair. "Hmm. I like it too"
Her voice came slow and sleepy. "Mm."
She drifted off before he could say more. Around them, the last light of day melted into gold, the city alive with distant laughter.
Raphael's voice whispered one final note in his mind: [Observation complete. Bond synchronization: 100 percent achieved.]
Rimuru exhaled, gaze soft on the small figure sleeping against him. "Welcome to this world, Milune."
And for the first time in a very long while after many stressing matters, the Lord of Tempest simply sat still—content to watch the stars rise over a world that had accepted a new life.
End of Chapter 4
Raphael's Analysis:
> "System Log: Observation Summary
Subject: Milune (Designation: Soul-Merged Magicule Offspring, Type Ω–Rei)
Status: Stable. Emotional and magicule balance achieved"
"Upon awakening, the subject displayed adaptive empathy toward all named monsters within Lord Rimuru's domain. However, it is noted that while the subordinates of Lord Rimuru revere and cherish her, they maintain the same hierarchy of respect toward their master. The emotional pattern indicates affection and protectiveness"
'Of interest: the subject perceives and interprets the "Threads of Naming", an unseen network of spiritual bonds formed through Lord Rimuru's act of naming. This grants her insight into loyalty, emotion, and magicule resonance."
"Additional data confirms the emergence of latent divinity traits consistent with her potential titles: True Magicule Lord / Deus Magica Rei."
"Prognosis: Subject's growth trajectory—unquantifiable."
"Recommendation: Continuous observation. The existence of Milune may redefine the equilibrium between creation, consciousness, and divine evolution."
> "End of Note — Administrator Raphael"