Have you ever wondered what things would be like if Rimuru actually stuck to what he had said when he died?
"In my next life, I'm gonna go on the prowl! I'll hunt down all the ladies!"
Well, let's find out together as Rimuru starts his next life in...
A day off...I never would have thought I'd get to see the day, let alone after declaring my intent to become a Demon Lord. We've begun circulating my intentions internationally thanks to Milim and King Gazel. The latter was surprised but overall not entirely opposed to the idea. In his own words, "It would do my nation well to be allied to a powerful Demon Lord." I suppose it'd generally prevent others from trying to attack him.
Whatever the case, now I am taking the time to explore this forest I'll be claiming as my own a bit more. With me is Kaida. I've decided to leave the others behind because I can't be bothered to deal with their antics right now. Shion was hard to evade since she's "my sworn protector" and all but with Souei's help, we're now well underway.
Kaida: Where are we going?
Me: That's the fun part. I haven't the slightest idea.
Kaida: So we're lost?
Me: Haha, not quite. I could easily find my way back if necessary. It's better to say that we're simply exploring our surroundings.
Kaida falls quiet, likely mulling over what I've just said but it isn't long before her inquisitive mind is once again uneasy.
Kaida: Are we going to fight?
Me: I highly doubt that.
She seems disheartened by this but doesn't complain so we continue walking hand in hand until coming to a stop before a large, stone door carved into the side of a hill. It's so surrounded by greenery that it's clear it hadn't been used in ages but at the same time, it is too intact to be a relic of an ancient civilisation.
Deciding to take a closer look, I push the door open. It makes a loud grinding sound as it moves but the minute I stop pushing, silence overtakes the space once more. It's too quiet...
Me: Kaida, stay close.
She draws closer, hugging my hand as we both head in.
Kaida: What is this place?
Me: A kind of dungeon perhaps.
Kaida: With monsters?
Me: Or treasure.
She laughs, lightening the mood somewhat. I'm happy she's able to enjoy things. I'll admit, I was a bit worried about her not feeling like she fits in with the others given her size but if her time with me is anything to go by then she's very much enjoying herself.
We continue making our way through the dark passageway for what feels like five minutes before coming across an opening which proves to be a wide, well-lit space.
????: Who dares enter the Labyrinth of She Who Must Not Be Disturbed!
A thundering voice booms throughout the room, rocking the very foundations. Kaida clutches my hand tightly but otherwise holds her ground.
Me: Who are you and what is this place?
????: Leave now!
The exits besides the one we came through vanish all at once. The lights in the room flicker as white fog fills the room. In my old world, this would be a clear indication to run like your life depends on it for it generally does but here...
Me: Are you wishing to challenge me?
????: Huh?
Me: I'll admit, I haven't faced a spirit of your nature before...
????: Wha-no! You're supposed to-
????: Ahhh! I blew my cover!
Me: Show yourself at once or I'll blow this whole place up!
Black flames engulf my hand as a ball of black lightning rises from the midst of my palm.
????: Ahhh! G-G-Get Them!
A massive mechanical golem enters the room via a hidden door that closes the minute it's true. I'm surprised to see a machine of its kind in a world that is otherwise far behind my world's technological level and yet...
Kaida: Can I play with the doll?
Me: Sure-
????: How dare you call it a doll-
BOOOOOOOOOOOM
When the dust clears, nothing's left but Kaida and a piece of the "doll's" arm that she grabbed before swinging it.
????: Eh...eh...HUUUUHHH!
Kaida: I...broke...it.
She sounds so depressed because she did...could it be that she actually wanted to play with it and wasn't aiming to destroy the thing?
????: You broke it!
Me: It attacked-
????: You best fix it now!
A tiny pixie popped into my field of vision before flying straight up to my face. She begins berating me for ruining her golem. I feel compelled to swat her out of the sky like a little bug but given I have nothing better to do, I decide to humour her.
Me: What if I make you a much stronger one?
????: What?
Me: What's your name?
????: I am-
Before she can respond, a chorus of voices introduces her as Ramiris, Queen of the Fairies. She also chimes in, claiming to be a Demon Lord but while her declaration nearly sees Kaida delete her from existence, we just about manage to avoid any confrontations.
Together, we create a smaller golem to the one that she had. It's little more than refined metal shaped into a doll-like form but I already know how things will turn out thanks to my Ultimate Skill.
Me: Come forth, Greater Demon!
Purple smoke engulfs the room as my request is fulfilled.
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Demon: Did you call for me, master?
Me: I want you to guard this fairy for 100 years. Payment will be a portion of my mana and this body. Following completion of this contract, feel free to use the body as you see fit.
Demon: I could ask for nothing more.
Me: Excellent, then I'll name you Beretta.
The demon glows as its body disperses before flowing into the golem. When the smoke clears, a live golem remains, evolved.
Beretta: I am Arch Doll, Beretta, at your service.
Kaida: Big brother, why not get a guardian too?
Me: Hmm?
Kaida: One like him!
She points at Beretta and everyone laughs. Still, she has a point. I'm not in need of the extra hands right now but perhaps in the future.
Me: So Ramiris, are we cool?
Ramiris: Cool? Definitely! You gave me a much better Beretta!
