Ciel: <>
Voice of the World: <<>>
******
After the situation with Frey and Charybdis was resolved, the following days passed in a stretch of quiet and peace. Life in Tempest carried on without any major disruptions, while Genevieve and Anna gradually found their footing, settling into a routine as they adjusted to the rhythm of their new lives there.
At first, Genevieve found herself more than a little overwhelmed by her new role as the caretaker of Rimuru's household. The work itself was not particularly difficult, but it was completely foreign to her. These were the kinds of everyday responsibilities she had never once needed to think about during her life as a noble. Still, she approached everything with an open mind and a surprising eagerness to learn. More importantly, she quickly built an easy rapport with Shizu and Framea, the two who spent the most time at Rimuru's residence, and with their guidance and support, the transition became far less intimidating, and she found herself growing comfortable with the work.
It also made a difference that Rimuru himself was nothing like the image she had initially formed in her mind. She had expected someone far more imposing, someone distant or difficult to approach. Instead, what she found was someone surprisingly easygoing, almost disarmingly so when he was among his own people. The contrast between how he carried himself around his own people and how he dealt with outsiders was so stark that there were moments when she genuinely questioned if she was looking at the same person. Even so, it was not that contrast that stayed with her the most. It was the way he interacted with her daughter that brought a quiet sense of comfort to her heart, giving her a feeling of security for her child that she had never truly experienced, not even back in Siltrosso.
Anna, on the other hand, slipped into her new life almost effortlessly. Unlike Genevieve, her responsibilities here were not all that different from what she had been used to before, and it showed in how quickly she adjusted. Within just a few days, she had already found her place among the other maids. They welcomed her warmly, sharing tips, small tricks, and the unspoken dos and don'ts of handling both the household routines and the unique etiquette that came with serving in Tempest.
All in all, both women were adapting far better than either of them had expected. The unease and uncertainty that had weighed on them when they first arrived slowly began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of curiosity and even a quiet excitement about what lay ahead. Encouraged by Rimuru, they even started considering picking up hobbies of their own, especially after exploring the lively streets of the city during their free time and discovering just how much Tempest had to offer.
Meanwhile, Mariabell was busy with what could only be described as the most important role an infant could have. She ate, she slept, and she existed in a constant state of being impossibly adorable, somehow managing to charm even the ruler of Tempest into dancing to her tune without the slightest resistance.
And so, time drifted by in this gentle, almost dreamlike calm, until at last the long-awaited day for Tempest finally arrived.
******
"Rimuru, how do I look?" Shizu asked, gently smoothing the fabric of her black gown with golden accents as it draped over her figure.
"Like a never-ending dream," Rimuru replied, letting out a soft, almost wistful sigh.
"Flatterer," Shizu said, rolling her eyes, though a playful giggle still slipped from her lips. Her smile lingered for a moment before softening, and she tilted her head slightly as her tone shifted into something more thoughtful. "But seriously... are you sure you want me there? I thought the plan was to keep my existence a secret?"
"It won't be an issue. There are only a handful of people I don't want finding out about you, and this time the guests are coming to our home. That makes it easy for me to control the flow of information," Rimuru explained as he stepped closer, slipping an arm around her waist. He then leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against her neck, earning a soft, involuntary gasp from her. "And don't worry about the guests spreading anything," he added in a quieter tone. "They know better than to talk."
Shizu turned in his arms, wrapping her own around his neck. "You really do enjoy playing the villain, don't you?" she teased, and another soft laugh escaped her.
"I'm not playing the villain. I'm just very good at persuading people," Rimuru shot back with a grin before stealing a quick kiss from her lips, leaving a faint warmth on her cheeks.
"Yeah, sure. 'Persuading,'" Shizu replied, rolling her eyes again as she reached up and lightly tapped the tip of his nose.
"Well..." Rimuru began, but his words trailed off as his attention suddenly shifted. His gaze moved toward the window, and a faint frown formed on his lips. "I didn't expect her to show up at a time like this."
"Rimuru, what is it?" Shizu asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she caught the change in his expression.
"No, it's nothing serious. I just sensed a friend heading toward Tempest... a troublesome one," Rimuru replied after a brief pause. "Sorry, but I'll need to step out for a bit to greet her."
"Oh? For you to go personally, this person must be someone pretty important," Shizu teased, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"She is. Very important," Rimuru admitted, a small, almost nostalgic smile appearing on his face. "But more than that, I have to be the one to welcome her. Mostly to make sure the doors of Tempest survive her arrival," he added dryly as he turned and started toward the door.
"A girl, then?" Shizu raised a brow, crossing her arms as she pretended to frown, though the slight curve at the corner of her lips made it obvious she was not even trying to hide her amusement.
"Yeah. A sweet, lovely, absolutely adorable girl," Rimuru replied with a playful grin before adding, "The Destroyer, Milim Nava. You might have heard of her. The oldest of the Demon Lords, and my best friend."
"Of course I've heard of her," Shizu said with a soft laugh, shaking her head in mock exasperation. "My husband really does have a habit of surrounding himself with anything but ordinary people," she added with a warm voice filled with fondness as Rimuru laughed and slipped out the door.
******
Meanwhile, a few kilometers outside Tempest, a streak of pink tore across the sky at ridiculous speed before crashing straight into the ground with a deafening impact, sending dirt and debris flying in every direction and leaving behind a massive crater. At the center of it all, as the dust began to settle, the girl responsible casually straightened up, brushing bits of dirt from her outfit. Then her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure approaching, and her entire expression lit up with pure, unrestrained excitement.
"Rimuru!" Milim's face lit up as she beamed at the blue-haired man walking toward her. "You told me to come back after six months, and here I am, ready to play!" she added, bouncing on her heels as she skipped toward him.
"Perfect timing, Milim. I've been waiting for you," Rimuru replied warmly, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he closed the distance between them. "Come on, today's a big day for Tempest, and there's a mountain of food waiting for you to try."
"Food!" Milim's eyes sparkled instantly, lighting up with a completely different kind of excitement as a thin trail of drool started forming at the corner of her mouth without her even noticing.
"That's right, every kind of delicious dish you can think of," Rimuru chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. But as his gaze drifted over her, that amusement slowly shifted into a faint frown, and his eyes narrowed just a bit. "But before that, we seriously need to do something about those clothes."
"Huh? What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Milim asked, tilting her head in genuine confusion as she looked down at herself and then back at Rimuru.
"A lot of things," Rimuru replied, as he shook his head. "But more than anything, a girl your age shouldn't be dressed like that. There are way too many shady people out there."
"But bad people can't hurt me! I'm super strong, you know," Milim said proudly, puffing out her chest a little as she flexed her slender arm.
"I know you are," Rimuru sighed, rubbing his temple. "But that's not the point. I don't want anyone ogling my best friend, especially the creeps online... or the ones reading this fanfic."
"Okay...?" Milim blinked, her eyes wide as she tried, and completely failed, to follow what he was saying as it went right over her head. "But I don't have any other clothes," she added with a small pout.
"Don't worry, that's an easy fix. But first, let's head into the city," Rimuru said reassuringly as he held out his hand to her. "So, shall we, best buddy?"
"Yes! I can't wait!" Milim exclaimed, her pout vanishing instantly as she grabbed his hand without hesitation. In the very next moment, the two of them vanished from the crater, leaving the destruction behind, and reappeared just outside Rimuru's home.
"Welcome to my home, Milim," Rimuru said warmly as he led the pink-haired girl inside. The moment they stepped through the door, Milim's eyes lit up with pure wonder, and her attention bounced from one corner of the room to another as she tried to take everything in at once. "Hold on for a second," he added, sending out a quick telepathic message. A moment later, Shuna appeared in the living room, wearing her usual warm, almost radiant smile. "Shuna, this is Milim, a very special guest of mine. Could you take her and help her change into something a bit more festive?"
"Of course, Rimuru-sama," Shuna replied with a graceful bow before gently guiding Milim toward another room, while the girl continued to look around in wide-eyed fascination.
As Milim was led away, Rimuru took a moment to relax and dropped onto the couch, enjoying the brief quiet. Not long after, the soft sound of footsteps came from the stairs. He looked up and smiled as Genevieve appeared with her daughter in her arms. "Good morning, Genevieve, and good morning to you too, pretty lady," he added with a playful grin toward Mariabell, who was happily waving her tiny fists in his direction.
"Good morning, Rimuru-sama. You look especially dignified and sparkly today," Genevieve said with a light, amused laugh as her eyes caught on the golden accents of his outfit. In her arms, Mariabell leaned forward almost immediately, tiny hands reaching out with surprising determination toward anything that shimmered. "See? Even Bella agrees," she teased as she shifted her hold slightly to keep the eager child from toppling over.
"Your daughter just has an obsession with anything shiny," Rimuru replied, rolling his eyes with a faint smirk before conjuring a small gold coin into his palm and holding it out. "Honestly, Genevieve, sometimes I wonder if you gave birth to a magpie," he added with a chuckle, watching as Mariabell squealed with delight the moment she grabbed the coin, clutching it like a priceless treasure and proving his point.
"Heh, I wonder about that sometimes too," Genevieve replied fondly as she watched her daughter's fascination. "Still..." she trailed off, her expression shifting as a hint of concern crept in. "I suppose some influence from that other soul still lingers," she added quietly, a faint frown forming as the thought lingered in her mind.
"That's only natural," Rimuru said gently, his voice calm and reassuring as he watched Mariabell chew on the coin with single-minded focus. "Since she carries a reincarnated soul, it's only to be expected that she'd pick up a few quirks from her past lives. But don't worry, I've already removed any chance of harmful influence. So you can relax and just let Bella enjoy her harmless little obsession."
"I'll trust you, Rimuru-sama," Genevieve replied softly, the tension in her shoulders easing as she adjusted Mariabell in her arms, holding her a little closer. The child, completely unaware of the brief worry she had caused, simply rested her head against her mother's shoulder, still fully absorbed in her shiny new treasure, as if nothing else in the world mattered.
After that, Rimuru spent a few minutes chatting casually with Genevieve before she excused herself and headed off with her daughter. The house grew quiet again for a short while, though it did not last long. Before long, Shuna returned with Milim, now dressed in a cute Victorian-style outfit that suited her surprisingly well. A white, long-sleeved blouse hugged her frame, complete with a large bow tied neatly at the neck and frilly ruffles at the wrists. Over it, she wore a high-waisted blue skirt with thin, elegant stripes, paired with a corset-style top laced snugly at the sides. The fabric swished softly with each step she took, giving her an almost doll-like appearance that contrasted sharply with her usual wild energy.
"Rimuru! How do I look?" Milim asked brightly with a voice full of excitement as she spun around in place with her arms stretched out, as her skirt flared around her.
"You look very charming and beautiful," Rimuru said with an easy smile as he got to his feet and walked over to her. His eyes moved over the outfit, taking in the details before producing a silver bracelet set with tiny pink rubies. "Here, something to go with it. A gift for you."
"Oh! I love gifts!" Milim cheered, clapping her hands together in delight before quickly snatching the bracelet from him. Without a second thought, she fastened it around her wrist, clearly eager to wear it right away. But the instant the clasp clicked into place, her expression shifted. She blinked once, then again, her body going still as a strange sensation spread through her. "Huh? Why do I suddenly feel so weak?" she asked, looking up at Rimuru with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"That's the bracelet's suppression enchantment," Rimuru explained gently. "It keeps your power in check so you can enjoy yourself without accidentally knocking down half the city."
"Okay!" Milim chirped without the slightest concern, her grin coming right back. "Now, can we eat!? Please!?"
"Of course, just give me a moment," Rimuru said with a chuckle before glancing toward Shuna. "Have the guests started arriving yet?"
"No, Rimuru-sama, but according to our intel, they should all be here soon," Shuna replied.
"I see. In that case, keep coordinating with Souei and let me know when they arrive," Rimuru instructed. "For now, though, I'm going to spend some quality time with my bestie." The moment those words left his mouth, Milim's entire face lit up again, as she quickly fell into step behind him, practically skipping as she followed him out.
******
"Hmm... Blanc, sorry, I mean Testa, how do I look?" Blanche asked, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy as she smoothed down the fabric of her crimson dress for what felt like the tenth time. The color matched her eyes perfectly, but that only made her more self-conscious, as if it drew too much attention.
"You look wonderful," Testarossa replied with a soft smile, dressed in her traditional Primordial White attire for today's special occasion.
"No, I mean, it's not too flashy, right?" Blanche pressed, her fingers fidgeting restlessly as she glanced down at herself again, clearly unconvinced. "I don't want to come off as rude when I'm meeting the man who gave me a second chance at life," she added more quietly, as her thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened just a few days ago.
Flashback
Endless, suffocating darkness surrounded her. In that state, nothing felt real, nothing felt important. Who she was, where she was, even the idea of herself slowly slipped away, swallowed by the endless void. There was only silence and a pitch-black emptiness that seemed to stretch on forever, with no beginning and no end. And then, suddenly, a light appeared, drifting down toward her. Warmth followed, spreading through her body. And then when she finally opened her eyes, she saw Blanc sitting beside her, watching with a worried yet gentle smile.
Blanche tried to sit up, but the moment she moved, something felt wrong. Her body did not respond the way she expected it to. It felt unfamiliar, distant, like it did not truly belong to her. She tried to speak, but no sound came out, her throat tightening as panic slowly began to creep in. The more she struggled, the worse it got, that helpless feeling wrapping around her chest and squeezing tighter with every passing second. With no other option, she turned her gaze back to the only familiar face in sight, one that looked like her, yet older.
"Blanche, you're awake," Blanc said softly, before reaching out and helping her sit up, carefully guiding her back against the headrest so she would not collapse again. "How do you feel? Are you experiencing any discomfort?"
"Blanc?... What... where... am I?" Blanche finally managed to speak, her voice coming out weak and unsteady as her eyes darted around the room, trying to make sense of her surroundings. "Wait... I died... maybe... I can't remember..." she muttered, her thoughts slipping through her fingers as she clutched at her head, curling in on herself as panic and fear began to rise all over again.
"Calm down, everything is fine," Testarossa said gently, as she patted Blanche's back in a slow, steady rhythm, grounding her just enough to keep her from spiraling further. After a moment, she produced a small crystal orb and held it out in front of her. "Touch this, and you'll understand everything."
Blanche glanced at her, then at the orb, hesitating for a moment before reaching out with a trembling hand. The instant her skin made contact with its surface, her vision was swallowed by darkness, and a flood of memories came crashing in without warning. That dreadful day replayed itself in fragments, leading up to the moment of her death, followed by Testarossa's furious descent upon the Kingdom of Silberia. Then came the scenes of Rimuru and Testarossa intervening in the past, and finally, the moment she was brought back to life. Then, just as suddenly as it began, everything stopped. The rushing memories vanished, her vision cleared, and the orb in Testarossa's hand crumbled into faint, glowing particles that drifted away into nothing.
Blanche, meanwhile, remained where she was, completely still, yet her mind was in chaos. If anything, she looked more shaken than before, and her expression was frozen as she tried to make sense of everything she had just experienced. The silence stretched on for a moment, until it finally broke. Her stunned expression slowly crumbled, replaced by heartbreak as her eyes filled with tears, and before she could stop them, they spilled over, tracing quiet paths down her cheeks. The betrayal of someone she had once trusted, someone she had cared for, cut deeper now that she understood the full truth. And beyond that, everything that had followed her death, the destruction, the consequences, all pressed down on her chest until it felt hard to breathe.
Slowly, almost hesitantly, she lifted her hollow gaze back toward Testarossa. There was confusion there, pain, and something dangerously close to guilt. "Why... why did you bring me back?" she asked, her voice trembling, barely holding together as the question slipped out. "What right do I have to live when so many others died..."
Before Blanche could say anything more, Testarossa suddenly reached forward and grabbed her face with both hands, forcing her to look straight at her. The gentleness from earlier vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp, unyielding glare. "Listen to me, you sniveling brat! You're sitting here right now because you're my friend, and that alone is reason enough," she said, her voice firm and commanding, leaving no room for argument. "And yes, it's unfair to the people who died in my rage back then. So what!? Yes, it's selfish, but don't forget who I am. I'm Primordial White, and everything I do is justified. So stop overthinking it and just be grateful to Rimuru-sama for giving you a second chance. Got it?"
Blanche sniffed, her breath catching slightly as she gave a small, hesitant nod. She understood what Blanc was trying to do, understood that this blunt, almost harsh approach was meant to pull her out of the spiral she was slipping into. But understanding it did not make the weight in her chest disappear. The grief was still there, heavy and suffocating, and her eyes still carried that lingering reluctance, along with the quiet guilt she could not fully shake off.
"And for fuck's sake, don't start spiraling into guilt and self-blame. We don't have chapters to waste on your emotional recovery, especially when we barely get one a week," Testarossa continued, her tone shifting into an irritated rant as Blanche blinked up at her in confusion, clearly not following that part at all. Ignoring the look, she went on without missing a beat. "Also, stop calling me Blanc." She released Blanche's face, flipping her hair back with a practiced motion before lifting her chin slightly as her expression settled into one of unmistakable pride. "From now on, you call me Testarossa."
Flashback End
Blanche was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts when Testarossa snapped her fingers right in front of her face. "Where did you wander off to?" she asked before stepping behind her and fixing her hair. "Anyway, you don't need to worry about anything. Just be yourself, and Rimuru-sama will love you."
"I hope so," Blanche replied softly. The last thing she wanted was to be disliked by her saviour.
Testarossa let out a quiet sigh as she watched the younger girl, fully aware that her past experiences had all but crushed her confidence and sense of self-worth. It was not something that would be fixed overnight, and she knew it would take time for Blanche to truly find herself again.
"Alright, let's not keep Rimuru-sama waiting," Testarossa said, and without giving her a chance to hesitate, she took Blanche's hand and led her toward Rimuru's house.
******
When Rimuru walked into the dining room with Milim, he was greeted by quite a scene. Testarossa was in the middle of a heated argument with Framea, while the rest of the group, Shizu, Genevieve, and little Mariabell, who was still happily playing with the spoons, watched with clear amusement. Off to the side stood Blanche, looking completely stunned, as if she were witnessing a side of her old friend she had never imagined.
"Just you wait, brat! The next time you come to train with me, I'm going to smear you across the wall!" Testarossa snapped, glaring at the rabbit girl. But the moment she noticed Rimuru standing at the doorway with an amused smile, her fierce expression faltered, replaced by a hint of embarrassment.
Her reaction quickly drew everyone else's attention to him, and Framea wasted no time as she rushed over and grabbed onto Rimuru, looking up at him with exaggeratedly pitiful eyes. "Brother! Look! Testa is bullying me again!"
"Lies! Don't listen to her, Rimuru-sama, she's slandering me!" Testarossa shot back before turning her glare right back on Framea. "And you, you little pest! Weren't you the one who started this by saying Blanche is a sweeter and kinder version of me!?"
"So where's the lie in that?" Framea fired back without missing a beat. With her brother standing right there, she showed no intention of backing down, planting her foot firmly on the ground and lifting her chin in defiance as she faced Testarossa head-on.
"You..." Testarossa started, clearly ready to unleash another sharp retort, but before she could get the words out, a burst of cheerful laughter suddenly cut through the tension, breaking the moment entirely.
"Hahaha~ Rimuru, your subordinates are amazing!" Milim laughed, finally drawing everyone's attention to her. "Mine just worship me all the time and keep trying to feed me that bland, raw food!" she added with a pout.
Rimuru let out a small chuckle at her complaint before turning his attention back to the two women who were still glaring at each other. "Alright, that's enough. Both of you, go sit down and eat. Today's a big day," he said, and the two shot each other one last glare before reluctantly heading back to their seats. Once things settled, Rimuru gently guided Milim forward, resting his hands lightly on her shoulders as he introduced her to the room. "Everyone, this is my best friend and the strongest Demon Lord, Milim Nava."
"Hello! Nice to meet you!" Milim greeted them cheerfully, waving her hand with a wide, open smile.
On the other hand, her introduction sparked a range of reactions among the audience. The most notable reaction came from the humans in the room, as Genevieve stiffened where she sat and instinctively pulled her daughter closer, Blanche reached out and grabbed Testarossa's hand without thinking, and Anna, who had been busy preparing breakfast, nearly dropped the bowl of pancake batter she was holding, barely managing to steady it in time. In contrast, the others took it in stride, offering smiles and casual greetings as if this were nothing out of the ordinary. And then there was little Mariabell. Sitting on the table with her spoons still clutched tightly in her tiny hands, she remained completely oblivious to Milim's reputation. Instead, she simply waved her small fist back at her
"Milim, come on, take a seat," Rimuru said as he pulled out a chair for her.
"Hehe~ okay," Milim skipped over, plopped down in the chair, and almost immediately, Anna stepped forward with slightly shaky hands to place a stack of pancakes in front of her, drenching them in an almost ridiculous amount of honey just as Rimuru had instructed. "Wow! This looks amazing!" Milim exclaimed, and her eyes sparkling with excitement as she leaned forward, completely captivated by the sight.
"Go on, take a bite. I promise they taste just as good as they look," Rimuru said as he took his own seat between Shizu and Milim, watching her reaction with clear anticipation.
Milim did not need to be told twice and immediately dug in. The moment she took her first bite, her entire expression lit up with pure, unfiltered bliss. Her eyes widened, shining as if she had just discovered something life-changing, and for a moment, it felt like everything else in the room simply ceased to exist. From that point on, it was a losing battle for the pancakes. Her hands and mouth moved in perfect sync as she devoured them at an impressive pace, barely pausing between bites.
"Told you so," Rimuru said with a smirk as he signaled Anna and the other maids to keep refilling Milim's plate. 'Bringing Apito and Zegion to Tempest early really was the best choice, Rimuru praised himself in his mind.
"By the way," Rimuru said, glancing up as he motioned for one of the hobgoblin maids to come closer, "where's Veldora? Didn't anyone call him for breakfast?" His tone was completely casual, like he was asking about anyone else, but the name alone was enough to make Genevieve and Blanche, who had just barely recovered from the shock of Milim's presence, stiffen all over again. The absurdity of it hit them at once, and both of them instinctively swallowed hard.
"Well, we did send someone to fetch Veldora-sama, but he sent them away, saying he needed to finish something called Dragon Ball..." the maid replied with an awkward smile.
"Ahh... I see. In that case, just leave him be. Have someone bring his breakfast to him," Rimuru said, taking a bite of his own pancake before finally turning his attention to the other new face in the room. "Hello, Blanche. It's nice to finally meet you."
Blanche was still trying to steady herself after hearing Veldora's name when Rimuru suddenly addressed her, snapping her out of it. "Y-yes... it's nice to meet you as well, Rimuru-sama," she replied, her voice catching slightly as she struggled to compose herself. "And thank you for-"
"There's no need to thank me," Rimuru said, raising a hand to stop her. "It was a small matter on my end. But if you really want to thank someone, thank Testarossa. This whole situation was more of a gift for her," he added before taking another bite. "Anyway, so what are your plans for the future?"
"Future?" Blanche echoed, clearly thrown off by the question. She hesitated, her gaze dropping for a moment as uncertainty crept in. "I... don't know, Rimuru-sama," she admitted honestly, her voice quieter this time.
"Hmm... in that case, take this week to rest and get familiar with Tempest," Rimuru said, shifting slightly as he picked up Mariabell, who had crawled her way over to him, and settled her comfortably on his lap. "After that, this little gremlin," he continued, pointing toward Framea, who immediately puffed up and shot him an annoyed glare, "will show you around and introduce you to the different jobs we have here. If something catches your interest, you can start learning it. And if nothing stands out, you can work as Framea's assistant for the time being until you figure it out. Sound good?"
"Yes, Rimuru-sama," Blanche answered right away. Even if she was not confident in her own abilities, she could not bring herself to refuse such a generous offer.
"Great, then it's settled," Rimuru said, gently catching Mariabell's hand just as she tried to dip her fingers into the honey. The little girl looked up at him with an adorable pout, clearly unhappy about being denied, and he could not help but chuckle at her cute expression. To make up for it, he casually created a small toy and placed it in her hands, instantly capturing her attention before she could protest further. He then glanced over at Framea. "What about you? Are you okay with this arrangement?"
"Don't worry, brother, I've got this!" Framea said, unable to hold back her smile. After all, coming from a place where a ruler's word was absolute and never questioned, she genuinely appreciated the fact that Rimuru took the time to ask for her opinion, especially on something that directly involved her.
Just then, Shuna stepped into the room and addressed him. "Rimuru-sama, the guests have arrived. They are all gathered in the guest lounge."
"I see," Rimuru said, rising to his feet after carefully handing Mariabell back to her mother. "In that case, it's time to make our official debut on the world stage."
To be continued...
******
Illustrations: Milim in her new outfit and Blanche