Chapter 3: The King of the Forge and the Silver Contract
The evolution of the village was proceeding at a pace that would have baffled any biological researcher. Thanks to the naming ceremony, the once-frail Goblins were now robust Hobgoblins and Goblina, and the Direwolves had transcended into Star Wolves.
While Rimuru recovered from his magicule exhaustion, Silver Tempest didn't sit idle. Using [Creation], he had synthesized basic stone-cutting tools and high-tensile fibers for the village. However, there was a limit to what "imagination" could do without a technical blueprint. Silver knew the lore of this world from his brother's manga-influenced ramblings: they needed a blacksmith. They needed the Dwarves of Dwargon.
'Solomon,' Silver mused as he watched Rigurd organize the perimeter patrols. 'I can create the materials, but I lack the intricate craftsmanship of a master. Can [Copy] assist in learning a craft?'
[Answer: Affirmative. By observing a master at work, [Copy] can record the biological muscle memory and spiritual flow of the technique. When combined with [Wisdom King Solomon], you can achieve 100% replication of any physical or magical craft.]
'Perfect. Then Dwargon isn't just a shopping trip. It's a data-harvesting mission.'
A few days later, Rimuru awoke, feeling refreshed and notably more powerful. After a quick briefing via the [Family Link], the two brothers—accompanied by a small escort of Goblins and the two Star Wolf brothers, Ranga and Ginga—headed toward the Armed Nation of Dwargon.
The entrance to Dwargon was a testament to dwarven ingenuity: a massive gate carved directly into the side of a mountain.
"Wow," Rimuru projected, his "face" mimicking an expression of awe. "It's even bigger than I imagined. It's like a high-fantasy RPG come to life."
"Stay sharp, Rimuru," Silver cautioned. "This is a neutral zone, but they have strict laws. We're monsters. To them, we're either a threat or a walking loot drop."
As they reached the line for the gates, a commotion broke out. A group of rowdy human adventurers was harassing the guards and making a scene. In the original timeline, Rimuru had to step in with his aura. This time, Silver decided to be the "serious" brother.
One of the adventurers, a scarred warrior with a rusted claymore, spat toward the Goblins. "What's this? Monsters in the queue? This city's gone to the dogs if they let slimes and green-skins crawl in through the front door."
He raised his boot to kick a cowering Goblin. Before the foot could land, Silver moved.
To the onlookers, the silver slime simply vanished and reappeared. In reality, Silver had used [Magicule Generator] to boost his physical acceleration. He didn't hit the man; he simply stood in the way.
CLANG.
The adventurer screamed, his shin snapping against Silver's mercury-dense body as if he had kicked a mountain.
"The line moves when the guards say it moves," Silver's telepathy boomed, cold and sharp. "Try that again, and I'll [Snatch] the strength right out of your marrow."
The guards, impressed by the slime's discipline and power, quickly intervened. After a brief stay in a holding cell (a minor detour Silver used to "Copy" the magic-nullifying properties of the dwarven stone walls), they were released and directed to the best smithy in the city: Kaijin's Forge.
The forge was hot, smelling of soot, sweat, and high-grade ore. A burly dwarf with a beard like a bramble patch was slamming a hammer against a glowing blade. This was Kaijin.
"We're closed!" Kaijin barked without looking up. "I've got twenty Longswords of the Heavens to finish by tomorrow or the Minister has my head!"
"Maybe we can help with that," Rimuru said, bouncing forward.
Silver, however, was already busy. His "eyes" were glowing with a faint blue light.
[Notice. Unique Skill [Copy] is analyzing Individual Kaijin's hammering rhythm... Analysis of 'Dwarven Tempering' complete. Storing data in [Wisdom King Solomon].]
"You?" Kaijin laughed, finally looking at the two slimes. "You don't even have hands! How are you going to help—"
Silver didn't wait for the explanation. He rolled toward a pile of scrap Magic Ore.
'Solomon, use [Creation]. Material: Magic Steel. Template: Longsword of the Heavens. Additive: Silver Tempest Durability.'
Under the flickering light of the forge, Silver's body emitted a brilliant white glow. The Magic Ore on the floor began to vibrate, its impurities being forcibly ejected by Silver's magicules. The metal began to flow like water, shaping itself in mid-air.
Kaijin's jaw dropped. The hammer fell from his hand.
In less than ten seconds, a perfect, gleaming longsword hovered in the air. It wasn't just a copy; it was superior. The edge was finer, and the mana conductivity was 20% higher than Kaijin's best work.
"Creation magic..." Kaijin whispered, trembling as he reached out to touch the blade. "No... this is something else. This is 'Manifestation.' Who are you?"
"I'm Silver. The blue one is my brother, Rimuru," Silver said. "We need a smith for our village. In exchange, I can provide you with all the materials and 'blueprints' your heart desires."
'Nice one, Silver!' Rimuru cheered privately. 'You totally skipped the whole 'waiting for the potion' plot point!'
'Not quite,' Silver replied. 'The plot requires us to deal with Bester. The Minister will be here soon to complain.'
Right on cue, the doors to the forge swung open. Minister Bester, a dwarf draped in expensive silks and a face twisted in permanent arrogance, strutted in.
"Kaijin! Where are my swords?! If you haven't—" Bester stopped, his eyes landing on the two slimes. "What is this filth doing in a master's forge? Guards! Remove these monsters!"
"They stay," Kaijin growled, standing tall. "They've done more work in ten seconds than your entire ministry has done in a year."
Bester grew purple with rage. He walked over to Rimuru and, in an act of petty malice, spat on the blue slime's surface.
The temperature in the room dropped thirty degrees.
Rimuru was stunned—he was ready to play the "nice guy"—but Silver wasn't. Silver's logic was simple: Rimuru was family. And an insult to the "Twin Tempest" name required a response.
"You've made a mistake," Silver said. The air began to vibrate as his [Magicule Generator] hummed with a low, menacing frequency.
"Oh? And what will a puddle of spit do to me?" Bester sneered.
"I won't kill you," Silver said. "But I will take the one thing you value most. Your 'talent'."
"[Snatch]."
Bester's eyes suddenly went blank. The arrogant posture crumbled. He didn't fall over, but he looked... empty. His mind, once sharp with schemes, was now as dull as a common peasant's. He couldn't even remember the insult he had just hurled.
"Wh... what was I...?" Bester stammered, looking around like a lost child.
The guards, confused by the sudden change in their master, escorted the trembling Minister out. Kaijin looked at Silver with a mix of awe and genuine terror.
"You just... you erased him," Kaijin breathed.
"I took what he didn't deserve to keep," Silver replied calmly. "Now, about that contract? We have a village to build, and my brother has big plans for a feast."
The night was spent at the "Butterfly of the Night," the most famous elven club in Dwargon. While Rimuru was busy being pampered by beautiful elven ladies (and accidentally predicting the future through a crystal ball), Silver sat at the bar with Kaijin and the three master-craftsmen brothers: Garm, Dold, and Myrd.
Silver wasn't drinking—he was "recording." Every time the dwarves spoke about architecture, tailoring, or tool-making, [Wisdom King Solomon] was cataloging the information.
'Solomon, analyze the 'Spirit Engineering' the elves are using for the lighting,' Silver ordered.
[Analysis complete. Would you like to create a prototype?]
'Not yet. Wait until we're back at the village. I want to integrate it into the housing.'
As the night wound down, the King of Dwargon—the Hero King Gazel Dwargo—was watching from the shadows. He had felt the massive surge of magicules when Silver used [Snatch]. He had seen the "Creation" of the sword.
"Two slimes," Gazel whispered to his shadow guards. "One who holds the charisma of a leader, and one who holds the power of a god. Keep a close watch on the Tempest brothers. The Jura Forest is no longer a no-man's land."
Silver sensed the gaze from the balcony. He didn't turn around. He simply sent a silent pulse through the air—a message of neutral power.
'We aren't here for war, King,' Silver thought. 'But if you push us, you'll find that a Silver Slime can be much harder than any diamond.'
The next morning, Kaijin and his brothers stood at the city gates, packs slung over their shoulders. They had been exiled for the scuffle with Bester, but they didn't care. They were following the Silver and Blue lights into a new era.
"Let's go home, Rimuru," Silver said as they reached the forest's edge.
"Yeah!" Rimuru bounced happily. "Next stop: Fashion and Architecture! I can't wait to see what you 'Create' next, Silver!"
Silver looked at his brother. 'Whatever it is, I'll make sure it's perfect for you, brother.'
[End of Chapter 3]