Rimuru POV
Once we stepped through the transport gate I was greeted with the sight of a giant mansion. The architecture of it is…strange…to say the least. Not that any of that stuff matters. Directly in front of us was a large set of doors that Diablo proceeded to knock on. After a few moments of waiting, we were greeted at the door by a butler. He's stoic, with little expression on his face. He has red hair and what are those? Cat ears? A tail too! How strange! I thought these creatures would closely resemble the demons I know back home but time apart must have caused many differences.
Ciel, analyze this cat-boy, please.
[[This individual has the strength and magicules equivalent to a greater demon.]]
So pretty strong but not anywhere near the level of my top subordinates, right?
[[Correct.]]
"Welcome, Sir Noir. Lord Sullivan has been expecting you." The butler says after stepping outside. He then noticed me standing next to Diablo, looking down at me with a soft look in his eyes, still mostly expressionless. He looks like he wants to ruffle my hair or something.
Oh, dammit! I forgot to change my size back before leaving! This is annoying, but I guess I'll have to roll with it for now, even if it's kinda awkward. If I suddenly changed size in front of strangers, they might freak out.
Seeing me craning my neck to look him in the eye he kneels to get down to my level. "May I ask, who this child you have brought with you is?" he asks with a bright look in his eyes. He almost looks excited, maybe he likes kids?
Once we are face to face for a moment, his expression changes. I see his eyes bulge a bit and a bead of sweat drips down his face. Any warmness in his expression is now gone.
Is that…fear? No, it can't be! I look like a cute little kid right now! Ciel, I have been completely concealing my aura, right? I haven't felt any leak out.
[[I can confirm that you have not let out any aura.]]
Then what is up with his change in demeanor? He seems pretty freaked out!
[[Some creatures have heightened instincts when it comes to danger. Even if you seem harmless in every perceivable way, his instincts could be informing him of your true power and the danger it poses.]]
I guess that makes sense. I wonder what tipped him off though…
"Hello again, Opera. I would prefer if you referred to me as Diablo, the name given to me by my glorious master! The Great Demon Lord Rimuru Tempest!" Diablo proclaims in a grand tone, flamboyantly gesturing at my small body like he's revealing a prize on a game show. A smug grin is plastered across his face.
Despite Diablo's grandiose gesturing and booming announcement of my name and title, Opera seems to pay him no mind, his eyes still locked with mine. He isn't even blinking.
Kinda starting to creep me out a bit…better break the tension with a cheerful greeting!
"Hello, Opera! I'm Rimuru Tempest, but you can just call me Rimuru. As Diablo already said, I'm a Demon Lord where I come from. It's nice to meet 'cha!" I give my friendliest smile and reach out my tiny hand for him to shake.
He continues to just stare at me intensely with his mouth slightly agape, seemingly entranced, not even noticing my hand reaching out to him. Sick of this nonsense, I decided to let a small fraction of my aura leak out for a moment to snap him out of his trance. It may not be the nicest thing to do, but I don't have any more patience left for this stupid staring contest of his. He quickly jumps back to put some distance between us, stumbling and almost falling backward in the process.
Oops…maybe I let out a bit too much…
After attempting to regain his composure, he cautiously approaches me and reaches out to shake my hand.
"N-nice to meet you R-rimuru…" Opera says, avoiding eye contact.
I flash another innocent smile to ease the tension, but he still seems terrified, won't even look at my face. Like any good butler, though, he still does his job. Opera prepares to lead us into the mansion to meet Sullivan, Diablo's old friend.
(Little did Rimuru know, Ciel had just performed a little experiment on the poor butler without his knowledge.)
Opera POV
I hear a knock at the door. Lord Sullivan is expecting one of his old buddies, The Black Primordial Noir. As I open the door, I am greeted with the sight of my old acquaintance.
"Welcome, Sir Noir. Lord Sullivan has been expecting you." I politely greet my Lord's guest.
I look down by Noir's side and see a small child with shiny silver-blue hair and large, sparkling golden eyes, accompanying him. This cute little one didn't look any older than 5. Although I will never admit it out loud, I have a big soft spot for children. Seeing her craning her neck to look me in the face, I approach the little girl and kneel down to her level.
"May I ask, who this child you have brought with you is?" I ask, looking at the small child in front of me.
She gives me a cute smile as we lock eyes. Her gaze feels odd, sharp, and calculating as if scanning every inch of me right down to my soul. It does not feel like the gaze of such a young child. Those eyes though…she has such…beautiful eyes…I can't help but…stare at them. Her golden irises…sparkling as bright as the sun…her pupils…as deep and as black as an abyss…a void…an endless void I am falling into…no…being sucked into! Suddenly I feel a jolt of terror. Fear on a level that I have never felt before! My instincts are screaming at me to run away but I can't seem to pull myself out of the black hole that is this small child's eyes!
The world around me has lost color, everything is gray and dark except for the golden shine of those eyes. Nothing else seems real. I hear a faint whisper of a voice in the distance, barely able to hear it over the ringing in my ears.
"Hell-Ope-. I wou-f you refer-as Diablo, the na-to me by -ious mast-! The Gre-mon -muru Tem-st!"
Suddenly the child speaks, her sweet voice seemingly coming from all around me, engulfing me in its presence.
"Hello, Opera! I'm Rimuru Tempest, but you can just call me Rimuru. As Diablo said, I'm a Demon Lord where I come from. It's nice to meet 'cha!"
A-a Demon Lord? This small child is a Demon Lord!? Those are on the same level as the demon king!
Continuing to struggle against the intense pull of those eyes, I am starting to fear I will never escape their icy grasp. Suddenly, I feel a wave of immense power hit me. Unbelievable magic power emanating from the girl, hitting me at point-blank range. I stumble backward, finally breaking free from the embrace of the void that sleeps inside the eyes of that child.
*shudders*
What in the Netherworld is she!? I thought Lord Sullivan was a being of great power but compared to this tiny child he seems like nothing! I never knew an entity on this level could even exist!? Is she some kind of deity?
Still absolutely terrified of the small figure standing in front of me, I muster up the courage to do my job and greet her properly.
"N-nice to meet you R-rimuru…" I say as I shake the soft, tiny hand of the young Demon Lord, being extra careful not to look into those horrifying, yet beautiful golden eyes of hers ever again. The child smiles at me innocently (probably trying to draw me in again) before I begin to escort the two visitors into Lord Sullivan's mansion.
What a terrifying entity…draws you in close with an innocent appearance just to suck you in without a shred of mercy…
Diablo POV
Just as expected of Lord Rimuru! Using this opportunity to test out an amazing new power!
I watch in awe as I witness my master hypnotizing Opera, Lord Sullivan's servant, understanding now why he took on his current appearance. Opera dropped his guard due to My Lord's young-looking form, leaving him open to being manipulated.
I knew you were plotting something, My Lord! I am ecstatic that I got to witness the birth of a glorious new technique!
Out of courtesy for our host, my master broke the hold he had over Opera by releasing some of his wondrous aura. How considerate of him! I must ask him about this new technique later!
Sullivan POV
"I wonder when Noir will arrive? He never has been the most punctual demon, always doing whatever he wanted…"
I get lost in thought in anticipation of seeing my old friend again. While I'm taking a sip of my tea, I'm is suddenly hit with an intense wave of magic, one of a strength I've never experienced before in my many years. Yet, as suddenly as it had appeared, it vanished.
Worried about the safety of my precious grandson, Iruma, I head towards the source of the magic to investigate. Being one of the most powerful and influential demons in the Netherworld, very few things pose a threat to me, so I'm not too concerned. Despite this confidence, I feel that this power far eclipsed my own. As I approach the front door of my mansion, it suddenly opens, interrupting my thoughts about the strange magic from a moment ago. On the other side of the doorway, I see two familiar faces. One belonging to my trusty servant, Opera (looking a little less composed than usual), the other belonging to my old friend Noir. I almost didn't notice the third face looking up at me, one of a small child with silver-blue hair and gold eyes, standing at Noir's side. Her stare feels strange (and a little unsettling) to me, almost like every inch of my body is being scrutinized.
Suddenly, Opera ran up to me and frantically whispered something in my ear.
#Lord Sullivan! Whatever you do, do not look directly into that girl's eyes! She is dangerous!#
#I think you are overreacting Opera; I don't sense any danger from this child.#
This child has Opera scared of her? That's crazy, Opera never gets scared! I don't sense any magical power emanating from the young girl so I don't see how she could be dangerous? Especially to someone like me.
Looking down at the child I say…
"Hello young one, my name is Sullivan, what is yours?" I reach out to the child, intending to shake her little hand.
Disregarding Opera's strange warning, I look her in the eyes as I greet her, not feeling anything strange while doing so. I guess Opera was mistaken.
"Hello Sullivan, My name is Rimuru. It is a pleasure to meet you!" The young girl smiles as she greets me. What nice manners for a child her age, her parents must be proud!
#That child is the source of the immense wave of magic from a moment ago! She hides it well but is extraordinarily strong! She also claims to be a Demon Lord!# Opera warns me in a hushed, yet frantic tone.
This child, a Demon Lord!? Seriously!? Not possible!
I know what Demon Lords are like where Noir is from and I can't fathom this little girl being one of them. I brush those thoughts aside to greet my old friend. "Welcome, Noir, long time no see my friend!"
"Yes, greetings Sullivan, it has been too long. Since last seeing you, I have been gifted a name by my Master. I would greatly appreciate it if you would refer to me as Diablo from now on."
Someone named one of the primordials!? I could barely believe my ears! "Who is this master of yours, Diablo? I would like to meet them!"
"My master stands right in front of you, Sullivan. This 'young one' is the Great Demon Lord Rimuru Tempest, ruler of the Jura-Tempest Federation! My wonderful Lord and Master!" Diablo announces with great enthusiasm.
I, again, look down at the cute little tyke standing at my feet, still smiling cutely at me, with an expression of utter bewilderment.
Rimuru POV
"Um…yeah…that's me! My full name is Rimuru Tempest, and I am a Demon Lord. I'm not very fond of formalities though so feel free to just call me Rimuru, ok? Also, about that magic thing earlier, sorry about that. I promise it won't happen again." I say with a somewhat awkward smile on my face.
Aww crap! Now I feel guilty! I've scared the shit out this poor, sweet-looking (even with the horns coming out of his head, I'm used to that kind of thing) grandpa-type! His mouth is hanging open so far, I'm afraid his jaw might fall off! Why does stuff like this happen every time I meet new people!? I even promised Shuna that I wouldn't cause trouble on this trip too!
[[Most people cannot handle how amazing you are, Master!]]
Thanks for the compliment(?), but that doesn't help me fix this predicament! Help me Ceil!
[[Change the subject by asking to meet his grandson. That is part of the reason we came here, yes?]]
I guess that might work…
"Hey…um…Sullivan? I heard that you have a new grandson, can I please meet him?" I ask, trying my best to ignore the tense mood of the room.
Sullivan's gaping expression suddenly changes to one of pure excitement. "You want to meet my precious little Irumaaaaa…?"
"Uh… yes please?" I say in a high-pitched tone, a little freaked out by how quickly his mood changed. I can see Opera off to the side covering his face as if embarrassed by Sullivan's outburst.
Sullivan yells up the stairs, calling for this Iruma kid he seems so enthusiastic about. After a minute or two, a human boy begins walking down the stairs. His hair and eyes are royal blue and his age is around 14 or 15 years old. His kind-looking face wearing an expression of apprehension.
…must be nervous about meeting with strangers…
Actually, to be more accurate, he looks nervous about everything around him, looking around constantly, as if he doesn't feel very safe in this place.
Now that I think about it, why's there a human in a demon realm!? How did he even get here?
"Iruma, please introduce yourself to these people," Sullivan says with a proud smile.
He first approaches Diablo, "H-hello. My…um…name is Iruma Suzuki. N-nice to meet you." He says with a nervous smile.
"Greetings, Iruma Suzuki, my name is Diablo. I am an old friend of your Grandfather's. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Wait a sec! His name sounds Japanese! Is he some kind of otherworlder like me? Is that even possible here!? This trip might be a bit more interesting than I expected!