The sun had begun to rise gently over the land of Tempest, casting golden rays across its once-bloodied fields. The scent of fresh grass returned to the wind, and the air now shimmered with magic—Rimuru's magic.
After hours of suspended evolution, Rimuru Tempest, now a True Demon Lord, opened his eyes for the first time since the ritual. He floated gently in his slime form, glowing with an aura so immense that the very earth seemed to hum beneath him.
The first sound he heard was laughter. The citizens of Tempest—revived, healed, renewed—were celebrating.
Shion was alive. Gobzo was laughing again. Benimaru, Souei, and the others stood taller, more powerful than ever, radiating strength from their newly acquired "Gifts." The town's wounds were not forgotten, but now there was hope, joy, and a silent, deep gratitude in everyone's heart.
Later that day, Rimuru quietly left the celebration.
He drifted up a familiar grassy hill just outside the city, where the breeze danced freely and the clouds drifted lazily overhead. Ranga padded beside him, his loyal beast now brimming with new strength from his own Gift.
The two of them simply stood there for a while, overlooking the kingdom Rimuru had built, saved, and given everything for.
"We did it, Ranga…" Rimuru said softly, his voice a warm whisper carried by the wind.
"Yes, my Lord," Ranga replied loyally. "We protected Tempest, and you… you have become something extraordinary."
Rimuru remained silent for a moment.
Then the air shifted.
A presence appeared behind him.
Rimuru turned slightly—and there, stepping out from behind a nearby tree, dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, long hair falling past his shoulders, eyes glowing like twin rubies—was the Primordial Demon Noir.
He bowed respectfully. "You've finally awakened, Lord Rimuru."
Rimuru blinked. "Huh…? And you are…?"
Noir's eyes widened for a moment. His expression didn't change much—but there was a subtle ache, an emotional shift like a cold breeze behind his words.
"You do not remember me?" he asked, his voice calm but heavy.
[Answer: This is the Primordial Demon you summoned before your evolution, using the bodies of the fallen as a sacrifice.]
[Name: Noir. He protected you during your slumber, as per your command.]
Raphael's voice echoed in Rimuru's mind, calm and precise as always.
Rimuru floated forward a little. "Ah… so that was you. Right, I did summon a demon before passing out."
Noir lowered his gaze briefly, as if trying not to show disappointment.
"I carried out your command to the letter," he said softly. "I eliminated your enemies, retrieved the three remaining survivors from the battle, and ensured your protection throughout your evolution. I had hoped… that I would be of further use to you."
Rimuru looked at him. There was a moment of silence. The breeze slowed.
"I appreciate what you've done," Rimuru said finally. "But I won't be needing your service anymore."
Noir flinched—not physically, but something in his expression cracked for a split second.
"I see," he said quietly, stepping back, almost ready to vanish into the void from which he came.
But Rimuru hesitated. He looked at Noir again, and this time… he felt something.
There was a loyalty in the demon's eyes. A quiet longing. Not just to serve—but to belong.
Rimuru sighed. "Alright… how about this? I'll give you a name. As thanks."
Noir's eyes widened. For a demon, a name wasn't just an identity—it was a bond, a power, a rebirth.
"You would do that… for me?" he asked, his voice almost trembling for the first time.
"Yeah. You've earned it."
Rimuru floated closer and closed his eyes in thought. Then, with a confident nod, he declared:
"Your name will be—Diablo."
Suddenly, the sky pulsed.
A surge of unimaginable magic burst from Rimuru, pouring straight into Noir—now Diablo—like a flood of divine energy. Black mist erupted around the demon, swirling violently as the power of a name, Rimuru's magic, and the Primordial essence fused together.
The ground cracked beneath his feet. Trees trembled. Ranga instinctively bowed.
Inside the mist, a transformation occurred.
Diablo's body absorbed the name like it was born for him. The magicules wrapped around his form, condensing and hardening, polishing him into something far greater than before.
The mist cleared.
Diablo stood tall, radiant and dangerous, but with a calm smile of absolute loyalty.
He looked at his hands, flexed his fingers, and then whispered:
"Diablo… what a beautiful name."
Then he looked up at Rimuru—now not just with admiration, but complete devotion.
"If you would allow me, Lord Rimuru… I shall serve you for all eternity. My blade, my soul, my essence—it all belongs to you."
Rimuru smiled softly. "Sure. Welcome to Tempest… Diablo."
And so, the Primordial Noir—now Diablo, the Demon of Black Flame—was officially born.
A new era began… with new powers, new allies, and greater threats yet to come.
Deep within the mountains of the Cardinal World, far beyond the walls of any kingdom, one man stood alone on a cliff overlooking the vast forest below.
Yujiro Hanma. The Beast incarnate. The strongest creature alive.
With arms folded, wind tugging at his coat, he peered down toward the Jura Forest, his expression unreadable.
"That slime Milim keeps bragging about…" he muttered.
"i will see if he is one of those fools that think that their skills and magic is what define power...."A slime, huh? Cute."
He closed his eyes, not out of disrespect—but in thought. Was this Rimuru worthy of the world's attention? Perhaps. But Yujiro wouldn't move just yet.
"No point in jumping into her little game with Clayman still on stage…"
"I'll wait. Let Milim have her fun."
"Then I'll go see what this slime is really made of."
Meanwhile, in Tempest, a celebration had just calmed down. The people were rebuilding, spirits high after their victory over Falmuth. Yet Rimuru's mind was somewhere else—deeper, older.
Inside the chambers of his newly formed palace, Raphael, the Ultimate Skill, spoke to him through thought.
[Raphael: "Master. Due to your evolution into a True Demon Lord, the spiritual seal placed on the entity Veldora has now been nullified. His release is… possible."]
Rimuru blinked. The words echoed louder than any cheer he had heard from the people of Tempest.
"Wait... are you serious? Like, right now?!"
[Raphael: "Affirmative. With your current capabilities, it is now feasible to return Veldora to the physical plane."]
Rimuru's slime body bounced on the floor excitedly.
"YES! Finally! I can free my first friend!"
Without hesitation, Rimuru activated his teleportation magic and vanished in a blink of azure light—reappearing deep inside the Sealed Cave, the very place where his journey began.
In the Sealed Cave...
Dim. Quiet. A hollow cavern where history echoed with every drip of water from the ceiling. In the center glowed the crystallized remains of the Infinite Prison—once home to Veldora the Storm Dragon.
Rimuru moved to the center and created a vessel—a humanoid double of himself with a strong frame, blank expression, and open soul. A body built to host a dragon's spirit.
"Alright Raphael. Let's bring him back."
[Raphael: "Understood. Commencing soul transference protocol. Please stand by."]
A sudden silence fell.
Then—light erupted from Rimuru's core. Golden, searing, divine. It shot into the blank vessel, lightning crackling through the cave walls. The earth trembled. The stones quaked.
Then came the sound.
A roar like thunder splitting the sky.
The vessel's chest expanded, muscles forming like flowing magma. Golden hair burst from the skull, skin tanned by pure magical radiation. He flexed, and magic swirled like a maelstrom.
"AHAHAHAHAHAH!! I'M FREE! FINALLY FREE!!"
VELDORA TEMPEST had returned.
He threw his arms to the side and struck a heroic pose.
"LOOK AT THIS BODY! Rimuru! You actually did it! You freed me!"
"I never doubted you for a second, my friend!"
Rimuru laughed too, floating beside him.
"You're welcome, you maniac! Now can you tone down your aura a bit before you level the whole cave?"
Veldora blinked, looked around at the crumbling rocks, and gave a sheepish grin.
"Oops. Right. Sorry. Hehe..."
With a quick flick of his will, Veldora suppressed his energy. The cave sighed in relief.
"Let's go. There's a city waiting to meet you."
Back in Tempest, the skies parted as Rimuru and Veldora flew into view. Word spread instantly like fire through dry grass.
"Lord Rimuru's returned!"
"There's someone with him… WHO IS THAT?!"
"Is that… no… no way…"
At the center of the town square, Rimuru gathered his top generals—Gomaru, Benimaru, Shion, Ranga, Souei, and many others. Even Gobta was there, eyes wide as saucers.
The citizens filled the plaza in the thousands. Then Rimuru floated above them and announced proudly:
"Everyone… let me introduce someone very important. My first friend. The one who gave me my name. The one who was sealed for centuries… and is finally free today."
He stepped aside.
"This is VELDORA, the Storm Dragon."
The crowd erupted into gasps. Several collapsed. Goblins screamed. Kijin gripped their weapons in reflex. Even Benimaru's eyes flicked with shock.
"T-THE Storm Dragon?!"
"Our Lord is friends with a True Dragon…?"
Rimuru chuckled. "I told you I had connections."
Veldora crossed his arms, grinning like a kid in a candy store.
"Hello, loyal citizens of Tempest! Don't worry, I'm not here to burn your homes! I'm here as your Lord's friend!"
He struck a ridiculous heroic pose. "Behold, Veldora Tempest—coolest dragon alive!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"LONG LIVE RIMURU-SAMAAAA!! LONG LIVE VELDORA-SAMAAAA!!"
It was Gobta, of course, fists in the air, eyes filled with sparkling pride. The crowd caught on, and soon the entire city echoed the chant.
"RIMURU-SAMA! VELDORA-SAMA!"
Laughter, music, joy—all filled the air again. Monsters danced. Food was brought out. Drums pounded.
The winds of the Storm Dragon were no longer feared—they were celebrated.
That night, the stars above Tempest sparkled brighter than ever. Beneath them sat two figures atop a palace balcony.
"You've really done it, Rimuru," Veldora said, gazing over the glowing city. "You made a home... A kingdom. You're not just a slime anymore."
"Heh. Yeah... But I'm still just getting started."
They clinked magically conjured mugs together.