["...Enemy? Ally?"]
["...Feels like an ally."]
The two [Insect], who had barely managed to survive, waved their legs at each other.
One was a black rhinoceros beetle, the other a bright yellow honeybee.
Because they were a race born in the otherworld, they still could not speak this world's language or use [Thought Communication], so they were conversing through simple telepathy instead.
["They saved us from that monster."]
["Mm."]
["...Should we ask them for help?"]
["...For now, I think it would be better to wait a little longer."]
These two [Insect] had been cast into this world from another realm at a young age because of a vile scheme by their biological siblings, so this was their first time ever dealing with a majin. They deliberated as cautiously as possible.
If the ones who had killed the [Blade Tiger] in a single blow had only saved them by chance, then their own lives could still be in danger.
"[You really don't need to be that tense.]"
But Adelio, who had been listening to the two [Insect]s' telepathy from the very beginning, let out a dry laugh and spoke to them.
["...! What...?"]
["H-how can you hear our telepathy...?"]
The two [Insect], who had naturally assumed no one could possibly overhear their conversation, trembled in shock, their wings quivering behind them.
"..."
'Just as I thought. These kids use the same kind of telepathy Razul did.'
The reason Adelio, a demon, could understand the telepathy of the [Insect]—practically one of his natural enemies—was because centuries ago, during his time acting as the [Grand Duke of the Underworld], he had encountered Razul, the true strongest force of the Kingdom of [Ingrassia].
On the surface, Razul belonged to the Kingdom of [Ingrassia] and served as the secret weapon of the Rosso family, the power secretly ruling the West from the shadows. But in the past, he had been an [Insecter], one of the [12 Insect Generals], the direct forces of the [Insect Demon Lord]. Every time Adelio clashed with him, he had continued gathering information on him.
One byproduct of that was this telepathy unique to the [Insect].
"[Don't worry. We have no intention of attacking you too.]"
So Rimuru could understand as well, Adelio used both speech and telepathy at the same time as he slid [Black Star of Domination] back into its sheath and continued.
"[We only came to make you an offer.]"
["An offer...?"]
["...What kind?"]
The two [Insect] tilted their heads, question marks practically floating over them.
With the power he had just displayed, he could easily have subdued them by force without bothering with any offer at all, so it felt strange that he was making a proposal to two beings as powerless as they were.
"[It's simple. If we give the two of you names and a legitimate reason to live here, then in return, I want you to become our servants.]"
What Adelio offered them was, no matter how they looked at it, a deal far more favorable to the two [Insect].
There was no need to explain how valuable a name was to a monster, and since the pair had been hiding in this forest without the [Trent]s' permission, they were in desperate need of help if they wanted to keep living here.
["...Is that all?"]
["D-do we really only have to become your servants?"]
Besides, neither of them had any aversion to joining someone's faction.
From the moment they first fell into this world until now, each had been the only being the other could truly trust and rely on. More than anyone, they understood the need for a power to belong to—and if that power belonged to the ones who had saved them, then there was even less reason to hesitate.
"[As long as you don't betray us, I don't care what else you do. I won't ask for any more than that.]"
["......"]
Hearing Adelio's confident words, the two [Insect] finished their brief deliberation and nodded at the same time.
["...Understood."]
["Please, as you wish."]
That affirmation was, naturally, acceptance.
In other words, two loyal retainers with monstrous potential had now become Rimuru's servants.
"[Mm, good choice.]"
Looking at the [Insect], Adelio drew a faint smile, then called to Rimuru, who had been standing beside him deep in thought.
"Rimuru, it's your turn now."
At Adelio's call, Rimuru, who had been resting her chin in her hand and thinking hard, said she was trying to come up with names for the two of them and asked him to wait a moment longer.
Then, after a little more thought—
"...Okay, I've got it."
She finally lifted her head and looked at the two [Insect].
"From today on, your names are Apito and Zegion!"
Fwoooosh...!
As soon as Rimuru bestowed their names, the magicules flowing out of her body turned golden, and the two [Insect]—Apito and Zegion—rapidly grew to nearly twice their original size. At the same time, the amount of magic power within them swelled sharply.
The path toward completion had opened for them.
The road of growth leading to [Disaster]-class—and beyond that, to [Catastrophe]-class.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register