Chapter 208: Chapter 208 Naming
Arthur listened patiently as the cheerful, yet undeniably 'cultured,' Rimuru continued to chat about her strange transition from a Japanese woman to a genderless slime.
He realized that while her Ultimate Skill: Great Sage provided immense analytical power, it didn't give her the wisdom of experience, nor did it warn her of the political and martial challenges lying ahead. 3
"Rimuru,"
Arthur interrupted gently, bringing the conversation back to their current location.
"While I'll help you found the nation, I can't just dump everything on you. We'll take this one step at a time. For now, there's one simple rule you must follow to succeed."
Rimuru tilted her body inquisitively.
"What's the rule?"
"Your greatest strength isn't Predator or even Great Sage. It's your capacity to connect with others,"
Arthur stated firmly.
"In this world, monsters are judged by appearances. To build a true nation, you must earn the respect and loyalty of your people. Therefore, the first thing you must do is give names to your subordinates. A name is a form of power, a blessing, and a bond that sets them on the path to evolution."
Rimuru paused, considering this.
"Naming... that sounds like a fun thing to do! Okay, I'll remember that!"
With their initial pact established, the two made their way out of the Cave of the Seal.
The moment they stepped into the daylight, the sight that greeted them was familiar: a panicked cluster of Goblins approaching them.
As in the canonical story, the Elder Goblin, desperate after their protectors vanished and their women were abducted by Direwolves, approached the monsters he felt were strong enough to help.
However, the dynamics of the meeting were drastically altered by Arthur's presence.
The Goblins were terrified of the little blue slime, but their fear of Arthur was absolute and paralyzing.
His suppressed, yet still palpable, aura as a powerful Dragon was leagues beyond anything they had ever felt, dwarfing the raw power they sensed from Veldora's remnants on Rimuru.
To them, Arthur was a figure of mythological dread—a supreme apex predator.
They instinctively dropped to their knees, trembling, barely able to look up at him.
"M-m-mighty D-dragon-sama and S-slime-dono,"
The Elder Goblin stammered out, focusing his plea mostly on Arthur, believing him to be the true power.
"We humbly beg for your assistance! Our village is being ravaged by the Direwolves!"
Rimuru, sensing the shifted power balance, bounced closer to Arthur.
"Hey, Arthur, they seem way more scared of you than me! You're getting all the attention,"
She transmitted telepathically, her tone playful despite the serious situation.
Arthur simply sighed, accustomed to the deference his power commanded.
"I'm only here to guide you, Rimuru. They need to see you as their leader and savior, not me. Step forward and handle this."
Rimuru took the cue. She moved decisively in front of Arthur, forcing the Goblins to shift their focus.
"Direwolves, you say?"
Rimuru's voice was firm, and she quickly agreed to help them, knowing this was her first step toward fulfilling Arthur's advice.
The ensuing confrontation with the Direwolves, the death of their leader, and the absorption of the entire pack by Rimuru all went according to the events Arthur remembered.
Rimuru then followed the crucial first piece of advice, using her power to name every single Goblin and Direwolf.
As a massive surge of magicules was expended to complete the naming, Arthur stood back, watching the creatures evolve into
Hobgoblins and Tempest Star Wolves.
The founding of the monster nation had officially begun, and Arthur's mission was well underway.
Rimuru is now exhausted from the naming process, but the new Hobgoblins and Star Wolves are completely loyal.