The Fated Person and The Dwarves.

As Rimuru approached the gates of Dwargon, he braced himself for a tiring process. But to his surprise, it was simpler than he had hoped. Even the guard, handed him his entrance token with a warm smile, as if welcoming him into a safe house.

"Remember, you need to keep this with you at all times. Otherwise, you might get in trouble. If you need a place to stay then feel free to follow us." The kobold offered.

"Thank you, mister. But my dad has a friend in the city, so I will look for him," Rimuru replied, his voice sounding innocent as he waved goodbye to the kobold.

Once inside, Rimuru wandered through Dwargon, pausing at various stores to examine their wares. Although he couldn't absorb the weapons and armor in plain sight, simply handling them allowed Sage to gather some data. Choosing not to purchase just yet, he decided he would only buy a piece if he wasn't able to get good help in the city.

With no money at his disposal, Rimuru discreetly sold a small chunk of magisteel to a local smithy. He was careful to sell just enough to avoid drawing unwanted attention yet enough to fund his immediate needs.

With some money now in his bag, he made his way through the city, asking for the nearest library. 

Armed with some money, he then asked about the nearest library. To his delight, Dwargon housed a massive library brimming with an extensive array of books on various subjects, including the engineering and smithing manuals, architectural works, and even basic magic tutorials that he was specifically interested in.

After paying for entry, Rimuru made the most of his visit. He ran his hand across every book he could reach, allowing Sage to consume and analyze the information instantaneously. The dwarven librarian raised an eyebrow at the peculiar sight of a child hurriedly touching every book, but since he caused no harm, she let it slide.

By the time he left the library, Rimuru had acquired a wealth of information, enriching Sage's database significantly to the point she was already creating a new series of "For Dummies" books for when they returned. In addition, he had learned a few basic spells.

[Magic: Mold Earth has been learned.]

[Magic: Fire Ball has been learned.]

[Magic: Gust. Has been learned.]

[Magic:...]

[Beginning Analysis…]

Though simple, these spells laid the groundwork for Sage to deconstruct and potentially develop more advanced magical abilities.

As Rimuru continued his exploration of Dwargon, a charming establishment named the Night Butterfly caught his eye. A place he remembered.

Drawn by the sweet, inviting aromas and the lively chatter, he decided to step inside. The bar was bustling with an array of patrons, but notably filled with elf girls ranging from mature to youthful, each adding to the vibrant vibe of the venue. However, what truly surprised him was the sight of a group of familiar dwarves, visibly drunk and injured.

One was notably missing an arm, and the others bore various injuries. 

'Wait… the Armorsaurus in the mines…'

[Correct. Due to our first diversion in the ogre village, we were not here during the disturbance in the mines.]

[This is all according to calculations. The former commander of engineering should have lost his smith's license and is without purpose at the moment. He will follow if you can convince his companions. Offer to heal them, and their loyalty will be ensured long enough to integrate them into your village.]

'Damn… Sage, you are cold,' Rimuru thought, appreciating her calculated moves. 'I like that.'

[Understood.] 

As Rimuru thought about how to approach them, a curious blonde elf approached him. 

"A kid?" she asked, her tone mixed with confusion and intrigue. "Do you need something?"

Nodding, Rimuru pulled out a few coins from his pouch. 

"I'm interested in a fortune-telling reading, and I'd like to buy a round of drinks for those gentlemen over there," he said, gesturing discreetly towards the drunk dwarves.

The elves exchanged looks, their initial skepticism melting into amusement and curiosity. The blonde elf gently took Rimuru by the hand, guiding him to a table, while her darker-skinned companion prepared a crystal ball.

"So, what kind of fortune-telling do you want?" asked the darker-skinned elf.

The blonde, sitting beside Rimuru, chimed in with enthusiasm as she heard the question.

"Ooooh, my favorite are the fated person readings. How about it, kid? Wanna see who your fated person is? You are still young, so you have plenty of time to find her."

After agreeing, Rimuru watched intently as the darker-skinned elf concentrated on the crystal ball. Gradually, an image began to form, the outline of a woman with twin buns and flowing hair emerging from the mist within. But before the vision could fully materialize, the crystal ball abruptly cracked, startling everyone present.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. We can try again if you'd like; I have another crystal ball in the back," the elf suggested, her voice tinged with concern.

"No, don't worry. It's not important," Rimuru replied dismissively, his attention quickly shifting as he noticed the dwarves preparing to leave. While curious about the incomplete vision, he recognized the need to focus on his primary mission.

He subtly followed the drunken dwarves as they staggered into a small smith's shop marked 'Closed.' Utilizing shadow movement, Rimuru slipped into their shadows and discreetly entered the shop behind them.

Inside, the dwarves collapsed onto a couch, their faces filled with defeat.

"Hey, Kaijin… how long until we get kicked out?" one dwarf, Garm, asked with a heavy scar on his arm evident.

"About a week…" Kaijin responded coldly. "I might have to start working in the mines, or worse, under that bastard… No, I'd rather be in the mines." 

"And what about Myrd? He needs to rest after losing his arm," another dwarf, Dord, chimed in, concern lacing his voice.

Waiting for the right moment under Sage's guidance, Rimuru briefly exited the house before knocking on the door.

"Who the hell is it at this hour?" Kaijin grumbled as he staggered to the door, swinging it open to reveal a tall, blue-haired man with horns.

With a sly smile, Rimuru introduced himself.

"Hello, I am Rimuru Tempest. The prophet sent by Veldora in order to save you." Rimuru spoke, his charming smile looking like that of a demon trying to buy their souls to Kaijin.

In his drunken haze, Kaijin scoffed.

"I ain't falling for your tricks, Demon." As he swung a punch, Rimuru swiftly countered with a splash of water to his face, instantly sobering him up.

The splash of water was no ordinary water but a full potion crafted by Sage from the Hipokute herbs found in Veldora's cave. 

Rimuru stepped inside the smithy, he noticed Kaijin's wary gaze. The dwarf's posture tensed, showing how ready he was to fight back if he tried anything suspicious.

"Listen, we don't want any trouble," Kaijin spoke, his voice edged with a mix of caution and defiance.

Rimuru, unfazed, simply shook his head, a gesture both dismissive and reassuring. 

"As I said, I am a prophet sent here to save you." With a graceful flick of his wrist, he produced several wooden cups filled with the potent potion and handed them to each of the drunken dwarves.

One by one, as they drank, the dwarves felt an immediate soothing of their pains. Wounds healed miraculously, and in a breathtaking moment, Dord's missing arm regenerated, causing a collective gasp to ripple through the room.

"What?" The room erupted into exclamations of disbelief and awe as each dwarf inspected their newly healed bodies, their eyes wide and mouths agape.

Kaijin, now fully alert and sober, stared at Rimuru with a newfound respect mixed with a hint of fear. 

"Who... What are you?" he stammered, struggling to grasp the reality of the miracle he had just witnessed.

Rimuru smiled, his expression kind yet underscored by an undeniable authority. 

"I am Rimuru Tempest. I plan to build a great empire, one where each of you will have a significant role. This is but a sample of what I bring to my allies. I need the help of experts like yourself."

Rimuru spoke, moving to pick up a weapon from a shelf as he analyzed it.

[Confirmed. The quality of the weapon far exceeds the ones found in the other stores.]

The dwarves exchanged looks, their skepticism melting away to tentative hope. Rimuru's offer hung in the air, filled with promise and the potential for a new beginning.

"If you join me," Rimuru continued, his voice confident and persuasive, "not only will you gain protection, but you'll also contribute to something greater than yourselves. I offer you a chance to reclaim your dignity and purpose."

Kaijin exchanged a glance with his companions. The desperation of their situation, coupled with the miraculous healing they had just experienced, made the decision simpler. Dord, Garm, and Myrm all looked grateful, and they wanted to return the favor to their mysterious benefactor. After noticing their looks, Kaijin sighed.

If he stayed here, he would end up working the mines with Vesta on his back and trying to ruin his life. On the other hand, he had a demon offering the world. Slowly, a sense of resolve settled over him, and he nodded, extending a hand toward Rimuru.

"If you can do all this, Demon," he said with a hint of respect, "then I believe you're our best chance at a better life. We're with you, Rimuru Tempest."

Rimuru chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with both amusement and satisfaction as he shook Kaijin's hand firmly. 

"It's a deal then," he replied with a confident smile. As their hands parted, he added. "Oh, and also, I am not a demon. I am a slime."

Before the dwarves could dwell on the answer, Rimuru acted swiftly. He began to absorb everything within the smithy, using his unique abilities to consume all the tools, materials, and items that would be useful for their future endeavors. The dwarves watched in stunned silence as their once-cluttered store was emptied in moments, leaving behind nothing but empty walls and floors.

Kaijin, still processing the scene, scribbled a quick note and placed it by the door. It was a simple message announcing his departure from Dwargon and expressing his disdain for Vesta, a final goodbye filled with a mix of resentment and relief. However, due to Rimuru's request, he didn't specify where he was going.

The group paused at the city's edge, the dwarves casting long, lingering looks back at their home. The cityscape held memories of their past lives, now left behind for an uncertain but hopeful future.

Rimuru, sensing their sadness, reassured them with gentle firmness.

"Don't worry. You will be free to come and go as you please. But as long as you are working for me, I will make sure that all of you are properly paid for your troubles," he promised, giving the group some comfort and easing their hesitation.

As the gates of Dwargon receded into the distance, the air around Rimuru and the dwarves grew tenser. The city had been their life, their identity, and stepping away from its protective walls was hard for them.

However, Rimuru couldn't be happier.

'In and out, no fuss, got what I needed and more. Efficient and clean,' he mused internally, thanking Sage for her careful preparation.

He was tempted to spend a few more days exploring the city, but the longer he stayed, the more likely something would go wrong. He didn't want to be caught off guard before he even reached demon lord seed levels of strength, so he would leave the vacations for later.

"Alright, are you all ready to meet the pups? They are going to take us back to my home. It should be a three-day journey," Rimuru announced. Noticing the puzzled expressions on the dwarves' faces, he added. "They look scary, but I promise they don't bite."

With hesitant nods from the group, Rimuru gave a sharp whistle. Instantly, three large wolves materialized from his shadow, each of them sitting down on the ground behind Rimuru as they bowed their heads.

"Meet the pups. I'm taking Ranga here. But feel free to ride either Sparky or Daswufbud," he introduced, attempting to ease their fears.

The dwarves all looked terrified, but seeing how Ranga's tail was wagging in happiness as Rimuru pet his head, they relaxed a little, taking careful steps before touching the fur of the other wolves, who responded with nothing more than curious glances.

Two dwarfs sat in each wolf before Rimuru added.

"Oh, that's right. You will need seatbelts," he said as he pulled out some sticky thread and helped them be safely secured on the wolves.

Jumping into Ranga's back, he turned back into a slime, drawing surprised looks from the dwarves, yet before they could say anything, the tempest wolves began to run, making all of them shout in fear.

~A/N~

I am curious if anyone will be able to guess where I got the name Daswufbud from. It's a bit nonsensical, but it makes sense once you see the origin. Here's a hint: it comes from an animated show.