Day Fifteen of Reincarnation as Rimuru

“Anyway, that’s the whole story…”

Limbold slumped weakly onto the stone table, worn out from Morax’s firm insistence that he stay put. Timidly, he recounted everything from beginning to end.

After he finished, there was a long silence. The eerie quiet made Limbold and the others anxious.

He twisted his body slightly, then cautiously stretched out a tentacle to poke Morax’s face. “Hey, say something!”

Whether dead or alive, at least give him an answer. Keeping that cold, stern expression and staying silent—did Morax think they were playing freeze tag?

Morax, lost in thought, was frequently disturbed by Limbold’s persistent prodding. The young Archon’s eyes flickered subtly as he raised a hand and precisely caught the tentacle poking at his face.

“Why do you want me to ally with that Dust Archon?”

If Limbold’s unauthorized actions angered him, it wasn’t much—just a slight annoyance at being blindsided.

But the most important question Morax could not fathom was this: What benefit did Limbold see in allying with that Dust King?

Why risk angering or even being punished by him to push for such an alliance?

Morax couldn’t understand. As he pondered, he couldn’t help but squeeze the pleasantly textured blue tentacle in his hand.

Surprisingly, it was quite stress-relieving.

The man cast a subtle glance at the slime, but didn’t stop his hand’s movements.

Limbold, having his tentacle pinched and squeezed and treated like a toy, glared at him. “What nonsense are you asking? Sister Guizhong is beautiful and formidable, skilled in farming and machinery alike. An alliance with such a powerful Archon is a blessing you couldn’t hope to earn in a hundred lifetimes!”

Facing the stern Archon of Earth, Limbold deftly employed a little psychological manipulation. He just couldn’t understand why Morax resisted allying with Guizhong when the benefits were so obvious.

The people of Tianheng indeed weren’t poor, thanks to their mineral wealth, but beyond that, they had few advantages.

Their homes were dilapidated, their food unpalatable, and their weapons crude.

Even the most crucial education was lacking!

Overall, Tianheng’s current state was utterly inadequate to someone like Limbold, who came from a modern world.

Though the primitive agrarian society of Guili wasn’t perfect either, their cuisine was at least better than the coal-colored stone cakes the Tianheng people made.

Cornbread was far tastier than those gloomy black rock pancakes!

Though Limbold, used to the delicacies of the Celestial Empire, still found it hard to stomach…

Morax raised an eyebrow in confusion.

He couldn’t comprehend Limbold’s lavish praise of Guizhong.

Good looks meant nothing to an Archon.

As for strength, honestly speaking, Guizhong couldn’t even defeat Oscuro; how strong could she be?

Her agricultural prowess was simply a product of Guili’s fertile land. If Tianheng’s terrain weren’t so poor, Morax’s own people wouldn’t have to rely on Guili for grain.

Regarding machinery, while Morax himself wasn’t an expert, among the Celestials, there were capable individuals. For instance, the idle cloud who followed him was highly skilled in that area.

Silently refuting Limbold’s examples one by one, Morax released the tentacle he had been fondling. Looking at Limbold, he recalled the words Guiping had relayed to him when handing over the hand crossbow — high praise indeed.

Could it be Limbold was so enamored with that Dust Archon?

Morax’s expression remained impassive as he lowered his gaze. “With such conditions alone, that Dust Archon may not even be qualified to ally with me.”

He glanced at the so-called token of alliance — a hand crossbow that was more a challenge than a symbol — and spoke bluntly.

Limbold was infuriated by this sudden arrogance from Morax. “Qualified? What qualifications? If we don’t ally with Guizhong, can you just conjure grain to make cornbread? Don’t you know that food is the foundation of the people?”

Morax raised a surprised brow. “You want me to ally with the Dust Archon just for cornbread?”

Was this little guy really that fond of food?

He had eaten like an Archon, yet still craved plain cornbread.

Morax’s feelings were complicated. At this moment, he remembered Oscuro, who was also on Limbold’s mind. In some ways, it seemed the Whirlpool Archon and cornbread had become synonymous.

—Both were favorites of Limbold.

“Of course it’s not just for cornbread!” Limbold defended himself. “Guizhong’s machinery is excellent and can compensate for Tianheng’s lack of firepower, plus Guili has vast arable land. If you ally with her, you won’t have to worry about grain shortages anymore.”

Mountainous terrain came with too many drawbacks. Even with minerals in hand, if others used food as leverage against you, wouldn’t you have no choice but to swallow your pride and suffer?

After hearing Limbold’s explanation, Morax said, “Guili lacks mineral resources. If they cannot trade with us for iron ore, where will their machinery and weapons come from?”

Since both sides had needs, Tianheng had no fear of being sanctioned.

Limbold was speechless.

Good grief, you’re impossible!

Then he had no choice but to use his trump card.

“But they already gave the token of alliance. What can I do?”

Limbold crossed his arms and pouted: “Are you saying I should go back on my word? That’s not right, Morax! Aren’t we best friends?!”

Having a glimmer of hope for infrastructure development, he absolutely could not let Morax’s stubbornness ruin his future happiness.

Morax truly had no way to deal with this determined slime. After a few minutes of stalemate, he sighed helplessly and conceded.

“Very well… Since the token has been sent, I don’t wish to see you troubled by that Dust Archon.”

He admitted his own oversight — it was he who had allowed Limbold to confront the Dust Archon first.

Ultimately, Limbold was acting for the sake of Tianheng and its people’s future.

However...

“Whether the alliance can be successfully forged depends on me meeting that Dust Archon in person.”

The Earth Archon’s eyes were filled with cold, rational resolve.

“Sure, no problem!” Limbold’s spirits soared the moment Morax relented. As long as it wasn’t a flat refusal, he was thrilled!

He believed in Guizhong’s ability to win Morax’s approval.

With that major worry resolved, the previously timid slime grew bold. It hopped quietly from the stone table and landed precisely on Morax’s lap, stretching out a hand as if expecting a reward.

“So, what’s my reward?” the slime asked eagerly.

Morax looked down at him, puzzled. “Reward?”

Sneaking around and expecting a reward? Really?

Facing Morax’s indifference, Limbold insisted boldly, “Of course, the reward for successfully obtaining grain and safely escorting the supply team back!”

One thing at a time — allying with Guizhong was his own initiative, but the grain exchange was a task he had seriously completed!

So he deserved a reward!

The slime shot Morax hopeful beams.

“…What do you want?” Morax tentatively asked the slime’s sparkling eyes.

If Limbold’s request was outrageous, Morax would have refused mercilessly.

After all, he hadn’t even confronted Limbold about acting without permission to ally with the Dust Archon.

“Hmm, let me think.” Limbold admitted, suddenly unsure what to ask for now that Morax had agreed.

What could he want?

Delicacies? None.

A mansion? No.

Money? Forget it — everything was still barter at this point.

No tangible rewards, no spiritual ones either — Teyvat was such a broken place it didn’t even have internet!

After careful consideration, the slime’s hopeful gaze dimmed.

Thinking like this, Morax and his people had nothing Limbold truly desired…

Facing Morax’s stone-colored eyes waiting for an answer, Limbold shook his head frantically. No, no — he couldn’t miss such a good opportunity!

Since there was nothing he wanted, he’d consider what Morax himself could offer as a reward!

With this in mind, the slime’s gaze sharpened. He scrutinized Morax from head to toe, while the young Archon calmly brewed tea.

The man lifted the square cup and took a gentle sip. “Well? Have you decided what you want as a reward?”

“Hey, no rushing! I’m still thinking!”

Limbold strained every muscle in his body, still pondering. As the tea ran low and Morax prepared to refill, a sudden inspiration lit his eyes.

“When I’m in slime form, I can’t move easily. How about you just carry me from now on? I don’t want your people treating me like some rare creature to be gawked at anymore!”

Hehe, with Morax as his big protector, he wouldn’t be grabbed and tossed around by those little brats!

Sorry, human kids! For the sake of my glorious future, I have to sacrifice your happiness!

After all, a slime’s life is a life!

Morax paused his tea pouring, expression unreadable. “You want me to carry the slime version of you around?”

This request wasn’t difficult — in fact, it was almost too simple.

But having this mischievous slime make such a straightforward demand felt unfamiliar. He stopped what he was doing and asked again, “Is that all?”

“Eh?”

Could he push for more?

Seeing an opening, Limbold’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Maybe sometimes I could show you my tail and dragon horns for some petting and cuddling?”

Hearing such bold words from the slime, Morax’s encouraging expression vanished instantly. He lifted Limbold from his lap and tossed him to the ground coldly.

“You lose your reward.”

Limbold froze immediately. “??? What? How come? You change your face faster than flipping a book!”