World Will

Watching the Direwolf Tribe bow their heads in submission, Mo Li sighed inwardly.

"Sure enough, anyone could have handled this."

To be honest, ever since arriving in this world, Mo Li had wanted to verify one thing: whether this world's World Will was paying attention to Rimuru. But after examining what had just happened, he finally understood. The World Will, or this world's Heavenly Dao, had always been watching Rimuru. When Mo Li had just wanted to kill all the Direwolves, he had felt a faint chill run down his spine. Clearly, aside from Rimuru, no one in this area could possibly be Mo Li's match, yet he had still felt that way. Based on Mo Li's guess, this had been a warning from the World Will. The Direwolf Tribe and Ran-ga were subjects this world had arranged for Rimuru. Mo Li could not kill them—at the very least, he could not kill Ran-ga. Ran-ga was no minor supporting character. So long as something was harmful to Rimuru, Mo Li could not do it. He was not someone who should exist in this world's story; he was an anomaly. Mo Li could do anything, kill any living creature, do whatever he pleased—but he could not do anything that would harm Rimuru. Not only because Rimuru was this world's protagonist and the Child of Fortune who carried most of this world's fortune, but also because she was the reincarnation of this world's creator, the Star King Dragon. This world protected Rimuru even more fiercely than it did a Child of Fortune. Her subjects would all, to some extent, receive the protection of Rimuru's fortune, let alone Ran-ga, the Star Wolf King and one of the Twelve Divine Demons in the later stages. Mo Li could kill those Direwolves, but he could not kill Ran-ga. That was the importance of fortune.

But the World Will had truly misunderstood Mo Li. From the very beginning, he had never intended to harm Rimuru. The Cute King held one of the highest positions in the anime world, and her personality was exceptionally good. Not to mention that Rimuru had been a girl in her previous life. Mo Li was very protective of a Rimuru who was both cute and able to act spoiled, just as Old Master Zhong protected Hu Tao and the Immortal Lord he saw every day.

Besides, Mo Li had come to this world to avert tragedies and retire in peace. Why would he insist on making an enemy of Rimuru and making trouble for himself? Wouldn't that be utterly idiotic? Still, being threatened by the World Will really did not feel good.

Mo Li felt rather uncomfortable.

"I've got it. As long as I get along with Rimuru and raise her to be on my side, then I can use Rimuru to command the World Will. I can do whatever I want. I refuse to believe that you, World Will, would dare screw over your own Child of Fortune—or your own father?"

Having figured it out, Mo Li let out a long breath. Even his breathing felt easier. Though Mo Li had seemed to have everything under control since arriving in this world, he had actually been tense the entire time, terrified that the World Will would identify him as an anomaly and erase him. If Mo Li had possessed some system, cheat, bug, or something of that sort, it would have been easier to deal with. But having only Old Master Zhong's abilities was not enough to put him at ease, because Mo Li knew those abilities had been bestowed upon him by the World Will. Mo Li guessed that the World Will had not erased him because of Rimuru. After all, Rimuru currently relied heavily on him. So long as he helped Rimuru properly in the future, everything would be fine. Once Rimuru grew up, Mo Li could begin his peaceful retirement life in another world. He truly envied Old Master Zhong's retirement. If he drank tea, it had to be the finest tea. If he listened to music, it had to be the finest compositions. If he walked birds, they had to be the most expensive birds. Mo Li had yearned for such a life for a long time.

What Mo Li did not know was that while he wanted to raise Rimuru as a daughter, Rimuru did not see things that way. Because of this matter, Mo Li would suffer quite a bit later on.

"Ari, Ari."

Just then, Mo Li heard someone calling him. Looking down, he saw Rimuru staring at him with a worried expression.

"Is something wrong, Rimuru?"

Mo Li asked gently.

"Nothing. I was just worried because you hadn't said anything for so long."

Rimuru said worriedly.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking about something."

Seeing Rimuru's worried expression, Mo Li felt gratified inwardly. The child was finally starting to grow up.

"Then, Ari, what should we do with these Direwolves?"

Rimuru asked Mo Li.

Only then did Mo Li come back to his senses. He had been so focused on the World Will that he had forgotten about this matter.

Mo Li thought for a moment.

"Since they intend to submit, naturally we should take them in as subjects."

Mo Li replied.

"Rimuru, have you ever thought about what you want to do after coming to this world?"

Mo Li asked Rimuru. Because of him, Rimuru was still carefree. In her eyes, whatever he did, she would follow along and do the same. Mo Li needed to change that way of thinking and make her have ideas of her own. After all, she would one day become the ruler of Tempest, the Demon Country Federation, the leader of all the monsters in the Jura Great Forest, and one of this world's Eight-Star Demon Lords. She could not keep thinking like this.

"What do I want to do in the future?"

Rimuru seemed stumped by the question and did not know how to answer for a while.

"Yes. What do you want to do in the future?"

Mo Li said gently to Rimuru.

To be honest, Rimuru truly did not know what she wanted to do. Ever since coming to this world, she had spent her time either sleeping or eating in the cave where Veldora was sealed. Even after meeting Mo Li, he had never made her think about anything. The only thing she had considered was making the Goblins submit just now. As for later on or the future, she had never thought about it.

Seeing Rimuru's confused expression, Mo Li knew that she had never considered this matter. If he did not ask, then whatever Mo Li did in the future, Rimuru would probably do the same.

That won't do. I'm counting on you to support me in my retirement. If you slack off, won't I have to work? That absolutely won't do.

"Rimuru, look at these Goblins and Direwolves. Have you thought about what will happen to them in the future?"

Mo Li pointed at the Goblins and Direwolves kneeling on the ground.

"I don't know."

Rimuru answered in confusion.

"Rimuru, they have already submitted to you. They are your subjects, your people. What should you do for your subjects?"

Mo Li explained seriously to Rimuru.

"Protect them."

Rimuru blurted out.

"That's right. You must protect your subjects and be responsible for them. Only then can they entrust their lives to you without worry. Do you understand?"

Mo Li said in a somewhat stern tone.

"I understand."

Rimuru answered loudly.