Looking at the tall, imposing Direwolf before him, Mo Li felt somewhat conflicted. Ran-ga was even larger and more majestic than his father.
To be honest, Mo Li had killed his father, yet Ran-ga bore no hatred toward him whatsoever.
If Mo Li had not read the original novel, he truly would not have dared keep Ran-ga around. In the original story, Rimuru had also slain his father and used force to make him submit.
In Ran-ga's words, Rimuru had been stronger than his father, the Direwolf King, so there was no one to blame for his death. On top of that, Rimuru was powerful and had given him a name. Since naming was engraved upon the soul, the named would become a member of the namer's soul lineage. Thus, Ran-ga obeyed Rimuru without question.
So even though Mo Li had killed his father, he had not wiped out the entire family. Otherwise, given Mo Li's overly cautious nature, he would not have cared whether Ran-ga was one of the Twelve Guardian Saints or a loyal servant of the Cute King. He would have killed him first.
While Mo Li was lost in thought, Rimuru had already decided what name to give the new Direwolf King.
Rimuru bounced over to Ran-ga.
"From now on, your name will be Ran-ga."
"Yes, Lord Rimuru."
Ran-ga thanked Rimuru gratefully.
Just as Rimuru finished naming him and prepared to name the next one, she realized that this time, the magicules being drained from her were especially numerous—more than when she had named all the Goblins.
Only then did she discover that every Direwolf had already been named. Rimuru was dumbfounded.
"What is going on? I only named one! How have they all been named?"
Seeing Rimuru's puzzled expression, Mo Li found it rather amusing.
At that moment, Ran-ga hurriedly explained the reason to Rimuru. He told her that naming the Direwolf Tribe once was enough to name them all.
Rimuru only half understood. Then, an intense wave of dizziness and weakness surged through her.
[Note: Warning! The host's magicules have fallen below a certain threshold. Entering dormancy mode. Full recovery is expected in three days.]
"Looks like naming them consumed too many magicules."
Darkness gradually filled Rimuru's vision.
Rimuru fell from the beastskin cushion. Even her usual faint blue glow began to dim.
Seeing this, Mo Li hurriedly caught her.
"Lord Rimuru!"
The watching Direwolves and Goblins immediately cried out in alarm and rushed over.
"My lord, what happened to Lord Rimuru?"
Rigurd asked with a worried expression.
"Yes, what happened to Lord Rimuru?"
All the surrounding monsters anxiously asked.
Seeing the concern on the faces of these monsters, Mo Li could not help feeling a warmth in his heart.
"It's nothing. She named too many monsters at once and used up all the magicules in her body. She'll recover in a few days."
Mo Li looked at Rimuru and spoke calmly.
"Enough. Stop crowding around. Disperse. I'll take care of Rimuru."
Mo Li said calmly to the surrounding monsters.
"Yes, my lord."
All the monsters replied respectfully.
"Alright, I'm taking Rimuru back to rest."
As Mo Li spoke, he stood up and prepared to carry Rimuru back to their dwelling.
"My lord, please wait."
A voice suddenly called out from behind Mo Li.
"Is there something else?"
Mo Li turned his head and asked coldly. He found that it was Ran-ga speaking. Though Mo Li had decided to come down from on high and take a proper look around, he did not have Rimuru's good temper. It was better to maintain a certain amount of dignity before his subordinates.
Hearing Mo Li's cold yet dignified tone, Ran-ga shrank back a little. This lord truly was different from Lord Rimuru.
"I merely wished to ask for your name, my lord."
Ran-ga said anxiously.
"My name?"
Mo Li fell into thought. It seemed he truly had never told them his name. Rimuru usually only called him Ari, so it was only natural that they did not know. Besides, Mo Li did not really want every monster to know the name Mo Li.
"From now on, you may address me as Morax."
As all the monsters lowered their heads, Mo Li's dignified voice rang out.
Afterward, Mo Li walked toward the dwelling without looking back.
Only after watching Mo Li leave did the monsters dare straighten up, each of them drawing a sharp breath.
"Lord Morax is truly imposing."
Ran-ga could not help sighing.
"Exactly. Lord Morax and Lord Rimuru really do have completely different personalities."
Rigurd agreed.
"But compared to Lord Rimuru, Lord Morax seems more like a leader."
Rigurd commented.
"Exactly, exactly."
Ran-ga echoed.
"Alright, we should not linger here either. Let's quickly carry out Lord Rimuru's orders."
Rigurd said to the other monsters.
"That's right. Let's get moving quickly."
Ran-ga said as well.
"Get moving, all of you! We cannot disappoint Lord Rimuru and Lord Morax!"
Rigurd shouted at the Goblins.
"Don't let the Goblins outdo us."
"Yes, Chief Ran-ga!"
All the Direwolves shouted.
At that moment, a dignified voice rang out.
"Quiet, all of you."
The moment the monsters saw that it was Mo Li, they were so frightened that they did not dare say another word.
"If you have work, do it. If not, stay quiet. Rimuru needs peace and rest, and I prefer some quiet as well."
Mo Li's words were imposing yet steady.
"Understood, Lord Morax."
All the monsters shouted.
"Alright, if there is nothing else, I'm going to rest. Go handle the tasks Rimuru assigned to you."
Mo Li's voice sounded slightly weary.
"Yes, Lord Morax."
Rigurd and Ran-ga stepped forward and bowed their heads.
Mo Li returned to the house, held Rimuru in his arms, and sat down on a cushion made of animal hide.
I thought they were a little noisy in the original novel, but it turns out they really are. Still, that's fine. At least I'm no longer alone. And the future crises won't be easy to handle. There'll be plenty to do.
Then Mo Li looked at Rimuru in his arms.
It seems that aside from the gender change, nothing else has changed. She's still the same as in the original novel. But that's fine. In fact, this is just right.
Mo Li's feelings toward Rimuru were somewhat complicated now. He did not know whether it was friendship or something else. He did have a favorable impression of Rimuru, but it was still far from love. Yet he would always unconsciously act tolerant and indulgent toward her, and even Mo Li did not understand why he did so.
As he thought, Mo Li also drifted off to sleep. Sunlight streamed in from outside. If anyone entered then, they would surely see a beautiful scene: a noble young dragon holding an adorable Slime.
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