At that moment, Mo Li suddenly spoke.
"Ari, what do you mean by that?"
Rimuru asked with a puzzled expression.
Seeing the look on Rimuru's face.
"Rimuru, you're still too naive."
Mo Li continued.
"The second and third rules you set are fine. But the first rule clearly has a problem."
"A problem? What problem?"
Rimuru looked completely confused.
Even all the monsters were somewhat puzzled. Were Lord Mo Li and Lord Rimuru arguing?
"Rimuru, let me ask you a question."
Mo Li said to Rimuru.
"What question?"
Rimuru asked curiously.
"What kind of creature are you now?"
"A Slime! What about it?"
"What is a Slime?"
Mo Li pressed on.
"Uh, a monster, I guess!"
Rimuru answered uncertainly.
"That's right. Slimes are monsters. Then tell me, what is the relationship between monsters and humans?"
Mo Li calmly asked Rimuru.
"They're... hostile toward each other."
Rimuru vaguely seemed to realize something.
"That's right. Monsters and humans are two hostile factions. And what was your first rule? That no one was allowed to harm humans, right?"
Mo Li said calmly.
"Yes."
Rimuru lowered his head and answered softly.
Seeing Rimuru like this, Mo Li knew that he had realized something.
"You said humans must not be harmed, but what if humans harm them? Have you considered that?"
Mo Li lectured Rimuru.
Mo Li could not be blamed for lecturing Rimuru. The consequences of this mistaken rule of Rimuru's were far too severe. Later, when Tempest was being subjugated by humans, its people had been too constrained by Rimuru's rule forbidding harm to humans. In the end, with their strength suppressed and their actions bound by the rule, many of his subjects were killed or wounded. If Rimuru had not come to his senses and, with timely reminders from others, awakened as a Demon Lord, then used the Ultimate Soul Revival Technique with Great Sage's help to collect soul fragments—while also sacrificing those two demons of The Original Black—he would never have been able to save those dead subjects. At that time, every advantage of timing, location, and circumstance had aligned. If even one had been missing, everything would have been over. Therefore, to prevent that from happening, Mo Li needed to give Rimuru a warning in advance, lest he do something foolish.
"No... I haven't."
Rimuru said softly, his head lowered.
Seeing Rimuru like that, Mo Li could not help but sigh.
"Sigh, Rimuru, you need to understand that you are no longer human. You should not continue viewing problems from a human perspective. That is wrong. I know you were human in your previous life, and it is difficult to change your mindset so quickly. But your mistake is that you should not only consider humans. You are now the lord of these monsters. You must take responsibility for them, understand?"
Mo Li said sternly.
"I-I understand, Ari. I was wrong. Then I'll abolish the first rule."
Rimuru said shamefacedly.
"No need. Rimuru, you can like humans. After all, I like them too. We just need to add a condition."
Mo Li said to Rimuru.
"What condition?"
Rimuru asked curiously.
"Any creature that threatens your or my life—and this also includes creatures that threaten the lives of our subjects—must be eliminated, regardless of race, including humans. I have always believed in one saying: if others do not offend me, I will not offend them; but if they offend me, I will pursue them no matter how far away they are. We need to establish a line of defense for our subjects. Do you understand, Rimuru?"
Mo Li explained to Rimuru.
"I understand, Ari."
Rimuru said with determination.
"Rimuru, don't blame me for overthinking things. Humans are extremely complicated creatures. You were not very old in your previous life, so you do not understand humanity's other side. Not all humans are kind. Rather, truly kind humans are rare. All humans care about is profit. In our country, there is a saying: every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy him. Even your friends may betray you for profit. Sometimes, you are friends one second, then enemies drawing blades against each other the next. Do you understand?"
Mo Li patiently said to Rimuru.
"I understand, Ari. I'll go tell them right away."
Rimuru said seriously.
Since they had seen Rimuru preparing to speak with Mo Li, all the monsters had kept their distance, afraid of overhearing something they should not know.
"All of you, come over here. I have something to announce."
Rimuru called out to the Goblins and Direwolves.
Hearing Rimuru's call, they did not dare linger and immediately ran over.
"We're changing the first rule from before. That is, as long as humans do not harm you, you may refrain from harming them. Understand?"
Rimuru shouted to the monsters.
"What if humans harm us?"
At that moment, a Goblin suddenly spoke up.
"Then you may fight back, even kill them. Let's put it this way: any creature that threatens your lives must be eliminated, regardless of race, including humans. Do you understand?"
Rimuru said to the monsters.
"Understood!"
All the monsters shouted.
"What if we can't defeat them?"
A female Goblin spoke up.
"Then run. If you cannot defeat them, then run. In any case, preserve your own lives first, understand?"
Rimuru said very seriously to the Goblin.
"Everyone, if the gap in strength between you and the enemy is too great, run. Run as far as you can. In any case, preserve your own lives first, understand? You only have one life. Nothing is more important than your life. Do you all understand?"
Rimuru said to all the monsters.
"Understood, Lord Rimuru."
All the monsters responded.
"We do not provoke trouble, but neither do we fear it. We may be friendly toward others, but we cannot let them think we are weak."
Mo Li's voice carried over at that moment.
"I'll give you a saying: if someone respects you by an inch, respect them by a foot; if someone keeps pushing their luck, there is no need for you to keep yielding. Do you all understand?"
By the time he spoke the final sentence, Mo Li's tone was filled with domineering authority.
"Understood, Lord Morax."
Hearing Mo Li's imposing words, all the monsters became somewhat excited.
"If the other side refuses to be reasonable, come find Rimuru and me. Rimuru and I will stand up for you. Rimuru and I stand behind you, understand?"
Mo Li shouted to all the monsters.
"All right, if you have any remaining questions, ask Rimuru."
After saying that to the monsters, Mo Li fell silent.
Before you continue