Out of the Cave

"Wait, someone's coming."

Mo Li hurriedly held Rimuru and hid behind a large rock.

Just then, the massive door slowly opened, and sunlight from outside streamed through the crack.

"Damn, why is there so much dust? It's choking me to death."

"Isn't that obvious? Look at this door—it's completely covered in rust. Even a lot of the patterns on it have corroded."

"No one's been in this cave for hundreds of years. It's normal for there to be this much dust."

"Alright, stop complaining."

"We should still be careful. This cave isn't safe."

"The client said no one's been here for hundreds of years. It shouldn't be a problem."

"Just don't scream when we run into monsters."

There were two men and one woman. Judging by their attire and conversation, they were probably adventurers from this world. The two men wore armor and held greatswords, so they were likely warriors. As for the woman, she wore something resembling a mage's robe, so she was probably a priestess or a magician.

Mo Li was no stranger to these three. After all, their connection to the Cute King ran deep. Izawa Shizue, Miss Shizue—the Cute King's destined person—had once formed a party with them, though these three had only held her back.

Although the three were weak, the woman among them had no simple identity. She was the daughter of Duke of Alarude of the Magic Dynasty, Sallion—a genuine highborn noble. Not to mention that her father was utterly obsessed with doting on his daughter. Didn't he rush right to the Cute King's doorstep after hearing some rumor from who knew where that his daughter had been abducted by the Cute King? He had immediately tried to cast Forbidden Magic on the Cute King. If his daughter had not arrived in time, the story might really have turned into a war between the Elf Dynasty and the Demon Country Federation.

"Alright, stop arguing. Don't forget our mission."

"Right, right, right. Hurry and cast the spell. We need to start exploring."

Then, under the effects of magic, the three vanished before the pair.

Seeing this scene,

Rimuru had just been about to speak when Mo Li covered her mouth.

"Don't talk. They haven't left. They probably used some sort of concealment magic to turn invisible."

Mo Li whispered to Rimuru.

"Hey, Mo Li, how did you know?"

Rimuru looked curious.

"Use your magic perception. You'll know once you sense them."

Rimuru expanded her magic perception. Sure enough, three energy masses containing magicules stood before them. But why were those three energy masses so small? Even the weakest monster she had encountered in the cave contained more magicules than all three of them.

"Mo Li, Mo Li, those three people seem to be..."

Rimuru had just been about to say something.

"Yes, the three of them aren't strong, but that doesn't mean there's no one behind them. Besides, we've only just arrived in this world. It wouldn't be wise to stir up trouble and invite unnecessary problems."

Mo Li said to Rimuru.

"Right, right. Mo Li's right."

Rimuru nodded repeatedly after hearing that.

"Besides, judging from their conversation, they must have come here on someone's commission. Otherwise, why would anyone suddenly come to a cave that no one had entered for hundreds of years? As for what the commission is, I'm guessing it has something to do with Veldora."

Mo Li said with a thoughtful expression.

"But why would it have anything to do with Veldora?"

Rimuru voiced her question.

"Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence? Veldora disappeared, and then someone entered the cave. And didn't you say your Stomach is an independent space that people outside can't sense? That means someone outside must have discovered that Veldora disappeared—or rather, that he died."

Mo Li explained to Rimuru.

"So they came here because of Veldora."

Only then did Rimuru come to a realization.

"There's a ninety percent chance that's the reason. Otherwise, who would come to a cave no one had visited in hundreds of years just for fun? Some force in this world must have been keeping an eye on Veldora. From Veldora's experiences, it was clear that people regarded him as an evil dragon—an evil dragon with immense power. Even if he was sealed away, someone would surely keep watch over him. See? It hasn't been long since you swallowed Veldora into your Stomach, and people already came. Veldora said that since his sealing, no one had ever appeared in this cave, so I conclude that these people's arrival definitely has something to do with Veldora."

Mo Li said with a thoughtful expression.

"That makes sense."

Rimuru wore an expression that said she understood.

"Alright, once they've gone farther away, we should get ready to leave too."

Mo Li suggested.

"Okay, okay, okay. Let's get going already."

Seeing Rimuru's impatient expression, Mo Li seriously suspected that if he had not held her back earlier, she would have already bounced outside.

As the three humans slowly left the range of magic perception,

"Mo Li, let's go."

Rimuru jumped out of Mo Li's arms and urged him on.

Seeing her like that, Mo Li could only smile helplessly.

Rimuru hurriedly bounced toward the entrance, eager to welcome her freedom.

It seemed that, because of the butterfly effect, the Cute King had become bolder in this life. No, it would be more accurate to say she had gained a bit of innocent liveliness and lost some of her steadiness. Then again, she had even changed from a man into a woman in her previous life. What couldn't change?

"Mo Li, what are you still doing? Hurry up and catch up, or I won't wait for you."

Rimuru called out.

"Coming."

Seeing this, Mo Li hurriedly followed her.

After walking out of the cave, Mo Li finally felt the presence of sunlight. Not to mention Rimuru—even Mo Li had been unable to endure staying in such a cave for more than ten days.

"We're finally out. I nearly suffocated in that cave."

Rimuru complained as she breathed in the fresh air.

Before them stood dense trees, countless plants Mo Li had never seen before, and air fresher than anything he had ever experienced.

So this is the Jura Great Forest. This is where the story began, and where Tempest would be built in the future.

Mo Li thought to himself. This place could be called the birthplace of the Cute King.

"Rimuru, don't rest here. Let's hurry and find somewhere safer to rest. We don't want the people behind us to discover us."

Mo Li said to Rimuru.

"Alright."

Rimuru answered, turned around, and jumped into Mo Li's arms.

"Carry me. I don't want to move."

Seeing Rimuru's lazy appearance, Mo Li merely smiled indulgently and said nothing more. After all, he did not know when the people inside would come out, or whether others might arrive. To be safe, they should leave this place first.

Holding Rimuru, Mo Li headed into the forest.