The sunlight of the new world warmed Shiro's white fur and glinted off his three tails as he walked beside Rimuru's slime form.
"Great Sage," Shiro spoke quietly, his blue eyes serious, "can you suppress my magicule? I don't want anyone noticing my power unnecessarily."
"Acknowledged. Magicule suppression complete," Great Sage replied.
Shiro nodded and flicked his tails. The aura around him dimmed significantly, though his strength remained untouched.
A Strange Tribe Appears
As they wandered through the forested valley, Shiro's keen senses picked up movement in the distance. A goblin tribe had gathered, their rough, green faces peeking from behind trees and rocks.
The oldest goblin stepped forward, trembling. "G-Great One… your magicule… it's… terrifying…"
Rimuru, unable to resist a dramatic entrance, expanded his slime body and bellowed, "I am Rimuru Tempest! A slime of extraordinary power!"
The goblins immediately fainted, falling to the ground as Shiro blinked, slightly amused.
Shiro nudged Rimuru, whispering, "Big brother… maybe tone it down a little?"
Rimuru's slime body jiggled. "I just wanted them to know who's in charge…"
Invitation to the Tribe
After recovering, the goblins led Rimuru and Shiro to their base, a crude but sturdy fortress carved into the mountainside.
"We… we need protection," the goblin chief explained nervously. "Our enemies are stronger than us, and your aura… it terrifies us."
Rimuru floated slightly back, modestly. "I-I'm not that strong…"
The goblin chief let out a small laugh. "Lord Rimuru… you must be joking, right?"
Rimuru frowned and whispered to Great Sage. "Turn my perception 180 degrees, please."
"Perception rotation complete."
Rimuru's eyes widened—or rather, his slime form vibrated in shock. The magicule leaking from the goblins' surroundings was enormous—far more than he had expected. Without hesitation, Rimuru sucked it all into his body.
He looked at Shiro, slightly annoyed. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Shiro flicked a tail lazily. "You didn't ask."
Rimuru huffed but decided not to argue further. He knew his little brother had a point, though his anger simmered underneath.
Negotiating Loyalty
Rimuru floated up to the goblin chief. "So… if I protect your tribe, what do I get?"
The goblin chief bowed deeply. "Our loyalty, Lord Rimuru. Every goblin here will swear allegiance to you and Lord Shiromaru. You shall be our supreme lords."
Rimuru looked at Shiro, who nodded approvingly.
"Then it's settled," Rimuru said. "I accept."
Shiro's tails flicked in approval. "Good. It's always better to have allies."
The goblins cheered, bowing once more. Rimuru's slime body jiggled happily, and Shiro's three tails swayed majestically.
From this day forward, Rimuru and Shiromaru Tempest had a goblin tribe under their protection, and the adventure of brotherly domination in this new world was just beginning.