Chapter 3

Evol Slime Shier went out with me.

"Pyuhuhuhu, Shier has done a great job. If we can shine here, even if the position of the [Holy Four] is out of reach, we might be able to become one of the [Eight Demon Generals]. My heart is all aflutter."

The blue-haired girl wore an evil smile.

Incidentally, the [Holy Four] and [Eight Demon Generals] are titles given to special monsters.

The pinnacle of my monsters is the three [Contracted Monsters], followed by the [Holy Four], who possess immense power. These monsters are not only overwhelming as individual combatants but also excel as commanders.

The [Eight Demon Generals] are chosen based on pure power.

Some of the [Eight Demon Generals] can even match the [Contracted Monsters] in a fair fight.

These monsters can single-handedly take on an entire country.

The titles of [Holy Four] and [Eight Demon Generals] were created by the black dragon Duke, my strategist, to boost the motivation of the monsters.

... Incidentally, those who are chosen receive a nickname.

Every time, the monsters beg me, as the Demon King, to give them a nickname, but to be honest, some of the nicknames I give are a bit questionable.

Like [Harbinger of Death]—what was I thinking when I gave that one? At least the person is happy about it.

"Pyuhuhuhu, now Shier will have a nickname too."

... I can't just leave without rewarding her if she brings me back safely. I'll start thinking of a nickname for her now. Something as unassuming as possible.

When we went outside, the girl who had been taking care of me ran over, looking worried and asking various questions.

There was a basket of laundry at her feet, and it seemed she had been in the middle of washing clothes.

I nodded with a smile and somehow conveyed that I was fine through gestures, and she returned with a relieved look.

It's inconvenient not being able to communicate. I need to do something about it.

"Lord Demon King, wouldn't it be more convenient to understand the girl's language?"

"That's true. I plan to stay here until everyone comes to pick me up. ... The feelings she directs towards me are comfortable. Also, it's a hassle to secure a place with just the right kind of prey."

Demon Kings don't need food.

They feed on human emotions.

Most Demon Kings create dungeons, luring adventurers who seek treasure or to level up by killing monsters, and feed on their desires, fears, and despair.

I'm a bit different. I built a city and gathered people.

I live off the emotions of the people in the city, preferring positive emotions like joy and happiness.

While negative emotions are much stronger, the advantage of positive emotions is that they can be obtained from many people over a long period.

Without human emotions, a Demon King would starve to death.

Her feelings of gratitude, while not in large quantities, are of good quality.

... However, the emotions of just one person might last only ten days. Considering that feelings of gratitude can fade over time, it might be even shorter.

If I don't return soon, I'll have to take action to obtain the emotions of many people.

Before I starve and can't move properly.

"Then, there's no choice. I'll leave it to Shier. Pui, mogu mogu."

Shier chewed on the hair she had pulled from the fox tail when she passed the girl earlier.

After swallowing, she spun in the air just like when she turned into the blue-haired girl.

She became a girl with fox ears and a tail.

Shier's ability, [Mimicry].

By absorbing a part of the target, she can take on their appearance and skills.

"Pyumumu... Pui, I understand it all! The words those girls use. I'll teach them to Lord Demon King!"

"Ah, thank you. I remember, you had that skill."

"Yes, yes! I got it by eating a monster during a battle. ... Please wait a moment. I'll return to my original form... [Mind Transfer]."

She returned to her blue-haired human form and used [Mind Transfer].

This skill, used by a monster of an opposing Demon King during the war, allows the transfer of knowledge to others.

It's quite convenient for quick information sharing.

Shier is enthusiastic but considerate.

Not only did she transfer the language, but also the information she obtained from the girl, such as the village and its surroundings, using [Mind Transfer].

... Several country names came up, but I didn't recognize any of them.

The unfamiliarity increased. No matter what, they were too unfamiliar.

Could I be fundamentally misunderstanding something?

No, let's not think about it.

What's important now is to contact Avalon.

"Then, Lord Demon King, I'll use [Perfect Mimicry]!"

"Ah, go ahead. I grant you the power to release it in the name of the Demon King Procella of [Creation]."

"Understood!"

Shier turned into her default droplet-shaped slime form and released a massive amount of magic power, causing the surrounding trees and wind to stir.

At that moment, I used my Demon King ability to check Shier's status.

Race: Evol Slime S-Rank

Name: Shier

Level: 87

Strength E, Endurance E, Agility C, Magic D, Luck D, Special EX

Skills:

- Mimicry: By absorbing a part of the target, can transform into their appearance and use their stats and skills at one rank lower.

* Cannot use skills other than the target's while transformed.

* Can use the target's skills at two ranks lower even when not transformed.

* Can mimic up to A-Rank targets.

- Split: Can create clones of oneself.

- Physical Immunity: Nullifies physical attacks. Moderate magic resistance.

- Storage: Can store substances in an alternate dimension.

- Super Transformation: Can change shape, mass, texture, hardness, and color at will.

Evol Slimes have low stats for an S-Rank monster.

While the skills of physical immunity and super transformation are reliable, they are still quite unremarkable for an S-Rank, and the storage skill is not useful in combat.

The standout feature is undoubtedly [Mimicry].

Even with a one-rank reduction in stats and skills, she can transform into anyone by absorbing a part of them.

It has incredible versatility.

Additionally, even with a two-rank reduction in skill performance when not transformed, she can use all the skills of the monsters she has absorbed, giving her a vast array of options.

Of course, Shier has absorbed parts of all the monsters in Avalon, making her the most versatile monster.

... However, the downside is that she can only mimic up to A-Rank targets.

Not being able to mimic truly powerful S-Rank targets is a significant drawback.

But, in addition to these, she has gained skills from being given the power and name of a Demon King, as well as from reaching a high level.

This is her true trump card, which she can only use with my permission.

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