Walking behind Rimuru into the village felt… surreal. She kept fidgeting with her hands, biting her lip doing everything she could to look "As normal" but it was impossible the goblins were literally staring holes into her their wide yellow eyes following her every step. Some clutched tools like weapons, some whispered to each other like she was some kind of myth come to life.
Her inner monologue was a mess. Holy crap I'm actually inside Tempest. Like… the actual Tempest. Those are goblins. Actual goblins. Oh my god they're so tiny in person. Wait, are they staring at me because I'm weird or because I look human? Do I smell? She grabbed her shirt and sniffed it 'don't smell anything bad unless my nose is bad' she kept sniffing her shirt just to make sure.
Rimuru glanced back at her once. Just once. "Ignore them" he said casually.
"Easy for you to say" she muttered under her breath "They're looking at me like I'm about to eat their kids" she shrinks down a bit but shoulders stiff.
He heard that "That's because they don't know what you are yet" he said smoothly like he was explaining the weather "Humans don't usually stroll into a monster village radiating enough power to scare the crap out of them"
She winced. "…Still not used to the whole 'me having power' thing" she looking away.
"You'd better get used to it fast" Rimuru replied "Because if you can't control your aura you'll keep terrifying everyone you walk past"
That shut her up she hugged herself tighter walking quietly now trying to pull her presence inward somehow, even though she had no idea how to do that.
They passed through the heart of the village. The houses were still being built sturdy log cabins instead of the little shacks she remembered from earlier episodes. Smoke curled from makeshift chimneys goblins ran around with buckets of water and baskets of supplies. It was… alive. Real.
Her chest ached a little at how different it felt seeing it with her own eyes.
"Rimuru-sama!" a goblin called out, bowing as he ran up to them. He was older-looking, with big ears and a crooked nose "Is this… the one from the cliff?" The goblin looked at her a bit cautiously.
Rimuru nodded "Yeah. Don't worry, she's not here to hurt anyone but spread the word nobody's to attack her unless I say otherwise. Got it?"
The goblin nodded furiously "Y-Yes, my lord!" He shot one more nervous glance at her before running off.
She whispered under her breath "Wow… I think I just got labeled as 'do not touch or you'll die'
"Basically" Rimuru said without missing a beat.
They approached a workshop where smoke and sparks flickered inside. The sound of hammering echoed out. She knew instantly who it was before she even saw him.
Oh my god. Oh my god. It's Kaijin. I'm about to meet Kaijin. Keep it together. Don't scream. Don't hug him. Don't—
"Kaijin!" Rimuru called out.
The dwarf looked up from his work wiping sweat from his forehead with a cloth "Hm? What is it Rimuru?" Then his eyes landed on her, and his friendly expression turned cautious "Who's this?"
Before she could open her mouth, Rimuru stepped in. "Someone new. Name's Nia. She… showed up out of nowhere near the village"
Kaijin's eyes narrowed a little studying her from head to toe "Showed up, huh? You sure she's not trouble?"
Rimuru shrugged lightly "That's what I'm figuring out."
She quickly raised her hands again shaking her head. "Nope! Not trouble! Zero percent trouble. Okay maybe like… five percent trouble, but only to myself not to anyone else"
Kaijin blinked clearly thrown off by her rambling. Then, to her horror, he actually chuckled. "Hah. Well, at least she's honest"
Her heart nearly exploded. Oh my god Kaijin just laughed at my dumb joke. He actually exists and he actually laughed.
"Kaijin" Rimuru said keeping things on track "spread the word to the dwarves too. She's under my watch. Don't let anyone panic"
Kaijin nodded firmly "Got it. If Rimuru-sama vouches for her, that's enough for me"
She blinked at him, shocked "Wait… that's it? You're not gonna… interrogate me or something?"
Kaijin shrugged. "If Rimuru trusts you I'll trust you. Simple as that." He smiled towards her.
Her chest squeezed. Wow. He's even nicer in person…
"Alright, come on" Rimuru said motioning for her to follow again "We'll head to the main hall. Easier to talk in private there."
She trailed behind him still buzzing from the Kaijin moment, but then she noticed the goblin kids peeking out from behind one of the houses. Three of them tiny wide-eyed, gripping each other's hands.
She froze. They looked… so small. Smaller than she imagined. Her heart melted instantly. She crouched down a little and gave a small wave with a soft smile.
The kids squeaked ducking behind the wall then peeked out again. One of them waved back shyly showing a slightly cute smile that melted her heart.
"To freaking adorable" she told herself.
Her chest warmed "Okay. That's it. Protect mode unlocked" she muttered.
Rimuru glanced back at her, catching the whole exchange. For the first time he actually smiled. Not a twitch not a fake one an actual, soft smile "Hmph Maybe you're not so bad."
She grinned nervously, standing up "Told you. I'm like… ninety-five percent harmless."
He chuckled quietly. "We'll see" he had his arms folded.
They reached the central hall, one of the larger finished buildings in the village Rimuru pushed open the door and stepped inside, motioning for her to follow.
The moment she entered she nearly fainted. Inside were more familiar faces Rigurd the goblin chief sitting proudly in his seat, and several others she recognized from the early arcs.
'Holy crap holy crap holy crap. It's Rigurd. He's real. He's actually—' she was not able to finish once again which made her eye Twitch a bit.
'Ugh feels like he can read my mind' putting up with these interrupted.
Rimuru clapped his hands, pulling everyone's attention. "Alright everyone, listen up. This is Nia. She's… new. And she's going to be staying here for a while. Under my supervision."
The room buzzed with whispers. Rigurd leaned forward, his expression kind but cautious. "Welcome, Nia. Any friend of Rimuru-sama is a friend of ours."
She nearly choked on her own spit. "F-Friend??" She quickly turned to Rimuru in disbelief. She also felt her neck pop.
'Oh it's less stiff now!' She thought to herself.
Rimuru smirked slightly. "Don't make me regret saying that." Rimuru shook his head.
She dropped into the nearest chair, her head spinning. I'm literally sitting in a room full of characters from an anime. What the hell is my life right now…