AN: Sorry it took long, I just finished with my finals for this semester. Anyways enjoy the chapter.


Ch 10 Bitter Sweet

Tempest, June 22nd, 11:00 AM

"AGAIN!" Hakurou dodges another attack from the young master by moving to the side.

Harry kneels on the dirt with a training sword in his hand. He huffs after many tries to hit his mentor; it was tough knowing he has years of experience in swordsmanship. "C-Can you please at least give me a beginner lesson before you go and do the advance ones!"

Gobta laughs, feeling the young master's pain. "Harry-sama, this is the beginner's lesson!" He shouts.

"WHAT!?" Harry exclaims thinking that Gobta and Hakurou were just insane if this really is just the beginning course.

Hakurou chuckles, dodging each attack made from the young Majin. "I always train my students like this, beginner or not." He gave an elderly smile. "Now, try to strike me, young master!" The instructor shouted.

"AHHH!"' Harry rushed at him, only Hakurou dodge each attack again.

Benimaru watched the boy from behind the gate, still wary of his master's heir he keeps a close eye on him. "Benimaru-sama, what are you doing here? The Flame Lord froze, sensing his First wife standing behind him.

The Fair Oni looks behind him seeing the Tengu, her fan over her face while looking at him. "M-Momiji-chan, I-I can explain." He smiles weakly.

Momiji walks over to the wooden gate, seeing her Lord's son training with her father. "Spying on Rimuru-sama's heir are we dear?" She eyes her husband, sweating nervously. The silent response from the Demon Lord is enough for the Tengu to understand what's happening.

"Benimaru-sama, Harry-sama is just a child, like our daughter. He's innocent like all children and seems to somewhat care for our Lord." Momiji observes the young boy with her father.

"I know, but still-"

Momiji looks at her husband, "Try getting to know Harry-sama, remember that this is still new to him." She said to the Demon Lord. "He left his pervious life to be here with Rimuru-sama, he wouldn't just go with him like that if he hated monsters."

Benimaru sighs knowing that his first wife is right, he's just a child who just came from an abusive household. "Alright, I'll try."

The Tengu smiles at him, "That's what I like to hear, oh another reason that I'm here is that Demon Lords Dino and Luminous was spotted nearby from Souei-dono." She informed the Commander-in-chief. "Rimuru-sama asked of me to find you and greet them for the coronation."

"Thank you for informing me of this, Momiji-chan." Benimaru kissed his wife and left to the town square to greet the guests.

Rimuru, in his Demon Lord outfit, stood in front of the fountain waiting for the Vampire Queen and Fallen Angel. Shion, Shuna, Milim, Carrion, and Frey were with him, Souei appeared next to him kneeling on his knees. "Souei, what is it?"

"Rimuru-sama, the Demon Lords is a few miles away and King Gazel Dwargon is almost here with the Pegasus Knights." The Chief Spy informed his Lord of who's arriving.

Rimuru nodded, "That's good to know. How about the Sorcerer's Dynasty Sarion or Youmu's party or the Giants?" The Demon Lord asked the blue-haired man.

"We received word that they just left their Kingdom a day ago," Shion informed the Demon Lord of their whereabouts. "They should be here later tonight or tomorrow at the latest." She adjusted her glasses.

"That's great-huh?" Rimuru's eyes caught something shiny flying straight down in his direction.

Milim points in the sky with a cheery expression. "Oh! Oh! It's Dino!" She exclaims.

The object landed in front of the group, he folded his wings and yawned. "Hello Rimuru, sorry it took so long." Dino, a member of the Octagram greeted his fellow Demon Lord.

"Dino, I'm happy you can make it back in time." Rimuru greeted the Sleeping Ruler back home.

Dino shrugs, feeling tired from the long journey. "Yeah, well when that message said that you have a son. I came back to see what that tike is like." He looks around for any resemblance of a human child in the town square. "So, where is he?"

Rimuru smiles, knowing where his son is now. "Harry is with Hakurou training with the sword and-"

"His lesson won't be done until one," Milim interjected. "Hey Dino, can you take me shopping for more sweets?" She skips over to the Fallen Angel, smiling.

Dino sighs hard, looking at the side. "Fine but let me deliver this to Ramiris." He pulled out a flower from his bag.

Milim deflates, disappointed that he won't come with her right away. "Awe, poo." She puffs her cheeks, suddenly the sound of horse-pulled carriages echoes throughout the forest.

"Mmm? I guess the vampires are here." Rimuru saw the lavish and royal version of their own carriages coming up to the entrance of his city.

Shion steps forward, prepared to officially greet the Demon Lord. "Rimuru-sama, Luminous Valentine-sama's entourage is here." She informed the Demon Slime.

Rimuru nodded, seeing the middle carriage halt its momentum. A single guard steps down from the driver's seat and opens the side door. Everyone's eyes widen, instead of the Vampire Queen stepping out of the royal carriage it was the Pope of the Holy Empire Ruberios; Pope Louis Valentin.

"What's Pope Louis doing in Luminous-sama's carriage," Rigur questioned seeing the vampire Pope making his way to their Lord.

Rigurd steps forward, seeing he is the Minister of Tempest; he has the duty to greet other government officials from other countries. "Louis-dono, greetings of the behalf of Tempest I welcome the Holy Empire Ruberios to our nation." He greeted the Pope.

"It's an honor Rigur-dono, upon receiving your letter about your son Rimuru-sama. Luminous-sama has demanded that we come here right away to meet the boy." Louis responded, looking at the Demon Slime.

Rimuru chuckles, hearing that everyone is here for his son. "Well, he is the talk of Tempest. The people love his company," he smiles.

Louis chuckles, seeing all children no matter what species they are; are a handful yet a joy to be around. "Of course they are, I can't wait until I get to meet the young child."

"By the way, where is Luminous? I thought she's with you?" Rimuru asked the Pope of the Empire.

"Ah, Luminous-sama…yes she decided to take her own path from here…"

Harry huffed, exhausted from the training regimen that Hakurou gave him. He was outside the old man's premise needing some fresh air. "Beginner my ass, that is way too advance for me!" The young Majin exclaims, placing both hands on his face.

"My, you sure look tired." Harry removed his hands seeing a young girl in black, her hair was a silvery grey color. Her eyes were heterochromatic, one red and the other blue, her skin was an unnatural pale color almost like a vampire.

"Um…"


The strange girl rummage through her dress, taking out a small container of what seems to be water. "Here, I always bring a container of water with me whenever I go out." the girl handed over the water to him.

Harry was reluctant but humbly took the water from her hand. "T-Thank you," He drank the water, making sure there's some left for her to drink for later.

The girl smiles, tilting her head; acting cute. "Are you finish?" She asks the young Demon Lord.

"Yes," Harry hand over the container back to her, watching the girl placing it back in her pocket or wherever she was storing it. "May I ask why you are here and not greeting the guest from…uh…"

"The Holy Empire Ruberios and Demon Lord Dino's return." The girl assisted with the question. "Ah you see, I wanted to meet you privately. Dino is probably back at Ramiris's dungeon sleeping, me however I like to see who Rimuru has taken an interest to call his heir." The Vampire Queen explains her reason to the young boy.

Harry process what she was saying, the way this girl spoke is like she knew Rimuru personally. Then the conversation from the meeting at his new home pops up. He looks at the girl, having a feeling she was one of the Octagram. "Y-You! You're one of the Octagram that Rimuru mention!" He said,

"You're the Demon Lord of the Holy Empire Ruberios! Luminous Valentine, Queen of Vampires and Nightmares!" Harry exclaims, regretting that he didn't realize before.

Luminous smiles, spinning around in her place. "Outstanding deduction young Harry." She giggles. "Yes, I'm the Demon Lord of the Empire of Ruberios. It's a pleasure to meet you, Harry Tempest."

The young Majin got up from the ground, inclining his head to the Vampire. "I'm so sorry that I didn't-"

The Vampire Queen laughs, seeing the flustered face of the child of that Slime. "Oh, don't be I like to lead people astray of who I really am. Your father fell for that trick during the Walpurgis Banquet when I pretended to be a Maid." She smiles.

"O-Oh," Harry blinks.

"Luminous, there you are." The two look to the side, seeing Rimuru with Louis and Shion by his side.

Harry saw his father smiling at them. "Rimuru!"

Luminous gracefully walks over to the Demon Slime, smiling at him as she approaches. "Hello there, Lord Rimuru. It's been almost a year since I last saw you."

"I sent you letters once a week, the last one was the invitation about Harry's coronation." Rimuru sighs looking at the Vampire Queen.

The Vampire shrugs, twirling around. "Oh that was just letters, face to face is extremely different." She smiles before looking at the young Majin. "Besides, your child has piqued my interest and I just want to see him myself."

Harry felt a cold chill from his spine when Luminous stares down at him. "Um…Rimuru, a little help?" He looks at his father, feeling a bit uncomfortable when she looks at him like that.

Rimuru caught his son's expression. He looks to Louis, needing him to step in. "Louis, if you-"

Louis steps forward to the Vampire Queen, clearing his throat to gain her attention. "Mistress, we should get you settled in our guest quarters. We're going to be here for a while so…"

"Of course, Louis." Luminous looks over to Harry, patting his untamed hair. "It's nice to meet you young Harry, maybe we'll cross paths in your town in the near future." She walks away with the Pope of her nation.

Harry walks next to his father, watching the two heading off into town. "She's a bit-

"Off? Yes, yes she is." Rimuru finished his son's statement. "But from what her tone towards both me and you, Luminous seems to like you," he informed Harry from his examination of the Demon Lord.

Harry looks at his father, unsure what he means by she likes him. "What do you mean by that, Rimuru?"

Shion leans down to the young master. "Luminous-sama sometimes hides her status as Demon Lord to those who've piqued her interest." The Wicked Oni explains to him. "That means you are a topic of interest in her eyes, Harry-sama." She informed the young boy.

"Really?" Harry looks at his father's secretary, a bit happy that the Vampire takes a liking to him.

Rimuru patted his son's back. "I told you, once Luminous meets you she'll support you in being my heir." He gave a bright smile him. "Now, let's get something to eat. It's almost lunch and I'm sure that hard and tiring when training with Hakurou."

Harry nodded, feeling tired and hungry at the same time. "Yeah, I am a bit hungry." He pats his stomach.

Shion smiles, stepping in front of them. "I'll prepare you lunch right away, Rimuru-sama, Harry-sama!" She announces excitedly.

Rimuru froze upon hearing that Shion is cooking for them. "U-Uh, Shion can you get someone to help you?" He asked his secretary. "Your food is good but-"

"Worry not, my lord. I have been practicing." Shion speed walks, heading to Rimuru and Harry's home. "I'll have everything prepared when you arrive, my lords!" She cheerfully said turning back to the road.

"That's what I'm worried about." Rimuru sighs, placing his hand on his head.

Harry looks at his father, unsure why he's so worried about Shion cooking their meal. "Rimuru, I don't get why you're worried about Shion cooking. Her food at the picnic looks at tasted good." He asked, remembering the spread she prepared with Haruna.

Rimuru sighs, looking at his poor son who didn't see Shion's cooking without the help. "My dear son, you'll understand soon enough." He patted him as he made his way to their home.

"Huh?"

Later at the Tempest residence, Rimuru and Harry sat down at their dinner table hearing Shion rummaging in their kitchen. "Um…is Shion-" Harry flinched hearing a pot crash on their flooring.

"Oh well, there goes that dish." Shion rummages through the fridge before closing the door. "Ah, now that's a good dish to serve to them!"

Harry flinched hearing more unpleasant noises from the kitchen. "Okay in there?" he continues what he wants to say after hearing a ruckus inside.

Rimuru gave a wary smile at his son, somewhat ensuring him that everything is alright. "W-Well, Shion before wasn't a good chief per se. She thinks she good but…"

"Don't tell me. She's that bad?" Harry asked, praying this wasn't the case.

The Slime sighs, "Well, shortly after I became Demon Lord. Shion gains a Unique Skill called Cook, anything she cooks will taste what food she imagine, however…the appearance didn't" Rimuru informs his son about Shion's abilities.

Harry's face pales, he was about to say something when Shion walks into the room with a large pot. "Rimuru-sama, Harry-sama! Your food is ready!" Shion announced with joy.

They watched as Shion placed the pot in the middle of the table. "I hope you like it, I made it with love and affection for the both of you." She gave a sweet innocent smile.

Shion lifts the cover, revealing a purple bubbling mess with some burnt meat floating around. Harry's faced paled, the fear of getting poison or an agonizing death began to sink in. "Uh…" He gaped, not wanting to say anything that would offend the Wicked Oni.

Harry looked in surprise when his father took a bowl and casualty ate the purple slop. "Don't worry, I know it looks…off, but it still tastes good." Rimuru ensures his son the Shion's cooking is safe.

"Alright then…" Harry scoop up the purple mess, a bit bubbling but seeing that Rimuru hasn't died just yet he decided to take it. After putting it in his mouth, his eyes widen at the delicious taste it gives off on his tongue. "It tastes like…like chicken soup!" He said, devouring the rest in an instant.

Shion smiles, delighted that the young master likes her cooking. "I'm happy to hear that, young master." She said to the young boy. "Please feel free to take as much as you like, Harry-sama."

" I will!" Harry took another portion of the strange soup and happily ate it.

Rimuru looks at his son, a small smile was written on his face. Then a thought came racing across his brain. "Harry, tomorrow I'd like to take you somewhere close by Tempest." He informed his son.

Harry tilts his head, wondering what he has in plan. "Where are we going Rimuru?" He asked,

"Just wait and see," Rimuru ruffled his hair gently, (Insert Tensei shitara slime datta ken – FAVOR)


The next day the duo tracks over the hilltops, heading to what seems to be a cliff. "Rimuru, can you please tell me where we are?" Harry asked, carrying some candles in his hands.

Rimuru looks down at his son, having a bit of a hard time walking up the hill. "Just a few more steps, Harry, and we'll be there." He shouted at him. The Demon Slime decided to wait for him to catch up since the place he wanted to show Harry is close.

Harry huffed, finally catching up with his father. "Just how far is this place you wanted to show me Rimuru?" He asked, looking around.

The Demon Lord points at the tree on the edge of the cliff. "There, someone is there waiting for us to arrive." He smiles sadly yet contempt with it as he treads forward.

"Who?" Harry asked, following his father to the edge.

Harry treads forward, still holding the candles in his hands. Upon turning around the tree, he saw a pile of rocks, stack on top of one another. On the ground was a small table with an ashtray, "Is this…a gravesite?" Harry asked, hearing some places that people without a tombstone have a pile of rocks instead.

"It's more of a grave cenotaph, no one's really resting here," Rimuru explains, holding out his hand to him. "Candles?"

Harry jumps, placing them on his father's pale hands. "Here you go," He replied. He watches Rimuru lit the candles with small flames he generated himself. Harry then saw him lighting other candles on each side before placing the one in his hand in the center.

The young boy steps forward, watching Rimuru kneel on his knees and place his hands together. Harry copied what he did, seeing this is a grave marker he needs to be respectful for whoever is he praying for.

Rimuru looks up at the stones with a soft smile. "Harry, did I tell you about your mother?" he asked softly.

Harry blinks, nodding as a response. "Yeah, you told me when you and I first met a couple of weeks ago." He answered,

"This is the most peaceful place here, it has a nice breeze, the right amount of shade, and sunlight. Plus it overlooked Tempest, it's nice." Rimuru smiles. "This spot is perfect to put Shizu's grave."

"Shizu? Is she-"

Rimuru nodded, feeling a bit teary. "Yeah, your mother Shizu Izawa. I always come here to be alone when I need it," he explains.

Harry felt sadden that his mother isn't in this world with him or Rimuru, to be honest with himself; he really wanted to see his mother no matter what she now looks like. Well, he can since Rimuru is both his mother and father.

The boy moves closer to Rimuru, praying with him.

Rimuru saw the sudden movement that Harry made, he was happy that he was here with him. The Slime gently wraps his arm around Harry, pulling him closer into a hug.

"Rimuru, what's mum like here?" Harry asked after he finished praying.

The Slime thought for a moment before answering. "Well, your mother is kind, cared for a lot of people she meets. Even to some students at the Academy which they loved her as their teacher." He smiles.

"She's also strong. She can control fire, Conquer of Flames. That's what the adventurers call her, pretty cool name huh?" He looks at Harry, listening to his words.

Harry nodded, thinking the name was epic. "Yeah, since she's my mother do I have her abilities too?" he asked, wanting to live up to his mother's title.

"From the inheritance that Gringotts gave you do share both me and your mother's abilities," Rimuru informs the boy. "In honesty, I think you can. As long as you have a good heart, then you can become anything."

Harry looks at the grave and back at his father. "H-Hey Rimuru?"

"Yeah Harry?" Rimuru asked, wondering what he has in his mind.

"C-Can I call you dad?"

Rimuru blinks, feeling a bit nostalgic when Harry said that word. He never really been called dad before, even as James that was taken from him. Now, he has the chance again to be called by that title. "Sure, whatever you want son." They hugged as they continued staring at the candles.

The two stayed there for a while, not noticing that someone was watching them. Neither one senses the presence of that person.

The figure smiles, gently treading over to them. "Slime-san. Harry-kun, take care of one another. I will be with both of you, always." The figure said to the two.

Harry blinks, looking at his back, "Was somebody behind us?" He asked his father.

Rimuru looks at his back, seeing no one in sight. "I guess you were just thinking things." He got up from the ground, packing the remaining candles. "Let's go back, I'm sure everyone is waiting for us."

Harry nodded, walking beside the Demon Lord. "Alright then," As they walk down the hill, Harry looked back at the tree, then he saw her. A woman in white garments, black hair, and black eyes was waving at them. "Take care," he watches her disappear before Rimuru called his name.

"Huh? Oh! Coming!" Harry rushed over, not realizing he was behind. (End song)


AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.