Veldora is panicking.

In all his centuries spent as a Storm Dragon, nothing could have prepared him for the life of parenthood. Now that he's in this stage, he wondered how his brother did it with his niece, Milim.

But Naruto just won't stop crying.

"Shh… Daddy's here…" He tried smothering the infant with his pheromones, fed him to the brim with magic, he even let the little thing suckle on his developing chest just out of curiosity. Nothing is working. He sighed in defeat.

"Okay little one… maybe we should pay a visit to your papa okay?" At his words, the little hatchling seemed to have understood, instantly snuggling against his daddy's giant pecs, telling Veldora that little Naru just wants his papa.

"Hmmm…. You're a strange one aren't you? Normally hatchlings like you would prefer the omega's scents. But now you're screaming for our alpha. I'm a little jealous now." The Tsundere dragon puffed his cheeks as he slowly made his way for the administrative building.

"Well, anything for my cute little son." Along his way, the citizens of Rimuru city bowed in reverence. Veldora proudly displayed the infant to any who would pass by.

It didn't take long before Veldora arrived at the strategy room. Rimuru was busy entertaining some dignitaries from the Western Kingdoms when he met Veldora's gaze through the glass sliding door.

One look from his omega and the alpha was instantly on his feet.

"Apologies, gentlemen, I have to take this one. Benimaru, please take over for me, will you?"

"Yes, Lord Rimuru."

—

The alpha and omega settled themselves on the residential suite, a room reserved for him and Rimuru during longer meetings, just in case they need to spend time at the government building rather than their main residence, a castle right on the hill overlooking the city.

While they loved the hustle and bustle of the town, Rimuru commissioned Kaijin and a host of dwarves to build them a castle, surrounded by a lush beautiful garden. Only the best for his dragon after all. And his awakening as an alpha awakened one of the most potent and irresistible of alpha's traits- the desire to spoil their omega rotten.

"Is something wrong, Veldo-kun?"

"He has been crying since you left, Ri-chan… I don't know what to do. Am I not good enough? My little Naru only wants my alpha and not me.. I failed as a father!" Rimuru smiled softly as he took Naruto in his arms. He chuckled at his omega's antics. The Tsundere dragon can be dramatic sometimes but that's part of his charm.

"There there, my omega… You're a good omega, Veldo-kun. That's a good boy. I'm sure little Naru didn't mean it like that. Let me take a look at him."

Veldora sobbed in his alpha's chest as Rimuru tried to comfort him. It was an awkward position considering Rimuru's size. All the while, the alpha was already holding their newborn while trying to hug and kiss his omega. But the demon lord masterfully maneuvered between his mate and his child.

Rimuru took a glance at their son. Just as he looked at their crying son, he felt a strange presence around the hatchling.

"Raphael…" And without even finishing, his skill spoke, grabbing Veldora's attention. After they mated, their soul corridor meshed and melded, letting them instantaneously share their skills, thoughts and memories with each other. This means that even Veldora can hear and converse with Raphael.

[Report… Scans indicate a secondary soul attached to Unique Skill: Kitsune Sage. Preliminary survey shows this soul causes discomfort to individual Naruto. Gifting Pain Nullification. Performing analysis.]

Rimuru can't help but be amazed. Sometimes, Raphael acts independently, even without his input.

[Report… Isolation of the soul and granting it a separate vessel is recommended. Drafting plans for execution. Execute?]

"Yes. Please Raphael."

[Report… Activating Ultimate Skill: Beelzebub. Notice: Soul isolated. Ultimate Skill: Uriel recruited. Analyzing…]

Woah…Raphael has become more and more efficient and fast. Rimuru can't help but feel the smugness of his skill at the thought.

[Report… Recommendation, find compatible vessel for the soul. Vessel identified: Fox Cryptid]

"Thanks Raphael. Let's contain this soul for now until we can find a Cryptid."

[Understood.]

As both alpha and omega cuddled on the bed with their son in their arms, they took a moment to ponder at what they just heard. It was Veldora who broke the silence first.

"Ri-chan… What… what was that? Secondary soul… what?"

Rimuru giggled at his omega's confused stammering. The dragon is too adorable for his own good sometimes. He kissed Veldora's temple reassuringly and hugged Naruto tighter to his chest, bathing both his mate and child in his scent.

"It appears our son isn't as ordinary as we thought. He's an otherworlder like me. And a reincarnated one to boot. Somehow, during his travel into this world, another soul hitched a ride, I suppose."

He sensed Veldora's agitation and continued immediately. "Uhhh no need to worry, love. This soul doesn't seem to be dangerous. But his energy is indeed harsh. But he seems paternal and overprotective of our child. I wonder if this soul acted as a father figure of sorts to little Naru here back in his old world."

"So what you're saying is, there's something else in our son's body? And that was why he was so irritable today? Why only now?"

[Report… My lords, if I may…. It appears that some of the energies you've been feeding your hatchling had been directed to this soul, causing it to slowly awaken. Analysis revealed potential for this soul to utilize Kitsune Sage as a medium to guide Naruto and consolidate his skills more efficiently.]

"Hmmm… so our son would have his own friend… like I do with you, Raphael. Good to know he has someone he can rely on from now on. We'll work on analyzing this soul further.]

Rimuru and Veldora felt a soft buzzing and chuckled. Raphael may just be a voice, but they can feel its embarrassment and pride at Rimuru's words.

"So… our son is okay now right? I can take him home? Sorry for bothering you today, Ri-chan."

Rimuru gave his omega another kiss.

"Don't think that love. You don't have to go home right away. You two mean the world to me. Always come to me whenever you need something, no matter how small it might be. Okay? And next time, just call me through the soul corridor. I'll teleport to you right away."

"Same with me, my fated mate. Do not hesitate to talk to me about anything. Thanks for today, Ri-chan. I really appreciate it. And I—" Veldora pondered Rimuru's words… and his face reddened.

"Sorry I didn't call for you right away. I guess i panicked that I made my way to you instantly. I swear my body moved on its own." Rimuru laughed softly. Seriously this doofus. But a loving dork not just to his but their son as well. So he can't possibly fault the dragon for that now can he?

"It's okay, Vel-kun, you two are my world. And I'll drop everything for you two to be happy."

"Tsk…. Is that from a manga Ri-chan? You never said such cheesy lines before." Veldora kissed Rimuru's neck, his blush deepening.

"No… this one came from my heart. You two are most precious to me, after all." Rimuru smiled wide as his omega beamed at him. Truly, his dragon never fails to make him smile.

"I-I wasn't touched or anything." Veldora turned his head away, but it was clear from how his body enveloped the smaller alpha, holding tighter to the smaller male, that those words are empty. And Rimuru knew that his dragon appreciated his attention.

Rimuru just pulled the dragon for a searing kiss, the two lovers holding each other tight, their little Naruto in between them. They basked in each other's scent, staying like that for a while before sleep slowly took them.

—

Morning came soon and a soft knock jostled Rimuru awake. He gave his sleeping dragon and hatchling a soft kiss before slowly extracting himself from Veldora's strong grip.

"I'll be out soon, Benimaru. Wait for me in the office." He sent through thought communication, to avoid disturbing his family. Slowly, he made his way to the office and met with his officers.

"What is it Benimaru? How did the meeting conclude last night?"

"Rigurd and I successfully wrapped up the discussion with Engrassia's liaison. We were able to negotiate trade deals, a branch of the free guild and a formal school here in Tempest. They are also willing to send some personnel to help us realize our plans and tailor our facilities to benefit both monsters and humans alike. It would appear that we will have our hands full in the coming days."

"Good work, Benimaru. And the formalization of our own School of Wizardry?"

"Their liaison assured us that they'll help us with that. I already informed Mjurran and Shuna."

"That's good. With a formal school catering to that, we can relieve them the pressure of having to maintain our protection barriers." Rimuru glanced at the window outside where a triple barrier was visible only to high level monsters like him. He had it surround their city to prevent a repeat of Falmuth's attack. A sensory barrier and a protection barrier will provide early warning systems in case of intrusions or Wide Area attack that weakened their magic before but he knew the strain of maintaining these barriers, even after Shuna and Mjurran evolved their gifts.

"Is there anything else worth noting?"

"That's all, Rimuru-sama."

"Thank you Benimaru. Coordinate with Vesta and Kaijin too for the plans for our coming facilities. If that's all, Veldora and I will be out for breakfast. You need anything else, you can always reach me."

"Understood sir." Benimaru smiled, he liked being reminded of how intricately linked they all are to their master, to the point that they can now send thought communications near instantaneously, even with interference from magic or wards. It is a reassuring comfort and though he vowed himself never to be too dependent on their Lord again, it is still a comfort blanket that with his ascension and evolution to demon lordship, he is always with them.

Rimuru smiled as he took his leave.

—

Rimuru returned to their quarters and saw Veldora feeding Naruto. The sight of his muscular and strong omega, cradling and breastfeeding their hatchling gave an odd warm feeling electrifying his chest. He gave a soft hug to his adorable Tsundere and smiled wider when Veldora leaned into his touch.

"After little Naru feeds, why don't we go out for a picnic? I'm free today."

Veldora grinned at that, his golden eyes shining at the prospect of spending time with his alpha.

"Thought you'd never ask. I'm hungry, Ri-chan! Naru-chan is a greedy greedy little hatchling. I swear this kiddo will suck me dry."

Both alpha and omega laughed as they begin their day.

Life is good in the Kingdom of Tempest.

—

To be continued.