Day Eighteen of Reincarnation as Rimuru

“Yaksha clan?”

Morax’s expression turned serious. “The Yakshas, as nobility among the immortals, have always attained enlightenment through slaughter. Given their strength, it’s unusual for them to actively seek my help.”

On this vast rocky land, many pure elemental beings of various forms have been born. After their birth, these immortal beasts often avoid human settlements and live in seclusion.

Thus, the treacherous and seldom-trodden realm of Jueyun became their preferred abode.

Over time, Jueyun became the customary dwelling place for these immortal beasts.

Even though the main peaks are occupied by the likes of Xianyun and Xiaoyue, Jueyun is vast, far beyond just those few mountains.

Today, the number of immortal beast clans residing in Jueyun exceeds human imagination.

The Yaksha clan is one such group.

“Hm?”

Upon hearing this unfamiliar name, the Slime, who had just been bickering with Morax, immediately abandoned his rebuttal. He quietly perked up his ears, showing curiosity.

—Yakshas? The terrifying demons with blue faces and tusks?

He knew this wasn’t the time to interrupt, so Rimuru obediently settled in comfortably within Morax’s arms, ready to watch the unfolding drama.

The Slime’s bold and unabashed actions made Xianyun nearly want to peck him sharply with her slender, pointed beak.

But she had no time to scold Rimuru now.

Xianyun shot him a fierce glare, then anxiously flicked her tail feathers as she looked toward Morax. “Xiaoyue and I are puzzled as well. The Yakshas have always had few offspring. How could they possibly allow a cub to go missing?”

To the Yaksha clan, who cherish each member like life itself, such a thing was almost unthinkable.

It simply shouldn’t have happened.

Yet it did—and when discovered, the cub had already been missing for several months! And before that, no one had noticed!

Because the disappearance lasted so long, the Yakshas could not track the cub’s whereabouts through the nearly vanished residual aura. Helpless, they sent their most capable Yaksha to Mount Aozang to seek help from Xianyun and the others.

Xianyun found it unbelievable. Such ruthless Yakshas, who treat their children as precious as their own lives, making such a careless mistake.

“Lord Morax, do you have a way to resolve this?”

Xianyun felt a bit ashamed. Had she and Xiaoyue not exhausted every effort to find the lost Wind Yaksha cub, they wouldn’t have troubled Morax.

“Hmm… Even I cannot guarantee success. If there were more clues, the chances might improve.”

Morax looked troubled. Scanning around, he asked in surprise, “Hm? Why did only you come?”

Xiaoyue, with a pair of broad antlers, hurried over eagerly. “A Ping and Yi Xiao Daotian chose to remain at Mount Aozang, especially since there’s a four-armed Thunder Yaksha who seems quite anxious.”

A Ping thought someone needed to soothe that Yaksha properly.

Lishui Dieshan, nearly knocked over by the broad-backed moose, was annoyed.

“Hey, alright, alright, I get you want to talk to Lord Morax, but can you move aside after you’re done?”

Do you realize how much space you’re taking up?

Impatient to report more specific information, Lishui Dieshan flicked away the large antlers obstructing him and approached Morax.

“Ahem… According to the Thunder Yaksha Fushuo, after the Wind Yaksha cub went missing, many Yakshas began experiencing vivid dreams. Upon waking, their memories became extremely confused, with frequent forgetfulness.”

After shooing away the large deer, Lishui Dieshan elegantly folded his wings and continued, “We suspect this may explain why the Yakshas failed to realize the cub had long been gone.”

“Vivid dreams, huh…”

There was no need to use any tracking immortal arts; Morax now had a theory.

He slowly lifted his gaze, looking beyond the towering mountains to the Jade City north of Jueyun. “It seems this involves my old friend—the Dream Demon God Somonas.”

To use the power of a demon god to confuse the Yakshas’ memories, and possibly even abduct the Yaksha cub, was utterly unlike the easygoing Somonas Morax remembered.

Somonas, what exactly are you trying to do?

Complex emotions flickered across the man’s rock-hard face. If it were possible, he wished to avoid conflict with his old friend.

But if it came to that, he would show no mercy.

Morax remained silent for a long time, and the others dared not speak. Only Rimuru, sensing the uneasy atmosphere, twisted his body and nudged the man’s chin.

“Hey, what are you acting so brooding for? Keep talking.”

Whatever it had to do with that one, it was annoying to stop at the crucial point. He, Rimuru, hated riddles more than anything!

The three immortals shuddered in unison.

What did they just witness?

A Slime daring to hit a demon god?!

Morax, who had been lost in thought about possibly becoming enemies with an old friend, was jolted awake by this. He rubbed his chin and resumed nonchalantly.

“Hmm… If Somonas is involved, my current status might hinder your search for the Wind Yaksha cub.”

As a fellow demon god, recklessly entering his territory might be seen as provocation.

Not knowing how much rationality Somonas retained now, Morax wouldn’t risk going to the Jade Valley in person.

Then, who would be the best candidate to find the cub?

Morax lowered his head quietly, his decision made. Looking at the puzzled Slime, he spoke with the tone of a mischievous superior.

“So, Rimuru, it seems this time I have to rely on you.”

With Rimuru involved, Morax needn’t worry about the immortals facing Somonas.

Though it was unfair to ask Rimuru twice in a row, this enemy was the Dream Demon God, and Morax had to be ready to wage war at any moment.

Sending a Slime who relentlessly chases demon gods to Somonas’ domain to find someone gave Morax some peace of mind.

“??”

Rimuru seemed stunned. “What did you say? You want me to do it?”

“Find the Wind Yaksha cub,” Morax said succinctly.

“Oh, find a cub… Wait, a cub???”

The Slime leaned back dramatically, his tentacles flailing uncontrollably as he pointed to himself. “You mean me? Really me??”

Send him to find a cub? What a joke!

He, Rimuru, hated cubs more than anything in this world!

No exceptions!

Morax encouraged him, “Rimuru, no one else is more suitable.”

“Su-suitable?”

Could it be true?

Rimuru was wooed by the great face before him, mumbling softly, “It can’t be…”

Almost laughing at Rimuru’s adorable reaction, Morax stifled a smile and nodded firmly. “Of course.”

Perhaps feeling that wasn’t convincing enough, the man added, “If you really find that Wind Yaksha cub, I’ll grant you another reward when you return.”

“!!!”

A reward!!

Rimuru immediately perked up.

Last time’s reward was almost hugs; this time, if he was a little more shameless, could he finally touch that longed-for fluffy cloud tail?!

“Alright, I can’t resist. Since you say so, Morax, I’ll take it!”

Knowing he was the only one who could handle this, Rimuru puffed up proudly and leapt confidently from Morax’s arms, transforming into his human form the moment he landed.

“I’ll take care of this, I guarantee it!” The blue-haired youth struck a pose, thumb pointed at himself, his exquisite face beaming with pride.

He was just trying not to disappoint Morax, not because of the reward~

After Rimuru left, Morax felt an emptiness in his arms, awkwardly crossing his hands.

His jade-colored eyes, shining like gemstones, bore an unfamiliar look—a sign of trust in Rimuru.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Rimuru.”

As Morax spoke, his attention was drawn to the youth’s simple white cloth garments. His gaze swept discreetly across the plain attire before furrowing his brow.

Such simple clothing did not suit Rimuru.

Perhaps it was time to prepare a belated gift for his friend.

Unaware of Morax’s thoughts, Rimuru turned around and suddenly saw the petrified immortals standing frozen.

He almost reverted to his slime form in fright. “What the—what happened to them?!”

Morax casually joked, “Maybe they were scared by you, the Slime who can take human form.”

Rimuru nodded, half understanding. “I see.”

Simple-minded as ever, Rimuru didn’t think much, just looked at Morax and asked casually, “Since we’re going into the kidnappers’ territory, I guess Jinping and the others can’t come with me this time, so I’ll go alone?”

Since it’s about finding a cub, the sooner the better, lest the kidnappers frighten the child.

Morax shook his head. “No, this time I’ll send an immortal to accompany you.”

Somonas, unlike the gentle Dust God, seemed to have changed personality drastically. For Morax, he might be even more troublesome than the Whirlpool Demon God.

Somonas’ dream authority is both powerful and fragile. Strong as Morax is, he can ignore it, but others—

That’s uncertain.

As for Rimuru, given his strange nature (strike that), Morax wasn’t sure if the dream authority would affect him.

But it’s always better to be cautious.

Rimuru blinked. “An immortal, huh…”

He didn’t know who Morax would send to accompany him, but he hoped it wouldn’t be one of the three fluffy ones chasing him!

At least he wanted to sort things out before becoming colleagues.

“So, when do we set off to find the cub?”

Regarding the reward, Rimuru was already impatient.