「Afternoon.」
The languid autumn sun spilled through the high, pale blue sky, generously bathing every corner of the Mudu Royal Palace.
The main structure of the Mudu Royal Palace wasn’t built to be towering or solemn. Instead, it was a blend of numerous rounded curves, arched porticos, and brightly colored hardened Gel combined with natural stone. It was instantly recognizable as a Slime-style castle.
The spacious courtyard was carpeted with thick, soft mats woven from swamp moss. Little Slimes of every color were scattered about, looking like bouncy, colorful gummy candies.
Some had flattened themselves out like jelly patties, lying on the mossy carpet warmed by the sun. They squinted their little eyes, so comfortable it felt as if their Gel was about to melt into a puddle. Their bodies rose and fell with each breath, letting out soft "SPLAT... SPLAT..." sounds.
Others, bursting with energy, bounced about, trying to climb the old oak tree with its low, thick branches in the corner of the courtyard. Some followed the specially designed grooves and small platforms on the palace’s outer walls, hopping their way up to the eaves, where they would plop down on the tiles to enjoy the sun and breeze from a greater height.
Slime Mama sat on the steps of the Royal Palace like a benevolent grandmother, watching over the newborn youngsters.
Her perfectly round eyes swept over every corner of the courtyard. Occasionally, she would issue a reminder to a rascal that had climbed too high, or have a nursemaid Slime catch a little one that was about to fall.
The Slimes had long since left the perilous primordial swamps. Yet, perhaps due to the subtle, transformative influence of Chen Yu, the Slime King, these newborns had almost shed the deep-seated instinct of fear common to Low-tier Demons. They were incredibly brave and mischievous. The moment one looked away, they’d be climbing to high places, bumping into each other, and launching themselves about in games of chase.
Slime Mama and the few nursemaid Slimes, who were also in charge of caring for the young, hardly had a moment’s rest. They had to periodically replenish the little Slimes with nutritious Gel, clean their bodies when they got dirty from playing, and mediate the occasional "disputes" that broke out among the little ones.
It was exhausting work, but watching these healthy, lively little lives brought them a sense of inner peace.
Before long, the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard from outside the Royal Palace.
Peggy was back.
The massive Frost Boar entered the courtyard with heavy strides, puffs of white steam snorting from its nostrils. Following behind were Chen Yu and Xiaohua, riding on Xiaoka.
"Mama! We’re back!"
Xiaohua hopped down from Xiaoka’s back and bounced over to Slime Mama. She affectionately rubbed her plump, round body against her, so happy that she started to bubble.
A warm feeling washed over Chen Yu as he watched the heartwarming scene. Meeting Slime Mama’s caring gaze, he bounced over as well and gently nuzzled her warm, green Gel.
"King! It’s the King!!"
The little Slimes that had been lazing on the ground or dozing on the eaves instantly perked up at the sight of Chen Yu. They began bouncing excitedly, converging from every corner of the courtyard to swarm around him.
"King! King!"
In their haste, a few of the little Slimes who had been on the eaves fell right off. They bounced on the soft moss carpet, rolled a few times, and then, as if nothing had happened, wobbled dizzily before struggling to squeeze into the crowd.
Chen Yu looked at the vibrant little ones and asked Xiaohua, "Where did all these little Slimes come from? I don’t remember there being this many before I left."
"The King’s descendants," Xiaohua explained, a hint of pride in her voice.
It took Chen Yu a moment of listening to finally understand.
Low-tier Demons like ooze Slimes are typically born in humid environments rich with Magic Power, such as a swamp after it rains. It’s a process akin to spontaneous generation.
However, some lucky or powerful Slimes manage to survive the cruel spring predation. When they have accumulated enough energy, they instinctively begin to split, producing new offspring.
Slimes have no gender, but after taking a Spirit Awakening Pill and gaining sentience, they choose a gender for themselves based on their personality and preferences.
These little Slimes were the descendants of his brothers and sisters.
Chen Yu calmed the boisterous little ones while using his Divine Sense to examine their condition. He discovered that these newborn Slimes were exceptionally healthy. They were even born with several talents and the Slime Warrior title.
’They’re born at Bronze rank... With their own hard work and the Kingdom’s training, it shouldn’t be a problem for them to reach Silver rank in the future,’ Chen Yu assessed.
’But becoming a Golden Slime like me... that can’t be achieved by talent and luck alone.’
At the same time, he noticed that the number of Slime Scholars in the Kingdom was growing. They were even learning some Low Level Magic and Daoist Skills. Meanwhile, the descendants of Metal Slimes were beginning to properly learn combat skills befitting Warriors and Assassins, showing clear specializations into adventuring and combat classes.
’Perhaps it’s time for me to loosen the reins,’ he thought. ’To let the Kingdom’s Slimes venture out, temper themselves, and see the wider world.’
’After all, you can’t raise a truly powerful Slime by keeping it cooped up in a safe fortress.’
As it happened, the Slime Kingdom’s Adventurers’ Union was under construction in the Snowfield. It was time to lift the restrictions and let the Slimes who yearned for adventure and longed to become stronger register freely as Adventurers and venture out into the world.