Kael paced in a circle near the Emberleaf fire pit, mumbling lines to himself while Rimuru bounced behind him, mimicking every hand gesture with exaggerated squishes.
"...and so, in unity, we rise from the embers to become—"
"Too metaphor-heavy," Great Sage interrupted. "Consider simplifying."
Kael groaned. "Why am I even nervous? It’s just goblins."
"Incorrect. It is a founding ritual. Symbolic importance: High."
Rimuru squeaked in agreement.
"Okay, fine. But if I mess this up, I’m blaming you."
"Acknowledged."
Nanari scanned Kael with a mana meter made of brass tubing and dragonfly wings. "You're overclocked with stress."
Kael groaned. "I’m giving a speech to goblins, not invading a kingdom."
"Tell that to your blood pressure." She held up the buzzing device.
Rimuru glowed bright pink in protest.
"Please stop reacting to my emotions," Kael muttered.
"If Rimuru explodes mid-speech," Nanari said, jotting notes, "I'm logging it as magical malfunction, not user error."
Kael rubbed his temples. "Flawless support system, as always."
By midday, Emberleaf buzzed with activity. Goblins gathered near the central clearing, many in makeshift robes, some holding crude drums or colorful cloth flags. Bone flutes whistled, and Rimuru had somehow become the centerpiece of a decorative cart, glowing like a squishy mascot.
Nanari stood on a stack of crates, projecting Kael’s voice through a mana amplifier shaped like a seashell. "You're live in three... two..."
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Kael stepped up to the platform. His hoodie was freshly washed, but still stitched at the sleeves. A breeze tugged at his clothes, and Rimuru floated beside him like a loyal spotlight.
He cleared his throat. "People of Emberleaf—goblins, familiars, slime, and whoever that one guy is who always hides in the cabbage cart..."
A laugh rippled through the crowd.
"This village was once a camp. A place to hide. But today, we name it. We shape it. We build it not as beasts or burdens—but as people." He paused. "This land is ours. From this day forward, Emberleaf stands as a sovereign settlement under House Drayke."
Applause rang out. Goblins whooped. One held up a mossy sign that read, "Gobdo 4 Council." Another goblin passed out handmade "Royal Familiar" plushies made from moss and feather tufts.
Kael blinked mid-speech. "Are those... Rimuru dolls?"
Rimuru posed dramatically.
"Maintaining focus... marginally successful," Great Sage intoned.
Kael cleared his throat and kept going.
"And as my first act," Kael continued, "I officially name this slime Rimuru, the Royal Familiar of Emberleaf."
Rimuru squealed with joy and did a somersault.
"Accepted," Great Sage confirmed. "Rimuru's title is now recognized."
Kael grinned. "Now then... who's ready for more naming?"
He approached three goblins: one nervous, one excited, and one asleep.
"You," Kael said to the nervous one. "From this day, you are Gobren."
A burst of light surrounded the goblin. His posture straightened. His ears elongated slightly. He blinked in awe.
The excited one was next. "You shall be Gobnald."
"Feels fancy!" the goblin cheered.
The last one was still snoring.
Kael raised a brow. "...Gobdo."
The snoring stopped. The goblin glowed in his sleep and sat upright. "I feel... strangely rested."
Rimuru wobbled with what might've been laughter.
Great Sage chimed: "Mana levels approaching threshold. Recommend ceasing ritual for the day."
Kael stumbled slightly and caught himself. "Yeah... good call."
As the sun began to set, Chief Bokku stepped forward.
"You speak well, young one," he said. "But what shall we call this place, now that it breathes anew?"
Kael smirked. "Emberleaf."
Bokku blinked. "But... that's already what we've been calling it."
"Right," Kael said. "But now we announce it. Not just as a name—as a declaration."
He turned to the crowd. "This village is Emberleaf. And its flame won't fade."
Cheers broke out once more.
Later that evening, as the sun melted behind the trees and most of the goblins celebrated with roasted mushrooms and berry wine, Zelganna approached Kael quietly.
She held out a small shard of obsidian, smoothed and dark. "First stone of the wall," she said. "A king should start with strong foundations."
Kael took it, surprised. "Thanks, Zelganna. I’ll try not to drop it on my foot."
She grunted what might’ve been a laugh before turning back to the crowd.
In the woods beyond, a hooded figure watched with quiet curiosity. Their cloak shimmered with runes, and their eyes reflected the firelight.
"So the spark of Wrath is growing... interesting," the figure murmured.
Then they vanished into the mist.