Chapter 21: Heaven’s will is fair.

“Ah… What an adorable little sister.”

Rimuru got a clear look at Chloe’s appearance and realized she was a white-haired, red-eyed little girl, which left her momentarily stunned.

She had been in this world for nearly twenty-four years now, yet this was the first time she had encountered such a cute and unique little creature like Chloe.

“I… cute?”

Chloe received this evaluation and felt equally flustered.

Her encounter with Rimuru was not part of the original plan, and Rimuru’s reaction was completely outside her expectations.

Though it was normal for plans to fail to keep up with changes, if the first impression upon reunion was not handled well, future actions would definitely encounter major problems.

“Mhm, you’re the cutest person I’ve ever seen.”

Rimuru answered with complete sincerity, without the slightest hint of perfunctory politeness.

“Uuu…”

Damn it.

Being praised like this by her made Chloe feel like she was about to turn into an idiot.

Fuck, so this is what it feels like to look at the former flat-chested blonde death metal girl from a different perspective?

No wonder whenever she acted with Rimuru in the past, everyone who came into contact with her—regardless of gender or age—would naturally show her respect.

Who could stay clear-headed around this!

Chloe believed, however, that the true source of this feeling likely came from her changed gender and age.

[How tragic…]

But it feels strangely good.

The privileges of being a little girl are truly a double-edged sword, allowing one to naturally feel goodwill toward beautiful big sisters.

Chloe could not help but sigh inwardly. Meanwhile, Rimuru frowned slightly as a warning sounded in her mind:

[Hero-sama, I still cannot determine the race of this girl you rescued, but she clearly has issues. She doesn’t feel like a human.]

Looking at the bewildered little girl she was holding, Rimuru’s gaze did not waver in the slightest. She replied calmly:

[That doesn’t stop her from being a little girl who was kidnapped. System.]

With that, she walked out of the alley carrying Chloe.

The female voice she called “System” continued:

[Even though you’ve addressed me this way for so many years, I still want to state that I am the Spring Fairy. If you don’t want to call me Lilith, you can call me Fairy Spirit or Little Fairy.]

Rimuru completely ignored this correction of her form of address. The mental voice that called itself Lilith served as her cheat in this world and was no different from the systems in the novels she knew.

It issued quests, gave rewards, and even had all sorts of strange little moods.

However, after years of interaction, Rimuru had gradually distanced herself from Lilith. It wasn’t because of anything else—the rewards and quests this fellow issued all carried certain intentions, and many of them went against her principles, making it difficult for her to place greater trust in it.

Therefore, she now rarely acted according to Lilith’s instructions.

For example, in dealing with this clearly pitiful little girl who had fallen victim to villains, Rimuru saw no need to hesitate.

It was just that…

Past warnings from Lilith might have had some problems, but this time, her reminder was correct.

Chloe really was preparing to act as a scheming bad child. And to not miss this rare “damsel in distress rescued by a hero” encounter, she had come up with a niche and rather perverted little idea to start taking action immediately.

“I know you, Big Sister Rimuru.”

Chloe desperately suppressed the urge to vomit, pinched her voice into a cute tone that would make her demon sisters cover their faces and flee, yet would make anyone unfamiliar with her true nature’s heart flutter, while keeping her smile at an appropriately innocent curve.

“That’s good. Um… where are your family members?”

Her pure smile successfully reinforced Rimuru’s judgment. The hero lady also smiled gently, while Chloe lowered her gaze somewhat sadly and said softly:

“Family… I don’t have any family anymore.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

For the plan to proceed smoothly, she would have to let her cheap mother Alice drift away like the wind for now. That old lady would surely understand. Chloe had confidence in that.

See, Rimuru was already rendered speechless by her words?

Chloe worked hard to keep the smile from showing in her eyes. To do so, she even imagined how Alice would give her “loving” attention in response to these words.

Yeah, she’d probably get beaten to death…

So scary~

The fear toward Alice successfully ensured that Chloe’s face remained unblushing and her heart steady.

Facing someone like Rimuru—who would become flustered and helpless over a small lie and the pitiful act put on with a cute appearance—Chloe believed her powerful acting skills had another chance to shine.

“Um…”

Rimuru was not very good at dealing with strangers, and her communication skills were not outstanding. She opened her mouth, finally thinking of how to continue the conversation, but Chloe had already spread her arms and wrapped them around her neck, hugging her intimately and beginning to sob softly.

“Meeting you here is really wonderful!”

“Eh?”

“My brother once told me that Hero Big Sister is the most trustworthy person. Today you helped drive away those bad guys, I… I… have no way to repay you…”

When it came to spinning lies, Chloe could do it effortlessly.

She didn’t say anything about repaying with her body for the life-saving grace, but the effect had already been achieved.

The identity of the missing Clay Hines’ younger sister—using it like this, she wondered what reaction her dear Hero Miss would have.

Chloe held onto her expectations and tried to make her trembling appear more genuine.

“This… this was just something I did casually.”

Rimuru felt somewhat at a loss by the girl’s overly affectionate behavior. Only when she got closer did she catch a faint, sweet floral-like scent on Chloe.

She wasn’t sure if it was body fragrance, but Rimuru felt herself growing a little hot. Even though they were the same gender, the hero lady’s ears couldn’t help turning red at Chloe’s pitiful, lovable act.

[What kind of reaction is this? My orientation is normal, okay? No… she’s at most a thirteen-year-old little girl. What am I even thinking!]

Few people could say no to a fragile little girl, but Rimuru’s mind—which had been about to wander—was quickly illuminated by the holy light of the hero, and she immediately put away those unnecessary thoughts.

On the other hand, she had no mood left to deal with the two kidnappers lying on the ground.

She knew that as a hero she really should act righteously, but her experiences over the years had taught her that her power was still too weak before the vast social systems of this other world. Those kidnappers were right—if there really was some employer behind them who wanted to capture little girls for their master’s amusement.

Even if she sent these people to the security station, they would at most stay in prison for a while before being released, and she would bring unnecessary trouble upon herself.

It would be cleaner to just leave them lying in this alley where vagrants frequented, stripped of their clothes…

Perhaps only then could these detestable fellows receive a real lesson.

But Rimuru could not accept doing things this way. Having such thoughts only proved that she had failed to bring any change to this world or uphold any so-called justice. Instead, she had been dyed by the big dye vat of the other world until she was barely recognizable.

[Does this filthy world really need a hero like me to protect it?]

Even though reason told her there was nothing wrong with this decision, when Rimuru walked out of the alley and her face was illuminated by the colorful lights of the street, she still couldn’t help thinking this way in her heart.

She subconsciously looked at the girl in her arms, hoping to draw some strength from Chloe that would help keep her beliefs firm.

Mhm… The little girl who had already seemed incredibly cute to her in the dark alley now, under the bright street lights where her silver hair and red eyes could be clearly seen, successfully made Rimuru put away the last trace of vigilance and hesitation.

How could such a cute little girl have any problems?

It was just that…

[A little sister without family who trusts me? Maybe she could become my family.]

Rimuru subconsciously had this terrible thought and nearly let go of her hands to put Chloe down, then slap herself.

This was wrong!