Is it wrong for slimes to be in dungeons? (revised)

Chapter 18: Trustless Relationship

"..." Aiz was still unable to say a word at this.

"It's almost impossible to build a bond of trust when one side fears the other. Or rather you don't fear someone you can trust. You're uneasy when facing me, even I can see that much. So there's no way I could believe that you trust me. To the point where if you had I'd have to assume Finn was planning something." Rimuru explained.

"..." Aiz had no way to counter the argument.

"And aside from all that it's a relief really. Even if you don't trust me, having you not actively against me makes things much easier for me." Rimuru laughed. "Trust takes time, so from here on, I'll have to try my best to gain it. One step at a time." Rimuru said.

"..." Aiz didn't react, she couldn't. What was she supposed to say to this? She couldn't figure out no matter how much she racked her brain for an answer.

"Well then," Rimuru gets up. "What now?"

"?" Aiz tilted her head at this question. "...what do you mean?" she asked.

"Hmm well. I could go back to the surface, but Sophia told me not to return and I'm inclined to follow her instructions. Especially if she's now in major trouble for helping me. But what about you? I don't expect you to stay down here until Sophia's up and about again." Rimuru explains.

"..." she stayed quite contemplating...

"So are you going to go back up? I could send you if you'd like."

"...I'll stay down here to monitor you." Aiz said.

Well that's what she said, but even she knew that it was a lie.

Rimuru was an intriguing person...monster...thing. And she simply wanted to observe her.

"Alright, then... ah right before anything else I believe there is something I must tell you." Rimuru said.

"Hmm?" Aiz wordlessly questioned him.

"As the first step to gaining your trust I've decided to tell you a little something about myself that not a lot of people know." she said.

Aiz simply stared at Rimuru with a tilted head.

"I'm actually a dude." Rimuru said with a smile on his face.

"..." Aiz sat there in silence.

"..." Rimuru looked intently at her face waiting for her reaction.

"...huh?" Aiz let that small noise escape her mouth as a cute expression of confusion flashed across the face of the normally stoic female swordswomen.

(Finn POV)

A small group of tired looking adventurers were barricading outside the entrance to the 19th floor.

Waiting for Sophia Aelius, a famous level 5 solo adventurer. Adventure name: Shadow fox.

As for the reason they were here. Well 3 days ago an entire part of Oarario suddenly got up in arms about an ominous aura filling a part of the city. Rimuru's aura.

We were in the twilight manner when it happened, taking a break from the recent dungeon exploration. When we felt it.

Rimuru's power rolling through the area. All the first tier adventurers including myself instantly prepared for the worst and quickly got outside to see what was happening.

I saw the crowd and asked what was going on.

They told us about shadow fox running around the city carrying some strange blue orb that let off an ominous aura enough to knock civilians out.

Blue orb??? I thought to myself.

Does that mean it's not Rimuru... and then I remembered the two people who had escaped from me...

"Shadow fox," I repeat the name to myself.

I licked my thumb and felt it throb.

There's no way that wasn't Rimuru's aura... and shadow fox had mysteriously been able to escape me with that mysterious companion...

I thought it was possible that it was Rimuru simply by intuition, but if what this person says is true then...it's possible Rimuru can change her appearance?

That person who was with Shadow fox that day...could it have been Rimuru? Well even if it wasn't one thing is for sure now...Rimuru and Shadow fox are linked.

"Alright we'll deal with this." I declared.

Then I told the first tier of the Loki familia to get ready.

With Rimuru we couldn't afford to bring anyone under that. So with that we began our chase for Rimuru and Shadow fox...

"Haa do we really need to wait out here? Why can't we go in after Aiz." Tiona complained. "It's so boring having to wait." she continued.

"Geez Tiona how many times do I have to say it just trust Captain." Tione cut down the complaining of her sister.

"You'll see." I spoke. As I stared at the entrance.

The look in Aiz's eyes. I remember the way she looked at me when she requested she go down by herself.

If I'm correct she knows something. I decided to trust Aiz, from the look in her eyes she wasn't looking for a fight, and Rimuru had left us alive. Perhaps this was naive of me, but I don't think Rimuru wants to kill us. If she did she would've had plenty of opportunities already. Yet never took them.

If they could end this with a conversation rather than fighting then it would be for the better.

As for the group that had come down here in search of Rimuru with us. A few stayed here while others decided to go down. We were laying in ambush... at least in theory.

A few days ago the group waiting was far more enthusiastic and bloodthirsty but after several days many lost that vigor and went home. The ones still here? They were a little more patient but even they were tiring. It was only a matter of time before they lost interest and returned to the surface.

"But honestly Captain why only Aiz? What if Rimuru wakes back up? Wouldn't it make more sense for us all to go...I know Aiz is strong, but isn't Rimuru like a real bad monster?" Tiona voiced the inner thoughts that were probably running through the rest of the Loki familia's heads.

Even if Aiz was powerful Rimuru has shown power that made it hard for them to believe that she alone could deal with her if push came to shove.

"And they've been gone for over 2 days! What if something happen-"

Just as she was going to continue a commotion began to take place at the entrance of the 19th floor.

Two figures emerged from the base of the tree that lead to the lower floors.

One was the golden haired swordswomen they had seen so many times...

And the other...

Rimuru tempest.