The evening descended upon Magnolia Town, and the makeshift market stall for "Stark & Co." was completely cleared out.
The venture was a success.
Rimuru entered the apartment where Arthur was sitting on the sofa, a massive bag of earned currency slung over her shoulder.
"Hey, Art, every single potion was sold out,"
Rimuru reported a triumphant smile on her face.
"You have to make more for tomorrow, Art, because many customers have already paid in advance for a fresh batch."
Rimuru knew that potion creation was trivial for him; her only concern was his time management.
While she could create potions herself, her concoctions—which were essentially Magicule-infused water—were potent, but lacked the subtle versatility and targeted effects of Arthur's multi-dimensional potions.
"Alright, I will make more then,"
Arthur agreed easily, nodding.
Rimuru then paused, her internal processing speed momentarily halted.
She blinked, staring at the tiny, black, fluff-ball of a creature nestled securely and comfortably in Arthur's lap.
"I—Isn't that Botamon…"
She whispered, her voice filled with disbelief and sudden, massive excitement.
Arthur smirked, gently stroking the small digital creature.
He had anticipated her reaction perfectly.
He knew Rimuru was a massive otaku at heart and was intimately familiar with the classic Digimon Adventure world.
Her eyes, usually analytical and controlled, now shone brightly with pure, unadulterated joy after she confirmed that it was, indeed, the fresh-hatched Botamon.
Botamon let out a cute, digital-sounding coo and snuggled deeper into Arthur's warmth.
"So cute! Arthur, where did you find him?!"
Rimuru asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
Her desire for her own digital partner was immediate and intense.
"I didn't find him. He found me,"
Arthur explained, holding up the brightly colored Digivice—the conceptual key that had materialized in place of the magic key.
He quickly detailed how the key connected to the law of the Digital World.
"Make us one please, Arthur!"
Rimuru begged, dropping the cool Demon Lord facade entirely and acting like a desperate teenager.
She wanted a Digimon, and she wanted one now!
Arthur laughed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out four more of the devices.
"Relax, Rimu. I already made one for each of you while I was waiting for Botamon to hatch."
He handed a Digivice to Rimuru,
Milim, Shion, and Shuna.
Rimuru snatched it faster than light, her immense Magicule immediately surging into the device.
She focused her intent on connecting to the Digital World, mimicking Arthur's actions.
She waited eagerly, but after the initial connection, nothing happened. No egg appeared.
"Why!"
Rimuru cried out, her disappointment palpable.
Arthur walked over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
He quickly scanned the conceptual link she had formed.
"The connection is perfect, Rimu. The problem isn't the device,"
He explained gently.
"The partner Digimon compatible with your soul is definitely out there. But they haven't been born yet. You have to wait for them. Your partner has found you, but they have not come to be yet."
Rimuru's face instantly brightened.
She didn't have to wait long, just wait for the right time.
She just had to keep the Digivice ready for when her chosen partner was finally born into the Digital World and then summon them.
Arthur watched as Milim, Shion, and Shuna excitedly examined their new devices, which now sat ready to connect their respective partners.
He made a mental note: he would only give the Digivices to his own group.
He couldn't risk giving such a massive conceptual power boost to people like the Fairy Tail mages, who didn't yet know the greater truth—that their entire world was merely one floor in the Tower Dungeon...