Originally Posted by
Ryllharu
I think of it the other way around.
To Rimuru, Shizu is the first other Japanese person she met, and really opened Rimuru's eyes to the world. Rimuru was already set on building a settlement after meeting the dwarves. Shizu just explained more of the stakes in their world. The idiot trio could have provided the same. A significant influence, but ultimately not that much of one.
But to Shizu, Rimuru was her salvation. Much bigger deal. From her perspective? Absolutely her fated one.