Chapter 9: 『9』
Currently, I was in the tent along with Rimuru with Shizue on the bed.
I can tell she was dying because of the slow decrease of magicules in her, somehow I can see them if I wanted to.
「 I nearly killed someone I cared about again. With my own hands. 」(Shizue)
Again?
Silence hung in the air as we waited for the next words of Shizue.
「 Orb-san, slime-san. Would you both mind listening? 」(Shizue)
「 Sure. 」(Shinju)
「 Though you shouldn't talk too much. 」(Rimuru)
「 It's fine, I want people to remember my story and know that I lived. 」(Shizue)
「 Alright, we'll listen. 」(Shinju)
She told us both what happened but her recollection was vague, she spoke about how Ifrit possessed her when she was summoned, and how she ended up killing her own friend.
This angered me a bit, never should someone kill their own ally, what's worse was that she was forced to.
「 After Pirino died, I continued to serve the Demon Lord as his closest aide. But then I met.. 」(Shizue)
「 「 Who? 」」
「 The Hero 」(Shizue)
「 Hero? 」(Shinju)
「 Yes...the Hero. There was a battle and the Demon Lord abandoned his castle, leaving me as the rear guard. Was it the will of the fire spirit Ifrit, or was it of my own volition? I'm still not sure. I couldn't beat her... 」(Shizue)
「 The Hero huh? 」(Rimuru)
Rimuru and I had the same thought, the Hero could be the one who sealed Veldora or someone else, we still weren't sure.
「 I though I'd be killed instantly. 」(Shizue)
「 Hmm? 」(Shinju)
「 But then she spoke to me. She asked me why I was here, how I had stayed alive. I was a majin and she believed everything I said. She told me, "It's all right now." My emotions came back to me, then the Hero took me in. She was the one who gave me that mask. She said it would boost my magic resistance, help suppress Ifrit, the spirit dwelling within me. 」(Shizue)
She tried reaching for the mask but Rimuru was able to get it for her.
「 By traveling with her, I learned about this world, and I learned magic. Through the power of the mask, I even learned to use Ifrit's powers, to an extent. By helping others and fighting. 」(Shizue)
「 I see, so that was how you became the Conqueror of Flames. 」(Shinju)
「 Un, that was an awesome attack. You were awesome! 」(Rimuru)
Now isn't even the time to compliment her attack...but she smiled so I guess it was fine.
「 I was happy traveling with her but then she disappeared and left me behind. 」(Shizue)
「 Why? 」(Shinju)
「 I don't know. Why did she? "I'm certain we'll meet again." That's what she told me. I decided to become stronger, I wanted to help people ho were suffering. 」(Shizue)
Slaying countless monsters, three headed snakes, a beast, and a fire dragon.
「 I worked really hard for decades! Doesn't that sound impressive? 」(Shizue)
「 It does. 」(Rimuru)
「 And here I've only fought for a decade while you fought for over five decades, you have my respect. 」(Shinju)
「 Haha, though I might not have been as strong as you though. 」(Shizue)
「 Don't kid yourself, I'm an amateur compared to you. 」(Shinju)
「 Ha..people even started to call me a Champion but I wasn't young anymore. It was becoming more and more difficult to control Ifrit. One wrong mistake and I could release Ifrit at any moment. When I thought that, I would get scared. I knew I could hurt someone I cared about again. 」(Shizue)
I see, being tied to something that could potentially kill the people you care about. It seems this world is quite dark on the inside, but on the outside everything seems fine.
Sigh, this world was never peaceful in the first place.
Shizue told us how she retired and became an instructor, a teacher at school, it was in a placed called the Kingdom of Ingrassia. I was quite surprised there were forms of education here.
「 It was a school for kids from other worlds. 」(Shizue)
「 There must be a decent amount of people that came from another world. 」(Shinju)
「 Though I wonder what type of worlds they came from. 」(Rimuru)
「 It was one of them who taught me the video game line you quoted. 」(Shizue)
「 「 I'm not a bad slime 」」(Shizue and Rimuru)
I laughed mentally at their childishness, it's been a while I had a decent laugh since I came into this world. I would always have a bored expression and my people would always tease me about it.
「 It was so much fun. Some of them eventually went off on their own and left me. But one of them went on to become the Grandmaster. 」(Shizue)
「 Grandmaster? 」(Shinju)
「 The one responsible for overseeing all the guilds in every country. 」(Shizue)
「 That sounds like a big deal! 」(Rimuru)
「 Yes it is. So I thought there was nothing left that I could teach anyone and then possibly because I'm nearing the end of my life. It's become difficult to control it's will. There was only one thing I could remember, so I decided to go on a journey. 」(Shizue)
「 What did you remember? 」(Rimuru)
This seems quite interesting.
「 My search for the man who summoned me. 」(Shizue)
「 Did you want revenge? 」(Shinju)
Even if you don't, I'll seek that person out for you and kill him.
「 I don't know but, there was something I wanted to find out from him. That's why I joined the 3 adventurers, they were such nice people. A little danger prone though. 」(Shizue)
「 That's true. 」(Rimuru)
「 It was so much fun but now...Hey orb-san and slime-san, what's your name? 」
「 Shinju Temepest. 」
「 Rimuru Tempest, we already told you. 」
「 No, I meant your real names. 」(Shizue)
「 Oh, it's Satoru. Mikami Satoru. 」
「 I'm Eira...Eira Aki. 」
It's been a while since I said Aki, the last name of my mother. The one who took care of me, but my father cursed it and tainted the last name. That's why I choked and killed him with my bare hands. How could he taint my mother's last name?
「 I'm Shizue, Izawa Shizue. 」
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
「 Shizue-san, you should sleep now. 」(Rimuru)
「 Rest and you'll finally be free and attain peace. 」(Shinju)
「 Satoru-san, I'd like to ask for a favor. May I? 」(Shizue)
「 Ask away. 」(Rimuru)
「 Please eat me. 」(Shizue)
I saw that coming.
「 Eh? 」(Rimuru)
「 Just like how you ate the curse that's been cast on me. That made me so happy. I dislike this world, yet I still can't abhor it. Just like that man, so that's why I don't want to be absorbed by this world. This is my last request. Would you let me rest inside you? 」(Shizue)
A/N : Abhor, to regard with disgust or hatred.
Silence fell upon us as we waited for Rimuru's answer.
「 Do it, as her last request. 」(Shinju)
「 Okay. 」(Rimuru)
Tears started flowing from her eyes.
「 What's the name of that man. 」(Shinju)
「 Leon Cromwell. 」(Shizue)
「 One of the most powerful Demon Lords. 」(Shizue)
「 What did you want to find out about him? 」(Rimuru)
「 I just wanted him to acknowledge that I, this human, had existed perhaps. And if those kids could be saved and...returned to their own world. 」(Shizue)
「 I swear to you on the name of Mikami Satoru.. no Rimuru Tempest that I will make certain the Demon Lord Leon Cromwell hears your wishes! 」(Rimuru)
「 Thank you...and Aki-san....i know you'll....make the right... choice. 」(Shizue)
Thus, Shizue's hair turned white as her body aged.
I stared at her body, this feeling I felt... it was anger.
Anger directed at Leon, to force someone to live like this.
On my samurai name, Eira Aki, I'll kill Leon Cromwell with your own blade.
That is my right choice after all.
As Rimuru absorbed her, magicules entered me once she disappeared.
There was a bright blue glow that covered my sight.
When it faded, Rimuru had a body, he was short, and had light blue hair flowing to his shoulders.
「 Shinju, look at yourself... 」(Rimuru)
My perspective changed and I was standing...standing?
I had slender and toned legs, toned arms with fit muscles, blue eyes, and dark blue hair.
It was as if my body was from my past life but this felt even better, I felt like I could move even more freely.
I had a large white cloth covering me head to toe while Rimuru had nothing with tears coming from his eyes.
There was a slight noise in the back, turning around there were 4 figures.
...
We explained what happened and Rimuru decided to see them off.
I stood in front of the bed Shizue had died on. I could feel my eyes turn dull as I stared even longer.
「 With your blade, I'll cut him down. 」(Shinju)
I muttered to the bed and picked up the katana she had left that was leaning on the closet.
It was light, it felt right for me.
After they left, Rimuru and I paid our respects to Shizue with the grave we made.
After I paid my respects, I held out my hand and sliced a cut as blood dripped on the blade and grave.
It was a vow to someone that was dead.
Surprisingly the cut healed instantly as if it was never there.
「 What are you doing? 」(Rimuru)
「 Making a vow. 」(Shinju)
If we ever meet Leon, let's just hope you will have a quick death.
Weekly Power Status
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