Weeks have passed since Rimuru ate Veldora. He hopped all over the cave, collecting ore and herbs and learning new skills. Amaryliss accompanied him everywhere.
"Hey, Amaryliss...can I ask you something?" asked Rimuru.
"What do you wish to know?"
"How did you met Veldora? Wasn't it scary to meet a dragon?"
The truth was, he wondered how such an energic and prideful dragon could have a Yamato Nadeshiko as a wife while he didn't even have a girlfriend in his old life.
'The world is truly cruel...' Rimuru cried in his head.
"Hm... rather than scared I was more curious."
"Curious?"
"Originally, I was born as an Ice Spirit in the Snow Mountains. Like any other monsters, I was nameless. The other Ice Spirits loved to torment the humans on their journey." she explained
"Is that like the legend of the 'Yuki-Onna', women which get heartbroken would get lost in the mountains and die there. Afterward, they would be reborn as snow woman taking revenge on the people who hurt them? " Rimuru wondered.
"Yes. But I was different than the others. Unlike the other spirits, I don't remember my old life. Though I was a misfit with the others I didn't mind it much. After all, I am glad that I didn't feel the sadness and anger they felt. "
"I see...But how did you find Veldora in the first place?"
"Well, it all began 500 years ago..."
~500 years ago, Snow Mountains~
A lonely Ice Spirit wandered around the Snow Mountain. Like every day she didn't participate in the fun of the other Ice Spirits. Instead, she enjoyed her walk through nature. This day would be even more beautiful if she could see the wonderful blue sky. Sadly the Snow Mountain is famous for its never-ending blizzards. And even if there was a pause the dark clouds would not disappear. How she wishes she could leave the mountains and see the world with her own eyes. She wishes to see the forest with its green trees and colorful flowers. The beautiful blue sea which shines like a thousand jewels. She wants to feel the warmth of the sun. But sadly that was impossible. Ice Spirits are beings who need the cold of the mountain to survive. For them, the warmth would kill them.
As she continued her walk a huge shadow covered her. The Spirit looked up and saw a dragon flying above her. The Ice Spirit was curious why a dragon would fly over to the mountains but decided to ignore it and floated back home. A few days later she saw the other Spirits whispering to each other. They looked like they were afraid of something.
"Did you hear? Apparently, a dragon had made his home at the peak of the mountains!" one of them whispered.
"No way! Why is a dragon here? What if it attacks us or worse destroys the mountains?" another asked in fear.
The Ice Spirit was curious.
'I wonder if it is the same dragon I saw..."'
Without caution, she was on her way to the mountain peak where the dragon was supposed to be now. When she arrived she floated into the cave and saw the dragon sleeping. Though when she walked closer the dragon opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Who dares to disturb the sleep of the Storm Dragon Veldora?!" he roared as she floated closer.
The Ice Spirit wasn't afraid of him. Instead, she was more fascinated by his shiny scales.
Veldora saw her coming closer and wondered why the Spirit wasn't afraid. He leaned his head closer to her until they saw each other face to face. But instead of fear, he saw curiosity in her eyes.
"You are quite strange, normally everyone would cower in fear if they see me but not you... Why?" Veldora asked her.
"Should I be afraid?" she asked and tilted her head.
"Of Course! I am one the True Dragons! The powerful Storm Dragon who rampages around the world and destroys everything on his way!" he roared but she didn't show any reaction.
"But you didn't destroy the mountain nor did you attack me. I think you are a good dragon, Veldora-sama" she smiled.
Veldora stared at her with large eyes. Never had he seen someone not afraid of him nor did anyone ever called him good. He decided to ignore her and go back to sleep. Instead of leaving the Ice Spirit floated closer and closer. She sat down beside his huge body and started to form snowflakes with her hands to entertain her. Veldora opened one of his eyes and watched her play with the snowflakes.
"Shouldn't you be tormenting some humans like the other Ice Spirits?" he wondered.
"Not really. I don't have anything against humans," she answered.
"You are quite the strange one. You must be pretty bored then with nothing to do, " Veldora grunted."
She didn't answer and looked out at the blizzard.
"May I ask you something, Veldora-sama?" she whispered.
"Hm... What is it?"
"What is it like outside of the mountains?"
"..." Veldora didn't really know what to say. For him, the world isn't really anything exciting. It's only fun when he rampages but he couldn't really say that. But on the other hand, the Ice Spirits are reduced to spend the rest of their life on the same mountain. The only joy they have is tormenting humans who get lost in the storm. But this one doesn't seem to be like the others.
"Hm... It's a land full of monsters and humans. The humans built their own kingdoms and live their life to serve their kings..."
Veldora told her of the humans
It was so fascinating that she didn't realize how the day turned into the night.
"It's about time I go home..." she said and stood up from her place.
"Veldora-sama is it alright if I come back tomorrow. I wish to hear more of your stories." the spirit requested.
"Do what you want..." Veldora grunted and went back to sleep.
Days passed and the Ice Spirit would come and visit him every day. He would tell her about the world outside of the mountains and she would listen. Looking at him with her blue eyes full of fascination. there were times he would leave the mountains to fly somewhere else but he would always return to her. Telling her more stories.
Soon 5 years have passed and he started to feel things he never felt before in his life. It was unlike anything he ever felt before. Veldora wasn't sure what he should do with such feelings. Though he would never say it out loud because of his pride he was afraid. Afraid that during his absence something would happen to her. Be it humans who would hurt her or the other Spirits who would shun her away. He wants to protect her from anything that could hurt her. Sadly he couldn't just leave with her. Ice Spirits can't survive out of the mountains. The warmth would kill them. Fortunately, he found the answer he was searching for after one of his trips. The day he returned Veldora told her his idea.
"Say why don't we leave this place together. You could leave this boring cold mountain and see many interesting things in the worlds."
"That would be wonderful but sadly that is not possible... You know just like me that I wouldn't survive..." said the spirit sadly and looked at her lap.
"I know but I found a way!"
"Really?!" The Ice Spirit jumped up from her place beside the dragon and floated up to look him into his eyes.
"Yes. If I give you a name you will get divine protection from it and it would protect you from the heat."
"You would truly name a lowly Ice Spirit like me? Are you sure?" Though she was happy to get a name, she wasn't sure she is worthy. To be given a name by one of the True Dragons is a huge thing.
"Don't call yourself like that! You aren't some Ice Spirit like others. You are something very special. Which is why there is another thing I wish to tell you." Veldora said.
"What is it?"
"The first time we met I was very curious about you. A being who was not afraid of me. But the more time we spent the more I understand that you are something special to me. I wanted to protect the smile you gave me whenever you listened to my stories. I wish to protect you from any harm that may hurt you. Soon I realized that the feelings I felt for you are something only you can invoke in me. I wish to spend the rest of our life together..."
"Veldora-sama... Me too... I was so happy about the time we spent together... I wish to be by your side forever." She smiled with tears in her eyes.
"Then from this day on you shall be known as Amaryllis. The wife of the Storm Dragon Veldora. My bonded one." Veldora announced.
The Ice Spirit began to shine and a bright light wrapped around her.
~Back to Rimuru~
"After that, I evolved into an Ice Maiden and left the Snow Mountains along with Veldora-sama." Amaryllis smiled.
"How nice. I never thought Veldora would have a soft side." Rimuru commented from beside her.
"He promised me he would show me the world. And we did see a lot of things. From the forest to the ocean. Sadly Veldora-sama was still very prideful and loved to rampage around cities. Because of that the Hero defeated him and sealed him away. Though he said I was allowed to leave his side and continue to see the world. I thought it wouldn't be right without him and decided to stay by his side."
"I see. So the promise you two had was to see the whole world?" Rimuru asked and Amaryllis nodded.
"Alright, if I am to find other people from the other world I have to search the whole world anyway so we can see many things along the way." he cheered.
"That's right." Amaryllis smiled.
"Ah, look Rimuru-dono. That is the exit to the cave," she said and pointed to the huge door made out of wood.
"Hm... Now what? Can I cut it up with Water Blade?" he wondered.
Suddenly they saw the door open in front of their eyes and the light from outside shined at them. They saw people standing there and quickly hid.
Three humans entered the cave. They waited as the humans walked deeper into the cave and sneaked through the door.
Rimuru and Amaryllis looked at the nature around them.
"How beautiful... It has been so long..." Amaryllis mumbled as they walked through the forest.
"We have to build up a lot of funny stories to tell Veldora about the next time we meet him," Rimuru said.
"Yes, Veldora-sama will definitely be happy about it." she smiled.
