An update. I finished an update! But before you read it I have to warn you guys. I'm not the best in writing emotional parts. So if you find this chapter a bit cringy then I'm sorry _/\●_
A full week has passed since Rimuru devoured the Fire Spirit Ifrit. Unfortunately, the village had to start over again with the constructions of the houses after Ifrit and his salamanders destroyed most of their process. But the truly saddest matter was the condition of Shizue Izawa. After Ifrit was separated from her body she fell into a coma and had yet to wake up. For now, Rimuru was staying by her side while Amaryllis accompanied Elen and the others.
"I wonder if Shizu-san is alright..." Elen sighed as they walked towards the tent where Shizu was resting.
The group wanted to surprise her with some flowers they picked with the help of Amaryllis who knew a place in the forest where flowers grew.
"No need to worry, Rimuru's with her." Kaval comforted her.
"He's right. Those recovery portions he gave us were amazing, so I'm sure she's going to be fine right Amaryllis?" Gido said and looked back at the maiden who followed them.
"Ah? I'm mean yes... You don't have to worry, Elen. I'm sure Rimuru-sama is taking good care of her." Amaryllis answered softly.
"You're right." Elen smiled and they resumed their walk to the tent.
'Rimuru...' Amaryllis thought back to the conversation she had with the slime.
~A few days ago~
The day after their battle with Ifrit the goblins returned to the village and began to clean up the mess the spirit had caused. The adventure trio was lead to another tent to rest up while Rimuru and Amaryllis cared for Shizu.
"It doesn't seem like she took any damage from the fight with Ifrit. She should have been better after I gave her the recovery potion but yet..." Rimuru mumbled as they watched over the sleeping Shizu.
"I fear the damage was more than we thought it was..." Amaryllis whispered and patted the woman's head.
"What do you mean?"
"Normally spirits don't have any reason to possess the bodies of humans, especially a superior spirit like Ifrit who would never give up his freedom for humans. The only times where spirits would be forced into a humans body is if that human is a Summoned one." Amaryllis explained.
"Shizu told me that she was a summoned one from my world. But what do they have to do with spirits?" Rimuru asked.
"Do you remember when Veldora-sama told you about the differences between Otherwolders and Summoned Ones?"
"Hm... he said that 30 mages are needed to summon someone from another world in order for them to last a few days. And how the Summons are expected to be some kind of weapon for the summoners. They also use magic to curse the summons to never betray them."
"That's right. In order for them to fulfill their purpose, the summoned ones are always given specific powers suited for that purpose. But since the old bodies are not able to produce these powers a new body is given to them. At that time, the body takes in a massive amount of magic and begins to acquire abilities."
"So what is the purpose of the spirits then?"
"When a summoning is performed, there are times when a child is summoned. For the children, the massive amount of magic is too much for their growing body. Soon the body will break under the pressure from it. In order to prevent their bodies to collapse a spirit can take possession of the body and stabilize the rampaging magic inside of them." Amaryllis finished with a sad gaze.
"In other words..." Rimuru whispered...
"Yes, I believe Shizu was able to live this long because Ifrit was inside her. But now with him gone her body won't be able to stabilize the magic inside of her any longer. It also means..."
"Shizu doesn't have much time left..."
"Yes..."
Everything was silent as Rimuru fell into his thoughts.
"Do you think we can find another spirit to inhabit her body? Like Ifrit did?" Rimuru asked
"I fear, we don't have much time left. The Dwelling of Spirit has many entrances and I don't know where they are. And even if we could find one Shizu wouldn't survive the journey in her condition..."
"So there is nothing we can do..."
Amaryllis saw how devasted Rimuru was by her words. She had seen how happy he was when he found another person from his world. It must be devastating to know that he would lose her so soon after meeting her.
"Maybe I can-"
"No!" Rimuru interrupted her.
"Rimuru-sama..."
"I know what you want to say... There is a chance that Shizu can survive if you take the place of Ifrit but I can't ask you to do this. If it means I would have to exchange another life to save her, then I won't allow it. Besides Veldora would be angry with me if I allowed it." the slime declared.
"I understand. I won't mention it again..." Amaryllis said which calmed him down.
"I know you mean it well and I'm thankful for it. But I think we should ask Shizu what she really wants once she wakes up..."
~Present~
'I wonder it Rimuru-sama will be alright...' the maiden thought.
Soon they arrived at the tent where Shizu was resting. Ranga was sitting there so it meant Rimuru must also be inside.
"Lady Amaryllis." The group turned around and saw Rigurd walking towards them.
"Oh, are you here to visit our patient?" he wondered as he saw the trio with her.
"Yeah. Are you, as well, Rigurd?" Kaval asked.
"Yes. I was just bringing a change of clothes for Lady Shizu," he said and walked towards the curtain.
"Rimuru-sama, we're coming in."
Rigurd paused at the entrance as he saw a blue-haired naked person standing in the middle of the tent. The others also looked inside and were surprised by the sight.
"Master," Ranga called which surprised the adventure.
"That body..."
"EH?!" The trio yelled in shock.
"Th-That's Rimuru?!" Kaval shouted as he pointed at the young human.
The person turned around and the group saw golden eyes looking at them with tears trailing down his face. But what surprised everyone was how similar he looked to Shizu. No one moved as they all continued to stare at each other until Amaryllis decided to take the reign.
"Rigurd would you please lead them out for a bit. I wish to talk to Rimuru-sama alone." Amaryllis said as she took the clothes the goblin had carried out of his hands.
"Y-yes, I understand." the goblin king stuttered and took the adventure trio out along with Ranga.
Amaryllis walked towards Rimuru and handed him the clothes.
"Rimuru-sama, you should change into these..." she mumbled softly.
"Yes..."
She waited while Rimuru changed into a white shirt along with dark blue pants. He threw the blue fur coat around his shoulder.
"Rimuru-sama, this form... is part of your Skill [Mimic], right?"
"Yes, I gained this form after I used [Predator]... Shizu told me... that she disliked this world and wished not to be a part of it any longer..." Rimuru mumbled as he looked at his hand.
"I see..." Amaryllis saw that Shizu's death took a huge toll out of him.
Rimuru felt something wet sliding down his cheeks. When he touched it with his fingers he realized that they were tears. His tears.
"Huh? Why am I crying? How strange... Even though I just met her..." Rimuru laughed. He tried to hide his sorrow as he couldn't allow others to see his weak side. He has a village to lead. He couldn't show them how devasted it was for him. But Amaryllis saw through him. She took a few steps towards him and gently took him into her arms.
"H-hey, wait, Amary-" Rimuru stuttered.
"It's alright now... No one else is here...You don't have to hide your true feelings any longer... Just let them all out." she whispered gently.
Something inside of Rimuru broke and the tears he had tried to stop before rolled down more and more. Rimuru placed his arms around her waist and cried. Amaryllis didn't say anything as Rimuru cried his heart out and gently patted his head.
Rimuru remembered the time when he was stabbed to death and was reincarnated into this world without. How he met Veldora and was informed that there was no way to return home. The joy he felt when he was told that there may be other people from his world. The time when he first stepped outside the cave and suddenly became the leader of the goblins. Suddenly he had this huge responsibility on his shoulder. He had to protect this little village from the danger of this world. He had to provide food, clothing, and shelter in order for them to live a good life.
He had to travel to Dwargon to find help for their village. Instead of a peaceful time there, he was attacked by humans before he even stepped into the city. He was thrown into the prison two times and was nearly charged with assault in front of the king. And now after he finally found someone from the other world like him he had to separate the thing that was keeping her alive all this time and is now a dwelling inside of him. All this time he had to be the stronger one. He had to be in charge. He couldn't allow himself to be weak in front of his people. He had to be the wise and powerful leader they needed.
But know all these feelings, his sadness, frustration, anger are finally set free as he cried everything out of his heart.
A few minutes later Rimuru had cried out all the feelings he had piled inside of him. Right now his head was laying on Amaryllis lap as she softly pets his head. The slime was trying to organize his thoughts as he looked up at the ceiling.
"Hey Amaryllis..." he whispered.
"What is it?"
"Thank you... For being there for me..."
Amaryllis only smiled gently.
"You know... You don't have to be so formal with me calling me -sama... I see you as my family after all."
"Family?"
"Yes... After I ate Veldora you helped me understand my powers more. You gave me advises whenever I was confused about something and you never forced me into some role I had to play. You let me be myself and cared for me... Truthfully you feel like a big sister to me..." Rimuru blushed as he realized what he said and tried to hide his face.
Amaryllis smiled down at him.
"I also feel the same. Rimuru is someone very important to me too."
"Really?" Rimuru jumped out of her lap and looked into her eyes.
"Yes. Through all the time we spent together I have come to see you as my family.
"Then... Can I call you Nee-san..." Rimuru blushed and played with his hands.
"Yes." She smiled.
After Rimuru took some time to sort out his feelings the sun has begun to set. He called back the trio along with Rigurd and Ranga.
The three adventures stood in front of them while Rigurd and Ranga watched from the door. Rimumu explained how Shizu was unable to live without Ifrit and died in the end. Of course, the trio was devasted by her passing.
"I see... So Shizu-san passed on." Kaval mumbled as they looked at him.
"Are you really Rimuru? No matter how I look at it, it's a bit..." Gido asked.
Both Rigurd and Ranga were angered by his doubt.
"There can be no doubt!" Rigurd yelled while Ranga snarled at his question.
"Did you really think I wouldn't recognize my master just because his body changed?!"
"Uh, no I didn't mean it that way... "Ka said as he held both his hands up.
"It's just, well..." The group looked back towards the bed.
"You look a bit like a smaller Shizu."
"It's true. See?" Rimuru turned back into his original slime form and plopped down into the bed.
"Wow!"
"That's quite remarkable." Both Kaval and Gido praised. Only Elen wasn't impressed by this act.
"Did you eat Shizu-san? The way you ate Ifrit?" She asked as tears gathered under her eyes.
"It was the only burial I could give her. I'm sorry I didn't consult you, her travel companions, first." he apologized.
"Well... If this is what Shizu-san wanted, there was no other choice." Kaval said.
"Sorry, Elen. You probably think this was unreasonable." the slime turned to the young girl.
Elen was silent for a few seconds but then she gave them a sad smile.
"No. I just wish I could have said goodbye to her."
"Shizu-san said she was really happy, to be able to meet and become comrades with you guys on her last journey. Though she also said you were a bit danger-prone." the slime told them.
Both Gido and Elen looked towards their supposed leader. Kaval saw their looks and was insulted.
"Hey! Why are you looking at me that way?!" he shouted.
"Well, you know..." Elen mumbled and looked towards Gido.
"Yeah." Gido understood what she meant and grinned.
"Well, what about the time you got caught in that pitfall?!" Kaval countered as he pointed towards the thief.
"That was because Elen pushed me!" he argued.
"Hey! Don't blame me on that! A spider landed on me that time" the girl responded.
Amaryllis and Rimuru slimed as they watched the trio arguing with each other.
"This suits them a lot better than being all sad and somber," Rimuru commented amusedly.
"You're right." Amaryllis agreed gently.
The next day the trio was ready to leave the village to return to their home.
"It's about time for us to say goodbye."
"Going back to your home country?"
"Yeah, we need to report to the Guildmaster about our findings, and about Shizu-san's passing. We won't say anything bad about this place." Kaval promised.
"We'll tell him about you too, Rimuru," Elen added.
"If anything comes up, you can always send for us," Gido said.
"Thanks. I'll do that," the slime nodded.
We also have to thank you, Amaryllis. Thank you for taking care of us while we stayed here." the thief added.
"Likewise, thank you for protecting our village." she bowed slightly.
"Um... There's one last favor we'd like to ask..." Kaval said.
"What is it?"
"Could you transform into your human form again?" he requested.
"Sure, I suppose," Rimuru mumbled and got surrounded by white smoke.
The adventurers took a step back as the form of a younger looking Shizu with blue hair appeared.
"So what is it you want?" Rimuru asked when he opened his eyes to look at the trio.
He and Amaryllis were a bit surprised as they suddenly bowed in front of him.
"Shizu up until now, thank you very much for everything!"
"I'll become a good leader that won't let worry anymore!" Kaval declared.
"The experience of adventuring with you will be my life's treasure," Gido promised.
"Thank you!" Elen yelled and threw her arms around Rimuru for a hug.
"You were like a big sister to me!" she cried.
Rimuru smiled sadly as she let the girl cry on his shoulder.
'I'm glad Shizu-san's last travel companions happened to be these three...'
Amaryllis smiled as Rimuru comforted her.
"Rimuru, how about we give them a present for their help here." the maiden suggested.
"You're right..." the boy agreed as he looked at the gear of the trio.
"Say, isn't your equipment a little too crappy?" he commented.
"So cruel!" the trio yelled and covered their gear with their hands.
Amaryllis giggled as he watched the trio yelled at the slime for his blunt comment.
Later on, they led the trio to the smithery and gave them new gear.
Amaryllis smiled when she saw the pure joy the group was showing.
"I-is it really okay? For us to be given such fine equipment?"
"It's alright. They're our parting gifts for you. These are our artisan's best work." Rimuru reassured.
"Artisans?"
Yo!" the slime called the four dwarves.
"Our best work? They're actually just prototypes." Kaijin explained.
"How do they feel?" Garm asked them.
"I wasn't able to introduce you guys the last time I showed you around but now we can. From the right, this is Kaijin, Garm, Mild, and Doldo." Amaryllis said as she pointed to each of the dwarves.
"Kaijin?! Are you serious?!" Kaval yelled.
"The blacksmith who's world-famous for his skills?!" Elen asked.
"And Garm, Mild, and Doldy... The three Dwarf brothers?!" Gido wondered.
"I'll make it my family heirloom" Thank you so much!" Kaval yelled while he shook hands with Kaijin.
"I'm so happy!" Elen said and hugged the two dwarves.
"It's like a dream come true!" Gido said and picked up Doldo to hug him.
Both Rimuru and Amaryllis watched the chaos in front of them.
"I guess Kaijin and his buddies are more famous than I thought?" Rimumu commented.
"It seems so." Amaryllis giggled.
After raising a fuss big enough to blow their sadness away, the three of them left. Rimuru and Amaryllis built a grave at the cliff for Shizu.
"Let's go Nee-san. We still have much to do until the village is finished." Rimuru smiled and pulled her by her hand.
"You're right." Amaryllis smiled as she let him guide her back to the village.
And that's how the man who thought he had an ordinary, uneventful life was stabbed on the street and died. He was reincarnated into another world, where he inherited the will of both the Storm Dragon, Veldora, and a human woman, giving him new purpose. He was a slime by the name Rimuru, and the world was about to usher in a turbulent, new era, with this slime at the center of it all.
So how was it? Good? Bad? Cringy?
Anyway with this chapter finished we will finally get to the next arc. The Onis, Lizardmen and the Orcs. I'm so excited already! For everyone who asked if Amaryllis will posses Shizu to save her. There you have the answer. While it is sad to see her die without this Rimuru wouldn't have his human form. And as it was mentioned Shizu didn't want to live in this world any longer. She just wanted to go back to her mother. I believe her decision to be absorbed is the best for herself. Besides, I don't want my OC to disappear ╥﹏╥
Reviews:
inFamousSlyMonkey: Thank you. And as for her skill, I'm not sure yet. I don't remember if Rimuru ever used his ice attacks again in the novel so I have to wait and see.
CallmeCrazylol: I don't think he can breathe fire because he's the Storm Dragon. And while her ice can't be melted it can be destroyed if the enemy is strong enough. Like if she was to freeze something the enemy could destroy the ice but it would also destroy the thing inside of the ice.
AmbertheCat: Thank you. I have also read your story and I'm looking forward to it. ^ω^
Harem sage: Thank you. (≧▽≦)
GunBlade2018: No. Rimuru will stay genderless and won't get a partner. One couple is enough for me. I can't handle to much romance stuff. I'm not good at writing it ╥﹏╥ Besides watching all the girls fighting over him is fun. ( ̄▼ ̄)
Geno: No.
robertastarcris11: Thank you. (≧▽≦)
Zeowolf9: First you didn't need to write it three times. Once is enough. (^▽^;) While she is stronger than others she isn't that strong. The aura doesn't pressure other monsters. It only shows how strong someone is. Or else the goblins would have already been knocked out by Rimuru before he even realized how powerful his aura was. And Veldora did suppress his aura some times. Or else he would never get a break from humans trying to attack him.
