Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 102! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
- Normal POV-
When the battle was about to start in the beginning, everyone else had tried to run forward to help.
" Please wait! You can't go!" Alu exclaimed
" Why?! Are you saying that you can't defy one order?!" Naoki ask
" We can, but I think..." Alu said, glancing to the battle, " I think it's better if we don't join in."
" Huh?!"
" That's not a reason! And Varia's coming down too! We have enough manpower to fight!" Adelheid exclaimed
" VOI!"
Alu and Zen flinched when the Varia had arrived along with the Ninth, his Guardians, and CEDEF.
" Get out of the way, trash!" Squalo yelled out
" We won't!" Alu exclaimed
" Fine then! If you want to go forward to help, then go through us first!" Zen proposed
" Huh?!"
" You can't bring that kind of suggestion up! We're trying to fight as comrades!" Yamamoto exclaimed
" But then as comrades, please believe in them! If they said they can handle it, then they can!" Alu reasoned
" Are you crazy?!" Yosuke exclaimed
" No!"
" Ushishi, then I guess we have to force our way through." Bel said
Alu and Zen braced themselves but then Tsuna cut between them with his Hyper Dying Will mode already activated.
" Wait."
" You too, Sawada?!" Squalo exclaimed
" I do want to help too, but we don't know the entire situation as well as we thought." Tsuna explained
" Huh?!"
" That's what I feel. That person they brought over today, is not someone I feel like I can let my guard down around. If we interfere, then we might be the ones getting caught up in something dangerous. At least, that's my intuition." Tsuna continued
" ... If Jyuudaime says so, then I'll stand my ground for now." Gokudera said
" Me too!"
" I extremely believe in Sawada!" Ryohei nodded along with Chrome
" I'll always believe in what Tsuna-kun's intuition says." Enma said
With that, two of their stronger groups had stood down from the battle.
" Miwa. What should we do?" Misaki ask
Miwa looked over to the battle and crossed his arms behind his head.
" I don't see a problem. Aichi and Kai have always been strong in my book." Miwa said
" But..."
" I mean, they seem to be enjoying their time." Miwa said
Naoki and Kamui looked at each other and the battle before sighing in defeat.
" Xanxus. What will you do?" Ninth ask
" Tch, damn trashes." Xanxus scoffed
However, due to Tsuna's words, he was also now curious about Rimuru as well. They watched the battles intently and when Rimuru removed his mask, they finally feel a small pressure coming from him.
" Wha?!"
" She's a little angry..." Alu said
" Yeah."
" You mean, that small kid's body is emitting that pressure?!" Colonello exclaimed
" Yes."
" It is definitely fortunate to have her on our side." Fon sighed
They continued watching Rimuru's battle as he applied Black Flames on his katana and slashed apart the vines and even ate a barrage of blue flames with Gluttony.
" No way..."
" That would cause some sort of environmental damage and yet it's all gone in an instant." Levi exclaimed
" Hey! Are you playing with me?! Why are you using fans?!"
With that yell, their eyes now turned to Aichi's fight. He had changed from his rapier weapon to a pair of folding fans.
" Hey, hey, are you serious?!" Gokudera exclaimed
" Yeah, he's serious. Steelhead over there only constantly falls into every trap Master had set up, it was becoming one-sided." Zen explained
" Huh?!"
" But still, a fan against steel?!" Enma exclaimed, baffled by this
" I just want to try them out." Aichi reasoned to his enemy
" Don't joke around with me! My steel will snap them in an instant! Change it!" The enemy had yelled
Tsuna noted how Aichi seemed to look amused at the situation, hiding it behind the fan he was holding.
" Then should I change to my fists instead?" Aichi ask
" Huh?!"
" Wha?! Are you asking to get hurt?! Your fragile body will snap too!" The enemy exclaimed
Aichi remained silent for that.
" Are you listening to me?!"
" Oh, I am. It's okay, just come at me." Aichi assured
" Huh?!"
" I promise that this will be a good fight for you to enjoy thoroughly." Aichi said
After looking at Aichi's expression, his enemy smirked and seemed to decide to go with what Aichi said. His steel hands extended out into blades.
" Then here I come!"
Shockingly, Aichi was successfully blocking all of his attacks with just the fans.
" It's been coated with magicules and enhanced to be able to withstand many forms of attacks. Master is really amazing..." Alu thought
Aichi then unfolded the fans and deflected the steel blades, snapping them off with a quick flick of his wrists to bring the fans down on them.
" My blades...!"
" Do you still want to continue?" Aichi ask
His enemy grinned as more blades formed on his arms.
" Of course!"
They continued clashing with each other afterward, but now their attention turned to Kai, who'd been silently attacking his enemy's ice puppets.
" Come on, you coward! Keep the attacks coming! I still haven't had enough!" Kai's enemy taunted
Kai just kept swinging his scythe, not bringing out any sort of power from it.
" That one's just a done deal..." Miwa sighed
" Hey! Come on!" His enemy continued to taunt
Kai finally got close to his enemy to land a swing on one of his icicle arms, but then purple smoke billowed out to engulf him.
" How do you like that?! My poison will attack your nerves and you'll cry for your life!" Kai's enemy laughed
" What?! Poison?!" Misaki exclaimed
" Kai!"
Zen's sweat dripped as he scratched his cheek.
" Uh oh..."
" Indeed! Your master's gotten into danger!" Adelheid pointed out
" No, I mean..." Zen said as the smoke cleared, " Master's angry now."
Kai remained standing despite having been supposedly poisoned.
" Wait a minute... What is this?! Why aren't you crying in pain?!" Kai's enemy exclaimed
" Because I had my fill of a more terrible poison. I think I'm very resistant to most poison by now. And thanks to you, you've made me remember that day." Kai smirked darkly as he glared down at the enemy in front of him, " So now I'll personally show you the hell I endured."
Now Kai's enemy is the one that's crying out in pain as Kai mercilessly started hacking at him with his scythe, making sure to not leave wounds that will kill him.
" I would not want to be on the receiving end of that. Poor guy." Miwa said
" What did Kai mean by a more terrible poison?" Naoki ask
Zen's face paled and turned green in a matter of a few seconds. He didn't want to relieve the feeling of Kai eating that monstrosity.
" Maybe you should ask him yourself. When he's less..." Zen said as he watched his master enjoying his opponent's demise, " ... sadistic."
" ... Good point."
" For Kai to make that kind of face takes a really, really good reason. So I get where you're coming from..." Miwa said
- Rimuru POV-
Yikes... What made Kai that angry? No, wait... A more terrible poison. Oh god, it can't be... No, no! Let's focus on these two first! I think it's safe to say that they're no longe a threat, right?
[Yes. Analysis has been completed. None of the Elemental Four are deemed to be dangerous enough yet. Subduing them now is recommended.]
" Aichi! Kai! End this!" I shouted
I think Kai doesn't have to be told that. His poor opponent is already pretty much beaten to a pulp. Now as for me...
" Black Lightning!"
With that, my black bolt of lightning crashed on my own opponents and they were immediately defeated. Yeah, I really need to hold this one back... It's way too strong. And what about Aichi?
" Huh?!"
For some odd reason, his opponent is not fighting back anymore. Sure, he's been quite beaten up, but I would expect a bit more fight in him.
" Aichi?"
" Oh, it's settled here, Rimuru!" Aichi waved cheerfully
" R... Right..."
With my Sticky Steel Thread, I bound my opponents and dragged them over to Aichi. Kai, on the other hand, finally seemed satisfied and tossed his own opponent to the ground. This one would also need a full potion, it seems. Poor guy is beaten beyond recognition...
" You could have held back a little, Kai-kun..." Aichi pointed out, seems like he also feels the same way
" Hmph."
He pulled Aichi into a back hug. Aichi could only awkwardly giggle while Kai got over his little trauma with his needed Aichi hug therapy.
" So what's with the big guy? Does he not want to fight anymore?" I ask
He's been silent despite all of his fallen comrades beside him. And Aichi's answer was to break eye contact with me.
" Hm?"
I cautiously tapped the guy with my katana's hilt. As I expected, he collapsed. Aichi didn't hold back on this one either, huh...? And I'm surprised he had fainted on his feet. I took my time to bind all four of them separately before tossing the full potions to help them heal from their injuries. They were quick to awaken to see that they have all been soundly defeated.
" ... We give in." The leader sighed
" That easily?" I ask
" We've all been completely wiped out. It's obvious that we should follow the strong in that case. Besides, instead of leaving us to die, you healed us. That's an action worthy enough for us." He explained
" You sure you guys don't have something else you wanna do? I thought maybe it was taking over the world kind of motivation or something." I shrugged
" No, we actually just seek the strongest elemental possessors. Though the damage we've done to find you all is definitely not forgivable, we just wanted to find someone worthy to serve." The leader explained
" Wha..."
" If that was all, it would've been way better to just say it instead of attacking." Aichi said
" But then we wouldn't know if we would be serving someone worthy. Fighting was the best way to find out." The fairy replied
" Uh..."
" And we went through all that trouble..." Kai sighed
Yeah, that's what I was thinking too! Still, it's true that we can't leave them in this world. No matter how you look at it, they are unnatural existences to this world, born from magicules leaks from Alu and Zen. So, the best solution right now is...
" Alright! You're returning with us. After that, you guys will be serving Aichi and Kai from now on." I said
" ... Huh?!"
" Wait, wait, wait!" Aichi exclaimed
" What do you mean by that?!" Kai exclaimed
" Technically, these guys were born from Alu and Zen's magicules, which means they were born from your magicules. This is the perfect scenario. They can be a great addition to Tempest's army." I explained
" I mean, that is true..." Aichi muttered
" You guys can train them up. Hakurou and Benimaru can help out too." I added
" ... Fine. It is our role in the first place." Kai said
I nodded and then we turned our attention back to the four.
" Element Four is kind of a weird group name though... Four... Quatre... Elementals? No..." I muttered, going through options in my head, " ... You guys will be dubbed the 'Quatre Knights' from now on. A secret group of knights serving my Elite Generals, Aichi and Kai."
" I kind of like that." The fairy said
" Yeah, it is a pleasure to be able to serve you as your subordinate, Aichi-dono." The steel guy spoke
" '-dono'...?"
Better get used to that, Aichi. Everyone will be calling you in different variations as Vesta explained to you before.
" We will do our best to meet your expectations." The leader said
" To think the person who brutally beat me to such an extent will become my superior... I'm getting the chills just thinking about it." The ice creep had said, giving a creepy smile towards Kai
I think I'm gonna have chills too. You're way too creepy with that expression! Are you a narcissist or something?! Even Kai's now creeped out by you! The guy's just hiding behind Aichi from you!
" Sorry, he's always been like this from the first time he was born..." The leader sighed
" ... Good luck..." I encouraged them
I removed the threads that bound them and then remembered something.
" What are your names?" I ask
" We don't have any." The leader replied
" Figures... I'll have to name you guys then. This means that although you guys will be serving Aichi and Kai, I am technically still their master. So this means you guys are also technically under me but with different leaders to serve directly. Just remember though, direct orders will be taken from them. I'll only give you guys orders if I really need to." I explained
" Yes, sir!"
" It'll be an honor."
I racked my brain for these guys. They are going to be a secret force in Tempest and I wouldn't want a name like Mountain 2 or something. I am that bad at thinking of names after having to name 150,000 Orcs...
" ... Then since you're the leader of the Knights, you'll be named Gaillard."
" Thank you very much!"
" The fairy... Your name will be Ratie."
" Yes!"
" Steel... Neve! Your name will be Neve."
" A pleasure, my Lord."
" ... You'll be called Serra."
" Serra... What a wonderful name!"
I sure hope this guy's creep factor can be turned down a notch soon. I might get a headache that I shouldn't get as a slime if he doesn't.
" I'll tell you guys my name later. First, we need to talk to everyone else about you guys." I said
" Yes, sir!"
Aichi and Kai followed behind me when I started walking back to the mansion entrance where the Ninth and other people were waiting for us. But... huh? Why... am I feeling sleepy...?
[Warning: Your magicule has been drained to a dangerous level. Activating Sleep Mode.]
" Wha... Wait..." I slurred out
Crap... My vision's blurring... Gonna fall... Sleep...
- An hour later-
My vision is returning... Is this... a room?
" Rimuru-sama!"
I looked up at the voice calling my name. It's a worried-looking Aichi.
" Did I...?" I ask
" You suddenly fainted! Everyone was worried about you!" Aichi exclaimed
I remember now. Naming those four drained my magicules and I went into Sleep Mode! Crap! I must have turned into a slime in front of everyone! What should I do?!
" Aichi, what about- Huh?!"
I could reach out a hand to Aichi...?! I quickly got up from his lap. Yeah, I'm still in my human form. But shouldn't I have turned back into a slime?
" How long was I out?" I ask, turning to Aichi
" About an hour..." He replied
" An hour?!"
What is going on here, Great Sage?
[Answer: It seems like the individual Aichi has been supplying you with magicules ever since you entered Sleep Mode. Thus, your human form Mimic could remain active during this sleep cycle. You were also able to regain enough magicules to awaken quicker than normal.]
" Wha?! Aichi, you've been giving me your own magicules?!" I ask
" M-Me?"
" I can sense it. You were supplying me your magicules to keep my form?" I ask
" My magicules was being supplied to you? Was that why you didn't revert back to a slime?" Aichi questioned
He seems confused too. Does that mean he gave me his magicules unconsciously?
[Answer: It is possible.]
" I just touched you before you could revert back to your slime form, and then you just remained in your human form. I did feel my magicules being drained but it wasn't to a point of exhaustion. So it was really keeping your form?" Aichi wondered
I need to know more about this situation. Could you analyze this, Great Sage?
[Yes. Analyzing for possible answers.]
" Did you feel anything else after I fainted?" I ask
" Just worried. Because it was a risk of exposing your true form and the fact that naming the four Knights had caused you to enter Sleep Mode." Aichi replied
[Analysis complete. This was a phenomenon caused by the Parent Zombie skill from Unique Skill Brandt. Parent Zombie can share magicules to those who bear the zombie marking. You have been marked by it but it has now been removed successfully.]
" ... Seems like it was from your Brandt skill. You unconsciously placed a zombie marking on me and shared your magicules." I explained
" Huh?!"
" Don't worry though. I've already removed the marking. You've saved me back there, Aichi. If I had turned into a slime in front of everyone, it would've been a pandemonium." I said
" Yes, but..."
" I think it can be controlled. It's just your emotions that activated it this time. And it benefited us anyway, so no big deal." I assured
" I see..."
" So where's everyone else?" I ask
" They went back into the meeting room with the Knights. Kai-kun offered to explain our plans from now on." Aichi replied
" Okay then. Let's go. Let's not keep Kai waiting." I said
" Yes, sir!"
We walked back to the meeting room and opened the door. Everyone's attention was on us now.
" Are you feeling better now?" Ninth ask
" Yeah. Sorry for worrying everyone. It happens when I name people like the Knights." I explained before looking around for them, " Where are they anyway?"
Kai coughed to get my attention and guided my eyes to the four standing at the corner of the room.
" They are the Knights." Kai introduced
Eh? Huh?! They look like actual humans now!
" My Lord. I am the one you named Gaillard."
The blue flames around his body has fully vanished and now it's just his teal hair and amber eyes. He has somewhat of a knight outfit too, with that white outfit, hints of red, brown and black scattered around the shirt. He's also wearing black pants and boots. A real knightly look, I guess.
" I'm Ratie!"
She still looks like a young girl with her black hair tied up on both sides, yellow eyes and a red diamond marking on her forehead. She's just wearing a one-piece dress that had hints of purple on the rims of the skirt and sleeves with white boots to accompany it.
" You have given me the name 'Neve'."
Still a big guy, but all the steel that covered him was now gone. Instead he now had brown hair and green eyes. He has a white coat over a black collar shirt, the coat had a grey pattern going down the middle with a line of green. He has a green scarf wrapped around his neck. White long pants and black boots completed his look.
" I was given this splendid name 'Serra' by you, my Lord."
Right... The creepy guy. Though the ice around him is gone, his hair remains purple and sharp red eyes. Sorry, but his face just gives me the chill in a wrong way... Anyway, he has a long white coat with yellow highlights. Is that cravat on the collar of his coat...? Also a white pants and black boots. They really have a sort of knightly appearance. Guess the clothes just came along with the evolution.
[Individual Gaillard is in a race called Blue Flame Warrior. Individual Ratie is in the Fairy race. Individual Neve is in a race called Steel Human. Lastly, individual Serra is in a race called Ice Witch.]
Witch, huh? A pretty suiting race for that guy. I think I can listen to the rest of the report when I return to Tempest. This meeting comes first. I'll just acknowledge these guys for now.
" Got it. Thanks for introducing yourselves to me again. We'll talk later." I said
" Yes."
" Why are you guys standing in the corner anyway?" I ask
" This is a meeting with leaders in a room. It wouldn't be respectful to sit without the lord's permission." Gaillard explained
" I tried to tell them but they wouldn't listen." Kai shrugged
" Didn't I tell you that direct orders will be from Aichi and Kai, unless it's an emergency? Listen to him and sit." I chided
" Yes..."
Man, they're like Benimaru and the others in a way. At least the Kijins are more carefree around me. They'll have to learn when we head back. I took a seat again while Aichi sat himself beside me. The Knights had taken the four available seats across Aichi and Kai.
" Well, I guess we shouldn't keep this a secret anymore. My name is Rimuru Tempest. The Chancellor of the Great Jura Forest and the lord of my nation, Tempest." I introduced
" As you guys can guess, she's from another world. Though how we've met is a fond memory." Aichi said
You're still calling me a 'she' despite the lord thing... Damn these guys are a tease.
" I see. I understand. We seem to have not understood everything after all. This is the reason you guys left your puppets here, isn't that right, Aichi-kun, Kai-kun?" Ninth ask
" Yeah. We owe Rimuru-sama a lot. Though she's still a little naive on a political scale." Aichi said
" Hey, Aichi. Casual, remember? You're calling me formally again! We're not in Tempest anyway!" I reminded him
" I'm sorry, Rimuru. But yes, this is why we've decided to leave our business in this world to Alu and Zen. Maybe it sounds bad, but it actually isn't. Hasn't Alu and Zen been working hard?" Aichi ask
" They definitely are. Screwing up here and there with the news and stuff." Ishida scoffed before ruffling Alu's hair, " But they definitely ain't any different from the real ones."
" Naoki-kun..."
" Alu and Zen are sentient beings created by our consciousness. So technically they are still us. Though we call them puppets, they are more than that. They're living beings too, they have emotions and can think for themselves." Kai explained
" Which brings me to this question. How did you guys even find out about Alu and Zen's identities in the first place?" I ask
This was the burning question. It was what I was curious about after the affair with the Knights.
" We were told by the Vindice." Reborn replied
" Vindice?"
" I mentioned before that there is a force that lurks in the shadows of the mafia. They're called the Vindice. They are the keepers of the law of mafia. Basically if you break the law of the mafia, you'll be locked up in their prison." Aichi explained
Right... Aichi never mentioned their name but he did talk about something along these lines when I asked about the eighth flame.
" So these Vindice people wanted to arrest Alu and Zen?" I ask
" No. They just wanted an explanation too. They could tell straight away that they weren't the real Aichi and Kai. Sure, they have your consciousness but their body is different." Reborn explained
" I see. So will they have any future problems with them?" I ask
" I wouldn't think so. They might be listening in right now, so they would've shown up to talk if they had something they wanted to say. If not, they won't show up." Reborn shrugged
" Hm... I guess all's good then."
Aichi's father seems to have something he wants to say... I guess since the meeting can be adjourned, we can talk outside. I stood up.
" Then we have to leave now. Tempest has been left alone for a little too long, after all." I said
" Yes, of course. Apologies for taking up your time." Ninth said
The other occupants in the room bid their farewells to us. As expected, Aichi's father came out after us and closed the door.
" Aichi. Kai."
" I'm sorry for keeping this from you, Father." Aichi bowed
" No, seeing you now and hearing your story is enough. I'm happy to see you two well. And how about Tasuku?" He ask
" He's doing well. We'll let him visit you again soon."
" I see."
" ... We'll see each other again one day, Father. Maybe as soon as the next visit with Tasuku-kun." Aichi assured him
" That sounds good. Kai, take care of them."
" I will, Father." Kai said
Aichi's father just ruffled their head and went back inside the room.
" Let's go." I called out
" Yes!"
They opened the portal and we finally returned to Tempest after everything that we went through in a span of a few hours.
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!