(Thank you for sticking around for the next chapter!)
Calming down after a few minutes, Rimuru opened the book he stole.
He had sent Diablo back here ages ago when he sensed another Yuuki level threat. Of course, it was supposed to be a recon mission to determine what the target decided to do with their power; to see if they were capable of peace or that they were just another power hungry maniac.
Let's just say it didn't go so well. After being threatened and having his master jeered at by the Council of Heroes, whose leader was the one Rimuru sensed, Diablo predictably went ape shit insane.
Now, if it were back when Rimuru just defeated that bastard of a poser, he would've never sent Diablo alone on such a dangerous mission. Though, ever since his subordinate rekindled his rivalry with Guy, he quickly began to match his Red counterpart in power.
After returning to his master and having his injuries healed, Diablo voiced out his report. The contents were:
He eliminated the biggest threat along with most of the Council's members.
He put the fear of God (his master, of course) to the inhabitants of the world.
And finally, he crowned a new demon lord to keep the world in check.
After hearing the report and consulting with his Manas, Rimuru commanded her to change the world as she saw fit. And so, she did.
She took away from the world's inhabitants the ability to bestow names of power, put a limit on how many skills can be present at one time, and changed the magic system entirely. She did this after talking it over with Ramiris, of course. To which she agreed, having already made a new home for herself and her subjects.
All of that happened millenia ago.
Rimuru skimmed over the book. The contents were just as predicted. It was said that before leaving the world behind, the great and terrible demon cast a curse a over the world that severely weakened all the inhabitants. It then appointed one of its evil spawns as a tormentor to keep the world in despair while it wasn't around; a demon lord.
If it were him just after his rebirth as a demon lord, Rimuru would've protested Diablo's methods. Now though, with his demonic heart and will growing each day, he slowly stopped caring about strangers. He only cared about those he knew very well. Of course, he would still help a stranger in need, but if they were to somehow lose their life, he wouldn't be saddened by their deaths.
This matter eventually caused him to have a falling out with his do-gooder friends, namely his students; the ones who he taught in Ingrassia. While he made up with them in the end, their relationship was no longer as it used to be. He still cared for them, though. To him, they were the children he never had. If they requested anything from him, he'd do it in a heartbeat. Again, not that anyone needed his help with anything anymore. They were just that powerful.
Rimuru closed the book. He looked over his attire to see how dusty it was. He then changed into peasant clothing in the era of the medieval ages and wore a grey cloak over it. He was rather sick of grand clothing and needing to abide with the dress code all the time.
With all that set, he waited for the explorers to scram before walking out of the ruins.
Outside, he could see the clear blue sky with some clouds rolling over. The sun was at its peak, and its light was reflected from the vast blue ocean surrounding his whole resting place. Not much had changed here since he first returned.
He looked over to the edge of his island and saw a large ship. The crew manning the ship were moving about; hoisting the sails and pulling the anchor.
He could hear the expedition group from earlier screaming, "Faster, faster" repeatedly.
Well, now that he was alone, he started going for the woods.
When he created his "temple," he made an entire island along with it. He saw various plants basking under the sun and various animals mucking about.
He quickly kicked one of the trees, making it fall over. His first course of action was making tools and creating a means of transportation.
Sure, he could've just teleported away, but it was much more fun doing things without relying on his powers, at least not fully.
...
A while later, Rimuru could be seen sitting on a small wooden boat in the middle of the sea. He was currently holding a bokken, a japanese wooden sword, with a rope tied on one end. He was currently waiting for a catch while also searching for anything non-sea related.
"Master, I have detected several pieces of land to row over. Would you like me to inform you of their location?"
"And ruin the fun of finding it myself? No thanks."
Being able to do anything he wanted got boring sometimes, but instantly knowing about anything he wanted to find out about was the most boring.
He continued on, letting the tides carry him until he spotted a ship, a different one, in the distance. He saw several people pointing at him and waving. He waved back.
After looking over the telescope, captain Bask told his men to head over to the lone boat. He wanted to save the pretty damsel from danger.
His mother had once told him that should he offer a helping hand to others, his fate would change for the better.
As they came closer to the boat, Bask called her over.
"Ahoy, there! We mean you no harm! We see that you are in an unfortunate situation and have come to offer you a ride!"
Now standing, the young woman who looked around twenty something years replied with a smile.
"Thank you, kind stranger. I wish to kindly accept your offer."
And with that, Rimuru found his ticket to land.
Sitting in the captain's office, both the captain and the drifter conversed.
"I see. So you were pulled by the strong currents. How unfortunate."
Bask didn't know any strong currents near here, but with the woman's story, he realized he needed to be careful, lest he damaged his ship in the sea and had to drift off in a similar fashion.
"We are on our way to Rowlhart port to place over some of the goods. If you have any place to go before there, we will gladly send you there."
The blue haired woman suddenly grasped one of her hands before placing a silver ring on his table.
"I thank you once again, kind sir. I wish to go to Rowlhart as well, but I am hard pressed to join you without giving any compensation. Here is a silver ring I obtained from one of my journeys. I don't know how much it sells for, but I hope this can make up for your intrusion."
The middle aged captain took the ring without much hesitation. His father told him that if he were given a gift with no strings attached, he should not deny it.
"Thank you for this ring. It should be more than enough to pay for food and a room in this ship."
He held out his hand, to which the lone drifter shook.
"Welcome aboard, Miss..."
"Rimuru. Just Rimuru," she answered with a smile.
...
Rimuru had gotten used to being called a woman. He had been on that scenario so many times that he stopped caring what other people saw him as. He figured he was too old to be worrying such things.
In the end, it proved very useful to him in negotiations. As his power grew, so did his body. He was now a mirror version of Shizu-san with a few differences. For one, he lacked some of her womanly assets, namely the chest. The others were as usual; his hair and eye color.
He was currently in one of the private rooms the ship had.
"Hey, Ciel."
"Yes, master?"
"Would you want to travel with me in person?"
"I would like to decline that offer, Master. Being with you is enough."
"Alright."
Rimuru shook his head and laid down the bed.
"Wake me up on time, okay?"
"Understood."
And with that, he drifted off.
...
Seagulls flew over the bay, cawing along with its brethren. After saying his goodbyes, Rimuru set foot on the wooden platform and walked off to Rowlhart port.
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