Chapter 2: Ciels True Plan and A Mysteriously Positive Being Arrives

"Ah such bliss, this sensation of warmth brings me back." Spoke Rimuru looking up and seeing Shion looking down at him with a warm smile.

{Feeling better now?}

"Yes, you may put me down now if you'd."

{Of course.}

She does so and he reverts back into human form.

"Alright now let's see... Hmm what to do now?"

[M-Master... May I elaborate on what my plan was?] He heard Ciel ask with a nervous tone in its voice.

Rimuru inwardly sighs: "Okay, I hope it is good and detailed then..."

[Firstly: The strategy to deceive Feldway by simply asking if he would allow me to adjust his abilities worked. At first the paranoid subject was flabbergasted upon hearing my voice, then he basically asked if this was his master, Valdenava. My answer to that question was yes, then I proceeded to make up a little story about being lost in The Void and having to access his mind to begin the process of reincarnation. It worked and quite effectively if I may add, which gained approval unhesitatingly by him...

Then the process of altering the Ultimate Skill: Armageddon began, it was given a massive boost in power and turned into a close ranged attack, for the cost of half of his magicules temporarily; which would allow you to devour Feldway easier and a timed delayed feature was added to it at the very last second. Upon striking you the attack did no damage at that very moment. My idea was to give Feldway something or he'd have been most likely to start to suspect that I wasn't helping him to defeat you. There was also suspicion that Feldway acquired the Ultimate Skill from Micheal, after his defeat by your hands. My original idea was to neutralize the skills' delayed damage once you'd absorbed him.

Secondly: The skill hiding itself within you was an unforeseen circumstance, a deviation to my objective. So rapid adjustments had to be made on the fly. The theory at the moment was that Feldway managed to re-adjust his own skill at the very-very last second, probably sensing that I wasn't Valdenava at the very end. A possibility made due to him having a body made from his master, although it seems to be a limited version of what my capabilities are. I truly thought that the ploy to trick him fully would work, but that was an error, a miscalculation of assuming that my plans were impervious and incapable of being thwarted.

Thirdly: I knew that Turn Null had the potential to erase things from existence completely, for a possible counter to that was to put you in a negative state of mind, utilizing your immense inner desire and will to hopefully bring the people you cared about back and possibly your allies in some way or shape. Convincing Shion at the last minute also helped out as well, and telling her she'd get lots and lots of praise from you, if a job well done is achieved...

It wasn't easy to do, she was really mad at me at first, but in the end, persuading Shion worked out. The elimination of all possible enemies from all possibilities: like timelines, and parallel universes, and worlds was a high priority. So this universe and its timeline are the only things left in existence. At least that is what I strongly feel that is. I also thought that what happened was irreversible, but Shion appears to be a contradiction to that concept.

Lastly: I also conjured a physical body for Shion, using your Replication Skill to help with reintegration into this plane of reality. Just like with Veldora, she repurposed the body to suit her looks. What was once roaming as a pure spiritual life form is now physically here and looks the same as before. Also knowledge about her strength is unknown until we can reestablish a soul corridor connection.]

"Err, dang! That is a lot of information to chew on Ciel, geeze!" The bluish-silver haired teen complains inwardly, grabbing the sides of his head.

[Well you did say to go into details... Master.]

"Well, Okay! I guess it is partially my fault, but you couldn't shorten it by a wee little bit?" Rimuru complains further and is now rubbing his forehead trying to process everything that was explained, after a few minutes he collects himself.

"Well I do have an important question to ask."

[Yes?]

"Was any part of your plan malicious in nature... Towards me?"

[O-of course not!]

"Hmm, well you still helped cause this "situation" to occur... So, do you deny that?" He asks with his arms crossed, Rimuru could feel Ciel shake its head. He sighs and shakes his head a bit: "Well you did cause me a lot of grief, you know that? Especially painting yourself as a villain to get me to feel intense negative emotions and such and to even have Shion go through with that as well! Ugh! Although your plan wasn't too bad, tricking Feldway was excellent even if he did end up seeing through your ploy at the end there.

Well anyhow I don't know how to fully feel about what happened, most of my subordinates, my friends, and allies, and the children are gone, so not going to lie Ciel, I am not happy about that. Although it would appear to me that you did the best that you could given the issues you had to deal with. With that in mind, I don't want to be pitiful and stay mad at you for all eternity. At this point let's move forward, How does that sound? My partner?"

[All I ever wanted was to help you Master, I would do anything I could to protect you, in hindsight I got carried away, I am just beyond overjoyed to be able to serve a being such as yourself. A benevolent and caring god atleast to those whom you deem worthy of receiving such a reception from you. Being called your partner, a Manas like myself can't even express in words how absolutely excellent it is to be by your side, to be relied upon and to do my utmost to satisfy your ideals to the best of my abilities. Also it sounds wonderful, my lord, let's do just that and move forwards.]

Ciel smiles deeply within, a warmth circulating throughout its existence; it was truly-truly happy that Rimuru, a being it sees as transcending, could still find in his heart to move forwards and still want to associate with it. The Manas makes a vow deep within its own soul that it would try even harder, to make certain a scenario like this doesn't happen ever-ever again! Seeing and feeling all of his despair was unfathomably difficult, a pain so-so deep that if it had the ability to cry real tears it would have been doing so intensely and almost endlessly...

"Oh right Shion, could you allow Ciel to invoke a soul corridor with you?"

{Yes of course! Oh! Did you and the Manas make up?} The purple-haired ogress asks, scratching the back of her head.

"Yeah you could say that, Ciel went into quite the details about what happened, so you agreed to what my partner asked of you? In exchange for praise from me?" He narrowed his eyes towards her upon saying those last six words.

{I um, ha-ha-ha, I err, perhaps maybe said words somewhat like that?} She responded by darting her eyes back and forth nervously; all the while trying not to look at Rimuru. He moves towards Shion and puts his hands on his hips, looking directly at the ogress, getting within a few feet of her.

"Hey! Don't you try to avoid eye contact! You made yourself into some kind of villainess! All just so you could maybe get some praise from me? Do you realize how illogically insane that sounds huh!?"

He pointed sternly at Shion, causing her to make eye contact, and rapidly floated backwards a ways, waving her hands frantically: {W-w-wait! Th-that is absurd! I would never ever-ever do something so heinous like that! Although... I mean it wouldn't hurt to get praised here and there...}

Upon hearing that poor attempt at an excuse, Rimuru just pinches the bridge on his nose and exhales with hints of irritation and says: "You're so unbearable sometimes you know that! No like most of the time! Fine! Let's see, hmm, I guess your cooking isn't too terrible. Is that good enough for you?"

Shion reacts by clasping her hands together with starry eyes and files up and down with excitement and mentally exclaims: {Yes! Yes! Yes! Sir Rimuru does love my cooking!} She then soars towards Rimuru and hugs him tightly.

He cries out with exasperation: "SHION! SHION! You are squeezing me way too hard! Let me go!" The overly excited ogress is now spinning in circles in her own little world, completely ignoring Rimurus' plea.

"Hey! Hey! You're still hugging me way-way too hard! Let me go! Your bear-like grip is insane! Shion!? Hello!? For goodness sake my purple suited secretary... WOULD YOU LET ME GO YOU MORON!" He screamed those last words angrily managing to free an arm and punches her head which causes the purple-haired ogress to let go.

{Ow! Sir Rimuru that hurt! I just wanted to hug you! You're so huggable! Even in human form you're huggable!} She smiles widely upon saying those words, already forgetting getting punched in the head.

"Ugh...! So-so unbearable!" He grumbled mentally. They both finally calm down and the soul corridor is connected again. Ciel seems to be exhilarated to be able to Analyze and Assess skills again and immediately dives right in, looking into Shion to see if she has grown stronger or not. A few minutes pass by. [She... She has managed to evolve her skill... It is now in the God Ultimate Rank.]

He couldn't help but feel a sudden immense sense of uneasiness and mentally exclaimed: "What!? You were worried even if she had an Ultimate Skill and now you're saying that it is even higher in rank then that! To the height of God Rank! Is that why her hug seemed unbelievably strong? She is going to be really-really strong isn't she? I thought you managed to seal her Skill Evolution though? Shion still managed to override you somehow? Was it through sheer willpower or something? Was it her intense desire to be my forever lasting secretary?!"

Those questions bombard his mind, he then starts to shake nervously. Ciel then provides an explanation: [I believe you are to be correct, Shion's willpower and her inner desire to stay as your secretary and not abandon the role must have been so great, that even death nor complete erasure from existence could impede the tenacious being from doing her job. Also remember I had to sever all soul-based connections and it wouldn't be too impossible that my seal on her Skill Evolution no longer held or weakened even.]

With those words said Rimuru anxiously looks towards Shion who is tilting her head at him with a confused expression on her face: {Is something wrong Sir Rimuru?}

"N-No! Nothing is wrong! Um you seem to be a lot stronger than you were once that is all. I am just really shocked that is all."

"Yes something is wrong! You of all people shouldn't have that much power! I truly fear deeply what you're capable of, hopefully no one is stupid enough to antagonize you." He mentally complains, biting his fingernails a bit.

{Well that is good right? Now I am for sure the strongest and bestest secretary you can ever have! Ha-ha-ha! I wish more than anything right now to rub this into Diablo's face, if only he was still around. Well anyhow, I pledge myself to be the most reasonably responsible person and not abuse my newfound powers... Much.} She grins evilly upon saying that last word.

"Hey! You better not do anything absurd okay! You keep yourself within REASON!" He panickstrickenly emphasized.

{Why of course! You have nothing to fear, I'll be nice and gentle so long as no one has the audacity to... Challenge your greatness...} The purple-haired ogress says with a sinister smile, a smile that made Rimuru feel like there were goosebumps on his skin.

He shakes the feeling off and mentally asks Ciel a question: "Well anyhow... Do you know what she is capable of doing?"

[Well basically, it seems that her ability to manipulate reality to what she desires is beyond enhanced, let's just say Master that Shion probably could qualify for the second strongest being and you obviously being first. I am unable to fully discern what she can or cannot do unless her abilities get used in real world scenarios, upon analyzing her though, it seems her large sword Gorikimaru has grown much stronger now as well, it is definitely an even higher echelon of God-based weaponry.]

"Oh wow! Wait! Let's also re-review how much stronger I have gotten, I mean by devouring: Micheal, Feldway and Ivaraj, my magicules definitely feel like they have risen exponentially." Rimuru swore that a gleeful he-he-he could be heard within his head.

Ciel then exuberantly explains: [Well of course you have gotten far-far stronger Master! It isn't even a contest that you'd reign as the strongest being in existence! Your magicule count has risen by a thousandfold! Also while you were asleep your pre-existing and newfound skills and abilities have been optimized even further as well. Oh even better you have evolved! How amazing is that! You even have a default adult form Master!]

"Wait what!? When did I evolve!?"

[While you were in sleep mode I also managed your Evolution and magicule stability.]

"An adult form you say?" A sudden flashback appears in his mind; way-way back when he started as a slime just when he devoured Shizue Izawa and was "investigating" his human form...

"Oh wait! You can just describe it to me... I don't need another "reason" to look at myself again..." A flush of embarrassment flashes across his face.

[I would be most happy to! Your adult form is the spinning image of absolute heavenly perfection! A brilliant example of how a divine being should look! Your adult form has a slightly different coloring of your magnificent hair! While in that form it'll now be a long dark silvery-blue reaching halfway down toward your back. Golden eyes with both pupils having a dark shade of obsidian purple to them, your adult frame being one and half times larger than your previous teenager form, and your slime form slightly bigger than it was—].

Ciel stops explaining all of a sudden and changes gears: [Master! I have detected a presence straight ahead!] An unexpected streak of pink is seen shooting across a good half a mile ahead of Rimuru and stops suddenly taking a human-like form and turning toward their direction.

"Shion! Get by me!" He exclaimed urgently. In response she takes a defensive stance next to Rimuru pulling out her giant sword which radiates an immense aura that is a reflection of Shions willpower, which she then compresses tightly around the blade. Rimuru also draws his Drago Blade, infusing it with Turn Null's negative energy. He sees the mysterious being slowly move towards them; it has a very similar look to it, but it suddenly surrounds itself with a pinkish aura so immense that it is nearly impossible to discern who it is.

Despite that, the bluish-silver haired teen has a sudden realization of who it could be: "Wait... That distinct color, this feeling of unfathomable amount of power, it has a destructive nature to it, that is a certainty! It has to be, but how...?"

"Is this Milim Nava by any chance!?" Inquired Rimuru with a loud tone in his voice, but no response was given; it only hastens its movements instead.

Alternatively It was Ciel who answers: [Your assessment is most correct, I believe the individual that is approaching us is indeed Milim Nava. Although I am also sensing possible hostile intent emitting from the aura itself, we must presume that a battle may be at hand.]

"I see..." He inwardly sighed heavily, not wanting to fight his friend Milim. Rimuru then glances at his subordinate and asks: "Shion, could you let me handle this alone? If you feel like you must intervene, do so at the last possible moment okay?"

{Sir Rimuru... You just went through an ordeal due to my selfish desires for your praise, let me atleast knock some sense into that girl's head!}

"No, Shion!" He sternly retorted, glaring at her to reinforce his words. She reluctantly flies backwards a ways, heeding the edict issued. The figure is now within fifty feet of their peripheral vision, then instantaneously moves to within ten feet of them and controls the aura surrounding itself, compressing it into a thin outline on its body forming a sort of barrier seemingly.

'So Rimuru, what do you have to say for yourself? What have you done! Also if you really must know, yes it is I, the great and powerful Milim Nava! Wah-ha-ha-ha-ha!' The pink-haired girl enthusiastically proclaims while having her hands on her hips. Then crosses her arms glaring at him, changing the atmosphere around them to be more tense. Also Stampede Mode is in full effect, but unlike last time where she was mostly out of control and attacking whoever. Milim seems to be more in control of it and is even able to speak normally.

"Well at least she seems to be herself for the most part... Although it seems to me that she is quite mad at me, man what a pain! Now I'll have to explain it to her or she'll never let it go." With that thought he begins recounting out loud in great detail and tells her the truth, revealing that it was Ciel's idea that set things in motion, but his partner encountered a situation that derailed the original plan which was to make things right. After a while he finally finishes explaining the details to the best of his ability.

'Oh wow that is um, a lot to absorb.' Complained Milim, rubbing her forehead and placing a finger just underneath the chin, thinking out loud: 'Hmm, it was still you who released magicules that got infused with Turn Null wasn't? In any case... You're still the problem right? Who is to say this terrible situation won't occur again, if only you were dealt with that first time we met... I guess I am just a naive little girl thinking we could have been friends. Oh well! I suppose I'll have to correct that mistake, right here and right now...' Threatens Milim with a viciously fierce look on her face, drawing out Asura a God-Grade sword seemingly out of thin air and going into a battle formation.

Shion growled menacingly upon hearing those words, but gets stopped when Rimuru puts out an arm in front of her. Then he transitions into grabbing his sword's hilt with both hands, squeezing it tightly, and looks at the pink-haired opponent: "Well... I guess my efforts to avoid a confrontation with you Milim have utterly failed... I hope you're ready then, because I am not in a mood to screw around and if you continue acting like a threat, you'll be dealt with as if you were one..." Upon saying those words, Rimuru transforms into his adult form and sprouts four pristine ebony colored dragon-like wings, and shifts into a battle stance with an absolute sheer will of determination in his eyes, a declaration that a possibly brutal and intense battle is about to ensure.