Six months ago, right after the parting of two individuals full of potential—Wridra and Rimuru—fate began to stir ever so slowly. Within just a month of Wridra's departure, Rimuru managed to establish a small village. With the help of goblins who had embraced her as their leader, the village became the foundation for something far greater. Yet, beneath that achievement, her heart remained filled with an inexplicable unease.
One thing was indelibly imprinted in her mind—a prophecy about a girl who would become her beloved. And sure enough, not long after, destiny led her to the very figure foretold.
Shizue Izawa, a legendary hero whose name had colored history for over seven decades. Their meeting took place deep within a forest—a simple encounter, yet fate is never simple.
Shizue was a human from Japan, just like Rimuru had once been. But she carried something far more dangerous—a raging Ifrit spirit, an infernal entity that had long slumbered within her.
At the time of her summoning to this world, Shizue's body still resembled that of a child, yet it had been locked in a battle against the ruin brought on by the pervasive magic of this realm. Her body endured only through the power of the spirit fused with her—power that was less a blessing than a curse, burning slowly from within.
Ultimately, in a battle steeped in emotional conflict, Rimuru devoured the Ifrit. But the price was beyond measure.
With the loss of the fiery spirit, Shizue's body could no longer sustain itself. Gradually, she faded away—not from the wounds of battle, but from time exacting its due. In her final moments, Shizue smiled and entrusted her form and all her hopes to Rimuru.
"This isn't something you can change at your whim, Chloe..." said the white-haired man, his eyes radiating wisdom forged through countless years. His silvery locks seemed to hold memories of an innumerable past.
Chloe, her face still glistening with tears, replied softly, "But brother... I can't help feeling sorrow over everything that's happened—the tragic tale of our teacher haunts me."
The man sighed deeply, his voice both firm and gentle, "Not all fate can be bent to our will. If you try to alter destiny and choose to save Shizue, you must be prepared for the consequences. You will never see Rimuru the same way again..."
Chloe furrowed her brow in confusion, "Brother... I know that, but why didn't you grant Rimuru a duplicate body to replace our teacher's? Perhaps then..."
"Don't complicate matters further," the man interjected, his tone filled with concern. "If you do that, not only will Rimuru feel the repercussions, but if Shizue survives, fate will turn its back on us—leaving no reason for Rimuru to meet with you, and none of you would be safe."
He patted Chloe's shoulder gently before continuing, "Moreover, if Shizue had not accepted the flame spirit during her youth and had been replaced by another, she likely wouldn't have stayed with you. She would have chosen a life of wandering, and her destiny would have altered drastically..."
"Indeed, if Shizue had survived, she might never have met you during your clash at the Demon King's castle. Destiny's path would have been thrown into chaos," he added, bowing his head as if burdened by the weight of the future.
"Time jacker like us cannot remain here for long..." he murmured, his voice laced with bitterness and the sober realization that fate does not always favor us.
Afterward, they turned away. It was as it should be—no more time-wreckers here. Rimuru Tempest, in her new form, returned to the life long awaited. On her first day as Queen, a grand celebration was held in her honor. The people gathered in a joyous atmosphere, feasting and laughing while paying homage to their leader.
Amid the revelry, the white-haired man watched from the far side of the mountain, his eyes filled with memories and hope.
"Rimuru Tempest... someday... when we meet again... no, when we do meet, it will be with great joy... Mother..." he whispered softly, as if sending a prayer to someone very dear.
The festivities resounded with laughter and music, yet in the distance, partings and longing shrouded the man's heart—a silent promise that though time marches on, love and memories will never fade.
"Shin... let's go ..." called Chloe, and with that, they each returned to their own time.
Inside the cave that had witnessed their transformations, Wridra continued to examine her new body—a form she could now alter at will. Yet behind that marvel, something began to stir unbeknownst to her. Like a creeping shadow, an unexpected power started to disrupt the balance.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Blumund, tension mounted. The kingdom's high-ranking officials, increasingly worried, kept a close eye on two ominous auras emanating from the Great Jura Forest. A disquieting magical scent hinted at an uncontrollable force at work.
Without delay, several high-level adventurers were dispatched to investigate the mysterious events in Jura Forest. They were informed that aside from the known threat posed by Rimuru, another danger was lurking—one that threatened to upend the stability of their land.
Amid all this, Rimuru Tempest—now leading her nation with her new form and power—could feel the tremors of this threat. Something far greater than a mere shift in internal power was looming, and the world that had once seemed peaceful was entering a new, uncertain chapter.
"It appears there's something beyond our control out there..." Rimuru said, her tone laced with concern as she gazed toward a darkening horizon.
On the other side, Rigurd began to look anxious. "Rimuru-sama, we must assemble a team and venture into the forest. We need to uncover what's happening there!" he urged, his voice trembling with unease.
But Rimuru firmly declined, "No, I choose to go with Ranga. We must first secure Tempest and our mate here," she replied, her voice steady—conveying both confidence and a heavy sense of responsibility.
Soon after, Rimuru set off for the Sealed Cave—the source of the mysterious aura that was beginning to destabilize the world. Upon arrival, she discovered that a group of humans had been dispatched to investigate, and word had it they already knew who was hiding behind the cave's door.
Right in front of the Sealed Cave, stood a graceful blue-haired girl with a curvaceous figure. She scanned the surroundings cautiously, her eyes radiating both calm determination and alertness. Recognizing the potential danger from the intensifying aura, Rimuru quickly erected a barrier to protect the nearby humans from the surging energy.
The girl turned, her gaze locking with Rimuru's. In an instant, that look was so intense that Rimuru fainted. Without a moment's hesitation, she collapsed onto the ground. Her loyal wolf companion immediately approached. Half-conscious, Rimuru managed to ask, "What happened?"
The wolf signaled to the girl, as if reminding her that the aura she had unleashed had caused chaos around them. Furrowing her brow, the girl replied, "Aura...? Well, it's no wonder everyone's frightened."
Before long, Wridra—known for her own potent aura—firmly retracted the energy she had projected, leaving zero interference behind.
Moments later, Rimuru slowly regained consciousness. Touching her own forehead with a trembling finger, she softly asked, "How did this happen to you...?"
Wridra merely scratched her head, remaining silent without explanation. Yet, her mere presence caused the surrounding crowd to react with fear, as if she were a looming threat. Swiftly, Rimuru dispersed the gathering, assuring everyone that Wridra was a comrade, not an enemy.
And so, fate reunited them—although not yet a full year had passed, destiny had brought Wridra and Rimuru together again, marking the beginning of a new saga in a world brimming with mystery and unpredictable power.
"How are you... and where did you get that body from?" Rimuru inquired with genuine curiosity, her eyes alight with a mix of awe and wonder.
Wridra lowered her gaze for a moment before answering, "Well... a friend granted me this body."
Noticing Rimuru's anxious expression, Wridra asked, "You seem a bit uneasy... what exactly is happening?"
Shortly thereafter, Wridra was invited to join Rimuru on a journey to Tempest for further explanations. Upon arrival, Rimuru proudly introduced Wridra to all the citizens of Tempest.
"My dear friend, Wridra, is now our friend," she announced, "Though her power surpasses even mine, Wridra has chosen to stand as my equal—neither above nor below anyone."
Yet Wridra refused to let her strength become a source of division. In a voice both firm and humble, she declared, "We are equals. There is no stronger or weaker among us."
Her statement warmed the hearts of Tempest's people, and soon, Wridra was appointed as Rimuru's deputy in the new governance system. Once the introductions were complete, they proceeded to the meeting room. There, the atmosphere tensed once more as news arrived of a second threat: the Orc Lord, whose emergence was now spreading disquiet and chaos throughout the Jura Forest.