Norra stood atop the mound of defeated bodies like a conquering general, boots planted wide as lantern light flickered across the wrecked tavern. Broken tables, shattered bottles, these poor innocent people, all murdered by this woman.
Norra clapped slowly, mock applause echoing. "Well, I'll be damned." She chuckled under her breath. "Three little lambs kicking down the door of the wolf's den. Guess you've got more bite than you look like."
She hopped down from the pile, sliding to the floor with casual grace. The knife in her hand gleamed unnaturally sharp—etched with runes that pulsed faintly, like something not entirely of this world. "So." She said sweetly, tilting her head. "Who's first on the chopping block?"
Scarlet stepped forward, the Grimm girl glaring daggers at Norra. "If anyone's getting carved up tonight, it's you." She said coldly as she smirked. "And I can be your worst nightmare as well."
Norra's grin widened into something feral. She flicked her knife upward, letting it spin before catching it behind her back. "Oh ho ho, feisty. I like that. Fine—let's start with you. I'll mount your head on the wall."
She lunged forward, her knife whistling through the air, but Scarlet ducked under the slash before it could slit her throat. She kicked Norra off her feet, before Norra could land on the floor or catch herself from falling. Yang came from behind Scarlet.
The blonde brawler grabbed her by the face, her cold metallic hand gripping Norra's face. "Ever heard of the rule, no stabbing before happy hour?" She then slammed Norra down hard onto the floor. The floorboards shattered beneath the impact, a sharp crack echoed as Norra's back bent at an unnatural angel.
"Booyah!" Yang shouted, launching her skyward with a powerful uppercut. "Drinks are on the—"
Scarlet shot her a small glare, before looking back at Norra. "Yang, now is not the time. Don't count your beer bottles just yet."
Norra had hit the floor hard… and then laughed. Bones popped back into place as she rolled to her feet, blood streaking her smile. "Oh, that tickled."
In a sudden burst of speed, she surged forward, grabbing Yang by the head and then she slammed Yang's skull into Scarlet's in one brutal motion. They didn't even have time to react, it happened so fast.
Both girls stumbled back, stars in their vision. Scarlet shook her head as she gritted her teeth, she knew Yang was hard headed, but this took that meaning to a whole new twist. "You and your hard head..."
Yang groaned. "Okay… note to self… she does not skip neck day."
That was when Rimuru moved. They rushed Norra head-on, movements precise and almost military—like someone who'd studied both magic and modern combat doctrine. A translucent blue barrier flickered briefly around them as Rimuru drove their fist into Norra's chest.
The impact sent her skidding backward, carving deep grooves into the floor like tank treads through dirt.
Norra dug in, boots screeching to a halt. She wiped blood from her mouth, eyes glowing with excitement. "Now that, felt like an artillery attack." Her voice was low and full of thrill.
Yang cracked her neck, grinning despite the pain. "Good news, we're not weak little lambs." She raised her fists up and smirked. "And you're about to get sheared."
The tavern fell silent for a heartbeat—then the fight reignited, magic, metal, and raw will colliding in a clash that felt like two worlds grinding against each other.
~~~
The dust settled just long enough for everyone to breathe and to take a moment to collect themselves.
Rimuru stepped forward, lowering their stance—not in surrender, but deliberately non-threatening. The faint blue shimmer of their magic receded, leaving them looking… smaller. Less like a demon lord. More like a leader trying to keep the room from burning down.
"Enough." Rimuru spoke, voice calm but firm. "This doesn't have to continue."
Norra's eyes narrowed, a look of confusion on her face as Rimuru spoke.
Rimuru gestured to the wrecked tavern—the broken bodies, the splintered walls."You've already proven your point. You're strong. Skilled. But this fight?" They shook their head. "It's pointless. Stand down, and we can talk."
Yang blinked. "Uh… buddy?" She leaned toward Scarlet without taking her eyes off Norra. "Is this the part where we ask the murder lady politely to stop murdering?"
Scarlet didn't answer, she did however scoff. She was watching Norra's expression shift—not into anger, but curiosity.
Norra straightened slowly, rolling her shoulders. "Well I'll be damned, looks like someone wants to negotiate."
She took a step closer, the knife still loose in her grip. "That's your problem, isn't it?" She continued. "You think strength means responsibility. That power means you have to save everyone."
Rimuru didn't deny it, it was just who they were. "Power exists to protect. If I can avoid unnecessary bloodshed, I will."
Norra's face morphed into a predatory smirk, almost mocking at the words Rimuru had spoken. "Oh?" She murmured, circling Rimuru. "You're dangerous… but not because of your power."
Yang grimaced. "I don't like where this is going. This feels like the villain monologue before someone gets stabbed."
Norra suddenly lunged—not at Rimuru's body, but at the space beside them. Her knife slashed through the air, forcing Rimuru to react late. Throwing up a barrier, but it flickered—thin, hastily formed.
The blade punched through just enough to slice their sleeve and draw what seemed like blood, but in all honesty. Rimuru was a slime monster, a friendly slime, but could morph into a human form and make organs and blood cells. But still, it wasn't actual blood.
Rimuru stumbled back, more surprised than hurt.
Scarlet swore under her breath. "Damn idiot..."
Norra didn't press the attack. Instead, she laughed quietly. "There it is." She purred. "Hesitation."
She pointed the knife at Rimuru. "You're always calculating outcomes. Collateral. Consequences. That half-second where you choose mercy?" She tapped her temple. "That's where you bleed."
Rimuru steadied their balance, eyes hardening—but they didn't strike back. "I won't abandon my principles just because someone exploits them."
Norra's grin returned, sharper now. "Good. That means I can use you.."
Yang cracked her knuckles, stepping between them. "Okay, diplomacy hour's over. And FYI? If you're gonna stab the nice slime, you're gonna have to go through me." Yang then smirked. "And I'm a real pain in the Aura."
Norra glanced at Yang, then at Scarlet. She saw the look in her crimson eyes, but what was it? Was it murder? No....was it fear? No not that either....Norra couldn't pin point what the look was. But then she looked back to Rimuru. "This isn't finished." She said calmly. "I've learned what I needed."
With a sudden burst of speed, she leapt backward, crashing through a shattered window and vanished
Silence followed. Yang exhaled. "Wow. She left before I could hit her with my best punch." She sighed. "Guess that's… a stab in the heart."
Scarlet groaned. "Please Yang, no puns. This isn't the time or place for them."
Rimuru stared at the broken window, fingers clenched. "Norra's right, I hesitated."
Yang placed a hand on their shoulder. "You didn't fail. You chose restraint. Besides." She continued with an added with a grin on her face. "Every good leader's got a weak spot. Yours just happens to be… not being a jerk."
Rimuru smiled faintly—but their eyes stayed troubled. Because now someone out there knew exactly where to aim.
~~~
Reporting back to the base after a long hour, things seemed....colder, much much colder. Scarlet's nose twitched as she sniffed the air. The smell of blood was fresh as it lingered in the air.
"Something's wrong here." Scarlet muttered, her grip on Black Rose tightened as she stepped forward. She scanned around, taking note that the military vehicles and the tents were destroyed. The smell of fire and smoke lingered in the air as well.
"What? We weren't gone that long...." Yang spoke as she got off the horse. "This doesn't look like any work of the imperial army..."
Rimuru shook their head. "No, but a dragon..."
Scarlet scoffed. "A dragon huh? I guess the imperial army has ways to tame a dragon."
Just then, they heard movement, Scarlet quickly turned Black Rose into its minigun form, the barrel of the gun reeving up. The sound of movement grew closer and closer, until a figure stepped out.
"Whoa, easy we're on the same side." Takeo spoke holding his hands up.
Scarlet rolled her eyes as she lowered Black Rose. Yang took a step forward as she noticed how he looked beaten and bruised. "What happened here?"
"Take a guess." Takeo spoke. "They came in with a massive dragon, bigger than two of our bases combined."
"Sounds like a massive Wyvern..." Yang muttered. "And where is everyone else?"
Takeo crossed his arms. "Some of us managed to flee, to another base we have. Some of us stayed and tried to fight. I was one of them...of course, none of our weapons did any damage to the dragon."
"Well, I guess we're going hunting for a dragon next." Yang spoke. "Which way did it go?"
Takeo pointed West. "That way, our forces went South to the other base. But, Rory and the others are waiting towards the West area."
Scarlet grumbled under her breath. "So we're stuck having to babysit a Demi-Goddess when we get there? Fanfuckintastic." She reverted Black Rose back to its scythe form. "And, we did deal with the Ogre army, but we also ran into an assassin. Norra."
"That doesn't sound good, did you deal with her as well?" Takeo asked.
"She got away." Yang said as she climbed back onto the horse. "Lets go West then. We have a dragon to slay."