Rimuru's mind froze over as he looked up at the monster before him. He was a tall oni towering over everyone in the building with long, red, spiky hair and two horns adorned with golden accents.
As he stood over Rimuru with the sword still lodged in the wall right next to the slime's head, he asked, "You. Explain why you have come here."
Rimuru tried to speak up but couldn't find the right words. Shizue walked over to the two and silently held her sword between the two, "Chief. Please. I urge that you avoid trying to intimidate my friend."
The oni turned his eye towards her, seemingly gazing into her very soul, then back at Rimuru. "Hm." He slowly pulled out the gigantic sword from the wall and sheathed it in his scabbard with a loud metallic ring. "It has been some time since the young mistress has chosen to defend one to this degree. Very well." Turning away from the two, the oni made his way to his throne. "Let us start again." As he sat down, he said, "You may refer to me as Ryuji in private, if you please, but I would suggest you continue to refer to me only as chief outside these quarters. Tell me slime. For what is your visit?"
"I…" Rimuru tried to catch himself, "I-I came here to…" Shizue noticed his lack of confidence.
"He's here for diplomacy." The chief stared her down, letting the air tense for a moment before giving her a look as if giving her permission to continue. "Rimuru leads a village of hobgoblins to the west."
The oni nodded along. "I see." He looked at the slime. "It is rare for lesser races to seek talks with those greater. Most choose to think of themselves. I shall give you credit for your foresight. However, to choose to come meet the leader of the strongest race of this forest. That is quite the risk."
Byakuya silently observed from the side of the room. "Tell me, young mistress. You speak on behalf of the slime. Does this mean you have ties to there now? A rather steep step down from before."
"I plead with you to not look down on them, Ryuji."
"Hm. I see." He turned back to Rimuru, "Slime. The best I am willing to offer one of your meager standing is an agreement of non-hostility. You can sleep safe with the knowledge our people shall not attack you. You shall still be barred from entering deeper areas of our territory, but you shall be granted some leeway. Would that be enough for you?"
"I-I…yes. That's good." Rimuru sighed to himself. Hopefully that would be enough for Mikaeru.
"As for the young mistress. Surely you did not come simply for that. Tell me why you visit?"
Shizue looked to Rimuru and silently motioned for him to stick close. Only then did she move forwards. "I wanted to ask for permission for something."
The oni's eyes glimmered with mild interest. "Permission? For what, might I ask?"
"I wish…to speak with your grandmother." The entire room went completely dead silent.
Byakuya tensed ever so slightly. "What?"
Outside the meeting room, two kijin were seen in the middle of an intense spar. One with red hair and the other with purple. The two had been friends since very young, although it did anything but lower their motivation to fight at their full strength. A crowd of ogres and kijin watched from afar as the sound of their swords clashing grew louder and louder.
"It looks like the prince has gotten even stronger."
"Hard to tell what's going on now? Who do you think is winning? I can barely keep up."
Loud metallic ringing echoed through the area as the swords grew faster and faster. As they did, the two quickly grew into blurs as even the eyes of the strongest among the crowd lost the ability to see every move. "Hraaagh!" The purple haired kijin yelled out as her massive greatsword swung at speeds fast enough to kick up a wave of dust into the air.
"Hagh!" The red haired kijin barely parried with his katana before immediately countering with a swing aimed at her neck. She ducked, barely dodging the swing as regained her footing and lifted her sword high, then immediately flung it downwards.
The red haired oni dodged before kicking her feet, tripping her and finishing the spar with a swing of his sword aimed at her neck once again. Mere millimeters from her skin, the sword stopped. "It appears I have won. You left yourself open again, Shion. I fear Master Byakuya may punish you again."
His counterpart could only sigh as she laid on the ground. "I don't think I'd survive another punishment."
"Elder brother!" The prince turned to the voice. From the edge of the training grounds, a younger pink haired kijin ran over. "Father is calling for you."
"Eh?" A summons wasn't rare, but not one of such short notice. "Has something come up?"
"I-It would be best for you to come see yourself."
The prince looked at her for a moment before nodding along. "Very well. Let us go."
Rimuru could only look on in confusion as he stared at the chief before him. Gone was his high and regal persona, replaced with one of mild anxiety. Shizue bowed, "I'm sorry if this is a big ask."
"No, I assure you it's fine." The king sighed, "It's just a rather concerning request you see."
Rimuru looked between the two, then leaned in to his destined one. "What's going on?" He whispered.
"W-well, you see." The chief put a hand up.
"No, I shall explain." Rimuru listened in as the chief told him with a voice of exasperation. "My grandmother. She is not one that is simple to get a hold of. She is currently living in seclusion in a cave not far from our town." He looked at Shizue, "Even for me, it is a rather tough request."
Byakuya spoke up, "That girl is the strongest in the village outside of me. A former comrade of Alexander from the past." He sighed, "She is a rather temperamental one. Not one I would suggest meeting without ensuring it is welcome."
"Why do you wish to meet?" The chief asked.
"I have a question for her." Her eyes grew blurry as she thought about something her master had told her once. "Your grandmother. I once heard a story from my master about her. It was about an adventure the two once had before…the incident."
Byakuya's hands tightened ever so slightly as she said that. "She was a student of the spirit queen, right? I need to know something about her."
"The spirit queen?" The chief muttered.
"Yes." Shizue confirmed. "It's…for something important." Rimuru looked at Shizue.
The look in her eyes was determined yet sad. It was a look unlike anything he'd seen before.
"Would Byakuya not suffice for such an ask. Was he not with her on her travels at the time?"
"I believe it is likely that my knowledge would not be sufficient to confirm what she wishes. If I were to guess, her question lies in the realm of magic."
Shizue nodded. Unfortunately for her, if there was anything Byakuya was bad at, it was magic. It was an aspect of the world's power system that he completely looked past and never looked into.
"Did you attempt to ask the elf of that party? From what I have been told, she trained with her as well."
"I tried looking for her, but not even Elmesia knew where she was. Her husband wasn't any easier."
"I see. Rather unfortunate. What of your master?"
"He's…busy. I would rather not disturb him."
The chief's eyes looked into Shizue's as they darkened slightly. "Very well. I understand."
The sound of doors opening were heard as a pair of kijin walked in. "Father, is something the matter?"
"Son." The chief muttered, "I have a request for you. It is nothing urgent, I assure you. I merely wish to know…in what mood is my grandmother in at the moment?" The prince looked on at his father with a look of confusion. "Is something the matter?"
"Oh, no father. It is just a sudden ask."
The princess looked around. She was there when Rimuru and Shizue had walked inside, having been sent to fetch her brother only after Shizue asked for her request, so she already knew why. Thus, she took it upon herself to explain to her brother.
"I see." The brother muttered to himself as he listened. "It is Mistress Shizu's request." He silently acknowledged the swordswoman in the room before looking back at his father. "Great grandmother is in a rather good mood today. She has recently received a letter from Sir Alexander so I doubt she will become moody any time soon. I would imagine a meeting with her should not be as noisy as usual."
The chief attempted to suppress the sigh he let out, "I see. It appears the request is acceptable. You may meet with my grandmother if you wish."
Shizue smiled brightly. "Thank you!"
The chief smiled lightly. "I would still suggest you avoid doing anything rash around her, and take my son and daughter with you when you go. She has a soft spot for them." He leaned back on his throne. "Slime. For the remainder of the young mistress' stay in this territory, you are to remain with her. I would prefer to avoid any potential confusion."
Rimuru nodded along. "Y-yes sir!"
Shizue turned to him with a smile. "Don't worry. I will make sure nothing bad happens to you."
"Thanks Shizu." Rimuru felt like a kid following his mom through a new place. Just what was his new life turning into? He felt as if he was about to collapse.
Not long after, the two left with the chief's son and daughter in tow. "So, shall we prepare to leave now?" Asked the young pink haired kijin princess.
Shizue motioned her that it was okay as she said, "I can wait if you have something to do. Rimuru and I aren't in a hurry. It really isn't an issue."
The prince nodded no, "It is fine. For the moment, my sister and I have no such plans. We may leave now if that is what you wish, Mistress Shizu."
Shizue slouched, "Can you stop with the mistress, please? I-I think it might give the wrong impression."
"Of what?" The prince asked, "Are you not a…"
Shizue immediately raised her hands, urging the kijin to stop. "Can you not mention that?"
The prince stared at her. "I-I see. Very well."
Rimuru looked at her with mild interest. What was he about to say? He questioned himself.
{Notice- There is not enough information to say what was likely to be said with certainty}
Rimuru sighed. Thanks [Great Sage]. "Shizu." The girl immediately turned to him. "I think I'm gonna go back to my normal form for now, okay?"
"Oh, yes. You don't need to ask." She watched as Rimuru suddenly collapsed, leaving behind a blob.
"Y-you really are a slime." Eh? Rimuru sensed around before locking in on the prince.
"Yes I am! Uh, I guess I didn't look it before, huh."
"Indeed."
Rimuru jumped into Shizu's arms as he asked, "By the way, I still don't know your names. Would it be okay if I asked for them, just for convenience?"
The two looked at each other and then back at the slime. "I see. We hadn't realized that ourselves." The prince held a hand to his chest. "My name is Benimaru and this is my sister, Shuna.
"Shuna. Benimaru. Huh, now that I think about it."
Shizu smiled, "You finally noticed. Most of the people in this town have Japanese names. You have Master Araki to credit for that."
"Wow. The man really doesn't hold back, huh?" The whole town was basically completely engulfed in Japanese roots. Rimuru brightened. "Maybe I should do something like that with my own village."
Shizu giggled, "Well, I would guess Mikaeru will probably keep you from going this far."
"You're probably right." After a bit more talking, getting to know Shuna and Benimaru, the conversation eventually died down as the group made their way through the town. Getting a few treats together for their great grandmother, not long after that, the group moved on to the cave belonging to the ancestor of the modern Ogran chief.
It took them half an hour to reach the entrance where they all stood outside in silence.
{Notice- High amounts of magicules detected}
"We are here." Benimaru told them. "Our Great grandmother is right inside that cave."
Shizue didn't respond, instead choosing just to put Rimuru down and walk inside. Reforming into his human body, Rimuru watched as Shuna and Benimaru looked amongst themselves and then also entered. Rimuru, not wanting to be left out, also entered. The cave within was odd. Unlike a normal cave, it was bright inside, being lit up with a massive swarm of multicolored balls of light.
{Notice- High density of lesser spirits have been detected. Caution is recommended}
Rimuru looked on in awe. "So these lights," he held out a finger and watched as a ball of blue light landed on it, "all of these things are spirits."
He couldn't help but awe at his surroundings. Much like within the Sealed Cave, the entire area shined with a thick mist of magically charged particles. Magistone was everywhere around them, which mixed with the light of the spirits made the cave bright enough to see clearly inside.
"Her name is Ariana," Shizue explained.
"Pardon?" Rimuru asked Shizue.
"Her name is Ariana." Shizue didn't turn to look at him as she added, "I only met her a few times before but I know a lot about her. Unlike most monsters, she was able to use spirit magic very easily. It was a trait that intrigued the spirit queen back when the two met on an expedition. My master thinks that's why she was offered the chance to train with her at the time."
As they walked deeper in, they eventually made it to a dead end that led to a decently large inlet to the right. It was there that [Great Sage] quickly revealed to be the magically densest part of the cave. Then, he felt it. The magical energy. It was…
{Warning- High amounts of magicules detected. Estimated total energy surpasses that of the master by over 20 times. Caution is advised. Additional presences detected. Beginning analysis…}
This level of power was anything but normal. Was Byakuya really stronger than this? His thoughts were quickly interrupted as they heard a loud feminine voice. "Who goes there! You bastards better turn back if you want to live! Don't you see the sign!?"
"The sign?" Rimuru muttered. He looked around. Sure enough, plastered right there on the cave wall he saw a sign. "GET OUT." Rimuru read aloud.
"Great grandmother! We have been sent to come meet with you. Mistress Shizue asked for you!"
"Eh? The half-breed is here!?" She yelled back. As the yells echoed through the cave, the spirits grew ever the more active. Swarming in patterned packs of light, the lights in the cave quickly went from a passive flow to a chaotic swath of color. "Why!?"
Shuna's face grew red. "Sorry about this." She told Rimuru. "Great grandmother is quite…"
"W-Wait! Is Alex here!? Oh, no! Let me get dressed first!" The sound of glass loudly clattering against itself resounded through the area. Clinking, clanking and even some breaking followed suit.
"Apologies, great grandmother but Sir Alexander isn't here at the moment."
"Eh!? Oh, then you can come right in I guess."
Rimuru couldn't help but look on into the cave with a look of confusion. This was her? The group walked further into the cave, eventually turning the corner to the small inlet. It was incredibly bright inside, even more than outside, swarming with a massive collection of lesser spirits. Standing guard on each of the five corners in the inlet stood what he assumed to be five much stronger spirits.
{Warning- Race [Elemental Greater Doll] has been confirmed. Estimated power is rated as Special S rank. Caution is strongly advised}
They were huge. Each inhabited a doll that towered at almost 6 meters tall, reaching all the way up to the ceiling of the inlet. Each held a sword which they held in front of themselves driven into the ground. Each one was a different color as well, likely designating them as different types of elementals.
Rimuru tried to ignore their overwhelming power and looked at the woman of the hour instead.
She looked almost exactly like Shuna but…a loser version. She hadn't even bothered to get up from her laying position on the bed the spirits guarded. Her pink hair was long and tangled. She was wearing what looked like the tattered remains of a miko outfit and the area reeked of alcohol from the bottles strewn around.
Still drinking from one, Ariana lazily lifted her head to look at the group. "Hey, kids," she said with a smile. Her face grew annoyed. "Half breed." She looked at Rimuru. "Who the fuck is that?"