Ch 42: Dialogues and the other fainted man

Ciel had finished the ritual and the angels were returning. Rimuru was talking to Chloe. The two of them were sitting at a plaza table. Rimuru was holding Chloe's hand.

"Chloe, are you all right?"

Chloe had a somewhat despondent look on her face. This was because she had seen Ciel with Shizu's body and it brought back many memories.

"....."

Chloe didn't answer and just stared at the ground dejectedly. Rimuru stood up and walked over to Chloe. He held both her hands and she stood up with a confused look on her face.

"Rimuru-san?"

Rimuru hugged her tightly and she widened her eyes in surprise. Rimuru continued hugging her and said.

"I... I don't want to see Chloe sad. That's the worst thing for me. So tell me anything I can do... Anything if it's about Shizu I'm sure we will see her again."

Chloe always supported him in his difficult moments and Rimuru thought it was his turn. This reminded Chloe that she had several people who cared about her and she didn't need to dwell on the past. She hugged Rimuru tightly.

"Thank you. I... I just want to stay like this a little longer."

They stayed hugged a little longer and then they sat on a bench in the square with Chloe on Rimuru's lap cuddled around his neck.

After a while Raphael came to call them.

"Rimuru-sama, we have gathered all the inhabitants. We want to know what our next destination is."

The destination Raphael was talking about was where to build their new city. They could not stay here, since the Gods knew their location and could attack. Rimuru went towards his group asking for some tips on places.

He went to the grass field where they were and only Sakura was not there.

"Guys do you know any place that the angels can build their new city?"

Some of them were thoughtful and the one who came up to speak was Tio.

"I think I know a place. They could go to the place where my clan is hiding."

"Is it really okay?"

Rimuru asked and Tio confirmed with her head, she thought it would be a great help if the gods found them. Rimuru called the archangels and Tio pointed out an island in the north for them. The only problem was how they would get there without being noticed by the gods.

At that moment one of the angels approached.

"I could camouflage us. Don't worry Rimuru-sama."

A woman with golden hair and wings and white clothes.

"Can you do that, Abadon-chan?"

Abadon had been revived because of the Ritual done by Ciel and turned into an angel again. No one held a grudge against her because they knew that Abadon was being controlled by Metatron.

Abadon nodded in agreement to Rimuru's question. Rimuru then decided that they had better leave as soon as possible and told them to go now. Rimuru was saying goodbye to the Archangels when Sariel approached.

"Ri...rimuru-sama. Err...I want to say something..."

Her cheeks were red and she was holding her hands to her chest as if hesitating.

"Yes?"

Sariel approached and said...

"I'm going to give you something and I want you to think about it until the next time we see each other, is that okay?"

"Something?"

Rimuru tilted his head in confusion. Sariel became even more nervous and moved closer. She was already almost glued to Rimuru and...

"!!!!"

Sariel kissed Rimuru. Rimuru didn't understand how things got to this point and was both surprised and embarrassed. He could feel Sariel's soft lips pressed against his and Sariel put his hands around his neck.

After a whileSariel pulled away in shame and said....

"Until next time."

Sariel knew she couldn't go with Rimuru, but she still wanted to stay with him after he finished his adventures. Sariel nodded and flew away. Rimuru stood there watching her go, his face red. Chloe approached Rimuru.

"Chloe, it wasn't my fault! I didn't mean to! It was her who..."

Rimuru thought she was angry and tried to explain herself, but Chloe just hugged her arm and said

"It's okay, I don't mind."

She spoke with a smile as she saw that Rimuru felt guilty about kissing someone in front of her. Rimuru was so charmed by Chloe's quiet manner that he stroked her head and said...

"I don't know how many times I have fallen in love with you."

She turned red and at this moment the two heard footsteps. It was the other members of the group approaching.

"So. Shall we go?"

Hajime asked. It was about time they left, Rimuru agreed and so did the others. Only Ciel seemed a bit reluctant is Rimuru was going to ask why, but before he could, he heard the sound of things falling from behind.

"She..."

He heard a female voice that spoke in a frightened tone. Rimuru looked toward the voice and saw Sakura who had gone to get the luggage from the inn. Sakura had dropped the bags on the floor and was looking at Ciel wide-eyed as tears streamed down her face.

"Sakura!?"

Rimuru didn't understand what happened and approached Sakura worried. Sakura didn't understand him and was only staring at Ciel while she was crying.

Rimuru held her by the shoulders and called her back.

"Sakura! What happened? You're okay."

"Uhm... Rimuru-san."

Sakura regained her senses and let out a confused groan. Rimuru realized that Sakura was looking at Ciel and explained who it was. Sakura looked confused. Rimuru and Chloe were worried and others were not understanding.

"Sakura, why are you crying? Please talk so I can help you."

Sakura was crying on Rimuru's chest and he didn't know how to help. Sakura stopped crying after a while and said

"I don't know why. I only know that I felt very emotional seeing her. It's strange..."

Sakura wiped her tears away. And it came out of Rimuru's chest. Sakura said she didn't know how to explain it and that it was like a dejavu. Rimuru thought it was strange, but didn't want to pressure her and knew Sakura wouldn't lie.

The others were also worried, but decided to leave it to Rimuru. Hajime took the 6-wheeled vehicle out of the treasure chest and everyone got in. Sakura got in and just as Rimuru was about to get in....

"Master."

Ciel called out to him in a low tone. Rimuru didn't understand what was happening and asked...

"Ciel-san, are you okay, if you want you can go back to my mind now."

Rimuru thought that Ciel had not enjoyed being out in the world and asked. Ciel looked even sadder at her words. She then approached Rimuru.

"Master, before I go...I wonder if you could give me a hug?"

"Eh?"

Rimuru didn't understand, but he saw that Ciel wanted that very much. So he nodded and approached Ciel. Ciel hugged him tightly and said

"Thank you."

She spoke in a weak voice and Rimuru noticed something in her voice.

"Ciel-san... are you crying?"

Rimuru asked and looked at Ciel's face. He saw that there were many tears streaming from his eyes.

"It's just that... hugging master like this... has always been my greatest wish."

"Ciel-san..."

Rimuru finally realized why Ciel was sad. It is not because he wanted to get rid of his body, but rather because he wanted to keep his body. He also realized something else. Rimuru wanted to ask Ciel why they hadn't stopped time to solve the crisis in the city, but now he understood that it was because Ciel wanted to get out.

Rimuru hugged Ciel tightly and said.

"Ciel-san, you know... If you want to stay with your body for a while I don't mind. Actually I'd like that very much."

Ciel seemed surprised by this. She looked at Rimuru in surprise and said

"I... can I... really?"

"Yes. Err... You always do everything for me and if you want something just let me know."

Ciel hugged Rimuru happily and tears of joy flowed from his eyes. Rimuru was feeling like an idiot for not noticing sooner. Finally someone inside the car realized that they were taking too long and called out to them

"Rimuru-san, Ciel-san, shall we go?"

Chloe called out to them, but Ciel didn't even listen and continued hugging Rimuru. Rimuru looked gently away from Ciel and answered Chloe.

"Yes."

They got into the car and drove off.

....

.....

....

...

No one noticed the black haired girl following them through the shadows.

●●●

In the capital of the Haihiri Kingdom

A few days after Kaori left the capital with Hajime and the others Aiko and the students returned.

Shizuku was heading towards Aiko's room to talk to her about Hajime and Rimuru, as she learned that they met in Lake Úr City.

The other reason Shizuku wanted to talk to Aiko was because of the letter that Rimuru left. With some mysterious hints and she thought Aiko would be the best one to talk to about it. Not least because the letter said to do so.

Shizuku was walking down the corridor and greeting several people. She was carrying her new black sword that she had won from Rimuru.

Shizuku had trained with this sword and found it absurdly strong, but she didn't know about some of the uses because Rimuru didn't have time to explain everything.

So she took it to the greatest blacksmiths in the kingdom and the sword made them go crazy! They questioned Shizuku about the sword as if she was a criminal and only understood when Shizuku said that the sword was made by someone from the same world as her.

The blacksmiths explained to Shizuku that this sword was more powerful than Kouki's sword and had an unknown method of connecting with Shizuku. This was because only she could activate the sword's abilities.

(Rimuru did this because he thought the Kingdom might try to give the sword to someone else.)

They also analyzed several of the sword's abilities. Besides the healing and lightning that Shizuku already knew, they had...

- Floating: Shizuku could control the sword from a really high distance. The smiths were not sure, but they said the limit was around kilometers. Plus it didn't use magic to control it.

-Protection: greatly increased Shizuku's defense levels.

-Divine cut: Shizuku could give a straight cut at high speed. It was so fast that it was hard to control.

-Limit Break: It was equal to Kouki's ability that temporarily triples Shizuku's status.

-Mutation: The sword can split in two and can also change size within a limit.

-Evolution: Shizuku's sword would get stronger along with it.

Honestly this scared Shizuku. That was too much strength for a sword. Moreover the sword could get even stronger if Shizuku trained and that was scary.

This sword was different from normal swords because it was made using Magisteel. A metal from Rimuru's world that was strengthened by magicles. The swords from Rimuru's world were also different, many of them chose their owners and evolved as they pleased.

After analyzing the sword, the smiths became even more obsessed. Shizuku asked them to keep the skills a secret and in return she would bring the sword back for analysis again. Obviously they accepted.

*OCD *OCD

Shizuku knocked on Aiko's door, but she was not there. Shizuku waited a while and saw Aiko coming from another hallway. She approached and called out to her...

"Sensei... Sensei!"

"Hoeh!?"

Aiko looked very thoughtful about something and Shizuku had to shout to call her. When she noticed Shizuku, Aiko took a fright.

"Yaegashi-san, it's good to see that you're okay...you didn't get hurt?"

Aiko asked about Shizuku's estate since she heard about the demons' attack. Shizuku denied it and the two went into the room to talk.

After they exchanged information Shizuku was disheartened to hear about Shimizu's death as she saw how bad Aiko was, but was happy that she was okay. Shizuku then asked...

"Sensei doesn't hold a grudge against Nagumo-kun, right?"

Hajime killed one of her students, so Shizuku thought that might be the case. Aiko denied it with her head and said...

"He only shot, so I wouldn't blame myself."

Shizuku was confused, so Aiko explained to her that Hajime was trying to protect Aiko from the guilt of having a student killed because of her self. Aiko realized this after a while thinking about the city of Úr.

"I see...Sensei, you said that Nagumo-kun used a medicine to save you from the brink of death, right? Can you tell more about that?"

"Huh!?"

Shizuku asked that because she thought that such a medicine might be useful. She knew it wasn't the same one Rimuru used on her and Meld because Rimuru told her it didn't cure poisons.

However Aiko's reaction was extremely startled at the question. This was because she remembered how Hajime had saved her. Her cheeks turned red on the spot and she began to look around avoiding Shizuku's gaze.

"Sensei, did something happen between you and Nagumo-kun?"

Shizuku was suspicious because of the way Aiko was talking about Hajime and increased her suspicions with Aiko's reaction to her question.

"There's no way that could have happened!!! What are you trying to imply!? I am a teacher and he is a student! That's all!"

"Sensei calm down, you are making a strange expression."

"!!!"

Aiko muttered several times "I am a teacher" and then regained her composure. Shizuku was already totally convinced. Shizuku thought it best to change the subject and asked

"So Sensei, you were talking to the King? What did he say?"

About that... First he told me that everything is in chaos because of the appearance of angels all over the world and also.... Nagumo-kun and Rimuru-kun have been declared as heretics.

"What! Well, I kind of understand, but I didn't think it would be so soon..."

Hajime and Rimuru didn't cooperate with the church, so it was normal for this to happen, but Shizuku didn't think it would be so soon. Aiko said.

"Yes, me too. I asked the king to reconcile, but he wouldn't listen."

The two stood thoughtfully and then Shizuku seemed to have remembered something and spoke...

"Sensei, Rimuru-kun said that you would have something to tell us. May I know what it is?"

Aiko figured this was about the liberators and said...

"Yes I have something to tell, it is about the travel purpose of Nagumo-kun and others. I want to tell it to everyone at the same time. Tomorrow after lunch I will tell them, ok?"

Shizuku agreed and went back to training. However, something strange happened the next day. Aiko disappeared.

●●●

The six-wheeled vehicle arrived in the desert. A gigantic desert without a drop of water and with several dangerous Magical Beasts.

Rimuru was driving and Ciel was hugging him since they had left the reapers' town. Her expression was one of pure happiness to be hugging him. Rimuru thought it was very cute too, not least because Shizue's face was very pretty and he even stroked her head once in a while.

Rimuru made a clone to stay with Chloe that was sleeping and Sakura, because he was worried about both of them. Especially Sakura. The group's reaction to seeing Rimuru clone himself was funny.

In the middle seat Hajime was sleeping on a lap pillow made by Yue. Beside him was Kaori with a disgruntled expression. In the back seat were Tio and Shia who was with Myu sleeping on his lap.

"Moooou. Yue-san monopolizes Hajime-kun a lot."

"I think so too, but it's a normal thing."

"I don't mind. I'm satisfied if goushin-sama abuses me once in a while."

Kaori, Shia and Tio spoke in this sequence. Yue said nothing and stared at Hajime sleeping. Rimuru continued driving and stroked Sakura's hair gently.

"Are you really okay?"

Sakura covered his hand with her own and said

"Yes. I'm fine now."

She seemed happy with Rimuru caring about her. Rimuru then asked Ciel.

"Ciel-san, do you know why Sakura started crying when she saw you?"

Ciel denied with her head. She then said.

"I don't know much. The only thing I got was an analysis of her brain at the moment. The most active part was the left prefrontal cortex."

"That means that..."

"She cried from happiness."

They were thoughtful at Ciel's words. At this point.

"Rimuru-kun, isn't there someone there?"

"Eh?"

Rimuru looked in the direction Kaori pointed and there was a person lying in the sand with a cart beside him.

"Why didn't the monsters eat him?"

Sakura asked confused. They had been attacked several times by giant monsters so it was strange that a fainted man was still alive.

Hajime woke up with the commotion of the car and listened to the conversation. He then said

"Another guy passed out on the road?"

"Yes. Maybe we'll find another secret city!"

Shia agreed with Hajime thinking that this was the second young man they found lost on the road. Kaori then asked...

"Are we going to help?"

"Papa, you will help, right?"

"Maybe just a little help."

Hajime agreed and shrugged his shoulders. He had no way to refuse with Kaori and Myu's sad faces. Rimuru then drove toward the man lying on the ground. They got out of the car and Kaori healed him. One of the Rimurus and Ciel were still in the car. Rimuru could keep the clones going for a long time if he didn't get too far away from them.

As Kaori healed him she explained the young man's condition.

"He seems to have some disease would be. The pressure of that disease on his body would have killed him if we had arrived later. Do you guys know anything about it?"

No one knew, so Rimuru decided to ask the smartest person in the group.

"Does Ciel-san know anything?"

"Hm? Yes, this disease was caused by ingesting a highly harmful fluid for humans of which I don't know the origin. So you don't need to worry, it's not infectious."

The group was impressed with how much Ciel knew just by looking and Rimuru was with a proud expression as if to say "that's Ciel-san" at this moment Kaori said

"He's waking up."

The young man slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Kaori and then looked at the group confused.

"Goddesses? I see, that's the afterlife."

The young man must have assumed this because of the beauties standing in front of him. Because he assumed this, the young man tried to touch Kaori who was closer, only to be trampled by Hajime. Hajime didn't want random people touching Kaori without permission.

"Blhaw!"

"Ha... Hajime-kun, no, I needed that..."

"Hm? I think it's natural not to let strange guys touch you without permission."

The young man let out a groan of pain, Kaori said that Hajime didn't need to do that, but she stuttered and turned red that Hajime wouldn't let other men touch her. She was even more embarrassed after Hajime's words.

The young man stopped being stepped on by Hajime and heard about the circumstances. He then thanked the group for saving him and explained why he was here and about his illness.

As they listened to his story, the group could only think what trouble followed them wherever they went.

●●●

In another world.

Ice Continent

That was the description of this place. A palace of ice on a floor of ice. The cold in this place was totally abnormal and few could survive here. If you entered this palace the first thing you would see was a throne room.

At the moment there was a relaxed looking red-haired man sitting on this throne. He was tinkering with a small black rectangle with glass screen that he received from an acquaintance.

"He said it was a prototype, but I thought it was pretty fun..."

The man babbled as he tinkered with the device. At this moment a young woman with white hair and clothes approached.

"What is it Velzard?"

He asked without taking his eyes off the device.

"Guy, it looks like you liked the demon Lord Rimuru's gift. What's it really like.... Smartphone?"

"Yes, Yes. It's quite fun, by the way why are you here?"

"Guy didn't even pay attention to Velzard's ironic comment and asked her again. Velzard showed a serious expression and said

"Your maids said they have an important notice for you, but they don't want to interrupt your fun. That's why I'm here."

"Rein and Mizari have a warning for me?"

Guy was confused as they were in a time of peace and didn't have many things that needed his help. Velzard gave a wry smile and said...

"The warning was... The Six Kings have awakened."

"Uh..."

Guy was surprised to hear, but he wasn't scared. With his current strength he could easily fight them. In addition Guy had Velzard by his side who was one of the true dragons and in addition was a spirit, which gave him a great advantage over the Six Kings who were demons.

Guy gave an excited smile and said

"Looks like things are going to get hectic."

"Could you explain to me the meaning of that phrase?"

Velzard had been born after the Kings were sealed and didn't know about it. Guy figured there was no reason to hide it any longer, since the prison had already been opened and he told Velzard about the sinful Kings and the Seven Archangels.

"I see, and to think there were such important things I didn't know about. You're not afraid, are you?"

"Pfft, obviously not. Do Mizari and Rein know their whereabouts? As long as Rimuru is not here, it is my duty to protect the humans. I am still the mediator after all."

Guy bugged at Velzard's question and answered with another question. Guy didn't want the Kings to go around destroying the world, but he wasn't afraid of that because if that happened Rimuru's subordinates would act. Velzard then said.

"Ask them that."

Velzard said and opened a portal for the two maids. Mizari and Rein greeted Guy and said what they knew about the whereabouts of the Kings

"We know they are not in Hell, but we also know that they have not come out through the gate. That's why we wanted to warn Guy-sama."

Mizari said. Guy also found these facts curious and stood up from his throne.

"Haha. They must have been helped by someone. This is getting fun. I think I'll help you guys look for them this time. That will cheer me up a bit."

"You seem really excited. Maybe I'll help too."

So they began to investigate the escape of the Sinful Kings.

●●●

"Kufufufu."

Diablo gave an excited laugh.

In Tempest a meeting was taking place among the chief executives. This was a routine meeting that was held to discuss the state of the city. In addition they wanted to discuss the disappearance of Rimuru, Chloe and Hinata.

Here were: Benimaru, Shion, Shuna, Soei, Diablo, Testarossa, Ultima, Carrera, Ranga, Geld, Adalman, Zegion and Kumara. Besides the executives they had other important people like Ramiris, Veldora, Myourmiles, Gobta and a few others.

Only Testarossa, Ultima and Carrera understood the reason for Diablo's laughter. The others were confused and Benimaru asked

"Hey, Diablo... What happened?"

"Kufufu, Sir Benimaru. I just got news that old enemies are back. I think that's a matter for all of us to discuss."

Saying this Diablo told about the war against the Sinful Kings. Testarossa, Ultima and Carrera helped to tell the story by adding details from time to time.

After they finished telling...

"....."

Everyone was silent with the various prehistoric information they discovered. Only one person could be heard.

"Kuahaha, I would like to fight with them!"

"Wow, Shisho would definitely kick their ass!"

The excited voice of Veldora and Ramiris was heard. The others said nothing about these comments as they were already used to this behavior. Shuna then said...

"Err... Testarossa-san, you said that these 'Kings' were released?"

Shuna decided to ask Testarossa as she was the one who would give the most direct answer. Testarossa then spoke...

"Yes Lady Shuna, we were told by Mizari and Rein. They said that they do not know the current whereabouts of the Kings. However you do not need to worry about them."

"Why don't we need to worry?"

Geld did not understand Testarossa's words as the Kings seemed quite strong. It was Carrera who answered in his place.

"Ha, you don't need to worry as any of the 12 Patrons can beat the Kings. Those guys are too weak."

Everyone was calmer as they heard Carrera's words. At this moment Shion stood up.

"Very well, if any of those Kings try to cause trouble we will take them on. I know Rimuru-sama would want that."

""Yes!""

Everyone agreed at the same time.