103. Trying to Trust?

Ryūhei left for Mondstadt around 3 PM. After passing through a gate and a road flanked by rocky mountains, Ryūhei decided to take the road to the right toward The Guili Assembly, the ruins of an ancient civilization in the Guili Plains area.

Ayaka wondered if that was the right direction, but Ryūhei said that he would take a shortcut.

'Let's grind!' Ryūhei said inwardly.

Ryūhei grabbed Ayaka's shoulder, and teleported away after Ryūhei made sure no one was around. Then, the two people and two monsters disappeared from that spot.

They suddenly arrived in a high place. The surrounding area is covered in piles that look soft and white with temperatures reaching minus degrees. Ryūhei and Ayaka as well as Pikachu who just teleported immediately felt the cold wind pierced through their bones. Only the slime, Rimuru, was fine all along since Ryūhei created him with all resistance.

At first, Rimuru wanted to create a fire, but Ryūhei gestured him to stop.

Ryūhei acted in that instant by thinking about a certain creature's appearance and imagining its power in his head while speaking inwardly.

'Everlasting flame, heat manipulation, fire manipulation, from x degrees to x degrees, transformation, knowledge from— yada yada.'

Although it was just a few seconds after arriving, Ayaka, who was a Cryo Vision holder, could barely stand the cold in the area. But then, she saw something magical as she watched Ryūhei summon a creature from the shadow after he controlled his shadow.

And then, a creature carrying a pure Pyro element appeared before them. The creature had a beast-like and demonic-looking appearance with magma-like skin, long horns, a lizard-like tail covered in flames, and claws.

They instantly felt warm after the appearance of that monster.

A short moment later, a flame shrouded its body and the creature's body started to transform. Its body started to transform into a man with tanned skin, revealing its six-pack body, flames covering its limbs, and red hair growing on its head while a pair of horns and a tail were still there.

The moment Rimuru saw it, he exclaimed.

"Charys!"

It was actually Charys. An Ifrit that was released by him on Veldora's request in the novel.

"Sir, Rimuru."

Charys was surprised to see Rimuru here. Well, Ryūhei created him based on the novel with a little bit of alterations.

Rimuru asked him about the others, but Charys told him that the planet disappeared alongside Rimuru after he died. And all of them on the planet also disappeared, wandering in a void as spiritual entities.

"I see. Looks like my death implicated all of you." Rimuru said dejectedly.

"Not at all, Sir Rimuru. I'm glad to see you again." Charys tried to cheer him up after seeing his dejected expression.

Meanwhile, Ayaka was dumbfounded by this. She wanted to know, but Charys's aura frightened her. But then, she heard Ryūhei say,

"Alright. Since the situation is like that, how about my earlier offer, Rimuru?"

The offer was about Ryūhei to summon his friends. Of course, that was just a pretense. In fact, Ryūhei can create them as long as they don't have a human appearance. However, it's not as easy as talking.

Since Ryūhei couldn't create any creature with a humanoid appearance, he had to create a creature that matched Rimuru's friends.

For example, Charys just now. He created a fire creature that could transform into a human form, but still retained his characteristics as a fire elemental. As for Rimuru, since he was created based on a slime body, he naturally could transform into a human form easily.

If he created Veldora and made him transform into a human form, then there would be dragon characteristics in his human form. Such as dragon scales in some parts of his body and fangs.

So, If Ryūhei wanted to create Benimaru and every one of his race, he might need to create a demonic creature resembling Oni, Kijin, or Ogre based on the myth or Yu★Gi★Oh cards.

Why did Ryūhei have to do something troublesome? It was naturally for perfection. In addition, it was for Rimuru as well.

And after Ryūhei created the Ifrit, he concentrated again.

'Black-steel scales with bluish color underside, a pair of wings, deep gold eyes, four horns, Zhongli's voice, Dragon spirit Haki, universal sense, transformation, ultimate skill: Lord of Chaos–'

After imagining and listing all of the skills and arts, Ryūhei chanted,

"Arise!"

It was kinda cringe. But, he felt a kind of satisfaction by saying that.

Then, a huge dragon covered in scales that shone a dark shade of black, tougher looking than steel itself but supple and flexible, arose from his shadow.

The body, which was similar to a Western-style dragon, shone like obsidian. There were six fingers on each "hand," equipped with claws that looked ready to tear through whatever they found.

The dragon glanced at Rimuru and Charys.

"Heh heh heh, hah hah, hya ha ha ha ha. I, the great and venerable Veldora, have returned!" A laugh suddenly came in three distinct levels after seeing them.

"Veldora!"

"Sir Veldora!"

The two, Rimuru and Charys exclaimed simultaneously.

Meanwhile, Ryūhei twitched. 'This dude really has a way of talking.' He said inwardly.

"I always believe that my best friend, Rimuru, is still alive. Did you just revive me? Hmmm, where is this?" Veldora turned left and right before noticing Ryūhei and Ayaka.

But then, as if it was natural, his gaze turned to Ryūhei while saying, "It seems you were the one who summoned me, not Rimuru."

Usually, Veldora would address any humans with "wimps" and "garbage" and such. But apparently, since he was Ryūhei's creation, he wouldn't say those to Ryūhei.

Then, Ryūhei nodded.

"Correct! Well, for a starter, let me introduce myself. My name is Niwa Ryūhei. You can call me Ryūhei though. And the girl next to me is Ayaka."

"Humu. I'm of the dragon race, one of only five in the world… Wait, I guess not in this world. It's only two of us now, me and Rimuru. Anyway, I'm both unique and the most perfect of my kind. You will hereby know me as Veldora Tempest, the Storm Dragon! My lifespan is infinite and my flesh unfathomable! As long as my will remains intact, I shall be ever alive! Ahhh-ha ha ha ha!!"

Well, with the appearance of Veldora, Ryūhei could start his project since Veldora was experienced in engineering in the novel. Ifrit and Pikachu will be useful as energy sources while Rimuru is useful in almost everything. This was his plan all along although Ryūhei could just create other creatures. But, 'Wouldn't it be fun to create them with their original personalities?' That was what he had in mind after he tested the Annihilation Maker for the first time.

But then again, to create them with their own personalities seemed to say that Ryūhei was too lonely and decided to materialize his imaginary friends.

When Ryūhei realized it, he sighed grimly.

Because of his experience in this world, it is hard for him to trust someone. And only Zhongli is the person he can trust thanks to an established contract. Maybe that's what pushed him to create creatures with their own personalities that can change into human form.

'I can't go on like this.'

Then, he turned to Ayaka who seemed to be uncomfortable with Veldora's presence.

'Maybe I should try trusting her, the person I've known the longest besides Kazuha. But, not now.'

"Are you alright, Ayaka?" He asked her in a slightly worried tone.

"I-I'm fine."

'That's definitely not fine at all.' Ryūhei replied inwardly.

But then, he heard Veldora ask him.

"Human, why did you summon me? What's your purpose?"

"Well, Rimuru is kinda lonely. So…"

"Oho. It seems you treat him pretty well. Since Rimuru is my buddy, let me grant you a wish. What do you want?"

"Ermmm. Friends? What do you think?"

"Wh-what? A mere human, daring to seek the friendship of the mighty beast feared worldwide as Veldora Tempest the Storm Dragon?!"

"Uh. You don't have to if you don't want to."

"You fool! You foolish fool!! Who said anything about not wishing it?"

"Then?"

"Ummm… If you insist… I suppose I could consider it."

Ryūhei could see him sneaking furtive glances. It would have been a thing if it had been a cute girl beside Ryūhei. But, it was quite another when it was a mythical beast. Pretty funny, though.

On the other hand, Rimuru and Ayaka felt déjà vu from Veldora's act.

———————

AN: Sorry guys, I'm too busy nowadays because I will be transferred to an office in another sub-district. That's also because I was accepted as a civil servant this year and I had to prepare some documents. In addition, I have to finish my work in my current workplace before moving out.

Btw…

Feel free to join.

https://discord.gg/rRvzWXq7