25

I don't sleep.

Not very often, at least. I don't need to. I mean, I'm not like, physically a human anymore. I haven't been for nearly two years now. I'm a slime.

And slimes don't sleep. Or think. Or do anything other than consume whatever they slip past.

I'm a bit out of the norm… Shuna might argue that I'm not that different from a regular slime, considering the "think" part.

Anyway!

I don't really sleep anymore. That's the point being made, let's stick with it. No more digression, please and thank you!

For a while, I didn't even try to sleep. I never felt tired, so I just… didn't. And no, dropping unconscious from Naming too many monsters at once doesn't count. I mean, I think technically being unconscious is sleeping, but I'm not one to argue semantics.

I could argue semantics, but again, I'm avoiding digression. And somehow still end up digressing, damn.

So, the gist. I'm repeating myself, but I don't need sleep. I don't need to, but I can. It's possible. A layover from my previous life, or perhaps slimes are always in a constant state of dream and I'm the exception there too.

You know, lately, I've been having the same dream…

They're like visions. Memories in vivid full color and full sound. Yet, they are not my memories.

I know they aren't, because I've never been to this place. I've never seen this city, this building, this field, these people...

These are memories obviously, but they aren't mine at all. They're…

A woman. Red marks under her eye, black hair. A white cloak, black pants, and a sheathed sword.

She smiled.

"…Ingrassia."

These are that woman's…

-=-

Rimuru blinked awake, flat on his back with his legs still nestled under his kotatsu.

Ingrassia…

"Ah. I lost consciousness."

Hey, Great Sage.

You have been unconscious for the past 2 minutes, 47 seconds.

Yeah, thanks much.

You are welcome.

Rimuru sat up.

Actually, that was more so- never mind. Say, Great Sage. Ingrassia is that huge city over in the west, right?

Correction: The Kingdom of Ingrassia is widely known as the most advanced human nation on the western half of the continent, boasting itself as the hub and leader of the western nations. It is much larger than a single city.

Yeah, that tracks. It's that important, huh? Hm…

Addition: It is also believed to be the last known residence of the human known as Shizue Izawa. Based on visionary images appearing during bouts of unconsciousness, it can be approximately surmised that Shizue Izawa operated as a teacher within Ingrassia itself.

That's does make sense. It did look like they had on uniforms. Shizu's students, huh?

Query: what does Rimuru Tempest wish to do, knowing this information?

There was no hesitation in his response.

I think I already know what I wish- to do. Actually, not even that. I know what I need to do. I made a promise, after all.

Understood.

-=-=-=-

Early Morning

Assembly Hall

Tempest, Jura Tempest Federation

"I've decided to travel to Ingrassia." Rimuru said, sitting at the head of the table, "But it isn't like Dwargon this time around. It sounds like a human nation through and through, so I'll have to sneak in using just my human form."

The room at large remained silent, each individual digesting the news in their own ways.

On the side of the table to his right, the Kijin group minus Shion and Kurobe sat. Shuna, Benimaru, Souei, Hakurou was the respective order. On the table side to Rimuru's left, Tanya, Rigurd, Kaijin, and the Goblina known as Haruna sat in order.

In chairs directly on either side and slightly behind him, Mary sat at Rimuru's back left, while Shion took the back right.

As the silence stretched on, Shuna sent a concerned glance across the table, to where Tanya sat with arms crossed and eyes closed.

Benimaru and Souei looked at one another, saying nothing. Mary shifted in her seat, slightly uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. Rigurd was frowning, a troubled expression on his face.

Certainly, Rimuru had explained well enough, but…

"My Lord." Rigurd began, "I understand your reasoning. But, for you to travel alone is…"

"He's right." Benimaru agreed with a firm nod. "It's a concern, at the very least, and not just for my Lord's safety."

Faint murmurs of agreement could be heard from others as well. Not one person spoke in support of Rimuru's plan. Not the best sign, but you couldn't exactly blame them.

Hakurou leaned forward slightly, looking towards Rimuru, "The Federation could crumble is anything untoward were to happen. My Lord's must be careful with such whims as these."

Well then, Rimuru's would just have to assuage their worries then.

"Nothing will happen to me." Rimuru spoke in a level tone, doing his best to reassure them, "Ranga will be in my shadow, always at hand. And, if it's any extra reassurance…"

He glanced to his left.

"Mary here has agreed to accompany me, along with a Body Double from Souei who will be resting within my shadow as well. And on top of that, I've got the perfect guide in mind."

The slime beamed, seemingly content with this explanation. The atmosphere of the room lightened somewhat, boosting his own mood just a tad.

He looked to Rigurd, "That should be reassurance enough, right? I'll basically be bringing three of my Executives with me, so there really shouldn't be any issue. Right?"

"You mentioned a guide, my Lord?" Rigurd was the one to ask, only partially convinced.

"Yeah." Rimuru slipped into slime form, bouncing up onto the table, "Eren's group, remember? I just sent Gobta to grab them for me."

"Eren's group. You mean…"

"Kabal, Eren, and Gido." Benimaru muttered, hand on his chin. "That's the trio that accompanied Shizue Izawa, correct?"

"Mm mm!" Rimuru inflated and deflated slightly in a facsimile of a nod, "I need to travel through Blumund after all, and they already know all about me. They're human adventurers with plenty of free time, and that makes them perfect."

A polite way of calling them lazy and conveniently placed, it needn't be said. Still, they were effective and trustworthy, which was all they really needed to be right now.

"It's smart to make use of a familiar human adventurer group." Hakurou noted, his own tension relaxed somewhat, "Waltzing through the front gates of a human nation with a group of monsters is far from the best of ideas."

The first praise so far. A welcome addition.

"Right, right?" Rimuru said with a happy bounce, "I've thought about this quite a bit, I promise. Trust me like always, yeah? I know what I'm doing, I'd like to think."

More murmurs around the table, generally assenting and much more positive than earlier.

"Even so…" Shuna brought her hand up, her kimono's sleeve covering the bottommost part of her worried expression, "My Lord, I don't think I agree with this."

"Hm?"

"No, I'm sorry, that's not quite right. I'm afraid can't agree with this idea at all."

"Shuna?" Benimaru stared at her incredulously. As did Rimuru, though to a much lesser extent. "Even if we may have concerns, our Lord's decision is their own to make."

"I understand it is Lord Rimuru's decision, and I will not attempt to stop it. Such is not my place to disrespect the one who has done so much for us." She lowered her sleeved arm, her frown coming into full view, "However, I don't believe this is the correct choice at this time. We are at peace, for now, but it was not long ago that a threat on the level of a Demon Lord arose near our borders. And with Lady Milim's departure, we must protect ourselves alone for the time being. Knowing this, I cannot condone our Lord's own departure."

Especially not for selfish reasons, she neglected to say aloud.

"I- but, Shuna, this-" Rimuru was in shock, just a bit. "This is something I need to do, you know? We've planned this out more than well enough, right?" It was unclear who he was trying to convince more at the moment, "And with all of you still here, Tempest is in more than good enough hands. There shouldn't be any problems, as long as everyone is careful."

"I'm not one for superstition, but regardless, I'd ask you not to raise flags like that." The one who had said nothing since her arrival finally spoke.

"Tanya?"

"There shouldn't be any problems." She continued, as the room at large turned her way, "Going by your descriptions and your ability, along with the company being brought along, I can't say it's a faulty arrangement. Any concerns over your entry into Ingrassia itself are addressed well enough. There's no real concern to be had over Rimuru's safety."

"Oh. Oh!" Rimuru would have blinked in surprise were they in human form. Given previous conversations, the slime had expected Tanya's retort to be the most scathing of all. "You see, Shuna? If Tanya thinks so, then-"

"However." Tanya interrupted, opening her eyes and leveling him with a cool stare, "I must make it clear to everyone that I absolutely, unequivocally object to this. I cannot in good trust condone your decision. I already made my objections to you known the first time you informed me of this, and my mind has not changed in the slightest. You should not be doing this."

Rimuru deflated noticeably at that.

"But, I can see that your mind has not changed either." Tanya sighed, glancing at Mary once before closing her eyes once more. "In fact, your resolve has only strengthened, despite everything. I cannot stop you from making this decision, so I won't waste unnecessary time nor effort on anything other than mitigating potential damage. Go on, Rimuru Tempest. Do what you believe needs to be done. Make good use of those good intentions of yours. Just remember what that road you're taking is paved with."

No one spoke for a good while after that, the meaning behind Tanya's words not lost on anyone. And, with the air filled with enough tension that it could be cut with a knife, the meeting soon reached its conclusion.

-=-=-=-

Later

Gravity Field

Tempest, Jura Tempest Federation

"Did you have to be so harsh back there? Not that I disagree with you, but…"

"Mary." Tanya crossed her arms, leaning back against the trunk of a nearby tree. Above them, the leaves swayed in the breeze, this isolated field completely bereft of anyone other than the two of them. "I assure you, I held my tongue. If you believe those words to be harsh, then you would no doubt have truly berated me for my words a week prior."

"A week prior?" Mary blinked, then decided she really didn't want to know, "You know what, you're right. That was incredible self-control you showed; I'm honestly impressed."

"That sounded sarcastic. But I'll take your compliment anyway." A half smile ghosted across Tanya's face, "You know, it's-"

"Yes yes, 'it's strange to hear compliments from me', or 'who could have imagined we'd ever be friends', or 'to think you and I could converse so peacefully'." Mary rolled her eyes, "I get it. It's been long enough, don't you think? I know you're the type to beat a dead horse, then just keeping beating the hell out of that dead horse until you've gotten every possible ounce of use out of its fly-ridden corpse, but don't you think it's time to find new material?"

"No, not really." Tanya shrugged, "It's still odd to me. This horse isn't quite dead enough yet. Let's give it until our 1-year anniversary and then maybe I'll be used to it enough to put down the flog."

Mary almost choked. "Ann- anniversary?!"

Tanya raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

Somehow, the matter-of-fact response only seemed to fluster Mary further, and funnily enough, neither of the two knew why this was. Or why it was something to be flustered about at all.

"Since we arrived in this world." Tanya clarified, shrugging, "We'll have been here an entire year soon enough. As a gift, I'll let the joke die then. You may thank me in advance, if you wish."

"Right. Right, okay." Mary honestly had no idea why she'd reacted like that. For some reason, Treyni's words came to mind. Odd. "A- anyway. Let's get back on track. You wanted to talk to me, right?"

"Are we not talking right now?"

"Tanya."

"Hmph." Tanya huffed amusedly, "Shuna pulls that off far better than you. But, you're correct. Let's talk business, shall we?"

A blob of space magic appeared near shoulder height. Tanya held out her hand, a leather pouch of some sort falling from her pocket space and landing perfectly in her palm with a soft clinck.

"Here." Tanya tossed the pouch her way.

Mary caught it, nearly fumbling a once or twice thanks to its unexpected heft.

"These are," She opened it without delay, glancing inside, "Coins?"

"That's you first official, ah, paycheck as an Executive. I expedited the process a bit; it's not like you'll be able just pick it up at the end of the month like usual."

"This is a month's worth?" Mary said disbelievingly. She looked up, "There's way too much in here!"

"That's because I added my month's coinage as well. Along with last month's."

"Oh okay. That's pretty- huh!"

Her double take would have given a normal human whiplash.

"Oh, don't look so baffled." Tanya said with an eyeroll, "It's not that surprising, is it? If you want, consider it a back payment for all your hard work all those months prior. Or, if you want a more truthful answer, it's obvious that the one who needs disposable currency right now isn't me."

"That… does make sense." Mary managed to shove her shock down somewhat successfully. She nodded after a moment, tying the pouch shut once more and securing it along her belt, "What about Rimuru?"

"Rimuru doesn't need to eat or sleep. Of the two of you, it's more than obvious which of you would be considered lacking in the survivability department. And given that he's technically the owner of all of Tempest's money, well, he'll be fine." Tanya tilted her head, making a thoughtful sort of hum, "Though his decision making makes me question that at times, it's clear you're the one who needs such assistance. That's not an insult or a knock, by the way. Just hard fact."

"I- right. Right, okay." Mary shook her head, "Really though, you think I'll be worse off in this situation than Rimuru?"

"That's a trick question. It's true that you've never shown any intent to jump out of a three-story building just because the snow looked like a particularly fluffy landing pad. And you're not the one who came up with this idiotic expedition either, which is another point in your favor. However,"

Tanya held out her arms slightly, as if weighing something in both hands.

"Rimuru, at least, can read Japanese fluently. And as naïve as he can be sometimes, he's not half as socially reticent as you are." One hand went up. The other, down. "Then again, you're about equally well traveled by this point…"

Her hands evened out once more. She shrugged.

"It's a tough choice. I'm not sure which horse I'd bet on here. Perhaps a smaller, safer bet. Less chance to lose my month's salary that way- ah, but it seems I've already lost it, haven't I?" Tanya gestured to Mary's belt with one hand, letting her other drop back down to her waist, "I'll throw just a bit behind your success. That'd be my bet. Does that satisfy you?"

Did it satisfy her?

Mary had no idea. It was difficult at the best of times to parse the exact intent behind Tanya's words, and this rapid back and forth series of back-handed compliments and criticisms was making her head spin.

Then again, that was nothing new. If such a thing were possible, Mary would almost claim to be getting used to it. Enjoying it, even.

What a novel concept that was. And, even she didn't know her proper feelings on the matter, it was no trouble at all to find the proper response.

"Satisfied? Hardly." Mary scoffed, though her slight smile betrayed the true intent, "Having your bet means a much to me as not having it. I wouldn't be surprised if you were planning to take a side bet on Rimuru at the same time, just to cover all your bases."

Tanya inclined her head, not admitting nor denying Mary's words.

"If you want to talk of covering bases," She said instead, "Then how about this? There's something I'd like you to take care of while wandering Ingrassia."

Ah, there it is.

The real reason Tanya had pulled her out here. It could have been just to say farewell and give just regards for the upcoming lengthy time apart, but neither of them at this point in their lives and relationship were much for that sort of thing. Not yet.

It was just a matter of getting through the banter and the groundwork of the conversation that the true purpose of meeting in this way came to light.

Mary could discern that much, familiar enough with hers and Tanya's own habits and thought processes for an educated guess on such a thing. Such was the connection between fated enemies turned familiar allies and friends.

"What is it? If you want a souvenir, I could grab one pretty easily. But I'm sure that's not what you're referring to."

"You'd be correct."

Mary opened her mouth to respond.

"Your second statement, I mean." Tanya cut her off before she could say anything, not willing to go through that familiar song and dance right now, "Since there's no stopping this little expedition, I'll the best of it I can. This includes making use of all the resources at my disposable to minimize potential damage and maximize any benefits to be had from a potentially disastrous situation."

"What do you need?" It was all business now.

"Information, primarily. Xerxes should have emphasized the necessity of that, even if it our report of it apparently didn't instill any caution in our nation's leader- anyway. Ingrassia is a human nation overshadowed by an organized religion that hates monsters. As a prominent member of a monster-majority city, I'd rather know as much as possible about them before they elect to turn their eyes or swords on us. Assuming they haven't already. I'd like eyes in other nations with similar leanings as well, but that's a concern for another time."

Tanya closed her eyes, suppressing a sigh.

"Secondary to that is stealth maintenance. Needless to say, the leader of a city of monsters sneaking into such a nation would go down as far more than an absentminded mistake or a gesture of good will based on a dead woman's last wishes. You're a human, so it's not an issue, but Rimuru doesn't physically share that trait anymore no matter how convincing his guise. Please ensure that your cover as denizens of Tempest is not blown. Yours and Rimuru's."

"Understood." Mary paused. "Question."

Tanya cracked open an eye, "Yes, Mary?"

"How should I go about doing all of that? And without alerting Rimuru?"

"That's for you to figure out. If you consider our trip to Xerxes as your first official mission as a Tempest operative, then view this as your first solo mission as an Executive without outside guidance. Make do with the instructions and information you've been given to create the best possible outcome to this expedition. That's your main goal going forward."

Mary's mouth opened slightly, a silent "Ah" on the tip of her tongue. She understood, then.

Tanya truly was a maximizer of opportunity, wasn't she?

This wasn't just a mission for Tanya's benefit. It was two-fold from the start: an information gathering expedition and a convenient hands-off training experience rolled up into one.

For perhaps the first time but certainly not the last, and stemming from months of experience culminating in this exact moment, Mary was able to garner a single, temporary glimpse at the lens through which Tanya thought.

"…maximize any possible benefits…"

Maximize, as in, the maximum. As in, as much as was literally possible by any means. Leave no stone unturned, and "create the best possible outcome". Make the future you want from the cards you are given, and if necessary, cheat those cards at a moment's notice to move yourself forward, ever forward.

It was a bit frightening, this realization… but, oddly enough, not in a bad way.

"Right. Right, I understand." Mary had a lot to think about. Not too new a feeling since arriving in this world, but not something she'd quite yet gotten used to either.

"Not to mention, this might be the perfect time for that next step..."

"Hm?"

"Nothing. Hm, how to say this...? Just make sure you're talkative on this trip. Rimuru is a bit... you know, but he is uniquely, magically competent. I've been content to let you figure it out on your own, but if you're at a roadblock and need advice, go ahead and ask him for an answer. You never know what a unique perspective might do. Oh, also." Tanya pushed off the tree, opening her other eye and training her gaze fully on the other, "Here. For you."

She waved her hand. That same teal and black magic of Tanya's pocket space formed, this time just in front of Mary herself.

Mary held her hands under it, blinking as another pouch – actually, a bag going by size, and made of something resembling burlap rather than leather – landed squarely in her palms.

It was lumpy, was approximately her first thought. Her second thought was to open it, and she did.

"Huh?" Mary blinked, clearly a bit confused, "These are apples?"

"It's good to see you can identify basic objects. There's hope for you, truly. Toss me one."

Mary did so without complaint. Tanya caught it easily with one hand, her other brushing some of her bangs back, somehow making both simple actions look really cool. Shuna would have swooned.

"The rest are for you to take with you. Enjoy."

Tanya bit into her newly acquired apple, either ignoring or just plain not noticing Mary's continued look of abject confusion.

It was more than a little odd for Tanya to openly go out of her way like this.

The woman wasn't unkind, per se. A bit of an asshole, sure, and certainly lacking in stereotypical morality or honor. But that evened out largely, just from the reason-focused head situated on her shoulders.

Plenty of people never even thought about it, and more than plenty fiction tales and dramas implied otherwise, but doing a good thing was actually reasonable, logical option oftentimes.

Treating your coworkers amiably lead to better workplace productivity. Pay your workers fair wages to increase production and keep the economy healthy though consistent money flow. Saving a person's life could net you an ally later on, or at the very least someone not out for your blood and in debt to you.

Actively help your former number one enemy lose her faulty beliefs, get her back on her feet, and train her up to be a worthy ally and a productive human being with a proper will to live… well, that was just obvious, wasn't it?

A memory.

"As long as you don't turn on me, I'll have your back."

"You'll have me until I die, then."

"I'd rather you didn't die, actually. It would go against all the effort I've put into your growth."

Where did that come from?

You know, it wasn't irrational to be good.

There were extremes, certainly. You can't save everyone, and it's impossible to be friends or treat every single person perfectly. Moreover, it was just as easy to claim that certain acts, often considered morally reprehensible, are in fact perfectly logical in their own right.

Leaving an ally behind when it would get the both of you killed. Destroying a city to protect an entire nation. Lying to advance your position, putting your subordinates through a damn near literal Hell on Earth in order to make them the strongest soldiers in the world, killing five, ten, fifty, a hundred men on the battlefield, because they'd made the poor decision to wake up that morning and take to the skies as your enemy.

These acts also fit within this strict box of reason-based existence.

Mind before heart, reason before desire, thoughts before emotion. Make the best decision possible, move towards the future most favorable to yourself alone, regardless of what others may think.

Those were the ideals that existed in the center of the soul that underlie the individual currently known as Tanya.

And yet…

More and more, Mary felt that Tanya was leaning outside of this box of hers. And the other woman didn't even know it.

"I- thanks?" Mary glanced between the bag and Tanya once, twice more, disbelief still clear across her features, "Uh, sorry, but another question."

"Yes?"

"Yeah, uh… how'd you know I like apples? Well, how did you know I would like this… gift?"

"What do you mean? Of course I knew." Tanya looked up, raising an eyebrow. She took another bite of her apple, chewing and swallowing before responding matter-of-factly with: "You told me yourself. A few months ago. Unless that's changed, but apples are still your favorite, right?"

"Well yes, but- I did? I don't even remember- oh. I guess I did say something like that?" Mary murmured to herself. Back at normal volume, she asked, "Why do you remember that?"

Tanya finished her own apple, tossing the core off into a bush behind her.

"Why would I forget?" She countered, crossing her arms once more. "You like them, don't you?"

"I-" Mary blinked, a warm feeling pouring into her chest, "I do..."

"That's all there is to it, then." Tanya shrugged, "It was my understanding that friends did nice things for one another."

"I guess it is that simple." Mary trailed off.

Tanya hmm'd silently.

Even if I'm perhaps outweighing her own contributions under the guidelines of social exchange theory, there's nothing wrong with a bit of a preemptive reward for more established motivation.

She watched as Mary, with a slight tinge of red to her cheeks, reached into the bag and withdrew an apple. Then, bit into it without delay.

We'll just consider it an ultimately unnecessary, but not at all unwelcome contribution to the foundation of our still relatively fresh friend-leaning relationship.

Tanya wondered if Mary even realized just how brightly she was beaming at the moment, even as she went in for another bite. A smile lit up her features and the space between the two, the genuine happiness the girl seemed to have rediscovered at some point since her reincarnation far closer to divine than anything Being X could have ever formulated.

…and, leaving all that aside for a moment, that sort of real, open joy is something she deserves to wear more often. It's cute.

For some reason, Tanya almost felt the urge to smile as well. Then, the feeling faded, replaced by something else.

It wouldn't be right to keep her here. Not when she can continue to grow elsewhere. I'll make do in her absence. It's for her own good, even if it's technically to my own detriment. Heh, it almost feels like I'm sending Visha off to the officer's program again. I almost don't want to… no, it's no matter

"Mary." Tanya got her attention back, "Just so you know, I won't be able to see you off tomorrow."

"You won't?" Mary lowered her hand, the half-eaten apple dripping some of its juice into the grass below, "I mean, that's fine and all. I don't need my hand held, but why not? You're not going somewhere too?"

"I am. Though, only for a day or so. I'll be flying out to Dwargon this evening and spending tomorrow in King Gazel's extensive library." Tanya expression went flat, "Originally, I was going to do this in a fortnight or so, after I'd done more field research. But with Rimuru's and your departure I need to speed things up a bit."

"Couldn't you just wait until we get back?"

"When? In two months, three?" Tanya shook her head, "I don't have that sort of time, nor will I risk leaving Tempest alone for an extended period without Rimuru at home. I have to go now, while the space between him being gone and certain individuals learning that he's gone still exists. Additionally, this way I can inform Gazel himself of Tempest's potentially precarious position."

"Is that…" Mary paused, "You'd call that 'two birds with one stone', wouldn't you? I get it."

"Now you get it- ah, you just said that. Stop taking after me so much, you'll never catch up by being a copy"

"Catch up? You're the one who needs to catch up to me."

"Catch up to you?" Tanya laughed, "I'm sure I needn't remind you who won our last spar, and every spar before that."

"Not for long."

"Keep dreaming, it might push you close enough to brush my shadow."

They stared at each other for a moment, before laughing.

Such was the last conversation held between Mary Sue and Tanya von Degurechaff as they currently were.

-=-=-=-

Next Day, Late Morning

Outside Northern Gate

Tempest, Jura Tempest Federation

The forest sung low all around them. A breeze rustling the canopy above, grass crunching quietly under their boots, insects and animals carrying out their daily existence.

It was this symphony of nature that followed the fivesome as they trekked ever forward towards the Kingdom of Blumund.

Mary and Rimuru walked side by side, stepping over branches and around bushes and tree trunks as they idly conversed.

Hours had passed like this, the group's farewell to Tempest having occurred with much tears and a hearty send off from those who'd shown up.

"I can't help but feel she's still mad."

"That's not-" Mary hesitated, "Okay, well she definitely is still mad, but that's not why she didn't show up. She left for Dwargon yesterday, that's all."

Though, not seeing Rimuru leave was just a helpful bonus. She probably didn't want to risk saying anything that could be construed as treasonous or "anti-Rimuru". Not that she doesn't know how to hold her tongue or anything, but I can easily imagine her referring to any harsh words of hers as "constructive criticism".

"I'm curious though," Mary continued, glancing towards the trio of Kabal, Eren, and Gido several meters ahead of them, "I understand why she disagrees with you on this, but your reaction was weird. When she complimented you at first, you looked surprised, like you'd already expected her to disagree with you."

"You caught that, huh?" Rimuru raised an eyebrow, "You know, you're a lot more perceptive that you used to be."

"Blame it on my local influences."

And the fact I was sitting right next you.

"So, Tanya and Hakurou. Got it." Rimuru sighed, "You're not wrong. It's just… it's a bit… complicated, you know?"

"Not really."

"Oh."

"Come on, it can't be that complicated?"

"Well, it is." Rimuru crossed his arms, looking both away and uncomfortable at the same time, "And, well, it'd probably take time to properly explain. Like, a lot of time. Probably way too much time, if we're being real."

"I'm pretty sure we have more than enough time." Mary deadpanned, gesturing at the seemingly endless forest ahead and around them. "It's a long walk."

"Well…"

"Why are you so hesitant to tell me?" She pressed. Her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me it's something stupid."

Rimuru muttered something under his breath.

"What?"

"I said, because it's embarrassing, Mary." Rimuru glared halfheartedly at her, "Do you know what it's like to be verbally ripped to shreds by her?"

Mary said nothing, staring at him in deadpan. 

"Oh yeah, I guess you would." Rimuru sweatdropped. He coughed, clearing his throat, "But yeah. I actually talked with Tanya about Shizu and my idea for this trip the day before I did with you. I won't lie to you; it was bad. I might've even cried, maybe. I also might have blocked some of it out purely from the trauma of it. What I do remember clearly is- she, uh... we'll say lectured me pretty heavily about it for a while. Saying I was being 'irresponsible' and that I shouldn't, uh, 'prioritize the wish of a dead girl over the alive denizens of Tempest' and so on."

"Right..."

"And then she brought up Xerxes again, and the remnants of Scylla... and I think she knows something more? Like, it feels that she knows about Great- uh, never mind."

That also tracks, but what wad that last part? Mary shakes her head.

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

"Right?" Rimuru leaned backed dramatically with his hands linked on the back of his head, staring at the forest canopy above, "She's a real cruel mistress sometimes, I'll tell. Scary. Really scary. Even scarier than- hm?"

Rimuru blinked.

"What is it?"

"…Haven't we walked past that bird nest already?"

Mary glanced up, pausing in her step. "Oh. I think you're right."

"Oi." Rimuru looked forward, noting how their "guides" up ahead flinched at his tone, "We wouldn't happen to be lost or anything, right?"

They jumped again. Rimuru and Mary sweatdropped simultaneously. They could practically feel the nervous energy flowing off the trio. A sort of wavy feeling, a tremor to the shoulders, the taste of sweat and fear. Vividly palpable, for no good reason one might say.

…it was like a haze, almost.

Mary glanced around, her brow furrowing. A faint spark of neon glinted along her irises.

"I understand your pain now, Shizu." Rimuru sighed, mumbling under his breath. He strolled forward, "C'mon, show me the map. Let's figure this out now."

From the way they began apologizing to Rimuru, it seemed like they were fully aware of this.

Mary followed slowly as the slime sidled up beside the trio, the now quartet pouring over the map like three of their lives depended on it.

An odd weight in the air.

Mary closed her eyes, breathing in deeply and holding the air in her lungs.

She could taste it, almost. A tingle, a flush, a sort of energy mingling between the senses.

Where…

She exhaled slowly, and turned to her right, Ability Severance a faint tug on in the back of her mind.

"It's fine, it's fine. We just need to- hm, Mary?" Rimuru's voice was faint. "Is something wrong?"

Mary's eyes flashed open, the electric neon of her Skill-powered gaze zeroing in on the feeling's source. That being…

"A flower?"

In an instant, the haze faded. Rimuru and the trio blinked as well, no doubt feeling the change as well.

Mary kept her Skill active, even as her expression rapidly shifted from serious to bemused. She walked forward, kneeling and brushing her gloved knuckles against one of the multicolored purple and blue petals.

"What kind of flower causes illusions?" She wondered aloud.

"Illusions?" Rimuru voiced, making his way over.

"Illusions?!" Eren echoed, sounding far more excited. She pushed past Rimuru, rushing to kneel at Mary's side. "Ah! These are illusion flowers!"

"I knew my sense of direction wasn't that bad." Gido muttered at Kabal.

"Don't lie to yourself." Eren called back without looking, "But yes, illusion flowers. They cause hallucinogenic effects, and definitely are the reason – or at least part of it – why we've got mixed up on a straight path."

"Ah, so now that we know they're the problem, we should be able to move forward without getting lost." Rimuru nodded.

"More importantly, there's an extra quest to gather them!"

"More importantly…?"

"Anyways," Eren clapped her hands together, turning to stare at Mary with an expectant smile, "Mary, would you be a dear and lead the way for us now? You can turn them off, and we can collect them as we go. Right?"

"I- yes, I can do that."

"Excellent!" Eren pulled a pouch of some sort from somewhere in her cloak, then leaned forward to begin pulling up the flower whole, "Come help me out, boys! This is easy money right in front of us!"

Now that got Gido and Kabal's spirits up.

"YEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!" They rushed over.

Meanwhile, Mary stood and stepped back, ending up next to a very exasperated slime in human form. 

Rimuru facepalmed with an audible slap. "This is my life right now, huh?"

Despite his exasperation, he seemed rather... nostalgic, almost. Or perhaps wistful was more accurate.

"If it's any comfort," Either way, Mary pat him on the shoulder in faux sympathy. "You chose this road. And the guide for the road."

Her statement was more on the mark than she could have ever known. 

"That's not at all comforting." Rimuru said, deadpanning. 

"That's why I said 'if'."

This was going to be a long journey, all things considered. With or without a paved road, and regardless of its material. 

The end result was the same regardless. 

-=-=-=-=-=-

Known Skills List

Tanya:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Flames of Babylon

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication

Unique Skill: Tetra Breaker

Mary:

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra/Intrinsic Skill: Physical Enhancement

Unique Skill: Ability Severance