Delay the Inevitable

It's like a dream.

And, finally, you've stepped into a new life. It treats you well. It begets a willing amnesia, a life free of war, famine, blood. You have forgotten. You have tried your best to forget.

Death.

It is not the world that has grown kinder. It is the desire to live, not survive. To create, exist in, to be something beautiful. To rip out the pieces of God in you with bleeding, fell hands and declare yourself worthy.

Indeed, you can never forget. How could you? You pious thing, you beast, you, you are-

Desire. In this, is desire. The desire to be…

…

It is like a dream, this.

And, finally, you've almost forgotten why you weren't well before, and what kept things from being good. And in this, you reach a level of progress that is acceptable, for now. You are well, and good.

But deep down, you're afraid. The enormity of it.

The truth. The past.

Have you mourned? It is not dead. Kill it yourself, if you must. If that will make you happy.

But what if it cannot die?

When does salvation turn from mercy to murder?

One day, you'll wake up. Dreaming an endless dream… or, run away. Run far, far away. Run ever so far down an endless road. Delay it as long as you must, no matter how impossible it may seem.

When you reach the end of that dream…

…you will find that nothing has changed at all.

How could you possibly forget?

You will always be-

-=-=-=-

Present Day, Just Before Noon

City Outskirts

Kingdom of Ingrassia

"Sensei… are you really leaving already?"

"Haaaah…" Rimuru sighs with a smile, avoiding the teary-eyed gazes of his students. Besides him, Mary is the opposite. Bright and alert.

She is ready to return home. No doubt, her progress the other day has bolstered her confidence. Rimuru can literally feel the difference in her energy. It ebbs and flows, sure, but there is more presence to it. Rather than a pool to be pulled from, Mary herself is now awash with long-since limited power.

The same power, just more effectively utilized. Tanya will be proud.

Combining this with her forever honing of blade arts and her natural physical prowess… it is no surprise that she is excited to show off her progress, both to Tanya, Hakurou, and anyone else who might be interested.

Competence is like a drug.

Rimuru rather feels his human companion will soon reach an entire new echelon, an order of magnitude beyond her previous self. She's already taken several steps forward. But even more will come after further refinement to her Skills and magic.

He wonders, for a moment, if she has already reached Benimaru… or surpassed him.

Something the Kijin will no doubt enjoy finding out himself. Perhaps the two can begin a rivalry of sorts and push themselves to even greater heights. Rimuru makes a mental note.

Eh, something to consider later.

They'd find out soon enough.

For right now… alright. No reason not to.

"Senseiiiii-"

"Fine, fine." Rimuru plucks his mask, Shizu's mask, from the side of his head. It had been invaluable during this trip, covering up his aura whilst out and about. But, well, he didn't really need it anymore. "Here you go."

Not this version, at least.

He places the mask atop Chloe's head.

"Hah?!" Alice seems to take offence at this. "Wait, Sensei! I wanted that!!!"

"Too bad." Chloe smiles, taking the mask off and holding in her arms. "He gave it to me."

"Rimuru gave everyone else gifts too." Mary decides to step in, flicking Alice's forehead. Probably unnecessary, but Alice's dolls had annoyed her one too many times during their weekly 'kids vs Mary' duels. "Shuna added those laces just for you. Don't be ungrateful."

"Ow…" Alice steps back, rubbing her forehead. As kids do, however, she perks up near instantly. "Yeah, you're right, aren't you! Heheh."

Rimuru looks away, trying not to laugh.

Yeah, good save there, Shuna.

"Alright, listen up!" Rimuru claps his hands. The kids settle, all five quickly looking his way with wide eyes. "Make sure to be good students! Work hard and make me proud! And, you know…" He looks to the left and right, then leans in. "If your class graduates at the top of the academy, you can come visit Tempest whenever you like."

"Or during the holidays." Mary adds.

"You're just saying that so you can fight us again." Kentaro points out.

"I'd be an idiot to turn down a free victory."

Alice pouts. "You only say that because we're kids."

Mary disagrees. "No way. I'm an equal opportunity ass kicker."

"O-kay!" Rimuru pulls Mary away, waving over his shoulder. "That's all from us! Take care, and see you later!"

-=-

The walk is not silent for very long.

"Huh. That was a bit abrupt, don't you think?"

Rimuru shakes his head. "Nah. Longer goodbyes make it harder to leave."

"Hm. I guess that makes sense." Mary nods, then looks back forward.

The path leading from Ingrassia is well trodden dirt. On either side, grassy knolls roll and roam, interspersed with trees and rocks. Currently, their trek turns away from the path, and the duo trudge up a larger hill than the others. At the top, and hidden from view of the nation, is a disguised warp circle.

It is the same circle they used to travel to Ulgrasia, fitted into a specific location with a keystone buried several feet under the dirt.

Rimuru technically doesn't need it. He can use warp magic alone, as long as there is a physically established warp point at his destination. Such locations include the warp circle outside the Dwelling of Spirits, the warp pad inside Tempest's plaza, and the warp pad near Veldora's former cave.

But, with Mary here, individual warping will not suffice. It is an unfortunate fact that, even though the flow of her magic has improved, the volatility of its motion is tied directly to her soul. It is an intrinsic trait, and barring a state of being that surpasses all human emotion, it will always be this way.

Luckily, this is of no great concern. It just means they need to use a warp that is a bit more grounded in physical reality. It's like… Wi-Fi versus a hotspot. The hotspot works well, certainly, but Wi-Fi will generally be more consistent and allow more robust connections.

Before long, they reach the top of the hill, then begin travelling down its back. It is there, at the bottom, that the warp circle flashes into sight.

"It'll be nice to sleep in your own bed again, won't it?" Rimuru poses the questions as they step inside the circle. "Months away from home, that's not easy on anyone."

"I never had much of a home once I hit my teens. Honestly, you get used to it." Mary shrugs, then points at him. "And what do you get off saying 'months away from home'. You visited Tempest! Multiple times! And left me stuck here, babysitting!"

"Hey, wait wait wait. You chose to stay behind, didn't you!" It's not a question, but an accusation. Rimuru points right back. "What was it? 'I can't face her just yet'."

It is a surprisingly good impression. Mary is almost impressed.

"Why are you complaining to me! Be annoyed with yourself!"

"That's-!" Mary's cheeks warm, and she looks away. "That's not the point! It's the princess- the principle of the matter! That one!"

"The principle of what matter- !!!"

Mary and Rimuru freeze. Beneath them, the warp circle blinks once, twice, then fades away.

What? Rimuru looks down at the magicless ground. I tried to activate it to cut her off, but… it didn't work?

Notice: You are currently inside a wide-range magic barrier. Abilities that involve the space outside the barrier will not activate.

"A magic…?"

"Ah-!"

"Mary?" Rimuru turns, just in time to see Mary clutch at her head.

"There's a barrier up." She says, grimacing. Her eyes are neon green- no, they're neon one moment, then dark the next. Flickering on and off. "Something about it is familiar... but not really. It feels like-"

Correction.

Great Sage?

It is not the use of spatial abilities affected. It is a side effect of a greater effect. Rather, within this field, the use of Skills is sealed.

"-Skills are restricted here." Mary finishes, mirroring Great Sage's analysis.

A burst of shadow near their feet interrupts any response Rimuru might have had.

"Lord Rimuru!!"

"Souei?!" Rimuru and Mary exclaim in unison.

"Blood- you're, Souei, what happened?!" Rimuru moves to kneel at Souei's side, who holds up a hand, stopping him.

"This is just a Body Double. Listen! Lord Rimuru, Mary, you must get away from here!" His form rapidly deteriorates, swathes of magicules sloughing off and drifting away on the breeze. "A great enemy is near! Greater than any before! You must run away-!"

And the Body Double is gone. Rimuru remains frozen for a mere instant, hands half outstretched to the now empty patch of grass.

What? What just happened? A great enemy?

Notice-

"Rimuru."

Mary's voice grounds him. He looks up.

She had moved to Not-Souei's side as well, though had not knelt. Her attention was drawn elsewhere before such a thing could occur. Her hand has moved to her sheathed katana, and the line of her body is tense.

Rimuru follows her gaze.

And feels a wave of emotion directed at him that is utterly unfamiliar, even from the Destroyer.

"Rimuru." Mary mutters under her breath, just loud enough for him to barely hear. "She's the source of the barriers. Both."

Two barriers… Now that he feels for, yeah, there are two. No, I almost understand it. But seriously, what is going on here?

-=-

"Can I help you, Miss?" Rimuru smiles, feigning at polite. "My name is Rimuru, an adventurer, and this is my friend Mary, of the same profession. Might you have mistaken me for someone?"

Mary makes no such effort, remaining silent and glaring.

"There's no need to play dumb, Rimuru Tempest. Your friend seems to have the right idea." The woman spares an uncaring look for Mary, then Rimuru. "Not that it will matter."

It is clearly dismissive, and that angers the both of them.

Rimuru hides it better, though he still grimaces. "Alright… I'll bite. What's your purpose here, Chief Knight of the Western Saints Church Imperial Guard? Or Hinata Sakaguchi of the Ten Saints, if you prefer."

"A Saint…?" Mary whispers to herself. Rimuru glances at her, then forward.

Hinata smiles at him. It is not a nice smile.

"How perceptive of you. Very well." Hinata hold her sheathed sword, multicolored light shining from within. "Rimuru Tempest, leader of the Jura Tempest Federation. A slime that somehow grew sentience and garnered a great number of underlings and land within the Storm Dragon's territory. You and your nation of monsters, it's stepped outside its bounds. So, we've decided to destroy it. Which means you won't be going home anytime soon."

Can we get away? Ranga. Ranga, you there?

Notice: Within the shadows, Ranga cannot respond due to the spatial complications enacted by the Skill-sealing barrier.

Thanks for the thorough answer! We need to- I don't know, but let's at least-

"You're with the Church, huh?"

Rimuru, who had been about to say something, pauses. He looks to the side.

"Mary, what are you…?"

Mary steps forward, half in front of Rimuru.

"Hinata Sakaguchi. I've definitely heard of you before." She smiles. It is not nice either. "It's like a mirror, huh? Now I get it. She always pitied me, I guess."

"You are…" Hinata raises an eyebrow, peering at her counterpart through a gaze narrowed by pretty eyelashes.

Yet, she will not meet Mary's eyes, her gaze locking back on Rimuru.

"…right, Mary Sue, was it? The human tagalong. Bodyguard, or an extra bag carrier?"

"I also juggle."

Rimuru cannot help but stare at her back incredulously.

You do not fucking juggle.

"Cute." Hinata smiles, and there's actually a hint of humor in her expression. It disappears just as soon as it arrives. "I've decided. Human girl."

"I am 21 years old."

"Enjoy this mercy of mine." Hinata waves a hand, still looking over Mary's shoulder. "You can leave. Even if our ideals are opposite, I won't cut you down without good reason."

Mary's jaw tightens. "Yeah, that's not happening."

"You don't want to fight me, I assure you." Hinata glances at her once, then looks away. She is dismissing her outright. That's what this is. "Do not take this decision lightly; win or lose, it will make your life very difficult."

"Now I'm curious. I wonder what having a difficult life would be like." Mary scoffs, letting her irritation flare openly. "Give me a break. Run? I'm not running. I'm not fucking leaving. Bring up your sword, Hinata Sakaguchi, and look at me."

"You would die for him?" Any mercy or cooperative spirit is entirely gone. Hinata's voice is cold. Yet, she leaves her blade in its sheath. "Understand that there are no other outcomes. You will put your life on the line for an afront to the God Luminous. You would stand against your fellow humans for that thing's sake?"

At this, she gestures at Rimuru. And for the moment, it seems as though Hinata's focus is finally on Mary. But all Hinata really does is glance at Mary's sheathed katana, then back over her shoulder.

Locking eyes with Rimuru Tempest. Addressing him and his "tagalong".

Here is the truth: Hinata Sakaguchi does not believe her to be a threat. She does not believe either of them as such. Rimuru may be her primary objective, but it's clear how much presence of mind she gives to his strength.

That is, very little.

And Mary, who is essentially an "extra" in the confrontation, garners even less of a response. Rather than giving Mary attention as a rightful combatant, she is looking around Mary, like she's a temporary obstacle. One easily surmounted.

She likely thinks this. Logically, of course, Hinata is in the right to think this.

"Even if Rimuru wasn't my friend, I think I have to kick your ass on principle." Mary draws Mamoru free, her fingers white knuckled along the leather. And though she runs no power through it yet, it practically glows on reveal. Its purpose is being served. "God Luminous, huh? Who's that?"

"The God Luminous, our-"

"Don't care."

Hinata's cheek twitches.

Mary… Rimuru winces, as the aura of maliciousness from earlier triples in intensity. It's clear what she's doing, but that doesn't mean he has to like it. Still, his hand inches behind his back, slowly closing around the handle of his own katana.

Yet, his hand… it shakes, for a moment.

These barriers…

Between the two of them, it's obvious who should step forward.

Great Sage, what can you give me?

Approximately one minute.

Don't know if you'll get that long.

Acknowledged.

"Struck a nerve, huh? Hey, you know that whole holy crusade thing?" Mary fakes another smile, but it dissolves. Her expression twists into a pained look, as fire scathes her lungs, and her heart pounds against her sternum. "You think you can just walk all over us because some God said so? Fuck that!!"

"…I'm not doing this just for the God Luminous' sake." Hinata glances at her, for the briefest window. Their eyes do not meet, still. It's getting pretty annoying.

"Huh?" Huh?

Mary and Rimuru say and think respectively.

"I'm more than willing to cooperate, even with monsters." Hinata closes her eyes. "But I'm afraid that knowing such a despicable creature is wearing the stolen face of my mentor… you'll forgive me for taking this a bit personal."

"If that's the case-" Rimuru tries to speak up, leaning to look around Mary's shoulder.

"Shut up." Hinata's eyes open, and she draws her sword. A wash of bloodlust fills the air. "I'm not interested in the words of monsters like you. Speak again and I'll cut you down immediately."

"You can try." Mary chimes in, a bead of sweat trickles along the back of her neck. She steps forward, forces herself to smile. "I won't let you."

It seems a physical confrontation is inevitable. Which is, uh, not good.

This is where Rimuru starts panicking a little on the inside.

Hey, Great Sage! Information please!

One moment.

"You're really going to attempt to stop me?"

"Yeah. If you're prepared to cut down one innocent life for your faith, then I'm willing to take in all that comes with saving him… and you, too."

We don't have any more moments-

Processing complete. There are two barriers encompassing a wide range. The first has been explained. The second is a type of Holy barrier, known as a Holy Field. Inside this barrier, magicules are purified. Lesser monsters would already be destroyed. Magic Sense is unavailable. Physical dependence for perception is necessary. Resistance of Skill seal possible.

Do it!

Confirmed. Skills... partially restored. Magic-based Skills remain unavailable. Internal magicules are stable, maintenance of bodily autonomy… confirmed. Report: much magical and aural energy is necessary to maintain function. Caution advised.

In other words, Rimuru wouldn't be able to move or fight like usual. With the body of a monster that is dependent on magicules for existence, just keeping themselves alive is all most monsters could do. Thanks to Great Sage, an above average magicule pool, and Rimuru's own interesting set of Skills, he could do a little more than just survive.

But against someone like Hinata Sakaguchi, that might as well be death.

Hinata is right to consider Rimuru alone an unworthy opponent. After stacking the deck so heavily in her own favor, it'd frankly be embarrassing to end this confrontation in any way other than absolute victory.

"Innocent? Saving?" It's enough to break Hinata's composure yet again, though only slightly. Her blank expression shifts, and the tip of her sword lowers slightly. "What do you-"

CLANG!!!

Then, what about our third participant?

Sparks dot the blue sky. A flurry of multicolored lights, aurora on steel.

Rimuru's eyes widen. He'd blinked, and thus nearly missed it.

"How unfair. I was speaking."

"Like you can talk about fairness here."

Hinata's and Mary's blades are locked. The latter had closed the distance in one- no, from the indents in the grass… two leaping steps. Faster than she'd ever moved before, or faster than Rimuru had ever seen, at least.

Despite the seeming ease with which Hinata's had blocked Mary's sudden strike, Mary could see it close up. Hinata's eyes had widened, for the briefest second, and her hand had been forced back the most minute amount.

Mary grins, face to face with an old mirror.

Hinata frowns.

Then, they duel.

It is a song of steel. Neon green slashes a horizontal arc. A rainbow of powers cuts up, sending it sparking back. They move too quickly for the ordinary eye, and though it is only a few seconds, numerous flurries occur. Neither has the upper hand.

Mary slashes down. Hinata deflects, and stabs. Mary sidesteps, cutting horizontally at Hinata's side. Hinata steps away, and the dance continues.

Hinata is the better swordman, by experience. She is gifted with the blade, and worked hard to master its delivery of death until her ability was said to resemble even the Oni Swordsmaster.

Mary brings Mamoru up in a sideways high guard, blocking a crushing blow that would shake any else's arms to the bone. She merely shoves it away and brings Mamoru down in a diagonal arc.

Hinata, just as effortlessly as she'd swung, pulls her arm down, bringing her blade with it. They lock blades, then shove away.

Mary is still getting stronger. She is not merely gifted but is instead prodigious. Further, she learns not just from listening, but from sight, smell, pain, and more. Each lesson is ingrained into her body intentionally, and subconsciously.

They come together again and again. It must be a dance, for their blades sing and their footwork swirls in a rhythm.

Stab. Deflect. Slash. Deflect. Cut. Sidestep. Thrust. Dodge.

Then, together.

CLASH!

Hinata backsteps, then springs forward with a thrust.

Mary does not meet it, like before. She ducks inside the blow, gaining a gash across her cheek. But her left hand leaves her sword, and rises, her arm trapping Hinata's hand and sword handle inside her elbow.

She tries to stab forward, only for Hinata's gloved fist to slam her cheek. Dazed, Mary is forced to let go and leap back, avoiding Hinata's attempt at ensnaring her own sword arm.

They separate and pause, for a moment.

Mary's body pulses.

These barriers… they are minimal. The lack of magic limits her from elemental attacks – so just fuck her entire Modified Style, basically – but against a human foe, this is a minor issue. Steel will cut just as well as wind.

Additionally, only her external magical functions have been affected. The Holy Field cannot reach within Mary Sue's body; thus, the magicules inside her are untouched. The Skill seal is in effect, yes, but the very nature of Mary's Unique power resists it. And her Intrinsic abilities are entirely unaffected.

Hinata looks… almost surprised, for some reason. She is no worse off, physically. No stray cuts, no damaged skin. Her hair is barely ruffled. But, there is one thing…

The tip of her pointed collar. A piece of it flutters away on the breeze.

Mary is not breathing hard either, but she is clearly worse for wear, bleeding on one cheek and sporting a future bruise on the other. She is easily worse off from this confrontation.

Yet, she's smiling.

"Hah… you finally looked me in the eyes, you damn Saint."

It's been a long time since she felt this alive. Competence is a drug in its own right, and power the same. For the first time in a long time, her strength feels real.

It feels like it matters.

"Tch." Hinata plants the tip of her sword in the grass and points her off hand at the duo. This matchup is much fairer than Hinata vs Rimuru. And everyone knows it. "Heed my call…"

"Fucking-!" Mary charges, her eyes flickering neon. If she can just-

But Ability Severance does not work as intended. It may be able to resist the Skill seal, but Mary does not have the benefit of Great Sage to back it up. So, when she activates Ability Severance and imbues its power into her vision...

"…Elemental Spirits: Undine!"

Hinata is successful. Over her shoulders, five spots of light burn into existence. Spirits, and spirit magic, unaffected by either barrier.

Right, that's always been its weakness. Severing the connection is so much more difficult by sight alone. And in this situation-

Mary slashes an arc, only for Hinata to deflect her. Like swatting a fly.

Without even looking at her.

Dammit!

Mary does not get a follow up attack. Her senses flare, angrily, desperately.

Instinctively, she ducks, a glowing fist rocking the air above her. Then, she dives backward, rolls into a crouch. On the balls of her feet, she spins, neon green magisteel carving a protective path all around her.

By the time she gathers her bearings, standing and surveying the situation, Mary is surrounded. Under attack on all sides.

And worse, Hinata is gone.

-=-