Chapter 57: Misunderstanding or Something More??

Attention: Please read the note at the end of the chapter, as it will decide the fate of the next chapter.

______________________________________

"Rimuru POV:"

Right now, we are about to head outside. After stopping them, I brought both of them to my house and gave them a good scolding. I also told them that I have thought of some punishments for them, but that will not be happening now; they will come later. So, I'll let it slide for now.

Currently, we are heading outside to show Milim the city since it is her first time visiting after the city was built. I decided to show her around. With me are Ciel and Milim. Veldora is in his room, probably hiding his manga, thinking that, as punishment, I will take them away later. And Shizue... well, she is sleeping because she is exhausted.

I am going to introduce Milim to everyone in the city, just like I did with Veldora. For that, I have already ordered Rigurd to gather everyone in the city square. It will take some time to gather everyone, so in the meantime, I decided to give Milim a tour around the city.

As we started to wander around the city, Milim's eyes sparkled with excitement. She marveled at the bustling marketplace, the beautifully crafted buildings, and the diverse inhabitants. Children playing in the streets waved at us, their laughter filling the air. Milim waved back enthusiastically; her joy was practically overflowing.

We passed by various shops and stalls, each showcasing unique goods and crafts. Milim stopped frequently, asking questions and admiring the wares. She was like a kid at a festival, excitedly exploring and getting new toys. The merchants were more than happy to explain their products and share stories about the city's development.

Milim was particularly delighted by the food stalls. We stopped at plenty of them, eagerly trying every single dish. She devoured everything with gusto and declared that she liked each one very much. The variety and flavors seemed to fascinate her, and she was always eager for the next bite.

What she liked most, however, were the sweets. Whenever we passed by a dessert stall, her eyes would light up with excitement. She tasted candies, cakes, and pastries with pure delight, savoring each sugary treat with a wide smile on her face. It was clear that the sweetness of the desserts brought her immense joy, and she couldn't get enough of them. Her face lit up with pure ecstasy as she indulged in her favorite sweets.

Eventually, we reached the central park, a lush green space filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. Milim ran ahead, her excitement evident. She twirled around, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively park.

After spending some time in the park, we continued our tour, visiting important landmarks and meeting more of the city's residents. Milim's enthusiasm never lessened, and it was clear she was thoroughly enjoying her first visit.

Finally, after a very delightful tour for Milim, we made our way to the city square, where a large crowd had already gathered. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and curiosity.

As we entered the town square, everyone bowed, showing respect to me. Returning the greetings, I acknowledged the crowd before guiding Milim to the stage.

After gazing over the assembled citizens, I took a deep breath, ready to introduce Milim to everyone and officially welcome her to our nation. The crowd's murmurs quieted as I stepped forward to address them. With a steady voice, I began to speak.

"Greetings, citizens of Tempest," I began, my voice projecting across the square, ensuring that everyone could hear it.

"Third Person POV:"

"Greetings, citizens of Tempest," Rimuru began, his voice projecting across the square.

"Today, we gather here to welcome a dear friend of mine-no, 'dear' is not the right word. Today, we are gathered here to welcome my best friend!" Rimuru declared, and the whole crowd's attention shifted to Milim, who stood beside him, radiant with anticipation.

"Allow me to introduce, one of the most renowned and feared Demon Lords, known far and wide throughout the whole world as 'The Destroyer'-Milim Nava!!!" Rimuru's declaration echoed across the square, his voice filled with pride.

However, instead of the expected applause, what followed was complete and utter silence.

As the silence lingered, Rimuru took a moment to gauge the crowd's reaction. The air crackled with anticipation, and all eyes remained fixed on Milim, who stood tall yet with a displeased expression beside him.

Seeing the crowd's reaction, Rimuru didn't understand what had happened. But when his gaze shifted to Milim, he saw her displeased face, which shocked him because just a few moments ago, Milim was practically overflowing with happiness. What could have caused this sudden change in her behavior? The answer was simple, it all happened because of Rimuru's mistake.

Seeing what was happening and noticing Rimuru's ignorance, Ciel just sighed.

Meanwhile, Shizue awoke from her slumber and made her way toward the city square where everyone was gathered. She arrived and took a spot beside Ciel, asking what had happened. Ciel explained everything.

Ciel told Shizue that they were there to introduce Milim to everyone and officially welcome her to their nation. However, when Rimuru was introducing her, he mentioned that Milim was just his best friend and not his sister, as he had told her 20,000 years ago. Back then, he said they were like brother and sister. This oversight displeased Milim.

After hearing this, Shizue sighed and looked toward Rimuru, thinking he needed to correct his mistake as soon as possible.

Rimuru, visibly perplexed by Milim's unexpected reaction, tried to understand what had caused her displeasure. As he stood there, trillions of scenarios raced through his mind, each one attempting to pinpoint the reason behind Milim's sudden change in demeanor. In a split second, clarity dawned upon him, revealing the oversight that had led to this situation.

At the same time, Shizue approached him, her expression serious yet understanding.

"Rimu, you need to fix this," she whispered urgently.

"Remember what you told Milim 20,000 years ago. She sees you as a brother, not just a friend, but more. That's why she's upset," she finished her sentence.

He nodded towards her, then turned back to the crowd, raising his hands to regain their attention. The murmurs died down, and all eyes were once again on him and Milim.

"My apologies, everyone," Rimuru began, his voice strong and sincere.

"It seems I made a mistake. Milim is not just my best friend. She is my sister. We share a bond that goes beyond friendship!" He continued.

After hearing this, Milim's displeased expression softened slightly, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes.

"I want you all to know that Milim is a part of our family here in Tempest," Rimuru continued. "Please welcome her as you would a member of your own family, with all the respect and love that entails. Treat her just as you treat me, Ciel, Shizue, and Veldora!"

With that, he stepped back and gave the stage to Milim.

After his declaration, the crowd responded with enthusiastic applause, louder and more heartfelt than before. The atmosphere in the square shifted, becoming warmer and more inclusive, as the citizens of Tempest understood the significance of Rimuru's words.

Milim's face broke into a radiant smile, her previous displeasure completely gone. She stepped forward, waving to the crowd with genuine joy. The citizens' cheers grew even louder, and many of them waved back, their expressions filled with admiration and excitement.

"Whahahahahaha! Wufuhahahaha! I am the one and only Milim Nava! It's a pleasure! Thank you, everyone! I'm so happy to be here and to be a part of this family," Milim declared loudly.

The cheers grew even louder, and Rimuru felt a wave of relief wash over him. He turned to Milim, giving her an apologetic nod and a brotherly smile, silently conveying his apology and gratitude.

After the introduction of Milim finished, they started to leave the stage. While leaving, Milim leaned closer to Rimuru's ear, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Oh, Rimuru, you always know how to make things right. But remember, family ties can be... complicated. Sometimes, they require a little extra attention, you know?" she whispered in his ear with a husky voice, her tone playful yet layered with mischief.

Rimuru chuckled nervously, catching the hint in her words but refusing to acknowledge it.

"What the heck is going on? Why is Milim talking this way? No, in the first place, Milim can't talk this way. She doesn't know this way of talking. Then how? And she doesn't seem to know what she is saying either!" Rimuru started to work his brain, trying to understand why Milim was acting like this.

"Of course, Milim. I'll make sure to give you all the attention you need," he replied, equally playful.

"Looks like you've got your work cut out for you, Rimuru. But don't worry, I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion," Milim teased further, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"I'll do my best, Milim. With you by my side, I'm sure everything will turn out just fine," Rimuru grinned, recognizing that the one speaking was Milim but the words were not hers. They seemed to be someone else's, so he decided to play along with an equally mischievous voice.

"Don't worry, I'll get back at you!" These were Rimuru's thoughts as he ended his little conversation with Milim.

"Hehehe, this is fun, and he also said he will spend more time with me. This advice is the best. I think I'll go and ask for a little more advice," Milim thought to herself, pondering over Rimuru's promise to give her more attention.

However, it seems her words didn't quite match her true intentions, and the third party found the situation quite amusing.

Together, they walked through the town square, towards the outskirts of the city, to see something breathtaking.

As they reached the outskirts of the city near the hill to see the breathtaking view of the sunset, the air around Milim suddenly changed. Without saying a word, she launched herself at Shizue with the speed of light, attempting to land a punch. However, with incredible reflexes, Shizue dodged her punch flawlessly.

"What's the meaning of this?" Shizue asked, her voice calm but alert as she maintained her defensive stance.

Without saying a single word, Milim attacked again, moving with even greater speed than before. Once again, Shizue managed to dodge the attack without any difficulty.

Shizue narrowed her eyes, trying to understand Milim's behavior, but she couldn't figure it out. For the time being, she decided to take a defensive approach.

Rimuru, watching this, quickly stepped forward. He understood Milim's intention clearly, but he was concerned for Shizue.

"Milim, there's no need for this," he said, his voice filled with concern for both of them.

He decided to intervene and stop them right then and there. But as he took a step forward, Ciel tightened her grip on his hand, stopping him.

Seeing Ciel like this, he looked at her for an explanation, but she just gave him a warm smile and said calmly, "Let them be, Master. It will help them grow closer and forge a bond."

"Yes, I know, but we both know that this is not the right time and place for this," he replied to her in a equally calm voice.

"I know that too, but this will help her grow. Up until now, she had only faced a few people stronger than her, and even in those times, it was organized beforehand. Another point is that neither party has gone all out during those battles, so this sudden, unorganized battle will help her to prepare for sudden battles with strong individuals. We both know that in the future, they all are going to face many strong opponents," Ciel replied to him with hard facts, which stopped him from further argument.

"*Sigh, I guess this will be fine, and knowing Milim, I am sure she will push Shizue to her limits. It will also help Shizue to understand her weaknesses better than what we can tell her. After all, personal experiences are more valuable and helpful than advice," he said, giving in.

"Yeah, but I don't think Milim will go that far. After all, it was her who told Milim to do this, and we both know exactly why," Ciel said, this time with amusement.

After hearing her, he simply nodded, knowing further conversation wasn't necessary, and stepped back to watch the fight. He created a barrier surrounding them with a radius of a few miles, ensuring that no one from the outside would be able to detect or intervene. Meanwhile, Ciel created a table and two chairs under a nearby tree for them. They both sat down, observing Milim and Shizue while enjoying a cup of tea.

After dodging a few more attacks from Milim, Shizue finally looked at Rimuru and Ciel for answers. To her surprise, both of them were calmly sitting under the tree, drinking tea. Seeing this, she was momentarily distracted, and Milim took advantage of the opportunity, delivering a powerful punch that sent Shizue crashing into nearby trees.

However, Shizue recovered quickly and stood up, ready to face Milim again.

"If Rimu and Ciel are so calm, then they must be aware of what's happening. I'll just play along for now," she thought to herself. With these thoughts, she summoned her sword, ready to face Milim.

Milim grinned, her eyes flashing with excitement.

"That's more like it, Shizue! Show me what you've got!" she exclaimed as she lunged at Shizue once more.

Shizue parried Milim's attack with her sword, the clash of their energies creating a shockwave that rippled through the air. The two began to exchange blows, each testing the other's strength and skill.

Rimuru and Ciel watched intently, recognizing the importance of this sudden sparring session.

"Milim-chan, you're really giving me a workout!" Shizue called out, a hint of amusement in her voice as she blocked another one of Milim's punches.

"Good! I wouldn't have it any other way," Milim replied, her tone laced with excitement and a touch of mischief.

"Let's see how far you can push me!" she said before delivering another powerful kick to Shizue's abdomen.

Shizue absorbed the impact, her expression showing determination as she slid back a few feet. She regained her stance and countered with a swift slash of her sword, aiming for Milim's side. Milim dodged gracefully, her movements fluid and precise, showcasing her extraordinary agility and years of experience.

Their battle intensified, with Shizue and Milim moving at blinding speeds. Their attacks created shockwaves that echoed throughout the barrier. The ground beneath them trembled with each powerful strike, and the air seemed to hum with the energy of their confrontation.

Rimuru and Ciel watched from their vantage point, sipping their tea calmly, knowing that this duel was more about forming bonds than causing harm. The sun continued its descent, casting long shadows over the battleground, adding an almost ethereal quality to the scene.

Shizue, her sword blazing with crimson fire, unleashed a torrent of flame toward Milim. Milim countered by summoning a barrier of pure energy, dispersing the flames in an explosive burst that lit up the night sky. Not letting up, Milim retaliated with a series of rapid energy blasts, each one leaving craters in the ground as Shizue deftly dodged and deflected them with her sword.

The force of their clash was immense, shaking the very foundations of what remained of the hill. The collision of their released energy was enough to shatter stars and planets into pieces, yet none of it affected the outside world, not even the land beneath them, because of the barrier.

The sparking between energies intensified, creating shockwaves that hit the barrier with full force, creating echoed sounds. The rocks and boulders started to turn into dust because of the released energy.

Milim, her eyes glowing with battle fervor, darted forward, her fists charged with a tremendous amount of energy. Shizue met her head-on, their collision creating a shockwave that flattened the surrounding terrain, which had now turned into barren land.

They grappled for a moment, testing each other's strength, before breaking apart and taking to the sky. Their aerial battle was just a blur. They had long surpassed speeds ten times faster than the speed of light and were still moving faster with each attack.

Milim and Shizue traded blows that sent ripples through space. Each impact was like thunder, reverberating across the now-formed barren land and sending lumps of boulders across as if they were mere pebbles.

From above, Milim summoned a massive sphere of energy, throwing it down toward Shizue. Shizue, her sword now covered in bloody red flames, sliced through the sphere like butter, causing it to explode in a dazzling display of light and sound.

The explosion was so powerful that it carved out a new crater in the land, sending debris flying in all directions.

Despite the intensity of the battle, both combatants remained focused and determined, unconcerned by their surroundings. Milim, her body surrounded by an aura of destructive power, unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks that seemed to distort the very fabric of space around her.

Shizue, her movements a blend of grace and precision, parried and countered with equal ferocity, her sword leaving trails of energy in its wake.

The ground shook as Milim delivered a powerful stomp, sending a shockwave through the earth that caused the ground to crack and split. Shizue responded by summoning a torrent of flames, which rained down on Milim with deadly accuracy. In response, Milim flared her Haki, which protected her from Shizue's flames. After the attack died down, she charged at Shizue with renewed vigor.

As their battle raged on, the landscape bore the marks of their incredible power. What was once a serene hilltop was now a battlefield, scarred by their relentless combat.

Rimuru and Ciel, still watching from their vantage point, exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After what felt like an eternity, the two combatants finally began to slow, their breaths heavy but their spirits unbroken. Milim, hovering in the air, grinned down at Shizue with genuine respect.

It had been four days since the battle between Shizue and Milim started. They fought relentlessly for four days, their battle raging on without pause or respite. From sunrise to sunset, and then through the nights, Milim and Shizue clashed with unyielding determination.

Their powers clashed with such force that the very fabric of reality seemed to warp and tremble around them. Each blow they exchanged echoed across the landscape, shaking the earth and stirring the winds.

As the hours stretched into days, their fight continued. There was no sign of fatigue on either side. Quite the opposite, they were fighting as if the battle had just begun, and they could still continue, their monstrous stamina still ongoing.

Finally, as the sun began to set on the fourth day, Milim stopped and took a few steps back, facing Shizue. Their clothes had some dirt on them, and they had some light bruises here and there, but other than that, there were no significant damages on either side.

After stopping, Milim looked at Shizue. However, unlike previous times, there was respect in her eyes for Shizue.

"You're really something, Shizue, just as Aunt Velzard said. It's been a long time since I had a warm-up this good, like 300 years," Milim remarked, her voice filled with a mix of admiration and amusement. It was rare for her to find someone who could match her level of strength and endurance.

Shizue, sword still at the ready for attack, nodded in acknowledgment. She had heard tales of Milim's power, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different matter. Despite the intensity of their battle, both of them remained surprisingly energetic, fueled by their determination and mutual respect. Neither of them showed any sign of fatigue.

"And you, Milim-chan, are every bit as formidable as the legends say," Shizue replied, her tone conveying both respect and readiness for whatever came next.

She knew that the battle was far from over. She understood that a being like her and Milim engaging in something like this wasn't a proper battle, but she was hoping that Milim would stop now.

Shizue was already pretty exhausted before joining the fight, that she had to take a nap before joining them in the town square. She really didn't want to fight Milim anymore. However, the keyword was 'hoping', because what Milim said next was far from what she wanted to hear.

Milim's eyes gleamed with excitement as she cracked her knuckles, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"But that doesn't mean this fight is over yet! That was just a warm-up, the real battle is yet to start," she declared, sending a shiver of anticipation down Shizue's spine.

______________________________________

And that's the end. That's all for this chapter.

Important Note: Guys, if you think the fight between Shizue and Milim feels a bit out of place, please hear me out. I realized that I've been claiming Shizue is incredibly strong— even stronger than Guy, Velzard, and Diablo—without providing any solid evidence. Until now, Shizue hasn't had any feats to support these claims.

To address this, I decided to create this fight scene. This way, there's at least some basis for my claims. During the fight, Shizue is matching Milim without any difficulty and going toe to toe with her, which begins to establish her strength.

In the next chapter, their battle will escalate to several dimensions above, further proving Shizue's power and indirectly supporting my claims. Also, this is essential for the character development and personality growth of the characters.

If you feel this fight scene is unnecessary, I can skip it from now on and simply provide a summary of the battle. Please let me know your thoughts.

Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter in the comments. It really motivates me to write new chapters.

Word Count: 3.7k