Time flowed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, three whole days had passed.
"Still not done? Why is it taking so long?" Kiana asked from the side. "How much longer will it take?"
"Come on! This isn't some small-time trick," Rimuru gave Kiana an exasperated look. "You've run in here like thirty times today already. If you have that much time, why not spend it training with your Herrscher powers?"
"I'm a genius, you know," Kiana said, nose in the air. "Stuff like that? I can master it in minutes."
Rimuru rolled his eyes. Sure you can, genius. Just as he was about to argue, faint groans came from the nearby energy spheres.
"Did you hear that? I think Fu Hua and the others are waking up!" Kiana exclaimed in delight. "I'm going to call everyone over!" Without another word, she dashed out of the room like a whirlwind.
"She's always so impulsive," Rimuru muttered as he watched her leave, though a small smile crept onto his face. Despite everything, he couldn't help but like Kiana's straightforward nature. That said, her lack of brainpower was a serious issue.
He turned his gaze to the two energy cocoons. Inside, the outlines of human figures were beginning to form, and faint heartbeats could already be heard.
"Looks like it's almost time," Rimuru calculated silently. At most, two to three more hours, and the bodies would be fully reconstructed.
Before long, Mei, Himeko, and even Bronya came rushing in with Kiana.
"Are they about to wake up?" Himeko asked, concern in her voice.
"Yeah, any minute now," Rimuru replied. "Won't be long."
Himeko nodded and said nothing more. The group fell silent as they waited patiently.
Time slipped by once more in silence.
Crack—Pzzz—
A thin fracture appeared on one of the energy cocoons. Energy slowly began to dissipate, and the figures inside became clearer with every passing second.
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the glowing orbs, not wanting to miss a single detail. Himeko and the others were visibly excited.
As the final glow dispersed, Fu Hua gently descended to the ground. Himeko and the others rushed forward to catch her.
In contrast, poor Walter stood completely alone. No one moved to greet him, and compared to Fu Hua's warm welcome, his side looked tragically cold.
A few of them even looked disappointed, casting resentful glares at Rimuru, their eyes silently screaming: Why is Fu Hua wearing clothes?!
Rimuru smirked and completely ignored their silent protests. Heh, as if I didn't see through you degenerates from the start. He had prepared clothes for Fu Hua early on using his magic. As for Walter… he had only conjured up a pair of boxers for him. I mean, he's a guy—what's the big deal?
Poor, pitiful Walter.
Just then, someone approached the abandoned Walter. It was Einstein.
So the world hasn't forgotten him after all, Walter thought, hope stirring in his heart.
Einstein took out her phone, switched to camera mode, and—click click click!—fired off a burst of photos.
Then she put her phone away… and walked off without a word.
…She left… just like that…
Walter's heart shattered.
He had been wrong. The world had abandoned him. And then beat him up for good measure.
Rimuru's eye twitched as he watched Einstein's savagery. That's your boss, woman! Is this really okay!?
Taking a deep breath, Rimuru composed himself and looked at Walter with a mix of sympathy and relief. At least my own subordinates are all normal… probably.
"Ugh… what happened…?" Fu Hua's eyes fluttered open, filled with confusion.
"Fu Hua!" Himeko shouted and immediately pulled her into a hug.
"Major Himeko… I'm sorry." Fu Hua was still disoriented, but a sudden memory brought clarity to her eyes. She bowed her head, guilt written all over her face.
"Class Rep! You're finally awake!" Kiana bounded over, practically glowing. "You've been out for so long. You owe me big time, y'know!"
"Kiana…" Fu Hua looked at her beaming friend, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
"It's okay! I forgive you, Class Rep." Kiana suddenly seemed more mature, gently patting Fu Hua's head and wiping away her tears. Her voice was soft and comforting. "Just promise me one thing—don't lie to me again, alright?"
For some reason, at that moment, Kiana looked especially… captivating.
"…Mm!" Fu Hua nodded vigorously and hugged Kiana tightly, sobbing softly.
Mei and Bronya stood beside them, smiling warmly.
Walter, meanwhile, watched the emotional reunion, then glanced back at his own lonely self. His life felt utterly gray.
Wait, he thought, I still have friends—Einstein and Tesla! I'm not alone!
Reinvigorated, Walter looked back toward Fu Hua… and saw Einstein.
His hope vanished on the spot.
"…That was probably too much of a blow, huh?" Rimuru watched the lifeless Walter with concern. "He's not gonna do anything drastic, is he?"
After the reunion, Fu Hua—supported by the Valkyries—walked over to Rimuru. Walter, after a long stretch of being ignored, was finally helped up by a Titan controlled by Einstein.
"Thank you very much for helping me," Fu Hua said sincerely. "I have no way to repay you."
"What? Are you planning to marry me or something?" Rimuru teased with a grin.
"No, no, no! You misunderstood! I didn't mean that at all!" Fu Hua waved her hands frantically, panicking. "I just meant that if you ever need help in the future, I'll be there without hesitation."
"Likewise. If you ever need anything, I'll help however I can," Walter added calmly.
"It's no big deal," Rimuru replied. "Besides, you both know about our guild now, right? What do you say—want to join?"
"I've got no problem with that," said Fu Hua.
"Same here," Walter agreed.
And just like that, the Dimensional Guild welcomed two new members.
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