(Attendances… plz…)
….
Reinhard stepped into the hut, the dim light falling on Shizue's frail form. He knew she didn't have long left. At least, now that she was awake, she would be able to face the end with open eyes.
As he approached her bedside, she started with a simple "thank you."
He looked down at her, at the way the life was slowly fading from her face. He didn't see the point in hiding from the truth. "You're dying," he said, his voice soft but direct.
Shizue let out a small, weak chuckle. "And I'm not the least bit sad about it." She paused, then amended, "No… that's a lie. I'm a little bit sad. I'm going to miss all of them."
"Your students?" Reinhard asked.
"Yup," she confirmed. "And… thank you. For stopping me. And for getting rid of that curse that was placed upon me." A distant, haunted look came into her eyes. "I wish I'd had the chance… I doubt I could have ever done it myself. But I wish I could have had the chance to confront the person who placed it upon me." Her voice grew quiet. "He made me kill the first friend I ever made, right after he summoned me here. He never even saw me as a person. And when Ifrit took control… I thought I was going to do it all over again. Kill everyone I had grown to care for. So, thank you, for stopping me."
Reinhard just nodded, listening.
"So," he asked, his voice calm and serious. "Do you want me to relay your words to this person who placed this curse upon you?"
Shizue looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Would you? Even though you are strong… he is one of the strongest beings in this world. A Demon Lord."
"Please, you do not have to worry about that," Reinhard said. "If you really want me to, just say the word."
Tears began to well up in Shizue's eyes, sliding down her pale cheeks. The idea of placing such a heavy burden on someone she had only just met was overwhelming.
Reinhard seemed to understand her thoughts. "You do not have to think of it as a burden," he said gently. "It isn't wrong to seek justice. It never is. If he truly made you suffer for all the time you have lived, if he took you from your home for his own twisted goals… then I do not mind at all carrying that wish for my friend."
Shizue turned her head to look at him, her teary eyes meeting his. "A friend," she whispered. "You really do have a way with words, just like Ellen said."
"If it is too hard for you to say," Reinhard continued, "you don't even have to say. Any sign at all. And I will consider it your trust in me, to carry those burdens of yours. I swear on my name, Reinhard van Astrea, to do anything within my power to get you justice."
He stood there, his gaze unwavering, waiting for her sign. And she gave it. A small, almost imperceptible nod.
She turned her face away again. "Very knightly of you, Reinhard," she whispered. "I wish I had met you, Ellen, Kaval, and Gido sooner."
"Me too," he said softly. "And thank you for trusting me. I won't disappoint you. I promise."
"You don't have to promise," she said, her voice growing weaker. "I know… I don't have much time… Can you send Ellen and the others in? So I can say goodbye."
"Of course," Reinhard said.
He turned and left the hut, the weight of his new promise settling on his shoulders. Outside, he saw Rimuru, Rigurd, and the trio waiting anxiously.
"Is she okay?" Ellen asked, her voice trembling.
"She wants to meet the three of you," he said simply.
They all nodded, and Ellen, Kaval, and Gido filed into the hut, their faces a mixture of hope and dread. Rimuru looked at Reinhard, clearly curious about what they had discussed, but he didn't ask.
A somber, sad atmosphere settled over the group as they waited. After a while, the trio emerged from the hut. Ellen was crying openly, while Kaval and Gido were fighting back tears of their own, their faces grim. Had they really grown so close to her in just a few short days?
"Hey, Rimuru," Kaval said, his voice rough. "Shizue's calling for you."
Rimuru braced himself. It was his turn to say goodbye. Goodbyes were always the hardest. He bounced his way into the hut.
A few minutes passed in silence. Then, a new, unfamiliar voice called out from inside. "Rigurd?"
Rigurd, hearing the call, immediately went to the hut and pushed aside the leather flap that served as a door. Through the opening, the trio and Reinhard could see inside.
Shizue was gone. In her place, standing naked in the center of the room, was a young person with long, silver-blue hair. They were looking down at their new human hands in wonder. As they heard Rigurd enter, they turned around.
It was Shizue's face.
But it was also not. Tears were dropping uncontrollably from her eyes, but the expression was one of shock, grief, and a dawning, terrible realization.
"Rimuru!" Reinhard said, his voice sharp with understanding.
No one understood what Reinhard was saying. Rimuru was a slime, not Shizue, or Shizue with blue hair, but they couldn't tell who was standing before them at all. The body of Shizue, which had previously lain in the room as they said their goodbyes, was now nowhere to be seen.
Even Rigurd was confused upon seeing it. Still, he did not doubt his ability to recognize his master; he simply stared at the blue-haired human and waited for orders. The others, too, understood immediately as they heard the next thing from the person standing.
The blue-haired figure, now clearly Rimuru, looked up at them, still crying Shizue's tears. "Rigurd," he said, his new voice choked with emotion. "Can I get some clothes?"
"Y-yes! Yes, Lord Rimuru!" Rigurd stammered, hurrying to obey. "I'll get you clothes at once!"
….
A/N: So, How was it?! Lesssss Goooo! New week new chapter. Send power stones guys! Hope fully we will be able tk come into top 5 ranking in power stone. I'm counting in you all. Lets hit 499 today.
There was no point in saving person if the oerson didnt want to be saved and was just suffering everyday by just living. She hated this world in a way, even though not all part of it.
Oh and check out Melatonin fic: Frieren: Nah I'd Win!
He is doing a mass release today. I also have tagged it below so you can go directly to it.
And lastly good night.
Next two chapters are already on my discord.
Melatonin, spawn and many more on my discord … thanks for beta reading this fic and not to mention suggestions too.
Hoped you all liked the chapter and all.
And if you want to read ahead you can do it by just joining my discord server.
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