Dino seemed to show his true colors in Tempest, as if he was waiting for the timing when we would be in the middle of combat with the Empire’s army (or rather, we might be the one who chose the time). I confirmed the damage immediately, Gerudo had received serious injuries while Shion and Souei seemed to be lightly injured. Shion’s injury was only to the degree that it will be healed immediately, while Souei could hardly be called wounded, as such I felt relieved. On the other hand, Gerudo’s injuries seem to be considerably bad. It didn’t endanger his life, however, he seems to have fallen into a situation of needing a complete bed rest. Because of my worry, I came back to check on his condition with the transfer gate during the break. 「Hey, Gerudo. Are you alright?」
「Oh Rimuru-sama! I, Gerudo am truly ashamed, due to my own uselessness, this one has caused worry for you. This one shall devote myself more from now on, and acquire a tougher body that wouldn’t be injured to this degree!」
「――Is that so. Then I shall anticipate it. In which case, I will help you only a bit.」
《Notification. Would you like to carry out the evolution of Individual: Gerudo? YES/NO》
「It’s just a perfect opportunity, while you are imagining the appearance that you desire for yourself, you should take a break.」 「Understood! I’m very grateful for the blessings you have conferred to me!」
And, there’s another job for me. I go to the labyrinth groups’ posts. Inside the labyrinth, Dino seemed to have aimed at Ramiris, so there was a necessity to deal with it for the future. I listen to the story, as it’s necessary for the future. Dino had defeated Beretta, he also overwhelmed Adalman and Albert, it seems he had been on the verge of laying his hands on Ramiris. Oh well, in the end, Ramiris is safe because Zegion protected her, it was a smart decision to keep an eye on him from the start, as I had predicted Dino’s betrayal. But, it doesn’t mean that Beretta and Adalman are weak. They are plenty strong, however Dino was a more powerful enemy than we had expected.
I don’t mean that Adalman and the others’ performance was poor, rather I want to praise them, for splendidly buying time. However, I’m afraid that they, who were very earnest, might blame themselves again. And, just as I thought,
When I for called Beretta, Adalman and company were bowing their heads and apologizing to me. As expected. I thought that they will feel some sort of responsibility, like this.
Beretta still argued vehemently. He must be quite frustrated, however I believe that he was not the only one to have noticed whether he could win or not, in addition he took the most appropriate action. He seemed to settle down at last, when I praised him that it was a splendid work. Beretta and Adalman have already earned enough achievements, not just from doing a reckless attack knowing that it was impossible to win against Dino. Concerning the results, Ramiris is safe so there is no problems whatsoever. Besides,
So, I took a pose as if showing “What a Great Demon Lord!”, and held my hand over Adalman’s head.
I reply with YES and Adalman’s awakening evolution completes. The next is Beretta. Fortunately, I acquired a large amount of souls during the battle with the Empire Army, therefore I am able to evolve Beretta. Although I had changed the master and servant relation to Ramiris as the master rather than me, Beretta is still one of the devils that I created. Even now, I own the authority as the sub-master, and there’s also the important duty of protecting Ramiris. Because I can strengthen him, I want to awake him. The power that will be necessary to accompany the four dragon kings. 「You too, Beretta. From now on, continue to protect Ramiris!」
「Yes! I will put this life on the line!」
And with this, one of my tasks came to an end. When I visited Ramiris who was sleeping innocently on the couch, she seemed to be sleeping in bliss. It’s quite the relief that she’s safe. 「Munya munya…… Dino you bastard! I will test all of my 48 special moves on you……」
「I am so glad that you’re safe.」
I believe that the labyrinth will be alright so long as Zegion protects it, but for the time being I asked about it from Zegion as well.
What is he trying to say? A strike that crosses space-time? I might not be able to do that…… What kind of monster does this guy picture me as……
This is far beyond mere respect, I feel like his gaze is more like someone who is revering their God. Because Zegion has compound eyes, this might be no more than my imagination. Pulling myself together, I spoke with Zegion for a while. Apparently, he carved a curse onto Dino. Not the Thought Manipulation kind, but the terrifying kind that even has the power over life and death.
‘What really are Skills?’
It is still easy to understand a species inherent skill. Because, just like it is stated, it is a skill that specific species have. I can also similarly understand Extra Skills and Basic Skills, like swordsmanship and sorcery. Because such skills only generate differences between each individual based on their level of proficiency. However, Unique Skills generate individually, and the performance is respectively distinctive as well. There are also those which resemble closely that can be grouped together, yet there are none that are identical. Probably, even if the skills have the same name, their performance and rules may be different. From my current experience, I am certain that it is easy to awaken an ability by having a desire or a fervent wish. Rather than talent, it’s aptitude. No matter how much you wish for it, you can’t acquire it if your energy is insufficient. Anyways, skills aren’t something that can be acquired by wishing alone. The strength or weakness of the skill are directly influenced by the will. To manifest a more powerful effect, a strong will is necessary. In the end, I guess willpower is used as the primary power source. After ascertaining the nature of skills, the next step is to investigate its correct usage. Because I have Raphael-san with me, I had him teach me the correct usage. Even through acquiring skills by oneself, it isn’t like someone will understand how to use it. A good example might be Dino. According to Raphael-san, Dino’s skill seems to be『Slothful Lord Belphegor』of the Deadly Sin series. The Deadly Sin series are skills that are placed at the top rank among Ultimate Skills. Even so, he was completely defeated by Zegion. It was the result that Raphael-san had predicted. I had been half-convinced, however Raphael-san asserted that the labyrinth was all right if Zegion was there. The result is just as Raphael-san had said. Whereupon I heard the reason,
So, she had explained in that way, like saying it as a matter of course. 『Slothful Lord Belphegor』 that is born from a lazy mind becomes weaker as the holder moves. Therefore, the correct way to use it is to employ subordinates (or companions). It is only by granting the use of his ability to a proxy, that the skill will show its true power. If it’s Guy, He would understand the nature of the ability and master it correctly. However, a lazybones like Dino hadn’t seemed to notice the true nature of the skill. Rather, he might just master the skill instinctively and in an unexpected way if he always relied on other people. His defeat was the result of him moving. That fellow has such a character, and it might be why he had survived. Certainly, the moniker of “the more he works, the more he fails” is not just for show. Besides, there are also other skills which are difficult to control, like Masayuki’s, although he himself didn’t wish for it, as he is naturally seen as a hero. Isn’t it difficult to know the true nature of the skills and the ways to master them? It’s synonymous with understanding one’s heart, a complicated task. That is why you can never draw out its true performance if you mistake that a ‘skill’ is merely a weapon or the like.
The next question.
The true nature of Dino’s skill is the mass produced Ultimate Gift by『Justice Lord Michael』. The transfer of the skill to subordinates or companions, but can I transfer an invented ability? I can’t deny its possibility because there might be a previous example. However, if it is possible, does that mean it is possible to create an invincible army?
Raphael answered like it was nothing. I seem to be able to grant a copy of my ability to a person who has the aptitude for it. However, there is no meaning to it if the person can’t master it. Come to think of it, wouldn’t『Supply』make a good pair with『Food Chain』? From the very beginning, Raphael-san has conferred abilities only to the people who had the aptitude and were able to handle it. And for people who wished for it, for instance Zegion and Veldora-san’s skills, a strengthening remodeled version would be done. Even if I only gave strong abilities, I couldn’t give the mastery for it. Because of that, for strengthening, it is possible even if they asked for it from the beginning. Since if they didn’t ask for it, then it would be useless. Rudra was mistaken in that point. No, even if he noticed it, he might not have been able to help but to do so. Even if a powerful skill is given, there’s no meaning if the person themselves doesn’t understand their own mind or a strong will to master the ability.
‘In the first place, what is Angra Mainyu?’
N? Is that so, giving help to those in the middle of the evolution, huh? Helping with the ability promotion like what I did with Zegion? That might be good too.
As soon as I said it whimsically,
《！！！！！！！！》
《Notification. Manas (God’s Wisdom Core): Ciel was born from Ultimate Skill『Wisdom Lord Raphael』. This announcement was concealed by Manas: Ciel.》
《I, I am Ciel. The one who integrates skills, Manas. The one that will support my master, in Demon Lord Rimuru’s soul. Master, once again, please treat me well‼》
Thus “Ciel” was born separate from Raphael.
“Ciel” will play a further role as my sub-brain that unifies my abilities.