Reminiscence~ Funeral March
Fire pouring from the sky like rain… that’s the first scene I remember.
I was afraid to look above it.
Should I run someplace?
Izawa Shizue was slowly drowning in despair.
And then, she felt she was bathed in strong light…
Ah… so this is where I die…
She was just a young girl, but that much she could understand.
With no relatives, she lived alone with her mother.
She felt neither blessed nor unfortunate. That being the norm, she could do naught but accept.
“Do you wish to live? If you desire life, answer my call!”
A voice resounded in her head.
She was too young to answer such a question.
However… looking at her mother who was reduced to nothing but a hand… I want to live! She screamed.
＜＜Acknowledged. Answering the summoner’s request… success＞＞
I want to live without having to fear the fire!
＜＜Acknowledged. Acquiring Extra Skill [Fire Manipulation]… success＞＞
The next time I opened my eyes I was in a demon’s lair.
Long golden hair, blue eyes. A well ordered face, almond shaped eyes.
So beautiful that it wouldn’t be strange to mistake him for a woman.
He is whom the humans call the Demon Lord. Also known as the Blond Devil.
「Aah… failed again.」
He so muttered, losing interest in her.
She did not matter to him.
Even now she sometimes recalls. That beautiful face. And, the arrogant eyes, devoid of interest.
But at the time, she could only survive by clinging to him,
In the end, she was saved by the Demon Lord’s whim.
「Wait a second…」
She reached out to him.
“Maybe he, beautiful like an angel, would heal my pain?” So she thought, but…
「Thought it was just trash, but this thing is suitable with fire, huh.」
With those words, he called forth the Flame Giant Ifrit. With no incantation, as if he were breathing.
And the summoned Ifrit, obeyed without question.
「I bestow upon you flesh. Use it!」
Those words, to the girl, became undeniable proof dashing her hopes.
As this curse (trauma) engraved itself upon her heart.
However, is can also be said that this possession enabled her to keep her life.
Since then, how much time had passed…?
As a flame demon, she ruled over one of the Demon Lord’s castle. By his side, as a high demon.
*Gotsun gotsun gotsun*
The footsteps reverberated through the castle halls.
The girl was the rear guard. A sacrificial piece.
The one who was approaching was the “Hero”.
A beauty that would rival the Demon Lord. The only difference, the hero was a woman.
With one glance, she was certain.
I can’t win!
When that thought overpowered Ifrit’s minds, a little of the girl’s ego had returned.
She looked the hero in the eyes.
「He…. help me…」
Words that one’d easily ignored. Who’d trust the words of a demon…?
However,
「It’ll be fine from now on. Good job enduring this far!」
And from then on she was cared by the hero.
Her whole body she covered with a robe, and thus she followed the hero.
Then one day the Hero left on a journey.
The girl as well planned similar action. That one day she’d set of on a journey.
Who had saved her life, and then threw her away.
Therefore, the girl hardly found the hero’s actions reproachable.
But there was one regret left–she had never seen the hero’s smile.
Since then, the girl became famous for her heroic deeds.
She also took part training adventurers and her successors.
At one time, she had taught excellent pupils.
With a depressed gaze– a girl. Sakaguchi Hinata.
These two were polar opposites.
“That’s probably because Hinata was attacked the moment she came here.”
She was able to kill the assailants, and thus escaped safely, but probably made some frightening memories as a result.
But, that was a mistake.
「Sensei, thank you for the care you have shown. I fear there is nothing else I can learn from you. Nor shall we meet again, I think.」
With those words, and without a second glance, Hinata had left.
After a few years, Hinata had received an important post within the empire, but was not satisfied.
In comparison, Yuuki was a sweet boy.
As a result of it, casualties during subjugation missions greatly decreased.
Shizue had been supporting Yuuki behind the scenes.
And, recently,
As her lifespan dwindled, she felt she was unable to restrain Ifrit’s consciousness any longer.
So she told herself, “I don’t have long to live!”
Thus, she decided to set off.
Without a word, he acknowledged her resolve. Perhaps he had wanted to stop her, but…
At the time, a message came from the the Farmas Kingdom’s guild.
Veldora’s disappearance confirmed. Will continue investigation!
Was it perhaps some divine guidance?
Someone needed to slip in with the trio.
She was glad to have met such good companions on her last journey.
A strange city.
Well, it wasn’t really a city, though; lacking a single building, everyone lived in tents. Clearly a temporary measure.
It was unthinkable, in the first place, to be saved by monsters.
That is, each time she used her powers, Ifrit’s consciousness would strengthen.
Thus, she met a strange monster, with the attitude of a king, arrogantly carrying itself.
Although the monster could speak, the words uttered were,
A line that no one would ever believe.
The fun times abruptly ended.
At the moment her life force seemed to have finally ran out, Ifrit took over her consciousness.
As if sneering at her thoughts and hopes, the demon had manifested.
And she lost her consciousness.
……….
…..
I tried to check on the woman’s condition.
She will probably not awaken.
However, as a compatriot of mine, I want to see her through to the end. Those were my thoughts.
The three injured adventurers were in high spirits.
“I won’t be paying your hospital bills!” I wanted to shout, but,
「What is this? The burns have completely disappeared… and my skin feels smooth and shiny!」
「Awesome… with those injuries, I thought we’d be bedridden for weeks…」
「Well, I’ll be… these guys have some amazing medicine.」
They seem to have healed without issue.
However,
「But, with this, we won’t be getting any injury compensation, will we?」
「Yeah… No one we’ll believe us…」
「Yup… but I’d take this over being left with injuries!」
Suddenly they had started to discuss their financial worries.
Let’s tell them to come hang out here sometime,
「What should we report to the guild master?」
But instead, they were the ones who asked.
I admire adventurers. But, since I probably won’t be able to avoid a background check, registering with the guild may prove hard for a monster.
Really, what a great guy.
Being pleased with them, I decided to give them some parting gifts,
Spider robe,
Hard-leather armor,
I handed to them those goods along with 10 pieces of the restoration medicine.
「Wha!!! What’s with this robe!!! So light, but sturdy! Actually, very sturdy!」
「Whoa!!! The famous Scalemail!!! Wait, isn’t this master Garm’s product?! I’ll make it my family heirloom!!!」
「Eeh! Is this fine? This is clearly wasted on someone like me. And to have used the skin of fang wolves…」
What to say, a noisier reaction than expect.
It was clearly not my fault, but I can sympathize a bit.
Which, of course, I won’t tell them.
No problem. No need to tell them either.
Well, if they are this happy, they’ll definitely deliver the message.
And although they did worry greatly for Shizu-san, they set off three days later.
And a week had passed.
Shizu-san has awoken.
「This is… I see… sorry for the trouble」
She’s fully conscious.
Seems like she clearly remembers her time as the demon.
「I saw a dream…
A nostalgic dream. Of a city… to which I can no longer return」
In Japan?
「Hey, Slime-san. Could you tell me your name?」
I thought I already introduced myself as Rimuru.
「Rimuru」
She closed her eyes as if in deep thought.
「Could you tell me your real name?」
So she asked.
Had she noticed? And after a moment of hesitation.
「Fine. You won’t last long anyways. It’s Mikami Satoru.」
My real name. Didn’t think I’d ever say it again.
「As I thought, you’re Japanese, huh… I wondered if that was the case. That air you carry, you know」
Silence. And then,
「I also asked this of my disciples. What do you think became of that beautiful city? The one that turned into a sea of flames…?」
「Oh. Let me show you.」
Having said so, I conveyed my memories with [Telepathic Communication].
A truly useful skill at times like this.
「Ah…」
A tear rolled down her cheek. And,
「… Slime-san… no, Satoru-san. Would you listen to my request?」
「What is it?」
Probably some pointless request anyways.
But, since I decided to look after her to the end, I can at least listen to her request.
「Please eat me…!」
What? What did this granny just say?
「You ate the curse placed upon me… It made me so happy. Well, I did want to beat the guy who cursed me senseless, but…
My last request. Could you put me to rest within yourself?
There’s a chance I someday… meet that guy again…
Please. I beg you, eat me!」
Hmph.
For me to become her seal. For me, to succeed her hatred.
Am I unsure? To put her heart at ease, and to send her off peacefully.. I made my decision.
「Fine. I’ll carry out your vengeance. What is his name? 」
She opened her eyes wide to my question, revealing the burn marks, and with tears flowing down…
「Leon Cromwell. The strongest Demon Lord…」
As if in a prayer, she looks me in the eyes.
「I swear! By the name Mikami Satoru… no, by the name Rimuru Tempest!
I’ll force Leon Cromwell to regret having incurred your hatred.」
Thank you… she muttered.
And, she closed her eyes. And as if falling asleep, her last breath escaped her.
＜＜Activate Unique Skill [Predator]? [YES]/[NO]＞＞
Rest in peace, within me!
Within me, without waking for eternity, may you see only the happiest of dreams…
Status
Name: Rimuru Tempest
Divine Protection: the Storm Crest
Magic: None
Resistances: Thermal Fluctuation Resistance EX, Physical Attack Resistance, Pain Resistance, Electricity Resistance, Paralysis Resistance
———————————————
*Gotsun gotsun gotsun…*
The girl lifts her face up.
And, with relief, she smiled.
Here you were! Don’t leave me again!
But the shadows of men only shook their heads, pointing someplace.
And there,
Mother!!!
Filled with happiness, she rushed towards her parent.
Perhaps, they were but phantoms created by the girl herself…
And so, the girl reunited with her mother.
Her long journey had now come to an end.
Translator’s Corner
Clown: I’m crying you know…
AK: So am I Clown-sama *wipes away tears and hands back his handkerchief*