Conference room, 3rd POV:
The day after Blanche got revived, Rimuru called some of the executives to introduce her. Not everyone was here, as some were occupied with their tasks. And a few others…
-"Shuna fell sick, huh?" Rimuru wasn't surprised. He warned her once she was overworking herself, but to no avail. "And Vesta? Apparently he's involved in this."
-"She asked him for a fortifying potion. Unfortunately, this guy messed with the posology. He couldn't read it properly as he was too tired to be lucid." Souei reported with his usual calmness, in contrast to Benimaru who didn't hide how worried he was.
"She rampaged for an hour, before collapsing in her workshop. Now, she is bedridden. I also tied Vesta to his own couch, so he won't try to leave and take a proper rest instead."
-"It explains why Gabiru isn't here either, since he's alone in tending the lab. Let's hope he won't try his hands at chemistry unsupervised, he's still learning." Rimuru sighed, he knew this kind of blunder had to happen one day. "Well, it's best it happened in such calm times, before we get in the rush of the Foundation ceremony."
-"At least, it will serve as a lesson for them, and for everyone in Tempest. Guys, I'll ask you to listen carefully, and pass the word." Mithra sat deeply in her chair, resting her feet on the table. "It's good for you to be passionate about your work. But it isn't everything. Life is meant to be lived, so don't forget to take a good pause and vacation once in a while.
Remember to delegate some of your tasks when possible. Your subalterns aren't decoration, they know their job too. If we consider one of you to be too engrossed in work, we won't hesitate to take measures, forcing you to take a rest. Got it?"
She gazed at Geld, who was forced to quit his construction site and attend this meeting. He lowered his head, realizing his fault. No one objected, even if it will be harder for some to implement it.
-"Well, I can take this opportunity to reduce Shuna's workload. She had too many things under her care. Now, her tasks as economic advisor will be handled by our new Minister of Economy." Rimuru made a sign to Blanche to approach.
-"I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Blanche. I hope we'll get along." She bowed with elegance, while Testa had a smug face behind her.
Yesterday's evening, after having visited the city with Testa, Blanche went to Rimuru's office to tell him what she wanted to do. As a thanks for the second chance he gave her, and as a means to be closer to her dear 'Big Sis', she asked for a job.
Scouring the available slots, he searched for a position worthy of her talents. He realized Tempest didn't have an official head for the economy department. Until now, Shuna and Rigurd each handled a part of the management, but it was because they lacked enough skilled executives in that domain.
-"I can't believe we now have a mini Testa here." Carrera scrutinized her, followed by Ultima.
-"Back off you two. You're too dangerous for her sanity." Testa shielded her friend with a hug, while Blanche looked at them with an innocent smile.
-"Apologies for our tardiness. We are greeting our princess, Lady Blanche." Moss and Cien returned from their mission and bent the knee, in respect for their new co-master.
-"Princess?" Ultima ticked, as the princess play is her trademark.
-"Oh, pleased to meet you. You must be Testa's son. I won't mind if you call me Sister or anything." She dropped his death sentence without being aware.
-"...Who told you that joke?" Testa kept a straight face, while Moss is internally praying for a swift execution. Even Cien is pitying him.
-"Well, Lady Mithra… Wait, it's a joke?" Blanche had a puzzled face, and Mithra laughed in silence, her feet still on the table.
-"...Haaa. Doesn't matter." Testa stroked Blanche's hair, not giving a damn about Moss, who died inside.
Akamaru's family house, Shion's POV:
-"How many times did we tell you to keep it easy?" I scolded Shuna, while helping her eat some porridge. "It was always like that, trying to do everything by yourself."
-"I get it. I learned my mistake this time. I'm so ashamed to have worried you all." Her voice faded into a cough, she's sweating bullets.
-"Seriously… Imma make sure you'll stay in bed as long as needed. I have known you for long enough to tell you would try escaping and go back to work."
-"Heh, I'm no match for your brute strength since you've evolved either." She gulped a spoonful. "It's tasty."
-"I'm glad it's to your liking." Mikan served her a glass of water, and kissed her forehead. "Rest well sweetie. Shion, you can stay and eat lunch with us afterwards. I would like to talk more with you."
-"Thank you, ma'am." I gave Shuna another spoonful. "Somehow it reminds me of the time our roles were reversed a few years ago."
-"When you ate some poisonous herbs, because you mistook it for some edible plant? You were always prone to this kind of blunder."
-"Yeah, yeah, I've heard I'm an airhead enough… How stupid it is for a bodyguard to be so unreliable."
For a moment, there were no sounds. Probably because while I was saying that, I stuck the spoon too hard in her mouth, making her choke. See? It's so easy for me to make a mistake.
I tapped her back to help her catch her breath. Then I continued feeding her while being more careful. Once she finished her plate, Shuna held my hand.
-"...I realize I didn't say it enough but, you're not just a bodyguard, Shion. You're my friend. No matter how airheaded or prone to blunder you are, first and foremost, you are my dear friend. Don't forget it."
Somehow, her words made me feel good. I let her sleep, and got to the dining room. Benimaru arrived, and was talking with his father. Lady Mikan brought enough dishes to feed a regiment.
The meal went well, even if I felt a little out of place in this family reunion. Benimaru was complaining about Souei who pulled a prank on him. Lady Mikan asked me many things about my life and how her children were when they were kids. I had a fun time recalling our adventures when we were younger though.
-"Hey Beni, is it me or are you leaving your carrots aside again?"
-"Dammit, Shion. You know I can't stand them." He tried to burn them and destroy all evidence.
-"Even Lady Milim managed to overcome her disdain for vegetables. Are you telling me the commander of Tempest's regular army got defeated by mere plants?" I mocked him, not letting go of this opportunity to mess with him.
-"Hnngh. Damn you, I'll show you." He took the bait and swallowed the carrots in one go. He gulped his glass before showing a disgusted face, sticking out his tongue.
-"Hehe, you have a great relationship. I'm glad." Lady Mikan laughed before turning to Sir Akamaru. "Dear, I think you wanted to tell this girl something."
-"Right. Shion, when I took you under my roof, it's true I originally raised you as my daughter's bodyguard." He folded his arms, looking at me in the eyes. "But I want to acknowledge that our relationship has evolved since then."
-"What do you mean?" It confused me. I couldn't see where he wanted to go, and for a moment, I feared he would disapprove of something I did, even if I didn't know what.
-"You've grown to be more than that. When it was still the Ogre village, I didn't dare to say it, as I had my role as a chief in a ruthless land. But I've started to think of you as my second daughter."
-"...Huh?"
-"It's not only me. I saw how you became close with my children, more than a simple bodyguard could ever be. You probably aren't aware, but when they are home, those two can't help but talk about you every day. Right, son?"
-"Well, yeah. We grew up together, playing and laughing as kids, and training under Hakurou. You were always here, following us in our dumbest ideas, and many more. To be honest, you're like a sister." He scratched his cheek in embarrassment, and looked at the carrots, finding them interesting.
…I'm dreaming, right? It seems too good to be true. It isn't Sir Akamaru's type to step out of bounds like that. As I was resting shocked in my chair, Lady Mikan passed her arm around my shoulders.
-"We have heard about your distress from Lady Mithra, that's what pushed them to invite you. Don't worry, I can tell those are my husband and children's honest thoughts about you.
As for me, even if we knew each other merely for a few days, I saw enough to tell that you're a good girl. I wouldn't mind having someone else I could call my daughter. Thank you for having looked after my family."
-"Isn't it great, Shion? Welcome to our house, once and for all." Benimaru served cups of sake, and cheered.
At this moment, my mind went blank. I remember I was crying all the tears of joy I could, while Beni and Sir Akamar- no, father, were drinking their cups and laughing. Please, if this is a dream, don't wake me up.
Jistav's training ground near the castle, Third POV:
-"Is that all? What a shame for an ex-Demon Lord." Agera taunted Clayman after disarming him.
-"Huff, huff… Just you wait, I'm not gonna let myself be mocked forever by a demon who can't even use magic." He summoned an axe before charging like a madman.
-"I can't believe what I'm seeing. This idiot finally decided to train." Laplace was eating popcorn, installed on a bench to witness Clayman's humiliation.
It started after Clayman had been freed from Rimuru's grasp. He returned to his castle, and called a meeting with his remaining lieutenants. The only survivors were Alvaro, his ex-commander of the Five Fingers, and Eva, his faithful maid and the elder of the Dark Elves.
The ambiance was heavy. Alvaro had followed him to Walpurgis, and witnessed how weak they were. Moreover, he had lost most of his respect toward his master for decades, seeing his slow descent into madness. He only remained for his duty toward his kin.
Eva, on her side, was looking at the ground, downhearted. She knew Clayman for so long. Even if he had his shortcomings, she remembered how funny and kind he could be toward his followers. But as time passed, she lost her smile due to his newfound cruelty.
-"I'm sorry, for everything." Clayman threw his pride away and bent to the ground, at his retainers' bafflement. "This is all my fault, I was too weak-willed."
-"Sir Clayman. Please, raise your head." Forgetting her negative emotions, Eva tried to make him stop.
-"Eva, don't. I need to voice my regrets, and to apologize."
Clayman gave them a summary of what happened to him. Starting from the time his mind first got meddled with by someone of the Eastern Empire, until he received mercy from Rimuru in exchange of being his vassal.
While he talked, Alvaro and Eva put the gears together. With his explanation, they understood it all started when Clayman met with some merchants outside of his land. They cursed their own incompetence, having thought it was merely him going paranoid over time.
"I won't ask for forgiveness. I only hope we can still work together, for our people." He was still on all fours, not daring to look at them.
-"...It will be hard. But, if you're that willing to start anew, then I can't be stubborn and refuse to give you a chance." Alvaro said, still holding conflicting feelings. After what his master did, he can't brush it off so fast.
-"I'm just glad you have returned to us." Eva cracked a smile for the first time in years.
-"Thank you guys." Clayman rose, and went to look at the window, toward where the underground capital lays. "I swear upon my name. This time, I will do my best to live up to everyone's expectations."
First, he had to pass the word about Jistav's current state to his people. It was tedious, as many of them were weary of him. The last years, all civilians were confined in Amrita, strictly forbidden to leave. Also, even within their underground prison, they knew what kind of punishment awaited the army if they failed to meet his expectations.
Thankfully, the majority of the soldiers were safe, albeit prisoners of war. When Benimaru escorted them for their release, it helped release the tension. And when they heard about Kagali's return, the Elves were convinced it could be a new prosperous era for their country. The fact that Jistav became a vassal didn't bother them.
Of course, it wasn't enough for Clayman. His crushing defeat haunted him. He knew he was the weakest of the Moderate Troup, but he never thought the gap between his friends and the true powerful was that large. They all overestimated themselves.
So, unlike all those centuries where he brushed aside the idea of training, he decided to polish his skills. If the Empire attacks one day, he wanted to at least be able to stall for time while his people would seek refuge. For that, he asked for some help from Tempest, explaining the current situation…
*Clang*
Tempest dispatched Agera as an instructor for now, and he was giving hell to Clayman. The clown was on the floor, knocked out by a counter.
-"Well, there's still ground for improvement. That will be all for today." Agera sheathed his blade, and left.
-"Ahhhhhhh… I'm glad Eva isn't here for our daily exercise." He stayed there a few minutes, unable to move his limbs after this beating.
-"I wonder if he'll survive this routine." Laplace emptied his popcorn, before returning to his occupations.
Nova Stella's market place, Apito's POV:
-"Thank you for your patronage." I'm enjoying selling my products and seeing how people appreciate them.
-"Apito, I don't see what is the point in me being here." Zegion said awkwardly, contrasting with his imposing physique.
-"If I didn't drag you along, you would have stayed in the Labyrinth, training mindlessly again. That's not good. You must take some fresh air once in a while."
-"But-"
-"No 'but'. I understand that's how you want to be useful for Great Rimuru and Mithra, but they told you already." I poked his head in annoyance, the passersby gave us some weird looks. "Profit from your life a little more. And I'm not including the few times where you ask them for stories about your hero. Do something else for once, dammit."
-"..." He backed a little from my scolding, it seems he searched what to say. "I see you've gained confidence. I'm proud of you."
-"Tsk. Idiot brother. But thanks."
The day passed in a flash. I've sold most of my products, and after a while, Zegion tried to help me. He was doing his best, even if his deep voice startled a few customers.
Once we finished, we went on a walk, tasting new specialties. I admit it became my weak spot. It's fun to see the merchant's joyous expression when I'm digging in the food. Maybe that's what my customers are seeing with me too.
On the way, we stumbled upon Geld, who was ordered to take a rest. He was playing with children, and I was trying to not laugh when they climbed on Zegion, making him uneasy.
Once they left him, we continued to a nearby park. I surprised myself by humming, it seems I got accustomed to this peace. When we got near a pond, I realized that Zegion was behind, looking at the stars, pensive.
-"So, it wasn't bad to take it easy for once, right?"
-"Mmh, true." He said a single word before going silent again. I know he's not the type to talk, but I can feel there's something more. "Apito, do you know why I'm being so obstinate in my training?"
-"...Because of the day we fled in catastrophe, am I right?"
I wish I could forget it. Zegion and I were born with a specific role: to serve as 'replacement' in case something were to happen to our forefather Zelanus, and our queen Peliod. Well, that's the official way of putting it, as they would never have let us gain too much power. They would have disposed of us before we got strong enough.
And that's what happened, not with them, but with our eldest brother Zess. He took his personality from our ancestor, and attacked us, fearing we would surpass him. If it wasn't for Zegion's instincts, we would be dead already.
-"If our paths cross again, I want to show this bastard that I became what he feared. Even to our ancestor Zelanus, it will serve as a warning." He clenched his fists, and I saw a ferocious glimmer in his eyes. "I won't let them disturb our peace, not anymore.
That's also why I'm so admirative of Oryos. Once, I heard a forbidden tale about him. Apparently, he managed to pierce Zelanus' armor in a mock battle. And before we heard the truth of his disappearance by Great Rimuru, I thought he got executed because of it. That's why, I want to uphold his legacy."
I see. It wasn't just a mere guy's idolization of a legendary figure. I'm ashamed to have thought he was fanboying. And I'm happy to hear he's doing it for me too.
Well, I should speed up my own training. Since Zegion is so passionate, I must be able to follow him on the dreadest battlefields. He won't shoulder it alone.