Note: I just did my research very late. Supposedly, Ciel being a Manas, happened in volume 15 (light novel). In conclusion, I'm in the shit. Besides, with Shion where I wrote Muramasa's fainting, it shouldn't have happened. Shion is already a good cook after being resurrected, chronology errors I ended up writing for not researching before making this Fanfiction. There are more characters that need to be integrated into the story... but I don't feel like being honest. It was only focused on the relationship between Muramasa, Rimuru and Ciel.
In addition, I have another question. Since Ciel is a manas, does she walk with her own body (double body) or does it also happen in Rimuru's head?
Because if so, there is another problem in the story where Ciel should no longer be in Rimuru's head.
Chapter 7
Ciel watched in silence as Muramasa worked in the forge. Sparks were flying, and the constant sound of the hammer against the metal filled the space. Although she had spent a lot of time analyzing their interactions, something inside of her was beginning to change.
From the first day she had decided to analyze Muramasa as a possible threat, to the moment she had interfered with his thermal baths, Ciel had considered all of her actions as necessary experiments to better understand humans and their emotions. Now, however, something deeper was beginning to emerge.
"Ciel, can you pass me that tool?" Muramasa's voice roused her from her thoughts. Rimuru had been watching his reaction as well, with a mixture of curiosity and something else she couldn't quite identify.
"Sure," Ciel replied, handing him the tool. As she did so, her fingers brushed against Muramasa's for a brief moment. It was a strange sensation, a kind of spark that ran through her body. Ciel blinked, trying to process what she had just felt.
Muramasa didn't seem to notice anything unusual, but Rimuru did. She looked at her with a slight smile, as if she knew something Ciel was still trying to understand.
When Muramasa returned to focus on his work, Rimuru approached Ciel. "Are you okay?" She asked quietly.
"Yes, I'm fine," Ciel replied automatically. But in her mind, things weren't so clear. What had that feeling been? Why was I starting to feel these... emotions?
As the days went by, Ciel began to notice more of these little sparks. Not only with Muramasa, but also with Rimuru. She watched as Rimuru cared for others, showed affection and warmth, and began to mimic those actions, not out of analysis, but out of genuine curiosity and a desire to better understand those feelings.
On a rainy afternoon, while Muramasa was taking a break, Ciel sat next to Rimuru at the entrance of the forge, watching the rain fall.
"Rimuru-sama," she began, her tone softer than usual, "how do you know when you're feeling an emotion?"
Rimuru looked up, surprised by the question. "Well, it's something that you just... Feel. It's hard to explain, but it's like a reaction in your heart, something that makes you act a certain way."
Ciel nodded slowly. "I think I'm starting to understand it. It's... strange, but not unpleasant."
Rimuru smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's a good start, Ciel. Emotions can be confusing, but they're also what makes us who we are."
That night, as Ciel pondered the conversation, she realized that she was beginning to see Muramasa and Rimuru not just as subjects of analysis, but as companions. Friends, even. And that revelation brought with it a new emotion: hope.
Over time, Ciel began to display small gestures that reflected her growing understanding of human emotions. She helped Muramasa in the forge with more enthusiasm and offered her support to Rimuru in her daily tasks. Although she was still logical and analytical, there was a subtle change in her demeanor, a warmth that was not present before.
Muramasa, though reserved, noticed the change. "Ciel, you've been acting different lately," he remarked one day as he adjusted a newly forged blade.
"Different?" asked Ciel, tilting her head.
"Yes, more... human," he said, not knowing exactly how to express it.
Ciel smiled, a small but genuine expression. "I think that's thanks to you and Rimuru-sama. I'm beginning to understand what it means to be human."
Muramasa nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his words. "It's a good change. Keep it up."
As life in the forge continued, the connection between the three deepened, and Ciel, who had started out as a distant observer, found herself increasingly wrapped up in the emotional fabric that bound them together. This evolution not only enriched her understanding, but also strengthened the bond between Muramasa, Rimuru and herself, paving the way for a future full of possibilities.
❈•≫────≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫────≪•❈
The sound of waves gently crashing against the giant rocks filled the air as Muramasa and Hakurou sat atop a rock formation in the middle of the sea. They both held their fishing rods, calmly watching the crystal clear water that stretched out in front of them.
"This place is quiet," Muramasa remarked, adjusting the line of his rod. "A nice change of pace."
Hakurou, sitting with his back straight as always, nodded. "A little peace is necessary from time to time. Even for someone like you."
Muramasa let out a slight snort. "Was that a compliment or a criticism?"
"A simple comment," Hakurou replied with a light smile.
They both fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the tranquility that the moment offered. The sun shone high in the sky, and the cool wind brought with it the scent of the sea. Muramasa closed his eyes for a moment, letting calm envelop him.
However, this serenity would not last long.
In the distance, the laughter and voices of the group on the beach began to reach them. Among those voices stood out that of Rimuru, who clearly enjoyed the day away from the paperwork and responsibilities. Shion's characteristic laughter could also be heard, as she helped organize the meal along with Shuna and other companions.
Hakurou turned his head slightly toward Muramasa. "It looks like we're being called."
Muramasa looked down at the beach, where he saw Rimuru waving her arms in his direction, clearly trying to attract his attention.
"I guess we'd better get back before they come for us," Muramasa said as he began to gather his gear.
"A wise decision," Hakurou remarked, doing the same.
❈•≫────≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫────≪•❈
Back on the beach, the atmosphere was lively. The smell of freshly prepared food wafted through the air, and several of the group enjoyed playing games on the sand or the refreshing water of the sea.
Muramasa had barely left his team when he sensed Ciel's familiar presence approaching. Before he could even say anything, he felt the young woman grab his left arm with disconcerting naturalness.
"What are you doing?" asked Muramasa, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Ciel.
"Watching," Ciel replied in her calm tone, as if there was nothing extraordinary about her action. "Your reaction to my physical closeness is relevant to my analyses."
Before Muramasa could answer, another voice was present.
"Ciel! What do you think you're doing?"
Rimuru, her cheeks flushed, appeared out of nowhere and clung to Muramasa's right arm, looking at Ciel with a mixture of surprise and indignation.
"Why are you so close to him?" demanded Rimuru, clearly annoyed by the scene.
Ciel cocked her head, as if she were analyzing the situation. "Now you are doing the same," she pointed calmly, looking at Rimuru's arm that was also clutching Muramasa.
"That's because you started!" protested Rimuru, though her tone betrayed more shame than anger.
Muramasa, caught between the two, sighed. "Is it really necessary to do this here?"
Rimuru tried to answer, but the words got stuck in her throat. Finally, she turned her head to the side, muttering something unintelligible as she loosened her grip slightly.
Ciel, for her part, kept her neutral expression, though there was a gleam of something else in her eyes. "My experiment has yielded interesting results," she finally said, freeing Muramasa's arm.
"What kind of results?" asked Rimuru, frowning as she continued to cling to Muramasa's arm.
"Rimuru-sama's emotional response is more intense than I expected," Ciel replied, her tone almost sounding mocking.
"I'm not excited!" cried Rimuru, finally letting go of Muramasa's arm as her cheeks lit up even more.
Muramasa, who had remained silent during the discussion, took advantage of the moment to take a step back. "I'm going to fetch some water," he announced, quickly walking away before the situation could escalate further.
Rimuru watched him walk away, feeling a strange knot in her chest. "Ciel, this is not an experiment. You're just causing trouble."
"Trouble?" Ciel cocked her head again. "My observations suggest that this is a normal interaction between emotionally attached individuals."
"That doesn't make it any less annoying!" replied Rimuru, crossing her arms as she tried to calm down.
The beach was still bustling with activity. Laughter and shouts of joy filled the air, mingling with the constant sound of the waves. Beyond that, some important characters from Tempest City had scattered around the area: Benimaru was organizing an impromptu volleyball game, Shuna and Shion were working together on preparing extra food, and Rimuru and Ciel were sitting near the water, seemingly in a temporary truce after their small confrontation.
Muramasa, for his part, had found a quiet corner near a group of palm trees, watching the activity go on without feeling fully involved. He had never been one for crowds, and he preferred his space, but he couldn't deny that there was something pleasant about all of this.
However, their peace was interrupted by an imposing presence.
"Muramasa!"
Veldora Tempest's booming voice rang out, attracting some curious glances. The great dragon, in its humanoid form, approached with a smile that radiated energy and enthusiasm.
"Ah, the dragon," Muramasa commented in his typical dry tone, as he looked up at him.
"Don't be so cold! You can call me Veldora," the dragon insisted, sitting down without waiting for an invitation. "You always treat me with that aloof attitude."
Muramasa let out a slight sigh, but he did not deny it. "What do you need?"
"Nothing special! I just wanted to get to know you better," Veldora replied, crossing his arms behind his head as he looked at the horizon. "After all, you seem to be someone interesting... especially since Rimuru seems interested in you."
Muramasa raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Interested?"
The blacksmith remained silent, though his eyes reflected a mixture of disbelief and bewilderment. "Rimuru is a good customer. I don't see what else could be there."
Veldora laughed, his voice echoing on the beach. "How innocent you are! But I guess that's part of your charm."
Muramasa glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, not understanding what he meant by that comment. Before he could ask, however, Veldora held up a finger, as if he had just had a revelation.
"I get it! You're a tsundere!" declared Veldora, a triumphant expression on his face.
"Tsundere?" Muramasa frowned. "What the hell does that mean?"
"It's simple!" replied Veldora excitedly, folding his arms as if he were a scholar on the subject. "It's a term I learned from otherworldly manga. It describes someone who acts cold or indifferent, but deep down, has a warm heart and hidden romantic feelings."
Muramasa blinked slowly, processing what he had just heard. Then, he let out a sigh, putting a hand to the bridge of his nose. "I don't know what's more annoying: that you use words I don't understand or that you think that applies to me."
"You see! That's exactly what a tsundere would say!" insisted Veldora, pointing at him with a mischievous smile. "At first they deny it, but deep down... it's obvious!"
Muramasa closed his eyes, trying to contain his irritation. "I'm nothing like that. I'm not interested in those things. Now, are you done with your ridiculous theories or do I have to find something to throw at you?"
Veldora laughed even louder, clearly enjoying the blacksmith's reaction. "You're a classic case! You know? If this were a manga, you'd be in the category of the characters that all girls want to conquer."
"What are you talking about?" asked Muramasa, now confused and slightly frustrated.
"Nothing, nothing!" said Veldora, waving a hand to play it down. "I'm just saying you should pay attention. Rimuru and Ciel are very close to you lately. Maybe you're not as indifferent as you think."
Muramasa didn't answer, but something in Veldora's words echoed in his mind. He turned to look at Rimuru and Ciel, who were chatting in the distance. They both seemed to enjoy their conversation, but somehow, Veldora's comment made him feel uncomfortably aware of their presence.
Veldora, satisfied with his small intervention, got up with a broad smile. "Well, I would say my job here is done. See you later, Tsundere-kun!"
"Stop calling me that," Muramasa muttered, though the dragon was already walking away, laughing to himself.
The blacksmith let out a sigh and looked back at the horizon. Although he wanted to ignore Veldora's words, he couldn't help but think about what he had said.
(Rimuru and Ciel... Would they really be interested in me that way?)
With a mixture of irritation and confusion, Muramasa decided to focus on his tranquility again, even though he knew that Veldora's words would not disappear from his mind so easily.
Some distance from the area, a small group of teenagers watched in silence, their expressions full of curiosity and contained emotion.
"So that's Muramasa-san?" muttered Kenya, leaning forward a bit as he tried not to be too obvious.
"Shhh! Don't be so obvious," Alice scolded, crossing her arms as she cast a furtive glance at the blacksmith, who was now talking to Veldora.
"It's more serious than I thought," Gale said, scratching his head. "What's so special about our teacher spending so much time with him?"
Chloe, who was sitting quietly on a nearby rock, watched the scene with an almost imperceptible smile. Her eyes locked on Muramasa for a moment before responding in a serene and somewhat enigmatic tone.
"Because our teacher is in love with him."
The entire group turned to Chloe, surprised by her statement.
"What?" they exclaimed in unison, although they tried to keep their voices low so as not to attract attention.
Chloe just shrugged, as if it was an undeniable fact. "It's obvious, isn't it? You just have to look at how she looks at him when she thinks no one is watching. And Ciel... Well, she's not that careful. The way she acts makes it very clear what she feels."
"Teacher Rimuru, in love?!" Kenya seemed on the verge of collapse. "That's... That's weird! She's always been so cool and serious!"
"And what's wrong with her being in love?" Alice asked, raising an eyebrow. "After all, Muramasa-san looks like a good guy. Although... isn't it a little older for her?"
"Rimuru-sama will live for hundreds of years technically," Chloe said calmly. "Age isn't exactly an issue here."
"That sounds even weirder," Gale murmured, though his expression showed more confusion than rejection.
"Anyway," Ryota interjected, "why are we here watching instead of just introducing ourselves?"
"Because we don't want to interrupt," Alice replied, tapping her on the head. "This is serious business. If Rimuru-sama is in love, we need to make sure that guy is worthy of her."
Chloe let out a slight laugh, closing her eyes as she leaned against the rock. "Don't worry about it. Muramasa is more than worthy. What they should be watching is how Rimuru-sensei and Ciel silently compete for their attention."
The group turned back to Muramasa, observing how Rimuru and Ciel seemed, indeed, to be interacting in a curious manner as they cast small glances at Muramasa.
"Do you think Ciel has a crush on him, too?" Kenya asked, still trying to process the information.
"It's more than obvious," Chloe replied. "It's almost entertaining to see how they try to hide it, although I'm sure Muramasa has already realized it. His reaction is more... stoic, as if he didn't know what to do with those emotions."
"So what do we do?" Gale asked, worried.
"Let's just watch," Chloe said with a calm smile. "It's not every day that you get to see two women this strong vying for someone's heart."
The group nodded slowly, although Kenya still seemed confused by the whole situation.
Meanwhile, Muramasa looked up for a moment, his gaze fixed on the group of teenagers who were trying not to be too obvious as they watched him from afar. He frowned slightly as he caught up with Veldora.
"What are those children doing?" asked Muramasa.
Veldora followed his gaze and let out a loud laugh. "Ah, those are the students of Rimuru. They seem to be curious about you. Maybe they think you're a threat to their teacher?"
Muramasa sighed, folding his arms. "This is getting more complicated than I expected..."
Veldora, with his imposing figure and carefree attitude, talked incessantly about his great achievements and past battles.
Muramasa, as always, listened quietly, occasionally letting out a slight hmph or nodding slightly to keep the conversation going.
"Then, as I was saying," Veldora continued, gesturing enthusiastically, "my presence here not only enhances the atmosphere, but also raises the level of everyone else. That includes you, Muramasa!"
Muramasa let out a sigh. "Yes, sure, Storm Dragon. I don't feel stronger, but thank you for trying."
Veldora folded his arms, offended. "Amazing! Not only are you stubborn, you're also a killjoy!"
Before Muramasa could answer, they both noticed a group of figures ahead. Carrera, Ultima, and Testarossa were gathered in a circle, clear expressions of competition on their faces. Apparently, they were discussing who would be able to perform the most impressive challenge.
"I can destroy that rock with a single blow!" declared Carrera, pointing to a nearby rock formation.
Ultima laughed mischievously. "That's nothing. I can create an explosion that will turn that rock into dust."
Testarossa, always more elegant, smiled calmly. "If they want to impress so badly, maybe they should consider accuracy, not brute force."
Before they could carry out their demonstrations, the presence of Veldora and Muramasa interrupted their conversation.
"Ah! Veldora-sama!" exclaimed Ultima enthusiastically.
"And that's..." Carrera tilted her head, watching Muramasa curiously. "The blacksmith who has piqued Rimuru-sama's interest, right?"
"Correct," Testarossa replied, assessing Muramasa with a calculating look. "I've heard a lot about him. Apparently, Rimuru-sama has an interest in him... special."
Muramasa raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he watched them. "Special interest? I'm just a blacksmith who does his job well. There is nothing else."
Veldora let out a thunderous laugh, slapping Muramasa in the back hard enough to make him stagger. "Ha! That's the attitude of a true tsundere! Don't worry, Muramasa, we all know that."
Muramasa sighed, clearly irritated. "Again with that?"
Carrera stepped forward, her smile filling with emotion as she pointed to Muramasa. "So, blacksmith, are you strong? I'm intrigued to know how skilled you are in combat. What are you saying? A friendly fight?"
Muramasa shook his head with a calm gesture. "I'm not strong. I'm just a blacksmith. The katanas I forge are the ones that have real strength."
The statement caught the attention of Testarossa, who tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "What kind of katanas do you create, Muramasa?"
With a fluid motion, Muramasa summoned one of his katanas. The sword materialized in his hand, the edge shining with a faint light. Without a word, he brandished the katana pointing towards the horizon. The katana expelled a red-colored energy and suddenly, it cut through a piece of reality itself.
The air vibrated and a piece of reality fell away, falling into the sea with a dull rumble. The empty space began to repair itself little by little, as if reality itself was healing the crack caused by the katana's edge.
Veldora watched the scene with an amused smile. "That's awesome, Muramasa! Although..." he muttered, looking at the katana that was already beginning to disintegrate, turning into golden dust. "What happened to the katana?"
Muramasa, with his typical indifference, explained: "It's just ordinary steel. This katana has a very destructive power, but once it is used to its maximum capacity, it disintegrates."
Testarossa, with a twinkle of interest in her eyes, asked, "Have you considered forging a katana from another material? Maybe something more resistant, that is not so easily destroyed. I'm sure it could be even more powerful."
Muramasa shook his head slightly. "I'm not interested in that right now. The katanas I forge have a purpose and a limit. Using such a destructive one makes no sense, unless it's really necessary."
Muramasa paused, thoughtfully.
"There's a katana... called Tsumukari Muramasa. It has a special power, one so great that, if I use it to its fullest capacity, it could kill me." Muramasa stared at Testarossa, his eyes reflecting the gravity of his words.
Carrera crossed her arms, her face reflecting a mixture of disappointment and enthusiasm. "Too bad, it would have been interesting to fight that katana... But it seems that the use of the sword could kill you if you use it to full power."
Muramasa stared at her. "Exactly. It's a power I can't completely control, and that's why I'll only use it in extreme situations."
Veldora, always playful, laughed and took a step towards Muramasa. "Well, there's no need to kill you, huh? Better save that katana for the next time we need something really dramatic."
Muramasa simply nodded, as the group analyzed Muramasa's words and the katana he kept. Although he did not show it, inside him, Muramasa felt a mixture of satisfaction and concern. He had to remain cautious with that katana, but he couldn't deny that its power was a great asset.
Carrera and Testarossa withdrew little by little, and Veldora, with his usual carefree attitude, said goodbye too, while Muramasa stood contemplating the sea, thinking about his future.
"Sometime I'm sure I'll have to leave..." he thought silently, his golden eyes fixed on the horizon line, as if waiting for something he couldn't see. "For now, I will try to enjoy this free will before someone forces me to summon as a Servant."
Muramasa began to walk again, his mind full of contradictory thoughts. He had begun to integrate into the life of this world, something he had never planned to do. The company of Rimuru and Ciel, with their quiet conversations and moments, had made him feel more human than ever.
"Will I accept someone's summoning?" The question repeated itself in his mind like an echo.
As he walked, Muramasa realized that he was no longer just a stranger wandering around a world he didn't understand. He had grown fond of this place, especially two people... Rimuru and Ciel.
He was a Servant, and he knew that, at some point, someone would try to summon him. But the idea of leaving, of being called to fulfill a mission without being able to decide for himself, was unsettling to him.
"I ended up getting attached enough to both of them... This was a problem and mistake. This shouldn't have happened..." Muramasa thought, but at the same time he couldn't deny the affection he had begun to feel for them.
She looked at Rimuru and Ciel, who were chatting animatedly like great friends. Their laughter and the complicity they shared filled the air. When they realized Muramasa was watching them, they gestured for him to join them. A blush came over Rimuru's face, causing Muramasa to smile slightly.
"Was it the right thing to stay in this world and enjoy?" Muramasa wondered again. The feeling of belonging grew within him, but the idea of leaving this world also disturbed him.
"Being distant isn't working."
With a sigh, Muramasa decided that he could no longer fight against the inevitable. He approached them, ready to enjoy what was left of this moment, without thinking about the future or the unanswered questions that still hovered in his mind.
"It's my fault of wanting to build a wall, the only thing I'm doing is staying at a standstill. I'm not moving forward and I'm not going backwards, just looking at a wall I shouldn't have built."
"Without realizing it, I had denied all the experience I had lived as a Servant. How stupid of me."
"If she had been here, I would surely be scolded after lecturing her that I was the one to sacrifice myself for the creation of Exclaibur. After all, my existence has always been by swords."
"… I think it's time to change."
A smile was drawn on Muramasa while he was talking with Rimuru and Ciel, in the same way talking with the others who were enjoying this day at the beach.
❈•≫────≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫────≪•❈
Note: I think I'm already rushing the list of Muramasa, Rimuru and Ciel. As we are already in the month of December, on this date there are plans to travel especially to my maternal grandmother, who thank God is still alive. So I am thinking that the relationship between Muramasa, Rimuru and Ciel must move forward and be formalized. After all, this is a hobby, so I have to focus my personal life with my family.
Perhaps in two more chapters Rimuru and Ciel will confess, where Muramasa accepts, given that his thought of staying in this world is no longer a doubt, as you saw at the end of the chapter where Muramasa decided to accept the change he was withholding, where one day he will build a family with Rimuru and Ciel. This will be later, since after making the list of Muramasa, Rimuru and Ciel, we would already enter the Tensura canon.
When will it be?
Sometime.
I thank Dragon (Editor) for helping me with correcting the grammatical problems, but I will not abuse their kindness either. We each have a life outside the internet, so the story will be paused once the relationship is established.
Thank you for your attention, see you in the next chapter.