The scene I remember is of fireworks pouring down.
The hand of my mother, which I held, was so light.
Looking ahead was terrifying.
Incendiary bombs were exploding nearby, turning the area into a sea of flames.
Where can I run to?
The surroundings were covered in flames...
Izawa Shizune felt a sense of despair and bewilderment.
Then, she felt herself enveloped in a intense light.
Ah... Am I going to die here...
Even as a young girl, she could understand.
At that time, she was four years old.
She had no relatives to rely on and lived with her mother alone.
Her father had been taken away to war, and she couldn't even remember his face.
She didn't feel either fortunate or unfortunate. This was her daily life, and she had no choice but to accept it...
Faced with the fate of dying in the flames...
"Want to live? If you wish to live, answer my voice!"
A voice echoed in her head.
Do I want to live? I don't know.
She was too young to answer such a question.
But, still... seeing her mother, who had nothing left but her hands to protect her... I want to live! She thought.
《Confirmed. Responding to the summoner's request... Success.》
And, not yielding to the flames, I want to live!
《Confirmed. Acquired Extra Skill 'Heat Manipulation'... Success.》
The next time she opened her eyes, she was in a monster's nest.
In front of her was a beautiful "Demon King."
With long platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. A well-arranged face and sharp eyes.
Translucent white skin.
He was so beautiful that one might mistake him for a woman, a handsome man.
Leon Cromwell.
He was the "Demon King" of humans. His nickname was "The Blonde Demon."
"Ah... Another failure."
He muttered, losing interest in her.
Therefore, he didn't kill her, who was dying from severe burns, because she was still useful.
She was angry.
She still remembers it. That beautiful face. And the despair in his eyes, as if he found her uninteresting.
At that time, she had no other way to survive but to cling to him.
In the end, it was the Demon King's whim that saved her.
"Wait..."
Thinking of something, the Demon King muttered.
It felt strange to her...
"Save... me..."
She reached out to the Demon King, clinging to him.
If he were like an angel, beautiful, he could soothe her pain, she thought...
"I thought you were trash, but it seems you have an affinity for fire."
Saying this, he activated the summoning ritual "Flame Giant" without even chanting.
He gave a rough command to the summoned Flame Giant.
"I'm giving you a body. Use it well!"
This was proof that he didn't see her as a human.
Her anger turned into hatred.
This became the trauma etched in her heart.
However, because of this possession, she was able to escape death.
After some time...
She ruled over the Demon King's castle as a Flame Demon, one of his top demons.
The castle was quiet, with a soft sound echoing.
The Demon King had already fled. The castle was abandoned.
She was the general, a discard.
The Demon King used her as a tool until the end, without any emotion.
The "Hero" approached.
With long black hair tied back, his body was wrapped in dark leather armor.
A beautiful figure that rivaled the Demon King. The only difference was that the "Hero" was a girl.
The moment she saw her, she knew.
I can't win! She thought.
This psychological state suppressed the consciousness of the Flame Giant, and a little of her self returned.
She met the Hero's gaze.
"Sa... save me..."
It was a shameless thought. No one would listen to the plea of a demon like her...
However,
"It's okay now. You've done well!"
Hearing this, tears streamed down her face.
For the first time since coming to this world, she felt relief and leaned on the Hero, crying.
From then on, she was protected by the Hero.
The "Anti-Demon Mask" suppressed the Flame Giant's consciousness and also hid the scars from her burns.
She covered her body with a robe and followed the Hero.
Eventually, she became known as the "Ruler of the Blazing Flame."
However, the Hero left on a journey, leaving her behind...
The reason was unknown. Perhaps the Hero had a heart that couldn't be compromised.
She had something similar. She planned to leave on a journey someday.
To kill the Demon King.
He saved her and then abandoned her.
Even if the purpose was to kill, "Demon King" Leon Cromwell had become her reason to live.
Therefore, she had no right to criticize the Hero's actions.
The only regret was that she had never seen the Hero smile.
From then on, she actively supported the Hero.
She cooperated with the predecessor of the current Free Guild, the Adventurer Mutual Aid Association, and worked hard for its development.
She guided adventurers and was involved in the training of the next generation.
One day, she had the opportunity to meet two excellent students.
A boy with innocent eyes, Yuki Kagurazaka.
A girl with eyes filled with despair, Hinata Sakaguchi.
Two "transmigrants" from the same hometown.
They were truly contrasting.
Yuki, who was positive and bright, and Hinata, who always seemed to carry the darkness of the world.
When Hinata first came to this world, she was almost attacked by bandits. That must have been the reason.
Shizune thought.
The bandits were brutally killed by someone, and Hinata was unharmed, but she must have had a terrifying experience.
She felt a sense of familiarity with Hinata, who reminded her of herself.
However, she was wrong.
"Teacher, I'm grateful. I have nothing more to learn from you. I doubt we'll meet again."
Saying this, Hinata left without looking back.
She surpassed Shizune's strength in less than a month, thanks to her overwhelming understanding.
Even when she heard that Hinata had obtained an important position in the church years later, she could honestly accept it.
She felt a faint chill, but...
In contrast, Yuki was a kind boy.
He changed the name of the Adventurer Mutual Aid Association to the Free Guild and established the current system.
By introducing a ranking evaluation system to combat monsters, the death rate significantly decreased.
From then on, until today.
Shizune supported Yuki from behind.
More than anything, all she could do was guide the next generation.
Recently, she often dreamed about her past as a demon.
Perhaps her lifespan was running out, and she could no longer suppress the consciousness of the Flame Giant.
She still hadn't lost the ability of the "Anti-Demon Mask."
She realized that she didn't have much time left!
At the very least, she wanted to give the Demon King a taste of his own medicine.
She decided to leave on a journey.
To inform Yuki, she visited him.
Yuki didn't say anything and agreed. Perhaps he wanted to stop her, but...
At that moment, a message came from the Free Guild branch at the Palms Kingdom's royal palace.
Veldora's disappearance was confirmed. They would continue the investigation!
Was it a divine message?
In any case, they needed to penetrate the forest.
Three adventurers hid well.
Their characteristics were known to Yuki. As he described, they were a bright and kind team.
She was grateful to meet good companions for her final journey.
A strange village.
A village brought to life with the help of monsters.
Although it was just tents and one makeshift building, it was full of vitality.
The monsters worked happily, a peculiar village.
She never thought she would receive help from monsters.
If she used her fire power, she could burn all the giant ants, but she felt it was better not to.
As her strength weakened, the consciousness of the Flame Giant became more active.
If she let her guard down, there was a risk of losing control.
A strange monster leaned back like a king, looking arrogant.
It was amusing.
She burst out laughing at the fact that it could speak.
A monster saying it wasn't a bad slime! No one would believe such a story in the village.
The happy time suddenly came to an end.
I haven't achieved my goal yet...
As her lifespan was about to end, she felt the consciousness of the Flame Giant taking over.
I can't... cause any more trouble here...
The demon laughed at her thoughts and appeared.
Her consciousness faded to black.
?????????
??????
???
She confirmed her appearance.
She wouldn't last much longer.
She might not regain consciousness.
Still, as someone from the same hometown, she decided to watch over her until the end.
The three injured adventurers were healthy.
They complained about the danger and the hazard pay, but...
"This is strange. There's no trace of burns...
More than that, your skin is so smooth and shiny!!!"
"Amazing... I thought you wouldn't be able to move for a week with those injuries..."
"I'm surprised... to have such a powerful healing potion."
They recovered with the healing potion she gave them.
However,
"Still, with this, we should get hazard pay, right?"
"That's true... No one would believe us..."
"That's right... But, at least, it's good that there are no scars!"
They started to discuss the practical aspects.
They were really peaceful.
When she told them she wanted to visit the village,
"Should I inform the guild master?"
They said.
Pleased, she asked them to deliver the message.
She admired the adventurers. She hoped they would overlook the annoying identity verification and wondered if a monster could even register as an adventurer.
If they mentioned the name Kabal and Rimuru, the guild master would be informed, they promised.
Indeed, they were good people.
She happily prepared parting gifts: a Spider Robe, Scale Mail, Hard Leather Armor, 10 healing potions, and food.
"Wow! What is this robe!!! It's light and strong, incredibly strong!"
"Whoa???!!! The Scale Mail I've always wanted!!! Is it a master's work! I'll treasure it!!!"
"Wow! Is it okay! This is a work of art, worthy of Arang's leather!"
They were very pleased.
They had complained about their damaged equipment and the lack of replacements.
It wasn't her fault, but she felt a bit sympathetic.
The gifts were experimental, but...
She couldn't say, "These are just prototypes..."
They were so happy. There was no need to dampen their spirits.
It was fine. It was better not to tell them.
Even as prototypes, the quality was good!
They were so pleased. They would remember and deliver the message.
Finally, all three called her "Young Master!" and followed her.
They worried about Shizune until the end but left after staying for three days.
A week passed.
Shizune opened her eyes.
"This place... So, I caused trouble..."
Her consciousness was clear.
Even if she demonized, her memories were vivid.
"I was having a dream...
A nostalgic dream. A place I can't return to... the village."
Was it about Japan?
"Hey, Slime. What's your name?"
He must have said Rimuru... Is he senile?
"Rimuru."
Closing her eyes, thinking,
"Is that your real name?"
She asked.
Did she notice? She hesitated for a moment,
"Hmph. You don't have much time left. I'll tell you. My name is Satoshi Mikami."
Her true name. She thought she would never use it again...
"Indeed, you were Japanese... I thought so. The atmosphere... you know."
Silence. Then,
"I heard from my disciples. The village has become beautiful? The village that was once a sea of flames...?"
"Ah. Should I show you?"
Saying this, she used 'Thought Transmission' to share her memories.
At such times, it really is convenient.
"Ah..."
Shizune shed tears. Then,
"Hey, Slime... No, Satoshi. I have a request. Will you listen?"
"What is it?"
It's probably a simple wish.
But, she decided to see her through to the end. She would grant the wish.
"Eat me...!"
What? This old lady. What did she say?
"Eat the curse on me... It was tough. I wanted to beat the one who cursed me...
But, it was impossible for me... in any case.
It's my final wish. Will you let me sleep in you?
I... hate this world. I can't hate it as it is... like that man...
I might be seeing that man in this world...
So, I don't want to be reduced to this world.
Please, eat me...!"
Hmph.
A simple wish. It's easy for me.
A wish that binds me, I will inherit her hatred.
Is there any hesitation? To let her go peacefully..., the answer is decided.
"Sure. I'll carry on your hatred. What's the name of the man who hurt you?"
Opening her eyes wide, her face scarred, and tears streaming down...,
"Leon Cromwell. One of the strongest 'Demon Kings'..."
She looked at me as if in prayer.
"Promise me! By the name of Satoshi Mikami... no, Rimuru Tempest!
I'll make Leon Cromwell regret and feel your hatred."
Thank you... She muttered.
Then, she closed her eyes, as if falling asleep,
《Use Unique Skill 'Devourer'? YES/NO》
Sleep peacefully in me!
I think YES. Praying for her peace...
So that she can see a happy dream that never ends, in me...