I feel like I've been quite rude by not being able to see, but now.
(Hey, do you still remember the promise? ...Besides, you learned it so easily compared to how much you complained.)
(Of course! It's just a light joke. I can see my surroundings and even hear sounds. Thank you!)
(Hmph. It would have been better if you had taken more time to learn it....)
Well, it should be fine.
I was scared by the appearance, but this dragon was kind.
More than anything, this dragon seems to be very sensitive to loneliness.
It seems to be the type that suffers because of its appearance. It's like a "red demon." (1)
(Then, what do you plan to do from now on?)
(Well, I thought I'd try to find someone from the same world. Even if I can't find anyone, it shouldn't matter much.)
It would be better if I could find someone, but I'm not sure if we could get along well.
Rather, since I've finally gained sight, it would be good to explore the world.
The world has become wider now that I can feel light and sound.
With this, I don't need to pull up grass to pass the time.
However, this dragon.
The more I look at it, the more it seems evil, but it doesn't move at all.
Come to think of it, did you say it was sealed 300 years ago?
(By the way, didn't you say that Veldora was sealed... or something like that?)
(Hmm? That's right. I underestimated my opponent a bit, which was a mistake... I started to show my true strength halfway through, but I lost!)
For some reason, this dragon said it lost proudly!
Actually, no matter what, it doesn't seem like a sword or spear could even scratch a dragon with magic... right?
(Was the opponent that strong?)
Is there a lot of things stronger than such a monster?
The outside world might be more dangerous than I thought!
(Ah. They were strong. They were called "heroes" and had "blessings.")
Hero.
A very familiar existence in various games.
Recently, there have been many works inspired by heroes, so they don't have such an overwhelming image anymore.
But in this world, they seem to be truly strong.
(By the way, the hero called himself a "summoner." He might be from the same world as you.)
(Eh? No, no, if he's from the same world as me, he wouldn't be that strong, right?)
(No, people from other worlds who come to this world often have special abilities. It's a power that is engraved in their souls when they cross worlds.
A "summoner" has a 100% chance of having a special ability, and it's a unique skill that is the only one in the world.
Unlike those who fall into this world by chance, they have a strong enough soul to withstand the summoning.
The success rate of summoning is less than 0.03%, which supports this.)
(If it's summoning, did they use magic or something to call them...?)
(That's right. More than 30 magicians perform a ritual over three days. The success rate is low, but they expect them to serve as a powerful "weapon.")
(Huh? Weapon?)
(Hmm. The souls of "summoners" are engraved with a curse by magic so that they cannot disobey the one who summoned them.)
(What! Are the rights of the summoned people ignored!?)
(Rights?... People from other worlds sometimes mention it. But in this world, it's just a fantasy. The law of the jungle is the absolute truth in this world.)
Indeed...
It seems that being summoned to this world is something that can't be accepted with the senses of the original world.
(Then, do you treat people from other worlds like slaves?)
(No, it depends on the person. Since they don't have the "domination seal" engraved in their souls, they can live normally or become adventurers if they accept it.
Actually, I repelled the adventurers from other worlds who came to slay me several times! Hahaha!!!)
(That is, only those who are summoned are forced to work...)
(It's not work, but, well, it feels that way, doesn't it?
I know a lot about humans, but not everything.)
(That's true... because you're a dragon.)
Rather, you seem to know too much for a dragon.
Anyway, I'm glad I can talk, so I'll answer anything you ask.
For a while, I talked with the dragon, Veldora, about various things.
How the hero fought.
How strong the hero was.
White skin.
Crimson small lips.
Long black hair.
Not very tall, a bit short and slender build.
The eyes were covered by a mask, but it was clear that she was beautiful.
She was a woman.
Did you fall in love with her? I asked, and he got angry, saying, "Don't be ridiculous!"
She used a unique weapon, a sword called "katana," and didn't have a shield.
Unique Skill: Absolute Cutting
Unique Skill: Infinite Prison
She used various magic to bring me down! He said happily.
From the conversation, it seems that this dragon likes humans.
Even though he calls them vermin or trash, he doesn't kill those who attack him.
As long as they don't touch his scales...
Once, 300 years ago, an incident occurred where he returned after turning a village into ashes.
This incident led to the hero's arrival, and he was eventually sealed.
The hero used the Unique Skill: Infinite Prison.
I don't know how the dragon feels.
Ultimately, I can only imagine how others feel.
Still, I don't think this guy is a bad dragon.
Because I like him.
Now, I don't feel scared anymore.
So,
(Like! Then, um... no, me and you, can we be friends?)
A little, no, quite embarrassed.
My face must be bright red right now.
(What? A slime like you, wants to be friends with the revered "Storm Dragon Veldora"!?)
(Ah, no, if you don't want to, it's fine...)
(You idiot! You!!! No one said they didn't want to, didn't they!!!)
(Eh, really? Then... what do you want to do?)
(......That's right...... If you say you'll think about it, no matter what......)
Somehow, I feel like he's glancing at me.
It would be nice if he were a cute girl, but even a dragon with an evil appearance... I'm not happy.
It's fun though.
(No matter what, it is! It's decided! If you don't like it, we'll break up. I won't come back again!!!)
(Wait! ...I have no choice! I'll be your friend! Be grateful!)
Phew.
This dragon isn't honest either.
I'm not honest either, so we're a match.
(Then, nice to meet you!)
(Nice to meet you!... Then, I'll give you a name. You also name me!)
(Huh? Why? What's this all of a sudden?)
(The concept of equality is engraved in the soul. It's like a family name in human terms.
Naming me gives you a "blessing." You're still "nameless," but this allows you to call yourself a named monster!)
Hmm.
So, you want me to think of a family name ( = a name shared with the dragon).
I don't have a good sense...
(How about "Tempest" since it's a storm...?)
No, that won't work.
I like a simple sound, so something like "storm" or "gale" is too simple.
(It's decided! It's a great sound.)
You like it!
(From today, I am Veldora = Tempest! And you...
I'll give you the name "Rimuru." Call yourself Rimuru = Tempest!!!)
The name was engraved in my soul.
There was no change in appearance or ability.
But something changed deep in my soul.
The same applies to Veldora.
Thus, we became friends (or rather, a deeper "soul friend" relationship).
(Then, before we go, can the seal not be broken?)
(I can't break it with my power. If it were a unique skill on par with a hero, it might be possible, but...)
(Doesn't Veldora have a unique skill?)
(I do. But at the point of being sealed, I can't use any of them. I can barely use telepathy...)
Originally, the hero's Unique Skill: Infinite Prison is a skill that imprisons the target in an eternal time, an infinite void, and it doesn't have the power to interfere with the real world.
It's strange to think that only telepathy is possible.
It's impossible for the seal to weaken over time.
It's Veldora who can recognize the real world and interfere with telepathy that is strange...
A brilliant flash of light was emitted, and the unique skill's interference was attempted, but it was immediately repelled.
I tried to make a tiny hole, but that was all. It would be repaired immediately.
If it were the same unique skill, it might have worked, but that's not the case.
Why doesn't it work?
How can I...
[Answer. The interpretation of Unique Skill: Infinite Prison has been partially completed. I will reveal the escape method.
Physical escape is impossible. The possibility of destroying the prison with physical damage is 0%.
Escape by resolving the void is impossible to interpret.
Interpretation must be performed from within the prison, so it cannot be done now.
The possibility of escape by willpower alone is 1%.
The success rate of moving to a prepared medium from the outside is 3%.
This process is equivalent to reincarnation. If the compatibility with the medium is poor, both memory and abilities will be erased.
The revelation of the escape method is complete.]
...Hmm.
The success rate is too low.
All I can see is a trembling, transparent barrier. Unique Skill: Infinite Prison.
But it can't be destroyed by physical damage...
Perhaps it has an absolute defense ability.
(Do you know if the hero was damaged? Or did they get injured?)
(You asked well! Most of my attacks were dodged, but a few hit directly! However, none of them had any effect.
Even "Wind of Death," "Black Lightning," and "Wind of Destruction," which are impossible to avoid, had no effect! They just stood there with both hands and feet up! I couldn't help but laugh!!!)
Veldora laughed loudly.
Unique Skill: Infinite Prison can be used as a shield to protect the body from external attacks.
What a convenient skill.
Unique Skill: Absolute Cutting
Unique Skill: Infinite Prison
With these two, you're almost invincible, right?
I don't want to meet the person from 300 years ago.
They must be dead, so I hope it's fine.
They are definitely of the strongest class.
*Actually, Veldora is also of the strongest class. Rimuru has no way of knowing this at this time.
Anyway.
The escape method is reincarnation by transferring to a new body.
(To escape, a substitute is needed. It seems possible with willpower alone, but the success rate is low.)
There's no need to mention the probability.
If Veldora's will to do it decreases, the success rate will also decrease.
(Hmm? There is a way to escape! Actually, my magic power was almost depleted and I couldn't last another 100 years!
No matter what, the leakage of magic power didn't stop...)
(Indeed? So the magic power concentration in this area was high?)
(Hmm. Even high-level monsters couldn't approach. The land was barren, and no grass grew. Only rare plants could reproduce here!)
Ah.
Hypocrite grass came to mind.
So, most of them were valuable herbs.
(Well... If that's the case, do you want to try an escape experiment? The success rate increases if there's a body to transfer to. ...So, do you know what would be a good substitute?)
(...Probably, it would be difficult to gather magic power and reform the body with willpower alone. The possibility of success increased because you made a hole in the prison.
So, if a new core can be prepared, it's just a matter of transferring to it. That is, reincarnation!)
This guy!
I thought he wasn't very smart, but he has excellent reasoning.
Perfectly, the same conclusion as "The Great Sage."
(That's right. So, if something can be prepared, I can come and find it?)
(Uh... Actually, I need a core... It's a secret? I am a "complete individual" with a special core.