"Shuna… So you, too, found a benefactor."
Reunited at last, the siblings filled each other in on what had happened since they parted. Benimaru was deeply moved that his little sister and Shion had been saved by so great figure who not only rescued them but granted them nas and blessings.
No wonder he barely recognized them—they had undergone an evolution, just like he and the others had.
The two of them talked openly, without concealing anything from Rimuru. After hearing their story, he asked in puzzlent, "Wait, so you're saying the Orc Tribe disaster in the Great Forest of Jura was resolved by soone nad Rei Ao?"
Shuna nodded, wearing an expression of reverence. "Master not only defeated the Orc Demon Lord but apparently also got formal recognition of the forest's ownership from the Ten Demon Lords."
At that, she straightened her stance and locked eyes with Rimuru.
"I take it you're the leader of the Goblin settlent, correct?"
"Uh, yes, that'd be ."
"I've co not just to see my brother but also to inform you that, within the forest, you are expected to abide by its rules."
"'Abide by the rules?'"
Rimuru grew thoughtful, wondering whether that ant being subordinate to soone else or if it might pose a problem for the Goblin settlent. After all, he was responsible for the future of the entire tribe.
Nearby, a masked woman—Shizue—stepped forward, her voice cool. "This isn't a threat, but it isn't up for negotiation, either. It's just a notification."
She added, "Rei Ao asked to tell you this: The two elder sisters of the Storm Dragon are looking forward to seeing him."
In other words, Velzard and Velgrynd were just itching for a punching bag.
"!!!"
As a sli, Rimuru couldn't help but betray his shock. Inside him, the Storm Dragon stirred with an uneasy murmur:
"Better give in…"
Having been swallowed along with its seal, Veldora (the Storm Dragon) broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing ntion of his two elder sisters. Right now, he dearly wanted to know who this mysterious presence behind the Great Forest of Jura was.
Just from these simple statents, Rimuru realized he was dealing with soone who had:
Killed a newly risen Demon Lord
Formally secured the forest's ownership from the Ten Demon Lords
And had subordinates that included the Storm Dragon's two astonishingly powerful sisters
With Veldora urging him to give in, Rimuru made up his mind.
He nodded seriously. "Understood. The Goblin settlent will respect the rules of the forest."
"Good."
Shizue nodded toward Shuna and Shion. "We're done here. Let's go back."
"Brother…"
Shuna glanced at Benimaru. He finally ca around. He didn't understand much, but it was clear his sister had been taken under the wing of a truly significant figure, with a very bright future.
In the end, Benimaru let go, knowing that his sister was all grown up. Folding his arms across his chest, he laughed loudly. "No worries, Sis. I won't be standing still, either."
"Mm," she replied, beaming from her brother's support.
After the trio departed, Rimuru noticed Benimaru standing there in deep thought.
"Benimaru, what's on your mind?"
"It's nothing, Lord Rimuru," Benimaru said, shaking his head with a bitter grin. "I was just thinking that my once-little sister isn't just grown up—she might now be stronger than , too."
"…"
Rimuru didn't really know what to say. From the look of it, the magicules coursing within Shuna vastly exceeded Benimaru's own.
"But I won't let that get down."
Benimaru's eyes glimred with determination, his competitive spirit fully ignited. It was good to have a bit of ambition—but Veldora wasn't so optimistic about his prospects…
…
During the ongoing monster hunts led by Rei Ao, everyone's growth rate had skyrocketed—frankly, to a ridiculous degree.
[Na]: Treyni
[Level]: 25
[Na]: Shuna
[Level]: 28
[Na]: Shion
[Level]: 28
Even Futaba had made massive progress:
[Na]: Futaba Rio
[Level]: 15
Of course, no one's gains matched Rei Ao's. Who knew how many powerful monsters he had wiped out, plus two Demon Lords fallen by his hand:
[Na]: Rei Ao
[Level]: 63
[Abilities]: Omitted
[Possessions]: Omitted
[Description]: Even a dazzling star is but a plaything at your fingertips.
That cryptic summary hardly did justice to his actual prowess. He'd risen eight whole levels while in this world—its monsters truly were premium XP.
Were it not for a concern that mass slaughter might hamper Velzard and the others' environnt, Rei Ao would have been tempted to hunt down yet more Demon Lords. But, luckily, he was "kindhearted."
With little ti left in his stay, Rei Ao gave Treyni so parting instructions and then left this world, bringing Futaba and Rio along. Throughout the process, Rio had remained uncharacteristically quiet, her eyes tinged with complexity as they darted between Rei Ao and Futaba.
Rei Ao took note and offered a tily reminder, "…Rio, you've been gone two days. You'd better co up with a story for your family."
He himself could rely on Shizue, so missing a bit of school caused no big issues. But Rio had basically been yanked here out of nowhere.
"…"
Futaba Rio abruptly recalled that fact—how would her family have reacted to her disappearance?
Seeing the change in her expression, Rei Ao rely said, "Better go check on them first."
…
Back ho—for Futaba Rio, it was just a flash of light. Her vision blinked, and the next mont—
She was in her own bedroom again.
"Rio?!"
Hearing movent, her family rushed in.
"…"
Seeing their anxious faces, Rio felt touched—and braced herself to lie. Carefully piecing together a "scientifically rigorous" excuse, she spent quite a while explaining her disappearance. Eventually, it was enough to reassure her family. They, too, didn't overthink it; seeing her safe was relief enough. Accepting her need to rest, her parents left her room.
Alone once more, Rio stood in silence. Then she lifted her hand.
Drip, drip…
A swirl of invisible blue water curled around her arm. She felt the power she'd gained from Rei Ao surging, even though she had done nothing to cultivate it. One thought ca to her mind—Futaba. Combined with the bizarre incidents in her own body over the past days, she ford a deeply unsettling suspicion.
"Futaba and Rei Ao, they're…"
Lowering her gaze to her skirt, Futaba Rio realized, for the first ti, that leaving Futaba alone in Rei Ao's care had likely been a huge mistake.
~~~
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