That Time I Got Isekai’d Again and Befriended a Slime

A great weight is gone from my shoulders.

We did it. We did it, Shizu. We saved them.

After Mary's return, our group plus Ramiris, travelled to the depths of the spirit dwelling. In there, and without any hiccups, five Greater Spirits bonded with my students.

Well, Chloe's "spirit" was a little more… odd. Something about time travel, and souls. But it all worked out, anyway. As long as the kids are safe and taken care of, I'm not worries about the troubles along the way. All that matters is that they are safe.

Yes… I have no regrets about this journey. How could I?

Well, one regret would be my departure. I've grown attached to my students. Mary has as well, though she still argues with them as though she herself were a student, rather than an adult young woman.

It is a shame to leave them behind so soon. But, well, the summer period is coming to a close. And my tenure as professor was only intended to cover the period required to save them.

Or, until they perished. But that didn't happen. We saved them.

Which means… it's time to go home, huh?

It's been a while. I've visited, but actually residing in my nation… I missed it. I can only imagine how Mary must feel, as unlike me, she has been unable to visit at all. Long distance warps don't sit well with her magical archetype, even now.

I can stabilize it on a good day, and act as a catalyst for a mutual warp, but that has its own factors. The trip to Ulgrasia served well as a test case. We should be able to make the warp home, if all goes well.

If depends on the mood, really. I'd understand if her excitement at returning home would keep her aura from stabilizing. I'm excited too.

I spoke to Benimaru earlier. Apparently, some mage bested our good friend Youm, and he got her to join his party right after. Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

It's all quiet on that front.

Good. I can't wait to see everyone.

-=-=-=-

A Few Weeks Ago

Royal Palace

Kingdom of Falmuth

"The nation of monsters is now known as the Jura Tempest Federation."

An opulent chamber, lengthy and arrogant. It is rectangular, with a lavish, gold and red velvet throne at its end.

"Such is their official title, as recognized by the Armed Nation of Dwargon and the Kingdom of Blumund."

It is an advisor, an older gentleman with a short ponytail and adorned in layered, high quality robes. He looks up from an unraveled scroll held between both hands, an expression of severe disapproval on his face. This is a born politician.

"The finance minister has compiled reports from the past several months. The damages to Falmuth's trade have been notable, and to quote, 'inexcusable'. In our current state, the financial losses continue to worsen." The advisor clears his throat. "What say you on this matter, Your Majesty?"

On that lavish throne, sits a distinguished, white-bearded man. Older, for certain, yet his age does not show beyond this. His hair is perhaps an outlier, or merely an early sign of advancing age. A furred cloak sits atop purple and gold robes, clothing him in the expected regalia of a king. Jewelry, rings and chained, adorn his fingers, and a simple, golden crown sits atop his head.

"Hm. Tempest is certainly too large to ignore any longer." The king of the Kingdom of Falmuth, Edmaris Falmuth, looks to his left. "Archbishop Reyheim, I wish to hear the Church's opinion. Speak."

"Your Majesty." The archbishop bows his bald head. "The Church's position remains unchanged. All monsters are unholy in the eyes of Luminous. Their extermination is key doctrine. So, my Liege, if you wish to hear the Church's thoughts on the matter… a nation of monsters needs no further allowance. There is no question."

"Indeed…"

It is a shame. I couldn't ask for anything better, assuming our ability to leverage control over them. If we could ensnare them, in the natural way of things, then that could well be the key.

The king waves a hand to his advisor.

"Gather the ministers. Inform them of the dire circumstances."

"At once, Your Majesty."

"Hold." The king calls out, after a moment.

The advisor pauses.

Edmaris sits and deliberates. "Inform Chief Sorcerer Razen as well and make him aware of the situation. It seems we will finally have a good use for those Otherworlder brats of his."

-=-=-=-

A Few Days Ago

Free Guild Headquarters

Kingdom of Ingrassia

Yuuki's desk smashes to pieces, though he remains seated in his chair, tipping from a steaming cup of tea. He would not be refilling that tea anytime soon, though, given that his teapot had been on the desk.

"What's your game?" A furious voice

"I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific." Met with a cool head.

"You sent me into a trap, didn't you?" Drake snarls, fist outstretched. "It was your idea that trickled down through Tear's enthusiasm. Am I a mere loose end for you? I should have expected as much the Free Guild's devious master."

"Yes, you probably should have." Yuuki shrugs, "I was doing you a favor, is all."

"A favor, you say? I know exactly what that word means to someone like you."

"Do you?"

"Is this a game?" Drake repeats, more to himself than to Yuuki. "No, you didn't want me dead. A test, then?"

"A test. Well, that's one way to put it. You're not wrong. I'll give you that." Yuuki leans forward, resting his cheek against his fist. "But what was the test for, exactly?"

"Excuse me?"

"Tsk, tsk, Drake. You've fallen quite far. Ever since your entire organization devoured itself in a single afternoon. Tell me, First Head of the now defunct Scylla, do you imagine yourself defeating this Tanya woman? Be serious, now."

"I-" Drake clenches his fists. "I will kill her. There is no future where I do not succeed in this."

It's pathetic. He's a grown man with a beard, scared of this baby-faced boy.

"I'm sure. But I didn't ask if you would kill her."

The room chills.

"I don't care much for this feud of yours. In the end, it's nothing more than another piece on the board." Yuuki drains his cup, then sets it on the shelf behind him. He leans forward, then, elbows on his knees, fingers interlaced. "Certainly, you have a right to hate this Tanya woman. You have the right to kill her, even, and should you pursue her life, she has the right to kill you. Understand that I am being transparent with you now for the sake of your utmost productivity. Understand that I do not care who kills whom."

Drake wants to say something, then thinks better of it. He really, genuinely thinks about it.

For so long, his hatred blinded him. He could see nothing more than that distant future, in which all his effort paid off. In which he avenged his kin and reinstated himself in his rightful place.

And yet, now that future is staring him in the face. It is not distant, but rather a mere couple of days away. He has not been himself these past several months, and he recognizes this.

Who is this brutish thug standing before an ally? A tentative, unlikeable ally, but an ally, nonetheless. How long had he lost himself in his own emotion? His gut reaction is to ask the obvious question.

What do you care about, then? He thinks this but does not say it.

"Which outcome would you prefer, Yuuki Kagurazaka?"

"Hoh?" Yuuki raises an eyebrow, his foot bouncing on the carpet. "I wonder. Either answer has its own pros and cons. I'm much more concerned with another matter, at the moment, so you'll forgive my unclear response. I simply do not favor one death over the other."

"One death over the other."

The gears are turning. Drake reaches up, scratching at his beard. Why had he let it grow for so long? Nostalgia, bah. There is not time for that now. His hair, too, it needs cutting. The unnecessary length would be a liability in a fight. He needed to approach this calmly and rationally.

"But, you would rather only one death."

Yuuki's foot stops bouncing. "What makes you say that?"

"Even burdened by other events, you have put time and effort into my… situation. You've enlisted Tear for information gathering, and to lead me down a certain path. You are far more invested in this than you pretend." Drake relaxes the tension in his body. There will be no confrontation today. "Hence, your phrasing. 'Defeat' implies victory for one side, and if I kill her and die in the process, at best we have tied for last place."

"Very astute. I'll admit, I would rather a single victor over mutual losers. The loss of an open Demon Lord Seed would be… annoying. Far from unrecoverable, but a loss nonetheless. We are only fortunate that Octavius deigned to pass it along before his demise."

Drake's frown deepens, and he says nothing.

"This is assuming you can even put up a fight with the current holder, of course." Yuuki returns to the original topic, "So, Drake, what do you think? Can you go toe to toe with a new Demon Lord Seed?"

"…I wonder." Drake echoes Yuuki's earlier sentiment, to the young man's irritation. "In a fair fight, I see my current power as a match for Octavius, and my skill as far outstripping his. It's not arrogance that compels me. I've done nothing else but hone my abilities for months on end; it would be an embarrassment to have not caught up, especially with my constitution."

He clenches his fist, then opens it. He stares at his own calloused palm, imagining the battles ahead. Perhaps Tanya was stronger at that time than he is even now. Perhaps she had well and truly eclipsed him.

But it doesn't matter. If power separates them, then he will bridge the gap with skill, with underhandedness. There is always a way to win, if one is willing to do everything.

If I fall… Tear, Orsted… heh, I suppose I'd forgotten. For shame.

"Naturally, I do not intend to play fair. I am not Octavius." Drake reaches up, his fingertips tracing the handle of his spear. It glowed at his touch, a mix of dark blue and black magic swirling around it for a moment. "I would even resort to assassination. If only I did not at least wish to see the dawning realization on her face as I look her in the eyes and strike her down. I will settle, instead, for the opportunity presented by the Demon Lord Clayman. Which came to me via you, of course."

Yuuki tilts his head in acknowledgment. "Such ruthless thought processes. Where is the Otherworlder Octavius brought into this world? Where has Tear's mad dog run off to?"

"There is no glory or sport in a fight to the death. Only victory or Valhalla. That is what Octavius and Tear could not, do not understand."

"You're weak. I expect nothing of you. Nothing at all." Octavius doesn't even look at him. "...Naturally, that means you have no ceiling with which to strive for. Indeed... you can do whatever you like."

The power to do whatever you like is the unique characteristic of a scant few. I'd once had that power, and then I lost it. A second chance came, and what did I do? What can a single mortal life even do, other than suffer and die?

Their best.

"…No, there is nothing fun about battle at all." Drake lets his hand drop to his side. "It is something one does when one has to. There's no need for fairness in such a thing. It is irrational to expect anything else."

-=-

Drake is long gone. He needs to leave now, to catch up with Falmuth's convoy.

Yuuki Kagurazaka sits alone in his office. Arms crossed, one leg crossed atop the other.

The discussion had not gone much farther. They hadn't even discussed the most interesting piece to the puzzle.

A young woman, somewhere around 20 years of age, with neon green eyes. She possesses inhuman physical ability. An oddly violent internal magic pool. A sharp, precise blade matching her eyes.

Most of all, she has the most curious Unique ability.

Ah, Mary Sue.

Such an ironic name on that one. She is a bit of an enigma, and Yuuki would admit to being the slight bit enamored by the idea of her and her power. After all, they might as well be kin.

The little – that is to say, zero – contact he'd had with the young woman only irked him further. You'd think that her connection to Rimuru would allow them to have met even once, but such was not the case.

It almost seemed like she was avoiding him, which is a bit of a ridiculous thought. She could have no reason to suspect him of anything quite yet. Unless someone had let something slip, of course.

Not to mention... under the guise of helping citizens and Guild members, Mary spread her wings. Unintentional veins of information crisscrossing on the lower levels. Garnering favors from various low to mid-level adventurers in the process.

Unique powers and an odd ability to be in the wrong place at the right time. She is a frustrating individual. An interesting individual. With luck, she would visit Ingrassia again soon.

If he could only understand and analyze her Unique Skill…

Well, no use worrying about that now. In the end, she is a mere spot of interest on the map.

Drake considers her a trifle, and Yuuki has very little argument otherwise. That's right, Drake. It seems a little of the leader of Scylla has returned to them. There was a coolness to his eyes that had not been there before. A sense of understanding, a clarity.

Even so…

"Heh. I've thought this for a while, Drake. You're broken. Pieces of shrapnel, sharpened, bloody. A shattered soul, a being, and not quite a human. Grief, anger, heartbreak, and desire… oh so much desire. To be stronger, to reach the pinnacle, to avenge, to make things right. You, a broken thing, would do so much, wouldn't you?"

Yuuki laughs in an empty room.

"Ah but, you know… a mortal life is ever so fragile. Even a single broken shard can slide under the ribs elsewhere, snuffing it out."

-=-=-=-

Present Day

Internal Training Fields

Tempest, Jura Tempest Federation

Elsewhere, it is a day for joy, for certain. Beautiful weather, peaceful times. Along with the return of friendly, familiar faces to Tempest's borders.

A hero, or rather a false hero concocted by Tempest as a figurehead, stands before a dirt field. Several meters away, a group stands in a semi-circle, watching Hakurou spar with his Hobgoblin pupils. Gobta, in particular, is taking quite the beating.

"This is great. We should get the rest of the party to come see this." Youm laughs.

Mjurran, a tall, teal-haired woman in mage robes beside him, shakes her head at his antics. At the same time, she feels some culpability. She is the one who caused this laughter after all, though it is not directed at her.

"Youm."

To those returning faces, there is also the reintroduction to less friendly faces. Familiar all the same, yet worthy of fear in the bravest hearts.

"Ah-" Youm, the faux hero of Tempest, flinches. He whips around to the sudden voice on his left. "Miss Tanya!"

Tanya resists the urge to correct him.

It has been a long time. Several months. In fact, the last time they had spoken had been shortly before his initial departure. This itself had been a month or so before hers and Mary's expedition to Xerxes.

No doubt, much has changed since then.

For one thing-

…why is Grucius stuck in the dirt?

"Ah, you! Miss Tanya." Ah, it seems Grucius has noticed her now. "Help me out of here! They're being assholes!"

Grucius is a Lycanthrope, a type of beastmen. He'd traveled to Tempest alongside the delegation from Eurazania all those months ago. And, ever since Benimaru had returned from one of Tempest's own delegation trips to the beast nation, he'd been a permanent resident of the city.

And a bit of a nuisance at that, given his penchant for challenging Tanya to duels at inconvenient times. Her humiliation of Phobio had not gone unnoticed. She could only blame herself.

Tanya looks at him, then looks away without saying anything.

"Wha- don't ignore me!!!"

"As the one temporarily in charge, allow me to officially welcome you back to Tempest, Hero Youm."

There is no question, she intends on a long vacation after this. Having managed Rimuru's paperwork and administrative duties for the past several months – alongside Rigurd and Shion, that is – Tanya is more than ready to hand them right back.

Not that such duties are difficult for her. Not at all. It's honestly a nice change of pace, and reminds her of a much simpler life two worlds ago.

Just nostalgia. Such is the past, and it is not her current path.

Tempest is council-run, certainly, but the tiebreaker and arbiter role exist. They should belong to the one actually in charge.

Rimuru, that is.

This is what I get for being so productive. Naturally, an intelligent boss wishes to promote employees into positions best suited to their abilities. I won't argue against that. It's another story entirely when your boss absconds off to another nation for personal reasons.

"Temporary command?" Youm blinks. "You're in charge?!"

"Why do you sound so alarmed?" Tanya waves off his concern and her own flash of irritation. "Rigurd and I share Rimuru's duties at the moment, with Shion and Shuna assisting. That's all."

For the time being. Until Rimuru returns, and I get my vacation trip. Proper compensation for one's work, is that so much to ask? Well, not that I'm complaining too much. We've been sailing smooth for over half a year, if Xerxes doesn't count. Duties divvy out according to ability and position. Trade is flourishing, and the pathways between Tempest and its allies are well on their way. It is a different beast from the Germanian Empire, yet efficient in its own way. Far from a sinking boat of mud.

"Ah. Ah, right. That makes sense." Youm takes a moment, then recognizes the unintentional insult he had performed. "Wait, not that I'm worried about your leadership or anything! From what I remember, you're capable. Incredibly capable. Too capable… wait, forget I said that!"

For a moment, Tanya considers faking a punch at him. His reaction would be funny. But not worth his fear, she decides.

"Relax. I'm not Milim." She says to Youm, who sighs with relief. Then, she spares a short glance at the woman behind him. "We can talk more business later. I'll want a report on your dealings and adventures before the end of the week. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am." Like a soldier, he falls into place.

Smooth sailing, huh? When's the last time my life has been this peaceful? With subordinates like this, following their duty to the best of their ability, it's much easier to relax. If there is one thing to be grateful of from my previous world, it's learning the value of trust in those below me. Trusted comrades and companions. Weiss, Grantz, Visha-

Tanya stifles that thought and focuses on the present.

She can't help but be impressed by the shift in Youm's image. No longer is this the scruffy, unkept, hunched over, thief-looking adventurer.

Well, he's still a bit scruffy.

"From what I've heard, you and your crew have been making a name for yourselves. Judging from your aura- do I have something on my face?"

Youm flinches. "Ah- no! Nothing at all!"

Tanya narrows her eyes. Oddly enough, his reaction made her not believe him.

"Why were you staring? If you have something to say, I want to hear it. Unless you were thinking of something rude… which you weren't. Right?"

"N- nothing of the sort!" Youm takes a step back and hold ups his hand in surrender. Sweat beads his forehead, as he nearly bumps into Myurran behind him. "I was thinking, is all- you've gotten taller, since the last time we met. That's it, swear on my life. And-"

Way, way, way stronger. Even as a mere human, he can feel the increased aura around her. It's the same feeling he gets from Rimuru or, to a lesser extent, Benimaru.

"-your clothing is a bit odd, too. Since the last time we met, you know, which was a long time back, and so maybe this is your normal clothing now which means-"

"Ah, no." Tanya holds out a hand, cutting him off. "Actually, this was Shuna and Shion's idea. They've lost their favorite dress-up doll for the time being, and wouldn't you know it, my schedule for the day was clear."

It's an archery outfit, or more specifically the clothing often associated with kyūdō. Dark green on top and black on bottom, it's the male version too. Not that it matters much. Her left arm is bare, toned muscle and faint and faded scars visible in the sunlight.

For modesty's sake, she has a bandaged upper torso underneath, done up in a shape much like a sports bra. Meanwhile, a loose long sleeve covers her right arm, trailing down to a gloved hand.

"I haven't felt the need to change back yet."

Because the two Kijin said she looked "quite dashing" in this outfit.

…Right, moving on.

"Why the stare, then? Does it not suit me?" She asks this in jest, of course.

Youm understands that this is trick question and changes the subject.

It actually wasn't a trick question. Tanya was genuinely curious, knowing that Shuna, as her lover, holds a biased opinion.

"This is Mjurran." Wow, smooth subject change. Nice going, Youm. "She's my military advisor. Kicked my ass pretty handily, so you know I had to recruit her."

I take it all back. Give me back my good opinion of you, you don't deserve it.

Giving him an unimpressed look, Tanya turns, staring at Myurran for a long moment.

"No wonder she kicked your ass."

"Huh?!" Youm and Mjurran exclaim as one.

"A pleasure to meet you. We can speak more later; I'm curious to learn about your style of magic, if you'll have me." Tanya nods to Mjurran, then turns back to Youm. "I said, 'no wonder she kicked your ass'. It's obvious from a glance she's more powerful. Honestly, I'm conflicted. How well known would you say she is? We need to consider making her our figurehead hero instead of you."

"What?! Tanya, let's not be hasty with-"

Youm and Tanya banter, panic and humor clear on their respective sides.

Meanwhile, Mjurran resists the urge let out a relieved sigh. This is a familiar feeling, as she had earlier resisted the urge to flinch, as the attention of the conversation turned to her, and Tanya had pinned her with a teal stare.

Of anyone in the vicinity, it is likely she understands best how dangerous this Tanya woman really is. There are layers and flavors to this woman's magical aura that Mjurran has likely never before seen. And given her 700 or so years of age, that's an impressive statement.

Even scarier, Mjurran can tell that this is only the surface of it. There's some other power lurking in the depths. She wonders if Clayman sees this as well, and is taking hasty notes.

The only upside is that it is only magical power. And the amount is insane, sure, but not compared to the worst of the Demon Lords. It the uniqueness, the potential, that is terrifying.

Further, there is no life aura to speak of. At least, that Mjurran can see from a cursory examination. With the right setup…

…No, it's hard to give a definitive outcome. Someone like this, with Demon Lord Seed level power at minimum, could not be constrained to a single box. It would take an incredible series of events to bring her low.

Demon Lord Clayman should be aware of. Or he might not even notice, his plans so absolute.

She has no idea why he'd ordered her here, nor did she care. It didn't matter, even if she does care. Which she doesn't.

Mjurran looks at Youm, who is now sharing a laugh with his superior. Their conversation has shifted to less joking, yet lighter topics.

"Thanks to Rimuru, I'm looking at a serious vacation after all this."

"Really? If you like, you could tag along with us on an expedition."

Tanya raises an eyebrow. "How would that be a vacation?"

"No no, think about it." Youm holds up his arm, flexing, "Me and my team will do all the work, so you'd get to sit back and spectate. Think of us like your convoy, or escorts."

"A tempting offer. What route? Stopping by any lakes or shores?"

"We could, yeah. Why?"

Tanya crosses her arms, looking out over the training field. Oddly wistful, and… tired. "I want to go fishing. I've never been fishing before."

"Really?" Youm looks surprised for a moment. He is far from the brightest, but he is intelligent and experienced as an adventurer. His hand lands on her shoulder; not enough to put further weight on it, but merely as a link to the real world. Then he smiles. "Yeah, we'll stop by a few different spots. No trouble to us."

Mjurran sees that smile, and blushes slightly. She looks away, her expression going blank.

Right. She doesn't care. There is no care at all here, only business.

"I'll even let you borrow my old fishing pole."

"Hm." Tanya glances at him, "I think I'll just have Kaijin make me one."

"Alright, fine, but I'll still teach you everything you need to know about fishing itself. My group's had to fish for food more than a few times; I've got a knack for it, I'd say."

"I could always ask Hakurou." Tanya huffs, clearly amused. "But I won't. It's clear you need something and are trying to offer services to soften me up to it. Go on, ask."

"Nothing gets by you, huh." Youm sweatdrops. His gaze darts to the training field, where Gobta and friends are still getting their asses kicked by Hakurou. "Listen, human to human, you've got to understand, right? There's pride, and then there's common sense."

Human to human, huh?

"Okay."

"And, while I've had so much of my pride beaten out of me, I haven't lost common sense. I have it, sort of, and it's telling me that I can't beat Sensei, and that me, Grucius, and Gobta together couldn't beat Sensei. But, and as a fellow student of Hakurou I'm sure you can pick up what I'm putting down, there is definitely a way to beat him. Following? I know you're following."

"Former student, really. Your point?"

Youm steels himself, taking a breath before delivering the essential line. "Miss Tanya, help us beat Hakurou sensei."

In the distance, Gobta's pained yells can be heard. A few meters away, Grucius thrashes about, still stuck in the dirt from Mjurran's sinkhole spell.

"Come on, I'm still stuck you know!"

They ignore Grucius. Tanya crosses her arms, fixing Youm with an appraising look.

"Hoh? My measure of you has gone up, Youm. I can respect using your available resources to win. It shows a level of intelligence you previously lacked. Have you done some growing while on vacation?" She shrugs. "But no, I'm afraid this is your problem."

"Vacation- I- Tanya, don't be so hasty!" Youm jumps to his own defense. "This isn't just anyone, you know. You've trained with him too! Show your fellow human some sympathy, would you?"

Right. Fellow.

"I've no reason to help you when doing so might decrease Hakurou's opinion of me. I value my friendship with him more than your pride. More than your life, really."

"I'm practically- no, I'm really begging here! Please, I want to win! Just once! And, look, we found plenty of magical materials and monsters' pieces, loot. I'll make it worth your while. Agree to help and-"

"No. In fact, be grateful I was too busy all those months ago to become your instructor. Or be sorrowful." She stares at him, unimpressed. "Because while Hakurou seems amused by your complaining, I would have gotten rid of that whiny nature of yours posthaste."

Youm's head drops, a gloom falling over him. He cannot win this conversation. There was never any chance of victory from the beginning.

Then, there is a giggle.

Tanya and Youm glance over, both noting Mjurran's amusement at their quarrel. As soon as they noticed her, however, Mjurran looks surprised at herself. She stops, covering her mouth and looking away.

"Keep this in mind, Youm." Tanya says, happy to ignore that. "There are always more options. If one door closes, look for a window. That, or create a doorway yourself."

Youm's gloom disappears as he considers this.

"Yeah… yeah, you're right. Hey, Mjurran! Let's grab Grucius, and Gobta, then team up and-"

-=-=-=-