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

Tanya is in front of him.

In the space between one blink and another, she'd vanished- no, she'd hadn't vanished. She'd moved so quickly that her very image seemed to blur. His eyes are still opening as he reacts.

Kyoya's Extra Skill flashes on yet again, saving his life. He registers the situation at 300 times speed, perception shifting, his thoughts slowing the world down around him.

Low stance, katana pointed, stabbing at the side. Bring sword down on her blade, overwhelm and slide it up, carve through her neck.

His body follows these commands. He twists, bringing his sword down.

Tanya stabs, just as expected. He can practically feel it, the steel ringing, the horrific shriek, flesh giving way-

Huh?

His body is moving. He isn't controlling it, his body flinches, jerking back, All-Seeing Eye forcing him to-

A white-hot line carves up the side of his face, and his ability to breathe disappears.

-=-

"You want me to what?"

"No, I don't want you to do anything." Tanya leans back against her desk, Rigurd upright at her shoulder and Benimaru across the room, arms crossed in front of the door. "You're going to do it, and that's the end of the discussion."

"Miss Tanya…" Grucius tries. Nothing comes to mind, and he shakes his head. "Are you sure?"

"Tempest currently sits in the middle of a rapidly forming… tempest, forgive the pun. Falmuth, Eurazania, Milim's questionable status, and more. If it's up to me, and as of right now it is, I'd prefer to keep as many factors within my control as possible. That includes Youm's troupe." Tanya states drily. "Of course, if it makes you feel any better, I don't actually suspect Youm of foul play. But he is not his entire troupe. There might be one or two Falmuth loyalists in there, so keep an eye on them for me, yeah?"

"…Yeah." Grucius nods. "Yeah, understood. I've got a good nose for this sort of thing. Forgive the pun."

"I'd also like you to assist the border's goblin riders whenever possible. When you can, keep an eye on any new faces coming in and out. I wouldn't rule out an incursion before an actual attack." She shrugs, "Though, Souka will be working on that as well, so consider it of slightly less importance than your other assignment. If something happens, I need people to know to run. Understood?"

-=-

Tanya raises Hakurou's katana, then swipes down, a trickle of blood splattering against the road. Her left hand reaches up, idly rubbing near the bottom of her neck.

Damn. I missed?

Several meters away, that Otherworlder boy lies scrambling in the dusty pavement, clutching his face and thrashing about in spurts of agonized gasps.

…must be the katana. I'm used to a longer sword.

That Skill of his, the Extra Skill: All-Seeing Eye. It's powerful enough, though not exactly unique. A glorified advancement of Thought Acceleration that came with automatic reflexes. It even boosted the user's own abilities beyond the ordinary. Adaptation to certain stimuli. She'd carefully kept to a single knife/blade style, just in case it could go beyond that. But…

Milim's Eye is better.

It doesn't matter very much if Tanya can enhance her own physical capabilities far beyond him. It doesn't matter if you react to something if you can't stop it. It's the same reason Rimuru or her would trounce Hakurou in an actual fight, yet by skill or with swords alone the old man would utterly destroy them.

It is fortunate enough that these barriers cannot alter the magicules within her body. Mostly.

Thus, enhancement and reinforcement were not negatively affected.

She almost hadn't needed to feint her last strike, and the boot to his diaphragm was absolutely not necessary either. But damn, it did feel good.

One more left.

Three Otherworlders from Falmuth. An accusing, talkative, extremely bitchy girl. An arrogant looking guy with a sword and eyes like Brock from Pokémon. And some dude with spiky hair that had started a fight with Shion.

Grucius's speed, even under these circumstances, is commendable. She'll make sure to commend him later for meeting her halfway to this point, though after whatever "business" he had to take care of elsewhere.

Speed. Time. Those are key here.

Right, Shion likely can't hold out well under these barriers. The priority was the less physically capable, but now that's mostly taken care of.

 Tanya clears her throat.

I'll finish him, then go find Shion. Shuna should already be-

"Tanya!"

Maybe I should have expected this.

"Shuna?!" Tanya spins, just in time for Shuna's arms to wrap around her. Normally, she would return the affection as expected, but right now-

"Why are you still here?! You should have evacuated with the-"

A booming voice echoes across the plaza.

"By the decree of the archbishop and with the blessing of King Edmaris Falmuth, all evil monsters shall be destroyed!"

"Oh you've got to be-"

-=-

"-kidding me! What were you thinking?!"

They're on a rooftop now, a few blocks away. Down below, the sound of stomping hooves and human shouts echoes. Fires are starting, thankfully empty homes and hangouts and stores put to the torch at the whim of some King, the will of some archbishop.

Tanya would make sure to deal with that later. It's personal. But right now-

"What was I thinking?" Shuna has that stubborn look in her eye. "What about you?! You saw Hakurou and Gobta's injuries. You should have retreated with us!"

Unfortunately for her, Tanya can match that stubbornness blow for blow.

"And left our backs exposed to the maniac with the God-complex? Absolutely not." Tanya points at her. "You should have gone while we were fighting. Hakurou and Gobta, they need your healing ability, don't they? You should be with them!"

It's rare that the two of them fight. Extremely rare.

Actually, this never happens at all. They're both level-headed, reasonable people. If they have something they disagree on or want to argue about, they'll usually do so with mutual respect and discussion.

But, well… this a bit of a difficult situation.

Shuna points in Tanya's face too, and now they're just pointing angrily at each other.

"You should be with them! With us! We had this discussion already!"

"This discussion- Charybdis? That's entirely different!"

"He carved through Hakurou like nothing! These barriers are- if anything, it's worse! It's everyone, me, you!"

"How can it be worse? I knew enough about the situation, and I knew there wouldn't be any issue! Why would I risk my own life without thought? I knew what I could and couldn't do, and because of that, I handled it-"

"And what if you didn't!"

Tanya recoils, eyes wide. Shuna glares at her, tear tracks trailing through splotches of dirt on her cheeks.

"What if you were wrong? What if he got lucky, what if those knights showed up any sooner, or if the barriers were- didn't- don't… don't go where I can't…" Her voices cracks, and she looks down, clenching her fists. Tight, to keep from reaching out. "A brother, my family, my village, tribe, I can't- I won't-"

As she is looking away, Shuna doesn't see the way Tanya's hands hover, her own expression conflicted and panicky. Needless to say, as a purposely emotionally stunted individual, Tanya does not best understand the answer to this.

She settles for stepping forward, reaching under Shuna's arms and pulling her into a tight hug.

"You won't lose me." Tanya says after a pause, as Shuna buries herself in her arms. She still looks a bit lost, but they aren't fighting anymore so it's a start.

"I was so scared…"

"I was scared too." And admitting that feels like a gunshot, a compromise of her ideals, but it's true. For Shuna, it's okay. "That I'd be too late. When the barriers went I up, it felt like…"

Shuna sobs, and Tanya trails off, her own eyes unusually misty.

"It's okay… it's okay. Um." Tanya runs her hands along Shuna's back, in slow motions she hopes are soothing. Usually, her back rubs are of a… different variety, so consolation is a bit new. Though, she had needed to console subordinates once or twice, especially after the death of-

Tanya shuts that memory down and in the same instant settles her resolve.

"…Shuna, I'm going to take you to the Assembly Hall. Okay?" Comforting someone is one thing, but compartmentalization in a crisis? Now that, Tanya has plenty of experience in. "Okay. It will only take a few seconds. You'll be safe there."

"No."

"What do you mean, no?"

Shuna pulls back and glares at her again, intimidating despite her tears.

"I said no, Tanya. No matter what you say, I'm staying at your side."

"No, you're not."

"Tanya! Don't try to be a hero!"

"A hero?" Somehow, that irritates her more than anything. "I'm just doing what needs to be done!"

"But you're not!" Shuna's hold on Tanya's sides tightens, as if to keep her from disappearing. "You aren't obligated to save anyone! You can run away! It's okay to run! You don't need to prove-"

Someone telling Tanya it's okay to run away. Who could have imagined that?

But Shuna had seen this coming weeks, months ago. She loves this woman, so how could she not?

Tanya grimaces. "We've spent too much time on this already."

"No! Tanya von Degurechaff, love of my life, if you fucking- !"

Before she can finish, Tanya tosses Shuna over her shoulder and takes off.

If you're so insistent on putting yourself in harm's way… I just won't let you try.

I'd like to see you try and stop me.

-=-

"Citizens of Tempest!" The stage is packed, and the plaza filled to the brim.

Tanya stands at the front, with carefully selected members of the Executives backing her. Shuna and Shion stand at either shoulder, and Rigurd is a few steps behind her.

"Hello! Yes, it's good to see you all in one place!" Via magic, her voice echoes across the area.

Tanya smiles, then, and it's not even a fake one. Beside and behind her, Shuna, Shion, and Rigurd can't help but smile too.

She does quite like seeing such a happy, productive populace. Of course, the fact that she knows quite a lot of the people in the audience helps. She'd be a poor leader, interim or otherwise, if she wasn't involved with the populace somehow.

There's a teacher a few rows back she'd helped with lesson plans, the vendor to her favorite meat skewer stand closer up front, a very tall Goblina tattoo artist that she'd spoken with on designs for potential clients, Koby and a few of his merchant friends…

"Yes, yes, thank you all for coming. I know you likely have other places to be, so I won't take up too much of your time."

The energy is upbeat, bouncy, with the crowd conversing and laughing and not fully paying attention, but that's okay. These are the signs of a relaxed, comfortable society.

"However, this is news you all want to hear. Lord Rimuru will soon return to Tempest!"

She can see the effect ripple across the crowd.

"Lord Rimuru?" "Lord Rimuru is coming back!" "Lord Rimuru is coming home!"

The crowd is excited and growing more so by the second. It bubbles, filling the ear.

Tanya raises a hand, and now she truly has their attention.

"To this end, and after deliberation from Tempest's Executives, there will officially be a festival honoring Lord Rimuru's return!"

The crowd roars.

If there's anything Tempest loves more than Rimuru, it's Rimuru AND a giant day-long party.

Tanya waits for the crowd to cool off, which takes several minutes.

The lower volume doesn't last for more than a second.

"I understand! You've been waiting, haven't you? It's been so long, hasn't it? He's kept us all waiting, doing his very best and working very hard. And here you all have been, doing your very best, working very hard to make Tempest the best nation it could possibly be! Here we stand as we always have! We are the proud citizens who fulfilled our leader's kind nature and generous will!"

She can barely hear herself think, but Tanya continues regardless.

"We may have been separated, but that has not led us into complacency! It has been so long, but we are still here! In fact, it is because we have been separated so long that we can proudly show our faces! Now, we welcome our beloved leader with open arms! Display the fruits of your efforts! Cultivate the world he wishes for you! Continue moving forward, knowing he will be overjoyed at your strength and health! It's time to show that Tempest has thrived, as it always has and will!"

Tanya lets the sound of the crowd wash over her, relaxing just a bit. If the goal were to hear anything or anyone, that would be impossible. All it is now the crowd, echoing around the plaza and the city itself.

"I, as interim leader of Tempest, do swear to uphold these ideals until the return of our Lord Rimuru Tempest! Also, further information regarding festival details will be posted this evening, along with a map of the city showcasing approximate venue locations and themes! Please note the appropriate facilities and safety zones in case of emergency! Thank you for your time!"

-=-

There's no telling how long it's been. By now, all the minutes and seconds since this nightmare began blended all together in this big mishmash fuckup of a situation.

There are- Otherworlders, there was a single Otherworlder, but he's gone now. There are knights, charging and shining so gallantly. So devilishly. There is fire, and smoke both black and red, and mostly empty streets except for-

A few stragglers. Children, injured folk. Regular people.

She is doing the best she can but- but there is only so much she can do right now. With these barriers, after that fight… and with her current baggage.

Tanya always insists on rationality. Be reasonable. Understand your situation, the numbers, resource management, give and take, cost benefit. Don't just think about it, be better.

It's true that the life of one Goblina child is not equal to her own. Not even 2 or 5 or even 10 would make an even bargain. Merely looking at it from a contribution standpoint, she is able to contribute far more to the success and safety of Tempest.

But that's not the point, is it?

It's been a long time. No more running.

Ah. It's over, then.

Shion closes her eyes. She will protect them, even if it means this. Readying herself for the pain she knows is coming-

Only to feel an arm around her waist, and weightlessness pulling her stomach. Then, she is kneeling on something solid, and her eyes open.

"Die under somebody else's purview!" Tanya is glaring hard at the group of knights in the streets below, a pained grimace roughing up her expression. She glances back, then down at the Goblina child in Shion's arms. "I've had enough trouble today. When we get through this..." She pauses, catching her breath, "Mandatory child safety lecture, for parents. This is just ridiculous. Or maybe it's the kids' fault for being rebellious? Never mind, thoughts for later."

The familiar rambling breaks the tension, just a little bit. Relief floods Shion's chest, and she takes a breath, not realizing she hadn't been breathing until that moment. Then, she startles.

Tanya is bleeding. It's a dull observation, but for some reason this fact stands out.

There is a slim cut along Tanya's cheek, a trickle of blood tracing down her jawline. And the closer Shion looks, the more she sees. Alongside her neck, over her forearm, and her other arm's bicep. Tanya's chest rises, and falls, hardly noticeable, but heavier than expected.

"T- Tanya-"

"Save it. There's no time." Tanya cuts her off, standing up straight and looking away. In her eyes, the glow of fire reflects along teal irises. Shadows dance along her features, and her voice darkens with them. "Almost everyone should be in safe zones already. Get to the Assembly Hall, seek medical attention if you need it. Do not engage with them any further."

Shion's bangs ruffle as Tanya takes off. She blinks.

For a moment, she feels the weight of her near death weighing on her.

If Tanya hadn't been here...

The child in her arms shifts, and Shion suppresses the existential dread that thought brings. There's no time for those thoughts now.

There's no-

-=-

-time.

Ever since the first levels of sapient life recognized the passage of time, all lifeforms have been trapped in the cycle. Day in, day out. Seconds, minutes, hours.

You know this.

The past, and the present, and the future.

Yes, you.

With time comes the concept of efficiency. To shave away time. To add more time. Efficiency breeds advancement. And life progresses. Civilization is proof of this. With time, advancement and progress are guaranteed. All you need is time.

But there's never enough. It always runs out.

A beautiful dream always comes to an end.

Dreams. Time.

All that matters is-

Ah, but what happens after?

Perhaps soon... no... now, there's no time at all.

-=-

"And finally… if need be, I'll handle it. I'd rather avoid fighting, but…"

Tanya spares one last glance for the map on the table, then turns to the open window. Staring out onto peaceful scene.

"If that's my role… if it's under my power, I won't let anything happen. That is the standard the leader of a proper nation must uphold. Interim or otherwise. I'll do what's expected of me… that's all."

-=-

She is searching. Perhaps she always has been.

What am I even doing?

Now, she is searching for survivors. Others. The knights still roam, but they are scared. They are greatly reduced in number. They find no one, and their swords gleam like white silver.

She is waiting.

Tanya leaves them be, now. There is no more damage they can do than physical, to the city itself, and buildings can always be replaced. Structures, statues, fountains, rebuilt.

Perhaps she is running. Moving forward, what's the difference?

But people… helpless citizens under her authority. As interim leader of Tempest, and further as the only being within these barriers with both the power and ability to mitigate disaster, it is her responsibility to be out here.

It is just… part of her job. Her duty.

Yes, it is required. For the sake of her image, for the sake of fulfilling the role she decided to take up after Rimuru's departure. It is because of a sense of self-discipline, a sense of responsibility, personal pride in doing a job and doing it right.

That's right. She has to do this.

It's only expected that a leader, interim or not, would look after their citizens. In the military, a leader is supposed to shoulder the burdens and mistakes of their subordinates. There is nothing different here.

That's all she tells herself.

It's not worth acknowledging. Not now, at least.

Now isn't the time. For atonement, for anything.

Someone is coming for her.

Her responsibility.

She is waiting.

Tanya runs through the streets, traveling to the outskirts. Her path tracks backstreets and alleys. Places where there might be a single holed up individual, places where someone might have fallen, or been forgotten. And, in the process, she approaches the barriers.

It is likely they can be destroyed. No, it is certain, if she puts her mind to it. Tetra Breaker is no child's toy, no pittance of an ability. The only reason she hadn't done so already is because of- well, because of the Otherworlders, and the knights, and the restriction on her ability to fly.

Now, barring yet more stragglers, there are no delays.

Except for that one.

The faint croak of a crow.

Caw. Caw. Caw.

Tanya stops.

Finally.

Around her is the crackling of flame. A few storefronts that couldn't be saved, half dead and burned. This sector of Tempest is a dead zone, evacuated and bereft of life. A beam collapses in a nearby shell of a bar, sending flickering orange and yellow flurries.

She breathes in… holds it… then breathes out.

"I was wondering if you'd notice."

She is not the one to speak.

Caw.

The fluttering of wings.

Tanya follows the noise and turns.

There is a familiar man, with a crow perching on his cloaked shoulder.

"I have long awaited our reunion, Tasha, Hero from the Western States." In the same instant, the crow dissolved into shadow. "Ah, I'm sorry. Demon Lord Seed Tanya."

Tanya is already frowning. She has been frowning, displeased, irritated, exhausted. It is not yet a day for smiling, and likely will not be.

"You're well informed." She says quietly, though her voice still carries over crackling embers and the dusty breeze. "But so am I. We received a report about your appearance.

"You've been expecting me."

"You're all the same. Another revenge plot. How original."

"We are the same. Do you often make others wish revenge on you?" Drake shakes his head. "No, never mind. I've waited a long time for this, and my patience is about run out."

"My own ran out hours ago." Tanya draws Hakurou's katana from her belt, her off hand steadying on the handle of one of her sheathed combat knives.

She refuses the urge to taunt, as per her usual modus operandi. She has the feeling her opponent's rage won't be an appropriate distractor this time around.

"Hm." Drake reaches up and grabs the front of his cloak, before tearing it away unceremoniously. There is a bundle of cloth on his back, and he pulls it over his shoulder, yanks at the strings tying it.

Tanya spots a flash of gold, and shoves down the bile in her throat.

Drake does not flourish this spear of his. He does not spin, or flex, with rattling prose and singing steel.

He stands before her, alone, unmoved, and calmly states his intent. His voice is strong, and his heart is steel.

"I am going to kill you."

-=-

You were terrified.

The thought of powerful, overwhelming emotion, of feeling, it shook you down to your core. At some point, you realized that the world isn't fair, and the only way to make it fair was to assimilate.

"I will not let myself be overtaken. I will never be out of control."

And, after a while, you even believed it. With every fiber of your being. You lost all interest in the world, beyond that you existed in it. To expect anymore was to open yourself up to disappointment.

"I know how this should work. I know the best way forward for myself. And because I know this, I can handle things calmly, and rationally. There's no need for anything else."

It isn't wrong to not have some great purpose. Life is most often given meaning after it ends, and trying to ascribe whatever you can in the middle of it all almost seems like a waste of the experience.

You really were content, weren't you? It's heartbreaking.

You made it a coat, and you dutifully took it from the coat rack and put it on for as long as you could. And you went home, and it's some facsimile of warmth that feels just "fine". And you go out, and you return home, and it's just a long line of "fine", "okay", "good enough".

Then, one day, you forget it. You are able to forget it. And you don't need it anymore.

You are content. It is better. You understand, finally.

Does it distress you? Don't let it, please.

You want to acknowledge it, but you can't. Perhaps if the feeling was weaker, you could talk about it more. But you know, and what you really intend to say, it doesn't need to be said.

…

…oh, right. If we're honest, it wasn't that you were unable to feel.

I think you were always, always afraid that you'd feel too much.

"All I wanted was to be by your side…"

There are none more Honored.

"Do you believe me human?"

Imagine, if you will… a happy ending.

-=-=-=-=-=-

Known Skills List

Tanya:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Flames of Babylon

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication

Unique Skill: Tetra Breaker

Mary:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra/Intrinsic Skill: Physical Enhancement

Unique Skill: Ability Severance