Ellen seemed excited by the presence of other women in the group. No! I'm not a woman, but that's how it looks.
Ellen shares as much knowledge as she knows. I just nodded pretending to understand so as not to look suspicious.
"By the way, Rachael-san. Where do you live? You just arrived here and came with us, right?"
"Ah, yes. Can I also register as an adventurer like you guys?"
"Let us help accompany you. In the Blumund kingdom there is a branch of the Freedom Association. You can register there. I'm sure Rachel-san will have no trouble because Rachel-san is the chosen hero, right?"
"Um... yeah, I see."
Hahaha... hero, huh? I feel more enthusiastic. I will carve out a story as a hero, no longer as a mysterious monster born in the Jura Forest.
Soon we will arrive at the kingdom of Blumund. I can register there as an adventurer. Besides, there are other things I want to do.
I want to meet Ruminas or Hinata. This was done in secret so Ellen and the others didn't notice.
The reason I wanted to meet Ruminas was that she was the person who had been given a clue to the future from Chloe. He was silent as if he didn't know anything. If two people both knew the future, what would happen? I wonder what it would be like if we met. In the future, we occasionally do mock matches. Ruminas often challenges even though she knows she won't win.
If you meet Hinata, it's pure longing. After all, Hinata is one of my harem.
Ah, I haven't told you this?
Chloe, Milim, Shuna, and Shion always fight every day to determine who is my legal wife. Even Hinata also secretly likes me. I let their bickering become routine. After all, I don't even have a gender.
Actually, it's possible, just... you know? Ciel-san is very possessive. She did not allow even making one-sided claims that she was more worthy of being my legal wife.
Until Ciel made a suggestion….
<<Okay. I allow it, but let me be the first wife, sir. I will create a clone and transfer consciousness. Within 30 days, no one is allowed to disturb the two of us>>
Do you know what it means? Ciel allowed me to create a gender on the condition that she be the first wife. First wife... that means there is a second, third, and so on. Additionally, about clone and 30 days without interruption. That's... a bit much.
<<Just accept it! That's an easy requirement. Otherwise, I won't allow >>
Oh, I see. I accepted in the end.
The Jura Tempest Federation was in a frenzy after the news spread. Their rivalry had become public knowledge and in the end I made a decision. I'll choose... no! Marry all fairly.
However, the most horrendous thing was that I had to marry a clone filled with my own manas. Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? But I myself also love Ciel. It's just that I didn't think about it this far.
That's how it was, I spent 30 days with Ciel without any disturbance at all. Actually, Rigurd almost bothered to report something, but Ciel's sharp glare made Rigurd step back.
Ciel became famous for his possessiveness and cold attitude.
After the 30 day agreement, I finally married them all. No one protested, quite the opposite.
Hm... hm... this is really good. I almost forgot before reincarnation expecting to be more violent than the previous life.
But, there's one problem. Ruminas felt betrayed. Ruminas likes Hinata and Chloe, but they both prefer me. So, after that Ruminas liked to challenge me to duels in Ramiris' labyrinth.
***
I patrol at night. It was decided that I would meet Ruminas with a scheme of pretending to meet by chance. She has a hobby of wandering around at night according to her identity, The Vampire, Queen of Nightmare.
Behind the shadow of the moonlight, Ruminas was sitting on a collapsed building with a glass of wine in her hand. Her silver hair and gothic dress fluttered in the night breeze.
He turned towards me. Seems to have noticed my presence. Ruminas smiled... a smile that was suspiciously like seeing a manga enter its cage. Ah, Ruminas really considers humans as livestock.
"Ara, there are small creatures here? What brings you here?"
For ordinary humans, Ruminas' actions are scary. He immediately flew and landed in front of me. His smile still remained, but that was a bad sign. Now in his eyes, I am the prey.
Don't worry, I'm not afraid. Actually I don't have any fear anymore after reaching the end of evolution.
"You look like that fire conqueror. Are you Izawa Shizue?"
"Ah, sorry. My name is Rachel. I just came here so I wanted to look around. I didn't know how to get here. I think I got lost. Can you tell me the right direction?"
Let's pretend to be a lost child. How do you think Ruminas will respond?
"Lost?" His eyes narrowed at me. Oh, what a scary look. He really looked at me as prey.
"You've disturbed me, but... that's fine. I'll tell you! Before that, let's have a match. Let me check your strength!"
Huh? What is this? How can Ruminas immediately want to compete with me even though we just met? Is this instinct or something?
<<That's right! It was his instinct that told him it would be dangerous if left unchecked>>
But I don't want to duel here. It's enough that in the future I have to face Ruminas' endless challenges. Why should I also compete with him in the past?
Let me rest! Come on, find another way!
"Eh? Fighting? Even though they say I'm called a hero... I still don't know anything and am not good at fighting."
I hope he will feel pity. Hey, Ruminas. Don't you feel sorry for seeing a beautiful girl lost in the forest like this at night? Ah, I'm not really a girl.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you."
Wow, wow, how is this? Should we make him surrender by force?
<<Not interesting>>
Tch, Ciel doesn't seem to agree with that proposal. So what should we do? Accept?
Ah, I have an idea.
"I'm not Shizu-san, but we are friends. Shizu-san once told me about his student, Hinata Sakaguchi, who left him. You know him, right? I told you! I like Hinata."
<< ... >>
It feels like I'm under pressure from Ciel. Just ignore it! I wonder how Ruminas would react if I said that?
<<Master's challenging confidence is 100 percent>>
Ah, it seems I made a mistake. At this rate, Ruminas will want to challenge me even more.
His face looked shocked for a moment and then returned to sharpness.
"How do you know about my relationship with Hinata?" His tone now sounded cold.
Ruminas looked at me as not just prey anymore, but a threat. Whether it's good or bad, I don't care.
"Unique skill Memories. I can see people's memories, including you. I know you are also related to Shizu's student, Hinata."
Unique skill Memories. It's just an original skill for disguise. The plan is that the skill seems to work by being able to read the target's memory.
Perfect excuse.
"Hoho, unique skill you say? Hmm... as expected of a chosen hero. But what do you mean by liking Hinata? Do you want to raise a war flag with me?"
Eh, I thought the problem would be resolved immediately, but Ruminas was even more enthusiastic about inviting me to compete.
<<I told you the confidence of challenging Master is 100 percent>>
This is really serious. Come on, Ciel-san! We use magic to make him surrender.
<<I don't like that>>
Hey, what the hell is that? Why do you decide based on whether you like it or not? Sigh! Arguing with Ciel was pointless. I can't beat him.
<<As the saying goes 'the king defeats everyone, but the king cannot defeat his wife'>>
Tsk tsk... this won't work!
"N-nothing. I just spontaneously said it. Please, forgive! I was really lost. If you don't want to help me, that's fine. I'll go then!"
"Wait! Do you think I'll let you go? Hee… you seem like an interesting person. Alright, I'll help you. But before that I'll make a suggestion."
Luckily he stopped challenging me, but a suggestion, yeah? He really wouldn't just let his prey go. I knew Flamiere was like this too when he met Ruminas.
"Do you want to join me?"
"Join?"
"Yeah, you said you could see my memories, right? Then you should know who I am. Join me like Hinata."
Wow, wow, you mean as one of the Holy Knight troops? This is interesting! But I can't just agree. That's even more suspicious.
Trying to maintain a firm expression, I raised my voice. "What's the benefit? Will it be possible for me to be close to Hinata?"
Ah, I was a little careless in conveying my true intentions. But seriously! It seems like it wouldn't be a problem if he joined Ruminas and besides that he could be close to Hinata.
Ah, I miss you guys. Even though I've only been here a few weeks.
<<Husband, if you are lonely, I will always be there. Please don't forget that!>>
Ciel replaced the call 'master' with 'my husband'. This means she is in wife mode.
Hahaha... I haven't forgotten you, really. You sometimes worry too much about small things! I just miss you all. Apart from that, joining Ruminas and Hinata we will definitely create an interesting story.
"Of course. I'll put you in his squad."
"I agree."
"Before that, I want you to be a spy."
"Spy?"
"Yes, I want you to spy on Rimuru."
"Eh?"
"Ara, haven't you seen my memories that far back?"
Woah, I'm a little surprised by that suggestion. Spying on Rimuru or myself? That's unthinkable! Indeed, I know that Ruminas is the only person who got a glimpse of Chloe and Hinata's future thousands of years before I was reincarnated.
The disappearance of the storm dragon, Veldora, he must have realized the reason, but Ruminas acted as if he didn't know anything about the agreement with Chloe and Hinata.
Rimuru's appearance… I'm sure he already detected it.
"N-no. I can see other people's memories, but not that much. I know Rimuru-san. We were once saved by him with Shizu-san too. So, what do you want to investigate him about?"
"Whatever he does, tell me."
Heh, that's all? Very easy! I will be with Kaval's party and they are getting closer to Rimuru. Even if I'm a normal person, it's still very easy to do this job.
"That's it? Then just leave it to me."
With that said, we agreed. Ruminas gave me directions that I didn't really need and I agreed to cooperate with her from now on.
For the time being, I haven't been included in Hinata's squad and worked as a spy in Ellen's party.
Ah, then it's still a long time to meet Hinata. I have to be patient! I'm tired even though I shouldn't be tired. I need a shower! But here bathing is still not an obligation.
The influence of Tempest's mandatory bathing is now spreading throughout the world. Human or monster, bathing has become an obligation. No longer dependent on cleaning magic.
I returned to the inn without anyone knowing I had been outside. We earn money from the ingredients of the monsters we kill. Besides, I can take out gold coins from within Imaginary Space whenever I want.
Ah, I really want to take a shower. Opened Imaginary Space then soaked in the tub I made fraudulently.
Hmm, that's okay. I can't resist taking a shower!
I closed my eyes, enjoying a hot bath at night which was really great. However, I was a little disturbed to feel someone touching my cheek.
Opening my eyes, I saw Ciel using a clone already beside me.
"Ciel? What are you doing?"
"Shower. I want to take a shower with my husband."
When his nickname changed, Ciel was now no longer just a partner.
Do you know what that means?
Yes, I won't explain in detail. Just a little explanation... we spent the night together.