To Rimuru, Shizue was the most special one.
In a sense, Shizue had given her the grace of rebirth.
Rimuru said that she was Shizue, a statement largely made in jest, but not entirely without basis.
To Shizue, Rimuru was also special.
Although it was their first meeting, apart from their hair color, height, and burn marks, the two were almost identical, as if cast from the same mold.
This made Shizue question Rimuru's relationship with her!
Especially when Rimuru said that she was her, it made Shizue's imagination run wild!
No one understood her physical condition better than Shizue; the main reason she left this time was due to her body aging and her inability to suppress the high-level spirit, Ifrit.
But now, her body felt incredibly light, as if she had returned to her youth.
Aside from the golden-haired girl in front of her who looked remarkably like her, she couldn't think of anyone else who possessed such miraculous abilities.
Shizue confirmed that she had never seen this person before, yet she was willing to expend great effort to help her regulate her body, even weaving a beautiful dream of returning to her homeland.
It could be said that Rimuru helped her fulfill the greatest wish of her life.
This made Shizue incredibly grateful to Rimuru!
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Izawa Shizue, you can call me Shizue. If you don't mind, could you tell me the full story, my other self?"
Shizue said, revealing a sweet smile, indescribably serene.
Seeing Shizue's radiant face, Rimuru couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Shizue could be said to be one of the gentlest and most easily satisfied women she had ever met, in both her past and present lives.
Despite experiencing various misfortunes, there was no hatred in her heart.
She disliked this World, yet couldn't bring herself to hate it, her greatest wish being to leave her mark on the World.
Most remarkably, her tragic experiences did not lead her to darkness; instead, they made her sympathize with countless children who shared her same fate.
Shizue had always patiently taught them!
If you delve deeper into Shizue's disciples, you would find that Shizue was actually the biggest boss.
Kagurazaka Yuuki, the leader of the Freedom Association, the most deeply hidden boss, who had tricked Rimuru to her Death countless times;
Sakaguchi Hinata, the captain of the Holy Empire of Ruberios's Imperial Knights, and the leader of the Ten Great Sages;
Chloe Aubert, the strongest hero of the future, whose body was shared with Sakaguchi Hinata, who had once sealed the Storm Dragon.
And the other several reincarnators were not ordinary people.
After her Death, her body even completed Rimuru.
A legendary life needs no explanation!
"Yes, if you don't mind, we can eat and talk!"
With a flick of Rimuru's small hand, a dark red light swept across, and the simple tent instantly transformed.
The tent became a very Japanese-style room, with a warm and elegant decor.
On the tatami, there was also a vase, with a bouquet of gardenias emitting a faint floral scent.
Although it wasn't her first time witnessing it, Shizue was still greatly astonished.
In the World of magic, there were actually many magic spells that could create illusions.
The most amazing illusion magic could even make fakes indistinguishable from reality.
But even the most advanced illusion magic Shizue had seen was far inferior to what was before her eyes.
Kneeling on the tatami, Shizue felt the soft touch of the tatami and smelled the fragrance of the gardenias.
This simply overturned her understanding of illusion magic!
Her beautiful eyes sparkled, becoming even more curious about her "other self."
"What would you like to eat?"
Shizue asked curiously, "Really anything?"
Rimuru nodded.
"Just rice balls, my mother used to make them when I was little, and I've never forgotten that taste since."
What Shizue wanted wasn't just any rice ball, but the taste of her mother from her memories!
This is a bit difficult!
Seeing Rimuru pondering, Shizue quickly explained, "If it's too difficult, then forget it, you've already done so much for me."
"It is a bit difficult, but it shouldn't be too difficult for me, I think!"
Seeing Rimuru's confirming yet doubtful expression, Shizue couldn't help but smile.
Her other self was truly gentle and considerate!
When Predating Shizue, Rimuru had actually read a part of Shizue's memories.
At that time, she hadn't paid much attention.
Now recalling them, it was slightly difficult, but it couldn't stump her!
After some thought and recollection, Rimuru finally re-experienced these memories and emotions deep within her memory.
After tasting them, Rimuru used the Reality Stone to feed back the taste of these memories.
Picking up a rice ball and tasting it briefly, Shizue's beautiful eyes immediately lit up.
Then she devoured it ravenously!
She truly hadn't expected to be able to taste this flavor again after so many years.
It was truly wonderful!
It was truly wonderful to meet her "other self."
"Shizue, allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is Rimuru Tempest. The edge between you and I, strictly speaking, you are my fated person!"
Fated person?
Shizue was startled, her beautiful eyes flickering with an indescribable strangeness.
Japanese people are generally reserved; they can translate "I love you" into "The moon is beautiful."
Rimuru's "fated person," to be honest, made Shizue's imagination run wild, and her cheeks even flushed slightly.
To be honest, this kind of thought was truly unprecedented.
Rimuru didn't say much; the light of the Reality Stone appeared, and then the scene of her and Shizue's encounter slowly materialized before them.
Shizue was a bit confused, never expecting that Rimuru's "fated person" meant this.
Did "fated person" mean to be eaten by her?
Goodness, it was completely different from what she had imagined!
Ptooey, ptooey!
Shizue couldn't help but secretly spit twice.
Then, Rimuru patiently and thoroughly explained her Predator skill and the concept of time travel to Shizue.
Only then did Shizue completely sort out the cause and effect!
To be honest, for a living person to witness her own Death with her own eyes, the feeling was truly very peculiar.
But Shizue did not doubt the authenticity of the scene Rimuru displayed in the slightest!
Shizue confirmed that those were her true feelings.
If she had to do it again, she might still make the same choice.
"Shizue, your passing has always been one of my biggest regrets. To be able to rescue you before your passing this time feels like a salvation to me. I hope you can continue to live!"
Seeing Rimuru's sincere eyes, Shizue was deeply moved.
Her heart felt warm, and her eyes even felt a little sore.
This was the first time Shizue had heard someone need her so much, so earnestly wishing for her to live.
This thought might be humble, but it was Shizue's truest thought.
Throughout her life, she had always been abandoned.
Demon Lord Leon summoned her from Japan, but he disdained her;
Even after fusing her with the fire spirit Ifrit, he still paid no attention to her. After the hero arrived, he discarded her like a worn-out shoe;
She had clearly intended to follow the hero for life, to be the hero's companion, but the hero left without a word.
Her student, Hinata, also left for the West without even saying goodbye.
And now, finally, someone needed her, valued her, and hoped she would live well.
This impact on Shizue was unimaginable!
Seeing Shizue's somewhat dazed expression, Rimuru couldn't help but add, "Perhaps it's asking too much, but you should think more about Chloe, Kenya, Ryota, Geiru, Alice, and the others; they are still very young and can't do without you!"
Hearing Rimuru's words, Shizue couldn't help but burst into laughter.
It was Rimuru's turn to be a bit confused; what was Shizue laughing at?
And laughing so heartily?
"I understand, kind Slime My Lord. If I can live, of course, I am very willing! Your tone just now, your tone just now, pfft!"
Shizue said, bursting into laughter again.
Rimuru was even more bewildered.
What was wrong with her tone just now?
It was clearly a very normal tone!
Actually, it was no wonder Rimuru, she had met too many people who didn't want to live.
Odin, Ancient One, could continue to live if they only willed it.
Yet, one by one, they sought Death!
Seeing Shizue's uncontrollable laughter, Rimuru was even more puzzled; what was so funny about her words just now?
What on earth was Shizue laughing at?
Goodness, she was dying of curiosity!