Chapter 99 - Conqueror of Flames

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"You want me to leave Shizu behind?" Leon frowned, listening to Rimuru, who was sitting in his office.

It had only been half an hour since they had learned the Mask Hero was coming for Leon's head. After Demon Lord Cliché's death at his hands and taking her assets as his own, he was declared a Demon Lord.

Leon himself did not care what others thought of him; in fact, some who had witnessed his cruelty had already labeled him an evil person. All that mattered was that they didn't get in the way of his mission to summon his sister.

Rimuru nodded. "Yeah, I want to leave Shizu with the Hero. I know you've been able to fix the misunderstanding, and Ifrit has been very cooperative with her. I heard she managed to go toe-to-toe with some of the captains of your knights. But I want her to become the Hero's student."

Leon was scanning Rimuru's expression. He couldn't understand the reason behind this request or why he should follow it. "Shizu is my bodyguard. What does this benefit me?"

Rimuru smirked. "Let's just say... I can guarantee that you'll see your sister, Chloe, if you do." He chuckled when he saw Leon's expression darken at the mention of her name.

"How did you know her name?" Leon's aura leaked out, his tone accusatory as he glared at Rimuru. "Answer me."

"Pfft, calm down, idiot," Rimuru said, unfazed. "I can't tell you that, or it won't come true."

His words caused Leon's murderous aura to wane until, eventually, he calmed down. "Do you swear I can meet Chloe again if I do?"

Rimuru nodded. "I swear on your life that you'll meet her again if you do. I can't tell you how or when, but you will." He joked as he stood up and prepared to leave the office.

He turned back to Leon as he opened the door. "Just think about it. The Hero will arrive soon. Have Shizu stay behind at the castle, and I'll do the rest."

Leon groaned, contemplating Rimuru's words, before calling for Shizu to be brought in.

Shizu stood in front of the castle. The others, including Leon, had already left, leaving her behind. Recalling her master's words—"Shizu, you will stay and fight the Hero. Rimuru will explain the rest."—she giggled, getting used to Leon's orders that rarely explained anything in full detail.

"Uhm," Shizu turned to Rimuru, who was sitting comfortably on the stairs in front of the castle, gazing at the horizon. "Rimuru-sama, what do I have to do? Leon-sama told me I need to fight the Hero, but I don't think I can defeat the Hero with my power and Ifrit's."

"Hm?" Rimuru finally looked at Shizu, noticing her tense posture and the sword she had drawn. "Ah, don't worry too much. The Hero is kind enough—she won't kill you. The plan was actually for you to become her disciple."

"Eh?" Shizu tilted her head in confusion. The bodyguard of Demon Lord Leon, being trained by the Hero who came to slay him? "Uhm, isn't that... how should I say this... I don't understand." She loosened her grip on her sword, her confusion mounting.

"Don't overthink it. I already got Leon's permission," Rimuru said with a reassuring smile. "This will be good for you, too. It'll help you expand your horizons and perspective. As long as you travel with the Hero, everything will be fine."

"I don't understand..." Her tone was quizzical as she tried to make sense of Rimuru's explanation. After a moment, she sighed. "Uh... I understand." Knowing Rimuru was someone very hard to understand or predict, she eventually gave up and accepted his words.

"Careful, here she comes," Rimuru warned.

Shizu tightened her grip on her sword and took her stance, facing forward.

The Mask Hero appeared, clad in her spiritual white armor, her sword in hand. Shizu infused Ifrit's flames into her own blade, preparing for the encounter.

"Good luck," Rimuru called out, his words loosening her tense muscles. She suppressed a laugh, finding amusement in Rimuru's attempt to lighten the atmosphere. Then, she moved forward, facing the Hero.

Shizu's sword met the Hero's with a sharp clang, the sound ringing through the air as their blades collided. The Mask Hero's eyes were calm, her movements precise and fluid, as if she had already foreseen Shizu's every strike.

Shizu pushed forward, her sword trailing flames, but the Hero sidestepped effortlessly, her sword cutting through the air with practiced ease. The moment Shizu's blade missed its mark, the Hero was already on the move again, her counterattack swift.

Shizu blocked the strike, her sword catching the Hero's with a resounding clash, but the force of the blow sent a jolt up her arm. She gritted her teeth, stepping back, and tried to regain her footing. She wasn't going to be pushed back so easily.

With a grunt, Shizu launched herself forward, her sword engulfed in flames as she slashed horizontally. The flames crackled as the blade cut through the air, but once again, the Hero was already moving. Her sword met Shizu's with a sharp ring, knocking the fire-infused blade aside with little effort.

Shizu's eyes narrowed. She could feel it—the difference in their strength. She was fast, but the Hero's movements were like a preordained dance. Every time Shizu thought she had found an opening, the Hero was already gone, her blade cutting through the space where Shizu had just been.

Still, Shizu wasn't one to back down. She tightened her grip, flames flaring up along the length of her sword, and rushed in again. This time, she feinted, swinging her sword in a wide arc only to twist it at the last second toward the Hero's exposed side.

The Hero responded instantly, her sword slashing downward in a perfect counter. The blades locked, and for a brief moment, Shizu felt her strength struggle against the Hero's. The heat from Ifrit's flames surged up her arm, but even as she pushed forward, the Hero shifted her stance with such grace that Shizu was forced to retreat, her attack blocked and redirected with ease.

Shizu barely had time to adjust before the Hero pressed the advantage. A quick jab, the tip of the Hero's sword darting toward Shizu's shoulder. Shizu twisted her body to avoid it, feeling the brush of steel against her cloak as she pivoted to the side, narrowly avoiding a cut.

Her breath was coming faster now, her movements growing more strained. She could feel the weight of the fight pressing down on her. The Hero was relentless, always one step ahead, her strikes calculated and efficient, not a movement wasted.

But Shizu wasn't finished yet. She took a deep breath, letting the flames on her sword grow hotter, and charged once more. This time, she closed the distance between them with a series of quick, precise strikes, her blade blazing with the power of Ifrit. 

"Hmmm... Hinata seems to be holding back a lot." Rimuru murmured from a distance as he watched the bout continue. "She did have thousands of years of experience, it was a very unfair fight to begin with."

He chuckled as he observed Hinata delivering the final blow. Shizu slumped to the ground, her sword pushed away, with the Hero's blade pointed at her throat.

"Okay, that's good enough, Hero." Rimuru stepped between them and casually pushed the blade away from Shizu's throat. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to train this poor girl. What do you say? She could be a useful companion on your journey."

Rimuru teased, knowing full well that Hinata was inside the Mask Hero's body (Chloe). His tone was dramatic, the kind of playful exaggeration designed to paint Shizu as a poor girl under the control of the "evil demon lord."

Shizu remained silent, even though she was listening to Rimuru's slander. She couldn't refute any of his words. Everything he said about how she had been brought here, and how she was treated before Rimuru stepped in—it was all true.

Ifrit had an inclination to defend his master, but he knew better than to oppose Rimuru. The spirit understood the consequences of doing so. Even if Leon had not ordered Ifrit to cooperate with Shizu, he had sworn never to get on Rimuru's bad side. The last time he tried, the wrath of Rimuru was enough to make him reconsider any form of resistance.

Hinata, her expression hidden behind the mask, wanted to slash at Rimuru for his teasing, but she held back. Any such move would break the act they'd carefully constructed to make Shizu's acceptance under her tutelage seem natural.

"What do you say, Hero?" Rimuru asked once more, his gaze fixed on Hinata's masked face, as if looking directly into her eyes.

Hinata sighed inwardly, nodding her head before walking away from the castle.

"There you go, Shizu." Rimuru turned toward her with a thumbs-up. "Make sure to follow her instructions, okay? She's a bit strict."

Hinata paused, hearing Rimuru's voice. She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. Rimuru simply waved back at her.

"I've got some things to do," Rimuru said nonchalantly. "So you two can go on your 'Master-disciple journey montage.'" With that, he activated a teleportation spell and disappeared

"Rimuru-sama is always so mysterious and whimsical with his actions." Shizu muttered as she sheathe her sword and followed behind the hero. 

"Don't call him 'Rimuru-sama' it feels weird." Hinata spoke, she can't help but get goosebumps hearing her mentor call Rimuru with such respect. 

"Eh? But he is a friend of Leon-sama, I can't be disrespectful to him. He also... saved my friend before so I am in his debt." She lowered her head recalling the incident.

Hinata looked at her and shrugged, if she can't have her change the way she calls him. Then at the very least, lessen the times they talk about him. 

"You will be my companion for the next few years, we are going to be helping those under the fear of both monsters and demon lords. In exchange, you will train under me."

Shizu turned to the mask hero, "Wouldn't it be a problem that you have me under you? I worked with Demon Lord Leon."

Hinata tilted her head, "Didn't he abandoned you to but himself some time? That was what Rimuru said earlier after all." She pretended to believe Rimuru's story that was the exact scenario of the previous Shizu.

"Ah, Right." Shizu nodded silently, recalling the fact that she was taking on the role of an abandoned servant of the Demon Lord and taken in by the Hero. "He did do that.."

Hinata and Shizu traveled from town to town, city to city, across nations, always moving forward. The road was long and unpredictable, filled with monsters, self-proclaimed demon lords, and occasional human threats. 

Wherever they went, trouble followed, but Hinata and Shizu faced it without hesitation.

The self-proclaimed demon lords they encountered weren't always the most powerful enemies, but they were persistent, always seeking to prove their superiority. 

Hinata let Shizu handle most of them, knowing it would be good training. While Shizu fought, Hinata focused on protecting the civilians caught in the chaos.

Shizu's flame magic proved useful in these battles. With a wave of her hand, she summoned fire to scorch the ground beneath her enemies, sending them fleeing or forcing them into a corner. 

As time passed, Shizu grew more confident with her magic, using it more effectively in battle, controlling the flames with precision.

They also found themselves fighting in larger, more dangerous situations. Sometimes, they had to intervene in wars between nations, stopping armies manipulated by demons or preventing unnecessary slaughter. 

There were moments when Shizu had to face dragons or rampaging beasts. Each battle was a chance to test her abilities, and with each victory, she became more powerful.

Hinata's role was simple: she made sure no one innocent got hurt. While Shizu dealt with monsters and enemies, Hinata kept her eyes on the bigger picture. She never pushed Shizu to fight beyond her limits, but always gave her the space to grow stronger on her own.

Through towns in turmoil, cities under siege, and even a few outposts caught in the middle of war, they pushed forward. 

Shizu fought demons, monsters, and occasionally rogue mages, all the while growing stronger. Flame magic, swordplay, and strategy were all part of her evolution as a champion.

She was even given the moniker "Conqueror of Flames" because of her mastery over flame magic and swordsmanship. It was a well-known fact that she was an elemental, with the spirit Ifrit, the flame giant, by her side.

"Hero-sama, where will we go next?" Shizu opened the door to their room. They had been staying at Stiltrosso after another wave of demons launched their attack. The demons were subordinates of Demon Lord Guy Crimson.

With the help of the Guardian of the West, whose race Shizu could not ascertain, they had managed to prevent the demons' conquest—for the time being.

The Hero, who was packing her belongings, turned toward Shizu. Her face was concealed by the mask she always wore.

"Shizu, listen. I'm going somewhere alone. You can't come with me," she said, her tone firm, yet there was an unspoken sadness in her eyes.

Shizu's face twisted in shock, her voice trembling. "W-when will you return?"
The Hero shook her head, a gesture that dispelled any hope of a quick reunion..

"My time has come. I'll be gone for a long time. You are free to do what you wish from now on—whether you continue your journey to protect people, or seek vengeance against Demon Lord Leon."

Shizu's heart clenched. She clasped her hands to her chest, feeling the weight of her words. "Can't I come with you?" Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the pain she felt. She had grown so attached to the Hero. 

Unlike the knights, whom she regarded as mentors and comrades, the Hero was different. She was someone Shizu admired deeply—someone who felt more like a guiding light, someone between the realms of friendship and reverence.

The Hero walked past her, her footsteps soft but resolute. As she did, she reached out and gently patted Shizu's head, a rare, tender gesture that spoke volumes. 

"Don't worry. We will meet again in the future," she said, her voice soft but final. She continued walking, her steps echoing in the quiet room.

Shizu stood frozen, her lips parting as though to say more, but the words never came. The Hero was already gone. Her presence had vanished, leaving only a hollow silence. 

No trace of her remained in the inn. Even Ifrit, who was usually so in tune with the Hero's presence, could not feel her anywhere in the town.

Shizu blinked rapidly, wiping a tear from her eye. "Let's go, Ifrit," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she steeled herself for the path ahead.

A/N: And next week is the long awaited chapter 100! never thought this story would be 100+ 
Guess that was my fault for adding the multiverse and myth stuff (Sorry) as well as random things I thought off. 

Either way, next chapter is the one and only starting point of the main storyline!

A big thank you to Xero for becoming a Ko-Fi supporter!