That time I got reincarnated as a slime,no, a DRAGON?

CH-72

Rimuru's POV

As I go inside the shrine, I see nothing out of the ordinary. It was just like how you would expect a shrine to be. There was nothing eye catching, for most people that is. I felt a slight connection to something, just like I felt at Jistav. I moved towards the center of the shrine. The pavement on the floor was not solid. Just by hearing my footstep on it, I could confirm that there is some open space below it.

I use Shadow Movement to move through the floor and enter the open area below the shrine. It was a staircase leading downward. After going down, what I assume is about 59 meters, I found myself in a large opening.

"Oh? Someone came to see the old me? I am so happy." Someone said behind me.

I quickly turn around and see a mature woman of around 28 wiping her eyes feigning tears. She has a beautiful face, pink hair about waist long and sky blue hair.

"Who are you?"
"Me? I am Lucia Nava. Nice to meet you , Rimuru-chan."

Chan? Wait. Before that, Nava?

"Are you by chance?"
"I am Milim's mother."
"Then..."
"Calm down. Let's do things in orders shall we?"
"Huh?"
"You came here to gain power for Raphael, didn't you?"
"I, that, Yes."
"Then, let's begin."

As soon as she said that, the surroundings changed. I was standing in a large wide plain. A large mansion could be seen.

As I continued to move through the plain, which I believe is a large garden depending on how well maintained it appears to be, I saw four people playing together. I guess it would be better to say that they were a family. There were two kid, a boy and a girl, and a married couple. There faces could not be seen as if they were deliberately hidden, yet I knew who they were. No. Who they were supposed to be.

Raphael, is that by any chance me and her?

Raphael? Why is she not responding?

Beelzebub.

Tch. None of my skills are activating. I lit up a fire in my hand. Looks like magic still works.

"Raphael will not only tell you the best thing to do, but also the best thing you could have done. This means, you will also be able to know what you could have saved." Lucia said.

"I see. So if I had been more decisive back then, this could be a possible future"
"That's right. To lose your loved one must have hurt. If you want, you can live here with them forever."
"No. That's all right. I am glad to know that there was something I could have done. And, she is waiting for me, regardless. I don't know how I would ever face her if I live a dream here."
"Is that so..."

The surroundings changed yet again. Instead of the beautiful view, I could see a destroyed landscape. From my experience, I could tell it was a battlefield, yet it was much different. The 'was' is because I could see countless dead bodies on the ground. Most of them were people I knew. They were residents of Tempest.

"What is the meaning of this?"
"Once you get more knowledge, you will realize some things can't be changed, no matter what you do."
"So? You want me to accept that?"
"That is correct."
"Hah. You must be joking. Am I not getting stronger just to avoid this?"
"Some things just cannot be avoided."
"Huh? I might not believe in God, but I do believe in miracles."
"That is quite contradictory."
"Even if it is. I will find a way to prove that what you believe is in stone, can be changed. The future can be changed. And I will make sure it does."
"That is not the answer I want."
"I don't care. I will not change my ideals. I will find some other way to get stronger."
"But.... it isn't me who decides whether you are worthy or not. Raphael does. And it seems that sh thinks your answer was acceptable."
"Huh? What are you saying?"
"I am saying that Raphael recognizes you."
"Huh? Then what about you?"
"Let's talk about that later."

Just a few moments later, I felt information flow into my mind. It was not painful, yet again, it was more irritating.

Soon a bright light engulfs me. As the light fades away, I find myself back in the shrine. Lucia was still standing there looking at me.

"You managed to get his approval."
"I guess so."
"It's quite a feat, you know. Even I didn't get his approval."
"Huh?"
"I wonder if I had your mindset, could i have been with Milim, now?"
"So you really are Milim's mom."
"Hai."
"Then..."
"You must be wondering what I am doing here, instead of being beside Milim, don't you?"
"Yes."
"My soul is bound here. When we were about to die, dear bound my soul here to protect it. As a result, I lost all my skills, including Ultimate Skills. He said he would free me once he revives, yet he hasn't revived yet."

"I will have to talk with him later." She said. But her tone was different. She had the same tone that Shuna had when she found out I had gone to Night Butterflies, but worse.

"So..."
"Ah. Sorry about that. You had to see such an embarrassing side of me."

Embarrassing? It was scary. Girls are scary.

"Should I tell Milim about you?"
"No. I would prefer you dont do that. I saw everything from here. Isn't Velda cruel? I could see my daughter in pain, yet I couldn't even help her."
"But that did help her grow."
"I guess, but that doesn't mean I acknowledge what he did."
"Well, let's change topics. You were the previous holder of Raphael?"
"Yes. But I never got Raphael's approval."
"I see. And where is Raphael?"
"Don't know. He just talks to me sometimes, like not even full sentences
Just some words and phrases."
"I see. Also, should I help you? I am sure with Raphael's help, I can create a new body for you."
"I am sure you can, but I will wait for Velda. I have been waiting for millennias now, I want to believe in him."
"Alright. Then I will take my leave. I will come again, if I get some time."
"Hai. Do come visit me Rimuru-chan. Also, keep Milim company, alright?"
"Don't call me 'chan'."
"Ehhh? But you are so cute."
"Tch."

After that I teleport outside the shrine. I see that both Ultima and Luna were staring at the shrine.

"Let's get going then." Luna said.
"Huh? You aren't even going to ask whether I succeeded or not."
"I know you succeeded."
"That skill of yours."
"Haha. But I refrained from saying that. I wanted to make sure you were not cocky."
"Whatever. Ultima, come here."

She looks quizzically at me but obliges. Once she comes close enough, I take out a hairband from my stomach and tie her hair in a ponytail.

"Huh? This is? Rimuru-sama?"
"A gift from me, of sorts. Always keep it with you, alright?"
"Hai. I will treasure it."
"Good."

In reality, this band isn't any ordinary hairband. Raphael made this hairband and it has nuclear power stored inside it. Unlike magic, this nuclear power is completely made of physics, hence it is impossible to sense it with Magic Sense. It also has a barrier. In case, if Ultima's life signs start to deteriorate, the band will explode and a barrier will be formed to protect Ultima. I had thought about giving this to her before the war with the Empire, but I decided against it and gave it to her right now. I also have one for Testarossa and Carrera.

"Let's get going. It is about to be sunrise."
"Huh? It has been that long?"
"It has. Let's go quickly. It wouldn't be good if rumors about us being missing through the night start spreading."
"Hai hai."

I say as we all teleport back to Hyme. But, it was worthwhile to come here. Now I finally understand why Hyme decided to finally come and make contact with the world. I guess I can trust them.

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That's it. I hope you guys enjoyed.