That Time I Got All The Ladies (Book 1)

Ch2: Veldora

????: You there.

Me: The heck do you want?

????: RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRR!

Me: Is that the best you got?

????: I was trying to be nice given this is the first visit I've had in centuries but c-

Me: Skip the montage and get straight to the point, will you?

????: Do you wish to die, SLIME?

Raphael: [Notice: The barrier around the "Storm Dragon" Veldora can be broken, thus releasing him.]

Me: [What use would I have for releasing him?]

Veldora: HEY! How dare you ignore me!

Me: Hey, overcooked meat. Do you wanna break free?

I'm not sure what I said but he falls silent at that. It's a few seconds before even the tiniest movement can be heard in the cave once more.

Veldora: It is impossible. I've been trying to break out for centuries.

Me: How did you get locked in here anyways?

Veldora goes off on a tale to end all tales, recounting the events that placed him here. For all intents and purposes, he was beaten by a once-in-a-lifetime hero who sealed him away to prevent him from continuing to cause chaos. Why she didn't kill him outright is beyond me but I suppose that has to do something with whatever restrictions the people controlling her imposed as he also explains upon learning that I'm not from this world that others have come across as well but in their case, they're summoned and bound to those who summoned them.

Me: [Could someone like that also seal me away?]

Raphael: [It is a possibility, yes.]

In that case, allying with a dragon may not be such a bad idea, after all. Then again, I doubt he'd be willing to do so after how I behaved initially. Well, only one way to find out.

Me: Say, what do you think about us teaming up together?

Veldora: What?

Me: You and I become allies.

Veldora: You think I'd ally myself to a lowly slime?

Me: You think I'd be comfortable allying myself to a pathetic dragon who lost to a puny human?

Veldora: You-

Me: We don't have to like it but we would be stronger together than we would be apart.

Veldora: Even so, I'm still stuck inside this barrier. I wouldn't be able to assist-

Me: Let me worry about the barrier. Do we have a deal?

Veldora: Hmmm. If we are to do this then we should probably establish names between us.

Me: Names?

Veldora: Yes. Right now you are a nameless monster but receiving a name would bestow upon you great power.

Me: I see. In that case, I am-

Veldora: Rimuru!

Me: Huh?

Name confirmed: Unnamed Demon Slime now known as Rimuru.

Veldora: Perfect, now you give me one.

Me: You already have a name.

Veldora: But-

UUGGGHHH!

Me: Fine!

He perks up expectantly while I ponder what name to give him. Whatever it is, it'd likely be a family name rather than a first name like my own given he already has a first name. Still, it'd make sense for it to be on theme to the rest of his get up and since he's called the Storm Dragon then there is really only one name that is worthy of being bestowed upon him.

Me: Veldora Tempest.

Veldora: WHAT? THAT IS THE NAME YOU CHOSE?

Me: You asked me t-

Veldora: I LOVE IT! Veldora and Rimuru Tempest! The unstoppable duo! The bane of the world's existence. Lightning and Thunder! Fire and Ash! My-

Me: Yes, yes. I'm glad to see you like the name.

Name confirmed: Rimuru Tempest

There's that voice again. I guess it means the name has taken effect but I don't think anything's changed beyond me getting named. Oh well. I mean I could feel the name being carved into my core but beyond that, I haven't taken note of the "power spike" he mentioned. Perhaps I'm too strong for it to take effect? 

Veldora: What now?

Me: An excellent question.

Veldora: We still have to find some way to break-

Me: Oh that? I have it under control.

Returning to my human form, I press my hands against the barrier. It feels cold to the touch, so much so that it burns hotter than fire but I still keep my palms against its surface before calling on Beelzebuth to devour it all. 

Without fail, it rips the barrier clear, shattering it into a million pieces before devouring them all. Nothing remains within the cavern besides Veldora and me when it all clears.

Me: Done!

Veldora: Amazing! I'm finally free! After 300 years, I've been freed! RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRR! Veldora the Storm Dragon...no...VELDORA TEMPEST HAS RETURNED!!!!!! MUUUUUUAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAAA! 

His voice all but blasts the very cave out of the mountain it was carved into. It takes all my strength and all the barriers I can muster just to prevent myself from being blown away like a leaf within the strongest hurricane. 

I'm so focused on simply surviving the powerful onslaught that I don't even realise he's stopped and is focusing on me until I feel myself being scooped up. Opening my eyes, I find myself a few meters away from extremely sharp teeth.

Veldora: Most beings would have left me here to rot or tried to take advantage of me but you...you have not just kept your word but in doing so have also proven your strength. I will gladly fight alongside you and together we shall-

Me: Try avoiding being buried alive!

My shout breaks his focus long enough for him to get a look at our surroundings, an environment collapsing around us due to his prior minor rampage.

Veldora: Hold on!

Despite his words, he closes his claws around me, encasing me in a protective orb but one with enough space to see where we're going before he begins making his way back up the way I'd come. He's too big to go through most spaces but it doesn't stop him from blasting through the rocks, leaving behind us destruction at every turn.

Me: Rock! Rock! Rock!

Veldora: RRRRAAAAAWWWWRRR!

Me: Door! Door!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

We burst out into the open just as the last bit of the cave's ceiling caves in. As the dust clouds around us, I feel his claws open enough so that I can stand. Standing up, I do my best to prevent myself from inhaling too much dust but a roar from Veldora sees all the dust vanish as though banished into another dimension. 

Veldora: It's been so long since I've felt the sun on my face. So long since I've heard the bird's song. So long since I've smelt the blossoms of the forest! It's been too long...but I AM BACK! Great Jura Forest! YOUR PROTECTOR HAS RETURNED!