Tensura What If: Silver Timeline (Draft)

Chapter 90 - Holy Empire

Chloe and Hinata exchanged anxious glances, their worry palpable in the air. It had been months since the Storm Dragon had last stirred; his silence was unsettling. Rimuru had attempted to locate him once, but that had coincided with Milim's capture and subsequent rampage, which had caused chaos. Unlike Luminas, who remained blissfully unaware of Night Rose's destruction, the rest of them were merely biding their time, anticipating his arrival.

"Rimuru-san... Veldora-san should have arrived last week," Chloe said, her brow furrowing as she counted the days in her mind. She was acutely aware of the timeline, and the change in Veldora's behavior was gnawing at her.

Velgrynd gazed up at the clear sky, her expression indifferent. "Maybe he won't come," she shrugged, a hint of skepticism lacing her tone. The two girls turned to her, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "This Veldora isn't as reckless as the old one, right? You mentioned that the future Veldora fears me and enjoys rampaging. The Veldora in this timeline is obedient to me—he only rampages occasionally, and usually under Guy's suggestion."

Hinata frowned, troubled by Velgrynd's words. "That may be true, but he has been missing for months. Something might have happened. What do you think, Rimuru?" She turned to him, her voice filled with urgency.

The three women's eyes shifted to Rimuru, who was lost in thought, muttering quietly to himself with one hand resting thoughtfully on his chin. As he felt their stares, he blinked and looked up, startled. "Hm?"

"I was just asking what you think about Veldora going missing for so long. He should have attacked this place last week," Hinata reiterated, a note of annoyance creeping into her voice, though she kept her frustration in check.

"Ah, I think he's captured," Rimuru replied, waving his hand dismissively as he revealed his speculation. His casual demeanor only deepened their confusion and shock. A smirk crept onto his face as he continued, "I mean, it's obvious. The first thing anyone would think when someone's missing for several months is that they've been captured. Adding to that, I had Sarion— or should I say Laplace?—investigate his favorite spot and found some small signs of battle that have lingered even after months."

Velgrynd frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Then why did you look so serious earlier? Is there something else?"

Rimuru shook his head, his expression shifting to one of gravity, changing the room's atmosphere. "The real issue is where the investigation leads. Jahil has also been suspicious—why is he still in the Cardinal World? He should be with the snakes who are blocked by Ramiris."

Silence enveloped the room as his words sank in. "Are you saying there's a chance that the snakes are still in the Cardinal World despite Ramiris' barrier?" Velgrynd's eyes were sharp. "And that they might be the cause of Veldora's silence?"

Rimuru nodded, and a quick surge of magicule erupted from Velgrynd, which he managed to contain. "Calm down. For now, we don't know where he is, and getting angry won't help." He reached out, taking her hand and caressing it gently with his thumb.

Velgrynd let out a small groan, her anger dissipating under his soothing touch.

Hinata interjected, "Ramiris is in a weakened state, right? She should have already reincarnated into her fairy form, but due to you, it might take a few more months, or even years."

"Do you think they planned all this?" Chloe pondered, recalling the clash between Milim and Guy. She shook her head, dismissing her thoughts. "No, they wouldn't have known Ramiris would intervene... But did they arrive before the barriers were erected?" She began to mumble to herself, lost in speculation.

Suddenly, Rimuru stood up, startling the others. "Hypothetically, let's say they did know Ramiris would weaken during the clash. They have Veldora, and Ramiris is basically bedridden until her reincarnation." He frowned, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "If it were me, I would strike while she's vulnerable."