Chapter 9: Watching from the Shadows

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For many years, Velriza had kept her eyes fixed on the Great Forest of Jura. While she was wary of Rimuru and his claims regarding Veldora, her curiosity about this peculiar slime continued to grow. To observe from a distance, she had used a powerful crystal orb, an ancient artifact that allowed her to monitor events unfolding in faraway places. The orb's surface shimmered like a mirror, but within its depths, scenes from the outside world played out like vivid dreams.

As she peered into the crystal, Velriza had already witnessed several of Rimuru's exploits, watching his strange rise in power. From his initial encounter with the goblins to his defeat of the Direwolves, Velriza saw the creature's influence expanding. Yet, nothing seemed to prepare her for what she was about to witness.

A New Beginning: Shizue Izawa

Her attention had sharpened when she saw Rimuru encountering a human woman with flaming black hair and sorrowful eyes. Shizue Izawa — Velriza sensed something unique about her, an aura that reminded her faintly of another timeline, another story untold.

Within the crystal, she watched as Rimuru befriended Shizue and heard the tale of her summoning to this world. Velriza felt a twinge of empathy; she could sense the pain and conflict in Shizue's soul. The woman was burdened by her fate as a vessel for the Fire Spirit Ifrit, bound to serve and suffer under its scorching flames.

Over the next few days, Velriza saw Rimuru's compassion toward Shizue, his willingness to learn about her past and provide her with some comfort in her final days. When Shizue finally passed, and Rimuru absorbed her body, Velriza noted the slime's solemn demeanor — a rare glimpse of the complex emotions that lay beneath his cheerful exterior. He wore her face now, her legacy and her will guiding him forward.

The Orc Disaster and New Alliances

Velriza's gaze did not waver as she continued to observe Rimuru's path. She saw him face the Orc Disaster, Geld, an enormous foe whose presence spread fear among all the inhabitants of the forest. Despite the terrifying power of the Orc Disaster and its army, Rimuru managed to rally a diverse group of allies, forming unexpected alliances.

The crystal showed her how he united the Lizardmen, the Goblins, and the Ogres, creating a small but strong force to confront the Orc Lord. She marveled at the way Rimuru used his skills and cunning to devise a strategy that ultimately led to the Orc Lord's defeat.

As the battle raged, Velriza found herself intrigued by Rimuru's leadership — his ability to inspire loyalty and strength among such diverse beings. She watched as he fought the Orc Lord with a rare determination, finally consuming Geld and freeing him from the curse of starvation.

In her quiet observation, Velriza noted, "This slime... his influence grows stronger by the day. And yet, his compassion and intelligence are unlike any other creature I have seen." Her thoughts lingered on how Rimuru's actions continued to surprise her, almost making her believe in the sincerity of his intentions regarding Veldora.

The Students of Shizue: A Surprise Encounter

A few weeks later, Velriza saw Rimuru journey to Ingrassia, meeting with the students Shizue had once taught. These children had also been summoned from another world, just like Shizue, and they carried the same painful burden. Velriza felt a mixture of intrigue and nostalgia as she watched Rimuru interact with them, trying to help them overcome their unstable magicules.

But it was during this encounter that Velriza felt a sudden, jarring shock. As Rimuru got closer to one of the children, a little girl named Chloe Aubert, Velriza's senses picked up something familiar. At first, it was faint, like a whisper in the wind, but as she focused more, she felt a distinct, chilling presence — Chronoa.

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