Rimuru the sin of love

The unexpected talk

Rimuru's POV

Finally getting out of the tower felt like shedding a second skin. As I left the grounds behind, my thoughts drifted to my next move. The Demon King was an essential part of the plan, but I needed a way to get his attention without dealing with every member of the Ten Commandments. Flying all the way back to confront them one by one sounded more than tedious—it sounded exhausting. I let out a sigh, musing to myself. "I should have thought this out better."

Ciel's voice sounded in my mind, calm and reassuring. {{If Master lets down her ability to avoid being tracked, Zeldris will locate you quickly. He's already searching.}}

I raised an eyebrow. "Zeldris? What would he want with me?" A faint smile crept across my face. Well, I guess I'll find out soon enough. Taking Ciel's suggestion, I dropped my cloaking ability just slightly, allowing my presence to seep out into the surrounding area. Just enough to make me visible to anyone looking, but not enough to make it obvious that I was doing this on purpose.

With that, I found a spot under a tree on a grassy hill and stretched out, closing my eyes and feigning relaxation. Zeldris was quick to respond; his presence closed in almost immediately. Even at a distance, his powerful aura was unmistakable, filled with raw strength and a hint of irritation that was practically his calling card.

Zeldris' POV

There she was. That insufferable demon, Rimuru, lying in plain sight under a tree like she didn't have a care in the world. Normally, I wouldn't have sought her out willingly, but my orders were clear. And as much as it grated on me, I needed her help. The fact that I could sense her presence so clearly was odd. She was too clever to leave herself open like that without a reason.

I descended from above, my eyes narrowing as I saw her. Of all the things I might expect from a demon, sleeping so carelessly near a human settlement wasn't one of them. It would explain why I could feel her presence so clearly. "I don't have time for this nonsense," I muttered, descending toward her.

As I got closer, her voice cut through the silence. "So, Zeldris, why did you of all demons approach me? I'm sure the Demon King would have sent Meliodas if this were truly urgent. So, this must be personal."

Her eyes remained closed, and with a casual flick of her fingers, her aura vanished, as if she'd never been there at all. Infuriatingly clever, as usual.

I clenched my jaw, my annoyance simmering. "That's right. I have a request—no, a demand. I need you to work with my brother on something, and it appears I have no choice but to involve you. Don't think for a second that I enjoy this."

Her lips quirked into a smug smile, the faintest hint of amusement dancing in her expression. "So Zeldris finally came to his senses after all." Her tone dripped with mockery, clearly enjoying the situation far too much.

My fists clenched, and I had to remind myself of my father's order to avoid conflict with her. Otherwise, I'd gladly wipe that smile from her face. "You'd better watch your tone," I ground out, barely keeping my temper in check.

Her chuckle was low and soft, and she finally opened her eyes, giving me a lazy, almost bored look. "Fine, fine. I'll humor you this time. I don't have the energy for another battle after spellcasting with that witch in the tower. She may have her uses, but dealing with her can be exhausting."

Now that caught my attention. An individual with such an ability—particularly one skilled enough to work with Rimuru—could be a valuable asset or a significant threat, depending on her loyalties. "Who is this mage you've been working with? Is she a threat or an ally?" I demanded, my voice hard.

Rimuru's expression shifted, her smugness intensifying. She was enjoying this far too much, and I could feel my patience wearing thin. Calm yourself, Zeldris, I reminded myself. Losing control here would be counterproductive.