Isekai Heroes

Chapter 9: Inherited Will

After the battle against Ifrit, Rimuru and the others take Shizu into their hut as Kumoko uses her healing magic to heal her. A few days later, Izuku and Tanjiro arrive at the hut to check up on Shizu.

Izuku: *Worried* How is she?

Rimuru: She's fine.

Kumoko: My healing magic was able to heal her a little, but I don't know if she will recover.

Shizu: Don't worry, I'm fine. Ifrit took over. And I very nearly killed the people I cared about. Like last time... I was wondering...Can I tell you something?

Rimuru: You should really save your strength.

Tanjiro: He's right. You might have been healed but you are not at your full health yet.

Shizu: But I want you to know my story. To know that I lived.

Monster party: Okay then...

Shizu then told the four what happened through her recollection, even though it was vague. She told them how she was possessed by Ifrit after she was summoned. And how she ended up killing her friend. And...

Shizu: When Prirno died... I stayed. I had to serve the Demon Lord. I was his closest aid. But then, I met someone.

Rimuru: Who was it?

Shizu: The Hero...

Izuku & Tanjiro: Hero?

Shizu: Yes...That's right...There was a battle. The Demon Lord abandoned his castle and left me behind as the rear guard. Maybe I stayed there because it was the will of Ifirt. Or maybe it was simply of my own volition. I'm still not sure.

Rimuru(Mind): The Hero. I wonder if she was the same one who sealed Veldora in that cave.

Shizu: I was certain she would end my life there on those steps.m But then she surprised me by speaking instead. She wanted to know why I was there and how I'd managed to stay alive. I was a Majin. Yet she still believed everything I told her. Then, she said, "It's all right now." She was able to unlock my emotions. After that, the Hero took me in. The Mask I wear, it's hers. Or it was. She said it would boost my magic resistance and help suppress Ifrit the fire spirit within me.

Shizu then tried reaching for her mask but Kanao handed it to her. Shizu held her mask tightly as she spoke up.

Shizu: As we traveled around together, I learned about the world, and she taught me about magic. Thanks to this mask, I even learned how to utilize Ifrit's power, to some extent anyway. By helping others and fighting.

Kumoko: So that's how you got the nickname as the Conqueror of Flames.

Rimuru: I'm glad I got to see you in action. It was awesome!

Kanao: *Nods*

Shizu: Being with her made me very happy. So I studied and became her partner. But then...

Kanao: What?

Shizu: One day, she disappeared...and left me behind.

Izuku & Rimuru: Why?

Shizu: I'm not sure. I wish I knew. But I don't. "I'm certain we'll meet again." Those were her last words to me. That day, I decided to become stronger. I wanted to help people who were suffering. So I worked really hard. For several decades. Doesn't that sound impressive?

Rimuru: Yeah.

Kumoko: It sure does.

Tanjiro: *Smiled and nods*

Shizu: People called me a hero and a champion. But even though my body appeared young, I was still aging. As I got older, It became more difficult to control Ifirt. One wrong step, and I could release him by mistake. When I thought about that, I got scared. I didn't want to hurt someone, not again. Like I had done with Pirino. Because of that, I retired and decided to become an instructor.