Rimuru and Iruma's Adventures in the Netherworld

The Soldier's Ballad

(A/N: Try to guess which five real-world songs are being parodied within this chapter. First to guess all of them correctly gets a special prize!)

Third-Person POV

Bare rock and hard clay is the terrain that makes up the hellscape of the Northern Battlefield, with countless battles blasting away any reminder that this is a life-bearing planet.

Nevertheless, trenches are still carved out of the solid terrain through the use of magic, as one such battle is going on today: A long-range skirmish between General Furfur's personal forces, and an enemy unknown to either Rimuru or Pavel, who are approaching from up-high in search of a missing teenager.

It appears that the battle today is an assault on Furfur's camp, as Furfur's side has tents and overlooks the enemy from a hill, the latter still an advantage even when all the soldiers can fly.

"Busy day, huh? Alright, let's see if that kid's here..." Rimuru says, hovering and peering off into the distance.

A moment later, Rimuru creates a magical screen in the air, which zooms in on Zozo and highlights the teen's position on the battlefield. He's in uniform and huddled behind a rock, clearly stressed out as he's holding his spear tight to his chest. Silently on the screen someone yells at him, and he hastily pulls himself back together, casting a spell that sends the demon soaring upward.

"There we go! Safe and sound — well, as much as one can be in a situation like this."

Pavel thoughtfully brings his hand on his chin. "I see they've decided to make use of his bloodline ability to create favorable winds. A modest use, but being able to have soldiers quickly ascend with an updraft is a decent boon to get from a rookie that I know doesn't have an ounce of bloodlust."

Then something suddenly sparks off of Rimuru's barrier. Several seconds later, there's a hail of gunfire being sent in their direction.

"Eugh, that feels kinda weird," Rimuru mutters, expanding the barrier from a skintight membrane to a bubble so that the bullets stop poking him all over.

Pavel chuckles, entirely unbothered from behind his own wind barrier. "But there's nothing like some useless firearms to make you feel powerful, right? It's like, uh, what did my son say... when you're too 'high level' for the enemies in a video game. You're a young 'un, did I get that right?"

"You got it! Anyway, should we go see Zozo now?"

"I don't think General Furfur would much appreciate me trying to pick my grandkid up in the middle of a battle, this ain't Babyls. We should do our part first."

"Mm, good point. Nonlethal to set a good example for said grandkid?"

"Ah, I've killed enough demons in my many years, so I think I'll take you up on that. Let's drop down and get closer instead of charging right in, then."

The two go down to the ground and approach the battle on foot, wandering through the low scorched-barren hills, but soon enough, they're tracked down by a small band of opposing soldiers in camouflage uniforms. Most of them go after Pavel, but one chooses to charge at Rimuru with a spear.

Rimuru catches the spear and throws it away, then telekinetically lifts the attacker into the air, the camouflage of the uniform giving way to teal and red.

"Hey, these uniforms are actually kinda nice without the cherusil spell they've got on them."

"What?" Pavel yells over the sudden noises of battle, zapping his opponents with electricity and then trying to blast them away with wind. A couple are knocked flat but another couple withstand it, so Pavel is clashing with them until Rimuru simply knocks their heads together.