True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 104 - Grandmother's Garden

Rimuru POV

"So, where to now?" I asked, matching Windsom's steady pace through the dense forest of Epheotus. The ancient trees here towered impossibly high, their leaves shimmering with traces of ambient mana. My guide maintained his stoic silence, continuing forward with measured steps. "Come on, you can't still be angry about what happened two years ago."

"We're going to see your next mentor," Windsom finally replied, his voice carrying that characteristic Asura formality.

I suppressed a sigh at his vague response. After a year in the Asura homeland, I'd grown accustomed to their penchant for mystery, but it didn't make it any less frustrating. The time here had been productive, especially my training with Wren. The Acclorite gem embedded in my right hand was testament to that - a rare gift from the eccentric weaponsmith.

My thoughts drifted to Dicathen, to the people I'd left behind. Ciel, Sylvia, Jackson- they were more than capable of handling things in my absence, but the worry lingered. And then there was Arthur, my brother, whom I still hadn't been allowed to see, despite us both being here in Epheotus.

A cottage emerged through the trees, its simple architecture standing in stark contrast to the grand structures I'd seen elsewhere in the Asura realm. Windsom approached the door, knocked with precise movements, and waited for a response before opening it.

"After you," he gestured, his expression unchanged.

Inside, we were greeted by a sight that challenged my preconceptions of Asuras. A woman stood before us, her appearance marked by graceful aging - something I hadn't seen in any other Asura. Her gray hair was pulled back in a neat braid, and while wrinkles lined her face, they seemed to enhance rather than diminish her dignified presence. She wore a simple gray robe that matched her hair, and her eyes held a warmth I'd rarely encountered in this realm.

"Lady Myre." Windsom dropped to one knee, his voice carrying deep respect. "I've brought Rimuru Leywin as requested."

"You may rise," Myre's voice carried a gentle warmth that felt oddly out of place among the typically formal Asuras. "Windsom, you can leave while I have a chat with little Rimuru here."

After Windsom left with his usual formal bow, Myre gestured to a small wooden table where two cups of steaming tea waited. The setup felt almost... normal. Like visiting a grandmother rather than meeting an ancient Asura.

"Please, sit," she said, her green eyes twinkling. "You look like you could use a break from all that training."

I took the offered seat, studying her features. Sylvia had mentioned her mother before, but seeing Myre in person was different. Unlike Kezess, who maintained an eternally youthful appearance, Myre seemed to embrace her age.

"Sorry if this sounds rude," I said, figuring directness might be refreshing after all the Asura formality, "but what exactly am I here for? And should I call you Lady Myre, or...?"

"Just Myre will do fine," she chuckled, pushing one of the tea cups toward me. "As for why you're here... let's talk about that after you try the tea."

Great. More Asura mystery. Look, this is what I mean. Asuras like to appear mysterious. Is it perhaps in their blood?

I took a sip of the tea - it was actually pretty good, with a floral scent I couldn't quite place.

"So," Myre said, watching me over her cup, "how are you finding our realm? I hear Wren's been putting you through his unique brand of training."

"'Unique' is one way to put it," I flexed my right hand unconsciously, the Acclorite gem catching the light. "Though I have to admit, his methods get results."