Shion's innermost thoughts were swirling in fury.
She was angry at having been toyed with by Dagruel, as though she stood no chance whatsoever.
Her rage, as she watched her Elite Guard fall one after another
Her feelings of powerlessness and dismay, and her yearning towards the strong— she acknowledges all of these emotions, except envy which has swelled up, and restrains her remaining emotions.
This was unlike her past rampaging self, who simply faced her opposition with all her hatred, seeing them only as her enemy, she was now observing with her soul.
Is it good or is it bad. That itself, is not the point.
What really important is whether she can suppress it or not.
These swirling emotions within her, were but a hindrance to Shion.
But, the thorn of envy which was supposed to have disappeared, interferes with her thoughts regardless, as though stabbing at her heart.
Shion has always thought of being the number one most important existence to Demon Lord Rimuru. But, that is simply self conceit. But it was also because she understood this emotion all too well, that it was so difficult to extinguish her envy towards other beings that were stronger than herself or showed greater promise.
But even so――
Shion has put into practice, the act of accepting things for what they are.
As per Rimuru's words, it is the concept of seeing the true nature of everything with your soul.
As a result, though it didn't cause any drastic changes, Shion's true nature underwent a placid change.
She now fully understands her own strength that is not swayed by her emotions, her own true worth.
With the exception of the thorn of envy, all of Shion's remaining thoughts are now clearly unified.
It was a mental change, not a physical one.
Shion's evolution was occurring in a manner not visible to others.
The battle with Dagruel began.
Her soul understood right after that. Just how unfathomable and overpowering Dagruel really was.
When they first met she never did notice, that hidden under his unassuming appearance, lied a furious raging soul.
It can also be said, that seeing her ideal, the ultimate complete form that she pursued, gave Shion the shivers.
If she was to think about it calmly, the fact that the difference in power between herself and Dagruel was decisive, it was all too obvious that this wasn't a matter where she was able to stand against him or not.
But, even so.
The word "retreat" does not exist in Shion's dictionary.
Rimuru's strategy is flawless. That is how it must be.
What that means, is that so long as there are no further orders, she has no reason to fall back. That, was what Shion thought.
Purely believing in Rimuru, following her orders to the letter.
In a sense, one could say she has stopped thinking. But, to Shion, Rimuru's orders are absolute and is the only thing that mattered to her.
(That Person, won't blindly give orders without some form of insurance elsewhere. Then, until further orders are given, all I need is to do what I was ordered to.)
