Chapter 117: A Farewell, A Challenge, and A Battle in the Void
After spending several enjoyable days in Tempest, I finally decided it was time for us to leave. My lovers, however, were less than thrilled about the decision.
Testarossa sighed dramatically. "Tch… Just when I was starting to enjoy the place."
Carrera crossed her arms. "I was hoping to blow something up before we left."
Ultima pouted. "Aww! We didn't even get to start any real chaos. It's too peaceful here!"
Velzard, on the other hand, was more composed, though I could tell she also relished our time in Tempest. "Well, they do say good things must come to an end."
With our decision made, we headed to Rimuru's office to formally say our goodbyes.
Upon arriving, we were met by Souei, ever the vigilant shadow.
He gave us a respectful nod. "Lord Rimuru is currently in his office. May I ask the reason for your visit?"
I gave a small smile. "Just let him know we'd like to talk before we leave."
With a quick flicker of movement, Souei vanished into the shadows and relayed the message to Rimuru. Moments later, he reappeared.
"Lord Rimuru said you may enter."
We stepped inside, and immediately, I could see the organized chaos that was Rimuru's office. Stacks of paperwork covered his large desk, and Rimuru himself sat behind it, looking mildly exhausted.
He leaned back with a lazy wave. "Yo! Have a seat."
We settled in, and right on cue, Shuna gracefully entered, bringing tea and snacks.
Rimuru took a sip of tea before asking, "So, how have you guys enjoyed Tempest? And what's the reason for your visit?"
Just as I was about to answer—
BOOM!
The office doors exploded open as Milim charged in like a hurricane.
"RIMURU! I'M HUNGRY!!"
Rimuru let out the deepest sigh yet, rubbing his temples as if this was his daily suffering.
"Milim… don't you see I'm talking with guests?"
Milim finally noticed us, tilting her head.
Then, her eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Oh! It's you guys!" She pointed at me. "You still owe me a fight!"
I chuckled, leaning back. "Oh? And why do you want to fight me so badly, Milim?"
Milim grinned. "Because I can't see anything from you with my Milim Eyes! That probably means you're really strong, becauseno one escapes my milim eye!"
Rimuru groaned, his face dropping into his hands. "Oh, great… here we go again."
I held Milim's gaze for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I'll give you your fight."
Rimuru's head snapped up. "WAIT, WHAT?! You cannot fight here! You'll destroy Tempest!!"
I simply smirked. "Relax."
Then—I snapped my fingers.
In an instant, we were all transported to my personal dimension.
An endless, empty void. A space that existed beyond time and reality, where I could shape everything to my will.
Milim blinked in shock. "Whoa… where are we? I can't sense anything here!"
Rimuru looked around, stunned. "This… this place… it's completely void of anything!"
I spread my arms. "This is my personal dimension. A place beyond space and time, where nothing exists unless I will it."
Milim grinned with excitement. "COOL! So I can go all out?!"
I nodded. "Yes. Here, you can unleash your full power."
Rimuru's face paled. "I really don't think that's a good idea…"
Before he could panic further, Velzard placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
She smirked. "Relax, Rimuru. He can handle it."
Rimuru, still unconvinced, muttered, "Yeah, but this is Milim we're talking about. She doesn't hold back."
I chuckled. "That's exactly why we're here."
Milim cracked her knuckles.
Her aura exploded, filling the void with immense Draconic Energy.
Her Dragon Eyes glowed like burning stars.
I simply smiled.
"Come, Milim."
"Show me what you've got."
As soon as I gave the signal—
BOOM!
Milim exploded forward, her body vanishing in a blur of speed.
In less than a heartbeat, she was right in front of me, her fist rocketing toward my face.
I effortlessly tilted my head, the punch grazing the void behind me. But Milim was relentless.
She unleashed a storm of attacks—
Kicks that shattered the air like sonic booms.
Punches that tore through space itself.
Energy blasts that erupted like miniature suns.
And I?
I simply dodged.
Not out of arrogance, but to study her.
Each movement, each feint—I analyzed it all.
With every attack she threw, I offered calm and precise pointers, like a seasoned teacher correcting a student.
"You're relying too much on brute force, Milim."
"Your movements are powerful, but predictable."
"Your balance is off after your third strike—compensate for it."
Milim's expression twisted with frustration.
Her Draconic Aura exploded, shaking the entire void.
Her speed doubled. Her strikes grew heavier.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Her Dragon Burst attacks rained down like comets, tearing through the fabric of my dimension, leaving behind distortions in reality itself.
She weaved in Drago Nova blasts, each one packing the force to annihilate entire countries.
And yet—
I dodged them all.
With a smile.
Milim gritted her teeth, growling.
"HOW COME I CAN'T HIT YOU?!"
I chuckled. "Because you're thinking like a warrior, not a conqueror."
She blinked. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?!"
I simply smiled. "You'll figure it out."
That only fueled her frustration.
Milim took a deep breath—
Then, her entire being surged with power.
Her hair became wilder. Her muscles tightened.
Her Dragon Wings unfurled, crackling with raw energy.
Then—
A sword materialized in her hands.
Not just any sword.
A primal weapon, forged from her essence.
Its blade pulsed with golden energy, engraved with ancient runes that shimmered with an untamed aura.
Milim grinned, her Dragon Eyes burning like twin stars.
"Now I'm serious!"
She launched forward again, her blade whistling through the void.
Each slash carved through space itself.
Rimuru, who had been watching, felt his throat go dry.
He muttered in disbelief—
"What the hell am I even looking at…?"
Milim's attacks were beyond devastating.
And yet—
I remained unshaken.
I continued dodging, parrying, and analyzing, all while effortlessly evading Milim's fury-fueled onslaught.
With each clash, I gave her pointers, pushing her limits even further.
"Don't just swing wildly. Channel your intent."
"Your footwork needs adjusting—you're giving away your next move."
"Stop trying to overpower me. Think."
Milim's frustration slowly turned into determination.
Her strikes became sharper. Her movements more precise.
And that's exactly what I wanted to see.
Milim's blade flashed like a golden comet, slicing through the void with blinding speed.
I effortlessly sidestepped, my movements fluid, effortless—almost lazy.
CLANG!
She swung again, but I simply raised a finger, blocking the blade with a single tap.
Her eyes widened.
"You're still holding back, Milim." I said calmly. "You're letting your emotions control your movements. A true warrior moves with intent, not impulse."
Milim growled in frustration.
Her aura flared, the air around her crackling with pure draconic energy.
Then—
She vanished.
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted as she reappeared behind me, her blade aimed straight for my neck.
A clever feint.
But still—
Too slow.
I merely tilted my head, her sword passing by harmlessly.
Before she could react—
I flicked my wrist.
A tiny movement—yet it sent a wave of force rippling through the void, sending Milim skidding back.
She planted her feet, her hands gripping her sword tightly.
Her chest heaved with heavy breaths.
But instead of frustration, there was now something else in her eyes—
Understanding.
"You… you really are incredible." She grinned, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I get it now."
I smiled. "Good. Now show me."
Milim took a deep breath, and then—
Her aura changed.
It was no longer just raw power.
It was focused. Sharpened.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, and when she opened them—
They shone with a newfound clarity.
Then, she moved.
FASTER.
This time, her attacks weren't wild.
Every step, every swing—precise, deliberate.
Her blade became an extension of her will.
SLASH!
I barely dodged this time.
My eyes flickered with amusement. "Now you're getting it."
Milim smirked. "I told you I'm a fast learner."
She spun, her sword trailing streaks of golden light as she weaved her attacks together—each one flawlessly chained into the next.
I finally had to block.
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
Sparks erupted with every impact, the sheer force of her strikes sending shockwaves through the void.
I could see Rimuru watching, his mouth slightly open.
"She's improving in real time… This is insane." He muttered.
Velzard smirked beside him. "Of course. This is how a true warrior learns."
Milim's attacks were now flawless.
She had evolved in the span of mere minutes.
But there was one last lesson she had to learn.
I stopped dodging.
I stood still as she charged, her ultimate attack ready—
Drago Nova!
A golden inferno erupted from her sword, the energy forming into a massive celestial dragon, roaring with divine fury.
The attack tore through the void, aimed straight at me.
And then—
I raised a single hand.
And caught it.
The moment my fingers closed around the attack, the entire battlefield shook.
The Drago Nova shrieked, struggling against my grip—
And then, I crushed it.
The attack dispersed into nothingness.
Silence.
Milim stared in shock.
"…What?"
I looked at her, my expression calm. "Raw power isn't enough, Milim. You must understand how to control it. Otherwise, you'll always be a reckless force rather than an unstoppable one."
Milim's fists clenched.
Then—she smiled.
A genuine, excited grin.
"I get it now." She said. "You've been teaching me this entire time."
I chuckled. "Of course. You're strong, Milim. But now, you're learning how to be unstoppable."
She exhaled, relaxing her stance.
Then she grinned even wider.
"Heh. This means I'll definitely win next time."
Rimuru sighed dramatically. "Please no 'next time'… You two nearly gave me a heart attack."
Velzard smirked. "Oh, Rimuru, this was nothing."
Milim turned to Rimuru. "Hey! Didn't I do good?"
Rimuru gave a thumbs-up. "You learned something, so yeah, I guess that's a win."
I nodded. "She did more than good. She unlocked something new within herself today."
Milim puffed out her chest proudly. "That's right! I'm only gonna get stronger!"
I smirked. "That's the spirit."
As we returned to Tempest, my lovers gathered around me, their expressions a mixture of amusement and intrigue.
Velzard crossed her arms, smirking. "You were toying with her the entire time, weren't you?"
I chuckled. "A little. But she needed the lesson."
Carrera sighed. "That kid is a monster. She's barely trying, and she's already beyond most beings in existence."
Ultima, who had been watching closely, tapped her chin. "But did you notice how fast she adapted? That's not just raw talent—it's something deeper."
Testarossa nodded, her golden eyes gleaming. "She's the daughter of the strongest being to ever exist. Her potential is limitless."
I looked at Milim, who was still boasting to Rimuru about her 'progress.'
And in that moment, I thought—
Veldanava… she really is your daughter.
Her fire, her passion, her unyielding will.
It was all his.
And yet—
She was her own person.
A force unlike any other.
I smiled to myself. "She'll surpass even the greatest legends one day."
Velzard glanced at me. "What are you thinking about?"
I shook my head. "Just that the future is going to be very interesting."
Ultima grinned. "Heh. That's an understatement."
With a single snap of my fingers, the empty void faded—replaced once more by the familiar walls of Rimuru's office in Tempest.
The sudden shift made Rimuru blink in surprise.
Milim, however, simply pouted. "Aww, I was just getting into it!"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "There will always be another time, Milim."
Velzard smirked. "Heh. Knowing her, she won't stop pestering you until you fight her again."
Rimuru sighed, rubbing his temples. "That's exactly what I'm worried about."
We all took our seats as Shuna entered the room, gracefully setting down a tray of snacks and tea.
I leaned back in my chair and looked at Rimuru. "The reason we came to see you today is simple—
It's time for us to leave."
Rimuru's eyes widened slightly. "Wait, already? But you just got here."
I nodded. "We've enjoyed our stay, Rimuru. You've been an excellent host. Tempest is a wonderful place, and I can see why it thrives under your rule."
Testarossa added with a small smile, "You've built something truly special here."
Carrera shrugged, smirking. "I'll admit, it was fun. Especially the fights."
Ultima grinned mischievously. "And the food. Can't forget the food."
Rimuru chuckled. "Yeah, well, Tempest is always open to you guys. But…" He paused, tilting his head. "You never told me your names."
Milim immediately perked up. "Oh yeah! He's right! You never told us!"
I simply chuckled.
I met Rimuru's curious gaze and said, "We are just travelers."
Rimuru narrowed his eyes. "Just travelers, huh?"
Milim pouted. "That's no fair! You gotta at least tell me your name if we're gonna fight again!"
I smirked. "Names hold power, Milim. For now, just think of us as wanderers passing through."
Rimuru sighed dramatically. "Mysterious until the end, huh?"
I stood up, my lovers following suit. "But don't worry, Rimuru. We'll be back."
Rimuru raised an eyebrow. "Promise?"
I nodded. "Promise."
Before leaving, I glanced at Rimuru, my expression serious.
"A word of advice."
Rimuru straightened up. "Yeah?"
"Keep an eye on the world, Rimuru. There are forces moving in the shadows, things even you haven't seen yet. Never let your guard down."**
Rimuru's expression grew serious. "…Got it."
I glanced at Milim. "And you, little dragon—
Keep training. Next time, I expect you to be stronger."
Milim grinned, clenching her fists. "You bet! Next time, I'll actually land a hit on you!"
I smirked. "We'll see."
And with that—
I raised my hand.
The room shimmered, space folding around us as we vanished in an instant—
Returning home.
We reappeared at the heart of our domain—
The City of Eternal Nights.
The sky above was an endless expanse of twilight, a mixture of deep purples and blues, stars twinkling like scattered diamonds.
Dark towers of obsidian and silver stretched into the heavens, illuminated by ethereal blue lanterns that never dimmed.
The streets below bustled with life—a kingdom untouched by time.
Velzard sighed, stretching. "Finally, home sweet home."
Ultima smirked. "Took long enough. Now, who's up for a feast?"
Carrera rolled her eyes. "You just ate in Tempest."
Testarossa smiled softly. "But I suppose a welcome-back celebration wouldn't be too bad."
I stood at the balcony, gazing at the city below.
A traveler never stays in one place for too long—
But this…
This was home.
I turned back to my lovers, smiling. "Let's celebrate, then. After all, a new journey will begin soon."
And with that—
The City of Eternal Nights shone under the never-ending stars, welcoming its rulers home once more.