02x12.5 - (D) Tales: Veldora's Journal 2

[bunniefuu]

[IFRIT]

That's check, Lord Veldora.

[VELDORA] Hmm. I see

you've improved, Ifrit.

[IFRIT]

Thank you, sir.

[VELDORA]

That's the way, Ifrit.

You must rise to my level

as fast as you can!

I'll be counting down

the days until you do!

[IFRIT]

Oh, right!

To be fair, I did

win this game, though.

[VELDORA] Yes. But I fear

we don't have much time.

[IFRIT]

What do you mean?

[VELDORA]

I'm saying it's possible

I won't be here much longer.

[IFRIT gasps]

Are you serious?

[VELDORA]

These have been good times.

So much has happened.

[VELDORA] At long last,

Rimuru has finally fulfilled

his promise to Shizu to

save her students in Ingrassia.

He can now return to Tempest.

That mask...

[IFRIT]

What about it?

[VELDORA] I believe the one who

sealed me away was wearing that.

Or maybe it just looks similar.

[VELDORA] It was handed down

from the Hero to Shizu,

and then to Chloe from Rimuru.

Could there be some connection?

Of course not!

I'm overthinking this!

[IFRIT] Back then, we truly

believed that more fun times

were waiting for Lord Rimuru

once he returned

to the nation of monsters.

[VELDORA] I had the same

carefree thoughts.

But this is when

Shizu's disciple,

Hinata Sakaguchi, appears.

[IFRIT] Because of Hinata's

wide-range barrier,

all magicules within have

been purged and Lord Rimuru

can't make full use

of his strength.

[VELDORA] Nothing he says seems

to get through to this woman!

She's definitely

a stubborn opponent.

[IFRIT] I can't believe

how much Lord Rimuru's

struggling with this fight.

[VELDORA]

Yes, he might lose this time.

[IFRIT] Are you sure?!

Can he pull through?

If Lord Rimuru dies,

what happens to us?

[VELDORA laughs]

Don't panic, Ifrit!

All we need to do is keep an eye

on Rimuru and have faith in him.

I'm certain he has an idea.

[HINATA]

Put an end to this.

Disintegration!

[VELDORA]

That's my Rimuru!

He had a body double ready

well in advance.

Then, he hid his real body

while the doppelganger

did all the dangerous fighting.

[IFRIT]

My! He really is quite clever.

[VELDORA] Indeed, though it was

a bit of a risky gamble.

Even I am impressed!

At least he can finally go home.

[IFRIT] Actually...

Something seems to be amiss.

[VELDORA] Wh-What's this?

Tempest has changed.

[VELDORA] Humans consumed

by greed are invading

the nation of monsters.

What a troublesome race

these creatures are.

Regardless, Rimuru still

insists on trying to live

side by side with them.

[IFRIT] Yes. He must be trying

to abide by human rules himself.

Look at how calm he appears.

[VELDORA]

But on the inside,

his emotions are

raging like a storm.

They may burst forth

at any moment now.

I hope nothing else happens

to cause his soul more pain.

[VELDORA]

There are no words...

[IFRIT]

Truly...

[VELDORA] I only had contact

with Shion through Rimuru.

But I still felt his

attachment to the Kijin.

He always respected her and

felt that she was someone

he could learn a lot from.

But now she's...

[VELDORA] I can't bear to see

Rimuru hurt so severely.

But even if the monsters die,

there's no reason to be sad.

Their souls will simply return

to the cycle of life and death,

and they will devote themselves

to reaching greater heights.

That is how

nature works, correct?

[IFRIT]

Yes. I believe so.

[VELDORA] Then why doesn't

he simply state that himself?

Why is Rimuru

grieving so deeply?

[IFRIT] Do you not

feel sad, Lord Veldora?

Shion was a cheerful, innocent

lady from whom we could all

learn so much,

and yet, senseless v*olence

--has taken her away from us.

--[VELDORA gasps]

[IFRIT] The depth of one's

sadness toward a loss

is proportionate to

the depth of the relationship.

I finally realized that

myself just recently.

[VELDORA] I see... It's possible

that by explaining Shion's death

as nature's way, I was

trying to avert my own eyes

from the grief I feel.

[IFRIT] Long ago,

when Shizu when was young,

I k*lled one of her friends.

A girl named Pirino.

At the time, my sense

of self was still faint.

And I was a creature that

only reacted in response

with hostility, but still,

it was an awful sin

that I committed.

I have no doubt that was

the main reason Shizu and I

were never able to

connect mentally.

[VELDORA]

Ifrit...

[IFRIT chuckles]

Yet, I have changed.

Is it because I thought of death

as nature's way back then

and utterly failed to

see Shizu's sadness?

Shizu considered

my sin to be her own,

and her need to atone

for it broke her heart.

[IFRIT] If I were not here

observing Lord Rimuru with you,

then I might have never come

to that realization on my own.

[VELDORA]

Yes.

Something as serious as death

should never be taken lightly.

[EREN] Wait, listen to me!

The odds are pretty slim.

In fact, they might

be basically zero.

But I know a fairy tale

specifically about

bringing the dead back to life!

[IFRIT]

Lord Veldora!

[VELDORA] The dead can be

brought back to life?

It would be miraculous

if such a thing were true.

[EREN] It's the tale of

a girl and her pet dragon.

The girl was the daughter

of a human and a dragon,

and she was raised as

the Dragon Princess.

One day, her father, a dragon,

made a double of himself

in the form of a baby.

So the girl would have a friend.

[IFRIT]

I know this tale.

Isn't this

"The Dragon Princess"?

[VELDORA]

Indeed. It's about Milim.

Though I don't know

the details very well.

[RIMURU] Wait...

So you're saying the barrier

could be keeping their

souls from escaping?

[GREAT SAGE]

The probability of it is . %.

[VELDORA] The chance they

can be revived is . %.

That's plenty! Behold!

Rimuru has reached

the same conclusion as me.

His fighting spirit

has been reignited!

[IFRIT] And... it appears

he has steeled his resolve.

[VELDORA] Yes. The resolve to

take the lives of , humans.

By bearing that sin,

he will ultimately become

a new Demon Lord.

[IFRIT]

Hmm.

[VELDORA]

Rimuru. You can rest easy.

You are not in this alone.

I, Veldora, will bear that

sin along with you!

[RIMURU] These are the guys who

k*lled Shion and the rest.

Okay...

[RIMURU]

Let's do this.

[IFRIT]

The counterattack has begun.

[VELDORA]

Yes, the air trembles,

as if in response

to Rimuru's anger.

The rage his friends feel

is also intense.

They are normally such

peaceful creatures,

but now, their eyes

have taken on a new color.

Still, before the battle, Rimuru

spoke with Benimaru about

what to do should

he lose control of himself

after his evolution. He asked

him to take whoever was left

who could still fight

and eliminate him.

Such a cruel request to make.

I could never agree to that.

[IFRIT] Indeed. Perhaps

I could have in the past.

But it'd be hard

for me nowadays.

Of course, I could also never

command an army of monsters.

Much less stop someone

as powerful as Lord Rimuru.

[VELDORA]

That is also true.

But Rimuru does not make

impossible requests.

It must mean he truly

trusts Benimaru.

I may even be

a bit jealous of him.

Then again, Rimuru would never

do anything to make his friends

sad or put them out.

As such, I'm sure he will

successfully awaken

as a Demon Lord.

[IFRIT] You're right.

We must have faith!

[gasps]

Lord Veldora. Look there!

[RIMURU] Die. May the wrath

of the gods pierce you.

Megiddo!

[VELDORA]

The kind, gentle Rimuru...

The Rimuru who so deeply

hated to hurt anyone.

He's k*lling these

enemy soldiers without

the slightest reluctance.

He's chosen the optimal

method for k*lling them

and is proceeding to carry

it out with no hesitation.

To be honest with you, I can't

help but shudder at his resolve.

[IFRIT]

Same.

[VELDORA] It certainly

doesn't pay to anger those

who are normally mild-mannered.

The sacred text contains

many verses to that effect.

[IFRIT] He isn't k*lling

King Edmaris of Falmuth?

It's surprising how calm he is.

[VELDORA]

Right?

If it were me, I wouldn't

concern myself with talking.

I would simply k*ll

all of them on the spot.

[IFRIT]

Oh, but if you think about it,

doing such a thing would

create much more of a mess

to clean up later.

If the ruler of the Kingdom of

Falmuth were to be assassinated,

his entire army

would be mobilized

to defend the land's honor.

The Western Holy Church wouldn't

take it lying down, either.

If anything,

by exercising restraint,

Lord Rimuru is ensuring

that the w*r doesn't drag out

longer than necessary.

[VELDORA]

Hmm. A wise observation.

Still, even if he

doesn't k*ll him,

I doubt he'll show

the king mercy.

Personally, I would

have devoured him.

Rimuru's patience

is quite impressive.

[IFRIT]

His force of will is remarkable.

But was that really

the right choice?

[VELDORA]

Has the evolution begun?

Rimuru is acting strange.

[IFRIT]

He seems to be swaying a bit.

[VELDORA] Yes. I don't

know since I haven't

experienced it myself,

but I imagine it's not easy

evolving into a Demon Lord.

[VELDORA] Hmm? Oh my.

That's an Archdemon.

--[IFRIT] What?!

--[VELDORA] No doubt about it.

What's more,

he's no newborn chick.

He's a dangerous one who's

been alive for a very long time.

[IFRIT]

Seriously?

[VELDORA] Ifrit, even though

you're a superior spirit

who ranks higher

than demons, you can't see

how powerful he is, can you?

[IFRIT] No. In my eyes,

he appears to be no more

than a Greater Demon.

[VELDORA] Exactly, which

should prove just how perfect

this Archdemon's

disguise really is.

On top of that,

he appeared to Rimuru

without even being summoned.

Could it be possible that

he's lived even longer than me?

No, surely not...

[VELDORA yawns]

I'm so bored.

[IFRIT gasps]

Bored?!

Lord Veldora, this is

an unprecedented moment

of incredible tension!

Isn't there something

else you can say?!

[VELDORA]

Well, I'm only being honest!

Since Rimuru has fallen

into the sleep of evolution,

we can't see what's happening

in the outside world!

I'm so bored,

I don't know what to do!

But I suppose playing

around won't do any good.

I'm sure Rimuru

is going to be busy

after he becomes a Demon Lord.

I need to break free of

Unlimited Imprisonment

as quickly as possible

so I can assist him!

I'll keep analyzing

Unlimited Imprisonment!

[IFRIT]

Good luck, sir!

--[VELDORA] Hmm?

--[IFRIT] What's the matter?

[VELDORA]

This is strange...

[IFRIT]

Lord Veldora?

[VELDORA] The analysis is

moving at breakneck speed.

In fact, I feel power

welling up within me!

It's several times faster.

Dozens? Maybe a hundred times?

No... The analysis is

moving many hundreds of times

faster than before! I'm amazing!

[IFRIT] I knew you could

do it, Lord Veldora!

When you put your mind to it,

Unlimited Imprisonment

is a simple--

[VELDORA]

Oh, no, no, no, no!

Even I won't allow myself

to become that arrogant.

It must be something else.

My power wouldn't grow

this much for no reason.

[IFRIT] I see, and just exactly

how much has it increased?

[VELDORA]

Well, it's still growing,

but I'd say about times.

[IFRIT]

What?!

[VELDORA]

Yes, I expected that response.

[IFRIT]

No, that can't be right!

It should be obvious

that something is wrong!

Um, did you eat something

you shouldn't have?

I bet you ate something you

found on the ground again!

[VELDORA]

Don't be ridiculous!

[IFRIT grunts] I'm sorry.

I lost my composure.

By the way, Lord Veldora, how is

it that you can remain so calm?

[VELDORA] All things

considered, it's easy.

If I continue to analyze

Unlimited Imprisonment

at this pace, then I'll

be free in no time!

[laughs]

[IFRIT] Well, yes,

I suppose that's true.

So do you have any idea

why this is happening?

[VELDORA]

Excellent question.

Rimuru's own analysis speed

also seems to be much higher.

Most likely, in the process of

becoming a true Demon Lord,

the calculation

ability of Rimuru's skills

must have substantially

increased.

[IFRIT]

Of course, that makes sense.

So your skills have

improved along with his.

If that's the case,

I'm relieved.

--[VELDORA] Hmm?

--[IFRIT] I thought your life...

--[VELDORA] My life?!

--[IFRIT] ...was possibly

emitting its last

flickers of light...

I was worried it was

the end for you.

[VELDORA]

Don't be silly!

[laughs]

There's no way!

Don't say scary

things like that.

[IFRIT]

Oh! Lord Veldora, look at that!

[VELDORA]

It seems Rimuru's evolution

into a Demon Lord is complete.

[IFRIT]

What's happening?

[VELDORA]

It's the gift.

When one evolves

into a Demon Lord,

gifts are then bestowed upon

all the monsters who share

a connection with

the newly awakened being.

[IFRIT]

I see...

[IFRIT]

Wait, Lord Veldora!

[VELDORA]

Huh? Why is this happening?

[IFRIT] Lord Veldora, could it

be that the one we thought to be

Lord Rimuru all this

time is actually...

[VELDORA]

I already knew that.

--[IFRIT gasps]

--[VELDORA] I could tell from

the start that Rimuru's

skills were special.

Indeed, they were stand-alone!

I've always known

he had a proxy!

[IFRIT]

You are brilliant, Lord Veldora!

Hold on,

there's no way you knew!

Otherwise, you'd have

that overly smug look

on your face like usual!

[VELDORA] Ifrit! Shion

and the others are awake!

But...

[IFRIT]

Oh, Lord Raphael!

[VELDORA] My instincts are

telling me that I must not defy

this particular being.

[VELDORA] Hello, what

brings you here today?

[IFRIT]

Whatever you command, I, Ifrit,

am more than willing to obey!

Can we help you?

Yes. This individual of

the Ifrit race has no name

and a meager ego.

For this reason,

you lack the essential basis

to acquire skills. I recommend

you resume your training.

[IFRIT]

Right! As you wish.

I, Ifrit, shall

become a training beast!

Hup! One! Two! Three! Four!

[VELDORA]

So, um...

[RAPHAEL] Notice. I am now

convinced that the individual,

Veldora, has been

slacking off.

[VELDORA gasps]

[RAPHAEL] Now then,

I command you to acquire

an ultimate skill immediately.

[VELDORA]

Um, that's a tall order...

[RAPHAEL]

Notice. It is possible.

I have forced your calculation

domain to expand exponentially.

Therefore, you can use your

own strength to maintain it

and perform the analytical

work on Unlimited Imprisonment.

[VELDORA] Raphael

definitely isn't posing this

as an optional request.

If anything,

it's an outright demand.

[VELDORA]

I have to do it, don't I?

[IFRIT]

Yes!

[VELDORA]

Great news!

Through my efforts,

I have acquired it!

The ultimate skill, Faust!

Is this because of

the gift from Rimuru?

I must thank him!

[IFRIT] Now Lord Raphael

won't be angry with you.

[VELDORA]

Yes!

Goodness, Ifrit, you look

a lot more muscular now.

[IFRIT] I do?

I still have a long way to go!

I will continue to train

until my overall body fat

is less than %!

[VELDORA]

Noted. Well, good luck.

[RAPHAEL] Question. Have you

acquired an ultimate skill?

[VELDORA]

Ah! Y-Yes, of course!

[RAPHAEL]

Good.

Then let us break through

Unlimited Imprisonment

right away.

[IFRIT]

Oh! You get to go outside!

Congratulations, Lord Veldora!

[VELDORA] Let's not get

ahead of ourselves!

[laughs]

What should I say to

Rimuru once I've revived?

Naturally, I'll start

with boasting.

Which means I shouldn't let on

that I know what's been going on

in the outside world.

[IFRIT]

Great idea! That could be fun!

[VELDORA] Ooh, it could also be

fun to pretend I'm acquiring

Faust right in front of him!

"What's this? So this is

the evolution of a skill!

My unique skill Investigator is

now the ultimate skill Faust!

What an unexpected surprise!

This is the power to find

the ultimate truth

that my inquisitive

spirit has longed for!"

Then he'll say, "Cool, Veldora!

I can't believe you got

an ultimate skill so easily!

You're the GOAT!"

Or... something else

I don't understand.

Rimuru will shower

me with praise from

the bottom of his heart.

It will be glorious!

"Please, it's nothing."

I'll say.

[laughs]

[IFRIT groans]

Lord Veldora,

forgive me if this

is presumptuous,

but if you wish to stand by Lord

Rimuru's side as his friend.

You must remember that he

is the one who will be blamed

for any of the actions

that you perform.

Are you familiar with

the phrase "unwanted favor"?

I heard it once.

It basically means that

something you did as a favor

might actually be unwanted

by the intended recipient.

Does that make sense?

In your case, since

you have so much power.

I think you should always

consult with your companions

before you do anything.

[VELDORA]

I see...

[IFRIT]

Listen to me.

You don't want Lord Rimuru

to hate you, right?

[VELDORA]

I'd cry...

[IFRIT] Okay. Then don't

do anything rash.

Act with caution, prudence,

and care at all times.

Do you promise?

[VELDORA] Of course I do!

And I have another promise.

For you...

[IFRIT]

What is it?

[VELDORA]

One day,

no matter what it takes, I shall

free you from this place.

[IFRIT gasps]

Really?!

I will be counting down

the days until you do!

[VELDORA]

Worry not, Ifrit.

Just like my

dear friend, Rimuru,

I always keep my promises.

And I'm certain

that with my skills,

fulfilling this particular

promise to you won't take me

too terribly long.

Can I still count

on you from now on?

[IFRIT]

Yes. Of course!

When that time comes,

let us play shogi again.

[VELDORA]

I won't go easy on you.

[IFRIT]

That's perfect!

[VELDORA]

Good!

[laughs]

[RIMURU]

This place brings back memories.

[RIMURU] How have

two years already passed?

[RAPHAEL]

Notice.

Appraisal of Unlimited

Imprisonment is complete.

[RIMURU] I can finally

fulfill my promise.

I'll set you free now.

Let's do this, Veldora.

[RIMURU gasps]

Am I... taller?

[groans] Raphael.

Make a double of my body.

That way Veldora can inhabit it.

[RAPHAEL]

Activating Enhanced Body Double.

[RIMURU gasps]

Dang. I did mature a bit.

[gasps]

[RIMURU]

If I do say so myself,

I'm kind of a hottie.

[gasps]

Ahem.

Okay, task at hand.

[VELDORA roars]

[RIMURU gasps]

Please work...

[RAPHAEL] Notice.

Soul corridor between Master

and the individual

named Veldora confirmed.

Yes!

[VELDORA laughs]

I am the Storm Dragon,

Veldora Tempest!

Revived!

[chuckles]

And those who defy me

will be slaughtered!

[laughs]