"And you guys seek!"

The most powerful member of our party just disappeared in an instant.

None of us had any idea where she went, nor how to find her.

We were stunned.

Unable to act.

"Hey... you don't want to play?"

Once again, the slime's expression darkened.

"S-sure we want to play... but..."

Miranda was the first one to gather courage and talk back.

But after a few words, she was already at a loss for words.

"But...?"

"B-but what about you?"

Dan continued instead of her.

"Me?"

The thing in front of us tilted its head in confusion.

"Y-yeah...

You aren't hiding nor seeking, right?

I thought... we are all playing?"

The slime then opened its mouth, as if surprised.

"You are right!

Then... I will hide and you will seek!"

The moment we heard it say that, the slime disappeared without a trace.

Just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone again.

...

And Ema was still missing.

Nonetheless, we avoided the confrontation with it.

With a bit of luck, it will forget about all of this...

After all, didn't it forget about meeting me for the first time?

It didn't act like it remembered me.

...

A sigh left my mouth.

"H-hey...

So, what was that?"

Dan's question was completely reasonable.

But at the same time, it was quite hard to answer.

The strongest being in the world?

A slime with split personality?

Or a monster we never want to meet again?

...

All of them.

[Database]

Sort by level...

"Level 8762 void slime.

Its name is 'Lily'.

And it's the strongest monster in the world.

We don't want to meet it again."

A short and accurate description.

That's what I was aiming for.

Unfortunately, the reactions weren't so brief.

"Eight-...

WHAT?!"

"You...

Are you serious?"

Their shock and disbelief were evident.

But I didn't say anything to it.

I just silently looked at them to show how serious I was.

"U-ugh..."

Hit by the realization, Dan made a groan.

"Phe...

What's even the point of the 'demon lord' title if everything is stronger than me?"

Miranda said that in a half mocking and half resigning tone.

She must have been tired of feeling so powerless despite her title.

...

"So what now...?

I can't sense Ema anywhere.

Where the hell did that monster send her?"

After a moment of silence, Miranda asked a question.

Ever since we became her apostles, there was a link between us.

In other words, we felt each other's existence.

But now...

I can't feel Ema at all.

She completely disappeared.

And thinking about it, there is only one place she could be right now.

"She is probably in another plane..."

"Another plane...?

I-isn't that what you were practicing?

Going to other planes or something?"

I confirmed Dan's question by nodding.

"That monster was the reason I even started learning about it in the first place."

I took the moment to talk about my first meeting with 'Lily'.

The initial shock, the nonsense it did and how it ended up sending me to the alpha plane.

I skipped over the finer details and told them I ended up learning how to get back.

When I was done, it was time to rescue Ema.

Of course, that wouldn't be so simple.

The obvious problem was that we didn't know where exactly she was.

She could be in a plane I don't even know exists.

And the other issue was the fact that I could only reliably go to the alpha plane.

Going back was not so simple.

But even then, we couldn't just forget about her.

We had to try and find her.

And so...

"Ready?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm ready."

After hearing their confirmation, I grabbed their hands and started.

Targets are... Dan, Miranda and me.

Destination is alpha plane.

Here we go.

After I focused on the spell, our bodies started shining.

The scenery around me twisted and spun around.

As I tried to lead us through this warped tunnel, I started feeling pain all over my body.

It was quite a bit milder than it used to be though.

All of the practice seemed to be paying off.

A few moments later, I landed on solid ground while still holding something in my hands.

I opened my eyes and saw the gray sky and flat ground stretching into all directions.

Then, I looked to my left and then my right.

There were Dan and Miranda lying on the ground, twitching.

Seems like they didn't take the trip too well.

At that moment, I remembered there was no breathable air and began creating some.

After that, I took some time to look at the condition of my companions and found out they were merely unconscious.

...

Why is it that everyone faints when going through this?

Maybe I'm the weird one?

|= After waiting for them to wake up =|

"WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN US?!"

The demon lord was the first one to wake up.

And, as I expected, she didn't spare me her complaints.

Her attitude sure has changed since our first meeting, huh?

She sure is good at adapting to new situations.

I didn't respond to her yelling and instead looked into the distance.

"She isn't here."

"WH-

Huh...?

Oh..."

While I was waiting for her to wake up, I already realized I couldn't sense Ema in this plane either.

That was a serious problem.

I was only experienced in traveling between the alpha plane and the regular one.

If she is in yet another one, it will be very tough to get to her.

"Then... what do we do?"

It was tough...

Perhaps our best bet was to just hope she finds her way back to us?

After all, she easily found us the last time.

...

But if she is in another plane...

Ugh...

It will work out somehow.

"We will go back and hope she finds us again."

When I said that, Miranda made a step back.

"G-going though that... again?!"

She obviously wasn't too keen on it.

I guess those two aren't used to pain very much.

But being here forever is not a good idea.

With that said...

I raised my arm and aimed my palm at Miranda.

[Sweet dreams]

"What are you do-uah...."

And then she fell unconscious again.

Hmm...

She was right.

The 'demon lord' title is completely pointless.

If she can't even resist a simple illusion spell, she is weaker than many of the monsters back in the dungeon.

It's been a while since illusion magic was actually useful...

I never thought I would use it in such a way.

I looked over to Dan, who was still out and nodded to myself.

That way, they won't complain about the pain, right?

|= After that, I transported us back and waited again =|

...

But it's really strange.

There is a tiny reaction again.

As if she was still in this plane, but I wasn't her apostle anymore...

If she really is here, that's good.

But...

Could the link have broken?

That would be bad...

It would mean that the god can turn back time again and we wouldn't remember anything.

...

The reaction is getting stronger.

She is...

In the direction we were already going?

That's good...

Hopefully the god won't mess with time for now.

...

Hopefully.

A sigh left my mouth.

Is that all I can do?

Just hope things go well?

Hope the god doesn't do anything...

Hope the slime forgets about us...

Is there really nothing else I can do?

It was really vexing.

Never have I felt this powerless before.

I had no choice but to believe it will turn out well.

As I thought about what to do, I waited for Dan and Miranda to wake up.

When they finally did, more complaints were thrown my way before I shared my findings with them.

Apparently, unlike me, they couldn't sense Ema at all.

Odd, but I kind of expected that.

After all, Aicyna also didn't even register that explosion from when Ema came to this world.

When they finally stopped with their complaints, we continued marching.

|= Several days later =|

We are already approaching the capital.

It didn't seem like Ema was in the city, she was a bit further than that.

Nonetheless, I'm sure she will soon reach us.

On another note, our trip has been very peaceful.

No more encounters with ridiculous monsters and it didn't seem like the god messed with time anymore.

...

Nothing is happening.

It's suspicious.

I'm worried.

As we approached the city, we noticed humans gathering at the entrance.

They all brandished swords or staves and seemed to be in panic.

With a party like ours, of course they would be.

Dan stepped forward and spoke.

"My name is Dan!

I am the summoned hero!

Open up the gates, I need to speak to the king!"

Those words started murmurs among the humans.

Soon enough though, a representative stepped out and answered.

"The hero has been missing for a few days!

Prove your identity first!"

"Eh...

Umm...

Right."

Following a short delay, Dan pulled out his sword and held it with both hands in front of him.

The sword then started radiating light as it filled with mana.

Lastly, Dan stabbed the sword toward the sky and it shot out a beam of light upwards.

Of course, that only caused more murmurs among the humans.

But after a moment, their representative spoke up again.

"We have confirmed your identity.

Now, what about those two monsters behind you?"

He called us monsters without any hesitation.

"T-this is Reiza.

She-"

Dan starts introducing me, but I cut him off and do it myself instead.

"I'm Reiza.

I helped to summon this guy."

I pointed at Dan.

The whispering among the humans continues.

I also notice sweat drops forming on their foreheads as I get closer.

Their representative steps forward and opens his mouth.

But before he says anything, I pull out the old sword the king gave me.

And lightly throw it up into the air.

"And here is your proof."

The sword spins in the air and then stabs into the ground as it lands.

I see a few of the humans jolt when it lands.

After that, I look directly at the spokesman and await his response.

"W-we have confirmed your identity."

Skipping any more discussions with his allies, he promptly replied.

"And...

W-who might your other friend be?"

Of course...

This would be the most troublesome part.

Both me and Dan looked at Miranda, expecting her to introduce herself.

She sighed before stepping forward.

"My name is Miranda.

I am the demon lord."

Now, they were truly at a loss for words.

No silent murmuring this time.

Only dubious stares aimed at Miranda.

"And no, I'm not here to attack you!

I'm here to discuss options for peace."

Of course, they only got more suspicious when she said that.

Things wouldn't go so smoothly this time...

|= Several hours later =|

Miranda let out an audible sigh.

The reason is all of the heavily armed guards accompanying us.

Not like they could stop us if we decided to do something...

And they didn't seem too happy about having to guard us either.

But at least we were finally let in without having to kill anyone.

Now, we were on our way to the castle.

On another note, Ema was getting very close again.

And there was still no intervention from the god...

Did he give up?

No...

I'm sure he is plotting something.

But what?

As we were closing in on the castle, I heard yells and screams from one of the gardens.

But I was probably the only one, because nobody else reacted to it.

I stopped walking and perked up my ears.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

I ignored Miranda's question.

It was because the yells resounded again.

And I recognized it.

It was an irritated battle roar from a member of our tribe.

And it's owner was...

Renar, my uncle.

My mind went blank for a second.

I finally heard my uncle's voice after all this time.

But something was wrong.

Very wrong.

I ignored everything and jumped forward.

An uncomfortable feeling overtook me.

I knew something wasn't right.

After leaping over the castle walls, I rushed into the gardens just in time to witness it.

In my vision, there was my uncle with and sword piercing his chest.

He was surrounded by several armed humans.

But I ignored all of them.

I ran straight to uncle.

My tail swept the human who stabbed my uncle and sent him flying.

Meanwhile, I pulled out the sword and started tending to him.

[Heal]

[Heal]

[Heal]

...

But it wasn't working.

His body was getting cold.

WHY?!

WHY?!

My vision blurred because of the tears forming in my eyes.

But I didn't stop trying to save him.

Strange groans were coming out of my mouth.

But I didn't let up.

Why why WHY?!

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!

WHO DID THIS?!

I look up at all of the humans around me.

They are all staring at me.

Probably enjoying my anguish.

I will kill them.

I WILL KILL ALL OF THEM!

...

And at that moment, something black ran into my vision.

I recognized it and at the same time, I didn't.

It was a black cat with two tails.

A black flame was on top of each of the tails.

It looked exactly like En.

But it was black instead of white.

...

En said he had a brother.

Evil root...

Is this him?

Was it this fucker's fault?

Did he make those humans kill my uncle?

Kill it...

KILL IT!

It dashed away and I ran after it.

It kept turning behind corners and trying to confuse me.

But it couldn't escape me.

I was right behind it.

Finally, it jumped over the castle walls and I followed.

But when I landed and looked around...

I didn't see that cat.

Instead, I saw... Ema.

"Hey... there you are."

Is this a trick?

Transforming into Ema to fool me?

I won't fall for that!

In an instant, a large ball of darkness formed in my right hand and flew toward Ema impostor.

But it dispersed as soon as it got near her.

"Whoa!

Hey, what are you doing?!"

My magic was neutralized?

So it's not weak?

HAH!

THAT DOESN'T MATTER!

I raised my arm and held out my nails before swinging forward.

I must kill it.

[Phantom annihilation]

A screeching sound followed by my vision getting split.

But it didn't hit.

I must kill it.

She bent her body and narrowly dodged my attack.

The building behind her wasn't so lucky, though.

I MUST KILL IT!

After that, she looked at me with cold eyes.

"I see...

So that's how it is...

Excuse me, I will have to get a little rough with you."

I MUST KILL IT!

Like it or not, this series is actually very close to its end.

Only a few more chapters.

Blame me for hating fillers, but these last few ones will contain a lot of twists and turns.

5 chapters left