That Time I Got Isekai’d Again and Befriended a Slime

How much time had passed since she'd started hearing God's voice? A few months? A year? Several years? It had to be a long time, but for the life of her she couldn't recall much of it.

It was like there had been a haze over her mind, a veil that was now stripped away.

She… didn't understand the world at all, did she?

That Devil had killed her father. That was a fact. God had told her as much.

"You should know that I didn't actually kill your father."

It was a lie. It had to be. It was a fact. Or maybe, it was (as in, used to be) a fact.

"…during a battle, Anson Sue overloaded his computation orb and blew himself up in an attempt to take my life. You don't have to believe me, but it's the truth."

She had to be lying. She had to.

Because, if she wasn't…

If that Devil was telling the truth, then…

It didn't feel like a lie.

That was the one thing Mary couldn't help but focus on.

That Devil, for all her evil deeds and heretical ways, sounded truthful. She even said 'please' when asking Mary to listen.

How did that make any sense?

The truth, as Mary had unfortunately come to realize, was that there was no real reason for her foe to lie. She'd thought about this for a while now, which was made much easier with how much clearer her thoughts were now.

Really though, what purpose would lying about to her about her father's death serve?

To hurt her? Maybe. It would be extremely petty, but it was a possibility.

But was it even worth it? It's not like that Devil wanted to gain her favor or anything. No, she very clearly still hated Mary, and fuck, that feeling was certainly mutual.

Also, they were apparently in a whole another world for fuck's sake! And, shit, that was still something she hadn't quite been able to wrap her head around. She'd been reincarnated. And then almost immediately, she had fought her most hated enemy for the second time in a short span.

Only, while the first fight had ended in mutual destruction, the second had been so one-sided that it was laughable.

The truth of the matter was, if Tanya had wished it, Mary would have been dead. Again. But no, instead she'd spared her. Knocked her out instead of cutting her head off, then somehow convinced that terrifying blue jelly person that ran this place to let them live in his city.

What did that say about her? About Mary herself?

What did it say, when the Devil was merciful, and the Faithful was unrepentant? That her hated enemy had spared her life, even though she knew that Mary wouldn't even hesitate had the roles been reversed.

Mary didn't understand at all. None of this made sense.

Before, her hatred had been a roaring inferno, only stoked by the words of God in her ears.

Now?

God was gone. His miraculous power, as much as she hated to admit it, appeared to be gone.

All she had left were her morals, ideals, and motivations. Yet, these too were up in the air.

If that Devil truly was the merciful one, and she, a woman of Faith, was the merciless…

If God had lied to her…

What purpose did she serve?

…Was she the bad guy?

She had no real answers. Only questions, and a sense of emptiness pervading her very being.

Mary lay there for another moment, before forcing herself up.

Answers. I need…

She trudged to the corner and opened her room's dresser, pulling out various clothes and undergarments that had been provided along with the house. Loose black pants, a long sleeve crewneck the same shade of blue as her old military uniform, leather ankle boots, socks… she pulled them out and threw them all on one by one with purposed intent.

Nothing would be gained from remaining shut up in her room. A month had passed with nothing changing.

It was clear she needed to find these answers herself.

…the northern side of Tempest, right?

-=-

Late Morning

Outside Northern Gate

Tempest, Jura Tempest Alliance

A bit cliché to do the 'a fight will reveal your true nature' thing unironically. And completely irrational, all things considered. If it's a matter of who'd win in an actual battle, Rimuru would probably prevail, but a sword fight? Not everyone can or wants to use bladed weapons. It's merely a lucky coincidence that Hakurou trained them both.

For a moment, she thought about saying as much, but ultimately held back. No need to waste her breath getting on the bad side of the King of the Armed Nation of Dwargon. He had to be extremely powerful to hold such a position. No doubt challenging his methodology would be seen as insulting, especially from someone who appeared relatively unimposing like herself.

Tanya shrugged. Well, if it works. Still…

Though admittedly, she was playing that angle up intentionally, alongside suppressing her mana to seem less important. In any case, there was little doubt in her mind that the large man who represented a premier nation would not view her suggestions in the most favorable light. Such was the way of the powerful.

Also, why was he so huge? Weren't dwarves supposed to be short? Kaijin and his company all fit the mental image she'd had in her head, so what happened here? Furthermore, all of King Gazel's Pegasus knights were similarly well-sized.

Did the idea of "might makes right" extend to the humanoid races like dwarves as well? That would make sense though, gathering the strongest and most imposing for use in your most elite group of soldiers. A somewhat Spartan system all things considered.

In fact, that sounded oddly familiar now that she thought about it.

…we were lucky it worked out this time, but I refuse to allow the fate of Tempest to rest merely on luck going forward. If I have to step in next time to make sure my new home remains peaceful, then I damn sure will.

Unfortunately, it seemed all of Rimuru's other subordinates that had shown up were fully in favor of how such an important meeting went down.

Do they trust him that much, or are they just idiots?

Tanya glanced at Gobta, who was boasting about something or other to Hakurou.

…Maybe a bit of both. I really will have to step in next time. Unfortunate.

"Have you made an alliance with a human nation already, Rimuru?"

Tanya raised an eyebrow. Human nation? The only human here right now is me.

"Ah, no. Not yet at least."

"Interesting. So then, you have individual humans already living in your city of monsters."

He's talking about me. Okay then. And yeah, I was surprised too. I don't think Rimuru has quite realized the implications behind having humans willing to accept his city so soon after its birth. Even if Mary and I are reincarnates, all that really matters to the people of this world is the fact that we're human, and we're living among monsters. That's a hell of a political statement, especially to the more avid monster haters.

"Well, only two right now. See, that's Tanya. She's-"

"Very pleased to meet such an affluent figure." Tanya smoothly cut in, stepping forward to stand besides the two. "Your reputation precedes you, King Gazel."

This is a man who respects power, or at the very least, boldness and openness.

"Do you test every new nation's leader with a sword fight, or is Rimuru the exception?"

Rimuru shot her an incredulous look.

"Tanya, what-"

"HAHAHAHA!!!" Gazel burst into raucous laughter.

"King Gazel?!"

"Rimuru, I like this woman." The King turned to face her fully. "You're more than you appear, I can tell. Who are you?"

That's a loaded question if I've ever heard one. What's the best response here?

"I'm one of Rimuru's Executives."

Well, technically her position was as a 'General Advisor', but 'Executives' fit as a much more efficient blanket term to describe the close-knit group of Rimuru's closest subordinates. It also added a greater air of importance and cohesion to Tempest's organizational structure, something that was sorely lacking considering the Jura Tempest Alliance's rather abrupt and informal formation.

Really, Tanya was doing everyone a favor here.

"Tanya von Degurechaff. Pleased to make your acquaintance." She reached out for a handshake. "Please don't make a habit of challenging our leadership to duels that could determine the fate of our nation."

"No promises!" Gazel laughed again, clasping her hand tightly and shaking it.

"That is the opposite of reassuring." Tanya sweatdropped, before turning her head. "Rimuru, that goes for you as well. I'd hate to have to step in and resolve it myself next time when you're so capable by yourself."

"R-right."

"'Resolve it yourself'? Well now, that's certainly some tough talk." Gazel tightened his grip, forcing Tanya's attention back on him. "I've seen Rimuru's skill for myself, but I wonder if you can back any of that talk up yourself."

It's always the same with these guys. She refrained form rolling her eyes. Fine then. I can play that part too, and much better at that.

Tanya tightened her own grip, making use of a minor enhancement formula to further assert herself.

"Rest assured, King Gazel of the Armed Nation of Dwargon. Had you proved yourself an intentional threat to Tempest, I would have more than 'backed that talk up myself'."

They stared at each other for few tense moments, the faintest hints Gazel's Hero Haki clashing against Tanya's own fierce, glowing glare.

Then, it was over.

"Ha! I see! Tempest is truly the real deal." The King grinned and let go of Tanya's hand, "I was mostly sure of it before, with Rimuru and I's duel. But this, this is much better than I was expecting."

He waved a hand in Rimuru's direction.

"I can see your nation is in good hands, Rimuru. Now then, let us test just how tasteful your wine stores are."

…Just like that? Really?

Tanya watched the two leaders begin to walk away with a look almost akin to disappointment.

She sighed, idly activating Magic Sense to ensure King Gazel's pegasus knights were all accounted for. A bit of a paranoid gesture, perhaps, but then again, years of fighting in a massive world war combined with a spiteful devil-like deity out for your blood would make even the laziest individual overly cautious.

Was it really paranoia if you'd spent over decade with a target on your back? Tanya didn't think so. It was much more like "completely justified caution" than "paranoia" in her books.

If only the conflicts in my last world were so easily resolved. Then I'd have- Oh?

Tanya casually glanced over at the city of Tempest's northern gate.

Interesting…

A moment later, she shrugged.

Well, not that it matters. I have other business that doesn't involve babysitting. Wouldn't want Rimuru to get shortchanged in negotiations now, do I? That would be counterproductive to my goals.

With that thought, Tanya lifted high off the ground and flew back towards Tempest.

A bit dramatic perhaps… but hey, when you can fly, why not fly? There's no need to be confined to the ground unnecessarily.

-=-

Mary leaned against the side Tempest's northern gate, watching from the shadows as the scary jelly – Rimuru her mind helpfully supplied – led the similarly frightening King Gazel through the gate and into the city.

She continued to quietly observe as Rimuru's subordinates followed behind. There was the old man with horns that had knocked her out once, the tall red guy with horns that had carried her into Tempest and also had knocked her out once, a pink haired girl, again with horns, who was much more magically powerful than she appeared, a purple haired woman with-

God Almighty are those real? Mary mentally shook herself, quickly allotting to ignore the way her mind bounced- err, jumped to somewhat blasphemous thoughts. One crisis of faith at a time, please and thank you. Why do they all have horns? Are they all the same type of… monster? Creature? But, they look so human. I'm so confused.

Mary closed her eyes.

Lord, if you're listening, could you please tell me what is going on around here? Your ever faithful servant is feeling conflicted. Please, you've been silent for so long. Lord, please give me a sign that you're out there!

She waited, her brow furrowing as the seconds ticked by, and no answer came.

…I really am in another world, aren't I? Mary sighed, opening her eyes again. I'm all alone here. With that Devil.

She raised her hands, wiping roughly at her face as unshed tears glistened in her eyes.

For the perhaps first time since she'd gotten to this world, Mary had finally realized the truth. This was real. She was here now until she died again.

Would Heaven greet her then? Would it welcome her through its gates, when it hadn't given her a passing glance with her first death, even her after fulfilling her use as a tool of God?

When she was somehow less forgiving than the Devil she abhorred?

Her last life may not have been great, but it wasn't the worst. She had a purpose. She thought she understood the way the world worked. If she had any say in the matter, she would have preferred to stay like that.

But as it turns out, Mary didn't understand at all.

Nothing quite goes the way we want, does it?

Mary slid deeper into the shadowed corner of the northern gate, and wept.

-=-

Far up in the above in sky, the Devil that Mary so abhorred looked on with an expression that, if one were to view it at a specific angle in just the right lighting, would almost appear like something approaching pity.

Waking up to reality is never pretty affair, but it is a necessity. Human beings are not born to huddle and hide in the warmth of comforting lies, but rather to experience life and all the beautiful and painful truth therein. Such is the duty of human beings, to reach beyond themselves and grow.

A few seconds later, she turned and flew away, leaving Mary to her tears.

Will you stagnate here, or will you move forward, Mary Sue? Defy your dreaming, and make yourself useful to me? Or will I have to cut you down and make use of you as a stepping stone? I wonder…

~OPENING: FOREST DISTURBANCE ARC~

-=-=-=-=-=-

Known Skills List

Tanya:

Common Skill: Thought Communication

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication

Unique Skill: Formulaic Casting

Unique Skill: Tetrabattery Limit Enhancement

Mary:

Extra Skill: Magic Sense

Extra Skill: Magic Aura

Other Skills Unknown