Complicated Relationship (Part 1)

(Just FYI, souls in tensura look like marbles. Not like a ghost of a person. Here's a pic as an example.

Also, another part 1 at 1k words since I ran out of time for the rest and it is already 1am.)

"Nothing like a job well done." I remarked seeing the once full room empty.

"So Rudra… Is this a good time now?" Velgrynd asked while getting closer.

"It's actually Rimuru. And, it is."

"Did I do something wrong? I'm sorr-'' Velgrynd was about to begin apologizing when I stopped her.

"No, no, no. Not at all. Let me explain." I said while trying to calm her down.

"I'll start with the most important part. First of all, you can see my soul right? What does it really look like?"

"It looks like you, Ru-rimuru."

"No, I mean, is it really the exact same?" I asked, expecting the fusion to have changed something to the point that it was noticeable.

[Actually, that might not have been a great question. Your souls were actually extremely similar before fusing. So it really is hard to tell the difference. That's partly why the fusion happened so quickly and smoothly.]

"Yes?" Velgrynd asked while a concerned expression appeared on her face.

I couldn't help but facepalm my face.

"Alright, let's try this one more time."

I wanted to at least try to make them understand since I wasn't comfortable pretending to be someone who I wasn't to take advantage of their previous relationships. Especially when the person I was talking to was someone who loved who they think I was above everything.

I began to explain to her what happened the day I obtained the chosen hero skill. And since she had a thoughtful expression I thought I had explained myself properly.

"Can you tell me your story? I want to hear a bit about you, Rimuru. Please go in as much detail as possible." Velgrynd asked with a gentle and loving smile.

It caught me a bit off guard for a moment. But since we had practically an unlimited amount of time due to the time difference in our location and the rest of the universe. I decided to start while going into detail, but not revealing anything too important.

"Well, I woke up in a cave. And I just started eating…

…Then I met with Veldora and we became friends, so he gave me a name…

…I met the goblin village…

…met the dire wolves…

…Went to Dwargon…

…Met Lina…"

When I mentioned her I expected to see a change in Velgrynd, but she just continued to listen carefully while nodding and keeping her smile.

"...Saved the ogres…

…Forest Alliance…

…Became a teacher…

…Demon Lord…

…Emperor…

…Granbell…

…Expanded the empire…

…Invented new things…

…Rebuilt Jistav…

…Befriended Guy…

…Awoke Chronoa…

…Decided to take action against Feldway…

…Defeated him…

…and by convincing the ones in the Star palace before sending them back to the empire, as well as sending Testarossa, captured the empire…

…Assigning a new leader of the insectars…

…And starting the healing process of the worlds by using phantoms and angels…"

After finishing my explanation Velgrynd was actually beaming with joy.

"Rimuru, why did you build Tempest? Why make it larger? Why did you fix Falmouth? Why did you heal Jistav's damaged land?"

Why did I do all of that?

I think at first it was because I just wanted a place I could leave in peace and enjoy. But I enjoyed the work. I enjoyed seeing everyone living better than before.

And after obtaining Uriel, lord of vows, I could feel all the trust everyone put in me. How much work they were putting into helping Tempest become better. And in the end…

"I guess I just wanted to put a smile on everyone's faces." I answered after thinking for a moment.

"And that is what made me fall for you all those years ago. I am happy to see that you have basically succeeded. But I will admit that I am a bit sad that I couldn't witness it happen along with you.

Everything you have done up until this point has been what you have wanted to do in the past. And you did it all in record time. I never would have guessed that it would take you being born a slime instead of the prince of an empire to accomplish it.

You may not remember it, but when I see you and all you have done. I only see Rudra.

You may have a different name and a different face. But it doesn't change what I feel for you." Velgrynd said with joy as she approached closer.

'Well, Shit, Ciel. Am I actually Rudra?' Velgrynd was so absolutely sure of herself that it even made me reconsider everything for a moment.

[When you came into this world, no. Your actions and emotions until this point have been fully yours. You both are just partially similar, though you do have your differences.

You, for one, wouldn't go through reincarnations transferring your soul to your child to continue to use a skill given to you to destroy technological advancements, only to end up letting that skill take over your broken body and damaged soul, almost leading to the destruction of the universe.] Ciel said while throwing some not-so-subtle insults at Rudra.

[However, like I mentioned when she woke up, she's technically not wrong. Rudra's soul and your soul are one singular thing now. And unlike with badly done amalgamations like the ones used to create the Jesters your soul is perfectly one.]

Seeing my thoughtful expression she said.

"You know, since I couldn't have children with you due to the risks of me being a true dragon I already accepted the fact that I couldn't be your only one back then. You needed to have the offspring for your reincarnation, so I learned to accept it. It used to only be physical, but now it is not too different.

Even though now you also love others I don't want to leave you.

We made a promise, and that is the most important thing to me." Velgrynd said as she looked directly into my eyes.