That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

There were many times that Zaza believed he could no longer be surprised.

It was a world where resources were scarce, and yet Ramiris could create water.

Beretta had repaired machines that anyone else would have found difficult, and he had done it as if it were the simplest thing.

And Veldora brought out food from who knew where.

None of this was normal, and yet it had only been the beginning.

Karman and his team had been feared by all, and yet Beretta had subdued them easily.

And Ramiris had utilized strange and unexplainable phenomenon as if it were the most natural thing.

And…

When Veldora had punched and driven back Super Beasts that were seen as the embodiment of despair…

Zaza had sworn that he would not be shocked again.

Even when the tanks had been altered and they created the buses, Zaza had held back his words and stayed silent.

Well, maybe he had said a few things, but he had held back as much as he could.

Veldora and the others were clearly strange. They could not be measured by this world's standards. He understood that.

So there was no point in being shocked by every single thing…

That being said…

"How is this possible!? Why… How? Really, how is any of this happening…!?"

Zaza could only shout as he saw what was happening in front of him.

After all, they were currently being surrounded by the fires of hell. Their lives should have been burned away… That is what should have been happening.

But it wasn't hot at all. He was not even uncomfortable… It did not seem real. Zaza wondered if he was dreaming.

(Yes, I must have died. A dream. This is a dream! No wonder it is not hot. I died, and am continuing to see the world due to all of my regrets…)

He tried very hard to persuade himself that this was true.

However, Veldora laughed in his face.

"Kaaa-ahahahaha! Oh, Zaza. You really are quite stupid. You should face reality and accept it!."

"E-exactly! I don't know why they thought something like this would work with Master right here!"

Veldora and Ramiris said as if hearing his thoughts. Zaza was annoyed.

Something like this? It was clearly a state of emergency.

It should have been the end for them… It should have been too late.

"But how can I accept this!? Ho…how is this even happening?"

Zaza shouted the question.

Ramiris nodded.

"Master. I would like to know as well. I was surprised. Just a little, but I was still surprised! What exactly is happening right now? I want you to explain it!"

Ramiris was relieved that she was protected, but she had been surprised just like Zaza. She was flying around Veldora now and asking him to explain it.

Veldora nodded as if it could not be helped.

"I suppose I must then. But it's just as it looks. As planned, I have created a diversion. We have triggered their trap on purpose and created this wonderful display of flames. They will all be looking at us now. So the plan is going well!"

Veldora said in a confident voice.

Zaza and Ramiris looked at each other in shock.

The others of the resistance watched them and gulped.

They were also confused by what was happening and did not know how to react.

Zaza had responsibilities.

It wasn't just the diversion team that Zaza led that was here.

Many veteran warriors had been sent from the other bases to join them.

Sharma had spent the previous night persuading them into action. There would be no future for them if they did not move now. And so they had sent soldiers as if this were the final battle.

And they were here now, under Zaza's command.

So in a way, their lives were in his hands.

Zaza saw that they were looking at him and so he opened his mouth with determination.

"Uhh, in other words…we've been caught in the enemy's trap. And it was just as we want, yes? So, while it may not feel like it…the temperature around us is exceeding 30 million degrees…uh, how are we still alive?"

Zaza asked Veldora hesitantly.

He sounded polite, but there was something reserved about it, as if he wasn't wholly accepting what he was saying yet.

Zaza's brain was measuring insane temperatures around them.

Considering the immense amount of energy, it was as if a gigaton-level atomic bomb had gone off.

He should have been shocked at his enhanced calculating ability, but Zaza was solely focused on the results.

It was hard to believe, yet…

There were six points where the Ether Ring Barrier occurred.

It used the heat as its energy source. As long as the heat rays continued to burn wildly, it would not disappear. It would continue to stay up in the shape of a sphere.

And it was in this secluded inner space that the immense energy was being sealed in.

It was energy that defied imagination and turned all manner of matter into dust.

The explosive atomic energy that occurred at the six points was sealed away from the rest of the atmosphere…And so it pushed its way to the center.

There was no place to escape.

Those who were trapped within would be exposed to the burning heat. And when the pressure and impact that destroyed everything was added-well, that's what should have been happening.

—Six Tyrant—

This trap that Veldora spoke of, it must be the strongest of the Empire's weapons. Zaza had guessed as much.

And so…

—Why are we all alive?

That was the emotion that he could not hide.

They were inside of the superweapon and yet they could see and talk to one another.

Why? It was so absurd and removed from reality.

He didn't even know where to begin if he were to ask questions.

Still, Veldora's reaction had been to tell him that he was being stupid.

That was rather rude.

It did not seem like a matter of stupidity.

"You idiot. Use your head for once. As I already said, I knew there would be a trap. So why wouldn't I take the necessary measures to deal with it?"

"No, no! First of all, at what point did you know there would be a trap?"

Veldora answered casually, but Veldora was quick to reply.

Indeed, Zaza was also wary of a trap. But they hadn't been sure that there would be one.

And so he had asked…

"What? Clearly, that Jegyll woman was lying. I was so sure that you had all noticed. But, could it be that you didn't?"

Again, Veldora answered as if this were a very simple thing.

Zaza turned to Ramiris for help.

"Lord Ramiris, did you know about it?"

"Huh? Me? Oh, of-of course! Yes. That woman was suspicious from the start!"

Ramiris's eyes shifted uncomfortably as she said this.

Zaza's instincts told him that she was lying, but he was a nice grownup, and so he said nothing.

In any case, Ramiris was clearly of no help here.

While Veldora looked incredibly bored with the subject, he would have to get him to explain.

"Lord Veldora, sir. If you would, could you explain to me how you found out about the trap and why you came to suspect Jegyll…"

Zaza asked him directly.

As Veldora's actions were dictated by his moods, he might just refuse, but there was nothing else Zaza could do.

They were currently trapped, and unless the heat around them died down, the Ether Ring Barrier would just stay up forever.

Surprisingly, Veldora answered Zaza's question good-humoredly.

"Hmm, all right then. After all, it will take a little more time for my 'Paradox' to control this energy storm. So I will explain it to you as a way of killing time."

Veldora said haughtily as he began.

Some of the words made no sense to Zaza, but it had always been that way. And so Zaza listened without interrupting him.

◆◆◆

While Veldora was a moody person, he was currently in a very good one.

And so he answered Zaza rather cheerfully.

The thing that had roused his suspicion was Jegyll's timing.

She had arrived right after them. It was almost like she was begging them to suspect her.

And according to her explanation, Michelle had been captured.

Veldora could not help but wonder at this as well.

However…

"She said that General Michelle wasn't able to use her whole power, for fear of doing damage to the city. Well, then. Why didn't she escape? If Jegyll could escape, then surely Michelle would not have had a problem. "

"Well… I thought it was because of General Kristoph, the strongest of warriors. It was because General Michelle held him back that Jegyll was allowed to escape…"

Zaza protested, but Veldora shook his head.

"Look here. Michelle's power is great. I think she may be stronger than Beretta. I was not able to replicate it in the battle bodies I gave you and Karman. That means there is some secret to her power reactor that even Ramiris was unable to analyze. But nevermind that. The point is, there is no way I would not have noticed that someone with so much power had entered a state of battle. I am sure of it. Within the last few days, I have not detected any such immense energy. In other words, no battle occurred."

He said very smugly.

It was the truth.

Veldora was attempting to decipher the laws of this world, and so he would have immediately detected energy of that level. And so he felt that this was proof that Michelle had not engaged in any battle.

As someone who had noticed this, Veldora was hoping to earn the respect of Zaza and the others.

He felt very good about how things were playing out.

This was his biggest opportunity yet.

"Yes, I see it now. While they are still our best work to date, the power output was not what I expected. I think, maybe the diverted engine -the thermonuclear reactor- is at its limit."

"Ramiris, we're not talking about that now. The current issue is why Jegyll wanted us to think Michelle had been captured."

"Why? What do you mean…?"

Veldora was also interested in the engine, but they could talk about that later.

Veldora continued to talk in order that Zaza and the others could understand his greatness.

"I don't know how much of what Jegyll said is true, but what would be their reason for keeping Michelle alive?"

"Th-that is because General Michelle is the governor-general and rules over the city. Like a king. Who knows how her death would affect South City. Besides, she is a princess. While General Kristoph is a hero and most trusted by the Emperor, he would not kill General Michelle on his own."

Even if he had clear evidence that she was connected to the resistance, it was not enough to have her executed—Zaza insisted.

I see. Veldora thought. But he pretended like he had known this all along.

"Of course! And considering all of those facts, is it not even more doubtful that Michelle and Kristoph fought?"

"But if there really was someone who thought Michelle was a bother, wouldn't they try to kill her? It seems easier than capturing her."

Ramiris was usually quite thoughtless, but this was a surprisingly sharp observation.

Veldora became inwardly frantic.

(What are you saying now, Ramiris! I had just concluded things in a very impressive way. Why are you asking more questions!?)

As Veldora wondered what to do, Zaza came to his rescue.

"No, Lord Ramiris. It's just as Mister Veldora says."

Zaza talked slowly, as if he were thinking hard.

(Oh? Zaza, you can do it!)

Veldora cheered him on.

Zaza continued obliviously.

"It's true that it would seem easier to kill General Michelle if they thought she would get in the way. However, considering the reasons we have just discussed, there is not a good enough reason to harm her. But if you think about it…"

Zaza then said that this was the best evidence that Jegyll had been lying.

It would be one thing to present the evidence, arrest and have a military trial at Central. But an immediate execution by Kristoph? That was hard to believe.

"I had been quick to believe her myself, but now that I think about it, someone cautious like General Michelle would not have foolishly gone against the Empire in such a bold way. So she must have been caught in some trap…"

The leaders of the support troops nodded at Zaza's words.

Michelle's name was famous within the resistance, and knowing her position and achievements led them to believe Zaza's theory.

"I know! Michelle didn't think her most trusted adjutant would betray her! After all, I could never believe that Beretta would betray me!"

And like that, Ramiris's guess turned out to be the truth.

Veldora nodded.

"So you understand then. I knew it all along. That is why I've worked so hard to protect you all!"

Kaaa-hahahaha! He laughed.

Then he saw the looks of respect he was attracting and felt a strong sense of satisfaction.

It went without saying, but it was all just a coincidence.

He hadn't even been suspicious when talking with Jegyll.

He had only been able to deal with the Six Tyrant because he had created a barrier as a precaution once they had all gathered together.

It wasn't because he predicted a trap.

They would all survive no matter what happened—that was the condition of 'Paradox' that Veldora had to maintain, and it was as easy as breathing for him.

This was because of Veldora's Ultimate Skill, 'Nyarlathotep,' which boasted efficient and ridiculously powerful abilities.

Now that he had understood this world's rules, Veldora had become a complete and unreasonably powerful being.

And so he had succeeded in winning the respect of all that were present.

"…I had assumed that you were all suspicious as well. But more importantly, Zaza, you must try and use that body more properly."

He said, ending the conversation while he still looked good.

◆◆◆

Zaza now felt a deeper respect for Veldora.

He was completely fooled, but he did not even suspect it.

And it was the same for the rest of the resistance.

However, they were not entirely stupid, and they realized that a very important point had been glossed over.

"I understand now that you saw through the trap and saved us, Mister Veldora. By the way, how does this trap work? I just don't understand it…but aren't we being assaulted by a nuclear explosion…?"

Yes, that was the biggest mystery.

It was one thing to notice the trap.

That was amazing. But then shouldn't he have been able to avoid it? Zaza wondered.

What kind of confidence, no, skill did it take to neutralize a nuclear explosion?

(No, no. It's impossible. They were completely swallowed up by it, and yet not only were there no shockwaves, but there was no heat. This wasn't just a matter of superior technology…)

Neither the information displayed in his brain nor his experience could explain this phenomenon.

As far as Zaza knew, even if their technology had suddenly advanced several generations, this phenomenon would still be impossible.

The others of the resistance all looked at each other in puzzlement.

"Hmm. You're still going on about that? I suppose you're at too low a level to understand these things. To put it simply, I've led the heat, impact, and toxins away from you all by giving them directivity."

Veldora said this with a lighthearted air, but Zaza and the others could not hide their surprise.

"Ridiculous! I have never heard of such technology!!"

"Are you saying that you have control over the laws of physics!?"

"But that would make you like some kind of mythological god!"

The members of the resistance raised their voices in astonishment.

It was too much to believe, and it did not seem like the noise would die down any time soon.

"Hmm. So you don't believe me? Oh, well. Humans are like that. They can only believe what they can understand. It is the same in all worlds, I suppose."

Veldora said this with a cheerful laugh. He gave up any further explanation.

It wasn't that he was trying to gloss over it. It just could not be helped. He was only saying the truth, but it was too much for them to understand.

However, Zaza remembered his words, 'Then I will tell you. I am a visitor from another world. You can call me the result of supernatural power…or more simply, the dragon who controls the storm. Yes.'

(What if…no, it couldn't be…)

The question arose in Zaza's mind, but he didn't have much time to consider it.

Veldora laughed confidently and then said something most ridiculous.

"Yes, I see it now. It seems we have visitors, so we should continue to create a diversion. And Karman seems to be working very hard."

While this made no sense to the others, Zaza understood it.

Zaza's sensors were also telling him that Karman was in a state of combat.

And this also proved that had he been using these features in the beginning, he would have been able to see that Jegyll was lying.

(I see. This is amazing…)

He was impressed, but the problem remained.

They were currently in a furnace from hell. Veldora's power was keeping them safe, but they were still trapped by the Ether Ring Barrier.

If they couldn't get out of here, there was no way they could continue to create a diversion.

"Mister Veldora, you do know that unless some of this heat energy inside here depletes, the Ether Ring Barrier will not be disarmed?"

The Ether Ring Barrier had been running on the power from the outside for just an instant. After that, the heat from within had been converted into energy and was stubbornly keeping it activated.

And currently, the immense difference in pressure on the inside and outside was also suppressed, and this state was perfectly maintained.

As long as they were in this uncomparably powerful barrier, the resistance's army would be useless.

However, Veldora looked undaunted.

"Hmph. How foolish. Do not underestimate me, Zaza. This barrier. I need only break it!"

Veldora said this most shocking thing.

"No-no-no. Surely that is…"

Impossible-he was about to say, but the words froze on his lips.

This was because right in front of him, Veldora had broken the Ether Ring Barrier.

"Dragoooooooon PUNCH!!"

And he did it in one hit.

Ridiculous. Zaza thought.

It was as if Veldora was mocking Zaza's will to no longer be surprised by anything. Reality just kept being redefined in front of him.

I'm too tired, Zaza groaned.

Indeed, it was as Veldora had said. Humans just believed what they wanted to believe.

The truth hurt.

And so he decided to believe Veldora without doubt from now on.

"Wonderful. Well then, I shall now test this power that you have given to me!"

Zaza said with a grin.

There was no hesitation in his voice now. All of his doubts had been blown away.

Zaza had found hope in this desolate world.

And he wasn't the only one.

"Kaaa-hahahahaha! Oh, Zaza. Your face looks so much better now. Good, let's go! We must show them our true power!!"

Veldora shouted as he jumped out excitedly.

His joyous voice reverberated within the hearts of the resistance, which had been dark and closed.

"Zaza. I feel hope for the first time."

"Me too. Let's do this. I don't even care if Michelle is on our side or not. We'll wreak havoc on the Empire!"

"Yes. If she's an enemy, we'll just have to defeat her like the others!"

The members of the resistance had all but given up as they suffered long and hard. But now, at this moment, they fully believed in Veldora.

"Aye, the enemy wasn't the Empire. It was our hearts that had lost hope! We can do this. We'll draw as much attention as possible without getting in his way!"

Zaza shouted as he thrust his fist into the air.

Everyone else laughed and nodded at those words.

The enemy was the massive Empire.

However, an Unreasonable Child who knew nothing of what was normal was now with them.

They could not lose—Zaza and the others were sure of it. And so they marched out to battle.