Still, maybe it's a bit selfish of me to have forced Shizue to stay alive.
I thought to myself and glanced at Shizue's face that was covered by the mask she usually wore.
Even though I couldn't see what kind of expression she had, I could sense that she was harboring some doubts and apprehension from her current situation.
In the anime, she didn't really want to live... Or rather, she was prepared to die
The same could be said with the current Shizue, who although didn't met me the same way as the original had, she still asked me if I could kill her.
Obviously, I convinced her to stay around with a few honeyed words but maybe she just got forced on how much I pushed the idea.
It wasn't just because I was a healthy boy, but I genuinely wanted to have Shizue by my side with the upcoming events like Falmuth attacking or the eventual Walpurgis.
That's also one of the things I'm worried about.
Shizue, at her core, was ultimately a hero. She fought to protect the people, to give the kids a chance to smile and create fond memories.
If I were to become a demon Lord, then it might put a tear to our already strained relationship.
That's not even worrying about my dream of conquering the world.
It was an evil sounding goal, that I won't deny, but I just figured that the entire world would be better off if they had an actual God they could rely on.
"Rimuru."
I was on the right path, I firmly believe so. With enough power, I can create a world that would be safe for the people to live comfortably in.
"Ri-mu-ru."
Even if guy would complain about the power vacuum I'd cost, I'd still be doing the world a favor since most of it would fall on my hands and I can make sure it won't cause problems.
"Hmph."
"OUCH!"
I yelped as Shizue flicked me off her shoulders and caught me in the palm of her hands.
"Eh, Rimuru. Are you ignoring me?" Shizue asked with a menacing aura surrounding her.
"N-No! I swear!" I hastily replied and jumped out of her hands, taking my original form.
"Really? How many times did I call for you?"
"Uh... You called?"
"Yes."
"Really? "
"Mhm." She nodded, a malicious smile plastered on her face.
I hadn't even noticed she had taken her mask off in fear for my life as she stood on her toes to shorten the distance between us.
"Uhh... Sorry?"
Shizue sighed and took a step back, looking up at me with a scrutinizing stare that made it seem like she was staring deep into my soul.
"You worry too much." She whispered after a few seconds and gently placed her mask on my face.
"Eh?"
"It's my choice to stay around, I'm actually really interested in the world you'll make." She continued, "and besides, if you do start making mistakes then I'll make sure you'll make them right in the end."
I stared dumbfounded at the woman who began humming an unfamiliar tune as she walked away.
I worry too much?
Women are terrifying, if she was able to get that much information just by staring at me then I should start wearing masks to keep my thoughts to myself.
"R-Rimuru-sama! Shizue-Sama!" Gobta shrieked from pain as he skipped like a rock after being hit by the soon to be Hakuoro.
"Ah, Gobta!" Shizue yelled in a panic, her motherly nature showing despite the fact I had told her he'd be fine.
I left Gobta to her care and simply left behind a full potion before I stood in front of the ogre group.
The Prince, the young princess, the retainer, the sword ogre, and two others that I couldn't think of a title for.
"Well... Care to explain why you attacked my followers? " I asked in a haughty tone, fully embracing the fact that the pacifistic and cutesy approach wouldn't work with the current cards I was given.
"Hmm... This one is different. Stay on your guard prince. " the sword ogre warned the red-haired one who simply glared at me with disdain.
"Hold up, I don't think they mean harm." Shizue pointed out as she stopped by my side, perfectly following the script that we had made.
"They haven't injured any of them, just put them to sleep."
"Yes, Master! It seems to be her doing!" Ranga, who seemed to have become more assertive, jumped out of my shadows and pointed his snout towards the young ogre princess.
"Well, harm or not.. They still attacked us." I scoffed, though it felt really out of place for me as I stared them down.
"Tsk, you lowly majin!" The red one yelled.
"Majin? Get a good look at me buddy. " I replied with the same tone as his voice and took a step forward.
"You aren't fooling any of us!"
"Yeah, yeah." I sighed, "enough talk. You guys aren't gonna listen to what I say so let's just get this over with "
"Hmph, it's good that you understand."
"Shizue, you take on the sword ogre. Ranga, keep the princess occupied but don't harm her. "
"Alright."
"Yes master!"
The two shouted in unison and took off, with me closely behind them.
Our plan was simple. Overpower the ogres and make them see reason, which hopefully would lead to them to becoming more willing to join us.
"Hmph, you underestimate us!" The soon to be Benimaru yelled but I ignored him, blitzing past his sword and landing in front I'd the giant ogre that wielded a great hammer.
"Grit your teeth and bear it." I mumbled a small warning to him before driving my fist into his side.
I didn't waste any time and covered both of my hands with the scales of an armorsaurus and grabbed the incoming blade.
"Gotta hand it to you, you're pretty strong. " I smirked at the woman behind the blade before pushing the sword into the ground and delivered a precise kick to her cheek.
"Too slow!" I yelled as I twisted my body midair to dodge the blade that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Hang around will you." I chuckled at my own joke as I wrapped Souei up with my stick threads and landed safely on the ground.
"Really? Hang around?" Shizue deadpanned as she slowly walked up to me, the broken tip of a sword on the palm of her hands.
"You just don't understand my genius."
"Uh-huh, whatever you say." She added with a smirk that would make any man feel something.
Not me, yes not me. Definitely.
I snapped out of my trance and turned towards the leader of the ogres and simply smirked.
"Well, it seems like you still want to fight." I chuckled and slowly removed my mask which made the princess gasp in shock.
"Let me show you, the real difference between us"