"And there, that should do it," I muttered to myself as I stretched slightly.
"Suu? What are you doing?"
"Oh, hi, Rimuru." I mused, glancing back at him.
"To answer your question, I'm putting stuff away for later," I explained simply. "I thought it would be best to put some gear away for later use, considering the fact that we will be heading out to meet up with the lizardmen today."
It had been a few days since we began preparing for the upcoming battle, and things had been progressing well so far. For example, my training with my new scythe as well as my flying lessons had both made significant progress. I had also asked Shuna to make me a new outfit, the one that I was currently wearing. You see, I didn't think any of the clothes I had were something I should be wearing on a battlefield of all things, so I had asked for something new to be made.
And I'll admit, I wasn't expecting how much I liked what I got. First, I had received a mostly white cloak with a large black X on the back, with dozens upon dozens of smaller ones around the edges. It was made of fur and hide, particularly materials from a magical beast of some kind, and despite what you'd probably expect, it was surprisingly durable. Secondly, underneath that I was wearing a complete black outfit, one that was mostly leather and fabric and designed so that it wouldn't restrict my movements. According to Shuna, Kurobe had helped with making this particular part of my new getup; I'd have to thank him for that later.
Another development though, was that Zeref and Souei had returned, informing us that the lizardmen chieftain had agreed to the alliance proposal; however, he wishes to meet me and Rimuru first before anything else. Of course, despite all the positive stuff that has happened recently, that didn't stop the tension in the air. It was a tension that had honestly only grown as of late, after all, this was the day we would be heading out.
"No, I get that part, good thinking actually. The thing that I'm talking about, though, is that." He elaborated while pointing at something behind me.
I let out an "ah" sound at that, turning to look at the thing as he asked again. "What is that exactly?"
"Oh… that…"
In front of me was a black void, a crack in space that pulsed rhythmically. There was nothing I could see beyond it, as it was shrouded in a writhing darkness that twisted and spiraled. Honestly, I should have felt intimidated or uncomfortable by the way it looked, but that wasn't the case; in fact, looking into that shifting void actually made me feel almost relaxed in a strange way.
"Well…" I mumbled, trying to think of a way to explain before sighing and just coming out with it. "To put it simply, it's a portal to the abyss."
"Care to elaborate?" He asked as a cautious look spread across his face.
For a moment I didn't know how to respond, so I decided to let someone else do it for me. "Great Sage, you want to help me out here?
[Answer. The individual known as "Suu" requested assistance finding a suitable way to carry her desired equipment without storing it on her person, as she worried it would lower her agility and hamper her movements during battle.] The mechanical voice immediately said, its words echoing in our minds synchronously.
"And?" he mused, rightfully assuming there was more.
[The unique skill "Great Sage" suggested that the entity "Suu" should use her access to the abyss through the skill "Abyss Gate" to store the items in question.]
"Is there anything that could cause issues with the stuff she is putting in there?" Rimuru questioned, his eyes locked on the portal. "I mean, throwing stuff that you plan to use in a life-or-death fight into a completely foreign dimension doesn't sound like the safest thing to do. What if something takes them?"
[Answer. The chance of unknown entities stealing the items is low, as there are no known creatures that exist inside of the abyss.] The answer was simple, yet there was still more that she had to say. [Of course, the chance of no negative consequences occurring by taking this course of action is not one hundred percent.]
[Note. The unique skill "Great Sage" instructed the entity "Suu" to enter and observe the interior to gather further data; she has refused this request.]
"Hey! It's not my fault that we will be setting off in a few minutes," I huffed, annoyed at being called out like that. "Also, I'd rather not walk into a different plane of existence without at least preparing for a while first."
Rimuru, thoroughly amused by the annoyed expression on my face, coughed to get my attention. "Well anyway, just try and be careful, alright?"
"Yeah…"
I knew that things were going to get dangerous; I knew that things could go sideways and those that I care for could get hurt, or worse. And yes, I wasn't the most experienced when it came to fighting, but I wasn't stupid either. I had prepared as best I could, and now it was time to see if those preparations would pay off.
"Moving past all of that though, we'll be heading out in a few minutes, so we should start heading over now," Rimuru muttered, turning to leave.
I nodded in agreement to that as I got up to follow him. "I'm right behind you then."
As we walked side by side, however, he abruptly spoke. "By the way, I have a present for you."
"Y-you do? What is it?" To say I was a little confused by the sudden news would be an understatement.
Instead of answering, he tossed something at me, something I was certain he hadn't been holding before. "Here, catch."
"Huh?!" I yelped, fumbling slightly as I reached out to grab it out of the air.
"What is this?" He didn't actually need to answer that, though, as I immediately realized what it was a second later. "A mask?"
Indeed, that's exactly what it was. Its design was overall rather simple: a smooth surface with eye holes that were somewhat narrow and sharp-looking. It was mostly red in colour with black markings under the eye holes that made it look like it was crying.
"Not just any mask. I had Great Sage copy the aura-suppressing ability of my own mask onto it in between our little flying lessons," he explained as we walked through town toward our destination.
"I'm hoping that it will make you less of a target during the upcoming battle," he added with a shrug while glancing back at me. "After all, if the orcs are trying to steal the powers of other powerful creatures, then concealing your power will help keep the majority of them from focusing on you."
"Not that you aren't good at suppressing your aura already, but still…" He continued, but his voice became muffled as I focused on the object in my hands.
(He made me this…? It feels weird… I've never gotten a gift from a parental figure before…) I thought, not really knowing how to react.
Before I could sink too deeply into that thought, I noticed Rimuru staring at me. He seemed to smile in amusement before asking, "What's with that look?"
"Do you not want to cover up your face, is that it?" He muttered, a mischievous look appearing in his eyes as he continued. "Come now, I know that you're very cute and it would be a shame to hide that adorable face of yours, but it will help keep you safe."
"S-shut up!" I huffed, clearly flustered by his teasing, which made him laugh.
(He can be such a jerk sometimes.) Even as I thought that, I couldn't help the small smile that lingered on my lips.
We walked over to the gathering point in silence after that, and it was not long before we arrived. We had been the last to get there mind you; the group that would be coming along was already waiting for us. It was made up of most of the goblin wolf-riders as well as four out of the six kijin. Shuna and Kurobe would be the two that would be staying behind along with many others like Rigurd and Kaijin.
Why were they staying behind? The answer was simple: if the orcs attacked while we were gone, or if we failed, then someone would have to be there to help protect and guide the townspeople. Hopefully, however, it wouldn't come to that in the end.
"Hi, Lady Suu!" Yin called out from her position up on Zeref's back, her sister Yang sitting behind her.
Smiling, I walked over and waved up at the two. "Hey, guys."
"How have you been, by the way, Zeref?" I asked, turning my attention to the big guy while patting the massive serpent on the side.
"I am well, and I am prepared for what isss to come," he nodded, his expression calm and steady.
"That's good. Sorry we haven't talked much since you got back; with everything going on, it kind of slipped my mind to check up on you and Souei," I explained apologetically.
"It isss fine, my lady. I underssstand."
Just then Rimuru spoke up from behind me, cutting off our conversation. "Alright everyone, we're about to head out, so I hope that you are all ready." His words made me sigh as I steeled myself for what was to come.
"Here we go then…"
(((A/N: I couldn't find any images I liked for the outfit she's wearing underneath, but the mask and cloak look kind of like this.)))