Kaito wore a gentle smile. Rimuru sat beside him in the main seat, curiously watching Shizue Izawa.
The guests couldn't help but breathe a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed Mrs. Kamado was right. The leaders here really did seem easy to get along with.
"Mr. Kaito, hello! We are adventurers from the Free Guild of the Blumund Kingdom. We accidentally stumbled onto your land while being chased by monsters. We ran without knowing where we were going!"
Kaval stepped forward as the group's leader and spoke first.
It really is them. Is this Shizue Izawa? Looking at her, you'd never guess she's already several decades old. And Ifrit is inside her.
"[Eye of Identification]!"
Explosive Flame Ruler: Shizue Izawa
Loyalty: 0
Affection: 72
Abilities: Greater Spirit [Ifrit], [Flame Manipulation], Top-tier Swordsmanship... Overall Strength Rating: Special A-rank
Sarion: Elyun Grimwald
Loyalty: 0
Affection: 75
Abilities: Intermediate Ice Magic, [Ice Lance], [Magic Shield]... Overall Strength Rating: B-rank
Kaval
Loyalty: 0
Affection: 71
Abilities: Advanced Blade Techniques, Advanced Magic Arts... Overall Strength Rating: A-rank
Gido
Loyalty: 0
Affection: 71
Abilities: Advanced Blade Techniques, Advanced Magic Arts... Overall Strength Rating: A-rank
Shizue Izawa is indeed the heroine of this world. Special A-rank, no less.
And this trio is no joke either. Kaval and Gido both have A-rank strength. In the original story they were getting chased around by C+ rank monsters, which only goes to show they were putting on an act the whole time.
"Haha! My subordinates have already reported your identities. Since you've come here, please rest for a while. We welcome any friends who arrive without hostility!"
Kaito said to the group with a warm smile.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Kaito!"
"Mm."
Kaito nodded, then turned his gaze to the masked woman and spoke.
"This lady has been wearing a mask the whole time. Is there something you can't say? I still don't know your name."
Shizue Izawa reached up, slowly removed her mask, and spoke with a slight smile.
"That was my oversight, Mr. Kaito. My name is Shizue Izawa. You can simply call me Shizu. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Before Kaito could respond, Rimuru leaned forward excitedly.
"Shizue Izawa? Are you from Japan?"
"Oh! you actually know about Japan?"
Shizu asked in clear surprise.
"Uh... Rimuru, hold on a moment. Sakuya! Please take the other three guests to rest. We need to speak with Shizu alone."
"Yes, Kaito-sama!"
Sakuya bowed slightly, then walked to the trio, extended a hand toward the door, and said:
"Guests, please follow me. There's no need to worry about Shizu. I'll bring her to see you shortly. This way, please."
Elyun and the others glanced over at Shizu, who gave them a small nod. They followed Sakuya out of the conference room.
"Alright, Rimuru. Go ahead, say what you want to say."
Rimuru turned to Shizu with bright eyes.
"Mm-hmm! I'm a Reincarnator! In my previous life, I was from Japan too. I got stabbed to death on the street while trying to save a cute junior, and when I woke up, I'd become a Slime!"
Only then did Shizue Izawa understand. There were quite a few visitors from other worlds in this world. She herself had been summoned here by the Demon Lord Leon Cromwell.
"I see. It sounds like you have also been through quite a lot."
At the word "quite a lot," Rimuru reached up and patted her own small head with a little smile.
"I didn't really suffer, actually. Not long after I came to this world, I met Kai-chan! He's always taken care of me ever since, so things haven't been so bad! (๑*◡*๑)"
Looking at Rimuru's happy smile, Shizu couldn't help but show a gentle one of her own.
"Is that so. It seems you are very happy. Mr. Kaito, may I ask you something?"
"Of course, Shizu."
"Are you also a Summoner? From your name, it sounds like you may be Japanese as well?"
Kaito nodded.
"Yes, I'm Japanese. But I'm not a Summoner. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure how I ended up here myself."
"I see."
Shizu Izawa looked at him quietly for a moment, then smiled.
Kaito expressed internally that this smile was far too dazzling. His eyes were going blind.
"Alright! Shizu, please rest here for the next few days. Tomorrow, Rimuru and I will give you a proper tour of the town!"
"Of course. I'll leave it all to your arrangements."
"Hmm! Then... Sakuya! Please come in and show Shizu to her room."
The door opened softly and Sakuya stepped inside.
"Shizu, please follow me."
"Thank you, Sakuya."
Just as Sakuya was leading Shizu toward the door, she paused and turned back to face Kaito and Rimuru with an expression as blank as ever.
"Kaito-sama. Rimuru-sama. Rigurd informed me earlier that the two of you were planning a heist. I look forward to discussing that with you later"
Kaito and Rimuru both went rigid at exactly the same moment.
Then the two grabbed each other and began to tremble.
"Help... I'm going to die... I'm going to die... (ಥ ﹏ ಥ)"