When a God of Destruction Was Reincarnated in Tensura:

Rimuru had been keeping an eye on the adventurers as they settled in. After dispatching some of his soldiers to explore the forest and recruit more monsters, he decided to check in on his guests. When he entered the dining area, he was greeted by the sight of the adventurers eating with unmatched enthusiasm.

Ellen, with her cheeks stuffed full of food, exclaimed, "This is amazing! I've never tasted anything like this in my life!"

Gido nodded vigorously, barely pausing between bites. "How is monster food this good? What are they feeding us?"

Kavel wiped his beard, sighing contentedly. "Whatever it is, it's better than the rations we've been stuck with for weeks."

Rimuru chuckled as he approached them. "I'm glad you like it. Our chefs take pride in their work. Enjoy as much as you'd like."

Ellen looked up at him, her eyes wide. "This isn't just good—it's divine! I could eat this every day for the rest of my life."

Rimuru sat down beside them, smiling. "I'll let them know you approve. So, what brought you all to this forest, anyway? It's not exactly the safest place to wander around."

The group exchanged glances before Ellen spoke up. "We were sent by our kingdom to investigate something… unusual. The disappearance of the Storm Dragon, Veldora."

Rimuru's expression remained neutral, though his thoughts raced. "Veldora, huh? So people are already noticing he's gone…"

Gido continued, oblivious to Rimuru's reaction. "We ran into Shizu along the way. She was traveling in the same direction, so we decided to stick together. Safety in numbers, you know?"

Rimuru turned to Shizu, who had been silently eating. "And what about you, Shizu? Were you investigating Veldora, too?"

Shizu hesitated for a moment before answering. "No… I just happened to be passing through. I don't have a specific destination."

Her voice was calm, but Rimuru could sense an underlying sadness. He decided not to press her further. "Well, you're welcome to rest here for as long as you need. We don't get human visitors often, but we're happy to help."

Later, as the adventurers continued eating, Rimuru noticed Shizu quietly slipping away from the group. He followed her to a nearby hill overlooking the village. She was sitting alone, her mask resting beside her, as she gazed at the bustling settlement below.

Rimuru stopped a few paces behind her, observing her quietly. His mind flashed back to his earlier conversation with Great Sage.

<>

"Master, I must inform you of a pressing matter regarding the lady known as Shizu."

Rimuru frowned. "What is it, Great Sage? Is something wrong with her?"

"Yes, Master. Shizu's body is housing a superior fire spirit known as Ifrit. She has been unable to fully control its power, and the spirit is gradually consuming her from within. If this continues unchecked, she will not survive much longer."

Rimuru's eyes widened, his heart sinking. "She's dying…? Is there anything we can do to help her?"

Great Sage paused momentarily before answering. "There is a way to save her, but it will require delicate and dangerous measures. The only solution is to remove the fire spirit currently inside her and replace it with another spirit of equal or greater strength. Ifrit is a superior fire spirit, so the replacement spirit must be of similar caliber to stabilize her body."

Rimuru leaned forward, his expression determined. "Alright. How do we do that? Where can I find another spirit strong enough to replace Ifrit?"

"You may find such spirits in the Dwelling of Spirits," Great Sage explained. "This location is guarded by the queen fairy Ramiris, who is also a Demon Lord."

Rimuru's jaw dropped. "Wait, hold on—Ramiris is a Demon Lord? And you want me to just waltz into her domain and ask for a spirit? That's a death sentence, Great Sage!"

"It is the only viable method, Master," Great Sage replied calmly. "However, I have an alternative to propose. You can temporarily absorb Shizu into your subspace, separating her from Ifrit while keeping them contained within your body. Inside your subspace, time does not flow, so her condition will not deteriorate further. This will buy you time to locate a replacement spirit without risking her immediate death."

Rimuru's mind raced with possibilities. "Absorb her? Are you sure she'll be okay inside my subspace? And what about Ifrit? Won't he go wild in there?"

"I can ensure her safety within the subspace, Master," Great Sage reassured him. "As for Ifrit, I will manage him. I will create a containment structure within your subspace to isolate both Shizu and Ifrit until we can resolve the situation."

Rimuru let out a heavy sigh. "This is a lot to take in. Shizu doesn't deserve this... Ifrit, huh? A superior fire spirit… Why was she even burdened with something like that in the first place?"

"It is highly likely that she was forced to bear Ifrit's power," Great Sage explained. "Her connection to the Otherworld suggests that she was summoned and bound to him against her will."

Rimuru clenched his fists. "Summoned? That means… she's like me. Someone who didn't choose to be here."

Great Sage continued. "Indeed, Master. However, her summoning was incomplete, and the fire spirit within her has placed an immense strain on her body. Without intervention, her time is running out."

Rimuru's resolve hardened. "Alright. We'll do it. I'll absorb her and separate her from Ifrit. But I need you to help me find that replacement spirit as soon as possible."

"Understood, Master. I will begin preparations for the absorption and containment process."

Rimuru sighed again, staring at the horizon. "Hang in there, Shizu. I won't let you die. Not on my watch."

With that, Rimuru steeled himself for the difficult task ahead, determined to save Shizu and give her a chance to live free from the fire spirit's torment.