"From today onwards, we are good friends."
Veldora's face was full of excitement. After all, this was his first time making friends. In the past, creatures either feared him because of his identity as an evil dragon, or wanted to use him because of his powerful strength.
Although he also sensed other purposes from them, Rimuru and Morax bore him no ill will, which was why he was willing to befriend them.
"Veldora, you've been sealed here for three hundred years. Do you want to go out and take a look?"
At this moment, Morax spoke up.
"Morax, really? Can I go out?"
Veldora's eyes lit up.
"I'll try. I'm not too sure if it will work or not. Also, in private, you and Rimuru can just call meMorax—it sounds more friendly."
Morax said with an uncertain expression.
"Morax,Morax. Alright, from now on Rimuru and I will call youMorax in private."
Veldora repeated the name several times and said excitedly like a child.
Looking at Veldora's appearance,Morax smiled helplessly. Indeed, power and wisdom don't necessarily go hand in hand. ThenMorax placed his hand on the barrier of the Unlimited Imprisonment and extracted a trace of magic essence.
"Gamer, analyze this. See if there's any solution."
[Analysis complete. [Unlimited Imprisonment] is a skill that permanently seals the target's time in imaginary space. The sealed being cannot recover their magic essence. Because Veldora is a dragon species, and dragon species are spiritual life forms with no lifespan or physical body—as long as there is consciousness, they are immortal—there are only two solutions to rescue him:
First, use power strong enough to break through imaginary space and violently destroy the Unlimited Imprisonment seal to release the Storm Dragon. However, according to analysis, there currently exists no creature with this kind of power.
Second, use the solution from the original plot: have Rimuru Tempest place the Storm Dragon in his stomach. After Rimuru ascends to Demon Lord and acquires the ultimate skill Raphael, Lord of Wisdom, use it to analyze the Unlimited Imprisonment and thus release the Storm Dragon.]
Hearing the Gamer's analysis,Morax's face darkened with frustration. If I had the power to forcibly break the Unlimited Imprisonment, would I need to ask you? This is truly like listening to your words is like listening to your words—what's the difference between this and saying nothing? Breaking through imaginary space with power? Why don't you tell me to fly up to the sky and stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun?
As for the second solution, do I need you to tell me? I knew about it earlier than you. I want other methods.
"Besides these two solutions, are there any other methods? And what's the difference between this and one solution?"
Morax asked while covering his head.
[There are none.]
Hearing this voice,Morax felt somewhat helpless.
"You're really useless. You can't do anything. What use do I have for you?"
Morax cursed inwardly.
[Host, I have already provided you with solutions. It's just that your abilities are insufficient. You can't blame me. Moreover, Unlimited Imprisonment belongs to a Summoner's skill. [Summoners] are different from ordinary otherworlders who traverse with their physical bodies—they possess powerful souls capable of withstanding summoning, and therefore will certainly have some unique special abilities. According to your memories from your previous life, the one who sealed the Storm Dragon was the Strongest Hero Chloe, who possessed [Absolute Severance] and [Unlimited Imprisonment]. Even among Summoners, she was top-tier. Host, you were only just born recently, yet you want to break the Unlimited Imprisonment now. To put it nicely, you're aiming too high; to put it bluntly, you're having pipe dreams.]
At this moment, the Gamer rebutted.
"Alright, talking to you gives me a headache. Go play by yourself."
Morax was somewhat speechless.
"Veldora, I'm very sorry. I currently have no way to rescue you."
Morax raised his head and looked at Veldora with an apologetic expression.
"It's fine,Morax. Sooner or later, I will get out."
Veldora comfortedMorax.
"I think I have a way.Morax, Veldora."
At this moment, Rimuru spoke up.
"What method?"
Veldora seemed to ignite the light of hope again.
"According to the analysis of my unique skill Great Sage, this seal is called Unlimited Imprisonment—an extremely powerful skill. The possibility of using physical attacks to forcibly destroy it from the outside is almost zero."
Hearing Rimuru say this, Veldora felt somewhat disappointed.
"But my unique skill Great Sage can analyze the Unlimited Imprisonment. As long as the analysis succeeds, I can release you."
Hearing Rimuru's words, Veldora's face filled with excitement.
"Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and analyze it."
"But..."
Rimuru was somewhat embarrassed.
"What do you need me to do? Just say it."
Seeing Rimuru's expression, Veldora said magnanimously.
Seeing this, Rimuru explained his solution.
After hearing it, Veldora showed an incredulous expression.
"There's such an operation?"
"To be honest, I don't quite believe it either."
Morax said with a contemplative expression.
"But currently, this is the only solution."
"Alright, then let's work together to break this hateful Unlimited Imprisonment. Rimuru, I entrust my freedom to you."
Veldora said with a serious expression.
"Alright, Veldora. Get ready. I'm going to start swallowing you and this seal together into my stomach."
Rimuru said.
"Morax, Rimuru, we'll meet again soon."
Veldora said to the two of them.
"Rimuru, let's begin."
Veldora said to Rimuru.
Rimuru didn't waste words. He immediately transformed into a large amount of slime fluid and, in an instant, covered the entire seal and Veldora's entire body, taking him into his stomach.
"Did it succeed?"
Morax asked.
"It succeeded. Now we just need to wait for the analysis to complete."
Rimuru replied.
"We've been in this place for quite some time. It's time to go out and explore."
Morax suggested.
"I can hardly wait."
Rimuru said excitedly.
"Ever since I was reincarnated into this world, I haven't gone out to look around yet! Just hearing Veldora talk about it, I can barely wait."
Rimuru said toMorax.
"There are quite a few monsters in this cave. Let's fight monsters and level up while we search for the exit together."
Morax suggested.
Morax and Rimuru walked while fighting monsters.
Along the way, they encountered Black Serpent (A-), Calamity Centipede (B+), Black Spider (B), Giant Bat (C+), and Armored Dinosaur (B), obtaining many skills and combat experience. But it still wasn't as convenient as Rimuru's Predator and Great Sage.
Because of this,Morax complained about the Gamer quite a bit.
(Gamer: "You're so noble, you're so great. You blame everything on me.")
After wandering in the cave for who knows how long, with the help of Great Sage and Gamer's skills, the two of them finally found the exit.
A large door covered in rust appeared beforeMorax and Rimuru.
This door was already covered in rust, and even the decorations on it had rotted.
"This should be the exit. Let's go out."
Morax said to Rimuru in his arms.
"I can hardly wait anymore. Let's go."
Rimuru used fluid to manifest a hand and pointed.
"Creak."
At this moment, the door made a sound.