That Time I Got Reincarnated By Veldanava

During Henrik's third day exploring Dwargon, the blacksmith Kaijin was rushing to complete a shipment of weapons that was assigned to him by the minister Vesta on behalf of Gazel Dwargo, King of The Armed Nation Of Dwargon. The shipment was to be used by the royal army in future conflicts and given the news of a new nation and a demon lord offering a reward for the head of that nations new king, the entire west, including Dwargon, was preparing for possible conflicts and as such, the weapons Kaijin was assign to craft was of the upmost importance for the defence of the nation.

However, the local mine where Kaijin has already gotten his magiore, the material used to craft his swords, had recently had an increase in monster activity rendering travel to its depths near impossible for the average merchant. For weeks, miners have been forced to stay at the closest parts of the mine while adventurers and soldiers try and repel the monsters.

Monsters as high as rank B+ like basilisks and evil centipedes have been reported so few adventuring parties can safely handle them in groups which is the reason this issue hasn't been solved yet. However.

After hearing an argument in Kaijin's store, Henrik and the newly evolved Shizu Izawa, the legendary Conquerer of Flames, intervened and after hearing Kaijin's friends and assistants were in trouble, Shizu disappeared and headed towards the cave to help.

Now, she had just arrived and was greeted by the guards.

"Halt. No one is allowed in here past sundown without a permit by his majesty to say they're hired adventurers."

"Unless you have one, I suggest you leave or we'll be forced to arrest you."

Shizu despite hearing the threats clearly, kept walking towards the entrance. As she drew closer, a group of 6 soldiers that was guarding the entrance raised their weapons towards here hoping she'd stop at the threat. Shizu however kept walking with slowing down. When she arrived at the tip of their weapons, she reached into a hidden breast pocket on her shirt and as she did, the guards went on high alert.

"Hey, get your hand out that pocket, try anything funny and we'll run you through. I don't care how strong you think you are, there's no way a fragile girl like you is surviving 6 stabs to the heart," One of the guards threatened.

Shizu, unbothered by the threat, reached for a small card in her pocket and pulled it out, presenting it to the dwarf who was clearly in charge.

No longer wearing her mask as she'd hid underneath her cloak since she no longer needed to suppress Ifrit, she gave them a gentle smile as she introduced herself.

"Hello, I'm Shizu Izawa. Here's my adventurer card. As you can tell, I'm a rank A+ adventurer. You may know me by my title 'The Conquerer of Flames,' I understand you have your orders and I respect your determination to follow them. But there are still some dwarfs in there, have been for hours and their friend is struck with worry.

Given my rank, I please ask that you permit me entrance to the mines. I know it's wrong of me to literally pull rank like this, but the man that's filled with worry is such a nice man who's just trying to get by and help his three friends do the same. So I must do anything I can to save them, if I don't, then there's no point in me helping him create that world."

All the soldiers were now stunned. They knew exactly who Shizu was through all the stories of what she'd done. But they were also conflicted with their loyalty, and that had to go above all else.

"I'm sorry miss, but we just can't. All miners know to be out before sundown. If they aren't, I hope they find a nice group of adventurers or soldiers that are in there, but we can't let anyone else in. If you come back tomorrow with a permit, we'll gladly let you in, but orders are orders."

Then, another solider on the far right spoke up, "Excuse me miss. But who is the he that you mentioned? Is it the man whose friends are down there?"

"No. This man is different. All my years alive and he's different. His very presence is enough to make whole armies quake in fear, but in truth, he doesn't have a evil bone in him. Not that I've seen. He just wants to live in peace and ensure others can. In all my life, I've never met anyone with such kind eyes. And the way he speaks, I know he'll do it.

He'll make a world where all kids can live in peace, without fear of a powerful person coming and destroying all they love. And he's got the power to back it up. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even be alive right now. So I have to help him, because if I do, then my students get to finally be happy."

"That's sweet miss and the guy you totally don't speak about in any way more than friendship sounds like a good man. But we still can't let you in. I'm sorry but it's the kings orders."

"Boss, let her in." The dwarf who just asked her about Henrik spoke up. "She's the conquer of flames, she can handle herself. And if she promises to be back before dawn, no one except us and the three she's after ever has to know."

"Are you suggesting we disobey our king?" Another soldier speaks angrily.

"Of course not. But his majesties orders were to not let anyone who can't handle themselves in past sunset. This is the conqueror of flames, not some rookie adventurer trying to chase glory. If she can't handle herself, who can? I even heard she taught the founder and leader of the Free Guild at some point."

"But..." The angry dwarf tries to speak before their leader interrupts, "Enough. Both of you. Miss Izawa, since my man her reminds me of our exact orders, I will allow you in. However, I warn you that if you enter and don't come back out, we, both us personally and Dwargon, will not accept responsibility for your death. If you can agree to that, you may enter."

"Of course. I'll be back within two hours at most. If I'm not back, well nothing because I will be. While I'm here, I think I'll get to the root of your monster issue as well." Shizu said with a smile as she entered the mine.

"You think she'll come back? I know she's meant to be strong, but so are the monsters in that cave, and they're in groups as well."

"True," The boss spoke before letting out a small laugh and continuing, "But she's the Conquerer of flames. I doubt hundreds of the things in there could take her down."

When Shizu entered the mine, she was met with a large, empty area with track running in numerous directions. All around her, there was open paths leading down the mountain that the mine was in many different maze like pathways, some even intertwining with each other. For a regular person on a rescue mission, this mine would be nearly impossible to get to your target but really easy to get lost.

Shizu, however, with her ultimate skill [Ignis, Lord Of Embers], had the skill [Universal Sense] which would make it a piece of cake for her to navigate.

[Shizu, remember to be ready at any moment. If you sense any danger, don't let it make the first move]

'I know Ignis. Just do me a favour and memorise the quickest path back.'

[Of course mistress Shizu]

And with that, she took off towards where she could sense the dwarven brothers. Through the tunnel near the left side, down, left, right all around in a maze. It took her three full hours walking at a brisk pace to finally reach the area where she could sense the men she was looking for. As she was only about 500 feet away, Ignis spoke to her in a worried tone.

[Mistress. I sense dark magics at play around here. Be careful]

'What type of dark...' Shizu thought before a loud roar sounded and a man fell from above. Shizu, thanks to her enhanced reflexes, easily evaded the large object and retreated back a little to asses the attacker.

"What the.." Shizu expressed as she clearly saw the man. Rotten. Withered. Dried blood all over his body. He had a long nose that made him stand out and the only hair on him, that was visible at least, was on his chin. A great bushy beard and little moustache to accompany it.

His eyes were pitch black and his ears missing. And the stench, Shizu was a fair ways away from him but she could smell the repulsive smell of death. Even in all her years, even being around a demon lord, this was the worst smell she'd ever experienced. The smell just confirmed her initial theory she made when she saw him.

He was an undead. A mindless ghoul that was being controlled by another entity. "What happened to you?"

Then, Shizu could hear slow and sluggish footsteps coming from behind the ghoul. Thanks to come nearby torches, Shizu was able to make out that it was two pairs coming towards her.

Then, two dwarf men came up to the other and stood still, staring at Shizu. One, a muscular man with a short white beard, the other a robust dwarf.

Given all she knew about the mines and the strictness of Dwargon, it was safe to assume that these ghouls were the men she was looking for.

"I was too late?" Shizu mutters under her breath.

[Mistress Shizu, duck] Ignis yelled in her mind and she instinctively ducked. A moment late, an axe the size of Shizu's whole body came flying from behind her and hit the middle ghoul, what used to by Myrd, in the chest. Shizu doesn't know how it happened, but she suddenly heard a large number of footsteps running to her and by the time she stood up, she was completely surrounded by ghouls.

And all of them looked like the three in front of her.

"What are they?"

[Unknown. They aren't ghouls because ghouls can't duplicate themselves. I sense incredibly powerful magic coming from 200 miles beneath us, perhaps that has something to do with it. I recommend you request King Henrik to assist]

'Not yet. If they're not ghouls, there maybe a way to save them. I just need to get to the source of that magic.'

[Mistress. I highly recommend you retreat and bring King Henrik back as soon as possible. While you can easily handle these ghoul like entities, whatever is down there poses a much bigger threat]

'Ignis. No. If the first thing I do is run to him, I'll just become a burden. If I have no other choice, I'll run but I at least have to try. What kind of hero runs when they're needed? Please, just make sure I don't loose control and burn down all of Dwargon.'

[Of course mistress. My first mission is to serve. I only spoke out of term as I believe it's best for you. But if your orders are to watch your flames, it'll be my honour]

'Thank you Ignis.'

"Now, if you lot couldn't be sensed by [Universal Sense] but those three could, I'm guessing their the real bodies. And the rest of you are some kind of illusion or clones. Since that's the case, and they're not really ghouls, I may be able to save them," Shizu said as low flames started to surround her, "So, the rest of you are done. You three, if there's anyway to save you. I will."

That's the last thing Shizu said before she disappeared and drew her sword.

SLASH. SLASH. SLASH. SLASH.

In seconds, Shizu had cut through hundreds of clones with ease while not even moving at full speed. A few seconds later, and more than a thousand throughout the tunnel she was in was cut down. However, after clearing most of them out, Shizu zoomed at  another clone of Garm, but when she got close, the clone gained a dark aura around it. And the moment, Shizu was about to cut it down, it quickly raised it's axe and blocked her, sending Shizu recoiling back.

"What the? Wait, that aura," Shizu quickly noticed that there was energy coming from all over the tunnel, or to be more exact, from the corpses of the clones she'd killed.

"This can only be one of two things," Shizu said as she charged for the same Garm clone only to have a Dido clone intervene and knock Shizu's sword in one direction and knee her in the stomach. Though with the kick couldn't even scratch [Multilayer Barrier] and even if it somehow did, [Physical Attack Nullification] and [Pain Nullification] would've prevented Shizu from being harmed.

In an instant, Shizu found her balance on to see the clones foot aiming for her head, but she was much faster and got up, striking the clone of Dido down with a quick jab through the chest.

"I see. So, you clones can learn, almost like a hive mind. All this energy coming from the corpses isn't just energy, it's knowledge. Knowledge of me and how I fight. Your clones, they couldn't see me, so instead they sent knowledge of how I killed them to the living ones. Interesting, whoever is behind this is clearly not your average magic user.

Ok then. I was holding back, let's see if you can survive when I hold back a little less."

Three clones of each brother was now charging at Shizu and was preparing their attack. At that moment, just a second before they moved their weapons towards Shizu, her sword ignited.

And the next second, all 9 clones lay dead at her feet. Then, she reached behind her cloak and pulled out her mask, sliding it onto her face without losing eye contact at the clones.

"Let's finish this." Moving so fast she wasn't even a blur, Shizu appeared at the final clones, by now, only 20 at most remained and what she believed to be the original bodies that she'd left unharmed.

"Flame Sword Art: Aubert Misaki Sekiguchi Gibson Rondo Quintuple Slash."

Shizu then slash her sword five time and sent five large and all consuming flames towards the clones. This was a technique she had carefully created on her final journey to Dwargon where she'd originally planned to die. It was the culmination of her former power born from her admiration for her students. And it was more than enough to end the clones.

The flames roared throughout the caves as all the oxygen was drained from the area. If this place wasn't empty, the attack likely would've killed everyone in these tunnels that stretch for miles. And upon contact with the clones, the clones all incinerated to ash.

Shizu then composed herself and sheathed her sword before turning to the original bodies and checking on them. It seems they currently don't need oxygen for some reason which Shizu still didn't know. Before any of them could move, Shizu heard the sound of monsters coming from further down the tunnel. She immediately placed her hand on her sword but what she heard next shocked her.

Distress.  From all the monsters.

Within moments, all the monsters were now visible but they paid no attention to Shizu, instead, all they did was run. Run and run with no signs of stopping. Running in fear.

"The city." Shizu shouted as she remembered that if they're running, whether intentional or not, they were all gonna end up running into innocent dwarfs.

'Ignis. Help me.' Shizu thought in an almost pleading voice.

[Always mistress. It'll be difficult but if you infuse your sword with Spacetime Manipulation, you'll be able to hit one of the dwarfs and use instant motion to transport it somewhere in an instant. I recommend you send one of them to Kaijin's shop mistress]

'Of course, because he'll be there.' Shizu thought as she charged at Myrd and infused her sword with [Instant Motion]. As soon as the swords tip hit Myrd, the impact instantly knocked him out and sent him to Kaijin's store.

"Hopefully he gets to them before they get to the main city. I'll just have to take as many of them out as I can.

Flame Sword Art: Aubert Misaki Sekiguchi Gibson Rondo Quintuple Slash."

Back at Kaijin's store.

"Haha, you show him why you're the wizard king Julius."

Henrik was enjoying some Black Clover while he awaited the return of Kaijin and Shizu. As he read the manga, Henrik heard a large thump from the next room.

"What the hell was that? If it's that Vesta interrupting my hard work, I'll... I'll. I don't know but it won't be nice."

[What hard work, sitting down and reading?]

'Hey Raphael, that's rude. I get your have semi sentience now, doesn't mean you have to be rude.'

Henrik said as he barged through the door, annoyed until he saw the unconscious, distorted body of Myrd lying before him.

"What happened to you? Wait... Shizu," Henrik said full of worry. Then, he and the whole city was disturbed by the sound of a large explosion coming from the direction of the mines. Rushing outside, Henrik could see every guard in sight running towards the cities entrance.

"HEY," Henri shouted to a nearby guard, "What's going on?"

"Sir, get indoors. That's the mines warning that monsters have gotten out. Don't worry, we've got this," The guard said before he recognised Henrik from when he was on guard duty. "Wait, it's you."

"Run to the castle and tell the king that I've got this," Henrik said before he launched himself into the air with [Flight Magic]

"Who was that?" One of the guards asked.

"The only person in the city save his majesty who can save us all. I've got to go inform the king."

As big as Dwargon was, Henrik was insanely fast and not too far from the entrance so he arrived in seconds. Hovering over the cities wall, he could see hordes of monsters running towards the main city.

There was everything from Basilisks and centipedes all the way down to common slimes and bats. Beneath him, he could hear the cries of people trapped outside the wall who would be the first to be killed.

"Guess it's time for my heroic debut in Dwargon. And I know just the phrase to use." With that, Henrik snapped his fingers and placed a massive barrier around the whole city, even extending it to protect the people camping outside the walls.

"Look, up there," A child outside the wall shouted as he pointed to a man in the sky. After the child pointed it out, everyone started to look up, even some f the guards.

"HAHAHAHA. Fear not citizens, hope has arrived. Because I am here."

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Hi, Omni_God2000 here.

Apologies for the chapter being late, I wanted to perfect it and refine it.

Also, when I was typing about Shizu using Spacetime Manipulation, a friend who obviously keeps up with the book told me she doesn't have it when I explained what she'd do to him. Then after checking Webnovel, I realised it didn't say it in the Ignis chapter. But I checked the word document and it was there.

Recently I've been using my phone so I apologise for that, I think something went wrong when I was pasting it from word to Webnovel. I've gone back and corrected that in the chapter.

Next Chapter 'Saving Kaijin and the Three Brothers (III) – Consequences Of Messing With Shizu's Kids.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned.