Preparing to Leave

"Starting today, we're good friends."

Veldora looked thrilled. After all, this was his first time making friends. In the past, living beings had either feared him because he was an evil dragon or wanted to use him because of his immense strength.

Although he could sense other motives from them as well, Rimuru and Morax bore him no ill will. That was why he was willing to become friends with them.

"Veldora, you've been sealed here for three hundred years. Do you want to go outside and take a look?"

At that moment, Morax spoke.

"Morax, really? I can go outside?"

Veldora's eyes lit up.

"I'll give it a try, but I'm not sure whether it'll work. Also, when it's just you and Rimuru, call me Mo Li. It'll feel more familiar."

Mo Li looked uncertain.

"Mo Li, Mo Li... All right, from now on, Rimuru and I will call you Mo Li when we're alone."

Veldora repeated the name several times, speaking excitedly like a child.

Seeing Veldora like that, Mo Li smiled helplessly. As expected, strength and wisdom did not necessarily go hand in hand. He then placed his hand on the barrier of the Infinite Prison and absorbed a trace of magicules.

"Gamer, conduct an Analysis. See if there's a solution."

[Analysis complete. [Infinite Prison] is a skill that eternally seals the target's time within Imaginary Space. The sealed person cannot replenish their magicules. Because Veldora is a True Dragon, and True Dragons are spiritual lifeforms, he has neither a lifespan nor a physical body. As long as he retains consciousness, he is immortal. There are only two ways to rescue him.

First, use power strong enough to break Imaginary Space and forcibly destroy the seal of the Infinite Prison, releasing the Storm Dragon. However, according to the Analysis, no living being currently possesses such power.

Second, use the method from the original plot. Have Rimuru Tempest place the Storm Dragon inside his Stomach. After Rimuru advances to become a Demon Lord, use the Ultimate Skill King of Wisdom to analyze the Infinite Prison and release the Storm Dragon.]

Listening to the Gamer's Analysis, Mo Li's face darkened. If I had the power to forcefully break the Infinite Prison, would I still need to ask you? What a load of useless nonsense. How is that any different from saying nothing? Power that can break Imaginary Space? Why don't you just tell me to fly into the sky and stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun?

As for the second method, did he really need the Gamer to tell him that? He had known it even earlier. What he wanted was another method.

"Is there any other way besides those two? Besides, how is that any different from just one solution?"

Mo Li asked, clutching his head.

[No.]

Hearing that response, Mo Li felt helpless.

"You really are useless. You can't do anything. What's the point of having you?"

Mo Li cursed inwardly.

[Host, I have already provided you with solutions. It is merely that your abilities are insufficient; you cannot blame me. Furthermore, Infinite Prison is the skill of a Summoner. [Summoners] differ from ordinary Otherworlders who cross over with their physical bodies. They possess powerful souls capable of withstanding summoning, so they are bound to have unique Special Skills. 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 [Infinite Prison]. Even among Summoners, she was among the very best. Host, you were only just born, yet you want to break the Infinite Prison already. Put nicely, that is aiming too high. Put bluntly, it is nothing but wishful thinking.]

At that moment, the Gamer retorted.

"Enough. Talking to you gives me a headache. Go play somewhere else."

Mo Li was speechless.

"Veldora, I'm sorry. I don't have a way to rescue you yet."

Mo Li raised his head and looked at Veldora apologetically.

"It's all right, Mo Li. Sooner or later, I'll get out."

Veldora comforted him.

"I think I have a way. Mo Li, Veldora."

At that moment, Rimuru spoke up.

"What way?"

It was as though a glimmer of hope had once again ignited within Veldora.

"According to the Analysis of my Special Skill Great Sage, this seal is the Infinite Prison, an extremely powerful skill. The possibility of forcibly destroying it from the outside with physical attacks is practically zero."

Hearing Rimuru say that, Veldora became somewhat dejected.

"However, my Special Skill Great Sage can analyze the Infinite Prison. As long as the Analysis succeeds, I can release you."

Veldora looked thrilled upon hearing Rimuru's words.

"Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and analyze it."

"But..."

Rimuru looked a little embarrassed.

"What do you need me to do? Just say it."

Seeing Rimuru's expression, Veldora spoke generously.

Seeing this, Rimuru explained his solution.

After hearing it, Veldora revealed an incredulous expression.

"You can do that?"

"To be honest, I don't really believe it either."

Mo Li said thoughtfully.

"But for now, it's the only solution."

"All right, then let's work together and break this damned Infinite Prison. Rimuru, I'm entrusting my freedom to you."

Veldora said solemnly.

"All right, Veldora. Get ready. I'm going to swallow you and this seal into my Stomach."

Rimuru said.

"Mo Li, Rimuru, we'll meet again soon."

Veldora said to the two of them.

"Rimuru, begin."

Veldora said to Rimuru.

Rimuru did not waste any more words. He immediately transformed into a huge mass of Slime fluid, covering the entire seal and Veldora's body in an instant before storing them in his Stomach.

"Did it work?"

Mo Li asked.

"It worked. Now we just need to complete the Analysis."

Rimuru replied.

"We've been here for quite some time. It's about time we went out and explored."

Mo Li suggested.

"I can hardly wait."

Rimuru said excitedly.

"Ever since I reincarnated into this world, I haven't gone outside to take a look! Just listening to Veldora talk about it has made me impatient."

Rimuru said to Mo Li.

"There are plenty of monsters in this cave. Let's fight monsters, level up, and look for the exit together."

Mo Li suggested.

Mo Li and Rimuru walked while fighting monsters.

Along the way, they encountered Black Snakes (A-), Calamity Centipedes (B+), Black Spiders (B), Giant Bats (C+), and Armored Dinosaurs (B), gaining quite a few skills and much combat experience. Still, none of it was as convenient as Rimuru's Predator and Great Sage.

Because of this, Mo Li complained about the Gamer more than once.

(Gamer: "You're so high and mighty. Everything is my fault.")

After wandering through the cave for an unknown amount of time, the two finally found the exit with the help of Great Sage and the Gamer's skills.

Before Mo Li and Rimuru stood a massive gate covered in rust.

The gate was completely covered in rust, and even the decorations on it had decayed.

"This should be the exit. Let's go out."

Mo Li said to Rimuru in his arms.

"I can hardly wait. Let's go."

Rimuru formed a finger out of Slime fluid and pointed ahead.

Creak.

At that moment, the gate let out a sound.