Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120. Setting Off

Hinata returned from her attack on Tempest"which would later be called the "Templar Captain's revolt""having suffered a crushing defeat.

Without a single apology or excuse, Hinata resigned as the head of the imperial guard and cut all ties with the Holy Empire Ruberion.

As such, even the Empire's representatives, the Seven Celestial Sages could not punish her. Therefore, they simply decided to continue observing the situation.

The Western Saint's Church, however, could not stay silent.

She selfishly went off on her own and even lost. Losing to monsters is a problem in itself, but she even dared to return alive. And even confirmed that those remaining in Tempest were alive and well.

In other worlds, they came as assassins but were defeated fair and square. That's not a mistake one can easily recover from.

In fact, had they all died, the Church could have attributed it to monsters' wicked and cruel nature, rile up all of humanity, and....

For the Church, this is by far the worst outcome.

Even then, Nicholas was happy that Hinata returned.

But that's a different matter. The problem remains.

And then, to Nicholas, who was holding his head, Hinata so said:

ŒJust say that I acted on my own. Fooled the knights and acted without the Church's approval.

Though it will contradict the Church's dogma that all monsters are evil, but at least it won't subvert all of it.

After all, the weak need the Church.

We can't go around losing an organization that is willing to extend the weak a hand, now can we?

Without any hesitation she proposed to Nicholas.

Just as before, as if looking down upon the world she presented the most logical conclusion.

If necessary, cut away one to save the whole"perfectly pragmatic.

Even if the one to be cut away is she herself, she would not hesitate.

But still, she seems to have changed a bit: no longer are her eyes filled with blind devotion to the creed.

Her face instead carries a smile of nearly divine kindness.

And this was a proposal Nicholas could not refuse.

Though her face now expresses heartfelt kindness, it did not change her nature. Her proposal is well thought out and the Church would suffer minimal damage as the result. Nicholas understood that too well.

ŒHinata, did you change a bit...?

ŒHave I? Can't know yourself, now can you? But I do think that I was in too much of a hurry. To save people with my own hands, so I thought. I don't think I was wrong to sacrifice the few to save the many. I can proudly say that I fought for what I believed in. But... I also don't think it's wrong to try to save everyone. I think I was too focused on the big picture and lost something important. I don't want to save just the majority"I want to save everyone. Feel free to laugh if you think it impossible. I just want to see the world, judge it with my own eyes, and pick the path I truly believe in

ŒIs that what the Demon Lord taught you?

ŒNo, not really. A beloved teacher admonished me, and I recognized the existence of a demon lord

ŒRecognized... a demon lord?

ŒYeah. It was not pure evil. Just another soul living quite selfishly

ŒIs that so... Well then, I will believe in you Hinata-sama. And the Demon Lord whom you believed in

For Nicholas, Hinata is and was everything.

Even if she lost, he could not complain if she returned alive.

If the Empire decided to punish Hinata, he fully intended to use the West Saint's Church to defend her.

This time, however, it was unnecessary because Hinata herself decided to resign from her post.

And disposing of the whole affair as the "Templar Captain's Revolt," Hinata became a stray adventurer.

One who gives hope to the weak"a Hero.

The knight who lived by the creed was dead, and instead the hope of the people was born. Nicholas understood this as well.

Thus, he did not oppose her actions. Later, he would come to regret it.

Hinata then assembled the Templars and the Blood Shadows and declared that she steps down from her post.

The Templars were content but the shadows opposed her declaration.

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ŒHinata-sama has been corrupted! She has become weak from her defeat. Actually, the demon lord must have seduced her. We need to open her eyes!

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And various other things the shadows said, troubling Hinata.

To them,

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ŒIn that case, that country's demon lord has created a dungeon.

If you clear it you get an audience with the demon lord.

So if you want to "open my eyes," go clear it first

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Hinata said, and the Blood Shadows, as if having received their orders, departed.

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ŒIs it fine?

.

Nicholas asked,

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ŒProbably. No one dies in that dungeon.

The Demon Lord manages it for fun.

But it just might become good practice for them.

Maybe they'll go mad, but it just might reforge their spirits

.

She said without thinking.

Having faced Demon Lord Rimuru once before she has some trust in him.

There's also the fact that Arnaud is there and has related enough for her to make her own conjectures.

She also has a good idea as to how to clear that dungeon.

Besides, perhaps only Hinata could, but those shadows would be unable to clear the dungeon.

Blood crazed and seeing nothing but dogma, the labyrinth may only break their spirits.

In fact, later on this became a sort of pilgrimage for forging your spirit.

You would challenge that hell again and again, as long as your spirit doesn't break.

As Hinata said, it became a place for those weak-willed to gain some mental strength.

And the remaining Blood Shadows returned to the Holy Empire of Ruberion.

Since they were affiliated with the Empire anyways, they simply swore loyalty to the Emperor.

And upon seeing these men again, Hinata

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ŒWho would've thought...

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She lamented.

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Their presence stank of blood.

That she noticed one time when she was reporting a matter at the Empire.

She concluded that their journey to the dungeon was the reason for their much to mechanical and artificial movement.

But back to present time,

Excusing herself before the Seven Celestial Sages was a trial in itself.

If she fought would she win or lose? The thing is, they gave off magic power unbecoming of humans.

Why she had not noticed it was a mystery in itself.