Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 67

When I confirmed that the barrier has indeed fallen, I decided to finally come out.

At the exact same moment,

ŒAre you well, my master!

Ranga worriedly jumped out of the shadow.

"No problems", I tell him while confirming the state of my body.

Seems like I'm okay, the skill returned to what it originally was.

Seriously, what a screwed up tale this has become.

What a horrible person she is! Picking a fight without even hearing what I had to say... well, I did play along, though.

But, contrary to my expectations, I was defeated...

No, not defeated. They do say that escape is also a victory.

"Wise men steer clear of trouble" they say.

As I thought... devoting myself to escape was the correct decision.

Since I only tried to escape, now that I have, this is my victory!.. That's a little painful to say.

So let's call it a draw.

This was a really close call. I was able to survive thanks to the insurance I set up before hand, but this was almost the end of me.

Since I felt overwhelmingly disadvantageous, I created a clone and planned my escape.

Had I used magic energy to make it, she would have found out; so, instead, I physically separated a piece of my slime body and sent that away.

I was able to escape thanks to the minimal activity state and thus avoided being affected by the battle, but it was still a pain.

Had she foreseen my ability to split this way, that would have been the end...

But since she didn't know all of my abilities, she couldn't plan that far.

And I guess no one would plan for it by default. Thus, I was saved.

I timidly left the battlefield, and reached what used to be the boundary of the barrier, and thus lost some time.

I'd die if Hinata spotted me, so I devoted all my intention to hiding my presence. As a result, I was able to successfully escape, albeit with difficulty.

However... Hinata is way too strong!

With that strength she doesn't need a barrier... but she still goes out of her way to use it just in case. Seriously! Cut me some slack, will you?!

This time, I couldn't even scratch her. She didn't even see a reason to wear armor...

Are all world travelers and summoned ones that strong?

Seems like there are many skills for me to snatch away.

By the way, this fight's harvest includes Hinata's rapier, the skill she used, and data on her magic.

Even in Gluttony's rampage mode,ŽGreat Sagekept up the data link.

I also ordered it to record data for future reference. Honestly, I didn't believe I could win from the start.

Moreover, "Disintegration" is so powerful it sent chills down my back. You can't protect yourself against that.

Even a multiple layer barrier will be pierced resulting in death. No joke.

I'm really fortunate to have seen it. So in face of such magic, the only thing you can do is to run away or to interfere with the drawing of the magic circle.

It would have been great if I could absorb and analyze it, but I had no such chance.

Life isn't that easy.

The moment I "saw" it, the data link was severed. And just receiving feedback from the clone made me feel dizzy.

From what I saw, you can't evade it. Chances are, the target is marked by spell; so unless you dispel the barrier, you're a goner.

Could Milim endure it? Let's ask her the next time we meet.

That's how much data I was able to acquire this time around. You could even say that this was my victory.

But let's just call it a draw.

No! I'm not being a sore loser!

This isn't the time for jokes.

I worry about Tempest.

I tried transferring to Tempest. By the way, though I can feel the destination, I don't feel a response from it.

That's bad, isn't it... is this the weak barrier that Hinata spoke of?

I should return as quick as possible.

ŒOff we go!

I said to Ranga.

And, with a heavy heart, I transferred to the Cave of the Seal.

In front of the cave, which was just outside the barrier, gathered Gabil and his troops.

When he saw me,

ŒOh! Rimuru-sama, we are in trouble!

He called out.

Seems like my fears were coming true. I can only lament the time I lost fighting with Hinata.

I have no time to chat here. Having so decided, I established a telepathic link with Gabil's group.

And, while thus conversing, hurried into Tempest.

This time, I forcefully accelerated their mental abilities, allowing them to report within a moment. As a result, I unfortunately put Gabil in charge, but this is the wrong time to mind such decisions.

Thanks to this I got a feel for the situation.

Here's what happened.

About an hour ago, a report came in.

They spoke via spirit communicators, and were thus able to hear the news.

A number of assailants have come, it said.

Souei intended to find out their identity via shadow step, but he couldn't use it.

Moreover, telepathy stopped working.

So, though slightly panicked, they remembered about the spirit communicators.

Created as a spare, we were fortunate that it allowed conversation between the cave and the city.

According to the information Gabil heard, the adventurers were also in a state of panic.

And, approximately 15 minutes ago, the reports stopped coming.

So Gabil told me.

Gabil's group was ordered to protect the cave by Rigurdo.

But they were very worried about the city so were arguing whether or not to send a scout.

To send or not to send"they couldn't get their priorities straight which resulted in a split of opinion.

(Alright, I got it. You guys retreat and protect the cave.

Please capture the invaders without killing them)

(Ay! By the way, Bester-dono is asking whether he can make a trip to the Dwarf Kingdom?)

(Ah, have him wait for a bit. When the situation becomes clearer I don't particularly mind, but right now is no good)

(Understood! Please take care of yourself!)

The telepathic link was cut.

15 minutes, huh...

Had it not been for Hinata's meddling, I would have made it.

Steeling my heart, I shadow step closer to the city. Chances are if I leap into the city, I won't be able to leave the shadow.

So I leap close enough to fly to it.

That leap I was able to make without a problem. AndˆFlying Magic‰set at highest speed, I headed for the city.

The barrier spread around the city put up a resistance. But, holding my left hand in front of me, I absorbed a part of the barrier and thus broke through.

After successfully entering the city I felt the barrier mend behind me.

Inside, the magic concentration has dropped significantly, but magic energy properly flows.

This barrier is clearly inferior to the Holy Barrier used against me.

What a relief...

After entering the city premises I hurry to the center square.

A large crowd has gathered in the city; their faces gloomy.

Something happened it seems. My heart quickened in anxiety.

After noticing my arrival, the group opened a path and knelt before me. And, in this state, a few people appeared before me.

Rigurdo and Kaijin.

ŒRimuru-sama, we are overjoyed that you have returned to us. There are matters we must hear your opinion on, so please come this way...

They are... preventing me from continuing forward?

Seems like there's something up ahead. I have a bad feeling about this.

ŒRigurdo, Kaijin. Move of out the way. What happened?

ŒN-nothing. Some small problems here and there, so for now...

ŒDon't try to hide it. Move

At my command, the people timidly cleared the way.

What appeared before me, that scene.

Countless monsters lay there.

Men, women, and even children.

Appearing as if they were sleeping...

All dead.

Why has...

I can't feel my feet.

What is this, what has...? No good, I can't think straight.

A total of 100 friends lay before me.

Eh... all... are dead? You're lying, aren't you?!

My mind doesn't focus. Though I have no need for it, I feel out of breath.

Though I lack a heart, it beats violently in my chest.

ŒWhat is this, what happened?

My voice escaped my lips.

A cold voice that can be heard from far away.

I felt my heart grow cold.

Rigurdo explained to the trembling me,

ŒA while ago, we were attacked by a group which identified themselves as the followers of the Western Saint's Church.

We suddenly lost contact with other groups, and due to the sudden lethargy we felt...

Furthermore, we were attacked by a group which disguised themselves as adventurers.

Western Saint's Church... the group Hinata spoke of arrived faster than I expected.

Next, a Hobgoblin elder continued

ŒAs you have ordered, we welcomed the humans with respect without harming them...

ŒF-fool! Are you trying to say this is Rimuru-sama's fault!

Rigurdo countered, enraged.

ŒP-please forgive me! I meant no such...

A distant apology resounded, but it did not reach my heart.

I see, my order, my words caused this...

I am a monster.

... who used to be a human.

I just wanted to get along with humans.

... reality is far more cruel.

Then what should I be doing!!!

... who knows? Think for yourself.

A voice rang inside my head, denying responsibility.

But I will not permit it. I am the cause of this tragedy; the responsibility is mine.

I felt extreme regret and bottomless anger well-up within my heart.

............

.......

...

Calling a conference of elders, we reconfirm the situation.

Even in this shaken state, my mind was able to properly assess the situation.

First, there were ten assailants.

In ten minutes, they were able to kill a hundred of us.

By the looks of it, the group that set up the barrier remained outside of it, so their actual numbers are unconfirmed.

This is what they said,