Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken novel Chapter 87

A city enveloped in a tranquil light.

A holy city protected by a holy barrier.

This was a high level defense barrier developed through many years of arduous study.

This barrier prevented uninvited outsiders from entry and protected the city for over a thousand years.

It is truly the embodiment of the citizens' prayers.

It can even block sunlight allowing the city's natural light to be regulated. It is thus brighter in the afternoon and darker at night.

The temperature inside the barrier is mostly fixed throughout the year creating pleasantly cool summers and warm winters.

And thanks to the isolated farmlands, they are able to harvest any season's crop throughout the year.

A paradise where no one starves.

Every child receives equal education and every citizen is employed.

A paradise of law and harmony.

Such is the Holy City Ruberius of the Holy Empire Ruberion.

Hinata walked down the path leading to the Great Holy Chamber.

The gentle warmth that enveloped her seemed to sooth her heavy heart.

This country is wealthy.

No one hungers or sleeps in the streets.

Everyone is given a role that they respect.

They wake up at the sound of the morning bell and fall asleep at sunset.

Those with superior abilities help those with inferior ones. And this harmony ensures that the citizens' happy life continues.

A land of equality under god. This reality called the Holy City unfolded before her.

Hinata looked at the faces of nearby citizens.

They all had a tranquil smile on their face.

But, she couldn't help feel that something was wrong whenever she was in the city.

She could transfer from the Grand Cathedral in the Holy City Ruberius to the Ingracia Kingdom's Western Saint's Church in a split second.

These two cities were connected via a grand magic circuit.

Ingracia's capital was the most advanced city in the world and housed both the Council and the Freedom Association.

Thus, in order to spread the church's teachings there they prioritized the creation of a direct access into the city.

In fact, around six hundred years ago Ingracia Kingdom and the Holy Empire Ruberion exchanged barrier magic for transfer magic and decided to connect their cities.

As a result, rather than on this holy land, they gained the ability to establish the church's headquarters in the Ingracia Kingdom.

Hinata, however, found the holy city to be the ideal and sought to create a society that would not need to fight with neither Ingracia Kingdom nor any other state.

She sought a society where the weak was not devoured by the strong.

However, Ingracia Kingdom and the Holy Empire Ruberion were was too incompatible.

And that caused her to feel out of place.

The Free city Ingracia and the Harmonious city Ruberius; truly, they are polar opposites.

And her discomfort only intensified when looking at children's faces.

She could hear children's voices coming from the school built adjacent to the Great Holy Chamber.

Perhaps running late, a few children were desperately running towards the building.

Those who could run faster were grasping the hands of those who were slow.

A common scene that was hardly problematic. Yet Hinata found it uncomfortable.

What would happen in Ingracia?

There was a school next to the Church.

So she often saw children playing outside. What was it like?

At the crack of dawn, the belated children ran out the gates with a smile. Those too slow would not be able to learn.

At that time, those who were quick had the proud look as if they obtained what was naturally theirs.

What do you think would have happened to these children who would help others like the kids of Ruberius?

Certainly, none of them would make it to the lesson and be yelled by the teacher.

Of course, they only had to wake up earlier.

Yet this was a trivial difference.

But for some reason Hinata's discomfort just wouldn't fade.

What was different?

Are those faster not kind? No, that's not it.

Though they ignored the slower kids, they did not make fun of them.

Moreover, the slow kids just sheepishly laughed.

They were having fun even while getting yelled at by the instructor.

In that case, what about here in Ruberius?

The kids all have the same facial expression.

A tranquil smile.

The same one as worn by the adults"satisfaction.

And somewhere within that expression was a sense of abandonment, hence the cause of Hinata's displeasure.

She only started paying attention to this after the Slime Rimuru mentioned his anger regarding the children.

Though it must have been simple nonsense, Hinata unintentionally mulled over his words.

Hinata shrugged off these thoughts.

She couldn't possibly show such an unsightly appearance before the Seven Celestial Sages.

Last time, immediately after being told that Veldora was reborn, she received a report from the Monsters' Country Tempest.

As a result, though the Sages had called for her, for some reason they weren't able to meet with her.

Thus, a week has passed.

That being said, that might have been the first time she had met them as the Seven Celestial Sages. And noticed something she hardly cared about.

Last time, when they were telling her about Veldora, was the first time she had seen them together.

Previously, she would study under each one and move onto the next one immediately after finishing the training.

And, after graduating as a disciple, she had never met them while receiving her orders.

At most, no more than six had gathered at the same time.

That's just how strange these people were.

They've been probably running around the world for some unknown reason.

If that's the case, then Veldora's rebirth is an unimaginably important event.

Since Hinata had never personally endured Veldora's rampage she was not surprised at the news but could still judge its importance based on the response from the other nations.

So she was probably right in delaying the trip to Tempest.

But she couldn't just ignore a demon lord who was reigning so close to humans.

And the presence of dangerous monsters only underlined the urgent need to subjugate them all.

But, was this fellow Japanese who reincarnated as a monster truly a hindrance that needed to be removed?

According to their creed, he was undoubtedly a wicked demon.

So why does she feel so lost...?

Moreover.

(I see, I feel lost, huh...)

Hinata was self-reflecting.

Feeling uncertain was unlike her. Thus mocking herself she hardened her heart.

Right, even she could feel lost.

She lived in order to create a "An equal world without struggle".

A world where children abandoned by their parents could live happily.

Perhaps that was an idealistic and impractical goal. But for Hinata, who was about to resign herself to this fact, the church appeared the embodiment of that ideal.

Since then, Hinata would never doubt the Church's Creed and systematically worked to propagate it.

Unlike her mother who clung to religion, she was at a position where she protected the creed.

And that was the source of Hinata's confidence.

Though she didn't believe in god, she would recognize it as long as it was of use.

Achieving one's goal was more important.

Thus, she had never faltered since joining the Western Saint's Church.

And now, for the first time ever, a conflict arose between her thoughts and the church's teachings.

So she decided to seek advice from her instructors.

Satisfied with this decision she found herself standing in front of the Great Holy Chamber's doors.

Without faltering, she opened the door and entered.

Ahead sat her instructors the Seven Celestial Sages.

.

Upon passing through inner chamber she felt the air change.

She was now inside the empire's absolute defense barrier.

This area was isolated from the outside by a barrier that would prevent anyone not invited from entering.

Hinata proceeded forward in confidence.

The path led along the mountain towards an estate. That's where she would meet her instructors.

When Hinata arrived, four of them were already seated.

Four among the Seven Celestial Sages.

ŒI apologize for the delay. I am truly grateful for meeting with me in spite of your busy schedules