Inside the time that had been prolonged by 1 million fold, we faced each other.
That was, a thought space created by Wisdom King Raphael, that dragged Hinata into this space.
It succeeded in creating a forced thought link with Hinata's consciousness, which I could have not predicted.
Well, why did it do such a thing?
The answer was Shizu-san.
(It was my request. To Rimuru's ability, Wisdom King Raphael.)
Shizu-san says so, while smiling gently.
The Izawa Shizue who was seen by Hinata and I was not the real person.
It was the remains of the real person's Soul. A fragment of her mind.
At the time I absorbed her, her soul was also taken. Thanks to the evolution of Wisdom King Raphael, it seems that the analysis of her soul was a success.
Really.........
Since the time it was still Great Sage', what has it done secretly and silently behind me? This fellow...
Wasn't the true Mastermind Wisdom King Raphael-san? I thought so too, but it might also not be true.
Inside the constructed thought space, Hinata was being embraced by Shizu-san.
"You have done well", Shizu-san said while praising Hinata.
That ruthless Hinata had a relieved expression like a child. Seeing such an appearance I felt a strange feeling.
Then, Shizu-san's hands plucked the wicked insect that was coiling around Hinata's head, and burnt it completely with her flame.
That was, the "Curse's Crystal" that had started Hinata's Thought Restraint [1].
Wait, hey! Wisdom King Raphael. I also met Yuuki, could I also be under Thought Restraint?(Rimuru)
Although I didn't think so, I asked to make sure.
This Wisdom King Raphael fellow maybe doing something without permission, but it was not a negligent fellow.
Notification. Master is not under Thought Restraint.
However, the traces of Thought Guidance were confirmed.
Because of the ability's evolution, the effect of Thought Guidance has disappeared now.
The report came nonchalantly from Raphael as if it was a trivial matter.
This fellow, if there were signs, then the probability that Yuuki was the mastermind was high.
Even I was not convinced to doubt at that level! This fellow (Raphael), really.......
Oh well, perhaps to obtain definitive evidence, it attempted to reproduce Shizu-san's soul.
This fellow was too much of a perfectionist, it won't report to me, if the information was not absolutely 100% correct.
Since my analysis was imperfect, it will trouble and confuse me, if it reported every trivial information one by one.
As if it understood what my intentions were, I don't have any complaint about it.
And thus, time passed for a while.
Hinata raised her head, did she calm down?
Her expression was calm, her previous tense mood had been eased.
Perhaps she was actually a kind child, but she might have acquired her ruthless and brutal tendency to survive through the harsh world.
If you think about it, was this what Shizu-san had regrets about?
Maybe for this reason, Wisdom King Raphael reproduced Shizu-san's Soul, because it wanted an opportunity to exchange information with her.
(Hinata, I'm sorry for neglecting you.
Please live strongly, faith is important, but don't misjudge the reality/enemy.)[2]
Shishou (Sensei).........But, even now, I am still confused.
I believe the condition in Holy Empire of Ruberion was not wrong.(Hinata)
(Hinata...... Which is correct? Which is wrong?
To decide it one-sidedly is not good. Be flexible, okay?)
Shizu-san admonishes her gently.
She still wanted to talk more. This woman (Hinata) even if she was smart, she was too stubborn.
She doesn't really lend her ear to any of my words, but there are occasions when she showed her flexible nature.
But just as expected she still didn't listen to my words......
I understand. One more time, I will start over. Seeing with these eyes, and deciding with my own heart. (Hinata)
Hinata nodded honestly.
Oi......... was it because Shizu-san's the one who was talking that she became this obedient? Or, because she was released from Thought Restraint that she became obedient?
It was because of the Thought Restraint. Yes, there's no mistaking it.
After all, it's not like I expected anything while having a hard time persuading Hinata.
That means, the bad one was all Yuuki.
Was there a possibility that guy was also manipulated....?
Could Raphael give me an answer about this?
Oi, I understand that Kagurazaka Yuuki is the mastermind. But, for confirmation....
Is there a possibility that Yuuki is also being manipulated?
If I say accurately, by the "Sorcery King (Curse Lord)" Kazaream!(Rimuru)
I press the question about the real issue at hand sternly.
If it is not inquired now, the core issue may never come out.
Yuuki is manipulated by "Sorcery King" Kazaream, how?
Wasn't he a former Demon Lord that was slain by Demon Lord Leon, right? How can he still be alive?(Hinata)
Nn? Ah! Before this, that person's subordinate Clayman said that Demon Lord was still alive.
He said that person's Spiritual body seemed to have revived.
Because he had detailed information from the human side, I guessed that he was possessing a human.(Rimuru)
He is alive? And, he is in a place where he could gather information easily.
In the first place, to apply Thought Restraint on me, it doesn't seem possible for Yuuki to do it at the same time when I arrived at this world.
Above all else, his intention or objective was unknown. But, if you say that Kazaream is the mastermind..... (Hinata)
Nn? Do you know something?(Rimuru)
To my question, Hinata only replied in silence.
This fellow was still not being honest with me.
Oh well. What I wanted to hear was not from Hinata.
Answer me, Wisdom King Raphael
To my question, I felt relieved as if it was answered.
A Spiritual body can't use their ability excessively. Additionally, there was a possibility that it could possess a body and move from one to another.
Or, there was a possibility that somehow, through the protection of the Spiritual body, the soul did not vanish. Kazaream was left roaming around and fused with Yuuki when he accidently came into this world.
Although the probability of the former was higher, the communication with Clayman came too slowly. As Clayman said, the contact suddenly came several tens of years ago [3], until then his movement was a mystery.
In case of the latter.
The probability was too low, it was something unimaginable, but..... There was a dying person who reincarnated as a Slime, so it can't be said to be completely impossible.
Eh? Wasn't that was about myself?! I let out such a Tsukkomi.
If one can't be said with certainty, Kaguzaka Yuuki's personality might have already vanished or not.
However, there was also a possibility that Yuuki's personality could have been swallowed or dominated by Kazaream.
Wisdom King Raphael considered various possibilities, but it doesn't want to declare until there was certainty.
Since its perfectionist nature could be considered a merit and a demerit.
Anyway, currently without any doubt, Yuuki is a dangerous opponent. Because of that, we must be cautious.
So, I concluded.
(However, that child was seen as a really normal and kind child. There was no uncomfortable feeling.
That was why I worried about him, Hinata. You must never get close to Yuuki.
I have a very unpleasant premonition........
Good bye, Hinata. Please live and become happy)
Shizu-san said so at the end, she then disappeared from Hinata and my sight.
She was finally able to tell Hinata what she was worried about, what she regretted had she disappeared.
After Shizu-san disappearance, Hinata kept offering a silent prayer towards that direction. That appearance, I will always remember it.
And then......
Notification. The purpose was achieved. Now releasing the thought link
Immediately after it said that, I felt like I was wrapped in a bright light.
(Rimuru, thank you about Hinata. As expected you really are a kind person...... This place is very comfortable.....)
I thought I heard Shizu-san's voice.
Was it only my imagination? Or, was it an illusion? However, Shizu-san's anxiety certainly disappeared.
While sprouting a gentle smile, Shizu-san bowed her head to me.
I opened my eyes after the signal from Wisdom King Raphael.
The time that had been prolonged 1 million fold was returning to its normal flow, and thought link was released.
The vicinity was shrouded with scent of the battlefield and we were glaring at each other with the same stance we had a little while ago.
In real time, half hour had passed since the beginning of the fight.
Even though I felt like the fight took place a long time ago, did my one on one fight with Hinata start only 30 minutes ago?
Though I felt like time had already elapsed for several days, it looked like it never happened.
Well then, shall we continue again?(Hinata)
Like nothing happened, Hinata drew her sword.
Eh, wait a minute.
Hey!The last time I had the advantage over you, I stopped! So, why did you nonchalantly ignore it! (Rimuru)
I don't know. Isn't it common sense to end a battle after delivering the final blow? (Hinata)
Ku......... This bastard..... (Rimuru)
Besides, after my subordinates became like that, I cannot afford to withdraw silently, right? (Hinata)
What was she saying?
So I thought, and looked around at my surroundings.........
Impossible, it is already impossible. Do as you like, you damn monster!(Anon Holy Knight)
Kufufufufu. It was more enjoyable than I thought. Let's us have a break for a while(Diablo)
What, rest!? Whatever! Damn it! (Anon Holy Knight)
Kufufufufu. Oh dear, don't say so!(Diablo)
Such was exchange between Diablo and the Holy Knights.
Go away! You nuisance.(Souei)
Aa, Souei-sama.......how mean!(Tortured Female Holy Knight)
For some reason, a redhead and beautiful onee-san leaned coquettishly against Souei.
How should I put it, what were you doing in the fight? My anger was about to gush forth slightly, you know?
I am terribly sorry, Rimuru-sama. I was torturing her, but it seems I made a mistake.
Somehow it became like this........... (Souei)
Souei apologized to me while he pushed aside the redhead Holy Knight while being annoyed.
Although I was puzzled by what kind of torture he had conducted, I was more worried about what kind of torture that could cause such a reaction.
I really don't understand what's going on there.
You, get away from Souei-sama!(Souka)
Souka shouts vigorously with loud voice.
But the voice doesn't match with her completely exhausted appearance. She looks likes she was unable to stand up.
If you look around, Gobuta, Gabil and also Souei's Shadow squad were exhausted and looked like they wanted to collapse.
Next to them was Hakurou sighing.
You guys, will be drilled and tempered by me(Hakurou)
So he grumbled.As the words became the final blow, Gobuta and the others suddenly collapsed.
Next to Gobuta and others, the Holy Knights were also similarly worn-out and laying around. It seems like an intense battle had unfolded there.
But it seem their battle was not satisfying for Hakurou, didn't they do their best with Holy Knights as the opponent?
I was deceived-ssu. My opponent was the strongest one, so cruel-ssu!(Gobuta)
To end up drawing a Hobgoblin as an opponent...... That? I am also not in a good position...... (Gregory)
It can't be!......... I have tried my best! And yet why!?(Gabil)
Unanimously, they were complaining about something. Oh well, I have nothing else to say except condolences.
Well, this was still okay, even though I still don't understand what happened to Souei's opponent, I will just leave it behind.
But I soon caught a glimpse of a grievous scene that made me want to avert my eyes, I think they were Holy Knight who had become playmates of Ranga and Shion
Looking by a glance, lying in front of Ranga were eight people that were left with only tattered pants.
Ranga seemed to have carried them with his mouth, while wagging his tail energetically.
My master! These people were the best to check my condition after my evolution(Ranga)
Ranga said so happily.
Although I told him not to do things excessively.........Well, at least he didn't kill them.
O, ou. Good for you then..... (Rimuru)
Ay! Can I play more? (Ranga)
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken