Forest Assailants
When I confirmed that the barrier has indeed fallen, I decided to finally come out.
At the exact same moment,
「Are you well, my master!」
Ranga worriedly jumped out of the shadow.
Seems like I’m okay, the skill returned to what it originally was.
What a horrible person she is! Picking a fight without even hearing what I had to say… well, I did play along, though.
No, not defeated. They do say that escape is also a victory.
As I thought… devoting myself to escape was the correct decision.
So let’s call it a draw.
Since I felt overwhelmingly disadvantageous, I created a clone and planned my escape.
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.
But since she didn’t know all of my abilities, she couldn’t plan that far.
I timidly left the battlefield, and reached what used to be the boundary of the barrier, and thus lost some time.
However… Hinata is way too strong!
This time, I couldn’t even scratch her. She didn’t even see a reason to wear armor…
Seems like there are many skills for me to snatch away.
Even in Gluttony’s rampage mode,『Great Sage』kept up the data link.
Moreover, “Disintegration” is so powerful it sent chills down my back. You can’t protect yourself against that.
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.
Life isn’t that easy.
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.
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 tried transferring to Tempest. By the way, though I can feel the destination, I don’t feel a response from it.
I should return as quick as possible.
「Off 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,
「Oh! Rimuru-sama, we are in trouble!」
He called out.
I have no time to chat here. Having so decided, I established a telepathic link with Gabil’s group.
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.
Here’s what happened.
About an hour ago, a report came in.
A number of assailants have come, it said.
Moreover, telepathy stopped working.
Created as a spare, we were fortunate that it allowed conversation between the cave and the city.
And, approximately 15 minutes ago, the reports stopped coming.
So Gabil told me.
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.
(Ay! By the way, Bester-dono is asking whether he can make a trip to the Dwarf Kingdom?)
(Understood! Please take care of yourself!)
The telepathic link was cut.
Had it not been for Hinata’s meddling, I would have made it.
So I leap close enough to fly to it.
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.
Inside, the magic concentration has dropped significantly, but magic energy properly flows.
What a relief…
After entering the city premises I hurry to the center square.
Something happened it seems. My heart quickened in anxiety.
Rigurdo and Kaijin.
「Rimuru-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.
「Rigurdo, Kaijin. Move of out the way. What happened?」
「Don’t try to hide it. Move」
At my command, the people timidly cleared the way.
Countless monsters lay there.
Appearing as if they were sleeping…
All dead.
Why has…
What is this, what has…? No good, I can’t think straight.
Eh… all… are dead? You’re lying, aren’t you?!
Though I lack a heart, it beats violently in my chest.
「What is this, what happened?」
My voice escaped my lips.
I felt my heart grow cold.
Rigurdo explained to the trembling me,
「A while ago, we were attacked by a group which identified themselves as the followers of the Western Saint’s Church.
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
「As you have ordered, we welcomed the humans with respect without harming them…」
「F-fool! Are you trying to say this is Rimuru-sama’s fault!」
Rigurdo countered, enraged.
「P-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.
I just wanted to get along with humans.
Then what should I be doing!!!
… who knows? Think for yourself.
A voice rang inside my head, denying responsibility.
I felt extreme regret and bottomless anger well-up within my heart.
…………
…
Calling a conference of elders, we reconfirm the situation.
First, there were ten assailants.
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,
「The West Saint’s Church has condemned this city as a den of monsters.
We are lead by the great hero, King Edomarisu!
Cease the pointless struggle, and surrender.
Otherwise, only death awaits you!
Oh wise adventurers! You should know with whom justice lies.
We hope you shall choose wisely. That is all!」
They said, and ran out.
Benimaru seemed like he had something to say, but was holding it in… his face clearly in pain.
My words have caused this tragedy.
「The adventurers who have come here?」
「Next door…」
We came over.
They said,
「About this, please…」
We cannot accept the methods the Farmas Kingdom has employed.
「However, to make an enemy out of the church… what an unpleasant tale this has become」
And other such lines.
Feeling gratitude for their words,
「I appreciate the sentiment, but we will clean this mess up by ourselves this time.
「In that case, shouldn’t we just send a messenger?」
「Why?」
I explain my thoughts.
That we are blood thirsty monsters. They will kill the messenger themselves and pin the blame on us.
So I tell them,
「… I see. That does make sense, but would they go so far?」
「No way…」
They replied.
But,
「No, wait a second. I remembered!
Remember how they even killed children without any hesitation?」
「I see. That does seem like their work…」
「Even though a declaration of war immediately followed?」
「Considering that their enemies are monsters… ah, my bad」
They suddenly got noisy.
A group that would laugh amidst a slaughter–fanatics.
So, because we are monsters, they aren’t recognizing us as a country but simply treating this as a subjugation request…
If they stay behind and die, they’ll claim that we had done it.
So we had them quickly pack up and prepare to leave the city.
Thus, with many parting words, we saw off our guests from Brumund Kingdom.
But, will that happen?
I don’t expect much from them. Not that we need the help.
Personally.
After all, if I don’t do anything, the pain and wrath that fills my heart will not subside…
Having confirmed their departure, I asked Rigurdo about something that has been bothering me for a while.
「By the way, where’s Shion?
I haven’t seen her yet」
Upon hearing these words, not just Rigurdo, but Benimaru, Souei, Hakurou, and Shuna all suddenly stopped moving.
No way… could it be…?
「That idiot didn’t go for revenge on her own, did she?」
「N-no… about that…」
Hmm? Something’s strange here.
They are averting their eyes.
「Then where is she?」
No one answered.
I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Dread creeps up from the dark corners of my mind. But there’s no way, please tell me that there’s no way…
「I got it. I won’t be mad, so just tell me where she is…」
I ask from Shuna.
「I understand… this way, I’ll lead the way.」
Nodding at Benimaru’s words, I follow him.
To the center square.
Covered with a white cloth that didn’t stand out from the rest.
Haha, to think that I haven’t noticed… I can’t laugh.
I can’t believe this.
This can’t be happening.
Why? Why has this…
Shion protected a child…,
So her strength had fallen…,
And the sword that slashed her was the Ogre Eater magic sword…
The explanation was given, but I did not want to hear.
Shion, please open your eyes…
Though my heart has been torn to shreds, this body does not feel the need to cry.
Somehow, I was pleased with that realization.
「Sorry. Can you leave me alone for a bit…」
At these words they all dispersed.
Yeah.
I don’t get myself.
Extreme sadness, regret, wrath.
These feelings mixed inside of me seeking an outlet.
Why has this…
≪Solution. Impossible to calculate. Impossible to understand. Reply impossible.≫
What action would have been just?
≪Solution. Impossible to calculate. Impossible to understand. Reply impossible.≫
Was it a mistake to head to a human city?
≪Solution. Impossible to calculate. Impossible to understand. Reply impossible.≫
Hey… was I wrong?
≪Solution. Impossible to calculate. Impossible to understand. Reply impossible.≫
Behold, the great『Great Sage』is unable to answer.
If this weren’t my city… I would let my anger rage, I would trample everything in my path…
To steal someone important from me…
Someone who hasn’t lost anyone cannot comprehend the depth of this sadness.
Pain resistant? What a joke… it’s useless.
Unable to withstand it, a crack appeared in the anti-demon mask.
Now appearing as if a tear was flowing down my face…
And then night came unannounced.
What should I do?
I kept looking at the moon searching for an answer.
Still… as if I were a fool, I continued this meaningless act.
The light of the moon could not reach me.