The Holy City
A city enveloped in a tranquil light.
This was a high level defense barrier developed through many years of arduous study.
It is truly the embodiment of the citizens’ prayers.
The temperature inside the barrier is mostly fixed throughout the year creating pleasantly cool summers and warm winters.
A paradise where no one starves.
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.
This country is wealthy.
Everyone is given a role that they respect.
Those with superior abilities help those with inferior ones. And this harmony ensures that the citizens’ happy life continues.
Hinata looked at the faces of nearby citizens.
But, she couldn’t help feel that something was wrong whenever she was in the city.
These two cities were connected via a grand magic circuit.
Thus, in order to spread the church’s teachings there they prioritized the creation of a direct access into the city.
As a result, rather than on this holy land, they gained the ability to establish the church’s headquarters in the Ingracia Kingdom.
She sought a society where the weak was not devoured by the strong.
And that caused her to feel out of place.
And her discomfort only intensified when looking at children’s faces.
Perhaps running late, a few children were desperately running towards the building.
A common scene that was hardly problematic. Yet Hinata found it uncomfortable.
There was a school next to the Church.
At the crack of dawn, the belated children ran out the gates with a smile. Those too slow would not be able to learn.
What do you think would have happened to these children who would help others like the kids of Ruberius?
Of course, they only had to wake up earlier.
But for some reason Hinata’s discomfort just wouldn’t fade.
Are those faster not kind? No, that’s not it.
Moreover, the slow kids just sheepishly laughed.
In that case, what about here in Ruberius?
A tranquil smile.
And somewhere within that expression was a sense of abandonment, hence the cause of Hinata’s displeasure.
Though it must have been simple nonsense, Hinata unintentionally mulled over his words.
Hinata shrugged off these thoughts.
Last time, immediately after being told that Veldora was reborn, she received a report from the Monsters’ Country Tempest.
Thus, a week has passed.
Last time, when they were telling her about Veldora, was the first time she had seen them together.
And, after graduating as a disciple, she had never met them while receiving her orders.
That’s just how strange these people were.
If that’s the case, then Veldora’s rebirth is an unimaginably important event.
So she was probably right in delaying the trip to Tempest.
And the presence of dangerous monsters only underlined the urgent need to subjugate them all.
According to their creed, he was undoubtedly a wicked demon.
Moreover.
Hinata was self-reflecting.
Right, even she could feel lost.
A world where children abandoned by their parents could live happily.
Since then, Hinata would never doubt the Church’s Creed and systematically worked to propagate it.
And that was the source of Hinata’s confidence.
Achieving one’s goal was more important.
And now, for the first time ever, a conflict arose between her thoughts and the church’s teachings.
Satisfied with this decision she found herself standing in front of the Great Holy Chamber’s doors.
Ahead sat her instructors the Seven Celestial Sages.
Upon passing through inner chamber she felt the air change.
This area was isolated from the outside by a barrier that would prevent anyone not invited from entering.
The path led along the mountain towards an estate. That’s where she would meet her instructors.
Four among the Seven Celestial Sages.
「I apologize for the delay. I am truly grateful for meeting with me in spite of your busy schedules」
Hinata greeted them.
Their faces hidden behind a mask, she couldn’t read their expressions.
「Relax. No need to sit so formally」
「What a dejected face! That dragon is a natural disaster. Not something we humans can oppose」
「Is something worrying you?」
They asked.
That’s how strange they are.
But does that not go against their creed?
A dragon is actually a holy spirit and is thus a ball of energy.
And further, they added,
「That annoying dragon recently joined hands with a newborn demon lord」
「Never thought a single being was capable of such a feat」
「An evil dragon and a demon lord joined hands… if we don’t proceed carefully, humanity will fall」
Presently, they weren’t in a state where they could offer resistance.
They couldn’t simply consent to an enemy’s rampage just because they were strong.
And,
「Pardon this interruption, but I will not run away.
Whether a dragon or a demon lord, I shall bring home victory」
She declared.
Perhaps they insisted that we couldn’t handle them out of fear for the demon lord.
Moreover,
They should immediately destroy him.
「Don’t be conceited, Hinata. Normal attacks will not hurt that evil dragon」
「Your attacks could hardly cause it much damage」
「Angering the opponent would lead to further problems. Do you still insist on trying to defeat him?」
But Hinata would not waver.
If he needed to be defeated, then she would defeat him.
「I have come with a request today」
She replied to their questions.
As she thought, humans and monsters cannot coexist. They need to be destroyed before they produce further casualties.
And she continued quietly.
「I have come seeking permission to use the spiritual weapon」
She quietly waited for their reply.
Suddenly, boisterous laughter filled the room.
『Fufufu, fuhahahahahaha!!!』
Hinata did no move.
She silently waited for their response.
「She’s serious」
「Perhaps you can defeat him」
「I’ll permit it, this generation’s “Hero” Hinata. We will permit you to use the Spiritual Weapon!」
Spiritual Weapon.
As an anti-monster weapon it could only be used by someone loved by the spirits–a hero.
But, having never sought this ultimate weapon she hadn’t called herself a hero.
But not this time.
A being which was both overwhelmingly strong and overwhelmingly kind.
Hinata understood.
But this time she decided.
Perhaps she could not become the people’s hero or grant their wishes… but she could become a sword that would destroy anyone that could do them harm
Thus, Hinata called herself a hero.
One that was larger than she was used to. It was so heavy that a grown man probably couldn’t swing it around.
Even a professional weight lifter would not be able to lift this sword.
Hinata fought by beating her opponent’s speed.
But, with no hesitation, she approached the sword and lifted it with one hand.
She could easily swing the tip at the speed of sound and wield the sword as if it was her own body.
No problems.
Hinata was simply using『Weight Manipulation』and『Inertia Manipulation』at the same time.
And if she increased the weight the moment it made contact with her enemy, she could land a devastating blow.
Thanks to her flexible swordsmanship and these skills, Hinata boasted invincibility.
That was her strength’s secret.
The sword was the product of many years of the Celestial Sages’ research on developing a weapon to counter Veldora…
She did not need the Sages’ permission to wear it; she was herself rejecting it.
And they permitted it.
A thin membrane covered her body transforming into armor.
That was the hallowed equipment, Saint Armor “Holymail”.
Thus transformed clad in holymail, she had the appearance of a true hero.
Clad in the strongest holy armor, with the strongest anti-monster weapon in hand, she set off.