Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (WN) 2018

c88 - Towards the second encounter

Hinata left the inner mansion.
When they confirmed that her presence disappeared, the four continued their conversation.

「What a pitiful child. She seriously thinks herself a hero?」
「Yeah... she's far too inexperienced compared to the previous one」
「She wouldn't even reach the last one's feet!」
「But it is true that she is the strongest we have」

「But was this fine? To send Hinata without the princess' permission?」
「She'll be angry... but if we send Venus, Saturn, and Sun to comfort her, surely her displeasure won't last...」
「Last time, all seven of us went and she still hadn't completely recovered」
「But Hinata cannot be compared to that person...」

They said, exchanging glances.
Each one was confirming the other,

「We don't know what that being is, but I'm glad it appeared」
「Indeed. Thanks to it, the princess has awakened」
「But we can't leave it as is」
「No matter the cost, we have to recover that person...」

They said nodding.
What the Seven Celestial Sages deemed important was the true hero.
The current representative was far too inept.
Though she was as much a replacement as gathering bits of salt from the table for want of a full salt shaker, she was nonetheless the strongest material they have come across for the past few years.
But her heart was far too weak.
Obtaining mental strength and soul that far surpasses that of normal humans.
The weakness of her heart prevented her from achieving this.
She's defective merchandise.
And she doesn't even notice this herself. Also that her flesh has stopped growing.
She stopped growing two years after joining the church.
With her body frozen at the age of seventeen due to the spirit's blessing, she can no longer age.
Even though she is loved by the spirits to such an extent, she could never get over her trauma.
Cool and logical.
Trying to save the weak–herself included.
But where she lacks the most is emotion.
She doesn't love people.
Never being loved as a child has corrupted her heart.
Receiving the love of the spirits had not awakened her.
Regrettably, they could not expect a further awakening from her.
So as long as she scouted the power of the new demon lord, that would be enough.

「Have we reached an understanding?」
「Of course. If she wins–great, if she loses...」
「We'll declare that she acted on her own」
「Right, and then we will grandly declare our recognition of the Monster Country Tempest!」

Hinata was a disposable pawn.
Good if she won, disposed of if she lost.
And they knew was how to avoid taking responsibility.
All was done for their dearest wish.
All was done for the ... shrouded in darkness...
And soon enough the Sages' presence faded into darkness.

＊　＊　＊

I soon found out that Sakaguchi Hinata has set off towards my Monster Country Tempest.
She's bringing a hundred fully armed Knights Templar with her.
Without doubt, she only chose the strongest knights who would not hinder her in the slightest.
As expected of Hinata.
She immediately noticed that half-baked soldiers would be completely worthless.

But... I thought with regret.
That action identifies us a naturally dangerous existence and rejects any chance for future reconciliation.
Frankly, what is she aiming for in the future?
If you don't seek to understand your opponent, your only option is to destroy them...
But that would inevitably lead to a great war.
Though modern Japanese knew how much blood has been shed in the name of god.
In the end, Hinata and the church are moving by forcing their ideals onto others.
Such actions completely disregard what the other party believes or has to say.
I do not believe any justice can be found in these acts.
Does Hinata not understand that?
I did realize she was a person who disregards what others have to say.
If the enemy is a monster, there's no need to listen.
Does she believe that they would be able to display their true power when a war starts?
Moreover...
Just a thought, but I had been expecting her to act according to modern Japanese common sense, but doesn't she completely lack it?
If she came over here when she was 15, does she not know the history of our world?
Moreover, I don't know much about modern education, so how much do they teach these days?
Well, whatever.
At the end of the day, whether you can put your knowledge into practice depends on the person themselves.
Not knowing something is hardly an excuse and one that doesn't matter to us at all.
There's nothing we can do about the fact that she was given great power while still a child.
Besides, she declared us her enemies.
There's no point in saying anything anymore.
I shake my head chasing these thoughts away.
I have to crush my enemy.