That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Again?

Clash I

Now that I know that Hinata is currently heading towards Tempest, I gather my executives for a meeting. 

Our usual line-up is present, but this time, I brought Shizue to participate with us as well. The obvious reason being that Shizue once was a teacher of Hinata. With this, I hoped to hopefully find a more peaceful solution to whatever brought Hinata to come to Tempest.

I hope it's not with the purpose of a duel, like last time. But I think that would be unlikely.

Ruminas, whom I've already met, should have told Hinata about me. So, maybe she's just here to apologize?

"Lord Rimuru, all the executives have gathered. We will begin at your command," said Shuna.

"No... I don't see Testarossa anywhere, where is she?"

Ah yes, if you didn't know, I also was making Testarossa participate. Seeing that her attendance makes many of our meetings much smoother.

"She is currently busy trying to calm down Lady Ultima and Lady Carrera."

"Wait why?"

"Uhm, ehh... that is a bit hard to answer."

What happened with them? I'll have to check later—

<<No you cannot.>>

What? Now Ciel's intervening, what exactly is happening over there?

<<It is a matter only for girls, an indelicate person such as you master should stay clear.>>

Ciel's response critically hit my conscience. That's a bit mean... but I can't exactly deny those statements...

Moving on!

"*Ahem* anyway, since Testarossa is currently busy, I suppose we'll have to make do with ourselves."

"""Right"""

To begin the meeting, I start by immediately addressing Hinata's purpose. After that, I ask them to share what they thought was her purpose.

The first person to answer me was—

"Lord Rimuru, don't you think she wants to challenge you?"

—Idiot Shion.

"No. I don't think so at least, we have crossed paths before, and I don't think she's dumb enough to see the clear difference in power between me and her."

I immediately rebuke the thought of Hinata coming with hostile intentions.

"So it is, Rimuru-dana, have you talked about this with King Gazel?"

Kaijin speaks up, seemingly asking whether or not I intend to go to Gazel for help.

"From the way things I think will go, going to Gazel for help would be bothersome for him and unnecessary for us. There are only five others with Hinata, so I don't think this will become a diplomatic issue unless of course, the ones accompanying her are nobles."

Which are just her companions, not nobles, so I can scarp that option off. Wait, but technically they are nobles, right?

"I see, I apologize for my remark Rimuru-dana."

"Oh no no please, I did say feel free to share your opinion after all."

Before I ultimately ended up preparing for a small-scale attack, we discussed this matter for a bit.

"So it is then, Benimaru, prepare a small group around 30 members with you. Shion, I will assemble a dozen for you, I'll give you all detailed instructions later, for now, prepare to lead them."