*Saint Demon Confrontation Arc
087. The Holy City
A city enveloped in a tranquil light.
A holy city protected by a holy barrier.
This was a high level defense barrier developed through many years of arduous study.
This barrier prevented uninvited outsiders from entry and protected the city for over a thousand years.
It is truly the embodiment of the citizens' prayers.
It can even block sunlight allowing the city's natural light to be regulated. It is thus brighter in the afternoon and darker at night.
The temperature inside the barrier is mostly fixed throughout the year creating pleasantly cool summers and warm winters.
And thanks to the isolated farmlands, they are able to harvest any season's crop throughout the year.
A paradise where no one starves.
Every child receives equal education and every citizen is employed.
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.
The gentle warmth that enveloped her seemed to sooth her heavy heart.
This country is wealthy.
No one hungers or sleeps in the streets.
Everyone is given a role that they respect.
They wake up at the sound of the morning bell and fall asleep at sunset.
Those with superior abilities help those with inferior ones. And this harmony ensures that the citizens' happy life continues.
A land of equality under god. This reality called the Holy City unfolded before her.
Hinata looked at the faces of nearby citizens.
They all had a tranquil smile on their face.
But, she couldn't help feel that something was wrong whenever she was in the city.
She could transfer from the Grand Cathedral in the Holy City Ruberius to the Ingracia Kingdom's Western Saint's Church in a split second.
These two cities were connected via a grand magic circuit.
Ingracia's capital was the most advanced city in the world and housed both the Council and the Freedom Association.
Thus, in order to spread the church's teachings there they prioritized the creation of a direct access into the city.
In fact, around six hundred years ago Ingracia Kingdom and the Holy Empire Ruberion exchanged barrier magic for transfer magic and decided to connect their cities.
As a result, rather than on this holy land, they gained the ability to establish the church's headquarters in the Ingracia Kingdom.
Hinata, however, found the holy city to be the ideal and sought to create a society that would not need to fight with neither Ingracia Kingdom nor any other state.
She sought a society where the weak was not devoured by the strong.
However, Ingracia Kingdom and the Holy Empire Ruberion were was too incompatible.
And that caused her to feel out of place.
The Free city Ingracia and the Harmonious city Ruberius; truly, they are polar opposites.
And her discomfort only intensified when looking at children's faces.
She could hear children's voices coming from the school built adjacent to the Great Holy Chamber.
Perhaps running late, a few children were desperately running towards the building.
Those who could run faster were grasping the hands of those who were slow.
A common scene that was hardly problematic. Yet Hinata found it uncomfortable.
What would happen in Ingracia?
There was a school next to the Church.
So she often saw children playing outside. What was it like?
At the crack of dawn, the belated children ran out the gates with a smile. Those too slow would not be able to learn.
At that time, those who were quick had the proud look as if they obtained what was naturally theirs.
What do you think would have happened to these children who would help others like the kids of Ruberius?
Certainly, none of them would make it to the lesson and be yelled by the teacher.
Of course, they only had to wake up earlier.
Yet this was a trivial difference.
But for some reason Hinata's discomfort just wouldn't fade.
What was different?
Are those faster not kind? No, that's not it.
Though they ignored the slower kids, they did not make fun of them.
Moreover, the slow kids just sheepishly laughed.
They were having fun even while getting yelled at by the instructor.
In that case, what about here in Ruberius?
The kids all have the same facial expression.
A tranquil smile.
The same one as worn by the adults–satisfaction.
And somewhere within that expression was a sense of abandonment, hence the cause of Hinata's displeasure.
She only started paying attention to this after the Slime Rimuru mentioned his anger regarding the children.
Though it must have been simple nonsense, Hinata unintentionally mulled over his words.
