A holy city protected by a sacred barrier, the pinnacle of protective barriers refined and improved over a long period.
This barrier has repelled all external invasions and has protected the city for a thousand years.
It is a manifestation of the prayers of the city's residents.
It automatically manages the light levels inside the barrier, making it bright at noon and dim in the evening.
The temperature inside the barrier is maintained at a nearly constant level throughout the year, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter.
In the designated farmlands, crops can be harvested at any time of the year.
A utopia where no one goes hungry.
All children receive a certain level of education, and every citizen is given work.
A world of perfect harmony, realized under the management of the law, a paradise in this world.
This is the capital of the Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberios, the Holy City of Ruberios.
Hinata walks along the path leading to the cathedral.
Surrounded by a gentle warmth, her heart softens in the solemn atmosphere.
This country is prosperous.
No one goes hungry, and there are no beggars on the streets.
Everyone accepts the tasks and roles given to them and works hard at them.
They rise with the sound of the bell and go to bed when the sun sets.
The capable support the less capable, and through this harmony, all citizens are guaranteed an equally happy life.
An equal and ideal society, given by the name of God. The realization of this is the Holy City that unfolds before her eyes.
Hinata observes the expressions of the people passing by.
They all wear the same smiles, with gentle expressions.
However, she always feels a sense of alienation in this city.
The transfer between the headquarters of the Western Holy Church in the Ingracia Kingdom and the capital of the Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberios, Ruberios, is instantaneous through a transfer gate.
Two cities connected by a large-scale magical circuit.
The city in the Ingracia Kingdom, where the headquarters of the council and the free guilds are located, is a city of cutting-edge technology.
The exchange of transfer techniques between the Ingracia Kingdom and the Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberios, which took place 600 years ago, made it possible to establish the headquarters of the Western Holy Church in the Ingracia Kingdom.
Thanks to this, the holy site, which was not in the Ingracia Kingdom, became possible.
To Hinata, this holy site is an ideal city, and the goal of making the Ingracia Kingdom and all nations a conflict-free, equal society is a grand ideal.
A society where the weak are not preyed upon by the strong is the society she aims for.
However, the appearance of the Ingracia Kingdom and the Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberios is vastly different.
This is what gives Hinata a sense of alienation every time.
The free city of Ingracia and the harmonious Ruberios are, in fact, countries with opposing natures.
The strongest feeling of alienation comes from the faces of the children.
From the educational facilities adjacent to the cathedral, the voices of children can be heard.
A few children are running down the corridor towards the building, perhaps because they are late for class.
The faster runners are pulling the slower ones along.
It's a common sight, and there's nothing wrong with it. However, Hinata feels a sense of alienation.
For example, how was it in Ingracia?
There was a school adjacent to the Holy Church in Ingracia.
There, she saw children playing. What was it like then?
In the morning, a child who was about to be late came out of the door with a smile. The slower one was late and received a lecture from the teacher.
At that time, the late child was teased, and the one who was on time had a smug look.
If the children in Ruberios had held hands and run together, what would have happened?
They would have all been late and scolded by the teacher.
Of course, it would have been better to wake up earlier.
Comparing the two is wrong. It's a trivial matter.
However, no matter what, Hinata's sense of alienation does not disappear.
What is different?
Are the fast runners not kind? No, that's not it.
The child who was late was teased, but not ridiculed or looked down upon.
Most importantly, the late child was smiling sheepishly.
Even while being scolded by the teacher, they seemed to be enjoying it.
Then, what about Ruberios?
The children running all have the same expression.
A gentle smile.
The same, full expression as the adults.
This expression makes Hinata feel as if they have given up, and it makes her uncomfortable.
She became aware of this because of what the slime (Rimuru) said about the children.
She was too focused on trivial words and ended up in a meaningless thought process.
Hinata shakes her head and changes her thoughts.
She cannot show a wretched appearance to her teacher, the "Seven Sages," who is waiting inside the "Inner Mansion" in front of the cathedral.
Last time, after reporting the revival of Veldora to the envoy who returned from the country of monsters (Tempest), she requested another meeting with the "Seven Sages," but was told that they had something to attend to and could not meet.
A week has passed since then.
Thinking about it, she might have never seen the "Seven Sages" gather before. Suddenly, she realized something very good.
Last time, when she reported the revival of Veldora, it was the first time she saw all seven gather.
Before that, she received teachings from one at a time, and after passing, she moved on to the next.
Even after graduating as a disciple, she had never seen all seven gather when receiving orders.
At most, only six would gather.
They were such strange people.
Hinata suspects that they traveled the world on unknown business.
If that's the case, the revival of Veldora must be of unimaginable importance.
For Hinata, who did not directly witness Veldora's revival, the news was not particularly surprising, but she could imagine the enormous impact it had on the various countries of the world.
Suspending the response to Tempest was the right decision.
However, the Demon King, who has a residence close to the human sphere, cannot be left unchecked.
With the confirmation of dangerous monsters, extermination is a top priority.
But, is the monster, who seems to have been reborn as a person from the same hometown, truly evil and must be defeated?
If the doctrine is absolute, then monsters are inherently evil and there is no need to hesitate.
However, why is she wavering...?
Rather, she realizes that she is wavering.
Wavering is not like her. Although she feels self-pity, it also makes her feel lighter.
Yes, she has realized that she, too, can waver.
"Creating a conflict-free, equal society" is her purpose in life.
A world where abandoned children do not exist and everyone can live happily.
It is an ideal, and it may not exist in reality. As she was about to give up, the appearance of the Holy Church seemed to her as the ideal itself.
Since then, Hinata has doubtlessly and rationally preached the doctrine without hesitation.
Unlike her mother, who was dependent on religion, she is in the position of protecting the doctrine.
This is the source of Hinata's strength.
She does not believe in the existence of God, but if it can be used, she will recognize it.
The important thing is to achieve her goal.
Belonging to the Western Holy Church, she has run without hesitation until now.
For the first time, a contradiction between the doctrine and her own thoughts has arisen.
She wanted to consult her teachers about this.
Hinata understands and stands in front of the door to the "Inner Mansion" inside the cathedral, where her teacher, the "Seven Sages," lives.
Without hesitation, she places her hand on the door and enters confidently.
In front of her is the "Inner Mansion" where her teacher, the "Seven Sages," lives.
Stepping into the Inner Mansion, she feels the atmosphere change.
This place is the absolute defense area to protect the Pope.
Exiting this mansion leads to the place where the Pope lives, which is inviolable and does not allow entry without permission.
Hinata proceeds down the corridor without hesitation.
She walks up the mountain path to the mansion at the halfway point, which is the meeting place with her teacher.
When she arrives, four people are already seated.
Four out of the seven who oversee the "Seven Sages."
"I have kept you waiting. Thank you for granting me an audience today."
Hinata kneels and bows.
The four nod solemnly.
Their expressions are hidden behind masks, making them invisible.
"Please relax. You don't have to be so stiff."
"You came at the right time, Hinata. Is it about the Veldora issue?"
"You look troubled. The rampage of the dragon is a natural disaster. There is no way to deal with it."
"Are you not worried?"
They speak to her.
It still feels like someone is speaking, but it could be one person.
These are such mysterious people.
Even these teachers say that it is not right to take action against Veldora.
However, is this not against the doctrine?
When Hinata asks, they respond, "Dragons are monsters, but they are not."
Dragons are a kind of divine being, and their essence is a mass of energy.
Therefore, it is extremely difficult to take action against them or to defeat them.
Moreover, they say:
"The dragon seems to have allied with a recently born Demon King."
"That's right. This Demon King also wiped out the Palmas army."
"It's hard to imagine that one person could do such a thing."
"If the dragon and the Demon King ally, humanity will be destroyed if we do not act carefully."
Currently, taking action against them would only lead to the expansion of damage.
However, this cannot be forgiven.
Forgiving atrocities because the opponent is strong is unquestionably wrong.
Hinata raises her head and looks at her teachers.
And,
"Please forgive me, but I will say it. I will not run away.
I will defeat Veldora and the Demon King."
She states firmly.
She cannot forgive herself for even thinking that a conversation might be possible with the Demon King from the same hometown.
Even if she says that the first move was made by the other side, it might have been because she was afraid of the Demon King.
Human hearts are weak. Therefore, it is possible to make irrational judgments out of fear.
Most importantly,
A monster that only wreaks havoc is not even worth considering.
Without hesitation, if it is evil, it should be destroyed.
"Do not be overconfident, Hinata. No attack can harm the dragon."
"Even heroes could only seal it!"
"Your offensive methods are probably not capable of dealing damage."
"It will only anger the opponent. Are you still saying you can defeat it?"
However, Hinata is not shaken.
If it needs to be defeated, she will defeat it.
"I came today because I have a request."
Without answering the sages' questions, Hinata brings up her business.
In fact, she wanted to consult about the rebirth of a monster from the same hometown, but after hearing that Veldora had allied with the Demon King and wiped out the Palmas army, her resolve was set.
Indeed, humans and monsters cannot coexist. They must be destroyed before they cause harm.
Her hesitation is gone, and she feels a gentle heart.
And, she quietly continues.
"I would like to request permission to use the Holy Spirit Armament."
And, she quietly waits for a response.
The sages stop moving, and a moment of silence falls.
Suddenly, laughter echoes around.
"Hehehe, hahaha!!!"
Hinata is not shaken.
She simply waits quietly for a response.
"You are serious."
"Very well, I see your resolve."
"You might be the one to defeat it."
"Permission granted, this generation's 'Hero' Hinata. I grant you the use of the Holy Spirit Armament!"
Holy Spirit Armament.
It is not a weapon that only heroes are allowed to use, but a hidden ultimate weapon of the Holy Church, a dragon-slaying weapon that only a hero beloved by the Holy Spirit can wield.
Hinata has a unique constitution that is beloved by the Holy Spirit.
However, despite seeing the end of weapons, she has never called herself a hero.
One reason is that her high abilities allow her to overwhelm enemies, so she does not need the Holy Spirit Armament...
But the real reason is different.
To Hinata, a hero is a person she heard about from her first teacher, Iza and Shizue.
A person with overwhelming power and kindness.
A person who can give courage and hope to others just by being there.
Hinata understands.
Her cold and emotionless nature cannot be a vessel of hope for others.
However, she has finally realized.
Indeed, she cannot forgive the existence of monsters.
Even if she cannot give courage or hope to people, she can be a sword that destroys the enemies of the people.
She does not think this is right, but monsters that destroy villages without reason cannot be forgiven.
Thus, Hinata calls herself a hero.
In her hand is a large sword.
Larger than a typical greatsword. In terms of weight, it would be difficult for a large man to wield.
The human body would suffer damage from its weight.
Even a weightlifter would find it impossible to lift.
It is clear that Hinata, who prefers using three swords, does not have such great strength.
Her fighting style is to toy with the opponent using speed.
Even if it is called the ultimate weapon, it seems unsuitable for Hinata.
However, without hesitation, Hinata extends her hand and lifts the greatsword with one hand.
She swings it lightly to check its condition.
The tip of the sword reaches supersonic speed, and she wields the greatsword freely.
It is a beautiful motion, like a sword dance.
There is no problem.
It is not due to physical strength. Even a giant would find it impossible to lift this sword with physical strength.
What Hinata did was to use "Weight Manipulation" and "Inertia Manipulation" in parallel.
No matter how heavy the weapon, its weight is reduced to zero.
And, by releasing the weight at the moment of contact with the enemy, it is possible to deliver an unimaginable amount of power and impact.
Additionally, even at high speeds, it is possible to stop and change direction by nullifying inertia.
With this skill added to her transformational swordsmanship, Hinata is invincible.
The two extra skills integrated into her unique skill "Usurper" are perfectly controlled by her unique skill "Mathematician."
The secret to Hinata's strength lies here.
And, this greatsword is not the Holy Spirit Armament.
Of course, this greatsword is the latest weapon developed by the "Seven Sages," a dragon-targeted sword developed after a long period of research for the Veldora countermeasure...
The Holy Spirit Armament is something Hinata already wears.
Originally, the Holy Spirit Armament can be used at any time by Hinata's will, without the need for the "Seven Sages'" permission.
The permission she received is merely the removal of the self-imposed restriction.
And, the permission is granted.
Hinata is freed from the restriction that binds her and returns to her original form.
Her body is covered by a transparent membrane, which transforms into a full-body armor.
The reason Hinata does not wear armor is that she is already wearing it.
By her will, the Holy Spirit manifests and transforms into the Holy Armor.
It is imbued with the power of a higher Holy Spirit, granting the wearer strength beyond human capabilities.
Hinata, clad in the Holy Armor that manifested in the place, has undoubtedly transcended into a being called a hero.
Wearing the Holy Spirit Armament, the ultimate weapon, Hinata sets out.