Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 145! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
- Rimuru POV-
Now that the difficult discussion has gone by...
" Alright! First things first, let's get everyone's equipment repaired. The battle has greatly damaged your gears, so I would like to offer to repair them for you guys. Since we are forming diplomatic ties, we can also share our technologies with you. So let's go to the blacksmiths." I said
" Sure."
Just as everyone stood up, I noticed Aichi hiding a wince as I looked around and quietly let everyone move out of the room first before grabbing hold of Aichi's arm.
" You okay?"
" Uh... Uh, yeah! I'm feeling just fine! Maybe I just sat there for a little too long..." Aichi assured with a strained smile
As I helped him up from his seat, I glared at Kai a little while he turned away with pink dusting his cheeks.
" You need some help?" Kai asks as he held Aichi's hand
" No, it's okay. I'm really alright."
" Noooooo!" Tasuku suddenly yells and flails in my arm, " Papa, nooo!"
" Whoa! Hey, calm down!" I exclaimed, trying to keep him still with both of my arms
" Papa, bad! Bad Papa!"
" Just what has been up with you since just now, Tasuku Kai?! I didn't do anything!" Kai argued
" Shh! Settle down, we don't want anyone outside to come back in!" I harshly ordered
" Tch!"
" ... Kai, Aichi." I said after a moment of hesitation, breathing a sigh as I continued, " I used your method of looking into memories with the Zombie marking to look into Tasuku's memory from last night. He... He was awake when..."
I grumbled under my breath and barely managed to whisper out what I'd seen in Tasuku's memory. Both of them were now red, as expected.
" Oh god... Oh my god!" Aichi muttered behind his hands, mortified
" I didn't know... I didn't know..." Kai repeats under his breath
" So to sum it up, Tasuku thinks that you bullied Aichi, that's all. I'm surprised he could even think that far." I said
" Uh, yeah..." Kai muttered out, looking at me and then Aichi, " Take him with you to wherever. I'll... talk to Tasuku."
" Sure... Do your best."
Tasuku struggles when he realizes that I'm passing him over to Kai but Kai's grip was strong enough to not accidentally drop him, so before Tasuku could throw a tantrum, I quickly pushed Aichi out of the room and shut the doors.
" Did something happen, Rimuru-sama?" Benimaru asks
I must have left them for quite awhile...
" Nothing... Let's go. If anyone needs to get back to their work, then go ahead. I'll lead them." I said
" Understood."
Thus, the rest of the representatives of Tempest left to do their work, leaving only Aichi and Shion to follow me and the Holy Knights to the blacksmiths. Well, while on the surface, it looks like we are demonstrating to them the technology we have in our nation, our real intention is to actually examine the properties of their gears.
" Here we are. These people are our most skilled blacksmiths in the town. Kaijin and Kurobe. Feel free to watch them work and repair your gear." I said
" Okay..."
First, we got our hands on those rare sets of armaments of light. According to Raphael-sensei, it would offer the user's mana, namely their spirit aura, to the spirits so that they could be materialized. Because the sample had been destroyed due to overcharging, I exchanged it with a set of armor that Garm crafted. The Holy Knights seem to think that this was a bad deal, but they still gave it to us without hesitations since they felt sorry for the incident this time.
Surprisingly, Hinata didn't object either.
" Oh, right. I destroyed your sword in our first battle. Let me compensate for that." I offered
" It's alright. I still have the Moonlight Rapier that Luminous-sama had gifted me before." Hinata assures
Yeah... That rapier is a legendary grade weapon, according to Raphael-sensei's analysis. It's pretty overpowered. According to Kaijin and Kurobe, the quality of the magisteel evolved overtime. Both Kurobe and Garm seemed to be aiming to craft such a weapon after laying their eyes on the rapier. I hoped they would reach that goal someday. Plus, due to its incredible nature, it was only used in crucial moments. If she tried to unsheathe it while in the town, it would cause enormous hazards to the surroundings considering its level. There's no way you could just casually swing a weapon like that around on a daily basis. Thus, I was thinking of gifting her a handcrafted sword that I made with those thoughts in mind.
" Hm, about that... could we head outside for a small chat? You can follow us if you like, Rimuru-sama, Luminous-sama." Aichi suddenly interjects
" Eh? Okay... Hinata?" I ask
" Sure."
We followed Aichi out of the smithy and to a secluded part of the outside of its structure.
" What is it, Aichi?" I ask, curious about his sudden request
" Actually, I think I have a suitable sword for Hinata-san. I just don't want to show this in front of too many people yet." Aichi replies as he stretched his hand out
It was the hand that held his rings. His Rainbow ring glowed lightly and out came a weapon, surprising Hinata and probably Luminous.
Hm... I've seen him use this sword before. It's the same one that kept creating pitholes that the Quatre Knights kept falling for in the past.
" Actually, this weapon can act as a rapier and sword at the same time but that isn't all. When it was created, it was made to harness the power of the Earth. This is the weapon that I have right now, the one that I want to give you is this." Aichi continued
The weapon glowed brightly before a small orb of light flew to Hinata and formed into an almost similar weapon that Aichi had but the coloration had changed from white to pale gold with streaks of white. I can even see specks of rainbow around it.
[Report. The weapon has been analyzed and confirmed to be a unique-grade weapon. It is slightly inferior to its original, however, it contains the power of the rainbow. This would mean that the individual Hinata would be able to recreate the skill 'Dead End Rainbow' without trouble.]
Eh?! Hold up! His weapons can craft themselves?!
" Aichi, this..."
" This is something that happens when a weapon in my possession feels that someone has potential in wielding something similar to them. I've said this before, some of my weapons have personalities of their own. This isn't the first time that this has occurred. This weapon has seen Hinata-san in action and wants to help improve her skills. As for what that weapon does, it is up to you. However, it has the attribute of the rainbow imbued in it so you can use your Dead End Rainbow skill again." Aichi explains
" ... Thank you but this is too much." Hinata tries to reject the gift
" Keep it. Thank you for keeping Tasuku-kun company yesterday while we were gone." Aichi smiles in assurance
" Oh... That wasn't a problem."
" So just take this as my thanks. He may be gentle but I know that Tasuku-kun is quite active once in awhile." Aichi said
" Okay. Thank you. I'll use it well." Hinata nods
" I know you will."
Hm... Unique grade, huh. Then that means that this weapon he has is a Saint grade just like all the others he has.
" What do you mean by 'the power of the Earth'?" Luminous asks
Yeah, I'm curious about that too. Aichi and Kai can utilize elements, that much I know, but to what extent? If this one harnesses the power of Earth, then how strong is it? I've already seen the one that harnesses light and those serpents back in Walpurgis, I'm not sure what those are, but they were strong too.
" I'm also curious about that." I finally added
" Uh, this isn't the best place to use its powers, unfortunately. It... may destroy everything." Aichi carefully answers
That dangerous?! No, no! The smithy cannot be destroyed!
" If it wouldn't trouble you, while everyone is still getting their gears repaired, can I have a spar with you? Since you really aren't a personal Advisor and instead a General, an elite one, I would add." Hinata requests
" You mean with these weapons?" Aichi asks in surprise and concern
Hinata nods in reply. This is an interesting development...
" Okay then. We can use our training grounds. Will that be okay with you, Aichi?" I ask
Aichi looks at me and then turns back to Hinata before nodding.
" Okay, I'll accept the challenge. But could I request that you use your barrier to cover the entire training ground? Just in case." Aichi says, turning to me
" Sure."
What kind of weapon is it to actually need 'Absolute Defense'?
- Normal POV-
They arrived at the training grounds, thankfully finding it empty as Rimuru put up the defense barrier from his Ultimate Skill 'Uriel' around Aichi and Hinata's battlefield.
" Hey, rookie."
" You can call me by my name." Rimuru said
" Whatever. That boy can use some Holy magic, right?" Luminous asks
" Hm... It isn't Holy magic per se. It's actually just the light element from the surroundings compressed together to form the Holy element he uses, at least, that's what he told me. It enables him to heal and damage things if he wants to." Rimuru replies
" Is that so..."
Rimuru frowns a little when he notices that Luminous seemed to not be speaking her thoughts but turned back to the spar that was about to begin.
" How about we end this when someone is able to land a hit on their opponent? Some skills are allowed as long as we don't harm one another badly." Hinata suggested
" I'm fine with that."
Hinata nods as she readied her fighting stance with her new sword while Aichi did the same with his sword as he stood with his body turned to the side, holding it with his left hand while his right hand hovers below its blade.
" I've never seen a fighting stance like that." Hinata thinks but quickly focuses on the fight again
After waiting a few moments for either of them to move, Hinata decides to make her move first as she circles around Aichi and swings at him. Noticing this, Aichi swiftly opens his legs and twists his body, thrusting his sword forward to deflect Hinata's attack before quickly catching the hilt of his sword with his right hand to swing at Hinata from her right. Hinata quickly ducks to avoid the blade and jumps back to create a distance between them.
" That sword technique... It was so fast with the way he changed the direction and position of his sword. He hasn't even used the power from his sword."
" She managed to dodge that as I thought... She does have quite a bit of experience after all. That experience gap might be her winning chance." Aichi thought as he positioned himself again
Hinata also positions herself again and charges forward. Her sword starts glowing lightly, leaving trails of light rainbow streaks behind with every swing of her sword.
" That sword... It's really reacting to Hinata." Rimuru thought, his eyes widened a little, " If she keeps this up, she might be able to get a new skill or technique out of it."
Aichi smiles a little as he sees the same thing happening. He continued his clashes with Hinata as she gained speed in her attacks. Suddenly, while attacking, Hinata stumbles and quickly regains her footing before moving to distance herself again, looking at the ground, she sees nothing out of the ordinary.
" What was that?"
Rimuru squints his eyes again after seeing that happen.
" Luminous, did you see that?" He asks his fellow spectator
" Yeah. It was brief but the ground seemed to have moved for a moment there." Luminous confirms
" So my eyes weren't tricking me. Is that the power of the Earth that the sword holds?" Rimuru thought
" Is everything okay, Hinata-san?" Aichi called in worry, " I hope that didn't scare her."
" Yeah, I'm fine."
" Have more faith in that sword. It was starting to react to you. If the owner and sword cannot resonate with each other well, it won't work." Aichi suggested
" I understand."
Hinata glances at her sword as she takes her position again. This time, she notices the sword's glow and feels the aura of the sword trying to resonate with hers. Nodding briefly, she then looks ahead at Aichi and picks up speed again. However, this time, she was now circling around him while he clashed with her sword time and again, trying to keep up.
" With 'Mathematician', I should be able to lure him into a feint attack and land a hit."
Hinata then appears from the blur behind Aichi as he twists his body to block her next attack. That was when Hinata crouches down and swings her sword towards Aichi's lower body. However, it was still successfully blocked despite being a feint attack.
" I'm sorry, but that won't work on me." Aichi smiles
" It wasn't luck. He saw it coming even before I made the attack. I should try ending it with the next attack. But how...?"
The sword in her hand glows again as she felt the tiniest connection with it like it was trying to communicate to her.
" Are you trying to tell me that you'll help me?"
The sword glows in response once again. Hinata was then able to resonate with the sword in her hand, giving her the ability to understand what the sword was capable of.
" Are we still continuing?" Aichi asks
" Yeah."
Hinata stands up from where she was and raised her sword.
" I'll end it with the next attack."
" Okay."
In the next instant, Hinata used her speed again to go around Aichi again, this time, the rainbow streaks were now more visible as it shows the movement Hinata was making by doing so.
" Is that move being used by applying what she does for her 'Dead End Rainbow' skill?" Rimuru wonders aloud
" She's planning to try to end this in one strike." Luminous said
Rimuru nods, understanding what Hinata was trying to do. At the same time, Aichi was looking at the streaks of rainbow that were surrounding him, blocking strikes from Hinata that were coming from every side he turns to. Finally, when the strikes stopped, he wondered where Hinata had gone.
" ... Above me!"
He quickly looks up at the sky and finally notices Hinata plunging down on him. He lifted his sword to protect himself. Unexpectedly, Hinata then grazes her sword against his, the movement making the streaks around him close in with that quick motion. A momentary flash of light engulfed the barrier and faded as quickly as it appeared. When the light finally cleared, there was a myriad of strikes that were littered around the ground from Hinata's attack. Hinata herself was standing near the barrier's edge and in the middle of the strikes was a dome made from the ground.
" What happened to just one strike?!" Rimuru thought
The dome crumbles back into the ground with Aichi unscathed inside.
" That was so close..." Aichi mutters under his breath
" I can't believe he got out of that unharmed..." Rimuru muttered
" That move was great, Hinata-san. Then it's my turn to attack." Aichi said
Hinata nods, preparing herself for his attack. Aichi lifts his sword and points the blade upwards. Everyone around the field suddenly sees a glow within their vision and looks up to see a veil of aurora in the sky.
" An aurora?!"
The ground then starts rumbling and shaking, crumbling apart as Hinata tries to keep herself on the ground.
" The ground is floating and crumbling at the same time! Is this..." Hinata thinks, coming to a conclusion
" Gravity Manipulation? On the ground?" Rimuru gasps
[Negative. The manipulation of the ground seems to be coming from the sword that he is holding.]
" Earth Manipulation... I thought it could only move anything that counts as earth but if this kind of movement is possible then that means... that sword can manipulate the earth and gravity in itself!"
Aichi jumped on the floating, broken rocks and finally leaped over to Hinata while she was still looking for balance. Hinata quickly tries to block his attack but was flung to the ground after being hit by Aichi's sword. The ground then returns back to normal as Hinata grunts, getting up while Aichi lands.
" Are you okay, Hinata-san?!" Aichi asked as he ran over to her
" Yeah..."
Accepting Aichi's helping hand, she stood back up on her feet. Rimuru took down the barrier after seeing that the battle has ended.
" Thank you. You are actually strong." Hinata sighed
" I don't really think so..." Aichi blushed in embarrassment
" Don't be so humble, Aichi. That move was amazing." Rimuru praised, walking over while looking at the ground around them, " I can't believe you made it look like nothing happened at all..."
" Rimuru-sama!"
Luminous came up to them as well.
" You did well with that new weapon, Hinata. It's like you had used it for a long time rather than just today." Luminous said
" Yeah, I had that feeling too." Hinata said, looking at the sword in her hand before looking up at Aichi, " Thank you for this weapon again. I'll use it well."
" No need for thanks. I had fun with the spar." Aichi said
" Me too. I can see why you're an Elite General."
" Haha..."
" I don't want to owe anything, so this will be for you." Luminous said
" Huh?"
She places the tip of her finger on Aichi's forehead and a glow lit on her finger before disappearing into Aichi's forehead.
" What did you just..." Rimuru muttered
" You know some form of Holy magic, right? Use that to your heart's content." Luminous smirked
" Oh... Uh... Thank you."
" Huh. Thanks, Luminous." Rimuru said
Luminous shrugs as Aichi looks at the sky to see the evening sky.
" Oh, it's this late already. We should return to the smithy." Aichi suggested
" I didn't even notice. Alright, let's go." Rimuru said
" Okay."
" By the way, what's for dinner?" Hinata suddenly asks in curiosity
" Huh? Oh... Sukiyaki..." I replied
" I see."
She seems really happy. Wait... Are you guys not gonna go home?
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!