Slime Who Turned into a Demon King
17.Defeat Demon Lord Rimuru

Battle began.

Renard is the vice-captain of the Crusaders, ruling them as they

following Hinata on her journey. He himself was not a paladin, to be exact

— she is a Holy Witch, a sorcerous sorcerer. That's a class

specifically, one that can only be mastered by those who master elemental magic,

Aspectual, and sacred.

However, Renard was as proficient as a sword, using his own to

lead several missions. Even hiding his side of the Holy Wizard, he still

quite commendable as a paladin to serve as commander and

he eventually became the vice-captain of Crusader. It was all because of his talent — skills

that beautiful sword. If Arnaud's sword is a blunt weapon, Renard has

a softer touch. Both are exemplary fighters, but Arnaud has

a little bit of excellence, thanks to tenacity that never let him down in

skirmishes. In a knock-out blow against a formidable monster, the technique

beautiful is often less important than brute strength. The difference makes

Arnaud crowns among his friends.

But thanks to that genius-level magic skill, Renard has proven himself more than

worthy as a magic swordsman. His physical techniques were not quite up to standard

Arnaud, but if he fights in a hybrid style between magic/sword more

standard rather than hiding magic as usual, he was just as talented

with phenomenal. In fact, as Renard himself measured it, he might be able to

defeated Arnaud with strength.

For a Paladin, one's proficiency in aspect magic isn't really

part of the evaluation. It was more than given, with some paladins even

able to fuse their own elemental spirit with aspect magic to

launching a powerful spell without casting time. Aspectual Magic, with

by itself, it takes longer to use than — spirit magic and although it is often more powerful, in close combat, speed is

the most important priority.

Renard is no exception to that saying, hence his focus on

sword skills. True strength, when he saw it, lay at the end of the

to master the sword. Adding the holy element to a quick boost

almost like divinity allowed him to cut anything pretty well,

as he saw it.

This thought was with him since the experience that was still ringing was clear in his mind.

Back when he was a student, he studied abroad in a small country

who fell under the threat of demon lord Valentine. It was Hinata, the new one

ordained as a paladin at the time, who came to

saving; so in short, he is strong. One sweep of his rapier obliterated

a crowded wave of monsters. Even demons were several times the size of humans

powerless to defeat him. Hinata's arrival saved the people

the nation was out of the despair they faced, and ever since, Renard

found himself attracted to the charm of the sword.

Even when he polished his spirit magic skills, he constantly recalled

rapier Hinata in combat, trying to emulate him in training

his day. After gaining mastery of magical arts, he returned to the academy at

Englesia, learning about aspect magic while waiting for an opportunity to move to

The Holy Empire Lubelius. This is a difficult task for outsiders, but

his adherence to Luminism and his proven skills as an outside talent

it used to make him get a nod from their government.

He pounced on the offer, even though it meant severing ties with

his family. After finishing his steps, he took the holy magic and

gaining a place as a paladin trainee. The spirit he built the pact was affiliated with

with — light as pure and blameless as the soul of the person they call

The Paladin of Light.

After joining the paladin guards, Renard needed relative time

short to be Hinata's personal assistant. He took the initiative to be

volunteer for any mission, no matter how careless, and whose results

he gave it to his newly adopted country making his qualifications highly qualified

evidently.

Hinata can count many as her rivals: Arnaud and Fritz,

the two arrived at the same time; even Cardinal Nicolaus, who was cold-hearted

and as cunning as Hinata herself. Seems admirer? There is no way to start counting. Being an aide to such a paladin was a source of no pride

limited to Renard.

To it…

(Renard, there's something I want from you, and only you know.)

Right after the sensational assassination of Archbishop Reyhiem, Renard is signaled

the Seven Days Clergy. There, he had an unspeakable truth that

disclosed to him.

(Hinata, you know... He was involved, should we say, with demon lord Valentine.)

(We were gonna kill Valentine, you know, but before we could, he

revealing that to us as he begged for mercy.)

The revelation left Renard's head blank. Hinata, the woman

he has a lot of respect, a relationship with Valentine. That means he's pulling wool

in his eyes all this time. If that's true, it's a betrayal that never was

allowed by the pure-minded Renard. It seems impossible it was from Clergy, though,

this great hero, will lie — but it seems impossible for Hinata to

deceiving his own paladins.

Maybe, although... It's true that Valentine's been inactive lately. Lady

Hinata should have been more than strong enough to kill him, but she wasn't

show interest at all...

Hinata has enough power to defeat Valentine — Renard sure

will it. The description of Battlesage Saare makes Hinata's victory very

secured in his mind. He certainly has his own motivation, of course.

the thought still bothered Renard.

Clergy continued:

(Of course, that might be a sad lie from Valentine. But that

not the end of the story, you know.)

(Any hard to believe, we have seen signs that he has

trying to connect himself with demon lord Rimuru.)

(It is not unthinkable, usually, to see someone like the Archbishop

Reyhiem who was killed in this holy land?)

“But..!” Renard's mind was a vortex of confusion. “But faith Lady Hinata more

stronger than anyone I know. How could he betray us, to

not saying anything about our god?”

(Yes, there's a problem, Renard. We are also suspicious about it.)

(But maybe the opposite. Maybe Hinata's playing a complicated game

against us — and Luminus. We can't call it impossible.)

(There is one way we can resolve this doubt with certainty.).

“A-what is it?!” Renard half-screamed, receiving the bait.

Clergy was silent for a moment before continuing. (If we tell you, no

there will be a way back.)

(This is not a question we can make public.).

(Not until we prove Hinata's innocence.)

But Renard's mind was already made, expertly led into a trap that

the pastor laid for him with their words.

“I accept the risk. I promise to prove to the world that Lady

Hinata is innocent!”

(Mm, yes.).

(Then, you'll help us, Renard?)

(It will likely be a dangerous task.)

Renard just looked, waiting for them to continue.

(Defeat demon lord Rimuru!)

(Do that, and we'll give you an answer.)

(If Hinata is connected to him, he will definitely be in a hurry to

stopped you.)

This was enough to cast even Renard's confidence.

“But... But Veldora ..!”

This response was what the Seven Days expected.

(Don't lose your throat.)

(Take it easy and think.)

(Did the evil dragon really wake up? Don't you think all that's just

wishful thinking?) This reminds Renard of a key fact. The only person who

claiming to know firsthand that Veldora is back is Hinata and the Holy Emperor.

“So you mean Veldora stays asleep?”

(That's very likely.)

(Even Reyhiem did not personally witness the dragon, as we understand it.

(Maybe even Hinata deceived herself.)

Whirls of doubt began to spin in Renard —'s mind exactly as desired

Clergy.

(However Hinata had met Rimuru once.)

(We believe it was the moment when he fell under the spell of the demon lord.)

(If he has been bidding Rimuru since.).

The scales in Renard's heart started to tilt. Yes, he naturally started to think. Hinata

need rescued. But only I can save him.

“Indeed. Yeah, I'm sure you're not wrong! Lady Hinata would never be with

intentionally deceiving us. If he subconsciously did someone else's bidding, it would

dispel your doubts, right?”

Seven Days Clergy nodded seriously.

(That's gonna happen. If you could do it, there would be no suspicion.)

(But it will be dangerous!)

They seemed to be testing Renard's resolve. They don't have to do it.

“Then please, allow me to take the task!”

His mind is affected. Hinata needs her safety. So if she

deliberately lying to all the Paladins who served him.

drop it, if it happens.

(All right. It will be yours to handle.)

(Your determination is strong, we understand.)

(Are we proud, Renard!)

Thus, he set out, in direct violation of Hinata's orders.

By the time he was inside the Jura Forest, Renard's suspicions had grown into

an indisputable fact in his mind.

Veldora resurrected? It's nonsense. There were too few magicules in the air to

make that possibility go away. Which means that Hinata is most likely

have betrayed all Luminism — facts that almost do not want

renard considered, even as he continued his undaunted progress.

Then then, just as he was fanning the troops under his command and

attempting to launch the Holy Field, he was attacked by monsters, as if they were

waiting for the right moment to attack.

“Could Lady Hinata have sold us..?” His colleague, Garde, asked. “That's

he knows our actions and tells the demon lord to them?”

(If Hinata is connected to him, he will definitely be in a hurry to

stopped you.)

The words of Clergy rang out in Renard's mind. But now is not the time to

thinking in measure. He immediately sent out orders to fight back, and with

that, the battle goes on.

see them all. When Renard began to sense his position was in danger,

come out oni — disgusting presence, like a nightmare — falling from the sky.

He hit the ground, smashing it like an explosion and sending

dust to the air.

“We have a big fish here,” Garde said as he prepared his spear. Renard

nodding at him, then calmly giving his orders. Apart from

the two of them, there were four paladins nearby, the rest of the troops were involved with monsters

others. In a moment, these four people finished their preparations just like

enjoined. The entire group was enveloped in light, forming a barrier

strong defense — spiritual armor, the main protection for a paladin.

This armor came in the form of a holy letter, light as a feather and inspired with

the power to summon the spirits that had been forged by each paladin.

This gave them unlimited access to the power of these spirits, and moreover,

the ability to overcome evil added to their weapons neutralizes

all the resistance in their enemies, let them attack to

damage at every opportunity. All of this consumes a lot of energy and

thus cannot be manifested for a long time, but with it, but with it,

paladins are the true natural enemies of all monsters.

Prepared for battle, the four paladins spread out in all directions, focused

on their target. They would deploy a simplified Holy Field, and not too fast, as the enemies they detected in front were almost very powerful.

In particular, the magic-born standing before them possessed magical energy

it's huge, like he's never seen before. That was

rating A — and at the higher end of that scale. Not Rimuru himself,

no, but it's likely one of his closest associates.

It was, in Renard's mind, an appetizer in front of the demon lord's main course.

He wanted to end this quickly so that he could switch to the biggest fish in the world

pool — and he chose not to leave anything on the table to

first attack.

“Launch Holy Field to target!”

But a lack of foresight would cost him. The order was drafted

before he realized his enemy fully.

The four paladins immediately acted, exerting a holy barrier. That execution

perfect — no one can break it from the inside. But it's not complete, though,

the trick barrier with close range and the lack of effect weakened the monsters. That

could prevent the enemy from taking action, but could it completely block

an attack from outside the barrier? That's an open question.

This barrier was deployed in the form of a pyramid, about fifteen feet to one side,

but that opens up the possibility of the target launching a large-scale spell before

all magicules are removed. In such cases, it is possible that the attack could

reach beyond the barrier. That's one of the reasons why most

the barrier built up became larger than this. To be fair, even

this pseudo-barrier can completely prevent magicules from entering. That was

the steps of the paladin assassins, which even magicborn level could not penetrate

tall.

Therefore, Renard ordered his team to deploy a barrier, with

watching them all. The purifying light that surrounds them does not

it would be enough to kill a target like this, so a solid defense would be

a must. They can attack enemies from outside— but they must

sure if he was the first. If it is one of the rarer types that can deflect damage, dealing with it will be necessary to avoid

massacres. They can't possibly make a mistake.

As the paladins finished all their preparations, dust from the landing

finally disappeared. There, in front of them, was one monster, a slender female and

tall with purplish long hair tied back. On his forehead there is one

the horn, was jet black, and the strange suit he wore made

I wonder who saw it.

His purple eyes turned towards Renard.

“My name is Shion, first secretary to Sir Rimuru. My leader has a message

here's to you: Choose between surrender or death. I'm sure you're all

smart enough to know what those words mean. Drop your weapons and surrender to my troops as soon as possible!” He declared arrogantly.

The monster who called himself Shion stared down like a god when he

speak. He emphasized the word first seen throughout the forest.

Renard assessed his opponent, assessing his abilities. He calculated the amount of magic

placed it at a high A rank, but now even this seemed

like stupidity.

“Aboutstanding views. Special A. or maybe he could even be.

demon lord, if everything comes right.”

Judging from his horns, he was a member of the great family of orges. Witch orge

or maybe a higher— An Oni, thought Renard, just guessing, skipping, skipping,

and jumped away from the demon lord. So an oni named — must be right

true warning of catastrophe, or worse. Disaster, even if he

never risked it becoming lord-dom. At least one from the past,

he knew, having powers of a divine nature, gave them control over nature itself. They were fewer monsters and more low-level gods.

He was clearly right to make his team treat him with great care.

“Hmph! Sorry to disappoint you,” Shion calmly replied, “but I am not

god, as much as I look alike. I'm an oni, and something tells me that

You think I'm much better than I actually am.”

Kindness was something that no one facing Shion would accuse him of

so now. They had no idea what made him entertain the idea,

but really, it was just Shion's way of warning them.

“An oni? Maybe not much difference, no, but it's not important to us.

Divine or not, you are just an evil monster in our eyes. The only god in our dictionary is the only god Luminus!”

This is the core principle of the Holy Kingdom of Lubelius, and it cannot be opposed.

They will never know another god, not even a god of a level

regional support among the people. If they do not declare themselves

as gods, then fine, but if so, they must be destroyed. Plus, this

only monsters. No matter how much power he had, there was no need

easy on the henchman demon lord.

It was this belief that made Renard respond the way he did.

Shion's answer to this was completely unexpected.

“I don't care about your god! you have a choice, now give me

your response!” Submissive or death. The offer made Renard rank

very deep.

“Silence, wild beast. The world will be purified from unclean creatures like you!”

Enraged, he ordered his paladins to launch a Cannon attack

Holier. One of the few offensive spells in the holy-magic family, it works at the magicule level, wrapping particles to break down monsters of that essence

shape their bodies. On human targets, it would only make them

fainting with its power; on monsters, it would wipe out their existence.

While it was not working on a target filled with holy elements, monsters

very weak against it, because unlike the natural elements of earth, water, fire, and wind, the 'darkness' element was unable to overturn the 'holy' element'. Without holy magic

angel, it is impossible to block the Holy Cannon.

Receiving Renard's orders, the paladins carried out an attack, firing energy

holy from all sides towards Shion. But he just stood there quietly,

the huge sword in his hand diverted all the energy away. Later, with

a sad expression of why-not-they-listened-tome, he turned to Renard

once more.

“Is that your answer? If you refuse to give up, that means you've

time to die!”

Even Renard was surprised. But he won't bow to this. Is this a god

local or not, he was already inside the Holy Field. Which should be them

do is keep that barrier running, waiting for the target to falter in

under him, and make the final blow.

But even when he thought of that, Renard had to offer praise for

Shion for his great sword skills. He should at least be a little

weakened now, but the speed of his movement every game suited him

by oneself. He could not even hide his surprise.

That sword, whatever it was, had the ability to deflect holy energy, which

it's just incredible. Given the corrosive Holyule Cannon effect, each

the demonic sword that was offered against him should have been destroyed

turn dust. But the great sword looked as good as it usually was.

Then one of the paladins who handled the barrier and assault

let out a painful groan. A Sacred Cannon bolt had

bumped him.

Nah! Can anyone do that?!

Renard. Here he was, seemingly taking this holy energy within him,

focusing it on his sword, and actually shooting it back into the

his enemy. From the point of view of common sense, it is absolutely impossible, requiring

precision at single occurrence rate within — time and Shion pulled it without

difficulties.

In a hurry, he stopped the attack. That paladin, fortunately, still

conscious, though confused. They just need to stay calm and think

another approach — but this move has shaken them all. Assault

through the Holy Field and attacking them was beyond their imagination, an

a state that no paladin could think of. Renard must close

all while he thought about his next move.

Shion, for her part, is surprised (or really, exasperated) that she is not looking

the full effect he meant. He had dealt a crushing blow to that Paladin,

but the damage can be ignored. It made him realize that whatever the attack

this, it was much more effective on humans than monsters. He has underestimated

his enemies, and now he is inside this barrier — mistakes

that's obvious.

But he expected this from the beginning. He's got his own ideas about this, and if anything, he's got,

this is what Shion wanted.

This binding force was something similar to the warned Rimuru

to him. It was similar in nature, and the amount of magicule within it began to fall. Soon, before long, Shion's own power will be affected — and Spatial Motion

the one he had secretly tried a moment ago was blocked.

However, this had all been factored into his plan.

“Hei... Hey.” He held back his anger as he forced a smile. “Red

now, while I'm still being nice to you.”

It was extremely haughty to him, not to mention that no one had ever shaken his will

a paladin, but he was very serious about it. That, of course, is not

discover the.

“Stupid!” Garde shouted back. “It's enough of that mess! You can't

doing whatever, locked inside that barrier!”

This howling sound did not lessen Shion's frustration. He's almost ready to explode —

and given how short his fuse was usually, he thought he was doing

exemplary work to keep it together. Maybe only

it's a matter of time now, but still, Shion keeps trying to negotiate with

them.

“Listen, I was completely honest when I said that Sir Rimuru

ordered me to avoid killing you as much as possible. At the moment,

I can promise you guys that I won't hit anyone —

in fact, I can even let you try some of my famous dishes!

Good idea, don't you agree? This is your last warning. What is it?”

Seriate......