Izawa Shizue, known to the world as a hero, wielded flames that felt like warm sunlight, dispelling the coldness in Hinata's heart.
The time spent with Teacher Shizu was short, but it was the most peaceful time Hinata had experienced since transmigrating.
Even though it was only for a short month, Shizu was the only person in this world who could make Hinata let down her guard.
However, Hinata ultimately left Shizu. Not for any other reason, but because she was afraid of losing this hard-won happiness.
She was afraid she might accidentally kill this gentle girl before her; after all, she was too weak.
In just one short month, Hinata had already learned all of Shizu's decades of skills. Afterward, she chose to leave silently and set foot on the path of plunder once again.
But Shizu's influence on Hinata was immense. She began to imitate her teacher, standing up to protect the weak.
In the time that followed, Hinata met many companions who shared common ideals. They were the Holy Knight Order of the Western Holy Church.
Even if it meant sacrificing themselves to protect others—in Hinata's view, these characters who often fought on the monster front lines and acted as champions of justice were somewhat incomprehensible.
Acting based on absolute self-interest, Hinata couldn't understand why they would rush forward when their strength was clearly inferior to the opponent's; it defied logic.
It was precisely this incomprehensible behavior that made Hinata realize that in such a terrible world, it wasn't just her teacher who would help the weak.
There was also a group of people who would sacrifice their own lives for others.
From that day on, Hinata officially joined the Western Holy Church and became a member of the Holy Knight Order.
With the goal of repelling monsters and protecting humanity, she followed the instructions of the one and only true Goddess Luminas, cutting down all enemies.
"If I do this, can I redeem my sinful self...?"
Hinata did not know, but she did not dislike this kind of life.
Just like that, two years passed in a flash. Hinata became the leader of the Holy Knight Order and, relying on her own hands, trained the strongest Holy Knight Order in history.
These were the Temple Knights, who held the title of "Ten Great Saints."
As her status grew higher and higher, Hinata gradually learned the truth about the Western Holy Church.
Under absolute power, absolute corruption is inevitable.
The intolerable stain at the center of the Church's power made Hinata resolutely swing her sword of rebellion against the Church's supreme leader, Veldora the Storm King.
The moment she learned that Veldora the Storm King was a vampire, the justice Hinata had upheld for years was shaken.
That indescribable sense of betrayal caused boundless anger to rise in Hinata's heart.
For the justice she stood by, she fought her way to the imperial court and cut down Veldora the Storm King.
However, she herself was exhausted, prepared to accept death with her own weak justice.
Just at that moment, she saw the Goddess Luminas, the true moonlight goddess of this world.
The goddess, radiating divine brilliance, refuted Hinata's ridiculous and simple justice.
"Merely cutting down evil cannot be called justice."
Such profound teachings made Hinata understand the essence of the matter.
"Go and participate in the trial. If you can return alive, I will give you a chance to challenge me."
Luminas waved her hand gently, and holy light enveloped the entire area. The deceased Veldora the Storm King was restored to his original state, and Hinata's battered body was also healed.
As promised, Hinata participated in the trial of the Seven Luminaries.
The trial of the Seven Luminaries, as the name implies.
It was conducted by seven elders who had reached the pinnacle in the use of the attributes of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Void, and Light.
They were beings whose strength far exceeded the Immortal Realm.
The seven sages were dedicated to cultivating true heroes. Having become legends, these few rarely appeared in the Church, and few knew their true faces.
Because their real names were unknown, everyone called them the Seven Luminaries Teachers.
During the trial, Hinata held respect for these people. She only used "Usurper" to "Copy" the abilities of the seven teachers, and did not use "Usurpation" to strip them of their abilities.
However, what Hinata did not know was this.
These "Seven Luminaries Teachers," whom the world called legends, were nothing more than a group of twisted old men.
Because they were afraid of being surpassed by others, they would secretly sabotage talented newcomers. They had long forgotten their responsibility to nurture the next generation, and each was only concerned with self-preservation.
If it weren't for Goddess Luminas's tacit approval, Hinata, upon learning the truth later, would definitely have taken action to purge these people.
After passing the trial, Hinata gained absolute power, enough to place her among the strongest of humanity at that time.
Having become stronger, Hinata came before Luminas.
Although she knew the hope of victory was slim, Hinata still swung the sword in her hand.
The outcome was self-evident; she was defeated in just a few rounds.
Afterward, under the goddess's guidance, Hinata understood the essence of justice.
Hinata stayed behind and purged the heretics within the Holy Knight Order with thunderous speed.
As the will of the absolute goddess, she became a divine sword that removed all obstacles for the goddess, an efficient monster countermeasures expert, a vanguard for human defense, and humanity's strongest defensive fortification.
Short for: "Right Hand of God!"
Hinata's cold heart found redemption; the ice and snow melted, and the earth returned to spring.
When she was finally able to calmly accept that gentleness from the past, a piece of tragic news caused Hinata's state of mind to plummet to the bottom.
Rimuru Tempest had been added to Hinata's kill list.
Before that, she had to meet someone first.
...
Ingracia Kingdom, Free Guild Headquarters.
Yuuki looked at the girl before him who had grown up, and couldn't help but sigh.
"Long time no see, you look like you've been doing well."
Yuuki slowly handed the tea over.
"You too."
Hinata's tone was calm, quite indifferent.
"Hey, hey, hey, I'm your senior after all. We haven't seen each other in years, and you're still so cold."
Yuuki maintained his sunny boy persona, trying to get close to Hinata.
"I'm here to ask you about someone—no, strictly speaking, they don't count as a human."
Hinata stated her purpose straightforwardly.
"Oh? Who is it?"
Yuuki raised an eyebrow, asking a question he already knew the answer to.
"A Slime named Rimuru. As the commander of the Freedom Association, you should have information on it, right?"
Hinata Sakaguchi stared at Yuuki, trying to see something else on his face.
"Rimuru?"
"Why are you looking for it?"
Yuuki asked back, appearing puzzled.
"It is the one that killed Teacher Shizu. Don't you know that?"
Hinata Sakaguchi frowned, a trace of anger appearing in her eyes.
Teacher Shizu had sacrificed so much for Yuuki's Freedom Association, yet she saw not a hint of sadness on his face.
"Could there be some misunderstanding? I have met Rimuru, and it doesn't seem like a bad person."
"Besides, it is a fellow countryman of ours. Teacher Shizu passed away after entrusting its final wishes to it. That doesn't seem like a problem, does it?"
At this moment, Yuuki's acting reached its peak; the micro-expressions on his face were truly realistic.
Three parts confusion, four parts bewilderment, three parts conflict...
Hinata Sakaguchi sighed deeply; it seemed this guy had been deceived.
She thought to herself.
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