"I just want to know."
Hinata looked into Rin's eyes and asked seriously, "How do you view humans?"
"..."
Rin's lips curved slightly. Hinata's question was entirely within his expectations.
"Rimuru."
Rin didn't answer directly but instead called Rimuru's name.
"I think this question doesn't have much meaning."
Rimuru understood and explained on Rin's behalf, "Although Rin and I are now monsters, we used to be humans before."
"Huh?"
Hinata was stunned. "What do you mean?"
The fact that Rin used to be human was something Hinata could barely understand.
But Rimuru?
That one was clearly a Slime, wasn't she?
Although Rimuru used Human Simulation Magic, Hinata had already seen through her true nature using her Mathematician skill.
So.
A Slime claiming to be human?
Was this some kind of joke?
"Hey, that look in your eyes is really rude!"
"I'm a Reincarnator, a Reincarnator!"
Rimuru said, "Just like Rin, I'm a Reincarnator from Earth!"
"It's just that I was unlucky and turned into a Slime!"
"It's actually like this?!"
Rimuru's words shocked Hinata greatly. She turned to look at Rin again. "So, you're also a monster reincarnated from a human?"
"Yes."
Rin had never intended to hide this. He wasn't the kind of person who, after becoming powerful, would erase his past or forget his roots.
"My situation is a little different from Rimuru's."
"After my reincarnation, I didn't regain my past memories right away. I lived as a mixed-blood monster in this world for twenty years."
"Then, after an accident, I remembered my memories from when I was human."
To put it simply, Rin wasn't a soul transmigration possessing someone else's body, but a proper reincarnation.
"Actually, before that, I lived in a human village on the outskirts of the Great Jura Forest, living as a human."
This part of Rin's past was only known to a few close people like Ogerpon, Shuna, and Shion.
"..."
Listening to this, Luminous and Hinata felt their worldview crumble.
Of course, not because of Rin's identity or origins.
But because of his growth speed.
"This, this kind of thing..."
Luminous felt overwhelmed. "It's too hurtful, isn't it?"
But thinking it through.
Hinata's situation was also similar to Rin's.
An otherworlder who reached the level of an awakened Saint in just ten years.
Comparing the two, both were completely overpowered.
"What a pity."
Hinata, however, thought about something else. "If I had discovered Rin-sama earlier, maybe..."
"Don't say such terrifying things!!"
The moment these words came out, the Demon Lords instantly couldn't sit still.
If Rin hadn't entered the Great Jura Forest but had stood on the human side, using his mixed-blood status to become an awakened Hero or awakened Saint…
The monsters found that idea terrifying.
Fortunately, Rin was on their side.
"Alright."
Rin didn't think he would ever stand with humans.
Before awakening his memories, Rin's life could not be considered a happy one.
This was also why he felt indifferent toward the humans of the Cardinal World.
In Rin's eyes, the only humans he considered true compatriots were the ones from Earth in his previous life.
As for the humans of the Cardinal World... as long as he didn't harm the innocent, Rin had already shown the utmost benevolence.
"In the Monster Nation, I won't mistreat any citizen, including humans."
"The rules here are simple. The capable rise, the incapable fall."
Even if someone was human, as long as they had talent, Rin would value them greatly.
So Hinata didn't need to worry that Rin would discriminate against humans just because he was a monster.
"I see..."
Hinata understood. "If that's the case, then I'm willing to join the Monster Nation and fight for you."
Protecting humans was Hinata's duty and responsibility as a Saint.
However, the time for unconditionally protecting humans and opposing monsters had come to an end. Just like Rin and Rimuru, who were once humans.
Their understanding of humanity might be deeper than Hinata's.
Therefore, when facing evil, Hinata's sword would no longer protect indiscriminately.
Judgment would be based on character, not on race. Whether one was human or monster, no one would receive special treatment.
This was the change Hinata needed to make after joining the Monster Nation.
"If you're sure, then sign this dependent contract."
"Then..."
Rin handed the dependent contract to Hinata and instructed, "Go to the Kingdom of Falmuth with Artoria."
Kingdom of Falmuth... Rin didn't say it outright, but Hinata understood his meaning.
What to do in the Kingdom of Falmuth?
The answer was self-evident.
"Don't worry, Artoria is that King of Knights."
"Her character is something even you should learn from."
"Yes."
Hinata didn't deny that.
One's character could be seen through battle.
In fact, the moment their swords clashed, Hinata already understood Artoria's heart.
This golden-haired King of Knights was a perfect Holy King, possessing all the virtues of a true knight.
Compared to Hinata's Saint title,
Artoria was the real Saint.
Rin sending her to the Kingdom of Falmuth meant he didn't intend to let bad people off, nor did he want to kill good people by mistake.
Having Hinata go along,
Was more like a test of loyalty, to prove she had truly changed.
"I understand."
Hinata didn't hesitate and signed the dependent contract immediately.
Her transformation was no less impactful than Luminous's.
Magicules, magic power, physical strength—
Aside from her race remaining unchanged, all her attributes had undergone a qualitative leap.
---
[Hinata Sakaguchi]
Race: Saint
Magicules: 1.1 million
EP: 69 million (Demon Lord Domain)
Ultimate Skill: Lord of Mercy · Remiel (Eighth Virtue, controls reality and illusion)
Special Skills: Magicules Solidification, Eternal Shield
---
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)