That Time I Got Reincarneted as Slime

Chapter 66 - Chance Meeting

After sending Grucius back to Tempest, I tried to return myself but the skill wouldn't activate.What's going on?Grucius did just disappear in front of me a second ago, though...These questions,«Announcement. You are inside a wide-range barrier.Transfer skills are sealed.»were answered by the 『Great Sage』 .What?I'm getting a bad feeling about this.A feeling of impending doom that I have never felt before.When Milim invaded, I did not feel any killing intent from her; so I was not that worried. But this time, all my senses are sounding the alarm.Have I fallen into a trap?I tried calling for Ranga from within my shadow, but he did not respond.Seems like this barrier has completely isolated me from the outside world.So it seems that I can neither call for aid nor escape.The feeling of dread led to me to set up some things asinsurance. At least I can still use my skills...«Announcement. You are inside a wide-range barrier. All magic energy manipulation abilities have been sealed.»What?!That basically includes every type of magic that I use; even flame and lightning abilities have been sealed.Moreover, 『Steel Thread』 and thread manipulation abilities have also been sealed.So instead of thinking that I wandered into somebody's hunting ground, I am the one who is being hunted?They permitted Grucius departure in order not to fight both of us at once. Had I decided to leave first, though, they might not have waited.In that case, they can probably sense the flow of my magic.What could they be planning?I take stance in response to a relentless killing intent, and wait for the enemy to appear. I am of course trying to dispel the barrier, but to do that I need the 『Great Sage』 to analyze it first.However, these long range barriers require more time to be analyzed.In other words, I'm in a pinch.This was the first time I felt my heart beat faster out of anxiety.It was anxiety that I have never felt since coming into the world.That could have been the result of me changing into the slime, but chances are, it's mostly due to the predictive abilities of the『Great Sage』 .Before I undertake anything, it can estimate the chances of me succeeding.Which is why I have been able to face strong opponents fearlessly. Though they were strong, I could predict the outcome.On the other hand, even facing certain defeat I did not feel anxious.If I can't win, I should just run away. If I can't run away, let's at least punch them once.But none of that mattered in this case. Here, without knowing my opponent's strength, I cannot predict the outcome.However, I do feel their killing intent.I don't know whether I can win, and I cannot run away. Nor do I know how many enemies I am facing.A few humans would be needed to set up a barrier this large.However, 『Heat Perception』 is detecting only a single body approaching; 『Magic Perception』 is not responding.So if I turned into a slime, I would be essentially blind.In other words, I have lost that amazing perceptive ability and cannot view the entire battlefield at once.The moment I was caught in this barrier, my chances of winning have fallen significantly.However, to go out of one's way to seal an opponent's abilities...So it's possible to fight like this. Moreover, the enemy doesn't even realize that they have been separated from the outside world.Clearly the work of someone who professionally hunts monsters.Chances are, the barrier is at least 4 kilometers wide. It's boundary is completely outside of my sight.Their meticulousness is terrifying.(Just who would do this, and why are they hunting me?)When I thought that,「Pleased to meet you, should I say? Though I won't know you for long.」A single person walking towards me threw such words at me.I thought so for a while now, but I feel like I've seen her somewhere.A nostalgic feeling when looking at her.She has beautiful, glossy black hair at about shoulder height, with the left side swept back and the right almost covering her eye.She wears small round glasses, which could be described as her defining characteristic.I wonder if she wears them out of fashion, since her eyes don't seem particularly bad.She wears dark clothing that's easy to move around. However, by the quality of it, the clothing is clearly made for ceremonial occasions. Rather than a skirt, she wears pants.Her body is bound by a robe, the kind the clergy wear, dyed black.Though I am a fan of black myself, hers is an unnatural fascination with the color.Her eyes, cold and cruel, display profound wisdom.Other than the cold glare, she can only be described as beautiful.「Pleased to meet you, but do you have some business with me?My name is Rimuru; could there be some misunderstanding here?」It's probably pointless, but no harm in trying.She clearly has targeted me. There's no way she made amistake.But even so, I'd rather not get killed because of a misunderstanding.「Of course not, there is no mistake here.Master of the Monster's City. You know, it's a bother.So I decided to crush it.Which is why your return would be a great inconvenience.You understand, don't you?」Without any hesitation and as if bored, she explained herself."Ah, I see!" Isn't something I can just say here.But how does she know that I rule over Tempest?「Why do you call me a monster, and some monsters' city lord?I'm just a normal adventurer, can't you see?」「Huh? Are you playing dumb?Well, it's no use. I have my sources.I won't tell you who, of course, but this much I'm certain about.There are many "eyes" in the Royal Capital. You should be more prudent with your secrets.」An informant, she says?I have no idea who it could be. I would have noticed if I were being followed and I was careful with my contacts.I don't get it. Well, I do understand that she's out to kill me, though.This is really bad.She is armed with a rapier hanging on her hip.She isn't wearing armor and appears rather carefree.I can't feel the presence of anyone else around, seems like the people who created the barrier will not be joining the fight.They planned a certain-kill trap but only sent one person?Or does that mean that she's simply that powerful?But this is not the time to be pondering these things. Tempest might be getting attacked this very moment.After raising an army, it would take them about a week to reach the city.How many days did it take Grucius to travel from Farmas Kingdom to Ingrasia Kingdom?If he was running without rest, I'd say about three days.The plan was for me to return immediately, but, as things stand, I can only lament my ignorance.All I know is that I don't have the time to fool around.「Seems that even if I claimed that you've got the wrong person you won't trust me, will you?」「Nope. After all, I've heard that the master of the monsters is named "Rimuru"」「Ah, is that so...」She got me. To think that she has even heard of my name.「Can we start now?」「I'd prefer not to, but can I at least hear your name?」I said to her, who was drawing her rapier.The beauty tilted her neck, and said「I haven't told you, huh. Didn't really care, so I forgot.In that case, one more time.I am the "Emperor's Personal Knights Battalion" Knights Captain.Sakaguchi Hinata is the name.Our acquaintanceship shall be short, and not a pleasant one.」