The political maneuver in Farmus had been a success, but the action was not without consequence.
The Western Holy Church, incensed by the annihilation of the human army and the ascension of a new True Demon Lord, dispatched their ultimate weapon for vengeance and extermination: Hinata Sakaguchi.
Hinata, the former pupil of Shizuka Izawa and the most formidable Holy Knight in the world, viewed Rimuru not just as a monster, but as the failure of Shizuka's legacy.
She descended upon the borders of the Federation with focused, silent intent, wielding potent Anti-Monster Holy Equipment and radiating divine purity.
Arthur, alerted instantly by the profound disturbance in the spiritual world, placed the recovering Rimuru under the absolute protection of Shuna and Geld's finest guards.
"She's here,"
Arthur stated grimly to a ready Benimaru and Shion.
"Her name is Hinata Sakaguchi. She is the strongest human champion alive, and she has come to kill Rimuru.Do not engage her.She is my responsibility."
Arthur met Hinata at the border, stepping out of the forest's shadow to confront the champion directly.
Hinata, seeing the imposing figure of the Dragon Guardian, showed no fear, only cold resolution.
"You are the Dragon who protects the monster. Stand aside. The newly ascended Demon Lord is a blight on this world, and I will fulfill my mission."
"She is the sovereign of this land, and she is under my protection,"
Arthur countered, his voice resonating with Dragonic authority.
"I offer you one chance: leave this territory, and no harm will come to you."
Hinata refused, immediately engaging Arthur with an assault of devastating Holy Magic and her unique, skill-based sword techniques designed to slice through magicule pathways.
The fight was less a physical clash and more a duel of principles: the rigid dogma of the Church against the boundless protection of the Dragon.
Arthur, using only a fraction of his power, was forced to play a careful game.
He could not kill Hinata, as that would instantly galvanize the entire human world against Tempest. He had to neutralize her, forcing her retreat while exposing the flaws in her zealotry.
He utilized his Reality Blending to destabilize her Holy barriers and his Magicule Breeder Reactor to endlessly negate her powerful magical attacks, frustrating and slowly overwhelming the formidable knight.
The duel was interrupted by the appearance of the recovering Rimuru.
Despite Arthur's protests, she had rushed to the scene, driven by her desire to speak with the champion who carried Shizuka's spirit.
The situation became a tragic exchange of words, with Hinata refusing to listen to the "Demon Lord's lies."
The encounter ended not in a victory, but in a tactical retreat for Hinata, who fled, deeply shaken by Rimuru's sincerity and Arthur's power, but not yet defeated in her heart.
Rimuru realized that Arthur was willing to take on the most dangerous fighter in the world just to keep her safe and prevent her from having to fight a battle of principle.
Her dependence on him intensified, transitioning from a political necessity to a deep, personal affection.
She understood the immense, subtle power he held back, using it only for the purest protection.
"You fought a war for me, Arthur,"
Rimuru messaged him later, her hand resting on his arm.
"And then you fought the strongest human. You don't just protect my throne; you protect my heart."
The Oni witnessed Arthur's performance: the Dragon had effortlessly neutralized the strongest human champion without suffering a scratch.
Their respect turned into absolute, worshipful awe.
Her adoration became more pronounced.
She now viewed Arthur as an undeniable demigod.
"Your power is the true faith, Arthur-sama. If your mission requires eliminating the Church, Shion will lead the charge!" (Arthur quickly declined this offer.)
She was utterly fascinated by the subtle ways Arthur manipulated reality and energy fields to counter Holy magic.
Her dedication to learning his secrets intensified, making her the most devoted student of his power.
"The Dragon's wisdom is absolute. I must study his techniques to truly serve my Queen."
The threat of Hinata and the Western Holy Church was not eliminated, but it was temporarily stabilized by a direct, overwhelming show of force.
The world's eyes were now firmly locked on the Jura Tempest Federation.
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