After placing the lesser troll’s head into his inventory, Paulen decided to return to the Holy City with the slime and the next saintess, Amelia.
On the way back, he regained his composure.
‘Is it really okay to bring it with me?’
He had blurted out that he’d take the slime along after experiencing its head-vibrating massage.
That’s how cozy and pleasant the slime’s vibrations were.
For Paulen, who never skipped training, the vibration felt like a massage that loosened his well-toned muscles.
But thinking more calmly, was it really okay to bring a monster into the Holy City?
‘No, maybe it’s fine?’
In the famous Blue Elven Forest where the Starlight Archer Nellin resides—
There was even a rumor that the daughter of Count Ludendion, who governs near that forest, went around with a slime on her head.
‘When I first heard that, I thought it was total nonsense.’
Paulen looked at the slime on top of Amelia’s head.
“You really like being up there, huh?”
Brrrrrrrr!
“Ah, aah! Okay. You can stay right there......”
‘Maybe it’s fine?’
Even as a knight, the sight seemed harmless.
Meanwhile—
▶ What is this? Why is he with new humans again?
▶This guy just loves humans lolololol
▶ Ah😌 If I had a human who fed me and tucked me in, I’d like them too
[Thread-Lady] ▶ Looks like you’ve found new humans again, Squishy!
▶Got any human-hunting content?
▶ Go to a different channel.
Viewers who returned to see if anything had changed once again saw the slime hanging out with humans.
[Just Slam First] ▶ Looks like that human is about to body slam something.
▶ Is body slamming all you think about?
▶ Ah! BodyX Slam!
[Squishy Queen] ▶ Stop talking so crudely, you filthy thing!
▶Don’t wanna😌 I’m gonna keep doing it😜
▶Not my problem😜
▶ But where are they going?
Amid light chatter, some viewers began asking sensible questions.
▷ To the Holy City!
▶ Ahh, the Holy City, totally got it.
▶ What’s the Holy City?
[Gothic Luxury Bone] ▶ The Holy City is a place where many humans who believe in gods live.
▶What’s a god?
▶ Seems like it’s the boss of the humans who suddenly start glowing.
[Noblesse Fire] ▶ Lolol aren’t those god types the natural enemies of boneheads?
[Gothic Luxury Bone] ▶ Do you really think I’d disappear from mere divine power radiated by humans? This is why pathetic shut-in dragons are a joke.
[Noblesse Fire] ▶ Oh🤩 The human light hurts, huh? ▶Doesn’t hurt me though😟"
The fire dragon was thrilled to mock Luxury Bone, the true dragon, for the first time in a while.
The slime, having read the chat for some time, realized such messages could just be ignored.
So then—
▷ What’s in the Holy City?
Without waiting, it typed what it wanted to ask into the chat.
▶No idea?
▶How would I know about human cities?
[Free Spirit] ▶ It’s a place where many humans who believe in gods live.
▷ What’s a god?
[Free Spirit] ▶ A being that gives humans special powers.
▶That’s so unfair. Why don’t we have gods? Wah, gimme powers too.
▶Even a god wouldn’t want to give powers seeing this mess.
▶ Looooool
The slime developed a very basic understanding of what a god was.
***
“Paulen, are you sure this is okay?”
“You’re asking that now, after we’ve arrived?”
Only when they were nearing the Holy City on horseback did Amelia begin to worry.
“But the slime is still a monster.”
“Slimes are monsters by nature.”
“W-Won’t we get scolded?”
“We’ll probably be asked what we’re thinking.”
“Even Lady Presia might scold us?”
“Hmm, who knows? She might even laugh it off.”
“Should we at least try to hide it now? Ooh, maybe if I hide it in my clothes no one will notice?”
“If you don’t want people saying something ridiculous like you suddenly grew a third breast, you better stop.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I mean, even if you hide it in your clothes, it’ll be obvious. Just walk in confidently. I might sound boastful saying this, but within the Holy City, my status isn’t any less than yours, Amelia.”
“Well, you are a knight, Paulen.”
“Yes. So if both the Saintess and I boldly say this slime is fine, it’ll be accepted easily.”
‘That makes sense.’
“Well, the high priests might give us an earful though.”
“Ugh.”
Images of high priests frowning and preparing to scold her flashed through Amelia’s mind.
They weren’t ill-meaning, but they were terribly naggy.
They often lectured her several times a day to carry herself more proudly as the Saintess, and just thinking about it made her shrink.
“Hahaha! It’s not like the nagging is anything new! Let’s not be scared and just go! Flex of resolve!”
“Don’t try to brush things off with a muscle flex joke, Paulen!”
“Flex!”
“Ugh, flex.”
‘Flex?’
A short while later, the two arrived at the gates of the Holy City.
“Saintess! Sir Paulen! Welcome back!”
The guards recognized them instantly and greeted them warmly.
“Thank you for your service.”
“Yes!
......
“But Saintess.”
“What’s with the slime on your head?”
The guards’ gazes all focused on the slime atop Amelia’s head.
“T-This is…….”
As Amelia fumbled for a response, Paulen swiftly spoke up on her behalf.
“Oh, don’t mind that. We’re trying something new.”
“Something new, sir?”
“Yes. You know how there’s that village where they raise slimes, right?”
“A village that raises slimes?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of it. It’s said to be quite a strange place.”
“We happened to come across this slime while traveling. It’s incredibly docile. Our Saintess wants to try raising it here in the Holy City just like they do in that village.”
“I-I see?”
“Yes. The Saintess believes that if a monster doesn’t harm people, even it might be able to be embraced by the divine. It’s an expression of her merciful heart.”
“Ooh!”
“Truly, the Saintess is magnificent!”
At Paulen’s words, the guards on duty looked at Amelia with sparkling, respectful eyes.
‘Paulen! Why are you making up stories all of a sudden!’
Amelia felt a pang of conscience.
“As expected of the Saintess! You are truly merciful!”
“H-Hahaha. Thank you.”
“But I would advise against walking around with a slime on your head.”
“Yes, that’s true. Saintess, I’ll take care of the slime for now.”
Paulen took the slime off Amelia’s head and moved it to his left hand.
The slime didn’t resist and remained calm.
“Take care now.”
““Yes, sir!””
After passing through the gate, the two and the slime entered the Holy City.
And then—
‘Woooow!’
Seeing the scenery of the Holy City, the slime trembled in awe.
The beauty of the Holy City’s architecture that Godrick’s group had once mentioned.
The slime was now witnessing that beauty firsthand.
White-based buildings were erected all around.
But it wasn’t just the color that was unified.
Each building maintained a sense of harmony while not appearing monotonous, as if prioritizing aesthetic beauty.
Above all, what made the scenery even more beautiful was the many people coming and going, with their happy-looking expressions adding to the charm.
“Would you like some bread? It just came out of the oven, still warm!”
“Hey there, knight! How long has it been since you’ve had your weapon sharpened? I’ll give you a great deal!”
“Hehe! Hurry up!”
“Wait for me!”
Lively voices and endless smiles.
To the slime, the scene felt like visiting Count Ludendion’s domain all over again.
▶This is the city of humans who believe in gods?
[Noblesse Fire] ▶ It’s so white, too white.
▶So what are we doing here now?
▶That’s up to Squishy.
▶Haaah, watching those pathetic humans flail around was hilarious.
▶Please do a food stream! This time, let’s have some eating content! The broke humans always ate the same boring stuff!
[Squishy Queen] ▶Whatever it is, safety for my kin is the most important!
Even the viewers, watching the streets of the Holy City, were filled with various impressions and growing expectations for the slime’s future broadcast.
Amelia and Paulen passed through the streets and entered the largest building at the center of the city—the Grand Cathedral.
“A slime?”
“Why are the Saintess and Sir Paulen with a slime.............”
“There must be some special meaning behind it.”
Naturally, since the two were already figures of interest, bringing a slime with them drew even more stares and hushed murmurs.
Then, for the sake of reporting, they visited the office of one of the high priests, David.
“Excuse us.”
“Saintess Amelia? You arrived earlier than expected—wait, a slime? What in the world!”
Blinking in disbelief, High Priest David immediately questioned them.
“Saintess Amelia! knight Paulen! Explain yourselves! Why have you brought a monster into this sacred Grand Cathedral!”
“High Priest David, I will explain.”
Paulen used the same excuse he’d told the guards.
“That’s how it happened.”
“Do you really think that explanation is acceptable? Even if that village’s ecology is unique, there are lines that must not be crossed! Why are you suddenly behaving so unusually, Saintess Amelia?”
Sighing deeply, David’s stern demeanor made Amelia shrink her shoulders.
She couldn’t possibly say it was because the slime’s vibrating massage felt good.
‘If I tell him that, he’ll be even more dumbfounded and scold me harder.’
“Hahaha, no need to be so angry. The Lord is merciful. I’m sure even a monster that causes no harm to humans can be embraced.”
“Do not speak for the will of the Lord so lightly!”
“Oh my, but I happen to agree with knight Paulen.”
A voice of agreement came from behind Amelia and Paulen.
“L-Lady Saintess Presia!”
An elderly woman with faded pink hair, wearing the same white nun’s robe as Amelia.
One of the heroes who defeated the black dragon disaster fifty years ago.
The most influential figure in the Holy City.
Saintess Presia stood with a warm smile on her face.
High Priest David, flustered, turned to her.
“Saintess Presia! What brings you here…?”
“I was just out for a walk when I heard your scolding voice, High Priest David. Fufu, your voice is still as powerful as ever. Just like when you led the knights into battle.”
“Th-This is...!”
Caught off guard by Presia’s sudden remarks, David blushed and then coughed to regain composure.
“Ahem! Lady Presia, right now we must correct Saintess Amelia’s error.”
“And what error has she committed? The doors of the Grand Cathedral are open to all. As long as they are not evil beings.”
“Monsters are evil beings that threaten humanity, are they not!”
“I can’t accept the notion that all monsters are inherently evil.”
“How can you say such things, Saintess...”
“Does my experience of seeing various monsters firsthand and defeating disasters not grant my words some credibility?”
“Grrrgh!”
“Blanket exclusion isn’t wise, David. And besides, isn’t knight Paulen here? If the slime does pose a threat, he’ll protect us.”
“Of course, Lady Presia!”
Now that Saintess Presia had stepped in, David could no longer argue for the slime’s immediate removal.
“Very well. Let’s observe for now.”
“Thank you, David. You’re still a wise man who listens to reason.”
“Saying that now won’t change anything! Saintess Amelia, knight Paulen. You may leave.”
“High Priest David, we haven’t finished our report yet…?”
“I’ll hear it later, calmly!”
David sighed and looked at Saintess Presia.
“This is not the time for a proper report.”
Amelia, Paulen, and the slime left the office with Saintess Presia.
As soon as they stepped out, Presia continued smiling warmly and spoke.
“Now, both of you, would you come to my room? I’d like to hear in detail what happened.”