Ch 36: White village

2 hours after the farewell in the capital.

The group left the Capital and decided their new destination. It would be the Great Dungeon at the Guryen Volcano. Currently they were in the 6-wheeled vehicle that looked like a combat van. They felt that the other vehicle would be too cramped and so they were in this car. The vehicle was nowhere near the desert yet and was passing a road near some grass fields.

In the front seat was Rimuru driving while Chloe was clinging to him. Sakura was beside Chloe tasting some of the Sushi that Chloe made. She really enjoyed trying new foods.

Rimuru could feel a great feeling in his arm and every now and then he stroked Chloe's head who was smiling happily.

In the middle seat was Hajime who was hugged by Kaori while Yue was on his lap. The two were arguing about who would sit on Hajime's lap, but Yue would not budge. Meanwhile in the back seat was Shia playing with Myu and Tio who was panting from being slapped.

"Yue-san. Let me stay on your lap if Hajime-kun. You've been with him the longest!"

"Nn. I won't give up Hajime's lap even for a second."

"That's very unfair! I am also loved by Hajime-kun!"

Kaori and Yue really looked like two children fighting. Meanwhile Hajime who said "my opinion doesn't matter?" was completely ignored. Hajime couldn't stand the argument any longer and slapped them on the forehead.

"Will you two stop it? If you're going to fight, at least don't hang on to me while you're at it."

The girls were about to reply, but before they could, Myu spoke up.

"Myu doesn't like it when onee-chans fight!"

She spoke frowning and the two excused themselves. Being scolded by a child made them stop fighting and in the end neither of them stayed on Hajime's lap.

At this moment....

"Rimuru-kun. There's Someone over there!"

Choe pointed to a field of grass and everyone looked over. There was a collapsed young man there bleeding heavily. Rimuru stopped the car and looked at the others as if to say "should we help?" Kaori was the first to speak.

"Hajime-kun, let me help you. I am a healer after all."

"Papa, let's help!"

Kaori was with a determined expression, Myu and the others seemed to want to help as well. Hajime didn't care about this world or the people in it. That's why Kaori asked him to help. She wouldn't do that if Hajime didn't approve, not least because she was the one who asked to come along. Seeing them like this Hajime replied...

"I guess it's okay. I'm curious too. If it's okay with my brother..."

Hajime was also curious of why having someone injured without a cart here. Hajime moved his gaze to Rimuru as if to ask if everything was okay and Rimuru replied...

O

"I don't mind."

"Then it's okay."

"Thank you."

Kaori thanked him and gave Hajime a kiss on the cheek. Yue was wearing a grumpy expression and said "opportunist," but everyone ignored her.

They got out of the car and walked toward the young man who was passed out. He was lying passed out and had several injuries. The young man had black clothes, white hair and skin, and a Katana around his waist. He appeared to be just over 20 years old and had a beard the same color as his hair.

Rimuru didn't use his wells and let Kaori heal him, because he didn't have that many wells left, and since this world didn't have any Hypokute herb, which was the raw material for these wells, he didn't want to spend too many. While Kaori was healing him, the others were searching the surroundings for something that might have injured him. They also searched the young man's wagon.

"Here. I found it!"

Rimuru shouted and waved. Rimuru was near some rocks and was pointing behind them. When they got close...

"Demons?"

Hajime muttered in surprise and the others seemed curious as well. There were seven demon bodies. They weren't supposed to be here because it was human territory. Besides they were all dead. Rimuru looked around some more and Tio then spoke....

"Did that young man fight all of them?"

"If so, he must be stronger than an ordinary human. Killing demons that are normally stronger than humans, and still seven. We have to talk to him."

"Huh!?"

Hajime agreed with Tio's words and at that moment Rimuru gave a surprised groan. Everyone was confused as to why, and Rimuru explained

"They're not as powerful as that Milo guy, but... those 7 are demon lord."

"What?"

Everyone was surprised by Rimuru's words. Rimuru then showed the brooches they carried. These brooches were given to demon lords and Milo who Rimuru killed also carried one.

When Rimuru looked through Milo's memories he didn't see anything very important. He only found out that Milo was an envoy of the gods and that his superior was Eht. However now he asked Ciel to specifically analyze the faces of the demon lords in Milo's memories and confirmed.

"These guys really are demon lords. If that young man killed all of them...he must be pretty powerful. We'd better talk to him. "

"Yes. Kaori must have finished the healing."

Hajime agreed with Rimuru and they went back to where Kaori was. They arrived and Kaori seemed to have difficulty healing the young man. Her healing magic was glowing brightly and she was focused.

"Kaori, what's going on?"

"I don't know. I healed all the other wounds, but this one won't stop bleeding. No matter how much I heal it, it's still bleeding."

Kaori was exhausted from using magic power and the others were also confused about how there could be an incurable wound. Rimuru approached...

"Let me see."

"Yes."

Kaori stepped back and Ciel analyzed the wound. Just as Rimuru thought, it was a dimensional wound. This wound would not heal as it was the same as trying to heal a wound and the do was still inside. Rimuru used Void God Azatoth consummation and sucked out the dimensional wound.

"Okay, heal him now."

"Yes."

Kaori healed the wound and the white haired young man slowly opened his eyes.

"Who...who are you?"

"Well, we are the people who saved your life. Now we want information."

The young man looked at Rimuru who spoke and then looked perplexed at his belly where the dimensional wound used to be.

"Ho..how?"

From the looks of it the young man knew that the wound was difficult to heal and was confused.

"How do we heal you? Well that's complicated to explain. Let's just say that few people could have saved you and I am one of them."

Rimuru spoke up and asked for information. He wanted to know if it was this young man who killed the 7 demon lords. These 7 were not as strong as Milo, but by the standards of this world they were. The young man looked at the people and asked...

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you save me?"

"What do you mean?"

Rimuru was confused by his words, so the young man pointed at himself as if to say "look at me" at this moment Yue intervened.

"Could you be... a reaper?"

"Ahhh. That's why he looked familiar."

"I see..."

Yue had great knowledge of the legends of this world and had heard of reapers, including their description: white hair and skin, carry black swords and feed on Souls. They were a terror to humans, so no one would help one of them. That's why the young man was so confused.

Chloe and Kaori also seemed to find him familiar, this was because of their battle against the reaper who looked just like the young man. Rimuru also thought this young man looked like someone else but they hadn't recognized where from until Yue spoke.

"Yes, I am a reaper..."

"...."

No one said anything. Not out of surprise or fear. They were just waiting for the young man to continue speaking, but for some reason he had his eyes closed and was looking up as if to say "you can cut my throat". After a while he opened his eyes in confusion.

"Eh? I guess now is the time you guys attack me."

The young man spoke, but no one stood guard. He didn't look threatening so no one attacked him. However he seemed confused by this , so Rimuru spoke....

"You say you are a reaper, but you don't look like the reapers we were told about. Why aren't you going crazy out there sucking souls then?"

"Eh? You guys aren't really going to attack me?"

The young man looked dumbfounded. In this world anyone from another race would be attacked immediately. So he thought he would die now, since he was recognized and was out of strength. Hajime seeing him confused, spoke

"Look man, our group has a demi-human, a kinky dragon woman and a butterfly woman. So we certainly won't attack you just because of your race. Now, tell us... who are you? How did you kill all those powerful demons, and why were you here?

The young man looked around and noticed how different the group was. He seemed amazed that he could talk to humans without being attacked. This was probably new to him.

"Okay, I guess I can trust you then, after all you are the ones who saved me. Thank you for saving me, my name is Raphael and I'm from the White Village. I have a lot to tell you, but this is not a good place to talk. I think we'd better go to my home first. Is that all right with you?"

Everyone looked at each other to see if anyone had an objection.

"Fine with me."

"Hmhm."

"Yes."

They had no reason to object. Even if Raphael was planning something evil the group had the walking cheat that was Rimuru. So they didn't mind accompanying him.

The group agreed and they helped Raphael to his feet. They were all confused by the 'White Village' part, but they figured that following him was the fastest way to get answers to their questions.

"How far is it?"

Sakura asked.

"I'd say it's about four kilometers."

"Let's go by car then..."

"Car? What's... huh!?"

Raphael was dumbfounded by the metal box that appeared out of nowhere. The others encouraged him and he got in. He was first surprised by the unfamiliar method of transportation, but then he showed the way.

"It's in that direction "

"Eh? Are you sure?"

Hajime who was at the wheel was confused by the direction pointed. That's because where Raphael pointed had only some gigantic plains and no village could be seen.

"Yes. I know why you're confused, but you'll understand soon enough."

"All right then."

Everyone was confused by the village that was supposed to be invisible. Rimuru seemed to be the only one who understood what Raphael was saying and was encouraging Hajime to continue on his way. Hajime sped up and after some time driving Raphael said.

"Stop here, please."

"Hm? Okay."

They stopped and everyone got off the car. Raphael took a few steps forward and drew his sword. He raised the sword high and spoke

"Our past is forgotten. Our souls imprisoned. We do not flee from battle, but we do not seek war. We protect above all and want only to live in peace. We do not reap for pleasure and we avoid above all. Death is our barrier and for this we thank it. The sword is the key and we guard it with our lives. Open up! Gate of Souls!"

As Raphael spoke his sword glowed white, it kept getting stronger and stronger and when he finished speaking the sword stopped glowing. The space in front of them distorted and began to open like a door.

On the other side appeared a large village with many white houses with black details. It actually looked more like a small town than a village. It was all very well done and well detailed. The streets of the town looked new and they were all interconnected. In the middle of the city was a large orb of light. This orb was far away, but its brightness was visible nevertheless.

The city had a few crops and some animals, dogs and cats as well as cattle, pigs and chickens. The city also had a beautiful lake with crystal clear water and a black house that was much bigger than the others, this house could be considered another base.

Everyone in the group (except Rimuru) was wide-eyed. That's because even Hajime who had his magic eye couldn't detect anything and yet there was a beautiful city. Raphael then spoke...

"Welcome to the White Village."

Everyone was impressed by the beautiful town.

"It is beautiful..."

"Beautiful..."

"Truly."

Chloe and Shia murmured and Yue agreed with them. Raphael looked happy to have his city praised and was puffing out his chest.

"Please come in. The barrier won't stay open for long."

"Papa, this city is really cool. Let's go inside!"

Myu seemed excited about the city. Her enthusiasm infected the others and they went inside excited to discover a new mystery.

When they entered...

"Huh? What..."

"That..."

"My strength..."

The group felt as if they had grown weaker. They were confused and then looked at Raphael suspiciously.

This was a normal reaction. Since the city in which he brought them took much of their strength and they thought Raphael was planning something. Raphael noticed their stares and tried to explain himself.

"Wait, don't misunderstand! This barrier affects anyone who is not a reaper. I am not planning anything. Please believe me."

He looked guilty for not having warned earlier. Some members of the group were still suspicious, so Rimuru intervened.

"Guys, don't worry. This barrier doesn't affect me or Chloe. Even if it were some evil scheme, nothing would happen to us."

They were more relieved to hear that and kept walking. Raphael seemed really curious about the barrier not affecting Rimuru and Chloe, but he didn't seem disappointed. If he was disappointed or angry, then they were suspicious of him. For it would be something like "it'll be harder to kill them this way", but since that wasn't the case they just kept going towards the city.

When they were close to the city...

"Raphael. First you condemn our village and now you bring humans here? I guess I have no reason to leave you alive."

A raspy male voice spoke angry words to them. Everyone looked toward the voice and there stood a gigantic man. He was wearing heavy black armor with red details, his sword was big enough to cut 6 watermelons at once and was black as well. His head was covered by a helmet, but the most important thing was the pressure coming out of this man, it was frightening.

"Hiii!"

"Eeek, Papa!"

Shia who took a fright rushed to grab Doryucken and Myu hid behind Hajime scared. The others put themselves on guard as well for by the man's words he was going to attack, but the man moved too fast for the weakened group to keep up.

TCHIN

The hooded man tried to attack Raphael with his huge sword, but was stopped by Rimuru's barrier that stood in front of him. Sparks came out of the sword and the man turned away in surprise. Rimuru didn't even stand in combat stance and spoke

"Look, we saved this guy. So we're not going to let you kill him so easily."

Both Raphael and the hooded man looked surprised at Rimuru defending the attack. Raphael recovered from his surprise and spoke

"Miguel, stop! They are not our enemies! They saved me!"

Apparently the man in armor was named Miguel. Miguel looked angry and said...

"You really are an idiot. You don't deserve to be one of us, and you're still naive enough to think that humans won't be hostile to us. I think you'd better die before she stops me."

Miguel raised his sword and set out to attack. Rimuru put himself on guard and when he was getting close....

"Collect soul."

"Watch out!"

Before Miguel arrived he abruptly stopped and his sword began to glow, Raphael tried to warn Rimuru, but it was too late. The sword seemed to suck something out of Rimuru, exactly as said, it was trying to suck out his soul. Raphael thought it was the end of Rimuru, but Rimuru just walked over to Miguel.

"What? How..."

"Impossible..."

Raphael and Miguel were shocked. Rimuru was supposed to be dead already, but there he was, walking slowly. Apparently Miguel couldn't move when sucking a soul as he was still standing there holding his sword and trying to suck Rimuru's soul.

"Well, I have nothing against you, but you tried to kill me so that's the least of it."

"Kh!?"

Rimuru punched Miguel and he was thrown far away. Miguel let out a groan of pain and sprawled on the ground. Raphael looked perplexed and the group was casting looks that seemed to say "as expected"

However Miguel was to be more resilient than he looked and stood up to continue fighting.

"Miguel, enough."

A female voice came from behind Miguel and everyone looked in his direction. There stood a beautiful white woman with hair of the same color. Her black clothes were the same kind of clothes a queen would wear, and her eyes were red. Her expression was calm and serene, but her gaze could kill anyone. She was not releasing any pressure, but she seemed to be powerful.

When Michael saw the woman he lowered his sword and said

"Lucifer... I'm sorry."

"Don't talk anymore. Call the other 3 to the main house. I will go after I finish here."

"Yes."

Miguel turned and left without even complaining.

Hajime, Kaori, Chloe and Rimuru had found the names of the reapers very familiar, but they thought it must just be a coincidence. The woman who seemed to be called Lucifer approached Raphael. Rimuru did not stop her as Ciel detected no killing intent in her, so it was fine.

"Raphael..."

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have..."

"Then it's all right. You are forgiven, but..."

She moved even closer and their gazes were locked, Lucifer put his hands on the neck if Raphael and Rimuru was thinking she was going to break his neck, but....

""Eh?""

The two kissed. No one expected that's what would happen. Everyone thought it would be the end of Raphael then everyone let out confused voices. Lucifer parted his lips from Raphael and said...

"The next time you do something like this I will kill you a hundred times."

"Ahh. Well, what can I say... err, I promise not to do that again?"

Raphael replied half startled, as Lucifer's eyes were serious. Lucifer let go of him and turned his gaze to the group. That piercing gaze made some of the group shiver and Myu even hid behind Hajime again.

"Will you explain it to me?"

She asked Raphael pointing at the group. Lucifer also kept casting glances at Rimuru. She probably saw Rimuru's punch and was being careful. Raphael then explained that they saved him and wanted to know more about him and the reapers.

"I see... They really are a distinguished group."

Lucifer looked thoughtful. She then said.

"Raphael. Explain about us to them. You can even take a tour if you want, I will let everyone know. Get a place for them to sleep and eat too. Tomorrow morning take everyone to the main house."

"Okay, see you later."

"See you."

They said their goodbyes and Raphael led them into town.