Traveler Starting from Type-Moon, Demon Lord Rimuru!

Chapter 31: The Holy Church in Action

One week later—Italy.

As the veil of night climbed into the sky, a faint mist, rare for southern Europe, swirled around this sparsely populated town. Perhaps because it was more rural compared to the bustling crowds of Germany, the narrow dirt and stone paths—already small to begin with—rarely saw even a single carriage pass by during the day, let alone an automobile.

The surrounding area was home to vast farmlands, and the center where these farmers gathered formed this unique, quiet town. Yet, at this moment, a few uninvited guests had arrived in this peaceful place.

Several Executors dressed in black, their faces stern and murderous.

The fog grew thicker. Rimuru blinked his golden eyes gently, watching as the Executors walked past not far from where he stood. He sighed softly, slowly retreating into the wall, shrinking back into the house of a local family, and pressed a finger to his lips: "Shh."

Before him, a family of three was being held captive by three green phantoms, trembling with pale faces.

"I won't hurt you, but I hope you won't go looking for your own deaths. Can you do that?"

A week ago, Altrouge appeared in Germany. Three days later, negotiations between Altrouge and the White Winged Duke collapsed. Having already lost a favored subordinate, Altrouge unleashed her fury upon the White Winged Duke's territory. The two fought for a day and a night, destroying three German cities in the process—even forcing the Mage's Association and the Holy Church into an uneasy joint suppression. Even Zelretch had to step in to mediate the conflict, saying, "Do me a favor."

This battle gave Rimuru a moment to catch his breath, but it didn't last long. Dominated by the impulse to drink blood and craving it intensely, he lost his sanity after his first failed attempt at resistance. After attacking a few innocent humans, he was immediately locked onto by the Church, which had a stronger presence in southern Europe, and a new round of hunting began!

Since then, a regretful Rimuru realized for the first time that even with the willpower of someone who had lived two lifetimes, he could not resist this curse—a curse cast by one of the Dead Apostle Ancestors, a powerful existence who had paid the price of life, immortality, and soul to inflict it!

He had to accept this reality and began periodically hunting for prey—criminals and evildoers—to consume their blood, suppressing the impulse to prevent himself from going berserk and harming others.

He had considered asking the Church for help and had even threatened a few priests, but unfortunately, ordinary Executors could not lift his curse, and he dared not seek out more powerful entities... His wounds had not healed; to be precise, they were trending toward something more severe. Even the most common curse wounds left behind during battle could only be suppressed by ordinary purification, requiring constant, repeated application of holy healing rituals to heal slowly.

Under these circumstances, Rimuru was convinced that rather than spending the effort to treat a curse originating from a Dead Apostle Ancestor, the Church's powerhouses would be far more interested in "purifying" him directly and sending him to meet God.

After all... the meaning of this curse from Brad was too obvious. He hadn't cursed Rimuru to die; he had cursed him to crave blood, to inevitably become a Dead Apostle. Clearly, once the Church understood this, they would never let him live. Why let a terrifying existence capable of defeating one of the Dead Apostle Ancestors become the next Dead Apostle Ancestor?

The Church would not take that risk.

And Rimuru was not willing to take that risk either—by trusting the Church.

His wounds were too heavy, truly too heavy. If he hadn't devoured Brad and gained the Vampire Count's ability to recover wounds and strength by consuming blood—making the "blood-sucking impulse" curse slightly less useless—he might not have been able to hold out against the increasingly powerful Executors.

"Heh, in the end, Altrouge didn't come to hunt me down, but I almost died at the hands of the Church instead."

Rimuru sighed. It wasn't that he hadn't mastered the method the opponent used to deepen wounds, prevent healing, and cause infection, but it was precisely because he had mastered it that he understood there was no cure for this stuff.

"The main issue is still that final strike to the heart. Although as a Phantasmal Species, the heart isn't your fatal organ, but... the concept of that curse is constantly destroying your vitality, causing your other curses to deepen as the wounds worsen, even if they are suppressed."

"Ah, it's actually quite simple to treat, but I can't be disturbed—" Rimuru ignored the trembling family by the wall and leaned against it wearily. "The main problem is the pursuit... fighting only makes my wounds heavier—"

"If it really comes to it, you could ask..."

"No, that would drag Achelotte into the whirlpool between the Dead Apostles and the Church... And once things are dug deep, even if Achelotte and the Dean protected me, I would lose the qualifications to remain at the Clock Tower."

Rimuru knew clearly what was at stake. In the Clock Tower, the support of the Dean and the three great noble families, along with his own political status, were his greatest assets and guarantees for the future. Even if this body died, things at the Clock Tower could not go wrong.

Otherwise, he would truly have no foothold in this world.

No, actually, that wasn't entirely true.

Rimuru smiled bitterly. By that time—he would truly... only be able to join the Dead Apostles.

"When it comes down to it, why did I even come to Germany... knowing full well that Europe is the center of the struggle between Dead Apostles and the Church, knowing that Germany is a kingdom belonging to the Dead Apostles—" Rimuru sighed lightly. "I was still searching for Dead Apostles with such fanfare. The smoothness of the Clock Tower blinded my eyes..."

"To put it bluntly, you were arrogant."

"...Forget it, that's true." Rimuru pulled his trench coat tighter, covering the wound on his neck once more, and smoothed out his blonde hair. During this period of activity, to avoid exposing his identity and to prevent prying eyes, he hadn't used water magic or his Rimuru form. Instead, he had completely transformed into his newest identity: the White Knight Brad, acting as a vampire and a ghost.

Until he found a way to completely suppress or lift the blood-sucking impulse, Rimuru intended to maintain this appearance.

"Since they've already tracked us here, to avoid a fight, we should leave as soon as possible."

"Any ideas?"

Rimuru left the house, his figure fading into the thick fog, and shook his head. "If possible, I want to return to Germany to find the Wizard Marshal Zelretch. Although he's a troublesome character who loves to meddle, in this situation, his meddling might actually be of some help to me—"

"I just hope he doesn't try to take me on as an apprentice..."

Zelretch, the Wizard Marshal, was a strange old man who loved to interfere in worldly affairs and cause trouble everywhere. In the original work, his personality was defined as "indignant at evil and mocking of good"—meaning he would be filled with righteous indignation for evil, thereby mocking so-called good. Considering that in the Type-Moon world, "good" aside from the Church was represented by people like Emiya Kiritsugu...

Even the "good" defined by the Mage's Association was highly consistent with the concepts of mages and thus exceptionally twisted. Rimuru didn't think there was anything wrong with that—if it were him, having seen too many parallel worlds, he would likely mock the essence of this world filled with malice too, right?

Moreover, judging by the old man's favor for Rin and the concepts he instilled in Tohsaka Nagato, his sense of right and wrong was essentially quite upright. Hmm... having a sound moral compass meant Rimuru could actually talk to him.

"But I remember you wanted to list him as a target for consumption not long ago...?"

"There's no helping that. Honestly, if it weren't a last resort, I really wouldn't want to owe him a favor, because that would make it impossible for me to strike later," Rimuru thought as he walked. "The ability to travel between worlds is too great a temptation for me."

"...You're almost at your blood-sucking time," the Great Sage suddenly reminded. "It's been 49 hours since you last fed."

"Hmm, this town shouldn't have any evil people. I'll find a sleeping vagrant later and buy some."

Rimuru took out some coins and suddenly smiled. "Speaking of which, I forgot to leave money for that family."

"Let a familiar do it. Going back yourself is too dangerous."

"Ah."

Rimuru nodded, tapped his finger casually, and a ball of clear water instantly transformed into a small bird that spiraled into the sky.

A few seconds later, just as the familiar arrived, it saw several Executors sealing off the house.

"Damn it!" Rimuru's pupils constricted. He instantly understood what this meant!

After he left, that family had chosen to report him!!

But what annoyed Rimuru wasn't that! Informing was one thing, but... this meant they had... seen magic!!

The Mage's Association held to the principle that mystery must not be leaked, and while the Church didn't have such restrictions, unlike the nun who felt innocent people were blameless, the Executors practiced the purging of all heresy, even if you had only... come into contact with a demon!!

What's more, now that the Church and the Mage's Association had signed a peace treaty, covering up mystery was a choice made by both sides—

A few minutes later—

Thick fog completely covered the blood in the small town. Strands of red blood seeped drop by drop through the floorboards of the wooden house. Rimuru stood coldly in front of the shack that had once served as a hiding spot. The blood-red claw marks condensing on his hands slowly dissipated, and he let the black mist behind him turn into tentacles, pouncing forward to devour the corpses of the Executors, the replenished blood rapidly healing the newest wounds on Rimuru's body.

But even so, Rimuru couldn't help but cough, a streak of blood slowly flowing from the corner of his mouth.

He looked at the silently weeping boy, swept a silent glance at the couple on the ground who no longer had any breath, placed the money bag quietly in front of the boy, and turned to leave.

The other party wasn't very young, looking to be about fifteen or sixteen, so Rimuru felt he should know what to do next—leave this town; the money in the bag was enough for him to live under an assumed name for a long time.

"Are you a vampire?"

Just then, the boy suddenly wiped away his tears and said hoarsely: "When they came to the town during the day, they said they were searching for a demon... and just now..."

Rimuru hadn't hidden his form when he rushed over because he was in a hurry; he had spread his bat wings and flown straight in.

"Yes... so what?" Rimuru turned his head quietly, interrupting him: "I know what you want to say, but unfortunately, I am not."

"And I certainly won't give you the Embrace, nor can I give you power."

"I just forgot to leave the lodging fee and came back to pay. Take the money, leave here, and live well."

After saying this, Rimuru sighed. The Executors were dead, which meant his whereabouts had been completely exposed yet again—

"You were the one who brought them here!!"

Rimuru had just intended to leave as quickly as possible, but the boy suddenly roared, hating him with resentment: "You should be responsible!"

"I should have killed you." Rimuru didn't even look back, saying coldly: "Your deaths were inevitable."

"Bad people and good people aren't defined so simply. If your parents hadn't informed, they wouldn't have died, and they would have had a sum of money."

"But unfortunately, they chose to believe in justice."

"I can't say they believed in the wrong person, but people should bear the consequences of their own choices."

After speaking, Rimuru was silent for a moment, then instantly turned into a bat and flew away. His heart was somewhat conflicted, and somewhat helpless.

"I'm sorry."

In the sound of the wind, Rimuru muttered to himself: "Between justice and kindness, I... choose myself."

Meanwhile, in a certain church, a priest was closing his eyes, praying quietly.

Suddenly, the surrounding candles flickered a few times and were extinguished by the wind.

Strands of shadows turned into silhouettes in the darkness, conveying messages.

"The Dead Apostle wandering like a ghost has been found..." The priest opened his eyes, lowered his gaze to look at the information, and said in a deep voice: "Judging by his appearance and abilities, it can mostly be confirmed as one of the Dead Apostle Ancestors... the White Knight Brad."

"Doesn't that mean our people are in grave danger?" Upon hearing this, a middle-aged man who had been sitting quietly in the audience seats in the shadows, as if he didn't exist, spoke up: "However, since it is the White Knight, why keep hiding?"

"Rumors say that a week ago in Berlin, Germany, an unknown mage clashed with the Princess of the Black, and the White Knight was likely seriously injured as a result."

"That's a good opportunity." Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately stood up and said: "Does it have anything to do with the White Winged Duke?"

"Unclear." The priest raised his eyelids and said softly: "There is no need to pay attention to the struggle between the White Winged Duke and the Princess of the Black. Dogs biting dogs does us no harm... but since the White Knight has drifted to the south."

"This is indeed a good opportunity... Send the top-tier Executors. Who are the first-class Executors currently in Italy?"

"There should be three, but..."

"What's wrong?"

"..." The middle-aged man folded his hands slightly and placed them in front of his chest, saying softly: "One of the Executors' wives is pregnant. Logically speaking—"

"What is his own wish?" The priest was slightly stunned and asked.

Opportunities to hunt down a Dead Apostle Ancestor were rare. This was not only a duty to the Church but also a great honor.

Asked this way by the priest, the middle-aged man raised his eyebrows. The face of that young man, who was never tired and performed missions as if he were self-abusing, suddenly appeared in his mind. He frowned and said: "He should... choose to stay."

Chapter 032, Can You Remember the Name of the One Who Saved You

"Great Sage, show me the map."

In the early morning, sunlight soaked the moist, tender leaves. Rimuru snapped off a branch, extracted a few drops of liquid from it, and instantly used it as a catalyst to condense the mana (magic power generated by the natural world, i.e., the Source) drifting between heaven and earth. After forming a mist to clean his hair and face, he slowly unfolded the map and casually marked two locations.

"In this way, you are getting further and further away from Germany."

"The Executors from the past few days were almost top-tier. Next time, I expect they will send even more powerful 'aces' to deal with me. Using Brad's appearance has also solidified the illusion that I am the White Knight. In this way, they will definitely guess that my movement is to prioritize meeting up with the Princess of the Black."

Rimuru looked at the map calmly. After closing his eyes to carefully recall the escape route again, he said quietly: "Not to mention the rumors from the past few days saying that after the Princess of the Black and the White Winged Duke had a falling out, she didn't immediately retreat to northern Europe after the battle, but continued to head south..."

"You suspect she still intends to hunt you down?"

"Possibly, but in the eyes of the Church, she must intend to come and meet the White Knight Brad. Therefore, if I turn back after being exposed, not only might I run into the Princess of the Black, but I might also happen to follow the route the Church guessed, leading to further pursuit."

"We have to take a detour and retreat through Croatia. It has always been famous for tourism, the people are mixed, and it will be more convenient for us to hide our tracks." Rimuru made his decision and said softly.

After speaking, he added bitterly: "If the Princess of the Black really pushes me too far, I'll run to the Holy City of the Vatican and fight her to the death!!"

"..."

"So now..."

"I should find some blood to store first. I can't buy any these past few days... otherwise, there's a risk of exposure..."

A few days later, in a small border town in Croatia—

Rimuru walked quietly through the night, his mood finally relaxing a little. Over the past few days, just as he had expected, the Church's attention had been completely diverted by the actions of Brad and the Princess of the Black. Having rested well for several days, he felt closer to Croatia and finally possessed the mood and demeanor of a wandering traveler.

The greatest benefit of having no one hunting him was that he could finally set his mind at ease and properly treat those damn internal injuries!

The night shrouded the quiet little town. Rimuru pushed open the door to a bar that bore faint traces of magic on its sign and utilized suggestion magecraft, similar to a ward against idlers. Although it was called a bar, in the late eighties and in a small border town, it was really nothing more than a tavern with a few extra sofas.

But even so, a tavern for magi should be a decent place for rogue magi to... gather information.

With this thought in mind, Rimuru walked down a long corridor and, after pushing open two antique wooden doors, arrived in this "paradise" filled with dark colors and laughter—which was the name of the bar.

Paradise of Desire. A very interesting, and very nakedly gray bar.

For a magus, indulging in desire is clearly not a very good term. It doesn't refer to that kind of meaning here, but rather that if one does not strictly follow the path of restraint, it is easy to sink into magic and the secular world and lose oneself.

In this kind of bar, the most popular thing isn't some kind of mana replenishment act, but rather... the alcoholic beverages mixed with various types of mana at the bar counter and the private trade of various bodily fluids. Of course, the so-called bodily fluids refer to things like blood, and not... ahem.

Due to his vampiric impulses, Rimuru was actually quite familiar with frequenting such places and their transactions; he had even begun to get used to it.

However, compared to the oppressive, dark-toned bars he had visited in the past, the magi here seemed, for some reason, more spirited, and the atmosphere was much more lively.

He couldn't help but be infected by the atmosphere. Half a month of exhaustion suddenly made him want to relax, and perhaps... replenishing mana would be excellent too. At the very least, as a slime, while he wouldn't go into heat due to hormones, the mana transfer generated by such acts would still produce a certain sensation.

Of course, the most important thing was... to relax.

Rimuru ordered a drink and sat quietly on the sofa. With an indifferent attitude, he couldn't be bothered to take the initiative, instead quietly pondering his future plans and beginning to weigh the possibility of meeting Zelretch.

But regardless, although Rimuru had changed his appearance once again—and this time he had tried his best to choose the face of an ordinary Executor—his aura was still there. Therefore, very quickly, a rogue swallow set her sights on him, smoothed her hair, and sat down beside him.