"Hinata found a good location for a divine descent in Japan, and it seems there's even a ready-made Miko Hime to preside over the ritual."
"Is that so?"
Looking at the vast golden desert before him, Rin descended from the sky, landing on the rooftop of a high-rise building.
"What's the Miko Hime's name?"
While Hinata was dealing with Japan's official organization, Rin had finally crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived in Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
"Yuri Mariya."
Rin was controlling two bodies, communicating with Rimuru while exploring Cairo.
"It's her."
He had some impression of this Miko Hime. He remembered her being a 'Saint Mother.'
Her problem is that she sometimes doesn't clearly see her own capabilities.
How to put it...
It's like encountering someone in trouble. You don't have the ability to help, but you still insist on getting involved.
Perhaps some might think this is a manifestation of kindness.
Rin thought so too.
However, what if the price of helping is to put yourself, or even your family and friends, in danger?
That was Rin's assessment of Yuri Mariya.
In similar situations, Rin would prioritize protecting himself and the companions he values most.
He would never jeopardize their safety just to ease his conscience.
No, to be precise...
As long as his own people are safe, Rin can do anything with a clear conscience.
Good or evil, he never cared.
The only thing Rin cares about is his own people.
"Should we make her a member of the Monster Nation?"
Rimuru didn't dislike Yuri Mariya.
One could say that people with strong justice values always attract each other.
What Rin sees as flaws are precisely the things Rimuru finds appealing about Yuri Mariya.
Rin didn't say anything about this.
At the very least, Yuri Mariya wasn't ungrateful. She definitely had the qualifications to join the Monster Nation.
"Let Hinata try to make contact."
After thinking for a moment, Rin gave instructions to Violet.
"After all, when we return to Japan, we'll need her spiritual vision ability to summon Luminous and the others."
This kind of summoning ritual definitely carries risks for a Miko Hime.
Since they're asking for help, it would be too heartless not to offer some benefits or leniency in return.
"Of course."
Rin added, "If her values don't align with Hinata's, then forget it."
They could try, but it wasn't mandatory.
Rin had many talented subordinates. Although Yuri Mariya was one of the heroines in the original work, among the many heroines, she truly wasn't that outstanding.
Compared to her, Rin still preferred Liliana.
"Rin."
Through the Subordinate God contract, Testarossa reported to him.
"Diablo has already gone to explore, but it'll take some more time."
"No matter."
Rin didn't intend to stay in Cairo for long. Since his little Hei was working hard, how could he just relax in a hotel?
"Let's go. We'll head straight into the real-world desert to explore the pyramids and oases."
Egypt's Netherworld couldn't be completely separated from the material world.
According to Violet's calculations, the most likely places for the Egyptian gods to leave anchor points were ancient temples and historical ruins left behind by Ancient Egypt.
Luxor Temple, Sphinx, Abu Simbel Temples, Pyramid Complex.
Although the desert was vast, Rin wasn't an ordinary person.
The physique of a Campione spoke for itself.
Even without any supplies, food, water, or rest, Rin could traverse the entirety of Egypt in a very short time.
"Then I'll head out too."
Seeing Rin about to move, Testarossa naturally wouldn't stay idle.
She and Diablo worked together, coordinating with Rin's movements, exploring all over the Netherworld to search for Forbidden Lands.
Then, through contact via magicules, they would mark the precise coordinates of the Forbidden Lands in the real world.
This task sounded simple, but in reality, it was massive in scale.
The size of the Netherworld was far greater than the material world.
And the Divine Kingdom of the Egyptian gods were not as numerous as Rin had imagined.
The Netherworld was a space between life and death.
Most gods existed mainly within the Immortal Realm, which served as the final resting place of myths.
Only Heretic Gods, like Old Lord Susanoo, who descended as Heretic Gods and later hid in the Netherworld, might have left behind Divine Countries there.
Hmm... what about God Ancestors?
Those Earth Mother Goddesses from ancient times were defeated by the Steel Hero God.
After their defeat and death, these Earth Mother Goddesses reincarnated as beings known as God Ancestors.
God Ancestors were transcendent existences that surpassed humans.
Although their power and souls weren't on the level of gods, they possessed extremely high spiritual vision and could weave magic as easily as breathing.
They bore the Dragon Snake Seal on their bodies. Once released, they could temporarily revert to their original Earth Mother Goddess form at the cost of their eternal life—a double-edged sword.
Additionally, God Ancestors required several centuries to fully reincarnate and had no memories of their previous lives as goddesses.
To be honest, God Ancestors weren't particularly helpful to Rin in analyzing the roots of divine systems.
After all, killing a God Ancestor didn't grant any Authority.
However... if one could truly be found, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
God Ancestors were higher-level ritual officiants than Miko Himes or priests.
Having a God Ancestor, especially one from the local culture, help Rin summon the Egyptian gods would significantly increase the chance of a Heretic God's descent.
"Found it!!"
After about half a day, good news came from Diablo.
Little Hei had successfully found a Forbidden Land within Egypt's Netherworld!
This meant that either a Heretic God or a God Ancestor was residing in seclusion there.
"Where?!"
Rin didn't hesitate and immediately went to the area in the real world most likely to connect with that Forbidden Land.
The outcome was just as Rin and his two companions had expected.
As he stepped into a certain oasis, Diablo, who was in the Netherworld, directly broke through the seal of the Forbidden Land and forcibly entered.
"Who?!"
Rumble!!
Without warning, a massive hand formed of storm and yellow sand suddenly reached out to grab Diablo.
"Heh, is that all?"
Diablo's face showed disdain. He felt that the other party was underestimating him.
Whoosh!
The next moment, the yellow sand and storm ceased. Diablo could finally see clearly the appearance of the being living in seclusion here.
(To be continued.)