Highlights

• Hinata's journey to Tempest featured a sweet and bonding moment at a Japanese-themed ramen shop.
• Tempest's infrastructure surprises Hinata's group, suggesting Rimuru's positive influence and the peaceful coexistence of humans and monsters.
• Misunderstandings orchestrated by the Seven Luminaries lead to a confrontation between Hinata and Rimuru, adding layers of complexity to the plot.

The following contains spoilers for That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 3, Episode 7, “Saint and Demon Clash” available at Crunchy Roll.

The seventh episode of That time I got reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 was a welcome change from the monotony of the previous episodes, not only because it gave us a taste of battle, but because of the strong start it had, focusing on Hinata Sakaguchi's travels to Tempest.

While the culmination of the last few weeks' deliberations and meetings in battle was definitely thrilling, it was the change of pace and the weaving of the motivations of multiple characters within the ranks of the Holy Knights, as well as the presentation of the Seven Luminaries' betrayal that made this episode far more enjoyable than many that came before it.

Hinata and her group's trips to Tempest

An out-of-this-world flavor and a healthy moment

As mentioned earlier, the funniest part of this seventh episode of That time I got reincarnated as a Slime was the beginning, following Hinata Sakaguchi's group as they made their way to Tempest. It also showed how Hinata, who chose to undertake the perilous journey alone, ended up traveling with four other Holy Knights for support. Soon after the conclusion, the other Great Saints drew lots to determine who would be forced to go and who would stay, which saw Arnaud, Bacchus, Ritus, and Fritz—members of the Crusaders—join Hinata on the journey, despite their orders to return to the Holy Empire. As they progressed through Blumund, they noticed the improved quality of life and overall happiness of the citizens, correctly assuming it was a result of Tempest's influence in the area.

While in Blumund, they decide to stop for a meal and find something that shakes Hinata deeply: a genuine meal. ramen-ya marked with signage written in Japanese. Naturally, as a resident of the Otherworld of Japan, Hinata was able to read the sign and was intrigued by the premise; however, it was in the taste of the food she and the others were introduced to that Hinata may have finally confirmed that Rimuru is indeed an Otherworlder like herself. Overjoyed with the recreation of a flavor she never thought she would experience again, we see a softer side of the Holy Knight Captain when she reveals that her tongue is sensitive, which was a great moment to see the kind of connection she has with these other knights who are sacrificing their lives for loyalty. There were even funny moments, like seeing the other Crusaders struggle to use their chopsticks; or when Hinata grabbed the last one. gyoza Fritz's clumsy chopsticks, which devastated him when he couldn't eat another one. Fritz was a great comic relief in this episode, and the dynamic between Hinata and his party was very funny.

The Trustworthy Demon Lord

The Inescapable Influence of the Otherworldly Storm Demon Lord

Blummond wasn't the only place Hinata and her group found strangely impressive. As their journey continued, they came across beautiful stone roads that Geld worked with the beastmen and scientists to build. They were met by two friendly guards who explained the basic rules of engagement while in the area and where they could find amenities like water, a place to set up camp, and the location of an inn where they could spend the night. Hinata's group struggled to fully enjoy the boom in infrastructure development initiated by Tempest. To make matters even more impressive, their journey should have been marked by monster attacks, but it was so uneventful that Bacchus admitted it was getting boring. While eating ramen in Blummond, the waitress told them that they only recently started selling gyoza, which they buy from Demon Lord Rimuru himself, possibly a way for him to have his name continually associated with positive things (not to mention his image on the inside of the bowls).

Several elements of the journey almost seemed set up for Hinata to encounter, such as the Japanese writing in the ramen shop, or the friendly guards' use of kilometers as a unit of measurement when they shouldn't exist in this world. Tempest also showed them the peaceful coexistence of humans and monsters, which made Hinata think of her previous encounter with Rimuru and how adamant he was about living together in harmony with humans. From what they saw on their way to Tempest, there's no reason to believe anything other than what Rimuru claimed, which is all the more reason Hinata is confused that he chose to challenge her to a fight now of all times.

The misunderstandings that herald danger

Leonard is dispatched by the seven luminaries

While Rimuru awaits Hinata's arrival, a series of misunderstandings influence not only their decision-making, but Hinata's as well. Unbeknownst to Hinata and her group, the remaining Holy Knights have formed a stealth force led by the Three Battle Sages to surround Tempest; however, with Soi's abilities, Rimuru is able to detect their presence, believing it to be part of Hinata's plan to confront him.

What they both fail to realize is the hidden hand—the Seven Luminaries, who not only forced Hinata to undertake this perilous journey in the first place under the pretense of defeating Veldora, but also convinced the Crusader Vice-Chief, Leonard Jester (sometimes spelled "Renard"), to go to Tempest to kill Rimuru. They convince him that Veldora's threat is not actually real and sow deep doubts about Hinata's loyalty, whom they consider a conspirator alongside the Holy Emperor himself. Hinata, who went to Tempest because of Rimuru's summons, is under the impression that she angered him and is trying to apologize, while Rimuru believes Hinata's goal is to attack him and Tempest again.

The Seven Luminaries are exploiting these various misunderstandings and creating more to destroy their greatest threats, and we'll likely soon see how Holy Knight Glenda's alignment with Granville Rosso plays a role in these developments. While racing toward the battlefield, Hinata receives telepathic communication from one of her allies, who tries to tell her that the Three Battle Sages have secretly joined the Falmuth civil war, but is interfered with when he tries to warn her to be wary of the Seven Luminaries. The advance force, led by Leonard and Garde, believes they have the advantage of surprise; however, with Shion's leadership and the rapid regeneration of the Yomigaeri (literally “called back from the underworld”) soon put them at a disadvantage.

Rimuru takes Benimaru, Sō̄ei, Albis, and Sufia with him to the battlefield to observe the events, where he encounters Hinata Sakaguchi, prepared for their destined encounter. With several entertaining elements, a foray into Hinata's relationships, and the creation of several conflicts beyond the main event, this episode of That time I got reincarnated as a Slime had everything it needed to revive any waning excitement for this third season.