17

Part 1

I was sitting on the couch in the living room when the nervous Megumin pleaded with me.

"I apologize for what happened earlier… Please turn back into the old Kazuma."

Megumin was sitting properly on the carpet, lowering her head to me, who was lying back on the couch with a furry coat draped over it.

Megumin had been staying outside the mansion for a while, and ever since she returned, she's been acting like this.

What happened earlier…?

Ah, when she doodled on my body there.

"I'm not bothered by such trivial matters. There's no need for quarrels if you have money. Forget that. How about having some tea, Megumin? I received a huge batch of quality tea leaves."

I said to Megumin with a smile.

Megumin started sniveling; she was probably moved by my generosity.

"I'm really sorry! It was all my fault, so please turn back into the old Kazuma! The current Kazuma's really disgusting! Please! Please!!"

"Why do you keep saying strange things like, 'Turn back to the old me'. I'm always like this."

A teacup was gracefully presented to my seat before the fireplace.

"The red tea of the highest grade is ready, Kazuma-san."

Aqua passed the red tea to me as she sat beside me.

I took a sip…

"… This is plain water."

"Ara, ara, look how clumsy I am. My apologies, Kazuma-san."

"Don't worry, you can just make another pot of tea. Thank you, Aqua-san. I'll drink this anyway."

"What's happening? What happened these few days while I was away? Please, turn back to normal you two!"

I calmed the noisy Megumin down as I sent Aqua to brew a new pot of tea.

Aqua probably touched the tea accidentally and turned the tea into plain water.

However, someone like me, who's as calm as the Buddha, won't get angry.

… At this moment, Darkness gestured at the confused Megumin.

Darkness told the tired looking Megumin what happened the past few days–

Part 2

– The morning after Megumin ran away.

"That loli bitch, ahhh! I'll strip her when she comes back! Absolutely! I'll do it! I'll make that wild kid beg for mercy!"

The slightly blushing Darkness said to me as I raged:

"You'll be arrested if you do that, Kazuma. In-Instead of that, can you tell me specifically how you'll make Megumin beg for mercy…"

The living room.

I was hugging my knees inside my kotatsu screaming my head off while Darkness questioned me curiously.

Aqua, who was in front of the fireplace, said:

"Stop making a fuss so early in the morning. Really, stop squabbling. Everyone should be calm like me. Other than taking a bath, I've been in this spot after coming back yesterday."

"I don't want a bum who spends the entire day right on the couch to say that about me! Damn it! That ink is hard to wash off after it dries! I won't forgive that girl! I can see her crying face right before my eyes!"

"Tell me in detail how you will make her cry…"

Suddenly, the main door was knocked.

"Is that Megumin? You came back?"

"In detail… Um, that…"

I got out of the kotatsu and was planning to walk to the door…!

"Hahaha! Did you think it was the Crimson Demon girl with a screw loose? Too bad, it's moi! As the stubborn shop owner who has an amazing talent in holding on to trash is terrible at judging things, moi, who can see though all, will negotiate with you. Rejoice at moi arrival and be honored by moi presence. Come, let me see the merchandize you plan to place in our shop…! Hmm?"

Over there was a devil wearing a strange mask.

Seeing him, Aqua slowly got up from the couch before the fireplace–

"Hey, how did you get in here? There's a holy barrier meant keep out harmful insects like you."

"Ahhh. You mean that half-baked thing that was covering the mansion? So, it was a barrier. It was too weak, so I thought it was a failed product by a rookie priest. Pardon moi, but it broke when the powerful moi merely passed through it."

Aqua got down from the couch and stood in front of Vanir.

"Ara, ara, although you're saying that, you're tattered all over, Devil-san. How should I say this…? I never thought the legendary duke of hell would get so beat up over a barrier of this level."

She smiled innocently as she curiously poked at Vanir's crumbling body.

"Ahahaha! This body is but dust anyway! Moi have plenty of substitutes. Moi was just curious about the quality of that thin layer outside the mansion. Well, it isn't too bad for a newbie priestess, huh? Quite good for a human… And a rookie priestess! Hahaha!"

Aqua furrowed her brows, staring at the laughing Vanir closely like a delinquent.

Vanir matched Aqua's eye level and glared back.

"Hey, hey, this looks bad. Darkness, help me stop these two…! … What are you doing there? Why are you turning away?"

"… It's nothing."

She was asking me something just now, and was probably throwing a tantrum because I ignored her.

Darkness snuggled into the kotatsu by herself, ignoring the commotion that was happening.

"Hey, you two, I know it's in your nature to fight, but this is my house. Cut it out."

After I intervened reluctantly, the two of them pulled away from each other.

"Hey Kazuma, I don't know the specifics–could it be that you're making things like the kotatsu in order to do business with that thing? Hey, are you going to collude with that pest? With that parasite that steals souls and is always finding trouble with humans to live off their negative emotions? Really, what an unfunny joke! Fufufu!"

"Ahahaha, Devils like moi are most trustworthy since we honor our contracts, unlike those who target innocent people and gather them with lies like 'Believers will receive salvation'; a bunch of scammers who cons money under the guise of helping the poor. What's the common phrase they use… Ah, like 'God's always watching over you'. Hoho, how preposterous! So that guy who was recently caught peeping at the bathroom with gentle eyes is a god?! Ahahaha!"

The two of them laughed without emotion…

"..."

And suddenly fell silent.

"Sacred Exorcism!"

"Elegant Shedding!"

In response to Aqua's sudden shout, a pillar of light appeared from under Vanir's feet.

But Vanir immediately threw his mask away.

His original body was consumed by the light pillar and destroyed, but the mask which was his true body evaded the exorcism spell.

When it fell onto the carpet on the ground, it began constructing a new body.

Aqua lunged towards the mask and attempted to peel the mask from the new body.

"Ahahaha, so this is it! This is your true body! I caught it! I finally caught it! Well then, what should I do?! How should I deal with this thing?"

"Ahahaha, even if you destroy moi mask, there will be a 2nd or 3rd me one day…! Hey, don't pull moi mask off while I'm talking, moi body will crumble! At least wait for moi to say moi line…"

"Hey calm down. It's about time you two cut it out."

I once again intervened between Aqua, who was peeling off the mask excitedly, and Vanir, who was resisting with a tattered body.

– Vanir kneeled on the carpet as he appraised the items I had made.

"Hmm. Moi judgment of you was spot on. This will sell. It'll sell well. This kotatsu thing is also a great tool to keep one warm."

"..."

Darkness, who hid her legs in the kotatsu, kicked Vanir's hand. which was meddling with the kotatsu curiously, away.

I didn't know why Darkness had been throwing a tantrum just now, but I hoped she wouldn't interfere with the business discussion.

"Hmm, give moi a quote then. The previous agreement was ten percent revenue of the sold products to be paid monthly… But brat, are you interested in selling the intellectual rights of the products themselves? Including these items, moi am willing to buy it for three hundred million eris."

"Three hundred million?"

We shouted at the same time while Vanir inspected a rubbery object I created.

Three hundred million…! Three hundred million is an amount you can live off of for an entire lifetime without working if you don't splurge!

We were too shocked to move, but Vanir continued speaking.

"But moi thinks getting the monthly payout is a good idea too. After setting up the manufacturing line, you can get one million eris every month. We can nail down the details when we move into the retail phase… By the way, what's this thing used for?"

One million a month or a one time, three hundred million payout.

Oh no, what should I do? My life suddenly went into easy mode!

It might not sell so well forever, so I should take the three hundred million?

No, in order for me not to worry about the money in my account running dry, maybe getting a monthly payout would be better?

Oh right, the one making the deal is this devil.

This fellow's wandering around town with this mask on. Wouldn't he get arrested?

"This is known as a 'balloon'. It's a toy that'll become bigger if you blow into it. Let me play with it."

Aqua took the rubber from Vanir and started blowing.

"Oh. Give me one too…"

Darkness was curious and placed the rubber onto her lips.

. 

---------->

. 

… At this juncture, I was too afraid to tell them they were failed condoms I gave up on producing because I couldn't make them thinner.

"Anyway, wouldn't people notice if you walked around town in that get up?! Wouldn't people shout, 'That's a Demon King's General' and attack you?"

"Huh? What nonsense are you saying? This mask is different from moi previous one. Can't you see the 'II' shining brightly on moi forehead?"

So, what?

Darkness gestured at me before I could retort.

"Kazuma. The personality of that devil's problematic, but he won't do things like arson, murder or robbery. He seems to have given up on the maintenance of the Demon King's castle barrier, so the higher ups in the adventurer's guild want to observe him for now. Besides, he's staying in Wiz's shop, so if anything happens, the reputable shop owner will stop him in time."

Darkness whispered to me as I snuggled in the kotatsu.

I see. If Vanir didn't create any problems, then instead of aggravating him, it was better to leave him alone.

This devil was a former General of the Demon King's army after all.

Who knows how many casualties there would be if they attacked him head on.

"In summary of the above, the Demon King's General is deemed to have been defeated. The guild won't ask for the bounty money to be returned."

That would be a great help.

I finally had a little chance of making it rich, I wouldn't want to spoil it by getting burdened with debt again.

… But can you please stop speaking with a serious face while playing with contraceptives?

"Hmm. It'll take some time before the product is ready for retail. We can decide on the payment method then. Moi am a bit worried about the shop and will take moi leave now."

"That's great. Or else you'll stink up my holy sanctuary. Go, get lost!"

Aqua, waving her hand, chased Vanir out, and he left begrudgingly.

– One million monthly or one time three hundred million…

Part 3

"– These two have been acting this way ever since then."

"I see. I finally understand why these two are acting like fake celebrities."

After listening to Darkness's explanation, Megumin looked at me and said.

By the way, my favorite kotatsu had been taken away by Vanir.

I thought I would fight with Aqua over the special seat in front of the fireplace, but after gaining financial stability my heart became as generous as the sky.

Aqua and I sat on the couch before the fireplace cordially.

After staring at us blankly for a moment, Megumin finally stood up.

"Anyway, it's great that we have money. Since funding's no longer a problem… Let's do some grinding quests! We need to keep raising Kazuma's level!"

Megumin said with a cheerful smile while holding her staff…

"Ah? Don't wanna, what are you saying? We already have so much money, why do we still need to work and raise levels? That doesn't matter anymore."

I received the second cup of plain water from Aqua, and said unhesitantly while sipping it.

… Hey, it's about time you let me drink real tea.

"… Ah?"

I said to the stunned Megumin:

"Remember what happened last time? We prepared the equipment and drew up a battle plan, but I still died. I've decided. I won't go adventuring anymore. I'll work on my business from now on. I won't do dangerous work like adventuring, but instead lead a stable, peaceful life."

"Hey Kazuma-san, that won't do. If the Demon King isn't defeated, that would be a problem for me."

… Hmm.

"Then we'll make more money and hire lots of powerful adventurers. They'll help us raise our levels and then help in battling the Demon King. That's right, we'll lead an army of high level adventurers to invade the Demon King's castle. How does that sound? Taking down the Demon King sounds much more realistic, right?"

"That's right! As expected of Kazuma-san! We'll slap the adventurers in the face with our money and squeeze their value dry. After they've whittled the Demon King's health away, we'll go in and deal the final blow!"

"That's the way. As expected of the one who's been with me the longest, you're sharp."

While Aqua and I were laughing, Megumin started trembling.

"I-I won't acknowledge defeating the Demon King through the power of money! I won't acknowledge it! What do you think the Demon King is?! The existence of Demon King requires training and leveling up with comrades, awakening your mysterious power, before finally taking him down after a hard-fought battle! What the heck do you mean by hiring high-level adventurers to defeat the Demon King?"

"No, that might be so, but considering it pragmatically, no matter how high our levels get, there's still a limit. Even if I equip the most expensive equipment and get to a super high level, I'll still definitely die to the Demon King in a single blow… After defeating the Demon King's Generals and dispelling the barrier, how about hiring tons of high-level thieves and asking them to use the Lurk technique to assassinate the Demon King…?"

"What's with this shameless fighting style? That should be the way the Demon King's army fights, correct? Say something, Darkness! I have a feeling these two will get worse with each passing day… Darkness?"

When she heard Megumin, Darkness seemed to snap out of her deep thought.

"No… While watching Kazuma slowly turn into a bum, I'm curious how much of a jerk he'll become… Will he laze around and drown himself in alcohol and women, and start splurging his money…? And in the end, he'll say to me– 'Hey Darkness, use your slutty body to earn me some cash…!' With the belief that Kazuma would turn over a new leaf one day, I'll start prostituting myself…!"

"There's another depraved one over here! Ahhh, really, what should I do?!"

"Hey Megumin, don't lump me together with that pervert. I'm someone who died recently, okay? I even broke my neck in the fight with the lizard runners, at least let me recover my wounds in peace."

"Didn't you hurt yourself after falling from the tree? Normally you would need time to heal, but didn't you recover completely after receiving perfect treatment?"

I ignored Aqua, who was saying unnecessary things beside me, and rubbed my neck exaggeratedly.

"… I get it."

Megumin lowered her head and said softly.

"So, you understand. Well then, I'll take a nap to recover earlier and get back to the frontlines. I made an appointment with Dust and the guys to go drinking tonight, so someone please wake me up in the evening."

Megumin said to me as I was about to return to my room:

"… I get it. We'll go to treat Kazuma's wounds."

Megumin kept her head down and continued:

"Treatment? It's fine, I'll get better after resting for a while."

"To get you treated, let's go to the city of water and hot springs, 'Alcanretia'.

"Wait, what did you say?"

I heard something about hot springs.

I'll say it again because it's very important.

I heard something about hot springs.

"Hot springs? Hey, are you talking about that? We're going to the city of water and hot springs, Alcanretia?"

Aqua had a bigger reaction to the words 'hot springs' than me.

She claimed to be the goddess of water, so it was natural for her to be interested in the city of water and hot springs.

Speaking of hot springs.

Speaking of hot springs, you…!

"Oh, hot springs. Sounds great. After consecutive battles with powerful enemies, I'm getting mentally tired. My debts are gone too. Splurging every now and then and taking a trip to the hot springs isn't too bad."

"Really, Kazuma-san, why are you acting so fake about this?"

Aqua looked at my profile from a close distance under the glow of the fireplace.

Don't stare at me from so close.

… I noticed the eyes of Megumin, who was keeping her head down, shining.

"… I take it that Kazuma and Aqua are fine with the trip to the hot springs?"

I couldn't see her face because she was lowering her head, but Megumin seemed to be smiling deviously…

"How about you, Darkness…?"

"– And after I become more and more depraved, I'll say this! 'Please don't throw me away! I-I'll do anything! Master… Ahhh!'"

After seeing the blushing and squirming Darkness lost in her own world, Megumin became stiff.

"… It'll be better to leave her to watch the house."

"… Um, if Darkness doesn't tag along, the journey there will be a bit hard…"

Megumin replied reluctantly while looking at Darkness after hearing what I said.

… The journey there?

Part 4

– The next morning.

"It's morning! Hey, how long are you going to sleep? Is everyone ready? Hurry and get up, move!"

It was still early, but the noisy Aqua was making a racket.

She was probably looking forward to the hot spring trip and got up early.

As for me–

"Of course, I'm ready to go! Really, those two keep saying I'm a bum, just how long are they planning to sleep?"

"Right! I'll wake them up! Kazuma, you go to the carriage station and get the best seats for us."

"Okay, leave it to me. But I'll make a detour before going there."

I'll leave the job of waking those two to the puzzled Aqua.

I left the mansion with my luggage.

– The city of water and hot springs, Alcanretia.

I heard it would take a day and a half if we traveled by carriage from Axel.

If we took the first morning carriage, we'll only need to camp outside for one night.

Since I didn't know how long I would stay there, I wanted to tell that guy I would be away for some time.

I opened the door of the magic shop that was ready for business early in the morning and had barely any customers.

"Welcome!… Hmm, the brat whose active hours are similar to the undead. Why are you here so early in the morning? If you are looking for the owner, she has been burned to a crisp by moi punishment beam inside. Help yourself if you want to see her."

Vanir was hard at work packing something into a crate.

Peering into the depths of the shop, I found the burnt Wiz lying on the floor.

"… Wiz is your employer, correct? Is it fine to do that?"

"Don't joke with moi. If I allow the shop owner that collects junk free reign, we'll be in the red even if moi works for a thousand years. She'll bring in incredible goods when I'm not paying attention, wiping out all the revenue moi brings in."

I was really concerned with what exactly happened, but I was looking for this fellow today, not Wiz.

"No, actually… I'm looking for you today. I'll be going on a hot spring trip, so I hope to discuss our business dealings after I return."

"Oh, so it's about that. The manufacturing line has not been set up yet, so you can look forward to your mixed bath."

"I-I-I-I-I'm not looking forward to the mixed bath or anything, all right? My neck injury hurts, so I just want to go for treatment!… By the way, what are you packing? And why's Wiz burned up?"

After I asked him, Vanir showed the thing he was going to pack to me.

"That charcoal owner said while crying to moi, 'This is an excellent product! It'll sell! It'll sell! So, Vanir-san, please don't charge up your killer beam as you come near me!'. She was showing off this to moi. I'm planning to return it and I'm packing it into boxes… You want to buy it?"

"…? What is that, a magic item?"

"It seems to be able to help adventurers with the problem of going to the toilet outdoors. A magically compressed portable toilet that'll be ready once you open the cover. To protect the privacy of the user, it's designed to produce the sound of water."

"That sounds great, isn't that convenient?"

For adventurers who needed to camp outside, sanitation was an important issue.

"The cons are that the sound to cover the privacy of the user is too loud and will attract monsters. The water creation mechanism is too powerful and will result in flooding…"

"Forget it then. Is there any magic item that you recommend?"

When he heard me say that, Vanir picked up a bottle from the shelf.

"Recommendations? How about the bottle that'll explode once you open it, purchased by moi debt-ridden shop owner? Just thirty thousand eris for one. If you bring it to the bank and attempt to open it at the counter, you will get a large sum of money. How about one?"

"Who would want that? Aren't there any normal magic items in this shop…?"

Vanir sighed deeply in response.

"The ditzy shop owner has extraordinary talent in buying things that can't be used. She'll buy weird things whenever moi isn't paying attention…"

Vanir stopped at this point.

"… By the way, brat. You mentioned that you are going on a hot spring trip, correct?"

"…? Yes, what about it?"

Vanir shoved his mask over fiercely.

"Can you bring this ditzy shop owner along with thee? To mass produce your products, moi needs a large amount of money soon. But with this thing in the shop, she'll buy strange items and waste moi capital. This owner is only strong in her power as a lich. Moi foresight might seem powerful, but it can't see the future of someone as strong as moi."

"… So, you want me to watch over Wiz for a while? I'm fine with that, but I don't know how the undead-hating Aqua will react…"

"… The shop owner who looked thin while wearing clothes actually loves the baths. This devil that can see through everything prophesizes: 'During this trip, you have a good chance of entering a mixed bath'."

"Leave it to me, I'll take her there!"

– When I reached the carriage station, Aqua and the others were already waiting.

"Hey, I thought I told you to save some seats for us… What's that on your back?"

While piggybacking Wiz, who was burned and showing the white of her eyes, I explained the situation to everyone.

"Hmm? Eh, I'm fine with that. But this child's fading away."

Unexpectedly, Aqua readily accepted it. The unconscious Wiz was really turning transparent.

"Hey, hey, is that really okay? Use recovery spell… Ah, that'll have the opposite effect on the undead!"

"Calm down, Kazuma. Use Drain Touch and share your life force with her!"

"Traveling out of town, huh…? When I was little, my father brought me to the royal capital for the birthday of the princess. I haven't left this territory since then… Um, what is it Kazuma? Why are you holding my hand– ahhh!?"

I took the hand of Darkness, who was reminiscing about something, and used Drain Touch.

I used the life force I got from Darkness and pushed it into Wiz on my back. Wiz started becoming clearer and regained consciousness.

"Hmm…? Isn't this Kazuma-san, this place is…?"

As Wiz started surveying the surroundings after waking up, Darkness strangled me.

"You… You… You jerk! I was having a nostalgic moment, why must you do this every time…?"

"Ugu, I had no choice. This was an emergency! You have the most vitality among us, so it had to be you!"

"Customers! If you don't get on now, I'll leave you behind!"

Part 5

Although adventurers like us could be employed as escorts, I didn't want to fight if something happened, so, we paid the fee and chose to be normal passengers.

I don't want to fight.

That's right. I died fighting the monsters around this town, so I didn't think I could handle dangerous monsters that would attack a large group of carriages.

Fortunately, we received about ten million eris each from the battle with Vanir.

It was a rare chance for a vacation, so there shouldn't be any problem with splurging a little.

"Hey Kazuma! Let's take that carriage! My judgment says that riding that carriage will be awesome. By the way, I want the window seat. I want to sit in the place where I can see the scenery clearly. Hey Kazuma, go buy the tickets. Go do it now so no one else can buy the seats on the wagon!"

Aqua said these demeaning words as she stared at the most expensive carriage with shining eyes.

The smaller carriage had a cargo compartment built behind the passenger compartment.

The cargo compartment was already packed full of luggage.

Behind the driver were the wooden passenger seats.

There should be seats for five people there…

"… Hey gramps, why has one of the seats been taken? What is this? It's so bothersome."

One of the five seats had been occupied.

On the seat was a lizard kept in a small cage.

A red-eyed lizard the size of a cat that looked fierce with its glowing eyes.

Eh, could this be…?

"Customer, that's a young red dragon. Its owner is on that carriage over there, but he paid the fees for this dragon. Even though it'll be a bit uncomfortable, I'll need one of the customers to move to the cargo compartment behind…"

I see–I accepted the carriage driver's words.

One of the tickets was cheaper for that carriage.

It wasn't good to let one of us take the carriage with strangers, so let's take this one.

"… And now, here's the problem…"

"Rock-paper-scissors! I think that's the best way to decide in this situation!"

When I was about to say something, Aqua interrupted me.

She seemed to realize that if this went on, she'll end up holding the short straw just like usual.

Aqua knew from experience she'll be relegated to the cargo compartment.

"Um, well… I think I should go since I joined it out of the blue…"

I already explained to Wiz that Vanir asked me to bring her to the hot spring trip. She raised her hand timidly.

But I already got Wiz's share of the travel fare from Vanir.

I couldn't let her be treated unfairly.

"No Wiz. We should do this fairly. All right Aqua… Rock-paper-scissors, huh? No problem."

"Huh?"

Aqua was probably surprised by how easily I agreed to this.

… Rock-paper-scissors. Okay, I accept.

So, rock-paper-scissors existed in this world too.

Maybe the Japanese who came here before me spread their culture around as well.

Darkness and Megumin seemed fine with it and got ready.

Aqua seemed to be focusing all her strength in her fist…!

"Then let's go! Rock-paper-scissors!"

I showed scissors while the others chose paper. I won alone.

As I was about to enter the carriage, Aqua stopped me.

"Who said it was by elimination? The rule is that the five of us keep playing until only one loser emerges."

"That's bullshit!"

I knew she had some scheme in mind when she mentioned rock-paper-scissors.

… Fine.

"Hey Aqua, want to duel with me? I'll play three rounds one-on-one with you. If you win just one time, I'll go sit in the cargo compartment."

"Really?… Kazuma's an idiot, right? Do you even know what the laws of probability are? Kazuma's chances of winning three in a row is astronomically low."

I faced Aqua, who was speaking arrogantly, and shooed the other three people inside.

"I've never lost in rock-paper-scissors."

Three rounds. Rock-paper…!

"– This isn't right! Something is wrong! You must've cheated! Please, once more! If I lose again I'll go sit in the cargo compartment!"

Aqua, who lost three times in a row, promptly complained to me on the verge of tears.

Really, this girl's annoying.

"Don't go back on your words, okay? If you throw a tantrum again, I'll tie you up with a rope."

After hearing what I said, Aqua sneered.

"So, you accept, right? No take backs Kazuma! I don't know how you're cheating, but if you want to play it that way, I have something up my sleeves too! Blessing!"

"Ah! That's dirty!"

Aqua cast a buffing spell on herself.

This spell Blessing grants a blessing from the gods.

The effect differs from person to person, but it'll improve one's luck for a limited time.

"Luck is part of one's skill, including luck bestowed by magic! Let's go! Rock-paper-scissors!"

I won.

"Why?!"

I gestured at Aqua and shooed her to the cargo compartment, and said at the same time:

"Actually, I've never lost in rock-paper-scissors since I was little. It's incredible."

My strong luck seemed to only work in such a situation.

"Despicable! This is a scam! This is cheating, a cheat ability! You're born with such a unique power? Then bringing me to this world as your cheat item is void! Send me back now! Let me go back to the heavens you shitty cheater!"

This bitch!

"Are you looking for a fight? You're telling me my special power is 'winning in rock-paper-scissors'? Are you stupid, how can I fight with monsters with such an ability? You want me to tell the Demon King, 'Stop bothering the people if I win rock-paper-scissors', you dumb broad?"

"But! But!!"

I grabbed Aqua, who refused to let the matter go.

"The most infuriating thing is you claiming to be my cheat item! Don't make me laugh, what kind of cheat is that? If I can exchange you for a unique cheat ability, I would've done it a long time ago!"

"Waaahhhh! You dare say that? That hurts! Stop pulling my cheeks!!"

Part 6

I didn't know how long we spent on the clattering and shaking carriage.

The town we were staying in was out of sight and unfamiliar scenery spread out before our eyes.

The side of the carriage had a small window; I seldom leave the town and was enjoying the scenery outside casually.

Although I was an adventurer, this was the first time I set off on a journey after coming to this world.

Darkness beside me was kneeling in her seat while dressed in armor, sticking to the window like a child. She stared at the scenery outside with shining eyes.

For the daughter of nobility, the world outside the town was new to her.

Maybe Megumin had seen more of the world than we had. Compared to the scenery outside the windows, she was more interested in the dragon inside the cage.

Although she mumbled, 'Chomusuke is cuter', she was still searching her pockets for something to feed the dragon.

Wiz smiled as she patted Chomusuke's head as it rested on her lap. For some reason, Chomusuke was sticking close to her.

. 

---------->

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– During this peaceful journey.

"Kazuma-san! Kazuma-sama! My butt hurts. It really hurts. Isn't it about time for someone to swap places with me!"

I could hear Aqua's voice from the shaking cargo compartment.

… Couldn't be helped.

"I'll trade places with you at the next resting stop. Just bear with it until that happens."

Aqua was overjoyed when she heard me say that, and hugged her knees while she hummed.

"Wouldn't it be better for me to change with her? By the way, why did Vanir-san suddenly ask me to go on vacation? Hehe… Vanir-san always shows his kindness in small ways like this. He'll say, 'Wiz, just sit at the counter and smile at the customers. Please don't work.' He cares deeply about me…"

Wiz said with a smile.

I didn't tell her the real reason she was tagging along with me.

I couldn't say it.

"Hmm~? That strange masked man is a devil, but he takes such good care of others? Does he have some hidden motives?"

"Aqua-sama, Vanir-san has his good points too. He's working hard in chasing away the crows gathering at the garbage dump. The housewives in the neighborhood call him 'Crow Slayer Vanir-san'.

Why was that devil sucking up to his neighbors?

Including ours, there were several carriages advancing in a single file.

On the carriages were a lot of escort adventurers and travelers, filled with all sorts of goods.

If men and carriages congregate in large numbers, weak monsters will run away.

It should be safe to be in the center of the carriage convoy.

… Even though I knew how screwed up this world was.

While I was idly thinking about this.

– The first to notice was me.

I was thinking this was a good time to use it, so I used my Farsight skill to watch the scenery outside the window and noticed a cloud of dust some distance away.

Although it was still far away, from the way the dust cloud was getting bigger, I could tell something was closing in at an incredible speed.

"… Hey, what is that?"

I pointed to the dust cloud and asked Darkness, who was looking out the window on the other side.

Darkness, who didn't have Farsight, probably couldn't see the dust cloud I was pointing at and frowned.

I had an ominous feeling and said to the driver:

"Excuse me, I can see a cloud of dust coming our way. They are approaching really fast… Do you know what that could be?"

When he heard what I said, the driver, who was holding the reigns, casually answered.

"Dust cloud? A creature in the vicinity that's fast enough to kick up a cloud… sounds like the lizard runners, right? But I heard the princess runner that was leading the pack was defeated, so it might be a sand whale shooting out sand? The only other creature that fits the bill would be hawkite runners."

… What's with this monster that has a joke-like name.

"Hey, don't look at me like that, customer. I didn't come up with the name. This is a hybrid of a hawk and black kite, the king of birds. It's a bird but it can't fly. On the other hand, it has extraordinary leg power. It can run at high speed and will pounce on its prey, a very dangerous monster."

I didn't want to be attacked by a monster with such a stupid name.

The driver saw something from my expression and said with a smile:

"Don't worry, customer. Like the lizard runners, these fellows' mating season is during spring. To attract females during the bird's mating season, the males will take part in a bravery contest known as a 'Chicken Race'. They'll sprint towards some hard object that looks like it'd be very painful if they crash into it, and then avoid it at the last moment. Some of them won't be able to stop in time and die from the impact. These fellows have the instinct of searching for tough and hard objects. They'll definitely crash into the trees or boulders beside them."

I see. That's a relief.

After accepting this answer, I returned to my seat once more.

And looked at the dust cloud…

– It was getting closer.

It was definitely far closer than just a moment ago.

And that dust cloud was heading straight for us.

"Excuse me, sorry for troubling you! I think they're charging at us more energetically than before. Will it really be okay?"

Hearing me say that, the driver pulled the reins to slow the carriage down and squinted at the dust cloud…

"… Hmm, those are hawkite runners. Yup, that's it. But why are they heading this way–something's wrong customer, maybe someone in the convoy is carrying some hard ores like adamantite? These critters will chase after hard objects. The others in the convoy seem to have noticed too. Please rest easy. They seem to be heading this way. In fact, they seem to be heading towards this carriage. Or rather…!

They were charging towards the passenger seats of this carriage.

Which means…!

"Kazuma! Some creatures are charging at us really rapidly! Or rather… I think they are staring at me! What… What a passionate gaze! Ah… Ah…! Oh no, Kazuma, this is bad! If this goes on, I'll collide violently with that group speeding over here and get trampled…!!"

"So, it was you!!"

I felt an incoming headache.

"Customer, I'll pull over for now! That way, the escorts on the other carriages will protect this carriage and the customers!"

… I'm sorry everyone, my Crusader is too hard.

I whispered to Darkness:

"Hey Darkness, those monsters are aiming for you. I hear they like to crash into tough and hard objects. They're aiming at your rock-hard muscles."

"Hey Kazuma, I'm a cute and frail girl. Stop saying rock-hard muscles, all right? It's because my armor contains a small quantity of adamantite. With my defensive skills on top of that… That must be the reason why they're lured here… It… It's true. Don't look at me like that. My body isn't that hard…!

After the carriage stopped, Darkness and I jumped off.

"Megumin, Aqua, we're heading out! By right we don't need to fight, but it's kind of our fault that they are headed this way. We have to clean up after ourselves!"

After hearing what I said, Megumin and Aqua alighted too.

"I'll help too!"

Wiz shouted and got ready to alight.

"Vanir asked me to protect you! I know you're strong, but stay in the carriage for now! Help me protect the driver!"

Wiz nodded in agreement, and the driver, who didn't know the truth, shouted:

"Customer! Customer! You paid for the carriage ride! Please hide somewhere safe!"

Sorry! My comrade was probably the reason why this was happening!

Naturally, the apology in my heart couldn't be conveyed.

"Adventurers! We're counting on you!"

With the voice of some guy as their cue, the adventurers who took the job of carriage escorts picked up their weapons and leapt off the carriages!

Darkness walked straight toward the hawkite group charging toward the flank of the convoy.

It was shameful to say, but I hid behind Darkness.

Even if I stepped up by myself, I would die after getting hit by monsters running at such a speed.

I got Aqua to cast buffing spells and asked Megumin to prepare explosion magic to be cast at a moment's notice.

These birds with the head of a hawk and the body of an ostrich were faster than horses and bigger than bulls.

They charged on with no signs of slowing down.

"Hey, that Crusader over there! You're not an escort, so get back!"

A man who looked like a warrior said.

But Darkness didn't stop.

"Hey! The monsters are heading straight for that Crusader…! It's Decoy! Crusaders can use luring skills to aggravate the enemies! That Crusader isn't an escort, but she's still pulling all the enemies toward her!"

An archer man said.

– I apologize, she wasn't using any skills. I apologize again.

"Hey, that Crusader shows no sign of backing off in the face of so many enemies! So, so cool…! How… How brave…!"

Some female wizard commented.

– I apologize, she's doing it for a completely different reason. I apologize.

As Darkness was walking forward with a blushed face full of excitement, an adventurer in a thief outfit chased after Darkness with a rope in hand!

"How can I let a paying customer, who isn't even taking the salary for escort duty, face danger!? I'll provide support, take this–Bind!"

"What?"

Darkness reacted immediately when she heard that.

I heard Chris mention this skill before.

The skill of a thief, Bind.

When Darkness and Chris adventured together, their tactics were for Chris to use this skill on an enemy and Darkness hitting the immobile foe.

Ah, I see.

That's the reason why the clumsy Darkness could move that fast after hearing the name of that skill.

Darkness charged toward the hawkite in front of her… That didn't happen.

Instead, she seemed to be shielding the hawkite the thief was targeting–

And ran happily into the space between that man and the hawkite.

Darkness was immediately bounded by the rope and looked just like a bagworm squirming on the ground.

With a red face and heated voice, Darkness shouted at the stunned thief:

"Ugu? How disgraceful! To be bounded before the enemy! If this goes on…! I'll be trampled by that group of monsters!"

– I apologize, I'm sorry for this pervert of ours.

The monsters kicked up dust clouds as they charged at Darkness, who was down on the ground.

The man who looked like a thief screamed in pain as he looked at Darkness.

"Could it be, she was afraid I would get targeted by the monster because of my skill, so she took the Bind in the place of the monster? I'm sorry! I wanted to support you but got in the way instead, forgive me!"

– I apologize, I apologize for this comrade of mine! Really, I'm sorry!

Part 7

– Chicken Race.

This is a game where one demonstrates their courage by speeding dangerously close to a cliff or obstacle, only to avoid it the very last moment.

And now, the obstacle chosen for this dangerous game was–

"Kazuma, Kazuma! It's coming! The next one's high! This is it this time! Ahhh, it's going to crash!"

Darkness, whose limbs were bound, said.

The hawkite runners were charging at Darkness with their heads down…!

Just when you thought they'd collide, they jump just above Darkness with their chest facing the sky like high jumpers. 

They would then start running again nonchalantly and move past me and the other adventurers.

There were more hawkites charging towards Darkness, but they would jump straight up, do splits, or even somersault over her the moment before impact.

"Kazuma! Is this part of an anxiety play? Leaving the close shaves aside…! What's going on? The horny males are jumping over me one after another…!"

"Hey, shut your mouth, there are other people watching!"

Aqua beside me puffed out her chest with a gleeful expression, as if she was saying, 'Praise me'.

"All right, all right, well done. I'll trade places with you after this is over."

When she heard me say that, Aqua clenched her fists and cheered.

I made her cast buffing magic that would improve Darkness's luck for a period, Blessing.

Darkness, who was squirming around anxiously, had great luck due to the spell, so she wouldn't be hit for now.

In the meantime, the adventurer escorts made their move.

"Spells! The enemy moves fast, so use spells!"

In response to these words, the mages started chanting at the same time…!

"Lightning!"

"Blade of Wind!"

"Fire Ball!"

The spells flew chaotically at the approaching monsters.

The hawkites hit by the spells maintained their speed despite losing consciousness, tumbling into the carriages and adventurers one after another.

They already reached a certain speed, so taking them out wouldn't stop their bodies from charging forward due to the inertia. They simply couldn't be stopped.

The adventurers and carriages collided with the speeding hawkite, causing serious damage.

The surviving hawkites that leapt over Darkness didn't slow down and turned around.

The merchants and adventurers who saw that were shaken.

What were they planning?

What I saw was–the squirming Darkness that was targeted by the monsters.

… Looking at her, an idea came to my mind.

"Gramps, is there anything like a cliff around here?"

I grabbed the driver, who was watching blankly, and asked him.

I wanted to use Darkness as bait to lure the monsters and lead them to their death by hanging Darkness before a cliff so she wouldn't fall off.

That way, after they jump over her, they'll fall off the cliff one after another…!

"No, there aren't any cliffs around here… Aside from a cavern which provides shelter from sudden rain, there's nothing around here."

When I heard the driver's answer, I thought that things wouldn't proceed so smoothly–

… Cavern.

"Gramps, is that cavern nearby? If it is, let's take the carriage there! Megumin, Aqua, get on!"

I instructed the two beside me and ran toward Darkness.

As I struggled to undo the ropes on Darkness…!

"Huh? Hey, what the hell; there are no knots? How in the world?!"

I wanted to undo the ropes but there were no knots…!

I turned to the man who cast Bind on Darkness.

"Sorry! Once Bind is cast, it can't be undone before the effect time is over! You can only cut the ropes one by one with something sharp like a knife…!"

Hey, are you kidding me?

I turned back to look at the hawkite runners; the leading monster was already heading this way.

There was no time!

"Kazuma! I don't know what you're planning to do, but don't mind me, just drag me with you! This rope is tough enough, this is faster than cutting it one at a time! Don't waste time, this is an emergency!"

"That's true. But I don't want you who made this mess to tell me that!"

I dragged the heavy Darkness with me and moved towards to the carriage that was ready to move.

"There are hawkites over there!"

Someone warned us.

At the same time, I heard consecutive magical explosions.

Ignoring this noise, I tried to board the carriage…

"Hey, what should we do now? You're too heavy, I can't carry you onto the carriage alone!"

"Don't… Don't say I'm heavy. You need to specify that it's my armor that's heavy! Just tie me to the carriage with a rope and drag me along! It can't be helped, this is an emergency! Don't hold back, there's no other way!"

Depravetina argued with anticipation in her eyes.

"Hey, use this rope! Sorry for troubling you!"

The one throwing me the rope was the thief that bound Darkness.

I should be the one apologizing in all sorts of manners for this pervert of ours.

I used the rope I caught to tie Darkness to the carriage…!

"Customer, we have to go now! The carriage will get destroyed!"

I shouted in reply to the anxious voice of the driver.

"All right, let's go gramps! Darkness, tell me if it's too hard on you! I'll undo the rope immediately!"

Darkness, who was looking forward to what was going to happen to her, squirmed with a blushed face while under bondage, unable to hear what I was saying.

"Ahhh… I'm getting dragged by a horse while being bound by ropes…! And the males that are chasing after me while I'm like this…!"

Maybe she would be happier if I just left her here all tied up.

The carriage started accelerating with Darkness in tow.

"Hey Kazuma, Darkness, she–! I know Kazuma's terrible, but this is too much!"

"This is going too far…"

"No, no! This isn't my idea, it's Darkness, she…!"

While the two of them were staring at me accusingly after I got on the carriage, the driver yelled hoarsely.

"Customer, what should I do? They're heading this way! They're gaining on us! Where should we go?"

The driver probably wanted to leave us behind, but didn't do so because he collected the travel fees from us. It must be hard on them.

"To the caverns! The caverns you mentioned just now!"

The carriage frantically moved at full speed while the hawkites behind inched closer.

They had the speed advantage, oh no, they'll…!

"Bottomless Swamp!"

A clear voice sounded out from within the carriage.

At the same time, a large swamp appeared between the hawkites and the carriage.

The one leading the pack fell in, its legs sinking down.

That was Wiz.

Seeing the carriage about to be caught, she used magic to hinder their advancement.

However, the monsters went around the swamp and continued chasing us.

The group of hawkite continued their pursuit and their target Darkness was…!

"Um, ahhh… How, how shameful–! My armor's clanking loudly! Ahhh, my cape's all torn and tattered, how unnoble-like…! Don't… Don't look! Don't look Kazuma, stop watching my torn and tattered appearance… Ahhh!"

Darkness, her cheeks flushed, kept saying 'Don't look', but she seemed so happy.

She would glance our way from time to time, and her face would turn red when she saw everyone's gazes.

A leopard can't change its spots.

Even when her body was manipulated, she still asked Megumin to strike her down together with Vanir. Where did my cool and brave comrade disappear to?

"Heal! Heal!"

Aqua beside me busied herself with casting recovering magic on Darkness.

"Kazuma! I can see the caverns! I'm ready to cast my spell at any time!"

"All right, wait for my signal!"

Inside the shaking carriage that was speeding along.

I gave instructions to Megumin while nocking an arrow on my bow…!

"Gramps, stop the carriage when you see the caverns! Aqua, give me a strength buff spell!… Snipe! Snipe! Snipe!"

I stuck my body out of the carriage window and kept shooting at the hawkites closing in.

All the arrows struck the hawkites in the head thanks to my skill.

Seeing their own kind fall before them, the hawkites spread their wings and cawed loudly as they ran!

"Pihyororororoo!"

I see. Hawkite runners.

I was wondering what made these Hawkite runners kites of any kind. That clears things up.

The driver shouted desperately at this moment.

"Customer, we're in front of the caverns! No one come here unless it's raining, so you can go all out!… I'm braking, so grab onto something!"

As everyone grabbed on to something, the carriage braked violently beside the cavern entrance.

The hawkites were right behind us.

Although we stopped, they showed no signs of following suit.

Not only that, they were running even faster after being attacked.

– Using my strength that was enhanced by Aqua's buffing, I leapt off the carriage and grabbed the rope tying Darkness to the carriage. I flung Darkness as if I was performing a hammer throw, tossing her before the entrance of the cavern!

"Ahhh? Good, such wonderful service! As expected of Kazuma! After dragging me with a horse, you're now throwing me out as bait for the monsters… Ughh…?"

Darkness became quiet after she landed before the cavern entrance.

At the same time…!

"Pihyororororoo!"

With their shrill cries, the hawkite runners charged at Darkness.

Their heads were almost touching the ground. They jumped away the moment before they collided with Darkness.

Straddling jump, Fosbury flop, western roll and even scissors jump.

The hawkite runners jumped over Darkness like a burst of wind and charged into the cavern.

In no time, the entire flock was inside. The instant the last one entered the cavern.

"Megumin! Now!"

I tugged the rope connected to Darkness, pulling her as far away as possible and gave the orders to Megumin, who had completed chanting her spell.

"Explosion–!!"

After receiving her orders, Megumin cast her devastating explosion spell into the cavern.

A flash of light from the tip of her staff seemed to chase after the monsters in the cavern and was sucked into the darkness…!

And the knoll was blown up along with the cavern with a boom.

Part 8

– Evening, after the sun had completely set.

Along with the people of caravan, we set up several campfires.

The carriages formed a circle around the fire, acting like a barricade.

I heard that such a placement could block the wind and act as a wall against any monsters that attacked them.

Although it would take some time for the carriages to start moving again, it's almost impossible to travel by carriage safely in the dark.

Taking that into consideration, this was a reasonable formation.

"Here, eat more! Help yourselves! This is high-quality meat!"

The one offering the well roasted meat of some sort was an old man leading this caravan.

Our excellent performance in defeating the hawkites during the day made us very popular for some reason.

At this point, I was too afraid to say they were attracted by that Crusader of ours.

Hence, I felt a bit guilty. But I still accepted his hospitality…

"Speaking of which, that was splendid! To think we have such a great mage that can use Explosion with us…! And an Archpriest that can heal so many casualties so easily. And a brave Crusader who didn't take a single step back in the face of the hawkite runners and took them all on…! The lady who created a swamp with high-level spells in an instant! Finally, your wise judgment to lure the enemies into the cavern to wipe them out! It's perfect!"

Just spare me.

The truth wasn't like that. Everything was our fault.

"No, no, no, that was just a coincidence. Um… I've said it a number of times already, but we don't need the payout for escort duties…"

"What are you saying? You were the ones that took out most of the hawkites!"

That's right. He was talking about giving us salary as escorts.

"No, no, no, really! I mean it! As adventurers, it's only normal to participate in the fight in that situation! No need! We really can't accept this!!"

I tried my best to reject his offer.

This was like fixing a match. I wasn't thick skinned enough to accept the rewards so readily.

But this leader was trembling from gratitude for some reason.

"… What wonderful people you all are! My eyes have been opened! To think that there are still real adventurers like you all in this tough world !"

… And he said that.

To avoid being exposed, I better not talk too much with this person.

Aqua went to another bonfire to display her party tricks and conned wine from them.

For unknown reasons, Wiz was dragged along by Aqua.

Darkness, who had been thrown before the cavern entrance as bait, was blown away from the entrance by the explosion, and her armor was tattered all over.

She suffered light wounds, but those had already been healed by Aqua.

Right now, she was beside me, staring intently as her armor was being repaired.

The one repairing the armor was me.

I never imagined the Smithing skill I learned to invent merchandize would be used in such a way.

Megumin was watching me repair the armor too.

It was such dull and tedious work. I didn't know why they were watching it with so much interest…

The dented part of the armor required stripping away the material inside that absorbed the impact, and then knocking it from the inside to flatten it. After that, the scratches would be removed with sandpaper.

Finally, the impact absorption material would be sewn back in…

"It's hard to do this when you all stare at me like that…"

Megumin, her eyes sparkling, said,

"No, I think you're repairing it perfectly. I think you can make a living as a blacksmith."

"… Hmm, it feels great seeing my armor being fixed right before my eyes."

Darkness said afterwards

– There were more than ten carriages and the caravan had plenty of people too.

Several dozen people camping under the stars and chatting around the fire; a scene straight out of a fantasy world.

The bonfire Aqua was mingling in was suddenly in an uproar.

I looked over there curiously. She seemed to be showing some of her best tricks.

Aqua was being treated like a guest of honor–

"One more time! Aqua-sama, please do it again! Once more!"

"If you want money, I'll pay! Please perform it once more!"

The people in the caravan kept saying that.

Can't this girl just make a living out of that?

The people in this caravan seemed to have come from a faraway city to do business here.

… I understand it now. They didn't know about our infamous members.

If the townsfolk who knew us were to have learned about this incident, they would be probably be saying, 'So you guys stirred up trouble again?'.

… I felt like sleeping.

We weren't escorts, so we didn't have watch duties.

I told them I was about to retire for the night.

"… All right. Sleeping is fine, but please be ready to get up at any moment."

I didn't know why, but Megumin was smiling deviously as she said that.

– Late into the night.

I woke up after hearing a sound.

Someone was on watch, but they didn't seem to have noticed this sound.

Looking to the side, I saw my comrades sleeping before the fireplace.

I didn't see Aqua and Darkness, but Megumin and Wiz were still sleeping.

I had a bad feeling about this.

Faint noises could be heard from beyond the carriages that were acting as a barricade.

It would be better to wake everyone up.

"Hey, get up, Megumin. Wiz too, something seems off."

I shook Megumin's shoulders.

But Megumin was drooling and sleeping soundly.

"… Hey. Megumin, Wiz, wake up. If you don't get up, I'll do something that'll make you too embarrassed to look at my face for several days. I don't mind and won't be troubled if you don't get up. But with the excuse of waking you up, I won't hold back. Can you not get up? All right."

"How can it be all right? What are you planning to do?"

"Uwahhh!"

I jumped because of the sound that came from behind me.

My heart almost came out from my mouth!

"Hey Darkness, don't scare me like that. Tell me if you're awake. Any later and you would've witnessed something incredible happening before you.

Darkness, who was supposed to be sleeping near me just like Megumin, said:

"… So, you really were planning to do something. No, putting that aside…"

Darkness lowered her voice and watched the surrounding guardedly.

Right now, she looked just like a decent adventurer. That indecent Crusader I saw during the day was nowhere to be found.

… Oh?

I sensed something. My enemy detection skill was tingling.

The person on watch was the thief-like adventurer with us during the day.

His enemy detection skill was probably triggered too and he shouted:

"Hey, something's coming! Everyone get up!"

When they heard his voice, the adventurers and the caravan party got up in a shock.

Using my Farsight skill, I surveyed the carriages in the dark and found numerous squirming figures.

… What was that, people? But their movement were too stiff for humans.

"Hey, there are lots of them! They're humanoid in shape but move too slow!"

The people who heard me shouting lighted the tip of their torch with the bonfire to illuminate the outside of the carriages.

The things squirming under the shine of the torches were…

With rotting flesh that gave you goosebumps –

– We could tell within a glance they were the undead monster–zombies.

"Wahhh!"

When they saw the impactful scene through the light of the torches, everybody screamed… Including me.

Darkness, who had taken off her armor, picked up the great sword beside her and stood up.

I handed Megumin, who was still sleeping without a care in the world, to Darkness and said:

"Take care of her! I'll get Aqua here, this is her time to shine!"

Let's quietly pay back the debt we owed the caravan during the day.

A lot of people were hurt because of the hawkite Darkness attracted, and the carriages were damaged too.

I was too timid to tell them the incident earlier was our fault, so let's use this chance to clear the slate.

I looked for Aqua and searched around the area…!

"Wahhh! What's happening? Why am I surrounded by undead just when I wake up? Kazuma-san! Kazuma-sama!!"

I looked toward the source of the voice and saw Aqua, who was leaning against the carriage, being surrounded by zombies.

Hmm… Hey, wait, could it be…?

"Attacking while I'm sleeping, how dare you undead! Lost souls, rest in peace–Turn Undead!"

With Aqua's shout, a warm white light spread out.

The people around us were in an uproar when they saw that.

When they were touched by the light emitted by Aqua, the zombie crowd was purified and disappeared…

The ones who witnessed this scene erupted in cheers.

But seeing this scene filled my heart with a certain emotion.

– Guilt.

"Ah, fu, hahaha, count yourselves unlucky to have shown up while this lady's here! I'll purify all of you from head to toe!"

With her head high, chest out and illuminated by the bonfire, she looked like a goddess guiding lost souls back to heaven.

I muttered while I watched:

"… Sorry…"

Seeing Aqua continuing to purify the zombies, the crowd was certain of victory and praised her.

"What a beautiful priestess…! She's just like a goddess!!"

"Ahhh, the zombies are being purified one by one…! This lady's the comrade of the Crusader who protected us during the day…!"

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

All my comrades were so regrettable.

"It's rare for zombies to attack, but luckily that Archpriest-sama is here!"

I apologize! If that goddess of ours wasn't here, there probably wouldn't be any zombies congregating here.

"Easy peasy~ How's that Kazuma? I'm a model goddess! I've been actively performing during this trip, right? It's about time you give me an offering or two!"

It couldn't be helped since her body type attracted the undead, but I still felt like beating up that girl who was getting so close to me with an arrogant face.

"Ahhh!! Be strong Wiz! Someone… Wiz, she…!"

I thought I heard the panicking voice of Darkness. But at this moment, the leader of the caravan came before me and Aqua.

"Oh, you saved us again! I must give you all a reward this time!"

I'm sorry, but I can't accept!