Watching the bandit leader leave, everyone prepared to return to the carriage. This was just a small episode during their journey, nothing worth making a fuss about.
That’s what they all thought. After all, mere bandits couldn’t cause them any trouble; they had resolved the situation with ease.
But others didn’t see it that way — especially the other adventurers serving as guards for the caravan. When surrounded by the group of bandits, they had shown no will to resist.
The reason was simply that the adventurers from Axel were too weak... No, that might not be entirely accurate.
Axel did have powerful adventurers, but they were all hidden experts who hadn’t joined the caravan this time.
"Wait, wait!" Just as they were about to return to the carriage, the caravan owner ran up to them, "Hahaha! As expected of Lord Governor, you’re truly powerful! I can’t believe you drove away the bandits without breaking a sweat!"
He was extremely pleased. After all, there were no casualties, and the goods weren’t stolen. Naturally, he was happy to suffer no losses.
"No, this wasn’t my achievement, but hers — the Arch-Wizard Megumin, the ’Number One in Explosion Magic’ from the Hero’s party! It was her accomplishment!"
He introduced Megumin, who was currently huddled in his arms, to the caravan owner.
Though the title was a bit of a mouthful, Adam still proclaimed her name, fulfilling her long-held desire for fame.
"That’s right! It was me, Megumin!"
"Hahaha! As expected of Axel’s ’most famous’ Arch-Wizard!" New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novelFirｅ.net
Hearing the caravan owner’s praise, Adam suspected he was being sarcastic. But when the man took out a bag of Eris (money), Adam understood he was sincerely praising Megumin.
"This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, great Arch-Wizard." Although he said this, his gaze remained fixed on Adam, carrying a slightly pleading look.
Was it because he had been refused earlier and now wanted to curry favor through Megumin... or was it genuine?
"Megumin, it’s your decision."
"Hmph! Of course I’ll take it!" Just as Adam expected, Megumin took the Eris without hesitation.
But she deserved it. Scaring off a bandit group single-handedly wasn’t something just anyone could do; she had earned this money fair and square.
The caravan owner’s hand lightened as the bulging money pouch was taken, but he didn’t seem to mind the loss. Instead, he grinned happily.
"Hehehe, then I won’t disturb the Hero’s party any further. I need to go organize the caravan."
With that, he turned and left.
As expected of a shrewd merchant — his social skills were quite impressive.
"Alright, let’s go back." Adam carried Megumin back to the carriage, and everyone else followed.
During this enemy attack, they had been mere spectators, unable to help at all, just standing there watching the show.
They knew Megumin’s true capabilities, but the bandits didn’t. Watching her pretend to be an Arch-Wizard who could use numerous spells, effortlessly intimidate the bandits, and then receive a handsome reward...
It was a bit enviable.
Back in the carriage, Adam replenished Megumin’s energy until she could move freely.
Then Beatrice once again claimed her throne in his arms. This was her exclusive spot, one she wouldn’t yield to anyone else... unless under special circumstances.
The carriage slowly started moving again, and the caravan continued on its way.
On a vast stretch of gobi desert, the caravan set up tents, planning to rest for the night in this place with an open view.
The members of the party gathered together. The campfire illuminated everyone’s faces.
"Oh right, Kazuma, I suddenly remembered someone!"
"Chris! We should have invited her too."
Adam slapped his forehead, feeling guilty about forgetting the other Goddess.
Chris wasn’t just Darkness’s good friend; she was also Kazuma’s current love interest, although he still didn’t know her true identity.
"About that..." Kazuma was silent for a moment, then said, "I actually wanted to invite her too."
"Because this is a party activity, isn’t it?" Kazuma spoke as if it were obvious.
But he hadn’t realized that not everyone present was a member of the party.
"What are you talking about, Kazuma! Wiz isn’t a member of our party, but she’s still with us, isn’t she?"
"!!!" Kazuma froze, then suddenly grabbed his head and shouted loudly, "I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! I’m such an idiot—!"
His wail was filled with regret.
But it was too late to say anything now. Perhaps because of this, Kazuma wasn’t in high spirits that evening. After chatting briefly, everyone lay down to rest.
A subtle disturbance instantly woke Adam.
Gently extracting his hands from Aqua and Darkness’s grasp, then setting down Beatrice who was sleeping on his chest, Adam stood up carefully.
The wide-ranging skill instantly spread out, enveloping the unknown creatures in the distance.
Their blackish-purple bodies bore horrifying gashes, with large chunks of rotting flesh hanging from them as they limped toward the camp.
"...As I thought, a zombie horde."
Aqua’s zombie-attracting constitution was too strong, drawing the undead to them.
Just as Adam was about to handle it alone, the adventurers on night watch shouted loudly:
"Hey, wake up! Enemies approaching! Everyone get up!"
With such loud shouting in the silent night, even the deepest sleepers would wake up.
Watching everyone rise quickly, Adam sighed slightly.
Well. They woke everyone up after all. He could have easily resolved this by himself.
"Adam... what’s happening?" Aqua propped herself up, then fell back into his arms, groggily asking about the situation.
Adam answered truthfully, "A group of zombies is heading our way."
"...Zombies?!" Aqua instantly became alert.
She was naturally sensitive to these undead; upon hearing the word "zombie", she immediately became fully awake.
"Zombies, of all things?!" Aqua jumped up from his arms and approached the zombie horde.
"Hey, get away from there, it’s dangerous!"
When the other adventurers saw her walking toward the zombies without any caution, they expressed great concern for her safety and shouted for her to retreat quickly.
But they didn’t know Aqua’s true identity.
"You undead monsters, how dare you attack while this Goddess was sleeping soundly! You’ve got some nerve!"
Aqua’s water-blue hair danced in the air, her body radiating bright light, her face bearing an unapproachable sanctity.
"Lost souls, rest in peace!"
A wide-ranging warm white light expanded with Aqua’s shout.
The surrounding people exclaimed in astonishment as all the zombies touched by the light were purified one after another.
Seeing this, people’s exclamations turned into cheers.
"What a beautiful priestess... she’s just like a Goddess!"
"Ah, the zombies have been purified, and we’re safe now! How fortunate!"
"That’s right, that’s right!"
"Wait! Look, isn’t that priestess riding in the same carriage as the Lord Governor? Does that mean she’s also a member of the Hero’s party?"
Captivated, they affirmed this and loudly praised Aqua, shouting her name.
Aqua became smug once again... Even though it was her fault to begin with.
But seeing her run up to him with that expectant expression, wanting praise, Adam couldn’t bring himself to scold her.
"Hehehe." Aqua giggled bashfully.
Adam patted her head, then looked at Wiz who was crouching on the ground nearby.
"Are you alright, Wiz?"
"Yes, I wasn’t affected."
Knowing Wiz was a Lich, Adam had preemptively cast a barrier, isolating the space within a one-meter radius around her.
Aqua’s Holy Magic couldn’t reach her, successfully protecting her from harm. Otherwise, she would have suffered greatly.
At this moment, the caravan owner came rushing over again, running while holding up a money pouch and shouting loudly:
"My goodness! I can’t believe you saved us again! Thank you so much!"
The man had come to give them money again.
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