Unlike Darkness who actively sought to be bullied, Aqua received plenty of compliments along the way.
"Beautiful lady, your hair is so gorgeous, and it’s the same color as the Water Goddess Aqua’s — how enviable! ...By the way, miss, would you like to join the Axis Church?"
"Pretty lady, you have such good taste! Your clothing style is so similar to the Water Goddess Aqua’s! You truly have an eye for fashion! ...By the way, miss, would you like to join the Axis Church?"
"Noble lady, your haori is beautiful! The style and color are identical to the Water Goddess Aqua’s — it suits you perfectly! ...By the way, miss, would you like to join the Axis Church?"
"Elegant lady, your..."
Old men, elderly women, young guys, mature women — they all used similar tactics.
First, they would shower you with compliments to put you in a good mood, then finally reveal their true intentions... Joining the Axis Church.
However, their approach followed almost the same template, and after hearing it 2-3 times, Adam and the others grew tired of it and quickened their pace.
But Aqua was particularly susceptible to this approach. Initially wilted like an unwatered flower, she eventually stood tall with renewed radiance as the Goddess of Water.
She loved flattery and praise!
... The only frustrating part was not being able to admit she was the very person they were praising.
After being followed and pestered by countless people trying to strike up conversations, the group finally arrived at the largest hot spring inn in Arcanletia.
The building was enormous, having practically transformed the entire mountaintop.
Financially Powerful... This impression of the caravan owner was deeply etched in everyone’s mind.
As soon as they entered, an attendant came forward to serve them.
"How many guests do we have?"
"Eight people? That’s quite a large tourism group, how unusual..."
The attendant counted the group, noting six women and two men, and confirmed all eight people were present.
"Then, please follow me." He said, leading everyone to the front desk.
There, a gentle and pretty young woman was working as the receptionist. When she saw Adam, her face brightened with a sweet smile.
"Are you eight guests in total?"
"Based on your male-to-female ratio, I suggest four rooms. Would that be acceptable?"
"Four rooms..." Adam turned his head and quickly calculated.
He would share with Kazuma, and the remaining six women could arrange themselves with two per room — perfect.
"Ah, four rooms will be fine, thank you."
"Very well, four rooms. Here are your keys, please take them."
The clerk’s polite manner prompted Adam to respond with equal courtesy as he took the keys and turned to leave.
"Please wait, dear guests."
"Before you enjoy the hot springs, please look at this!"
The front desk girl’s demeanor completely transformed from her previous gentleness. Her eyes glinted with a predatory light as she thrust a repulsive application form toward them while speaking rapidly.
"I’m sure this is your first time at our inn! Without exaggeration, this hot spring inn is the best in Arcanletia, but the price is also the highest! However, dear guests, look at this! If you all sign this, you can enjoy three days of the highest-class service at this hot spring inn! Three days of! Highest-class! Service! Oh!"
The girl’s personality had completely transformed. She suddenly moved uncomfortably close, breathing heavily, and her frenzied appearance made Megumin and Yunyun instinctively back away several steps.
This was too extreme!
Her level of obsession was more terrifying than theirs. Megumin’s chuunibyou syndrome was child’s play compared to her.
Adam quickly stepped forward, shielding the two frightened Arch-Wizards behind him, while pulling out several hot spring vouchers given to them by the caravan owner.
"No need! Thank you for your kind offer, but we have these." He hastily handed the hot spring vouchers to her.
"These are vouchers for this establishment... tch, failed, huh." The girl looked at the hot spring vouchers in her hand, her expression darkening as she unconsciously clicked her tongue in displeasure.
Unable to recruit them to the Axis Church, her mood had soured completely.
"Well then, I can only wish the eight of you an enjoyable stay..." Her voice and expression held none of the earlier sweetness. Her attitude had completely reversed, becoming coldly perfunctory.
This was too blatant! Watch out, I might actually complain about you!
Not just her — even the attendant who had brought them in had instantly transformed his expression from respectful to disdainful. He turned around and led the way without saying a word.
What terrible service!
Hey! Is this town really functioning properly?!
Although they had been mentally prepared, only after experiencing it firsthand could they truly understand the town’s exclusionary atmosphere — this was passive aggression taken to an extreme! Updates are released by N0veI.Fiɾe.net
Everyone first went to Adam’s room to sort out their accommodations.
Adam, as the leader, began to assign groups, "I’ll be with Kazuma-kun, Darkness with Aqua, Yunyun with Megumin, and Beatrice with Wiz. Is this arrangement okay?"
"I’m fine with it too!"
"I have no objections."
Everyone seemed satisfied with this grouping, but Megumin and Beatrice showed slight dissatisfaction.
Megumin simply didn’t want to share a room with Yunyun because that girl would constantly pester her for duels. This trip was supposed to be relaxing, but if she stayed with Yunyun, it would surely turn into a "tense and exciting" duel vacation.
But Yunyun was naturally shy and reserved, and none of the others were as close to her as Megumin.
After much persuasion from Adam, Megumin finally agreed to share a room with Yunyun.
Beatrice was more straightforward. She wanted to share a room with Adam.
As the Great Spirit contracted to him, wasn’t it natural for her to stay with her contractor?
However, the purpose of this trip was to improve relations with Wiz. If they let the busty Lich stay alone, it would only create more distance.
That said, they couldn’t let Kazuma or Aqua share a room with her either — it would be dangerous for Wiz in various ways.
"So, Beatrice, please be understanding. I’ll make it up to you."
"Hmph, if Adam insists." As his Great Spirit, Beatrice naturally wouldn’t embarrass her contractor, but complaining would earn her compensation, which is why she spoke up.
"Well then, let’s first organize our rooms and meet back here in an hour." Adam raised both hands, giving them freedom to act, "Now, dismissed!"
Afterward, everyone dispersed to organize their rooms.
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