Then, with Adam mediating, Kazuma explained the whole story.
When Adam went to find Aqua, he couldn’t resist his restless heart and headed to the mixed bath alone, wanting to enjoy himself.
Following directions from the town residents, he arrived at a secluded bath pool located just below the mountaintop. This was the mixed bath.
He never expected the hot spring to be so hidden; if one didn’t search carefully, an average person wouldn’t be able to find it...
"Hey, that’s too long! Hurry up and talk about the Devil King’s Army!"
"Don’t rush, I’m getting to the main point now." Under Aqua’s anxious urging, Kazuma continued, "The bath was large, but there were only two people inside — a man and a woman. They definitely knew each other. But most importantly, these two were openly conspiring to destroy the hot spring pool here!"
Originally, he didn’t want to get involved.
But his intuition told him that these two strange people must have connections to the Devil King’s Army!
One boldly came to the headquarters of the Axis Cult for hot spring treatment, while the other could carry out destructive actions alone in secret. Just from these two points, it was clear they weren’t just small fry.
Plus, when that woman left, she told him it would be best to leave town early, which suddenly made him think of the Devil King’s Army — she might even be one of the Devil King’s Generals.
Devil King’s Army? General?
Weren’t they already defeated by their 『 Hero 』 Party? Even if he wasn’t a main fighter, didn’t they have their reliable senior Adam?
Besides, this town was the headquarters of the cult that worshipped Aqua, so of course they should help her resolve this unknown danger! ... Though he personally wasn’t too willing.
"Devil King’s Army..." Wiz’s already pale face grew even paler when she heard this familiar name.
The Devil King’s Army is a natural disaster. This perception stems from countless destructive acts they’ve committed.
As one of the eight Generals of the Devil King’s Army herself, Wiz never harmed humans or followed their evil ways. Still, she felt sad whenever she witnessed her old comrades harming humans.
Just as adventurers kill monsters to survive, monsters naturally devour adventurers for the same reason. The Devil King’s Army, however, causes "needless" destruction and conquest, bringing suffering to the world as an evil organization.
Despite her identity as a lich — one of the Generals maintaining the Devil King’s Castle barrier — Wiz maintained a neutral stance toward the Devil King’s Army.
"Everyone... good evening, what are you discussing?"
Just as everyone was discussing how to respond, Darkness walked into the room from outside.
She wore a rather thick cotton pajama with cotton slippers on her feet. Her smooth golden hair was gathered in front of her, braided into a "dangerous" hairstyle.
Even though Darkness was wrapped up tightly, she somehow looked even more charming.
"...Darkness, you’re up?"
"Mm." She nodded lightly, then very naturally sat down beside Adam.
She sat very close — so close that one could smell her familiar fresh scent.
Beatrice, curled up in Adam’s arms, looked at her suspiciously, not understanding why she was acting so natural.
"...And now we’re discussing matters related to the Devil King’s Army."
"Yes, the Devil King’s Army has come to this town! They want to cause trouble and destroy the hot spring pool here!"
"Huh... wait what...?!"
Darkness’s unexpectedly calm response left Kazuma bewildered, and he stared at her with a curious expression.
"...What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well, how should I put this... Darkness, if you were acting like your usual self, shouldn’t you be like ’Ah! The Devil King’s Army is here, this is the time for me, a Crusader, to make my appearance!’... Then breathing heavily, face flushed, looking like you’re anticipating something, running back to your room to change into armor, and finally rushing out excitedly?"
Kazuma deliberately pinched his voice, making it high-pitched to mimic her.
"What...! Don’t, don’t make me sound so disgraceful!" Darkness instinctively objected, but at the same time, her hand unconsciously held onto Adam’s arm.
"...Huh? Something’s definitely strange..." Although her reaction was similar to before, Kazuma keenly sensed that something wasn’t quite right.
But the urgent matter now was to consider the Devil King’s Army situation. Darkness was at most an object of teasing, her embarrassed expression serving merely as a condiment to the conversation.
Beatrice, however, was different. Always attentive to Adam, she had been observing both him and Darkness ever since the latter sat down beside him.
Now she could confirm one thing!
That is: Something definitely happened between Darkness and Adam!
But what exactly happened, she wasn’t sure. Thinking this, she pouted angrily again.
However, Adam was still pondering about Hans, the Devil King’s Army General, and didn’t notice the loli’s dissatisfied expression.
"Aqua, what do you think?"
"You’re the Goddess they worship. When your followers are in danger, what will you do as a Goddess? Run away, or fight?"
"Hmph, do you even need to ask? Of course I’ll fight!" Aqua slapped the table forcefully, stood up, and declared passionately, "I am a Goddess, naturally opposed to the undead. When I encounter these vermin, I will show no mercy in eliminating them! Moreover, this is my cult, a town that worships me!"
At times , she truly radiated the glory of being a Goddess. Dazzling and sacred.
"Indeed, this is a town that worships the Goddess of Water, Aqua’s ’home’. We can’t let them cause destruction here."
Under this passionate declaration of war, the fighting spirit of the entire party was successfully mobilized.
Adam stepped forward at the right moment, assigning tasks to everyone.
"Megumin, you haven’t cast Explosion Magic today. Don’t you want to cast one?"
"Can I?! I’ve been enduring all day, thinking I wouldn’t get a chance!"
"Of course! And I’ll even allow you to use Manatites!"
"...Wonderful!" Megumin’s eyes lit up after getting permission.
They literally glowed, the crimson light scaring even Yunyun nearby.
"You’ll be responsible for protecting Megumin. Activate your skill and absorb her magical essence after she casts Explosion Magic, converting it into your own spiritual power, okay?"
"Yes, I’ll definitely complete the mission!" Yunyun stood up straight, her back as rigid as a soldier receiving orders.
"Aqua, your task is very important! During our battle, you’ll be responsible for purifying the contaminated hot spring, even if it means purifying it into just hot water. Do whatever it takes to prevent them from destroying the town, understand?"
"Ah, no problem! I’ll definitely crush their conspiracy!" Aqua patted her chest, her face full of determination.
When it came to defeating the Devil King’s Army and protecting her followers, she knew what was important.
"And finally, Wiz, could I trouble you to protect Aqua, serving as her guard?"
"Eh? Well, I could also..."
"No, Wiz, as you’re also part of the Devil King’s Army, if you openly oppose them, your situation would be awkward, right?"
"...Yes, Adam is right." Wiz opened her mouth, then closed it again.
Adam was considering her position for her sake, so she decided not to disappoint his kindness and thought it better not to get involved.
"Darkness...you should rest well at the hot spring inn." Adam gently patted her shoulder, secretly giving it a squeeze, "Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. As a frontliner, you’re easily injured, so I’ll handle it this time."
"Mm, I understand." Darkness nodded, indicating she understood.
"It really is... strange!"
Unlike the usual Darkness, she was truly acting abnormal now!
T/N: Hey! Liked what you read? Support your friendly neighborhood translator on ! Think of it as buying me a coffee... or ten! New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
For just $1.50 (that’s less than your daily meme budget), get extra Chapters! Want more? $2 gets you bonus content, $5 unlocks premium stories, and $10 makes you my hero (and gets you everything I have, including earlier acess to new books)!
That’s it and happy reading! (-‿◦)