"Oh right, I forgot to ask earlier because we got sidetracked! Why did you two come back so early today?" Aqua suddenly remembered the interrupted topic.
Darkness and Megumin instantly became awkward at the question.
"W-Well, actually..." "Um, you see... because of certain reasons, w-we..."
The two women stammered, unable to explain for a long time, making Aqua impatient as she waited.
Just as she was about to press further, Kazuma came running back from outside.
"It's bad, it's bad—!" He rushed in hurriedly, nearly tripping over a protruding flagstone. His flustered state was evident.
"Stupid Kazuma! We never see you around. Where on earth have you been?" Aqua didn't know he had temporarily joined another party, abandoning them. If she found out, she'd likely make a huge fuss.
"Never mind that. Didn't you hear the village broadcast?" Kazuma said anxiously, "Quick, hurry to the village entrance!"
"W-What's wrong... what happened?" Aqua, scared by his tone, couldn't help feeling afraid too, "Could it be... you caused big trouble, and some powerful adventurer has come looking for you, demanding a duel to the death at the village entrance? So you've come back for reinforcements?"
Sometimes, you can't help but admire the thought process of idiots. It's always unexpected, giving endless surprises (and scares).
You're really something, Aqua!
"How is that possible, you brainless goddess!" As expected, Kazuma instantly transformed into a roaring beast, mercilessly berating her, "I'm a well-mannered, kind gentleman. How could I possibly get into conflicts with others?"
This guy — where's the well-mannered and kind attitude he speaks of? There's a limit to being thick-skinned, Kazuma!
Aqua was about to retort, but she swallowed her words the next second, as what he said was truly surprising.
"It's one of the Demon King's Generals, the Dullahan!" Kazuma quickly explained, "For some reason, that guy is blocking the village entrance, not letting anyone out, saying things like 'I'll teach you a lesson', 'Just you wait', 'I'll give you a taste of your own medicine' — really concerning stuff. All the adventurers in the village have gone there, so come on, let's hurry and join them!"
He urged everyone to act quickly.
"A General of the Demon King's army—?!" Aqua couldn't sit still at the mention of the Demon King's army.
She recalled the information from Wiz: to enter the Demon King's castle, they needed to defeat all his Generals. This Dullahan had practically delivered himself to their doorstep — how could they not seize this opportunity to weaken the Demon King's army?
"Adam!" Aqua turned to him, her implication clear.
"Alright, let's meet this Dullahan — our first step to making a name for the Champion Party!" Adam, as party leader, issued orders, "Kazuma, you're the fastest. Go to the village entrance, meet the other adventurers, and find out why the Dullahan's here!"
"On it!" Kazuma dashed off, vanishing in an instant.
"Aqua, Megumin, you two go now! Aqua, heal any injured adventurers. Megumin, if the Dullahan attacks, use your Explosion Magic to stop him!"
Adam added, "Megumin, use 'that' if needed!"
"Understood!" Megumin's demeanor shifted instantly, becoming incredibly spirited as she left with Aqua.
"Darkness, I'll carry your giant shield."
"N-No need, I can manage..."
"We're short on time — don't argue! Sharing the weight is our best option right now!"
As a heavily armored 「Crusader」, Darkness's gear was extremely cumbersome, especially her 200kg shield. To ease her burden and increase speed, Adam had to help. After all, the other three were fragile mage-types with little physical strength.
Adam took the lead and ran out, with Darkness hurrying after him.
The party members soon gathered at the village entrance.
"Is that the Dullahan?"
Its appearance resembled the legendary Dullahan, except it had a head while the horse's head was missing — quite strange indeed.
An intimidating pressure emanated from it, its evil magical power like the descent of the abyss, declaring to all that it was a monster symbolizing death and bringing despair!
The moment Adam saw it, he knew — this was a formidable enemy! How foolish he'd been to think it might not be strong!
The knight in jet-black armor stood at the main gate, holding its own head in its left arm at its waist. Under the gaze of all the adventurers, it brought the helmeted head before them.
"Is everyone here? Then allow me to introduce myself again! I am one of the Demon King's Generals, who recently moved to a nearby castle..." It began to speak slowly about its origin, but towards the end, its head began to tremble slightly, "Ev-ev-every, every day, every single day! Who is that neurotic idiot who keeps coming to my castle to cast Explosion Magic?!"
This Dullahan seemed enraged to the extreme; even its headless mount neighed and screamed, venting frustration for its master.
However, its words enlightened Adam.
"Speaking of Explosion Magic..." "Hmm, Explosion Magic is..." "Indeed, when it comes to using Explosion Magic, it must be her..."
The adventurers began to whisper among themselves.
A moment later, Adam followed the gaze of the other adventurers, all turning towards Megumin standing to the side. He initially wanted to deny it, but seeing her break out in a cold sweat, he confirmed his suspicions.
There's no doubt — the culprit is you!
But wait! Weren't you training with Darkness? Why did you provoke the Dullahan? After using〘Explosion Magic〙, one becomes completely powerless, so someone needs to watch over you.
In that case, the accomplice can only be... He shifted his gaze to Darkness, staring until her face flushed red.
"It's not like that! Megumin said, 'Nothing but something big and thick can satisfy her', so that's why...!"
Hey, shut up! Don't say such seriously misleading things while blushing!
'I see. Everything makes sense now. No wonder they stammered and couldn't speak when asked why they came back so early.'
It turns out the Dullahan discovered them, and they ran back in fear.
"Adam..." Megumin lowered her head, her small face pale as she tightly gripped his hand.
Her hand was cold and trembling. He could feel her fear.
He comforted her, saying, "It's okay, Megumin. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Of course! It's the Demon King's army, after all. What's wrong with casting Explosion Magic on them?"
After being comforted, Megumin's pale face managed a stiff smile. She let go of his hand, making a move to walk out, intending to face the consequences alone.
But Adam held her hand back and stepped out ahead of her, actively leading her.
Seeing them approach, the adventurers parted, creating a path to the Dullahan.
"You two are... so it's you—!!!" The Dullahan's eyes fixed on them, and upon seeing the staff in Megumin's hand, realization dawned, "Are you the fool who keeps coming to my castle every day to cast Explosion Magic!?"
"If you knew I was a Demon King's general and wanted to fight me, you should have attacked the castle directly! If not, you should have cowered in town! Why use such underhanded methods? I know this town only has low-level adventurers, so I thought I could ignore a backwater ! But you, you clueless fool, come every single day to boom boom boom boom with your magic... There must be something wrong with your head—!!!"
The Dullahan's head shook violently, betraying its fury. The week of continuous〘Explosion Magic〙had clearly pushed it to the brink.
"I apologize for our great Archmage causing you trouble." Adam pressed down on Megumin's head, bowing, "We're truly, truly sorry!"
"Huh?" The Dullahan faltered, caught off guard by this sincere apology, "Well, if that Crimson Demon girl doesn't cast Explosion Magic anymore..."
"You might as well tell me to die!" Megumin exclaimed passionately, cutting it off, "Crimson Demons must cast Explosion Magic once a day, or we'll die!"
"Hey, I've never heard such nonsense! Don't try to fool me!" The Dullahan, not wanting to seem petty, offered an out, "Just stop casting Explosion Magic, and I'll let you off."
"Never! I'd rather die!" Megumin stubbornly refused.
Realizing persuasion was futile, the Dullahan began to emit a dangerous aura.
"So you won't give up Explosion Magic, no matter what? It seems I need to teach you a harsh lesson." Its tone turned menacing, anger simmering beneath the surface.
"A lesson? It seems our negotiations have broken down." Adam, sensing the hidden threat, spoke with a mix of inquiry and statement, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Adam Carter, a Sword Master, and leader of the Champion Party. And you, Mr. Dullahan?"
"My name? ...Very well, I'll tell you. I am Beldia, a Knight by profession... and one of the Demon King's eight Generals!"
Both sides concluded their introductions.
"Well then, pleasure to meet you, Mr. Beldia, and farewell." Adam said abruptly, "Do it, Megumin!"
"Yes, I've been waiting for this!" Megumin grasped a Manatite with her left hand and raised her staff high with her right.
Her eyes gleamed red with excitement as she shouted:
First meeting, Explosion as a greeting—to show respect!
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