A massive explosion suddenly erupted, and all the adventurers quickly shielded their faces against the wind and sand.
The sudden turn of events left them bewildered and confused. Even Aqua and the others in the party hadn't expected Megumin to cast an Explosion spell without warning.
"Megumin! What are you doing?!" Kazuma's face crumpled in despair, "We were just talking, and suddenly you cast an Explosion spell?! You brain-damaged chuunibyou Crimson Demon girl, what if you've angered it?!"
"Huh?! Say that again if you dare! Are you looking for a fight? Fine, bring it on!" Megumin angrily retorted. She then shouted, "Adam told me to do it! He said to cast Explosion Magic as soon as he gave me the signal. If you have a problem with it, take it up with him!"
"What did you say? It was Carter-senpai?!" Kazuma had thought she was lying.
But when he sought confirmation from Adam and saw the leader nod, he didn't say anything more. In his mind, Adam would never act without certainty.
This was indeed his instruction. Earlier, when comforting Megumin, he had said, "If negotiations break down, don't hesitate — just use Explosion Magic!"
He had no intention of letting the Dullahan go. They had the Goddess, its perfect counter!
Knowing the Headless Knight's weakness, letting it return would be pure insanity. Did they really need to go through a castle full of traps? Or wait for it to come back again?
He didn't have that kind of time to waste! Seizing this opportunity, he was determined to defeat the Dullahan in one fell swoop!
A sudden gust of wind cleared the dust-filled clearing, revealing the Headless Knight. It still exuded a powerful aura, its armor as bright as new, without a single scratch!
"H-How is this possible? That was Megumin's Explosion Magic!" Kazuma was shocked.
Although he considered his party's 「Arch-Wizard」 to be a mentally ill chuunibyou girl, he never doubted the immense power of her〘Explosion Magic〙. It had always delivered the final blow in their monster subjugation quests, never failing before.
This was the first time it hadn't damaged an enemy!
Of course, Adam's thoughts differed from Kazuma's. He didn't believe that a single Explosion spell could reduce the Dullahan to ashes. After all, it was a General of the Demon King's army. If it couldn't defend against the spell, couldn't it at least dodge?
The Headless Knight, now revealed, was also in a state of emotional collapse. It shouted, "S-Suddenly... suddenly casting Explosion Magic, what were you thinking, you big idiot—!!!"
It was part of the Demon King's army, right? One of the eight Generals of the Demon King's army, correct?
Why did this novice adventurer unhesitatingly cast〘Explosion Magic〙at it? Didn't she know it was a General of the Demon King's army?
Had she always been this brave? Hadn't she heard its self-introduction clearly earlier?!
"You despicable cowards, resorting to sneak attacks! If I hadn't dodged quickly, I might have been injured!"
Adam smiled slightly, "If possible, please refer to our earlier action as a surprise attack."
Now was not the time to lecture about youth and martial virtues. He was focused solely on defeating the Dullahan!
Seeing that the〘Explosion Magic〙was ineffective, he had Megumin retreat to rest with the party, then stepped forward alone.
"You are part of the Demon King's army, and moreover, a General. I apologize, but even though our interaction with Mr. Beldia has been pleasant, we still have no choice but to defeat you."
Drawing his Nichirin Blade, Adam assumed a stance, preparing for a duel to the death with the Dullahan.
"I see, I understand." The Dullahan had originally intended to merely warn these novice adventurers, but it hadn't expected this to turn into a battle for its defeat.
It seemed that unless it made them bleed a little, they wouldn't obediently listen.
Although part of the Demon King's army, the Headless Knight prided itself on being a Knight, and thus was exceptionally committed to fairness. It abandoned the mounted combat that would have been advantageous, and instead prepared to engage in a fair sword duel with Adam.
The two faced each other. Their auras emanated, attracting and colliding, kicking up a considerable amount of dust.
"It seems I underestimated you. I didn't expect to find such a formidable foe in a beginner's village!"
"Thank you for the compliment! I'm truly happy to be acknowledged by a General of the Demon King's army." Although Adam spoke of happiness, his face remained expressionless. He was who he was and didn't need anyone else's recognition.
The Dullahan's aura grew increasingly heavy, and Adam gradually found himself at a disadvantage, being suppressed!
This wouldn't do! Knowing that continuing would lead to his defeat, he decisively launched an attack, aiming to break this unfavorable situation.
But just as he called out, a figure suddenly darted out from beside him, rushing straight towards the Headless Knight!
"Hey, you muscle-brained knight, what are you doing?!" Kazuma, who had gradually become the party's dedicated complainer, shouted again, "Do you have a death wish? Are you an idiot?! Why did you suddenly charge out?!"
Darkness, rushing towards the Dullahan, shouted back without turning her head, "As a knight, of course I must protect my comrades!"
"Carter-senpai is our party leader and the strongest among us. Why would he need your help?! Do you think you can defeat the Dullahan?!"
"This isn't about winning or losing, it's about me, as a Crusader, having to stand in front of my party members!"
What's this? Has Darkness been possessed by a noble knight? Is this really her?
Her next words, however, left all the adventurers utterly shocked.
"Look at that Dullahan! Those evil eyes beneath its helmet are clearly saying it wants to take me back and do unspeakable things to me! You may have my body, but you'll never claim my heart!"
As expected, Darkness was still her perverted self.
This outburst made the Headless Knight stumble back in fear, instantly dissipating the battlefield's tense atmosphere.
"W-What is wrong with you people?!"
How bizarre! Is there not a single normal person in this beginner's village? The Dullahan began to doubt its own sanity.
Meanwhile, Adam's face was full of apology, "I'm truly sorry about my team member's... eccentricities."
The Dullahan shook its bobbing head, trying to clear its mind.
"You're all a bunch of deranged adventurers, aren't you?!" It cursed, then sighed, "I only came here because the fortune-teller kept raving about a strong light near this town. But I've had enough — I might as well raze this place to the ground..."
It seemed this group of questionable novices had finally exhausted its patience.
"What did you say?! I can't ignore that!" Darkness, being closest, heard the Dullahan's threat to destroy the town.
Her face transformed from flushed to serious in an instant. She turned and yelled:
Full of courage! But clearly futile.
The Dullahan said impatiently, "Have you misunderstood something? I am Beldia the Dullahan, a General of the Demon King's army! How could a group of novice adventurers hope to stop me?!"
As it spoke, a dangerous aura surged from its body. It swung its great sword at Darkness, unleashing its full power without restraint!
"Watch out! Dodge, Darkness!" Adam used〚Thunderclap and Flash〛to assist, but he wasn't fast enough.
One slash! Just one! Darkness's heavy armor and giant shield shattered completely.
She crumpled to the ground, her fate uncertain.
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