Gifting beautiful fireworks to the night sky!
______________________
Part 1
– The third day of the Thanksgiving Festival.
Dressed in a one-piece, an astounded gumin said to as I lay in my bed.
"… Never mind about coming back at dawn– What are you doing at this ti? Hey. We've got a date to watch the fireworks today. Quickly, change your clothes!"
I drank too much yesterday.
After coming to this world with no minimum drinking age, I'd beco very familiar with the taste of alcohol.
"Ugh. Squeezing in the crowd in this condition… There will be all kinds of things coming out…"
"This man is really weak! Normally, if a guy has a date with a girl to watch the fireworks, he should control how much he drinks. What were you doing last night? You were in high spirits when you ca back."
I couldn't possibly say that I was out drinking with the succubus sisters.
"Ask for Darkness… Tell her to use her authority to postpone the fireworks event to tomorrow…"
"It's great that you don't want to break your promise, but if you say such willful things, Darkness will go crazy. Aqua and her people really ran her ragged today, after all."
Aqua and her people ran Darkness ragged?
I thought their performance improved a lot last night– What happened now?
As I thought of this lazily, gumin uncovered the blanket and reached for my clothes…
"Whoa? Hey, wait. What are you doing? Why are you suddenly undressing ? One of these days you'll do sothing unexpected and give a shock!"
I jumped out of bed before I could be stripped.
"I won't be fazed by Kazuma's nakedness. I've already seen you with your clothes dissolved in that fight with the Kowloon Hydra. Co, If you won't undress yourself, I'll do it for you."
I felt that it wasn't bad to let a girl strip , but if either Aqua or Darkness saw this, I didn't know what they'd say.
I changed my clothes and prepared to wash my face before gumin, who was still watching.
"… I-I honestly didn't think you'd change your clothes right in front of ."
"Didn't you say that you won't be fazed by my nakedness? … Phew. I feel better after drinking so water. Anyway, you ntioned that Aqua and her people ran Darkness rugged. What did they do this ti?"
"The evaluation for the Axis Cult's stalls were fairly good last night. Their sales weren't bad when compared to the Eris Church. As a result, the Axis cultists got cocky. Basically, since the sales of the Axis Cult was better than that of the Eris Church, they willfully demanded more space for setting up stalls."
What happened to the Aqua I saw last night?
Did she revert to her usual form?
… No, no. It was too early to make that conclusion. She should've been a changed woman.
Right. It must be just a portion of the Axis cultists getting carried away.
But…
"… I've got a bad premonition, but let's leave it to Darkness. Yes. Let's avoid the area managed by the Axis Cult today. Let's watch the fireworks."
"Yes. Since it's sumr and a festival, we should avoid trouble once in a while. Do sothing like a date."
gumin readily agreed as if she noticed sothing.
Yes. This was the sumr festival.
I was always getting dragged into troubleso matters. Once in a while, I should have a chance to leisurely enjoy a festival too–!
"– Yes. I knew it'd be like this."
"Why are you stopping suddenly? Co. Let's go."
gumin looked puzzled and dragged away from leaning against the entrance of the shopping street.
"This is my first ti going to a festival with soone and watching the fireworks display! Hey gumin. Is there anything wrong with now? I really, thoroughly prepared for it!"
"Other than your excitent, there's nothing wrong. Please don't panic just because it's a festival."
Although she said it was a date earlier, Yunyun also ca along.
I greeted Yunyun at the eting place and dragged my feet dejectedly after them…
.
----------------->
.
"It's too early to be alone by ourselves now. After the fireworks display, let's go back together."
gumin walked beside and whispered in my ear.
"I've always stayed at ho during every festival in the past. I didn't expect I'd participate in a festival like this. It's great that I left the Crimson Demon Village! … Kazuma-san, are you okay? You look a bit strange…"
"Whoa! N-N-Nothing. I'm very excited to participate in the festival too! By the way, Yunyun, festivals are when you can unexpectedly et your friends. You stayed ho on those days? Never mind. As a high level hikikomori, I can understand your feelings. I didn't want to co out when there were festivals and crowds. Yes. Actually, this is quite normal."
After gumin's successful ambush, I was in a ss. Yunyun was a bit surprised at my reaction.
"I'm not a hikikomori like Kazuma-san. Whenever I went to a festival alone, I'd et so classmates playing together– Perhaps they were taking care of my feelings–and they would say, 'Sorry, we didn't invite you along' and similar apologies…"
"I understand, stop talking! It's my fault. Please don't continue! I'll play with you today!"
Damn. What's wrong with this recent plot? It was as if gumin had the initiative.
What? What were we going to do after going back by ourselves? Of course, it isn't rely going ho. What else will happen after that?
Is it okay for to have so expectations?
Won were so cunning.
A re whisper in the ear can cause confusion!
Part 2
I used my Snipe skill to win at a shooting ga stall, then used my naturally high luck to destroy the lottery stall.
"… How should I say this? Kazuma should learn to have so rcy."
"Yes. Both the onee-san at the shooting ga stall and the uncle at the lottery stall cried. They said they'd have to close their stalls today."
I was strolling along various stalls with the two Crimson Demon girls.
"Listen. A festival's a war with the stall owners. In my country, the top prizes for the lottery are often not won by anyone, even after the lottery's sold out. And when you happily return ho with a prize, you may find that it looks like an imitation product upon closer inspection."
"I need to ask about your country in detail one day… Anyway, the festival this year's much more joyous when compared to previous years. Is this the costu parade suggested by Kazuma? Everyone can walk about in their favorite costus. There are even excessive succubus and incubus costus. Real succubi may get attracted to this festival."
There was a sudden coldness on my back upon hearing gumin's sharp reaction. I continued to watch the festival nonchalantly.
This was an Axel unlike any other.
Vanir had opened a stall selling unusual masks.
Seeing smiling succubi among the custors, even gumin wanted to buy the masks.
For so reason, Yunyun suddenly pestered Vanir, asking him to go back and watch the shop.
There were more than devils at the festival, including the rarely seen beastn, short-eared forest elves, dwarves, and other races.
Under the lights, this fantasy scene strongly made realize that I was in another world.
"This is really another world…"
Then I noticed I was smiling.
"..."
gumin was staring at my reaction, showing an uneasy expression as if she wanted to say sothing.
"What? Why do you have this look as if you're banned from using Explosion magic?"
"… No. It's nothing…"
gumin always spoke her mind, even to a general of the Demon King or to a royal princess. It was very rare for her to be so reserved.
I'll have to tell them that I ca from another world one day.
But even if I tell them, nothing will change.
They didn't believe Aqua's self-proclaid divinity. They might think that I started to talk nonsense too.
Perhaps because life was settling down recently, I occasionally felt that coming to this world wasn't so bad.
Soday in the future, I'll tell them about my country–
At this ti, there was an alarming disturbance and noise in the direction of Axel's cistern.
It seed that the fireworks display started.
The night sky lit up with colorful lights, cheers rose up everywhere.
Looking up at the night sky, gumin changed her silent mood and held my hand tightly…
"Kazuma, let's go! If we don't hurry up and join the fight, it'll be too late!"
She said in an intense mood…
"… Join the fight? Uh, wait. Don't drag ! Can't we see the fireworks clearly here?"
"What are you saying? We're adventurers! If we don't join the defensive line, who'll protect the festival?"
What were you saying?
But before I could say that, the behavior of the surrounding adventurers stopped .
Mages were running over in excitent.
Even Yunyun, who was rely standing aside earlier.
"Hey, explain this situation! What is it? Isn't this the fireworks display? Where's everyone rushing to?"
I shouted as I ran after gumin, then–
"It's the insects!"
Yunyun replied on behalf of gumin, who was running in front.
"Insects? What about insects? Aren't there a lot of bonfires during the festival? Aren't the insects attracted by the fire everywhere in any case?"
gumin answered my questions.
"Every year, in this season, the guild will request for insect extermination. Attracted by the festival's bonfire at night, the active insects will fly toward the city from the nearby forest and plains. They will circle in the sky above the city, waiting for a chance to attack. Thus, the fireworks display was organized to cast Detonation magic and Blast magic into their midst."
Uh, what the heck is going on?
"I don't know what fireworks are used for in Kazuma-san's country… In this country, fireworks in the sumr are declarations of war against the swarming insects."
That was why this world is really…!
Part 3
– Unbelievable.
gumin was saying sweet nothings about being together alone earlier, raising my expectations. Once the fireworks display started, she imdiately rushed to the frontline.
By the way, when she was about to use Explosion magic inside the city, the police arrested her.
… And then took her away.
She was so unromantic to this extent.
I even got excited under the influence of the sumr mood– Return my feelings to .
I stopped the insect invasion and returned ho, walking dejectedly to my room.
Being depressed wouldn't help.
Even though I joined the festival, I had no bow or other ranged weapon with , so I could only dodge the flying insects. While I was idling, Chris caught and hurriedly decided on a particular matter.
– I wore my black clothes and put on the strange mask.
I packed the magic items I bought today into the backpack; everything was ready.
Yes. I'd exact vengeance on that damn armor now.
I prepared special magic items to deal with that armor's shouts.
It was nearly midnight.
Aqua was still celebrating the success of the festival, so she wasn't back yet. Darkness was probably asleep.
I intended to leave from my room's window instead of the front door and travel to et up with Chris.
I'd be in trouble if soone saw wearing the mask in all black.
Leaving Aqua aside, Darkness knew this costu. She'd know what I was going to do if she saw this.
Okay. Ti to leave.
I lowered the rope from the window. As I was about to leave…
"Kazuma. There's a light in your room. Are you asleep?"
I heard this as I was about to leave. I quickly removed the rope and closed the window.
"N-N-Not yet! I was about to sleep!"
I quickly hid the rope, checked that the door was locked and breathed out in relief.
If she saw my attire, she'd surely interrogate about where I was going.
"Is that so…? Sorry I ca over late at night. May I have a mont of your ti?"
I couldn't tell her the truth, but Darkness's current tone of voice was different from normal.
"… I understand. Can you wait a bit? You can't see like this."
"? I-I-I understand. Sorry to interrupt you."
While Darkness was panicking over sothing, I quickly removed my clothes.
I hid the mask and the backpack in my closet.
"Ha… Ha… S-Sorry for the wait…"
"Nothing. I didn't wait long… Hey, are you naked? I won't ask what you were doing earlier, but at least stop panting!!"
Seeing panting hard, Darkness blushed and looked away.
I ssed up. I was in my underwear.
… Hey.
"Wait! I wasn't doing anything indecent! Don't misunderstand!!"
"I-I know! I won't misunderstand, so put on your clothes! And if you're doing that kind of thing, wash your hands before you sleep!"
.
------------------>
.
This girl definitely misunderstood!
I wanted to explain myself, but there was no ti.
"… Forget it– What's the matter? Aqua will spread so weird rumors if she sees you hanging outside my room in that attire."
Darkness was wearing a flimsy one-piece pajama. I didn't know where to look.
If I didn't need to recover the divine relic, I'd stare until I'm satisfied.
Of course, I was staring right now.
"Uh… It isn't convenient here. May I co in?"
I didn't really want her to enter, since there were things in the closet that'd cause trouble if they were discovered.
But I didn't have any excuse.
I allowed her to enter and I sat down on my bed.
"Why the sudden visit? Can't it wait until tomorrow morning?"
"N-Nothing! It can wait until morning, but… Uh… Lately, everyone's been busy, so we seldom et even in the house, right?"
Darkness wasn't being straightforward. She looked around my room as if she couldn't calm down, then carefully sat on the bed.
Chris was still waiting. I wished she'd quickly finish the conversation.
At this ti, Darkness was fidgeting with her fingers. She finally made a decision and raised her head.
"Kazuma, you, uh… I only apologized to you. I haven't thanked you yet… I was waiting for a chance to be alone with you to thank you properly…"
Her voice was very soft. She looked straight at sincerely.
Oh. Was this…?
"Is this about the old man lord stealing you away? That was my own initiative, so no need for thanks. Didn't you take on my debts on your own initiative? I didn't thank you for that either."
I said jokingly to Darkness, but she didn't seem to accept it.
While we were stalling like this, Chris was waiting for .
What a troubleso woman. There's really no need to thank .
As my attention began to wander…
Darkness showed a pitiful expression as if she was about to cry. She forced herself to smile and said.
"From you… I gained a lot of happy, refreshing, sad, and angry mories. As the daughter of a noble family, I normally wouldn't have such experiences. If I had never t you, I wouldn't have been able to travel with everyone and experience those dangerous adventures. The past year after I t you has been the happiest and most blessed ti of my life."
She said softly, reaching out both her hands to hold mine tightly while I was still dumbstruck.
"So I want to thank you. Not only because you saved from the lord. When other people learned of my identity, they'd keep at a distance, but you stayed with even after you knew I was a noble. Thank you. I'm very happy living with you all in this mansion. It's basically like… Yes. If my deceased mother whose face I don't rember was still alive, I should've known this feeling…"
She continued shyly.
"So, let thank you once more. For staying with all this ti. I sincerely thank you for rescuing , even after I'd given up…"
Darkness suddenly used the tone of a noble lady and firmly held my hands.
– My heart was about to burst from excitent.
What was going on? Why'd this love event suddenly happen?
Wasn't I already on the gumin route?
I thought I was getting it on with gumin. After confirming the route, the elder sister route suddenly appeared.
Perhaps other people might not understand what I was saying, but actually I didn't understand myself.
Why'd it beco like this?
No. Wait. Calm down, calm down, Satou Kazuma. She rely ca to thank . I'm not a virgin, so there's no need to panic.
Wait, no, I'm still a virgin!
But from a common sense point of view, it's unacceptable to let this carry on. I was so excited to watch the fireworks with gumin earlier. If I beco so close to Darkness on the sa day, I can't deny being labeled as trash. No, wait, that isn't the problem now!
What was I thinking? I was confused. Wait. Don't panic yet. The other person's Darkness, who frequently spoke in a weird way. It was Darkness who raged easily. It was Darkness who nearly crossed the line once.
"So tonight. Uh… As thanks…"
Darkness was blushing. Darkness was leaning her face closer. Darkness licked her lips out of excitent. To Darkness who was like this, Satou Kazuma, show her your manliness!
Just calmly lead on and wait for the mood to improve, then–
"No, no. Don't ntion it. When I was with gumin, she thanked for saving you as well. It's nothing. After all, we're so close!"
Good. Although I wasn't really calm, I'll give myself 80 points. Now to let it develop naturally–
"… Seriously. ntioning gumin at this ti; you just can't read the mood."
– It didn't develop. Darkness stood up, a bit troubled.
"By the way, I received a notice from the police. gumin will be released later tonight. I'm rather despicable to co to you at this ti…"
After saying that, she suddenly bent over and leaned close to .
Her lips gently touched my cheek.
She then stood up again and said shyly:
"This is what was promised. If we defeat the Kowloon Hydra, I'll kiss you on the cheek… As for saving from the lord, so other day…!"
As Darkness turned to leave hurriedly…
I shouted toward her:
"What is this? Wait, Darkness. You made the mood so hot just to kiss on the cheek? Stop ssing around! Both you and gumin are alike! What do you want, making so full of expectation? Retake! I want a retake! If you really want to do it, you can do it well. Bravely take that step!"
"Why are you always like this?! Give that sweet mont back to !!"
Part 4
After Darkness angrily returned to her room, I intended to return to bed stiflingly.
When I realized I'd forgotten about Chris, I hurried to the eting place. It was already two hours late.
When I arrived, I saw Chris, who was also in all black with a mask.
"You're way too late! What took you so long?"
"I'm really sorry. Sothing happened with Darkness. I didn't expect her to run over to my room late at night while wearing sothing like that…"
"Eh?"
Chris, who'd been fuming at until just now, opened her eyes wide in utter astonishnt.
"Y-You're doing it again. Randomly saying stuff to turn my anger away; it won't be so easy. Even if you say it so aningfully, basically nothing really happened, right?"
"Well, nothing much happened. Darkness rely kissed suddenly."
"Ha–?"
Chris, who was pretending to be calm, cried out in alarm. Her expression froze in shock.
Her expression wasn't very fitting for a goddess.
"There's not much ti left. Stop making that funny expression, let's go. Maybe because of what happened earlier, I feel really good tonight."
"Eh~? Hey, wait! Why are you so calm after being kissed? You're lying, right? Hey! This is just unrequited love, right?"
I didn't know why Chris was so obsessed with this topic.
"It's true. Ask Darkness if you don't believe . 'Did you visit Kazuma's room late at night and suddenly kiss him?' Still, what's going on? Previously, gumin also said she likes and that we should go back together alone after the fireworks display– But she ruined it herself. Big boss, what should I do? Maybe I'll step into adulthood during this festival."
"Really? You also said this before, 'Recently, my relationship with gumin's pretty good. Darkness seed to be sowhat interested in too!'. Uh. Wait. Isn't this a love triangle?"
Chris covered her mouth and looked at in fascination.
"Eh?… When did Darkness beco so bold? Earlier, you said gumin liked you too? What are you going to do? Who are you going to choose?"
"Hey, it's too early to make such conclusions. I'm having a headache as well. The current situation is the routing stage often seen in Japanese novels. Right. All the girls like and the harem's being ford… But though those two girls look pretty enough, there's so issues about their inner selves. Following this trend, I may raise flags for other girls too, so I think I should wait before making a decision. What do you think I should do?"
"I think you should go and die… But I'm really surprised. When did everyone start to…?"
Was she unused to talking about love because she was a goddess? Or was she shocked because her intimate friend Darkness might unknowingly step into adulthood before her? Chris staggered behind as I led her toward Undine's mansion.
It was a cloudless night with the full moon high in the sky.
There was a reason for suddenly taking action tonight.
The other party will be on high alert after the previous failure to steal the armor.
But they'll be sowhat negligent during the festival.
And this was just after the fireworks display.
The guards of this mansion also participated in the defense of the city earlier. This was probably the so-called noblesse oblige.
So, they must be tired. And since this was the annual festival, there must be drunkards everywhere.
I was prepared to deal with the noisy armor. If this failed and we were pursued, we could discard the black clothes and masks to mix in with the drunkards along the streets.
– Soon, we arrived at Undine's mansion. The back door we entered previously was completely locked. The other entrance was the front door with two sentries.
According to Chris, since our previous infiltration, there were sentries every night until the morning.
"What should we do, Assistant-kun? This mansion isn't as large as the palace. It's hard to infiltrate when there are sentries."
"Yes. What should we do? Isn't there a way to distract them…?"
While we were observing the mansion from a distance and planning our next move…
"Uh… Are the two of you the Silver-Haired Thieving Group?"
Suddenly, soone spoke out behind us. I imdiately turned around.
"P-P-Pleased to et you! No. Actually, we t before! I t you in the palace once… I'm your fan, gumin the Archwizard!"
gumin, who should've been arrested by the police, was standing right behind us.
Part 5
Seriously. Why'd things beco like this?
"Wow. We're really famous! After all, we have a bounty of 200 million eris on our heads!!"
After hearing gumin declaring herself as our fan, Chris was shyly pleased.
I wanted to complain that she shouldn't be shy at a ti like this, but I didn't want to make the situation worse.
Chris and I'd intentionally altered our voices, but a clever enough person can still recognize us.
Thankfully, gumin was too star-struck–
"It's so amazing that a band of thieves has such a high bounty! Oh, I'd like to ask… When the two of you snuck into the palace, was it really to protect the princess from a dangerous divine relic?!"
"Yes. That's right. We're the chivalrous thieves. Normally, we're just commoners, but we couldn't let an innocent girl be exposed to such dangers, even if she's a princess. Whenever soone's in trouble, we'll break in to help, whether it's a noble's mansion or the royal palace. This is the Masked Thieving Group."
"Wow…!"
I was secretly pleased to see gumin looking at us with such admiration.
"Wait, Assistant-kun. Isn't it the Silver-Haired Thieving Group? It's too opportunistic to change the na at this ti. I'm the boss, right?"
"What are you saying, Big Boss? When we were in the palace, you said I could be the boss too. So it's fine to na it the Masked Thieving Group!"
We ignored gumin with her glimring eyes as we held our private conversation. At this mont–
"Then, what are the two of you doing here? This is a noble's ho, right? … And his reputation isn't that good…"
gumin looked at us, full of anticipation.
Chris and I shared a look and nodded.
"You're… gumin, right? Actually, we're after sothing hidden in this mansion. It's necessary for the future of mankind. Stealing is not a praiseworthy deed, but… For us, there are so things which must be done even if we end up being regarded as criminals."
"Wow…! Wow…!!"
gumin looked at us as if we were heroes.
"Yes. We're going to steal from this house. This way, we'll have sothing to decisively end the battle with the Demon King's army. If you want report us, we won't stop you… But please believe in us. It's for the sake of mankind!"
"I believe! I believe in you! Of course, I won't report you! … But I have a little request."
gumin started uncertainly, as if she was embarrassed.
"Please read this! This is a fan letter describing how cool and charismatic both of you are! In order to hand it to you personally, I've been carefully bringing it along everywhere I go!!"
She bowed her head and offered us a letter.
Right. After we returned from the palace, she was writing sothing that she hoped to hand over to us.
But receiving a letter like this made my heart pound faster.
Of course, for gumin, this was a letter to her heroes. But it still felt like receiving a love letter.
When I was about to take the letter–
"Thanks. After we're done with our work, I'll be sure to read it."
Chris snatched the letter first.
"Big Boss, what are you doing? That letter was for !"
"What are you saying? gumin said it's a fan letter to the Silver-Haired Thieving Group! It's not yours, but ours. As the boss, naturally I should keep it!"
We started to argue among ourselves softly. gumin bowed once more.
"Thanks for receiving it. There were supposed to be a lot of things to look forward to after the fireworks display tonight, but I ssed it all up. I was sowhat depressed… But thanks to that, I can et both of you. So, it wasn't all unlucky."
She said and smiled innocently.
Part 6
"Big Boss, it's good that we didn't expose our identities. But eting her at this ti, I don't know if we're lucky or unlucky."
"With both of us here, there won't be any unlucky event. We even got a fan letter."
"Although I wish I could help out, I should probably return earlier to apologize to soone…" – gumin said and left. She was still worriedly looking back at us.
Was she going to apologize to ?
"Big Boss, should I go back first tonight? If I go back now, I feel an event will happen with gumin."
"No way. In many ways, today's the best day to infiltrate! Anyway, what kind of event will happen with gumin? At least choose one between Darkness and gumin!"
It couldn't be helped. I'd just have to finish the work fast.
At this ti, I noticed Chris was keeping gumin's fan letter inside her clothes.
"… Big Boss, after our work, let's decide who gets to keep that letter."
"Fine. Let's decide it with a ga of rock-paper-scissors."
"Don't decide this with luck!"
– Because of so unexpected incidents, I needed to go back earlier than expected tonight.
We should finish this quickly.
"Let's subdue the sentries. I feel good today; I can handle two people easily."
Was I unusually excited because things were going well with both of them?
"You were this excited too back when we infiltrated the palace… You get really lively at night. Are you a devil or sothing?"
"If that's the case, then all the NEETs in Japan would be devils. Big Boss, use the Lurk skill so we can get close to them. It's full moon tonight and the festival's bonfires are still burning, so there's a lot of light. Be careful."
Chris and I used the Lurk skill and clung to the walls as we crept slowly toward the sentries like ninjas.
The two sentries were leisurely chatting away.
It should be possible to ambush them.
To get the timing right, I calmly listened in on their conversation.
"This festival's aweso. It's unlike any festival before! This is all thanks to the participation of the Axis Cult. Making the poster girls wear swimsuits is a stroke of genius."
"Sa with allowing succubus cosplay. I found an amazing babe. This festival has just been amazing. But did you hear? Supposedly, there was so outside help in the managent this ti around."
Oh. That'd be .
I was popular enough to be the topic of interest among soldiers, what a great feeling!
"The outside help was from that guy, right? Pitting the Eris Church and the Axis Cult against each other, then fanning the flas just so he can get a bigger commission out of it… What a bastard."
"Oh, right. Bringing in the Axis cultists, allowing for succubus cosplay, making the poster girls wear swimsuits… I heard all of these suggestions were his. His na should be–"
I jumped out of the shadows.
When they noticed , they attempted to draw their swords from their waists–
"Double Drain Touch!"
But I covered their mouths with my hands and used Drain Touch to drain their mana.
The sentries who nearly exposed so important secrets to Chris soon quieted down.
"Hey, Assistant-kun. Don't be reckless! Although surprises are good, they nearly raised the alarm just now!"
"I feel good today, so I'm confident I can handle them. I managed it in the end, right? No problem. Leave it to ."
That was so close.
I wasn't afraid that they'd shout. I was afraid of divine retribution if they continued talking.
The two sentries were unconscious due to mana exhaustion. Chris dragged them away into the trees.
"Even if it ended well, you mustn't be reckless. Most soldiers joined in the defense against the insect invasion. They were careless because they were tired. This won't happen again."
"I know. Let's go then. I want to go back early to be affectionate with gumin."
"Weren't you getting on well with Darkness earlier? I won't care if you get killed as a result. I won't agree to another resurrection if you die this way."
Don't say things that make people uneasy.
"By the way, about the sentries' conversation earlier… External support for the festival… Assistant-kun, do you know anything about it?"
"N-No…"
… That was another reason to finish this job fast.
– We successfully snuck into Undine's mansion this ti.
It was partly due to the fact that we were familiar with the layout since this was the second ti we're here.
But we were safe along the way mostly because there was a goddess of luck present.
Although I didn't really want to think of it– If I hadn't caused the alarm in the treasure vault to go off when we infiltrated the palace, that mission might've gone smoothly too.
We arrived at the treasure vault soon and nodded at each other before the secret door.
I retrieved a key item from my pocket and pushed open the secret door.
Before Aigis could shout, I smashed the magic crystal I bought as I entered the room.
As the crystal shattered, a special seal was set on the entire room.
This wasn't bought from Wiz's Magic Tool Shop. It was a normal magic item that was actually useful.
Although the duration was short, this magic crystal could create a weak bounded field.
So even if Aigis shouted via telepathy, nothing could be heard outside the room.
Chris retrieved a magic sack that could block weak magic from her backpack. The sack was bought from the sa magic tool shop.
If Aigis was covered in this sack, telepathy should be unusable.
"I was wondering who it might be. It's the previous thieves again! Haven't you had enough? Thieves! Thieves–!!"
Aigis imdiately shouted as soon as it saw us.
I ignored its shouts and started to remove the chains on Aigis.
"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you still in the mood to do this? This is a noble's mansion. You'll be executed if you're caught… Eh. The mansion's too quiet. What happened?"
"Ha. Do you think we ca unprepared? Your telepathy won't be transmitted to the people in the mansion. Too bad!"
I vengefully mocked it while I removed the chains on Aigis.
"What did you do? Hey, fine. I understand! Let's make a deal!! You want my power, right? Then find a worthy master for , and I'll cooperate with you! I can compromise a bit regarding the master. Please!!"
Aigis beseeched us fervently. Where did it's arrogance go?
"You should've said that when we first ca! Idiot– Idiot– It's been decided that your master will be a man, and it's an uncle with big shiny muscles. Be prepared to serve your new master!!"
"Don't speak nonsense, you bastard! Hey, stop! Think from the perspective of an armor! Please! You don't want to be worn by a slovenly uncle, right? If you must protect soone, it'd be better to protect a cute girl, right?"
"I agree completely, but it's your fault that we were so miserable. We won't listen to your requests anymore, you great idiot!"
"A-Assistant-kun. I know I argued with it last ti too, but arguing with an armor's too childish…"
Chris was holding the sack open. She couldn't endure it further after watching argue with Aigis like she did the previous ti.
"Ah! No! No! Woman! I must be worn by a woman! A black-haired beauty, a blonde lolita or a sexy brunette. Right now, I'll fine as long as it's a woman! You know, my wearer would sweat a lot during combat. Consider my feelings about being drenched in a man's sweat!"
Aigis cried out in anguish. I felt a bit of pity for it.
To protect a vulgar man, you ended up being drenched in his sweat. This wasn't sothing that could be excused as a 'punishnt ga'…
"Give it up. Also, it's useless to shout on the way. Chris's sack can block weak magic. You'll be wrapped in it while we take you back. Anyway, you're an inorganic item, so why do you have so many demands? Stop being willful…"
As I said that, the last chain on Aigis was removed.
"Ha!"
Following the shout, I was hit on my jaws and beca dizzy.
"A-Assistant-kun?! Hey? Why are you moving?"
I held my shaky head and looked at Aigis to understand the situation better–
"I've decided. I'll go on a journey to find a pretty woman worthy of wearing . Although it's nice to be waxed daily by the maids in this mansion, people like you may show up again. I'll find my own master."
After being freed from the chains, Aigis made a fist briskly.
Chris was still persuading it when it started speaking nonsense.
"Wait, Aigis! This world needs your power! If it's okay, before your new master's found, let wear you…"
"Fuck! Where's the fun in being worn by an androgynous thief? I said I'll find my own master… Since you want to wear so much, let's evaluate our compatibility… Well, your face is A grade. Job compatibility is C grade. Breast size is below grading. I'm sorry, we're not fated to be together…"
"Why you–! I was imploring you so nicely! Let's use force then! Bind!"
Chris finally freaked out and shouted as she tossed the wire at her waist.
A tallic wire took away Aigis's freedom–!
"Oh. What are you doing with this wire? What? Do you want to bind you up with this? Hehe. You look so pure, yet your taste's so heavy!"
– But it was unsuccessful.
The wire Chris tossed over fell off for unknown reasons.
Aigis shrugged and mocked Chris who was stunned.
"Bind!"
I used the sa skill as Chris and my wire fell off as well.
"Didn't you learn your lesson? Really, you still don't understand? Who do you think I am? I'm the legendary Sacred Armor Aigis. I'm the toughest in this world. I'm immune to magic and skills and can heal my master. I'm the sacred armor that can sing and dance! I won't lose to thieving brats like you!!"
This bastard!
"Big Boss. Even if skills are useless, it can't be too powerful since it could be chained down! Let's subdue it together!"
"I-I understand! I'll go from the right. Assistant-kun, circle around it!"
Hearing our plan, Agis made a fist.
"Hey, you still want to fight? My fist's really a steel fist. That's right, I'm a weapon incarnate!"
"What's this fellow talking about? So noisy and annoying! It's too talkative for a suit of armor! Ha!"
"Good. I caught it!"
Chris and I pounced at it at the sa ti and pressed down on Aigis's body.
"Boss. Take its arm off! Disassemble it and stuff it in the sack! Since it's so talkative, leave the helt behind in this room!"
"Hey, your line of thought is very dangerous. My body can't be disassembled. When my master wore , he used a keyword to do it. Instead of carrying away, it'll be easier to just wear . The keyword to equip is 'I want to be an armored girl!' Co, say it once."
"I-I want to be an armored g…"
"There can't possibly be such a stupid keyword, Big boss. You've been tricked! Hey, th-this fellow's much stronger than expected…"
Aigis shook us off from its arms and walked toward the room exit…!
"Big Boss! Not good! If it leaves the room, it can't be silenced!"
"Oh. Hey, be obedient, Aigis! I'm Eris. The goddess in charge of this world, Eris! I have an obligation to manage you. Co obediently with !"
"You're really trying hard… What a waste. Your face's cute, but one must still consider the inner self. While searching for a master, I must be more mindful."
"What did you say–?"
Hearing Aigis's disbelief in her divinity, Chris was raging.
"Then, we're parting ways. If you want so much, learn to be charming enough to keep a man first, little girl. The most essential point is breast size. So people say that flat-chest's a novelty, but I think that's just a bluff by people who don't have the stuffs."
"Eh–?"
Even though the angry Chris held onto Aigis's arm, it rely dragged us along out of the secret door.
"Everyone in Undine's household who can't keep , a world class treasure. You've taken care of so far! Please forgive for leaving on my own to find a master. If you want , prepare a world class beauty! I'll co back in that case!"
A telepathic ssage rang out in the mansion, so strongly that everyone's heads were hurting.
"Ah! I'm free! Yes, now I'm totally free! The sky's the limit! Aigis Kick!!"
After shaking us off, Aigis ca out of the treasure vault and left through the window on the third floor with a flying kick.
At the sa ti, the lamps in the mansion lit up. There was shouting everywhere.
Hearing this commotion, everyone in the mansion was awake.
"What? The thieves are back again?"
"That was Aigis's voice just now! Check the treasure vault!"
This is bad. There were voices coming in this direction!
Last ti, we made a rope out of the window curtain to escape from the treasure vault.
There was no such thing this ti, perhaps as a defensive asure or because the new curtain was simply not ready.
"Big Boss, this is bad. This is the third floor; we've got no escape route. We'll secure your wire to that pillar and go down from there!"
"Hey, you've got a wire at your waist too. Use yours!"
"My wire's an expensive, custom-made special item! They'll track down if they investigate it!"
"Is that why you hurriedly picked it up after it failed to bind Aigis? Mine's also custom-made, so they can track down with it too!"
There was no other option then. We might have to break through forcefully like we did in the palace.
"Big Boss, be prepared. It's been a while since we showed our true abilities."
I adjusted my breathing.
"No need to panic, don't worry. There's always a way when we get to it. Who do you think I am? I'm the goddess of luck!"
Chris smiled playfully as if she was pulling a prank.
Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light outside the window. Every window in the Undine mansion shattered simultaneously.
As the broken glass flew, an explosive roar which everyone in the city was familiar with, rang out in the sumr night sky.
Part 7
– This was all the fault of that damn armor.
"Kazuma. Co out! If you co out now, I'll rely lecture you!"
Darkness was kicking on my door in a rage.
"This is unacceptable, my lady! If you're a lady of a noble family, you should behave more demurely."
I shouted toward the other side. To prevent the door from being kicked open, I used all my strength to push against the door.
"Don't treat as a noble lady only at tis like this! Kazuma, co out and explain yourself! Or else Chris here will receive your punishnt too!"
"Assistant-kun, save !!"
Chris's voice was heard from the other side of the door.
But…
"Too bad, Darkness. This trick won't work on . That sounded like Chris, but my reliable Big Boss won't give in so easily. You're using Aqua's Super Entertainer magic to mimic her voice, right? Don't underestimate my reasoning power. That's right. It was your voice earlier!"
"Wrong. Assistant-kun, what are you saying? There must be a limit to your reason!!"
After I reasoned it all out, I heard Chris's agonizing voice.
I was currently hiding in a certain hotel.
After being defeated by Aigis, Chris and I broke through the servants, who were scared by the Explosion. We ran everywhere in the city and finally hid inside a random hotel…
I heard Darkness on the other side of the door again.
"Kazuma, it's about ti you co out! There is only Chris and I here. No police, no people from the Undine family. Co, your boss may end up very badly. Is this really okay for you?"
I rely said:
"Go right ahead."
"Traitor! Hey Darkness, untie my rope! I'll help you get Assistant-kun out!"
"Y-You two are really…!"
– An hour later.
Darkness kicked down the door and subdued . With my upper body bound, I was sitting up straight with Chris.
"So, why were you doing this? Last ti, you promised to notify at the start. Seriously. There are eyewitnesses from the Undine family. A lot of people including the city's adventurers are hunting you down for the bounty!"
After hearing our explanation, Darkness pressed her forehead and sighed.
While being tied up, I moved my head to indicate to Darkness.
"I've said it before, 'If the other party's a noble, maybe we can ask Darkness for help. Use Darkness's family for political advantage.'. Then, Big Boss…"
"Ah? It's true that Assistant-kun said it before! But Darkness, that noble acquired the divine relic via illegal ans and his reputation isn't good. He'll definitely deny it! And you were busy with the lordship duties!"
Darkness sighed heavily.
"If you intend to commit a cri, I'll think of sothing no matter how busy I am. Even for sothing acquired illegally, nobles have their ways of dealing with it. If the price is right, it's still possible to negotiate with nobles who are very sensitive to benefits. And…!"
"Ow! Ow! Darkness, stop! I'm sorry. Next ti I'll inform you before stealing!"
"Don't you have other options besides stealing? Anyway, I'm most angry with–!"
Darkness was drilling Chris's temples angrily. She glared at fiercely.
"After that incident with last night, it's unforgivable for you to leave as if nothing happened! Don't you have complex emotions of excitent and confusion? Do you know? When I think back on what I did, I struggled internally for a long ti due to the embarrassnt…!"
"Ugh! Stop, stop! My head's about to crack! Sorry. Sorry, it's my fault! But if it's so embarrassing, then don't do it in the first place! Anyway, that cliffhanger kind of kiss was unbearable for too!"
Darkness grabbed my head and choked …!
"Whoa!"
Chris suddenly cried out after hearing our conversation.
Then she started trembling…
"Whoa…! What Assistant-kun said last night was true…! You really did it! Darkness really took the initiative to kiss soone!!"
"Hey? Chris, this isn't important right now! Anyway– Kazuma, you even told her such things?"
"It can't be helped. Big Boss was interrogating for coming so late! Anyway, given our current relationship, there's no need to be embarrassed over a kiss! We washed each other's backs and saw each other naked in the bath before, didn't we? You even suggested becoming adults together when I broke into your house."
"Ugh! Kazuma, you…! Fine, I understand. This topic is over. I've got no ti to fool around with you! I'll undo the ropes. Leave. Both of you can help!"
Darkness blushed and hurriedly removed the ropes.
"I just heard sothing amazing again. What was that about? Which stage is your relationship at? Am I the only one who's still a kid?"
"Chris, we'll talk about it another ti! Co, let remove your rope…"
"It can't wait! I want details! Wait, Darkness. Why aren't you telling ? What happened to the friendship between us girls?"
Looking at them as their roles were reversed, I rubbed the area tied by the rope.
"Y-You're annoying, Chris. That's not important! Seriously, both of you. Aqua. gumin. Why must everyone make trouble when I'm acting as the lord?"
Darkness said and pressed her forehead again.
"...Uh? Hey, besides , did Aqua and gumin cause trouble too?"
"… gumin's being held at the police station. Supposedly, she used Explosion magic for no reason within the city. No matter how she was interrogated, she just said, 'It was unbearable since I couldn't use magic during the fireworks display. My Explosion magic's prettier than other fireworks. I won't repent, but I'll compensate.'. They decided to lock her up until the end of the festival."
Of course, gumin was responsible for the shockwave that assaulted Undine's mansion last night.
After watching us leave, gumin was still concerned about us. After seeing the lights in the mansion, she knew we were in danger and used her magic.
Then, she was arrested since she couldn't move after using Explosion magic.
I felt sorry for her. I should bring her sothing later.
"What about Aqua? What trouble did she cause again?"
Darkness frowned unspeakably.
"Using the unexpected popularity and turnover of this festival as the reason… The Axis cultists want to host the Goddess Aqua Thanksgiving Festival by themselves next year."
User Comments
0 comments from readers