Chapter 371

Watching Aqua put the Feebas into its Poké Ball, Kazuma sidled up beside Haruto with the most shamelessly ingratiating smile imaginable.

"Haruto-bro... you know, I’ve always thought you were... uh... for some reason, just really awesome..."

Haruto visibly shuddered and cut him off.

"If you want something, just say it. Stop being creepy."

"Well, it’s just..."

Kazuma rubbed his hands together, eyes shining with expectation.

"Aqua already got a Pokémon, so... could you maybe give me one too? Anything’s fine! I’m not picky!"

Haruto looked at his eager face and thought for a moment.

"Sure. I’ll give you a Magikarp."

"THANK YOU, HARUTO-BRO!"

Kazuma almost jumped for joy.

With Aqua around, even if one Blessing wasn’t enough to trigger evolution, surely repeated attempts would eventually turn Magikarp into Gyarados.

In other words, Haruto had practically handed him a powerful Gyarados for free!

Kazuma’s eyes grew even more reverent.

He had already decided that the moment they returned to Axel, he was going to make Aqua spam Blessing on Magikarp until it evolved.

After that, Giant Toads, One-Punch Bears, and whatever other monsters came along could all be left to Gyarados.

Kazuma himself would just stand safely in the back and count the money.

Haruto casually selected one Magikarp, handed Kazuma a Poké Ball, and then turned back toward Aqua.

"Aqua, one more favor. Cast Blessing on the rest of the Water-type Pokémon too."

There was a good chance Haruto wouldn’t return to Axel after today, so naturally he wanted to make full use of Aqua’s Blessing while he still had the opportunity.

"Eh?! There’s more?"

Aqua hugged the Poké Ball containing her Feebas and immediately looked reluctant.

Still, she had already agreed to help him, so she could hardly refuse now.

"Fine, fine! I suppose the great Aqua is simply too kindhearted to say no!"

As Aqua began casting Blessing on the other Water-type Pokémon, several Goldeen evolved into Seaking, a number of Poliwag became Poliwhirl, and a few Staryu evolved into Starmie.

"Whoa! They changed again!"

Aqua stared at the newly evolved Pokémon with delight.

"My Blessing really is amazing!"

While Aqua busied herself with the Water-types, Haruto turned toward Megumin and Darkness.

"What about you two? Do either of you want a Pokémon?"

Megumin immediately shook her head.

Then she removed her hat, and the little black cat-like Chomusuke poked its head out before affectionately rubbing against the back of Megumin’s hand.

"No thanks. Chomusuke is enough for me."

As if understanding her words, Chomusuke gave a soft meow and rubbed even harder against her fingers.

Haruto nodded, then looked toward Darkness.

"What about you, Darkness? Is there any kind of Pokémon you’d want?"

Darkness considered the question seriously.

"Hmm... I’d like one that can protect its companions."

"Preferably the kind that can take even the most brutal attacks without falling, standing at the very front and enduring all the damage for everyone else."

Haruto fell silent.

Even the most defensive Pokémon he owned would probably look fragile compared with Darkness.

Honestly, if he gave her a Pokémon specifically to share her preferred battle style, he wasn’t convinced it would survive three days.

After thinking it over, Haruto gave her an awkward smile.

"Sorry, Darkness. I don’t have any Pokémon that really fit what you’re looking for right now."

"In that case, never mind."

Darkness didn’t seem particularly bothered.

With nothing else left to do, Haruto led everyone out of the Gourmet Restaurant.

Then he turned toward Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness.

"Well, I think this is where we part ways. We’re going to continue traveling, and we probably won’t be returning to Axel."

Aqua looked at him reluctantly.

"You’re leaving already? I haven’t eaten nearly enough of your cooking yet."

"Yeah, Haruto-bro. Why not stay a few more days?"

Kazuma joined in immediately.

He had only just found an enormous thigh to cling to, and now that thigh was leaving Axel.

"I decided this before today."

Haruto’s answer was calm.

In fact, if he hadn’t already planned on leaving, he wouldn’t have spent today getting involved with Kazuma’s party in the first place.

The longer he remained in Axel, the more likely he was to get dragged into some troublesome incident.

Leaving now was the safer option.

Megumin tightened her grip on her staff and looked at him seriously.

"Haruto, don’t forget to use Explosion!"

"If the opportunity comes up, I will."

Haruto nodded to her, then raised a hand in farewell.

"Goodbye, then. If we happen to meet again, I’ll cook something even better for all of you next time."

With that, Haruto headed toward the carriage with Kagura and Kanna.

Rapidash gave a sharp neigh and pulled the carriage down the road.

Kazuma and the others stood by the roadside, waving after them until the carriage finally vanished beyond the horizon.

"All right, we should head back too."

Kazuma rubbed his hands together eagerly.

"Let’s hurry! Once my Magikarp evolves into Gyarados, we can start taking those high-difficulty subjugation quests!"

"Hmph! What’s so impressive about Gyarados?"

Aqua lifted her chin proudly.

"My Feebas is going to evolve into Milotic, and Milotic is a hundred times prettier than your Gyarados! Everyone in Axel is going to be jealous of me!"

"Being pretty doesn’t help you fight."

Kazuma immediately shot back.

"Gyarados is ridiculously strong. Once mine evolves, we can leave all the monster hunting to it."

"Who says Milotic can’t fight?!"

Aqua glared at him indignantly.

"Milotic is strong too! And it’s beautiful! Just looking at one makes you happy!"

The two bickered all the way back toward Axel.

Megumin followed while carrying Chomusuke, with Darkness walking beside her and occasionally joining the argument.

...

Inside the central hall of the abandoned castle, Beldia continued waiting for the adventurers to attack.

He waited from daylight until nightfall.

Then from nightfall until dawn.

As an undead knight, Beldia had no shortage of time.

And yet...

No adventurers came.

When the first rays of morning finally pierced the darkness, Beldia moved slightly.

He raised the head in his hand and stared toward the castle entrance, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"Strange... Why... have they still not come?"

Then a possibility occurred to him.

"Could it be... they realized the difference in our strength and abandoned the attack?"

Beldia spoke quietly, sounding as though he had finally understood.

A moment later, disappointment set in.

He had thought he might finally get some exercise.

Apparently, Axel’s adventurers didn’t even possess the courage to face him.

How boring.

Beldia shook his head in disappointment and dismissed the undead soldiers stationed throughout the castle.

Just as he was preparing to return to his slumber—

BOOOOOOM!

An Explosion slammed directly into the abandoned castle!

The entire fortress shook violently.

Red light flashed in Beldia’s eyes.

’That magical signature... It’s the same Arch Wizard from before!’

"Have they... regrouped?"

So they hadn’t given up after all!

Beldia’s anticipation immediately returned.

First, he ordered his undead servants to repair the newly blasted sections of the castle.

After all, what kind of impression would he make if adventurers arrived to challenge a Demon King’s general only to find him living in a half-collapsed ruin?

Then Beldia straightened proudly and prepared himself for battle.

He waited.

And waited.

Morning became noon.

Noon became evening.

The sun sank.

The moon rose.

The area outside the castle remained completely silent.

Not a single person appeared.

Beldia’s anticipation gradually vanished, replaced by deep confusion.

What was going on?

Why were they still not attacking?

He forced himself to remain patient and waited through another night.

On the third day—

BOOOOOOM!

Another Explosion struck the abandoned castle.

Beldia: "..."

Grinding his teeth, he ordered the undead to repair the damage and strengthen the defenses.

Then he waited another entire day.

Still nobody came.

The fourth day—

BOOOOOOM!

Repair the castle.

Beldia’s rage: +1.

The fifth day—

BOOOOOOM!

Repair the castle.

Beldia’s rage: +2.

The sixth day—

BOOOOOOM!

Repair the castle.

Beldia’s rage: +3.

By now, the Dullahan standing inside the abandoned castle was practically radiating fury.

He could no longer begin to understand what the Arch Wizard casting those Explosions was thinking.

Every single day.

Every. Single. Day.

One Explosion.

She would blast his castle and then immediately leave.

Day after day after day.

’IS SHE USING MY CASTLE AS A DAMN EXPLOSION PRACTICE TARGET?!’

’WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HER?!’