For several days, Kazuma and his party began diligently hunting Giant Toads. Unlike the original where they struggled to catch 2-3 with comedic shows, thanks to Kazuma's efforts, they were catching them quite well. Kazuma saw [Wind Slash] and fell in love at first sight, immediately learning it with the points he had saved. This technique imbues the sword with mana and wind to launch at the enemy, providing much-needed suppression and continuous attacks for Kazuma's party, which previously relied only on Megumin's powerful one-shot attacks, so now they could easily catch Giant Toads.
"Ah... The skill is so good, but it's a shame I can't catch more than 10 because I run out of mana."
"Don't overuse [Wind Slash]; it's better to handle what you can with your sword directly. If you run out of mana in a pinch, it could be dangerous."
"Yeah, I think I've been relying too much on [Wind Slash] lately. By the way, teach me [Iaido] and [Flash Step]."
"Sure."
[Iaido]
Gather mana in the scabbard and quickly draw to slash the enemy.
[Flash Step]
Move instantly like the wind.
I taught the skills while also explaining in detail when and how to use them. Kazuma was deeply into swordsmanship, similar to the original but seemed to be heading in a slightly different direction.
"By the way, is the wedding preparation going well?"
"Yes, I've sent out invitations and ordered the dress."
Since Luna was in the early stages of pregnancy, she wanted to have the wedding quickly before her belly showed, so things were a bit rushed.
"I see. I also want to meet various women, date a lot, and get married. Honestly, I'd like to create a harem too, hehe."
Kazuma said this while scratching his head shyly.
"Oh~ That's the dream of men, isn't it?"
"Right? You know what's up, Cassian! My dream is to create my own harem before I die!"
At first, he was embarrassed to say it, but when I acknowledged it, Kazuma proudly stated his ambition. However, his voice was too loud, and the girls who heard it approached Kazuma in disbelief.
Aqua
"What did you say!!?? A harem is your dream??? You, Kazuma!!!"
Megumin
"I'm disappointed that Kazuma saw us in that light!!! Mr. Kazuma!!"
Darkness
"As expected! The man I chose, Kazuma!!"
Kazuma, very flustered, sweated nervously and tried to make excuses.
"No, it was just a joke while talking among guys..."
"With whom?"
"That... Cas... Huh?"
Kazuma turned his head to look for me, but I had already fled the scene long ago. After that, Kazuma had to listen to a lecture from the girls for a while.
With nothing to do lately, I went to the guild to play with Luna. When I told Luna, 'Since you're pregnant, shouldn't you take a break from guild work or retire for now?' she said there was no one to replace her and it was still fine, so I agreed.
Megumin, unable to use Explosion magic often due to Kazuma's efforts, went with Darkness and Kazuma to practice magic in a distant place.
The next day, while teaching swordsmanship to Kazuma, we went to the guild to hang out, and Luna urgently shouted to everyone.
"Emergency! Emergency! All adventurers, please arm yourselves and gather at the village main gate in combat readiness!"
Hearing this, the adventurers quickly armed themselves and went out to the village main gate. Kazuma and his party, including Yunyun, were there too.
Going out to the gate with many adventurers, we saw Verdia, a Dullahan warrior from the Demon King's army, standing on horseback in front of the gate. Verdia was a Dullahan warrior, armed with armor and a greatsword, and his head wasn't attached to his body but held in one hand.
Kazuma saw this and said while sweating nervously.
"Hey, is this okay? He looks incredibly strong?"
Other adventurers also buzzed nervously. No one had imagined a Demon King general would come to Axel Town, which was a beginner village.
Then Verdia began to speak.
"I am a Demon King army general who recently moved to a castle near here..."
Verdia seemed very angry, trembling as he continued.
"Every, every, every, every day, without fail, someone shoots Explosion magic at my, my castle! Who is the insane idiot doing this!!!"
Hearing this, the adventurers murmured.
"Explosion magic?"
"If it's someone who uses Explosion magic..."
"Explosion magic means..."
It was obvious who the culprit was. There weren't many people in the beginner village who could use powerful magic. So, all the gathered adventurers looked at Megumin. Megumin, without a conscience, suddenly looked at a red-haired female mage nearby. Other adventurers followed Megumin's gaze and looked at the female mage, who was very flustered.
"Huh? Me, me? Why is everyone looking at me? I can't use Explosion magic. I'm still a novice..."
I was annoyed at Megumin, so I slapped the back of her head and stood in front of the female mage.
"It's me! I shot Explosion magic at the castle!"
"You shot it?? You don't look like a mage?"
Verdia questioned, seeing me with a sword.
"That's because it's not Explosion magic! It's bombs!"
"Hmph! I won't fall for such lies. It seems you stepped forward to protect the villagers. Although I have fallen into a monster, I was originally a knight. So, I highly regard your chivalry and will let it slide this once. Go back."
"No need for that. Since you're weaker than me, I should be the one letting it slide, not you."
When I acted strong, Verdia thought for a moment and said.
"Right, I see. I've heard rumors. You're the 'Silver Flash,' the future hero people talk about. Then it's different. It might be good to nip a future threat in the bud."
Hearing the title 'Silver Flash' that I gained from KonoSuba again was a bit embarrassing, but I didn't show it since everyone was watching.
Verdia got off his horse and drew his greatsword. I also stepped forward, drew my sword, and took a stance. Many adventurers watched nervously.
"I wish I could have seen you grow into a better opponent, but I don't like catching an opponent who's still growing in a beginner village. However, you'll pay the price for provoking without knowing your enemy's strength."
"I told you not to worry about that. Let's start."
We glared at each other briefly, then charged simultaneously, clashing swords.
Clang!
"Huh! Your strength! You, you've been hiding your power!"
Verdia seemed quite surprised by my strength. Indeed, he was a strong swordsman, realizing after one clash that I wasn't an easy opponent.
"I told you. I never lie."
We struggled briefly, then both jumped back.
"I see. I think I underestimated because it's a beginner village. I acknowledge you as my opponent; I'll go all out too."
Verdia threw his head into the air, gripped his greatsword with both hands, and began swinging. I matched him, parrying.
Clang! Cling! Clang clang!
"Impressive. I never thought there would be such a person. I must stop you before you grow stronger."
Verdia swung his greatsword with all his might, but when I parried everything, he seemed very surprised. Actually, I was holding back a lot. Compared to Mihawk from One Piece, who could cut a mountain with one swing, each strike was incomparable. Plus, with [Observation Haki], his attacks couldn't land.
But I did this because if I won too easily, it would be tiring to explain, and also, the kingdom might make strange requests, so I needed to show that I won with some difficulty.
It was a bit nerve-wracking to parry and attack evenly, but fighting while understanding Verdia's swordsmanship was fun.
"Go, Silver Flash!"
"I love you, Cassian!"
"I believe in you, future hero!"
As the fight dragged on, the watching adventurers began cheering enthusiastically.
"It seems you have no one on your side."
"Damn it! Shut up!"
Verdia stepped back briefly and summoned numerous undead.
"Hey, hey! Didn't you say you were a knight? Why summon such things during a sacred duel?"
"To shut their mouths!"
The undead summoned by Verdia began rushing toward the adventurers. I quickly launched consecutive [Wind Slash] at the undead.
Swish! Slash! Swish!
"Gah!" "Ugh!"
Not missing that opening, Verdia quickly stabbed at me with his greatsword.
"Opening!!!"
Cling!
I parried by lifting Verdia's greatsword, pretending to barely block it.
"Even a sneak attack, are you really a knight?"
"It's your fault for being distracted during the duel!"
Verdia was jealous because the duel wasn't going as he thought due to the cheers, but this was far from the chivalry I imagined. He seemed to have a 'do as I say, not as I do' kind of chivalry. Verdia was very narrow-minded.
Anyway, I seemed to have hastily handled half of the undead horde, but many undead were still swarming toward the adventurers. However, I wasn't worried. Yunyun was there, and Kazuma and Aqua had improved, so I trusted they would handle it well.
While fighting Verdia for a while, I saw Kazuma and Aqua leading the undead horde toward us.
"Huh?"
Then Kazuma shouted to me.
"Dodge, Cassian!!! Megumin, now!!!"
"Explosion!!!"
Boom!!!
Immediately, Megumin's Explosion magic fell on Verdia and the undead horde, causing a tremendous explosion. Kazuma was indeed smart. Seeing him devise this strategy instantly by using Aqua to attract the undead.
As the explosion subsided and a large crater became visible, the adventurers cheered.
Wah~~~!!!!
"Wow~ The insane Crimson Demon girl did it!"
"Her name and head are weird, but she does it right when it counts!"
"Saw it again, insane girl!"
Certainly, Megumin's image in the village was strange. Shooting Explosion magic somewhere every day was understandable.
Anyway, I held back my laughter and shouted loudly.
"He's not dead from just this!"
When I shouted, the adventurers quieted down. As expected, like in the original, the undead horde disappeared, but Verdia, as I said, wasn't dead yet and slowly got up.
"Kehehe... Fun! This is fun! I didn't expect my subordinates to be wiped out."
"And you took damage too!"
I decided to exert a bit more power now. Because I could probably use Megumin's Explosion magic as an excuse.
Clang! Cling! Clang! Slash!
I quickly closed in, exchanged sword strikes with Verdia, and immediately slashed his side.
"Gah!! You! Attacking when I'm weakened!! Can you still call yourself a hero like this!!"
"You talk well. Summoning subordinates to attack adventurers and even sneak attacking!"
"Damn it!! I won't die like this!!"
Suddenly, Verdia threw his head into the sky and shouted.
"Death Sentence!"
A red magic circle appeared in the sky as he used Death Sentence, then spread his arms as if giving up resistance. I immediately slashed Verdia without hesitation.
Swish!!
"Gaaah!!"
Verdia slowly turned to ash and disappeared, smiling at me and saying.
"Hehehe, you now have one week left to live. I'll go ahead and wait, hahaha!"
It seemed he planned to curse me and die together, but with my [(EX) Status Effect Immunity] ability, such things didn't work.
"Sorry, but curses don't work on me."
"Wh, what???"
Verdia disappeared with an incredulous expression.
Ding~!
You have acquired the abilities [(A) Death Sentence] and [(B) Verdia-style Swordsmanship].
In the past, I was very worried about Verdia, but thanks to becoming stronger through various creative worlds, I caught him easily.
Wah~~~~!!!!
"As expected! Silver Flash!"
"I believed in you!!!"
"Squeal~! I love you~!! Cassian!"
When I perfectly handled Verdia, the adventurers cheered again. I waved to them and gave a thumbs up to Kazuma and Megumin, who was being carried by Kazuma; Kazuma and Megumin also smiled and gave thumbs up.
We entered the guild with the adventurers and all had a drink together. Luna, who seemed worried, hugged me and made a fuss, crying and yelling, so it was hard to calm her down.
"How worried I was. Don't overexert yourself like that again. Anyway, in honor of Cassian's achievement, I give you a reward of 3 billion Eris!"
Hearing that amount, the guild was in an uproar again. In the original, due to Aqua's magic, the castle wall was destroyed, and they couldn't receive a single penny, even incurring debt, but since I was here, that didn't happen, so we could receive all the rewards intact.
I immediately shouted to all adventurers in the guild.
"Today's on me!! Drink to your heart's content!!!"
Wah~~~~!!!
"Cassian! Cassian! Cassian!"
We ordered lots of food and alcohol, mingling and drinking with the adventurers. Then, the red-haired novice mage I helped earlier came to thank me.
"Thank you, Cassian, for helping me."
"No problem, and wait a moment."
I told Megumin, who was eating food nearby, to apologize to the novice mage. Megumin, knowing her mistake, bowed and apologized.
"Sorry, I panicked for a moment..."
"It was harsh, but I've forgotten it now."
"Thank you."
The novice mage smiled and accepted the apology, and Megumin was grateful. It would have been heartwarming, but when Megumin started preaching the praises of Explosion magic, the novice mage got tired and excused herself, saying her party was waiting, and eventually ran away.
"They don't understand the greatness of Explosion magic."
'Come to think of it, Megumin doesn't have friends here except for Kazuma and his party and her hometown friend Yunyun... Well... given what she does, it's no wonder.'
I shook my head and enjoyed eating and drinking with the adventurers until late.
The next day, from the 3 billion Eris reward received at the guild, I gave 1 billion Eris to Kazuma's party. Nominally, it was for Kazuma's help, so I had to share the reward.
"Eh~? Is it okay for us to take this? Cassian did almost everything."
"No, if you hadn't helped, it would have taken longer."
Then Aqua snatched the bag of Eris and said.
"Just take it quickly, hehe! Thanks, Cassian~"
"Hey! Have you no conscience!"
Kazuma was baffled by Aqua, but Aqua hugged the bag of Eris and was very happy.
From the remaining Eris, I tried to give another 1 billion to Yunyun, but she refused, saying she didn't do anything, so eventually, I went to the guild and gave 1 billion to Luna, telling her to buy what she needed for the wedding and keep the rest for emergencies.
After paying for the drinks, I had just over 900 million Eris left, but since I could keep making gold coins, it didn't matter how much was spent.
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