I have an ability called [Master] that has the effect of 'the person being taught learns faster.' Kazuma certainly lacked talent. But with my ability, I'm teaching him diligently, and since Kazuma is showing motivation, his skills have definitely improved.
"Look, Cassian! Now I can cut a thread 5 out of 10 times!"
"Oh~ You worked hard."
I took out two wooden swords of similar size to the sword Kazuma was holding from my inventory and threw one to Kazuma.
"What's this?"
"Now we'll spar together. I'll point out your mistakes while sparring, so come at me all you want."
"Great!"
While sparring for a while and teaching Kazuma his posture and technique application, Aqua came running while crying.
"Waaah~ Cassian, I got fired from my part-time job!"
"From that croquette shop?"
"Yes!"
As expected, she got fired. But since I bought a lot of croquettes, it seemed the owner didn't fire her immediately and let her work a few more days.
"So, let's go take on the quest we promised last time. If we do that, we won't have to worry about money for a while!"
"Okay, I get it."
I told Kazuma to practice the necessary parts and called Yunyun from inside the mansion.
"To hunt a Bone Dragon?"
Yunyun asked with a worried expression, but I explained.
"Don't worry too much. This time, Aqua is coming too. Despite how she looks, Aqua is a very powerful Arch Priest. Nothing will happen."
"I see. Alright. I trust you, Cassian."
The three of us prepared and went to the guild to receive the quest from Luna. Luna was also very worried.
"Bone Dragons are very strong. You should reconsider this..."
"Don't worry, Luna. Trust me. I'll handle it quickly and come back."
"Sigh... I guess there's no choice. Please come back safely. And today..."
Seeing Luna's face turn red as she spoke, it seemed she was asking me to come to her house.
"I understand. I'll come after we finish the work."
We planned our strategy while moving. It was nothing special. It was simple: Yunyun and I would fight the Bone Dragon, and Aqua would cast 'Sacred Turn Undead' to finish it. I made it as simple as possible, thinking that if we made it complicated, Aqua might mess around and make things more dangerous.
"Got it? Aqua! While we fight and distract it, hide and then just cast Sacred Turn Undead!"
"How many times do I have to say I got it?"
With Aqua, it might not be enough no matter how many times I said it. I definitely needed to drill it into her.
"And Yunyun, use support magic from a distance to restrain it, and if its movements slow down, then hit it with a powerful one."
"Understood."
We went to the forest between Axel Town and the royal capital where the Bone Dragon was said to appear. After going in a bit, we saw the Bone Dragon from afar; since it was large, it was easy to find. The Bone Dragon was literally an undead dragon made of bones. But it still had the dragon's powerful strength, so it was no easy opponent.
"Let's move quietly."
"Okay." "Got it."
We tried to slowly approach the Bone Dragon, but suddenly it looked in our direction and rushed towards us like crazy.
"Huh! Cassian, the Bone Dragon is running towards us!"
"Damn! Change of plans. I'll block it immediately, so you two spread out and support me!"
"Okay!" "Understood!"
I drew my sword and stood in front to block, while Aqua and Yunyun scattered. But the Bone Dragon ignored me and passed by, starting to chase only Aqua.
"Huh?"
"Waaaah~~~!!! Cassian, save me~~~!!!"
Aqua ran around escaping, and the Bone Dragon followed quickly, knocking down trees. Then I remembered that Aqua leaks divine power, attracting undead. So I urgently called Yunyun.
"Yunyun! Let's dig a trap."
"Yes!"
For now, urgently, Yunyun and I used the advanced magic 'Bottomless Swamp' to create a huge swamp in a wide open area, quickly making a trap.
Thud thud thud!
"Cassian~~~!!! Do something~~~~!!! Waaah~~~!!!"
"Aqua!!! Over here!!! Come here!!!"
I was in front of the swamp we made, grabbed Aqua and picked her up, and when the Bone Dragon came near, timed it to dodge sideways and let the Bone Dragon fall into the swamp.
"Groooar~~!!!"
Splash!! Splash!!
Even though we made a huge swamp, since the Bone Dragon was large, its body didn't fully sink, and it struggled to escape from the swamp.
I put Aqua down before the Bone Dragon escaped.
"Aqua, now!!!"
"Got it! Sacred!! Turn Undead!!!"
Flash!
When Aqua used Sacred Turn Undead, a massive pillar of light appeared where the Bone Dragon was. As expected, the clerical magic Aqua used was incredibly powerful.
"Gwaaaah~~!!!"
The Bone Dragon slowly disappeared, and as a last struggle, it struck the swamp, causing a lot of mud to fly towards me. I jumped back to lightly avoid it, but Aqua beside me got hit directly by the mud.
"Huh? Cassian??"
Flop!!! Thud!!
Aqua, hit directly by the mud, stood still for a moment, then sat down and started crying sadly.
"Waaah~~~!!! Cassian abandoned me!!!"
"Ahaha, sorry, it suddenly flew..."
Yunyun and I used 'Create Water' to wash Aqua a bit and returned to Axel Town. On the way back, Aqua kept crying and following us, perhaps feeling wronged.
"Sniff, sniff..."
Seeing that, Yunyun looked at Aqua pitifully and said to me.
"Um... How about giving Aqua a bit more of the reward money this time?"
"Sure, let's do that."
We arrived at the guild and received the reward. It was 7 million Eris in total; Yunyun and I decided to take 2 million Eris each and gave 3 million Eris to Aqua. Then Aqua, as if she never cried, made a very bright face and was delighted.
"That's right! This is fair. After all the hardship I went through! Hahaha~ Thanks, Cassian, Yunyun~"
"Y-yeah..."
Aqua carried the bag of Eris as if holding a baby and moved home. Since Aqua got a fortune, she might complain less for a while, but I wondered how long it would last, since she's such a wasteful person.
When we arrived home, we saw Darkness carrying Megumin on her back. Yunyun saw that and waved happily, greeting them.
"Darkness, Megumin!"
"Cassian, Yunyun, Aqua!"
Listening to Darkness, unlike the original, since Kazuma was busy with training, Darkness was now helping Megumin with her Explosion magic practice. Darkness said that.
"I see. Let's go inside first."
I made dinner for them, washed up, and prepared to go out. Seeing that, Kazuma asked.
"Huh? Cassian, where are you going?"
"Luna called me."
"Hmm... I wish I had a girlfriend too... I'm jealous. Anyway, have fun on your date~"
"Okay, I'll be back tomorrow."
I went to the guild, waited for Luna to finish work, and then went to Luna's house together. Arriving at Luna's house, I made a delicious meal for her, being considerate.
"Wow~ It's so delicious. I didn't know you were so good at cooking."
"I'm glad you like it. I practiced a bit when I lived alone."
We enjoyed the meal and went up to the room to have fun, but I felt something in Luna's stomach and checked with [Naked Eye], seeing that Luna was pregnant, so I was very surprised. Since KonoSuba was the first world I went to after gaining the leisure life, I didn't have the pregnancy control ability when I slept with Luna, so she must have gotten pregnant then. Since it wasn't planned, I was startled.
Seeing my expression, Luna asked.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"Um, haven't you felt any changes in your body lately?"
"Nothing particularly... Now that you mention it, my period is a bit late. And, my sex drive seems to have increased a bit..."
Luna said shyly.
"Don't be surprised, listen."
Luna tensed up as I spoke seriously.
"Luna, I think you're pregnant."
"What? Really?"
"Yes, it seems from last time."
Luna happily stroked her stomach. Then she cautiously asked me.
"Then, what do we do now?"
"Our order is a bit messed up, but I have to take responsibility. Let's get married."
Luna laughed and readily agreed.
"Yes. I'd like that."
That day, we gave up on having fun and just held hands and fell asleep together. The next day, I woke up early, prepared breakfast for the still-sleeping Luna, left a note, and went outside. On the way home, I briefly thought about the future. Since I decided to marry Luna, I wondered what impact it would have on the original story.
"It probably doesn't matter much? I'm a bit worried about how Yunyun will take it..."
I went home, made breakfast for them, and while eating together, I told them this story.
"What!!!??? Luna is pregnant!!!???"
"Yes, so we decided to get married, and I might not be able to sleep at home for a while."
Hearing that, Yunyun suddenly stood up and ran outside crying. Then Megumin, worried about Yunyun, quickly followed, but the insensitive Aqua laughed and said.
"Is this a love triangle??? Cassian, you're lucky. Hehehe!"
Thwack!
"Ouch"
Hearing that, Kazuma gave Aqua a knuckle sandwich on the head.
"What's lucky about that? Can't you see the situation is serious?"
I was also worried about Yunyun. But in this situation, I didn't know what to say to her.
Anyway, after finishing the meal, I watched over Kazuma's training. Kazuma seemed to have taken a liking to swordsmanship and told me that he used points to acquire the [Kingdom Samurai Swordsmanship] and [Swordsmanship] skills. Since he had learned so far, he said he acquired them cheaply. Indeed, there was a difference in movement between having the skills and not.
"Your movements have definitely improved."
"Right? I don't have points for other skills yet, but now I feel confident that I can pull my own weight."
"But don't let your guard down."
"I know."
That day, to give Kazuma实战 experience, we went to the guild, greeted Luna, received a quest, and decided to all go hunt Giant Toads. But Yunyun and Megumin were nowhere to be seen, so only Darkness, Aqua, Kazuma, and I went.
"Got it? Just be careful of the tongue attack. And if possible, aim for the neck and head."
"Got it."
I decided to only assist with magic from the side. Beside me, Aqua and Darkness cheered for Kazuma.
"Fighting! Kazuma, are you pulling your weight now?" "If it's dangerous, tell me. I'll let myself get eaten instead!"
"Just trust me."
Kazuma and I slowly approached the Giant Toad, and I first used the intermediate paralysis magic 'Paralyze' on the Giant Toad. Then, as if affected by the magic, the Giant Toad twitched and trembled in place, unable to move, so I shouted to Kazuma.
"Now!"
"Whoa!"
Kazuma quickly approached the toad and cut its back neck. It was still a bit clumsy, but he succeeded in finishing it in one go.
"Wow~ Kazuma!" "Oh~ Amazing!"
Clap clap clap!
"See? I'm not a beginner adventurer anymore!"
Kazuma boasted, but since he caught it, I also praised him.
"Well done, Kazuma."
"Great!"
We caught about 10 more like that. Then Kazuma, perhaps gaining confidence, said he wanted to try alone.
"Just leave it to me. Giant Toads are no match for me now!"
"Alright."
As soon as he said that, without my help, Kazuma fought desperately with the Giant Toad for an hour. The Giant Toad had wounds all over its body, with intestines flowing out, and Kazuma had no major injuries but was quite exhausted. Everyone watched the spectacle with great interest. Maybe this is why watching weaklings fight is fun.
"Pant pant pant! Damn!! This is the final blow!! Prepare yourself!!"
"Croak!!"
The toad also seemed to know this was the end, as I felt it bracing itself.
"Hah!!!"
"Croooak~~~!!!"
Finally, Kazuma barely dodged the toad's tongue attack and stabbed its head to finish it.
"Woooooh~~!!"
Kazuma roared at the sky, delighted at defeating the Giant Toad. Everyone approached and praised him.
"Wow~ You finally caught it!" "Amazing! It's a shame you didn't get eaten by the Giant Toad, but hehehe!"
"Congratulations. Let's go back and get paid now."
"Great!"
After finishing today's quest, we settled with Luna and had a drink at the guild's restaurant. Of course, today's earnings all went to Kazuma.
"Now I feel like a real adventurer. What a mood! Today's on me."
"Oh~!!"
Listening to the story while drinking, Kazuma's level increased by 5 at once due to today's activities. From Kazuma's perspective, it must have felt really good.
We congratulated Kazuma, laughed, and chatted while drinking, and on the way home, Aqua, as usual, vomited in the back alley, and Kazuma patted her back.
Carrying Aqua back home, Megumin and Yunyun were at home, and Yunyun, seeing us arrive, came to me and spoke quietly.
"Um... Cassian, can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Sure."
Yunyun and I went outside to a quiet open area and talked.
"Um... I'm thinking of going back to my hometown now..."
"Why? Is it because I'm getting married?"
I was taken aback by Yunyun's sudden declaration of returning home.
"Yes... I actually liked you, Cassian. So when I heard you were getting married, I couldn't bear it."
Yunyun spoke while crying. I patted Yunyun's shoulder and said.
"I see... But since we've gotten along well so far, it's a shame..."
"Then accept me too!!!"
"What!!!???"
I was startled again by Yunyun's sudden outburst.
"Megumin said it's not possible, but I feel like I can't live without you, Cassian!"
"But Yunyun, you're still young and have plenty of time, so a better person might appear."
"There's no way such a person exists!! If I go back to the Crimson Demon Village like this, I might just die!!"
Yunyun kept making bombastic declarations.
"This is tough... Alright. I'll talk to Luna. I don't know if she'll allow it."
I somehow persuaded her and temporarily stopped Yunyun from returning home. After sending Yunyun home, I went to Luna and explained the situation.
"So... What are you going to do?"
"So, since Yunyun is still young, if we wait until she's of age and then accept her, maybe a better person than me, a married man, will appear in the meantime."
"But what if no better person appears by then?"
"I don't know... I don't know what to do when she says she'll die."
"Sigh... Then let's do that. I'll try to persuade Ms. Yunyun later. I was happy to have a handsome, popular man, but who knew such a problem would arise..."
"Sorry..."
The next day, after having breakfast with Luna and escorting her to the guild, I went home. When I got home, everyone was fighting over the breakfast issue.
"This is just plain water..."
"Then don't eat it!!"
I quickly intervened.
"Calm down. What's going on?"
Darkness explained the situation.
"Well... Aqua lost at rock-paper-scissors, so she had to make breakfast... but the taste..."
"I made it properly. But the broth got purified."
I facepalmed and shook my head.
"Just from now on, if I'm not here, go out and buy food."
"Yeah, that's better."
For now, I made a simple meal for them and waited until they finished eating. Then I told Yunyun that if no better person appears by the time she's 20, I'll accept her. Yunyun was very happy.
"So after I turn 20, I'll marry you, Cassian! There's no way there's a better person than you."
"Y-yeah."