"I'm back!"
Inside the restaurant, Satou Kazuma's face was full of joy as he spoke to Aqua, showing off the wallet he had just stolen, swinging it around in his hand a few times.
The sound of gold coins rubbing together was incredibly pleasant.
"Wow!"
Aqua's eyes also lit up, and then she turned to look at the restaurant owner,
"Boss, we're not in a hurry to pay, bring us another round of drinks!"
"Coming right up!"
Soon, a few more drinks were brought to the table, and Aqua couldn't wait to start the second round.
"Kazuma, where did you get this money? I didn't see you with a wallet before?"
Meili had a surprised look on her face.
And Felt next to her was also watching Satou Kazuma intently.
She could tell at a glance that Satou Kazuma had stolen it.
But Felt was also curious about how Satou Kazuma had done it.
When fighting the Bowel Hunter, Satou Kazuma was able to steal Elsa's weapon from a distance.
He had even stolen her thing without her noticing...
In Felt's eyes, Satou Kazuma was simply a master thief.
She really, really wanted to learn!
But Felt couldn't get over the bump in her heart—
She really couldn't ask a perverted idiot about such things.
"I was lucky today. Even though the useless goddess didn't bring any money, at least we managed to solve the problem in the end!"
Just as Satou Kazuma was about to start drinking heavily with Aqua, the restaurant door was suddenly pushed open.
Satou Kazuma turned his head and was shocked.
The person who came was the old man from whom he had just stolen!
Miklotov!
Wait, wait, wait.
Why is this guy here?
Could it be that my theft was discovered?
No, that's impossible!
I activated the steal skill from a distance, there's no way he could have found out!
It must just be a coincidence, maybe he just wants to come here to eat!
As long as I leave before he finishes eating and pays!
Satou Kazuma thought to himself, and then quickly hid the wallet back in his pocket.
"You two must be Aqua-sama and Satou Kazuma!"
Miklotov walked directly up to them and said with a smile.
"?!"
Satou Kazuma immediately turned his head and glared at him.
This guy, he really came for me?!
Satou Kazuma's sudden look startled Miklotov, and he took a step back, with Rikert, who was traveling with him, quickly supporting him.
"Um, was I too forward? I'm very sorry."
After Miklotov steadied himself, he quickly apologized to the two of them.
"No, no, I was just wondering, how can you be sure that I am Satou Kazuma, and this guy..."
Satou Kazuma turned his head to look at Aqua, who was still drinking heavily beside him, his lips twitched slightly, and he could only turn his gaze back to Miklotov,
"This is Aqua."
"I heard that Aqua-sama has long blue hair and an angelic face—and a unique personality. This Aqua-sama shows off that one-of-a-kind personality. Plus, a friend of mine heard people here calling out Aqua-sama's name, so I confirmed her identity."
"Good eye! Want to have a drink!"
Hearing Miklotov's words, Aqua raised her glass high, her voice a little slurred with drunkenness.
Rikert's expression was visibly twisted, but Miklotov politely waved his hand:
"Sorry, I'm old and can't hold my liquor."
"Tch, you've barely lived a hundred—"
Before Aqua could finish speaking, Satou Kazuma covered her mouth.
Although he didn't know the other party's identity, there was no doubt that this old man was someone important.
Since the other party already knew his and Aqua's names, then they were likely related to the King Selection tomorrow, so he couldn't offend them carelessly.
"I wanted to ask, how did you know my name?"
Satou Kazuma raised his chin slightly, ready to receive Miklotov's praise.
"Um..."
Miklotov hesitated.
Hey, hey, hey, what does that 'um' mean?
You were able to say Aqua's characteristics just now, how come when it comes to me you hesitate?
"Because you're by Aqua-sama's side, so I guessed your identity."
Satou Kazuma had an awkward but polite smile on his face.
Huh?
So, the only thing people remember about me is that I'm the useless goddess's follower?
Don't think I won't hit you just because you're an old man... actually, I really can't.
Satou Kazuma took a deep breath and then asked with a smile:
"May I ask what your name is?"
"Oh?"
Miklotov had a surprised look on his face, surprised that there were people in this country who didn't recognize him, but his face quickly returned to a polite smile:
"Sorry for being rude, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Miklotov McMahon, and I am currently a member of the Council of Elders—"
"Council of Elders?"
Satou Kazuma remembered Emilia telling him about the Council of Elders.
After the royal family of Lugunica was wiped out, the Council of Elders took over the country's affairs.
In other words... the old guy in front of him is one of the people with the most power in this country.
I just stole this guy's wallet?
Satou Kazuma felt like he was sweating again, and he put his hand into his pocket, clutching the wallet tightly.
I absolutely cannot be discovered!!!!
"I am the civil official Rikert Hoffman."
Rikert briefly introduced himself, with a hint of wariness in his eyes towards Satou Kazuma and the others.
Behind them were officials of all sizes from Lugunica.
Satou Kazuma could feel a bit of hostility in Rikert's eyes, so he asked:
"Hey, you're not a member of the Council of Elders, are you?"
"Me? No, the Council of Elders is only..."
"Oh, so you're not."
The veins on Rikert's forehead popped out instantly.
Oh? What does that 'oh' mean?
Why do I feel so uncomfortable?
Rikert's face was a little red, but he could only suppress his emotions in this kind of situation.
"Aqua-sama, Kazuma-sama, why did you come here?"
Miklotov asked curiously.
"Because, because we also recruited some decent people..."
Satou Kazuma said, but shifted his gaze into the distance, the trio of thugs were already drunk and falling over.
Rikert also looked over, but for a moment, an incredibly surprised expression appeared on his face:
"He, why is he here?"
"Who?"
"It's nothing."
Rikert shook his head, but his tone seemed to be a little gentler than before.
Satou Kazuma narrowed his eyes slightly, taking in Rikert's reactions.
"Geez, you people are so annoying! Going on and on!"
Beatrice crossed her arms in front of her chest and said impatiently, looking like she was trying to stand up for Satou Kazuma.
"May I ask who this is?"
"She is Beatrice, a spirit who has a contract with me."
"A contract spirit? I've only seen a spirit user once before."
Miklotov said with some surprise.
"Don't compare Betty to those low-level spirits, Betty is a great spirit!"
"A great spirit?!"
Several officials behind Miklotov were talking about it.
They were all very clear that almost every great spirit was far beyond ordinary people, and some great spirits even had the power to destroy the world.
Aqua and Satou Kazuma even have the secret weapon of a great spirit?
"Could it be that you are the great spirit who manages the forbidden archive?"
Miklotov was experienced and naturally heard about Beatrice and the forbidden archive, so his tone was full of respect.
"As a human, it seems you have some experience."
Beatrice raised her head, revealing a hint of cute arrogance in her words and actions.
But Satou Kazuma, who was next to her, had his heart in his throat.
He covered Aqua's mouth, but there's also the sharp-tongued Beatrice!
You two non-humans are not afraid, of course, but this old man is one of the top leaders of the human country!
I don't want to be at odds with an entire country for no reason.
"Um, Kazuma-sama, Aqua-sama's face looks a little red... is she not looking too good?"
At this time, Miklotov asked with some concern, pointing to Aqua next to Satou Kazuma.
"Oh? Oh oh oh!"
Satou Kazuma let go of her hand, he had just blocked Aqua's nose as well, and she almost suffocated.
But as expected of a goddess, she can hold her breath for so long.
If she is the goddess of water, she probably won't drown if I throw her into the water.
"I am honored to be able to see Aqua-sama, the fifth candidate. I would like to pay for this meal, as a small token of my appreciation."
Although the current situation was a little unexpected, Miklotov said with a smile, reaching into his pocket.
"W- Wait!"
Satou Kazuma realized something bad was about to happen and tried to stop the social tragedy that was about to happen.
The air was silent at that moment, the smile on Miklotov's face gradually stiffened, and his hand stopped reaching into his pocket.
He also found that his wallet was missing.
An awkward atmosphere instantly spread among the crowd.
Generally speaking, he and Aqua should have politely refused the other party's kindness.
But now, if he takes out the wallet, he will be exposed!
The only thing he can do now is...
Wait in silence.
A strange silence spread among the crowd.
Miklotov licked his lips awkwardly and turned to look at Rikert next to him.
The latter, after all, was also an old fox who had been in politics for a long time, and quickly understood Miklotov's meaning. He found the boss alone and gave him a sum of gold coins enough to buy the entire restaurant.
Miklotov nodded, and then turned his gaze back to Satou Kazuma and the others, the expression on his face gradually becoming serious:
"That Aqua-sama, if possible, could you please touch the badge again? I want to confirm again, after all, this matter is very important."
As Miklotov finished speaking, an official behind him carefully stepped forward and took out a delicate little box.
A small badge was quietly lying in it.
Although the color was different from Emilia's, Satou Kazuma could tell at a glance that it was made of the same material.
Satou Kazuma immediately understood, Miklotov came here to further confirm Aqua's candidate status.
"Aqua, I'll leave the rest to you!"
Satou Kazuma pinched Aqua's thigh hard, and the pain made Aqua a little sober.
"Leave it to me!"
Aqua nodded hard and then patted her chest.
"Meili, Betty, close your eyes later."
Satou Kazuma warned,
"I suggest the rest of you do the same."
"Huh? Why?"
"It's hard to explain now, later—"
Before Satou Kazuma could finish speaking, Aqua reached out and touched the badge without warning.
At the same time, she activated her skill.
At that moment, everyone turned into light.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh useless goddess, can you say something in advance!!! Is my blood in blood!!!"
Satou Kazuma never thought that he would fall twice in the same place.
"This is not my fault, you didn't say when to start!"
Aqua immediately explained.
Next to them, Miklotov's face showed a confused expression:
"Hey, who turned off the lights?"
His hand waved wildly in the air.
"Miklotov! I'm standing right in front of you!! Can't you see me!!!"
...
Five minutes later, Miklotov had finally regained his sight with Aqua's healing.
Satou Kazuma's back was already soaked with sweat.
The leader of the Council of Elders almost went blind because of their group.
At that moment, Satou Kazuma almost wanted to run away while the other party was still blind.
"As expected, as expected! Aqua-sama is indeed loved by the dragon god!"
Miklotov was not angry because of what had just happened, on the contrary, he seemed to have become a little excited.
In his eyes, he had witnessed this miracle up close!
This also made Miklotov—as well as the other officials and nobles present, including Rikert—more certain that Aqua was the most special candidate.
----
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