Chapter 27: Strength or Charm—That Is the Question

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The base on the outskirts had excellent sunlight, and every day, after breakfast, everyone would sit together and enjoy a leisurely morning.

In this otherworldly realm, free from industrial pollution and stripped of high-tech extravagance, the unhurried air of the Middle Ages felt all the more simple and pure.

I could really stay cooped up like this forever.

Kazuma Sato could not help sighing at how peaceful the world was.

Suddenly, Kobayashi came in and said with great seriousness, “Everyone, we cannot go on lazing around like noble lords! It is time to go take on a quest!”

“……”

If he had been anyone other than their leader, Kazuma would certainly have flown into a rage and started cursing.

He was rather confused by Kobayashi’s words.

“Why are you in such a hurry to take on a quest? Besides, we earned a huge bounty from those cabbages. Surely we do not need to work again so soon.”

“Exactly. We made so much money. And the weather is lovely today. I do not want to work.”

Aqua stretched, then sprawled lazily across the table, as if declaring that she wanted to spend the day loafing around rather than working.

“Yes, the weather really is nice.”

“Su~n~ba~th~ing~”

Darkness and Megumin felt the same way.

Kobayashi was not angry. Instead, he said, “It is fine if you do not want to take on a quest. I do not mind, as long as you can go without eating tomorrow.”

“……What?” the four of them exclaimed.

The moment they heard that, the entire party panicked.

“What do you mean, go without eating?”

“I knew something felt strange! Does the party have no money left?!”

“That cannot be! Did we not earn ten million eris? How could we possibly be broke?”

“What exactly is going on, Kobayashi?”

While everyone talked over one another, Kobayashi did not interrupt. Only after they had finished arguing did he slowly say, “The money…… really is gone.”

“How is that possible?!”

“Do not panic. Listen to me.”

The crystal bombs had cost five and a half million eris. Kazuma and the others had thought buying the bombs was pointless, but nine-tenths of the bounty had been earned thanks to Kobayashi’s efforts, so they had not objected.

As for the rest……

They had spent five hundred and fifty thousand eris on equipment, then more treating people in order to soothe their resentment, not to mention the extravagant spending of Aqua and the others lately.

Most importantly, Megumin’s disturbance at the guild yesterday had cost the party its last remaining savings in compensation.

Of course, that was merely the official version of events.

In reality, Kobayashi had kept a small reserve for emergencies. Even so, no matter how much money they had, if they continued being lazy, they would eventually spend it all.

“So, let us go take on a quest!”

“Yeah!”

“Yeeeaaah……”

His enthusiastic rallying cry earned only a booming response from Darkness.

Everyone’s sluggishness made Kobayashi furious.

Lowering his voice, he threatened them, “Are you truly refusing to work? No work means no money. Aqua will not get her bubble liquor, Megumin will not get her children’s meals, and Kazuma will not be able to buy toys. Are you sure you are all right with that?”

“Of course we cannot go without bubble liquor!”

“I caused the trouble, so I will make amends!”

“Let us show them what we can do!”

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The three of them answered one after another.

The moment their own interests were threatened and their food, drink, and amusements put at risk, these people suddenly found their energy.

Honestly, they were far too much of a pack of problem children.

Everyone headed straight for the Adventurer’s Guild.

Quite a few adventurers had gathered there, discussing which quests to take.

Their own money had long since been nearly spent. After all, not everyone could earn a huge bounty like Kobayashi’s party had.

“Kobayashi? You came to take on a quest?”

“How unusual.”

“You are really going all out! Are you trying to work us to death?”

The adventurers, unaware of the truth, assumed Kobayashi had come to complete quests, level up, and earn money. In reality, they had simply spent all they had.

Kazuma and the others could not bring themselves to admit that, so they gave vague answers implying that the adventurers were right.

They did not rush to accept a quest. Instead, they found a corner and sat down. First, they had to determine what kind of quest to take and how difficult it should be. Whatever they chose had to match the party’s current strength.

“Do you have any good suggestions, Senior Kobayashi?”

“Actually, I have had my eye on one quest for quite some time.”

Kobayashi took out a quest notice he had prepared in advance and placed it before them.

Everyone leaned in.

“A crystal deer……?” the four of them murmured.

It was a collection quest. The target could be alive or dead; all that mattered was bringing back the crystal deer’s antlers intact.

The quest was rated four stars.

It was above average in difficulty and somewhat challenging for their party.

Kazuma asked curiously, “What are crystal deer antlers used for?”

“They have a wide variety of uses.” Lady Darkness, concealing her identity, explained, “Crystal deer antlers are not only a high-grade food ingredient that can be eaten to increase one’s experience. They are also alchemical materials ideally suited to the production of various top-tier potions, which is why their price has always remained so high.”

“Oh, no wonder.”

Kazuma understood that things with a wide range of uses generally commanded high prices, so he eagerly looked at the amount of the quest reward.

“Uh…… a Shadow Dagger?”

Not money, but equipment?

Kazuma turned to their leader. “Senior Kobayashi, do you not have anything to say?”

Kobayashi turned his head away. His tone was unnatural and slightly stiff. “S-Say what……”

“Why is the reward equipment?”

“…………”

Seeing Kobayashi look away awkwardly, apparently unsure of what to do, Kazuma seemed to understand.

So it was the equipment. It definitely had to be about the equipment!

“Senior Kobayashi, do you actually like collecting equipment? But judging by your utterly disastrous outfit, I seriously suspect you simply throw everything on without a thought.”

“Wait! Do not get the wrong idea! What I care about is whether the equipment is powerful enough and whether the combination is sensible. Whether it looks good when worn is completely irrelevant to me!”

“Yes, yes, I believe you.”

“Hey!”

Kobayashi’s defense sounded utterly unconvincing.

They were certainly going to take the quest. It was not merely because the party had run out of money. More importantly, this was the first time Kobayashi had secretly wanted their help with something, so naturally, Kazuma would not refuse.

“Senior Kobayashi has already made all the arrangements, right?”

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“Of course!”

“Then let us go take on the quest!”

“Yeah!” all four replied.

After discussing it among themselves, they headed straight out of the city.

Along the way, Megumin walked silently at the very back, her head bowed as she trudged forward gloomily.

She often made the same expression whenever she ran out of stamina, but Kobayashi felt that something seemed wrong this time.

He slowed his pace and went over to her.

“Megumin, what happened? You have looked miserable this whole time.”

“……I am sorry, Kobayashi.”

Her sudden apology left Kobayashi completely bewildered.

“It was all my fault. I made us pay such a huge sum of money.”

So she was blaming herself.

Was she afraid that the others would drive her from the party because of what had happened, and that was why she had been so depressed?

He would have to reassure her.

With a soft laugh, he rested a hand on her head.

“There is no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong.”

“But!”

“Money is bound to run out sooner or later, and we would have had to take on quests eventually anyway. The others know that, which is why they are not angry. Besides, you are the finest explosion mage I have chosen—the Young Phoenix! How could we allow someone to insult you? Striking back is the proper response.”

“Kobayashi, thank you……”

Megumin was deeply moved.

She had joined several other parties before, but once they discovered how useless she was, they had driven her out. None of them had ever believed in or comforted her the way Kobayashi did.

“Then if someone insults me again, may I strike back with explosion magic?”

“Of course! And you must strike back hard!”

Kobayashi gave her his full approval.

“Then if Kazuma insults and belittles me, may I blow him up too?”

“Feel free to keep blasting him until he apologizes.”

I am sorry, Kazuma. Your days ahead may be rather difficult.

Kobayashi mourned him in silence.

“Then may I blow up Kobayashi too, since you insulted me before?”

“Of course—cough, cough. Miss Megumin, I would ask you to show mercy in this one matter.”

“I refuse!”

Megumin’s face brightened at once. She ran ahead a short distance, then turned around and called back with a mischievous grin, “……However, if you treat me to a children’s meal, Kobayashi, I will forgive you!”

“I will buy you the large one!”

Kobayashi shook his head with a laugh.

What was this? Was she not still just a child at heart?