Chapter 17: An Invitation to Join this League of Justice!
Part 1
It was a beautiful day.
"Explosion!"
And then the things that made this day so beautiful, the blue skies, the gentle wind…
This...This explosion has become overpowered.
Even more so than it was before.
"Ugh…"
Megumin made this sound as she collapsed on the ground.
I watched as the fires and smoke of Megumin's absurdly powerful explosion lingered in the skies.
Left unattended to, that much smog would linger for days.
"Wind Elemental!"
Mana constructs taking on the element of wind flew up to the sky.
The wind elementals formed a perimeter around the smog and cleared it away by creating a rapid gust of wind.
As I didn't want Megumin's explosion to cause permanent air pollution, I hired some mages who specialized in conjuration magic to clean it up.
Their job was to clear away the smoke that lingered after the explosion.
"Thanks for your business, Kazuma-san."
Although, once I found out that Megumin had developed some control over the power output of her explosion, but chose not to hold back according to her 'principles as a wielder of explosion', I couldn't help but think that my efforts and consideration were going to waste.
After paying the mages their fees, I walked over to Megumin and helped her up.
"Fufu. I would have kept on unleashing my explosion no matter how dirty the air became, but as expected of Kazuma, thinking this far ahead."
"One of us has to."
Declaring such an irresponsible thing without meaning to, I hoped, Megumin had a satisfied smile as I knelt down and had her settle on my back.
"Hm…Kazuma has attained astronomical riches. Kazuma can even afford to hire mages who eliminate the environmental effects of my explosion."
As we were walking down our usual route, she said this.
"Well, yes."
Saying such obvious things, I could only respond with this basic affirmation.
"What I mean is, if Kazuma is rich now, you can just hire someone else to take care of carrying me after my explosion. That way, you wouldn't have to bother coming along and complaining all the time."
"…"
She said something quite troubling while flashing a teasing grin.
"I am not as inexperienced as you'd think, little girl. Somehow or another, I've caught your interest. There's no way that I'd introduce another man into your life. I'm not going to set myself up for NTR."
"Who...Who said anything about 'another man'? I was just teasing you, anyway, but now you're making me mad!"
It was around lunch time already.
When we exited the woods and entered the streets of Axel, Megumin and I went to the guild.
After ordering some fried frog sets, we got to eating.
I noticed that Megumin ordered a mug of beer for herself.
"Recently, Megumin has taken a liking to alcohol, huh? Alcohol consumption affects growth, don't you know? Oi, hurry up and grow already. It'll cause me all sorts of problems if you stay a loli forever."
"How exactly would it cause you any problems? And even from before, talking about how you 'caught my interest' and going on a tirade about 'another man'…well…"
She started fidgeting with her fork as she avoided my gaze.
She was acting clueless?
Even though I feel like we've already made a lot of progress?
Noticing that our relationship was reverting back to a previous stage again, I said this,
"Oi. Why does it feel as if our relationship resets back to zero after some development is achieved? This is…this is like the clichéd rom-coms I abhorred! I thought we already established something before…but now you're acting as if nothing happened?"
"Established? Isn't Kazuma getting ahead of himself?! Rather, was I supposed to take your horny talk from that night seriously? Talking about things like 'baby making' and 'marriage'… that was real?!"
"Ah…now that Megumin said it out loud, I am starting to become apprehensive about it, too. Sorry. Please forget that I said those things...'baby making' and 'marriage'. Indeed, I was just too horny to think straight."
"Now Kazuma is the one resetting things. Wait, why are you flaking on me once I mentioned marriage? Don't…Don't make it seem like this was my idea!"
In an effort to wash away her frustrations, Megumin took a long gulp of her beer.
"Seriously. Be careful not to develop any nasty habits. You've seen what that stuff does to Aqua."
"But Aqua seems happy all the time. If happiness can be easily achieved through foolish means, then isn't intelligence actually quite overrated?"
She slammed the mug of beer down on the table, making the utensils jump.
As she wiped a froth of beer from her mouth, I was thinking that this little girl, who supposedly possessed genius intellect, was usually so careless and never thinks about the consequences of her willful actions.
Yes.
I had to agree with her.
Intelligence is overrated.
Part 2
I limited Megumin's alcoholic intake to two glasses of beer.
"I'm serious, we can't have you stealing traits from Aqua."
I said this as we arrived at our house's door step.
Having such a small frame that had no endurance for alcohol, Megumin was remarkably woozy after only two glasses.
"It feels like someone unleashed explosion in my head."
"Why does everything have to relate to explosion with you?"
Darkness and Aqua were lounging around in the living room.
It was a rare sight, but they were playing that board game together.
Usually, Darkness was content to watch Aqua and Megumin play.
"Kuh! My crusader piece was taken! W-W-W-What does Aqua's forces intend to do to that piece, I wonder?"
Becoming so invested in the non-existent subplot of this straightforward game without a narrative, was Darkness.
"Fufu! My genius strategy of letting the powerful Arch-Priest class take the vanguard is working perfectly! Now, 'Nature's Beauty'!"
"Gah! My other Crusader piece is dazzled by your spell! You have mesmerized her! Again I ask, w-w-w-what does Aqua's army intend to do to that piece, I wonder?! I see that Adventurer piece is eyeing my Crusader piece quite lewdly!"
Darkness appeared to be losing to Aqua.
As if anyone with half a brain cell could actually lose to Aqua.
I poured tea for Megumin who wearily sat down on the couch next to Darkness.
After giving Megumin the tea made from medicinal herbs that were supposedly good for hangovers, my attention was attracted to an envelope that was placed on the living room table.
"Ah, that letter is addressed to Kazuma. I did not check the contents in fear of what kind of lewd and depraved thing I might find inside."
Noticing my gaze on the letter, Darkness said this.
It was difficult to retaliate against Darkness' disrespectful behavior, as she considered any normal method of punishment as a reward. What can I do to discipline someone with such a twisted personality?
Ignoring her for now, I checked the envelope, using 'Detect Trap' and 'Detect Magic' to check for traps. When I found none, I took the dagger that I hid in my clothes and ripped the top off.
The contents read as such:
Dear Satou Kazuma-sama and his party,
Greetings. We are the 'League of Justice'…
"Not interested."
I crumpled the letter and threw it out.
"What was that letter about, Kazuma?"
The inquisitive Megumin looked towards the paper I discarded on the ground.
"Probably just some guild of nobles who want to take advantage of our popularity," I said.
Megumin took my word for it and resumed with her task of sipping the tea.
Considering this letter as something of inconsequence, I dismissed it from my thoughts.
…
…
Three days later, I received another letter.
Dear Satou Kazuma-san,
Please forgive me. I realize that anyone would be suspicious from receiving a letter from out of nowhere. However, I would like you to know that we at the 'League of Justice' would like to request a formal meeting and…
"Still not interested."
The letter, which I thoughtlessly stuffed in my pocket, turned out to be quite useful when I went to the bathroom to do my business, and found that the toilet paper had run out.
…
…
Dear Sato—
"Damnit, just leave me alone!"
Yelling this, I ripped the letter to shreds.
For weeks now, I've been receiving letters from this so-called 'League of Justice'.
"Is it the Axis cult? Such harassment tactics belong only to the Axis cult. Aqua, tell your people to quit harassing me or I will take out my frustrations on you!"
"Ouuuuch! No, not that part…that is an integral part of my hair!"
"If Kazuma is really bothered by it, why don't you have a face-to-face conversation with these guys and ask them to leave you alone?"
Offering this logical answer was Darkness.
She then said,
"Furthermore…"
"And if they still end of bothering you, feel free to rely on my explosion magic in moments like this."
Megumin said this while cutting off what Darkness was about to say.
"I've been quite bored recently. Very well. If Kazuma desires to beat up some guys, I am all for it."
Aqua menacingly said while cracking her knuckles.
"Despite everything, I am still one of the nobles in charge of this land. Please don't bluntly proclaim your intentions to beat up innocents, especially when I am still in your present company."
As if suddenly remembering that she was still a noble lady and not just a full-time, unrepentant masochist, Darkness actually said something Lalatina like.
"What is this 'League of Justice' thing about, anyway? Maybe they have something important to say, but Kazuma is unwilling to listen because he would rather avoid any responsibility while he is already set for life?"
There were some moments when Aqua actually hit things right on the nose.
"What else could they be aside from a group of pretentious, conceited types? With a name like 'League of Justice', that must surely be the case. Either this guild is full of stuck-up old guys, or some kind of club for pretty boy types. To both possibilities, I'll have to say 'no thank you'."
I declared my stance firmly.
I decided to keep ignoring these guys who desperately wanted to meet with me for some reason.
However, the next morning…
"Damnit!"
Another letter.
In fact, there were several letters.
All from those 'League of Justice' guys.
And along with the letters, there were dozens of business cards that littered the mailbox, which I immediately threw out to the front lawn.
"OK, that's it! We're going straight to those guys! Those guys made the mistake of including their address in this letter! Aqua, prepare to rain down 'God Blow' on these guys!"
"Yessir!"
"Megumin, make sure to unleash a good explosion today!"
"My magic is always ready to strike down any foe!"
"What did I tell you about…I'm still a proud noble of this country, you know?!"
Darkness yelled this in rebuke as we resolved ourselves to deal with these guys who loved to fill up our mailbox with crap.
Part 3
For something so grand like 'League of Justice'…
A building that was of the same size as Wiz's store, this is the location the address provided in the letters led to.
Surely enough, there was an insignia over the entry door, a shield with the letters 'L.J.' emblazoned at the center.
This building was located in the more unsavory parts of town.
Built out of wood, the structure had moss growing on it and bird feces stained the walls.
The windows had yellowed curtains drawn over them, and with some of them, the glass was cracked or just plain smashed in.
There were plants outside but they were left unattended and malnourished.
Aqua leant down and casted a restoration spell on the plants, bringing them back to life.
But they turned out to be plants with sharp teeth that almost took a bite out of Aqua's hand, the same one that had been casting a healing spell on it.
"This place is evil, Kazuma! I don't sense any evil spirits, but it still seems evil!"
Aqua said as she eyed the violent plant that was now gnashing its teeth at her.
Ignoring Aqua, I said,
"This seems really shady. This is just my intuition as someone who dealt with a lot of door-to-door salesmen and newspaper agencies trying to con me, but this place seems really shady."
As the one in charge of protecting my home in Japan, sacrificing and devoting my time to protecting my home by always staying in it, I was familiar with the usual schemes of the door-to-door salesmen and the telemarketers that would always try to sell me something.
As a matter of fact, the way this 'League of Justice' had been sending their invitations and other crap to us, reminded me of the methods of those persistent newspaper and magazine salesmen who always tried to get you to subscribe to whatever publication.
Even in this fantasy world, such pesky sales strategies exists!
I was about to tell Megumin to blow this place up, but…
The door suddenly flew wide open.
Darkness, who was close to it, yelped in surprise as she instinctively drew back and held an arm in front of Aqua, who was behind her.
"Ah! I knew you would come, Satou-san! And of course, his ladies…"
I was somewhat surprised to see this fellow before me.
Black hair and black eyes, as well as a fair complexion. No, judging by how pale his skin was, this guy hasn't seen much sunlight in his life, probably.
In all likelihood, this fellow was a Japanese. And also, probably a fellow former NEET.
This guy who had yet to introduce himself glanced at Megumin and then spent at least ten seconds gawking at her.
"What is it? Excuse me? Why is this guy who shares some features with Kazuma staring at me so intently?"
Someone with an immature body like Megumin probably wasn't used to guys checking her out so blatantly.
Similar to her role as a tank in battle, the crusader Darkness was the one with the ability to draw the attention of others, mostly men, towards her body.
Yes, in terms of harassment, Megumin really only received it from me…
And now, from this guy as well, it seems.
"Wonderful...! I've heard rumours that there was a specimen like this in Satou-san's party but…wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
"Specimen…? Hey!"
Megumin squealed as this guy started predatorily circling her body.
"Kazuma, this guy is really creeping me out! I thought that Kazuma's sexual harassment was bad, but this guy sets off every 'danger alert' in my body!"
To prevent Megumin from getting too excited and blow us all up, I firmly grabbed this guy on his shoulder.
"Oi. I get it, that you must be one of 'those', but can you not harass my...?"
Party member…? Friend…?
As I was confused as to what to call Megumin, this guy who had been checking her out said,
"Ah, I get it. Of course. Heh. There's no way that a wonderful specimen of a loli would not already be claimed by another man of culture. Such a regret. Truly, I am very regretful. But to someone who I sense a feeling of kinship, I can only congratulate you, Satou-san. Truly, this world in which mature activities and even marriage with fourteen year olds is legally allowed is truly, truly wonderful!"
The happy mood on this guy's face instantly soured after I told him to stop harassing Megumin, only for it to be replaced by a look of begrudging respect, and then, for some reason, joy.
"Oi. I ain't a lolicon. Something like that blonde, slutty looking lady over there, that's the kind of body I like."
"Even…Even if I am someone who has certain preferences, I will not allow Kazuma to insult me so freely. Unless, of course, he wants a no-holds-barred punch from me every time he calls me 'slutty', or any variation of the word!"
Easily dodging a wide hook from Darkness, I regarded this guy.
This guy…
As if sensing my thoughts, he cheerily smiled and introduced himself.
"My name is Watanabe Ryuji. As you probably guessed, I am a reinca…I mean, a fellow countryman of Satou Kazuma's, a Japanese."
"Ah! So he is Japanese! I suspected it!"
So this goddess who processed the world a whole lot slower than the rest of us finally figured it out, huh?
"You must have a lot of questions…and I can answer all of them inside…"
Watanabe gestured to the bleak, shady looking building.
The girls all looked at Watanabe as if to say 'You're going to have to try harder than that'.
Although there was probably nothing these guys could do to a renowned party like ours, I could sense why anyone would be suspicious.
However, I've had my 'Sense Motive' skill active all this while, and I didn't detect any hint of malice in this Watanabe fellow.
To this fellow Japanese who seemed normal enough except for some very obvious lolicon tendencies, I felt almost obligated, as if compelled by the propaganda instilled in me since I was young, to at least hear out what my fellow countryman had to say.
"…I see. So the ladies are suspicious of me. No matter. I am used to such treatment…"
He had a faraway look in his eyes, and I knew that he was recalling his dark past.
"Then please, Satou-san, follow me."
As I followed Watanabe inside, Aqua called after me.
"If they do anything strange to you, Kazuma, make sure to use the scroll of teleportation that you always hide in that concealed sleeve within the left side of your jacket! And be sure to keep in mind that you have a hidden dagger tucked away in a stitched on sleeve above your right ankle!"
"…"
Divulging all my emergency measures was the well-intentioned but mentally challenged Aqua.
Part 4
"Ah, sorry. It's quite dark inside, yes? The landlord actually cut off our electricity a few days ago. If Satou Kazuma-sama answered our summons only a few days earlier…ah, but I am not complaining. No, not at all."
I didn't know how these reincarnated Japanese, who surely must have come to this world with O.P., game breaking perks, ended up hanging out in a miserable place like this.
Navigating our way through this dark space, we eventually came upon an area illuminated by candles.
A circle of candles on a table.
What was with this cult like setting?
Was I being recruited to some kind of cult?
This set up almost seems like they're attempting to summon some kind of demon!
Around this circle, I could see more Japanese fellows.
They all showed expressions of enthusiasm when they saw me.
"Thank you for coming, Satou-san!"
"I didn't think that you'd come, Satou-san!"
"Thank you for partnering with us! Now I can finally eat food other than the leftover glutinous paste that sometimes sticks to the bowl after someone has eaten rice, Satou-san!"
Watanabe, who seemed to be the leader around here, raised his hand and quelled down these guys who were spouting some very concerning things.
"Everyone, Satou-san hasn't agreed to anything yet. I haven't even told him what we are trying to do here."
They mood was dampened somewhat, but they were all still looking upon me with expectant gazes.
Watanabe offered me a seat. I took it, and the guys who were seated to both of my sides gave me a polite bow as I sat down.
I was used to this kind of servile attitude from the nobles at the capital or merchants who wanted to strike some kind of partnership with me.
It was quite surreal to see it from people from my old world.
It was a strange overlap between the life in this fantasy world I've lived this past year, and the old one that I thought I had already left behind, where no one had ever treated me in such a way.
"Satou-san, I'm sure that you are very curious, insatiably so, about the purpose of our organization…"
"Oi, there's a limit to how much you can exaggerate something."
I was curious, but not to the point that I'd lose sleep over it. Even if these guys didn't tell me, I'd just get up and walk home with the others while forgetting about everything that occurred here.
"Well then...Satou-san…please don't feel like we are blaming you when we tell you this. But, ever since Satou-san and his party vanquished the Devil King, for high-levelled adventurers who fought in the front-lines, which mainly encompass us, the reincarnated Japanese, life has been very tough since then."
Watanabe said this as he awkwardly averted his eyes from me.
Chris mentioned something along these lines when she was explaining the reason why a Japanese like Tanigawa Kyouske—that shaman we fought who had the 'Time Stop' relic—was working like a guard dog for the merchants who were visiting town.
There was no longer any need for high-levelled adventurers to fight in the front lines.
And as tasks of a lower difficulty like hunting goblins or kobolds is restricted only to beginner to intermediate level adventurers, as a way to prevent higher-levelled adventurers from hogging all the work, higher-levelled adventurers had to resort to taking on the more insane kill-quests, which were practically suicide missions.
This restriction ended up being a disadvantage to the guys who were too overleveled for most quests.
The king who just got back from fighting in the front lines and commanding the forces in the war against the Devil King army, was probably busy with all sorts of tasks.
He probably figured that the adventurers who made a lot of money fighting in the front lines would be able to survive for a few months, before he needed to find a solution to the problem.
Which begs the question.
"Oh. The money. Well, I spent mine buying expensive gifts for the lovely noble ladies in the capital."
"There was a beautiful, big chested daughter of a wealthy merchant who I was trying to impress. I bought her family the biggest mansion in the capital with my money."
"I spent my money on a different bar wench every night."
They unhesitatingly answered my question with those ridiculous reasons.
"Ah, is that so. Thank you for having me. I will be going home with my party now."
"Wait, Satou-san, please hear us out!"
What was there to hear out?
These guys who had cheat items probably had an easy life in this parallel world until now.
While I was freezing in the stables with an unkempt goddess who got dead drunk every night, these guys were fighting in the front lines with their cheat perks, and flirting with noble ladies.
And it seemed as if not every reincarnated Japanese suffered from the sudden unemployment. Those who managed their money well was still living a comfortable life, unlike these guys.
Come to think of it, that Mitsurugi or Katsuragi or Araragi fellow…I forgot his name…was not present in this meeting. When I asked them about what happened to that cursed sword user, as I was a bit curious, they answered with a 'che!' and said.
"All the good looking riajuus instantly got jobs as models for magazines after they were laid off, or they are still receiving money from the various sponsors they accumulated throughout their career. Some are also being taken care of by the noble ladies who are infatuated with them. Damn those guys! Just die!"
I see. So that was it. Rather than managing their money well, that was it.
Certainly, when I looked around this table, the guys around here were only average and normal looking at best.
"And so, Satou-san, this brings us to the formation of the 'League of Justice'. You see, each of us had been doing some form of mercenary work or other. Working as hired swords, or guards for travelling merchants. However, those jobs can be quite unpleasant at times."
A heavy atmosphere fell upon everyone.
"I see…it must have been hard. And I guess, as you all only have skills in combat, it is difficult to find civilian jobs in the service industry…"
I said this as I couldn't help but look at these guys pitifully.
"Ah, no, it's not that. We just don't want to work such menial jobs, Satou-san."
"Yes, it reminds me of the job I had as a convenience store clerk back when I was alive, Satou-san."
"I am very 'anti-establishment', Satou-san."
Is it too late to tell Megumin to blow these guys up?
Watanabe had to quiet everyone down again.
"Well, the point keeps getting delayed, but Satou-san, the purpose of the 'League of Justice' is to help us find adventurer related work outside of contracted mercenary jobs. You see, the restriction on quests that forbid high-levelled adventurers from taking on lower difficulty quests, such a restriction is enforced in the Adventurer Guilds, which are sponsored by the government, and other businesses who seek to invest and have a share of the profit. If we were to make an organization that is like an 'Adventurer Guild' but without any troublesome restrictions, we might be able to gather sponsors, and we can safely take on quests below the really dangerous ones and get paid for them with the sponsorship money. As for why we asked Satou-san to come here…we would like you to consider sponsoring us."
Watanabe looked at me seriously as he made this proposition after explaining.
Part 5
'Sponsoring us'.
So, they want money from me…is basically what these guys were saying.
Watanabe once more looked away from me awkwardly.
"We couldn't get any sponsors to back us. You see, while we would normally be able to receive backing as an organization full of high-levelled adventurers…perhaps we might have been a bit too rowdy in the capital. Which is to say, that the nobles who hated us but couldn't do anything because of our military importance is now actively stonewalling us."
While it was easy to blame the nobles for this, these Japanese who came into this game-like world with the same mentality I did, of wanting to experience every fantasy game cliché…slaying powerful foes, becoming popular with the ladies, probably inconvenienced a lot of people with their willful attitude.
I realize that with the fortune I had, it wouldn't be hard to help these guys get started.
But, even if they had me as a sponsor, it wasn't certain that they would receive backing from other sources, if these guys really pissed off the nobles that much.
And an arrangement where I am the only one providing money to these guys will not bring me any gain.
I wasn't so greedy as to think about monetary gain all the time, however, I didn't want to develop a habit of always giving out my money. I didn't want to become that kind of pushover.
A part of me was saying 'just leave these guys alone, they deserve it for losing all their money'. That would not be a fair criticism, though. Youth who are sent to a world they could only fantasize about since they were young, and given extraordinary abilities to succeed in this world, would of course make a lot of mistakes by going too far with their indulgence without thinking about the consequences.
I could have gone along this same route if I had the opportunity to grow a big head. Instead, I was stuck with that goddess of debt and misfortune.
Really, I was too nice. Let this moment prove to all my doubters that I wasn't 'Scum-zuma', or 'Kazu-trash' or any such thing.
"While just giving you guys free money doesn't sit well with me, how about I join your league for now?"
"!"
If a famous adventurer like me were to join this league, officially signing myself in the roster, showing my face on quests once in a while, these guys will receive a lot of interest.
They might even receive some backing, even though they are hated by a lot of nobles.
That was just how far my influence went these days.
"Will...Will Satou-san do that for us?"
These guys looked at me with gazes of admiration.
I wanted beautiful ladies to admire me in this same manner, but it seemed that I can only receive such attention from town delinquents and now, this unemployed lot.
"I have a question, though. Why is it called the 'League of Justice'?"
I asked a question that had been nagging at me all this while.
"Ah, about that. If all we do is take on easy quests that rob low-levelled adventurers from work, we will be hated by everyone. And so, we also plan on doing some heroic service! For free, of course! Serving those in need, answering calls of distress! Actually, we've been spreading our business cards around, which has a function that will activate a distress signal if anyone who has the card on their person is in need of rescuing…preferably if they are a damsel-in-distress…however, all we've been receiving is complaints about harassment…"
The business cards that were littering my mail box, of course I saw it as harassment. Really, what were these guys thinking?
How do I always end up assisting such helpless cases as these guys? Even with those girls, I couldn't bring myself to ditch them back then, and attempt to find a more capable, balanced party.
Ah, really. Maybe I really am this kind hearted?
Yes, that must be the case.
Part 6
"The 'League of Justice', huh?"
"Ah, you've heard of them? I hear that they are a 'hero organization'. Their motto is 'The strong protecting the weak'."
"I heard that Kazuma is a member of this league. To think that he'd join an organization that protects the weak…"
"Maybe he's not as scummy as I thought?"
Ah, just as planned.
Once word got out that I joined a struggling organization with the mission of 'helping others in need (lol)', I sensed the public opinion of me was changing.
As if I'd join those guys without thinking about how such an arrangement would benefit me.
I also joined while thinking about how my reputation would be positively affected.
You would think that such unpleasant names such as 'Scum-zuma' would stop being spoken by the masses after I accomplished such a great deed like defeating the Devil King.
With this, however, I was now a part of such a noble (lol) organization.
When I went out hunting with the league fellows, even though we were stealing profit from lower-levelled adventurers, people will say things like 'ah, it's for a good cause, they need the money'.
And when nosy people ask me why I'm not paying for the league's activities myself, I say things like 'it will be suspicious if I am involved financially in this organization. People will think that I am using this as some sort of laundering scheme. I am known in these parts as 'Scum-zuma', after all'.
And they'll look guilty while averting their eyes and say 'sorry for spreading such bad rumors about you…I see that you are actually kind-hearted (lol)'.
All according to plan.
Best of all, after returning home from a quest with the league, the girls would look at me with eyes of approval and respect.
"I see that Kazuma is working hard every day."
"I thought that it was suspicious at first, but Kazuma is doing good work, isn't he?"
"Kazuma has really grown from back then."
The girls who would look down on me and hurl insults were talking to me in such soft, gentle tones.
Even though when I quest with those guys, I just sunbathe in the grass with a lawn chair that I developed with Vanir, while sipping on wine and eating the pea snacks that match well with it.
Even though I've been lazing around more than I usually do at home while I'm 'questing' with these guys.
Despite all this, things were going well. There were even some backers who became interested and gave us financial support.
Ah, maybe I really am a genius?
Just as I started thinking that, however…
"Hey…isn't that 'League of Justice'…they said that their mission is to 'protect the weak', but all they've been doing is stealing quests from newbies, right?"
"This is Kazuma we're talking about…I've had a good opinion of him lately, but I can't shake the feeling that he's up to something…"
"Come to think of it…I happened to see this league as they were questing. It could have been my imagination, but I think I saw Kazuma lounging contentedly while sipping on wine as they were questing at the monster grounds…"
"There have been complaints from newbies too. I dismissed them as the usual complaints of rookies, but now…"
Ah, this is bad.
If they were to find out about my scheme, my reputation would become even worse.
After spying on the whispered gossiping of my fellow adventurers at the guild with the 'Lip Reading' skill, I drank the rest of my beer and went home.
Passing by our big front-yard, I saw Chomusuke making a commotion at the lawn, running around in circles, seemingly agitated.
I saw Megumin sitting at the front porch, watching her pet.
"What's that cat doing?"
"I don't know. Maybe we have a problem with pests, or something? Anyways, Kazuma, I've heard some unpleasant things from the other adventurers lately. I adamantly refused their claims but…is there something you want to tell me?"
If I told her about the real purpose of the 'league', that it was just a scheme to make profit behind a fake cause like 'protecting the weak (LOL)', I didn't know what would happen to the good mood between Megumin and me if I were to do that.
Probably, she would look at me with empty eyes for a long while.
That's not good. This is the first time I've cultivated such good feelings with a girl. I didn't want it to stop.
"Megumin shouldn't believe such things so easily."
"I see…I'm sorry for doubting you."
Saying such things with a smile that displayed her childish innocence.
I had to do something fast.
Part 7
Visiting the league, intending to discuss my concerns, I approached Watanabe.
"S-Satou-san! Just in time! We have an emergency!"
He looked up from a huddle with the others with clear distress in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"We have received communication from one of our business cards…!"
The annoying business cards these guys stuffed my mailbox with, which I ended up scattering along the wind, throwing it all over my front lawn.
These guys said that they distributed those things everywhere in the nation, sending it to every mail address they could find.
These cards allowed one to send a distress signal which included coordinates we could use for the Teleportation spell, while also having the function of being able to send an audio message.
I may have considered this league as a mere hoax, or a scam operation, but these guys were actually serious about being a 'League of Justice'. I just found this out. I really thought that they were just scammers.
Additionally, the purchase of these cards and the fees for the mailing were one of the reasons why these guys are living such a decrepit lifestyle.
"..."
I had this thought more than once, but these guys are idiots.
"We will play the audio message for Satou-san."
Watanabe played the message for me.
All of a sudden, we heard a distressed female voice.
"…H-Help! We found this card so…if anyone can hear us…please…!"
From the voice alone it was obvious that this was a beautiful damsel-in-distress.
There was the sound of impact in the background, as if something colossal fell on the ground.
"There…is…a giant…an evil god! A giant monster is terrorizing our home…!"
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Indeed, there were heavy stomping sounds that could be heard in the background.
And then…
"RAWR!"
A terrible scream was heard through the recording before it cut off.
"Satou-san! We must teleport to these coordinates immediately!"
Watanabe said this as he started issuing orders.
Something like a giant monster…an evil god, huh?
"Well, good luck, everyone. You've done well under my tutelage so far, however…"
"W-Why do I get the feeling that Satou-san wants to abandon us?!"
Wasn't it obvious?
Something like a giant monster or evil gods, why would I want anything to do with that?
"If Satou-san is concerned, don't worry! We are all high-levelled adventurers who possess perks and powerful artifacts, after all!"
In an effort to reassure me, Watanabe took out a golden axe that he had slung over his shoulder.
Certainly, if it was with these guys, I didn't have anything to worry about.
In fact, this can probably work!
"I get it. However, I don't' want to take any chances. We will gather the other adventurers and have them teleport with us to these people in need."
"I see! Certainly, it would be no good to charge in ourselves. Although this town is full of beginner adventurers, there is strength in numbers."
"As expected of Satou-san!"
"Lead the way, Satou-san!"
Actually, I wanted the others to see our heroics in action.
The nasty rumors about the 'League of Justice' being a hoax would surely go away if everyone saw us doing something 'justice' like.
Well, aside from that, I wasn't just thinking about myself.
I wouldn't waste time when we could just teleport right away to save these people's lives.
I did legitimately think that it would be wise to group up together with the adventurers of this town.
These guys were powerful, sure, but from the sound of things, that giant monster thing that the woman went so far as to describe as an 'evil god'…such a creature might prove too powerful even for these overpowered guys.
I figured it was best to get as many of this town's available forces involved.
And so, with me leading the way, the 'League of Justice' set out towards the adventurers' guild.
Part 8
At the guild…
I had the receptionist lady gather all the adventurers to the guild.
"Kazuma, is there a reason for your summons?"
Standing beside me and the receptionist lady was Darkness.
This noble lady felt compelled to look official and stood beside me for no reason.
"This is a matter of dire importance."
Her face took on a serious look, her eyes narrowing. She said,
"I see…well, then, start your address, Kazuma."
This noble lady, really. As if I needed her permission.
"Everyone. You are all probably wondering why I called you here today."
Suddenly faced with my serious attitude, the adventurers who were murmuring among themselves became quiet.
I took out the card and infused mana into it.
I played them the recording of the woman screaming for help.
There were horrified screams in the background.
And then the sound of the ground shaking, followed by the roar of the giant monster attacking these people.
There were gasps among the adventurers. Some lowered their gazes. Some cursed.
"As you can see…it's like this…"
I paused for effect.
"Everyone…as you all know, I have recently joined a group known as the 'League of Justice'."
I turned towards Watanabe and the rest of the guild. They emerged from the crowd and stood around me.
With their high-levelled equipment and legendary weapons, they made quite the intimidating presence.
"Although there have been some nasty rumors…I would like to affirm that we are indeed a righteous guild who desire to 'protect the weak (lol)'. We haven't had an opportunity to show it so far, but please believe us."
From the front row, I could hear Aqua say,
"Hey, Hey, Megumin. Why is Kazuma just randomly saying that? Isn't that weird? Why would he say something like that first thing, during an emergency like this?"
This goddess was really only perceptive in times when it would inconvenience me.
Speaking a bit louder to drown out Aqua's voice, I paced around while speaking to the crowd.
"Yes…we are an organization that is concerned only about helping others. That is our motto, after all. Justice…yes, indeed, we strongly believe in justice. Justice is very good…"
"Hey, hey, Megumin. Why does it feel like Kazuma is just making things up along as he's talking? And why would he say something so obvious like 'justice is very good'?"
Damn this goddess. I'll kill her!
"We may have been questing all this while, stealing quests from lower levelled adventurers…but, I assure you that that is not the primary focus of our organization. As I said before…it's about justice…"
The crowd started shifting around again, whispering among themselves.
"Hey, hey, Megumin…"
Ah, oh, no.
The crowd started frowning as they looked at me.
Perhaps they suspected something?
"I think…the point that Kazuma is saying is…"
Darkness said this as she took a step forward from her place beside my side.
"…We can place our faith in these guys, and in Kazuma. They are all high-levelled adventurers, and Kazuma himself is the hero who defeated the Devil King. Despite the bad rumors and gossip circling this 'League of Justice' and of Kazuma himself, he's saying that we should put our trust in them as they lead us to combat. Isn't that right, Kazuma?"
After passionately saying that speech, Darkness turned to look at me. She was dead serious.
Ah, I was beginning to feel bad about this.
I didn't do anything wrong. We needed troops for this dangerous mission. However, I still felt bad for some reason.
Maybe because I was just thinking of how my reputation would benefit from this while Darkness, Watanabe, and everyone is only concerned about the safety of the people?
Ah…
Maybe I really was a scumbag.
I placed my hand on Darkness's shoulder.
"Well said, Lalatina!"
"D-Don't call me…!"
However, before Darkness could finish…
"Yosh! You heard what Lalatina said, everyone! Let's follow these 'League of Justice' guys and take this giant monster on!"
"As expected of Lalatina-chan! Come on, everyone! Let's do this thing!"
Megumin and Aqua went up to us. Megumin placed her hand on Darkness's other shoulder.
"Lalatina, you unexpectedly have a gift for raising the morale of troops, huh? Even during the battle with the Destroyer, it was Lalatina's charge that encouraged everyone to stand their ground and fight."
Darkness looked at Megumin in tears. She said,
"Even though that's the nicest thing Megumin said to me in recent memory…why is everyone calling me by that name?!"
And so, after everyone chanted 'Lalatina'…
I spent a small fortune to purchase multiple scrolls of teleportation in order to teleport whole groups to our destination, while also hiring the teleportation services to help out.
Wiz was also there, helping with the teleportation process.
And so, with everyone in the mood for battle…
"Teleport!"
With firm resolves, we transported to the field of battle…!
Part 9
Once we all teleported…
Fully armed, the entire town of adventurers arrived in this place.
And once we did…
"Help us…no….help us…!"
"!"
That voice…!
I heard it!
But, it seemed so faint…so distant...maybe we missed the teleportation by some margin?
I turned to our troops and said,
"It seems that we need to travel some more if we want to reach our destination. No matter. This actually works in our favor. We didn't think to plan out our strategy, our method of attack…"
The troops were silent. I took that as my affirmation to go on.
"As we do not know the capabilities of our enemy, we will proceed cautiously. I want thieves who can use the 'Escape' skill to scout out the area first. Survey the situation, but don't do anything reckless."
They were still attentively listening. I went on.
"Once the scouts come back, that's when we'll make adjustments to our formation, but for now we will go with the typical melee fighters at the front, wizards and archers supporting them in the middle, and healers at the back."
I turned to Megumin who wasn't saying something chuuni and trying to steal the spotlight for once. She was just silently looking forward.
"Megumin. You can control the power output of your explosion, but we don't want to risk getting the civilians caught up in it. I want you to hold on to your explosion until we can draw the monster away from the civilians…"
"Ah. There's no need. I can take care of the monster right now."
I spoke too soon. She was now acting chuuni and trying to steal the spotlight.
Really…this girl…
"I understand that it's in your Crimson Demon blood to act cool or be at the center of attention or whatever, but now is not the time for such things. Listen, I don't want you just firing that thing off and…"
Before I could continue, Megumin was already walking past me.
"Oi…Megumin…eh…?"
When I turned around, I saw something very peculiar.
Well, rather than peculiar…
…I guess the right word was 'familiar'.
An expansive lawn and a mansion that looked eerily like ours.
No, it is ours.
"Did the…did the teleportation fail?"
No, even if one teleportation failed, there was no reason why all of the scrolls would lead to the same place.
Watanabe approached me. He was sweating nervously.
"Satou-san…maybe…it might be that we were so concerned about delivering letters and business cards to your address that we accidentally set the coordinates for all the cards to your residence?"
Was…Was that really it?
Something so stupid like that?
But no, I definitely heard it. Something like 'save me, save me'.
As I was mulling this over, Megumin called out to me.
"Kazuma, Kazuma. Come here."
"Not now, Megumin. I'm thinking…"
"Kazuma, Kazuma. You really need to come over here."
I sighed and eventually relented, making my way over to Megumin.
"What?"
I impatiently said this as I walked over to Megumin.
She was watching Chomusuke who was agitatedly running around in circles as it had been doing recently.
Megumin then picked up Chomusuke and held it up in the air.
"There. It's done, Kazuma. I beat it."
She said something weird.
As I was prepared to dismiss her delusional words, I heard a voice call out to me.
"T-Thank you…! We've been saved…!"
A faint voice.
I looked around for the voice.
"Down here…down here…!"
Looking down at the direction of the voice beckoning to me.
"On behalf of us ground-pixie folk, thank you very much for saving us from that evil god!"
Below my feet was a small creature, barely noticeable in the grass. Standing upon a mound of soil that was like an ant hill was a small humanoid creature that had light brown skin and green hair.
This tiny creature who had the voice of the distressed woman from the recording, called out to us.
From the ant hill emerged more of these creatures. One of them dragged out something from the hill.
"Thank goodness we found this magical card! If we never found it, that evil god would have kept terrorizing our home!"
The card had a familiar looking logo on it, a shield crest with 'J.L.' at the center.
I remembered how I had, in my frustration, tossed the cards onto the lawn back then.
As more of these creatures came out to thank us, Chomusuke, who was in Megumin's hands, extended a clawed paw towards these creatures.
"Hisss! Rawr!"
"EEK!"
The pixies, frightened by the 'evil god', rushed back into the mound of dirt.
"So, it appears to be like that."
Megumin said this blankly as she petted Chomuske's fur.
"So it seems."
"…"
From behind me, all the adventurers were silent.
Darkness was holding her face in embarrassment after getting all hyped up for this.
Aqua was looking around with a confused look as if to say 'what is going on?'
Megumin, hugging Chomusuke to her chest, smiled at me and said,
"Well, at the very least, it is said that gaining the favor of ground-pixies will bring good fortune. Maybe with the blessing of the pixies, an unfortunate event like this won't occur soon."
Eager for any kind of consolation, I easily accepted Megumin's wishy-washy words.
…
...
After that little incident, the 'League of Justice' was dissolved.
Watanabe and the others can now be seen working at Kazu-mall.
Really.
What was the point of all this?
Chapter END
Next Chapter: Gifting this Noble Lady Past Her Prime with an Unlikely Proposal!