"Hold on, Lady Aqua! I'll get you out of there!"
The Hair Clip Girl blasted off toward the cage at the shoreline, and her two boyfriends chased after.
"Lars, smash that lock!"
"Leave it to me, Tsumugi! Rargh!"
The guy with the spear crashed the butt end of his spear into the cage's key pin, bursting the iron bolt in one shot.
"Lady Aqua, you're safe now!"
Hair Clip Girl yanked open the bars and looked down at Aqua, who was still squatting in the middle of the cage. At the noise, Aqua craned her neck around to look at her 'rescuer.'
"―Who are you?"
"Lady Aqua, have you forgotten already? It's me, Tsumugi Matsumoto! You gave me this hair clip, remember?!" Hair Clip Girl's visage fell the moment Aqua didn't remember her.
By this time, Alice and Komekko had long since jumped into action and rushed to the cage.
Alice reached it first, and firmly placed a hand on Hair Clip Girl's shoulder. "Hey, I'm gonna have to ask you to take a step back and explain who you are and why you are attacking our friend."
The two boys gripped their weapons and glared in the background.
"Oh, so this is how you treat your 'friends,' huh? What sorts of monsters are you working with, you pervert?" Hair Clip Girl pointed her finger at me at 'pervert.' "I don't know what you were planning to do with Lady Aqua, but I won't let you get away with it!"
Oh boy. The 'misunderstanding' template has been set up for us. This'll be fun.
"Hey, don't talk to Satou like that!" Komekko stepped in front of me protectively.
"Satou?" A dark shadow appeared on Hair Clip Girl's face. "Satou… as in Kazuma Satou?!"
I knew I had to cut this next misunderstanding off at the root. "I'm not the Demon King! It's a misunderstanding! Kazuma Satou is a pretty common name back in Japan, right? My parents didn't know giving me that name would cause me so much struggle and turmoil in this world!"
Hair Clip Girl's look softened just the slightest bit. "Ah, so that's how it is. Sorry, that must be rough for you―wait, that's not the point here!" She shook her head to clear it. "I will ask you one more time! Why does it look like you are abandoning the goddess at the lake?"
"We're not!" I snapped back. "She took a quest to purify the lake! The cage is to protect her from any monsters that might attack her while she does her thing, and we're standing by in case things get out of hand!"
Hair Clip Girl checked over her shoulder at Aqua. "Is what this pervert is saying true, Lady Aqua?"
"Hm...Oh, now I remember you! The girl with the hair clip! Sorry! I've sent so many people over that I can't be expected to keep track of them all, you know?" Aqua stood up and climbed out of the cage.
Hair Clip Girl respectfully drew back to let Aqua out. "It's an honor to see you again, Lady Aqua. Ever since you entrusted me with the task of defeating the Demon King, I have been working hard every day in this world to become stronger. One day, I promise to live up to your expectations and vanquish the Demon King once and for all."
"Yes, very good, keep working hard," Aqua said flippantly, almost blowing her off.
"Hey, did you say you are going to vanquish Elder Brother? Sorry, but that's something I just can't overlook―"
"No, Alice, not now! This isn't the time!" I cautiously grabbed her by her upper arm to stop her from advancing toward Hair Clip Girl.
"Your Elder Brother? Who are you people?"
"She just calls him that! Don't ask me why, she has been like this since before I met her!" I tried to smooth over the situation as Hair Clip Girl took a closer look at Alice.
"You seem like a capable adventurer. I'm guessing you have an advanced class, like Crusader or Swordmaster?" She then looked at Komekko. "And you are clearly a Crimson Demon." Rounding her sights back on me, "Mr. Kazuma Satou, was it? You have been blessed with good companions. You should consider yourself lucky. But although I understand your reasoning of purifying the lake to expunge the monsters, I can't figure out what the goddess is doing here in the first place." She cupped her chin as she thought out loud. "Unless―"
Her eyes flicked back at me. "―For your 'one thing,' did you, by chance, pick the goddess?!"
"What? No! Of course not!" I immediately denied. "She just came along as if it was the normal thing to do! Did she not do that for you?"
Hair Clip Girl wore a look of complete disbelief.
We both turned to the side to stare at Aqua.
"What? Oh, yeah, Satou didn't kidnap me, or anything! I just thought he looked like someone who would let me have fun. Ever since Kazuma became the Demon King, I've been tagging along with most of the reincarnated people I send here, at least for a day or two. Just to see whether or not they have what it takes to face the Demon King. But most of the time, they're pretty boring, and I wind up just going back to heaven."
"Eh? Lady Aqua, you never came down to check on me when I first started out!" Hair Clip Girl complained.
Aqua put on an easy-going smile. "That's probably because I figured you had no chance of taking down the Demon King no matter what you did! After all, you're weak against his main attack, Steal! Satou, on the other hand, is pretty much immune to Kazuma's go-to tactic, so he at least has a better shot of taking down the Demon King than you."
Hair Clip Girl looked like she was about to cry upon hearing that.
Although, being told the only reason Aqua has been helping me out all this time is because the Demon King isn't interested in a dude's underwear isn't exactly inspiring confidence in me, either.
I was suddenly reminded of something the Demon King's general wrote in his letter, about a goddess who scammed everyone into coming to this world.
"I see." Hair Clip Girl hid her face with her bangs. "So the goddess has chosen you over me? It's like that, huh…" She shook her head and then looked at me with piercing eyes. "Let's have a duel, Kazuma Satou! I'll decide whether you are worthy of keeping Lady Aqua at your side! And if I win, then you will let her join my party instead!"
This girl has some nerve, challenging a rookie like me to a duel!
It's obvious that this Tsumugi chick has been adventuring for a while. Not only that, but she probably was given the cheat item she wanted, instead of being dumped with a useless one the way I was. From the way she's acting, she definitely thinks she's the main character of some light novel or something. I bet she hasn't had to struggle the way I have. Working hard every day. Not knowing if a monster was lurking just around the corner waiting to kill you. Or if you were going to be able to afford any dinner that night. Don't get me started on sleeping in stables... And look! She even has her own little harem of hot guys wrapped around her finger! Meanwhile, I'm stuck with a loli who would go to any lengths to get food, a goddess who thinks party tricks are useful against monsters, and a hopeless former princess who took up adventuring as a way to try and hook up with the Demon King!
Frankly, taking Aqua off my hands sounds like a blessing.
Actually, when I think of it that way...
"No thanks. If you want her that bad, you can have her." I flicked my wrist Aqua's way as if to say, 'take her.'
"Eh?" Hair Clip Girl cried out in disbelief.
"Wah! How dare you try to toss me aside so easily!" As soon as I said that, Aqua stomped over to the shore where I stood and jabbed my cheek with her pointer finger.
"I was just joking! Jeez! I wasn't actually going to force you to change parties or anything!"
"Really? Were you really joking about it? After everything I've done for you, you should be on your knees, graciously thanking me!"
"For what? What have you done that has actually been helpful? Can you tell me even a single thing?" Finally losing my temper, I jabbed her in the cheek right back.
"I do lots of things! All the time!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"Shut up!" Hair Clip Girl yelled over both of us. "Kazuma Satou, your attitude and disrespect toward Lady Aqua are unforgivable! Lady Aqua, please join my party. I'll treat you with the proper respect a goddess of your station deserves. You'll have the best equipment, the best lodgings, and the best meals. The same goes for you two ladies as well. You don't have to put up with a rude guy like this any more." She extended the offer to Alice and Komekko as well.
Grr! This bitch! She has no idea what these idiots are like! What I have to deal with on a daily basis! What right does she have to come down all high and mighty on me like this!?
...She pisses me off, but deep down, I wouldn't blame them if my party chose Hair Clip Girl over me.
"Hey, is it just me, or is she acting kind of creepy?"
"I wish I learned Explosion magic. I wanna blow her up."
"She has no idea what Satou is really like, does she? I pity her."
…
…Did I―hear that right?
Aqua, Komekko, and Alice were turning to walk away as if the matter was settled, while I stood rooted to the spot.
By all accounts, if you look at it objectively, going with Hair Clip Girl is definitely the optimal choice.
My little gang of idiots, they―they really do care for me, don't they?
Guys, I promise I'll try to be a little nicer to each of you in the future.
"Satou, I'm going back inside the cage. Let's finish the quest," said Aqua, while climbing back into her safe space.
"..."
I glanced back at Hair Clip Girl, who couldn't believe what just happened. She looked completely stunned.
How's it feel not to have everything go your way for once? Even though you're rich, I'm poor; you're charismatic, I'm a misfit; you're talented, and I'm average; despite all that, they chose me.
I shot her a gloating grin, causing her to furrow her brows.
"Hey, Satou! The lock is still broken! What should we do now?" Aqua hollered, cutting off my victory lap. "If the brutal alligators attacked now, I'll be a sitting du―"
Smash!
"Wha?!"
We all jumped when suddenly, something hard crashed into the side of the cage, knocking Aqua off balance.
"Wah! Satou, help me! Satou, please! Why is this happening again?! Purification! Purification! Purification!"
Aqua started crying and began purifying the lake like her life depended on it.
In the water, fast approaching, there were many dark shapes making a beeline from the deeper waters to Aqua's cage. The alligators must finally be attacking!
"Lady Aqua!" Hair Clip Girl shouted in a panicked voice while drawing a hunting knife from her waist. "I'll protect you! Lars, Cortney, help me defend the cage!"
"Right away, Tsumugi!"
"I won't let you down, Tsumugi-chan!"
Roused by the sounds of battle, Alice also drew her sword and lunged into the lake. "I will do my best as well! Elder Brother, I'll make you proud this time!"
"Alligator meat?" Komekko was already smacking her lips. "I suppose that will do for today's lunch… Yes!"
"Purification! Purification! Purification! Wahahaha-! There was a cracking sound! The cage made a sound it shouldn't be making!"
Cecily stirred and stretched, rubbing her eyes as she roused herself from her nap.
"Huh? Did I fall asleep? Oh, check that out! The lake is looking sparkling clean!"
"How on earth did you sleep through all that noise?" Alice asked.
"Alice-cutie! Good morning!"
"Good morning, Miss Cecily! Although, it is actually almost evening…"
"Please call me big sis Cecily, Alice!"
"...Big sis Cecily…"
"Squee!" Cecily jumped up and began rubbing her cheeks against Alice's. Then, she took notice of the scene that was occurring before her. "Say, what's going on?"
After the last of the alligators had been taken care of and everyone had all returned to shore, Hair Clip Girl and her party still weren't finished with me.
But the mood had changed drastically since they first encountered us.
"Um," Hair Clip Girl began, "I know I said in the middle of battle that we should compete over who could defeat the most alligators, and that whoever won would keep the goddess with them going forward… But even I didn't expect this outcome…"
She looked away uncomfortably while my party and I stood opposite them, waiting for her to finish.
"I have to admit," she continued, heaving a sigh, "this swordswoman is an amazing fighter. It was like no matter where you went, the alligators would always retreat! It was truly incredible!"
To my left, Alice grinned and flushed a shade red. "You really think so? Ehehehe…"
It sounded nice when she put it that way, but Hair Clip Girl conveniently left out some of the finer details. Like how Alice kept shouting ridiculous things throughout the fight, such as, "If only Elder Brother could see me now!" and "Come, strike me with your strongest attack, Mr. Alligator! I can take it! Wait, please don't run away!"
"And this archmage? I didn't know advanced magic could be so powerful! I guess that's a Crimson Demon for you." Hair Clip Girl then turned and praised my other slightly-insane companion.
To my right, Komekko puffed out her chest and snorted.
Despite my urging her to wait until later and cook it properly, Komekko had actually been nibbling at an alligator leg she had severed for most of the battle.
"As for the dignified Lady Aqua, it goes without saying that her divine presence miraculously healed this stagnant lake, which is most praiseworthy of all. I see now that as a team, your party surpasses my own in every way." Behind her, Hair Clip Girl's two harem members restlessly kicked their feet. The fact that my companions had defeated far more alligators than they had obviously infuriated them.
I don't know about you, but the way Aqua was screaming in tears throughout the whole affair was anything but 'dignified.'
"But despite all that…" she raised her pointer finger accusingly while locking eyes with me. "What sort of a man stands behind and gives out orders the whole time while letting all the women handle the fighting!?"
…Unfortunately, I couldn't say anything.
Using my World Pause ability, I had stayed on the shoreline, constantly scanning the water for alligators and calling out directions. It was thanks to me that nobody got ambushed, but I knew I looked pathetic.
All I have are a couple of basic archery skills. Against these alligators, which had thick scales and kept their bodies submerged most of the time, I couldn't do anything.
Running her fingers through her hair, this person brushed them against her hair clip that was so ornately decorated. "It's a good thing a pervert like him didn't get this," I barely heard Hair Clip Girl mutter. Then raising her voice considerably, "Listen up, Kazuma Satou! I despise you, from the bottom of my heart! Your party may have killed more alligators than ours, but I refuse to accept that outcome to our competition when you didn't defeat a single one yourself! Therefore, I challenge you to a one-on-one match!"
I sighed. "This again? I already said no thanks. And my companions have made it clear they don't want to switch. So what is the point of having a duel? Learn to read the room already!"
Hair Clip Girl's teeth began to grind. "You... You―!" She was turning madder and madder.
"How dare you speak to Tsumugi like that?" spear guy spat.
"Yeah, you coward!" his mage bro supported him.
"Satou, if you are an adventurer, you shouldn't turn down a challenge! That's the first lesson Big Boss taught me!" Alice suddenly said out of nowhere.
"Wha?!"
"Yeah, Satou! Show her you have a cool side!" followed up Komekko with glistening eyes.
"Huh?!" I was just about to walk away from Hair Clip Girl's challenge when my companions stood in my way, blocking my path, while saying such things. Why are these two suddenly betraying me? Don't they know I'll get massacred by anybody who has one of Aqua's cheats? Oh wait, no, they probably don't. But their eyes were shining with excitement, making it impossible for me to to ignore. "Ugh, what a pain…"
"C'mon, Satou! You can beat her! After all, you've got that cheat I gave you, right?"
Said Aqua, thinking that would somehow motivate me.
Did she forget she was the one who mixed up my cheat in the first place?
However, hearing that did put Hair Clip Girl on guard. She took a stance, her hunting knife at the ready.
"Wait, wait! I don't even have a weapon to defend myself, ah, too bad! Guess we can't have a duel!―"
"Here, Satou! Take something-calibur, and may it serve you well!"
Alice thrust the hilt of her heroic-sounding sword into my hand, where it felt very out of place. My last-ditch attempt to get out of this situation failed.
Ah man, are we really doing this?
Do you think we could all go home if I just surrendered right now?
"Ready or not, here I come!" Tsumugi said before launching her attack.
"Crap, no, wait!"
World Pause!
So fast! She was already making a jab for my left side. I just needed to dodge. If I moved quickly enough, I could make it. Plain and simple.
"Hey, why are you just standing there, Satou? Do something while you activate World Pause! Are you an idiot, or something?"
Aqua, the only one who could still move, said something incredibly dumb.
Moron! I told her I can't move when I use this ability! Does she never listen?
I released World Pause and immediately dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding Hair Clip Girl's attack.
"Bah! I told you I can't move when I use my power, Aqua!" I spat, breathing quickly.
"Huh? What do you mean you can't move? It shouldn't affect the user!"
"Well it does!"
Aqua tilted her head in confusion.
Hair Clip Girl was also looking a little surprised. "How did you see that attack coming? Are you using your cheat?" She glanced at Aqua. "Goddess, what did you give him?"
"Satou's cheat is―"
"Don't tell her, Aqua!" I shouted.
Aqua blinked and said, "Oh, right! You'd rather keep it a secret so she can't figure out your strategy! That's smart!" She then zipped a finger across her lips.
Hair Clip Girl grunted in frustration. "Well, it doesn't matter! I'll still win! Hyaa!"
World Pause!
This time it was a slicing attack aimed for my midsection. She might actually be trying to kill me! It was fine, I could still dodge this one, too, but how much longer could I keep this up?
I planned out my next movement, and―Release!
I dropped my weight and leaned back. Her swing missed, but I slipped on a rock and fell hard to the ground in the process. Alice's sword practically sprang out of my hand, like it had been waiting for a chance to get away from me.
Game over.
"Satou!" x2
Alice and Komekko shouted from the sidelines, but I knew it was too late.
I had lost my footing, and was already breathing hard enough that another World Pause would start to really tax my body. Hair Clip Girl chuckled to herself and took an encroaching step toward me.
"Whatever your cheat is, it obviously didn't help you this time." She stepped over me and lowered her blade to my throat. "This win belongs to me."
With that, she retracted her knife and stood up. "Goddess, as you can see, I didn't even need my cheat to win. So, did seeing my strength change your mind? The invitation to join my party still stands."
"I'm actually having lots of fun in this party. Today's quest was a bit scary, but it was resolved smoothly. Nobody was hurt, and since I did all the work, that means I'll get the whole reward to myself!" Aqua grinned as she explained.
Except I'm not sure where all this 'I did all the work' crap is coming from.
Hair Clip girl exhaled and sheathed her weapon. "Very well, so long as you are happy, Lady Aqua, then that is enough for me. We will withdraw for today."
Alice and Komekko rushed over to help me up.
"Satou, are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere?"
"It was a good try, Satou. You'll get her next time."
...This wasn't so bad, I thought to myself.
"Hey, Satou! Learn to use your stupid cheat properly already! You should have won that duel without breaking a sweat! How are you ever going to kill the Demon King if you can't even move while you are using World Pause? How is that even possible, anyways? Is your Magical Resistance stat that low? Let me see your adventurer's card! Is your Magical Resistance so weak that you aren't even immune to your own special ability?"
Aqua, who was incapable of reading the mood, started nagging me without letting me bask in the moment of having two cute girls attend to me.
"Grr―So what if it is? It's your fault for giving me the wrong power! I asked for the magical bow! Not this knockoff Jojo ability!"
"Ah, right, that was my bad... But I already apologized for that!"
But is my weak Magical Resistance stat really to blame for my incompatibility with World Pause, I wonder? That sounds like a stupid oversight on account of whichever god or goddess designed that cheat ability.
And so, after losing my duel, our parties went our separate ways. Or at least, that was how it looked like things were going―
"Uu! Who is this cutie? What a sweet little girl! You must be a Thief, because you have already stolen my heart! Oh, my name is Cecily, the beautiful priest of the Axis cult. Considering how quickly you won that duel, are you by chance a powerful adventurer? You must be quite rich then! …By the way, I love tokoroten slime! It's sticky, mushy, and soft; it's delicious!"
"Um, that's very nice, but I'd rather not stay and chat…"
Out of nowhere, a certain priestess who had slept all day was suddenly swarming Hair Clip Girl.
"By the way, my preferences are cute girls who are younger than me! I was hoping a handsome, rich guy would come along to take care of me while I live in a mansion being pampered endlessly by a harem of cute little maidservants, but just now I realized a rich young girl like you should rate even higher!"
"S-sorry, but, we really have to go―! Miss Cecily! Can you take your hands off of me?!"
"Call me big sis Cecily!"
"Miss Cecily―your hands! They're―ah! No!"
Something truly incredible was happening right in front of my eyes. It was probably making the spear guy and mage guy nervous, too.
"H-hey, um, listen, Miss Cecily, could you, um, maybe, um, let Tsumugi-chan go?"
Spear Guy tried sticking up for his companion, but his eyes were clearly glued to what Cecily was doing.
"Eheh, heya handsome fellas, are you sure you don't want to join in? Here, do you want to give these boobies a squeeze too? The Axis cult allows free love between multiple individuals, so long as there is consent!"
"Um, no… That―wouldn't… be…"
"I-I couldn't do that... to Tsumugi-chan..."
"There now, no need to be shy!"
Hair Clip Girl's hangers-on balked at the prospect. Guess they wanted to watch and see for a little longer, too.
"Miss Cecily, ooh―ah! I-if you don't let me go, I'll be forced to do something I would rather not follow through with―gah!"
...While she has done nothing but give me headaches all day, I definitely feel bad for Tsumugi right now.
Also, thank you for the view.
"That's it! Miss Cecily, I order you to stop touching me this instant!" Hair Clip Girl commanded.
"Okay!" Panting like she had just gone for a run, Cecily stepped back and moaned. "Ah, Lady Aqua, you have blessed me with this rich, cute adventurer girl! I'm so blessed! I will gladly let her feed and take care of me!" She gripped her own shoulders and wiggled her body all over.
Hair Clip Girl pointed her finger at me with a glare. "Satou Kazuma! You may not be the Demon King, but I'll be damned if you aren't every bit as perverted as him! I swear I'll never forgive you for thiiiiis!"
After accusing me of something truly outrageous, the Hair Clip Girl, Tsumugi Matsumoto, turned her tail and ran away.
Her two hangers-on immediately followed.
Well, I guess I do feel a little bad I didn't do anything to stop Cecily, but I'm still nowhere near the level of the Demon King.
"Hk, she got away. Rats!" Cecily muttered to herself. Clasping her hands in supplication, she bowed her head and offered a prayer. "Lady Aqua, if you ever bless me with another chance, I promise I won't let her escape next time!"
Is this woman really a priest? Well, she chased off Hair Clip Girl's party, which works out for me. But I may have to report her to the police if I ever see her do something like that again.
"The lake is so clear now," Komekko remarked, and we all looked up to appreciate the stunning scenery crafted by the setting sun.
"Ah!" Cecily suddenly made a weird noise. "That reminds me! I haven't gone to see her yet today! Everyone, come with me! ...Tee-hee, come with me..."
"Eh? What's wrong, Cecily?" Aqua asked.
"I need to show you my friend I was telling you about! She was the one who wanted the lake to be purified in the first place! C'mon, I'll introduce you to her!"
We exchanged confused glances, but decided to follow Cecily for now who was skipping along a trail that made a lap around the lake. The sky burned red and orange, making our shadows stretch longer and longer against the rugged path.
A few minutes later, the silhouette of a young girl appeared on the path, and Cecily picked up speed to run over to her.
"Hey! Big sis Cecily has returned!"
"Welcome back, big sis Cecily! I was beginning to worry that I wasn't going to see you again!"
I stopped in my tracks.
The young girl who just greeted Cecily sat upon a sort of familiar-looking boulder that seemed slightly out of place.
Her hair was a forest-green, with a lily-shaped ornament decorating her curls.
There was no doubt that this was yet another Tranquility Girl.
Intermission
My name is Tsugumi Matsumoto. I have been given a special hair clip by the goddess, Lady Aqua, as a tool to help defeat the Demon King in this world.
My magical hair clip grants me a special ability that is similar to a character from a famous anime series. When certain conditions have been met, I can give a person any command that they have no choice to obey.
When I chose this cheat item to take with me, the goddess was so relieved. She said it was fashioned to be a hair clip so that a girl would be most likely to pick it. After all, if a guy were to receive a power like this, they would probably abuse it to no end, forcing all sorts of women to do unspeakable acts…
What are these conditions? To activate this ability, I have to 'touch the heart' of the person I want to target.
As the goddess explained it, this means they have to come to respect me, love me, or admire me in some way for my hair clip to be activated. In the case of an enemy, just coming to acknowledge my abilities or spirit in some way counts as having their heart touched.
Troublingly enough, it seems the conditions have been fulfilled regarding this so-called Kazuma Satou pervert I just met. I can force him to obey any command I choose, any time I want.
Ordering him to relinquish his companions certainly crossed my mind, but doing that would have gone against my own good conscience. Besides, I have learned to be careful when using my one command on a person. It only works once per person, so it's important to make the most out of my power and not waste it.
It's strange, though. When did I touch his heart, exactly? Because I could already sense the conditions had been fulfilled from the moment our eyes met.
He hasn't, you know... fallen for me, or anything, right?
Curse that perverted man! This is so humiliating!