I don't want to be a heroic spirit

Kazuma's expression darkened. "The Demon King's army is attacking... This is a matter of national security! I know I'm weak, but! In this situation! As a member of this country! I also hope to make even the smallest contribution to its future! As a person with power, it is my duty to protect the people of this city!"

...What kind of nonsense is this guy talking about?

At this time, Darkness moved closer to Nero and whispered to him.

"We ran into a few nobles earlier... They were curious about the heroes who defeated the Demon King's army leaders alongside you, Nero. They were especially curious about Kazuma, who was rumored to have defeated Mitsurugi Hibiki more than once and was also our team's captain... Nero, you seemed to mention Kazuma occasionally, right? So... those people were quite interested in him."

“Kazuma, too, was flattered to the point of getting carried away… Anyway, he boasted about a lot of things, making those people really think that Kazuma was so powerful and so upright… Then, the Demon King’s army arrived, and those people said they wanted to see Kazuma show off his skills, and they had high hopes for him.”

How should I put Darkness's explanation?

It seems like something Kazuma could do.

When Nero and Darkness turned to look at Kazuma at the same time, they saw that Kazuma had turned his head to the side with his ears red.

"I...I'm not getting carried away!"

Kazuma spoke loudly, as if to cover up his guilt. "There are so many cheating adventurers in the capital, and... and there's Nero too! The Demon King's army is nothing to worry about! We can easily defeat them! My job is to make my presence felt, running around the battlefield looking conspicuous! I can earn everyone's admiration without putting myself in any danger at all!"

“You’re a terrible person!” Darkness accused without mercy.

However, to Kazuma, whose skin was as thick as a city wall, Darkness's words were as insignificant as the breeze and the passing clouds.

“It’s okay, Darkness.” Nero smiled and patted Darkness’s shoulder. “Kazuma might not even be able to enter the battlefield… After all, the broadcast mentioned high-level adventurers, and Kazuma shouldn’t be considered a high-level adventurer, right? So, Kazuma-ru, right?”

Upon hearing this, Kazuma's expression immediately changed.

"...Well, I'm not a high-level adventurer. I'm only level 17."

Aqua and Huihui have each killed a cadre of the Demon King's army, especially Huihui. The range of her explosive magic is extremely wide every time she uses it, which makes Huihui the highest-level member in Kazuma's team.

Because of Kazuma's low attack power and lack of powerful attack skills, he basically cannot get kills and cannot gain any experience points. It is normal that his level is low.

But what puzzled Nero was... why was Darkness, who always couldn't defeat the enemy, also higher level than Kazuma?

But...even Kazuma's level is higher than mine.

Nero couldn't help but think.

Chapter 319 Who is on good terms with this fool?

The battle against the Demon King's army was a complete victory.

This is a natural and logical thing.

When Nero decided to go to war, victory was already assured.

The [Charisma] gained from [Emperor's Privilege EX] was still invincible. Inspired by Nero's back and inspired by his declaration, the people crushed the invading Demon King's army.

During this process, Youyou, Huihui, Darkness and Aqua were particularly active.

The only exception was Kazuma... He rushed too far forward and ended up right in the middle of the gnolls... and was then cut into several pieces alive. It was truly horrible to watch.

After being resurrected by Aqua, he was still ridiculed by Aqua for a long time.

Because of this activity, several people who were already very popular became even more respected.

The battle happened yesterday, and now it is the second day.

The party venue... This is not the first time Nero has been here.

"Hmm! I don't have a chance to sing this time... What a shame."

Nero sighed with regret, but she didn't know that Youyou, who had changed into a formal dress beside her, shuddered with a lingering fear after hearing Nero's words.

Suddenly, the ahoge on Nero's head shook and pointed Nero in a direction.

Over there, a group of people were surrounding Aqua alone.

“Listen to me, listen to me! Join the Axis Cult! When you look back on the past, you’ll definitely think that joining the Axis Cult was the best decision you ever made! There are many benefits to joining the Cult now…”

That idiot Aqua is still unwilling to give up and is inviting others to join her Axis Cult.

It was nothing at first, but what Aqua said later made Nero take it seriously...

“The children of my Axis Cult are all sweet and well-behaved. The reason they have such a bad reputation is entirely due to the rumors spread by those evil people of the Eris Cult! Even… yes! Even Princess Alice and Nero of this country are members of my Axis Cult! So hurry up…”

"Take my move—Greedy Wolf's Grip!"

“Gahh ...

Nero used Lu Bu's second skill [Greedy Wolf's Grip] on Aqua, sucking her life while also putting on a shield. (Funny)

"I left you alone for a moment, and you're here to ruin my and Alice's reputation?"

How dare this person? She'd disparaged the Eris Cult, Eris herself hadn't said anything...but she actually had the audacity to call Nero and Alice members of the Axis Cult.

People say that every failure makes you wiser... Aqua has fallen into so many "failures", why hasn't she learned any wisdom?

"What's the big deal?! What's wrong with joining the Axis Cult and becoming a member of it?" Aqua shouted desperately, struggling, "Not only can I soak in the hot springs for free, but I can also get edible soap every day!"

"Why does Yu have to eat that soap?"

Nero felt that she had been very magnanimous by not destroying the cult, but how dare Aqua ask her to join?

Ever since his last visit to Alcanretia, the headquarters of the Axis Cult, Nero has kept his distance from the Cult even more.

Nero seriously doubted that if it weren't for the Crimson Demons and the Axis Cult, the Demon King's army and humans would not have been able to fight at all.

The Crimson Demons often peek at the Demon King's daughter bathing, and the observation deck that allows peeks into the Demon King's daughter's room has become one of the famous attractions there.

One of the daily activities of the Akusis Cult is to spread negative news about the Demon King's army everywhere, such as the claim that the Demon King is actually a perverted lolita and shotacon maniac, which seems to be what the Akusis Cult said.

"It's fine if you say bad things about me, but you even dragged Alice into this. Aren't you too bold? She's the princess of this country. Are you going to die if you don't do that? If you lose your head by accident, don't blame me for not warning you..."

"Losing...losing your head?!"

Aqua panicked for a moment, but she composed herself the next moment.

"Shouldn't...shouldn't it? Losing my head or anything like that...I'm not lying. Alice is indeed a member of my Axis Cult. I invited Alice to join yesterday."

"Why are you still talking nonsense? What reason does Alice have to join your Axis Cult? Even if Alice is a little naive, a little pure, has little common sense, and is not good at saying no... no matter how you put it, it's impossible... right?"

…What should I do if I become less confident the more I talk?

Damn!

When Nero thought about his lovely and innocent sister being bewitched and forced to join a cult full of fanatics and lunatics, and her pure white soul like a flower about to be poisoned and polluted, he felt like killing her.

Nero glared at Aqua, his emerald eyes filled with terrifying murderous intent, and as cold as the abyss of the underworld, causing Aqua to make a very embarrassing sound.

"babble--!!"

Aqua felt something was wrong, very wrong.

Even though she was not very smart, she understood the reality that if she stayed any longer, her life would be in danger.

So she immediately cried out behind Nero.

"Darkness! Darkness, come and save me! Nero is going to kill me!"

“Darkness, are you going to speak up for Aqua too…”

When Nero turned around, he didn't even see Darkness's shadow.

When I turned my head back, I could only see Aqua's back gradually moving away. Aqua even lifted up her skirt that was almost dragging on the ground, so that she could run faster and more quickly.

"..."

Nero's brain froze for a full five seconds before he reacted.

"Has Yu been fooled by this mentally retarded goddess?"

The first thing that came to mind was embarrassment and confusion, followed by anger that went straight to the top of my head.

It is easy to imagine what a cruel ending would be waiting for Aqua once she fell into Nero's hands.

Maybe Aqua will regret coming into this world.

The annoyed Nero was in no mood to play with Aqua. He grabbed Aqua and then walked out of the venue holding her head.

"Come out with me. I'll take you to see Alice... But before that, I want to settle the matter with you for embarrassing me in front of so many people."

“My head is WAAA ...

Even with the heavy door closed, Aqua's terrifying wails could still pass through the door and reach the ears of everyone in the venue.

Nero thought that Mitsurugi Hibiki would come to stop her... because Mitsurugi Hibiki seemed to have a crush on Aqua.

Miken Hibiki wants to become a brave man who saves the world because he thinks that the goddess Aqua has high hopes for him, and he doesn't want to let Aqua down.

Little did she know, let alone having high hopes for him, Aqua didn't even remember his name.

As a representative of the adventurers in the royal capital, he was of course one of the participants in this banquet.

However, he did not step forward to stop Nero from teaching Aqua a lesson.

It seems that he took the interaction between Nero and Aqua as a sign of a good relationship.

No wonder Kazuma once commented on Mitsurugi Hibiki, "This guy's eyes are no different from glass beads" and "He has two eggs on his nose, but he only has eyes but can't see."

From a distance, Yuken Hibiki looked at Nero with envy in his eyes.

He must be envious of the good relationship between Nero and Aqua.

This is infuriating. Who wants to be on good terms with this idiot? Taking care of an idiot is exhausting, isn't it? Especially one with no self-awareness at all.

Chapter 320 I’m Sorry, You Are a Good Person

Although it was a celebration held to celebrate the victory and reward the soldiers, the venue was filled with high-quality and delicious high-end dishes, but these delicious dishes were usually displayed for appearance, because the people who came here basically liked to chat with others rather than eat.

After all, food can be eaten at any time, but the opportunity to get closer to so many noble people is not always available.

Among those present were dignitaries, knights, and adventurers.

In the Kingdom of Elrod, adventurers are considered inferior and country bumpkins, but in the ancient Kingdom of Belzer, martial arts value is also part of personal value. Even adventurers, as long as they are strong enough, will be valued by the royal family and some nobles.

Being in such a grand venue, the members of Kazuma's team, except for Darkness who is also a noble, should have enjoyed the rarely touched delicacies, even if this behavior would make them particularly conspicuous, like a few huskies suddenly appearing among a group of ferocious wolves, or a golden ship sneaking into a group of Ferghana horses. But they, with skin as thick as the walls of Camelot, would not care about these things. Satisfying their appetites is the most important thing.

But today, none of them showed up at the meal.

Aqua was pulled away by Nero.

Huihui performed extremely well in this battle, casting an explosive magic directly at the most concentrated enemy area, gaining a large number of fans. Now she and Youyou are surrounded by a group of magicians.

Kazuma's situation was completely opposite to Huihui's. His performance this time was too shameful. He was actually hacked to death by a small-time ogre. He was too ashamed to face anyone. He was squatting in a dark corner with his knees hugged, trying his best to reduce his presence.

Actually, Aqua performed quite well this time. Not only did she heal many people, but she also used the legendary resurrection magic in front of many people, which shocked a group of people and won her the praise of many people.

When Nero saw Aqua, the people surrounding her were actually those who were healed or resurrected by Aqua on the battlefield.

Darkness was the same. Once she reached that position, no enemy could break through the defense line she formed alone.

At the venue, people everywhere were saying that Kazuma was useless and didn't look like a teammate of Darkness and the others at all.

Some people said that Darkness, Megumin, and Aqua should kick Kazuma out and join Nero's team. If that were the case, they might have defeated the Demon King by now. The key point is that this statement has attracted a lot of people's agreement.

Even Kazuma's previous record of defeating the magic swordsman Mitsurugi Hibiki in a duel was doubted by these people.

Alone, sitting alone in the corner.

It feels like being abandoned by the whole world. Those shines and cheers are far away from me. No matter how envious, unwilling or unhappy I am, I can't raise my head again.

After all, this time it was really embarrassing... Especially after making such a boast before the battle.

He felt that he was extremely thick-skinned because he did not feel so ashamed as to commit suicide or seppuku to apologize.

Kazuma sat in the corner, hearing taunts and put-downs directed at him from everywhere.

Those people did not lower their voices at all, as if they wanted him, the person involved, to hear them clearly.

His stomach growled more than once due to hunger, but Kazuma couldn't shamelessly eat the delicious food on the plate.

To be honest, he couldn't even find a reason to stay in the venue... The purpose of this banquet was to reward those warriors, and those who could appear here should be those who had made contributions to the battle.

"I'm so hungry..."

His stomach growled for who knows how many times, and his teammates weren't by his side, as if they had forgotten about him.

Compared to one's own misfortune, what is more unbearable is the rapid success of one's good friend.

It would be fine if he just became successful, but what does it mean if he succeeds without taking me with him?

“Hmm! What are you doing here all by yourself, Kazuma? It’s really unlike you to just hang your head and sigh to yourself.”