I don't want to be a heroic spirit

A very soft voice reached my ears, as ethereal as the singing of an oriole in the valley. The key is the vitality contained in it, which always easily cheers people up.

A dark corner where no one cares... Kazuma hides here because of this.

But when Nero appeared here, light seemed to shine.

The darkness here seemed to be deeply afraid of Nero's brilliance.

"Nero?"

Kazuma was confused.

Wondering why Nero is here.

"You look very hungry. Do you need me to get you some food?" Nero asked considerately. "After all, you don't seem to want to be in front of everyone. If you see any delicious food you like, please tell me. I just heard from Alice and Claire that a new chef with high cooking skills has recently arrived. Some of the dishes in the venue are made by them. You can look forward to it."

Nero, who was extremely considerate and gentle, healed Kazuma's fragile heart in an instant.

Damn it, why is there such a perfect woman in this world...and Nero is not my teammate.

I really hope that those guys who have no sense of loyalty can learn from Nero what a good woman and a good friend should be like.

"Nero..."

"Hmm? What's up?"

"I think I'm in love with you, can you marry me?"

"I'm sorry, you're a good person..."

"No! Don't let me hear that overly cruel and realistic answer! Things like the Nice Guy Card are truly beyond my ability to handle!!"

Because of Nero, the loneliness and solitude that had accumulated in Kazushi's heart were also alleviated.

Just then, there was some movement not far away.

It's Darkness's side.

Darkness is really super popular. After all, in addition to being a high-level professional adventurer, she is also the daughter of the noble Dustiness. Darkness's family and Claire's family are regarded as the shield and sword of the ancient Kingdom of Belze respectively.

For example, Kazuma is the captain, and Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness are all Kazuma's teammates, but those people call this team "Sir Dustiness's team", and Aqua and the others are also called "Sir Dustiness's teammates" by these people.

From the moment she entered the venue, Darkness’s smile seemed a little stiff… perhaps she couldn’t handle the enthusiasm of the people surrounding her.

On the way to find Kazuma, Nero heard those people asking Darkness if she had a marriage partner... It seems that Darkness is really popular.

Those who dare to pursue Darkness are all confident, handsome men. Even from Nero's perspective, they are worthy of the title of "handsome men".

Unfortunately, their brains didn't seem to be very smart. They thought they were expressing their feelings in a subtle way, but their intentions were all exposed in their burning eyes.

Unable to see the embarrassment in Darkness’s expression, he continued to offer empty and heartless sweet words.

Then, a rude man interrupted.

"Lady Dustiness has accomplished many great feats in recent years. Not long ago, she even defeated a leader of the Demon King's army together with Lord Nero. There should be someone more worthy of her... At least, none of you here are qualified."

Chapter 321 Kazuma is arrogant

"Lady Dustiness has accomplished many great feats in recent years. Not long ago, she even defeated a leader of the Demon King's army together with Lord Nero. There should be someone more worthy of her... At least, none of you here are qualified."

The person who made such a statement was a tall and fat middle-aged man with thick body hair but no hair on his head.

It could be said that his words offended all of Darkness's suitors present, naturally drawing their angry glares.

For some reason, Nero had no good feelings towards that fat pig-like man.

Is it because she is a beauty-conscious person?

“Hey, Kazuma, who is that… uh… overweight guy? He seems to be very familiar with Darkness.”

"What do you mean by 'obese'? Nero, why don't you just call him a fat pig?" Kazuma smacked his lips. "That man's name is Alderp, the lord of the Axel area... It's because of him that I have no hope for the nobles of this world."

In other words, that person has a terrible personality, right?

"Oh and... that fat pig seems to like Darkness quite a bit. Although I'm not sure what he likes about Darkness, maybe it's just her sexy body."

While Kazuma was explaining and introducing Nero, someone on the other side spoke to Alderp in an unpleasant tone.

"Alderp, you say there's someone more worthy of Sir Dustiness? Then, may I ask, who exactly is that person you're talking about? Are you talking about yourself?"

Most people would think so, right? And Kazuma also told Nero that Alderp really liked Darkness.

However, Alderp smiled incomprehensibly.

"Of course not me. After all, I'm no longer young. No matter how shameless I am, I can't pursue Lord Dustiness. Moreover, I know myself well and am far from qualified to be Lord Dustiness's partner... Oh, and it's not my son either. Putting aside Lord Dustiness's past, there's probably only one man left who can match Lord Dustiness in terms of both status and personal achievements."

Alderp's words surprised Kazuma and Nero, while Darkness's suitors were curious.

"Did that idiot Alderp take the wrong medicine?" Kazuma, a young man of the new era, said this without any respect for the nobles.

Just kidding, he is the first person to adhere to the principle of balance for everyone. No matter whether the other person is male or female, tall or short, handsome or ugly, commoner or noble, he can punch the other person in the face.

“A man who can rival Darkness in personal achievements…”

Kazuma frowned and then straightened his collar.

"Isn't that talking about me?"

"How lacking in self-awareness do you have to be able to say such a thing?"

Putting aside Kazuma's joke about excessive self-confidence, it would be inappropriate for Alderp to continue to keep the secret in the face of so many young talents.

"It's the First Prince, His Highness Jadis, who is currently leading the King's regular army against the Demon King's army alongside His Majesty. Logically, Lord Dustiness should seek a son-in-law. However, regarding the Dustiness family's heir, all you need to do is have a few more children and let the younger one inherit the Dustiness family."

No one expected that Alderp would actually bring up His Royal Highness the First Prince, who stood at the top of the country in terms of strength and status. Naturally, the others could only remain silent.

"Something's wrong, very wrong."

Kazuma stroked his chin, his eyes fixed on the smug, somewhat disgusting Alderp, and muttered, "From what I hear, that old man should be incredibly obsessed with Darkness... even more obsessed than a mouse seeing cheese."

"Hmm! Although I don't know that person very well, it is true that there is something wrong with him."

Nero nodded, his eyes as sharp as silver swords, flashing with inquiry.

“That person… the look he gave Darkness just now was filled with evil desire… That’s not the look of someone who has given up.”

Although he didn't have a skill like [Intuition]... Nero still felt that the man named Alderp would do something.

In the near future.

After all, Alderp is not at all the kind of powerful and patient person. He has no patience, no ability, and almost all his inner thoughts are written on his face... If he is really a villain, he is far worse than Amakusa Shiro Tokisada whom Nero once met.

Thinking back, even though she had the advantage of knowing the plot well, she was still tricked by Amakusa Shiro Tokisada... If she wasn't strong enough, she might have been killed by the other party long ago.

"Sister Nero, Mr. Kazuma."

The voice was as light as a feather slowly falling from the sky. Alice, dressed in a white dress, walked towards them gracefully. With a sweet smile and petite figure, she looked like a princess from a fairy tale.

Come to think of it, the name Alice... sounds like it fits the image of a "fairy tale princess".

"Hmm! Alice is here... Is it really okay for you to come here to find us instead of chatting with those nobles? Even Claire is not with you."

"It's okay… Claire won't say anything if it's just for a little while."

With a bright smile, Alice came to Nero's side and leaned against the wall like Nero.

Blinking, Nero glanced towards Claire not far away.

Um... Claire is looking at this side, and she is so anxious that she is about to bite her handkerchief.

So, Nero waved at her, making Claire's eyes even redder.

"Ah, that Darkness, how dare she be so popular over there... It's really unbearable. I'll go over and ruin her affairs, make those people see her true colors and give up pestering her... I really don't understand her. If she really doesn't like being pestered, wouldn't she just say no?"

Kazuma said this and stood up, waved his hand, and walked towards Darkness, leaving this place to Alice and Nero.

After staring at Kazuma's back for a long while, Nero looked at Alice and said something that made Kazuma slip.

“Hmm! Remember this, Alice, what Kazuma did just now is called tsundere.”

"Oh, I see... Mr. Kazuma was just being tsundere."

"I'm... I'm not a tsundere! What kind of nonsense did you, Nero, teach Her Highness the Princess?!"

Chapter 322: Disposal of the Artifact Necklace

Leaning against the wall, Nero and Alice stood together.

Both of them cared about each other, but didn't know how to start a conversation, so they could only let silence spread.

Nero shifted his gaze slightly and discovered that Alice was no longer wearing the artifact necklace.

The necklace Alice is wearing now is...

"Is this the necklace I bought for you yesterday?"

Yesterday, I strolled around the royal capital with Youyou, and I bought her an exquisite necklace.

Of course, Nero did not show favoritism towards Youyou. She also chose a necklace for Alice and gave it to her when she saw her again.

Nero said with a little surprise, "For such a grand occasion, I thought you would wear a more precious and exquisite necklace."

That necklace wasn't a very precious gift...at least in Nero's opinion, Alice deserved better.

however……

"No... there is no treasure more precious than this."

She raised her hand to cover the necklace, and her fingers rubbed the gems inlaid on it. Alice's pretty face was flushed, and a smile as bright as a flower slowly bloomed on her face.

After receiving the necklace from Nero last night, I would smile foolishly every time I saw it. Even when I was lying in bed, I would always think of it and take it out to look at it from time to time... There is no need to let Sister Nero know about this.

Having made up her mind, Alice's tone was filled with a determination as firm as a rock.

"Sister Nero's gift...I will cherish it for the rest of my life."

"Hmm... I feel like I heard the same thing not long ago. But, life is very long, much longer than you think."

Nero showed a rather troubled expression...but he couldn't hide the hint of doting in his eyes.

"So, what are you going to do with that necklace that allowed you to swap bodies?"

"that……"

Talking about this topic again, Alice also showed a distressed expression, because she and Claire had been dealing with the problem of the necklace these days.

"Sister, you've been saying that it's dangerous... But Claire told me that the person who sent it to the royal family can't be found. Even searching the records doesn't yield any clues. And when we asked relevant people, the answers we got were all pretty much the same... We only remember that this necklace was given to the royal family by a noble, but no one can remember which noble it was."

After a pause, Alice continued, "Although you said it would be best to destroy it directly...but it is a gift to my elder brother, and we do not have the right to destroy it directly."

"And... and... it shouldn't be a problem, right? The necklace only allows two people to temporarily swap bodies. It shouldn't be... dangerous enough to need to be destroyed, right?"

Alice's words made Nero's eyes flicker slightly.

Alice, who has always been very dependent on her and always listened to Nero's decisions...actually went against her just for the necklace?

After glancing at the somewhat uneasy Alice, Nero spoke with a kind smile.

"Hmm! Alice, since you guys don't know what to do with that necklace... can you lend it to me for a few days? Don't worry, it's just for a few days, and I'll return it to you."

"Eh? What does Nero-sister need that necklace for? But...if it's just for a few days, it shouldn't be a problem. Claire won't refuse, right?"

"Hmm! Alice is so good, I'll give her a hair rub as a reward... Alice's hair is so good, like silk, it feels so good to touch."

As he spoke, Nero reached out and rubbed the top of Alice's head.

"Besides this, I have another matter that I'd like Alice to help me with..."

Bending down, Nero whispered something in Alice's ear.

Although she felt a little doubtful about Nero's request, Alice nodded.

"Well...I don't know why Sister Nero is doing this, but I will do my best!"

"Hmm! You are worthy of being the sister I recognize. Without a doubt, this is love, right? Let me touch your head again. I am a little addicted to it."

The admired Nero sister gently touched her head, although she was a little embarrassed and shy...especially when there were so many people around.

But... it's really comfortable, so comfortable that it makes people subconsciously squint their eyes and enjoy it.

…………

In Axel, a seemingly inconspicuous magic item shop, a burst of angry scolding suddenly came out.

"You rare shopkeeper who possesses the rare skill of 'always buying junk', could you please explain what kind of junk you've brought in behind our backs?"