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"You got tangled up with some weird people?"
Inside the guest room, Fang Li sat on the sofa, narrowing his eyes as he listened to Kazuma, Megumin, and Darkness, who were kneeling before him.
"Let's set aside who exactly those 'weird people' are for the moment… but you three definitely did something ridiculous again, didn't you?"
The trio flinched one after another. Only Aqua, still slumped to the side, continued sobbing as she muttered: "I didn't do anything… I really didn't do anything…"
Yet despite claiming she did nothing, her terrifying Innate Skill for attracting disaster even without trying left Fang Li completely speechless.
At that moment, Fang Li gave them a smile.
"In any case, start from the beginning and tell me every last detail, clearly and thoroughly."
With a smile on his face and zero amusement in his eyes, Fang Li said coldly: "Not a single word skipped. Don't add your own spin or excuses. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" Kazuma, Megumin, and Darkness immediately lowered their heads and kowtowed in unison.
Soon after, with the three of them stammering and stuttering, Fang Li finally understood what had happened.
In truth, it all started rather simply.
Aqua, feeling too restless staying inside the Royal Castle, had dragged Kazuma, Megumin, and Darkness out into the streets for a stroll.
At face value, it wasn't a big deal.
However… it was an absolutely terrible idea for Aqua to casually wander around the Royal Capital.
After all, the Royal Capital was home to quite a few people, Hero Candidates summoned from modern Japan, who had received Artifacts and Abilities directly from Aqua when she was still in her goddess form.
In other words, these people had all met Aqua while she was still a Goddess, and knew her true identity.
So the moment Aqua appeared on the streets, it wasn't "if" but "when" she would be recognized. Naturally, the Hero Candidates in the capital quickly gathered once they realized Aqua was there.
These Hero Candidates, having received their cheat-like powers from Aqua, were all living successful lives in this world and held immense gratitude toward her. Aqua, meanwhile, was thrilled to be worshipped and admired, soaking in the attention with her nose high in the air.
But then… drunk on her own pride, Aqua accidentally let something slip.
"I just wish that obnoxious, selfish hikikomori NEET who dragged me into this world could understand just how much of a blessing I've been to him! I had to sleep in a stable, go hungry, work part-time jobs, and rack up mountains of debt because of him!"
And just like that, all hell broke loose.
When the Hero Candidates realized that Kazuma was the one who brought a literal goddess into the world, and made her suffer so miserably, they immediately became furious and started demanding a duel with Kazuma to "teach him a lesson."
Of course, Kazuma, being a low-level Adventurer not even at Level 20, was in no position to take on a bunch of overpowered Hero Candidates. He shamelessly refused on the spot.
Unfortunately, the Hero Candidates weren't going to let it go that easily.
"What, are you scared?"
"You still dare call yourself a Hero Candidate like that?"
"You're a disgrace to us modern-day people!"
With insults like these thrown his way, Kazuma instantly exploded. But before he could do anything, Darkness stepped forward.
"You people! Don't even think about bullying my comrade. If you've got guts, come at me instead!"
That masochist knight, clearly thrilled at being targeted by a group of Hero Candidates, didn't just make that declaration; she even used her taunt skill on the spot.
That skill, while meant to draw monster aggro, didn't technically work on humans' bodies, but if someone was already angry, it was basically throwing fuel on the fire.
So, the group of Hero Candidates exploded first, and one after another they all lunged at her.
But that wasn't the worst part.
The real disaster came when Megumin appeared.
"You people! Don't even think about bullying my comrade. If you've got guts, come at me instead!"
--She said the exact same line as Darkness.
Then immediately began chanting Explosion Magic.
And then… well, there was no "then."
She fired it right in the middle of the Royal Capital's main street.
All the Hero Candidates were blown sky-high. The city guards who came to mediate? Also blasted away. Buildings nearby? No one even knows how many were destroyed.
It was a miracle no one was seriously hurt or killed. Maybe some of those Hero Candidates had defensive Artifacts or cheat Abilities that saved them from the otherwise fatal blast.
But in the end, the Hero Candidates held a deep grudge… against Kazuma.
Yup.
Not Darkness, who provoked them.
Not Megumin, who literally blew them up.
Only Kazuma.
"You refuse a duel and hide behind your teammates?"
"You're a disgrace to us all from the modern world!"
"We'll never acknowledge you as one of us!"
"Just wait, I'll rescue Lady Aqua from your clutches myself!"
"And those two powerful party members of yours? They're clearly being manipulated.
We'll open their eyes to your true nature!"
And just like that, the Hero Candidates, despite being blown up, despite the property damage, took it upon themselves to pay the compensation for the buildings, apologize to the guards, and make sure no legal punishment fell on Kazuma's party.
In the end, Kazuma's group returned in disgrace, having kicked up a huge mess for no good reason.
And Aqua?
She was probably curled up sobbing in the guest room because Kazuma gave her the scolding of a lifetime. Ironically, Kazuma was the only one who didn't actually do anything, yet still managed to attract everyone's hatred thanks to his three mentally defective teammates.
"…I understand now."
Fang Li closed his eyes and spoke in a cold, emotionless voice.
"I have to say, you're all quite something. It's your first day in the Royal Capital, and you've already managed to stir up this kind of trouble. Even I have to be impressed."
That emotionless "praise" made Kazuma, Megumin, and Darkness, as well as Aqua off to the side, tremble in fear, their faces filled with dread.
Then, Fang Li calmly added: "Come to think of it, Rain mentioned to me earlier, tonight's celebration banquet isn't just for nobles. Quite a few well-known Adventurers will be attending… including the Hero Candidates, I assume?"
That was a reality none of them wanted to hear. Their faces instantly contorted in horror.
Fang Li opened his eyes and delivered the final blow: "At the banquet tonight, don't you dare tell anyone you know me. You're on your own."
With that, Fang Li stood up and prepared to leave.
"Noooooo!!!" Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness all dove at him, wailing in despair.
"Please save us!! Aaahhh!!" Hearing those heart-wrenching sobs, Fang Li had only one thought in his mind: "I'm selling all of you off when we get back."
"Nooooooo!!!"
(End Of This Chapter)