No matter how much trouble Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness, the group of four, caused, they still had to attend the evening's celebration banquet.
This was a celebration banquet jointly hosted by the Royal Family and the nobility, with the main characters being none other than Fang Li and the entire group who had defeated a leader of the Demon King's army. If they didn't show up, the fallout from that would be no less serious than the trouble Kazuma and the others had already stirred up.
And so, Fang Li changed into a formal outfit prepared by the maids at the Royal Castle. As he looked at himself in the full-length mirror, he glanced at the group behind him through the reflection.
Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness had all changed into formal attire as well.
Kazuma was dressed in a black tuxedo with a tie, which added at least a touch of elegance to his usually unserious NEET self. Even if it wasn't much, it was enough to allow him into an upper-class banquet setting.
Aqua had swapped her usual sky-blue hagoromo for a pure white gown. For once, her extraordinary beauty was fully revealed. As long as she obediently kept her mouth shut, many people might actually be willing to believe she was a goddess.
Megumin wore a pitch-black gown with bare shoulders, fully exposing her fair skin. Though her figure was still petite, she exuded a more glamorous aura than usual.
As for Darkness, she wore a shimmering golden dress that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure. Her long, golden hair was braided into a beautiful plait that hung over her right shoulder down to her collarbone. She looked exactly like a genuine, rich noble lady.
As the main characters of the celebration banquet, the group of four looked impeccable in their formal attire.
However, at this moment, the four of them were all kneeling on the ground.
"Um…" (Kazuma)
"Isn't it about time?" (Aqua)
"You've calmed down by now, right?" (Megumin)
"My legs are already numb… Though I must admit, this punishment is kind of… not bad…" (Darkness)
The four hopeless troublemakers knelt there like children being punished. They were clearly at their limit, with trembling knees, shaking bodies, and cold sweat dripping down their foreheads.
Kazuma wore a pained expression. Aqua looked on the verge of tears. Megumin's face was twisted in a struggle to endure, while Darkness seemed to be enjoying the pain, her face glowing with happiness despite being drenched in sweat.
"The c-celebration banquet is about to start…" Kazuma forced a bitter smile, his face contorted like he was about to cry. "Isn't it time to let us off the hook?"
"I, I'm a goddess. Because I'm a goddess, something like this is nothing…" Aqua stubbornly tried to act tough, even though she looked like she might burst into tears any moment. "B-but, if you really want me to get up, I can get up…"
"H-how about we talk this out," Megumin pleaded. "If you let me off and allow me to stand, I promise I won't use Explosion magic today. How's that sound?"
"Megumin, even I think that's a low move," Darkness instantly exposed the flaw in her argument. "You already used Explosion magic today. Your mana hasn't recovered enough for another one. That promise is meaningless. Let's just endure… I mean, take this punishment together."
Their words carried the same chaotic, unserious tone as always, making it feel like they hadn't learned anything at all.
In truth, even if they did reflect on their actions, they'd just forget the pain after the scar healed and repeat their mistakes again, wouldn't they?
So Fang Li felt absolutely no sympathy. As he adjusted his outfit, he lightly said…
"Since the celebration banquet is about to begin, you may get up now. We'll settle the punishment later, that'll be fine."
With just that one sentence, the expressions on the group of four immediately changed.
"Later?!" (Kazuma)
"We still have to make up for it?!" (Aqua)
"You've got to be kidding…" (Megumin)
"This… this kind of pleasure, no, this kind of unbearable torment, and we still have to go through it again?!" (Darkness)
Their cries were promptly answered by Fang Li.
"Or would you prefer I sell you all off when we get back?" Fang Li smiled faintly and said, "I really don't mind. Even selling you wouldn't be enough to pay off all the debt you owe me, but I'd accept it."
The moment he said that, the group of four immediately bowed their heads to the floor.
"We're sorry! It's our fault! Please give us the chance to make it up to you later!"
Truly, this showed they were teammates who had spent enough time with Fang Li. As hopeless as they were, they had learned one thing: Fang Li wasn't joking, not even a little bit.
And so, the four instantly surrendered.
Fortunately, the moment of liberation finally arrived.
"E-Excuse me…"
With this somewhat awkward voice, a maid, who had somehow entered the room without anyone noticing, looked at Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness, all kneeling in a row on the floor, and gave a dry laugh before speaking: "The celebration banquet has already started. Would all of you kindly make your way over?"
At her words, Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness all turned pleading eyes toward Fang Li.
But these were not eyes begging for mercy or to have their punishment canceled.
No, these were eyes pleading for protection, in anticipation of the chaos they knew would follow at the banquet.
But Fang Li didn't even look at the group of four.
He only spoke indifferently: "Well then, let's go."
Hearing this, Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness could only follow behind Fang Li in fear and unease, rubbing their numb legs, trembling with anxiety as they exited the guest room.
Celebration Banquet Hall
The venue was filled with rows of long tables covered in white cloth, topped with fine dishes and expensive wine.
Nobles in formal dress wore elegant smiles as they gathered in various corners of the hall.
Well-equipped adventurers were also present, chatting and socializing among themselves.
Every corner of the venue had small clusters of people engaged in conversation, creating an overall atmosphere that resembled a high-class banquet from another world.
Unfortunately, that refined atmosphere was quickly shattered by the appearance of the main characters.
"Kacha..."
With the sound of the doors opening, the banquet hall's large doors slowly swung open.
Fang Li's group entered from the outside.
-----
In an instant, the atmosphere of the entire hall vanished. All eyes turned to Fang Li's group, each person's reaction different from the next.
Except for one particular group, the high-ranking adventurers who had been invited to the banquet.
Their reaction was unanimous: They all shot sharp, hostile glares at Fang Li's group.
And just like that, the atmosphere turned tense and explosive, like a battlefield on the verge of eruption.
(End Of This Chapter)
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