Although Luna was still experiencing morning sickness, it had started to become less difficult. Since the Destroyer had also been dealt with, it seemed like nothing much would happen in Axel Village.
So I decided to leave someone to take care of Luna and go to the Royal Capital to seriously raise my level.
"Well then, if you go to the Royal Capital, when will you be back?"
Luna was worried, thinking I would be in the Royal Capital for a long time, but that wouldn't be the case.
"Don't worry about that. I learned Teleport magic, so I'll return to Axel Village in the evenings."
"Ah! I see."
Luna's expression brightened with relief at those words. I decided to find someone to help with Luna's housework, and at the same time, learn some necessary magic. First, from Megumin.
"Oh~ Are you going to learn Explosion too, Tae-jin? That's wonderful news."
"Yeah, so show me a demonstration."
I went with Megumin to the castle where Verdia used to live and watched her demonstrate Explosion magic.
Of course, I didn't just watch; I used [Eyes] to meticulously observe the flow of mana and the mechanism of the magic circle that appeared when casting the spell.
"Explosion!!"
KABOOM!!
As expected, Megumin's Explosion magic was tremendously powerful. She had spent all her Skill Points only on increasing the power of Explosion, so it was natural.
Thud!
"Haah~ Be consumed, all of you, in the crimson flames!"
Megumin collapsed from mana depletion. Then she muttered some strange chuunibyou-like line.
"How was that, Tae-jin!"
"Impressive, indeed. Then, shall I learn it too?"
I first leaned Megumin against a tree nearby, took out my Adventurer Card, and learned Explosion magic. Fortunately, observing with [Eyes] contributed to increasing my understanding, so it only cost 20 points. I had expected at least 30 points, so I was lucky.
"Since you've learned it too, Tae-jin, why don't you try using it once?"
"Hmm... Unfortunately, if I also collapse from mana depletion, we might not be able to return to the village."
"I see. That's too bad."
"Don't worry. I'll show you next time."
"Okay."
I carried Megumin on my back and returned to the village. In truth, even if I used [Explosion Magic], I had no worry of mana depletion. Megumin's magical power was about 250.
Looking at my status window, I had about 2500, but on the Konosuba Adventurer Card, it was an enormous number exceeding 5000.
There was also a large difference in intelligence. If my Explosion magic turned out to be similar to Megumin's and I didn't suffer mana depletion, I was afraid Megumin might despair, so I deliberately avoided using it.
We arrived at Kazuma's mansion, laid Megumin on a bed, and then I looked for Aqua. Aqua was rolling around in front of the fireplace in the living room, so I found her easily.
"Alright, I'll teach you."
I learned [Sacred Highness Exorcism], [Sacred Break Spell], and the buff skills [Powered], [Resist], and [Swift] from Aqua. Again, I observed with [Eyes] to increase my understanding and saved as many points as possible.
(B) Sacred Highness Exorcism β Purifies evil beings. (Harmless to humans.)
(B) Sacred Break Spell β Nullifies magic barriers, curses, etc.
(D) Powered β Increases the target's physical strength.
(D) Resist β Increases the target's defense.
(D) Swift β Increases the target's agility.
"Thanks. Here you go!"
I handed Aqua a bottle of high-quality liquor I had made in the One Piece world.
"Oh~ What kind of alcohol is this?"
"An overseas merchant said it was home-brewed. I bought a few bottles."
"Thanks. You're the best, Tae-jin."
I then left Kazuma's mansion, went to the Guild, found Taylor's party, and learned archer skills from Keith.
"So, you're saying you'll give me a 50% off coupon for the succubi shop if I teach you skills?"
"That's right."
"Of course I'll teach you, heheh!"
Looking at Keith's expression, he looked like he was about to die of joy. Through Keith's demonstration, I was able to learn the [Clairvoyance] and [Snipe] skills.
(C) Clairvoyance β Allows you to see distant targets clearly and see well in dark places.
(D) Snipe β Increases the power and accuracy of projectiles.
It seemed I had now learned almost everything I could in Axel. I was somewhat interested in Monk skills and Sword Master skills, but I had almost no points left, so I passed.
I was sitting at the Guild, organizing my thoughts, when suddenly Rin from Taylor's party approached me and asked,
"Tae-jin, what's wrong with Keith? He received something from you and has been acting strange ever since."
"Ah, that's because I gave him a discount coupon for the succubi shop as thanks for teaching me skills. I wasn't going to use it, so..."
"So that's what it was? I see..."
Taylor's party also had few normal people, so Rin roughly understood.
"By the way, in my hometown, there are no beastfolk, so could I touch that cute tail of yours just once?"
Hearing that, Rin was quite flustered.
"Cute... Thanks for saying so, but no!"
"Instead, I'll give you a coupon for the succubi shop. With this, it should be easier to control your unruly party members."
Rin thought for a moment, then, embarrassed, finally agreed.
"Then, just once."
"Okay."
Rin brought her tail forward. I stroked Rin's fluffy, raccoon-like tail. Its incredibly soft texture was almost addictive.
"Uuh... That's enough."
When I had been stroking it for too long, Rin, her face red, pulled her tail back and hid it behind her.
"Ah, sorry. It just felt so nice. Do you do something special to maintain it?"
"Yeah. I try to take care of it."
In Konosuba, the criteria for being considered a beastfolk was having animal ears as well. So, Rin was not a beastfolk. Anyway, as thanks, I handed Rin two 50% off coupons for the succubi shop as well.
"Thanks~ I'll use them well."
"Yeah. Train those kids well."
"They're not animals... or maybe they are... Hmm... they are like beasts, I suppose... I wish they were at least as good as Taylor."
Rin was seriously agonizing over the problem children in her party.
I also found someone to take care of Luna at the Guild: a retired female adventurer named Helen.
She had a good personality, already knew Luna, and since she was married and had children, she seemed to know about Luna's condition, so I hired her immediately. Luna was also very pleased.
The next day, seen off by Luna and Helen, Yunyun and I boarded a carriage to the Royal Capital. Taking a carriage would take time, but since it was our first time going to the Royal Capital, it couldn't be helped.
"Here we go again."
"Indeed. Let's work hard and get strong quickly."
"Okay. I'll do my best."
It took almost two days to reach the Royal Capital, but fortunately, nothing unusual happened until we arrived.
As soon as we arrived at the Royal Capital, we went straight to the Royal Capital's Adventurer Guild. The Royal Capital Guild was bustling with many adventurers, which was a bit surprising.
But with the Demon King's army constantly invading and an overflow of quests, the Royal Capital Guild always seemed to be busy. That was actually good for me.
A veritable gold mine of experience points! If I'd known this, I would have come sooner.
As Yunyun and I were looking around the Royal Capital Guild, an alarm broadcast came out at just the right time, warning of a Demon King's army invasion, accompanied by a loud bell.
-Ding, ding, ding~ Demon King's army invasion alarm! Demon King's army invasion alarm! The Demon King's army is currently deploying on the plains near the Royal Capital. Knights, prepare to sortie. High-level adventurers within the Royal Capital, please also join the battle.
"Yunyun, let's go."
"Yes!"
We quickly went to the fortress that had been set up as a defensive line in front of the Royal Capital. Inside the fortress, there were many knights, and behind them, Guild staff were checking the participants. Of course, I had adjusted my Adventurer Card's stats appropriately using [Stealth], [Hacking], and [Control], so my monstrous stats wouldn't be a problem.
"Excuse me, you two are not yet level 30. I'm sorry, but those below level 30 might be in danger."
It seemed participation in the battle against the Demon King's army was only allowed for those level 30 and above, to prevent lower-level people from being easily killed.
"Tae-jin, what do we do?"
"Indeed... This is problematic."
Just then, perhaps because someone recognized me, the adventurers began to murmur.
"That's the Silver Flash who captured a Demon King's general!"
"That's the Silver Flash? He's really handsome."
"He must be starting to work in the Royal Capital now."
This seemed like it might work out unexpectedly well.
"You heard them? I'm Tae-jin, the one who captured a Demon King's general. So it's fine."
"Are you perhaps the Silver Flash, Tae-jin-sama?"
"Yes, I am. I'm that Tae-jin."
"I see. Then, we will make an exception this once."
"Thank you."
Fortunately, it worked out, and we were able to participate. Yunyun was also happy.
When enough personnel seemed to have gathered, the fortress's main gate was opened.
The knights took the lead, advancing forward, and the adventurers followed behind them. Ahead, there was a massive Demon King's army. An endless horde of monsters stretched as far as the eye could see. To me, they looked like experience points.
"Wow~ Nice!"
"Why are you so happy?"
Yunyun looked at me strangely, wondering why I was so pleased.
"Hmm... I was just thinking about working hard to raise my level."
"I see. I suppose my resolve wasn't strong enough. To be honest, I was nervous seeing that army of monsters."
Indeed, Yunyun was sweating cold and had a tense expression.
"Yunyun, believe in yourself. You're not weak."
My words seemed to give Yunyun strength; her eyes changed and she steeled herself.
"Okay. I'll do my best!"
Since we would be fighting such a large number this time, Yunyun went to where the mages were to stand by, and I decided to go to where the warriors were and fight on the front line.
When the knights' bugle sounded, the knights advanced, and the adventurer warriors followed behind.
The monsters, sensing the battle had begun, also started charging forward. Without waiting, I stepped ahead of the knights and began firing [Wind Moon Slashes] at the monsters in rapid succession.
SWOOOOSH~!! SWOOOOSH~!! SWOOOOSH~!!
"Skreee!"
The numerous slashes flew at the monsters, slicing through them like a sweeping storm, slaughtering them. But the number of monsters was so vast that it seemed like this would never end.
So, while continuing to fire [Wind Moon Slashes], I occasionally fired [Explosion Magic] using [Silent Casting] into the distance where monsters were clustered. It was slightly less powerful than Megumin's, but as expected, Explosion magic was Explosion magic; its effect was certain.
KABOOM!!
"Skraaah!!"
After fighting like mad for 30 minutes, the monsters finally began to flee. When I looked around, I didn't see any knights or adventurers nearby.
Turning around, I saw they were all just staring blankly at me. Experience points were important, but if I did too much, it might lead to strange rumors or become tiresome. So I stopped appropriately and returned to where the knights were.
Wooo~~~~!!!!
Tae-jin! Tae-jin! Tae-jin~!
Oh no! Too late... I guess I was too focused on experience points.
I had no choice but to awkwardly wave to the people. Then, a female knight who seemed to be the commander approached me and called out. I think her name was 'Claire'.
"That was incredible. To single-handedly rout the Demon King's great army. You must be the 'Silver Flash' who defeated a Demon King's general?"
"Yes, I am. I'm Tae-jin."
"So that's why you're called the future hero. By the way, do you happen to know who it was that blew away the monsters with Explosion magic in the middle of the battle?"
The knights didn't seem to know that it was me who had used it. So, before I got more tired, I decided to play dumb.
"Ahaha, I don't know."
"That mage's performance was also remarkable. Too bad we don't know who it was. At any rate, I look forward to your future exploits."
"Okay."
This person, who in the original story spoke informally to Kazuma and the others, treated me with considerable politeness.
I looked for Yunyun and went to where the mages were. Yunyun was sitting down, resting. It seemed she had been spamming magic until she ran out of mana.
"Yunyun, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. I just ran out of mana from fighting so many monsters. I'll be okay after resting a bit."
I could use [Drain Touch] to give her some mana, but with so many eyes watching, I couldn't openly use a Lich skill.
I had no choice but to wait until Yunyun's mana recovered a bit, then we went to the Guild together and received our rewards. We got over 50 million eris at once. My level rose by 13. Unfortunately, Yunyun had retired mid-battle due to mana depletion, so she only rose by 5 levels.
Hmm... This is a problem. I need to make a mana savings bank for Yunyun too.
Interestingly, my level wasn't the only thing that rose. Due to [Kill & Snatch], the [One-Handed Sword], [Two-Handed Sword], [Blunt Weapon], [Spear], and [Bow] abilities all rose to EX and merged into [EX Weapon Efficiency]. [Archery], [Blunt Weapon Technique], and [Spearmanship] rose to S, A, and S respectively.
And since there had been mages among the monsters, [Konosuba Low-Level Magic] rose to D and [Konosuba Intermediate Magic] rose to C, each by one rank.
[EX Weapon Efficiency] β No matter what weapon you use, accuracy increases and damage is doubled.
"Oh~ As expected of an EX ability."
I gained a lot from the very first day.
Yunyun and I looked around the Royal Capital a bit, then teleported back to our home's yard. When I arrived, Luna hurried out and hugged me.
"I was so worried."
"It's only been three days."
"Even so, it felt like a year to me."
I patted Luna on the back, made a delicious meal, and we all ate happily together. Helen complimented my cooking, saying it was delicious, so I made her some lunchboxes to give to her children.
That evening, I made a mana savings bank for Yunyun. Unlike the one I made in Fate, which was made of jewels, this one used Coronatite, a rare mineral from Konosuba, to create a pair of bracelets capable of storing mana. I also put effort into the design, so I was sure Yunyun would like them.