"Yunyun, cast concealment to Elena until we get her some new clothes,"
We walked through the streets of Alcanretia. The city has always been crowded with people before, but it is noticeably livelier than before. All sorts of people could be seen around here, from the citizens themselves to the tourists who are looking to spend time here.
There were no stupid cultist, trying to force us into the religion (thankfully), but there are a bunch of people giving out all sorts of brochures. You can see the faint sign of the old Axis Cult registration form in these brochures.
"Kazuma! Look, they have free samples!"
My girlfriend, probably driven by her old life, dragged me to a food stall. There, a kind onee san held a tray full of tiny little pieces of snacks. "Welcome to Alcanretia, is this your first time here?" she asked with a kind smile on her face.
Megumin already went after the samples while I just smiled sheepishly.
"This is a second time, I'm happy to see how much this city has grown,"
The woman nodded a little. "It truly has changed," she then turned to Megumin and saw her already going after the third sample.
"Do you like them?"
Megumin blushed a little and nodded. "Sorry… Force of habit," she then turned towards me.
I rolled my eyes. "I'll take a dozen of those,"
After paying the bills we continued our way to Alcanretia. There's not only foods around here, there also all sorts of beautiful and cute accessories sold here. From the ones made out of real gems and enhanced with magic, to the purely decorative ones made out of wood.
Though, all of them looks very pretty.
"Whoa, Kazuma, look," Aqua grabbed a very good replica of her hair clip. "Look, it's just like mine,"
"Ara, customer san," the middle aged lady working looked at Aqua. "What a lovely blue hair and blue eyes, I have some accessories that I think would fit well with you…"
The old lady took out a sparkling blue brooch from behind the counter. Aqua's eyes gleamed a little at the sight of it. "Uwaah, so cute, it looks like the one I used to wear, back then…" she has that reminiscing look on her face. I assume that this brooch is also a replica of what Aqua used to use back in the old days.
"Ara, thank you customer… This is a copy I made with wood, if you're willing to pay, I can get you one made out of crystals,"
"How much?"
"The wooden one is only seven thousand Eris. The crystal one of the highest quality is around seventy thousand Eris,"
I grabbed some gold coins out of my purse. "Here you go ma'am,"
It's easy for us to forget about our objectives in this bustling city of Alcanretia. Left and right are all sorts of souvenirs and streets food. Deeper into the city we found what seems to be a clothing store. I suddenly remembered about Elena and quickly entered the store.
It is a nice large store. Dozens of different clothing were hanged up around us. To think that they made these in just over a week, proves that Axis Cultists are born with savant-like talent. There's even clothing that looks like it came from japan.
"Welcome Customer," a kind lady approached us. "Is there anything I can get you?"
"Ah, yes, you see… We're adventurers and we just had a little accident in the forest outside the city," I gestured at the empty spot beside Yunyun. "My friend's clothes were burned by a spell so we cast invisibility on her."
The clerk gasped a little before clapping her hands. "Whoa… As expected of adventurers! To use invisibility spells for things like this," she walked towards the empty air. "Excuse me, can you take my hand?"
"Okay," Elena's disembodied voice came from the empty spot.
"Wait, I just want to mention that my friend isn't a human. She's something like a nature spirit, but she's nice though, just a little Tsundere."
"Oi,"
The clerk smiled gleefully and nodded. "Yes, yes, I'll be sure to give her the best matching outfit,"
With that, I turned back to the rest of my harem, I mean, party. Everyone already roamed around the shop, looking at all the clothes in curiosity. Even Darkness couldn't help but look at the cuter and dress that honestly doesn't fit her at all.
"Well, anything you want? We got too much money to spare after all," I told them.
"We'll just look around…" Aqua said.
"Ahh… If only it's money that's the problem…" Darkness muttered.
I turned to Megumin who's looking around in deep thought.
"The children clothes are at the back," I teased.
Megumin just smirked in response. "Oh, I'm just wondering if I can find one of those 'uniforms' and 'backpacks' you've been making me use in our dreams."
Fuck, that's a great idea.
"Okay, let's look for them," I told her.
"That was a joke you shameless pervert,"
We were about to walked deeper into the shop when Liz who has been curling up around Megumin's neck, started flying around the shop. She attracted a little bit of attention but didn't seem to disturb anyone.
"What is it Liz?" Megumin asked.
Megumin and I followed the dragon deeper and deeper into store. She then hovered in front of an array of children costume. Well, they look like costumes to me, but since this is a fantasy world, these counts as actual clothes.
We watched as the dragon bit down on one of the clothing hanger and pulled a set of clothes. She hovered in midair, showing us the clothes she picked to see.
It is a black and red ceremonial uniform. One you'd imagine a high ranking militer or dictator would wear back in the world war two era. It even has a badge in the shape of Neo Axis Order logo etched on the shoulder and the center of the black and red belt.
"Huh, that's actually a good choice Liz,"
No, seriously, Megumin does act like an evil dictator sometimes. Especially with her spell, this clothes will definitely fit her.
Liz however, shook her head.
"You want to see Kazuma wear it as the next demon king?" Megumin asked.
Liz rolled her eyes and shook her head again.
I tilted my head a little in confusion. "You're saying you want to wear it?"
This time, the dragon nodded and twirled around in the air. Megumin and I looked at each other before shrugging. I mean, we have no qualms about spoiling the hell out of this dragon, so I guess we'll let her dream for a while.
"Go ahead Liz, the changing room's right there," I pointed at the curtain at the end of the room.
Megumin gave a thumb up of affirmation and the dragon entered the changing room.
When I'm sure she's away, I couldn't help but chuckle a little. The dragon is more human than dragon so I guess it's natural for her for wanting to look cute. Then again, she's already the most adorable thing out there as a dragon.
"Okaa sama, I can't get this rope to fit,"
Megumin and I froze after hearing that. The sound came from behind the curtain Liz just entered. It sounded like that of a young child around half Megumin's age or younger.
"Oh, never mind, It's supposed to go there… wait, do this goes here or…"
A little bit or rustling and a sound of struggle came from the changing room. All this time, none of us dared to speak a word. I mean, last I check, Liz can't speak, so whatever is behind this curtain, can't be Liz, right?
"Uhh, you okay there Liz?" I dared myself to ask.
"I'm okay, just…" a huff of frustration came from the curtain. "Aah! Obey me you pathetic aggregation of string!"
This mysterious struggle went on for around two minutes. In that time Aqua walked towards us, holding a red casual wear Megumin's size. "Ne, ne, Megumin look," she held the clothes right in front of us. "I think this'll look good on you."
Aqua tilted her head in confusion. "Umm… what's wrong?"
When in doubt, ask god. "Ano, Aqua, what are the chances of a dragon assuming a human form?"
The goddess sighed a little bit. "Listen, Kazuma, Megumin. Emperor Liz is a dragon, I know how much you want to dress her up pretty as your own, but…"
The curtain opened, revealing a very adorable girl around twelve years of age wearing a black and red ceremonial military outfit. The black and red hat fits nicely with her black hair that's unique to all crimson demon clan. She looked at us with her bright purple eyes and smiled confidently.
"So, what do you think?" she then noticed Aqua standing next. "Ah! Megami sama, hi!"
Aqua clapped her hands together and smiled. "Uwaah, so cute!" she came over towards the girl and crouched down in front of her. "What's your name child?"
Liza gasped a little before grinning in excitement. "Ah! A capital suggestion megami sama! Ahem." she cleared her throat a little and turned towards the rest of us.
"Attention mortals!" the girl waved her hand in a commanding fashion. "Rejoice for I have grace you with my presence," she pressed her left fist on her chest and hold out her arms like every dictator ever.
"I am Emperor Queen Elizabeth! The Future Ruler of All Dragons and the Champion of the Goddess Aqua," she made a quick jabs in the air in front of her, before holding one palm outwards, faced herself side ways, and put a hand over her forehead. "The Forerunner of Fantastic Dreamers! The Progeny of the Strongest Archwizard that has ever walked the earth and the greatest Adventurer in all existence!" she ends her introduction by making another stance that would probably look better if she held a weapon.
Is this how people feel like when they see me for the first time? If so, then I feel like I should make an apology video.
I turned towards Megumin and saw her staring at Liz with dumbfounded look on her face. Even Aqua who's usually too stupid to notice something amazing just looked at her with wide eyes.
So I guess it's just not me who has nothing to say.
"Fufufu… At a loss of words? Well, it is simply natural, mere sentence cannot possibly depict my grace and power," then her expression softened and she started speaking normally. "But uhh, did I do good? I wasn't sure if I did it right…"
Megumin was the first one to snap out of it. She grinned and put her hands on Liz's shoulder. "Awesome! Simply amazing! One hundred out of ten, beyond perfect!" she exclaimed in excitement.
A gleeful smile appeared on Liz's face. "R-really? Uwaah, thank you so much, okaa sama!" she embraced Megumin into a hug. The crimson demon gasped a little before smiling a little and hugging her back.
After a moment, they let go and Liz turned towards me. She looked a little bit nervous, probably because of my perpetually thinking expression.
"So… how did I do, otou sama?"
"Nine out of ten," I said. "Your finishing pose lacks proper equipment, you're supposed to be holding something there didn't you?"
Liz clicked her tongue in slight annoyance. "Twas a blunder… Should've prepared more, my impatience have costed me dearly,"
Finally, Liz turned to Aqua, who's still staring at her with wide eyes. "What do you think megami sama?"
Fortunately for both mine and Megumin's pride, Aqua asked the one question we're too afraid to ask her. "Ehh? You're emperor Liz? Really?" Aqua took a closer look at her, inspecting her face and her clothing. "You do have her eyes… and your magic… WHOA! You are Emperor Liz!"
Emperor Liz narrowed her eyes a little. "What are you saying goddess, of course I'm Emperor Elizabeth!" she put a hand on her chest. "I am the Divine Dragon fated to become the future ruler of all dragons, by your blessings Goddess Aqua sama…"
"Say, why pick this time to assume your human form?"
Liza turned towards me before shrugging a little.
"I can't find the reason to do so, but since you told all of us to get something we like from this store, I decided to see something I like," she told me like it's one of the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well Liz, most people won't recognize your human form. That's why Aqua was a bit confused."
Liz closed her eyes and nodded. "I see, I see…"
"Do you like it?" Megumin asked. "You know, being a human and all?"
"It's quite pleasant," Liza looked at her body and moved her arms a little. "Though, I do not seem to be capable of modifying individual parts of my human form…" then her small hands turned into a dark red dragon claw. "Never mind, I can," she said before her hand turned to normal.
Megumin embraced Liza into a hug once again. "Stay like this, I love it,"
Liza looked a little surprised but then she smiled and hugged her back. "I will, okaa sama…"
As for me, well, I honestly don't know what to do. Honest feelings and emotions has never been my strong suit. So I just stand there with Aqua who's also a little bit at loss of words just like me.
"Ah, there you are," I turned around and saw Darkness and the rest walking towards us. "Yunyun insisted that we should get Elena a custom made dress,"
"The artisans and designers from Alcanretia is amazing," Yunyun added. "They said they can finish a dress in just a few hours."
They then turned towards the little girl who just pulled herself away from Megumin's embrace.
Darkness tilted her head in confusion.
"Kazuma, who is this child? Why is she so familiar with Megumin?"
Yunyun took a closer look at her and smiled
"Uwaah, so cute, she looks like Komekko chan,"
Liz turned towards Darkness and Yunyun. "Ah, Darkness nee sama! Yunyun nee sama! It is I, Emperor Liz," she said.
They both blinked owlishly in confusion before turning towards me.
"Is she…"
"Yes,"
"But she's…"
"Yes,"
"Seriously,"
"Seriously,"
Right now, Emperor Liz is looking at them with stars in her eyes. "Darkness nee sama, I just want to say this but… I think you're super cool!"
Darkness blushed a little. "Ah… Thank you, Liza chan…"
"No, really! You're like, the bravest person in Fantastic Dreamer! When I saw you charging at that giant slime monster, that was super cool! It's like you're not even afraid of death!" she walked closer towards Darkness. "And when you suffered through those abuse from the Old Axis Cult, you're so patient and gentle Darkness nee sama! You didn't even yell at them, not even once!"
Ahh… The beauty of childish innocence…
Being watched by her bright eyes full of admiration, Darkness turned towards me looking for help. I decided that I should help her and remind myself not to tease Darkness in front of her anymore, for the sake of my daughters expectations and innocence.
"That's enough Liza chan, you're embarrassing her," I took Liz's hand and led her out of the shop. "Come on everyone, let's take a walk while we wait for Elena."
---
Let's see… Emperor Queen Elizabeth…
She obviously inherited her mother's Chuunibyou and Aqua's pride. As from me, well I guess she's pretty smart for her age.
Right now, Liza's sitting on a park bench between Yunyun and I. Megumin and Darkness left to buy some snacks after they both lost at a two against one rock paper scissors. Aqua is picking up Elena on the store and we'll leave after lunch.
"So, Liza chan," Yunyun said, a little nervous. "What do you think of me? Don't you know? I'm your mother's lifelong rival."
Liz turned to Yunyun and tilted her head. "Even though you're the weakest member of the Fantastic Dreamers?" she shook her head a little. "Forgive me, but I simply cannot believe you. You cried yourself to sleep on a Lich's shoulder and you escaped when everyone else captured Wolbach. You have a feeble constitution and you are unworthy of being my mother's rival."
Okay, she inherited my razor sharp tongue. I should really teach her how to control it before anyone else gets hurt.
"N-no! You misunderstood!!!" Yunyun yelled. "I was spying on Hans when everyone captured Wolbach and…" her words faltered a little. "And that part where I cried on Wiz's shoulder, I was… I was… B-but that doesn't mean I'm the weakest! I…"
Yunyun broke into tears, proving Liza's every words. "Waaah… Liza's a meanie…"
"Eh, Yunyun nee sama!?" Liza waved her hands around in panic. "W-wait! Don't cry, twas a jest! You're cool! You're very cool, you can use advanced magic right? That's really awesome!"
"What's going on here?" Megumin and Darkness returned, each one holding a bunch of Kebab in their hands. "What now Yunyun?"
"Li-Liza, she… she called me weak and feeble and… Waaah… Liza's a bully!!!"
"N-no! You misunderstand!" Liza waved her hand around in panic at Megumin's flat stare. "Yunyun nee sama was claiming to be your lifelong rival and I disagree and I told her what I think!"
Megumin however, just give Liza a thumb up. "That's my girl, you need to show your superiority to… ouch!" she rubbed her head and turned to Darkness. "What was that for?"
Darkness shook her head disapprovingly before looking at Liza sternly. "Listen, Liza, simply telling the truth is not how you communicate with others. You have to think if your words will hurt or offend people, even if it's the truth."
Liza looked down and nodded. "I understand, Darkness nee sama…"
"Good, now apologize to Yunyun,"
The dragon turned to Yunyun and bowed her head. "Forgive me, Yunyun nee sama… I didn't realize my words would hurt you that way. I promise that next time, I will keep my hurtful opinions to myself,"
Admitting that she thinks Yunyun's weak while making a sincere apology…
"sniff, sniff, okay… I forgive you..."
"Ah, cheer up you crybaby," Megumin handed Yunyun a kebab. "Here, eat something, you're embarrassing me as your rival,"
"Ehh?" Liza looked between Yunyun and Megumin. "You, you both are actually rival? Aah! Yunyun nee sama I'm so sorry! I thought you were lying!"
Hmm… Seems like Liza here has a critical mind, though she still needs to learn more about her scope of knowledge. She hasn't known us for long and she based her opinion on Yunyun from our last mission. She never knew the cool and awesome Yunyun who fought Megumin until a near-draw.
"Liza chan," the dragon turned towards me. "Instead of showing your disbelief, do you understand now what you should've done after Yunyun told you about her being your mother's rival?"
Liza looked down in deep thought. "Umm… I should've ask okaa sama about it?"
"Yes, but there are other ways you can go with it," I gestured at Yunyun. "For example, you can ask Yunyun here about all sorts of things they compete about. Or you can go show your 'expectations' on her, thus forcing her to lie to safe her pride and getting her caught in her own web of lies. If she did lie, then even better, you will get the perfect chance to humiliate her once Megumin returns."
The dragon grinned and jumped a little in excitement. "Whoa… I see! I see! Okay, I will do that next time. You can count on me, Otou sama!"
Everyone else on the other hand, just stared at me with a blank look on their faces.
"What?"
Darkness put a hand on Liza's shoulder. "Liza chan, do you mind if we talk for a bit?" she said before taking her hands and leading her away from me.
"Where are you taking me Darkness nee sama?"
"Just follow me,"
Well then, guess we know who's going take on the role of a responsible and morally sound figure for Liza chan here…
---
"We're back!"
Aqua walked towards us holding a bag full of clothing. Beside her is Elena, wearing a light brown vest and a miniskirt. It somehow fits with skin color and hair, which is quite impressive in my opinion. The nature spirit gave us a little wave, though she has that embarrassed look on her face.
"Hello everyone," Elena greeted us nervously. "How do I look?"
"I still think you're better without anything on," I told her.
Elena rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised,"
"I think that looks great on you, Elena san," Yunyun said. "But how do you feel? Is it comfortable with clothes on?"
The plant girl looked up at the sky. "Hmm… my surface area for photosynthesis decreases, but it's honestly not that bad," she then turned towards me. "And you did promise me you'll feed me magic right?"
"Of course,"
"By the way, where's the other pervert?" Elena looked around for a bit. "And Aqua said something about your dragon turning into a human."
As if on cue, Darkness and Liza returned. The former has that satisfied look on her face and the latter was uncharacteristically quiet.
"Oi, Darkness, what did you do to poor Liz?"
"Just something I ought to tell her before you corrupt her with your devious mind,"
Liz walked towards me and sat herself on my lap. "Ne, Otou sama, how do you differentiate between the wrong and the right?"
I narrowed my eyes and looked down in deep thought. "I thought of how it affects people in the long run. If it will hurt more people then it's wrong, if it will save more people then it's right."
"Despite how you feel about it?"
"Yep," I said with zero hesitation.
"Do you… do you always do the right thing?"
I smiled and gently stroked her head. "Of course not, I won't ever be happy if I kept trying to do the right thing," she turned towards me and looked at me with those wide purple eyes. "It's alright to be just a little selfish…"
"I see… Thank you, Otou sama…"