Chapter 34 - Epilogue

The office of the bishop!

"– That concludes the report. The crisis has been resolved."

After reading the report handed to me, I took a deep breath to calm my wildly beating heart.

The priest who handed the report to me must be the same as me: acting cool on the outside, but on the verge of bursting with happiness.

Since just now, he's been closing his eyes and uttering words of thanks.

"Purifying the hot springs of an entire city by herself. On top of that, the toxin from the Demon King's general Hans and pieces of his body was all cleansed away–"

As he read the report, his voice trembled.

"To cleanse the remnants of the Demon King's general… a large group of exceptional Archpriests would require several months to accomplish that. But–"

"That's right, and the appearance of that great person…"

The priest who came to report said emotionally. His voice was trembling.

"Blue hair; blue eyes; wearing a hagoromo with a dignified and beautiful appearance."

It's true.

The joy was making him feel faint.

"What should we do next? Should we announce this to the cultists in the city…"

"Of course, we will. However, we'll need to inform them in private. That great person might visit this city to play again. When the time comes, we need to tell them not to behave too respectfully, and not talk to her too casually… Also, what about the water source that's been purified?"

"Yes, hot spring water doesn't gush out anymore, but…"

"If I'm not wrong, the water can now heal wounds, and is very effective against undead monsters?"

"Yes, the holy water's very strong too… Simply put, instead of operating a hot spring, the profits from selling this holy water would be higher."

That was obvious.

After all, it was purified by the full power of that great person; it was only natural.

"… Speaking of which, we seemed to have burdened that great person with heavy debts…"

"… What should we do? We have to pretend we didn't realize her identity for that great person to come visit again with peace of mind…"

I replied.

"How about this. We'll send an envoy to Axel, and return the compensation money in some sort of way…"

"… Good point, let's do that then. By right, we should thank her for saving the city and apologize for burdening her with debts…"

Let's wait for that great person to visit this city again and–

The priest lowered his head.

"Well then, I'll do as you asked, Zesta-sama–"

"Yes, please do."

After I finished, the priest bowed to me and left the room.

I read the report again and muttered gratefully.

"I offer you my most sincere thanks on behalf of the cult, Aqua-sama–!"

After the journey!

"Home–!"

"Can't you say 'I'm home' properly?"

Aqua opened the door to the mansion in high spirits, and entered the home we were away from these past few days.

What did I do during this vacation?

As usual, I got dragged into some troublesome matters, and lost the mood when I realized it.

Never mind; I visited the hot springs and went into the mixed bath…

… Mixed bath.

Hmm? Was that really a mixed bath?

Didn't I only bathe with that big sister called Wolbach?

And that big sister wrapped her body with a towel securely.

In the mansion, I did bathe with Megumin and Darkness before.

… Hmm, what's with that?

Now that I think about it, wouldn't it have been better if I hadn't gone on that vacation?

Ara…

"What's the matter? Why the weird face? Is this a new game?"

"I'm just imitating you. Looks just like you, right?"

While I was struggling against Aqua who pounced on me, Darkness said:

"Really, we just came back, can't you two give it a rest? Have some tea and cool down, both of you."

She took off her armor as she said that and went into the pantry.

"Phew, this place makes me feel the most at ease–although it isn't adequate for the one who proposed the trip to say that."

Megumin said as she jumped onto the couch in the living room.

"Hey Megumin, that's my special holy seat!"

"If you want it, let's decide it with a game."

Megumin took out that board game she was great at and started playing against Aqua.

I sat on the other end of the couch and watched them play. Darkness came over with the tea she brewed.

This girl was always so clumsy; I didn't think she could brew tea.

"Hey, Megumin, you're using your Archwizard too cunningly. Here, take my useless Crusader, let's trade."

"Tactically speaking, I don't need the Crusader. I reject the trade. It's your turn, Aqua."

"Hey, um, well, I know you two are talking about the game, but…"

I sipped on my tea as I listened to their mindless chatter.

Maybe because we just reached home after our trip, the relaxing atmosphere was comfortable.

However, something will certainly happen at a time like this.

I could tell from experience.

"Megumin! Hey, is Megumin here? And, is Kazuma-san here too?"

Along with an anxious voice, someone was rapping the door of the mansion.

See, here it comes.

"Here, here! Is that Yunyun? What's the matter, something troublesome? Be it a Demon King's general or a bounty target, just tell me what's bothering you."

I ranted nonstop as I opened the door. Yunyun was blinking her eyes right outside.

Her face was red.

She was out of breath, what happened?

"Um, um… This is very sudden… But…"

Yunyun seemed to be steeling herself as she bit her lips.

I drank my tea as I encouraged her to go on with an easy expression.

I was fearless now, already used to such developments.

"What's the matter Yunyun? Looking for me?"

Megumin stood up. Yunyun shook her head and looked straight into my face.

Looking for me? I don't care what kind of trouble it was–bring it on!

Yunyun shouted at me who was drinking tea leisurely.

"I…! I…!! I want to have Kazuma-san's children!!"

I spat out the tea in my mouth.