At the shopkeeper's urging, I sat on the chair in the dark shop.
This shop is the house of divination owned by the diviner, Soketto.
Just as I thought everything was settled, Soketto suddenly called me over.
"…You really encountered quite a few incidents, Megumin."
Soketto smiled at me, who didn't even know what I was doing here.
"A few incidents" should be referring to me being chased by the evil god's minions, right?
"… You should buy your sister a proper toy in the future."
"!?"
Seeing my surprised expression, Soketto laughed heartily.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Diviners are usually very tight-lipped, okay? I didn't call you here to talk about this."
She raised her hand to the crystal ball. I sighed heavily.
"Then, why did you call me here? Ah, is it about Bukkoroli? Did that guy did something stupid again? Even if I know that NEET, please don't take it out on me."
"No. He sometimes walks around my shop, but it's not that troubling."
Soketto beckoned to me with her hand, wanting me to come closer.
"Today… I want to divine your future for you."
Soketto smiled.
"Divine? Divine what? I'm not interested in matters of romance."
"Ah, that's regrettable. But that isn't it. I just want to see what you would accomplish in the future. Based on my intuition as a diviner, you will accomplish an extraordinary deed."
"Out of curiosity? Well, fine. But if you see anything unfortunate in the future, please don't tell me."
"Hehe, the future can be changed. Helping you to avoid future misfortune is part of my job."
Soketto happily infused the crystal ball with her mana.
"…Hm. Firstly, you intend to leave the village and head for a city named Axel. So that's how it is. You will encounter all kinds of trouble there, and finally meet some good companions. These people are really excellent… excel… lent…? Uh, this, these people, personality-wise are excellent… Ah, eh…? This youth… ugh…"
"What!? Continue talking, I'm very concerned! What's with my companions? They are excellent, respectable, and gentle, right?"
Soketto silently looked away.
"To give suggestions on avoiding future misfortune is your job, right!? Spit it out!"
I grabbed Soketto's shoulders and shook her. Suddenly, Soketto's expression changed.
"…This, heh. Truly, Megumin is very fortunate to meet such great companions."
"What is it!? You said the future can be changed, right? Now I must reconsider whether to go to Axel or not…!"
Soketto smiled bitterly and said.
"It won't be good if this future is changed. Uh, I won't tell you for now."
"Please tell me! I am really very concerned!"
Soketto ignored my question and simply smiled happily.
"…All of you will complete a great task. After that, you will return to the Crimson Demon village due to certain disaster, which will probably be related to you and your companions."
"This divination seems overly abstract… I heard Soketto's divination is very specific and accurate."
Soketto smiled bitterly and shrugged.
"The disaster in Crimson Demon village should involve me as well. A diviner can never divine things related to herself. If an event is related to me, the crystal won't show anything."
She touched the crystal ball's surface lightly.
If one can predict one's own future, then a diviner can do whatever she pleases and changes the future accordingly. But looks like reality wasn't so simple.
A disaster related to Soketto…
The disturbance this time, or the various dangerous things sealed in the seal— There were simply too many potential hazards and not enough clues.
"Could it be an invasion of the demon king's army? Yes, Bukkoroli even assembled the NEETs to form a strange team."
She should be speaking of that so-called Anti-Demon King Army Guerilla Unit.
…Eh?
When Soketto attempted to divine Bukkoroli's future lover, the crystal ball did not show anything.
If it was related to Soketto herself, the crystal ball wouldn't show anything…?
"Bukkoroli doesn't seem like a bad guy. It'd be nice if he found a job. And change his weird habits of stalking people. His fateful mate should appear… Megumin, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly smiling?"
"No, nothing. I just felt it was too much of a mismatch."
Mismatch? —After hearing my words, Soketto tilted her head in bewilderment.
"In any case, I can tell you this. Please look forward to your life in Axel… Listen, even if you are subjected to some sexual harassment, don't take it too hard."
"I will be sexually harassed by whom!? Is it my companions who sexually harass me!? Hey, can they really be considered excellent companions!?"
—After I left the divination shop, Chomusuke hooked its claws on my shoulder, swinging back and forth.
Although the claws brought a bit of pain, it wasn't too uncomfortable.
Before I even started my travels, I suddenly received this uneasy news.
Might as well stay in the village as a NEET…
"Well, firstly I must stay in the village to prepare the money for travel. I can think about this later."
I tried my best to convince myself and carried Chomusuke off my shoulder.
If I encountered some shameful companions, I could just drag them along. That should do it.
—My goals were twofold.
Firstly, let that onee-san witness my Explosion Magic.
And the other—
This world was full of monsters, criminals, and even demons.
I wanted to prove to the powers that be.
Prove that I, who learned Explosion Magic, am the strongest.
Regardless of whether the opponent was the evil god or the Demon King—
For some reasons, Chomusuke shivered in my arms.
I held Chomusuke upright, and let my crimson eyes flared.
Yes, upon the powers that be, I would cast down my Explosion—!