Chereads / Gilgamesh/Kaleidoscope / Chapter 14 - chapter 14

Chapter 14 - chapter 14

As Megumin and I made our way towards the tavern, the air was filled with the sound of celebration. The door creaked open, and the raucous atmosphere spilled out onto the street, inviting us in. The tavern was packed, its patrons lost in the revelry, with mugs of ale raised high and laughter echoing off the wooden beams. At the center of it all was Aqua, performing her magic tricks to the delight of the crowd.

"Uhmm-? Is that your partner?" Megumin asked, turning to me with a puzzled expression.

"Unfortunately, yes!" I replied with a sigh, but I couldn't help but smile. "But she's a good person, maybe a little bit stupid, but still a good person. Oh, and one piece of advice—she's quite sensitive about being called a 'goddess.' I know you might not believe it, but please humor her."

Megumin nodded, taking my words to heart, though I could see a glimmer of disbelief in her eyes.

Without missing a beat, I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted, "Oyyy, shitty goddess!"

Megumin's jaw dropped in shock, her crimson eyes widening. "I-I thought?? Huh?!?" she stammered, clearly caught off guard by the sudden change in tone.

I couldn't hold back my laughter. "Hahaha! I'm done being her cheerleader, and as part of our contract—which, if I remember correctly, you signed—you agreed to be her personal cheerleader!" I pointed to the fine print on the parchment I held in my hand, grinning mischievously.

Megumin snatched the paper from my grasp, her face a mix of confusion and exasperation. She scanned the contract quickly, her expression shifting to one of disbelief.

"How did I miss that?" she muttered, clearly flabbergasted.

I tried to keep a straight face, but a few chuckles escaped my lips. "Don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds. Besides, you'll be part of our team now, and I'm sure Aqua will appreciate the support."

Before Megumin could retort, the door to the tavern swung open once more, and a tall, blonde woman entered. She was clad in armor that gleamed in the dim light, her presence commanding attention even in the lively tavern. Her blue eyes scanned the room before locking onto us.

"Excuse me," she called out, her voice firm yet polite. "Are you the ones who posted the member request at the guild?"

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her appearance. This was Darkness, the renowned Crusader, known for her indomitable defense and... other peculiar tendencies. Her reputation preceded her, but meeting her in person was something else entirely.

"That would be me," I replied, stepping forward with a confident smile. "I'm Gilgamesh, and this here is Megumin. And over there, being showered with attention, is Aqua."

Darkness's eyes sparkled with interest as she approached us, her armor clinking slightly with each step. "It's an honor to meet you, Gilgamesh. I've heard stories about your exploits, and I must say, I'm impressed."

I waved off the compliment with a smirk. "I'm sure the stories are exaggerated. But enough about me—what brings a Crusader like you to answer our request?"

Darkness's expression turned serious, her gaze unwavering. "I've been searching for a party that can push me to my limits, one that faces the most dangerous foes head-on. Your request mentioned seeking strong and useful allies, and I believe I can fulfill that role."

I could see the determination in her eyes, but I also knew of her less-than-conventional motivations. Still, a Crusader of her caliber would be a valuable asset, and I wasn't one to turn down such an offer.

"Well then, welcome to the team, Darkness," I said, extending my hand.

She took it with a firm grip, her smile widening. "Thank you. I look forward to fighting alongside you all."

Megumin, still recovering from the contract revelation, looked between Darkness and me, finally regaining her composure. "Wait, so we're actually recruiting her? A Crusader? This just keeps getting more interesting."

I nodded. "With Darkness on our side, we'll have a solid defense, and with your explosive magic, we'll be a force to be reckoned with."

Aqua, noticing the new addition to our group, made her way over, her usual confidence returning now that the crowd's attention was elsewhere. "So, this is the new member? A Crusader, huh? Not bad, Gil!"

Darkness, ever the polite one, gave a small bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aqua. I hope to prove my worth in battle."

Aqua grinned, clearly enjoying the idea of having another powerful ally. "We'll see about that! But for now, let's celebrate our new team!"

As the night wore on, we shared drinks, stories, and laughter. Despite Aqua's earlier frustrations and Megumin's contract surprise, the mood was light, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt a genuine sense of camaraderie forming.

Darkness's presence added a new dynamic to our group, one that promised both strength and... unusual challenges. But I welcomed it. The more pieces I gathered, the closer I came to my goal. Axel was just the beginning, and with this team, I would conquer every obstacle in our path.

As the tavern bustled with life, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The true adventures were just beginning, and with this motley crew by my side, the possibilities were endless.