"Main character?"
"Goddess of Water?"
Rimuru and Velzard focused on different aspects.
The former viewed the Konosubaverse like an adventure light novel.
In that context, having protagonists, side characters, and antagonists made perfect sense.
As for Velzard…
The Frost Dragon God scrutinized Aqua with a piercing gaze, as if trying to see through her very essence.
"Hm?"
Aqua seemed to sense the unusual stare. She turned, locking eyes with Velzard.
For a moment, their gazes clashed.
"Caught me?"
Velzard assumed Aqua had noticed her presence.
But the Goddess of Water lived up to her name.
Her attention lingered on Velzard only briefly before shifting to the bottle of sparkling wine in front of her.
'Top-grade sparkling wine!'
'Curse these rich people!!!'
"Huh?"
Velzard was utterly baffled, clueless about why Aqua's gaze suddenly turned hostile.
'Is she challenging me to a fight?'
Velzard thought, As expected of a goddess from another world... such boldness! I'm looking forward to it!!
"You're definitely misunderstanding."
The gods of the Konosubaverse were more like high-ranking beings wielding various authorities.
In terms of combat prowess, they weren't necessarily impressive.
Aqua's purification and divine powers were devastatingly effective against demons and undead.
If it were Chloe or Alice here instead of Velzard, Aqua might actually hold her own for a round or two.
But against the Frost Dragon God? Forget it.
"Velzard-nee, for now please calm down."
Damien intervened, worried that one swipe from Velzard might turn Aqua into Aqua paste.
Turning to Aqua and Kazuma…
The pair had collected their quest reward from Luna.
Two giant frogs.
Having completed only two-fifths of the quest's requirement, their reward was heavily discounted... less than what they'd earn in a day hauling bricks at a construction site.
"That's it?"
"This is a complete waste of time!"
"It's all your fault, you useless goddess…"
"Wow! You actually said that! Useless Kazuma, we're done!!"
Covered in sticky slime, the two bickered their way out just as they'd bickered their way in.
Throughout, the adventurers in the guild watched silently, not saying a word.
"Whoa!"
Rimuru exclaimed, "That's incredible!"
"I can't imagine the kind of nerve it takes to act so unfazed!"
Hailing from a place where reading the room was second nature since school, Rimuru was in awe.
Yet Kazuma and Aqua completely ignored the concept of 'the room.'
What atmosphere?
'I AM the atmosphere!' Aqua and Kazuma.
"Pretty impressive, right?"
"Yeah."
Rimuru nodded vigorously. "I could never pull that off."
When it came to thick skin, Rimuru would rank those two as tied for first!
Fortunately, their appearance didn't dampen the festive mood in the guild.
Everyone continued eating and drinking, carrying on until late into the night.
"This is the house I bought in Axel."
Damien led the three women and Ogerpon to his villa. "There are plenty of rooms... pick whichever you like."
Rimuru and Velzard chose rooms adjacent to Damien's.
Ogerpon wanted to sleep with Damien but was gently turned down.
"Tonight, I've got some things to handle. Can you sleep alone, Ogerpon?"
"Popo?"
Ogerpon blinked, then noticed Darkness, who had been unusually quiet.
Instantly, the clever little companion understood!
"Popo!"
Giving Damien a thumbs-up and a 'go get 'em' look, Ogerpon hopped off to find an empty room.
"Hm?"
Rimuru, who'd passed out early from drinking, didn't notice.
But Velzard clearly picked up on the situation between Damien and Darkness.
She said nothing, merely casting Damien a meaningful glance before slowly closing her door.
"Alright."
Damien beckoned Darkness to follow him inside.
"Thank you for the trouble, Lord Damien."
"No trouble at all."
Damien gestured for Darkness to change out of her clothes while he rummaged through a drawer for props.
Soon, Darkness appeared before him in a pink lace nightgown, radiant and shy.
"Ready?"
"Mm."
Blushing, Darkness murmured, "P-please, don't hold back!"
That night, neither Velzard nor Rimuru slept well.
The former stayed awake all night; the latter woke at midnight, startled, and listened to creaking floorboards until dawn.
Whether it was the ancient Frost Dragon God or the nearly thirty-year-old former singleton, both looked at Damien differently the next morning.
"Morning!"
After a night of fun with Darkness, Damien was positively refreshed.
As for Darkness…
It was her first time enduring such… intensity from Damien, so she wouldn't be up anytime soon.
Yes, Damien had claimed Darkness.
The female knight's allure was entirely different from Shuna or Shion's.
Especially since this knight was so cooperative, willing to indulge Damien in all sorts of playful antics and positions... it was impossible to resist.
"What's with you two?"
Damien noticed the women's distracted expressions and their attempts to avoid his gaze, curious.
"N-nothing."
Rimuru buried her face in breakfast, hoping to dodge awkward topics.
"You…"
Velzard, however, spoke with concern. "I get it, Damien-chan, but there are some things you shouldn't do."
"Hm?"
"I don't want to see what happened to Veldanava happen to you."
Velzard didn't care how many women Damien had... even if he made a move on her, she might not refuse.
***
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