Chapter 28: Contending for the Central Plains

The Crystal Deer is famous for its crystalline antlers; aside from that, its appearance and physique are indistinguishable from an ordinary deer.

However, one must never mistake its antlers for mere decorative ornaments. It is common knowledge that crystal is not a conductor, possesses high density and hardness, and is naturally immune to all elemental magic—with the exception of high-level magic.

"Therefore, this mission prohibits Megumin from using magic, understood?" Kobayashi tapped the head of the eager, explosion-obsessed little girl.

"Tch."

Megumin clicked her tongue in annoyance. She always wanted to use Explosion magic to blast anything sturdy, as if constantly trying to prove that her magic was the strongest. However, the goal of this mission was to collect the antlers; if they were blown to bits, the mission would naturally be a failure.

"Since high-level magic is ineffective and Explosion magic is off-limits, this will be a melee engagement. The primary objectives are capture and forceful takedown. Is that clear?"

"Understood!" x4

Kobayashi then began to assign roles. The arrangement was similar to previous ones: Darkness would focus on defense to prevent the Crystal Deer from escaping; Kobayashi would take on the burden of coordinating with Darkness to capture and subdue it; Aqua would provide buffs and resurrection magic for the group; and Kazuma Sato, lacking sufficient attack power, would protect Megumin, who was barred from using magic.

It was a fairly reasonable arrangement.

"Though, why not set traps?" Kazuma preferred the "wait for the rabbit" approach; this was consistent with his own character.

"It takes too long, and the effort outweighs the reward." More importantly, "Come on, there are so many of us. It’s just a deer with magic immunity. Wouldn't it be embarrassing to just sit and wait for days?"

"True." Kazuma nodded, then smiled and said, "Well, regardless, with Kobayashi-senpai here, it should be fine."

Lulu, however, asked curiously, "Kobayashi-sama, why not make use of me?"

"What?"

"If you used me, the mission could be finished in just one second. Such a convenient and efficient method would mean Kobayashi-sama wouldn't need to take any risks."

"Because I want to grow," Kobayashi said, explaining why he rejected the time-saving and effortless shortcut. "If I keep going like this, I might end up as a good-for-nothing who wants to live as easily as possible while looking down on life. I’d end up being a hopeless man who only drinks, does no work, complains that 'it’s not my fault, it’s the world's fault,' and then throws empty bottles at you, Lulu, to make you go out and earn money."

"Oh my, oh my, where is such a man?!"

Hearing this, Darkness suddenly leaned in, her cheeks flushed and her breathing ragged, looking utterly impatient. Kobayashi pushed the masochistic crusader’s face away, refusing to let her get any closer.

Good grief! You really are impossible to reason with! Who exactly is going to end up ruining you in the end?!

After pushing the masochistic knight away, Kobayashi instructed Lulu, "In summary, in order for the team to grow, please do not intervene, Lulu. Is that okay?"

"Understood. If that is what Kobayashi-sama wishes." Lulu replied in a low voice, though her eyes turned dark as she retorted with a sharp tongue, "Even though, whenever you encounter danger, you scream like a girl, and as your attendant, I would certainly come to save you. Wouldn't it be fine to just be a good-for-nothing who relies on me?"

Wow... So she had a hidden yandere, sharp-tongued side?

Feeling that it would be unwise to continue this conversation, Kobayashi wisely changed the subject.

"Ahem, get ready for battle!"

"Oh!" x4

The group began their preparations. Look, there was a lone Crystal Deer on the plains. It was rare to see one during this season; it was a very precious monster. Once the antlers were removed, the meat could be eaten—it was tender, firm, and elastic, and the experience points gained were five times that of a cabbage!

"The antlers will surely be wonderful! I'm going in!"

Before Kobayashi could even give the command, Darkness charged forward with a flushed face.

"Wait... you idiot!"

Kazuma tried to hold her back, but failed. This was routine, and Kobayashi was already used to it.

"Sato-kun, I leave the support to you." With that, he also charged in.

The Crystal Deer was far more difficult to handle than expected. Not only was it strong, but it was also very agile. The most annoying thing was that the antlers on its head were massive and hard, blocking every single attack. On top of that, Darkness was constantly obsessed with testing her strength against the beast, which inadvertently caused trouble and added a burden to Kobayashi, resulting in a stalemate.

Aqua cheered loudly from the sidelines, while Kazuma watched with irritation.

"That masochistic knight, why is she so fixated on a test of strength? Does she not realize she’s in the way? Left! Go to the left, and give up the attack position! Ugh, why is she so stupid? It’s infuriating!" He displayed the attitude of a "keyboard warrior" who points fingers while being incompetent himself.

Just then, another Crystal Deer appeared in their field of vision. It seemed to be a scout sent by the herd to look for the missing companion, and it became noticeably agitated upon seeing the Crystal Deer on the plains.

"Huh? Why is there another one?" Kazuma sensed trouble. One deer was already a handful; another would surely turn the tide of battle. No, he had to help!

Recalling Kobayashi’s instructions, Kazuma gritted his teeth and said to Megumin, "I’m going to help! If things look bad, you and Aqua better run!"

"Understood. Go ahead and die with peace of mind, Kazuma." Megumin nodded in agreement.

Kazuma was rendered speechless for a moment. "...Don't you mean 'go and achieve victory'?"

"No, I meant go and die."

"Just how little trust do you have in me!"

Kazuma wanted to blow his top, but there was no time for nonsense. He drew his short dagger and used his 'Lurking' skill to dash toward the second Crystal Deer. His goal wasn't to kill, but to distract; as long as he could hold it off until Kobayashi and the others finished the first one, there would be no problem.

However, he misjudged their relative speeds. The Crystal Deer could run at 90 kilometers per hour—a speed comparable to a small car speeding on a highway—and it could keep running for hours without tiring.

"Bad, bad, bad! I'm going to die, I'm going to die!"

The moment their eyes met, Kazuma knew he couldn't outrun the Crystal Deer. He hadn't expected that trying to help would only result in becoming a nuisance. Kazuma ran for his life, even using low-level wind magic to accelerate, his face turning red as he pushed himself to the absolute limit.

Still, he couldn't outrun the deer. Watching the antlers draw closer, Kazuma felt that his rear end was in grave danger. If he didn't call for backup, he would likely be "sent to heaven" in the most literal—and metaphorical—sense!

"Teammates! Teammates! Save me!"

Kazuma screamed at the top of his lungs. The scene was chaotic; to say they were "chasing the deer in the Central Plains" would be an understatement. Kobayashi didn't hear him, as he was busy dealing with the combination of Darkness and the Crystal Deer. At some point, Darkness had effectively become an ally of the monster, leaving him no room to strike. And Aqua was of no help.

"It can't be helped. I'll have to take action." Megumin swept her cloak back, her eyes turning crimson. "I, the strongest explosion mage, shall help you!"

She began to chant her spell:

"Bound to me, ye wayward spirits, let the flesh of the abyss roar in madness! Now, become a part of the crimson wave! Pierce through! ——EXPLOSION!!!"

BOOM!

A nuclear strike! The Crystal Deer chasing Kazuma was blasted into the sky, and Kazuma, being nearby, naturally could not escape the same fate. They were both sent flying.

...

Afterward, Kobayashi apologized to Kazuma.

"I'm sorry, it was my oversight. I didn't realize there was another Crystal Deer."

"It's fine, it's fine. As long as the mission is complete." Kazuma, having been successfully revived by Aqua, waved his hand to show he didn't mind. Although the outcome was a bit pathetic, he had completed the mission, and he felt a small sense of pride.

"Then, please accept this."

"...A dagger?"

Laid before him was the reward for the mission: the Shadow Dagger.

Kobayashi nodded. "I originally intended to give you this dagger because you’ve been working hard lately, but now it feels more like compensation. I’m sorry for my negligence."

"Kobayashi-senpai..."

Even though it was his own miscalculation of their strength, Kobayashi-senpai still took all the blame upon himself. Kazuma was deeply moved. If he were a girl, he would definitely marry him!

Across from him, Kobayashi unconsciously rubbed his arm, feeling a sense of uncomfortable malice directed at him.