"Sorry..."
"This goddess won't do it again, but I don't regret just telling the truth..."
Sanguinius didn't really pay attention to Kazuma's apologies, but he accepted them without explicitly showing his lack of interest in them.
However, he almost frowned at Aqua's mutterings.
'I understand Kazuma now.'
Aqua is beautiful...
Sanguinius isn't afraid to say it: she's the most beautiful woman he's met so far.
And yet...
'I've just spent a few minutes with her and I'm already feeling more annoyance than interest.'
He's not saying he wouldn't "have" Aqua if he had the chance.
But there would never be anything serious.
Just the thought of considering it made him involuntarily grimace.
"Don't listen to her, Sanguinis-san."
Unlike their discussions in the group chat, Kazuma seems to have a tendency to often use terms related to Japan.
Sanguinius concluded that the group chat must remove this kind of detail during translation, while his angelic abilities translate without filter or editing.
"No no, it's fine."
"I don't hold Aqua's honesty against her."
Against someone like Aqua, he preferred to play the hypocrisy card and avoid wasting brain cells in long conversations.
"See, Kazuma? You're just unable to recognize my good qualities, haha."
Aqua started laughing alone in a haughty tone while looking at Kazuma as if she had just won a battle, but no one joined her in her laughter.
'Am I really experiencing the Konosuba effect?'
Konosuba is a parody of the isekai genre.
That's why it's largely a comedy, except at certain more serious moments.
There was therefore a lot of information not mentioned in the original story, and Sanguinius had never finished it.
Why?
Because he prefers more serious stories, even if he occasionally tries something new.
That's how he found himself reading DxD and Konosuba.
While he finished the first one thanks to its interesting power system, he abandoned the second because of a poorly explained or botched power system.
Thus, he had stopped the work at the beginning of volume 4.
Of course, he would have continued if the work had had a tone as serious as Gintama outside the absurd moments.
However, the work had failed to give him the same thrills as Gintama.
Today, he somewhat realizes his mistake and regrets not giving Konosuba another chance.
'The essential thing is to take advantage of this reality's leveling system and, if possible, defeat the Demon Lord to get the wish as a reward.'
Thus, Sanguinius didn't waste time.
He suspected a decrease in his mental strength from staying too close to Aqua—or worse, a loss of IQ.
That's why he chose a strategic retreat from the Konosuba effect!
"Sorry for acting so energetically... but your friend is... too special."
"Drop the politeness, Sanguinis-san. Aqua isn't here, and we both know she's far from filling the definition of the word 'special'."
Sanguinius simply smiled at Kazuma's insight, neither confirming nor denying his statements.
He could feel that Aqua was listening at the door with her divine eyes locked on him.
Despite his limited knowledge of this universe, he remembered some of the useless goddess's divine abilities.
'She's currently an arch-priestess, right? Can I imitate this ability to see the essence of things with the holy power?'
Sanguinius decided to ask Aqua or Eris for advice later.
"We should avoid talking about a 'beautiful' woman behind her back, and rather address the main topic, right?"
Kazuma nodded at him, trying to hide the grimace that came to his face when hearing the words "beautiful woman" associated with Aqua.
He handed him a chair before sitting on another one.
"How long do you plan to stay here?"
"I don't know, but potentially years or even a decade?"
Kazuma's eyes widened listening to Sanguinius's words, but the latter nonchalantly ignored this reaction.
He simply continued to explain, speaking slightly about his activities during these years here without mentioning the Demon Lord or the wish.
"Also, don't worry about me because I don't plan to stay at your place like a parasite."
Sanguinius made some gold appear, the rest of the raw materials he had bought with his points.
Contrary to appearances, gold is an extremely important metal in the technological field.
It's almost everywhere in very small quantities.
It's also the metal that cost Sanguinis the most in the group chat. Of course, he's not talking about magical metals here.
"Damn, you're rich," Kazuma's eyes shine with greed, but he couldn't give him this money.
Regardless of his identity in the group chat.
This money is literally Sanguinis's savings, after all his investment in Contana and his bunker.
Thus, he couldn't afford to end up in a situation like Kazuma when he arrived in this town... unable to pay for his guild registration alone.
"Calm down, but I could give you some if you help me exchange part of it for currency."
"No problem!!! I'll lead the way."
Kazuma literally forgot his questions related to Sanguinis and the details about his future activities.
'This guy wouldn't happen to be broke, would he?'
A question that suddenly arose in Sanguinius's mind.
Yet, it would be extremely logical.
Given the atmosphere outside, winter is coming soon.
During this period, there are no easy quests due to the increased activity of fierce creatures outside the town.
Thus, the town intended for beginner adventurers is not very active.
'If I combine this economic situation of the town, the storytelling styles of Konosuba, and add Kazuma's party to the mix...'
Sanguinius unconsciously nodded in realization, before following Kazuma.
Before leaving the inn, he noticed a weapon extremely familiar to any Warhammer 40k fan hanging on the wall.
'I understand now why Aura and the others knew about his lack of points.'
Despite Kazuma's stupid purchase, Sanguinius recognized the good taste of the Japanese otaku.
After all, what man doesn't like chainswords?
"Thanks for the help, Kazuma," after exchanging the mineral materials for money (Eris).
Sanguinis asked to know the way to the adventurers' guild.
Why didn't he go with Kazuma?
It's simple: he doesn't want to tarnish his image in public.
Kazuma is literally known for good, and even more for bad, in this town. Thus, he prefers to avoid being seen with him on his first day.
Of course, afterwards, it won't cause a problem.
He's sure to quickly clear the dangerous winter quests and build a proper reputation.
'If that idiot with the Gram sword can become a high-ranking adventurer in a few months, it should be simple.'
"It was nothing, and don't forget to use my name or contact me if you have any problems."
Sanguinis nodded, after shaking Kazuma's hand one last time.
However, he mentally vowed to avoid Kazuma as much as possible before establishing a good reputation.
'Come to think of it... I didn't see Darkness and Megumin at the inn.'