The sudden disappearance of such a massive mobile fortress naturally aroused suspicion among the onlookers.
Adam explained that due to the Destroyer's imminent explosion, they had Wiz, the powerful former Arch Wizard, use high-level Magic to teleport it away to an unknown location as an emergency measure.
His explanation finally put the gathered adventurers at ease.
Was it Adam's words that calmed them, or simply their trust in Wiz's magical abilities?
You shallow bastards!
Though at least they had come to help — that counted for something.
"Everyone! We completed this mission thanks to your tremendous help! The Mobile Fortress Destroyer has been intercepted! This victory belongs to all of us!"
Rather than claiming sole credit, he graciously included all the adventurers present.
"We actually survived!"
The adventurers erupted in cheers, hugging each other and dancing with joy.
"Everyone, let's head back for a celebration!" Aqua stepped forward at the perfect moment, rallying the gathered adventurers.
She had been dreaming of the feast earlier until the emergency had temporarily quieted her. Now that it was over, her festive spirit returned in full force.
"Yeah, let's go party!"
"Oh! I'm drinking until I drop!"
Having survived such a terrifying experience, they could only express their relief through celebration — through food and drink.
Then, after their initial outburst, they turned to Adam and his companions with a thunderous cheer.
Led by Adam, the 『 Hero 』 Party raised their right fists in perfect unison, their pure white capes billowing in the wind.
Their contribution to this mission had been extraordinary.
Outside Axel, where the Mobile Fortress Destroyer had stood, only destroyed barriers and scattered earth remained — silent witnesses to their victory.
"Drink up, take big gulps!"
The guild was alive with celebration, with Adam and his companions as the honored heroes of the day, surrounded by adventurers pressing drinks into their hands.
Megumin succumbed first, then Aqua, and Kazuma looked ready to follow suit.
Only Darkness stayed sober — she had the crucial responsibility of getting her teammates home safely.
This meant Adam had to shoulder her share of drinks too. Under the adventurers' enthusiastic insistence, he found himself downing one drink after another.
After emptying a large mug of fizzy wine, his head swam and his steps became unsteady.
The alcohol was getting the better of him!
"Please, no more — I'll be sick if I drink another drop!"
Despite his protests, the merrymakers forced three more large mugs on him, leaving his world spinning.
At last, Darkness came to his rescue, shooing away the rowdy revelers. She guided him to a quiet corner of the guild where he could recover.
"Hic!" With a drunken hiccup, Adam slumped against Darkness's soft bosom.
For the celebration, she'd forgone her usual armor in favor of casual attire, her noble bearing unmistakable as it drew admiring glances from the male adventurers.
Yet when they noticed her closeness with Adam, they kept their distance, not daring to approach even with liquid courage flowing through their veins.
His reputation commanded too much respect — none of the men present could measure up to him, and they knew better than to make themselves look foolish by trying.
"Adam, you may find this strange, but I need to thank you." Darkness murmured to his seemingly drunk form nestled in her arms, "Thank you for protecting this town, for protecting me — truly, thank you so much! If you're willing, I'd like to tell you everything about myself."
If you say that, I might just sober up!
"If you want to thank me, why don't you show some gratitude?" Adam opened his clear eyes to look at her, showing no signs of intoxication.
"Eh, eh?!" Darkness was still holding him, her face turning bright red in a charming display, "A-Adam, y-y-y-you weren't actually drunk?!"
"Of course not! Those fools were clearly trying to get me drunk. I had to keep my wits about me and pretend. Though I didn't expect you'd be the one to rescue me — I thought I'd have to keep up the act longer."
He rested his head on her towering peaks, admiring her shy expression.
"Darkness, you were really cool today!"
"Eh? R-really?" The shy woman scratched her cheek bashfully at his praise.
"Mm! Though you didn't really help much!"
"Ungh!" At his roundabout criticism, Darkness's body trembled slightly.
"You know, Aqua broke through the Mobile Fortress Destroyer's magical barrier!"
"And Megumin used Explosion Magic to destroy four whole legs!"
Another tremble followed.
"Wiz was even more amazing! She not only helped Megumin destroy the remaining four legs but also helped me understand why I couldn't cast magic due to insufficient mana. If we're talking MVP, it would definitely be her."
"Now, let's talk about you, Darkness. You stood around stubbornly outside Axel for ages — so what exactly did you contribute?"
Hearing Adam finish, Darkness's face turned crimson, and she couldn't help but cover her face with both hands, her body trembling.
"Th-this is! What is this fresh feeling! Waaah!" She seemed excited.
Getting excited just from words — truly worthy of being called a perverted knight.
"Darkness, would you like to tell me about yourself? Of course, if you don't want to, that's fine." Though Adam knew everything about her, he still wanted to hear it from her own lips.
If their relationship was to progress further, there shouldn't be any secrets between them.
"Well, my real name is Lalatina Ford Dustiness. I'm the daughter of the Dustiness family who rule this region — in other words, I'm a noble's daughter." Darkness's face showed a hint of melancholy.
Saying these words seemed to create a growing distance between her and Adam.
"Is that so? So Darkness is a noble's daughter, a lady. Because you're a Crusader, and protecting the villagers in your domain is a lord's duty, is that why you stood stubbornly at the village entrance? Are you an idiot?"
But Adam showed no reverence at all, instead becoming more brazen as he nuzzled against the twin peaks under his head, feeling their softness and sweet fragrance.
"Mmh…" Darkness couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
"I hate that kind of talk about convenience and duty from nobles, but if you think this is your duty, then I won't stop you. I'll be with you."
Hearing his words, she showed a happy smile.
"By the way, Darkness, do you remember the more extreme reward we talked about before?"
"Ah, yes! I remember."
"Then, from now on when we're in private, I'll call you Lalatina, is that okay?"
Before she could refuse, he finished speaking. His hands held her delicate face, and with the strong smell of alcohol, he kissed her.
Their lips met in a tender embrace, the warmth of their breaths mingling in the quiet corner of the guild.
Though Adam could taste the lingering sweetness of wine, his mind remained perfectly clear as he savored this intimate moment.
Darkness's tension melted away as she yielded to his kiss, her body relaxing against his while the noisy celebration faded into the background.
"Mmph…" Unlike her earlier panicked resistance, this time Darkness welcomed his touch.
Their lips met again with deeper passion. Darkness wrapped her arms around Adam's neck, drawing him closer as she melted into his embrace.
"La-la-ti-na..." Adam whispered between kisses, making her shiver at the sound of her real name.
The noble lady's face flushed crimson — partly from the intimacy, partly from hearing her name spoken with such tenderness.
"Please... not so loud." She whispered, glancing nervously at the other guild members, though none paid attention to their corner.
Adam couldn't help but smile at her shy reaction. Even after everything they'd been through together, she remained endearingly bashful.
After a long moment, they separated.
To Adam's bold request, Darkness lowered her head shyly and responded in a soft voice.
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