After being defeated by Adam, the Dullahan offered no further resistance. Aqua promptly purified it.
Perhaps, having been bested in direct combat, it felt it no longer had the right to exist and resigned itself to purification.
And so, the Dullahan — who claimed to uphold chivalry yet consistently threw its head under skirts to peep — dissipated under Aqua's〘Holy Purification Magic〙. Its final thoughts were of no consequence to them.
The most significant outcome was that Adam, almost single-handedly, had vanquished the Dullahan and become a hero to the villagers and adventurers of the beginner's town! News of this feat would surely astonish the royal capital.
"Well done, Adam!" Aqua exclaimed, bouncing over to hug him after purifying the Dullahan. Her words brimmed with enthusiasm and excitement, "Defeating the Dullahan, one of the Demon King's army Generals — you've truly lived up to my expectations!"
She was overjoyed at this moment.
Ever since Kazuma had dragged her down from the Celestial Realm, life had been incredibly difficult, and her return seemed a distant prospect. She had nearly resigned herself to life in the mortal world with Adam.
But unexpectedly, events unfolded beyond her wildest dreams.
While defeating the Dullahan was a small step towards her return to the Celestial Realm, it represented a giant leap for the team and Adam's quest to defeat the Demon King!
Of course she was elated!
"Aqua, let go now." Adam gently disentangled himself from her embrace and set her down.
Though he didn't mind Aqua's hug, he had a more pressing task — to spread the news of their victory to the villagers!
The nearby adventurers watched him nervously, their anticipation palpable. Adam fulfilled their unspoken wish by sharing the good news.
Without further ado, he raised his weapon high, proclaiming their victory!
The adventurers responded with an even louder roar, their jubilant cries echoing to the heavens.
"We won!" "A magnificent victory!" "That was the Dullahan! I can't believe we actually won!" "Yeah, yeah!" "That Carter guy, he's a true hero!" "Hero? Yes, he's a 『 Hero 』!"
Perhaps inspired by the nearby adventurers, the title of the 『 Hero 』 Team spread like wildfire, with countless people rushing to share the news. Their previous, more modest name was instantly overshadowed by this wave of excitement.
They chanted: "Hero! Hero! Hero! Hero! Hero!..."
In the end, not only the adventurers but even the villagers came to know this title. Adam's team members instantly became local celebrities.
"Congratulations, Adam." Said the now-healed Darkness and the somewhat recovered Megumin, approaching to offer their praise.
Kazuma chimed in enviously, "That's amazing. I'd love to be in the spotlight too, but I know I'm not cut out for it. What a shame."
He was truly a bundle of contradictions — showing no restraint in his perverted and mischievous behavior, yet displaying remarkable self-awareness and tact in other matters, leaving little room for criticism.
Unfortunately, his perverted side was too prominent, and this talent, like those of the other problem children in the team, was overshadowed by his lecherous aura.
"What are you talking about? Aren't we one team?" Adam raised his hand, "Even if you weren't useful this time, just keep trying. For now, stand tall and proud!"
"Carter-senpai..." Kazuma was deeply moved. He then joined in the loud cheering.
"That's right, that's right! We just need to try harder next time!" Aqua exclaimed, raising Megumin and Darkness's hands in a similar fashion. Her face beaming with pride, she shouted victoriously, "If we get serious, we can do anything. We're capable people! And if we can't do something well, it's not our fault — it's the world's!"
Good grief, it was like a chain reaction. Even the Axis Cult's teachings had been brought out.
However, this time Kazuma unusually didn't mock her, but kept his mouth shut. It definitely wasn't because Aqua had purified the Dullahan in the end while he couldn't help at all.
Although Darkness and Megumin also shouted a couple of times, they stopped after a while due to embarrassment.
Then came the triumphant return.
Surrounded by all the adventurers, the team members walked back to the beginner's town with their chests puffed out and taking big strides. They then took another tour around the village, truly basking in the limelight.
Adam felt this was too showy, but he reasoned it was better to go all out and let everyone recognize them now rather than letting their fame spread slowly. This way, with their newfound renown, the team members might also pay more attention to their image when in public.
Returning to the Adventurers' Guild, after a lively and sumptuous victory feast, everyone returned to the mansion in the suburbs.
The next morning, they awoke to a new day.
Adam rose and began his daily exercise routine.
The peaceful rhythm of their days made the Dullahan's defeat seem almost like a dream.
But, three days later, a message arrived from the Adventurers' Guild, summoning Adam.
"A reward of 300 million Eris?!" Aqua exclaimed, staring at the check in disbelief.
Megumin's eyes gleamed with avarice as she chanted, "We're rich, we're rich, we're rich..."
Kazuma joined the celebratory chorus.
Even Adam's composure cracked. Despite his attempts to maintain a stoic expression, his rapid breathing and heaving chest betrayed his inner turmoil.
ξ300,000,000! The sum was staggering.
Darkness remained the most composed, though still visibly surprised — a stark contrast to the others' exuberance.
The team's wealth had skyrocketed, achieving a triple increase and surpassing three financial milestones in one fell swoop!
With their newfound riches, equipment upgrades beckoned.
Yet, their first stop was Wiz's shop.
"I see, Mr. Beldia..."
"I apologize for defeating your colleague."
"It's quite alright. Though Mr. Beldia and I were colleagues, our relationship wasn't particularly close."
Despite her words, Wiz appeared somewhat melancholy upon hearing of the Dullahan's defeat, betraying her true feelings.
Noticing Adam's peculiar behavior, she inquired with puzzlement, "Um... what are you doing?"
"As you can see, I'm restraining a certain avaricious goddess to prevent her from 'accidentally' vanquishing a friend due to her insatiable greed." Adam explained, firmly holding down the squirming Water Goddess.
"Adam, release me! It's 300 million Eris, 300 million Eris!" Aqua protested. Upon learning the bounty for a Demon King's army General was ξ300,000,000, she had abruptly changed her stance, now insisting on purifying Wiz.
Oh, Aqua! Your money-grubbing nature surpasses even Kazuma's.
Ultimately, it took Wiz's earnest plea — explaining she carried no bounty in the kingdom — to finally dissuade Aqua from her intent to defeat her.
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