Chapter 20: Trade Ongoing *cough*

Stella: "Did he just... take it down with one punch?"

Frieren: "Interesting technique, gathering cold energy into his fist and releasing it all at once."

Frieren: "Judging by the degree of fragmentation, that monster called 'Black Smoke' was completely frozen and shattered."

Frieren: "@Rei Ao, your power doesn't seem to be just about controlling ice or cold energy, right?"

Rei Ao: "Yeah, my ability is a bit more unique."

Rei Ao didn't doubt that in the future, he could freeze space, time, or even more abstract concepts. This was the true potential of conceptual abilities.

Akame: "So strong."

Akame: "If I make a deal, can you come help Night Raid?"

Rei Ao: "Haha, I'm always open to deals. The more, the better."

At this point, Rei Ao felt confident enough to accept Akame's kind of requests. After clearing out nearly 100,000 Kabane in the area, his level had skyrocketed.

[Name]: Rei Ao

[Level]: 28

[Abilities]: "Freeze," "Self," "True Sight," "Conversion," "Blessing," "Cognitive Disappearance," "Basic Archery," "Busujima Style Swordsmanship"

[Description]: You possess the power to make a town disappear from the world.

He had gained eight levels in one go! The Kabane were even better for experience than the zombies from Saeko's world. Rei Ao could feel his power growing to the point where he could likely destroy an entire city—though just a little shy of that level. If he were to face Esdeath, he still wasn't certain of a guaranteed victory, but he no longer feared her.

But now, something more pressing was on his mind.

Rei Ao: "Let's talk about deals later. I've got important business to take care of. Gotta go."

Stella: "Pfft, important business? You mean more shameless activities, don't you?"

…

Back at Rei Ao's house...

"You see?" Sakurajima Mai gave Kato Megumi a playful look, now more confident. "He's a pervert. Do you really think I'd fall for someone like that?"

But Megumi's response left her stunned.

"Oh, Sakurajima-san doesn't like Rei Ao-kun? That's a relief."

"Huh? Why is that a relief?"

Megumi nodded calmly. "Because... I like Rei Ao-kun."

"Huh?!"

…

After eliminating the Kabane in the area, the Kōtetsujō (Iron Fortress) resumed its journey. Everyone, having narrowly escaped death, revered Rei Ao as if he were a god. They had witnessed a miracle and fully believed he was divine.

As for Rei Ao, he wasn't interested in being worshiped as a god. At the moment, he was more focused on indulging in one of life's greatest pleasures.

"Oh, you prepared this carriage specially for me?" Rei Ao entered the carriage where Ayame Yomogawa was waiting to fulfill her part of the deal.

The surrounding carriages had been cleared out, and no one complained. They all knew that Ayame was about to serve the 'divine being,' and this was seen as an honorable duty. Some had even begun teaching their children that they should aspire to be like Ayame.

Inside the carriage Ayame had prepared, there was a neatly made bed on the floor and a large wooden tub filled with hot water in the adjacent carriage.

Now, it was just the two of them.

Ayame, too nervous to meet Rei Ao's gaze, spoke timidly, "Rei Ao-sama, please allow me to bathe first."

"Bathe, huh?"

Rei Ao glanced at the large wooden tub that could fit two or three people and grinned. "Sure."

He scooped Ayame up into his arms.

"Huh?"

…

Meanwhile, Kurusu groaned as he held his bandaged head.

Grimacing in pain, he recalled the moment he had been knocked unconscious with a single kick. That man...

"Wait! Where is Ayame-sama?!"

Worried about her safety, Kurusu urgently questioned the people around him. At first, they flinched, but then they gave him looks of disdain. Word had already spread that this man had offended the divine being. Even though he was a samurai, he had lost all respect in their eyes.

Unbeknownst to Kurusu, Rei Ao had already become revered as a god by everyone on the Kōtetsujō—his status now even higher than Ayame's.

Kurusu, unaware of the full situation, sensed that something had changed. Grabbing one of the men by the collar, he demanded, "Tell me, where is Ayame-sama?!"

The man, unafraid, looked him in the eye and sneered, "Ayame-sama is currently serving the divine being. What do you want?"

"Serving the divine being?" Kurusu's expression darkened.

"What nonsense! I'm going to see her right now!"

"Hey, what's this guy trying to do? Stop him!"

~~~

*Cough*

Patreon is here, read more:

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— 50 Advance Chapters!