I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [303] [50 PS]

Aqua's abilities were undeniably impressive, and she wore the Sacred Robe she had brought down from the heavens.

According to Aqua, the robe not only boasted incredible defensive capabilities but also had a powerful purification function, granting her immunity to all negative curses. Naturally, Kazuma often used it for mundane tasks like doing laundry.

This was why neither Kazuma nor Nero worried about Aqua in the slightest—six exploding masked dolls wouldn't even leave a scratch on her.

However, the situation grew more complicated as more and more masked dolls began closing in.

While Aqua could shrug off explosions and remain unscathed, the same couldn't be said for the rest of the adventurers. Most of them would likely be gravely injured from a single blast.

Touching the dolls triggered an explosion, and attacking them carelessly caused the same result. The situation was becoming increasingly precarious.

While the group of adventurers was being forced to retreat by these tiny menaces, two figures stepped forward, standing out from the rest.

"Hey, what are you doing, Darkness?"

"Nero?!"

Several masked dolls hurled themselves at Nero and Darkness, resulting in explosions just as grand as the ones before.

And yet...

"...Hmm. I can handle this level of explosion just fine."

"Umu! Such paltry explosions are no match for the fiery passion that burns within me!"

The two emerged from the smoke and dust, completely unscathed, leaving the onlookers astonished.

Darkness required no explanation. For someone capable of withstanding Megumin's Explosion magic, these minor blasts were utterly inconsequential.

As for Nero, she relied on her [Magic Resistance]. With the added boost from her [Imperial Privilege EX], Nero's Magic Resistance was easily at A-Rank or higher.

"Umu! If Aqua's unwilling to be of use... Kazuma, it'll be just the two of us from here on out."

"Huh? Me?"

Kazuma pointed to himself, his face filled with disbelief.

Perhaps thinking he was frightened, Darkness swore to him with uncharacteristic chivalry.

"Don't worry, Kazuma. Nero and I will clear the path ahead. All you need to do is follow us. I swear on my honor as a Crusader that I will protect you."

"...Damn it. Isn't that kind of cool line supposed to come from me, the protagonist?"

Kazuma said this with a straight face, as though proclaiming his status as the protagonist was the most natural thing in the world.

Before entering the dungeon, Aqua cast support magic on the trio.

"Versatile Entertainer!"

As she cast the final spell, Kazuma's face twisted in confusion.

"What was that last spell supposed to do?"

"It's a spell to make you a jack-of-all-trades in the arts."

Kazuma fell silent for a moment before delivering a punch to Aqua's head.

---

In the dark confines of the dungeon, masked dolls were everywhere.

Taking care of them became the sole responsibility of Nero and Darkness, while Kazuma was relegated to holding the lantern and lighting the way from behind.

"Hey! Darkness! Don't charge in so fast!"

"Wahaha! Kazuma, did you see that? I actually hit one! So this is what it feels like to land a blow on an enemy! Even I can hit these things!"

Despite her immense physical strength, Darkness had always struggled to hit anything in battle.

However, the masked dolls didn't dodge—they actively ran into her attacks. This meant that even Darkness couldn't miss them.

Honestly, if she's that bothered by her inability to hit enemies, she should just learn a proper Greatsword skill already.

But it seemed Darkness had become so exhilarated by finally landing hits that she swung her sword faster and faster, charging further ahead. Nero and Kazuma struggled to keep up.

Kazuma, his face betraying a deadpan exasperation, glanced at the rapidly retreating Darkness, then turned to look at Nero.

Nero, in stark contrast, walked leisurely ahead as though on a casual stroll. Masked dolls rushed toward her, but they never got close.

A faint, imperceptible wind barrier surrounded Nero, and the dolls' explosions failed to breach it. Neither she nor Kazuma were harmed.

Though her Magic Resistance alone could nullify the dolls' explosions, Nero wasn't about to let herself get randomly blasted and end up covered in soot.

"Nero, you can use magic?"

"Of course. As Emperor, there is nothing I cannot do. If you feel afraid, simply stay behind me. As long as you remain by my side, you will be absolutely safe."

To Kazuma, Nero's figure suddenly appeared towering and majestic, exuding an overwhelming sense of security.

This ridiculous sense of safety... Compared to her, what kind of lunatics are my other teammates?

A masochistic Crusader who couldn't hit her targets, a glass-cannon Explosion Mage who could only fire one shot per day, and a trouble-prone goddess with an IQ that rivaled her own delusions.

If left unattended, these idiots would inevitably cause chaos, leaving him to clean up the mess. I'm their adventuring partner, not their babysitter.

"Hey, Kazuma! There's a fork in the path. Which way do we go?"

"Why are you charging ahead when you don't even know the way, you moron?!"

Kazuma intended to wipe away the magic circle Aqua had left in the dungeon. Since only he and Aqua knew its location, and Aqua wasn't here, Kazuma was the sole guide.

Nero, meanwhile, wasn't concerned about the magic circle. Her focus was on the demon duke Vanir, who was creating the masked dolls. Since it was her first time in the dungeon, she decided it was best to stick with Kazuma. She also had faith in his bizarrely good luck—it might lead them straight to Vanir.

Kazuma explained that they were approaching Keele's old chamber, just at the end of the corridor.

Then...

"...What's this? That has to be the mastermind behind all these creatures, right?"

In the room ahead, a figure sat cross-legged on the ground, molding clay into dolls.

The man wore a formal evening suit that clashed completely with the dungeon's setting. His gloved hands moved deftly, and his face was obscured by a mask identical to those of the dolls.

If there had been any doubt before, seeing this confirmed it for Nero.

The man before them was none other than Vanir, the highest-ranking Demon Duke from the underworld.