Master of the Butterfly Mansion: Thank you, Aqua-sama, thank you very much for cleansing all the demons in our world, thank you very much.
Master of the Butterfly Mansion: My sister and I can finally live ordinary lives.
Blue Ribbon: Aqua?
Blue Ribbon: Aqua, I remember you took a group rescue mission yesterday. Did you actually help the Master of the Butterfly Mansion clear all the demons in her world?
Sakurajima Mai: ...Hmm, I watched the live stream yesterday. It seems Aqua-sama's Holy Light is especially effective against demons?
Future Holy Sword User: While her luck is a bit lacking, her style is very much like a goddess. And she's a bit of a jinx when she speaks.
Ice Queen: I can tell, Aqua, you are very strong. Interested in a spar?
Aqua: After all, as the sacred Goddess of Water, dealing with demons of this level is simply too easy for Goddess-sama.
Konosuba World.
After replying to the Dimensional Chat Group message, Aqua raised an eyebrow, her inner smugness clearly visible on her face, and she looked at Shiraishi Kawa with a conceited smile.
She continued to suggest, "Shiraishi Kawa, are you really not considering forming a party with us?"
"Look, as the noble Goddess of Water, I've invited you countless times. It would be rude to keep refusing, wouldn't it!"
After helping Hanako and Kuchisake-onna become Hedonistic Chosen.
Shiraishi Kawa didn't linger in his original world. Considering Megumin, who was so poor she even lent him her staff, he bought food at the supermarket.
He then decisively used the Otherworld Teleportation Anchor to arrive in konosuba.
He looked at the loli girl who was wolfing down food while hugging her staff. This time, he didn't directly refuse but began to think seriously.
He had already requested a long leave from Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei.
He no longer had to live the daily life of an Ordinary High School Student, and could focus more Energy on the otherworld. If he were to form a party, besides Megumin.
There was also a very clear candidate.
A Crusader Knight.
Darkness, the youthful female knight with a slight masochistic tendency, whose true identity was Lalatina, the eldest daughter of the noble Dustiness family in the Belzerg Kingdom.
Lalatina.
A muscle-bound, violent, masochistic, erotic woman whose defense was strong enough to withstand Megumin's Explosion Magic and even her own anger.
Shiraishi Kawa's reason for paying attention to her was Darkness's character, which was beyond saving not only in performance but also in nature—a perfect Hedonistic Chosen!
Looking at Aqua's expectant face.
He gently nodded: "Alright."
"If we're forming a party, we'll need to recruit more people. Megumin and I are both Archmages, and you are also a High Priest."
(In the original novel, Aqua's profession is High Priest, or perhaps it's a translation issue?)
"To form a party to defeat the Demon King, according to MMORPG tropes, we must have a main tank. A Crusader Knight of the highest rank could be considered."
"That makes sense!"
Shiraishi Kawa accepted the party invitation, and Aqua's mood instantly became excited. As a member of the Dimensional Chat Group, she knew very well.
Just how strong this guy was!
And with her own assistance as a Goddess, defeating the Demon King and returning to Heaven didn't seem particularly far off.
She found a piece of parchment from somewhere.
She enthusiastically said, "Are there any other requirements? I'll write them down here. If we post this on the Adventurer recruitment board, someone will surely join."
"Hmm."
"Must unconditionally obey the captain's commands, satisfy all the captain's needs, and have strong defense, otherwise their resistance to damage won't be enough…"
He tried to describe her as much like Darkness as possible.
Highest rank, Crusader Knight—this would filter out most of the people trying to muddle through. Once the team issues were mostly resolved.
They could then consider taking on quests.
Earn some Eris, buy a staff with magic amplification effects. Shiraishi Kawa nodded gently after looking at the recruitment poster Aqua had finished writing.
"That should be fine!"
"You can handle the selection of candidates then."
Aqua, whose intelligence wasn't particularly high, didn't sense anything amiss and enthusiastically posted the recruitment poster on the bulletin board.
Meanwhile, Megumin, who was focused on eating.
She looked up, and there was a strange look in her eyes as she gazed at Shiraishi Kawa. As the user of the world's strongest Explosion Magic.
Megumin felt that something was very wrong!
But for Shiraishi Kawa, who had given her food, she suppressed her urge to complain. She was more curious about the feeling of using Explosion Magic.
"Shiraishi Kawa, from the residual magic in the staff, I can tell you've definitely used Explosion Magic!"
Through the residual magic in the magic staff, Megumin's face was quite expectant. She actively grabbed Shiraishi Kawa's hand: "Quick… quick, tell me how it felt!"
"…"
As for Explosion Magic being the strongest.
Shiraishi Kawa certainly couldn't say such an abstract thing. After a simple thought, he still used a certain character's line and said seriously: "Art…"
"Is an explosion!"
"Indeed, you and I feel the same way. Only Explosion Magic can make me feel at ease. If I can't cast an explosion every day."
"I feel like life will be meaningless!"
Art is explosion; these words resonated deeply with Megumin, who could now team up with like-minded individuals who loved Explosion Magic.
It must be the Goddess of Fortune smiling upon her!
"I found a very good spot, the environment there is excellent, even if I cast Explosion Magic every day, no residents will complain."
"It's an abandoned castle built on a mountaintop."
Megumin shared her daily routine, naturally omitting the crucial detail about Aqua dragging her home, worried about being rejected from the team.
She just didn't notice Shiraishi Kawa's strange expression.
Casting Explosion Magic at an abandoned castle every day—why does this plot development feel so familiar? If I remember correctly, isn't that... the home of the Demon Lord Army Executive, the Headless Knight?
Finally noticing the silent Shiraishi Kawa, Megumin's tender face was full of curiosity, and she proactively asked, "Shiraishi Kawa, what's wrong with you…"
"Nothing, I'm fine."
As an important Demon Lord Army Executive, the Headless Knight had a high bounty at the Adventurers' Guild. Dealing with him would solve any money worries.
Shiraishi Kawa gently shook his head.
To lure Darkness, the final piece of the team, the recruitment poster shouldn't be a big problem.
He had basically settled the matters of the staff and the team.
Having no intention of staying and waiting in the Konosuba World, after a brief explanation to Aqua, he directly used the interdimensional teleportation anchor.
He headed to the Apocalypse World.
Currently having 4 Hedonistic Chosen, he would first help Busujima Saeko and Marikawa Shizuka by bestowing them with transcendent abilities, ensuring their safety.
Most importantly... as the number of Hedonistic Chosen increased, the most direct feedback would be the attribute value boosts.
On the Adventurers' Guild bulletin board, a cool and collected young woman with golden hair tied in a single ponytail, wearing armor, was scanning the numerous recruitment posters as usual.
Her gaze swept over many recruitment posters for teammates.
Currently, the team needs a mage Adventurer, male required. If interested, contact bartender Axl at the Cat's Tail Tavern.
Priest urgently needed! Priest urgently needed! There's a top-tier professional in the team!
"…"
The young woman scanned these team recruitment posters, not finding any teams that met her standards. Just as she was about to leave, her gaze caught a corner.
She paused her steps slightly.
Team recruiting Crusader Knight. Interested parties contact the Adventurers' Guild.
"…"
Darkness paused her steps slightly. The still-wet ink on the parchment indicated that the notice had just been posted recently.
It certainly fit her profession.
However.
As her gaze scanned the detailed requirements, a flicker of excitement crossed her eyes. It demanded unconditional fulfillment of the captain's needs, with no complaints… "This… could this be a shameful… Domination Play!"
"Strong resistance to attacks… does that mean I'll be attacked by monsters in battle? This… this is definitely the most suitable team for me!"
"…"
After reading the notice, Darkness's breathing grew heavy. Her eyes gleamed with light, and she resolutely took down the recruitment poster.
Looking towards the Adventurers' Guild ahead, she decisively took a step forward.
Traveling to the Apocalypse World was very convenient with the interdimensional teleportation anchor. Following a brief sensation of dizziness, his consciousness returned.
He was already standing in front of Minami Rika's detached house.
There were still scattered corpses wandering the streets, likely drawn by the commotion, but this number posed no threat to Busujima Saeko.
Shiraishi Kawa was very relieved about this.
In fact, there was a way to completely resolve the zombie crisis: call Aqua to the Apocalypse World and use her divine authority.
It might even be possible to completely Purify the corpses.
But doing so... from his perspective, it was completely unnecessary. Killing corpses yielded experience points, and the numbers were quite considerable.
It was perfectly suitable as an experience farm.
"Once I bestow the status of God Chosen upon them, I won't have to worry about the safety issues caused by the corpses."
Standing in front of the security door, Shiraishi Kawa pressed the doorbell. After a moment, he heard footsteps, and Miyamoto Rei, dressed in a JK uniform, opened the door.
"…Lord Shiraishi Kawa."
Recalling yesterday's absurd experience, Miyamoto Rei's face was instantly covered in a blush when she faced Shiraishi Kawa again, and she greeted him proactively.
Through Busujima Saeko's explanation.
She finally knew that the seemingly same-aged high school student in front of her was actually a powerful individual from another world, and there was no need to worry about safety issues.
The stone weighing on her heart finally disappeared.
However… as Miyamoto Rei saw Shiraishi Kawa again, the nervousness in her heart was still unavoidable. She knew this was the man who held her destiny.
Her body was a little tense.
But she still quickly found indoor slippers from the shoe rack. She respectfully placed them in front of Shiraishi Kawa: "Lord Shiraishi Kawa, you've arrived."
"Hmm."
Her tsundere personality was primarily due to not having experienced the harsh realities of society.
Just like Miyamoto Rei in front of him, Shiraishi Kawa really liked her attitude. Looking at the women in the living room who had stood up upon noticing his arrival, they were all looking at him.
He didn't make the atmosphere particularly serious.
Shiraishi Kawa's tone was relaxed. He briefly greeted everyone, then smiled and said, "I came to see you all today about something."
"Lord Shiraishi!"
Without overthinking, the naturally clumsy Marikawa Shizuka proactively hugged Shiraishi Kawa's arm, openly expressing her feelings in front of everyone.
"I missed you, so can you give me some alone time tonight?"
"It depends if there are other arrangements…"
If there were no rescue missions in the Chat Group and nothing else happened, staying in the Apocalypse World would be quite nice. As the God of Pleasure.
How could he not throw a party?
Feeling the surging waves from his arm, he arrived in the living room. Shiraishi Kawa's gaze briefly swept over the women present, and he said calmly.
"Saeko, you should know about superpowered individuals, right?"
"I do."
Busujima Saeko nodded seriously. After all, most of the people in the Dimensional Chat Group were transcendent beings. Ordinary High School Students.
It seemed only she and Sakurajima Mai were among them.
Takagi Saya and Miyamoto Rei also turned their gaze towards Busujima. They had only seen Shiraishi Kawa, so they hadn't yet figured out how powerful a superpowered individual truly was, or why he was suddenly bringing it up.
"My main purpose in coming here this time is to help you all become superpowered individuals, so you can easily deal with the corpses even when facing them."
He didn't beat around the bush.
Leaning on the sofa, with Marikawa Shizuka's ample bosom as a pillow, Shiraishi Kawa smiled easily, his gaze briefly sweeping over the women: "It's purely a matter of personal choice."
"Instead of becoming a superpowered individual, it's more appropriate to describe it as becoming a divine Dependents."
"…"
The women looked at each other.
Finally, Takagi Saya, with a confused look in her eyes, proactively asked, "Lord Shiraishi, do you want us to become your Dependents?"
"Exactly."
She understood Shiraishi Kawa's way of doing things, which emphasized equivalent exchange. Becoming a so-called God Chosen was destined to come with a price.
They had already developed into... an intimate male-female relationship.
Takagi Saya couldn't guarantee that having transcendent abilities would be without any cost. She said seriously, "May I ask what the cost is?"
"Offer me your loyalty!"
Becoming a God Chosen naturally requires loyalty to the worshipped deity. For Takagi Saya's current situation, being able to maintain a clear head.
Shiraishi Kawa was quite pleased.
"Loyalty?"
If this were during the Warring States period, it would probably be a vassal offering loyalty to a shogun, but Takagi Saya didn't think it was that simple!
"Exactly. Unconditional loyalty is required in body, mind, and faith. As for traitors, they will naturally be brought to the tribunal."
"The decision is yours; I will not force you."
Shiraishi Kawa didn't like forcing them to do things against their will. It was best to let things happen naturally. The price was complete submission of body, mind, and faith.
In exchange for the opportunity to become a transcendent being.
"I am willing!"
The first to break the atmosphere was the gently smiling Busujima Saeko. She proactively walked to Shiraishi Kawa's front, already harboring feelings for him.
She had long since entrusted her entire being to him.
Now... offering loyalty to become a God Chosen and gaining the opportunity to become a transcendent being meant that at least safety would not be a concern for Shiraishi Kawa.
This was very good!
Marikawa Shizuka leaned close to Shiraishi Kawa's ear, her breath like orchids: "If Lord Shiraishi doesn't mind, I… I can also do it."
"…"
Only Takagi Saya and Miyamoto Rei had yet to make a choice.
When their eyes met, their bodies proactively stepping forward already represented their inner decision: to become Shiraishi Kawa's Dependents.
To become a transcendent being.
They didn't expect to keep up with Shiraishi Kawa's pace, but at least they didn't want to be forgotten so quickly!
"Alright."
With 4 more Hedonistic Chosen, his overall attribute values would be greatly boosted.
Shiraishi Kawa was in a pretty good mood. He hadn't expected to gather 8 people for the Professional Deity panel so quickly. He was only two Dependents away from the new panel.
It was still the familiar method of divine authority bestowal, but in front of Busujima Saeko, Marikawa Shizuka, and the others, he didn't deliberately restrain his divinity.
A faint pink mist.
It quickly filled the living room. After bestowing upon them the status of God Chosen, the silver markings on their lower abdomens glowed within the pink mist.
He observed the women, whose beauty and figures had visibly improved, and Shiraishi Kawa smiled and nodded, then said, "So, now it is time for you to show your loyalty, my God Chosen."
Zombie apocalypse.
Not having a party would be a waste of time!
"Captain, are you really resigning?"
"This zombie riot will continue. It was busy enough before, and now that the world is in chaos, I still have to consider the safety of others."
"No one ever considered mine."
Minami Rika, dressed in a black SAT uniform, had her purple hair tied in a high ponytail. Years of missions had given her skin a slightly tanned complexion.
After the events of the past two days, she had grown weary of her profession.
Seeing no hope for the future, she felt it was better to enjoy life than to continue guarding her post here.
She unilaterally and forcefully resigned.
Instead of continuing to drive the Special Assault Team's vehicle, Minami Rika chose to ride her motorcycle, twisting the throttle as the engine roared.
She drove towards the street leading to her home.
The explosion from last night was still on her mind, and she still hadn't figured out the exact cause.
"I wonder... how is Marikawa Shizuka doing?"