ALL NOVEL Chapter 96: Mask On
Third day…
"EXPLOSION!!!"
I'm on a picnic with Megumin and Liz. We picked a spot far away from the capital and even then Alderp still get complaints from his neighbors.
Megumin is still standing strong thanks to the ring. She sat back down and started eating the sandwich I brought for her. Liz just sat quietly beside me, her head leaning on my shoulder, while eating some cookies.
"I give it a solid eighty eight, the aftermath was sloppy,"
The explosion loli clicked her tongue. "I'm losing my touch, we should practice more, waiting for the ring to recharge is not a good idea," she said.
Liz just sighed a little after hearing that. "Okaa sama, I still do not understand why you are so obsessed with explosion…" she said. "I mean, you've mastered the very core of magic fusion and fission, you can turn any amount of mana into pure destructive power. Why are you still obsessed with the Explosion Spell?"
Megumin waved her index finger. "That's where you're wrong Liza chan. Magic control explosion and true explosion spell cannot be compared. Although magic control explosion can be controlled and can be used as you like, the traditional explosion spell has a certain charm and randomness that cannot be replicated by any other type of spells."
"Right…" Liza then turned towards me.
"Your mom was married to explosion before she was married to me."
After finishing our sweets, we decided to take a walk around the capital.
The capital is like a bigger and more advanced version of Axel City. There are many large houses among the smaller peasant house. There are many restaurants and stores that looks a bit too high class for adventurers.
Most people walking around the street were normal civilians. There's also some adventurers roaming around. A knight or two could be seen patrolling the streets every now and then.
We decided to stop by another branch of the Morning Angel Cafe. It looks similar to the large one in Axel City. Open door plus indoor setting with European inspired design. The building itself looked brand new and quite bustling with business.
When we made it to the entrance, a waitress welcomed us.
"Welcome to the Morning Angel Cafe, customer. Unfortunately, all the tables are full so we only serve take away orders," she gestured at a small line inside the building. "Or would you like to make reservations?"
I was a little bit disappointed after hearing that. I looked around for a bit, if I'm lucky, maybe Yunyun or Darkness is already…
Oh! Never mind, looks like the CEO herself is going to treat us today.
"Actually, my friend already reserved a spot for us," I waved at the waitress and walked towards where Paradox is sitting.
Paradox simply gestured at us to sit down while enjoying the meal. Once again, I feel like I shouldn't disturb her when she's eating something so we simply sat there in a borderline awkward silence.
After a minute, she finishes off with sipping on a cup of coffee. "Welcome Kazuma, anything I can help you with? Why don't you start with the report?" she then turned towards Liz and looked at her apologetically.
"Also, sorry Liz, but some of these are classified to anyone outside my religion, can you please look me in the eyes for a bit?"
"What?"
Paradox took Liz's hand.
"It's alright, just look at me in the eyes, focus your attention to my eyes,"
She then jerked Liz's hand forward.
"Sleep! That's good, keep your eyes shut, listen to my voice and my voice only. Relax your muscles, relax your magic, let my voice soothes you into a deeper state of relaxation…"
The goddess gently rubbed her back.
"Deeper and deeper and deeper… Every breath you take, every voice you hear, they will make you even more comfortable… Even more relaxed… even deeper into your sweet, sweet dreams…"
Liz slumped on the table and Paradox gently move Liz's arms for cushion.
"There we go, relax your body, it's a comfortable table see? Like a nice warm kotatsu on a cold day… Just relax…"
Liz's breathing steadies and it seems like she has fallen fully unconscious.
"Now… on a count of three, you will forget everything you hear from the moment you fall asleep until the moment you wake up. Tap your index finger if you understand."
Liz tapped her index finger.
"That's very good… Now just relax, I will be back with you…"
Paradox let go of her hand before looking back at Megumin and I.
"Pretty cool right?"
Megumin tilted her head. "Was that an advanced sleep magic?"
"No, it was hypnosis, it's more similar to the Forced Suggestion, only that this one doesn't use magic. It works wonders on people with extremely high magic resistance."
"So there's no way you can resist that?"
Paradox shook her head. "No, hypnosis only works on willing subjects. Liz here already trusts me…" she said. "Anyway, let's talk about classified stuff. I'm assuming you already know about Chris's identity?"
I nodded and began my report.
"Yes, Lady Er…"
"Don't say her name!" Paradox snapped. "Do not refer her as a goddess, you don't know if she's hearing you right now."
"Sorry, Chris is the Chivalrous Thief. The princess is planning to capture her, hoping she can work together with her."
"Good, glad we're on the same page," Paradox took out a box out of nowhere and handed it to us. "This will be your alter ego from now on,"
I tilted my head before slowly opening the box. Inside it is what seems to be Vanir's mask, only that it's fully black and doesn't have the number II on it.
Megumin peeked into the box and gasped in awe. "Whoa… it looks so cool!" she exclaimed. "Ne, Paradox sama, can I have one?"
"Uhh… no? I only have one,"
The girl looked down in disappointment while I inspected the mask closely.
"So, a disguise? Is this magic item? Looks like Vanir…"
"Vanir made it. He said wearing it will boost your stat and give you the charm of the devil. It also changes your hair color and magical signature slightly so not even Liz can recognize you."
I put on the mask and doesn't feel all that different.
"What's this for anyway?"
"Trust me, it'll be obvious what it's for,"
"By the way, can't we tell Liz about the plan? At least if you're giving me a disguise, shouldn't she actually knows that it's me wearing this mask?"
"Personally it doesn't matter to me if you get her on in this plan or not. But Vanir said something extremely good will happen if you were keep the mask a secret from Liza chan."
"Some extremely good? That sounds fishy…"
"It is… but even wisdom can't predict the finer details of the future. So, it's your choice. Though, the demon wouldn't do anything to compromise your future, so I think it's best if you humor him a little."
I looked at the mask in my hands. Should I tell Liz about this disguise? I feel like I should NOT, but… I dunno, Vanir isn't that bad of a guy…
"Did he at least tell you the consequence?"
"He said it will give you an immense amount of control over Liza's life and future without sacrificing her freedom of choice."
Just by keeping this mask a secret? That… that doesn't sound so bad actually…
"Ah, what the hell, I'll do it, I'll keep this mask a secret from her," I said before hiding the mask.
Paradox took a sip of her coffee.
"By the way, I heard you bought everyone my latest brew?"
"You mean the most expensive drink in the world?" I turned to Megumin who just looked away. "Yeah, we bought five of them."
"Don't buy it again, apparently it only works once. The next time your drink that, it won't increase your level at all," she looked down a little. "Unfortunately…"
Huh, so even if you're extremely rich, you can't take a shortcut by buying Paradox's brews to become OP huh? Then again, rich people eats tons of high exp food so they're probably already pretty strong statistically.
"Is this everything Lady Paradox? No more impossible side missions or anything like that?"
"Hmm… I think that's all… Wait, see if you can get Princess Iris to have an audience with me,"
"Is there something you want from her? Lady Paradox?"
Paradox nodded. "I think she's worthy of joining my religion,"
"You have a religion?"
"Well of course I have a religion!" Paradox scoffed a little. "I even have tons of worshipper!"
"And who, pray tell, are those worshipper?" I asked, a little bit sceptic.
Paradox pointed at me. "You," she then pointed at Megumin. "You,"
"Wait, since when am I part of your religion?" Megumin asked. "I don't remember ever converting,"
The goddess chuckled in response. "Fufufu… One of my credo is that you can only be wedded to those with the same religion! By marrying Kazuma, you have willingly convert to my religion!"
"Oi! How is that fair!"
"All is fair in love and war," Paradox said smugly. "Anyway, there's both of you. Dust, Lynn, Yunyun, Elena, and soon, Princess Iris," she explained. "I want to have Liz convert to my religion too but Aqua beat me to it."
"Dust and Lynn? Seriously?"
"After Alcanretia they decided that they are NOT worshiping someone mentally younger than themselves,"
"I see, well, I'll see what I can do, maybe I can get you to sponsor the next dinner party?"
Paradox nodded in approval. "Not bad, as expected of my champion. Speaking of which, what's your plan with Chris? Do you need anything?"
I looked down in deep thought.
"We're planning to keep her in the dark for the time being. Let her think Iris is the mastermind behind everything, as for what we need… We need another scapegoat, so we're going to need Wolbach and…"
"And?"
I turned to Megumin and the girl smirked.
"After witnessing the Demon King's pitiful attempt in the Crimson Demon Village, I decided to give them a little morale boost," Megumin raised her arm in a pose. "I am Crimson Wrath! The New General of the Demon King Army!"
Paradox's sparkles with mirth and she began laughing. "Ahaha! Yes! I approve,"
"So, don't you think I'm gonna need a cool new mask like Kazuma?" Megumin asked.
"Say no more Megumin chan, I'll prepare a heck ton of new disguises for the Crimson Wrath. I'll give you a new staff, a new weapon, basically anything you need! Oh I'm so gonna enjoy the show…"
Excited now isn't she?
"Also, Megumin's not the only one who's want in on this. There's also some who are going to act as the 'new' Demon King Generals."
"Write me the plan in details and I'll provide everything you'll need!"