[Alert! Demon King's Army Attack! Demon King's Army Attack! A suspected Demon King's Army unit has been sighted on the plains near the royal capital! Knights, prepare for deployment. The size of this Demon King's Army unit is significant. All adventurers within the city, please join the defense! High-level adventurers, report to the castle gates immediately!]
When Nero and Yunyun returned to the castle, they were greeted by this blaring announcement.
"N-Nero-nee! What's going on?"
Hearing such an announcement for the first time, Yunyun was understandably tense. Nero, however, reassured her.
"Umu! Don't worry, it's just the Demon King's Army attacking again. It happens all the time… You'll get used to it."
"G-Get used to it?! How is that even possible?"
"Of course! Look at the merchants—they're not even packing up their stalls. The entire capital can hear that alarm, yet they're completely unfazed."
In the royal capital, attacks from the Demon King's Army were practically a daily occurrence, sometimes even happening multiple times a day.
However, most of these attacks consisted of low-level fodder like kobolds or goblins. Stronger monsters rarely appeared, and even the "mighty" Balzac, a greater demon, had been one of their strongest challengers thus far. No Demon King's generals had ever shown up.
Given that half of the generals were already defeated—one of them being Wiz, who was peacefully running a shop in Axel, and another tied to maintaining the barrier around the Demon King's castle—it was unlikely for the remaining two to show up here.
"So… Nero-nee, are we supposed to join the gathering too?"
"Well…"
The announcement had called for high-level adventurers to join. If that was a strict requirement, then Nero probably didn't qualify.
After all, to be considered "high-level," an adventurer should at least be level 20. Nero, however, was only level 12.
For someone with her natural abilities, leveling up required far more experience points—a phenomenon she was well aware of.
Even Yunyun, who adventured alongside her, was already approaching level 40.
Despite her low level, Nero doubted anyone would actually stop her from fighting.
"Nero? Yunyun? What are you two doing here? You heard the announcement, right?"
Approaching them was Darkness, accompanied by her three party members.
All of them had changed out of their formal attire, now clad in their familiar adventuring gear.
"Darkness? Are you all heading to…"
"I'm not going! Why should I have to go to such a dangerous place?! I came to the capital to relax! And maybe recruit some new members for the Axis Cult! Fighting the Demon King's Army is not part of the plan!" Aqua protested loudly, acting as shamelessly as ever.
"Don't be so selfish, Aqua! We need people like you who can use healing magic! And what's this about recruiting Axis Cult members? How can you even think about something so reckless right now?"
"Reckless? How dare you insult my pure and innocent children! Take that back right now!"
Kazuma's party, as always, was causing a ruckus. Meanwhile, Megumin had found Yunyun and started chatting.
"Yunyun, are you joining the fight too? You'll be battling alongside the capital's adventurers against the Demon King's Army?"
"Of course! There's no way I'd miss such a perfect chance to showcase my talents. Heh heh heh! The Demon King's Army must be confident to launch this attack. But! Their greatest mistake was not anticipating the presence of the world's greatest explosion magic user—me!"
Megumin swept her cloak dramatically, the crimson glow in her visible eye intensifying.
"I am the fleeting brilliance of flame and destruction! After today, none will forget the name of the Explosion Magic Master, Megumin! I will carve my legend into the Demon King's Army with their anguished wails!"
Nero couldn't help but feel a bit surprised at Megumin's energy. She had assumed Megumin would have already used up her daily explosion magic by now.
What surprised Nero even more, though, was…
Turning her head, Nero noticed Kazuma looking unusually eager.
"Are you going too?" Nero asked him directly.
"Of course!" Kazuma replied, his expression unusually serious. "This is a Demon King's Army attack—it's a matter of national security! I know I'm weak, but in this situation, I want to contribute, even if it's just a little, to the future of this kingdom! Those of us with power have a duty to protect the people of this city!"
…What is this nonsense he's spouting?
At that moment, Darkness leaned toward Nero and whispered.
"Earlier, we ran into some nobles. They were curious about the hero who helped you defeat a Demon King's general. They'd heard about Kazuma, especially the rumors of him defeating Kyouya Mitsurugi multiple times and being our team's leader. You've mentioned Kazuma a few times yourself, haven't you? So, they're very interested in him."
"And Kazuma… well, he got carried away with their praise. He bragged so much that they now think he's an incredible, righteous adventurer. With this attack, they're all expecting him to show off his supposed heroics on the battlefield."
Darkness's explanation made perfect sense—it sounded exactly like something Kazuma would do.
When Nero and Darkness turned to look at him, Kazuma quickly averted his gaze, his ears turning red.
"I-I didn't get carried away!" Kazuma shouted defensively, as if trying to drown out his embarrassment. "There are plenty of overpowered adventurers in the capital! Besides, Nero's here! The Demon King's Army is no big deal—they'll be dealt with in no time! All I need to do is draw attention to myself by running around the battlefield and looking cool. That'll be enough to make people admire me!"
"You're the worst!" Darkness exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation.
But Kazuma, with his thick skin, shrugged off her scolding like it was nothing.
"It's fine, Darkness," Nero said with a chuckle, patting her shoulder. "Kazuma probably won't even get on the battlefield. The announcement specifically called for high-level adventurers, and Kazuma… well, are you one of them?"
At Nero's words, Kazuma's face fell immediately.
"…Alright, fine. I admit it. I'm not a high-level adventurer. I'm only level 17."
Both Aqua and Megumin had defeated a Demon King's general each, with Megumin's explosion magic earning her massive experience points due to its large area of effect. As a result, she was the highest-leveled member of Kazuma's party.
Kazuma, on the other hand, had low attack power and lacked high-damage skills, meaning he rarely secured kills or gained much experience. His low level wasn't surprising.
What baffled Nero, however, was why even Darkness, who could barely hit anything, had a higher level than Kazuma.
But then it hit her.
Even Kazuma's level is higher than mine.
Nero couldn't help but reflect on that fact.