From RE0, Sato Kazuma decided to cheat on food and drink

"Kazuma, what should we do next?"

Aqua asked.

Normally, Kazuma Sato would have already made a run for it, since things like the King's Selection and the badge had nothing to do with him.

However, Kazuma Sato felt that Subaru Natsuki was like him—

They're all homebodies.

A shut-in needs help from another shut-in.

Furthermore, during their first playthrough, Kazuma Sato and Aqua wanted to earn money to support themselves, but they found themselves struggling to make ends meet in the capital city of Lugnica without any identification.

Even if one manages to escape this crisis, surviving in this world afterward will not be an easy task.

What should I do...?

"Kazuma, what are you doing! Think of something quick!"

"Shut up, you useless goddess! It's all because you're completely useless. If only you could be of any use—"

Just then, a plan suddenly popped into Sato Kazuma's mind, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Goddess of Waste, what kind of person can be considered your follower?"

. . . . . .

Ten minutes later, at the familiar alley entrance.

Kazuma Sato and Aqua came here again.

"These guys have respawned again, they're just like regular monsters."

Kazuma Sato muttered to himself, then quickly led Aqua toward the three thugs in front of them.

The three thugs also walked towards them at the same time, looking fierce and menacing.

"Put all your valuables on you—"

"I've been waiting for the three of you for a long time."

Before the other party could speak, Kazuma Sato deliberately put on an extremely serious expression and said to them.

"what are you saying?"

Kazuma Sato's fearless demeanor left the trio of thugs somewhat bewildered; this was the first time they had ever seen a guy like him.

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kazuma Sato, and I am Lady Aqua's attendant."

Kazuma Sato turned around and introduced Aqua's identity.

Although Sato Kazuma was somewhat unhappy about using this identity, he had no choice but to do so for the sake of his later plans.

Kazuma Sato had only one requirement for Aqua—to try her best to appear arrogant and serious, at least to make others think that she was not an ordinary person.

At this moment, Aqua stood tall and looked at the three thugs in front of her with what she considered an extremely arrogant posture, but the degree to which she raised her head seemed a little too much.

"Are you looking down your nose at me?!"

Kazuma Sato internally complained, recalling how he felt extremely annoyed when he first saw Aqua's arrogant demeanor after he died and went to the God Realm.

But now we have no choice but to grit our teeth and keep going.

"Could they really be some big shots...?"

The tallest man, who looked somewhat honest and simple, asked in a low voice, though Kazuma Sato could hear him clearly.

"Stop pretending! How could any nobleman come to this place? This is a slum!"

The thin man at the head of the group said with a sneer.

"That's right!"

"We came here precisely to find you!"

Kazuma Sato cleared his throat and continued,

"Before you stands Lady Aqua, one of the prophesied candidates to become the next king!"

He paused deliberately.

"We came here to find the three of you!"

Chapter 20: Let's obediently worship Lady Aqua!

"What on earth are you talking about?"

The three thugs frowned.

The matter concerning Wang Xuan is widely known, but they don't know exactly who these people are.

Seeing the hesitation on their faces, Kazuma Sato smiled again.

When he met Emilia earlier, Kazuma Sato already knew about the royal selection.

He also learned that although almost everyone knew about the prophecy concerning the Dragon Stone, most people were unaware of the specific identities of all the candidates.

Moreover, a fifth candidate does not seem to have appeared yet.

This gave Kazuma Sato an opportunity to package Aqua as a candidate.

This way, he could use Aqua's identity to gain a foothold in Lugnica.

Kazuma Sato has already heard that the candidates wield considerable power.

He also asked Aqua about matters concerning believers.

If someone is willing to become Aqua's follower and believes that Aqua is someone they should serve, then they will be considered a believer, and Aqua's goddess power will be restored.

This also coincides with the fabrication of Aqua's identity.

If Aqua could truly be packaged as the dragon witch chosen by prophecy, she would definitely gain a certain number of followers!

Perhaps they can become Aqua's source of power.

"You said she's one of the candidates for king, so why are you coming to us? We shouldn't know her, right?"

The dwarf man in the trio asked.

"Because the prophecy says that the three of you will join us and become important allies in our camp!"

Kazuma Sato made up a story off the top of his head.

He wanted these three people to become Aqua's first followers.

There is strength in numbers.

Although they don't seem very smart, if we encounter an enemy like Elsa again in the future, we can use them as cannon fodder.

What was written in the prophecy?

"The prophecy said that the three of you would appear at this time and place to rob us."

"Nonsense, you can tell at a glance!"

“Your three names are Rajens, Gaston, and Hambari.”

Kazuma Sato said with a smile.

This was information he had learned from their conversations while being beaten up in previous playthroughs.

"He actually knows our names!"

The taller man was Gaston, and the thinner man from before was Rajens.

"Don't panic. The slums are only so big. It's not surprising that they would know our names if they did a little investigation."

Although Lajins said this, he was already somewhat unsure of himself.

This guy named Kazuma Sato's words did sound outrageous, but they didn't seem like he was joking at all.

At that moment, Kazuma Sato continued:

"Because of the prophecy, I know you very well."

Kazuma Sato maintained his enigmatic smile.

“Rachins, you have two daggers hidden behind your back, and there are 4 holy coins and 11 holy bronze coins in the purse in your pocket!”

This was also information that Kazuma Sato had gathered in the previous playthroughs.

The money bag, in particular, caused the three thugs to attack him with unusually heavy force.

Lajins looked at Kazuma Sato in disbelief; what the other man said was absolutely true.

She could even tell you how much money she had with her, something the two people next to her didn't know.

"If you still don't believe me, then I'll show you Lady Aqua's power as a candidate chosen by Shenron—Lady Aqua!"

Kazuma Sato raised his voice several decibels to bring Aqua, who was somewhat distracted, back to reality.

She activated her skill, and an eerie light emanated from her hand.

"magic?!"

“That’s right, it’s magic. The reason Lady Aqua was chosen is because she is the top mage in Lugnica! The prophecy mentioned that the three of you would become our allies, but if you refuse, you will become our enemies in the future, and we certainly cannot let you leave.”

Kazuma Sato continued, while giving Aqua a wink, signaling her to come over and make a statement to increase the credibility of his words.

'It's finally here! This is the part I've been most looking forward to! Kazuma told me to act all high and mighty, I can't waste this opportunity!'

Aqua thought to herself, took a step forward, leaned forward, and revealed a mocking smile on her face:

"Sigh, all I see are lowlifes. Are all humans like this? Is it because you're lazy and can't find work that you end up here? How pathetic~"

Her smile even became somewhat distorted, and her body began to gesticulate wildly.

"Oh dear, it was the prophecy that mentioned you guys, which is why we thought you might be of some use, and that's why we came here. Maybe it's all just a waste of time? Oh well~"

"Hey, hey, hey...."

Sweat beaded on Kazuma Sato's forehead.

He wanted Aqua to appear as someone of high status and great power.

So all this person does in the end is mock others? Does she have some misunderstanding about the relevant concepts?

Kazuma Sato could see the veins bulging on the foreheads of Rachins and the others, as if they were about to burst from under their skin.

Ruined.....

Kazuma Sato could already foresee that in a few seconds, he would be met with another barrage of punches and kicks.

Then I'll suddenly trip Aqua so she can cover my retreat and then take the opportunity to escape.

While Sato Kazuma was pondering, the three thugs looked at each other and then turned their heads away at the same time.

"We, we are willing to pledge our allegiance to Lady Aqua!"

"what?"

Kazuma Sato looked utterly bewildered.

what's the situation?

Are these three people really willing to join their camp?

At this moment, Rajens' expression was also extremely stiff.

In his eyes, he had no room to refuse.

If Aqua is indeed a candidate, throwing them into jail would be a piece of cake; robbing a candidate is a serious crime.

She just used magic; she could probably kill them all with just a flick of her finger.

Moreover, Aqua's series of remarks, coupled with her expression that most people couldn't achieve, made it seem as if she were a being superior to humans. Rachins truly sensed the arrogance in her bones.

Aqua is truly extraordinary.

To save his own life and that of his companions, Rajins now has no choice but to agree to join their side.

Chapter Twenty-One: An Accurate Prophecy!