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

Natsuki Subaru, dressed as a servant, spoke to Sato Kazuma.

"Hmm, but are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

"I asked, Kazuma Sato."

"No, I'm going to be Emilia's ally!"

"A terrifying case of being love-struck."

"what?"

"It's nothing, we'll be going now!"

After saying goodbye to Subaru and the others, Kazuma Sato returned to Aqua and the others' side.

His gaze swept over the other people.

Feru, Meryl... and Beatrice...

I look like a perverted man who traffics minors!

Why did things turn out this way...?

"Forget it, let's just take it one step at a time."

Kazuma Sato sighed and then got into the dragon carriage.

After a long and arduous journey, Kazuma Sato finally returned to the capital.

Just as he had guessed, when the guards checked him at the city gate, they saw that the carriage was almost entirely filled with young girls, and they really suspected that Sato Kazuma was doing something shady.

Even if the evidence isn't very convincing, Sato Kazuma still seems rather sleazy and doesn't look like a good person.

Even after they discovered Aqua's identity, the guards still respectfully apologized and let them pass.

The dragon carriage stopped in the center of the capital, and Sato Kazuma and the others got out. Looking at the bustling city in front of them, they couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

Beatrice opened her eyes wide and looked around with curiosity. It had been a long time since she had seen a human city.

"Kazuma, where do we go next?"

Aqua asked with a curious expression.

"I definitely need to go back to the slums first! I need to let Grandpa Rom know I'm safe!"

Ferut immediately spoke.

"Yes, I definitely need to go back to the slums..."

Kazuma Sato swallowed hard.

After all, there was another trio he had forgotten about somewhere.

Soon, they arrived at the slums, where Ferut and Lord Rom had previously lived.

Ferut rushed into the house and told Grandpa Rom the outrageous stories that had happened recently.

Meanwhile, Kazuma Sato led Aqua to a nearby dilapidated house.

That was the spot where Sato Kazuma had previously left the trio of thugs to wait.

"Kazuma-sama..."

The three of them looked at Kazuma Sato with expressions of deep sorrow on their faces.

Previously, they had been completely forgotten by Kazuma Sato, and had been waiting for his orders in a small room next door.

After all, in the eyes of the trio, Aqua and Kazuma Sato were people they couldn't afford to offend. In addition, Kazuma Sato had previously used prophecy to deceive them, which made them dare not disobey his orders.

The trio remained there, starving—except for Gaston.

Because Gaston only woke up today.

He had been tricked by Kazuma Sato into drinking a 'drug with a little milk' and had been unconscious until today when he finally regained consciousness.

Today, Sato Kazuya, who had returned from Emilia's place, finally found them, who were on the verge of giving up.

Kazuma Sato felt himself sweating profusely, but before the other person could say anything, he spoke first:

"Very good, all three of you have passed my test."

"Huh? A test?"

“That’s right. The reason I left you here is to test you all to see if you will obey my orders, and also to see if you can withstand the test of hunger. Appetite is the most basic human desire, and you have successfully overcome this desire, which is enough to show that you have transformed! You have become people I can entrust and trust!”

Kazuma Sato's face showed an extremely serious expression, and his tone also became serious.

"So, Kazuma-sama, you haven't forgotten us?"

"Of course not, how could I do such a thing! This was just a test. Congratulations! Welcome to our ranks!"

Chapter 61: Candidates can't just freeload!

Kazuma Sato spoke to the trio in a very serious tone.

"I see! I knew Kazuma-sama would never abandon us!"

The trio's mournful expressions vanished, replaced by incredibly excited smiles, as if they had forgotten all about their hunger.

"That's right, that's right."

Sato Kazuma gave a somewhat forced smile and spoke to the three people in front of him.

"But I have a question, Kazuma-sama."

Just then, Gaston looked at Kazuma Sato with a puzzled expression.

"I heard from them that I slept for three or four days. What happened?"

"Haha, this is all thanks to... Lady Aqua!"

As he spoke, Kazuma Sato nudged Aqua, who was standing next to him, with his elbow.

"Me, my contribution?"

Aqua looked at Kazuma Sato with a bewildered expression, her intuition telling her that Kazuma Sato was about to shift the blame onto her again.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't—"

"Thanks to Aqua's magic that eliminates fatigue, you were able to sleep until now. Don't you feel refreshed and lighter?"

"It seems, it seems so?"

Gaston lowered his head to feel his body, and seemed to feel much lighter.

Kazuma Sato simply smiled as he looked at Gaston in front of him.

You haven't eaten for almost three days, how could you not be sick?

Beatrice frowned as she looked at the three people in front of her, and realized something in her heart.

These three people are complete idiots.

"Well, now that you've passed my test, I'll treat you to a big meal tonight! Eat whatever you want!"

Sato Kazuna felt a slight pang of conscience.

Let's make it up to these three guys in front of us a little bit—

"By the way, now that you're part of our group, why don't you fill out this form?"

As Aqua spoke, she took out several pieces of paper from her waist.

"Wait, could it be...?"

What she was holding was Axis's application form for joining the church.

. . . . . .

That evening, Kazuma Sato and his companions went to a nearby restaurant that looked decent. Although it wasn't high-end, it was considered one of the better restaurants in the area.

"Order whatever you like!"

Kazuma Sato stood on the seat and shouted loudly.

If it were a few days ago, he probably wouldn't even be able to afford a meal.

However, this time, Kazuma Sato left Roswaal's mansion with a considerable amount of money from him.

This is the reward for defeating the monster.

Beatrice usually takes care of the monsters, and even someone as shameless as Kazuma Sato wouldn't normally ask her for so much compensation.

But now that Beatrice has signed a contract with him, the nature of the situation is different!

Beatrice is one of their own, so naturally they have a reason to demand payment!

Furthermore, Kazuma Sato deliberately had Aqua personally go to Roswaal to ask for the reward, so that because of the candidates' status, Roswaal would be very happy to give them the reward!

"I want this!"

"Then I'd like to order this!"

"One of each of these, please!"

Since it was Kazuma Sato who was treating, the others present didn't hold back at all and ordered all sorts of delicious food.

Aqua's goal is very clear.

liquor! liquor! liquor!

As the waiters brought bottles of liquor to them, Aqua began to drink heartily, completely disregarding her image.

Before long, her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed tipsy—and then she began to show off her talents in front of everyone.

Flowers, birds, wind, and moon!

"Amazing!"

"That's amazing! Who are you?!"

"This is something only a mage could do!"

Not only the trio of thugs, but also the other customers in the restaurant were amazed by Aqua's amazing skills and praised her highly.

"I am Aqua, the goddess of water!"

Aqua puffed out her chest and said with immense pride.

"So you're Lady Aqua, the one who caused the strange phenomenon a few days ago!"

"The fifth candidate!"

"I never expected a candidate to appear here..."

"Since we've met, let's have a drink together!"

Aqua shouted excitedly to the customers around her.

"I'll cover all your drinks!!!"

"Hey, Aqua, even though we have some savings now, we can't afford to spend like this."

Kazuma Sato reminded him in a low voice.

"But everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun!"

Aqua was completely excited.

Meanwhile, other customers in the restaurant had already crowded around her.

"Long live Lady Aqua!"

"I am now a supporter of Lady Aqua!"

"Lady Aqua will definitely win among the candidates!"

The crowd chanted Aqua's name in unison, their voices echoing throughout the entire arena.

Seeing that the atmosphere had reached this point, Kazuma Sato decided not to say anything more. The food here shouldn't be too expensive, and they should be able to afford it if he wanted to entertain everyone.

Let's enjoy the present moment!

Kazuma Sato raised his glass, feeling the cool, slightly spicy liquid flow into his mouth.

Cool!